The transcript will be saved to the file. Type SCRIPT OFF to discontinue scripting. >about Captivity is copyright (c) 2020 by Jim Aikin. You may distribute this game freely, but may not make derivative works. Captivity sprang from the idle mind of Jim Aikin. It was written using the muscular TADS 3 programming language created by Michael J. Roberts and the streamlined adv3Lite library created by Eric Eve. Thanks to Eric for supplying a couple of library tweaks and to RealNC for solving a problem with the web- browser-hosted version. Thanks also, and especially, to dedicated testers Marco Alpert, Peter M.J. Gross, Jessica Knoth, Nathan Simpson, Daniel Worm, and JimB for hunting down a plague of pesky bugs! (Shine that gold-tinted spotlight on Nathan and Daniel for a moment, please.) Without the unstinting efforts of the entire testing team, this game would have been a real mess. Bug reports should be emailed to the author at midiguru23@gmail.com. >l In the Tower The room is circular, the walls bare stone. A narrow window with a barred grate is the only source of light or fresh air. The bed is a hopeless lumpy tangle of sheets. A sturdy wooden door in the south wall is the only way out. >i You are wearing a necklace. >x me Your luxuriantly long and curly brown hair is a bit of a tangle, as you haven’t had access to a comb or mirror for days. The hairpins are all lost in the bedsheets by now. You’re wearing a necklace, which you can’t see, though you can feel it around your neck. And the gown you were wearing when the duke kidnapped you. The gown is now wrinkled and a bit whiffy, as the duke didn’t stop to pack your wardrobe. Other than that — well, a bath would be nice, but it’s not your most urgent problem. >x sheets The sheets are not actually tied in knots, just wadded up in a messy, wrinkled way. >take sheets You tried that days ago, feeding them out between the bars of the window. It was no good. The bars are set too close together. >search sheets In the sheets you find a hairpin, which you take. >search bed You see nothing interesting in the sheets. >x bed Flat, narrow, lumpy, and piled with a tangle of sheets. >look under bed Under the bed you see your beaded reticule. >i You are wearing a necklace, and carrying a hairpin. >take reticule You retrieve your beaded reticule from under the bed and strap it over your shoulder, so as to leave your hands free. >wear it You’re already wearing your beaded reticule. >x window A tall, narrow, closely barred aperture, through which an occasional breath of fresh air drifts into your lonely tower room. >look out window Below lies the untended garden, at its border the wickedly spiked wall and, beyond the wall, the dark and ominous forest. Off at an angle in the distance you can see the glimmering expanse of the river. The flatbed ferry is just now docking on the far side, the duke himself (it could be nobody else, with that surly swagger) leading his horse off of the ferry. And ... oh, no! That broad-shouldered young man rushing at the duke with drawn sword: It’s Otiocoso! Come to rescue you! The lime-green doublet, the mop of red hair, and the shocking lack of common sense are easy to recognize even from here. The result of the confrontation is all too predictable, and arrives swiftly. The duke draws his sword, parries poor Coso’s first roundhouse swing, and cuts him down. You’re too far away to hear the duke laughing as he re-sheathes his sword over Coso’s fallen body, mounts his horse, and rides off, but it’s all too easy to imagine. For days now you’ve been hoping your parents would send someone to rescue you. But ... Otiocoso? Either they couldn’t afford to pay anybody better, or the other would-be rescuers had more sense than to agree to confront Duke Esteban. Well, that settles it. If there’s any way to escape from this predicament, you’re going to have to manage it yourself. >look out window The garden, the spiked wall, the forest, the river, and yes, the hounds who were sniffing you the other day are still roving down below. One of them pauses long enough to glare up at your window and bare its teeth. >x walls The stone walls are probably ancient. Impressive masonry, but masonry has never interested you very much. >x me Your luxuriantly long and curly brown hair is a bit of a tangle, as you haven’t had access to a comb or mirror for days. You’re wearing a necklace, which you can’t see, though you can feel it around your neck. And the gown you were wearing when the duke kidnapped you. The gown is now wrinkled and a bit whiffy, as the duke didn’t stop to pack your wardrobe. Other than that — well, a bath would be nice, but it’s not your most urgent problem. >x gown You see no gown here. >x door A very sturdy-looking door. Probably oak. A latch mechanism is set in the usual place. You try rattling the latch lever, but quite apparently the door is locked. >x lock Probably iron, certainly rusted. There’s a lever for opening the door, and a keyhole. No key, unfortunately. >pick lock with hairpin You poke around in the keyhole with the hairpin. This always works in the fairytale books, doesn’t it? After a minute or two of aimless fiddling, you hear and feel a satisfying click. You’re not likely to catch any halibut by fishing around in the keyhole with a hairpin. >open door You open the sturdy wooden door. >exits From here you could go south. Exit Listing can be adjusted with the following commands: EXITS ON – show exits in both the status line and in room descriptions. EXITS OFF – show exits neither in the status line nor in room descriptions. EXITS STATUS – show exits in the status line only. EXITS LOOK – show exits in room descriptions only. EXITS COLOR ON – show unvisited exits in a different colour. EXITS COLOR OFF – don’t show unvisited exits in a different colour. EXITS COLOR RED / BLUE / GREEN / YELLOW – show unvisted exits in the specified colour. >exits color yellow Okay, unvisited exits in the status line will now be shown in yellow. >s At the Top of the Tower Stairs A stairway curves away down the tower here. You can return to the tower room by going through the door to the north. You could probably even lock yourself in again. A depressing idea, but you could do it. >d At the Bottom of the Tower Stairs The stairs curve upward from here into the tower. Passage to the northwest is blocked by the bars of an iron grille. On the wall next to the grille is a large wooden panel into which various figures have been carved. >nw (first trying to open the iron grille) The iron grille is locked. >x panel A lot of inexpert chiseling seems to have gone into this large, decorative wood panel. Distinguishable (more or less) in raised relief are a roaring lion, a prancing unicorn, a sailing ship, a double-bladed axe, a priest offering a benediction, a dragon, a falcon with its talons outstretched to strike, a fountain, a snake, a violin, and a flaming torch. >x nw You see no nw here. >look through grille The entry hall is large and rather unappealing. Bars of afternoon sunlight shine down through the dusty air from a couple of windows up near the very high ceiling. Standing next to the far wall is the inevitable suit of armor, above which hangs a banner displaying Duke Esteban’s heraldic emblems. >x banner The banner is emblazoned with the duke’s depressing but probably fitting heraldic emblems: a striking falcon, a fork-tongued snake, and a double-headed axe. >push falcon The carving depresses slightly into the panel with a soft 'click,’ but nothing obvious happens. >push snake The carving depresses slightly into the panel with a soft 'click,’ but nothing obvious happens. >push axe As you press the axe, the iron grille clanks softly and swings open an inch or two. Ah, freedom! Or at least, more freedom than you had a few minutes ago. >nw South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >save Saved. >s (first trying to open the front door) The front door is locked. >unlock door You don’t have the key. >x lock You see no lock here. >w Front Parlor This sitting room is too large to qualify as cozy, but it’s well appointed with chairs, little tables, and assorted knicknacks. Next to the rocking chair is a table on which is arrayed a variety of items, doubtless the possessions of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda. The doorway back to the entry hall is to the east. The dowager duchess is seated in the rocking chair, an embroidery hoop in her lap. On the little square table you see some balls of brightly colored thread and a little enamel box. The duchess holds up her embroidery hoop in order to examine the stitching. >x chair Wicker-work back and seat, what you can see of them, which is not much with the duchess and her gown spread across the chair. The dowager duchess is seated in the rocking chair, an embroidery hoop in her lap. The duchess rocks forward and back gently in the chair. >x table A little square table topped with a doily. On the little square table you see some balls of brightly colored thread and a little enamel box. The duchess smiles at you vaguely. >x duchess A stout and surprisingly pleasant old lady — surprising given her son’s creepy tendencies — with a brittle mop of unconvincing red hair whose gray roots and stray straggling strands are easily to be seen. She’s wearing a long purple gown trimmed with white lace. She’s seated in her favorite rocking chair, placidly stitching embroidery. >x gown You see no gown here. >x box A design of blue and green lumpy blobs on a black background decorates the hinged lid of the little enamel box. On close inspection, the blobs may be crudely illustrated sheep. >take all Dowager Duchess Dorolinda won’t let you have the embroidery hoop while it’s in her possession. little enamel box: Your hand strays slowly toward the enamel box, but the duchess fixes you with an unpleasant glare, and you desist. balls of brightly colored thread: The dowager duchess could hardly fail to notice if you were to try pilfering her embroidery thread. The duchess coughs a bit, and dabs at her mouth with a handkerchief. >ask duchess about box “Oh, that.” She sighs rather theatrically. “I suffer terribly from insomnia, you see. Some nights I don’t sleep a wink, not so much as a wink! I beseeched Porfiru — such a clever young man! — to whip up a sleeping powder for me, something that would put me straight to sleep and keep me there all night long. That’s what’s in the box.” She sighs again. “Sometimes I do wonder about his competence. For a few weeks the sleeping powder worked well enough, but now it hardly works at all. I can stir it into two dozen cups of tea immediately after supper, and I’m as fresh as a daisy right through until dawn.” >x balls Yellow, pink, mauve, violet — it’s quite a rainbow. >search balls You see nothing interesting in the balls of brightly colored thread. >talk to duchess You are already talking to Dowager Duchess Dorolinda. (You could ask her about embroidery, the cook, herself or the duke) The duchess coughs a bit, and dabs at her mouth with a handkerchief. >ask duchess about herself “I’ve lived a long and difficult life,” she says. “Perhaps that’s why I no longer sleep as soundly as I did when I was younger. Life is easier nowadays. I’m content to just sit and do my needlework.” She holds up the embroidery hoop for you to admire. >ask duchess about cook “I do wish my son would get rid of her and find another cook,” the dowager duchess says. “She undercooks everything, even the salads, if you can believe that. I’m told she’s perfectly phobic about fire. She keeps matches somewhere or other about the kitchen, but she hides them. From herself as well as from others, I daresay.” >ask duchess about duke “Tell me honestly,” you say. “What do you think of your son’s behavior?” “Oh, it’s just a phase he’s going through,” the dowager duchess replies. >ask duchess about embroidery “Do you like it? I feel I have quite a gift! Not everyone agrees, I’m sad to say. But you’re cut from a different cloth, I sense that. You may offer a gentle compliment on my work whenever you should wish to.” >compliment embroidery You offer a few words of lukewarm praise for Dowager Duchess Dorolinda’s dreadful embroidery. Your seemingly innocent comment has a rather surprising result. “Oh, you’re so very kind!” she gushes. “I know you’d like to see more of my work. Just stay where you are for half a tick ... I’ll go fetch a few of my nicer pieces for you to see!” She heaves herself out of the rocking chair (which squeaks in gratitude as it’s unburdened), gathers her voluminous skirts about her, and trots out of the parlor. >take box Deftly you snatch the little enamel box and tuck it into your reticule. >l Front Parlor This sitting room is too large to qualify as cozy, but it’s well appointed with chairs, little tables, and assorted knicknacks. Next to the rocking chair is a table on which is arrayed a variety of items, doubtless the possessions of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda. The doorway back to the entry hall is to the east. On the little square table you see some balls of brightly colored thread. >take balls The dowager duchess could hardly fail to notice if you were to try pilfering her embroidery thread. >search chair You find nothing of interest on the rocking chair. >look under chair You find nothing of interest under the rocking chair. The dowager duchess returns to the parlor, bearing so many pieces of embroidery, framed and unframed, that they keep falling from her hands as she crosses the room, forcing her to stop and stoop to retrieve them with a series of dismayed grunts. You take pity on her and help a bit, and at last she’s settled again in her rocker. She spends the next ten minutes boring you nearly to tears by showing off one criminally inept bit of embroidery after another. >look under table Dust. Nothing but dust. The duchess smiles at you vaguely. >e South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >save Saved. >n As you come down the hall, Thibon saunters in and plunks himself down on the stairs. He grins at you in a nasty way and starts cleaning his nails with a small dagger. “Hi there, cutie,” he says. “I thought you was locked up. Well, no matter. You won’t go far.” North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. Thibon is lounging at the foot of the stairs, grinning at you unsympathetically. >x thibon A sly smile, a pale oily complexion, thick rubbery lips, and a shock of pale, unkempt hair. His handsome, almost foppish clothes being altogether too stylish and well-cut for a servant, it’s a good guess Thibon enjoys a special status within the household. He’s cleaning his fingernails with a small dagger. Thibon flips his dagger up in the air, catches it, and laughs. >take dagger Thibon won’t let you have the dagger while it’s in his possession. >x armor Tarnished, but there’s gleaming metal plate between the spots of rust. The armor is a bit dented here and there, as if it might actually have been worn in combat. In its right gloved hand it bears an upright pike longer than the armor is tall. Thibon says, “You still here?” >x banner The banner, which you saw from down there behind the grille, is graced (if that’s the right word) with a heraldic design depicting a striking falcon, a fork-tongued snake, and a double-bladed axe. Thibon winks at you. >talk to thibon You are already talking to Thibon. (You could ask him about the dogs, the necklace, the wizard, his ring, the duchess or himself) >take all Thibon won’t let you have the dagger while it’s in his possession. You take the little enamel box. Thibon hums a little tune. >ask thibon about dogs “They’re good dogs,” he says, nodding firmly. “Easy to train, and they’ll go after you as soon as look at you, once they been trained to your scent. I train 'em, that’s part o’ my job.” >ask thibon about necklace “I’m curious,” you venture. “Can you tell me anything about this necklace?” Thibon chuckles. “I told him it wasn’t like he needed it on you. The dogs won’t let you go anywhere, and if the dogs don’t stop you it’s not like you’ll be climbin’ over the wall. Me, I think