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 > comment more efficient seocnd playthru go! That is not a verb I recognise. > d (first getting up from your cot) 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. Brother Hugh arrives from upstairs. > 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. Brother Hugh arrives from upstairs. > sit You sit on a stall with a certain sense of familiarity. Brother Benedict arrives from upstairs. Brother Hugh sits on the stalls. > z You wait a minute. Brother Aelred arrives from upstairs. Brother Anselm arrives from upstairs. Brother Benedict sits on the stalls. Brother Cuthbert arrives from the west. Brother Martin arrives from upstairs. > z You wait a minute. Brother Aelred sits on the stalls. Brother Anselm sits on the stalls. Brother Cuthbert sits on the stalls. Brother Martin sits on the stalls. Brother Oswald arrives from the south. > z You wait a minute. Brother Oswald sits on the stalls. Brother Remigio arrives from upstairs. > z You wait a minute. Brother Remigio sits on the stalls. Brother Wilfred arrives from upstairs. > z You wait a minute. Brother Wilfred sits on the stalls. > z You wait a minute. Brother Anselm lifts his voice---clear, unwavering---and the office begins, with the other brothers joining in. > 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.] > wait Using WAIT during a service skips to the end of the service. Is this what you want (y/n)? y (skipping about forty 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 > s (first getting up from the stalls) 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.] > e 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. > s Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. 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 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. 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. 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's eyes His pupils are unnaturally dilated and black, like you have never seen in a person living or dead. Brother Aelred seems gripped with delirium. "Gathering... he was always gathering... I wanted to know why..." This definitely feels like an unnatural condition. You resolve to discover what happened to Aelred. [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > search aelred You find nothing special. 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..." > smell aelred There's something oddly distinctive about his breath: acrid and stale, reminding you of old chamber pots. Brother Aelred convulses wildly. The end of his earthly time cannot be far. > comment ohhhh that's the motive That is not a verb I recognise. > pray You pray fervently for Brother Aelred. 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. > cry That is not a verb I recognise. > weep That is not a verb I recognise. > comment wow inform hates emotional expressions That is not a verb I recognise. > w You wouldn't dare abandon 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. > z 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." > z 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." > z 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." > z 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." > z 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.] > w You're too struck considering what Prior Oswald said to leave quite yet. Brother Aelred died of a heart attack? It didn't seem so to you. Brother Wilfred yawns sleepily. Brothers Oswald, Hugh, Benedict, Cuthbert and Remigio leave. > 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). 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. [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > w (first getting up from the benches) 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. > s Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. 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 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. [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.] > 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 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. Brother Benedict is here, tidying the workbench and looking reflective. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. A curious cabinet, perhaps for medicines, sits against a wall. > 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. > pray You whisper a small sad prayer to your dear mentor. You fervently hope he can hear you. > smell aelred There's an odd smell about his remains, something like alcohol and urine in his mouth. Unusual. > 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. Brother Benedict is here, tidying the workbench and looking reflective. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. A curious cabinet, perhaps for medicines, sits against a wall. > 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. > take all gloves: Taken. Aelred's 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. > take basket 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. > 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 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 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. [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > w You can't, since the restricted garden gate is locked. 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. > comment ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh That is not a verb I recognise. > yeah that's on me for not taking notes and forgetting lol That is not a verb I recognise. > unlock gate You don't have the key. > i You're carrying a basil sprig, a basket (which is empty), Aelred's Herbal, some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > 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. > 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. A curious cabinet, perhaps for medicines, sits against a wall. > e You can only go south or west. > 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. The only exit, for the living, is out to the north. You can see an altar (with Brother Aelred's body on it) here. > 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.] > 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. Brother Benedict is here, tidying the workbench and looking reflective. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. A curious cabinet, perhaps for medicines, sits against a wall. > 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. > 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. > 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. > take henbane (putting Aelred's Herbal into the basket to make room) Rather than taking the entire henbane plant, you take a sprig of it. > 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.] > 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. > i You're carrying an iron key, a basket (which contains Aelred's Herbal), some gloves (worn), your robe (worn) and two sprigs (henbane and basil). > drop herbal You aren't holding it. > put henbane in pot You put the henbane sprig into the plant pot. > drop gloves (first taking off the gloves) Dropped. > take gloves (putting the basil sprig into the basket to make room) Taken. > put gloves on table You put the gloves on the worktable. > put key in pot You put the iron key into the plant pot. > 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 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. 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 cold night air and pale moonlight. 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. The orange cat rubs against the walls. > n 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. > 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 pale moonlight on the floor. A doorway leads south to the Hall. Narrow stairs descend to the Quire, where offices are held. > 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? [Carrying items not related to your work here (such as the letters) is against priory rules. Find a way to hide these or carry them unnoticed.] [The score has just gone up by 2 points.] > put letters back You can't see any such thing. > put letters in hugh chest You put the letters into Brother Hugh's chest. > close hugh chest You close Brother Hugh's 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. > 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 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. > 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. "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. > 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. > 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. 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 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. 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. > 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 clasps your hand warmly. "Grazie mille, uh, thanks you. You need to do something, Remigio let you. Yes?" [The score has just gone up by 2 points.] > 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 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. 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 pale moonlight. 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 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. > n 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. > 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.] > 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 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. > close door You close the door and hear clicks from inside the mechanism. The door must have locked itself. > e 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. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > e 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. You can see an orange cat here. > s Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. 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 pale moonlight 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. > w Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. 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 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. > 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. > 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. > 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. A curious cabinet, perhaps for medicines, sits against a wall. > 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.] > 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. > w 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. > w 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. You can see an orange cat here. > w 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. > 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. > 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. > n As a novice, you're not to leave the priory grounds without permission. > 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.] > 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 pale moonlight. 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 pale moonlight 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. [The score has just gone up by 5 points.] > put note in basket You put the treacherous note into the basket. You found a way to carry illicit things unnoticed. [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > 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. > d Tower Stairs A spiral staircase winds up and down from here. The stone steps are narrow and treacherously steep. Cool air and pale moonlight flows down from above. You can see Brother Cuthbert here. Brother Cuthbert heads up. > 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 pale moonlight. 