Start of a transcript of Dead Man's Chest Copyright (c) 2026 Garry Francis https://warrigal.itch.io Type ABOUT for further info and credits. Release 1 / Serial number 260628 / Inform v6.44 PunyInform v6.7 > * I think I played the original Captain Cutter game? That was actually pirate Comment recorded. > x fog The fog is very thick, so you can't see anything through it. > x me In your imagination, you see yourself as a modern-day treasure hunter in the same vein as action heroes like Lara Croft and Indiana Jones. In reality, you're just a skinny nerd that spends too much time in libraries reading about tomb robbers and swashbuckling pirates. > about In 1986, I tested a game called 'Pirate's Booty' written by Steve Bradbury using Adventure Master for the Atari 8-bit computer. I don't know whether it was ever published, but I haven't been able to find it. 30 years later, I decided to recreate the game from scratch based on my original hand-drawn map and playing notes. This version was written in Inform 6, though never finished and promptly forgotten. Another 10 years later, I rediscovered the unfinished Inform 6 code, ported it to PunyInform and expanded it to create 'Dead Man's Chest' for ParserComp 2026. The story for the new game was inspired by 'Captain Cutter's Treasure', which was my first PunyInform game. Concept by Steve Bradbury. Game design and coding by Garry Francis. Play testing by Charles Moore Jr, Gianluca Girelli and Philip Richmond. > * ah interesting! Comment recorded. > i You're carrying a newspaper article. > x article It's a copy of the newspaper article with the interview with Ms Claire Cutter. You've obviously read it before, but it wouldn't hurt to read it again to refresh your memory. > read it You skim through the article and stop at the part you've got circled in red pen. This is where Ms Cutter said, 'The family believed that the key to the treasure could be found by reading.' You wonder what she could have meant by that. > * maybe knowledge was their treasure? Comment recorded. > l Outside Mansion You find yourself at the mansion that was once owned by Captain Cutter, assuming your research is correct. The mansion is enclosed by a cloud of rolling fog that obscures your view. You can only make out the front door to the north. It's not a good day to be outdoors, that's for sure. > x door It's an ornately-carved wooden door that's currently closed. The lock is broken. Someone has clearly been here before you. > x lock It's broken. It looks like someone forced it open. > * ruh roh Comment recorded. > open door You open the front door. > n Entry Hallway You're in the entry hallway of the captain's house. The age of the house is apparent from the old-style wood panelling on the walls. The threadbare carpet suggests that many generations of the captain's descendants have passed through this stately home. The hall continues to the north. There's a large ornately-carved exit to the east, the front door is to the south and a closet door is to the west. > x panelling The panels are chipped and faded with age. You tap on them to check for any hollows where treasure could be hidden, but everything sounds solid. > * nice detail Comment recorded. > x door Do you mean the closet door or the front door? > closet It's a plain wooden door that's currently closed. > open it You open the closet door. > w Large Closet You're in a large closet. It smells musty from days long past. Pencil marks cover the walls and a jumble of toys cover the floor. The only exit is via the closet door to the east. You can see some toys here. > smell You smell nothing that you wouldn't expect to smell in such a place. > x marks These don't look like the scribblings of a child. It looks more like a limerick. > read it There's nothing legible on that. > read marks 'I hear from a crusty old whaler, The captain might be a fine sailor, But the clothes that he wears Are all covered in tears, He should find himself a new tailor.' Can this possibly have some hidden meaning? You doubt it. > l Large Closet You're in a large closet. It smells musty from days long past. Pencil marks cover the walls and a jumble of toys cover the floor. The only exit is via the closet door to the east. You can see some toys here. > x toys They are the toys of a young child. Judging by the layer of dust that covers everything, the child must now be an adult. You wonder if there's anything under them. > search toys Half buried under the toys, you find a ricketty old step ladder. You move the toys aside to free it. > x ladder It looks a bit ricketty, but it should be strong enough to hold your weight. > take it You fold the ladder and tuck it under your arm. You hope you don't have to carry it very far. > e Entry Hallway You're in the entry hallway of the captain's house. The age of the house is apparent from the old-style wood panelling on the walls. The threadbare carpet suggests that many generations of the captain's descendants have passed through this stately home. The hall continues to the north. There's a large ornately-carved exit to the east, the front door is to the south and a closet door is to the west. > e Lounge Room You're in the lounge room. Nautical items cover the walls and take up every available space in the room. There's a wooden door with a copper lock to the north, a huge granite fireplace to the east, a window to the south and an exit to the west. > x items You recognise a ship's wheel, compass, sextant and much more, but none of it is likely to help you find the captain's treasure. > x wheel You recognise a ship's wheel, compass, sextant and much more, but none of it is likely to help you find the captain's treasure. > x door It's a solid wooden door adorned with a porthole and a copper lock. > x porthole It looks like it's off an old sailing ship. Looking through the porthole, you see a darkened room beyond. You can make out lots of books. > x fireplac Sorry, I don't understand what "fireplac" means. > x fireplace It hasn't been lit for many years. > l Lounge Room You're in the lounge room. Nautical items cover the walls and take up every available space in the room. There's a wooden door with a copper lock to the north, a huge granite fireplace to the east, a window to the south and an exit to the west. > x window Through the window to the south, you see the rolling hills of the moors as they disappear into the fog. The window is currently closed. > open window It's stuck. > e You can't go that way. > n You can't, since the wooden door is closed. > w Entry Hallway You're in the entry hallway of the captain's house. The age of the house is apparent from the old-style wood panelling on the walls. The threadbare carpet suggests that many generations of the captain's descendants have passed through this stately home. The hall continues to the north. There's a large ornately-carved exit to the east, the front door is to the south and a closet door is to the west. > n Northern End of Hallway You're at the northern end of a gloomy hallway. There are exits to the north, south and west and a grandiose archway to the northwest. There's also a winding staircase leading up to the first floor. > w Study You're in the study. A number of old oil paintings adorn the walls. You can almost feel the sway of the floor, the smell of the salt air and the creak of timbers as you imagine yourself in the captain's cabin of a brigantine on the high seas. The exit is to the east. You can see a leather chair and a rolltop desk here. > x paintings They depict sailing ships from a more romantic era. > look behind paintings You look behind each of the paintings, convince yourself that there's nothing there, and hang them back on the wall. > x chair It's a large leather chair that dominates the room. > search chair You find nothing special. > look under chair You find nothing of interest. > move chair That's fixed in place. > l Study You're in the study. A number of old oil paintings adorn the walls. You can almost feel the sway of the floor, the smell of the salt air and the creak of timbers as you imagine yourself in the captain's cabin of a brigantine on the high seas. The exit is to the east. You can see a leather chair and a rolltop desk here. > x desk It's an antique rolltop desk. You can't see inside, since the rolltop desk is closed. > open it It's locked. > l Study You're in the study. A number of old oil paintings adorn the walls. You can almost feel the sway of the floor, the smell of the salt air and the creak of timbers as you imagine yourself in the captain's cabin of a brigantine on the high seas. The exit is to the east. You can see a leather chair and a rolltop desk here. > e Northern End of Hallway You're at the northern end of a gloomy hallway. There are exits to the north, south and west and a grandiose archway to the northwest. There's also a winding staircase leading up to the first floor. > n Kitchen You're in a kitchen with white-washed walls and a granite floor. The room is completely empty of food and utensils. There are exits to the south and west. You can see a notice board and an oven here. > x board The notice board is affixed to the northern wall. Among all the scraps of paper pinned to the board, you notice a cryptic diagram. > read it There's nothing interesting on the scraps of paper, but that diagram looks interesting. > x diagram +----------+ | NB O | | | \ / | | | / x | +---- ----+ > take it That's hardly portable. > l Kitchen You're in a kitchen with white-washed walls and a granite floor. The room is completely empty of food and utensils. There are exits to the south and west. You can see a notice board and an oven here. > l Kitchen You're in a kitchen with white-washed walls and a granite floor. The room is completely empty of food and utensils. There are exits to the south and west. You can see a notice board and an oven here. > x oven It sits in the northeastern corner of the room, but it doesn't look like it's been used for a long time. > x diagram +----------+ | NB O | | | \ / | | | / x | +---- ----+ > x se corner I only understood you as far as "x se" but then you lost me. > x corner Aha! You see the reason for the clay. There's a granite block that's raised slightly higher than the rest of the floor, making it hard to clean. > x floor Although the floor is fairly clean, a few dried-out clumps of clay have been missed by the cleaner in the southeast corner of the room. > x block It's raised slightly higher than the rest of the floor. > push block You step on the raised granite block and the wall slides on invisible tracks to expose an opening to the east. It's a hidden door! > e Pantry You're in the dim light of a musty pantry. The light is brighter through the door to the west. The pantry looks to be empty, apart from the shelving around the walls. You can see some shelving (on which are a can, a bottle top and a lantern) here. > score There is no score in this game. > x shelving The shelves must once have stored enough provisions to feed a ship's company. A couple of grooves are gouged into the floor below the north shelf. The wall behind the north shelf is different to the others. On the shelving are a can, a bottle top and a lantern. > x grooves A closer look at the floor of the pantry reveals two narrow grooves running parallel to a set of floor-to-ceiling shelves. > x can It's a tin can, but you can't tell what's in it, as the label has been eaten away by insects. > x top It's a rusty bottle top, but there's no sign of the bottle it came from. > take can Taken. > take top Taken. > x lantern It's a brass kerosene lantern that's not currently lit. > take it Taken. > l Pantry You're in the dim light of a musty pantry. The light is brighter through the door to the west. The pantry looks to be empty, apart from the shelving around the walls. You can see some shelving here. > light lantern You'll need something to light it with. > move shelves You try pushing against the shelving, but it won't budge. > pull shelves You grab one of the shelves and pull with all your might, but it won't budge. > push shelves You try pushing against the shelving, but it won't budge. > l Pantry You're in the dim light of a musty pantry. The light is brighter through the door to the west. The pantry looks to be empty, apart from the shelving around the walls. You can see some shelving here. > x shelving The shelves must once have stored enough provisions to feed a ship's company. A couple of grooves are gouged into the floor below the north shelf. The wall behind the north shelf is different to the others. There is nothing on the shelving. > x walls You can't see any such thing. > x wall The wall behind the north shelf appears to be part of the shelf, rather than part of the room. > n You can't go that way. > look under shelf You find nothing of interest. > x north shelf I only understood you as far as "x north" but then you lost me. > x floor A closer look at the floor of the pantry reveals two narrow grooves running parallel to a set of floor-to-ceiling shelves. > x grooves A closer look at the floor of the pantry reveals two narrow grooves running parallel to a set of floor-to-ceiling shelves. > w Kitchen You're in a kitchen with white-washed