Transcript enabled. > x me You're wearing a green shirt and brown trousers. Your cheeks are rosy and your nose and ears are pointy. Your eyes are bloodshot and you smell like cookies and alcohol. Overall, you are adorable. > * wait, I've played this before! (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * It's the Witch! (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * I remember there's a buggy puzzle with a badger and a ski lift (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * And I think some timers? Seems like it might have been smoothed out (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > about Witchever An interactive fiction by Charles Moore, Jr. Release 1. Serial number 250613. Dialog compiler version 1a/02. Library version 0.46. Special thanks to R.J. Kowalski, Rovarsson, Christopher Merriner, and Garry Francis for input and beta-testing. > * I continue to think this is a good opening -- mead is the worst (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > x hat It's a green pointy hat, standard elf fare. > take it Taken. > wear it You put on your hat. > i You have a headache and regret. You're wearing your hat. > x headache It's of a pounding, squeezing, pulsating nature. > x regret It's a layer of sadness wrapped around a core of poor decisions. > drop regret Maybe with therapy... > drop headache Time cures all, eventually. > * nice gags! (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > climb Did you want to go up or down? > up You grab onto a branch and clamber upward. Higher Up A Tree This spot is doing no favors for your acrophobia. You're near the crown of a large oak tree. From here you can look out over what seems to be endless forests and a spine of rocky mountains lying to the east. Below you to the south, you can see the few scattered buildings that make up your village. > x mountains It's a series of high rocky ridges running from north to south. > x village You see a smattering of small cottages and buildings in a clearing down below you. > * I think there was a time limit in the original... (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > x crown (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > x forests You see a thick carpet of greenery stretching to the horizon. > d You clamber downward through the branches. Up A Tree You are standing on a thick branch high in a large oak tree. A dense canopy of greenery shades you and tiny fractals of sunlight filter through the leaves. There are branches here allowing you to climb up or down. > d You clamber downward through the branches. Base Of Tree You're standing at the base of a climbable mature oak tree. Tangled greenery surrounds you but there is a break in the vegetation to the southeast. On the ground here you see an empty mug. > x mug It's an empty mug. It's cracked but a fairly thick chunk of glass nonetheless. The light seems to refract around the crack, making a tiny rainbow. You must have dropped it last night from your perch above. > take it Taken. > smell it The mug smells as expected. > x crack (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > break mug You consider attacking the mug, but reject the idea. > l Base Of Tree You're standing at the base of a climbable mature oak tree. Tangled greenery surrounds you but there is a break in the vegetation to the southeast. > x tree It's a large oak tree with thick green foliage and ample climbing branches. Your headache seems to have abated. > i You have a mug. You're wearing your hat. > * our regret is gone too! (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > se Clearing This is a sunny glade in the forest and the location of your elf village. A handful of small cottages surround the clearing and the 'Yeasty Unicorn', the tavern and largest structure in the region, stands to the south. > x cottages They're small colorful cottages scattered around the clearing. > enter cottages You don't need to concern yourself with the cottages. > x tavern It's a wood-timbered building with a colorful gabled roof. > s (first trying to open the door to the south) You open the door. Yeasty Unicorn Rough-hewn tables and chairs fill the space and the bar is set against one wall. Tendrils of pipe smoke swirl in the still air. The low ceiling is supported by thick wooden pillars which are adorned by colorful carvings. The only way out is to the north. The tavern is typically cozy and pleasantly bustling with activity. But today it's full and noisy. You appear to have arrived during a climax in the proceedings. You note that all the elders and elves of distinction from the region are gathered here. Through the clamor you can make out snippets of blatant exposition. "The witch is back after all these years..." "She's only one valley over. She'll be coming for us next..." "We should send someone over the mountain to deal with her..." "We're just elves. What chance do we have against her?" > * I think this is new... (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > x elders (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > listen You hear nothing in particular. Unfortunately, you make eye contact with Jezbella, one of the wisest of the elves. She pipes up, her shrill voice penetrating the din. "We need a volunteer, my friends. Someone to cross the mountain to the next valley over. They will need to use every ounce of their cunning to defeat the witch and rescue our elven brethren whom she's imprisoned." > hide (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > l Yeasty Unicorn Rough-hewn tables and chairs fill the space and the bar is set against one wall. Tendrils of pipe smoke swirl in the still air. The low ceiling is supported by thick wooden pillars which are adorned by colorful carvings. The only way out is to the north. Jezbella continues... "I think the volunteer should be..." She points in your direction. There is a general uproar of approval at this idea and at your "volunteer" spirit. > faint (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > x jezbella She's a very old and wise elf with a hunched back and lined face. She wears a simple dress, blouse, and a rough headcovering. Suddenly, you are swept up by the enthusiastic crowd. They hoist you above their heads and, cheering, carry you out of the tavern. Clearing This is a sunny glade in the forest and the location of your elf village. A handful of small cottages surround the clearing and the 'Yeasty Unicorn', the tavern and largest structure in the region, stands to the south. A large crowd of elves is here, cheering as they send you on your way. > x elves It's a cheering crowd of elves, grateful for your volunteer spirit. They're currently holding you above their heads. Suddenly, and despite your protestations, you find yourself beneath a large red balloon, a thick rope tied around your waist. Tangento, the science elf, is here futzing with the balloon. > ask elves for mercy (I only understood you as far as wanting to ask the mob of elves for something.) > ask mob about witch The mob can't be reasoned with. Tangento thrusts three large rocks into your pockets. "For ballast," he winks. > x tangento He's a clean-shaven elf with long white hair. He wears a white lab coat and wire spectacles. With a cheer, the balloon is released and begins to quickly rise into the air, pulling you along with it. You desperately cling to the rope as you watch the ground recede, the elves below waving upward at you. Airborne You are suspended from a balloon high above the ground. The forest below slides silently past your feet as you drift eastward toward a high rocky crest. Below and behind, you can see your village shrink in the distance, your fellow elves looking ever more tiny and adorable with every passing minute. > * this is all moving rather fast (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > x balloon It's a large red balloon, several feet in diameter. A thick rope is attached to it, the other end of the rope is attached to you. The breeze carries you upward and eastward. Airborne You are suspended from a balloon high above the ground. The green canopy of the forest glides silently past your feet as you drift eastward toward a high rocky mountain ridge off to the east. > climb rope You simply pull on the balloon ineffectually. The breeze nudges you to the east. Airborne You are suspended from a balloon high above the ground. You are drifting rapidly and dangerously straight toward a rocky cliff to the east and will be encountering it momentarily. > drop rock Did you want to drop the round rock, the oblate rock, or the spheroid rock? > round You release the rock and watch it drop like its proverbial namesake. It disappears into the canopy far below you. You bob upward on the breeze, just in time to clear the rocky crest. You drift eastward on the breeze. Airborne You are suspended from a balloon high above the ground. You are just passing over the apex of a rocky ridge, your feet nearly touching it below you. A green valley now opens below you, ringed by rocky mountains. A crystalline river glitters in the sun as it snakes through the trees. > x oblate It's a dense heavy rock a little larger than your fist. It's chilly up here as the wind pushes you to the east. Airborne You are suspended from a balloon high above the ground. You have cleared the crest and are beginning to slowly drop down into the valley as you continue to drift to the east. You notice you are rapidly approaching a high rock arch as you descend. > drop it You release the rock and watch it drop like its proverbial namesake. It disappears into the canopy far below you. You gain just enough altitude to barely scrape over the top of the rock arch. You start to slowly drift downward. Airborne You are suspended from a balloon high above the ground. You continue to slowly drop down into the valley as you continue to drift to the east on the breeze. > x rock It's a dense heavy rock a little larger than your fist. You continue on, floating to the east. Airborne You are suspended from a balloon high above the ground. You continue to slowly descend and you're low enough now to make out individual trees as you sink lower towards the green carpet below you. > x trees You see tall pines and oaks below you. You continue on to the east, slowly dropping lower. Airborne You are suspended from a balloon not-so-high above the ground. You have descended almost into the upper branches of the forest trees, in fact, you're headed directly towards one particularly large tree. On your current trajectory, you'll be smashing directly into the trunk momentarily. > drop rock You release the rock and watch it drop like its proverbial namesake. It disappears into the canopy far below you. For a moment you're unsure if you've shed enough weight to avoid the tree ahead of you. You are about to slam into the tree trunk but catch one last lucky gust of wind and are boosted just high enough so that you land in the tree's canopy instead. Your balloon groans flatulently as it's pierced by the branches and the last of the air escapes. The force of the landing rips the rope and balloon from your waist and you find yourself relatively unscathed standing dazed on a branch. Gasping for breath and with your chest pounding, you stare, stunned, out over the forest before you. Frankly amazed that you've made it this far, you consider your chances of ultimate success. You decide that they're quite slim. After a moment of reflection, though, you decide to simply get on with it since, either way, your life will never be the same after today: it