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. > 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. > 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, pale moonlight spills in from the Sanctuary. > take candle You've discovered no reason for this. The priory gets natural light, except on moonless nights, and carrying a candle would only raise questions. > 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. > 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. > kneel on altar This isn't a place to kneel. > 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. > 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 altar A simple stone altar. Someone has left an offering of small red berries on it. > smell berries First, you'd need to get up from the prayer mat. > u You stand up from the prayer mat. > 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.] > 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. > 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. > stand on altar You climb onto the altar. From here you can better see the arms above. > push lion You push against the lion and, surprisingly, it moves inward slightly. A deep click is heard in the wall. > down You climb down from the altar. > push 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. > 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 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. > take candle You know it is wrong to take things, but you somehow justify this. > 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. > i You're carrying a beeswax candle, a basket (which contains a treacherous note and Aelred's Herbal) and your robe (worn). > 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 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. > 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. You can see an orange cat here. > 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. > 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). > 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. > 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. > 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 and may have come from the buyer who wrote that note. 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.] > 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. > put sack in basket You put the sack of coins into the basket. > 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. > close panel You pull the panel closed and hear a click in the frame. > 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?" "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. > 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. Brother Oswald arrives from the south. [The score has just gone up by 3 points.] > s You manage to slip out before the Prime office starts. 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 Brother Anselm here. Brother Anselm heads north. Brother Martin arrives from the south. Brother Wilfred arrives from the east. > 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. You can see Brother Hugh here. Brother Hugh heads north. > 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 Remigio is here, tidying the table. > d You dare not head down to darkness without a light source. > light 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. > take stick It's long enough that it's awkward to carry, but you take it all the same. > open mustard Opening the sealed barrel will take several minutes. Are you sure? y With some time and effort, you succeed in opening it. > search mustard Searching a barrel will take several minutes. Continue? y 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. > put stick on table You put the pointed stick on the table. > close mustard You pound on the lid to shut the mustard barrel. > 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. > open package You untie the cord, revealing a small illuminated psalter. > 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.] > put psalter in basket (first taking the illuminated psalter) You put the illuminated psalter into the basket. > put package in basket You put the mustard-yellow package into the basket. > i You're carrying a basket (which contains a mustard-yellow package (which is open but empty), an illuminated psalter, a beeswax candle, a sack of coins, a treacherous note and Aelred's Herbal) 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 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 open. You can also see an orange cat here. > score You have so far scored 51 out of a possible 55, in 232 turns. > e 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 Remigio is here, tidying the table. > 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. > 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. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > 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) The brothers look at you, puzzled. Why aren't you seated? 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. > sit You sit on a stall with a certain sense of familiarity. > 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 five minutes to end of service) ----------------------- && ----------------------- The office ends. 