walls and a granite floor. The room is completely empty of food and utensils. There are exits to the south and west. There's also a hidden door in the east wall. You can see a notice board and an oven here. > w Dining Room You're in a small, but tastefully decorated, dining room. Windows to the north and west allow a limited amount of light into the room. There's a small exit to the east and a grandiose archway to the southeast. You can see a large table and some chairs here. > x windows Sorry, I don't understand what "windows" means. > x window Do you mean the north window or the west window? > north Through the window to the north, you see a spectacular view of the ocean below. > x west As you peer through the west window, another bank of rolling mist creeps toward the house, obscuring the view. > x ocean The ocean off the coast of Scotland is renowned for its rough waters and this view of the Atlantic is a testament to that. You can probably get a better view of it from elsewhere in the house. > l Dining Room You're in a small, but tastefully decorated, dining room. Windows to the north and west allow a limited amount of light into the room. There's a small exit to the east and a grandiose archway to the southeast. You can see a large table and some chairs here. > x table It's a large carved table surrounded by eight chairs. There is nothing on the large table. > x chairs There's enough chairs to seat eight people, making moving around the room a difficult task. > look under chairs You find nothing of interest. > se Northern End of Hallway You're at the northern end of a gloomy hallway. There are exits to the north, south and west and a grandiose archway to the northwest. There's also a winding staircase leading up to the first floor. > i You're carrying a lantern, a bottle top, a can, a folding step ladder and a newspaper article. > u Landing at Top of Staircase You're on a landing at the top of the winding staircase that leads down to the ground floor. There are rooms in most directions, specifically north, east, west, northeast and northwest. A portrait hangs on the south wall. You also notice a trapdoor in the ceiling above your head. > x portrait It's a portrait of a grizzled old sea captain with a tropical island in the background. The captain has a straggly black beard and is wearing a tricorn. This may well be Captain Cutter. > look behind portrait You look behind the portrait, convince yourself that there's nothing there, and hang it back on the wall. > drop ladder You unfold the ladder and stand it on the ground. > x trapdoor It's a trapdoor in the ceiling that's currently closed. > open it You can't reach it. > stand on stepladder Sorry, I don't understand what "stepladder" means. > stand on ladder You climb onto the folding step ladder. > u You'll have to open the trapdoor first. > open trapdoor You open the trapdoor. > u You clamber through the trapdoor and cough at the cloud of dust stirred by your movements. In doing so, you hear the sound of rats scampering away. Attic You're in a dark and dusty attic with a dim light shining in from the landing below. Timber posts support the wooden beams that hold up the roof. The only exit is via the trapdoor in the dusty floor. You can see a rope tied to a post here. > x rope It's a long length of rope tied to one of the posts with a sailor's knot. > untie rope The sailor's knot is very tight and you can't see what you're doing in the dim light. Perhaps you need to take another approach? > light lantern You'll need something to light it with. > i You're carrying a lantern, a bottle top, a can and a newspaper article. > d You carefully lower yourself onto the top of the ladder. Landing at Top of Staircase (on the folding step ladder) You're on a landing at the top of the winding staircase that leads down to the ground floor. There are rooms in most directions, specifically north, east, west, northeast and northwest. A portrait hangs on the south wall. You also notice a trapdoor in the ceiling above your head. > exit You get off the folding step ladder. > ne Northeast Bedroom You're in the northeast bedroom. It resembles a ship's cabin down to the finest detail. A canvas hammock stretches across the room at the eastern end. A velvet curtain adorns the north wall. Dried blood stains mark the wooden deck near the exit to the southwest. You can see a canvas hammock (on which is a corpse) here. > x hamock Sorry, I don't understand what "hamock" means. > o hammock That's not a verb I recognise. > oops hammock That's not a verb I recognise. > x hammock As you examine the old hammock, you're confronted with a grisly sight. It contains the putrified remains of a corpse. > x corpse It's the remains of a man wearing clothes of a nautical nature. Although dead for a long time, you can still make out the savage wounds inflicted on him. > search him With great hesitation, you frisk his putrified remains, but don't find anything of interest. > x wounds They are deep cuts like those made by a sword. > l Northeast Bedroom You're in the northeast bedroom. It resembles a ship's cabin down to the finest detail. A canvas hammock stretches across the room at the eastern end. A velvet curtain adorns the north wall. Dried blood stains mark the wooden deck near the exit to the southwest. You can see a canvas hammock (on which is a corpse) here. > x blood The wooden deck is covered with stains near the entrance. You have no doubt that they're from dried blood. > x curtain It's made of fine maroon-coloured velvet, probably from the Far East. It's currently closed. > open it You open the velvet curtain. > l Northeast Bedroom You're in the northeast bedroom. It resembles a ship's cabin down to the finest detail. A canvas hammock stretches across the room at the eastern end. A velvet curtain adorns the north wall. Dried blood stains mark the wooden deck near the exit to the southwest. You can see a canvas hammock (on which is a corpse) here. > look behind curtain You find nothing of interest. > take curtain That's hardly portable. > ne You can't go that way. > take corpse You're kidding, right? > search hammock On the canvas hammock is a corpse. > sw Landing at Top of Staircase You're on a landing at the top of the winding staircase that leads down to the ground floor. There are rooms in most directions, specifically north, east, west, northeast and northwest. A portrait hangs on the south wall. You also notice a trapdoor in the ceiling above your head. You can see a folding step ladder here. > n Bathroom You're in a bathroom. There appears to have been a violent fight here, as there are broken fixtures, shards of glass scattered around the floor and dried blood stains splattered everywhere. The exit is to the south. You can see a wash basin, a broken mirror, some shards of glass and a cast-iron bath (which contains some slimy green water) here. > x fixtures Most of the fixtures are broken or damaged, so don't waste your time with them. > x shards They're sharp. > take shards No way. Not unless you're wearing some gloves or something to protect you from the sharp edges. > x blood There sure is a lot of it. > x mirror It's now broken. The shards of glass on the floor are no doubt from this mirror. > take mirror That's fixed in place. > x basin It swings crazily from a broken pipe. > l Bathroom You're in a bathroom. There appears to have been a violent fight here, as there are broken fixtures, shards of glass scattered around the floor and dried blood stains splattered everywhere. The exit is to the south. You can see a wash basin, a broken mirror, some shards of glass and a cast-iron bath (which contains some slimy green water) here. > x pipe It's a long time since this pipe has seen any clean water. > take pipe That's hardly portable. > x bath It's covered in dried blood stains similar to those on the floor and walls. The cast-iron bath contains some slimy green water. > x water It's a thin layer of slimy green filth that hides the bottom of the bath. Yuck. > take it There's no way you're taking that sludge. > s Landing at Top of Staircase You're on a landing at the top of the winding staircase that leads down to the ground floor. There are rooms in most directions, specifically north, east, west, northeast and northwest. A portrait hangs on the south wall. You also notice a trapdoor in the ceiling above your head. You can see a folding step ladder here. > nw Northwest Bedroom You're in the northwest bedroom. The room is only small with just enough room to fit the minimum amount of furniture. There's a small window facing north. The exit is to the southeast. You can see a bed and a dressing table here. > x window Through the window, you see the wild ocean to the horizon. > x bed It hasn't been slept in for a long time. There is nothing on the bed. > search bed There is nothing on the bed. > look under bed You find nothing of interest. > look behind bed You find nothing of interest. > x table It's simple, yet functional. There is nothing on the dressing table. > search table There is nothing on the dressing table. > look under table You find nothing of interest. > se Landing at Top of Staircase You're on a landing at the top of the winding staircase that leads down to the ground floor. There are rooms in most directions, specifically north, east, west, northeast and northwest. A portrait hangs on the south wall. You also notice a trapdoor in the ceiling above your head. You can see a folding step ladder here. > w Western Bedroom You're in the western bedroom. You can tell that this was once a child's room from the broken toys and furniture that litter the floor. The entire room has been ransacked. There's not a single item that's worth salvaging, so you might as well head back east. You can see some broken toys, some broken furniture and a feather mattress here. > x toys They're all broken. > search toys You find nothing but dust and more broken toys. > x furniture It's all broken. > search it You find nothing special. > x mattress The feather mattress has been slashed with a sharp knife or sword, leaving feathers all over the floor like a layer of snow. > search it You find nothing special. > look in it You find nothing special. > e Landing at Top of Staircase You're on a landing at the top of the winding staircase that leads down to the ground floor. There are rooms in most directions, specifically north, east, west, northeast and northwest. A portrait hangs on the south wall. You also notice a trapdoor in the ceiling above your head. You can see a folding step ladder here. > e Eastern Bedroom You're standing in the doorway of the eastern bedroom. Your entry into the room is blocked by the remains of a corpse. You survey the scene and decide not to go any further in case there are other unpleasant surprises awaiting you. The exit is back to the west. You can see a corpse and a chair here. > x corpse He looks like a sailor of sorts. He's been blown to pieces by an ingenious booby trap. > x chair There's a blunderbuss tied to it. > x blunderbuss It points towards the door where you're standing. From this distance, you can't tell whether it's loaded or not. You assume that it's not loaded, otherwise the corpse wouldn't be a corpse. However, you decide not to test that assumption in case it's been reloaded. > take it When you disturb the string tied to the trigger of the blunderbuss, it pulls the trigger and the blunderbuss blows your head off. *** You have died *** Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > x string It's tied between the trigger of the blunderbuss and the door handle. > take string When you disturb the string tied to the trigger of the blunderbuss, it pulls the trigger and the blunderbuss blows your head off. *** You have died *** Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > untie string You can't untie that. > cut string You don't have anything sharp enough to cut the string. > l Eastern Bedroom You're standing in the doorway of the eastern bedroom. Your entry into the room is blocked by the remains of a corpse. You survey the scene and decide not to go any further in case there are other unpleasant surprises awaiting you. The exit is back to the west. You can see a corpse and a chair here. > w Landing at Top of Staircase You're on a landing at the top of the winding staircase that leads down to the ground floor. There are rooms in most directions, specifically north, east, west, northeast and northwest. A portrait hangs on the south wall. You also notice a trapdoor in the ceiling above your head. You can see a folding step ladder here. > i You're carrying a lantern, a bottle top, a can and a newspaper article. > x can It's a tin can, but you can't tell what's in it, as the label has been eaten away by insects. > open can You don't have a can opener. > x lantern It's a brass kerosene lantern that's not currently lit. You give it a shake and hear the kerosene splashing around inside. This should last quite a while. > x top It's a rusty bottle top, but there's no sign of the bottle it came from. > s You can't go that way. > u The trapdoor is out of your reach. > n Bathroom You're in a bathroom. There appears to have been a violent fight here, as there