will either be much better or much shorter. Witchever An interactive fiction by Charles Moore, Jr. Release 1. Serial number 250613. Dialog compiler version 1a/02. Library version 0.46. Up A Different Tree You are standing on a thick branch high in a second large oak tree. A dense canopy of greenery shades you and tiny fractals of sunlight filter through the leaves. There are branches here allowing you to climb down. (Your score has gone up by 20 points.) > * twice begins to look like carelessness (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > x branch The branches and leaves rustle in the breeze. > x balloon (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > i You have a mug. You're wearing your hat. > u You can't go that way. > d You clamber downward through the branches. Base Of A Different Tree You're standing at the base of a completely different mature oak tree. Tangled greenery surrounds you but there is a break in the vegetation to the east. > x tree It's a large oak tree with thick green foliage and ample climbing branches. > e Path at Sign This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. There's a break in the trees to the west and the path continues north and south. There's a hand-painted wooden sign posted next to the path. > x sign It's a rough wooden placard nailed to a post. Crudely painted on it you see arrows pointing north and south. Next to the north-pointing arrow it reads "Elf Village, Castle", next to the south-pointing arrow it reads "Chair Lift". > * map is rearranged, the lift was to the e/ne I think (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > n Wooded Path This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. It continues south and east through the trees and there's a gap in the trees to the northwest. > nw Path Turn The leafy path turns here to run north toward the elf village and southeast toward the main forest path. > se Wooded Path This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. It continues south and east through the trees and there's a gap in the trees to the northwest. > n You can't go that way. > e Forest Clearing This is the western half of a broad clearing in the forest. A crushed stone path starts here and leads east and a dirt path leads west back into the greenery of the surrounding trees. A fluffy cloud floats in from the east. > x cloud He's a white puffy cloud, about a meter across. He floats several feet off the ground. > touch cloud The fluffy cloud feels as expected. > take cloud You can't take the fluffy cloud. The fluffy cloud floats away to the west. > x path Here the path is made of crushed stone. > e South Of Castle This is a continuation of a large open clearing in the forest that continues to the west. To the north stands the royal elf castle. It's crafted from polished stones and thick timbers. The stone path continues north to the castle entrance and west into the clearing. A dirt path begins here and leads east into the woods. > x castle It's a squat stone and wood structure. A drawbridge guards the front entrance and a tall tower rises from the northwest corner in the rear. > x tower (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > w Forest Clearing This is the western half of a broad clearing in the forest. A crushed stone path starts here and leads east and a dirt path leads west back into the greenery of the surrounding trees. > w Wooded Path This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. It continues south and east through the trees and there's a gap in the trees to the northwest. > nw Path Turn The leafy path turns here to run north toward the elf village and southeast toward the main forest path. > n Elf Village This is a moss-carpeted clearing in the forest. Colorful, apparently deserted elf cottages surround you. A green cottage lies to the west, a blue one to the northwest, a rose-colored one to the north, a violet one to the northeast, and a yellow one to the east. Each cottage is guarded by a wooden door painted with its matching color. Thick trees surround the glade but a path leads south through a break in the trees. A white porcelain clawfoot bathtub is here. > x green Did you want to examine the green wooden door to the west, your hat, or the elf village? > door It's a simple wooden door, painted green. > x village It's a partial circle of small cottages, all identical except for their color. > x green cottage It's a partial circle of small cottages, all identical except for their color. > x yellow Did you want to examine the yellow wooden door to the east or the elf village? > door It's a simple wooden door, painted yellow. > l Elf Village This is a moss-carpeted clearing in the forest. Colorful, apparently deserted elf cottages surround you. A green cottage lies to the west, a blue one to the northwest, a rose-colored one to the north, a violet one to the northeast, and a yellow one to the east. Each cottage is guarded by a wooden door painted with its matching color. Thick trees surround the glade but a path leads south through a break in the trees. A white porcelain clawfoot bathtub is here. > x tub It's a white porcelain bathtub with silver clawfeet. > enter it You hoist yourself into the bathtub. It immediately seems to come alive and to rise up on its clawfeet. > * eek! (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > exit You get out of the bathtub. > x tub It's a white porcelain bathtub with silver clawfeet. > pet tub You can't pet the bathtub. > i You have a mug. You're wearing your hat. > enter tub You hoist yourself into the bathtub. It immediately seems to come alive and to rise up on its clawfeet. > z Time passes. > tub, south The bathtub excitedly rears up like a horse and scrambles off to the south. Path Turn (in the bathtub) The leafy path turns here to run north toward the elf village and southeast toward the main forest path. > out You get out of the bathtub. > * OK helpful for crossing rivers, maybe? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > n Elf Village This is a moss-carpeted clearing in the forest. Colorful, apparently deserted elf cottages surround you. A green cottage lies to the west, a blue one to the northwest, a rose-colored one to the north, a violet one to the northeast, and a yellow one to the east. Each cottage is guarded by a wooden door painted with its matching color. Thick trees surround the glade but a path leads south through a break in the trees. > enter green (first trying to open the green wooden door to the west) You open the green wooden door. Green Cottage This cozy cottage is painted green inside and out. Ladybugs are painted on the walls and vines grow along the ceiling. There's a rough wooden table here and a small bed is pushed against one wall. The exit lies to the east. On the table you see an acorn. > x vines Whimsical representations of ladybugs and vines cover the walls and ceiling, respectively. > x table It's a roughly made nondescript wooden table. On it you see an acorn. > x acorn It's an impressively large acorn, about the size of your fist. > take it Taken. > eat it You're not a squirrel. > * fair (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > x bed It's a small featherbed. > look under bed You find nothing under the small single featherbed. > look under table You find nothing under the table. > enter bed You get onto the small single featherbed. > sleep You shut your eyes but a sense of impending doom prevents you from sleeping. > out (first trying to get off the small single featherbed) You get off the small single featherbed. Elf Village This is a moss-carpeted clearing in the forest. Colorful, apparently deserted elf cottages surround you. A green cottage lies to the west, a blue one to the northwest, a rose-colored one to the north, a violet one to the northeast, and a yellow one to the east. Each cottage is guarded by a wooden door painted with its matching color. Thick trees surround the glade but a path leads south through a break in the trees. > * oops, did that teleport me outside too? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > nw (first trying to open the blue wooden door to the northwest) You open the blue wooden door. Blue Cottage This cottage is dark blue on the outside and robin's egg blue on the inside. Musical notation is painted on the ceiling. A pump organ sits in one corner and a harpsichord in the other. A trio of lutes are arranged on one wall. The exit lies to the south. On the pump organ you see a silver fife. > x notation You see musical staves with notes from a song you don't know. > x organ It's a wooden cabinet with a keyboard. There are bellows underneath operated with the feet. On it you see a silver fife. > play it Did you want to play the pump organ or the silver fife? > organ Pumping away, you play a few reedy atonal bars. > x harp (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > x harpsichord The keyboard and mechanism are built into a shiny cabinet made of cherry wood. > play it You noodle around on the keyboard and start to realize that you might be tone-deaf. > x lutes They look very valuable and like they're not meant to be handled by someone such as yourself. > play lutes You pluck a few out-of-tune notes. > x fife It's a small silver fife. > take i (I only understood you as far as wanting to take something.) > take it Taken. > play it You blow into the fife but don't hear anything. > l Blue Cottage This cottage is dark blue on the outside and robin's egg blue on the inside. Musical notation is painted on the ceiling. A pump organ sits in one corner and a harpsichord in the other. A trio of lutes are arranged on one wall. The exit lies to the south. > * hmm (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * bird call? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > s Elf Village This is a moss-carpeted clearing in the forest. Colorful, apparently deserted elf cottages surround you. A green cottage lies to the west, a blue one to the northwest, a rose-colored one to the north, a violet one to the northeast, and a yellow one to the east. Each cottage is guarded by a wooden door painted with its matching color. Thick trees surround the glade but a path leads south through a break in the trees. A fluffy white cloud is here, floating a few feet off the ground. > ne (first trying to open the violet wooden door to the northeast) You open the violet wooden door. Violet Cottage An acrid chemical smell permeates this strange cottage. You see a thick wooden workbench, stained with colorful splashes of various pigments. In the corner you see a tall cabinet, the door is closed. A small bed lies in the other corner and the exit lies to the south. > smell You smell the acrid smell of unknown chemicals. > x bench It's a substantial wooden workbench, heavily and colorfully stained. > look underit (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > look under it You find nothing under the workbench. > search workbench You find nothing of interest. > x cabinet It's a tall wooden cabinet with a thick wooden door. It's currently closed. > open it You open the cabinet, revealing a firecracker. > x fireracker (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > take firecracker Taken. > x it It appears to be a very powerful firecracker, a thick cylinder wrapped in paper with a fuse protruding from the top. > x fuse It's a white fuse embedded in the top of the firecracker. > l Violet Cottage An acrid chemical smell permeates this strange cottage. You see a thick wooden workbench, stained with colorful splashes of various pigments. In