Start of a transcript of Our Lady of Thorns A medieval monastic mystery/tragedy by Joel Burton Site: https://lady-of-thorns.netlify.app Release 2 / Serial number 260410 / Inform v6.44 PunyInform v6.4.1 SR > l Dorter (on your cot) This great room is used by all of the choir monks except the prior, Brother Oswald. It could easily provide rest for twenty brothers, but there are only eight cots in here now. Each cot has a chest at its foot for any meagre possessions the brother has. A window high up reflects pale moonlight on the floor. A doorway leads south to the Hall. Narrow stairs descend to the Quire, where offices are held. You can see four Brothers (Anselm, Benedict, Hugh and Aelred) here. Brother Hugh heads down. > i You're carrying your robe (worn). Brother Benedict heads down. Brother Martin arrives from the south. > x me You're a novice in your first year, younger than all of the professed monks. Your black habit marks you as Benedictine, though you haven't yet taken your final vows. Brother Aelred heads down. Brother Anselm heads down. Brother Martin heads down. Brother Wilfred arrives from the south. > x wilfred Brother Wilfred, the librarian, is the most venerated of the brethren, well over seventy. He's lean and wiry, with wisps of white hair shooting in all directions from his head. His habit has bits of orange fluff or fur on it. Brother Remigio arrives from the south. > x remigio Brother Remigio is a lay brother from Tuscany---not fully professed, but devoted to the work. He's in his late thirties, with sharp features and expressive hands. His English is poor, and he often lapses into his native tongue. Brother Remigio heads down. > talk to wilfred [Instead, try: ASK monk ABOUT person/thing or TELL monk ABOUT person/thing. But: many monks follow their vow of silence and others speak only in certain locations.] > x chest Do you mean Brother Aelred's chest, Brother Anselm's chest, Brother Benedict's chest, Brother Cuthbert's chest, Brother Hugh's chest, Brother Martin's chest, Brother Wilfred's chest or your chest? > x my chest Your chest is like all of the other brothers' chests: A simple wooden box with a lid. Brother Wilfred heads down. > open my chest Searching another brother's property without reason just feels wrong. > comment but that's my stuff, not someone else's :( That is not a verb I recognise. > stand You leave your cot. > d Night Stairs Midway on the narrow stone stairs connecting the Dorter to the Quire. These are the Night Stairs: three times each night, monks file down in darkness for Matins, Lauds, and Prime. The walls are close, the air still. A lone candle flickers in its niche. In the distance, you can hear your brothers start to sing. Brother Oswald finds you, exasperated. "Why aren't you with the others in the Quire? This is no time to dawdle." He brings you down to the Quire and you find a seat. Quire (on the stalls) The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. Brothers here: - Aelred, the herbalist (seated) - Anselm, the cantor (seated) - Benedict, the infirmarer (seated) - Cuthbert, the sacrist (seated) - Hugh, the cellarer (seated) - Martin, the kitchener (seated) - Oswald, the prior (seated) - Remigio, the lay kitchen assistant (seated) - Wilfred, the librarian (seated) You hear the brothers singing. > x aelred Your beloved mentor. Brother Aelred is in his sixties, tall and broad-shouldered, with gentle eyes that often crinkle with quiet amusement. In the five months you've studied under him, his kindness has been matched only by his knowledge of healing herbs. > x anselm Brother Anselm, the cantor, is barely thirty, young for his office. He joined the priory at a young age and was put under the tutelage of Brother Wilfred for many years. He has a clear, strong voice and an easy smile. You've learned that unlike many of the other brothers, he seems to enjoy conversation where the Rule permits it. > x benedict Brother Benedict, the infirmarer, is a heavyset man in his forties with gentle hands and a warmer smile than his bulk might suggest. He moves with the careful efficiency of one who tends the suffering daily. Brother Anselm looks at you. Why aren't you joining the others in song? > sing O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. --- The Book of Psalms You join the others in song. [You'll automatically continue singing throughout the office. You may perform other allowed actions. When you'd like to skip to the end of the service, just WAIT.] [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > x cuthbert Brother Cuthbert, the sacrist, is in his late forties. Dark-haired and sharp-featured, he keeps the sacred vessels spotless, the candles well-stocked, and the bell hours precise. He rarely smiles. You continue to sing with the others. > x hugh Brother Hugh, the cellarer, is lean and blond, barely thirty but already worry-worn. He manages the priory's worldly goods---trade, stores, accounts---and the weight of it shows in his troubled expression. You continue to sing with the others. > x martin Brother Martin, the kitchener, is short, round, and quick to laugh---unusual in this sombre place. He and Brother Remigio, the lay monk, produce the simple meals that sustain the community. You continue to sing with the others. > x oswald Brother Oswald, the prior. Lean and grey-haired, in his early fifties, he governs the priory with stern discipline. You've learned to measure your words and deeds carefully in his presence. You continue to sing with the others. > l Quire (on the stalls) The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. Brothers here: - Aelred, the herbalist (seated) - Anselm, the cantor (seated) - Benedict, the infirmarer (seated) - Cuthbert, the sacrist (seated) - Hugh, the cellarer (seated) - Martin, the kitchener (seated) - Oswald, the prior (seated) - Remigio, the lay kitchen assistant (seated) - Wilfred, the librarian (seated) You continue to sing with the others. > x altar You can only see the altar from here, but you should head east for a closer look. You continue to sing with the others. > x stalls You've sat on these for months now during offices. While sacred to you, the carpentry is plain. On them are nine Brothers (Wilfred, Remigio, Oswald, Martin, Cuthbert, Anselm, Aelred, Benedict and Hugh). You continue to sing with the others. > x nave The nave is to the west. You can go there for a closer look. You continue to sing with the others. > x stairs These are the stairs leading to the Dorter. You continue to sing with the others. > x robe Do you mean your robe or Brother Wilfred's habit? > x my robe A simple black woollen cloth, marking you as a novice of this house. It doesn't have pockets, but a large hood hangs at your back. You continue to sing with the others. > x habit Do you mean your robe or Brother Wilfred's habit? > x wilfred's habit Brother Wilfred's habit is a plain black robe, like yours. You're not sure what the orange fluff is. You continue to sing with the others. > x fluff Brother Wilfred's habit is a plain black robe, like yours. You're not sure what the orange fluff is. You continue to sing with the others. > think Silent reflection is always good. You continue to sing with the others. > wait Using WAIT during a service skips to the end of the service. Is this what you want (y/n)? y (skipping about twenty minutes to end of service) ----------------------- && ----------------------- The office ends. Brother Aelred touches your shoulder. "The hour is early, my son, but our herbs call for our care. First, though, I must conclude a conversation with another brother. Seek me out in the gardens when you are ready. The air is pleasant this morning, is it not?" All of the brethren head out, leaving you alone in the Quire. You spend several long minutes reflecting on your life now: ritual, timing, prayer, silence. It feels both comforting and confining. You're not sure which feeling prevails. Our Lady of Thorns A medieval monastic mystery/tragedy by Joel Burton Site: https://lady-of-thorns.netlify.app Release 2 / Serial number 260410 / Inform v6.44 PunyInform v6.4.1 SR > about In this case, you'll be exploring a small monastery in the fourteenth century, and investigating a possible murder. Some games like this focus heavily on difficult puzzles to solve; others focus on puzzle-free narrative. This game aims in between those two poles. It's difficult to know how difficult puzzles are for different people, or how long games will take. Many testers used a few hints, though a few used none. The amount of time they needed was between 3 and 6 hours. This game uses some non-traditional IF commands; use the game command HELP to see them. You may also find the first item shown by HINTS to be very helpful; it provides non-spoiler advice for solving the puzzles. If you aren't familiar with monastic terms or locations, you may find the "Monastic knowledge" of the HELP section useful. [Please press SPACE to continue.] Our Lady of Thorns was written by Joel Burton. I'm a teacher and software developer in San Francisco, California. This is my first attempt at interactive fiction, but I've been playing games like this since the Infocom games of the 1980s. While I'm the primary author, many others have helped: see the sections "Technical information" and "Credits". You can reach me at intfiction.org, where I am "joelburton" or at joel@joelburton.com. [Please press SPACE to continue.] Like many monastic mystery authors, I was inspired by Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose". Both the novel and the movie are excellent and rich in the texture of monastic life. I also wrote this after enjoying the Cadfael television series (which itself was based on books by Edith Pargeter/Ellis Peters). While they share the setting of a monastery in a very similar time period, this wasn't consciously influenced by the earlier IF work "Vespers", by Jason Devlin---only because in the 20 years since I briefly played it, I had unfortunately forgotten about it. I have since played it through and enjoyed it. The piece of IF that I thought of the most in creating this was Gareth Reed's excellent "Christminster", a medium-length game rich in setting and with a very specific characterization of the player character. If you're not familiar with it and you enjoyed this, you should check it out. [Please press SPACE to continue.] While there are many humans that provided critical support, I'm dedicating this to Auden, my feline companion for twenty years. He passed away during the testing period of this game, and is much missed. [Please press SPACE to continue.] Like most projects, this was possible only with much help from others. Handles are usernames on intfiction.org. PLAYTESTERS: - Allyson Gray (@Ally) - Daniel Stelzer (@Draconis) - Rovarsson (@Rovarsson) - Robert Eggleston (@AERobert) - Garry Francis (@Warrigal) - Andy Galilee (@AndyG) - Doug Egan (@Doug_Egan) - Melissa "Moth" Higuchi - Thomas Mack (@tmack) - rh (@rh) - Hellzon (@Hellzon) - Andrew (@andrewj) - Deborah (@dsherwood) - Javier Garza (@Jade) - Hannah (@Hannah31415) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: - Fredrick Ramsberg (@fredrik) - Daniel Stelzer (@Draconis) - Andrew (@andrewj) - Garry Francis (@Warrigal) - Dannii (@Dannii) - Giger Kitty (@Giger_Kitty) - Andrew Plotkin (@zarf) - Pontus I (@pontusi) - Tara McGrew (@vaporware) BUG REPORTS: - Phil Riley (@rileypb) - Tabitha (@alyshkalia) [Please press SPACE to continue.] The game is written using: - Inform6, primarily authored by Graham Nelson and now managed by David Kinder. - PunyInform, a replacement library particularly focused on retro computers, primarily authored by Johan Berntsson and Fredrik Ramsberg. Special thanks to Garry Francis, who supplied some code for better handling of locking/unlocking doors. [Please press SPACE to continue.] The game text, characters, and puzzle ideas were authored by Joel Burton and without the use of AI. Claude Sonnet 4.5 and 4.6 (both from Anthropic) were used to: - check for anachronisms and American-isms in text - suggest debugging steps for misbehaving code - help create non-game scripts, like my testing/build system [Please press SPACE to continue.] If you find a bug in the game or would like to tell me about anything confusing, I'd very much welcome it. I can be reached at joel+thorns@joelburton.com. [Please press SPACE to continue.] Quire (on the stalls) The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > hints - This isn't the kind of game where every object in the room is listed in the room description. Look around and examine objects carefully. You may also find it useful to examine "ordinary" objects, like doors and tables. - Use other senses. As a novice herbalist, SMELL may be particularly useful. - Not every location or object connects to a puzzle. Some locations and objects are present because, thematically, they would be in the priory. - Learn the schedule for offices; knowing when services start and stop will let you use your time efficiently. There are useful commands for waiting for a longer time than just a minute; see the section on "Special commands" in HELP if you haven't already. - Every location in the priory can be reached in-game, though some take some effort to access. If you feel stuck and don't know what to do next, try to get into the unexplored areas on the map. - In some interactive fiction, you're supposed to try to collect any item you find, in case it's important for a puzzle. This isn't a game like that; while there are some important things you should take, simply trying to get everything you can will be burdensome and likely to get you into trouble. Think of the priory like a real place: you wouldn't just steal everything in sight for no reason. - Latin phrases appear throughout; some are translated, some are not. While it's not critical, you may find it helpful to translate some of them. Google Translate can be useful for this. [Please press SPACE to continue.] There are 3 hints: press H for next hint, or any other key to exit. (1/3) Alas, no. [Please press SPACE to continue.] There are 3 hints: press H for next hint, or any other key to exit. (1/3) Alas, no. (2/3) But I've tried to make it realistic in the architecture and setting. (3/3) There are really priories like this. [Please press SPACE to continue.] There are 2 hints: press H for next hint, or any other key to exit. (1/2) The game doesn't give an exact location. (2/2) But references in it strongly suggest the southeastern end of England, near France. [Please press SPACE to continue.] There are 2 hints: press H for next hint, or any other key to exit. (1/2) In the twelfth century. (2/2) If you want to learn a more exact date, you'll have to figure it out in the game. [Please press SPACE to continue.] There are 3 hints: press H for next hint, or any other key to exit. (1/3) You're a novice monk at the priory of Our Lady of Thorns. (2/3) A dramatic thing happens early in the game that will give you a sense of your purpose in the game. [Please press SPACE to continue.] There are 3 hints: press H for next hint, or any other key to exit. (1/3) Many monasteries have strict vows of silence at many times and places. (2/3) There are many places where you'll never be able to talk to them. (3/3) And some monks are very strict about the vow of silence. [Please press SPACE to continue.] Quire (on the stalls) The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > e (first getting up from the stalls) Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > x altar The austerity of the priory is evident in the simplicity of this altar, a stone structure supporting a cross. > search altar You find nothing special. > time From your vague sense of time, it is three in the morning. > comment i could not be a monk with this schedule That is not a verb I recognise. > x gate The gate is made of sturdy iron and has a heavy lock built into it. It is closed. > x lock The lock is the opening for a key in the crypt gate. > s You shouldn't be exploring the Sacristy now. Perhaps later, when Brother Cuthbert is occupied. > e You shouldn't go to the Lady Chapel now. Brother Benedict will be there and will report you for not working in the Garden with Brother Aelred. > w Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > s Cloister North You emerge on the northern edge of the Cloister walk, the covered stone arcade at the centre of the priory. It's a continuous square path surrounding the Garth, a large open yard. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. [Since the Cloister is so large, it is divided into eight parts: Cloister Northwest, Cloister North, and so on.] You remember Brother Aelred's request to meet him this morning. You know he'll be in the gardens, south of the Cloister. > x wall You see nothing special about it. > x stone path I only understood you as far as "x stone" but then you lost me. > x garth Through the openings, you can see the Garth, the central yard. > x arch Sorry, I don't understand what "arch" means. > s Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its pale moonlight. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > x sundial The sundial isn't casting a discernible shadow without sunlight. > x well An old stone well, its edges worn down by centuries of drawing water. You can recall a story Aelred told about this: "The summer of... thirty-one, I think it was. Perhaps thirty-two. The well ran so low you could hear the bucket scrape the bottom, and Brother Oswald, then our cellarer, was rationing water like a miser counts farthings. We processed around the garth singing the litany, 'Ora pro nobis'." "Nothing happened, of course. Not that day. We went to bed parched and unconvinced. But in the morning the level had risen a foot. Prior Wilfred wept for joy. Brother Oswald said it was condensation." > climb in well The well is deep and dark. You're not that desperate. You know you should go to the gardens. You wouldn't want to keep your mentor waiting. > search well It's too dark to see the bottom. > s Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > s Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit pale moonlight that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > n Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. The lay monk, Brother Remigio, runs up to you, his face ashen. "You!" he cries, grabbing your sleeve. "Come---Frate Aelred, l'erborista, he is, the Slype---" He cannot find the words. His eyes say everything. He urgently points east. > e You follow Brother Remigio east. Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. Brother Remigio desperately signals you to follow him east to the Slype. > e You follow Brother Remigio east. Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. Brother Remigio is here, looking terrified. Brother Aelred lies on the stone floor. Brother Aelred is clearly unwell. His movements are frantic and his eyes look unusual. > x aelred Your beloved mentor. In normal moments, Brother Aelred's eyes twinkled with kindness. Right now, though, he looks desperately ill. Sweat beads on his flushed face, and his pupils look strange. His limbs grab wildly at his habit, making it seem as though he is trying to remove something that isn't there. Brother Aelred seems gripped with delirium. "Gathering... he was always gathering... I wanted to know why..." > pray You pray fervently for Brother Aelred. Brother Aelred's hand jerks, trembling, gesturing north toward the bushes lining the Slype and the Scriptorium behind. His lips move. "The letter... the letter told me everything..." > n You wouldn't dare abandon Brother Aelred. Brother Aelred convulses wildly. The end of his earthly time cannot be far. > help aelred I only understood you as far as "help" but then you lost me. > carry aelred You consider trying to carry him to the Infirmary---but, clearly, he is beyond cure. Instead, you stroke his head. A strange peace crosses Brother Aelred's face. He finds your hand and holds it with surprising strength. "One life for two, my friend." He smiles, looking towards Heaven---and is gone. > pray You pray fervently for Brother Aelred. ----------------------- && ----------------------- Having heard Remigio's cries, Prior Oswald arrives and, upon seeing the wide and still eyes of Brother Aelred, makes the sign of the cross and whispers a prayer. The other brothers assemble. Brother Benedict, the infirmarer, is called upon to determine if Aelred is dead, and does so. You find yourself in the garden without quite knowing how you got there, standing among Brother Aelred's carefully tended beds. Your friend. Your mentor. The pangs of loneliness that have eaten at you on long nights return cruelly. Brother Wilfred, the venerable librarian, finds you in the Garden and tries to offer consolation: "My child", he says, "you will always have a friend in me. Brother Aelred lived a joyful life, and we can carry on in his spirit with your help." He gestures to the gardens that you have grown to love so much. You are told by others that there is a meeting in the Chapter House. You dry your eyes and make your way there. ----------------------- && ----------------------- Chapter House The Chapter House is a modest hall where the brothers gather each morning to discuss priory business. A painted panel on the wall depicts the hours of the Divine Offices. In one corner stands a wooden statue. The only exit is west, out to the Cloister. Two benches are in the centre of the room. A broad table lies between the benches. You can also see eight Brothers (Wilfred, Remigio, Oswald, Martin, Hugh, Cuthbert, Benedict and Anselm) here. The brothers gathered here begin to find seats, and Brother Oswald, the prior, begins to speak. > listen You listen intently to Brother Oswald. You sit on a bench next to Brother Anselm. "Brothers," starts Brother Prior Oswald, "this is a terrible day for our community: the loss of our herbalist, Brother Aelred." > g You listen intently to Brother Oswald. Brother Oswald pauses. "Brother Aelred's passing was... sudden. He did have a weak heart. Let us thank God that his passing was quick." > g You listen intently to Brother Oswald. Brother Oswald continues: "We will observe a day of fasting today and break our fast after Matins tomorrow. Brother Benedict has placed our dear brother in the Infirmary Chapel. You may pay your final respects to him there." > g You listen intently to Brother Oswald. Brother Oswald continues: "Our novice"---he gestures toward you---"is doing adequately in his role, and will spend today cataloguing the gardens. He and I will meet after the burial tomorrow to decide how to proceed without our herbalist." > z You listen intently to Brother Oswald. Brother Oswald continues: "Of course, we will continue to hold the rest of our Divine Offices today---however, given the circumstances, some of you may be absent. To this, I give my blessing." > g You listen intently to Brother Oswald. The meeting draws to a close and the brethren stand. [You can always get a list of brothers with you with the command HERE.] > here Brothers here: - Anselm, the cantor - Benedict, the infirmarer - Cuthbert, the sacrist - Hugh, the cellarer - Martin, the kitchener - Oswald, the prior - Remigio, the lay kitchen assistant - Wilfred, the librarian > ask remigio about aelred "Such sad thing." He looks despondent. Brother Wilfred yawns sleepily. Brothers Oswald, Hugh, Benedict, Cuthbert and Remigio leave. > ask wilfred about aelred "What a loss for our community. I knew him his entire adult life, and such a pleasant acquaintance it was. He was always thoughtful---he began to bring me rosemary sprigs after he learned that that was my mother's name." Brothers Wilfred, Martin and Anselm depart, leaving you alone. You feel a deep sense of obligation to Brother Aelred. Something about this death doesn't feel right or natural. You vow to discover what happened and why. You'll need to finish your investigation by the end of Compline tonight, since Brother Aelred will be buried tomorrow morning. You're not sure where to begin, but examining his body in the Infirmary Chapel or searching his Herbarium might be good places to start. Of course, such an investigation would be unsanctioned by the prior. You'll have to cover your tracks carefully. > save Ok. > l Chapter House (on the benches) The Chapter House is a modest hall where the brothers gather each morning to discuss priory business. A painted panel on the wall depicts the hours of the Divine Offices. In one corner stands a wooden statue. The only exit is west, out to the Cloister. Two benches are in the centre of the room. A broad table lies between the benches. > x panel It shows the offices: Matins 2 AM Sext Noon Lauds 5 AM None 3 PM Prime 7 AM Vespers 5 PM Terce 9 AM Compline 7 PM (Since you know these by heart, you can see this list at any time with the command OFFICES). [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > offices Matins 2 AM Sext Noon Lauds 5 AM None 3 PM Prime 7 AM Vespers 5 PM Terce 9 AM Compline 7 PM > x statue It's a wooden statue, worn and with the paint flaking in places. You know it to be Brother Gordian, the founder of the priory. His face is filled with reverence and curiosity, and he is depicted holding a scroll reading "III: SAPIENTIA", reflecting one of his three creeds, wisdom. [There is no clock here, but between bells ringing for offices and your own internal sense, you decide that it is very approximately four in the morning. You can check this sense at any time with the command TIME.] > search statue First, you'd need to get up from the benches. > u You stand up from the benches. > search statue You find nothing special. > x benches The benches are simple and made of wood. > x table A large wooden table. > look under table You find nothing special. > look under benches You find nothing special. > w Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. > time From your vague sense of time, it is past four in the morning. > sw This game uses only north, south, west, east, up, down, in, and out. > w Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. > w Cloister Northwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The high walls of the church rise imposingly to the north, and a curious door lies to the west. > x door A heavy door made of fine cedar, upon which a large brass plate is set. There are seven buttons on it, each bearing a symbol: a compass, a hammer, a scroll, a cross, a key, a lamp, and a sheaf of wheat. Below them, an inscription in elegant script: HIS TRIBUS FUNDATA EST DOMUS MEA --- GORDIAN, PRIMUS PRIOR You read that as "On these three my house is founded --- Gordian, First Prior". The door is currently closed. > x buttons Do you mean the compass button, the hammer button, the scroll button, the cross button, the key button, the lamp button or the wheat button? > x plate A heavy door made of fine cedar, upon which a large brass plate is set. There are seven buttons on it, each bearing a symbol: a compass, a hammer, a scroll, a cross, a key, a lamp, and a sheaf of wheat. Below them, an inscription in elegant script: HIS TRIBUS FUNDATA EST DOMUS MEA --- GORDIAN, PRIMUS PRIOR You read that as "On these three my house is founded --- Gordian, First Prior". The door is currently closed. > s Cloister West This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The Locutory lies in to the west. You can also go north to the northwestern corner of the Cloister, south to the southwestern corner, or east into the Garth. > w A time to keep silence, and a time to speak. --- Ecclesiastes Locutory A sparse rectangular room. A plain table is in the centre, surrounded by two benches. This is the Locutory, where the prior meets with merchants, where brothers discuss monastery business, where the silence of the Rule may be broken for practical needs. The only exit is out the way you came. Brother Anselm is standing here, smiling at you. > ask anselm about aelred "He was so kind." Anselm's voice catches. "We're all going to miss him terribly." > ask anselm about himself He looks puzzled. "We've talked many times, Aldwin." > ask anselm about me He laughs happily. "You? You're, well, you. I think you're doing very well here." > ask anselm about oswalrd Brother Anselm is more interested in questions about other brothers. [There are other things you can ask, but one good idea is to ask the brothers about each other.] > ask anselm about oswald "He's extremely capable---but I never get a chance to talk with him." > ask anselm about benedict "When I had quinsy last year, he took excellent care of me. We were meeting earlier this morning in the Garth." > ask anselm about cuthbert "He's so serious about the rule of silence that I've never really talked to him." > ask anselm about remigio "Oh, our poor foreign lay brother. He seems a bit like a lost soul. It must be very lonely for him here, especially given how little English he has." > ask anselm about hugh "Brother Hugh used to be so joyful when I arrived. I fear something has been on his mind for months." > ask anselm about martin "He's so busy in the Kitchen that I almost never get to talk with him." > ask anselm about wilfred "He is such an excellent illuminator and has such a sharp mind." > look under table You find nothing special. > look under benches You find nothing special. > e Cloister West This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The Locutory lies in to the west. You can also go north to the northwestern corner of the Cloister, south to the southwestern corner, or east into the Garth. You can see an orange cat here. > x cat She is small and lean with hunger. The orange cat wriggles. > pet cat Cats usually need to be bribed to let you touch them. The orange cat wriggles. > slowly blink at cat That is not a verb I recognise. > blink at cat That is not a verb I recognise. > s Cloister Southwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. A small alcove, the Lavatorium, is to the south. You can go north to the western edge, or east to the southern edge. The West Gate, allowing outsiders to enter the Cloister, is to the west and closed. > s Lavatorium A small alcove off the Cloister where the brothers wash before entering the Refectory. A basin is built into the wall. You can only return the way you came. A threadbare towel hangs on a peg by the basin. > x basin The basin normally contains water for washing but, perhaps given the events today, someone has failed to fill it. > fill basin You have no water to fill it with. > x towel It's a simple linen towel, well-worn by use. > take towel Leave this here. The other brothers will want to use it. > search towel You find nothing special. > touch towel Rough linen and damp. > n Cloister Southwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. A small alcove, the Lavatorium, is to the south. You can go north to the western edge, or east to the southern edge. The West Gate, allowing outsiders to enter the Cloister, is to the west and closed. > e Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > s Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit pale moonlight that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > x tables The tables are bare and well-washed. > x windows The windows are only a bare opening in the wall, and too high up to do anything with. > smell The scent of pottage from previous meals. > look under tables You find nothing unexpected. > s Kitchen The priory kitchen is a large room, lit by high windows. A door leads north to the Refectory, and stairs descend to the Undercroft below. A large table dominates the centre, scattered with implements and vessels. A hearth is built into a wall, its fire warming the room. Brother Martin is here, chopping vegetables. Brother Remigio is here, tidying the table. > x martin Brother Martin, the kitchener, is short, round, and quick to laugh---unusual in this sombre place. He and Brother Remigio, the lay monk, produce the simple meals that sustain the community. > x table A long high table, big enough for two or three people to work at. It has a collection of utensils, knives, a piece of smoked fish, and vessels of spices on it. > x spices You needn't worry about these---Brother Martin is the kitchener. Brother Martin smiles broadly. "Hungry, are we, Brother Novice?" He takes a piece of smoked fish and presses it into your hands. "There. Now leave us to our work." He ushers you out north, to the Refectory. Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit pale moonlight that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > x fish Cod? Haddock? You're a gardener, not a fisherman. > eat fish You try a nibble. It's delicious. > n Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > e Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. You can see an orange cat here. > feed fish to cat The orange cat eats the fish hungrily then rubs against you, purring. > pet cat She pushes her nose affectionately against your hand. The orange cat twitches, sensing movement somewhere. > e Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. "RING! RING!" You hear the bell ring two times to call the brothers to the Lauds office. Prior Oswald excused you from offices today, but you know the choir monks will be in the Quire for the next forty-five minutes or so. > x bushes These bushes were a point of pride for Aelred, given how hard it can be to grow roses in this climate. Given the season, the flowers are largely gone, replaced by only rosehips and their scent. Brother Benedict arrives from the east. > smell rosehips Still lovely. Brother Benedict heads west. > smell A faint sweetness lingers from the bushes, though the flowers are mostly gone now. > x rosehips The flowers are largely shrivelled and dead, and rosehips replace them. > take rosehip You dare not take any of the flowers or berries. It would feel wrong to take anything of Aelred's pride. > e Infirmary The Infirmary serves both the brothers and visiting villagers who seek healing. Several narrow beds line the western wall. A workbench holds mortars and bowls for preparing remedies. The air has a sharp tang. The Infirmary Chapel is to the south, and the Slype is out to the west. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. A curious cabinet, perhaps for medicines, sits against a wall. > x mirror A young face, barely requiring shaving, stares back at you. Your black Benedictine habit hangs loose on your thin frame. No tonsure marks your crown---you're still a novice, not yet bound by final vows. Brother Aelred used to say you had honest eyes. You hope he was right. > x cabinet A wooden cabinet secured with a brass lock mechanism. Four brass wheels, each engraved with digits "0" through "9", can be rotated independently. Carved into the wood above the lock: "Historia nostra, fides nostra". You remember Brother Aelred mentioning this cabinet: "A clever device, this. The secret is something any brother would know---I myself guessed it years ago. At least it should protect the villagers from getting to our medicines." The four wheels currently show: 0-0-0-0. > x beds They're simple cots, with nothing on or under them. > x workbench A plain wood table holding the mortars and bowls. > x mortars The mortars and bowls are used for grinding medicine. > s Infirmary Chapel This is a tiny chapel attached to the Infirmary, barely large enough for a priest and one or two others. A simple stone altar stands against a wall, and a statue stands in a corner, worn smooth by many hands. This chapel is where the dying receive extreme unction, where the desperately ill make their final prayers. The air is heavy with the memory of fear and hope. The only exit, for the living, is out to the north. You can see an altar (with Brother Aelred's body on it) here. > x statue It depicts St Roch, patron saint of the plague-stricken and the sick. He's depicted as a pilgrim, with a hand pointing to a sore on his leg. > x altar A simple stone altar, worn by generations of prayer. On it is Brother Aelred's body. > x aelred Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. --- The Book of Psalms Your beloved mentor lies still on the altar, still dressed. His face is peaceful now, though you remember his agony earlier. His eyes are wide open---staring upward as if fixed on Heaven---and his hands are folded across his chest. Something seems odd about him, though you can't quite place it. > search aelred In an inner pocket of his robe, you find an iron key. You take it. [The score has just gone up by 2 points.] > x aelred's hands You notice nothing unusual about his hands. > x aelred's face You detect nothing unusual about Brother Aelred's face and mouth, except for his eyes and the odour coming from his mouth. > smell There is an odd faint odour in the air. > smell aelred There's an odd smell about his remains, something like alcohol and urine in his mouth. Unusual. This definitely feels like an unnatural condition. You resolve to discover what happened to Aelred. [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > x aelred's eyes His pupils are unnaturally dilated and black, like you have never seen in a person living or dead. > open mouth You find nothing in his mouth and close it. > n Infirmary Several narrow beds line the western wall. A workbench holds mortars and bowls for preparing remedies. The air has a sharp tang. The Infirmary Chapel is to the south, and the Slype is out to the west. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. The medicine cabinet sits against a wall, closed. > w Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > s Herbarium This room still carries Brother Aelred's presence in every corner. Bundles of dried herbs hang from the rafters. The worktable in the centre, laden with materials above and below, bears the marks of much use. A large terracotta pot in the corner was used often to transfer plants. Without him here, the room feels hollow. The Slype lies north, and the Garden---his garden---waits to the south. > x herbs The different bunches of herbs hang from the rafters. From here, you can't make out what they are. > x table The table is the one where you and Brother Aelred did your daily work. On top of it are some jars, some gloves and Aelred's Herbal. > x pot A substantial container, perfect for repotting a large plant. It is empty. > x jars There are almost two dozen of them, each carefully labelled. You know these well---managing these has been your daily labour for the past few months. You don't see anything missing or unusual about them. > x gloves These are rough gloves, used by Aelred in the gardens. > x herbal A thin volume, but very handy: it lists many herbs and other plants, along with descriptions of them and their uses. > take herbal You take the Herbal, aware that this was among his most prized possessions. You can only hope you'll make as good use of it as he did. > read herbal It's much too dense to read the entire thing. (You can consult it by looking up a plant by name, like CONSULT HERBAL ABOUT YARROW.) > consult herbal about yarrow Yarrow: called also "woundwort" and "nosebleed plant", for its chief virtues. Applied as a poultice to a fresh wound, it stanches bleeding with remarkable speed---the ancients said Achilles himself used it on the battlefield. A tea of the dried flowers will bring down a fever by encouraging sweat. One of the most useful herbs in the infirmarer's store. [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > take gloves Taken. > wear gloves You pause for a second. His gloves, and now they'll pass to you. You hope you can honour his work in the garden. You put on Aelred's gloves. > stand on table You climb up onto the worktable. > x herbs Three different bunches hang from the rafters. They're still out of your grasp---Brother Aelred was much taller than you---but you recognise them as thyme, rosemary, and feverfew. > consult herbal about thyme Thyme: powerful for cleaning the blood and warding off the plague. Can be made into a decoction or served in a tea. > consult herbal about rosemary Rosemary: one of God's most beneficial gifts, useful for the digestion and for nerves. Can be made into a decoction or served as a tea. > consult herbal about feverfew Feverfew: also known as "featherfoil" or "featherfew". A sovereign remedy for headaches and the agues that bring fever. Women take it for monthly afflictions. Chew the fresh leaves or make a tea, though the bitterness is formidable. Some claim it prevents the megrim when taken daily. > d You climb down from the worktable. > l Herbarium This room still carries Brother Aelred's presence in every corner. Bundles of dried herbs hang from the rafters. The worktable in the centre, laden with materials above and below, bears the marks of much use. A large terracotta pot in the corner was used often to transfer plants. Without him here, the room feels hollow. The Slype lies north, and the Garden---his garden---waits to the south. > x table The table is the one where you and Brother Aelred did your daily work. On top of it are some jars. > look under table Looking below the table, you find Brother Aelred's basket, which he used for gathering and carrying herbs. > take basket Taken. > x basket A flax basket with high sides, useful when harvesting herbs and carrying them to the Infirmary. > i You're carrying a basket (which is empty), some gloves (worn), Aelred's Herbal, an iron key and your robe (worn). > x key Heavy and iron, its surface pitted with rust from years hanging in the damp Herbarium. You know this key from seeing Aelred use it: it opens the gate to the Restricted Garden where the dangerous herbs are grown. > s Garden Aelred's garden. You can still see where his hands touched everything: the carefully weeded beds, the path worn by his daily rounds. You can enter the Herbarium to the north. A closed gate west guards plants too dangerous for common use. > x beds Neat rows of raised beds, carefully tended and weeded. Woody rosemary grows tall in one corner, its leaves green against the autumn sky. Low-growing thyme spreads in silvery-green mats, while feverfew's white daisy-flowers still bloom despite the season. In the most sheltered spot, a tiny basil plant catches what little sun reaches this northern garden. It's a small miracle that Aelred coaxed it to survive this long. > x basil Less than half a foot tall, with oval leaves of tender green. It appears to be in its first season. [If you want to take part of the basil plant: PICK plant.] > pick basil (putting the iron key into the basket to make room) You break a sprig off of it. > consult herbal about basil Basil: difficult to grow in these northern climes, but common in warmer lands like southern France and especially Tuscany, where it is prized as both culinary herb and remedy. Effective for digestive troubles and inflammation of the eyes. Spending time here reminds you of a conversation from spring, when Brother Aelred was tending part of the garden. "This one's a challenge, my son," he said, gesturing at a new basil plant. "It wants warmth and sun we can barely give it here. But there's a brother of ours---he came from sunnier lands, seeking refuge. He never complains, but I see the homesickness in his eyes." Aelred touched the leaves gently. "If I can coax this to grow, it will remind him of home. A small kindness, perhaps, but sometimes those matter most." You will miss Aelred so much. > x gate This wooden fence protects access to the dangerous plants. It is closed. > open gate It's locked. > unlock gate (with the iron key) You unlock the restricted garden gate and open it. > w Restricted Garden Here is Aelred's collection of dangerous plants---those too potent for casual use, too deadly for error. The beds here are smaller, more carefully separated. Aelred brought you here only twice, making you repeat each plant's name, its use, its danger. "Respect them, my son", he said. "In the right dose, they heal. In the wrong, they kill." The only exit is out through the gate to the east, which is open. A small gnarled mandrake root pushes from the earth, pale and forked like a tiny human figure. > x mandrake A small, pale, forked root twisted into a vaguely human shape. > consult herbal about mandrake Mandrake: called also Mandragora, and by some the sleeping root or gallows root. In small doses brings drowsiness and eases pain. The smoke of the root, carefully breathed, brings a deep and restful sleep---useful before surgery or for the gravely restless. The root itself should not be eaten in quantity, but it is not dangerous to handle. > take mandrake (putting Aelred's Herbal into the basket to make room) You wrap your fingers around it carefully and pull it free. The root forks into two distinct limbs below the crown---the shape the ancients called anthropomorphon, the man-formed. They said it screamed when pulled from the earth. The silence feels like a small mercy. > x plants The beds are smaller and carefully separated here---no risk of cross-contamination. You recognise monkshood by its dark leaves and hooded flowers, foxglove by its pink bells, henbane by its sickly-sweet smell. > x monkshood Several feet high, with spikes of helmet-shaped, deep blue flowers. > consult herbal about monkshood Aconite: called also "wolfsbane" and, in the common tongue, "monkshood", for the shape of its flower. When used with caution, can reduce inflammation or problems with breathing. When used without care, can result in a death that looks like rabies: with frothy saliva, slurred speech, and impaired vision. Used as a liniment or decoction. > consult herbal about foxglove Foxglove: some claim it strengthens a weak heart, though its use is controversial and dangerous. Even small amounts can cause the heart to beat irregularly. Handle with great caution, as the plant irritates the skin terribly. > consult herbal about henbane Henbane: of great virtue against toothache and the pains of rheumatism when taken in very small amounts as a decoction. Yet henbane is treacherous in larger quantity. The dying man's eyes grow wide and strange, the pupils swallowed up by darkness, as though he looks upon things unseen. Visions come upon him---some report them as blessed, others as torments. Let the infirmarer dispense this herb with great caution, for the difference between remedy and poison is a matter of mere drops. You recognise in Brother Aelred's symptoms the signs of henbane poisoning. This death wasn't caused by a heart attack. [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > x foxglove A tall plant with distinct stems of flowers: bell-shaped and pink. > x henbane A sprawling plant, with yellow and purple bell-shaped flowers. > pick henbane (putting the basil sprig into the basket to make room) You break a sprig off of it. > e Garden Aelred's garden. You can still see where his hands touched everything: the carefully weeded beds, the path worn by his daily rounds. You can enter the Herbarium to the north. An open gate west guards plants too dangerous for common use. > n Herbarium This room still carries Brother Aelred's presence in every corner. Bundles of dried herbs hang from the rafters. The worktable in the centre, laden with materials above and below, bears the marks of much use. A large terracotta pot in the corner was used often to transfer plants. Without him here, the room feels hollow. The Slype lies north, and the Garden---his garden---waits to the south. > n Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > w Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. You can see an orange cat here. Hint: Now that you've searched both gardens and examined the body in the Infirmary Chapel, your next step could be to search all the Priory locations looking for evidence. > n Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > e Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the cool morning light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the closed door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace. > ask wilfred about me "You? You're doing well, my child." His eyes twinkle. > ask wilfred about himself Brother Wilfred hushes you kindly. "Never mind that." > ask wilfred about aelred "What a loss for our community. I knew him his entire adult life, and such a pleasant acquaintance it was. He was always thoughtful---he began to bring me rosemary sprigs after he learned that that was my mother's name." Brother Wilfred rubs his temples wearily. > ask wilfred about oswald "He's done very well as prior. That was once my role, but---" He looks at you with tenderness. "Age comes for us all, my son." > ask wilfred about hugh "A fine cellarer. In the past few months, he's been helping me in the Library." > ask wilfred about cuthbert "Such a god-fearing man and so careful in his duties. I know he can be hard on novices, but he means well for your spiritual care." > ask wilfred about benedict "Brother Benedict makes me valerian tea to steady me." He looks down at the small tremble in his hands. Brother Wilfred stifles a yawn. > ask wilfred about remigio "Brother Remigio? We speak little: his English, my Italian, neither sufficient." He chuckles. "But we both love our little Pax, and that needs no words." > ask wilfred about anselm "Such a beautiful voice for one so young." > ask wilfred about martin "Brother Martin keeps us all well-fed, even in these lean times. A generous soul." > x fire The fireplace is a stone recess in the wall with a fire going. Brother Wilfred rubs his eyes. > x fireplace The fireplace is a stone recess in the wall with a fire going. > x table Large enough for four monks to work here, the table is laden with implements for producing illuminated manuscripts. A breviary, presumably a current work, is open on the table, along with a silver key. > x breviary Brother Wilfred's current work: an unfinished breviary for the office. The Latin text flows in careful Gothic script across vellum pages. Several decorated initials have been illuminated with silver leaf and vermilion, their intricate patterns revealing the master's eye even as the slightly wavering lines betray his trembling hands. Many pages still await illumination. > read breviary The breviary lies open to Psalm 23. The Latin reads: "Dominus regit me, et nihil mihi deerit; in loco pascuae ibi me collocavit..." (The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; He maketh me to lie down in green pastures...) Brother Wilfred blinks his eyes heavily. > turn page Sorry, I don't understand what "page" means. > turn breviary You shouldn't disturb the breviary. > look under table Just the floor. > search fire Anything here would be burned to cinders. > x door A heavy wooden door with a lock plate in silver. It is closed. > x lock It's just the part of the door where a key would fit. > ask wilfred about library "I'm afraid I can't let you in. The Library is off-limits to everyone but me. Strict orders from the prior." > ask wilfred about breviary "Ah, my breviary. I have done finer work." A pause that does not invite contradiction. "But the patterns are sound. Whatever else, the patterns are sound." > ask wilfred about manuscripts "Ah, my breviary. I have done finer work." A pause that does not invite contradiction. "But the patterns are sound. Whatever else, the patterns are sound." > ask wilfred about fire Brother Wilfred hushes you kindly. "Never mind that." > ask wilfred about key "I'm afraid I can't let you in. The Library is off-limits to everyone but me. Strict orders from the prior." > w Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > w Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its cool morning light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > x sundial The sundial casts a shadow showing the time as quarter to seven in the morning. > s Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > s Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit cool morning light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > s Kitchen The priory kitchen is a large room, lit by high windows. A door leads north to the Refectory, and stairs descend to the Undercroft below. A large table dominates the centre, scattered with implements and vessels. A hearth is built into a wall, its fire warming the room. Brother Martin is here, chopping vegetables. Brother Remigio is here, tidying the table. Brother Martin says "Out, out, Brother. Remigio and I are working." He ushers you out north, to the Refectory. Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit cool morning light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > n Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. You can see an orange cat here. > n Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its cool morning light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > n Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. > e Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. > u Day Stairs You're in the middle of a set of broad stone steps. The steps dip in the centre from generations of sandaled feet. This staircase is used by you and the brethren to travel between the Cloister and the dorters above when there's enough light and warmth to use outdoor stairs. Above is the upper living areas and below is the Cloister walk. > u Hall This plain corridor connects the two dorters. Wooden floorboards creak underfoot. There are passages to the north, south, and east. Broad stairs lead down to the Cloister. > listen You listen carefully, but don't hear anything unexpected. > s Lay Dorter This chamber was built to house the lay brothers, those who serve without taking full vows. The walls are marked with darker patches where other cots once stood, and you can see the worn floorboards where chests were dragged back and forth over the years. Now the room holds only Brother Remigio's single cot and chest, pushed against a far wall. The priory's decline is nowhere more visible than in this emptiness, this quiet room that once held the sounds of simple men at their evening prayers. The only exit is north to the Hall. > x cot Brother Remigio's cot is a simple straw mattress, lacking any ornamentation---but also lacking anything on or under it. > x chest It is a simple wooden box with a lid. > open chest You open Brother Remigio's chest, revealing a pilgrim badge. > x badge A small badge, cheaply cast in pewter but carefully kept. It depicts a figure in a monk's robe: St Francis of Assisi, you think, given the birds around him. The kind of thing sold to pilgrims at a shrine. How it ended up in an English priory, in the chest of a Tuscan lay brother, is a story you will never fully know. > close chest You close Brother Remigio's chest. > n Hall This plain corridor connects the two dorters. Wooden floorboards creak underfoot. There are passages to the north, south, and east. Broad stairs lead down to the Cloister. "RING! RING! RING!" You hear the bell ring three times to call the brothers to the Prime office. Prior Oswald excused you from offices today, but you know the choir monks will be in the Quire for the next forty-five minutes or so. > e Necessarium This narrow chamber extends from the Hall. A wooden bench with several latrine holes runs along one wall, each opening onto the dung pit far below. The smell is overpowering. Cold, foul air rises from the pit. The only exit is out to the west. > x bench Even if you could see anything far down in the pit, you wouldn't want to. > x latrine Even if you could see anything far down in the pit, you wouldn't want to. > x pit Happily, you can only barely see it from up here. > smell In this foul place, you dare not. > sit You sit on the floor for a moment, and then rise up. > sit on bench This isn't a respectful place to sit. > w Hall This plain corridor connects the two dorters. Wooden floorboards creak underfoot. There are passages to the north, south, and east. Broad stairs lead down to the Cloister. > n Dorter This great room is used by all of the choir monks except the prior, Brother Oswald. It could easily provide rest for twenty brothers, but there are only eight cots in here now. Each cot has a chest at its foot for any meagre possessions the brother has. A window high up reflects cool morning light on the floor. A doorway leads south to the Hall. Narrow stairs descend to the Quire, where offices are held. > open my chest You open your chest, revealing nothing. > open chest Do you mean Brother Aelred's chest, Brother Anselm's chest, Brother Benedict's chest, Brother Cuthbert's chest, Brother Hugh's chest, Brother Martin's chest, Brother Wilfred's chest or your chest? > open aelred's chest You open Brother Aelred's chest, revealing nothing. > close aelred's chest You close Brother Aelred's chest. > open anselm chest You open Brother Anselm's chest, revealing a seashell. > x seashell A perfectly-shaped scallop shell, perhaps kept as a badge of a pilgrimage. > close anselm chest You close Brother Anselm's chest. > open benedict chest You open Brother Benedict's chest, revealing a rosary. > x rosary A set of plain beads strung together. You've seen the brother carry them around at times. > close benedict chest You close Brother Benedict's chest. > open cuthbert chest You open Brother Cuthbert's chest, revealing a comb. > x comb A plain wooden comb. You're surprised that Brother Cuthbert has this, given how he's lectured you about the evils of vanity. > comment blackmail? That is not a verb I recognise. > take comb (putting the mandrake root into the basket to make room) You know it is wrong to take things, but you somehow justify this. [Carrying items not related to your work here (such as the comb) is against priory rules. Find a way to hide these or carry them unnoticed.] > close chest Do you mean Brother Cuthbert's chest or your chest? > close cuthbert chest You close Brother Cuthbert's chest. > put comb in basket You put the comb into the basket. You found a way to carry illicit things unnoticed. [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > open hugh chest You open Brother Hugh's chest, revealing some letters. > read letters (first taking the letters) The first letter reads: Dearest Brother Hugh, I write to you in desperation, though it shames me to beg. The harvest failed again this year, and what little we had has gone to the lord's rent. My William can barely stand now---his leg has worsened terribly since Candlemas. The wound festers and will not heal. It must be cut, else the poison will spread to his heart. There is a surgeon in Norwich, but the cost---Hugh, it is three shillings. We have not three pence. I have sold all I can: the good kettle, even the winter blankets. I know the Rule forbids monks from keeping wealth. I know you have given all to God. But if there is any way, any kindness you might ask of your abbot, any alms the monastery