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. > ask hugh about motive Brother Hugh presses a finger to his lips, reminding you of the rule of silence preventing needless conversation. Brother Anselm gets up from the stalls. Brother Benedict heads south. Brother Hugh heads south. Brother Martin heads south. Brother Oswald heads south. Brother Wilfred gets up from the stalls. > undo Previous turn undone. > ask hugh about henbane "I know Benedict stores medicines in the cabinet, that's all." Brother Anselm gets up from the stalls. Brother Benedict heads south. Brother Hugh heads south. Brother Martin heads south. Brother Oswald heads south. Brother Wilfred gets up from the stalls. > undo Previous turn undone. > ask hugh about sister Brother Hugh presses a finger to his lips, reminding you of the rule of silence preventing needless conversation. Brother Anselm gets up from the stalls. Brother Benedict heads south. Brother Hugh heads south. Brother Martin heads south. Brother Oswald heads south. Brother Wilfred gets up from the stalls. > undo Previous turn undone. > ask hugh about rose Brother Hugh presses a finger to his lips, reminding you of the rule of silence preventing needless conversation. Brother Anselm gets up from the stalls. Brother Benedict heads south. Brother Hugh heads south. Brother Martin heads south. Brother Oswald heads south. Brother Wilfred gets up from the stalls. > undo Previous turn undone. > ask hugh about rosehip Brother Hugh presses a finger to his lips, reminding you of the rule of silence preventing needless conversation. Brother Anselm gets up from the stalls. Brother Benedict heads south. Brother Hugh heads south. Brother Martin heads south. Brother Oswald heads south. Brother Wilfred gets up from the stalls. > undo Previous turn undone. > ask hugh about coins 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 Hugh heads south. Brother Martin heads south. Brother Oswald heads south. Brother Wilfred gets up from the stalls. > undo Previous turn undone. > confess to hugh Brother Hugh isn't interested in your confession right now. Brother Anselm gets up from the stalls. Brother Benedict heads south. Brother Hugh heads south. Brother Martin heads south. Brother Oswald heads south. Brother Wilfred gets up from the stalls. > undo Previous turn undone. > ask hugh about money "I don't see how that's your business." Brother Anselm gets up from the stalls. Brother Benedict heads south. Brother Hugh heads south. Brother Martin heads south. Brother Oswald heads south. Brother Wilfred gets up from the stalls. > undo Previous turn undone. > ask hugh about sales Brother Hugh presses a finger to his lips, reminding you of the rule of silence preventing needless conversation. Brother Anselm gets up from the stalls. Brother Benedict heads south. Brother Hugh heads south. Brother Martin heads south. Brother Oswald heads south. Brother Wilfred gets up from the stalls. > undo Previous turn undone. > ask hugh about theft Brother Hugh presses a finger to his lips, reminding you of the rule of silence preventing needless conversation. Brother Anselm gets up from the stalls. Brother Benedict heads south. Brother Hugh heads south. Brother Martin heads south. Brother Oswald heads south. Brother Wilfred gets up from the stalls. > undo Previous turn undone. > ask hugh about breviary Brother Hugh presses a finger to his lips, reminding you of the rule of silence preventing needless conversation. Brother Anselm gets up from the stalls. Brother Benedict heads south. Brother Hugh heads south. Brother Martin heads south. Brother Oswald heads south. Brother Wilfred gets up from the stalls. > undo Previous turn undone. > ask hugh about wilfred Brother Hugh presses a finger to his lips, reminding you of the rule of silence preventing needless conversation. Brother Anselm gets up from the stalls. Brother Benedict heads south. Brother Hugh heads south. Brother Martin heads south. Brother Oswald heads south. Brother Wilfred gets up from the stalls. > undo Previous turn undone. > ask hugh about aelred Brother Hugh presses a finger to his lips, reminding you of the rule of silence preventing needless conversation. Brother Anselm gets up from the stalls. Brother Benedict heads south. Brother Hugh heads south. Brother Martin heads south. Brother Oswald heads south. Brother Wilfred gets up from the stalls. > undo Previous turn undone. > ask hugh about family Brother Hugh presses a finger to his lips, reminding you of the rule of silence preventing needless conversation. Brother Anselm gets up from the stalls. Brother Benedict heads south. Brother Hugh heads south. Brother Martin heads south. Brother Oswald heads south. Brother Wilfred gets up from the stalls. > undo Previous turn undone. > s (first getting up from the stalls) 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. Brother Benedict arrives from the north. Brother Hugh arrives from the north. Brother Martin arrives from the north. Brother Oswald arrives from the north. > 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. Brother Hugh arrives from the north. Brother Martin arrives from the north. > 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. You can see an orange cat here. Brother Hugh arrives from the north. Brother Martin arrives from the north. > 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. Brother Hugh arrives from the north. Brother Martin arrives from the 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. Brother Hugh arrives from the north. Brother Martin arrives from the north. > d You dare not, especially with another brother in the area. Brother Hugh goes to the Undercroft. > z You wait a minute. > z You wait a minute. 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 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. > give fish to cat The orange cat eats the fish hungrily then rubs against you, purring. The orange cat rubs against the walls. > take cat She allows you to pick her up. The orange cat purrs contentedly in your arms. > 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. The orange cat 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. The orange cat 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 the orange cat in your arms. "Hello", he says to her. "Making new friends, are we?" 