are broken fixtures, shards of glass scattered around the floor and dried blood stains splattered everywhere. The exit is to the south. You can see a wash basin, a broken mirror, some shards of glass and a cast-iron bath (which contains some slimy green water) here. > i You're carrying a lantern, a bottle top, a can and a newspaper article. > s Landing at Top of Staircase You're on a landing at the top of the winding staircase that leads down to the ground floor. There are rooms in most directions, specifically north, east, west, northeast and northwest. A portrait hangs on the south wall. You also notice a trapdoor in the ceiling above your head. You can see a folding step ladder here. > d Northern End of Hallway You're at the northern end of a gloomy hallway. There are exits to the north, south and west and a grandiose archway to the northwest. There's also a winding staircase leading up to the first floor. > u Landing at Top of Staircase You're on a landing at the top of the winding staircase that leads down to the ground floor. There are rooms in most directions, specifically north, east, west, northeast and northwest. A portrait hangs on the south wall. You also notice a trapdoor in the ceiling above your head. You can see a folding step ladder here. > You need to enter a command. > u The trapdoor is out of your reach. > d Northern End of Hallway You're at the northern end of a gloomy hallway. There are exits to the north, south and west and a grandiose archway to the northwest. There's also a winding staircase leading up to the first floor. > s Entry Hallway You're in the entry hallway of the captain's house. The age of the house is apparent from the old-style wood panelling on the walls. The threadbare carpet suggests that many generations of the captain's descendants have passed through this stately home. The hall continues to the north. There's a large ornately-carved exit to the east, the front door is to the south and a closet door is to the west. > You need to enter a command. > s Outside Mansion You find yourself at the mansion that was once owned by Captain Cutter, assuming your research is correct. The mansion is enclosed by a cloud of rolling fog that obscures your view. You can only make out the front door to the north. It's not a good day to be outdoors, that's for sure. > nw You can't go that way. > ne You can't go that way. > n Entry Hallway You're in the entry hallway of the captain's house. The age of the house is apparent from the old-style wood panelling on the walls. The threadbare carpet suggests that many generations of the captain's descendants have passed through this stately home. The hall continues to the north. There's a large ornately-carved exit to the east, the front door is to the south and a closet door is to the west. > x carpet It looks like a Persian carpet, but it's seen better days and its original vivid colours have now faded. > take carpet It's nailed down. > lift it It's nailed down. > n Northern End of Hallway You're at the northern end of a gloomy hallway. There are exits to the north, south and west and a grandiose archway to the northwest. There's also a winding staircase leading up to the first floor. > x floor A look in that direction reveals nothing new. > s Entry Hallway You're in the entry hallway of the captain's house. The age of the house is apparent from the old-style wood panelling on the walls. The threadbare carpet suggests that many generations of the captain's descendants have passed through this stately home. The hall continues to the north. There's a large ornately-carved exit to the east, the front door is to the south and a closet door is to the west. > w Large Closet You're in a large closet. It smells musty from days long past. Pencil marks cover the walls and a jumble of toys cover the floor. The only exit is via the closet door to the east. You can see some toys here. > x toys They are the toys of a young child. Judging by the layer of dust that covers everything, the child must now be an adult. > x marks These don't look like the scribblings of a child. It looks more like a limerick. > e Entry Hallway You're in the entry hallway of the captain's house. The age of the house is apparent from the old-style wood panelling on the walls. The threadbare carpet suggests that many generations of the captain's descendants have passed through this stately home. The hall continues to the north. There's a large ornately-carved exit to the east, the front door is to the south and a closet door is to the west. > w Large Closet You're in a large closet. It smells musty from days long past. Pencil marks cover the walls and a jumble of toys cover the floor. The only exit is via the closet door to the east. You can see some toys here. > read limerick 'I hear from a crusty old whaler, The captain might be a fine sailor, But the clothes that he wears Are all covered in tears, He should find himself a new tailor.' Can this possibly have some hidden meaning? You doubt it. > e Entry Hallway You're in the entry hallway of the captain's house. The age of the house is apparent from the old-style wood panelling on the walls. The threadbare carpet suggests that many generations of the captain's descendants have passed through this stately home. The hall continues to the north. There's a large ornately-carved exit to the east, the front door is to the south and a closet door is to the west. > e Lounge Room You're in the lounge room. Nautical items cover the walls and take up every available space in the room. There's a wooden door with a copper lock to the north, a huge granite fireplace to the east, a window to the south and an exit to the west. > search fireplace You find nothing special. > enter fireplace You can't enter that. > x fireplace It hasn't been lit for many years. > look in fireplace You find nothing special. > w Entry Hallway You're in the entry hallway of the captain's house. The age of the house is apparent from the old-style wood panelling on the walls. The threadbare carpet suggests that many generations of the captain's descendants have passed through this stately home. The hall continues to the north. There's a large ornately-carved exit to the east, the front door is to the south and a closet door is to the west. > n Northern End of Hallway You're at the northern end of a gloomy hallway. There are exits to the north, south and west and a grandiose archway to the northwest. There's also a winding staircase leading up to the first floor. > w Study You're in the study. A number of old oil paintings adorn the walls. You can almost feel the sway of the floor, the smell of the salt air and the creak of timbers as you imagine yourself in the captain's cabin of a brigantine on the high seas. The exit is to the east. You can see a leather chair and a rolltop desk here. > x chair It's a large leather chair that dominates the room. > look in chair You find nothing special. > sit on chair When you sit on the chair, you realise that it's not as comfortable as it looks, so you get up again. > l Study You're in the study. A number of old oil paintings adorn the walls. You can almost feel the sway of the floor, the smell of the salt air and the creak of timbers as you imagine yourself in the captain's cabin of a brigantine on the high seas. The exit is to the east. You can see a leather chair and a rolltop desk here. > break desk Violence isn't always the answer. Use your brain, instead. > x desk It's an antique rolltop desk. You can't see inside, since the rolltop desk is closed. > open it It's locked. > l Study You're in the study. A number of old oil paintings adorn the walls. You can almost feel the sway of the floor, the smell of the salt air and the creak of timbers as you imagine yourself in the captain's cabin of a brigantine on the high seas. The exit is to the east. You can see a leather chair and a rolltop desk here. > look under chair You find nothing of interest. > help Tell me what to do using simple commands starting with a verb. Use LOOK (or L) to refresh the location description. Identify all the objects in the description and EXAMINE (or X) each one. Read responses carefully for hints. Use compass directions (N, S, E, W, NE, NW, SE, SW, U and D) to move around. Draw a map as you go. Use GET or TAKE to take objects and DROP to drop them again. Use INVENTORY (or I) to see what you're carrying. Use AGAIN (or G) to repeat the last command. Use UNDO to undo the last command if you make a mistake. Use SAVE to save the game and RESTORE to restore it again. Use QUIT to end the game or RESTART to restart from the beginning. There are over 100 verbs that you can use, so if something doesn't work, try a different verb or a different way of doing things. Use HINT if you get stuck. For full instructions, see the game page at . > hint You'll need to find the key to unlock that desk. > e Northern End of Hallway You're at the northern end of a gloomy hallway. There are exits to the north, south and west and a grandiose archway to the northwest. There's also a winding staircase leading up to the first floor. > hint There's nothing to do here at the moment, but make sure you examine everything you find and draw a map. > s Entry Hallway You're in the entry hallway of the captain's house. The age of the house is apparent from the old-style wood panelling on the walls. The threadbare carpet suggests that many generations of the captain's descendants have passed through this stately home. The hall continues to the north. There's a large ornately-carved exit to the east, the front door is to the south and a closet door is to the west. > hint There's nothing to do here at the moment, but make sure you examine everything you find and draw a map. > w Large Closet You're in a large closet. It smells musty from days long past. Pencil marks cover the walls and a jumble of toys cover the floor. The only exit is via the closet door to the east. You can see some toys here. > hint There's nothing to do here at the moment, but make sure you examine everything you find and draw a map. > e Entry Hallway You're in the entry hallway of the captain's house. The age of the house is apparent from the old-style wood panelling on the walls. The threadbare carpet suggests that many generations of the captain's descendants have passed through this stately home. The hall continues to the north. There's a large ornately-carved exit to the east, the front door is to the south and a closet door is to the west. > e Lounge Room You're in the lounge room. Nautical items cover the walls and take up every available space in the room. There's a wooden door with a copper lock to the north, a huge granite fireplace to the east, a window to the south and an exit to the west. > hint You'll need to find the key to unlock that door. > w Entry Hallway You're in the entry hallway of the captain's house. The age of the house is apparent from the old-style wood panelling on the walls. The threadbare carpet suggests that many generations of the captain's descendants have passed through this stately home. The hall continues to the north. There's a large ornately-carved exit to the east, the front door is to the south and a closet door is to the west. > n Northern End of Hallway You're at the northern end of a gloomy hallway. There are exits to the north, south and west and a grandiose archway to the northwest. There's also a winding staircase leading up to the first floor. > e You can't go that way. > n Kitchen You're in a kitchen with white-washed walls and a granite floor. The room is completely empty of food and utensils. There are exits to the south and west. There's also a hidden door in the east wall. You can see a notice board and an oven here. > hint There's nothing to do here at the moment, but make sure you examine everything you find and draw a map. > se You can't go that way. > hint There's nothing to do here at the moment, but make sure you examine everything you find and draw a map. > e Pantry You're in the dim light of a musty pantry. The light is brighter through the door to the west. The pantry looks to be empty, apart from the shelving around the walls. You can see some shelving here. > hint There are three types of doors: hinged doors, vertically-sliding doors and horizontally-sliding doors. What might those grooves indicate? > pull wall Try doing that to the shelving, not the wall itself. > pull shelving You grab one of the shelves and pull with all your might, but it won't budge. > pushshelving That's not a verb I recognise. > push shelving You try pushing against the shelving, but it won't budge. > slide shelving The shelf slides aside to reveal a dark passage leading down. > x floor A closer look at the floor of the pantry reveals two narrow grooves running parallel to a set of floor-to-ceiling shelves. > * the guess the verb there feels a little precious, but I appreciate the hints Comment recorded. > n You can't go that way. > d Darkness It is pitch dark here! > u Pantry You're in the dim light of a musty pantry. The light is brighter through the door to the west. The pantry looks to be empty, apart from the shelving around the walls. The north shelf is slid open to reveal a passage