he just wanted the wizard to feel like he was earnin’ his keep. But a little extra precautionary embellishment couldn’t hurt nothin’, I reckon. Besides, it looks good on you.” >ask thibon about wizard “What can you tell me about the wizard?” you ask. “Not much. Got a trick or two up his sleeve, I guess. Thinks he’s a lady’s man, and that’s a laugh. I seen him combin’ his mustache lookin’ in a little hand mirror he’s got. I like to bust out laughin’!” >ask thibon about ring “Did you mention you lost a ruby ring?” you ask. “Or did someone else tell me that?” “Yeah, you heard right,” he replies. “If you happen to find it, you bring it straight back to me, you hear?” >ask thibon about duke “He don’t let nobody nor nothin’ get in his way,” Thibon says. “Not so many men you can say that about.” >ask thibon about duchess “Her? I got no opinion one way or the other. Sometimes I hear her walkin’ around the house all through the night. The wizard gave her some kind of sleeping powder, but I don’t guess it works too good.” >ask thibon about cook “You’re a lot gabbier than the last girl,” he tells you. “And don’t bother askin’ about her. I won’t say one word.” >ask thibon about himself “Me? I do little odd jobs for the duke. Don’t ask me for no special favors. I’m not about to cross him. Still, I can be nice to you or not so nice. I lost my ring, a few days back. It’s a pip — got a ruby in it. If you find that, bring it to me and I’ll maybe be more kindly disposed.” >take armor The tarnished suit of armor is fixed in place. Thibon rubs his earlobe. >search it You flip up the visor and have a peek down inside the armor, but there’s nothing to see. >x plate You see no plate here. >x helmet You see no helmet here. >x armor Tarnished, but there’s gleaming metal plate between the spots of rust. The armor is a bit dented here and there, as if it might actually have been worn in combat. In its right gloved hand it bears an upright pike longer than the armor is tall. >x pike The pike is long, and the pike’s peak looks grimly businesslike. Thibon says, “You still here?” >take it You can’t have that, it’s part of the tarnished suit of armor. >push armor Pushing the tarnished suit of armor has no effect. Thibon rubs his earlobe. >x glove You see no glove here. >w Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. On the harpsichord you see a sheet of music notation. >take all You take the sheet of music notation. >x sheet The sheet of music notation is large and smudged, but readable. The title at the top of the page suggests that the piece is called “Gaudeamus Igitur.” Your Latin is rusty, but you vaguely recall that this is the name of a bawdy poem. >read it Fortunately, your schooling as a well-born young lady included music lessons. You could probably read the notation well enough to play this tune if you had an instrument to play it on. >x shelves The bookshelves are capacious and stuffed with old-looking books. >search shelves You find nothing of interest on the shelves. >x books The books are numerous, dusty, and not important. >read books The books are not important. >x harpsicord You see no harpsicord here. >x harpsichord The sides of the harpsichord are inlaid with a design of capering satyrs and nymphs, but the inlay is chipped and marred. >play it Your attempt to produce a musical sound from the harpsichord can only be catalogued as a failure. The instrument proves to be in a dreadful state of disrepair. >open it The harpsichord is not something you can open. >search it You find nothing of interest on the harpsichord. >n (first trying to open the rosewood door) The rosewood door is locked. >x door The door is made of well polished rosewood. >x lock You see no lock here. >knock door You tap lightly on the rosewood door, with no obvious result. >e North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. Thibon is lounging at the foot of the stairs, grinning at you unsympathetically. Thibon flips his dagger up in the air, catches it, and laughs. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The old ferryman is leaned back against the wall in a straight chair, smoking a long-stemmed pipe. He spies you as you enter, and his keen old eyes mix sympathy with mischief. “Ah, the young miss,” he says. “D’ye know about the lad come to rescue you?” You nod sadly. The ferryman presses his lips together and shakes his head. “Struck down by Duke Esteban, he was. Not dead, the pitiful young fool, though fearful bloodied about the head. No sooner had the duke rid off than two men from the village come and hoisted him up, and he limped away between them. Said they’d take him to the hostel at the monastery for his wounds to be bound. Don’t reckon we’ll be seein’ any more of him.” The ferryman strikes a match to re-light his pipe. The cook glares at him. The cook stirs something in a bowl. >take all Gorlick won’t let you have the long-stemmed pipe while it’s in his possession. wooden platter: The cook scowls at you. “That meat is for the master’s supper. Don’t you be messin’ with it, now.” wooden platter: The cook scowls at you. “That meat is for the master’s supper. Don’t you be messin’ with it, now.” You take the bowl of cherries. >x cherries You see no cherries here. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying a little enamel box, a sheet of music notation, and a hairpin. The ferryman scratches his grizzled beard. The cook lifts a cloth to gaze at a lump of dough. >x cook As round and flour-streaked as an unbaked butterball. She’s busy in the kitchen, doing mostly what you’d expect a cook to do. The cook methodically slices some vegetables. >x ferryman Lean and bony, with a sharp eye, a patchy beard, and a bald, mottled scalp. When the duke dragged you off here, he had to bring you across the river in the old man’s boat. You heard him call the old man Gorlick. He’s smoking a long- stemmed pipe. >x bowl It’s a very ordinary bowl. The ferryman puffs contentedly on his pipe. >take it The bowl is not important. The ferryman says to the cook, “You got anything special cooked up for me, sweet pea?” The cook opens the back door to stare out and then closes it again. >x meat You see no meat here. >x plate You see no plate here. >x wooden It’s probably leaky, but at the moment it’s dry inside. >x platter You see no platter here. >take all Gorlick won’t let you have the long-stemmed pipe while it’s in his possession. wooden platter: The cook scowls at you. “That meat is for the master’s supper. Don’t you be messin’ with it, now.” wooden platter: The cook scowls at you. “That meat is for the master’s supper. Don’t you be messin’ with it, now.” >x wooden platter You see no wooden platter here. >l Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The old ferryman is leaned back against the wall in a straight chair, smoking a long-stemmed pipe. The cook opens the back door to stare out and then closes it again. >x cabinets The cabinets are mounted on the wall. The ferryman puffs contentedly on his pipe. >open cabinets You open the cabinets. >x cabinets The cabinets are mounted on the wall. The ferryman scratches his grizzled beard. The cook stirs something in a bowl. >search cabinets You see nothing interesting in the cabinets. The ferryman strikes a match to re-light his pipe. The cook glares at him. The cook methodically slices some vegetables. >talk to ferryman You now have Gorlick’s attention. (You could ask him about the cook, the hurdy-gurdy or the dogs) >ask about cook “Aw, she’s sweet. Don’t let her hear me sayin’ that, though!” He pauses to guffaw, and winks at the cook to make sure she heard him. “Only thing about sweet Bibbidgy you got to know, she don’t like rats, and she don’t like fire. How she come to be a cook I couldn’t rightly say. Cook’s got to be around a stove all day long, don’t she, and how is the stove goin’ to stove if it ain’t got a fire in it? Well, that ain’t none o’ my concern, is it?” He pauses for a moment to inspect the bowl of his pipe. “Rats, though, she’ll hunt down a rat all day long if she even hears one scuttlin’ around. Ain’t that right, sweet pea?” Bibbidgy nods firmly. “I will, too. Knock their little brains out, count on it.” >ask about hurdy-gurdy “Ah, me gurdy! The duke said he couldn’t stand hearin’ me play a tune on it. Not too musical, the duke, if you was to ask me. But who’s to say? Bibbidgy tells me he ain’t smashed it, and I’d be sorrowful to learn he did. No, he’s got it up in his room tryin’ to play it, at night when he thinks there’s nobody to hear. Well, I wouldn’t mind havin’ it back, but life goes on, you know. Truth be told, I warn’t too fleet-fingered on it meself.” >x hurdy-gurdy You see no hurdy-gurdy here. >ask about dogs “The dogs seem awfully ferocious,” you observe. “They are that, right enough,” the ferryman replies. “Thibon, he’s got 'em trained up. Any time they’re awake, they’re mean — and hungry, too.” The cook lifts a cloth to gaze at a lump of dough. >x dough It’s just a lump of dough. >talk to cook You now have Bibbidgy’s attention. (You could ask her about matches, the wizard, the dogs, rats or the ferryman) The ferryman says to the cook, “You got anything special cooked up for me, sweet pea?” >ask about matches “You wouldn’t happen to know where I could find some matches,” you venture. Bibbidgy curls her lip. “Nasty things, matches. Never use 'em.” >ask about wizard “What can you tell me about the wizard?” you inquire. “Ah, that one.” Bibbidgy smacks her lips. “A sight too fond of the ladies, I’d say. He’s even been pestering Ulia, not that she’d ever let a man touch her. Hasn’t tried to get fresh with me — he knows I’d sooner brain him with a rolling pin than let him into my knickers. But if you want to get on his good side, you could try being friendly. Give him a little kiss, you know, nothing more than that.” The ferryman puffs contentedly on his pipe. >ask about ulia “Them as knows more about that is who you ought to talk to,” she says. “Me, I’m just the cook.” >ask about duchess “Me, I don’t pay no mind to nothin’ but my kitchen,” she informs you. >ask about duke “He’s not so bad as all that,” the cook assures you. “Not once you get used to him, I mean.” The ferryman says to the cook, “You got anything special cooked up for me, sweet pea?” >ask about dogs “The dogs don’t like me” you say. “They don’t like nobody,” the cook replies. “Only Thibon. He trains 'em up. You might try bein’ nice to 'em. I doubt it will work, but it could hardly hurt to try.” The ferryman scratches his grizzled beard. >ask about rats “Somebody was saying there are rats in the house,” you say. “Is that true?” Bibbidgy shudders. “Better not be,” she says firmly. “You see any, or even hear 'em, you tell me.” The ferryman strikes a match to re-light his pipe. The cook glares at him. >ask about ferryman “That old man? I got no use for him at all, but I let him come around so as to pass the time. Used to bring his hurdy-gurdy up here to play me a tune, only the duke, God bless him, took the hurdy-gurdy away from him. Claimed it was account of he couldn’t stand the sound, but then afterward I heard him up there in his room tryin’ to puzzle out a tune on hit hisself. Me, I think the duke was just jealous somebody could do somethin’ better’n he could. Gorlick moped for a spell after the hurdy-gurdy was gone—” “I never!” the old man insists. “But he got over it, mostly.” >ask ferryman about duke “I used to know about that,” he says. “Or mebbe not.” The cook opens the back door to stare out and then closes it again. >n As you appear in the doorway, the dogs rush toward you, baying furiously! They bare their teeth and lunge at you! There are only three of them, but that’s about five too many. You slam the door hurriedly. >e Pantry This small storage room is well filled with both shelves and odors. The kitchen is to the west. From somewhere nearby you hear something squeaking. >listen The scrabbling, squeaking noises are quiet, but they suggest strongly that the pantry is the happy hunting ground of some rats. >search shelves You find nothing of interest on the well-stocked shelves. >smell The odors in the pantry are varied. >w Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. On the work table you see a wooden platter. On the wooden platter you see some raw steaks. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. Gorlick is standing by the door. “Got to be goin’,” he says to Bibbidgy. “Barnacles to scrape an’ whatnot. As for you, little lady,” he says, turning to you with a wink, “mayhap you can find your own way out o’ the fine mess you’re in. Me, I can’t help you none. I don’t dare.” The dogs yammer and yap as he opens the door and slips out. The cook methodically slices some vegetables. >x steaks Thick, juicy chunks of red meat, lightly marbled with veins of fat. >take steaks The cook scowls at you. “That meat is for the master’s supper. Don’t you be messin’ with it, now.” The cook stirs something in a bowl. >tell cook about rats “I thought I heard a rat in the pantry,” you tell the cook. “Ah, not again! Thank you for tellin’ me!” She grabs a hefty frying pan and stalks into the pantry. From within, you hear her cry, “Come out, little rattie! Come out and meet mama! Here, rattie, rattie!” >take box You’re already holding the little enamel box. >open it Opening the little enamel box reveals some white powder. >put powder on steaks You sprinkle a hefty dose of the white powder onto the steaks. >close box Done. >put it in reticule You put the little enamel box in your beaded reticule. >take all You’re already holding the wooden platter. You take the wooden platter and the little enamel box. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying a bowl of cherries, a wooden platter (on which are some raw steaks), a little enamel box, a sheet of music notation, and a hairpin. >open door Opened. >n As the dogs charge toward you, intent on mayhem, you quickly set the wooden platter on the ground and retreat a few steps. They pause to investigate the meat, determine that it’s both edible and tasty, and wolf it down, quarreling with one another for the best bits. Within less than a minute, they’re stretched out on the ground, snoring. Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. You can see a wooden platter here. >take platter You pick up the platter. >x chickens They’re just ordinary chickens. >take chickens The chickens are not important. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >x grave It appears the soil has been spaded up here, and then tamped down again. >dig What do you want to dig in? >grave You poke around gingerly for a minute in the dirt, but find nothing of any interest. The prospect of digging any deeper is not in the least appealing. For one thing, what it would do to your nails. For another, there might actually be something (or someone) buried there, and you’d really much prefer not to know for certain. >x tree The tree sports quite a mass of foliage. There are some stout branches up there. >climb it You scramble up into the tree. On a Tree Branch The spikes at the top of the wall are almost close enough to touch, but they look even nastier than they did from down below. A bird’s nest is tucked into a crook between two branches. In the nest you see a ruby ring. >take ring Taken. >x it A chunky gold band in which is mounted a sparkling blood-colored ruby. >x nest Not surprisingly, the nest is built out of twigs. There’s no bird in evidence at the moment. >take it The nest would only fall to pieces if you tried to pick it up. >e The spikes on the wall would chop you into fillets, or possibly fillet you into chops, if you tried it. >d Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >s Front Yard The afternoon sun attempts to lend an air of cheer to the splendid assortment of weeds and bushes here, but fails. The mass of the manor house is to the north, and the high wall with its metal spikes encloses the yard to the south and west. A gravel path extends from the front door of the house to a gate in the south wall. The yard extends off to the east around the corner of the house. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go north or east. >s You can’t go that way. From here you could go north or east. >x gate The gate looks to be quite impregnable, what with the close-set iron-bound wood beams and the massive padlock. >x padlock The padlock is as big as your head. It’s made of metal, iron at a guess. (Straw is not reputed to be a suitable substance with which to make padlocks.) There’s a keyhole, of course, but you don’t have the key. >pick it The padlock is fixed in place. >pick padlock with hairpin The padlock can’t be picked. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. >x dogs The dogs are sound asleep. >search dogs You see nothing interesting in the sleeping dogs. >eat dogs The sleeping dogs are plainly inedible. >s Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. Standing in the middle of the kitchen with her hands on her hips, the cook frowns in perplexity. “Now where did those steaks get to?” You do your best to look innocent, and it works. She shrugs and says, “Ah, well. I guess Thibon must have run off with 'em. Always playin’ tricks, he is.” >x boots The old boots are cracked, scuffed, and down-at-heel. >search boots You see nothing interesting in the pair of old boots. The cook lifts a cloth to gaze at a lump of dough. >take boots They wouldn’t fit you. >wear boots They wouldn’t fit you. The cook opens the back door to stare out and then closes it again. >x bucket It’s probably leaky, but at the moment it’s dry inside. >take it You’re not thirsty, and anyway nobody has told you where the well is. The cook methodically slices some vegetables. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying a little enamel box, a wooden platter, a ruby ring, a hairpin, a bowl of cherries, and a sheet of music notation. The cook lifts a cloth to gaze at a lump of dough. >d Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >x casks The casks are made of wood, possibly oak, in the usual barrel shape. No spigots, though; they don’t seem to have been tapped. There’s a narrow gap beside the casks through which you might be able to travel a bit further to the north. >search casks You’d have to open the casks to look inside, and then there would be a giant puddle of ale on the floor. Besides, you don’t have an axe. >x shelf The shelf is stacked high with casks. >n Cramped Space The cramped space behind the casks is small and surprisingly warm, but there’s nothing to be seen here. The narrow passage through which you entered is to the south. >n You can’t go that way. From here you could go south. >s Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >u Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The cook stirs something in a bowl. >se Great Dining Hall The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A great stone fireplace dominates the east wall, flanked by windows. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. >x table A massive and well-scarred slab of dark oak. The shortage of chairs suggests that the duke is not in the habit of hosting banquets. Just speculatively, that might be because his neighbors detest him. >search it You find nothing of interest on the dining table. >look under it Dust. Nothing but dust. >x fireplace The fireplace is smoke-blackened and large enough that a whole ox could doubtless be cooked on a spit, if there were a spit (which there isn’t). >search it You see nothing interesting in the great stone fireplace. >enter it You get in the great stone fireplace. >u There are no hand-holds, you’d get awfully dirty, and you’d only end up on the roof. The view from the roof is probably nice, but you don’t have a ladder among your possessions, and even if you did have a ladder you could hardly climb up the flue while carrying it; so getting down from the roof — no, it’s not even worth thinking about. >d (first getting out of the great stone fireplace) You can’t go that way. From here you could go north or west. >x windows The windows are tall, and while they admit a little light they’re so grimy you really can’t see anything through them. >x chandelier Dozens of flame-shaped metal blades festoon the chandelier. Dribbles of candle wax and the protruding stubs of candles suggest that it’s more than merely decorative. A long chain extends diagonally from the rafter above the chandelier down to a hook in the wall directly behind the chair at the head of the table. >x hook The sturdy metal hook appears to be firmly mounted in the north wall. A chain of thick metal links is hooked to the hook and extends upward diagonally to the rafter directly above the chandelier at the head of the table. >take it The hook is fixed in place. >pull it Pulling the hook has no effect. >detach it There isn’t anything from which the hook could be detached. >x chain The thick metal links of the chain suggest that it’s functional rather than decorative. Indeed, gazing upward, you can see that the heavy chandelier that dangles above the head of the dining table is suspended from the chain. >detach chain If you do that, the chandelier will fall straight down. Other than making a loud noise, that would most likely serve no practical purpose at the moment. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >e Pantry This small storage room is well filled with both shelves and odors. The kitchen is to the west. >w Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >se Great Dining Hall The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A great stone fireplace dominates the east wall, flanked by windows. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. >w North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. Thibon is lounging at the foot of the stairs, grinning at you unsympathetically. >u Thibon shakes his head at you and smirks. “Can’t have you just wanderin’ around anywhere, can we, missy? Stuff upstairs I reckon His Dukeness wouldn’t want you messin’ with. Or botherin’ Porfiru. You won’t get in no trouble down here.” >save Saved. >give ring to thibon You show Thibon the ruby ring. “I heard you were looking for this,” you say. He holds out his hand. “Gimme.” You hand him the ring. He inspects it critically and frowns at you. “Where’d you find it?” “It was under the dining room table,” you tell him innocently. “Thought I looked there. Well, never mind. I guess I owe you one, then. See you around.” With that, he dons the ring and wanders away, holding his hand up to admire it. >u North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >w The Chambers of the Dowager Duchess Framed pieces of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda’s embroidery decorate the walls of this floral-scented chamber. Throw-rugs in a variety of colors, fabrics, and weaves are strewn across the floor. The doorway to the upper hall is to the east. A wicker sewing basket sits over near the wall. >search rugs You see nothing interesting in the throw-rugs. >x basket A wicker hamper overflowing with balls of colored thread. >search it In the sewing basket you see some scissors. >take scissors Taken. >take all If you go wandering around with the dowager duchess’s sewing basket, somebody is bound to notice. Better not. >e North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >e As you appear in the doorway carrying the bowl of cherries, Porfiru hops up and comes to bar your way. “No, no,” he says. “You mustn’t come in here with the cherries. Hermione is already becoming rather obese, you see. If I’m not careful about restricting her diet, she may soon be so fat she won’t be able to fly.” You retreat to the hallway, and he returns to his desk. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying a little enamel box, a wooden platter, some scissors, a hairpin, a bowl of cherries, and a sheet of music notation. >put bowl in reticule The bowl of cherries is too big to fit in your beaded reticule. >drop bowl Dropped. >e A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. The wizard is sitting in an armchair at his desk. The wizard looks up into the distant rafters at the top of the room, makes a little clucking noise with his tongue, and smiles. >x brazier The interior of the cup-shaped brass brazier is stained gray and black, as if things are burned in it from time to time. >x shelves The shelves and tables are not important. The wizard says, “You’re really very pretty. I hope you’ll come to like living here.” >x tables The shelves and tables are not important. The wizard doodles pentagrams on a scrap of paper. >x paper You see no paper here. >x pallet Unless you’re planning to sleep with him (and you’re not!), the pallet is of no potential interest to you. The wizard takes a sip of tea. >x desk The desk is large and cluttered. Mounted on one corner is a small brass brazier, and a drawer is mounted beneath the desk. Near the wizard’s elbow is his gently steaming teacup. >search it You find nothing of interest on the wizard’s desk. >open drawer “No, no,” the wizard says. “Mustn’t go fiddling about in my desk.” >take all Porfiru won’t let you have the wire-rimmed spectacles while they’re in his possession. cup of tea: You’re not actually all that thirsty. Anyway, Porfiru would never let you. >x wizard Porfiru is a smallish, mild-looking man. He’s not wearing a pointy wizard hat or a purple robe decorated with arcane symbols, more’s the pity. The bushy mustache attempts to imbue his face with gravitas, but the effect is undercut by the spectacles that have slid halfway down his nose. The implements of his wizardly craft are arrayed before him on the desk. The wizard sharpens his quill pen with a little penknife. >talk to wizard You are already talking to Porfiru. (You could ask him about Hermione, himself, the necklace or magic) >ask about hermione “This ... Hermione...??” you ask hesitantly. Porfiru nods happily. “She’s quite harmless, I assure you. She’s a fruit bat, not one of the awful blood-sucking kind.” A bat, you find yourself thinking. He has a pet bat. >ask about himself “Me? Well, I suppose I have a certain measure of talent in the sorcerous area.” He pauses to primp his mustache. “And I don’t mind confessing I’m quite fond of the young ladies.” He leans toward you conspiratorially, and winks. “If you promise not to tell anyone, you may give me a little kiss when we’re alone, heh-heh. Duke Esteban has promised that if all goes well, he will soon see to it that I’m provided a — ah, er, I suppose I needn’t go into that.” >ask about necklace “I’m wondering if possibly I could convince you to take off the necklace now,” you tell Porfiru. “It’s kind of uncomfortable, and really you can trust me! I promise to be nice.” He chuckles in a kindly way. “Oh, no, I don’t think so. Removing it would require quite an elaborate spell. I’m proud of the spell, if I do say so. Here, let me show you.” He whistles in a peculiar high-pitched way — and within moments a large bat flutters down from the ceiling! The bat settles on the desk and folds its wings, and the wizard strokes its head fondly. “Hello, Hermione. How are we feeling this afternoon, eh?” The bat squeaks, though whether that’s a reply or just a thing bats do, you have no notion. Hanging around the bat’s neck on a slim purple ribbon is a small silver key. The wizard deftly slips the ribbon over the bat’s head and unlocks his desk drawer with the key. From the drawer he brings out a somewhat tattered parchment scroll. “Here, you see? This tells how to remove the necklace.” Curiously, the scroll appears to be blank. He says it tells how to remove the necklace, but you can’t see any writing on it at all. He puts the scroll back into the drawer, closes and locks the drawer, and loops the purple ribbon once more around the neck of the bat. The bat flutters upward, back toward the dim and distant ceiling. >talk to wizard You are already talking to Porfiru. (You could ask him about the necklace or magic) >ask about magic “I’m sure you’re a powerful wizard,” you tell him. “What can you tell me about magic?” “Oh, I’m sure magic wouldn’t interest you,” he says condescendingly. “You’re only a girl. But yes, I’ve devoted many long years to the study of the art. Writing in invisible ink, for instance. I always write out my most potent spells in invisible ink, to protect them from prying eyes.” >ask about necklace “So it’s really a magic necklace?” you ask. “I mean, it really will kill me if I go past the wall? Aren’t those nasty sharp spikes on the wall enough to keep me here?” “It’s quite deadly, I assure you,” he replies. “But that needn’t concern you, as far as I can see. You’re not planning to leave, are you?” He chuckles indulgently. >save Saved. >kiss wizard You plant a gentle maidenly kiss on the wizard’s cheek. He smiles at you. “Just a moment.” He jumps up, trots across the room, and returns with a small hand mirror, which he uses to comb and fluff up his mustache with his fingers. The wizard doodles pentagrams on a scrap of paper. >take mirror As your hand glides toward the mirror, Porfiru says, “Tsk-tsk. Mustn’t touch.” >x mirror It’s just a little hand mirror. >l A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. On the wizard’s desk you see a little hand mirror. The wizard is sitting in an armchair at his desk. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying a little enamel box, a wooden platter, some scissors, a sheet of music notation, and a hairpin. >ask about duke “My patron, Duke Esteban, is a fine man. A bit brusque at times, but he lets nothing stand in his way, and I admire that.” >ask about duchess “A charming older lady, don’t you think?” >x wizard Porfiru is a smallish, mild-looking man. He’s not wearing a pointy wizard hat or a purple robe decorated with arcane symbols, more’s the pity. The bushy mustache attempts to imbue his face with gravitas, but the effect is undercut by the spectacles that have slid halfway down his nose. The implements of his wizardly craft are arrayed before him on the desk. >l A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. On the wizard’s desk you see a little hand mirror. The wizard is sitting in an armchair at his desk. The wizard takes a sip of tea. >kiss wizard Maybe once was enough. You wouldn’t want to offer him too much encouragement. The wizard says, “You’re really very pretty. I hope you’ll come to like living here.” >talk to wizard You are already talking to Porfiru. (You could ask him about the necklace or magic) >ask about magic “No, no, don’t concern your pretty little head with that,” he insists. >ask about necklace “It’s a pretty necklace, one of the dowager duchess’s castoffs. You look quite fetching in it, I think,” he says. >w North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. You can see a bowl of cherries here. >take all You take the bowl of cherries. >s South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >e The Lavatory A basin on a table, a water pitcher next to it, and a large, round, splintery- looking wooden tub are the fixtures here. (Indoor plumbing has not yet been invented.) The door is to the west. >take all There’s nothing suitable for ALL to refer to. >take basin The basin is not important. >take pitcher The water pitcher is not important. >x it The pitcher is empty. >x tub The tub is uninviting. >look inside tub The wooden tub is not important. >x basin The basin is cracked. >w South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >s Duke Esteban’s Bedchamber A sumptuously appointed but somehow garish and tasteless bedroom. Opposite the canopied four-poster bed is a cabinet. Leaning casually against the cabinet is a hurdy-gurdy. The maid is straightening the covers on the bed. When she sees you, she swiftly digs into her satchel and pulls out a pamphlet. “Hello,” she says. “I was reading this this morning and thinking of you. It’s inspirational. I was thinking you might benefit from reading it.” She holds it out to you. >read pamphlet (first taking the religious pamphlet) The descriptions of sin are surprisingly lurid. On the other hand, the means by which one can avoid sinning are vague. “I had a look at your pamphlet,” you admit. “I’m so happy to hear that!” Ulia gushes. “I have lots more holy literature! But first — I know, let’s go to the chapel together and pray! Wouldn’t that be wonderful? I don’t know if you’ve been to the chapel, so just follow me.” She beckons you to follow her out the door of the bedchamber. [Note: For the next few turns, the normal commands that move you from room to room won’t work. In order to travel, you’ll need to 'follow ulia’.] >follow ulia You follow Ulia to the north. South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >follow ulia You follow Ulia to the north. North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. “Let’s hurry to the chapel!” she says. >follow ulia You follow Ulia down. North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. Ulia beckons to you. >follow ulia You follow Ulia to the west. Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. Ulia fidgets as she waits for you to follow her. She retrieves a key from her satchel and unlocks the rosewood door. >follow ulia Ulia opens the rosewood door. You follow Ulia through the rosewood door. Chapel This rather spartan chamber is dominated by a hefty pair of brass candlesticks, between which stands a low altar draped with a cloth. The door is to the south. On the altar you see a cloth sack. “Ah, here we are!” she says, lifting her arms as if to embrace the entire room. >take all Her eyes fly open. “Oh, no, you mustn’t touch the holy cloth pouch!” Ulia won’t let you have the leather satchel while it’s in her possession. >x sack The little cloth sack is brown. >open it Her eyes fly open. “Oh, no, you mustn’t touch the holy cloth pouch!” >search it Her eyes fly open. “Oh, no, you mustn’t touch the holy cloth pouch!” >talk to ulia You are already talking to Ulia. >ask about herself “Perhaps we can speak of that later,” she says. >pray Ulia’s eyes shine with admiration. “Oh, yes — you do understand!” >x candlesticks The candlesticks are tall, but not very interesting. >x altar The altar is really just a low square table draped with a white cloth. On the altar you see a cloth sack. >ask about sack “The pouch was given to me by a traveling monk,” she explains. “It contains a very holy relic — a shoelace from the venerated foot of Saint Giselda.” >ask about shoelace “Holy, holy, holy,” she murmurs. >ask about god Rather than answer, she hums a hymn softly. >x cloth The altar cloth adds a solemn note to the decor. >take it You’re in no need of an enormous handkerchief. >l Chapel This rather spartan chamber is dominated by a hefty pair of brass candlesticks, between which stands a low altar draped with a cloth. The door is to the south. On the altar you see a cloth sack. Ulia is kneeling on the low padded bench, her eyes closed, her hands clasped together, murmuring a prayer. >take sack Her eyes fly open. “Oh, no, you mustn’t touch the holy cloth pouch!” >pray Ulia’s eyes shine with admiration. “Oh, yes — you do understand!” >pray Ulia’s eyes shine with admiration. “Oh, yes — you do understand!” >s Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. >n Chapel This rather spartan chamber is dominated by a hefty pair of brass candlesticks, between which stands a low altar draped with a cloth. The door is to the south. On the altar you see a cloth sack. Ulia is kneeling on the low padded bench, her eyes closed, her hands clasped together, murmuring a prayer. >s Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. >e North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >u North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >s South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >s Duke Esteban’s Bedchamber A sumptuously appointed but somehow garish and tasteless bedroom. Opposite the canopied four-poster bed is a cabinet. Leaning casually against the cabinet is a hurdy-gurdy. >take hurdy-gurdy The hurdy-gurdy can only be played using two hands. You’ll need to drop whatever you’re holding. >put all in reticule your beaded reticule: The sheet of music notation is too big to fit in your beaded reticule. your beaded reticule: The wooden platter is too big to fit in your beaded reticule. your beaded reticule: The bowl of cherries is too big to fit in your beaded reticule. your beaded reticule: The religious pamphlet is too big to fit in your beaded reticule. hurdy-gurdy: (first trying to take the hurdy-gurdy) The hurdy-gurdy can only be played using two hands. You’ll need to drop whatever you’re holding. necklace: (first trying to take off the necklace) You’ve fiddled with the catch about a hundred times, to no avail. And you’re not fumble-fingered or unfamiliar with the donning and doffing of necklaces. No, it’s clear the wizard ensorcelled the darn thing so it won’t come off. You put the hairpin, the little enamel box, and the scissors in your beaded reticule. >drop all necklace: (first trying to take off the necklace) You’ve fiddled with the catch about a hundred times, to no avail. And you’re not fumble-fingered or unfamiliar with the donning and doffing of necklaces. No, it’s clear the wizard ensorcelled the darn thing so it won’t come off. your beaded reticule: (first trying to take off your beaded reticule) Best keep it on for now. It might come in handy. You drop the sheet of music notation, the wooden platter, the bowl of cherries, and the religious pamphlet. >play hurdy-gurdy (first taking the hurdy-gurdy) You turn the crank on the hurdy-gurdy and run through a few notes of a favorite air. >play sheet You pick out, haltingly, the opening notes of “Gaudeamus Igitur.” With a quiet click, the door of the inlaid cabinet springs open! Lying on a shelf in the cabinet is a book. >take book You’re holding the hurdy-gurdy in both hands. You’ll need to set it down before you can pick up anything else. >drop gurdy Dropped. >take all except gurdy She hands you the pamphlet, in the process brushing your hand briefly. Her fingers are damp. “Oh, I’m so happy to share the good news! Do read it!” >l Duke Esteban’s Bedchamber A sumptuously appointed but somehow garish and tasteless bedroom. Opposite the canopied four-poster bed is a cabinet. You can see a hurdy-gurdy here. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying a wooden platter, a sheet of music notation, a bowl of cherries, a religious pamphlet, a well-thumbed book, some scissors, a hairpin, and a little enamel box. >x book The pages of the book are well-thumbed, and the wood-cut illustrations are really quite shocking. You like to think of yourself as a modern, sophisticated young lady, but you’ve never even suspected that people might do that, or that, or that. Oh, my! >read it The text, what there is of it, is replete with misspellings and grammatical errors. But the illustrations — after perusing a few pages in mounting consternation, you shut the book firmly and vow never to look at it again. >l Duke Esteban’s Bedchamber A sumptuously appointed but somehow garish and tasteless bedroom. Opposite the canopied four-poster bed is a cabinet. You can see a hurdy-gurdy here. >x cabinet The doors of the cabinet are inlaid with a design of a coquettish young woman hiding part of her face behind a fan. >open it The inlaid cabinet is already open. >enter it The inlaid cabinet is not something you can enter. >n South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying a wooden platter, a sheet of music notation, a bowl of cherries, a religious pamphlet, a well-thumbed book, some scissors, a hairpin, and a little enamel box. >e The Lavatory A basin on a table, a water pitcher next to it, and a large, round, splintery- looking wooden tub are the fixtures here. (Indoor plumbing has not yet been invented.) The door is to the west. >w South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >n North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >e As you appear in the doorway carrying the bowl of cherries, Porfiru hops up and comes to bar your way. “No, no,” he says. “You mustn’t come in here with the cherries. Hermione is already becoming rather obese, you see. If I’m not careful about restricting her diet, she may soon be so fat she won’t be able to fly.” You retreat to the hallway, and he returns to his desk. >w The Chambers of the Dowager Duchess Framed pieces of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda’s embroidery decorate the walls of this floral-scented chamber. Throw-rugs in a variety of colors, fabrics, and weaves are strewn across the floor. The doorway to the upper hall is to the east. A wicker sewing basket sits over near the wall. >e North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >n North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying a wooden platter, a sheet of music notation, a bowl of cherries, a religious pamphlet, a well-thumbed book, some scissors, a hairpin, and a little enamel box. >give book to cook Bibbidgy does not respond. >read pamphlet The descriptions of sin are surprisingly lurid. On the other hand, the means by which one can avoid sinning are vague. The cook stirs something in a bowl. >e Pantry This small storage room is well filled with both shelves and odors. The kitchen is to the west. >w Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >w Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. >n Chapel This rather spartan chamber is dominated by a hefty pair of brass candlesticks, between which stands a low altar draped with a cloth. The door is to the south. On the altar you see a cloth sack. >take sack Her eyes fly open. “Oh, no, you mustn’t touch the holy cloth pouch!” >x ulia Thin and rather drab, with a washed-out complexion and faded clothes, Ulia is plainly the member of the household with the lowest status. She wears a large leather satchel, or pouch, which is slung from a shoulder strap. She’s gazing around the chapel, enraptured. >give book to ulia “Have you seen this?” you say to Ulia. “There are some sins in it that I thought you might not be familiar with.” She takes the book from you gingerly and flips it open. Her eyes grow wide and her mouth falls open. “Oh, dear,” she says at last, breathing hard. “I had never even — this is monstrous! It’s dreadful! Thank you so very much for showing it to me. I must study it further, much further, so as to be armed in the future against—” She licks her lips. “—against the temptations of the flesh.” She springs up from the kneeling bench and rushes out of the chapel, clutching the book tight. >take sack Taken. >open it Opening the cloth sack reveals a holy shoelace. >take shoelace Taken. >x it The shoelace is obviously of great age. It’s not exactly falling to pieces, but traces of rot are evident. >s Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. >e North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The cook methodically slices some vegetables. >use Bibbidgy does not respond. >use shoelace on boots I don’t recognize the command USE, because it’s a bit too vague; please be more specific about what you want to do. >tie shoelace to boots Bibbidgy does not respond. The cook lifts a cloth to gaze at a lump of dough. >d Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >n Cramped Space The cramped space behind the casks is small and surprisingly warm, but there’s nothing to be seen here. The narrow passage through which you entered is to the south. >s Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >u Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The cook opens the back door to stare out and then closes it again. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule and a necklace, and carrying a bowl of cherries, a wooden platter, a religious pamphlet, a cloth sack, a holy shoelace, a hairpin, a sheet of music notation, a little enamel box, and some scissors. >cut shoelace You can’t cut the holy shoelace. The cook stirs something in a bowl. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >s Front Yard The afternoon sun attempts to lend an air of cheer to the splendid assortment of weeds and bushes here, but fails. The mass of the manor house is to the north, and the high wall with its metal spikes encloses the yard to the south and west. A gravel path extends from the front door of the house to a gate in the south wall. The yard extends off to the east around the corner of the house. >n (first trying to open the front door) The front door is locked. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go east or south. >s Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >se Great Dining Hall The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A great stone fireplace dominates the east wall, flanked by windows. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The cook methodically slices some vegetables. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >s South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >w Front Parlor This sitting room is too large to qualify as cozy, but it’s well appointed with chairs, little tables, and assorted knicknacks. Next to the rocking chair is a table on which is arrayed a variety of items, doubtless the possessions of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda. The doorway back to the entry hall is to the east. The dowager duchess is seated in the rocking chair, an embroidery hoop in her lap. On the little square table you see some balls of brightly colored thread. Dowager Duchess Dorolinda squints suspiciously at you. “Is that my enamel box? Why, yes, I believe it is!” She snatches it from you with an indignant sniff and tucks it into her bosom. For no very clear reason, you’re overcome with a sensation of deep dread. Possibly the stuff in the box had some definite use that you weren’t aware of. Duke Esteban is going to be very happy this evening. You, not so much. >undo One turn undone: w >put box in reticule You put the little enamel box in your beaded reticule. >w Front Parlor This sitting room is too large to qualify as cozy, but it’s well appointed with chairs, little tables, and assorted knicknacks. Next to the rocking chair is a table on which is arrayed a variety of items, doubtless the possessions of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda. The doorway back to the entry hall is to the east. The dowager duchess is seated in the rocking chair, an embroidery hoop in her lap. On the little square table you see some balls of brightly colored thread. >talk to duchess You are already talking to Dowager Duchess Dorolinda. (You could ask her about the duke) >ask about duke “Don’t you feel that kidnapping me and locking me up in the tower is just a bit ungentlemanly?” you ask. “Tsk-tsk. I’m quite sure you’ll like him when you get to know him better.” >ask about duke “Are you sure you really approve of your son?” you ask. “Of course,” she replies a trifle haughtily. “He’s my son, after all.” >e South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >n North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >e Great Dining Hall The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A great stone fireplace dominates the east wall, flanked by windows. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. >w North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >w Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. >n Chapel This rather spartan chamber is dominated by a hefty pair of brass candlesticks, between which stands a low altar draped with a cloth. The door is to the south. >x altar The altar is really just a low square table draped with a white cloth. >search it You find nothing of interest on the altar. >look under it You find nothing of interest under the altar. >s Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. >e North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >u North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >w The Chambers of the Dowager Duchess Framed pieces of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda’s embroidery decorate the walls of this floral-scented chamber. Throw-rugs in a variety of colors, fabrics, and weaves are strewn across the floor. The doorway to the upper hall is to the east. A wicker sewing basket sits over near the wall. >e North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >e As you appear in the doorway carrying the bowl of cherries, Porfiru hops up and comes to bar your way. “No, no,” he says. “You mustn’t come in here with the cherries. Hermione is already becoming rather obese, you see. If I’m not careful about restricting her diet, she may soon be so fat she won’t be able to fly.” You retreat to the hallway, and he returns to his desk. >s South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >n North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >drop bowl Dropped. >e A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. On the wizard’s desk you see a little hand mirror. The wizard is sitting in an armchair at his desk. The wizard looks up into the distant rafters at the top of the room, makes a little clucking noise with his tongue, and smiles. >x rafters The ceiling here is quite high, and it’s difficult to see what’s up there. You have a vague sense that there’s occasional movement among the shadows. The wizard sharpens his quill pen with a little penknife. >x bat You see no bat here. >talk to wizard You are already talking to Porfiru. (You could ask him about the necklace) The wizard doodles pentagrams on a scrap of paper. >ask about necklace It’s no use. You’re not going to convince him to do anything about the necklace. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule (in which is a little enamel box) and a necklace, and carrying a religious pamphlet, a wooden platter, a cloth sack, a holy shoelace, a hairpin, a sheet of music notation, and some scissors. The wizard says, “You’re really very pretty. I hope you’ll come to like living here.” >give pamphlet to wizard “The maid gave me this,” you say, holding out the pamphlet. The wizard yawns rather elaborately. “She’s just a simple-minded girl. But quite the monomaniac on the subject of religion. Pay no attention to her.” >give platter to wizar You see no to wizar here. >give platter to wizard Porfiru does not respond. >give sack to wizard Porfiru does not respond. >give shoelace to wizard As you’re about to show the shoelace to the wizard, you hesitate. For the maid to venerate the shoelace seems very silly — but still, it might have some obscure magical potency. The wizard has his secrets; perhaps you ought to keep yours. >give hairpin to wizard Porfiru does not respond. The wizard looks up into the distant rafters at the top of the room, makes a little clucking noise with his tongue, and smiles. >give sheet to wizard Porfiru does not respond. >give scissors to wizard Porfiru does not respond. The wizard sharpens his quill pen with a little penknife. >l A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. On the wizard’s desk you see a little hand mirror. The wizard is sitting in an armchair at his desk. The wizard takes a sip of tea. >x tea The wizard’s teacup is on his desk. Curiously, no matter how much he sips from it, it remains full. >take box Taken. >open it Opening the little enamel box reveals some white powder. >put powder in tea At a moment when Porfiru is scrutinizing a scroll and therefore not paying much attention to you, you dump what remains of the white powder into his tea. A few moments later he drinks deeply from the tea, goes back to reading the scroll — and then yawns hugely, removes his spectacles, rubs his eyes, and slumps over in his chair, asleep. >take spectacles Taken. >wear them You’re now wearing the wire-rimmed spectacles. >l A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. On the wizard’s desk you see a little hand mirror. The wizard is slumped in his armchair, fast asleep. >take mirror Taken. >x mirror It’s just a little hand mirror. >look in mirror You see nothing interesting in the little hand mirror. >look into mirror You see no into mirror here. >w North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. You can see a bowl of cherries here. >take bowl Taken. >e A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. The wizard is slumped in his armchair, fast asleep. >x brazier The interior of the cup-shaped brass brazier is stained gray and black, as if things are burned in it from time to time. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule, some wire-rimmed spectacles, and a necklace, and carrying a holy shoelace, a cloth sack, a little enamel box, a little hand mirror, a bowl of cherries, some scissors, a hairpin, a religious pamphlet, a sheet of music notation, and a wooden platter. >put bowl on desk After a moment, a sonorous flutter of wings announces the arrival of the large brown bat named Hermione. The bat settles on the desk and busies itself munching with surprising delicacy on the cherries in the bowl. >take key Taken. >unlock drawer Unlocked. >open it Opening the drawer reveals an apparently blank scroll. >take scroll Taken. >x it The parchment scroll is cream-colored and rather frayed at the edges. There’s some writing on it. >read it Something is written on the scroll in a flowing hand — but it’s unreadable! You find yourself unable to make sense of it. >read it in mirror Well, how about that! The scroll not only used invisible ink, it used mirror writing. The spell described in the scroll, which is now perfectly readable thanks to the spectacles and the mirror, looks to be possible, but not easily managed. First there’s a list of ingredients: a lock of the wearer’s hair (that shouldn’t be difficult, if you can find some scissors), a holy relic, and some scales from a dragon (!). These are to be burned while chanting “Le collier s’enlève.” Fortunately, your parents insisted that you learn to speak French, so you should be able to pronounce it when the time comes. >cut hair Using the scissors, you carefully snip off a few strands of your hair. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule, some wire-rimmed spectacles, and a necklace, and carrying a little hand mirror, a little enamel box, a holy shoelace, a little silver key, an apparently blank scroll, some strands of hair, some scissors, a hairpin, a cloth sack, a religious pamphlet, a sheet of music notation, and a wooden platter. >save Saved. >l A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. On the wizard’s desk you see a bowl of cherries. A large brown bat is perched on the wizard’s desk. The wizard is slumped in his armchair, fast asleep. >take bat Hermione won’t let you pick her up. >x bat A good-sized, sharp-eyed, furry brown bat with a fox-like face and a wingspan close to a meter (though of course the metric system won’t be invented for another two hundred years). The bat is eating cherries from the bowl. >w North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >d North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >x armor Tarnished, but there’s gleaming metal plate between the spots of rust. The armor is a bit dented here and there, as if it might actually have been worn in combat. In its right gloved hand it bears an upright pike longer than the armor is tall. >x metal plate You see no metal plate here. >x pike The pike is long, and the pike’s peak looks grimly businesslike. >take i (take it) You can’t have that, it’s part of the tarnished suit of armor. >pull it Pulling the pike has no effect. >push it Pushing the pike has no effect. >move it You can’t have that, it’s part of the tarnished suit of armor. >hit it It’s best to avoid pointless violence. >search it You see nothing interesting in the pike. >l North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >x banner The banner, which you saw from down there behind the grille, is graced (if that’s the right word) with a heraldic design depicting a striking falcon, a fork-tongued snake, and a double-bladed axe. >e Great Dining Hall The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A great stone fireplace dominates the east wall, flanked by windows. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. >x fireplace The fireplace is smoke-blackened and large enough that a whole ox could doubtless be cooked on a spit, if there were a spit (which there isn’t). >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >se Great Dining Hall The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A great stone fireplace dominates the east wall, flanked by windows. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. >w North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >s South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >se At the Bottom of the Tower Stairs The stairs curve upward from here into the tower. Passage to the northwest is now easy, as the grille is no longer locked. On the wall next to the grille is a large wooden panel into which various figures have been carved. >x dragon It’s a carving of a dragon — smoking nostrils and all. >take it You can’t have that, it’s part of the wall panel. >cut it You can’t cut the dragon. >pull it You can’t pull on the carving; there’s no way to get a grip. >push it The carving depresses slightly into the panel with a soft 'click,’ but nothing obvious happens. >u At the Top of the Tower Stairs A stairway curves away down the tower here. You can return to the tower room by going through the door to the north. You could probably even lock yourself in again. A depressing idea, but you could do it. >n In the Tower The room is circular, the walls bare stone. A narrow window with a barred grate is the only source of light or fresh air. The bed is a hopeless lumpy tangle of sheets. A sturdy wooden door in the south wall is the only way out. >x scale You see no scale here. >x scales You see no scales here. >n You can’t go that way. From here you could go south. >s At the Top of the Tower Stairs A stairway curves away down the tower here. You can return to the tower room by going through the door to the north. You could probably even lock yourself in again. A depressing idea, but you could do it. >d At the Bottom of the Tower Stairs The stairs curve upward from here into the tower. Passage to the northwest is now easy, as the grille is no longer locked. On the wall next to the grille is a large wooden panel into which various figures have been carved. >nw South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >w Front Parlor This sitting room is too large to qualify as cozy, but it’s well appointed with chairs, little tables, and assorted knicknacks. Next to the rocking chair is a table on which is arrayed a variety of items, doubtless the possessions of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda. The doorway back to the entry hall is to the east. The dowager duchess is seated in the rocking chair, an embroidery hoop in her lap. On the little square table you see some balls of brightly colored thread. Dowager Duchess Dorolinda squints suspiciously at you. “Is that my enamel box? Why, yes, I believe it is!” She snatches it from you with an indignant sniff and tucks it into her bosom. >undo One turn undone: w >put box in reticule You should probably close the box first. >close box Done. >put box in reticule You put the little enamel box in your beaded reticule. >w Front Parlor This sitting room is too large to qualify as cozy, but it’s well appointed with chairs, little tables, and assorted knicknacks. Next to the rocking chair is a table on which is arrayed a variety of items, doubtless the possessions of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda. The doorway back to the entry hall is to the east. The dowager duchess is seated in the rocking chair, an embroidery hoop in her lap. On the little square table you see some balls of brightly colored thread. The duchess rocks forward and back gently in the chair. >ask duchess about dragon “Do you know anything about dragons?” you ask. “Like, where I might find one?” The duchess’s eyebrows lift. “Now, what in the world would you want with a dragon?” “Nothing, I guess,” you reply. “Only I heard theis scales are so beautiful.” “Yes, I daresay. But you certainly won’t find any dragons around here. The very idea!” >ask duchess about dragon “You’re remarkably persistent,” the dowager duchess says. >e South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >n North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The cook opens the back door to stare out and then closes it again. >ask cook about dragon “You might talk to that Thibon about that,” she suggests. “Him is smarter than me by a fair pitch. If you don’t believe me, just ask him!” >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >s Front Yard The afternoon sun attempts to lend an air of cheer to the splendid assortment of weeds and bushes here, but fails. The mass of the manor house is to the north, and the high wall with its metal spikes encloses the yard to the south and west. A gravel path extends from the front door of the house to a gate in the south wall. The yard extends off to the east around the corner of the house. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. >s Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The cook lifts a cloth to gaze at a lump of dough. >e Pantry This small storage room is well filled with both shelves and odors. The kitchen is to the west. >w Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >d Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >n Cramped Space Peering at you with hopeful puppy eyes is a small dragon! Its breath whuffles gently in the scatter of reptilian scales that it has shed on the floor of its nest. The narrow passage through which you entered is to the south. Behind the casks, a cute little dragon has made its nest. >x dragon The little dragon whuffles happily and wags its tail. It’s no bigger than a spaniel, and while its teeth are obviously both numerous and sharp, it doesn’t appear to be hostile. >search it You see nothing interesting in the baby dragon. >take it The baby dragon is fixed in place. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule (in which is a little enamel box), some wire-rimmed spectacles, and a necklace, and carrying a little hand mirror, a holy shoelace, a cloth sack, a little silver key, an apparently blank scroll, some strands of hair, some scissors, a hairpin, a religious pamphlet, a sheet of music notation, and a wooden platter. >cut it You can’t cut the baby dragon. >x scale The dragon scales are scattered across the floor. >take scale You gather up a handful of dragon scales. >s Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >u Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >u North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >s South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >e The Lavatory A basin on a table, a water pitcher next to it, and a large, round, splintery- looking wooden tub are the fixtures here. (Indoor plumbing has not yet been invented.) The door is to the west. >w South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >n North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >e A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. On the wizard’s desk you see a bowl of cherries. A large brown bat is perched on the wizard’s desk. The wizard is slumped in his armchair, fast asleep. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule (in which is a little enamel box), some wire-rimmed spectacles, and a necklace, and carrying a little silver key, a little hand mirror, a holy shoelace, an apparently blank scroll, some strands of hair, a handful of dragon scales, some scissors, a hairpin, a cloth sack, a religious pamphlet, a sheet of music notation, and a wooden platter. >x matches You see no matches here. >search drawer You see nothing interesting in the drawer. >search desk On the wizard’s desk you see a bowl of cherries. >x bat A good-sized, sharp-eyed, furry brown bat with a fox-like face and a wingspan close to a meter (though of course the metric system won’t be invented for another two hundred years). The bat is eating cherries from the bowl. >w North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >d North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >s South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >w Front Parlor This sitting room is too large to qualify as cozy, but it’s well appointed with chairs, little tables, and assorted knicknacks. Next to the rocking chair is a table on which is arrayed a variety of items, doubtless the possessions of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda. The doorway back to the entry hall is to the east. The dowager duchess is seated in the rocking chair, an embroidery hoop in her lap. On the little square table you see some balls of brightly colored thread. The duchess holds up her embroidery hoop in order to examine the stitching. >ask about matches “I don’t suppose you would know where I might find some matches,” you say. The duchess nods approvingly. “You’re quite correct. I wouldn’t.” That seems to settle the issue. >e South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >n North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >e Great Dining Hall The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A great stone fireplace dominates the east wall, flanked by windows. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. >search chandelier The chandelier is too far away. >climb table The dining table is not something you can climb. >climb chair The chairs are not something you can climb. >x fireplace The fireplace is smoke-blackened and large enough that a whole ox could doubtless be cooked on a spit, if there were a spit (which there isn’t). >search it You see nothing interesting in the great stone fireplace. >enter it You get in the great stone fireplace. >l Great Dining Hall (in the great stone fireplace) The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. You are in the great stone fireplace. >look up A dangerous-looking chandelier dangles from a rafter. >u There are no hand-holds, you’d get awfully dirty, and you’d only end up on the roof. The view from the roof is probably nice, but you don’t have a ladder among your possessions, and even if you did have a ladder you could hardly climb up the flue while carrying it; so getting down from the roof — no, it’s not even worth thinking about. >out You get out of the great stone fireplace. >detach chain If you do that, the chandelier will fall straight down. Other than making a loud noise, that would most likely serve no practical purpose at the moment. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >search bucket You see nothing interesting in the wooden bucket. The cook opens the back door to stare out and then closes it again. >search stove (first opening the big iron stove) You see nothing interesting in the big iron stove. >x it The stove is a big pot-bellied affair made of wrought iron. >ask about stove “It’s just a stove,” she says. “Even as fine and well-bred a young lady as you, I guess you know what a stove is for.” >ask about matches “Don’t you need matches to light the stove?” you ask. “Most food’s cooked a sight too much,” the cook assures you. “Don’t need the stove hardly at all, if you know what you’re about.” >ask about matches “Are you sure you can’t tell me where I could find a match?” you ask. “You’re not plannin’ to burn the house down, are you? No? Then you got no need of matches that I can see.” >ask about matches It seems clear Bibbidgy isn’t going to help you find any matches. >ask about stove “It’s just a stove,” she says. “Even as fine and well-bred a young lady as you, I guess you know what a stove is for.” >l Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >x table A long, sturdy work table, scarred by random knife cuts and lightly flecked here and there with crumbs. The cook stirs something in a bowl. >search it You find nothing of interest on the work table. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule (in which is a little enamel box), some wire-rimmed spectacles, and a necklace, and carrying a little silver key, a little hand mirror, a holy shoelace, an apparently blank scroll, some strands of hair, a handful of dragon scales, some scissors, a hairpin, a cloth sack, a religious pamphlet, a sheet of music notation, and a wooden platter. >give pamphlet to cook Bibbidgy does not respond. The cook lifts a cloth to gaze at a lump of dough. >d Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >pull casks Pulling the large casks has no effect. >n Cramped Space Peering at you with hopeful puppy eyes is a small dragon! Its breath whuffles gently in the scatter of reptilian scales that it has shed on the floor of its nest. The narrow passage through which you entered is to the south. Behind the casks, a cute little dragon has made its nest. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule (in which is a little enamel box), some wire-rimmed spectacles, and a necklace, and carrying a little silver key, a little hand mirror, a holy shoelace, an apparently blank scroll, some strands of hair, a handful of dragon scales, some scissors, a hairpin, a cloth sack, a religious pamphlet, a sheet of music notation, and a wooden platter. >hug dragon The little dragon lets you pat its head. It makes a little gurgling noise. >pet it The little dragon lets you pat its head. It makes a little gurgling noise. >take it The baby dragon is fixed in place. >show platter to dragon You can’t show anything to that. >give platter to dragon You can’t give anything to that. >s Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >listen Soft whuffling and occasional scrabbling noises are audible. >n Cramped Space Peering at you with hopeful puppy eyes is a small dragon! Its breath whuffles gently in the scatter of reptilian scales that it has shed on the floor of its nest. The narrow passage through which you entered is to the south. Behind the casks, a cute little dragon has made its nest. >talk to dragon There’s no point trying to talk to the baby dragon. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule (in which is a little enamel box), some wire-rimmed spectacles, and a necklace, and carrying a little silver key, a little hand mirror, a holy shoelace, an apparently blank scroll, some strands of hair, a handful of dragon scales, some scissors, a hairpin, a cloth sack, a religious pamphlet, a sheet of music notation, and a wooden platter. >sing I don’t understand that command. >dance (lace) The shoelace is obviously of great age. It’s not exactly falling to pieces, but traces of rot are evident. >s Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >u Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. The cook methodically slices some vegetables. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. >search ground The ground is not important. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >search grave You poke around gingerly for a minute in the dirt, but find nothing of any interest. The prospect of digging any deeper is not in the least appealing. For one thing, what it would do to your nails. For another, there might actually be something (or someone) buried there, and you’d really much prefer not to know for certain. >search grave You poke around gingerly for a minute in the dirt, but find nothing of any interest. The prospect of digging any deeper is not in the least appealing. For one thing, what it would do to your nails. For another, there might actually be something (or someone) buried there, and you’d really much prefer not to know for certain. >x spikes The spikes look wickedly sharp. >x weed You see no weed here. >u You scramble up into the tree. On a Tree Branch The spikes at the top of the wall are almost close enough to touch, but they look even nastier than they did from down below. A bird’s nest is tucked into a crook between two branches. >x nest Not surprisingly, the nest is built out of twigs. There’s no bird in evidence at the moment. >take twigs You see no twigs here. >take nest The nest would only fall to pieces if you tried to pick it up. >pull it Pulling the nest has no effect. >u You can’t go that way. From here you could go east or down. >d Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >s Front Yard The afternoon sun attempts to lend an air of cheer to the splendid assortment of weeds and bushes here, but fails. The mass of the manor house is to the north, and the high wall with its metal spikes encloses the yard to the south and west. A gravel path extends from the front door of the house to a gate in the south wall. The yard extends off to the east around the corner of the house. >x path You see no path here. >n (first trying to open the front door) The front door is locked. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. >s Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go north, east, south, southeast or down. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >w Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. >search dust The dust is not important. >play harpsichord Your attempt to produce a musical sound from the harpsichord can only be catalogued as a failure. The instrument proves to be in a dreadful state of disrepair. >move it The harpsichord is fixed in place. >pull it Pulling the harpsichord has no effect. >search dust The dust is not important. >n Chapel This rather spartan chamber is dominated by a hefty pair of brass candlesticks, between which stands a low altar draped with a cloth. The door is to the south. >n You can’t go that way. From here you could go south. >s Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. >e North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >e Great Dining Hall The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A great stone fireplace dominates the east wall, flanked by windows. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. >x windows The windows are tall, and while they admit a little light they’re so grimy you really can’t see anything through them. >open windows The windows is not something you can open. >light What do you want to light? >me You are not something you can light. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule (in which is a little enamel box), some wire-rimmed spectacles, and a necklace, and carrying a little silver key, a little hand mirror, a holy shoelace, an apparently blank scroll, some strands of hair, a handful of dragon scales, some scissors, a hairpin, a cloth sack, a religious pamphlet, a sheet of music notation, and a wooden platter. >light hair Your hair is not something you can light. >burn hair You cannot burn your hair. >w North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >u North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >w The Chambers of the Dowager Duchess Framed pieces of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda’s embroidery decorate the walls of this floral-scented chamber. Throw-rugs in a variety of colors, fabrics, and weaves are strewn across the floor. The doorway to the upper hall is to the east. A wicker sewing basket sits over near the wall. >search embroidery You see no embroidery here. >x embroidery You see no embroidery here. >search basket You see nothing interesting in the sewing basket. >smell You smell nothing out of the ordinary. >e North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >d North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >s South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >w Front Parlor This sitting room is too large to qualify as cozy, but it’s well appointed with chairs, little tables, and assorted knicknacks. Next to the rocking chair is a table on which is arrayed a variety of items, doubtless the possessions of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda. The doorway back to the entry hall is to the east. The dowager duchess is seated in the rocking chair, an embroidery hoop in her lap. On the little square table you see some balls of brightly colored thread. The duchess rocks forward and back gently in the chair. >ask duchess about matches “I don’t suppose you would know where I might find some matches,” you say. The duchess nods approvingly. “You’re quite correct. I wouldn’t.” That seems to settle the issue. >ask duchess about matches “I don’t suppose you would know where I might find some matches,” you say. The duchess nods approvingly. “You’re quite correct. I wouldn’t.” That seems to settle the issue. >x knicnacks You see no knicnacks here. >x knicnkacks You see no knicnkacks here. >x items You see no items here. >x table A little square table topped with a doily. On the little square table you see some balls of brightly colored thread. >search it On the little square table you see some balls of brightly colored thread. The duchess smiles at you vaguely. >x doily A frilly white doily. >take it The doily is frilly. Also, not important. The duchess coughs a bit, and dabs at her mouth with a handkerchief. >x handkerchief You see no handkerchief here. >e South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >close door The front door isn’t open. >se At the Bottom of the Tower Stairs The stairs curve upward from here into the tower. Passage to the northwest is now easy, as the grille is no longer locked. On the wall next to the grille is a large wooden panel into which various figures have been carved. >u At the Top of the Tower Stairs A stairway curves away down the tower here. You can return to the tower room by going through the door to the north. You could probably even lock yourself in again. A depressing idea, but you could do it. >n In the Tower The room is circular, the walls bare stone. A narrow window with a barred grate is the only source of light or fresh air. The bed is a hopeless lumpy tangle of sheets. A sturdy wooden door in the south wall is the only way out. >take all You take the little enamel box. >put box in reticule You put the little enamel box in your beaded reticule. >s At the Top of the Tower Stairs A stairway curves away down the tower here. You can return to the tower room by going through the door to the north. You could probably even lock yourself in again. A depressing idea, but you could do it. >d At the Bottom of the Tower Stairs The stairs curve upward from here into the tower. Passage to the northwest is now easy, as the grille is no longer locked. On the wall next to the grille is a large wooden panel into which various figures have been carved. >nw South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >n North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >e Great Dining Hall The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A great stone fireplace dominates the east wall, flanked by windows. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. >w North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >u North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >s South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >s Duke Esteban’s Bedchamber A sumptuously appointed but somehow garish and tasteless bedroom. Opposite the canopied four-poster bed is a cabinet. You can see a hurdy-gurdy here. >search bed You find nothing of interest on the four-poster bed. >look under bed You find nothing of interest under the four-poster bed. >look under cabinet You find nothing of interest under the inlaid cabinet. >take gurdy The hurdy-gurdy can only be played using two hands. You’ll need to drop whatever you’re holding. >l Duke Esteban’s Bedchamber A sumptuously appointed but somehow garish and tasteless bedroom. Opposite the canopied four-poster bed is a cabinet. You can see a hurdy-gurdy here. >n South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >e The Lavatory A basin on a table, a water pitcher next to it, and a large, round, splintery- looking wooden tub are the fixtures here. (Indoor plumbing has not yet been invented.) The door is to the west. >search basin The basin is not important. >search pitcher The water pitcher is not important. >search table You see no table here. >search tub The wooden tub is not important. >move it The wooden tub is not important. >look under tub The wooden tub is not important. >take all You take the little enamel box. >w South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go north, east or south. >n North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >e A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. On the wizard’s desk you see a bowl of cherries. A large brown bat is perched on the wizard’s desk. The wizard is slumped in his armchair, fast asleep. >take bowl The bat stretches her wings, springs from the desk, and flies up into the rafters. >take wizard Porfiru won’t let you pick him up. >search wizard He doesn’t seem to have anything else worth grabbing. >take all You’re not actually all that thirsty. >take tea You’re not actually all that thirsty. >search pallet The pallet is not important. >look under it The pallet is not important. >search desk You find nothing of interest on the wizard’s desk. >look under it You find nothing of interest under the wizard’s desk. >search drawer You see nothing interesting in the drawer. >take it You can’t have that, it’s part of the wizard’s desk. >l A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. The wizard is slumped in his armchair, fast asleep. >x shelves The shelves and tables are not important. >search shelves The shelves and tables are not important. >search desk You find nothing of interest on the wizard’s desk. >search brazier You see nothing interesting in the brass brazier. >move it It seems to be firmly mounted on the desk. >take it It seems to be firmly mounted on the desk. >push it Pushing the brass brazier has no effect. >l A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. The wizard is slumped in his armchair, fast asleep. >w North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >w The Chambers of the Dowager Duchess Framed pieces of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda’s embroidery decorate the walls of this floral-scented chamber. Throw-rugs in a variety of colors, fabrics, and weaves are strewn across the floor. The doorway to the upper hall is to the east. A wicker sewing basket sits over near the wall. >move basket Moving the sewing basket has no effect. >search it You see nothing interesting in the sewing basket. >search it You see nothing interesting in the sewing basket. >x floor You see nothing special about the ground. >e North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >d North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >w Library Shelves of leather-bound books line the walls of this large, dim, and not very attractive room. A thick layer of dust, which covers almost everything, suggests that Duke Esteban is probably not an avid reader. Standing in one corner is a harpsichord. There’s a rosewood door to the north and a doorway back to the entry hall to the east. >e North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >u North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >w The Chambers of the Dowager Duchess Framed pieces of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda’s embroidery decorate the walls of this floral-scented chamber. Throw-rugs in a variety of colors, fabrics, and weaves are strewn across the floor. The doorway to the upper hall is to the east. A wicker sewing basket sits over near the wall. >search rugs You see nothing interesting in the throw-rugs. >look under rugs You find nothing of interest under the throw-rugs. >x rugs The throw-rugs are a haphazard lot. Most of them lie flat, but one, a russet- colored monstrosity with a lumpy macramé design that might possibly be a lion, is rather rucked up. >x lion The rug is thick and reddish-brown. It’s about four feet long and three feet wide. The figure of the lion is unconvincing. >search it You see nothing interesting in the lion rug. >look under it In picking up the rug, you discover that there’s a hole in the floor beneath it — a gap between two of the floorboards. >x hole There’s a narrow gap between two of the floorboards. >search it Peering down through the hole, you have a bird’s-eye view of the kitchen. The cook is moving around down there. As you watch, she picks up a small metal box from the table, glares at it, looks around in a ruminative way, and then stuffs it into one of the old boots standing near the door. >e North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >d North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. The cook is bustling around the kitchen. >search boots In the pair of old boots you see a metal box. The cook opens the back door to stare out and then closes it again. >take box You take the metal box. The cook methodically slices some vegetables. >x it The metal box is small enough to fit in your hand. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >open metal box Opening the metal box reveals a match. >u North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >e A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. The wizard is slumped in his armchair, fast asleep. >put hair in brazier You’d look very odd without your hair, and detaching it would be painful. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule, some wire-rimmed spectacles, and a necklace, and carrying an apparently blank scroll, some strands of hair, a little silver key, a little hand mirror, a bowl of cherries, a handful of dragon scales, a little enamel box, a metal box (in which is a match), some scissors, a sheet of music notation, a hairpin, a holy shoelace, a cloth sack, a wooden platter, and a religious pamphlet. >put strands in brazier You put the strands of hair in the brass brazier. >put shoelace in brazier You put the holy shoelace in the brass brazier. >put scales in brazier You put the handful of dragon scales in the brass brazier. >light match (first taking the match) You strike the match, and it flares up merrily. >put match in brazier The items in the brazier swiftly ignite. As the smoke rises, you chant the French words you read on the parchment scroll. The wizard murmurs fretfully in his sleep, but doesn’t awaken. And after a few nervous-making moments, the necklace magically drops off of your neck onto the floor! Free at last! Now all you have to do is figure out how to climb over a wall topped with sharp metal spikes.... >take all cup of tea: You’re not actually all that thirsty. ashes: The ashes would only get your fingers all smudgy. necklace: After you went to all that trouble to get it off? Do try to get a grip. >x ashes A small pile of ashes. >i You are wearing some wire-rimmed spectacles and your beaded reticule, and carrying an apparently blank scroll, a little silver key, a little hand mirror, a little enamel box, a bowl of cherries, a metal box, some scissors, a hairpin, a cloth sack, a religious pamphlet, a sheet of music notation, and a wooden platter. >w North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >n North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. As you descend the stairs, the front door bangs open and Duke Esteban strides into the entry hall. He sees you and smiles broadly — but a moment later his eyes fill with rage. “You’re not wearing the necklace! And my hounds are asleep, I warrant that was your doing too. Thought you were going to flee, did you? We’ll soon see about that!” He grips your wrist with iron strength, causing everything you were carrying to fall to the floor, and drags you into the dining hall, oblivious to your struggles and cries of distress. He seats himself at the head of the table without relinquishing his grip on you, bangs on the table with his free hand, and shouts to the servants to bring him ale. [Oh, dear. It seems you neglected something — something important, and it was way back at the start of your escape attempt. As matters now stand, your maidenly virtue is but a treasured memory, your future an unending and shameful misery. Rewinding the story to such an early point would be, at this juncture, all but impossible. Nevertheless, the author in his nearly infinite benevolence feels inclined to take pity on you. Waving his magic wand, he generously provides you with the resources you’ll need. Whether you can figure out what to do with them — well, that remains to be seen.] >undo One turn undone: n >u You can’t go that way. From here you could go east, south, west or down. >s South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >save Saved. >i You are wearing some wire-rimmed spectacles and your beaded reticule, and carrying an apparently blank scroll, a little silver key, a little hand mirror, a little enamel box, a bowl of cherries, a metal box, some scissors, a hairpin, a cloth sack, a religious pamphlet, a sheet of music notation, and a wooden platter. >n North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >n North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. As you descend the stairs, the front door bangs open and Duke Esteban strides into the entry hall. He sees you and smiles broadly — but a moment later his eyes fill with rage. “You’re not wearing the necklace! And my hounds are asleep, I warrant that was your doing too. Thought you were going to flee, did you? We’ll soon see about that!” He grips your wrist with iron strength, causing everything you were carrying to fall to the floor, and drags you into the dining hall, oblivious to your struggles and cries of distress. He seats himself at the head of the table without relinquishing his grip on you, bangs on the table with his free hand, and shouts to the servants to bring him ale. [Oh, dear. It seems you neglected something — something important, and it was way back at the start of your escape attempt. As matters now stand, your maidenly virtue is but a treasured memory, your future an unending and shameful misery. Rewinding the story to such an early point would be, at this juncture, all but impossible. Nevertheless, the author in his nearly infinite benevolence feels inclined to take pity on you. Waving his magic wand, he generously provides you with the resources you’ll need. Whether you can figure out what to do with them — well, that remains to be seen.] >i You are wearing your beaded reticule (in which are some scissors) and some wire-rimmed spectacles. >detach chain The duke jerks you down onto his lap and starts fondling you. You struggle to your feet, but the chain remains out of reach. >restore Restored. South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. > South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >l South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >i You are wearing some wire-rimmed spectacles and your beaded reticule, and carrying an apparently blank scroll, a little silver key, a little hand mirror, a little enamel box, a bowl of cherries, a metal box, some scissors, a hairpin, a cloth sack, a religious pamphlet, a sheet of music notation, and a wooden platter. >put scissors in reticule You put the scissors in your beaded reticule. >n North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >n North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. As you descend the stairs, the front door bangs open and Duke Esteban strides into the entry hall. He sees you and smiles broadly — but a moment later his eyes fill with rage. “You’re not wearing the necklace! And my hounds are asleep, I warrant that was your doing too. Thought you were going to flee, did you? We’ll soon see about that!” He grips your wrist with iron strength, causing everything you were carrying to fall to the floor, and drags you into the dining hall, oblivious to your struggles and cries of distress. He seats himself at the head of the table without relinquishing his grip on you, bangs on the table with his free hand, and shouts to the servants to bring him ale. >take scissors Taken. >stab duke You jab at the duke’s face with the scissors. He jerks back sharply, blood spewing from a sudden deep wound just below his eye, and lets go of your wrist! >detach chain With a rattle of chain links, the chandelier falls swiftly from the rafter! Several of its numerous sharp metal protrusions bury themselves here or there in Duke Esteban’s anatomy. (Good thing he wasn’t wearing armor.) The duke makes a variety of indistinct screaming-type noises and struggles, with rapidly decreasing fervor, under the weight of the deadly chandelier. Almost before you know it, he has expired in a pool of blood. Now all you have to do is get out the front gate (or over the wall) before Thibon wanders in with his little dagger and discovers what you’ve done. Only when you’ve left this wretched estate entirely will you be able to feel safe. >save Saved. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >u You scramble up into the tree. On a Tree Branch The spikes at the top of the wall are almost close enough to touch, but they look even nastier than they did from down below. A bird’s nest is tucked into a crook between two branches. >e The spikes on the wall would chop you into fillets, or possibly fillet you into chops, if you tried it. >i You are wearing some wire-rimmed spectacles and your beaded reticule, and carrying some scissors. >d Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >cut tree You can’t cut the tall tree. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go north or south. >s Front Yard The afternoon sun attempts to lend an air of cheer to the splendid assortment of weeds and bushes here, but fails. The mass of the manor house is to the north, and the high wall with its metal spikes encloses the yard to the south and west. A gravel path extends from the front door of the house to a gate in the south wall. The yard extends off to the east around the corner of the house. >s You can’t go that way. From here you could go north or east. >n (first trying to open the front door) The front door is locked. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. >s Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. >take bucket You’re not thirsty, and anyway nobody has told you where the well is. >take all There’s nothing suitable for ALL to refer to. >take boots They wouldn’t fit you. >d Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >u Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. >d Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >n Cramped Space Peering at you with hopeful puppy eyes is a small dragon! Its breath whuffles gently in the scatter of reptilian scales that it has shed on the floor of its nest. The narrow passage through which you entered is to the south. Behind the casks, a cute little dragon has made its nest. >s Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >u Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. You can see an apparently blank scroll, a little silver key, a little hand mirror, a little enamel box, a bowl of cherries, a metal box, a sheet of music notation, a hairpin, a cloth sack, a wooden platter, and a religious pamphlet here. >take all Deftly you snatch the little enamel box and tuck it into your reticule. You take the hairpin, the sheet of music notation, the wooden platter, the religious pamphlet, the cloth sack, the little hand mirror, the little silver key, the apparently blank scroll, the bowl of cherries, and the metal box. >l North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >e Great Dining Hall The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A great stone fireplace dominates the east wall, flanked by windows. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. The corpse of the evil duke lies on the floor beneath the chandelier. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >e Great Dining Hall The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A great stone fireplace dominates the east wall, flanked by windows. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. The corpse of the evil duke lies on the floor beneath the chandelier. >search corpse You see no corpse here. >search duke You can’t bear the thought of touching the repulsive thing that used to be Duke Esteban. >search chandelier You see nothing interesting in the fallen chandelier. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. >s Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >u You scramble up into the tree. On a Tree Branch The spikes at the top of the wall are almost close enough to touch, but they look even nastier than they did from down below. A bird’s nest is tucked into a crook between two branches. >i You are wearing some wire-rimmed spectacles and your beaded reticule (in which is a little enamel box), and carrying a little silver key, a little hand mirror, a cloth sack, an apparently blank scroll, a bowl of cherries, a metal box, a hairpin, some scissors, a religious pamphlet, a sheet of music notation, and a wooden platter. >put platter on spikes That probably wouldn’t make it any easier. >put sack on spikes That probably wouldn’t make it any easier. >put all on spikes wall spikes: That probably wouldn’t make it any easier. wall spikes: That probably wouldn’t make it any easier. wall spikes: That probably wouldn’t make it any easier. wall spikes: That probably wouldn’t make it any easier. wall spikes: That probably wouldn’t make it any easier. wall spikes: That probably wouldn’t make it any easier. wall spikes: That probably wouldn’t make it any easier. wall spikes: That probably wouldn’t make it any easier. wall spikes: That probably wouldn’t make it any easier. wall spikes: That probably wouldn’t make it any easier. wall spikes: That probably wouldn’t make it any easier. your beaded reticule: (first trying to take off your beaded reticule) Best keep it on for now. It might come in handy. Deftly you snatch the little enamel box and tuck it into your reticule. (first taking two little enamel boxes) wall spikes: That probably wouldn’t make it any easier. >take spikes The wall spikes is fixed in place. >push spikes Pushing the wall spikes has no effect. >d Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >w You can’t go that way. From here you could go north or south. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. >s Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule (in which is a little enamel box), and carrying a little silver key, a little hand mirror, a cloth sack, an apparently blank scroll, a bowl of cherries, a metal box, some scissors, some wire-rimmed spectacles, a religious pamphlet, a wooden platter, a hairpin, and a sheet of music notation. >enter sack The cloth sack is not something you can enter. >wear it The cloth sack can’t be worn. >x metal The metal box is small enough to fit in your hand. >open it The metal box is already open. >search it You see nothing interesting in the metal box. >x spectacles The spectacles have the usual round lenses. >x platter A slim and slightly warped slab of wood. >d Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >n Cramped Space The cramped space behind the casks is small and surprisingly warm, but there’s nothing to be seen here. The narrow passage through which you entered is to the south. >s Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >n Cramped Space The cramped space behind the casks is small and surprisingly warm, but there’s nothing to be seen here. The narrow passage through which you entered is to the south. >s Cellar This dim, cluttered, dank, and odoriferous space is not large. Some large casks, such as might hold wine or ale, sit on a sturdy shelf. A set of narrow wooden stairs leads up to the kitchen, and there’s a narrow passage to the north, beside the casks, through which you might be able to squeeze. Occasionally you hear a quiet whuffling noise, and the cellar feels a bit warmer than you might have expected. >u Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. >x window You see no window here. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >u North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >w The Chambers of the Dowager Duchess Framed pieces of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda’s embroidery decorate the walls of this floral-scented chamber. Throw-rugs in a variety of colors, fabrics, and weaves are strewn across the floor. There’s a little hole in the floor in the spot where the lion rug was lying. The doorway to the upper hall is to the east. A rug that might be meant to depict a lion is among the collection. A wicker sewing basket sits over near the wall. >x window You see no window here. >e North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >e A Wizard’s Workshop A large and fantastically cluttered room, so high-ceilinged that its upper reaches are somewhat lost in shadow. The shelves and tables are crowded with esoteric implements that defy description. The low spartan pallet against one wall suggests that Porfiru is so dedicated to his wizardly endeavors that he actually sleeps here. The room is dominated by the wizard’s desk, on one corner of which is mounted a small brass brazier. The exit to the upper hall is to the west. You can see a necklace here. The wizard is slumped in his armchair, fast asleep. >x window You see no window here. >push pallet The pallet is not important. >w North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >s South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >s Duke Esteban’s Bedchamber A sumptuously appointed but somehow garish and tasteless bedroom. Opposite the canopied four-poster bed is a cabinet. You can see a hurdy-gurdy here. >x window The curtains hang in front of the windows. Not surprising, really. >x curtains The curtains hang in front of the windows. Not surprising, really. >open window The curtains are not important. >draw curtains I don’t understand that command. >pull curtains The curtains are not important. >n South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >e The Lavatory A basin on a table, a water pitcher next to it, and a large, round, splintery- looking wooden tub are the fixtures here. (Indoor plumbing has not yet been invented.) The door is to the west. >d You can’t go that way. From here you could go west. >w South End of the Upstairs Hall The north-to-south upper hallway ends here at a larger-than-life arched doorway, which is to the south. A smaller, less domineering doorway is to the east. >n North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >w The Chambers of the Dowager Duchess Framed pieces of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda’s embroidery decorate the walls of this floral-scented chamber. Throw-rugs in a variety of colors, fabrics, and weaves are strewn across the floor. There’s a little hole in the floor in the spot where the lion rug was lying. The doorway to the upper hall is to the east. A rug that might be meant to depict a lion is among the collection. A wicker sewing basket sits over near the wall. >take basket If you go wandering around with the dowager duchess’s sewing basket, somebody is bound to notice. Better not. >e North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >n North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >s South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule (in which is a little enamel box), and carrying a little silver key, a little hand mirror, a cloth sack, an apparently blank scroll, a bowl of cherries, a metal box, some scissors, some wire-rimmed spectacles, a religious pamphlet, a wooden platter, a hairpin, and a sheet of music notation. >w Front Parlor This sitting room is too large to qualify as cozy, but it’s well appointed with chairs, little tables, and assorted knicknacks. Next to the rocking chair is a table on which is arrayed a variety of items, doubtless the possessions of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda. The doorway back to the entry hall is to the east. On the little square table you see some balls of brightly colored thread. >take all balls of brightly colored thread: The dowager duchess could hardly fail to notice if you were to try pilfering her embroidery thread. little enamel box: If the dowager duchess sees you holding the little enamel box, she’s liable to want it back. Better leave it where it is for now. >x duchess You see no duchess here. >e South End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is long, wide, flagstone-paved, and not very interesting. The massive oaken front door is to the south and the open doorway to the parlor to the west. The hall continues northward. Gazing down the hall you can see more doorways, the suit of armor, and a flight of stairs. The base of the tower is to the southeast. >n North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >wear armor It wouldn’t fit you. Besides, if you need to run (as seems likely), you wouldn’t want to be wearing a suit of armor. >push armor Pushing the tarnished suit of armor has no effect. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule (in which is a little enamel box), and carrying a little silver key, a little hand mirror, a cloth sack, an apparently blank scroll, a bowl of cherries, a metal box, some scissors, some wire-rimmed spectacles, a religious pamphlet, a wooden platter, a hairpin, and a sheet of music notation. >x pike The pike is long, and the pike’s peak looks grimly businesslike. >x peak The pike is long, and the pike’s peak looks grimly businesslike. >e Great Dining Hall The long table that runs down the center of this huge room could seat dozens, but there are only a few chairs huddled at the head of the table. A great stone fireplace dominates the east wall, flanked by windows. A grotesquely elaborate wrought-iron chandelier dangles from the ceiling above the head of the table. There are doorways to the west and north. The corpse of the evil duke lies on the floor beneath the chandelier. >enter fireplace You get in the great stone fireplace. >u There are no hand-holds, you’d get awfully dirty, and you’d only end up on the roof. The view from the roof is probably nice, but you don’t have a ladder among your possessions, and even if you did have a ladder you could hardly climb up the flue while carrying it; so getting down from the roof — no, it’s not even worth thinking about. >out You get out of the great stone fireplace. >search table You find nothing of interest on the dining table. >look under table Dust. Nothing but dust. >take all dead duke: Quite aside from the fact that the combination of the duke and the chandelier would be too heavy and cumbersome for you to lift, quite aside from the fact that you don’t much want to get blood on your gown, and quite aside from the fact that he looks rather picturesque lying there, you have no conceivable use for the corpse of an evil duke. Deftly you snatch the little enamel box and tuck it into your reticule. >w North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. >x stove The stove is a big pot-bellied affair made of wrought iron. >open it The big iron stove is already open. >enter it The big iron stove is not something you can enter. >search it You see nothing interesting in the big iron stove. >take all Deftly you snatch the little enamel box and tuck it into your reticule. >push table Pushing the work table has no effect. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. >take dogs You would have to be insane to take a chance on waking them. >take all Deftly you snatch the little enamel box and tuck it into your reticule. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >take all Deftly you snatch the little enamel box and tuck it into your reticule. >s Front Yard The afternoon sun attempts to lend an air of cheer to the splendid assortment of weeds and bushes here, but fails. The mass of the manor house is to the north, and the high wall with its metal spikes encloses the yard to the south and west. A gravel path extends from the front door of the house to a gate in the south wall. The yard extends off to the east around the corner of the house. >take all Deftly you snatch the little enamel box and tuck it into your reticule. >s You can’t go that way. From here you could go north or east. >x gate The gate looks to be quite impregnable, what with the close-set iron-bound wood beams and the massive padlock. >x padlock The padlock is as big as your head. It’s made of metal, iron at a guess. (Straw is not reputed to be a suitable substance with which to make padlocks.) There’s a keyhole, of course, but you don’t have the key. >i You are wearing your beaded reticule (in which is a little enamel box), and carrying a little silver key, a little hand mirror, a cloth sack, an apparently blank scroll, a bowl of cherries, a metal box, some scissors, some wire-rimmed spectacles, a religious pamphlet, a wooden platter, a hairpin, and a sheet of music notation. >n (first trying to open the front door) The front door is locked. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. >s Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. >s North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >u North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >w The Chambers of the Dowager Duchess Framed pieces of Dowager Duchess Dorolinda’s embroidery decorate the walls of this floral-scented chamber. Throw-rugs in a variety of colors, fabrics, and weaves are strewn across the floor. There’s a little hole in the floor in the spot where the lion rug was lying. The doorway to the upper hall is to the east. A rug that might be meant to depict a lion is among the collection. A wicker sewing basket sits over near the wall. >take rug Taken. >e North End of the Upstairs Hall This north-to-south hallway is smaller and less imposing than the grand entry hall below. Stairs at the north end lead downward, there are doorways to the east and west, and the hall continues to the south. >d North End of the Entry Hall The entry hall is bleakly ornamented here by a standing suit of armor, above which hangs a heraldic banner. The hall continues to the south, toward the front door. Open doorways are on the east and west sides of the hall, a wide stairway sweeps pompously upward to the northwest, and tucked away unobtrusively beside the stairway is another doorway leading north. >n Kitchen The walls and cabinets in the kitchen were painted white, probably some years ago, as they’re well spattered with an assortment of stubborn stains and smoke- blackened above the big iron stove. A large work table stands in the center of the kitchen. Near the door stands a pair of old boots, and next to the stove is a wooden bucket. There’s an exterior door to the north, a small ordinary doorway to the east, and stairs leading downward in the southwest corner. The entry hall is to the south, and the doorway to the dining room is to the southeast. >n Stable Yard The most interesting thing about the muddy expanse between the house and the stable (and it’s not very interesting) is the presence of a few chickens, who are pecking in a forlorn, dispirited way at the ground and at one another. The back door of the manor house is to the south, and the yard extends around the house to the east. Three dogs are lying asleep in a heap here. >e Untended Garden Nobody has done any weeding or planting here for a long time. Scraggly trees grow here and there, and the sundial has fallen over on its side. The yard is bounded on the east by a high wall topped with nasty-looking metal spikes. Nestled among the weeds is a patch of disturbed earth about the size and shape of a shallow grave. The yard extends to the north and south around the house. A tall tree has grown up rather close to the outer wall of the garden. >u You scramble up into the tree. On a Tree Branch The spikes at the top of the wall are almost close enough to touch, but they look even nastier than they did from down below. A bird’s nest is tucked into a crook between two branches. >put rug on spikes You put the lion rug on the wall spikes. >e Oh, Happy Day! You’ve Escaped! As you drop to the ground beyond the wall, an overwhelming sense of gratitude upwells in you. In spite of all the difficulties, you’ve escaped your distressing captivity and avoided the dire fate that awaited you. You proceed down the hill to the river, where the friendly ferryman greets you and ushers you onto his boat. “He be comin’ after you afore long, I reckon,” the ferryman says doubtfully. Without going into detail, you assure him that’s not going to be a problem. On reaching the far side of the river, you bid the ferryman farewell and set off, a fresh breeze lightly riffling in your hair, on the long (but not too long) hike home. *** Your virtue is intact. *** Would you like to RESTART the story, see the CREDITS, RESTORE a saved position, or QUIT? >quit