the corner you see a tall cabinet, the door hangs open. A small bed lies in the other corner and the exit lies to the south. > x bed It's a small featherbed. > search it You find nothing of interest. > out Elf Village This is a moss-carpeted clearing in the forest. Colorful, apparently deserted elf cottages surround you. A green cottage lies to the west, a blue one to the northwest, a rose-colored one to the north, a violet one to the northeast, and a yellow one to the east. Each cottage is guarded by a wooden door painted with its matching color. Thick trees surround the glade but a path leads south through a break in the trees. > n (first trying to open the rose wooden door to the north) You open the rose wooden door. Rose Cottage This cottage is awash in pink and rose pastels. Bright flowers are painted on the ceiling. A small bed lies against one wall and a small wooden table sits in the middle of the room. The exit lies through the door to the south. On the table you see a bindle and a strawberry. > x flowers They're bright painted roses on the ceiling. > x bed It's a small featherbed. > search it You find nothing of interest. > look under it You find nothing under the small single featherbed. > x table It's a roughly made nondescript wooden table. On it you see a bindle and a strawberry. > x bindle It's a rose-colored cloth with pink polka dots, wrapped around and tied to the end of a stick. The whole thing is then worn across one's shoulder. > x berry It's a red ripe strawberry. > take it Taken. > take bindle Taken. > open it The bindle is always open. > wear it You put on the bindle. > put all inbindle (I only understood you as far as wanting to drop something.) > put all in bindle The strawberry: You put the strawberry in the bindle. The firecracker: You put the firecracker in the bindle. The silver fife: You put the silver fife in the bindle. The acorn: You put the acorn in the bindle. The mug: You put the mug in the bindle. > out Elf Village This is a moss-carpeted clearing in the forest. Colorful, apparently deserted elf cottages surround you. A green cottage lies to the west, a blue one to the northwest, a rose-colored one to the north, a violet one to the northeast, and a yellow one to the east. Each cottage is guarded by a wooden door painted with its matching color. Thick trees surround the glade but a path leads south through a break in the trees. > e (first trying to open the yellow wooden door to the east) You open the yellow wooden door. Yellow Cottage This cheerful cottage is bright yellow inside and out. The interior walls and ceiling are adorned by paintings of colorful birds of various kinds. A wooden table is pushed against one wall next to a bed. The exit lies to the west. On the table you see a pinecone. > x bed It's a small featherbed. > look under it You find nothing under the small single featherbed. > search it You find nothing of interest. > x table It's a roughly made nondescript wooden table. On it you see a pinecone. > x pinecone It's a very large pinecone that's been smeared with peanut butter then coated in bird seed. > take it Taken. > w Elf Village This is a moss-carpeted clearing in the forest. Colorful, apparently deserted elf cottages surround you. A green cottage lies to the west, a blue one to the northwest, a rose-colored one to the north, a violet one to the northeast, and a yellow one to the east. Each cottage is guarded by a wooden door painted with its matching color. Thick trees surround the glade but a path leads south through a break in the trees. > s Path Turn The leafy path turns here to run north toward the elf village and southeast toward the main forest path. A white porcelain clawfoot bathtub is here. > * seems clear that's for the birds (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > se Wooded Path This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. It continues south and east through the trees and there's a gap in the trees to the northwest. > e Forest Clearing This is the western half of a broad clearing in the forest. A crushed stone path starts here and leads east and a dirt path leads west back into the greenery of the surrounding trees. > e South Of Castle This is a continuation of a large open clearing in the forest that continues to the west. To the north stands the royal elf castle. It's crafted from polished stones and thick timbers. The stone path continues north to the castle entrance and west into the clearing. A dirt path begins here and leads east into the woods. > m (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > n Castle Entrance This is an open space in front of the elf king's castle. The main entrance is to the north but is blocked by the large wooden drawbridge which is up. The stone path leads south back towards a clearing and a dirt path leads around the castle to the northwest. > x drawbridge It's a wooden drawbridge crafted from large timbers. It's currently up, blocking the castle entrance. > shout hello (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > shout To whom? > x walls This is an open space in front of the elf king's castle. The main entrance is to the north but is blocked by the large wooden drawbridge which is up. The stone path leads south back towards a clearing and a dirt path leads around the castle to the northwest. > nw Outside The Thicket You're standing to the west of the castle. Looking up, you can only see a high unbroken stone wall. A path returns southeast around the building. A large thick briar patch abuts the wall of the castle here. You can head east into it through a break in the thorns. You hear an egret flying off to the east. > x wall From this side the castle is simply a featureless high stone wall. A thick briar patch grows against the base, hiding it. > climb it It's not possible to get onto the castle wall. > x patch It's a large thorny briar patch. There's a small break in the thicket immediately to the east. A small sparrow soars to the south. > x sparrow (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > climb wall It's not possible to get onto the castle wall. A wayward wasp flies off to the west. > climb briar It's not possible to get onto the thicket. > w You can't go that way. > l Outside The Thicket You're standing to the west of the castle. Looking up, you can only see a high unbroken stone wall. A path returns southeast around the building. A large thick briar patch abuts the wall of the castle here. You can head east into it through a break in the thorns. > u You can't go that way. > e In The Briar Patch You're crouched in a massive briar patch, hemmed in by thorns on all sides. You can see nothing but a thick tangle of shrubs surrounding you. A sepia-colored bunny darts off to the east. A nougat-colored bunny dashes off to the east. A nougat-colored bunny scampers off to the north. A white-colored bunny runs off to the east. > x hrubs (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > x shrubs (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > x shrub (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > x briar You're crouched in a massive briar patch, hemmed in by thorns on all sides. You can see nothing but a thick tangle of shrubs surrounding you. > x throns (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > x thorns You're crouched in a massive briar patch, hemmed in by thorns on all sides. You can see nothing but a thick tangle of shrubs surrounding you. > n You pick your way through a narrow opening in the thorns and brambles. You squeeze yourself through a tiny gap in the thorns, the brambles poking at you annoyingly. In The Briar Patch You're crouched in a massive briar patch, hemmed in by thorns on all sides. You can see nothing but a thick tangle of shrubs surrounding you. A nougat-colored bunny darts off to the south. An ecru-colored bunny scampers off to the east. An ecru-colored bunny darts off to the west. A saffron-colored bunny dashes off to the north. > * emm (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > e You crawl through a narrow gap in the thorns. You pick your way through a narrow opening in the thorns and brambles. In The Briar Patch You're crouched in a massive briar patch, hemmed in by thorns on all sides. You can see nothing but a thick tangle of shrubs surrounding you. A nutmeg-colored bunny scampers off to the north. A sepia-colored bunny darts off to the west. A walnut-colored bunny scampers off to the north. An earthen-colored bunny darts off to the south. > w You crawl through a narrow gap in the thorns. Suddenly, you break through the thorns but, unfortunately, find yourself back where you started. Outside The Thicket You're standing to the west of the castle. Looking up, you can only see a high unbroken stone wall. A path returns southeast around the building. A large thick briar patch abuts the wall of the castle here. You can head east into it through a break in the thorns. > * think I need directions! (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > se Castle Entrance This is an open space in front of the elf king's castle. The main entrance is to the north but is blocked by the large wooden drawbridge which is up. The stone path leads south back towards a clearing and a dirt path leads around the castle to the northwest. > s South Of Castle This is a continuation of a large open clearing in the forest that continues to the west. To the north stands the royal elf castle. It's crafted from polished stones and thick timbers. The stone path continues north to the castle entrance and west into the clearing. A dirt path begins here and leads east into the woods. > e Path Fork This is a path winding through a thick leafy forest. Fractals of sunlight filter down through the canopy above. The path continues to the west and forks to the northeast and southeast. > x fractals (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > * same description as in our village? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > ne Wooded Path The path here continues to the southwest and leads north along the rim of a canyon that falls off to the east. Clouds of mist rise from the northeast where you can see a waterfall in the distance. > x canyon (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > x rim (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > x mist You see thick wet clouds of mist roiling upward from the lower reaches of the waterfall. > e You can't go that way. > ne You can't go that way. > x waterfall It's a very narrow but very tall waterfall. It plunges over the cliffs and plummets into a deep chasm, the bottom of which is hidden in clouds of mist. > lookbehind waterfall (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > look behind waterfall You find nothing behind the waterfall. > * I'm not really sure how this is all laid out? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > n Rapids You're standing on the rocky bank of a raging river. It roars past you, constrained by a narrow rocky riverbed, and plunges over a roaring waterfall just next to you. Clouds of mist fill the air and rainbows flicker in and out of view as the sun shines down. Upstream, you can see the river emerge from a narrow gap in a high rocky cliff face. A dirt path starts here and leads south and, should you be feeling suicidal, you can step down into the river to the east. > x fall (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > x falls It's a very narrow but very tall waterfall. It plunges over the cliffs and plummets into a deep chasm, the bottom of which is hidden in clouds of mist. > look behind waterfall You find nothing behind the waterfall. > x rainbows The sunlight refracts through the mist, forming ephemeral rainbows in the air. > x cliff You see high rocky cliffs with a gap in the center from which the river exits and flows south past you. > s Wooded Path The path here continues to the southwest and leads north along the rim of a canyon that falls off to the east. Clouds of mist rise from the northeast where you can see a waterfall in the distance. > sw Path Fork This is a path winding through a thick leafy forest. Fractals of sunlight filter down through the canopy above. The path continues to the west and forks to the northeast and southeast. > se Wooded Path You're standing on a path through the forest. It continues to the northwest into sunny trees. To the east the forest seems to darken as if the trees and foliage have been dusted with soot. > * eek (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > e At The Wall The air here is oppressive and still as you stand at the base of a high rock wall. You see a column of black smoke rising from the other side and everything here is ashen and gray, coated with a layer of soot. It's eerily quiet here, as if all the birds and wildlife have moved on. A path starts here and leads west into greener environs. You can, presumably, head north and south along the wall as well. > x smoke It's a tall pillar of black smoke. > x wall It's a high gray stone wall extending north and south. It's discolored in places by soot and ash. It's very smooth and utterly unclimbable. > climb wall It's too high and too smooth to gain purchase. > s You set out south along the wall. However, some black magic is apparently at work because you notice that the wall seems to move along with you, always blocking you from getting past or around it. You cut your lossess and return to the path. At The Wall The air here is oppressive and still as you stand at the base of a high rock wall. You see a column of black smoke rising from the other side and everything here is ashen and gray, coated with a layer of soot. It's eerily quiet here, as if all the birds and wildlife have moved on. A path starts here and leads west into greener environs. You can, presumably, head north and south along the wall as well. > n You set out north along the wall. However, some black magic is apparently at work because you notice that the wall seems to move along with you, always blocking you from getting past or around it. You cut your lossess and return to the path. At The Wall The air here is oppressive and still as you stand at the base of a high rock wall. You see a column of black smoke rising from the other side and everything here is ashen and gray, coated with a layer of soot. It's eerily quiet here, as if all the birds and wildlife have moved on. A path starts here and leads west into greener environs. You can, presumably, head north and south along the wall as well. > w Wooded Path You're standing on a path through the forest. It continues to the northwest into sunny trees. To the east the forest seems to darken as if the trees and foliage have been dusted with soot. > nw Path Fork This is a path winding through a thick leafy forest. Fractals of sunlight filter down through the canopy above. The path continues to the west and forks to the northeast and southeast. > w South Of Castle This is a continuation of a large open clearing in the forest that continues to the west. To the north stands the royal elf castle. It's crafted from polished stones and thick timbers. The stone path continues north to the castle entrance and west into the clearing. A dirt path begins here and leads east into the woods. > w Forest Clearing This is the western half of a broad clearing in the forest. A crushed stone path starts here and leads east and a dirt path leads west back into the greenery of the surrounding trees. > w Wooded Path This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. It continues south and east through the trees and there's a gap in the trees to the northwest. > s Path at Sign This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. There's a break in the trees to the west and the path continues north and south. There's a hand-painted wooden sign posted next to the path. > s Path Intersection This is a leafy spot in the forest. The path here continues north and turns southwest deeper into the trees. A second path starts here and leads east. > sw Wooded Path This is a leafy spot in the woods. The path here continues to the northeast and south and there's a break in the trees to the west. > * lotta places to go! (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > w Base Of White Tree You're standing in the center of a clearing in the woods. A very tall, very strange tree nearly fills the glade. The bark is utterly smooth and white and seems to shimmer in the sunlight. Oddly, the entire tree rotates clockwise at regular intervals (you've heard that magic trees rotate counter-clockwise in the southern hemisphere), the canopy overhead rustling with every turn. There are no branches within reach that would render it climbable but, high above, you can see an opening in the side of the trunk. A fluffy cloud is floating here. > x tree It's a massive white tree; the bark seems to glow in the sunlight. The entire tree, oddly enough, rotates clockwise at regular intervals. The canopy rustles in the breeze and birds take flight with every turn. There seems to be an opening high up in the side of the trunk. > x opening (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > climb tree The nearest reachable branch is far above you. The fluffy cloud floats away to the east. You hear and feel a deep rumble. As you watch, the massive white tree slowly rotates clockwise, shaking loose leaves and birds as it again jolts to a stop. > drop pinecone Dropped. > l Base Of White Tree You're standing in the center of a clearing in the woods. A very tall, very strange tree nearly fills the glade. The bark is utterly smooth and white and seems to shimmer in the sunlight. Oddly, the entire tree rotates clockwise at regular intervals (you've heard that magic trees rotate counter-clockwise in the southern hemisphere), the canopy overhead rustling with every turn. There are no branches within reach that would render it climbable but, high above, you can see an opening in the side of the trunk. You see a pinecone here. > take pinecone Taken. You hear and feel a deep rumble. As you watch, the massive white tree slowly rotates clockwise, shaking loose leaves and birds as it again jolts to a stop. > x tree It's a massive white tree; the bark seems to glow in the sunlight. The entire tree, oddly enough, rotates clockwise at regular intervals. The canopy rustles in the breeze and birds take flight with every turn. There seems to be an opening high up in the side of the trunk. > u You can't go that way. > sz (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > z Time passes. You hear and feel a deep rumble. As you watch, the massive white tree slowly rotates clockwise, shaking loose leaves and birds as it again jolts to a stop. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. You hear and feel a deep rumble. As you watch, the massive white tree slowly rotates clockwise, shaking loose leaves and birds as it again jolts to a stop. > jump You enjoy a bit of jumping on the spot. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. You hear and feel a deep rumble. As you watch, the massive white tree slowly rotates clockwise, shaking loose leaves and birds as it again jolts to a stop. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. > jump You enjoy a bit of jumping on the spot. You hear and feel a deep rumble. As you watch, the massive white tree slowly rotates clockwise, shaking loose leaves and birds as it again jolts to a stop. > l Base Of White Tree You're standing in the center of a clearing in the woods. A very tall, very strange tree nearly fills the glade. The bark is utterly smooth and white and seems to shimmer in the sunlight. Oddly, the entire tree rotates clockwise at regular intervals (you've heard that magic trees rotate counter-clockwise in the southern hemisphere), the canopy overhead rustling with every turn. There are no branches within reach that would render it climbable but, high above, you can see an opening in the side of the trunk. > n You can't go that way. > w You can't go that way. You hear and feel a deep rumble. As you watch, the massive white tree slowly rotates clockwise, shaking loose leaves and birds as it again jolts to a stop. > s You can't go that way. > e Wooded Path This is a leafy spot in the woods. The path here continues to the northeast and south and there's a break in the trees to the west. > s Twist In The Path This is a tranquil spot in the woods. You're standing on a path that turns here to the north and southeast and there's a break in the trees here to the southwest. A fluffy cloud is floating here. > sw Pumpkin Clearing This is a sylvan clearing in the forest. There's a break in the trees leading northeast back to the main path. Occupying and nearly filling the clearing you see a massive pumpkin. Bright orange and larger than most houses, there's a face carved into the side of it. The massive mouth and eyes are currently closed. Huge green vines as thick as your torso spread across the forest floor and the woody stem on top of the squash looks like it weighs more than the combined population of your village. > x face The hollowed-out eyes and mouth are closed. > x stem (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > greet pumpkin You attempt to strike up a conversation with the gigantic gourd. It seems to stir slightly. Suddenly, the pumpkin's huge eyes fly open and its massive carved face morphs into an angry frown as it catches sight of you. The mouth flies open and it lets out a deafening inhuman roar of fury. Fixing you with its empty triangular eyes, it suddenly lunges forward and swallows you whole in one fell gulp. Momentarily disoriented, you find yourself inside the monstrous squash. In The Pumpkin It's oppressively humid in here. It's dark, as well, but enough light penetrates the pumpkin rind to cast an eerie orange glow over everything. The pumpkin's eyes and mouth are closed and there doesn't seem to be any exit from here. An elf is here, standing in the orange twilight. "Oh, dear. I see someone else has fallen victim to my little experiment. My name's Gazebo. I'm from the village north of here. This monstrous pumpkin we find ourselves in is probably my fault, I fear. I dabble in growth potions and this particular specimen got a bit out of hand. He's an ill-tempered fellow, isn't he? Anyway, here I am. And, now, you are, too." > x gazebo He's an older elf, squat, stout, and bald with a tangled white beard. He wears overalls and an apron stained with many colors. > ask gazebo about himself He shakes his head sadly. "My fault, I'm afraid. My specialty is in horticulture and for years I've been perfecting potions and elixers that can stimulate tremendous growth in plants and vegetables. But I fear with this particular fellow, I went too far." "I heard a commotion recently but, unfortunately, I've been trapped in here and don't know much of what's been going on outside." "Me? My interest is in horticulture and I'm a bit of a chemist. My specialty is in growth elixers for various plants." He looks around at the pumpkin surrounding you. "I fear, though, that I may have gone a bit too far with this particular specimen." "He's