leading down into darkness. You can see some shelving here. > w Kitchen You're in a kitchen with white-washed walls and a granite floor. The room is completely empty of food and utensils. There are exits to the south and west. There's also a hidden door in the east wall. You can see a notice board and an oven here. > w Dining Room You're in a small, but tastefully decorated, dining room. Windows to the north and west allow a limited amount of light into the room. There's a small exit to the east and a grandiose archway to the southeast. You can see a large table and some chairs here. > hint Look through the north window and examine what you see for a further clue. > x window Do you mean the north window or the west window? > north Through the window to the north, you see a spectacular view of the ocean below. > x view The ocean off the coast of Scotland is renowned for its rough waters and this view of the Atlantic is a testament to that. You can probably get a better view of it from elsewhere in the house. > hint Look through the north window and examine what you see for a further clue. > x ocean The ocean off the coast of Scotland is renowned for its rough waters and this view of the Atlantic is a testament to that. You can probably get a better view of it from elsewhere in the house. > x waters Sorry, I don't understand what "waters" means. > s You can't go that way. > u You can't go that way. > hint Look through the north window and examine what you see for a further clue. > l Dining Room You're in a small, but tastefully decorated, dining room. Windows to the north and west allow a limited amount of light into the room. There's a small exit to the east and a grandiose archway to the southeast. You can see a large table and some chairs here. > s You can't go that way. > se Northern End of Hallway You're at the northern end of a gloomy hallway. There are exits to the north, south and west and a grandiose archway to the northwest. There's also a winding staircase leading up to the first floor. > u Landing at Top of Staircase You're on a landing at the top of the winding staircase that leads down to the ground floor. There are rooms in most directions, specifically north, east, west, northeast and northwest. A portrait hangs on the south wall. You also notice a trapdoor in the ceiling above your head. You can see a folding step ladder here. > hint There's nothing to do here at the moment, but make sure you examine everything you find and draw a map. > u The trapdoor is out of your reach. > stand on ladder You climb onto the folding step ladder. > u You clamber through the trapdoor and cough at the cloud of dust stirred by your movements. In doing so, you hear the sound of rats scampering away. Attic You're in a dark and dusty attic with a dim light shining in from the landing below. Timber posts support the wooden beams that hold up the roof. The only exit is via the trapdoor in the dusty floor. You can see a rope tied to a post here. > hint Have you tried untying the rope? The solution lies elsewhere, but it's not in the house. > d You carefully lower yourself onto the top of the ladder. Landing at Top of Staircase (on the folding step ladder) You're on a landing at the top of the winding staircase that leads down to the ground floor. There are rooms in most directions, specifically north, east, west, northeast and northwest. A portrait hangs on the south wall. You also notice a trapdoor in the ceiling above your head. > d You get off the folding step ladder. > e Eastern Bedroom You're standing in the doorway of the eastern bedroom. Your entry into the room is blocked by the remains of a corpse. You survey the scene and decide not to go any further in case there are other unpleasant surprises awaiting you. The exit is back to the west. You can see a corpse and a chair here. > hint Examine everything in the room, but don't touch anything unless you want to end up like the corpse on the floor. > xbed That's not a verb I recognise. > x bed You can't see any such thing. > w Landing at Top of Staircase You're on a landing at the top of the winding staircase that leads down to the ground floor. There are rooms in most directions, specifically north, east, west, northeast and northwest. A portrait hangs on the south wall. You also notice a trapdoor in the ceiling above your head. You can see a folding step ladder here. > ne Northeast Bedroom You're in the northeast bedroom. It resembles a ship's cabin down to the finest detail. A canvas hammock stretches across the room at the eastern end. A velvet curtain adorns the north wall. Dried blood stains mark the wooden deck near the exit to the southwest. You can see a canvas hammock (on which is a corpse) here. > hint Look through the porthole and you'll see where you need to go. > x curtain It's made of fine maroon-coloured velvet, probably from the Far East. It's currently open to reveal a porthole that looks over the Atlantic Ocean. > * oh OK kinda feels like that could have been made clearer Comment recorded. > close curtain You close the velvet curtain. > look behind curtain You find nothing of interest. > * like that feels actively misleading Comment recorded. > open curtain You open the velvet curtain. > l Northeast Bedroom You're in the northeast bedroom. It resembles a ship's cabin down to the finest detail. A canvas hammock stretches across the room at the eastern end. A velvet curtain adorns the north wall. Dried blood stains mark the wooden deck near the exit to the southwest. You can see a canvas hammock (on which is a corpse) here. > x porthole You see the Atlantic Ocean stretching away into the distance. There's a small island close to the shore with steep cliffs thrusting up from the sea and a crop of green vegetation on top. You should try to get there. > x island You see the Atlantic Ocean stretching away into the distance. There's a small island close to the shore with steep cliffs thrusting up from the sea and a crop of green vegetation on top. You should try to get there. > s You can't go that way. > se You can't go that way. > sw Landing at Top of Staircase You're on a landing at the top of the winding staircase that leads down to the ground floor. There are rooms in most directions, specifically north, east, west, northeast and northwest. A portrait hangs on the south wall. You also notice a trapdoor in the ceiling above your head. You can see a folding step ladder here. > n Bathroom You're in a bathroom. There appears to have been a violent fight here, as there are broken fixtures, shards of glass scattered around the floor and dried blood stains splattered everywhere. The exit is to the south. You can see a wash basin, a broken mirror, some shards of glass and a cast-iron bath (which contains some slimy green water) here. > hint What might the slimy water be hiding? Empty the bath to find out. > x bath It's covered in dried blood stains similar to those on the floor and walls. The cast-iron bath contains some slimy green water. > empty water Oh, yuck! You feel around in the bottom of the bath until you find the plug and pull it out. The slimy water drains from the bath until there's nothing left, except for green rings around the bath, the plug you pulled out and a brass key. > x key It looks like the key to a door or piece of furniture. > take it Taken. > s Landing at Top of Staircase You're on a landing at the top of the winding staircase that leads down to the ground floor. There are rooms in most directions, specifically north, east, west, northeast and northwest. A portrait hangs on the south wall. You also notice a trapdoor in the ceiling above your head. You can see a folding step ladder here. > d Northern End of Hallway You're at the northern end of a gloomy hallway. There are exits to the north, south and west and a grandiose archway to the northwest. There's also a winding staircase leading up to the first floor. > w Study You're in the study. A number of old oil paintings adorn the walls. You can almost feel the sway of the floor, the smell of the salt air and the creak of timbers as you imagine yourself in the captain's cabin of a brigantine on the high seas. The exit is to the east. You can see a leather chair and a rolltop desk here. > unlock desk (with the brass key) You unlock the rolltop desk. > open desk You open the rolltop desk, revealing some nautical items and a matchbox. > x item None of them look to be of any help to you. > x items None of them look to be of any help to you. > x matchbox It's a box of matches. > search items You find nothing special. > take matchbox Taken. > e Northern End of Hallway You're at the northern end of a gloomy hallway. There are exits to the north, south and west and a grandiose archway to the northwest. There's also a winding staircase leading up to the first floor. > u Landing at Top of Staircase You're on a landing at the top of the winding staircase that leads down to the ground floor. There are rooms in most directions, specifically north, east, west, northeast and northwest. A portrait hangs on the south wall. You also notice a trapdoor in the ceiling above your head. You can see a folding step ladder here. > u The trapdoor is out of your reach. > stand on ladder You climb onto the folding step ladder. > u You clamber through the trapdoor and cough at the cloud of dust stirred by your movements. In doing so, you hear the sound of rats scampering away. Attic You're in a dark and dusty attic with a dim light shining in from the landing below. Timber posts support the wooden beams that hold up the roof. The only exit is via the trapdoor in the dusty floor. You can see a rope tied to a post here. > light lantern You'll need something to light it with. > light lantern with match You can't light the lantern with that. > light match You take a match out of the matchbox and light it. > light lantern with match The wick catches light and the lantern gives off an eerie yellow glow. > untie rope The sailor's knot is very tight and you can't see what you're doing in the dim light. Perhaps you need to take another approach? > i You're carrying a match (providing light), a matchbox, a brass key, a lantern (providing light), a bottle top, a can and a newspaper article. > * OK guess that's a "cut the rope" clue, not a "get more light" clue Comment recorded. > d You carefully lower yourself onto the top of the ladder. Landing at Top of Staircase (on the folding step ladder) You're on a landing at the top of the winding staircase that leads down to the ground floor. There are rooms in most directions, specifically north, east, west, northeast and northwest. A portrait hangs on the south wall. You also notice a trapdoor in the ceiling above your head. The match goes out. > d You get off the folding step ladder. > d Northern End of Hallway You're at the northern end of a gloomy hallway. There are exits to the north, south and west and a grandiose archway to the northwest. There's also a winding staircase leading up to the first floor. > d You can't go that way. > n Kitchen You're in a kitchen with white-washed walls and a granite floor. The room is completely empty of food and utensils. There are exits to the south and west. There's also a hidden door in the east wall. You can see a notice board and an oven here. > e Pantry You're in the dim light of a musty pantry. The light is brighter through the door to the west. The pantry looks to be empty, apart from the shelving around the walls. The north shelf is slid open to reveal a passage leading down into darkness. You can see some shelving here. > n You can't go that way. > d Cellar You're in a dank cellar surrounded by rack upon rack of dust-covered wine bottles. You can go up to leave the cellar, or there's another exit in the darkness to the east. You can see a collapsed wine rack and some broken bottles here. > x bottles A close examination of the broken bottles shows a collection of the finest wines of the world. This must have been the Cutter family's private stock. Most of them are broken, which makes them no longer bottles, but glass. What a pity to see so much fine wine go to waste. You wonder if they conceal anything. > search them Taking great care not to sever an artery, you move the broken bottles aside to reveal a pair of bolt cutters. > x cutters Apart from a little surface rust, they look pretty solid. > take them Taken. > l Cellar You're in a dank cellar surrounded by rack upon rack of dust-covered wine bottles. You can go up to leave the cellar, or there's another exit in the darkness to the east. You can see a collapsed wine rack and some broken bottles here. > x rack On one side of the room, a wine rack has collapsed with age. A jumble of broken bottles lie in a heap on the floor. > search rack You find nothing special. > e Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the west and northeast. In the dim light, you can also see a hole in the ceiling, but it's way out of your reach. > listen Everything is eerily quiet. > x hole It's very hard to see in the dim light, but it appears to be very high and way out of your reach. > u When I said it was way out of your reach, I meant it. You couldn't even reach it with a ladder. > * helpful! Comment