might spare for Christian charity. My William will die without it. Your sister in Christ and in blood, Rose The second letter reads: Dearest Hugh, May God bless you a thousand times for your mercy. The two shillings came just as William could no longer rise from bed. We took William to the surgeon. He cut the leg below the knee. It was terrible, Hugh, but necessary. William lives, praise God, though he is weak yet. But the surgeon demands another shilling and sixpence still owed. He will not wait past Michaelmas. And now William cannot work at all---he who used to haul timber is now fit only to sit and weave baskets, if his strength returns. I hate to ask again after your generosity. The shame burns in me. But Hugh, they will take our cottage for the debt. We have nowhere. Starvation comes. If there is anything more you can do---any favour you might ask---I swear by Our Lady I will never ask again. One more shilling would save us. Your grateful sister, Rose Where could Brother Hugh have found the money she mentions? [The score has just gone up by 2 points.] > put letters in basket You put the letters into the basket. > close hugh chest You close Brother Hugh's chest. > open chest Do you mean Brother Aelred's chest, Brother Anselm's chest, Brother Benedict's chest, Brother Cuthbert's chest, Brother Hugh's chest, Brother Martin's chest, Brother Wilfred's chest or your chest? > open martin's chest You open Brother Martin's chest, revealing nothing. > close martin's chest You close Brother Martin's chest. > open wilfred's chest You open Brother Wilfred's chest, revealing a sketch. > x sketch A fine ink sketch of the priory entrance, showing the artistry of the masonry and the door carving. You recognise Brother Wilfred's distinctive style. > close wilfred's chest You close Brother Wilfred's chest. > close my chest You close your chest. > s Hall This plain corridor connects the two dorters. Wooden floorboards creak underfoot. There are passages to the north, south, and east. Broad stairs lead down to the Cloister. > w You can only go north, south, east, or down. > d Day Stairs You're in the middle of a set of broad stone steps. The steps dip in the centre from generations of sandaled feet. This staircase is used by you and the brethren to travel between the Cloister and the dorters above when there's enough light and warmth to use outdoor stairs. Above is the upper living areas and below is the Cloister walk. > d Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. > s Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > e Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the cool morning light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the closed door. > x table Large enough for four monks to work here, the table is laden with implements for producing illuminated manuscripts. A breviary, presumably a current work, is open on the table. > x key Heavy and iron, its surface pitted with rust from years hanging in the damp Herbarium. You know this key from seeing Aelred use it: it opens the gate to the Restricted Garden where the dangerous herbs are grown. > x silver key I only understood you as far as "x silver" but then you lost me. > x silver It's just the part of the door where a key would fit. > take all breviary: You wouldn't dare. These illuminated works are one of the main sources of the priory's income, and a loss of one would be a disaster. > comment i guess wilfred took it That is not a verb I recognise. > w Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. You can see an orange cat here. > take cat She allows you to pick her up. The orange cat trills happily while you hold her. > w Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its cool morning light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. The orange cat continues to rest in your arms. > w Cloister West This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Locutory lies in to the west. You can also go north to the northwestern corner of the Cloister, south to the southwestern corner, or east into the Garth. The orange cat continues to rest in your arms. > w Locutory A sparse rectangular room. A plain table is in the centre, surrounded by two benches. This is the Locutory, where the prior meets with merchants, where brothers discuss monastery business, where the silence of the Rule may be broken for practical needs. The only exit is out the way you came. The orange cat appears uncomfortable in unfamiliar indoor places, and wriggles out of your arms and escapes. > e Cloister West This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Locutory lies in to the west. You can also go north to the northwestern corner of the Cloister, south to the southwestern corner, or east into the Garth. > s Cloister Southwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. A small alcove, the Lavatorium, is to the south. You can go north to the western edge, or east to the southern edge. The West Gate, allowing outsiders to enter the Cloister, is to the west and closed. > x gate The West Gate is the gate for the entrance into the Cloister. The bar is lowered, locking the gate. The gate is closed. > x bar The bar is currently lowered, locking the gate. > open gate You raise the bar, unlocking the gate. You open the West Gate. > w The Passage (North) A covered walkway that runs along the west edge of the priory. The stones underfoot are set carefully to make this a clear path. You can go north to the Porch or south to the southern end of the Passage. The West Gate, allowing entrance into the Cloister, is here and open. > x stones Worn smooth by much travel. > s The Passage (South) The narrow walkway ends here. This part seems less travelled, with weeds growing from between the stones underfoot. To the east, the ground slopes down to a wide closed door. > x door It's a large wooden door. You've seen Brothers Hugh and Remigio roll barrels out of the Undercroft through it. You can't open it---in fact, there isn't even a handle on this side. > open door You try to pull it open, but have no success. > push door You try to pull it open, but have no success. > pull door You try to pull it open, but have no success. > ram door That is not a verb I recognise. > e The door blocks the way. > n The Passage (North) A covered walkway that runs along the west edge of the priory. The stones underfoot are set carefully to make this a clear path. You can go north to the Porch or south to the southern end of the Passage. The West Gate, allowing entrance into the Cloister, is here and open. > n Porch This covered entrance protects the great door from the winds that come across the sea from the east. Villagers used to gather here before services, but the number who do so has been declining for years. You can go south out to the covered walkway the brothers call "The Passage", or you can go east into the church. The great door in to the east is closed. > x door A great oaken door. Carved deeply into its face: NOSTRA DOMINA SPINARUM ("Our Lady of Thorns") FUNDATUM ANNO DOMINI MCLII Almost two hundred years of wind and rain have worn the letters down. The door is closed. [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > w As a novice, you're not to leave the priory grounds without permission. > e (first opening the great door) Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits cool morning light. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. > s glass I only understood you as far as "s" but then you lost me. > x glass You remember the first time you saw this glass, on the second day of your novitiate. Unlike some other things in the priory that show signs of decay, these still shine brightly on sunny days. The centre pane, the largest, has a golden hammer labelled "II: LABOR OMNIA VINCIT" ("Work Conquers All"), a reminder of the mission of monks. > x floor You see nothing special about the floor. > u Tower Stairs A spiral staircase winds up and down from here. The stone steps are narrow and treacherously steep. Cool air and cool morning light flows down from above. > u Bell Tower The bell chamber. Wind whistles through the open arches on all four sides. Dead leaves have drifted into the corners and along the walls, blown in through the open arches. The great bell hangs overhead. A rope from it hangs to within your reach. From here, you have clear views in all four directions---such fine views that the priory allows outsiders into this space. Brother Cuthbert is here, looking dour and staring at the view. You can also see a wooden chest (which is closed) here. > x bell A bronze bell, green with age. Cast nearly two centuries ago, you recall Brother Oswald once telling you it was cast by the priory founder, Brother Gordian. It bears the inscription "I: FIDES"---a reminder that our primary task is faith. > x rope The cord reaches up to the bell, far above. Ringing the bell yourself would earn severe punishment. That duty does not belong to novices. > look under bell One thing below the bell is you. > x cuthbert Brother Cuthbert, the sacrist, is in his late forties. Dark-haired and sharp-featured, he keeps the sacred vessels spotless, the candles well-stocked, and the bell hours precise. He rarely smiles. > ask cuthbert about aelred Brother Cuthbert refuses to engage in unnecessary speech, and considers almost all speech as such. > x chest An old wooden chest, about one foot long on each side, weathered by years of wind and rain blowing through the open tower. The lid bears an engraved inscription: "VOCA POPULUM AD PRECES" ("Call the people to prayer"). > open chest You dare not, especially with another brother in the area. > d Tower Stairs A spiral staircase winds up and down from here. The stone steps are narrow and treacherously steep. Cool air and cool morning light flows down from above. > d Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits cool morning light. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. > e Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > e Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > unlock gate You don't have the key. > unlock gate with iron You can't see any such thing. > e Lady Chapel The largest of the three chapels, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. This chapel sees more use than the others: the brothers pray here for the priory's patroness, Our Lady of Thorns. To the west is the Sanctuary. Small doorways lead north and south to smaller chapels. A statue of Mary stands in a niche and a stone altar is next to her. > x mary A stone statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her hands are open in a gesture of welcome and mercy. Her carved face is serene. Carved on the base: BEATAE MARIAE MATRIS DEI (Blessed Mary, Mother of God) > x altar A simple stone altar, worn by generations of prayer. > n FitzAlan Chantry The FitzAlan family chantry, endowed long ago for masses. But the FitzAlans are gone now---their line ended in the pestilence---and no masses are said here anymore. You can return out to the Lady Chapel through the south. A stone altar is set against a wall. > x altar A heavy-looking block of stone on the floor. Gouges in the floor by the altar testify to its weight. Above the altar, carved into the wall, are the FitzAlan arms and motto. > x arms A lion? It's a bit too far up to see clearly. > x motto It's high above the altar, but you can make it out: "LEO VIAM DUCIT". They certainly thought highly of themselves. > push altar While it seems that the altar isn't built into the floor, it also doesn't budge when you try to move it. > pull altar While it seems that the altar isn't built into the floor, it also doesn't budge when you try to move it. > stand on altar You climb onto the altar. From here you can better see the arms above. > x arms A finely-detailed brass rampant lion standing out from the stone. > x motto "LEO VIAM DUCIT". They certainly thought highly of themselves. > x lion A finely-detailed brass rampant lion standing out from the stone. > listen You listen carefully, but don't hear anything unexpected. > smell You sniff carefully, but don't smell anything unexpected. > touch lion The arms are smooth to the touch and, curiously, the lion feels like it could move. > push lion You push against the lion and, surprisingly, it moves inward slightly. A deep click is heard in the wall. > d You climb down from the altar. > move altar You push against the altar and it swings away from the wall, revealing an opening in the floor. Roll a great stone to me here. --- The First Book of Kings The opening reveals a ladder descending into darkness. [The score has just gone up by 3 points.] > d You dare not head down to darkness without a light source. > s Lady Chapel The largest of the three chapels, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. This chapel sees more use than the others: the brothers pray here for the priory's patroness, Our Lady of Thorns. To the west is the Sanctuary. Small doorways lead north and south to smaller chapels. A statue of Mary stands in a niche and a stone altar is next to her. > s St Jude Chapel A small chapel dedicated to St Jude, patron of desperate causes. The stone floor is worn down---many souls have visited here over the generations, praying for urgent escape from terrible situations. A doorway leads north, out to the Lady Chapel. A statue of the saint is in a corner. Near it is a stone altar with a prayer mat laid before it. > x altar A simple stone altar. Someone has left an offering of small red berries on it. > x berries Small seed pods. You don't know them by sight, though. Someone carefully gathered these as an offering. They're fresh and fragrant, picked within the last day or two. > x statue A wooden statue of St Jude, simply carved and painted. The saint holds a staff in one hand. His painted eyes seem to gaze down with deep concern at those who kneel before him in desperation. > x mat A rough flax mat before the altar, worn thin by countless hours of kneeling. Someone has been using it recently---very recently. > x altar A simple stone altar. Someone has left an offering of small red berries on it. > consult herbal for berries I only understood you as far as "consult herbal" but then you lost me. > touch berries Firm. Perhaps you should check their scent? > smell berries A faint, floral scent, but clearly of a rosehip. I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. --- Song of Solomon This action brings back a memory from summer: Aelred in the Garden, showing you a rose in full bloom. "Beautiful now, Brother, but its true gift comes later. These petals fall, and by autumn the hip swells with seed, tart and rich. We gather them after the first frost for winter cordials." He'd smiled. "The rose serves us twice: beauty in summer, medicine in autumn." He pauses, then continues: "For some, though, they portend painful loss." St Jude is the patron of lost causes. Brother Hugh has a sister in desperate need, and someone has been leaving offerings here, quietly, privately. You feel certain you know who. [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > consult herbal for rosehip I only understood you as far as "consult herbal" but then you lost me. > consult herbal for rosehips I only understood you as far as "consult herbal" but then you lost me. > consult herbal I think you wanted to say "consult Aelred's Herbal about something". Please try again. > consult herbal about rosehips Rosehips: as a tea, useful for warding off colds and chest pain. > take berries Taken. > n Lady Chapel The largest of the three chapels, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. This chapel sees more use than the others: the brothers pray here for the priory's patroness, Our Lady of Thorns. To the west is the Sanctuary. Small doorways lead north and south to smaller chapels. A statue of Mary stands in a niche and a stone altar is next to her. > w Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > w Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > w Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits cool morning light. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. > s You can only go north, west, east, or up. > e Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > s Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. "RING! RING! RING! RING!" You hear the bell ring four times to call the brothers to the Terce office. Prior Oswald excused you from offices today, but you know the choir monks will be in the Quire for the next forty-five minutes or so. > s Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its cool morning light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > s Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. Brother Martin arrives from the south. > s Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit cool morning light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. You can see Brother Hugh here. Brother Hugh heads north. > s Kitchen The priory kitchen is a large room, lit by high windows. A door leads north to the Refectory, and stairs descend to the Undercroft below. A large table dominates the centre, scattered with implements and vessels. A hearth is built into a wall, its fire warming the room. Brother Remigio is here, tidying the table. > x table A long high table, big enough for two or three people to work at. It has a collection of utensils, knives, and vessels of spices on it. > x utensils You needn't worry about these---Brother Martin is the kitchener. > x hearth The hearth is a stone block built into the wall, with a fire burning in it. A cauldron hangs above the fire. > x fire The hearth is a stone block built into the wall, with a fire burning in it. A cauldron hangs above the fire. > x cauldron The cauldron is a large iron pot hanging over the fire, filled with pottage, a thick vegetable stew that will feed the brothers at their next meal. > x pottage The cauldron is a large iron pot hanging over the fire, filled with pottage, a thick vegetable stew that will feed the brothers at their next meal. > smell There is a strong smell from the cauldron. > smell cauldron It smells like leeks. > ask remigio about me "You? You are..." he grins. "Come si dice? Tadpole. Small, new. But you grow, sì?" > ask remigio about himself "Me?" He laughs, a little surprised. "I am... nobody. A man who walk very far." He wipes his hands on his habit. "I find this place, they let me stay. I work hard. Is enough, no?" > ask remigio about hugh "Frate Hugh? Good man. He work hard down there, always busy with..." he gestures vaguely at the floor, "...stores, sì?" > ask remigio about martin "Ah, Frate Martin! He is..." Remigio searches for words. "Very good man. Kind. We work, uh, insieme---together---in cucina, the Kitchen. He teach me English." He smiles warmly. "He no here now. At church." > ask remigio about anselm "Cosi bravo cantante!" He gestures expressively. "Uh, so good singer. When he sing, I feel..." he touches his chest, "...home." > ask remigion about benedict Sorry, I don't understand what "remigion" means. > ask remigio about benedict "Such good eater, sì? I like him." > ask remigio about wilfred "So wise and kind. I see him talking to bella gatta." > ask remigio about cuthbert "Frate Cuthbert ring the bells. Very loud!" He rubs his ears with a smile. "But is good. Prayer good." > look under table You find nothing special. > l Kitchen The priory kitchen is a large room, lit by high windows. A door leads north to the Refectory, and stairs descend to the Undercroft below. A large table dominates the centre, scattered with implements and vessels. A hearth is built into a wall, its fire warming the room. Brother Remigio is here, tidying the table. > d Brother Remigio stops you, apologetically. "No, not allowed", he says, "Frate Hugh, he not allow go to cellars." > ask remigio about stairs Brother Remigio listens politely, but doesn't understand. > ask remigio about cellar Brother Remigio listens politely, but doesn't understand. > ask remigio about stores Brother Remigio listens politely, but doesn't understand. > ask remigio about berries Brother Remigio listens politely, but doesn't understand. > tell remigio about hugh Brother Remigio listens politely, but doesn't understand. > tell remigio about letters Brother Remigio listens politely, but doesn't understand. > n Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit cool morning light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > n Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. You can see an orange cat here. > e Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. > n Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > e Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the cool morning light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the closed door. > e The library door is locked. > open door It's locked. > w Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > s Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. > e Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > e Infirmary Several narrow beds line the western wall. A workbench holds mortars and bowls for preparing remedies. The air has a sharp tang. The Infirmary Chapel is to the south, and the Slype is out to the west. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. The medicine cabinet sits against a wall, closed. > x cabinet A wooden cabinet secured with a brass lock mechanism. Four brass wheels, each engraved with digits "0" through "9", can be rotated independently. Carved into the wood above the lock: "Historia nostra, fides nostra". The four wheels currently show: 0-0-0-0. > smell The air smells of herbs, vinegar, and illness. > turn wheel You turn the first wheel to 1. > turn wheel You turn the first wheel to 2. > turn wheel to 0 You turn the first wheel to 0. > w Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > e Infirmary Several narrow beds line the western wall. A workbench holds mortars and bowls for preparing remedies. The air has a sharp tang. The Infirmary Chapel is to the south, and the Slype is out to the west. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. The medicine cabinet sits against a wall, closed. > turn second wheel You turn the second wheel to 1. > turn third wheel You turn the third wheel to 1. > turn fourth wheel You turn the fourth wheel to 1. > turn second to 0 You turn the second wheel to 0. > turn third to 0 You turn the third wheel to 0. > turn fourth to 0 You turn the fourth wheel to 0. > w Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > w Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. You can see an orange cat here. Brother Benedict arrives from the north. > tell benedict about hugh Brother Benedict looks at you kindly, but raises his finger to his lips, to remind you of the rule against unnecessary speech. Brother Benedict heads east. > e Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. You can see Brother Benedict here. Brother Benedict heads east. > n There is an open area between here and the Scriptorium, but you can't get to it. > e Infirmary Several narrow beds line the western wall. A workbench holds mortars and bowls for preparing remedies. The air has a sharp tang. The Infirmary Chapel is to the south, and the Slype is out to the west. Brother Benedict is here, tidying the workbench and looking reflective. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. The medicine cabinet sits against a wall, closed. > w Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > w Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. You can see an orange cat here. The orange cat rubs against the walls. > n Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > e Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the cool morning light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the closed door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace. > x table Large enough for four monks to work here, the table is laden with implements for producing illuminated manuscripts. A breviary, presumably a current work, is open on the table, along with a silver key. > x silver A silver key, tarnished with age. Brother Wilfred guards it jealously: it's his responsibility as librarian to control access to the priory's precious books. > x wilfred Brother Wilfred, the librarian, is the most venerated of the brethren, well over seventy. He's lean and wiry, with wisps of white hair shooting in all directions from his head. His habit has bits of orange fluff or fur on it. > ask wilfred about fur "Oh." He looks abashed, and brushes at his habit. > ask wilfred about cat His eyes glisten. "Forgive an old brother, but that cat has become very dear to me. I was the one who named her---'Pax', for the peace she brings to these old halls." > w Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > w Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its cool morning light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > n Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. > n Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > e Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > time From your vague sense of time, it is past ten in the morning. > e Lady Chapel The largest of the three chapels, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. This chapel sees more use than the others: the brothers pray here for the priory's patroness, Our Lady of Thorns. To the west is the Sanctuary. Small doorways lead north and south to smaller chapels. A statue of Mary stands in a niche and a stone altar is next to her. > s St Jude Chapel A small chapel dedicated to St Jude, patron of desperate causes. The stone floor is worn down---many souls have visited here over the generations, praying for urgent escape from terrible situations. A doorway leads north, out to the Lady Chapel. A statue of the saint is in a corner. Near it is a stone altar with a prayer mat laid before it. > n Lady Chapel The largest of the three chapels, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. This chapel sees more use than the others: the brothers pray here for the priory's patroness, Our Lady of Thorns. To the west is the Sanctuary. Small doorways lead north and south to smaller chapels. A statue of Mary stands in a niche and a stone altar is next to her. > w Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > s (first opening the door) Sacristy A small room where items used during services are kept. Shelves hold neatly folded linens, precious chalices, and other miscellaneous vestry items. The smell of beeswax and old incense lingers. Brother Cuthbert maintains this space with meticulous care. Through the open door, cool morning light spills in from the Sanctuary. > x shelves You find linens, chalices, a pewter platter, and other smaller vestry items useful for services. > x platter The platter is used to hold items during Mass. > x chalice The chalices are used for sacred purpose during Mass. > x line Sorry, I don't understand what "line" means. > x linens The linens are worn but clean. > x items Among the miscellany: a beeswax candle and a brush. > x brush A simple brush to clean the linens and chalices. > x candle It's of good quality, made from beeswax from the priory's own bees. > take candle (putting the henbane sprig into the basket to make room) You hesitate before proceeding to steal it. God sees, you think. God sees everything. > i You're carrying a beeswax candle, some offering rosehips, a basket (which contains some letters from Rose, a comb, a mandrake root, Aelred's Herbal, an iron key and two sprigs (henbane and basil)), some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > n Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > light candle You have no source of flame. > w Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > w Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits cool morning light. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. > s You can only go north, west, east, or up. > e Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > s Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. You can see Pax here. > e Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. > s Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > e Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the cool morning light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the closed door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace. > light candle You light the beeswax candle using the Fireplace. [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > w Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > n Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. > w Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. You can see Pax here. > n Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > e Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > e Lady Chapel The largest of the three chapels, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. This chapel sees more use than the others: the brothers pray here for the priory's patroness, Our Lady of Thorns. To the west is the Sanctuary. Small doorways lead north and south to smaller chapels. A statue of Mary stands in a niche and a stone altar is next to her. > n FitzAlan Chantry The FitzAlan family chantry, endowed long ago for masses. But the FitzAlans are gone now---their line ended in the pestilence---and no masses are said here anymore. You can return out to the Lady Chapel through the south. A stone altar is swung open from the wall (revealing a ladder leading down into darkness). > save Ok. > d You climb down the ladder. "SNAP!" As you step off the bottom rung, a counterweight somewhere in the mechanism snaps the ladder back to the ceiling, far out of reach. Are you trapped? FitzAlan Crypt This is a small vaulted chamber, no more than ten feet across. The central tomb bears the effigy of a knight. Flanking this is a smaller undecorated tomb. The walls here are finished stone rather than rough-hewn rock, and a narrow recess has been cut into them---likely once holding offerings or relics. The air is still, undisturbed for decades or longer. A patina of dust covers everything, unmarred by footprints save your own. Against the southern wall hangs a faded wooden panel depicting a painted scene, its Latin inscription barely legible in the gloom. > x panel A large wooden painted panel set in a distinctive brass frame, it depicts the Three Living and the Three Dead---three noble youths recoiling from three crowned corpses who gesture toward them. Woven beneath in Gothic script: "QUOD FUIMUS, ESTIS; QUOD SUMUS, ERITIS" (What we were, you are; what we are, you will be). Time has taken its toll on the pigments. > x pigment Sorry, I don't understand what "pigment" means. > x walls You examine each wall, but see nothing unexpected. > x recess The recess is a space cut into the wall. > search recess The recess is empty. > x tom Sorry, I don't understand what "tom" means. > x tomb Do you mean the larger tomb or the smaller tomb? > x small tomb Probably for the FitzAlan wife or children, this is a simple square block, fully sealed. > x large tomb Large, heavy, and sealed. The carving shows a knight in chainmail, his hands clasped in prayer. His shield displays a lion, the FitzAlan arms. > x knight The knight, shield, and lion are well done, but they're mere carvings in the stone. > touch knight You don't feel anything unexpected. > push knight The knight and its shield and arms are carved into the stone. They don't respond to your manipulation. > x ladder And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. --- The Book of Genesis The ladder is far above you. > jump You do so, feeling self-conscious the entire time. > touch walls You can't use multiple objects with that verb. > smell The air is thick and dust fills your nostrils. > touch wall It seems quite solid. Nothing happens. > x dust It's simply dust, and it's everywhere. > push wall It seems quite solid. Nothing happens. > push panel The art panel seems fixed to the distinctive brass frame. > x frame The brass frame encloses the art panel. Examining it closely, you find a small button on the right-hand side of the panel. > push button You push the button and hear a faint click from inside the frame. The panel pops ajar from the wall, revealing an opening to the south. [The score has just gone up by 2 points.] > s You head south through the opening behind the panel, revealing... Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > x tombs You cast your eyes over the tombs. Son of man, can these bones live? --- The Book of Ezekiel There are six tombs holding the earthly remains of former priors: Brothers Gordian, Ezra, Crispin, Dunstan, Godric, and Ambrose. > x gordian tomb Brother Gordian's tomb is a stone block with a lid on which his name is carved. It is otherwise like the others in the room. > x ezra tomb Brother Ezra's tomb is a stone block with a lid on which his name is carved. It sits in the dankest corner of the crypt, positioned between two thick pillars that cast deep shadows behind it. > x crispin tomb Brother Crispin's tomb is a stone block with a lid on which his name is carved. It is otherwise like the others in the room. > x dunstan tomb Brother Dunstan's tomb is a stone block with a lid on which his name is carved. It is otherwise like the others in the room. > x godric tomb Brother Godric's tomb is a stone block with a lid on which his name is carved. It is otherwise like the others in the room. > x ambrose tomb Brother Ambrose's tomb is a stone block with a lid on which his name is carved. It is otherwise like the others in the room. > open tomb Do you mean Brother Gordian's tomb, Brother Ezra's tomb, Brother Crispin's tomb, Brother Dunstan's tomb, Brother Godric's tomb or Brother Ambrose's tomb? > open gordian The tomb is sealed solidly with mortar. > open ezra The tomb is sealed solidly with mortar. > open crispin The tomb is sealed solidly with mortar. > open dunstan The tomb is sealed solidly with mortar. > open godric The tomb is sealed solidly with mortar. > open ambrose The tomb is sealed solidly with mortar. > n You slip through the opening behind the panel, revealing... FitzAlan Crypt This is a small vaulted chamber, no more than ten feet across. The central tomb bears the effigy of a knight. Flanking this is a smaller undecorated tomb. The walls here are finished stone rather than rough-hewn rock, and a narrow recess has been cut into them---likely once holding offerings or relics. The air is still, undisturbed for decades or longer. A patina of dust covers everything, unmarred by footprints save your own. The panel is ajar, revealing an opening to the south. > open large tomb The tomb is sealed solidly with mortar. > open small tomb The tomb is sealed solidly with mortar. > s You head south through the opening behind the panel, revealing... Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > s Crypt Vestry The Crypt Vestry is a long passage of rough stone. This may have originally been designed to be another crypt, but it is used to store materials needed for masses held in the crypt, and there are some such things on a ledge. The room is very infrequently used, since such masses are quite rare. The only exit out is the way you came. > x ledge It's a thick plank fastened to the wall. It contains several items, likely needed for services held down here. > x items Searching around, you find some pewter platters, a cup, and some old cloth. > x cloth They have clearly been here for years, as they are mouldy from the damp. > x platters These are heavy and simply made. > x cup A simple vessel for water and wine in services. > n Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > u Crypt Stairs At the midpoint of these stairs, you can sense the damp below. A thin veil of cool morning light comes from the area above, but the path down descends into darkness. > u You can't, since the crypt gate is locked. > x gate The gate is made of sturdy iron and has a heavy lock built into it. It is closed. > force gate I think you wanted to say "force crypt gate with something". Please try again. > i You're carrying a beeswax candle (providing light), some offering rosehips, a basket (which contains some letters from Rose, a comb, a mandrake root, Aelred's Herbal, an iron key and two sprigs (henbane and basil)), some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > yell You've already shouted here, and dare not do it again. > comment i don't think i said anything in the tomb? That is not a verb I recognise. > d Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > x bell A large bell in a stand, both made of pewter. You've heard it once rung during a Mass in the crypt, and it was loud enough that you heard it on the Cloister. > ring bell You sound it with vigour which produces an almost deafening peal as it echoes. You feel certain someone above will have heard that. > u Crypt Stairs At the midpoint of these stairs, you can sense the damp below. A thin veil of cool morning light comes from the area above, but the path down descends into darkness. Brother Cuthbert stops short. "Brother Novice? What brings you to the crypt?" When this is reported to Brother Oswald, you are summoned before him. "Why would you be wandering the crypt?" he asks unkindly. For violating a serious rule of the priory, you are sentenced to bread and water for seven days. By the time your penance ends, any chance of solving any mystery has long passed. *** You have failed *** In that game you scored 18 out of a possible 55, in 519 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > n You slip through the opening behind the panel, revealing... FitzAlan Crypt This is a small vaulted chamber, no more than ten feet across. The central tomb bears the effigy of a knight. Flanking this is a smaller undecorated tomb. The walls here are finished stone rather than rough-hewn rock, and a narrow recess has been cut into them---likely once holding offerings or relics. The air is still, undisturbed for decades or longer. A patina of dust covers everything, unmarred by footprints save your own. The panel is ajar, revealing an opening to the south. You can hear a key turning in the gate above. If you get caught here, you'll be in serious trouble. > hide behind tomb Do you mean the larger tomb or the smaller tomb? > hide behind large tomb You try, but you realise you could still be easily seen. You can hear footsteps coming down the crypt stairs. > push button You push the button but hear no click. Perhaps this is because the panel is already open? The footsteps sound closer. > close panel You push the panel against the wall and hear a click from inside the frame. You can hear someone in the crypt. > z You wait a minute. Behind the panel, you hear "Is someone down here?" You recognise the voice as Brother Cuthbert's. > z You wait a minute. Behind the panel, you hear "Helloooo?" > z You wait a minute. Behind the panel, you hear footsteps going south, away from the crypt stairs. > z You wait a minute. Behind the panel, you hear "Is someone in the Vestry?" > z You wait a minute. Behind the panel, you hear "Helloooo?" > z You wait a minute. Behind the panel, you hear rustling noises. > z You wait a minute. Behind the panel, you hear "Must have been a draft from the church above." (You hear him muttering a brief prayer.) > z You wait a minute. Behind the panel, you hear the footsteps now walking back to the stairs. > z You wait a minute. > z You wait a minute. Behind the panel, you hear the gate being shut. > z You wait a minute. You managed to avoid detection, but you're still stuck here. Now how will you get out? > z You wait a minute. > open panel Pushing the button, the panel once again swings open, revealing the opening to the south. > s You head south through the opening behind the panel, revealing... Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > s Crypt Vestry The Crypt Vestry is a long passage of rough stone. This may have originally been designed to be another crypt, but it is used to store materials needed for masses held in the crypt, and there are some such things on a ledge. The room is very infrequently used, since such masses are quite rare. The only exit out is the way you came. > n Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > ring bell You sound it with vigour which produces an almost deafening peal as it echoes. You feel certain someone above will have heard that. > n You slip through the opening behind the panel, revealing... FitzAlan Crypt This is a small vaulted chamber, no more than ten feet across. The central tomb bears the effigy of a knight. Flanking this is a smaller undecorated tomb. The walls here are finished stone rather than rough-hewn rock, and a narrow recess has been cut into them---likely once holding offerings or relics. The air is still, undisturbed for decades or longer. A patina of dust covers everything, unmarred by footprints save your own. The panel is ajar, revealing an opening to the south. You can hear a key turning in the gate above. If you get caught here, you'll be in serious trouble. "RING! RING! RING! RING! RING!" You hear the bell ring five times to call the brothers to the Sext office. Prior Oswald excused you from offices today, but you know the choir monks will be in the Quire for the next forty-five minutes or so. > close panel You push the panel against the wall and hear a click from inside the frame. You can hear footsteps coming down the crypt stairs. > z You wait a minute. The footsteps sound closer. > z You wait a minute. You can hear someone in the crypt. > z You wait a minute. Behind the panel, you hear "Is someone down here?" You recognise the voice as Brother Cuthbert's. > z You wait a minute. Behind the panel, you hear "Helloooo?" > z You wait a minute. Behind the panel, you hear footsteps going south, away from the crypt stairs. > open panel Pushing the button, the panel once again swings open, revealing the opening to the south. Through the opening, you hear "Is someone in the Vestry?" > s You head south through the opening behind the panel, revealing... Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. "Who's there?" Brother Cuthbert calls out, spotting your light. "Brother Novice? You shouldn't be down here alone." When this is reported to Brother Oswald, you are summoned before him. "Why would you be wandering the crypt?" he asks unkindly. For violating a serious rule of the priory, you are sentenced to bread and water for seven days. By the time your penance ends, any chance of solving any mystery has long passed. *** You have failed *** In that game you scored 18 out of a possible 55, in 548 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > z You wait a minute. Through the opening, you hear "Helloooo?" > s You head south through the opening behind the panel, revealing... Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. "Who's there?" Brother Cuthbert calls out, spotting your light. "Brother Novice? You shouldn't be down here alone." When this is reported to Brother Oswald, you are summoned before him. "Why would you be wandering the crypt?" he asks unkindly. For violating a serious rule of the priory, you are sentenced to bread and water for seven days. By the time your penance ends, any chance of solving any mystery has long passed. *** You have failed *** In that game you scored 18 out of a possible 55, in 549 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > z You wait a minute. Through the opening, you hear rustling noises. > s You head south through the opening behind the panel, revealing... Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. "Who's there?" Brother Cuthbert calls out, spotting your light. "Brother Novice? You shouldn't be down here alone." When this is reported to Brother Oswald, you are summoned before him. "Why would you be wandering the crypt?" he asks unkindly. For violating a serious rule of the priory, you are sentenced to bread and water for seven days. By the time your penance ends, any chance of solving any mystery has long passed. *** You have failed *** In that game you scored 18 out of a possible 55, in 550 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > z You wait a minute. Through the opening, you hear "Must have been a draft from the church above." (You hear him muttering a brief prayer.) > z You wait a minute. "The panel is open? Someone must have been robbing that old family crypt?" When this is reported to Brother Oswald, you are summoned before him. "Why would you be wandering the crypt?" he asks unkindly. For violating a serious rule of the priory, you are sentenced to bread and water for seven days. By the time your penance ends, any chance of solving any mystery has long passed. *** You have failed *** In that game you scored 18 out of a possible 55, in 551 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > close panel You push the panel against the wall and hear a click from inside the frame. Behind the panel, you hear the footsteps now walking back to the stairs. > z You wait a minute. > undo Previous turn undone. > open panel Pushing the button, the panel once again swings open, revealing the opening to the south. "The panel is open? Someone must have been robbing that old family crypt?" When this is reported to Brother Oswald, you are summoned before him. "Why would you be wandering the crypt?" he asks unkindly. For violating a serious rule of the priory, you are sentenced to bread and water for seven days. By the time your penance ends, any chance of solving any mystery has long passed. *** You have failed *** In that game you scored 18 out of a possible 55, in 552 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > z You wait a minute. > open panel Pushing the button, the panel once again swings open, revealing the opening to the south. Through the opening, you hear the gate being shut. > s You head south through the opening behind the panel, revealing... Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. You managed to avoid detection, but you're still stuck here. Now how will you get out? From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > u Crypt Stairs At the midpoint of these stairs, you can sense the damp below. A thin veil of bright afternoon light comes from the area above, but the path down descends into darkness. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > u You can't, since the crypt gate is locked. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > d Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > e You can only go north, south, or up. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > s Crypt Vestry The Crypt Vestry is a long passage of rough stone. This may have originally been designed to be another crypt, but it is used to store materials needed for masses held in the crypt, and there are some such things on a ledge. The room is very infrequently used, since such masses are quite rare. The only exit out is the way you came. > hide Hide behind what, exactly? [You should try HIDE BEHIND ____.] > hide behind plank You try, but you realise you could still be easily seen. > hide behind ledge You try, but you realise you could still be easily seen. > n Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > x tomb Do you mean Brother Gordian's tomb, Brother Ezra's tomb, Brother Crispin's tomb, Brother Dunstan's tomb, Brother Godric's tomb or Brother Ambrose's tomb? > x gordian Brother Gordian's tomb is a stone block with a lid on which his name is carved. It is otherwise like the others in the room. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > stand on gordian Disturbing the Christian dead is a mortal sin. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > x ezra Brother Ezra's tomb is a stone block with a lid on which his name is carved. It sits in the dankest corner of the crypt, positioned between two thick pillars that cast deep shadows behind it. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > x shadows Sorry, I don't understand what "shadows" means. > x pillars They're part of the ceiling and far too high for you to do anything with them. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > search pillars They're part of the ceiling and far too high for you to do anything with them. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > search pillar Sorry, I don't understand what "pillar" means. > search shadows Sorry, I don't understand what "shadows" means. > ring bell You sound it with vigour which produces an almost deafening peal as it echoes. You feel certain someone above will have heard that. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > hide behind ezra You crouch far down on the darkest side of Brother Ezra's tomb. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. You can hear a key turning in the gate above. If you get caught here, you'll be in serious trouble. > z You wait a minute. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. You can hear footsteps coming down the crypt stairs. > z You wait a minute. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. The footsteps are closer, and you can see some light coming from the stairs. > z You wait a minute. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. "The panel is open? Someone must have been robbing that old family crypt?" When this is reported to Brother Oswald, you are summoned before him. "Why would you be wandering the crypt?" he asks unkindly. For violating a serious rule of the priory, you are sentenced to bread and water for seven days. By the time your penance ends, any chance of solving any mystery has long passed. *** You have failed *** (To do so, you get up from crouching) In that game you scored 18 out of a possible 55, in 573 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > close panel (To do so, you get up from crouching) You pull the panel closed and hear a click in the frame. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. Brother Cuthbert stops short. "Brother Novice? What brings you to the crypt?" When this is reported to Brother Oswald, you are summoned before him. "Why would you be wandering the crypt?" he asks unkindly. For violating a serious rule of the priory, you are sentenced to bread and water for seven days. By the time your penance ends, any chance of solving any mystery has long passed. *** You have failed *** In that game you scored 18 out of a possible 55, in 573 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > close panel You pull the panel closed and hear a click in the frame. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. You can hear a key turning in the gate above. If you get caught here, you'll be in serious trouble. > hide behind ezra You crouch far down on the darkest side of Brother Ezra's tomb. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. You can hear footsteps coming down the crypt stairs. > z You wait a minute. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. The footsteps are closer, and you can see some light coming from the stairs. > z You wait a minute. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. "Who's there?" Brother Cuthbert calls out, spotting your light. "Brother Novice? You shouldn't be down here alone." When this is reported to Brother Oswald, you are summoned before him. "Why would you be wandering the crypt?" he asks unkindly. For violating a serious rule of the priory, you are sentenced to bread and water for seven days. By the time your penance ends, any chance of solving any mystery has long passed. *** You have failed *** (To do so, you get up from crouching) In that game you scored 18 out of a possible 55, in 573 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > extinguish candle You extinguish the beeswax candle. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. Someone has entered the crypt bearing a light. > z You wait a minute. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. Very close, you hear "Is someone down here?" You recognise the voice as Brother Cuthbert's. > z You wait a minute. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. Very close, you hear "Helloooo?" > z You wait a minute. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. The light moves to the south and you sense Brother Cuthbert is now searching the Crypt Vestry. > z You wait a minute. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. To the south, you hear "Is someone in the Vestry?" > u You stand. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. To the south, you hear "Helloooo?" > u Crypt Stairs At the midpoint of these stairs, you can sense the damp below. A thin veil of bright afternoon light comes from the area above, but the path down descends into darkness. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. Faintly, you hear rustling noises. > u You slip through the open gate. Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. The crypt gate is open. You can see the high altar here. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. Faintly, you hear "Must have been a draft from the church above." (You hear him muttering a brief prayer.) > close gate Surely, you wouldn't want to trap Brother Cuthbert. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. Faintly, you hear the footsteps now walking back to the stairs. > comment maybe i want to lol. kidding of course That is not a verb I recognise. > w Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. Brothers here: - Anselm, the cantor (seated) - Benedict, the infirmarer (seated) - Hugh, the cellarer (seated) - Martin, the kitchener (seated) - Oswald, the prior (seated) - Wilfred, the librarian (seated) Office! Entering the Quire when a service is underway means you'll be obligated to participate in it. The brothers look at you, puzzled. Why aren't you seated? You escaped the Crypt without being discovered. [The score has just gone up by 3 points.] > sit You sit on a stall with a certain sense of familiarity. Faintly, you hear the gate being shut. > sing You join the others in song. [You'll automatically continue singing throughout the office. You may perform other allowed actions. When you'd like to skip to the end of the service, just WAIT.] Brother Cuthbert arrives from the east. > wait (skipping about five minutes to end of service) ----------------------- && ----------------------- The office ends. Brother Cuthbert heads west. Brother Benedict gets up from the stalls. Brother Hugh gets up from the stalls. Brother Martin gets up from the stalls. Brother Oswald gets up from the stalls. > comment stealth mission was cool but i don't know what the crypt has to do with aelred That is not a verb I recognise. > hint There are 8 hints: press H for next hint, or any other key to exit. (1/8) The ladder is too far up to reach. [Please press SPACE to continue.] There are 6 hints: press H for next hint, or any other key to exit. (1/6) You can learn interesting things about the former priors. (2/6) There's also something important to find. (3/6) Have you looked carefully in the Crypt Vestry? (4/6) Search the shelves. (5/6) Where might someone hide something here? (6/6) Those coins are very suspicious, and definitely a clue to the mystery. [Please press SPACE to continue.] Quire (on the stalls) The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. Brothers here: - Anselm, the cantor (seated) - Benedict, the infirmarer - Hugh, the cellarer - Martin, the kitchener - Oswald, the prior - Wilfred, the librarian (seated) > load That is not a verb I recognise. > restore Ok. > d You climb down the ladder. "SNAP!" As you step off the bottom rung, a counterweight somewhere in the mechanism snaps the ladder back to the ceiling, far out of reach. Are you trapped? FitzAlan Crypt This is a small vaulted chamber, no more than ten feet across. The central tomb bears the effigy of a knight. Flanking this is a smaller undecorated tomb. The walls here are finished stone rather than rough-hewn rock, and a narrow recess has been cut into them---likely once holding offerings or relics. The air is still, undisturbed for decades or longer. A patina of dust covers everything, unmarred by footprints save your own. Against the southern wall hangs a faded wooden panel depicting a painted scene, its Latin inscription barely legible in the gloom. > x panel A large wooden painted panel set in a distinctive brass frame, it depicts the Three Living and the Three Dead---three noble youths recoiling from three crowned corpses who gesture toward them. Woven beneath in Gothic script: "QUOD FUIMUS, ESTIS; QUOD SUMUS, ERITIS" (What we were, you are; what we are, you will be). Time has taken its toll on the pigments. > push button You can't see any such thing. > x frame The brass frame encloses the art panel. Examining it closely, you find a small button on the right-hand side of the panel. > push button You push the button and hear a faint click from inside the frame. The panel pops ajar from the wall, revealing an opening to the south. [The score has just gone up by 2 points.] > s You head south through the opening behind the panel, revealing... Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > s Crypt Vestry The Crypt Vestry is a long passage of rough stone. This may have originally been designed to be another crypt, but it is used to store materials needed for masses held in the crypt, and there are some such things on a ledge. The room is very infrequently used, since such masses are quite rare. The only exit out is the way you came. > x ledge It's a thick plank fastened to the wall. It contains several items, likely needed for services held down here. > x cloth They have clearly been here for years, as they are mouldy from the damp. > search cloth Aha! While the cloths are rotting and ruined, under them, you find a sack. > x sack (first taking the sack) You take it, noting metallic clinking as you do. The sack is dark burlap, smeared with yellow powder, tied with simple cord. Opening it, your hands tremble: the weight is unmistakable. Silver coins spill into view: groats and pennies, perhaps ten shillings' worth. Your breath catches. A small fortune, enough to feed the priory for a season. Hidden here, among the dead, where none have need of it. These coins are certainly evidence of wrongdoing, but you're not sure where they came from. [The score has just gone up by 5 points.] > put sack in basket You put the sack of coins into the basket. > n Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > close panel You pull the panel closed and hear a click in the frame. > x tombs You cast your eyes over the tombs. Son of man, can these bones live? --- The Book of Ezekiel There are six tombs holding the earthly remains of former priors: Brothers Gordian, Ezra, Crispin, Dunstan, Godric, and Ambrose. > extinguish candle You extinguish the beeswax candle. They grope in the dark without light. --- The Book of Job It is now pitch dark in here. > ring bell You sound it with vigour which produces an almost deafening peal as it echoes. You feel certain someone above will have heard that. > hide behind ezra You crouch far down on the darkest side of Brother Ezra's tomb. You can hear a key turning in the gate above. If you get caught here, you'll be in serious trouble. > z You wait a minute. You can hear footsteps coming down the crypt stairs. > z You wait a minute. The footsteps are closer, and you can see some light coming from the stairs. Main Crypt (hiding) The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. A section of the north wall has been covered with wood planks. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > z You wait a minute. Someone has entered the crypt bearing a light. > z You wait a minute. Very close, you hear "Is someone down here?" You recognise the voice as Brother Cuthbert's. > z You wait a minute. Very close, you hear "Helloooo?" > z You wait a minute. The light moves to the south and you sense Brother Cuthbert is now searching the Crypt Vestry. > u You stand. To the south, you hear "Is someone in the Vestry?" > u Crypt Stairs At the midpoint of these stairs, you can sense the damp below. A thin veil of cool morning light comes from the area above, but the path down descends into darkness. Faintly, you hear "Helloooo?" > u You slip through the open gate. Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. The crypt gate is open. You can see the high altar here. Faintly, you hear rustling noises. > w Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. You escaped the Crypt without being discovered. Faintly, you hear "Must have been a draft from the church above." (You hear him muttering a brief prayer.) [The score has just gone up by 3 points.] > s Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. You can see Pax here. > i You're carrying a beeswax candle, a basket (which contains a sack of coins, some offering rosehips, some letters from Rose, a comb, a mandrake root, Aelred's Herbal, an iron key and two sprigs (henbane and basil)), some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > comment what do i do now That is not a verb I recognise. > comment cabinet nw door kitchen stairs that door outside That is not a verb I recognise. > comment library That is not a verb I recognise. > s Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its cool morning light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > e Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > e Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the cool morning light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the closed door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace. > w Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > s Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. > e Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > e Infirmary Several narrow beds line the western wall. A workbench holds mortars and bowls for preparing remedies. The air has a sharp tang. The Infirmary Chapel is to the south, and the Slype is out to the west. Brother Benedict is here, tidying the workbench and looking reflective. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. The medicine cabinet sits against a wall, closed. > x cabinet A wooden cabinet secured with a brass lock mechanism. Four brass wheels, each engraved with digits "0" through "9", can be rotated independently. Carved into the wood above the lock: "Historia nostra, fides nostra". The four wheels currently show: 0-0-0-0. You should be more careful. If Brother Benedict had noticed you carrying the beeswax candle, you'd have faced severe punishment. > put candle in basket You put the beeswax candle into the basket. > turn wheel You dare not do this in front of a brother. > comment combo is date of founding, i think That is not a verb I recognise. > w Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > w Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. You can see Pax here. > s The walls of the Cloister block that direction. > w Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > s Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit cool morning light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > n Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > e Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. You can see Pax here. > take pax She allows you to pick her up. Pax purrs contentedly in your arms. > w Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. Pax trills happily while you hold her. > s Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit cool morning light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. Pax appears uncomfortable in unfamiliar indoor places, and wriggles out of your arms and escapes. > s Kitchen The priory kitchen is a large room, lit by high windows. A door leads north to the Refectory, and stairs descend to the Undercroft below. A large table dominates the centre, scattered with implements and vessels. A hearth is built into a wall, its fire warming the room. Brother Martin is here, chopping vegetables. Brother Remigio is here, tidying the table. Brother Martin says "Out, out, Brother. Remigio and I are working." He ushers you out north, to the Refectory. Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit cool morning light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > d You can only go north or south. > s Kitchen The priory kitchen is a large room, lit by high windows. A door leads north to the Refectory, and stairs descend to the Undercroft below. A large table dominates the centre, scattered with implements and vessels. A hearth is built into a wall, its fire warming the room. Brother Martin is here, chopping vegetables. Brother Remigio is here, tidying the table. Brother Martin says "Out, out, Brother. Remigio and I are working." He ushers you out north, to the Refectory. Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit cool morning light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > n Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > n Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its cool morning light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > x sundial The sundial casts a shadow showing the time as quarter to twelve in the morning. > x well An old stone well, its edges worn down by centuries of drawing water. > take water The water is far below and out of reach. > w Cloister West This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Locutory lies in to the west. You can also go north to the northwestern corner of the Cloister, south to the southwestern corner, or east into the Garth. You can see Pax here. > take pax She allows you to pick her up. Pax purrs contentedly in your arms. > e Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its cool morning light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. Pax trills happily while you hold her. > e Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. Pax trills happily while you hold her. > e Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the cool morning light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the closed door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace. Brother Wilfred notices Pax in your arms. "Hello", he says to her. "Making new friends, are we?" > show pax to wilfred He seems delighted and scratches her on her head. > ask wilfred about pax His eyes glisten. "Forgive an old brother, but that cat has become very dear to me. I was the one who named her---'Pax', for the peace she brings to these old halls." > e You wouldn't dare try to enter the Library with Brother Wilfred watching you. Access to the Library is restricted to him. > drop pax She scampers away. > x art You can't see any such thing. > w Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > e Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the cool morning light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the closed door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace. > w Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > n Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. > w Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. > w Cloister Northwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The high walls of the church rise imposingly to the north, and a curious door lies to the west. You can also see Pax here. > x door A heavy door made of fine cedar, upon which a large brass plate is set. There are seven buttons on it, each bearing a symbol: a compass, a hammer, a scroll, a cross, a key, a lamp, and a sheaf of wheat. Below them, an inscription in elegant script: HIS TRIBUS FUNDATA EST DOMUS MEA --- GORDIAN, PRIMUS PRIOR You read that as "On these three my house is founded --- Gordian, First Prior". The door is currently closed. > comment definitely hammer, because how can you build a house without one That is not a verb I recognise. > comment scroll? there was a statue where he was holding a scroll That is not a verb I recognise. > comment cross, this is a priory lol That is not a verb I recognise. > push hammer You press the button and feel it click into place. > push scroll You press the button and feel it click into place. "RING! RING! RING! RING! RING!" You hear the bell ring five times to call the brothers to the Sext office. Prior Oswald excused you from offices today, but you know the choir monks will be in the Quire for the next forty-five minutes or so. > push cross You press the button and feel it click into place. You hear a dull click from within the door. All the buttons spring back out. Perhaps you pressed the wrong combination? Brother Oswald comes from the Prior's Solar. > w You can't, since the prior door is locked. Brother Anselm arrives from the south. Brother Oswald heads east. > e Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. You can see Brother Oswald here. Brother Anselm arrives from the west. Brother Oswald heads north. > e Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. You can see Brother Wilfred here. Brother Benedict arrives from the south. Brother Wilfred heads west. > n The walls of the Cloister block that direction. Brother Benedict heads west. > e Chapter House The Chapter House is a modest hall where the brothers gather each morning to discuss priory business. A painted panel on the wall depicts the hours of the Divine Offices. In one corner stands a wooden statue. The only exit is west, out to the Cloister. Two benches are in the centre of the room. A broad table lies between the benches. > w Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. > w Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. In the distance, you can hear your brothers start to sing. > n Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. Brothers here: - Anselm, the cantor (seated) - Benedict, the infirmarer (seated) - Cuthbert, the sacrist (seated) - Hugh, the cellarer (seated) - Martin, the kitchener (seated) - Oswald, the prior (seated) - Wilfred, the librarian (seated) Office! Entering the Quire when a service is underway means you'll be obligated to participate in it. The brothers look at you, puzzled. Why aren't you seated? > w Surely, you wouldn't leave the office at this point. The brothers look at you, puzzled. Why aren't you seated? > s Surely, you wouldn't leave the office at this point. ----------------------- && ----------------------- After the office, Brother Oswald confronts you. "Where was your mind, Brother Novice? Part of your duty is participating in offices." For violating a serious rule of the priory, you are sentenced to bread and water for three days. By the time your penance ends, any chance of solving any mystery has long passed. *** You have failed *** In that game you scored 26 out of a possible 55, in 551 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > sit You sit on a stall with a certain sense of familiarity. Brother Anselm looks at you. Why aren't you joining the others in song? > sing You join the others in song. [You'll automatically continue singing throughout the office. You may perform other allowed actions. When you'd like to skip to the end of the service, just WAIT.] > wait (skipping about thirty-five minutes to end of service) ----------------------- && ----------------------- The office ends. Brother Benedict gets up from the stalls. Brother Cuthbert gets up from the stalls. Brother Hugh gets up from the stalls. Brother Martin gets up from the stalls. Brother Oswald gets up from the stalls. > time From your vague sense of time, it is one in the afternoon. > w (first getting up from the stalls) Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits bright afternoon light. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. Brother Cuthbert arrives from the east. > u Tower Stairs A spiral staircase winds up and down from here. The stone steps are narrow and treacherously steep. Cool air and bright afternoon light flows down from above. Brother Cuthbert arrives from downstairs. > u Bell Tower The bell chamber. Wind whistles through the open arches on all four sides. Dead leaves have drifted into the corners and along the walls, blown in through the open arches. The great bell hangs overhead. A rope from it hangs to within your reach. From here, you have clear views in all four directions---such fine views that the priory allows outsiders into this space. You can also see a wooden chest (which is closed) here. Brother Cuthbert arrives from downstairs. > x chet Sorry, I don't understand what "chet" means. > x chest An old wooden chest, about one foot long on each side, weathered by years of wind and rain blowing through the open tower. The lid bears an engraved inscription: "VOCA POPULUM AD PRECES" ("Call the people to prayer"). > open chest You dare not, especially with another brother in the area. > look under bell One thing below the bell is you. > look north To the north, you can see rough coast and cliffs, dotted with small farms. > look west You can see a small path from the west door to the gate for the priory and, beyond that, the village in the dale. > look south South of here, you see the Cloister surrounding the Garth, the priory's roofs, and the Garden. How you've learned to love that garden. > look east East, you can see the Infirmary and its chapel and, beyond that, the cliffs and the sea. > x garden You can clearly see the Garden and the accompanying smaller Restricted Garden, both very familiar to you. > x infirmary You can only just make that out in the distance. > x chapel You can only just make that out in the distance. > x cliffs You can only just make these out in the distance. > x sea You can only just make that out in the distance. > x roof You can see the roof of the church below. > x garden You can clearly see the Garden and the accompanying smaller Restricted Garden, both very familiar to you. > x cloister You can see the Cloister and the Garth it surrounds. > x gate You can only just make that out in the distance. > x path You can only just make that out in the distance. > x village You can only just make that out in the distance. > x farms You can only just make these out in the distance. > d Tower Stairs A spiral staircase winds up and down from here. The stone steps are narrow and treacherously steep. Cool air and bright afternoon light flows down from above. > d Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits bright afternoon light. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. > s You can only go north, west, east, or up. > comment wheat That is not a verb I recognise. > e Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > s Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. You can see Pax here. > w Cloister Northwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The high walls of the church rise imposingly to the north, and a curious door lies to the west. > x buttons Do you mean the compass button, the hammer button, the scroll button, the cross button, the key button, the lamp button or the wheat button? > push wheat You press the button and feel it click into place. > push hammer You press the button and feel it click into place. > push cross You press the button and feel it click into place. You hear a dull click from within the door. All the buttons spring back out. Perhaps you pressed the wrong combination? > undo Previous turn undone. > push scroll You press the button and feel it click into place. You hear a dull click from within the door. All the buttons spring back out. Perhaps you pressed the wrong combination? > push wheat You press the button and feel it click into place. > push cross You press the button and feel it click into place. > push hammer You press the button and feel it click into place. You hear a dull click from within the door. All the buttons spring back out. Perhaps you pressed the wrong combination? > push wheat You press the button and feel it click into place. > push scroll You press the button and feel it click into place. > push hammer You press the button and feel it click into place. You hear a dull click from within the door. All the buttons spring back out. Perhaps you pressed the wrong combination? > push hammer You press the button and feel it click into place. > push wheat You press the button and feel it click into place. > push cross You press the button and feel it click into place. You hear a dull click from within the door. All the buttons spring back out. Perhaps you pressed the wrong combination? > push hammer You press the button and feel it click into place. > push wheat You press the button and feel it click into place. > push scroll You press the button and feel it click into place. You hear a dull click from within the door. All the buttons spring back out. Perhaps you pressed the wrong combination? > push hammer You press the button and feel it click into place. > push scroll You press the button and feel it click into place. > push wheat You press the button and feel it click into place. You hear a dull click from within the door. All the buttons spring back out. Perhaps you pressed the wrong combination? > push hammer You press the button and feel it click into place. > push cross You press the button and feel it click into place. > push wheat You press the button and feel it click into place. You hear a dull click from within the door. All the buttons spring back out. Perhaps you pressed the wrong combination? > s Cloister West This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Locutory lies in to the west. You can also go north to the northwestern corner of the Cloister, south to the southwestern corner, or east into the Garth. > s Cloister Southwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. A small alcove, the Lavatorium, is to the south. You can go north to the western edge, or east to the southern edge. The West Gate, allowing outsiders to enter the Cloister, is to the west and open. > w The Passage (North) A covered walkway that runs along the west edge of the priory. The stones underfoot are set carefully to make this a clear path. You can go north to the Porch or south to the southern end of the Passage. The West Gate, allowing entrance into the Cloister, is here and open. > e Cloister Southwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. A small alcove, the Lavatorium, is to the south. You can go north to the western edge, or east to the southern edge. The West Gate, allowing outsiders to enter the Cloister, is to the west and open. > e Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. You can see Pax here. > s Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit bright afternoon light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > s Kitchen The priory kitchen is a large room, lit by high windows. A door leads north to the Refectory, and stairs descend to the Undercroft below. A large table dominates the centre, scattered with implements and vessels. A hearth is built into a wall, its fire warming the room. Brother Martin is here, chopping vegetables. Brother Remigio is here, tidying the table. Brother Martin says "Out, out, Brother. Remigio and I are working." He ushers you out north, to the Refectory. Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit bright afternoon light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > n Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. You can see Pax here. > e Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. > e Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > e Infirmary Several narrow beds line the western wall. A workbench holds mortars and bowls for preparing remedies. The air has a sharp tang. The Infirmary Chapel is to the south, and the Slype is out to the west. Brother Benedict is here, tidying the workbench and looking reflective. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. The medicine cabinet sits against a wall, closed. > w Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > w Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. > n Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > w Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its bright afternoon light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > w Cloister West This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Locutory lies in to the west. You can also go north to the northwestern corner of the Cloister, south to the southwestern corner, or east into the Garth. You can see Pax here. > x pax She is small and lean, and purrs when she sees you. > n Cloister Northwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The high walls of the church rise imposingly to the north, and a curious door lies to the west. > s Cloister West This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Locutory lies in to the west. You can also go north to the northwestern corner of the Cloister, south to the southwestern corner, or east into the Garth. You can see Pax here. > n Cloister Northwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The high walls of the church rise imposingly to the north, and a curious door lies to the west. > e Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. > n Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > e Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > e Lady Chapel The largest of the three chapels, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. This chapel sees more use than the others: the brothers pray here for the priory's patroness, Our Lady of Thorns. To the west is the Sanctuary. Small doorways lead north and south to smaller chapels. A statue of Mary stands in a niche and a stone altar is next to her. > e You can only go north, south, or west. > n FitzAlan Chantry The FitzAlan family chantry, endowed long ago for masses. But the FitzAlans are gone now---their line ended in the pestilence---and no masses are said here anymore. You can return out to the Lady Chapel through the south. A stone altar is swung open from the wall (revealing a ladder leading down into darkness). > push altar You push the altar back against the wall and hear a solid click as it settles against the wall. > s Lady Chapel The largest of the three chapels, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. This chapel sees more use than the others: the brothers pray here for the priory's patroness, Our Lady of Thorns. To the west is the Sanctuary. Small doorways lead north and south to smaller chapels. A statue of Mary stands in a niche and a stone altar is next to her. > w Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > e Lady Chapel The largest of the three chapels, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. This chapel sees more use than the others: the brothers pray here for the priory's patroness, Our Lady of Thorns. To the west is the Sanctuary. Small doorways lead north and south to smaller chapels. A statue of Mary stands in a niche and a stone altar is next to her. > s St Jude Chapel A small chapel dedicated to St Jude, patron of desperate causes. The stone floor is worn down---many souls have visited here over the generations, praying for urgent escape from terrible situations. A doorway leads north, out to the Lady Chapel. A statue of the saint is in a corner. Near it is a stone altar with a prayer mat laid before it. > x mat A rough flax mat before the altar, worn thin by countless hours of kneeling. Someone has been using it recently---very recently. > x altar A simple stone altar. > x jude A wooden statue of St Jude, simply carved and painted. The saint holds a staff in one hand. His painted eyes seem to gaze down with deep concern at those who kneel before him in desperation. > kneel You kneel briefly here, then rise back up. > pray You murmur a brief prayer to St Jude. > kneel to jude I only understood you as far as "kneel" but then you lost me. > kneel on mat You kneel on the mat, as many others have done before. > pray You feel a powerful sense of hope that St Jude will help you in desperate situations. > n (first getting up from the prayer mat) Lady Chapel The largest of the three chapels, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. This chapel sees more use than the others: the brothers pray here for the priory's patroness, Our Lady of Thorns. To the west is the Sanctuary. Small doorways lead north and south to smaller chapels. A statue of Mary stands in a niche and a stone altar is next to her. > w Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > w Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > comment maybe should have prayed before the crypt stuff That is not a verb I recognise. > hint There are 5 hints: press H for next hint, or any other key to exit. (1/5) It's a pretty room, isn't it? So cosy. (2/5) And warm, given that fireplace. (3/5) Plus, Brother Wilfred's latest work, the breviary, is very nice. [Please press SPACE to continue.] There are 4 hints: press H for next hint, or any other key to exit. (1/4) You can do hardly anything while Martin is here. (2/4) Remigio will let you look around once Martin is gone. (3/4) But there isn't anything you need here. (4/4) But you'd really like to get to the Undercroft below. [Please press SPACE to continue.] There are 9 hints: press H for next hint, or any other key to exit. (1/9) There are stairs going down from Kitchen. (2/9) And also a door from the South Passage. (3/9) The door, though, only opens from the inside. You won't be able to get in that way. (4/9) You can't go down from the Kitchen while Brother Martin is in the Kitchen. (5/9) Brother Remigio won't let you, either---unless you convince him. [Please press SPACE to continue.] There are 5 hints: press H for next hint, or any other key to exit. (1/5) If you haven't witnessed a death and sat through a meeting, just explore. (2/5) Once you have, the game will give you some hints: examine the body and search the gardens. (3/5) Once you've done that, you should explore the priory. Every location can be reached (though some require some effort). (4/5) There are four main pieces of evidence (each giving 5 points) and some less critical pieces of evidence. You don't need to find them all to solve the mystery. (5/5) If you're still stuck, look at the hints for specific locations and that can give you ideas of what to do there. [Please press SPACE to continue.] Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > w Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits bright afternoon light. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. > e Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > s Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. You can see Pax here. Pax twitches, sensing movement somewhere. > s Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its bright afternoon light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > s Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > s Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit bright afternoon light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > s Kitchen The priory kitchen is a large room, lit by high windows. A door leads north to the Refectory, and stairs descend to the Undercroft below. A large table dominates the centre, scattered with implements and vessels. A hearth is built into a wall, its fire warming the room. Brother Martin is here, chopping vegetables. Brother Remigio is here, tidying the table. Brother Martin says "Out, out, Brother. Remigio and I are working." He ushers you out north, to the Refectory. Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit bright afternoon light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > n Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > n Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its bright afternoon light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > n Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. You can see Pax here. > w Cloister Northwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The high walls of the church rise imposingly to the north, and a curious door lies to the west. > offices Matins 2 AM Sext Noon Lauds 5 AM None 3 PM Prime 7 AM Vespers 5 PM Terce 9 AM Compline 7 PM > time From your vague sense of time, it is half past two in the afternoon. > open door It's locked. > x buttons Do you mean the compass button, the hammer button, the scroll button, the cross button, the key button, the lamp button or the wheat button? > push hammer You press the button and feel it click into place. > push cross You press the button and feel it click into place. > push scroll You press the button and feel it click into place. You hear a dull click from within the door. All the buttons spring back out. Perhaps you pressed the wrong combination? > push cross You press the button and feel it click into place. > push scroll You press the button and feel it click into place. > push hammer You press the button and feel it click into place. You hear a dull click from within the door. All the buttons spring back out. Perhaps you pressed the wrong combination? > push scroll You press the button and feel it click into place. > push hammer You press the button and feel it click into place. > push cross You press the button and feel it click into place. You hear a dull click from within the door. All the buttons spring back out. Perhaps you pressed the wrong combination? > push scroll You press the button and feel it click into place. > push cross You press the button and feel it click into place. > push hammer You press the button and feel it click into place. You hear a dull click from within the door. All the buttons spring back out. Perhaps you pressed the wrong combination? > push cross You press the button and feel it click into place. > push hammer You press the button and feel it click into place. > push scroll You press the button and feel it click into place. You hear a satisfying series of clicks from within the door. The lock disengages. [The score has just gone up by 3 points.] > w You can't, since the prior door is closed. > open door You open the door. Brother Oswald looks shocked from inside. "Brother Novice, what are you doing, trying to gain entrance to my private quarters?" He closes the door on you and you hear the lock click. > undo Previous turn undone. > oops lol Sorry, that can't be corrected. > e Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. You can see Pax here. > s Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its bright afternoon light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > x sundial The sundial casts a shadow showing the time as quarter to three in the afternoon. > s Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > s Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit bright afternoon light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > n Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > n Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its bright afternoon light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > e Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > w Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its bright afternoon light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > w Cloister West This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Locutory lies in to the west. You can also go north to the northwestern corner of the Cloister, south to the southwestern corner, or east into the Garth. > s Cloister Southwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. A small alcove, the Lavatorium, is to the south. You can go north to the western edge, or east to the southern edge. The West Gate, allowing outsiders to enter the Cloister, is to the west and open. You can also see Pax here. "RING! RING! RING! RING! RING! RING!" You hear the bell ring six times to call the brothers to the None office. Prior Oswald excused you from offices today, but you know the choir monks will be in the Quire for the next forty-five minutes or so. > e Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > s Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit bright afternoon light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. You can see Brother Martin here. Brother Hugh arrives from the south. Brother Martin heads north. > s Kitchen The priory kitchen is a large room, lit by high windows. A door leads north to the Refectory, and stairs descend to the Undercroft below. A large table dominates the centre, scattered with implements and vessels. A hearth is built into a wall, its fire warming the room. Brother Remigio is here, tidying the table. > d Brother Remigio stops you, apologetically. "No, not allowed", he says, "Frate Hugh, he not allow go to cellars." > ask remigio I think you wanted to say "ask Brother Remigio about something". Please try again. > remigio, go north You're a novice, and in no position to order anyone. > ask remigio about stairs Brother Remigio listens politely, but doesn't understand. > ask remigio about undercroft Brother Remigio listens politely, but doesn't understand. > gesture to stairs That is not a verb I recognise. > persuade remigio about stairs That is not a verb I recognise. > i You're carrying a basket (which contains a beeswax candle, a sack of coins, some offering rosehips, some letters from Rose, a comb, a mandrake root, Aelred's Herbal, an iron key and two sprigs (henbane and basil)), some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > ask remigio what he wants I only understood you as far as "ask remigio" but then you lost me. > ask remigio about himself "Me?" He laughs, a little surprised. "I am... nobody. A man who walk very far." He wipes his hands on his habit. "I find this place, they let me stay. I work hard. Is enough, no?" > ask remigio about gift Brother Remigio listens politely, but doesn't understand. > ask remigio about aelred "Such sad thing." He looks despondent. > ask remigio about hugh "Frate Hugh? Good man. He work hard down there, always busy with..." he gestures vaguely at the floor, "...stores, sì?" > ask remigio about food Brother Remigio listens politely, but doesn't understand. > ask remigio about cat "Ah, la gatta! Frate Wilfred, he love her much. She good mouser. Always hungry." > ask remigio about pottage Brother Remigio listens politely, but doesn't understand. > ask remigio about martin "Ah, Frate Martin! He is..." Remigio searches for words. "Very good man. Kind. We work, uh, insieme---together---in cucina, the Kitchen. He teach me English." He smiles warmly. "He no here now. At church." > ask remigio about kitchen "Me?" He laughs, a little surprised. "I am... nobody. A man who walk very far." He wipes his hands on his habit. "I find this place, they let me stay. I work hard. Is enough, no?" > d Brother Remigio stops you, apologetically. "No, not allowed", he says, "Frate Hugh, he not allow go to cellars." > n Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit bright afternoon light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > n Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > e Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. > n Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > hint There are 9 hints: press H for next hint, or any other key to exit. (1/9) There are stairs going down from Kitchen. (2/9) And also a door from the South Passage. (3/9) The door, though, only opens from the inside. You won't be able to get in that way. (4/9) You can't go down from the Kitchen while Brother Martin is in the Kitchen. (5/9) Brother Remigio won't let you, either---unless you convince him. (6/9) His English is poor, but perhaps a gift would do? [Please press SPACE to continue.] Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > i You're carrying a basket (which contains a beeswax candle, a sack of coins, some offering rosehips, some letters from Rose, a comb, a mandrake root, Aelred's Herbal, an iron key and two sprigs (henbane and basil)), some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > s Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. You can see Pax here. > w Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > s Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit bright afternoon light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > s Kitchen The priory kitchen is a large room, lit by high windows. A door leads north to the Refectory, and stairs descend to the Undercroft below. A large table dominates the centre, scattered with implements and vessels. A hearth is built into a wall, its fire warming the room. Brother Remigio is here, tidying the table. > give candle to remigio You aren't holding it. > take rosehips Taken. > give rosehips to remigio Brother Remigio refuses your gift with a gesture. > take comb Taken. > give comb to remigio You consider giving Brother Remigio the comb but realizing you're not supposed to be carrying it, you decide not to. > take coins (putting the rosehips into the basket to make room) Taken. > give coins to remigio You consider giving Brother Remigio the sack of coins but realizing you're not supposed to be carrying it, you decide not to. > take basil (putting the comb into the basket to make room) Taken. > give basil to remigio The stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you. --- The Book of Leviticus Inform error: 25 Remigio's weathered face transforms. "Basilico!" he exclaims, taking the herb and breathing deeply. "I not smell since Toscana." His eyes glisten. "Frate Aelred grew for me? He was brav'uomo, a good man." He gestures toward the stairs, his voice thick. "Grazie mille, uh, thanks you. Go. I not see you." [The score has just gone up by 2 points.] > comment inform error 25? That is not a verb I recognise. > comment wait how was i supposed to know it was basil That is not a verb I recognise. > d You dare not head down to darkness without a light source. > light candle (first taking the beeswax candle) You light the beeswax candle using the hearth. > d Brother Remigio looks away slyly as you head down the stairs. Undercroft Barrels crowd this vaulted space beneath the Refectory. Many things the priory needs to survive are here: tallow, salt, wine, mustard, grain. Smaller items are spread across a table in the corner. The cellarer's careful hand is evident in the organisation---each item labelled, stacked, accounted for. As cellarer, Brother Hugh alone manages this space: organising the stores, counting what remains, arranging what must be purchased. No other brother would have reason to come here uninvited. Stairs lead up to the Kitchen. A wide door to the west allows barrels to be rolled in and out for deliveries. > table That is not a verb I recognise. > x table The table here is made of rough wood. On it are a ledger and a pointed stick. > x ledger It's a sheaf of coarse paper, tied with a simple cord. It seems to record recent purchases and sales of goods for the priory. > x stick It's a long branch from a tree. It may be used for hitting at rats, as there's a bit of dried blood on one end. > read ledger It's filled with Hugh's cramped hand. The most recent items listed are the sale of beeswax candles, a purchase of a barrel of mustard seeds, and the sale of sheep from the priory's fields. > x tallow A stout wooden barrel bearing the charcoal mark "TALLOW". > look under barrel Do you mean the grain barrel, the wine barrel, the salt barrel, the tallow barrel or the mustard barrel? > look under tallow You cannot lift the barrel to look under it. > smell Musty and filled with fragrances from the barrels, especially with the overpowering odour of tallow. > open mustard Opening the sealed barrel will take several minutes. Are you sure? y With some time and effort, you succeed in opening it. > x mustard A stout wooden barrel bearing the charcoal mark "MUSTARD". It is currently open, revealing yellow-brown ground mustard. > search mustard The barrels are much too deep to search easily. > sift through mustard That is not a verb I recognise. > smell mustard Sharp and pungent---the unmistakable bite of ground mustard. > take mustard The barrels are too heavy, and you've no need of the contents. > put hand in mustard You can't see any such thing. > put hand in barrel You can't see any such thing. > close barrel You pound on the lid to shut the mustard barrel. Above, you can hear Brothers Martin and Remigio talking. > u Brother Hugh catches you coming up from the Undercroft. "What were you doing down there? It's not allowed." For violating a serious rule of the priory, you are sentenced to bread and water for five days. By the time your penance ends, any chance of solving any mystery has long passed. *** You have failed *** In that game you scored 31 out of a possible 55, in 735 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > w You push the door open and head west, emerging at the Passage. The door closes behind you. The Passage (South) The narrow walkway ends here. This part seems less travelled, with weeds growing from between the stones underfoot. To the east, the ground slopes down to a wide closed door. Your candle blows out in the breeze. > n The Passage (North) A covered walkway that runs along the west edge of the priory. The stones underfoot are set carefully to make this a clear path. You can go north to the Porch or south to the southern end of the Passage. The West Gate, allowing entrance into the Cloister, is here and open. > e Cloister Southwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. A small alcove, the Lavatorium, is to the south. You can go north to the western edge, or east to the southern edge. The West Gate, allowing outsiders to enter the Cloister, is to the west and open. > n Cloister West This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Locutory lies in to the west. You can also go north to the northwestern corner of the Cloister, south to the southwestern corner, or east into the Garth. > e Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its bright afternoon light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > e Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > s Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. You can see Pax here. > take pax (putting the sack of coins into the basket to make room) She allows you to pick her up. Pax trills happily while you hold her. > n Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. Pax trills happily while you hold her. > e Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the bright afternoon light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the closed door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace. > give pax to wilfred A tender smile comes to Brother Wilfred's lined face. "Ah", he murmurs to Pax, "come to check on an old man?" Pax leaps onto his lap and settles there. His hand moves to stroke her, and his eyes grow heavier almost at once. > z You wait a minute. As Pax rests in his lap, Brother Wilfred begins to snore. The sleepy like to make excuses. --- The Rule of St Benedict > take key Being as quiet as you can be, you take the key from the table. Brother Wilfred seems deeply asleep. > unlock door (with the silver key) You unlock the library door and open it. > e Library This is a small private room. There is a bookshelf on one wall and a large map of the priory on the other. The only exit is out to the west. [The score has just gone up by 3 points.] > close door You close the library door. > x map Finely etched into brass and signed "Prior Gordian". It shows both the indoor and outdoor areas, from the two dorters on the upper floor all the way down to two crypts below ground. > x crypts Two crypts: a larger one, simply labelled "Crypt" and another, "FitzAlan Crypt". > x dorters One dorter for the choir monks and one for the lay brothers, naturally. > x areas Sorry, I don't understand what "areas" means. > x shelf The bookshelf has about fifty items, most of which are manuscripts, used for the work in the Scriptorium. One that draws your attention because of its thin size and small format is titled "Registrum Fratrum". > x fratrum The "Registrum Fratrum" ("Register of the Brothers"). A small leather-bound registry that Brother Wilfred has been keeping for decades, back to when he was prior. It has notes on brothers who have served in the priory, even including some historical ones. > take fratrum (putting the beeswax candle into the basket to make room) You carefully remove the Registrum Fratrum from the shelf. Brother Wilfred would be furious if he knew. > read fratrum It's too long to read through, but you can look up particular entries by name. > consult fratrum for gordian I only understood you as far as "consult fratrum" but then you lost me. > consult fratrum about gordian Gordian (1112-1192). Founder of the priory in 1152, formerly Master Builder to the Earl of Pembroke. A man of great skill and piety, he lived by three great creeds that he impressed upon the brethren drawn to the new priory. Gordian designed the church and Cloister himself, from the great bell in the tower to the stained glass of the Nave. It is said he built the priory as penance for worldly pride, each clever mechanism a reminder that God's mysteries surpass man's cleverness. He served as prior from its founding until his death. [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > consult fratrum about ezra Ezra (1155-1212). Elected as the second prior in 1192 and served in this role for 18 years. He built out the Infirmary and the Infirmary Chapel and opened the priory to religious pilgrims travelling to Wales. Contemporary brothers remembered him for his flaming orange hair and for his bravery: he always said he would protect his brethren from danger to his very limits. > consult fratrum about crispin Crispin (1180-1248). Gained renown in the Holy Land as a young man, then took his vows and joined the priory. The second-longest serving prior (1210-1248), he brought many benefactors and the priory saw many pilgrims pass through hoping to meet the man who had taken the cross with such honour. You can hear noises from the Scriptorium, suggesting Brother Wilfred is starting to waken. > w (first opening the library door) Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the bright afternoon light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the open door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace, snoring heavily. > close door You close the library door. Brother Wilfred seems groggily awake now. Oh no! Brother Wilfred discovered that the library key wasn't on the table where he keeps it---you've been caught. You are given a very stern speech. If you want to keep investigating, you'll need to be more careful. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > i You're carrying the Registrum Fratrum, a silver key, a basket (which contains a beeswax candle, a sack of coins, a comb, some offering rosehips, some letters from Rose, a mandrake root, Aelred's Herbal, an iron key and a henbane sprig), some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > w (first opening the library door) Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the bright afternoon light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the open door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace, snoring heavily. Lying on his lap is Pax. Pax suddenly hops off of Brother Wilfred's lap and runs out to the Cloister, causing him to start to stir. > close door You close the library door. > put key on table You place the key on the table, hoping that it's in the same place it was before. Brother Wilfred seems groggily awake now. > put fratrum in basket You put the Registrum Fratrum into the basket. > w Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > w Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its bright afternoon light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > w Cloister West This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Locutory lies in to the west. You can also go north to the northwestern corner of the Cloister, south to the southwestern corner, or east into the Garth. > n Cloister Northwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The high walls of the church rise imposingly to the north, and a curious door lies to the west. > read fratrum It's too long to read through, but you can look up particular entries by name. > comment what were the rest of the names again That is not a verb I recognise. > consult fratrum about gordion (first taking the Registrum Fratrum) You find no entry for that in the Registrum Fratrum. > consult fratrum about gordian Gordian (1112-1192). Founder of the priory in 1152, formerly Master Builder to the Earl of Pembroke. A man of great skill and piety, he lived by three great creeds that he impressed upon the brethren drawn to the new priory. Gordian designed the church and Cloister himself, from the great bell in the tower to the stained glass of the Nave. It is said he built the priory as penance for worldly pride, each clever mechanism a reminder that God's mysteries surpass man's cleverness. He served as prior from its founding until his death. > comment it probably won't matter only this guy looks important That is not a verb I recognise. > put fratrum in basket You put the Registrum Fratrum into the basket. > s Cloister West This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Locutory lies in to the west. You can also go north to the northwestern corner of the Cloister, south to the southwestern corner, or east into the Garth. > e Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its bright afternoon light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > e Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. You can see Pax here. > s Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. > e Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > e Infirmary Several narrow beds line the western wall. A workbench holds mortars and bowls for preparing remedies. The air has a sharp tang. The Infirmary Chapel is to the south, and the Slype is out to the west. Brother Benedict is here, tidying the workbench and looking reflective. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. The medicine cabinet sits against a wall, closed. > time From your vague sense of time, it is half past four in the afternoon. > offices Matins 2 AM Sext Noon Lauds 5 AM None 3 PM Prime 7 AM Vespers 5 PM Terce 9 AM Compline 7 PM > wait until 5 Time passes. "RING! RING! RING! RING! RING! RING! RING!" You hear the bell ring seven times to call the brothers to the Vespers office. Prior Oswald excused you from offices today, but you know the choir monks will be in the Quire for the next forty-five minutes or so. (waiting stopped because the bell rang) > z You wait a minute. Brother Benedict heads west. > turn wheel to 1152 You turn the first wheel to 1152. > x wheel You can't see any such thing. > x cabinet A wooden cabinet secured with a brass lock mechanism. Four brass wheels, each engraved with digits "0" through "9", can be rotated independently. Carved into the wood above the lock: "Historia nostra, fides nostra". The four wheels currently show: 1152-0-0-0. > turn wheel to 1 You turn the first wheel to 1. > turn second to 1 You turn the second wheel to 1. > turn third to five You turn the third wheel to 5. > turn fourth to 2 You turn the fourth wheel to 2. You hear a satisfying click as the lock disengages. [The score has just gone up by 3 points.] > open cabinet You open the medicine cabinet, revealing three decoctions (foxglove, henbane and feverfew). > x foxglove A small bottle filled with a concentrated murky yellow-brown liquid, labelled "Foxglove". You know from Brother Aelred that this can be miraculous for the heart in small quantities, but in greater quantities, it can be deadly. > x henbane A small bottle of a concentrated greenish-brown liquid, labelled "Henbane". You know from Brother Aelred that this is used for sedative purposes, though it does have disturbing side-effects. If used in excess, it can be fatal. This bottle is almost entirely empty, with only a few drops remaining. Now that you've recognised the symptoms of henbane poisoning in Brother Aelred and found the henbane decoction, you're even more certain he died of unnatural means. Henbane causes violent convulsions and terrible pain before death. No herbalist would choose such suffering for themselves, even if they were desperate enough to commit the mortal sin of self-murder. This was murder. [The score has just gone up by 5 points.] > x feverfew A small bottle filled with a concentrated dark yellow-green liquid, labelled "Feverfew". You know from Brother Aelred that this is often used to treat fevers and ague. > take henbane Taken. > close cabinet You close the medicine cabinet. > set wheels to 0 You can only set it to a four digit combination. > set wheels to 0-0-0-0 You set the wheels to 0-0-0-0. > w Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > w Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. > s The walls of the Cloister block that direction. > w Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > n Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its bright afternoon light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > n Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > w Cloister Northwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The high walls of the church rise imposingly to the north, and a curious door lies to the west. You can also see Pax here. > push cross You press the button and feel it click into place. > push hammer You press the button and feel it click into place. > push scroll You press the button and feel it click into place. You hear a satisfying series of clicks from within the door. The lock disengages. Pax twitches, sensing movement somewhere. > open door You open the door. > w Prior's Solar Prior Oswald's private chamber. A narrow bed stands against one wall. A writing desk sits next to it. A chest sits at the foot of the bed. The room is austere but private---a privilege of rank in a community that otherwise shares everything. The only exit is out to the east. > x desk A well-crafted desk with a single drawer. On it is a cross. > open drawer Though you don't see a lock on the drawer, it won't open. > x cross A finely detailed cross in dark wood. The brass base bears a small inscription: "CONVERTIMINI". You recognise this from the prophet Joel, a call to repentance and turning to God. > take cross The cross seems affixed to the desk. > push cross Pushing down on the cross does nothing. > pull cross Tugging on the cross does nothing. > touch cross You don't feel anything unexpected. > open chest You open Brother Oswald's chest, revealing nothing. > close chest You close Brother Oswald's chest. > x bed A simple bed, better than your straw pallet in the Dorter, but hardly luxurious. > search bed There is nothing on or below the cot. > twist cross Turning the cross on its base, you hear a click within. The drawer opens, revealing a book. The cross snaps back to its original place. > x book Do you mean the Registrum Fratrum, Aelred's Herbal or the chronicle? > read chronicle The chronicle contains the prior's notes on daily affairs. The recent entries: 15 June 1346: Brother Martin reports the grain stores are adequate for winter, though we had to purchase an additional barrel of flour from the village due to poor harvest. The cost continues to strain our resources. 6 July 1346: Brother Hugh informs me that the sale of our honey and beeswax brought less income than anticipated. Several benefactors who once supported us have redirected their charity elsewhere. Our revenues have declined steadily these past three years. 