seems to be a fine fellow. I provide much of the produce to the king and his staff," he sniffs proudly. "Ah, the royal palace. It's the pride of the region. They say there's an impenetrable vault hidden somewhere inside." "We're a peaceful lot. Each member of my village has their own talent. We have, for example, a fine musician, a florist, and a chemist." His eyes light up. "Why, yes, that's one of mine. I was just about to test my potion on it when I was waylaid by this orange brute." He shakes his head. "No, sorry. I'm not sure what you're talking about. Blothren, our village chemist is always cooking up devices that make the rest of us nervous. Maybe that's what you mean?" And, we're done... > give acorn to elf (first trying to take the acorn) Taken. His eyes light up. "Why, yes, that's one of mine. I was just about to test my potion on it when I was waylaid by this orange brute." > i You have an acorn and a pinecone. You're wearing a bindle and your hat. > l In The Pumpkin It's oppressively humid in here. It's dark, as well, but enough light penetrates the pumpkin rind to cast an eerie orange glow over everything. The pumpkin's eyes and mouth are closed and there doesn't seem to be any exit from here. Gazebo is here. > Come again? > x eyes The hollowed-out eyes and mouth are closed. > open eyes The eyes and mouth don't open. > eat pumpkin The giant pumpkin isn't edible. > * aww (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > l In The Pumpkin It's oppressively humid in here. It's dark, as well, but enough light penetrates the pumpkin rind to cast an eerie orange glow over everything. The pumpkin's eyes and mouth are closed and there doesn't seem to be any exit from here. Gazebo is here. > i You have an acorn and a pinecone. You're wearing a bindle and your hat. > show pinecone to gazebo He politely tries to fake interest in the pinecone. > ask gazebo about acordn There are no topics to discuss with Gazebo. > l In The Pumpkin It's oppressively humid in here. It's dark, as well, but enough light penetrates the pumpkin rind to cast an eerie orange glow over everything. The pumpkin's eyes and mouth are closed and there doesn't seem to be any exit from here. Gazebo is here. > eat acorn You're not a squirrel. > give acorn to gazebo His eyes light up. "Why, yes, that's one of mine. I was just about to test my potion on it when I was waylaid by this orange brute." > put acorn in pumpkin You can't put things in the giant pumpkin. > l In The Pumpkin It's oppressively humid in here. It's dark, as well, but enough light penetrates the pumpkin rind to cast an eerie orange glow over everything. The pumpkin's eyes and mouth are closed and there doesn't seem to be any exit from here. Gazebo is here. > i You have an acorn and a pinecone. You're wearing a bindle and your hat. > look in bindle In the bindle you see a mug, a silver fife, a firecracker, and a strawberry. > take strawberry Taken. > give strawberry to gazebo He politely tries to fake interest in the strawberry. > take firecracker Taken. > light it With what? > l In The Pumpkin It's oppressively humid in here. It's dark, as well, but enough light penetrates the pumpkin rind to cast an eerie orange glow over everything. The pumpkin's eyes and mouth are closed and there doesn't seem to be any exit from here. Gazebo is here. > x light (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > x mouth The hollowed-out eyes and mouth are closed. > open mouth The eyes and mouth don't open. > push mouth You apply a bit of force to the eyes and mouth, but they don't budge. > pull mouth You yank at the eyes and mouth, but they won't budge. > gazebo, push mouth Gazebo refuses. > l In The Pumpkin It's oppressively humid in here. It's dark, as well, but enough light penetrates the pumpkin rind to cast an eerie orange glow over everything. The pumpkin's eyes and mouth are closed and there doesn't seem to be any exit from here. Gazebo is here. > * not being a team player here gazebo (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > l In The Pumpkin It's oppressively humid in here. It's dark, as well, but enough light penetrates the pumpkin rind to cast an eerie orange glow over everything. The pumpkin's eyes and mouth are closed and there doesn't seem to be any exit from here. Gazebo is here. > out In what direction? > e You can't go that way. > w You can't go that way. > n You can't go that way. > s You can't go that way. > d You can't go that way. > u You can't go that way. > l In The Pumpkin It's oppressively humid in here. It's dark, as well, but enough light penetrates the pumpkin rind to cast an eerie orange glow over everything. The pumpkin's eyes and mouth are closed and there doesn't seem to be any exit from here. Gazebo is here. > i You have a firecracker, a strawberry, an acorn, and a pinecone. You're wearing a bindle and your hat. > show firecracker to gazebo "Oh, now that's interesting. That must be one of Blothren's. He's quite the chemist and, most recently, he's been working on fireworks for the summer festival. Unfortunately, he sometimes over-delivers on his promises." He reaches into a pocket, pulls out a match, and hands it to you. "This is my last one; doesn't do me any good anyway since I don't have my pipe. Shall we light your little explosive?" > * oh, I thought we'd asked about it (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > light firecracker (with the match) You light the fuse and it starts to hiss and spark > throw it At what? > mouth Throwing the firecracker at the eyes and mouth would achieve little. > save Game state saved successfully. > dropit (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > drop it Dropped. > z Time passes. The firecracker, as firecrackers often do, explodes with a harsh echoing report. You don't actually hear it, though, since you (and poor trusting Gazebo) are standing unprotected and exposed when the powerful firecracker explodes. The blast vaporizes the pumpkin but, unfortunately, blows up the two of you as well. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 20 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > undo Undoing the last turn (z). In The Pumpkin > hide (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > take cover (I only understood you as far as wanting to take something.) > put firecracker in mouth (first trying to take the firecracker) Taken. The firecracker, as firecrackers often do, explodes with a harsh echoing report. You don't actually hear it, though, and holding onto a lit explosive is generally to be avoided if possible. The blast vaporizes the pumpkin (and poor trusting Gazebo) but you are blissfully ignorant of the consequences. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 20 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > undo Undoing the last turn (put firecracker in mouth). In The Pumpkin > undo Undoing the last turn (take cover). In The Pumpkin > put firecracker in mouth (first trying to take the firecracker) Taken. The firecracker, as firecrackers often do, explodes with a harsh echoing report. You don't actually hear it, though, and holding onto a lit explosive is generally to be avoided if possible. The blast vaporizes the pumpkin (and poor trusting Gazebo) but you are blissfully ignorant of the consequences. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 20 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > undo Undoing the last turn (put firecracker in mouth). In The Pumpkin > undo Undoing the last turn (hide). In The Pumpkin > undo Undoing the last turn (drop it). In The Pumpkin > undo Undoing the last turn (dropit). In The Pumpkin > undo Undoing the last turn (save). In The Pumpkin > undo Undoing the last turn (mouth). In The Pumpkin > undo Undoing the last turn (throw it). In The Pumpkin > undo Undoing the last turn (light firecracker). In The Pumpkin > put firecracker in mouth You can't put things in the eyes and mouth. > give firecracker to gazebo Gazebo has already seen the firecracker and doesn't want it. > * *now* he doesn't (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > l In The Pumpkin It's oppressively humid in here. It's dark, as well, but enough light penetrates the pumpkin rind to cast an eerie orange glow over everything. The pumpkin's eyes and mouth are closed and there doesn't seem to be any exit from here. Gazebo is here. > drop firecracker Dropped. > duck (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > jump You enjoy a bit of jumping on the spot. > down You can't go that way. > enter mouth It's not possible to get into the eyes and mouth. > l In The Pumpkin It's oppressively humid in here. It's dark, as well, but enough light penetrates the pumpkin rind to cast an eerie orange glow over everything. The pumpkin's eyes and mouth are closed and there doesn't seem to be any exit from here. You see a firecracker here. Gazebo is here. > throw firecracker At what? > pumpkin You're not holding the firecracker. > take it Taken. > throw firecracker at pumpkin Throwing the firecracker at the giant pumpkin would achieve little. > i You have a firecracker, a match, a strawberry, an acorn, and a pinecone. You're wearing a bindle and your hat. > x match It's a single wooden match. > light firecracker (with the match) You light the fuse and it starts to hiss and spark > give it to gazebo Gazebo has already seen the firecracker and doesn't want it. > put firecracker in mug The firecracker won't fit in the mug. > i You have a firecracker, a match, a strawberry, an acorn, and a pinecone. You're wearing a bindle and your hat. The firecracker, as firecrackers often do, explodes with a harsh echoing report. You don't actually hear it, though, and holding onto a lit explosive is generally to be avoided if possible. The blast vaporizes the pumpkin (and poor trusting Gazebo) but you are blissfully ignorant of the consequences. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 20 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > undo Undoing the last turn (i). In The Pumpkin > look in bindle In the bindle you see a mug and a silver fife. The firecracker, as firecrackers often do, explodes with a harsh echoing report. You don't actually hear it, though, and holding onto a lit explosive is generally to be avoided if possible. The blast vaporizes the pumpkin (and poor trusting Gazebo) but you are blissfully ignorant of the consequences. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 20 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > undo Undoing the last turn (look in bindle). In The Pumpkin > undo Undoing the last turn (put firecracker in mug). In The Pumpkin > undo Undoing the last turn (give it to gazebo). In The Pumpkin > put firecracker in fife You can't put things in the silver fife. > * OK hints (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * ...dead walking, oh well (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > restart Restart the game from the beginning? (y/n) > y It's dark. But, yet, you can hear birds chirping around you. Why are they so loud? Then the headache hits you, full frontal. The sunlight now is creeping through your eyelids, making the headache so much worse. Why is your mouth filled with sand? Why is your tongue a piece of bark stuck to the roof of it? Then you remember. You're not typically much of a drinker, a lightweight really. But last night you went out with your friend Torpor, the gnome. You do like mead. And one drink became three, then six. Oh my... Of course, that doesn't explain why you're waking up perched precariously high in this oak tree, wedged between two accommodating branches. Oh, wait. I guess it does. Up A Tree You are standing on a thick branch high in a large oak tree. A dense canopy of greenery shades you and tiny fractals of sunlight filter through the leaves. There are branches here allowing you to climb up or down. You see your hat here, snagged on a branch. > take hat Taken. > wear it You put on your hat. > d You clamber downward through the branches. Base Of Tree You're standing at the base of a climbable mature oak tree. Tangled greenery surrounds you but there is a break in the vegetation to the southeast. On the ground here you see an empty mug. > take mug Taken. > s You can't go that way. > e You can't go that way. > l Base Of Tree You're standing at the base of a climbable mature oak tree. Tangled greenery surrounds you but there is a break in the vegetation to the southeast. > se Clearing This is a sunny glade in the forest and the location of your elf village. A handful of small cottages surround the clearing and the 'Yeasty Unicorn', the tavern and largest structure in the region, stands to the south. > s (first trying to open the door to the south) You open the door. Yeasty Unicorn Rough-hewn tables and chairs fill the space and the bar is set against one wall. Tendrils of pipe smoke swirl in the still air. The low ceiling is supported by thick wooden pillars which are adorned by colorful carvings. The only way out is to the north. The tavern is typically cozy and pleasantly bustling with activity. But today it's full and noisy. You appear to have arrived during a climax in the proceedings. You note that all the elders and elves of distinction from the region are gathered here. Through the clamor you can make out snippets of blatant exposition. "The witch is back after all these years..." "She's only one valley over. She'll be coming for us next..." "We should send someone over the mountain to deal with her..." "We're just elves. What chance do we have against her?" > z Time passes. Unfortunately, you make eye contact with Jezbella, one of the wisest of the elves. She pipes up, her shrill voice penetrating the din. "We need a volunteer, my friends. Someone to cross the mountain to the next valley over. They will need to use every ounce of their cunning to defeat the witch and rescue our elven brethren whom she's imprisoned." > z Time passes. Jezbella continues... "I think the volunteer should be..." She points in your direction. There is a general uproar of approval at this idea and at your "volunteer" spirit. > z Time passes. Suddenly, you are swept up by the enthusiastic crowd. They hoist you above their heads and, cheering, carry you out of the tavern. Clearing This is a sunny glade in the forest and the location of your elf village. A handful of small cottages surround the clearing and the 'Yeasty Unicorn', the tavern and largest structure in the region, stands to the south. A large crowd of elves is here, cheering as they send you on your way. > z Time passes. Suddenly, and despite your protestations, you find yourself beneath a large red balloon, a thick rope tied around your waist. Tangento, the science elf, is here futzing with the balloon. > z Time passes. Tangento thrusts three large rocks into your pockets. "For ballast," he winks. > z Time passes. With a cheer, the balloon is released and begins to quickly rise into the air, pulling you along with it. You desperately cling to the rope as you watch the ground recede, the elves below waving upward at you. Airborne You are suspended from a balloon high above the ground. The forest below slides silently past your feet as you drift eastward toward a high rocky crest. Below and behind, you can see your village shrink in the distance, your fellow elves looking ever more tiny and adorable with every passing minute. > z Time passes. The breeze carries you upward and eastward. Airborne You are suspended from a balloon high above the ground. The green canopy of the forest glides silently past your feet as you drift eastward toward a high rocky mountain ridge off to the east. > z Time passes. The breeze nudges you to the east. Airborne You are suspended from a balloon high above the ground. You are drifting rapidly and dangerously straight toward a rocky cliff to the east and will be encountering it momentarily. > drop rock Did you want to drop the round rock, the oblate rock, or the spheroid rock? > round You release the rock and watch it drop like its proverbial namesake. It disappears into the canopy far below you. You bob upward on the breeze, just in time to clear the rocky crest. You drift eastward on the breeze. Airborne You are suspended from a balloon high above the ground. You are just passing over the apex of a rocky ridge, your feet nearly touching it below you. A green valley now opens below you, ringed by rocky mountains. A crystalline river glitters in the sun as it snakes through the trees. > z Time passes. It's chilly up here as the wind pushes you to the east. Airborne You are suspended from a balloon high above the ground. You have cleared the crest and are beginning to slowly drop down into the valley as you continue to drift to the east. You notice you are rapidly approaching a high rock arch as you descend. > drop rock Did you want to drop the spheroid rock or the oblate rock? > oblate You release the rock and watch it drop like its proverbial namesake. It disappears into the canopy far below you. You gain just enough altitude to barely scrape over the top of the rock arch. You start to slowly drift downward. Airborne You are suspended from a balloon high above the ground. You continue to slowly drop down into the valley as you continue to drift to the east on the breeze. Your headache seems to have abated. > z Time passes. You continue on, floating to the east. Airborne You are suspended from a balloon high above the ground. You continue to slowly descend and you're low enough now to make out individual trees as you sink lower towards the green carpet below you. > z Time passes. You continue on to the east, slowly dropping lower. Airborne You are suspended from a balloon not-so-high above the ground. You have descended almost into the upper branches of the forest trees, in fact, you're headed directly towards one particularly large tree. On your current trajectory, you'll be smashing directly into the trunk momentarily. > drop rock You release the rock and watch it drop like its proverbial namesake. It disappears into the canopy far below you. For a moment you're unsure if you've shed enough weight to avoid the tree ahead of you. You are about to slam into the tree trunk but catch one last lucky gust of wind and are boosted just high enough so that you land in the tree's canopy instead. Your balloon groans flatulently as it's pierced by the branches and the last of the air escapes. The force of the landing rips the rope and balloon from your waist and you find yourself relatively unscathed standing dazed on a branch. Gasping for breath and with your chest pounding, you stare, stunned, out over the forest before you. Frankly amazed that you've made it this far, you consider your chances of ultimate success. You decide that they're quite slim. After a moment of reflection, though, you decide to simply get on with it since, either way, your life will never be the same after today: it will either be much better or much shorter. Witchever An interactive fiction by Charles Moore, Jr. Release 1. Serial number 250613. Dialog compiler version 1a/02. Library version 0.46. Up A Different Tree You are standing on a thick branch high in a second large oak tree. A dense canopy of greenery shades you and tiny fractals of sunlight filter through the leaves. There are branches here allowing you to climb down. (Your score has gone up by 20 points.) > d You clamber downward through the branches. Base Of A Different Tree You're standing at the base of a completely different mature oak tree. Tangled greenery surrounds you but there is a break in the vegetation to the east. > s You can't go that way. > e Path at Sign This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. There's a break in the trees to the west and the path continues north and south. There's a hand-painted wooden sign posted next to the path. > n Wooded Path This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. It continues south and east through the trees and there's a gap in the trees to the northwest. > n You can't go that way. > w You can't go that way. > nw Path Turn The leafy path turns here to run north toward the elf village and southeast toward the main forest path. > n Elf Village This is a moss-carpeted clearing in the forest. Colorful, apparently deserted elf cottages surround you. A green cottage lies to the west, a blue one to the northwest, a rose-colored one to the north, a violet one to the northeast, and a yellow one to the east. Each cottage is guarded by a wooden door painted with its matching color. Thick trees surround the glade but a path leads south through a break in the trees. A white porcelain clawfoot bathtub is here scratching itself with one of its clawfeet. > w (first trying to open the green wooden door to the west) You open the green wooden door. Green Cottage This cozy cottage is painted green inside and out. Ladybugs are painted on the walls and vines grow along the ceiling. There's a rough wooden table here and a small bed is pushed against one wall. The exit lies to the east. On the table you see an acorn. > take all Taken. > e Elf Village This is a moss-carpeted clearing in the forest. Colorful, apparently deserted elf cottages surround you. A green cottage lies to the west, a blue one to the northwest, a rose-colored one to the north, a violet one to the northeast, and a yellow one to the east. Each cottage is guarded by a wooden door painted with its matching color. Thick trees surround the glade but a path leads south through a break in the trees. A white porcelain clawfoot bathtub is here. > nw (first trying to open the blue wooden door to the northwest) You open the blue wooden door. Blue Cottage This cottage is dark blue on the outside and robin's egg blue on the inside. Musical notation is painted on the ceiling. A pump organ sits in one corner and a harpsichord in the other. A trio of lutes are arranged on one wall. The exit lies to the south. On the pump organ you see a silver fife. > takeall (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > take all Taken. > se You can't go that way. > n You can't go that way. > out Elf Village This is a moss-carpeted clearing in the forest. Colorful, apparently deserted elf cottages surround you. A green cottage lies to the west, a blue one to the northwest, a rose-colored one to the north, a violet one to the northeast, and a yellow one to the east. Each cottage is guarded by a wooden door painted with its matching color. Thick trees surround the glade but a path leads south through a break in the trees. A white porcelain clawfoot bathtub is here turning in circles, chasing a tail it doesn't have. > n (first trying to open the rose wooden door to the north) You open the rose wooden door. Rose Cottage This cottage is awash in pink and rose pastels. Bright flowers are painted on the ceiling. A small bed lies against one wall and a small wooden table sits in the middle of the room. The exit lies through the door to the south. On the table you see a bindle and a strawberry. > take all The bindle: Taken. The strawberry: Taken. > s Elf Village This is a moss-carpeted clearing in the forest. Colorful, apparently