recorded. > ne Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the north, northeast and southwest. > ne Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the north, east, northwest and southwest. > e Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the west. A glint of metal on the floor of the tunnel attracts your attention. You hesitate and the glint disappears. > x floor You crawl around on your hands and knees searching the floor and feeling around in the dark until you find something. It's a rusty cutlass. > take it That's hardly portable. > take cutlass Taken. > x it The cutlass was the weapon of choice amongst pirates. It has a curved blade and a hand guard. > w Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the north, east, northwest and southwest. > nw Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the south, east and southeast. There's a hole in the ground here, with a spur of rock jutting out from the wall above it. > * need rope Comment recorded. > s Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the north, northeast and southwest. > n Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the south, east and southeast. There's a hole in the ground here, with a spur of rock jutting out from the wall above it. > e Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the south and west. > s Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the north, east, northwest and southwest. > e Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the west. > w Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the north, east, northwest and southwest. > nw Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the south, east and southeast. There's a hole in the ground here, with a spur of rock jutting out from the wall above it. > s Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the north, northeast and southwest. > sw Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the west and northeast. In the dim light, you can also see a hole in the ceiling, but it's way out of your reach. > w Cellar You're in a dank cellar surrounded by rack upon rack of dust-covered wine bottles. You can go up to leave the cellar, or there's another exit in the darkness to the east. You can see a collapsed wine rack and some broken bottles here. > u Pantry You're in the dim light of a musty pantry. The light is brighter through the door to the west. The pantry looks to be empty, apart from the shelving around the walls. The north shelf is slid open to reveal a passage leading down into darkness. You can see some shelving here. > x lamp It's a brass kerosene lantern that's currently lit and giving off an eerie yellow glow. > save Ok. > i You're carrying a cutlass, a pair of bolt cutters, a matchbox, a brass key, a lantern (providing light), a bottle top, a can and a newspaper article. > s You can't go that way. > u You can't go that way. > l Pantry You're in the dim light of a musty pantry. The light is brighter through the door to the west. The pantry looks to be empty, apart from the shelving around the walls. The north shelf is slid open to reveal a passage leading down into darkness. You can see some shelving here. > w Kitchen You're in a kitchen with white-washed walls and a granite floor. The room is completely empty of food and utensils. There are exits to the south and west. There's also a hidden door in the east wall. You can see a notice board and an oven here. > s Northern End of Hallway You're at the northern end of a gloomy hallway. There are exits to the north, south and west and a grandiose archway to the northwest. There's also a winding staircase leading up to the first floor. > u Landing at Top of Staircase You're on a landing at the top of the winding staircase that leads down to the ground floor. There are rooms in most directions, specifically north, east, west, northeast and northwest. A portrait hangs on the south wall. You also notice a trapdoor in the ceiling above your head. You can see a folding step ladder here. > stand on ladder You climb onto the folding step ladder. > u You clamber through the trapdoor and cough at the cloud of dust stirred by your movements. In doing so, you hear the sound of rats scampering away. Attic You're in a dark and dusty attic with a dim light shining in from the landing below. Timber posts support the wooden beams that hold up the roof. The only exit is via the trapdoor in the dusty floor. You can see a rope tied to a post here. > cut rope (with the cutlass) The cutlass is rather blunt, so it takes a little while. You eventually cut the rope and it falls to the dusty floor. > take rope Taken. > s You can't go that way. > d You carefully lower yourself onto the top of the ladder. Landing at Top of Staircase (on the folding step ladder) You're on a landing at the top of the winding staircase that leads down to the ground floor. There are rooms in most directions, specifically north, east, west, northeast and northwest. A portrait hangs on the south wall. You also notice a trapdoor in the ceiling above your head. > w You'll have to get off the ladder first. > d You get off the folding step ladder. > w Western Bedroom You're in the western bedroom. You can tell that this was once a child's room from the broken toys and furniture that litter the floor. The entire room has been ransacked. There's not a single item that's worth salvaging, so you might as well head back east. You can see some broken toys, some broken furniture and a feather mattress here. > hint There's nothing to do here at the moment, but make sure you examine everything you find and draw a map. > e Landing at Top of Staircase You're on a landing at the top of the winding staircase that leads down to the ground floor. There are rooms in most directions, specifically north, east, west, northeast and northwest. A portrait hangs on the south wall. You also notice a trapdoor in the ceiling above your head. You can see a folding step ladder here. > e Eastern Bedroom You're standing in the doorway of the eastern bedroom. Your entry into the room is blocked by the remains of a corpse. You survey the scene and decide not to go any further in case there are other unpleasant surprises awaiting you. The exit is back to the west. You can see a corpse and a chair here. > cut string (with the cutlass) When you disturb the string tied to the trigger of the blunderbuss, it pulls the trigger and the blunderbuss blows your head off. *** You have died *** Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > w Landing at Top of Staircase You're on a landing at the top of the winding staircase that leads down to the ground floor. There are rooms in most directions, specifically north, east, west, northeast and northwest. A portrait hangs on the south wall. You also notice a trapdoor in the ceiling above your head. You can see a folding step ladder here. > ne Northeast Bedroom You're in the northeast bedroom. It resembles a ship's cabin down to the finest detail. A canvas hammock stretches across the room at the eastern end. A velvet curtain adorns the north wall. Dried blood stains mark the wooden deck near the exit to the southwest. You can see a canvas hammock (on which is a corpse) here. > sw Landing at Top of Staircase You're on a landing at the top of the winding staircase that leads down to the ground floor. There are rooms in most directions, specifically north, east, west, northeast and northwest. A portrait hangs on the south wall. You also notice a trapdoor in the ceiling above your head. You can see a folding step ladder here. > nw Northwest Bedroom You're in the northwest bedroom. The room is only small with just enough room to fit the minimum amount of furniture. There's a small window facing north. The exit is to the southeast. You can see a bed and a dressing table here. > hint Look through the north window and examine what you see for a further clue. > se Landing at Top of Staircase You're on a landing at the top of the winding staircase that leads down to the ground floor. There are rooms in most directions, specifically north, east, west, northeast and northwest. A portrait hangs on the south wall. You also notice a trapdoor in the ceiling above your head. You can see a folding step ladder here. > d Northern End of Hallway You're at the northern end of a gloomy hallway. There are exits to the north, south and west and a grandiose archway to the northwest. There's also a winding staircase leading up to the first floor. > s Entry Hallway You're in the entry hallway of the captain's house. The age of the house is apparent from the old-style wood panelling on the walls. The threadbare carpet suggests that many generations of the captain's descendants have passed through this stately home. The hall continues to the north. There's a large ornately-carved exit to the east, the front door is to the south and a closet door is to the west. > i You're carrying a rope, a cutlass, a pair of bolt cutters, a matchbox, a brass key, a lantern (providing light), a bottle top, a can and a newspaper article. > n Northern End of Hallway You're at the northern end of a gloomy hallway. There are exits to the north, south and west and a grandiose archway to the northwest. There's also a winding staircase leading up to the first floor. > d You can't go that way. > n Kitchen You're in a kitchen with white-washed walls and a granite floor. The room is completely empty of food and utensils. There are exits to the south and west. There's also a hidden door in the east wall. You can see a notice board and an oven here. > e Pantry You're in the dim light of a musty pantry. The light is brighter through the door to the west. The pantry looks to be empty, apart from the shelving around the walls. The north shelf is slid open to reveal a passage leading down into darkness. You can see some shelving here. > n You can't go that way. > d Cellar You're in a dank cellar surrounded by rack upon rack of dust-covered wine bottles. You can go up to leave the cellar, or there's another exit in the darkness to the east. You can see a collapsed wine rack and some broken bottles here. > e Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the west and northeast. In the dim light, you can also see a hole in the ceiling, but it's way out of your reach. > n You can't go that way. > ne Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the north, northeast and southwest. > ne Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the north, east, northwest and southwest. > nw Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the south, east and southeast. There's a hole in the ground here, with a spur of rock jutting out from the wall above it. > x rock The walls are more irregular here. Spurs of rock protruding from the tunnel make movement difficult. One of the spurs is particularly prominent. > tie rope to rock You tie the rope tightly around the spur and lower the loose end into the hole. > d You enter the hole and climb down the rope until you finally touch firm ground. Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the north and a small hole overhead. You can see the end of a rope here. > * "...and a small hole overhead" is missing a verb I think Comment recorded. > n Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the south. You can see a trapdoor in the ceiling overhead. > x trapdoor The trapdoor is made from solid wooden planks connected together by rusty iron strips. It's bolted shut. > open it It's locked. > unbolt it That's not a verb I recognise. > x bolts Sorry, I don't understand what "bolts" means. > x trapdoor The trapdoor is made from solid wooden planks connected together by rusty iron strips. It's bolted shut. > hint Try sliding the bolt. > slide bolt It's too rusty. It won't budge. > i You're carrying a cutlass, a pair of bolt cutters, a matchbox, a brass key, a lantern (providing light), a bottle top, a can and a newspaper article. > cut bolts Sorry, I don't understand what "bolts" means. > cut bolt (with the bolt cutters) Taking your bolt cutters, you snip through the bolt like it was a piece of cheese. The remains of the bolt fall to the ground, where they're lost in the dark. > u You can't, since the trapdoor is closed. > open trapdoor You open the trapdoor. > u Rustic Hut You're in a rustic hut. There's a trapdoor in one corner of the dirt floor and an opening to the west. You can see tree branches swaying in the breeze outside the opening. > x ree Sorry, I don't understand what "ree" means. > w Timber Stockade You're in a timber stockade that circles a small rustic hut. The entrance to the hut is to the east and the stockade continues around the hut to the northeast and southeast. The stockade wall is slightly lower here. Although you can't climb over it, you can see tree branches to the west and, beyond that, a glistening expanse of ocean. > x tree They're swaying in the breeze. > ne Timber Stockade You're in the enclosure formed by a timber stockade. There's a small rustic hut to the south and the stockade continues to the southeast and southwest. You can't see the entrance to the hut from here, but the gate that allows entry to the stockade is to the east. > se Timber Stockade You're within the confines