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. > give cat to wilfred A tender smile comes to Brother Wilfred's lined face. "Ah", he murmurs to the orange cat, "come to check on an old man?" The orange cat 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 the orange cat 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. > 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.] > put fratrum in shelf The bookshelf can't contain things. > put fratrum on shelf You put the Registrum Fratrum on the bookshelf. > 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 the orange cat. > 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. > score You have so far scored 55 out of a possible 55, in 270 turns. > 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. > i You're carrying a basket (which contains a mustard-yellow package (which is open but empty), an illuminated psalter, a beeswax candle, a sack of coins, a treacherous note and Aelred's Herbal) and your robe (worn). > time From your vague sense of time, it is half past eight in the morning. > 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, snoring heavily. Lying on his lap is the orange cat. The orange cat suddenly hops off of Brother Wilfred's lap and runs out to the Cloister, causing him to start to stir. > take psalter Taken. > give psalter to wilfred Brother Wilfred is fast asleep. Brother Wilfred seems groggily awake now. > 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. > 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. > i You're carrying a basket (which contains a mustard-yellow package (which is open but empty), a beeswax candle, a sack of coins, a treacherous note and Aelred's Herbal) and your robe (worn). > 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. > 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 herbal on table (first taking Aelred's Herbal) You put Aelred's Herbal on the worktable. > i You're carrying a basket (which contains a mustard-yellow package (which is open but empty), a beeswax candle, a sack of coins and a treacherous note) and your robe (worn). > put package in pot (first taking the mustard-yellow package) You put the mustard-yellow package into the plant pot. > put coins in pot (first taking the sack of coins) You put the sack of coins into the plant pot. > 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. The orange cat twitches, sensing movement somewhere. > 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. > time From your vague sense of time, it is half past eight in the morning. > 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. > wait until 9 Time passes. "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. (waiting stopped because the bell rang) > 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 Hugh arrives from downstairs. Brother Martin heads north. > d You dare not, especially with another brother in the area. Brother Hugh heads north. > z You wait a minute. > 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. > drop basket Dropped. > z You wait a minute. > z You wait a minute. > z You wait a minute. > z You wait a minute. > z You wait a minute. > z You wait a minute. > time From your vague sense of time, it is past nine in the morning. > wait until 10 Time passes. Above, you can hear Brothers Martin and Remigio talking. Brother Hugh comes from the Kitchen. Brother Hugh catches you here. "You!" he snarls, "What are you doing here?" Searching the basket, he finds the treacherous note. "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. (waiting stopped because of movement here) > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > n You can only go west or up. > u 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. > drop basket You can't see any such thing. > i You're carrying a beeswax candle (providing light) and your robe (worn). > 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. You can also see a basket (which contains a treacherous note) here. > take basket Taken. > u 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. > drop basket Dropped. > 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. > wait until 10 Time passes. Above, you can hear Brothers Martin and Remigio talking. Brother Hugh comes from the Kitchen. Brother Hugh catches you here. "You!" he snarls, "What are you doing here?" He opens the wide door to the west and shoves you out, closing the door after. 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. (waiting stopped because of movement here) > z You wait a minute. > z You wait a minute. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > i You're carrying a beeswax candle (providing light) and your robe (worn). > u You can only go north or down. > take basket Taken. > 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. > extinguish candle You extinguish the beeswax candle. > put candle in basket You put the beeswax candle into the basket. > 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. > 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. > wait until 10 Time passes. Brother Wilfred arrives from the west, places the silver key on the table, and sits. (waiting stopped because of movement here) > confess to wilfred Wilfred listens as you explain your discoveries. 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. 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? > mercy You and Brother Wilfred confront Hugh and tell him to leave. Tonight. Before questions are asked. 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 stolen psalter and 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 55 out of a possible 55, in 371 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 again i 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? solution Brother Hugh has a sister, Rose, with a desperately ill son. She's destitute and couldn't afford care for him. So he stole one of Brother Wilfred's illuminated manuscripts and found an outside buyer for it. He continues to do this, perhaps for greed and perhaps to help pay for future help for Rose. Brothers Wilfred and Oswald assumed that Wilfred had misplaced these works. He communicates with the outside buyer through leaving notes under the chest in the Bell Tower, since that's a place where outsiders can get to without anyone being suspicious. He's been hiding his payments in a sack in the Crypt Vestry, since almost no one ever goes there. Brother Aelred discovered