deserted elf cottages surround you. A green cottage lies to the west, a blue one to the northwest, a rose-colored one to the north, a violet one to the northeast, and a yellow one to the east. Each cottage is guarded by a wooden door painted with its matching color. Thick trees surround the glade but a path leads south through a break in the trees. A white porcelain clawfoot bathtub is here. > ne (first trying to open the violet wooden door to the northeast) You open the violet wooden door. Violet Cottage An acrid chemical smell permeates this strange cottage. You see a thick wooden workbench, stained with colorful splashes of various pigments. In the corner you see a tall cabinet, the door is closed. A small bed lies in the other corner and the exit lies to the south. > take all You're not aware of any such thing! > open cabinet You open the cabinet, revealing a firecracker. > take all Taken. > out Elf Village This is a moss-carpeted clearing in the forest. Colorful, apparently deserted elf cottages surround you. A green cottage lies to the west, a blue one to the northwest, a rose-colored one to the north, a violet one to the northeast, and a yellow one to the east. Each cottage is guarded by a wooden door painted with its matching color. Thick trees surround the glade but a path leads south through a break in the trees. A white porcelain clawfoot bathtub is here scratching itself with one of its clawfeet. > e (first trying to open the yellow wooden door to the east) You open the yellow wooden door. Yellow Cottage This cheerful cottage is bright yellow inside and out. The interior walls and ceiling are adorned by paintings of colorful birds of various kinds. A wooden table is pushed against one wall next to a bed. The exit lies to the west. On the table you see a pinecone. > take all Taken. > out Elf Village This is a moss-carpeted clearing in the forest. Colorful, apparently deserted elf cottages surround you. A green cottage lies to the west, a blue one to the northwest, a rose-colored one to the north, a violet one to the northeast, and a yellow one to the east. Each cottage is guarded by a wooden door painted with its matching color. Thick trees surround the glade but a path leads south through a break in the trees. A white porcelain clawfoot bathtub is here turning in circles, chasing a tail it doesn't have. > enter tub You hoist yourself into the bathtub. It immediately seems to come alive and to rise up on its clawfeet. > tub, s The bathtub excitedly rears up like a horse and scrambles off to the south. Path Turn (in the bathtub) The leafy path turns here to run north toward the elf village and southeast toward the main forest path. > tub s (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > tub, se The bathtub clambers off to the southeast. Wooded Path (in the bathtub) This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. It continues south and east through the trees and there's a gap in the trees to the northwest. > tub, s Pawing at the ground with its clawfeet, the bathtub scampers to the south. Path at Sign (in the bathtub) This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. There's a break in the trees to the west and the path continues north and south. There's a hand-painted wooden sign posted next to the path. > tub, s The bathtub clambers off to the south. Path Intersection (in the bathtub) This is a leafy spot in the forest. The path here continues north and turns southwest deeper into the trees. A second path starts here and leads east. > tub sw (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > tub, sw The bathtub jumps excitedly and dashes to the southwest. Wooded Path (in the bathtub) This is a leafy spot in the woods. The path here continues to the northeast and south and there's a break in the trees to the west. > tub, w Pawing at the ground with its clawfeet, the bathtub scampers to the west. Base Of White Tree (in the bathtub) You're standing in the center of a clearing in the woods. A very tall, very strange tree nearly fills the glade. The bark is utterly smooth and white and seems to shimmer in the sunlight. Oddly, the entire tree rotates clockwise at regular intervals (you've heard that magic trees rotate counter-clockwise in the southern hemisphere), the canopy overhead rustling with every turn. There are no branches within reach that would render it climbable but, high above, you can see an opening in the side of the trunk. You hear and feel a deep rumble. As you watch, the massive white tree slowly rotates clockwise, shaking loose leaves and birds as it again jolts to a stop. > tub, e The bathtub jumps excitedly and dashes to the east. Wooded Path (in the bathtub) This is a leafy spot in the woods. The path here continues to the northeast and south and there's a break in the trees to the west. > tub, (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > tub, s Pawing at the ground with its clawfeet, the bathtub scampers to the south. Twist In The Path (in the bathtub) This is a tranquil spot in the woods. You're standing on a path that turns here to the north and southeast and there's a break in the trees here to the southwest. > tub, sw The bathtub jumps excitedly and dashes to the southwest. Pumpkin Clearing (in the bathtub) This is a sylvan clearing in the forest. There's a break in the trees leading northeast back to the main path. Occupying and nearly filling the clearing you see a massive pumpkin. Bright orange and larger than most houses, there's a face carved into the side of it. The massive mouth and eyes are currently closed. Huge green vines as thick as your torso spread across the forest floor and the woody stem on top of the squash looks like it weighs more than the combined population of your village. > x pumpkin It's an immense pumpkin, larger than a typical house. The carved mouth and eyes are closed and it appears to be asleep. > x vines (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > x stem (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > l Pumpkin Clearing (in the bathtub) This is a sylvan clearing in the forest. There's a break in the trees leading northeast back to the main path. Occupying and nearly filling the clearing you see a massive pumpkin. Bright orange and larger than most houses, there's a face carved into the side of it. The massive mouth and eyes are currently closed. Huge green vines as thick as your torso spread across the forest floor and the woody stem on top of the squash looks like it weighs more than the combined population of your village. > take pumpin (I only understood you as far as wanting to take something.) > take pumpkin You can't reach the pumpkin from inside the bathtub. > eat it You can't reach the pumpkin from inside the bathtub. > out You get out of the bathtub. > z Time passes. > enter tub You hoist yourself into the bathtub. It immediately seems to come alive and to rise up on its clawfeet. > l Pumpkin Clearing (in the bathtub) This is a sylvan clearing in the forest. There's a break in the trees leading northeast back to the main path. Occupying and nearly filling the clearing you see a massive pumpkin. Bright orange and larger than most houses, there's a face carved into the side of it. The massive mouth and eyes are currently closed. Huge green vines as thick as your torso spread across the forest floor and the woody stem on top of the squash looks like it weighs more than the combined population of your village. > x face The hollowed-out eyes and mouth are closed. > greet pumpkin You attempt to strike up a conversation with the gigantic gourd. It seems to stir slightly. Suddenly, the pumpkin's huge eyes fly open and its massive carved face morphs into an angry frown as it catches sight of you. The mouth flies open and it lets out a deafening inhuman roar of fury. Fixing you with its empty triangular eyes, it suddenly lunges forward and swallows you and the bathtub whole in one fell gulp. Momentarily disoriented, you find yourself inside the monstrous squash. In The Pumpkin (in the bathtub) It's oppressively humid in here. It's dark, as well, but enough light penetrates the pumpkin rind to cast an eerie orange glow over everything. The pumpkin's eyes and mouth are closed and there doesn't seem to be any exit from here. An elf is here, standing in the orange twilight. "Oh, dear. I see someone else has fallen victim to my little experiment. My name's Gazebo. I'm from the village north of here. This monstrous pumpkin we find ourselves in is probably my fault, I fear. I dabble in growth potions and this particular specimen got a bit out of hand. He's an ill-tempered fellow, isn't he? Anyway, here I am. And, now, you are, too." > talk to gazebo He shakes his head sadly. "My fault, I'm afraid. My specialty is in horticulture and for years I've been perfecting potions and elixers that can stimulate tremendous growth in plants and vegetables. But I fear with this particular fellow, I went too far." "Me? My interest is in horticulture and I'm a bit of a chemist. My specialty is in growth elixers for various plants." He looks around at the pumpkin surrounding you. "I fear, though, that I may have gone a bit too far with this particular specimen." "I heard a commotion recently but, unfortunately, I've been trapped in here and don't know much of what's been going on outside." "We're a peaceful lot. Each member of my village has their own talent. We have, for example, a fine musician, a florist, and a chemist." "He's seems to be a fine fellow. I provide much of the produce to the king and his staff," he sniffs proudly. His eyes light up. "Why, yes, that's one of mine. I was just about to test my potion on it when I was waylaid by this orange brute." "Oh, now that's interesting. That must be one of Blothren's. He's quite the chemist and, most recently, he's been working on fireworks for the summer festival. Unfortunately, he sometimes overdelivers on his promises." He reaches into a pocket, pulls out a match, and hands it to you. "This is my last one; doesn't do me any good anyway since I don't have my pipe. Shall we light your little explosive?" And, we're done... > light firecacker (I only understood you as far as wanting to light something.) > out You get out of the bathtub. > light firecracker (with the match) You light the fuse and it starts to hiss and spark > drop it Dropped. > enter tub You hoist yourself into the bathtub. It immediately seems to come alive and to rise up on its clawfeet. Gazebo hops into the bathtub after you. > z Time passes. The firecracker, as firecrackers often do, explodes with a harsh echoing report. The blast, however, is surprisingly violent, exploding outward and vaporizing the pumpkin in a tornado of stringy pulp. The bathtup offers you (and Gazebo) protection from the shock wave and, when the smoke has cleared, you find yourself back outside, sitting in the bathtub in a forest glade. Pumpkin Clearing (in the bathtub) This is a sylvan clearing in the forest. There's a break in the trees leading northeast back to the main path. The glade is empty but thick strands of stringy pumpkin pulp coat the grass and hang from the branches of the surrounding trees. In the bathtub you see Gazebo. Gazebo is here. Gazebo pulls himself out of the bathtub. "Well friend, that seemed to do the trick. Many thanks for getting me out of there." He rummages in a pocket and finally pulls out a small vial and hands it to you. "This is my grow potion. It may assist you. Just be more careful than I was," he chuckles and heads off into the trees. (Your score has gone up by 20 points.) > x