of a timber stockade. The walls of the stockade lead in a circular path to the northwest and southwest. At the centre of the stockade is a small rustic hut. You can't see any way of entering the hut or leaving the stockade from here. > sw Timber Stockade You're inside a timber stockade that curves to the northeast and northwest around the small rustic hut to the north, but there's no way to enter it from here. The walls of the stockade are slightly lower to the south, allowing you to look beyond to a distant shoreline. > ne Timber Stockade You're within the confines of a timber stockade. The walls of the stockade lead in a circular path to the northwest and southwest. At the centre of the stockade is a small rustic hut. You can't see any way of entering the hut or leaving the stockade from here. > e You can't go that way. > nw Timber Stockade You're in the enclosure formed by a timber stockade. There's a small rustic hut to the south and the stockade continues to the southeast and southwest. You can't see the entrance to the hut from here, but the gate that allows entry to the stockade is to the east. > e You can't, since the gate to the stockade is closed. > open gate It's locked. > gate That's not a verb I recognise. > x gate The gate to the stockade is barred from this side by a heavy timber attached to a hinge on the inside of the gate. > x hinge Sorry, I don't understand what "hinge" means. > lift timber Do you mean the timber stockade or the timber beam? > beam You raise the timber beam to unlock the gate. > e You can't, since the gate to the stockade is closed. > open gate You open the gate to the stockade. > e Damp Path You're on a damp path that leads through a forest. The path continues to the northwest and southeast, a short distance from a timber stockade. The gate to the stockade is to the west. Thick vegetation blocks the other directions. > nw Cliff Top The path from the southeast stops at a cliff top at the northern edge of the island. You can't go any further unless you clamber down the rocks. > x rocks You can't see what's at the bottom of the cliff, but I reckon you could climb down the rocks to find out. > d Sandy Beach You're on a small sandy beach at the northern end of the island. There are no obvious exits from here, although there appears to be a cave to the south amongst the rocks at the bottom of the cliff. Other than that, you can climb up the cliff. > x rocks You can't see what's at the top of the cliff, but I reckon you could climb up the rocks to find out. > s Sandy Cave You're in a small cave in the base of the cliff. The floor of the cave is full of sand. The only way out of the cave is to the north. > dig I think you wanted to say "dig something". Please try again. > dig floor You have nothing to dig with. > n Sandy Beach You're on a small sandy beach at the northern end of the island. There are no obvious exits from here, although there appears to be a cave to the south amongst the rocks at the bottom of the cliff. Other than that, you can climb up the cliff. > u Cliff Top The path from the southeast stops at a cliff top at the northern edge of the island. You can't go any further unless you clamber down the rocks. > se Damp Path You're on a damp path that leads through a forest. The path continues to the northwest and southeast, a short distance from a timber stockade. The gate to the stockade is to the west. Thick vegetation blocks the other directions. > se Forest You're in a dark damp forest. The main path goes to the northwest and east with a lesser-used path to the south. > s Forest You're in a deep dark forest. There's a bend in the path from the north to the east. > e Southern Beach You're at the southern end of a beach on the eastern side of the island. The beach continues to the north and a path heads off to the west. > n Northern Beach You're at the northern end of a beach on the eastern side of the island. The beach continues to the south and a path heads off to the west. There's also a lagoon to the northwest. > w Forest You're in a dark damp forest. The main path goes to the northwest and east with a lesser-used path to the south. > e Northern Beach You're at the northern end of a beach on the eastern side of the island. The beach continues to the south and a path heads off to the west. There's also a lagoon to the northwest. > nw Lagoon You're wading in a small lagoon surrounded by a tangle of undergrowth and reeds that prevent access to the shore. The only way out of the lagoon is to the southeast. You can also climb aboard the wreck of an old sailing ship that's partially submerged to the east of the lagoon. > x lagoon It's only a small lagoon, but large enough to shelter a sailing ship. It's surrounded by reeds. > x reeds The undergrowth runs up to the edge of the lagoon, where it's taken over by reeds. > take reeds That's hardly portable. > cut reeds You would achieve nothing by this. > x wreck It's the wreck of an old sailing ship that's submerged in the lagoon. Due to the lean of the ship, you could probably climb up the barnacled hull. > u Deck You're on the deck of a wrecked sailing ship. The mast, sail and rigging are all long gone. The only exit is down into the interior of the ship or you can jump overboard towards the west. > x deck The deck of the sailing ship looks badly weathered from the Atlantic winds and rain, so be careful where you walk. > d Ship's Galley You're in the ship's galley. There's nothing salvageable here. The only exits are up and down and there's an opening to the east. You can see a barrel here. > x barrel You peer into the barrel expecting to find something of value to your quest, but are sorely disappointed. The barrel is empty. > move barrel That's fixed in place. > e Captain's Cabin You're in the captain's cabin. Most of the furnishings are long gone. The only exit is to the west. You can see a writing desk here. > x desk It's a small wooden writing desk with a single drawer. There is nothing on the writing desk. > open drawer You pull hard at the desk drawer, but to no avail. You may need a key to unlock it. > g You pull hard at the desk drawer, but to no avail. You may need a key to unlock it. > x drawer It's a plain wooden drawer. You can't see inside, since the drawer is closed. > w Ship's Galley You're in the ship's galley. There's nothing salvageable here. The only exits are up and down and there's an opening to the east. You can see a barrel here. > d Cargo Hold You're in the cargo hold. There's a large oak trunk half submerged in the water in the corner of the hold. When you've finished exploring here, you can go up to leave. You can see a large oak trunk here. > x trunk It's a solid oak trunk held together and reinforced by wide bands of brass. It's sealed by a large padlock. You can't help wondering if the captain's treasure is contained within. You can't see inside, since the large oak trunk is closed. > open it It's locked. > cut padlock (with the bolt cutters) The bolt cutters come in handy once again. The padlock offers little resistance and the broken pieces fall into the water, never to be seen again. > open chest You can't see any such thing. > open trunk You open the large oak trunk, revealing a shovel. > x shovel Every pirate needs a shovel to bury his treasure. If only this shovel could speak, what wonders it might reveal. > take it Taken. > u Ship's Galley You're in the ship's galley. There's nothing salvageable here. The only exits are up and down and there's an opening to the east. You can see a barrel here. > u Deck You're on the deck of a wrecked sailing ship. The mast, sail and rigging are all long gone. The only exit is down into the interior of the ship or you can jump overboard towards the west. > u You can't go that way. > w Lagoon You're wading in a small lagoon surrounded by a tangle of undergrowth and reeds that prevent access to the shore. The only way out of the lagoon is to the southeast. You can also climb aboard the wreck of an old sailing ship that's partially submerged to the east of the lagoon. > se Northern Beach You're at the northern end of a beach on the eastern side of the island. The beach continues to the south and a path heads off to the west. There's also a lagoon to the northwest. > w Forest You're in a dark damp forest. The main path goes to the northwest and east with a lesser-used path to the south. > nw Damp Path You're on a damp path that leads through a forest. The path continues to the northwest and southeast, a short distance from a timber stockade. The gate to the stockade is to the west. Thick vegetation blocks the other directions. > nw Cliff Top The path from the southeast stops at a cliff top at the northern edge of the island. You can't go any further unless you clamber down the rocks. > d Sandy Beach You're on a small sandy beach at the northern end of the island. There are no obvious exits from here, although there appears to be a cave to the south amongst the rocks at the bottom of the cliff. Other than that, you can climb up the cliff. > s Sandy Cave You're in a small cave in the base of the cliff. The floor of the cave is full of sand. The only way out of the cave is to the north. > dig I think you wanted to say "dig something". Please try again. > dig sand (with the shovel) You dig around for awhile in the soft sand and find a copper key. While digging near the southern wall of the cave, you're surprised to find that there's no rock. Perhaps you should dig further. > dig souh Sorry, I don't understand what "souh" means. > dig sand (with the shovel) You dig further and find that the sand washed in from the ocean has filled a hidden passage at the back of the cave. You continue digging until you feel no resistance and the passage is clear enough for you to crawl through. > take copper Taken. > i You're carrying a copper key, a shovel, a cutlass, a pair of bolt cutters, a matchbox, a brass key, a lantern (providing light), a bottle top, a can and a newspaper article. > x copper It looks like the key to a door or piece of furniture. > s You can't go that way. > l Sandy Cave You're in a small cave in the base of the cliff. The floor of the cave is full of sand. The only way out of the cave is to the north, although there's also the hidden passage that you exposed in the back of the cave. You can go down there if you're feeling game. You can see a hidden passage here. > d Wheeee! You slide down the slippery passage and come to a crashing halt at the bottom. It doesn't feel like anything's broken, but you won't be returning that way. Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the south, east and southeast. There's a hole in the ground here, with a spur of rock jutting out from the wall above it. There's also a glimmer of light coming from an opening in the ceiling, but it's way out of your reach. You can see a rope tied to the spur here. > undo Previous turn undone. > w You can't go that way. > u You can't go that way. > w You can't go that way. > out Sandy Beach You're on a small sandy beach at the northern end of the island. There are no obvious exits from here, although there appears to be a cave to the south amongst the rocks at the bottom of the cliff. Other than that, you can climb up the cliff. > u Cliff Top The path from the southeast stops at a cliff top at the northern edge of the island. You can't go any further unless you clamber down the rocks. > se Damp Path You're on a damp path that leads through a forest. The path continues to the northwest and southeast, a short distance from a timber stockade. The gate to the stockade is to the west. Thick vegetation blocks the other directions. > se Forest You're in a dark damp forest. The main path goes to the northwest and east with a lesser-used path to the south. > se You can't go that way. > se You can't go that way. > e Northern Beach You're at the northern end of a beach on the eastern side of the island. The beach continues to the south and a path heads off to the west. There's also a lagoon to the northwest. > nw Lagoon You're wading in a small lagoon surrounded by a tangle of undergrowth and reeds that prevent access to the shore. The only way out of the lagoon is to the southeast. You can also climb aboard the wreck of an old sailing ship that's partially submerged to the east of the lagoon. > e Deck You're on the deck of a wrecked sailing ship. The mast, sail and rigging are all long gone. The only exit is down into the interior of the ship or you can jump overboard towards the west. > d Ship's Galley You're in the ship's galley. There's nothing salvageable here. The only exits are up and down and there's an opening to the east. You can see a barrel here. > e Captain's Cabin You're in the captain's cabin. Most of the furnishings are long gone. The only exit is to the west. You can see a writing desk here. > unlock desk with copper You can't unlock that. > unlock drawer with copper You don't have the right key to unlock this drawer. You might need to pick the lock. > pick lock You can't see any such thing. > i You're carrying a copper key, a shovel, a cutlass, a pair of bolt cutters, a matchbox, a brass key, a lantern (providing light), a bottle top, a can and a newspaper article. > hint