the crime from noticing how stressed Hugh has been lately and from hearing from Wilfred how Hugh had been 'helping' him in the Library. He searched and found the letters from Rose and connected this to the rosehips that Hugh has been leaving on the St Jude altar as a form of prayer for her. Brother Aelred confronted Hugh. Hugh told Aelred that they could discuss this more completely the next day, and then he broke into the Infirmary medicine cabinet and emptied the henbane decoction into a cup. When they met the morning of the game, after Matins, Hugh forced him to drink the poison. --- There are several possible endings for the game: Early endings: - You die from jumping in a fireplace. - You eat something toxic and become too ill to continue the investigation. - You are caught with a lit candle. - You are caught with contraband too many times. - You are repeatedly careless (leaving private area doors open, and so on). Main endings not requiring enough evidence: - You fail to get enough evidence by the end of Compline. - You are caught in the Undercroft by Hugh with evidence incriminating him on you. He kill you. Main endings requiring enough evidence: - You accuse Hugh during a service (the "Justice" end) - You confess to Wilfred, who offers you a choose between "Justice" or "Mercy". The Mercy ending allows Hugh to escape and not be executed for his crime. No ending is a perfect win, of course (this is a tragedy!). But the Mercy and Justice endings are the best outcomes, especially if you've found the sack of coins and the stolen psalter, since you can give those to Prior Oswald and help the priory's dire financial straits. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? comment you can jump in the fireplace? Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? comment usually games give you more self-preservation than that Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > i You must choose JUSTICE, MERCY, or NEITHER (to not decide). > l You must choose JUSTICE, MERCY, or NEITHER (to not decide). > neither You choose neither and postpone your responsibility. You can see the disappointment on Brother Wilfred's face. > 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 noon Time passes. "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. (waiting stopped because the bell rang) > z You wait a minute. > jump in fire Visions of saints burning at the stake enter your head. *** You have died *** In that game you scored 55 out of a possible 55, in 494 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > lol That is not a verb I recognise. > 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. Brother Wilfred arrives from the east. > 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 an orange cat and Brother Benedict here. Brother Benedict heads north. > 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. > take henbane You dare not. It's toxic and irritating to the touch. > wear gloves (first taking the gloves) You put on Aelred's gloves. > take henbane Taken. > eat henbane Foolishly, you decide to eat the henbane sprig. You spend several days in the Infirmary. Any chance you had of solving Brother Aelred's murder passed. *** You have fallen ill *** In that game you scored 55 out of a possible 55, in 501 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? solution Brother Hugh has a sister, Rose, with a desperately ill son. She's destitute and couldn't afford care for him. So he stole one of Brother Wilfred's illuminated manuscripts and found an outside buyer for it. He continues to do this, perhaps for greed and perhaps to help pay for future help for Rose. Brothers Wilfred and Oswald assumed that Wilfred had misplaced these works. He communicates with the outside buyer through leaving notes under the chest in the Bell Tower, since that's a place where outsiders can get to without anyone being suspicious. He's been hiding his payments in a sack in the Crypt Vestry, since almost no one ever goes there. Brother Aelred discovered the crime from noticing how stressed Hugh has been lately and from hearing from Wilfred how Hugh had been 'helping' him in the Library. He searched and found the letters from Rose and connected this to the rosehips that Hugh has been leaving on the St Jude altar as a form of prayer for her. Brother Aelred confronted Hugh. Hugh told Aelred that they could discuss this more completely the next day, and then he broke into the Infirmary medicine cabinet and emptied the henbane decoction into a cup. When they met the morning of the game, after Matins, Hugh forced him to drink the poison. --- There are several possible endings for the game: Early endings: - You die from jumping in a fireplace. - You eat something toxic and become too ill to continue the investigation. - You are caught with a lit candle. - You are caught with contraband too many times. - You are repeatedly careless (leaving private area doors open, and so on). Main endings not requiring enough evidence: - You fail to get enough evidence by the end of Compline. - You are caught in the Undercroft by Hugh with evidence incriminating him on you. He kill you. Main endings requiring enough evidence: - You accuse Hugh during a service (the "Justice" end) - You confess to Wilfred, who offers you a choose between "Justice" or "Mercy". The Mercy ending allows Hugh to escape and not be executed for his crime. No ending is a perfect win, of course (this is a tragedy!). But the Mercy and Justice endings are the best outcomes, especially if you've found the sack of coins and the stolen psalter, since you can give those to Prior Oswald and help the priory's dire financial straits. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? "he kill you" Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? comment i guess you can't talk to hugh at all about this Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? oh well Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? quit