28 July 1346: Brother Wilfred has misplaced his latest work---a small psalter with illuminations of remarkable quality. He recalls completing the opening of Beatus vir with azure and gold, but cannot remember where he shelved it. At his age, such lapses are not uncommon---this is the second time in this season he has lost a work. This is causing a significant loss of income for us. 3 August 1346: The roof above the Refectory shows signs of damage from the autumn storms. Brother Benedict inspected it and says it will require material and builders to repair---funds we can ill afford. I have written to the Bishop requesting assistance, but hold little hope of reply. The priory seems to be struggling in ways you hadn't realised. [The score has just gone up by 2 points.] > close drawer As you close it, you hear a click inside, locking it again. > e Cloister Northwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The high walls of the church rise imposingly to the north, and a curious door lies to the west. You can also see Pax here. > close door You close the door and hear clicks from inside the mechanism. The door must have locked itself. > s Cloister West This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Locutory lies in to the west. You can also go north to the northwestern corner of the Cloister, south to the southwestern corner, or east into the Garth. > e Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its bright afternoon light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > s Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > s Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit bright afternoon light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > s Kitchen The priory kitchen is a large room, lit by high windows. A door leads north to the Refectory, and stairs descend to the Undercroft below. A large table dominates the centre, scattered with implements and vessels. A hearth is built into a wall, its fire warming the room. Brother Remigio is here, tidying the table. > d You dare not head down to darkness without a light source. > light candle (first taking the beeswax candle) You light the beeswax candle using the hearth. > d Brother Remigio looks away slyly as you head down the stairs. Undercroft Barrels crowd this vaulted space beneath the Refectory. Many things the priory needs to survive are here: tallow, salt, wine, mustard, grain. Smaller items are spread across a table in the corner. The cellarer's careful hand is evident in the organisation---each item labelled, stacked, accounted for. Stairs lead up to the Kitchen. A wide door to the west allows barrels to be rolled in and out for deliveries. > open wine With some time and effort, you succeed in opening it. > x wine A stout wooden barrel bearing the charcoal mark "WINE". It is currently open, revealing dark red wine within. > search wine The barrels are much too deep to search easily. > drink wine You wouldn't dare steal from the priory's stores. > comment but we were fine stealing the other stuff! That is not a verb I recognise. > close wine You pound on the lid to shut the wine barrel. Above, you can hear Brothers Martin and Remigio talking. > hide under table You can't see any such thing. > hide behind tallow You try, but you realise you could still be easily seen. Brother Hugh comes from the Kitchen. Brother Hugh catches you here. "You!" he snarls, "What are you doing here?" Searching you, he finds henbane decoction. "So, Brother Novice," he says quietly, his voice cold. "You've been meddling where you shouldn't." You see Brother Hugh swing to hit your head, but he stumbles and you dodge aside. You manage to escape through the door. St Jude has answered your desperate prayer with a miracle. The Passage (South) The narrow walkway ends here. This part seems less travelled, with weeds growing from between the stones underfoot. To the east, the ground slopes down to a wide closed door. Your candle blows out in the breeze. Note: You've learned enough to solve the crime, but you can continue if you'd like to better understand the crime. To make a public accusation, you can do so at the next office. Or you could first talk with a sympathetic Brother. > comment well ok That is not a verb I recognise. > comment what's the motive though That is not a verb I recognise. > comment i know he has money troubles and was stealing That is not a verb I recognise. > comment or well, probably stealing That is not a verb I recognise. > comment why try to murder someone about some random henbane bottle That is not a verb I recognise. > comment how does the stealing tie into aelred That is not a verb I recognise. > comment wonder if there's a less confrontational way to handle that That is not a verb I recognise. > comment don't think you can meet him in there without him getting nasty That is not a verb I recognise. > comment meeting him on the way to office is too public That is not a verb I recognise. > but then there's just the stuff before and immediately after body discovery That is not a verb I recognise. > how am i supposed to know all of that by that point That is not a verb I recognise. > i You're carrying a beeswax candle, henbane decoction, a basket (which contains the Registrum Fratrum, a sack of coins, a comb, some offering rosehips, some letters from Rose, a mandrake root, Aelred's Herbal, an iron key and a henbane sprig), some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > score You have so far scored 45 out of a possible 55, in 856 turns. > comment what did i miss That is not a verb I recognise. > comment psalter sold That is not a verb I recognise. > comment bell chest That is not a verb I recognise. > time From your vague sense of time, it is six in the evening. > e The door blocks the way. > n The Passage (North) A covered walkway that runs along the west edge of the priory. The stones underfoot are set carefully to make this a clear path. You can go north to the Porch or south to the southern end of the Passage. The West Gate, allowing entrance into the Cloister, is here and open. > e Cloister Southwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit dim evening light. A small alcove, the Lavatorium, is to the south. You can go north to the western edge, or east to the southern edge. The West Gate, allowing outsiders to enter the Cloister, is to the west and open. > n Cloister West This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit dim evening light. The Locutory lies in to the west. You can also go north to the northwestern corner of the Cloister, south to the southwestern corner, or east into the Garth. You can see Pax here. > e Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its slanted evening light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > e Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit dim evening light. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > e Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the slanted evening light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the closed door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace. Brother Wilfred looks up from his work and immediately sees the pain and confusion in your face, the weight of carrying around what you've discovered. "My child", he says, "I can see that you carry much sorrow. Would you like to unburden yourself? Might I offer you confession?" Talk with Brother Wilfred about the murder? You can do so with CONFESS TO WILFRED. > confess to wilfred Wilfred listens as you explain your discoveries. The coins hidden among the dead. The deadly henbane decoction. The letters to Rose, showing previous payment. And, most damning, the attempt on your life. A great sadness crosses Wilfred's face. "My son," he begins, then pauses. "No. 'Aldwin'. You are no longer a child." He sighs deeply. "I have grown more forgiving in my old age. I no longer feel it is my place to judge others' sins---only to hear them and offer what comfort I can. "But you... you have chosen this life. And if you are to be a true brother here, you must be capable of making great and terrible choices." He looks at you steadily. "So I leave this to you, Aldwin. Will you bring these accusations to our prior? If you do, Hugh will surely hang. Or will you forgive him, even knowing justice may demand otherwise? "This is your choice. Choose wisely, and choose with prayer." What will you do? Choose justice or mercy? > comment again don't know how hugh's troubles led to all of that with aelred That is not a verb I recognise. > comment i'm choosing mercy only because no one else is there for hugh's family That is not a verb I recognise. > prob gonna be poisoned though That is not a verb I recognise. > mercy You and Brother Wilfred confront Hugh and tell him to leave. Tonight. Before questions are asked. You give Hugh a shilling's-worth of the coins, and tell him to send this to Rose for William's recovery. Hugh takes flight, and you never learn what becomes of him---or of his family. You lied to the prior about your day's activities and received penance for your actions that day. At least you can give Prior Oswald the majority of the silver coins, saying you found them after being assigned to organise the Undercroft after the unexplained disappearance of Hugh. But when you pray before the Lady of Thorns, you remember Brother Aelred's last words: "One life for two, my son." Perhaps mercy, not justice, was what he hoped for. Still, you wonder. A murderer walks free. Does forgiveness make you holy, or complicit? You will carry this question all your days. *** You chose mercy *** In that game you scored 45 out of a possible 55, in 865 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? comment wow that was more optimistic than imagined Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? full The score was made up as follows: 5 found sack of coins 5 found henbane poison 3 unlocked door to Prior's Solar 3 discovered secret of the lion 3 escaped the Crypt 3 got into the Library 3 opened medicine cabinet 2 bribed Remigio 2 read the Chronicle 2 escaped FitzAlan Crypt 2 found letters to Rose 2 found key to Restricted Garden 1 found way to carry contraband 1 learned about priory's history 1 matched symptoms of the poison 1 consulted Registrum Fratrum 1 consulted Aelred's Herbal 1 discovered a source of light 1 participated in an office 1 noticed suspicious symptoms 1 identified a plant 1 learned schedule of offices 45 total (out of 55) Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? comment author you made a great game Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? actually a bit less daunting than i thought Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? was expecting timer to be less forgiving Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? completely forgot basil Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? what it was for Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? did i miss something with remigio wanting it Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? was i supposed to know he's italian == wnt basil Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? need to go to the crypt again and review the names Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? for register Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? comment go to crypt, do things in less time Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? comment bell tower chest too Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? if i get stuck on something then full solution Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? thanks st jude for the save Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? restore Ok. > d You climb down the ladder. "SNAP!" As you step off the bottom rung, a counterweight somewhere in the mechanism snaps the ladder back to the ceiling, far out of reach. Are you trapped? FitzAlan Crypt This is a small vaulted chamber, no more than ten feet across. The central tomb bears the effigy of a knight. Flanking this is a smaller undecorated tomb. The walls here are finished stone rather than rough-hewn rock, and a narrow recess has been cut into them---likely once holding offerings or relics. The air is still, undisturbed for decades or longer. A patina of dust covers everything, unmarred by footprints save your own. Against the southern wall hangs a faded wooden panel depicting a painted scene, its Latin inscription barely legible in the gloom. > x frame The brass frame encloses the art panel. Examining it closely, you find a small button on the right-hand side of the panel. > push button You push the button and hear a faint click from inside the frame. The panel pops ajar from the wall, revealing an opening to the south. [The score has just gone up by 2 points.] > s You head south through the opening behind the panel, revealing... Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > x tombs You cast your eyes over the tombs. Son of man, can these bones live? --- The Book of Ezekiel There are six tombs holding the earthly remains of former priors: Brothers Gordian, Ezra, Crispin, Dunstan, Godric, and Ambrose. > s Crypt Vestry The Crypt Vestry is a long passage of rough stone. This may have originally been designed to be another crypt, but it is used to store materials needed for masses held in the crypt, and there are some such things on a ledge. The room is very infrequently used, since such masses are quite rare. The only exit out is the way you came. > search cloth Aha! While the cloths are rotting and ruined, under them, you find a sack. > take sack (putting the rosehips into the basket to make room) You take it, noting metallic clinking as you do. > open sack The sack is dark burlap, smeared with yellow powder, tied with simple cord. Opening it, your hands tremble: the weight is unmistakable. Silver coins spill into view: groats and pennies, perhaps ten shillings' worth. Your breath catches. A small fortune, enough to feed the priory for a season. Hidden here, among the dead, where none have need of it. These coins are certainly evidence of wrongdoing, but you're not sure where they came from. [The score has just gone up by 5 points.] > put sack in basket You put the sack of coins into the basket. > n Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > close panel You pull the panel closed and hear a click in the frame. > extinguish candle You extinguish the beeswax candle. They grope in the dark without light. --- The Book of Job It is now pitch dark in here. > ring bell You sound it with vigour which produces an almost deafening peal as it echoes. You feel certain someone above will have heard that. > hide behind ezra You crouch far down on the darkest side of Brother Ezra's tomb. You can hear a key turning in the gate above. If you get caught here, you'll be in serious trouble. > z You wait a minute. You can hear footsteps coming down the crypt stairs. > z You wait a minute. The footsteps are closer, and you can see some light coming from the stairs. Main Crypt (hiding) The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. A section of the north wall has been covered with wood planks. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > z You wait a minute. Someone has entered the crypt bearing a light. > z You wait a minute. Very close, you hear "Is someone down here?" You recognise the voice as Brother Cuthbert's. > z You wait a minute. Very close, you hear "Helloooo?" > z You wait a minute. The light moves to the south and you sense Brother Cuthbert is now searching the Crypt Vestry. > u You stand. To the south, you hear "Is someone in the Vestry?" > u Crypt Stairs At the midpoint of these stairs, you can sense the damp below. A thin veil of cool morning light comes from the area above, but the path down descends into darkness. Faintly, you hear "Helloooo?" > w You can only go up or down. Faintly, you hear rustling noises. > u You slip through the open gate. Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. The crypt gate is open. You can see the high altar here. Faintly, you hear "Must have been a draft from the church above." (You hear him muttering a brief prayer.) > w Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. You escaped the Crypt without being discovered. Faintly, you hear the footsteps now walking back to the stairs. [The score has just gone up by 3 points.] > w Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits cool morning light. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. > w Porch This covered entrance protects the great door from the winds that come across the sea from the east. Villagers used to gather here before services, but the number who do so has been declining for years. You can go south out to the covered walkway the brothers call "The Passage", or you can go east into the church. The great door is open, revealing the Nave to the east. > e Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits cool morning light. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. > u Tower Stairs A spiral staircase winds up and down from here. The stone steps are narrow and treacherously steep. Cool air and cool morning light flows down from above. > u Bell Tower The bell chamber. Wind whistles through the open arches on all four sides. Dead leaves have drifted into the corners and along the walls, blown in through the open arches. The great bell hangs overhead. A rope from it hangs to within your reach. From here, you have clear views in all four directions---such fine views that the priory allows outsiders into this space. You can also see a wooden chest (which is closed) here. > open chest You open the wooden chest, revealing some bell-repairing tools. Brother Cuthbert arrives from downstairs. > x tools Some maintenance items: a small vial of oil and some wooden wedges. All the practical things needed to keep the great bell ringing true. You should be more careful. If Brother Cuthbert had noticed you carrying the beeswax candle, you'd have faced severe punishment. > put candle in basket You put the beeswax candle into the basket. > i You're carrying a basket (which contains a beeswax candle, a sack of coins, some offering rosehips, some letters from Rose, a comb, a mandrake root, Aelred's Herbal, an iron key and two sprigs (henbane and basil)), some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > take tools Leave them be---you have no need of bell-repairing tools, and Brother Cuthbert will want these left here. > x oil Some maintenance items: a small vial of oil and some wooden wedges. All the practical things needed to keep the great bell ringing true. > close chest You close the wooden chest. > l Bell Tower The bell chamber. Wind whistles through the open arches on all four sides. Dead leaves have drifted into the corners and along the walls, blown in through the open arches. The great bell hangs overhead. A rope from it hangs to within your reach. From here, you have clear views in all four directions---such fine views that the priory allows outsiders into this space. Brother Cuthbert is here, looking dour and staring at the view. You can also see a wooden chest (which is closed) here. > smell The air is fresh here. > x leaves The leaves that settled across the floor are less prominent immediately around the chest, as though it was moved more recently. > look around chest I think you wanted to say "look something up in something". Please try again. > look under chest You dare not, especially with another brother in the area. > d Tower Stairs A spiral staircase winds up and down from here. The stone steps are narrow and treacherously steep. Cool air and cool morning light flows down from above. > time From your vague sense of time, it is half past eleven in the morning. > d Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits cool morning light. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. > e Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > s Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. You can see Pax here. Pax licks a paw contentedly. > take pax She allows you to pick her up. Pax purrs contentedly in your arms. > e Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. Pax trills happily while you hold her. > s Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. Pax trills happily while you hold her. > e Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the cool morning light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the closed door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace. Brother Wilfred notices Pax in your arms. "Hello", he says to her. "Making new friends, are we?" > give pax to wilfred A tender smile comes to Brother Wilfred's lined face. "Ah", he murmurs to Pax, "come to check on an old man?" Pax leaps onto his lap and settles there. His hand moves to stroke her, and his eyes grow heavier almost at once. > z You wait a minute. As Pax rests in his lap, Brother Wilfred begins to snore. The sleepy like to make excuses. --- The Rule of St Benedict > take key Being as quiet as you can be, you take the key from the table. Brother Wilfred seems deeply asleep. > unlock door (with the silver key) You unlock the library door and open it. > e Library This is a small private room. There is a bookshelf on one wall and a large map of the priory on the other. The only exit is out to the west. [The score has just gone up by 3 points.] > x shelf The bookshelf has about fifty items, most of which are manuscripts, used for the work in the Scriptorium. One that draws your attention because of its thin size and small format is titled "Registrum Fratrum". > take fratrum You carefully remove the Registrum Fratrum from the shelf. Brother Wilfred would be furious if he knew. > w Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the cool morning light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the open door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace, snoring heavily. Lying on his lap is Pax. > close door You close the library door. > put key on table You place the key on the table, hoping that it's in the same place it was before. > consult fratrum about dunstan Dunstan (1210-1270). Entered the priory from a trading family in Pembroke. Elected prior in 1248, after the death of Prior Crispin, he served for 22 years until his death. The latter half of his time as prior was marred by the start of the Second Baron's War and a decline in the prestige of the priory. [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > consult fratrum about godric Godric (1230-1299). Entered the priory as a child and was raised in its confines. Known best for his singing voice, he was the cantor from his early twenties, and was elected prior at only 40. He served in this role for 25 years (1270-1295), stepping down only a few years before his death. > consult fratrum about ambrose Ambrose (1255-1310). After losing two brothers in the civil wars, Ambrose took his vows at twenty. He was elected as prior and served 1295-1310. During his administration, he emphasised the importance of silence, and began the tradition of total silence throughout the grounds except in very limited circumstances. It is said that, in addition to his offices, he spent several hours daily silently praying in memory of his lost brothers. > consult fratrum about gordian Gordian (1112-1192). Founder of the priory in 1152, formerly Master Builder to the Earl of Pembroke. A man of great skill and piety, he lived by three great creeds that he impressed upon the brethren drawn to the new priory. Gordian designed the church and Cloister himself, from the great bell in the tower to the stained glass of the Nave. It is said he built the priory as penance for worldly pride, each clever mechanism a reminder that God's mysteries surpass man's cleverness. He served as prior from its founding until his death. > consult fratrum about eara You find no entry for that in the Registrum Fratrum. > consult fratrum about ezra Ezra (1155-1212). Elected as the second prior in 1192 and served in this role for 18 years. He built out the Infirmary and the Infirmary Chapel and opened the priory to religious pilgrims travelling to Wales. Contemporary brothers remembered him for his flaming orange hair and for his bravery: he always said he would protect his brethren from danger to his very limits. Pax suddenly hops off of Brother Wilfred's lap and runs out to the Cloister, causing him to start to stir. > put fratrum in basket You put the Registrum Fratrum into the basket. > w Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > s Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. > consult fratrum about crispin (first taking the Registrum Fratrum) Crispin (1180-1248). Gained renown in the Holy Land as a young man, then took his vows and joined the priory. The second-longest serving prior (1210-1248), he brought many benefactors and the priory saw many pilgrims pass through hoping to meet the man who had taken the cross with such honour. > put fratrum in basket You put the Registrum Fratrum into the basket. > i You're carrying a basket (which contains the Registrum Fratrum, a beeswax candle, a sack of coins, some offering rosehips, some letters from Rose, a comb, a mandrake root, Aelred's Herbal, an iron key and two sprigs (henbane and basil)), some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > time From your vague sense of time, it is noon. > n Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > n Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. You can see Pax here. > w Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. "RING! RING! RING! RING! RING!" You hear the bell ring five times to call the brothers to the Sext office. Prior Oswald excused you from offices today, but you know the choir monks will be in the Quire for the next forty-five minutes or so. > w Cloister Northwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The high walls of the church rise imposingly to the north, and a curious door lies to the west. Brother Oswald comes from the Prior's Solar. > z You wait a minute. Brother Anselm arrives from the south. Brother Oswald heads east. > push cross You dare not, as any brother in the Cloister walk could see you. Brother Anselm heads east. > z You wait a minute. > push cross You dare not, as any brother in the Cloister walk could see you. > z You wait a minute. > z You wait a minute. > push cross You press the button and feel it click into place. > push hammer You press the button and feel it click into place. > push scroll You press the button and feel it click into place. You hear a satisfying series of clicks from within the door. The lock disengages. [The score has just gone up by 3 points.] > w You can't, since the prior door is closed. > open door You open the door. > w Prior's Solar Prior Oswald's private chamber. A narrow bed stands against one wall. A writing desk sits next to it. A chest sits at the foot of the bed. The room is austere but private---a privilege of rank in a community that otherwise shares everything. The only exit is out to the east. > turn cross Turning the cross on its base, you hear a click within. The drawer opens, revealing a book. The cross snaps back to its original place. > read chronicle The chronicle contains the prior's notes on daily affairs. The recent entries: 15 June 1346: Brother Martin reports the grain stores are adequate for winter, though we had to purchase an additional barrel of flour from the village due to poor harvest. The cost continues to strain our resources. 6 July 1346: Brother Hugh informs me that the sale of our honey and beeswax brought less income than anticipated. Several benefactors who once supported us have redirected their charity elsewhere. Our revenues have declined steadily these past three years. 28 July 1346: Brother Wilfred has misplaced his latest work---a small psalter with illuminations of remarkable quality. He recalls completing the opening of Beatus vir with azure and gold, but cannot remember where he shelved it. At his age, such lapses are not uncommon---this is the second time in this season he has lost a work. This is causing a significant loss of income for us. 3 August 1346: The roof above the Refectory shows signs of damage from the autumn storms. Brother Benedict inspected it and says it will require material and builders to repair---funds we can ill afford. I have written to the Bishop requesting assistance, but hold little hope of reply. The priory seems to be struggling in ways you hadn't realised. [The score has just gone up by 2 points.] > take chronicle You're uncertain if taking the prior's property is the right thing to do---but, under the circumstances, you do so. > close drawer As you close it, you hear a click inside, locking it again. > look under desk You find nothing special. > look under bed Under it is nothing but dust. > look under chest You move it enough to establish that there's nothing under it, and return it to its original location. > e Cloister Northwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The high walls of the church rise imposingly to the north, and a curious door lies to the west. > close door You close the door and hear clicks from inside the mechanism. The door must have locked itself. > s Cloister West This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Locutory lies in to the west. You can also go north to the northwestern corner of the Cloister, south to the southwestern corner, or east into the Garth. > e Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its bright afternoon light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > e Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. You can see Pax here. > s Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. > e Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > e Infirmary Several narrow beds line the western wall. A workbench holds mortars and bowls for preparing remedies. The air has a sharp tang. The Infirmary Chapel is to the south, and the Slype is out to the west. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. The medicine cabinet sits against a wall, closed. > turn cabinet to 1152 You set the wheels to 1-1-5-2. You hear a satisfying click as the lock disengages. [The score has just gone up by 3 points.] > open cabinet You open the medicine cabinet, revealing three decoctions (foxglove, henbane and feverfew). > x henbane A small bottle of a concentrated greenish-brown liquid, labelled "Henbane". You know from Brother Aelred that this is used for sedative purposes, though it does have disturbing side-effects. If used in excess, it can be fatal. This bottle is almost entirely empty, with only a few drops remaining. Now that you've recognised the symptoms of henbane poisoning in Brother Aelred and found the henbane decoction, you're even more certain he died of unnatural means. Henbane causes violent convulsions and terrible pain before death. No herbalist would choose such suffering for themselves, even if they were desperate enough to commit the mortal sin of self-murder. This was murder. [The score has just gone up by 5 points.] > take decoction Do you mean foxglove decoction, henbane decoction or feverfew decoction? > take henbane Taken. > close cabinet You close the medicine cabinet. > w Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > score You have so far scored 43 out of a possible 55, in 574 turns. > w Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. > i You're carrying henbane decoction, the chronicle, a basket (which contains the Registrum Fratrum, a beeswax candle, a sack of coins, some offering rosehips, some letters from Rose, a comb, a mandrake root, Aelred's Herbal, an iron key and two sprigs (henbane and basil)), some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > time From your vague sense of time, it is half past noon. > n Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. You can see Pax here. > w Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its bright afternoon light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > w Cloister West This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Locutory lies in to the west. You can also go north to the northwestern corner of the Cloister, south to the southwestern corner, or east into the Garth. > s Cloister Southwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. A small alcove, the Lavatorium, is to the south. You can go north to the western edge, or east to the southern edge. The West Gate, allowing outsiders to enter the Cloister, is to the west and open. You can also see Pax here. > w The Passage (North) A covered walkway that runs along the west edge of the priory. The stones underfoot are set carefully to make this a clear path. You can go north to the Porch or south to the southern end of the Passage. The West Gate, allowing entrance into the Cloister, is here and open. > n Porch This covered entrance protects the great door from the winds that come across the sea from the east. Villagers used to gather here before services, but the number who do so has been declining for years. You can go south out to the covered walkway the brothers call "The Passage", or you can go east into the church. The great door is open, revealing the Nave to the east. > e Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits bright afternoon light. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > u Tower Stairs A spiral staircase winds up and down from here. The stone steps are narrow and treacherously steep. Cool air and bright afternoon light flows down from above. > u Bell Tower The bell chamber. Wind whistles through the open arches on all four sides. Dead leaves have drifted into the corners and along the walls, blown in through the open arches. The great bell hangs overhead. A rope from it hangs to within your reach. From here, you have clear views in all four directions---such fine views that the priory allows outsiders into this space. You can also see a wooden chest (which is closed) here. > look under chest Moving the chest reveals a note that was hidden under it. > read note (first taking the note) The note is folded and sealed with wax. You tear it open and unfold it. It is written in an educated hand on fine paper. It reads: "The manuscript was exquisite---the illumination work exceptional. Should other such works become available, I remain most interested. Leave word at our usual place." It is unsigned. Who wrote this note? An outsider? Buying precious priory property? And who was meant to find it and read it? Perhaps this is related to the disappearance of the psalter you read about. Note: You've learned enough to solve the crime, but you can continue if you'd like to better understand the crime. To make a public accusation, you can do so at the next office. Or you could first talk with a sympathetic Brother. [The score has just gone up by 5 points.] > score You have so far scored 48 out of a possible 55, in 587 turns. > comment where's that psalter That is not a verb I recognise. > s You can only go down. > d Tower Stairs A spiral staircase winds up and down from here. The stone steps are narrow and treacherously steep. Cool air and bright afternoon light flows down from above. > d Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits bright afternoon light. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > e Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. Brothers here: - Anselm, the cantor (seated) - Benedict, the infirmarer (seated) - Cuthbert, the sacrist (seated) - Hugh, the cellarer (seated) - Martin, the kitchener (seated) - Oswald, the prior (seated) - Wilfred, the librarian (seated) The brothers look at you, puzzled. Why aren't you seated? ----------------------- && ----------------------- The office ends. Brother Benedict gets up from the stalls. Brother Cuthbert gets up from the stalls. Brother Hugh gets up from the stalls. Brother Martin gets up from the stalls. Brother Oswald gets up from the stalls. Accusation? You know this may be your best chance to make the accusation and help catch the killer. If you'd like to do so, SHOUT to interrupt the office. > ask hugh about letters His mouth opens in shock for a second and then closes. He says nothing. Brother Anselm gets up from the stalls. Brother Benedict heads south. Brother Cuthbert heads west. Brother Hugh heads south. Brother Martin heads south. Brother Oswald heads south. Brother Wilfred gets up from the stalls. > follow hugh You follow Brother Hugh south to... Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. You can see four Brothers (Oswald, Martin, Hugh and Benedict) here. Brother Anselm arrives from the north. Brother Benedict heads east. Brother Hugh heads south. Brother Martin heads south. Brother Oswald heads west. Brother Wilfred arrives from the north. > g You follow Brother Hugh south to... Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its bright afternoon light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. You can see two Brothers (Martin and Hugh) here. Brother Hugh heads south. Brother Martin heads south. > g You follow Brother Hugh south to... Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. You can see two Brothers (Martin and Hugh) here. Brother Hugh heads south. Brother Martin heads south. > g You follow Brother Hugh south to... Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit bright afternoon light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. You can see two Brothers (Martin and Hugh) here. Brother Hugh heads south. Brother Martin heads south. > g You follow Brother Hugh south to... Kitchen The priory kitchen is a large room, lit by high windows. A door leads north to the Refectory, and stairs descend to the Undercroft below. A large table dominates the centre, scattered with implements and vessels. A hearth is built into a wall, its fire warming the room. Brother Martin is here, chopping vegetables. Brother Remigio is here, tidying the table. You can also see Brother Hugh here. Brother Hugh goes to the Undercroft. Brother Martin says "Out, out, Brother. Remigio and I are working." He ushers you out north, to the Refectory. Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit bright afternoon light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > n Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > i You're carrying a treacherous note, henbane decoction, a basket (which contains the chronicle, the Registrum Fratrum, a beeswax candle, a sack of coins, some offering rosehips, some letters from Rose, a comb, a mandrake root, Aelred's Herbal, an iron key and two sprigs (henbane and basil)), some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > time From your vague sense of time, it is one in the afternoon. > i You're carrying a treacherous note, henbane decoction, a basket (which contains the chronicle, the Registrum Fratrum, a beeswax candle, a sack of coins, some offering rosehips, some letters from Rose, a comb, a mandrake root, Aelred's Herbal, an iron key and two sprigs (henbane and basil)), some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > office That is not a verb I recognise. > offices Matins 2 AM Sext Noon Lauds 5 AM None 3 PM Prime 7 AM Vespers 5 PM Terce 9 AM Compline 7 PM > save Ok. > n Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its bright afternoon light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > n Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. > e Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. You can see Pax here. Pax wriggles. > u Day Stairs You're in the middle of a set of broad stone steps. The steps dip in the centre from generations of sandaled feet. This staircase is used by you and the brethren to travel between the Cloister and the dorters above when there's enough light and warmth to use outdoor stairs. Above is the upper living areas and below is the Cloister walk. > u Hall This plain corridor connects the two dorters. Wooden floorboards creak underfoot. There are passages to the north, south, and east. Broad stairs lead down to the Cloister. > n Dorter This great room is used by all of the choir monks except the prior, Brother Oswald. It could easily provide rest for twenty brothers, but there are only eight cots in here now. Each cot has a chest at its foot for any meagre possessions the brother has. A window high up reflects bright afternoon light on the floor. A doorway leads south to the Hall. Narrow stairs descend to the Quire, where offices are held. > open cuthbert chest You open Brother Cuthbert's chest, revealing nothing. > put comb in cuthbert You can't see any such thing. > put comb in cuthbert chest (first taking the comb) You put the comb into Brother Cuthbert's chest. > close chest You close Brother Cuthbert's chest. > i You're carrying a treacherous note, a basket (which contains henbane decoction, the chronicle, the Registrum Fratrum, a beeswax candle, a sack of coins, some offering rosehips, some letters from Rose, a mandrake root, Aelred's Herbal, an iron key and two sprigs (henbane and basil)), some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > open hugh chest You open Brother Hugh's chest, revealing nothing. > put coins in chest (first taking the sack of coins) You put the sack of coins into Brother Hugh's chest. > put letters in chest (first taking the letters) You put the letters into Brother Hugh's chest. > read note It is written in an educated hand on fine paper. It reads: "The manuscript was exquisite---the illumination work exceptional. Should other such works become available, I remain most interested. Leave word at our usual place." It is unsigned. > put note in chest You put the treacherous note into Brother Hugh's chest. > put chronicle in chest (first taking the chronicle) You put the chronicle into Brother Hugh's chest. > close chest You close Brother Hugh's chest. > d Night Stairs Midway on the narrow stone stairs connecting the Dorter to the Quire. These are the Night Stairs: three times each night, monks file down in darkness for Matins, Lauds, and Prime. The walls are close, the air still. A lone candle flickers in its niche. > w You can only go up or down. > d Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > d You can only go south, west, east, or up. > s Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. > s Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its bright afternoon light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > s Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > i You're carrying a basket (which contains henbane decoction, the Registrum Fratrum, a beeswax candle, some offering rosehips, a mandrake root, Aelred's Herbal, an iron key and two sprigs (henbane and basil)), some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > e Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. > e Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > s Herbarium This room still carries Brother Aelred's presence in every corner. Bundles of dried herbs hang from the rafters. The worktable in the centre, laden with materials above and below, bears the marks of much use. A large terracotta pot in the corner was used often to transfer plants. Without him here, the room feels hollow. The Slype lies north, and the Garden---his garden---waits to the south. > put mandrake in pot (first taking the mandrake root) You put the mandrake root into the plant pot. > put herbal in pot (first taking Aelred's Herbal) You put Aelred's Herbal into the plant pot. > put key in pot (first taking the iron key) You put the iron key into the plant pot. > put henbane in pot Do you mean henbane decoction or the henbane sprig? > put gloves in pot (first taking off the gloves) You put the gloves into the plant pot. > put henbane spring in pot I only understood you as far as "put henbane" but then you lost me. > put decoction in pot (first taking henbane decoction) You put henbane decoction into the plant pot. > put spring in pot Sorry, I don't understand what "spring" means. > put henbane sprig in pot (first taking the henbane sprig) You dare not. It's toxic and irritating to the touch. > n Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > w Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. > w Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. You can see Pax here. Pax licks a paw contentedly. > w Cloister Southwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. A small alcove, the Lavatorium, is to the south. You can go north to the western edge, or east to the southern edge. The West Gate, allowing outsiders to enter the Cloister, is to the west and open. > i You're carrying a basket (which contains the Registrum Fratrum, a beeswax candle, some offering rosehips and two sprigs (henbane and basil)) and your robe (worn). > time From your vague sense of time, it is half past one in the afternoon. > n Cloister West This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Locutory lies in to the west. You can also go north to the northwestern corner of the Cloister, south to the southwestern corner, or east into the Garth. > n Cloister Northwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The high walls of the church rise imposingly to the north, and a curious door lies to the west. > e Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. > n Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > e Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > e Lady Chapel The largest of the three chapels, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. This chapel sees more use than the others: the brothers pray here for the priory's patroness, Our Lady of Thorns. To the west is the Sanctuary. Small doorways lead north and south to smaller chapels. A statue of Mary stands in a niche and a stone altar is next to her. > s St Jude Chapel A small chapel dedicated to St Jude, patron of desperate causes. The stone floor is worn down---many souls have visited here over the generations, praying for urgent escape from terrible situations. A doorway leads north, out to the Lady Chapel. A statue of the saint is in a corner. Near it is a stone altar with a prayer mat laid before it. > put berries on altar (first taking the rosehips) You put the rosehips on the altar. > n Lady Chapel The largest of the three chapels, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. This chapel sees more use than the others: the brothers pray here for the priory's patroness, Our Lady of Thorns. To the west is the Sanctuary. Small doorways lead north and south to smaller chapels. A statue of Mary stands in a niche and a stone altar is next to her. > w Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > w Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > s Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. You can see Pax here. > s Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its bright afternoon light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > s Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > s Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit bright afternoon light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > s Kitchen The priory kitchen is a large room, lit by high windows. A door leads north to the Refectory, and stairs descend to the Undercroft below. A large table dominates the centre, scattered with implements and vessels. A hearth is built into a wall, its fire warming the room. Brother Martin is here, chopping vegetables. Brother Remigio is here, tidying the table. Brother Martin says "Out, out, Brother. Remigio and I are working." He ushers you out north, to the Refectory. Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit bright afternoon light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > n Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > wait until three Time passes. "RING! RING! RING! RING! RING! RING!" You hear the bell ring six times to call the brothers to the None office. Prior Oswald excused you from offices today, but you know the choir monks will be in the Quire for the next forty-five minutes or so. (waiting stopped because the bell rang) > s Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit bright afternoon light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. Brother Martin arrives from the south. > s Kitchen The priory kitchen is a large room, lit by high windows. A door leads north to the Refectory, and stairs descend to the Undercroft below. A large table dominates the centre, scattered with implements and vessels. A hearth is built into a wall, its fire warming the room. Brother Remigio is here, tidying the table. You can also see Brother Hugh here. Brother Hugh heads north. > d Brother Remigio stops you, apologetically. "No, not allowed", he says, "Frate Hugh, he not allow go to cellars." > give basil to remigio You aren't holding it. > take basil Taken. > give basil to remigio The stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you. --- The Book of Leviticus Inform error: 25 Remigio's weathered face transforms. "Basilico!" he exclaims, taking the herb and breathing deeply. "I not smell since Toscana." His eyes glisten. "Frate Aelred grew for me? He was brav'uomo, a good man." He gestures toward the stairs, his voice thick. "Grazie mille, uh, thanks you. Go. I not see you." [The score has just gone up by 2 points.] > light candle (first taking the beeswax candle) You light the beeswax candle using the hearth. > d Brother Remigio looks away slyly as you head down the stairs. Undercroft Barrels crowd this vaulted space beneath the Refectory. Many things the priory needs to survive are here: tallow, salt, wine, mustard, grain. Smaller items are spread across a table in the corner. The cellarer's careful hand is evident in the organisation---each item labelled, stacked, accounted for. As cellarer, Brother Hugh alone manages this space: organising the stores, counting what remains, arranging what must be purchased. No other brother would have reason to come here uninvited. Stairs lead up to the Kitchen. A wide door to the west allows barrels to be rolled in and out for deliveries. > open salt Opening the sealed barrel will take several minutes. Are you sure? y With some time and effort, you succeed in opening it. > x salt A stout wooden barrel bearing the charcoal mark "SALT". It is currently open, revealing coarse grey salt. > search barrel The barrels are much too deep to search easily. > search salt The barrels are much too deep to search easily. > close salt You pound on the lid to shut the salt barrel. > open grain With some time and effort, you succeed in opening it. > x grain A stout wooden barrel bearing the charcoal mark "GRAIN". It is currently open, revealing dried wheat kernels. > search grain The barrels are much too deep to search easily. > close barrel You pound on the lid to shut the grain barrel. > open tallow With some time and effort, you succeed in opening it. > search tallow The barrels are much too deep to search easily. > close tallow You pound on the lid to shut the tallow barrel. > hint There are 5 hints: press H for next hint, or any other key to exit. (1/5) With your hands, yes. (2/5) Is there something around that might help? (3/5) Have you examined the table? [Please press SPACE to continue.] Undercroft Barrels crowd this vaulted space beneath the Refectory. Many things the priory needs to survive are here: tallow, salt, wine, mustard, grain. Smaller items are spread across a table in the corner. The cellarer's careful hand is evident in the organisation---each item labelled, stacked, accounted for. Stairs lead up to the Kitchen. A wide door to the west allows barrels to be rolled in and out for deliveries. > x table The table here is made of rough wood. On it are a ledger and a pointed stick. > x stick It's a long branch from a tree. It may be used for hitting at rats, as there's a bit of dried blood on one end. > take stick It's long enough that it's awkward to carry, but you take it all the same. > open tallow With some time and effort, you succeed in opening it. > search tallow with stick Searching a barrel will take several minutes. Continue? y Searching for a few minutes using the stick, you find nothing unexpected. > close tallow You pound on the lid to shut the tallow barrel. > open mustard With some time and effort, you succeed in opening it. > search mustard After digging around with the stick for several minutes, you find something buried deep in the mustard. You pull it free: a small package, its burlap stained deep yellow. You take it. > close mustard You pound on the lid to shut the mustard barrel. > x package A small package of burlap, tied with simple cord. Originally dark, it has stained deep yellow from the mustard. > open package You untie the cord, revealing a small illuminated psalter. Above, you can hear Brothers Martin and Remigio talking. > w You push the door open and head west, emerging at the Passage. The door closes behind you. The Passage (South) The narrow walkway ends here. This part seems less travelled, with weeds growing from between the stones underfoot. To the east, the ground slopes down to a wide closed door. Your candle blows out in the breeze. > x psalter Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. --- The Gospel of Matthew A small psalter, exquisitely crafted. The leather cover is tooled with a design of intertwined vines and lilies. Opening it, you see Brother Wilfred's unmistakable hand, each page a work of devotion. The opening initial 'B' of Psalm 1 ("Beatus vir") is illuminated in brilliant azure and gold leaf, depicting a tree bearing fruit by streams of water. Marginal decorations show doves, wheat, and grapes. This is clearly one of Wilfred's finest works. It should be kept in the Library before it is sold, not hidden away. There's some serious wrongdoing here. Why was this hidden? This must be related to its disappearance, and to that note you found about stealing illuminated manuscripts. [The score has just gone up by 5 points.] > i You're carrying a mustard-yellow package (which contains an illuminated psalter), a pointed stick, a beeswax candle, a basket (which contains the Registrum Fratrum and a henbane sprig) and your robe (worn). > n The Passage (North) A covered walkway that runs along the west edge of the priory. The stones underfoot are set carefully to make this a clear path. You can go north to the Porch or south to the southern end of the Passage. The West Gate, allowing entrance into the Cloister, is here and open. > e You need to drop the pointed stick first. It's much too large and conspicuous to carry around the priory. > s The Passage (South) The narrow walkway ends here. This part seems less travelled, with weeds growing from between the stones underfoot. To the east, the ground slopes down to a wide closed door. > drop stick Dropped. > n The Passage (North) A covered walkway that runs along the west edge of the priory. The stones underfoot are set carefully to make this a clear path. You can go north to the Porch or south to the southern end of the Passage. The West Gate, allowing entrance into the Cloister, is here and open. > e Cloister Southwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. A small alcove, the Lavatorium, is to the south. You can go north to the western edge, or east to the southern edge. The West Gate, allowing outsiders to enter the Cloister, is to the west and open. > e Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > n Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its bright afternoon light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > e Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. You can see Pax here. > e Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the bright afternoon light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the closed door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace. Brother Wilfred looks up from his work and immediately sees the pain and confusion in your face, the weight of carrying around what you've discovered. "My child", he says, "I can see that you carry much sorrow. Would you like to unburden yourself? Might I offer you confession?" Talk with Brother Wilfred about the murder? You can do so with CONFESS TO WILFRED. > ask wilfred about psalter "I don't understand how I misplaced it. I'm always so careful. Brother Hugh even helped me look for it." > show psalter to wilfred You aren't holding it. > take psalter (putting the beeswax candle into the basket to make room) Taken. > show psalter to wilfred [If you'd like to tell Brother Wilfred about what you found, CONFESS TO WILFRED.] > give psalter to wilfred "I don't understand how I misplaced it. I'm always so careful. Brother Hugh even helped me look for it." He takes it, tucking it into his robe. > score You have so far scored 55 out of a possible 55, in 769 turns. > comment is talking to hugh not possible then? That is not a verb I recognise. > time From your vague sense of time, it is half past four in the afternoon. > w Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. You can see Pax here. > s Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. > offices Matins 2 AM Sext Noon Lauds 5 AM None 3 PM Prime 7 AM Vespers 5 PM Terce 9 AM Compline 7 PM > wait until 5 Time passes. "RING! RING! RING! RING! RING! RING! RING!" You hear the bell ring seven times to call the brothers to the Vespers office. Prior Oswald excused you from offices today, but you know the choir monks will be in the Quire for the next forty-five minutes or so. (waiting stopped because the bell rang) > z You wait a minute. > z You wait a minute. Brother Benedict arrives from the east. > w Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. You can see Brother Martin here. Brother Hugh arrives from the south. Brother Martin heads north. > ask hugh about psalter It appears Hugh refuses to have further conversation with you. Brother Hugh heads north. > n Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its bright afternoon light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. You can see Brother Hugh here. Brother Hugh heads north. > n Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. You can see two Brothers (Hugh and Benedict) here. Brother Benedict heads north. Brother Hugh heads north. > n Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. Brothers here: - Anselm, the cantor (seated) - Benedict, the infirmarer - Cuthbert, the sacrist (seated) - Hugh, the cellarer - Martin, the kitchener (seated) - Oswald, the prior (seated) - Wilfred, the librarian (seated) Brother Benedict sits on the stalls. Brother Hugh sits on the stalls. > sit You sit on a stall with a certain sense of familiarity. Brother Anselm lifts his voice---clear, unwavering---and the office begins, with the other brothers joining in. Accusation? You know this may be your best chance to make the accusation and help catch the killer. If you'd like to do so, SHOUT to interrupt the office. > shout You shout loudly. Every face turns to you---shocked, confused, some afraid. Slowly, you begin to speak. The coins hidden among the dead. The discovered stolen psalter. The deadly henbane decoction. The note seeking priory manuscripts. The letters to Rose, showing previous payment. Brother Hugh's face goes very still. "Brother Aldwin," says Prior Oswald carefully, "what are you saying?" "I am saying," you answer, "that Brother Aelred did not die of a weak heart." You summon your courage. "He was murdered by Brother Hugh." You tell Prior Oswald everything. The coins hidden among the dead. The discovered stolen psalter. The deadly henbane decoction. The note seeking priory manuscripts. The letters to Rose, showing previous payment. Hugh is taken by the sheriff within days. He is tried, condemned, and hanged before the month is out. Rose dies alone that winter, with no brother to tend her. You inquire among travellers about William, but hear nothing. You gave Brother Oswald the stolen psalter and the sack of silver, saving the priory from further financial ruin. You kept your vows of obedience to your Prior. You served truth. But standing in the herb garden near where Brother Aelred died, you wonder if justice and mercy can ever live in harmony---or if, in choosing one, you always betray the other. Brother Aelred's words echo: "One life for two, my son." You will never know if you honoured his sacrifice, or squandered it. *** You chose justice *** In that game you scored 55 out of a possible 55, in 815 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? comment yeah that was what i was expected Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? comment but i already gave the psalter to wilfred? Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? comment also that repeated line about the evidence flows weirdly Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? yeah good game Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? quit