Have you tried opening the drawer? Perhaps the captain used the same key for both of his desks. > unlock drawer with brass Do you mean the brass key or the lantern? > key You unlock the drawer. > open drawer You open the drawer, revealing a book. > x book It's an old leather-bound book that's currently closed, allowing you to see the tarnished gold lettering and a picture of an albatross on the cover. > read it The tarnished gold lettering reveals the title to be 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner'. That somehow seems appropriate for an old sea captain. > open it A map falls out. > x map After a closer inspection, you come to the conclusion that this is most certainly a map. Perhaps you should read it. > take it You're carrying too much. Try dropping something that you're finished with. > read map +--+--+--+ / | | | |- +--+--+--+ | | |**| +--+ +--+ | | | | +--+--+--+ > * looks like the first floor Comment recorded. > * or rather ground floor Comment recorded. > i You're carrying a copper key, a shovel, a cutlass, a pair of bolt cutters, a matchbox, a brass key, a lantern (providing light), a bottle top, a can and a newspaper article. > drop brass key Dropped. > take map Taken. > l Captain's Cabin You're in the captain's cabin. Most of the furnishings are long gone. The only exit is to the west. You can see a brass key and a writing desk here. In the drawer you can see a book. > w Ship's Galley You're in the ship's galley. There's nothing salvageable here. The only exits are up and down and there's an opening to the east. You can see a barrel here. > u Deck You're on the deck of a wrecked sailing ship. The mast, sail and rigging are all long gone. The only exit is down into the interior of the ship or you can jump overboard towards the west. > nw You can't go that way. > w Lagoon You're wading in a small lagoon surrounded by a tangle of undergrowth and reeds that prevent access to the shore. The only way out of the lagoon is to the southeast. You can also climb aboard the wreck of an old sailing ship that's partially submerged to the east of the lagoon. > se Northern Beach You're at the northern end of a beach on the eastern side of the island. The beach continues to the south and a path heads off to the west. There's also a lagoon to the northwest. > w Forest You're in a dark damp forest. The main path goes to the northwest and east with a lesser-used path to the south. > nw Damp Path You're on a damp path that leads through a forest. The path continues to the northwest and southeast, a short distance from a timber stockade. The gate to the stockade is to the west. Thick vegetation blocks the other directions. > nw Cliff Top The path from the southeast stops at a cliff top at the northern edge of the island. You can't go any further unless you clamber down the rocks. > s You can't go that way. > d Sandy Beach You're on a small sandy beach at the northern end of the island. There are no obvious exits from here, although there appears to be a cave to the south amongst the rocks at the bottom of the cliff. Other than that, you can climb up the cliff. > s Sandy Cave You're in a small cave in the base of the cliff. The floor of the cave is full of sand. The only way out of the cave is to the north, although there's also the hidden passage that you exposed in the back of the cave. You can go down there if you're feeling game. You can see a hidden passage here. > enter You can't go that way. > d Wheeee! You slide down the slippery passage and come to a crashing halt at the bottom. It doesn't feel like anything's broken, but you won't be returning that way. Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the south, east and southeast. There's a hole in the ground here, with a spur of rock jutting out from the wall above it. There's also a glimmer of light coming from an opening in the ceiling, but it's way out of your reach. You can see a rope tied to the spur here. > i You're carrying a map, a copper key, a shovel, a cutlass, a pair of bolt cutters, a matchbox, a lantern (providing light), a bottle top, a can and a newspaper article. > w You can't go that way. > l Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the south, east and southeast. There's a hole in the ground here, with a spur of rock jutting out from the wall above it. There's also a glimmer of light coming from an opening in the ceiling, but it's way out of your reach. You can see a rope tied to the spur here. > s Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the north, northeast and southwest. > sw Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the west and northeast. In the dim light, you can also see a hole in the ceiling, but it's way out of your reach. > w Cellar You're in a dank cellar surrounded by rack upon rack of dust-covered wine bottles. You can go up to leave the cellar, or there's another exit in the darkness to the east. You can see a collapsed wine rack and some broken bottles here. > u Pantry You're in the dim light of a musty pantry. The light is brighter through the door to the west. The pantry looks to be empty, apart from the shelving around the walls. The north shelf is slid open to reveal a passage leading down into darkness. You can see some shelving here. > w Kitchen You're in a kitchen with white-washed walls and a granite floor. The room is completely empty of food and utensils. There are exits to the south and west. There's also a hidden door in the east wall. You can see a notice board and an oven here. > s Northern End of Hallway You're at the northern end of a gloomy hallway. There are exits to the north, south and west and a grandiose archway to the northwest. There's also a winding staircase leading up to the first floor. > s Entry Hallway You're in the entry hallway of the captain's house. The age of the house is apparent from the old-style wood panelling on the walls. The threadbare carpet suggests that many generations of the captain's descendants have passed through this stately home. The hall continues to the north. There's a large ornately-carved exit to the east, the front door is to the south and a closet door is to the west. > e Lounge Room You're in the lounge room. Nautical items cover the walls and take up every available space in the room. There's a wooden door with a copper lock to the north, a huge granite fireplace to the east, a window to the south and an exit to the west. > unlock door with copper You unlock the wooden door. > n You can't, since the wooden door is closed. > open door You open the wooden door. > n Library You're in the library of the captain's mansion. It has a nostalgic air about it. The north wall is occupied by a large bookcase and a wooden door with a copper lock is located to the south. You can see a reading desk and a chair here. > * lol oh no another desk, if it's locked I'll cry Comment recorded. > x bookcase The bookcase is chock full of books. It has one empty slot. > x char Sorry, I don't understand what "char" means. > * lol and need the book too Comment recorded. > read books There's nothing legible on that. > l Library You're in the library of the captain's mansion. It has a nostalgic air about it. The north wall is occupied by a large bookcase and a wooden door with a copper lock is located to the south. You can see a reading desk and a chair here. > read bookcase There's nothing legible on that. > x chair It's a heavy wooden chair with vertical slats in the back support. > sit on chair You take a load off your feet and sit on the chair for a rest, but then remember that this isn't getting things done. > search chair There is nothing on the chair. > look under chair You find nothing of interest. > x desk It's a plain wooden desk, heavily varnished, with lots of scratches and ink stains over the writing surface. There is nothing on the reading desk. > open it You can't open that. > * phew Comment recorded. > i You're carrying a map, a copper key, a shovel, a cutlass, a pair of bolt cutters, a matchbox, a lantern (providing light), a bottle top, a can and a newspaper article. > drop map Dropped. > s Lounge Room You're in the lounge room. Nautical items cover the walls and take up every available space in the room. There's a wooden door with a copper lock to the north, a huge granite fireplace to the east, a window to the south and an exit to the west. > w Entry Hallway You're in the entry hallway of the captain's house. The age of the house is apparent from the old-style wood panelling on the walls. The threadbare carpet suggests that many generations of the captain's descendants have passed through this stately home. The hall continues to the north. There's a large ornately-carved exit to the east, the front door is to the south and a closet door is to the west. > n Northern End of Hallway You're at the northern end of a gloomy hallway. There are exits to the north, south and west and a grandiose archway to the northwest. There's also a winding staircase leading up to the first floor. > n Kitchen You're in a kitchen with white-washed walls and a granite floor. The room is completely empty of food and utensils. There are exits to the south and west. There's also a hidden door in the east wall. You can see a notice board and an oven here. > e Pantry You're in the dim light of a musty pantry. The light is brighter through the door to the west. The pantry looks to be empty, apart from the shelving around the walls. The north shelf is slid open to reveal a passage leading down into darkness. You can see some shelving here. > d Cellar You're in a dank cellar surrounded by rack upon rack of dust-covered wine bottles. You can go up to leave the cellar, or there's another exit in the darkness to the east. You can see a collapsed wine rack and some broken bottles here. > e Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the west and northeast. In the dim light, you can also see a hole in the ceiling, but it's way out of your reach. > ne Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the north, northeast and southwest. > n Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the south, east and southeast. There's a hole in the ground here, with a spur of rock jutting out from the wall above it. There's also a glimmer of light coming from an opening in the ceiling, but it's way out of your reach. You can see a rope tied to the spur here. > d You enter the hole and climb down the rope until you finally touch firm ground. Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the north and a small hole overhead. You can see the end of a rope here. > n Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the south. You can see a trapdoor in the ceiling overhead. A faint beam of light pierces the gloom from the open trapdoor. > u Rustic Hut You're in a rustic hut. There's a trapdoor in one corner of the dirt floor and an opening to the west. You can see tree branches swaying in the breeze outside the opening. > w Timber Stockade You're in a timber stockade that circles a small rustic hut. The entrance to the hut is to the east and the stockade continues around the hut to the northeast and southeast. The stockade wall is slightly lower here. Although you can't climb over it, you can see tree branches to the west and, beyond that, a glistening expanse of ocean. > ne Timber Stockade You're in the enclosure formed by a timber stockade. There's a small rustic hut to the south and the stockade continues to the southeast and southwest. You can't see the entrance to the hut from here, but the gate that allows entry to the stockade is to the east. > e Damp Path You're on a damp path that leads through a forest. The path continues to the northwest and southeast, a short distance from a timber stockade. The gate to the stockade is to the west. Thick vegetation blocks the other directions. > se Forest You're in a dark damp forest. The main path goes to the northwest and east with a lesser-used path to the south. > se You can't go that way. > e Northern Beach You're at the northern end of a beach on the eastern side of the island. The beach continues to the south and a path heads off to the west. There's also a lagoon to the northwest. > nw Lagoon You're wading in a small lagoon surrounded by a tangle of undergrowth and reeds that prevent access to the shore. The only way out of the lagoon is to the southeast. You can also climb aboard the wreck of an old sailing ship that's partially submerged to the east of the lagoon. > e Deck You're on the deck of a wrecked sailing ship. The mast, sail and rigging are all long gone. The only exit is down into the interior of the ship or you can jump overboard towards the west. > d Ship's Galley You're in the ship's galley. There's nothing salvageable here. The only exits are up and down and there's an opening to the east. You can see a barrel here. > e Captain's Cabin You're in the captain's cabin. Most of the furnishings are long gone. The only exit is to the west. You can see a brass key and a writing desk here. In the drawer you can see a book. > takebook That's not a verb I recognise. > take book Taken. > x it It's an old leather-bound book that's currently open, allowing you to see that the pages are water-damaged, but they're still legible. > w Ship's Galley You're in the ship's galley. There's nothing salvageable here. The only exits are up and down and there's an opening to the east. You can see a barrel here. > u Deck You're on the deck of a wrecked sailing ship. The mast, sail and rigging are all long gone. The only exit is down into the interior of the ship or you can jump overboard towards the west. > read book It's the poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. You recall that the first part of the poem recounts a mariner's harrowing sea voyage through a storm. When an albatross appears, the mariner shoots it and the storm clears, but the mariner is subsequently cursed for his cruelty to wildlife. > g It's the poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. You recall that the first part of the poem recounts a mariner's harrowing sea voyage through a storm. When an albatross appears, the mariner shoots it and the storm clears, but the mariner is subsequently cursed for his cruelty to wildlife. > w Lagoon You're wading in a small lagoon surrounded by a tangle of undergrowth and reeds that prevent access to the shore. The only way out of the lagoon is to the southeast. You can also climb aboard the wreck of an old sailing ship that's partially submerged to the east of the lagoon. > se Northern Beach You're at the northern end of a beach on the eastern side of the island. The beach continues to the south and a path heads off to the west. There's also a lagoon to the northwest. > w Forest You're in a dark damp forest. The main path goes to the northwest and east with a lesser-used path to the south. > nw Damp Path You're on a damp path that leads through a forest. The path continues to the northwest and southeast, a short distance from a timber stockade. The gate to the stockade is to the west. Thick vegetation blocks the other directions. > nw Cliff Top The path from the southeast stops at a cliff top at the northern edge of the island. You can't go any further unless you clamber down the rocks. > nw You can't go that way. > d Sandy Beach You're on a small sandy beach at the northern end of the island. There are no obvious exits from here, although there appears to be a cave to the south amongst the rocks at the bottom of the cliff. Other than that, you can climb up the cliff. > s Sandy Cave You're in a small cave in the base of the cliff. The floor of the cave is full of sand. The only way out of the cave is to the north, although there's also the hidden passage that you exposed in the back of the cave. You can go down there if you're feeling game. You can see a hidden passage here. > d Wheeee! You slide down the slippery passage and come to a crashing halt at the bottom. It doesn't feel like anything's broken, but you won't be returning that way. Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the south, east and southeast. There's a hole in the ground here, with a spur of rock jutting out from the wall above it. There's also a glimmer of light coming from an opening in the ceiling, but it's way out of your reach. You can see a rope tied to the spur here. > s Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the north, northeast and southwest. > sw Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the west and northeast. In the dim light, you can also see a hole in the ceiling, but it's way out of your reach. > w Cellar You're in a dank cellar surrounded by rack upon rack of dust-covered wine bottles. You can go up to leave the cellar, or there's another exit in the darkness to the east. You can see a collapsed wine rack and some broken bottles here. > u Pantry You're in the dim light of a musty pantry. The light is brighter through the door to the west. The pantry looks to be empty, apart from the shelving around the walls. The north shelf is slid open to reveal a passage leading down into darkness. You can see some shelving here. > w Kitchen You're in a kitchen with white-washed walls and a granite floor. The room is completely empty of food and utensils. There are exits to the south and west. There's also a hidden door in the east wall. You can see a notice board and an oven here. > s Northern End of Hallway You're at the northern end of a gloomy hallway. There are exits to the north, south and west and a grandiose archway to the northwest. There's also a winding staircase leading up to the first floor. > s Entry Hallway You're in the entry hallway of the captain's house. The age of the house is apparent from the old-style wood panelling on the walls. The threadbare carpet suggests that many generations of the captain's descendants have passed through this stately home. The hall continues to the north. There's a large ornately-carved exit to the east, the front door is to the south and a closet door is to the west. > e Lounge Room You're in the lounge room. Nautical items cover the walls and take up every available space in the room. There's a wooden door with a copper lock to the north, a huge granite fireplace to the east, a window to the south and an exit to the west. > n Library You're in the library of the captain's mansion. It has a nostalgic air about it. The north wall is occupied by a large bookcase and a wooden door with a copper lock is located to the south. You can see a map, a reading desk and a chair here. > put book inslot You can't see any such thing. > put book in slot You hear a sharp click as you slide the book home. This is followed by the sound of locks turning in the vicinity of the door. The room suddenly lurches and you feel as though you're descending. The light gets dimmer and you jerk to a halt. > l Library You're in the library of the captain's mansion. It has a nostalgic air about it. The north wall is occupied by a large bookcase and a wooden door with a gold lock is located to the south. You can see a map, a reading desk and a chair here. In the bookcase you can see a book. > read book It's the poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. You recall that the first part of the poem recounts a mariner's harrowing sea voyage through a storm. When an albatross appears, the mariner shoots it and the storm clears, but the mariner is subsequently cursed for his cruelty to wildlife. > x lock As it's a gold lock, it probably takes a gold key. > i You're carrying a copper key, a shovel, a cutlass, a pair of bolt cutters, a matchbox, a lantern (providing light), a bottle top, a can and a newspaper article. > * hrmmm... Comment recorded. > hint Have you noticed the differences in the room? You haven't read the gold plaque yet. > l Library You're in the library of the captain's mansion. It has a nostalgic air about it. The north wall is occupied by a large bookcase and a wooden door with a gold lock is located to the south. You can see a map, a reading desk and a chair here. In the bookcase you can see a book. > * n, haven't noticed the gold plaque.. Comment recorded. > x door It's a solid wooden door adorned with a porthole and a gold lock. There's a gold plaque below the porthole on the inside of the door. > x plaque The gold plaque is affixed to the inside of the door. It has some fancy lettering engraved on it. If you squint, you should be able to read it. > read it It says, 'The sailor's riddle: Afore it or against it, be it fair or foul, a sailor's life is one of misery without it. What am I?' > say wind "Wind." A portion of the bookcase slowly slides to one side revealing a small entrance into the wall. Without warning, a strong down-draught sucks the book out of the bookcase, the room jerks upwards and you fall into the opening. You feel yourself sliding down a chute and land heavily at the bottom. Small Cave You're in a small cave with a very high roof that disappears into the darkness above you. It's very dark, but you can make out a hook on one wall of the cave. The only exit is a chute leading downward into more darkness. On the hook you can see a gold key. > x hook It's a solid iron hook, somewhat like a meat hook. On the hook is a gold key. > x key Do you mean the copper key or the gold key? > gold It looks like the key to a door or piece of furniture. > take it Taken. > d Wheee! You slide down the chute, then fall down a long drop and land on your bum. Ouch! Dank Tunnel You're in a dank and odorous tunnel, where the sound of dripping water echoes through the passages. A hand-hewn path disappears into the gloom to the west and northeast. In the dim light, you can also see a hole in the ceiling, but it's way out of your reach. > w Cellar You're in a dank cellar surrounded by rack upon rack of dust-covered wine bottles. You can go up to leave the cellar, or there's another exit in the darkness to the east. You can see a collapsed wine rack and some broken bottles here. > u Pantry You're in the dim light of a musty pantry. The light is brighter through the door to the west. The pantry looks to be empty, apart from the shelving around the walls. The north shelf is slid open to reveal a passage leading down into darkness. You can see some shelving here. > w Kitchen You're in a kitchen with white-washed walls and a granite floor. The room is completely empty of food and utensils. There are exits to the south and west. There's also a hidden door in the east wall. You can see a notice board and an oven here. > s Northern End of Hallway You're at the northern end of a gloomy hallway. There are exits to the north, south and west and a grandiose archway to the northwest. There's also a winding staircase leading up to the first floor. > s Entry Hallway You're in the entry hallway of the captain's house. The age of the house is apparent from the old-style wood panelling on the walls. The threadbare carpet suggests that many generations of the captain's descendants have passed through this stately home. The hall continues to the north. There's a large ornately-carved exit to the east, the front door is to the south and a closet door is to the west. > e Lounge Room You're in the lounge room. Nautical items cover the walls and take up every available space in the room. There's a wooden door with a copper lock to the north, a huge granite fireplace to the east, a window to the south and an exit to the west. > n Library You're in the library of the captain's mansion. It has a nostalgic air about it. The north wall is occupied by a large bookcase and a wooden door with a copper lock is located to the south. You can see a book, a map, a reading desk and a chair here. > n You can't go that way. > d You can't go that way. > n You can't go that way. > put book in slot You hear a sharp click as you slide the book home. This is followed by the sound of locks turning in the vicinity of the door. The room suddenly lurches and you feel as though you're descending. The light gets dimmer and you jerk to a halt. > unlock gold You can't unlock that. > l Library You're in the library of the captain's mansion. It has a nostalgic air about it. The north wall is occupied by a large bookcase and a wooden door with a gold lock is located to the south. You can see a map, a reading desk and a chair here. In the bookcase you can see a book. > unlock door with gold You unlock the wooden door. > n You can't go that way. > open door You open the wooden door. > n You can't go that way. > s Secret Room You have found the captain's secret hideout. The only way out of here is the door to the north. A message has been carved on one of the walls. You can see a chest here. > x message It looks like it was carved into the wall hundreds of years ago. You should try reading it. > read it The message says, 'Ye salty sea-dog! I have no doubt that ye be a cunning and untiring treasure hunter. By ye reading this message, it's certain that I be shark bait by now. If ye be my reaper, then may ye be butchered by my buccaneers. If not, ye have my respect and my booty. It won't be doing me no good no more.' > x chest It's a very old wooden chest with tarnished brass bands for reinforcement. It looks like it's hundreds of years old, so this must surely be the dead man's chest. You can't see inside, since the chest is closed. > open it You open the chest, revealing Captain Cutter's treasure. > x treasure There are treasures beyond your wildest dreams. Gold and silver, diamonds and gems, pearls and trinkets from foreign lands. And dubloons, lots of dubloons! > take it There's far too much to carry in one go, so you take what you can, with plans to return later. On reflection, you realise that this all makes sense. Captain Cutter had no doubt hidden out in the timber stockade on the island offshore. At some point, he must have used his booty to buy or build the mansion, then constructed the devious escape route through the tunnels to get to the island if he needed to escape. His plan was ingenious and it's not surprising that the family never found the secret room with his treasure. But you did! There's just one question that remains unanswered. What on Earth happened in the mansion to explain all the dead bodies? Congratulations on finding the dead man's chest. We'll leave the unanswered question for someone else to solve. *** You have won *** Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move or QUIT?