potion You see a small quantity of clear greenish liquid. > save Game state saved successfully. > drink it You take a sip from the greenish liquid. You slug back the liquid. At first nothing happens. But, then, you begin to feel a bit lightheaded. This is followed by a feeling of mild euphoria and an unearned sense of accomplishment. Alas, the effect is sadly temporary. > x me You're wearing a green shirt and brown trousers, the ensemble topped off by your pointy green elf hat. Your cheeks are rosy and your nose and ears are pointy. Your eyes are bloodshot and you smell like cookies and alcohol. Overall, you are adorable. > jump You enjoy a bit of jumping on the spot. > l Pumpkin Clearing (in the bathtub) This is a sylvan clearing in the forest. There's a break in the trees leading northeast back to the main path. The glade is empty but thick strands of stringy pumpkin pulp coat the grass and hang from the branches of the surrounding trees. > l Pumpkin Clearing (in the bathtub) This is a sylvan clearing in the forest. There's a break in the trees leading northeast back to the main path. The glade is empty but thick strands of stringy pumpkin pulp coat the grass and hang from the branches of the surrounding trees. > l Pumpkin Clearing (in the bathtub) This is a sylvan clearing in the forest. There's a break in the trees leading northeast back to the main path. The glade is empty but thick strands of stringy pumpkin pulp coat the grass and hang from the branches of the surrounding trees. > u The bathtub can't go up or down. > restore Game state restored successfully. Pumpkin Clearing (in the bathtub) > put potion on acorn You can't reach the greenish liquid. > x potion You see a small quantity of clear greenish liquid. > pour potion onto acorn (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > put acorn in potion You can't reach the greenish liquid. > take potion You can't reach the greenish liquid. > i You have a glass vial, a match, a pinecone, a strawberry, a bindle, a silver fife, an acorn, and a mug. You're wearing your hat. > open vial You open the glass vial, revealing a greenish liquid. > put acorn in liquid You can't put things in the greenish liquid. > pour liquid (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > put liquid on acorn You're not holding the greenish liquid. > take liquid You can't take the greenish liquid. > put acorn in vial It's too small to bother putting anything in it. > l Pumpkin Clearing (in the bathtub) This is a sylvan clearing in the forest. There's a break in the trees leading northeast back to the main path. The glade is empty but thick strands of stringy pumpkin pulp coat the grass and hang from the branches of the surrounding trees. > close vial You close the glass vial. > l Pumpkin Clearing (in the bathtub) This is a sylvan clearing in the forest. There's a break in the trees leading northeast back to the main path. The glade is empty but thick strands of stringy pumpkin pulp coat the grass and hang from the branches of the surrounding trees. > x pulp You see a thick layer of former pumpkin coating the ground and hanging from the branches. > take it You're already holding the glass vial. > take pulp You don't really need the gooey stringy pumpkin guts. > tub, ne Pawing at the ground with its clawfeet, the bathtub scampers to the northeast. Twist In The Path (in the bathtub) This is a tranquil spot in the woods. You're standing on a path that turns here to the north and southeast and there's a break in the trees here to the southwest. > tub, se The bathtub clambers off to the southeast. Outside The Chairlift (in the bathtub) This is a path through the woods. It ends (or starts) here and continues into the trees to the northwest. To the east you see a chairlift station. A large horizontal central wheel slowly turns as chairs rotate below it, dangling down from a thick rope that streams up and down a mountain to the east, the cable loop held aloft by wooden towers placed at intervals along the slope. There's a ticket booth here staffed by a very bored dwarf. A wooden sign is nailed to the booth. > x booth It's a hastily hammered together wooden booth planted at the entrance to the chairlift. There's a sign nailed to it and a bored dwarf posted behind it. > x sign It's a crudely-lettered wooden sign. It reads: "Ride The Chairlift - One Gold Coin". > tub, w You can't go that way. > tub, nw Pawing at the ground with its clawfeet, the bathtub scampers to the northwest. Twist In The Path (in the bathtub) This is a tranquil spot in the woods. You're standing on a path that turns here to the north and southeast and there's a break in the trees here to the southwest. > tub, n The bathtub jumps excitedly and dashes to the north. Wooded Path (in the bathtub) This is a leafy spot in the woods. The path here continues to the northeast and south and there's a break in the trees to the west. > tub, w Pawing at the ground with its clawfeet, the bathtub scampers to the west. Base Of White Tree (in the bathtub) You're standing in the center of a clearing in the woods. A very tall, very strange tree nearly fills the glade. The bark is utterly smooth and white and seems to shimmer in the sunlight. Oddly, the entire tree rotates clockwise at regular intervals (you've heard that magic trees rotate counter-clockwise in the southern hemisphere), the canopy overhead rustling with every turn. There are no branches within reach that would render it climbable but, high above, you can see an opening in the side of the trunk. > plant acorn (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > put acorn in ground You can't put things in the ground. > drop acorn Dropped. You hear and feel a deep rumble. As you watch, the massive white tree slowly rotates clockwise, shaking loose leaves and birds as it again jolts to a stop. > put potion on acorn You can't reach the greenish liquid. > put acorn in dirt (first trying to take the acorn) Taken. You can't put things in the ground. > * My idea is I can plant the acorn, then use the potion to make it grow (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > out You get out of the bathtub. You hear and feel a deep rumble. As you watch, the massive white tree slowly rotates clockwise, shaking loose leaves and birds as it again jolts to a stop. > l Base Of White Tree You're standing in the center of a clearing in the woods. A very tall, very strange tree nearly fills the glade. The bark is utterly smooth and white and seems to shimmer in the sunlight. Oddly, the entire tree rotates clockwise at regular intervals (you've heard that magic trees rotate counter-clockwise in the southern hemisphere), the canopy overhead rustling with every turn. There are no branches within reach that would render it climbable but, high above, you can see an opening in the side of the trunk. A white porcelain clawfoot bathtub is here. It seems to be sniffing at the ground. > take acorn You're already holding the acorn. > drop acorn Dropped. You hear and feel a deep rumble. As you watch, the massive white tree slowly rotates clockwise, shaking loose leaves and birds as it again jolts to a stop. > pour potion onto acorn (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > pour liquid onto acorn (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * ...really feels like this has to be it (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > i You have a glass vial, a match, a pinecone, a strawberry, a bindle, a silver fife, and a mug. You're wearing your hat. > x vial It's a small clear glass vial with an attached glass stopper. There's some greenish liquid inside. There's a label stuck to the side. > x label It's a label stuck to the side of the bottle. There's some lacy handwritten text on it. You hear and feel a deep rumble. As you watch, the massive white tree slowly rotates clockwise, shaking loose leaves and birds as it again jolts to a stop. > read it It reads: "'Kwik-Gro' potion. Put seed on open ground. Pour potion. Stand back". > * oh, maybe I needed to read that first? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > pour potion onto acorn (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * oh wait (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > pour potion (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > x seed (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > x acorn It's an impressively large acorn, about the size of your fist. > take acorn Taken. You hear and feel a deep rumble. As you watch, the massive white tree slowly rotates clockwise, shaking loose leaves and birds as it again jolts to a stop. > put seed on ground (I only understood you as far as wanting to put something on the ground.) > put seed on tree (I only understood you as far as wanting to put something on this location.) > x tree It's a massive white tree; the bark seems to glow in the sunlight. The entire tree, oddly enough, rotates clockwise at regular intervals. The canopy rustles in the breeze and birds take flight with every turn. There seems to be an opening high up in the side of the trunk. > * hints again... (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * wait, seems like I was exactly right? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > put acorn near tree (I only understood you as far as wanting to drop something.) > drop acorn near tree (I only understood you as far as wanting to drop something.) > drop acorn Dropped. > l Base Of White Tree You're standing in the center of a clearing in the woods. A very tall, very strange tree nearly fills the glade. The bark is utterly smooth and white and seems to shimmer in the sunlight. Oddly, the entire tree rotates clockwise at regular intervals (you've heard that magic trees rotate counter-clockwise in the southern hemisphere), the canopy overhead rustling with every turn. There are no branches within reach that would render it climbable but, high above, you can see an opening in the side of the trunk. You see an acorn here. A white porcelain clawfoot bathtub is here scratching itself with one of its clawfeet. You hear and feel a deep rumble. As you watch, the massive white tree slowly rotates clockwise, shaking loose leaves and birds as it again jolts to a stop. > pour potion on acorn The glass vial is closed. > open vial You open the glass vial, revealing a greenish liquid. > pour potion on acorn At first, nothing happens. Then, the acorn starts to jump and vibrate. Suddenly a green shoot emerges skyward as green roots erupt downward, probing deep into the ground. The tendril rapidly rises upward - a widening branch then a trunk rising after it. The trunk begins to recursively bifurcate before your eyes until, amazingly, a tall mature oak tree stands before you. You hear and feel a deep rumble. As you watch, the massive white tree slowly rotates clockwise, shaking loose leaves and birds as it again jolts to a stop. > * oh, ON vs ONTO (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > climb tree You grab onto a branch and pull yourself up into the oak tree. In The Oak You're perched high up in a tall oak tree. Green leaves rustle and flutter around you in the breeze and there are branches below allowing you to climb down. There's a particularly thick limb leading across to the white tree to the west. > w Branch End This is the end of a thick branch. It stretches east back towards the trunk. The trunk of a shimmering white tree stands just to the west. Currently, there's an opening in the white tree. > w You hoist a leg through the opening and pull yourself through. In The White Tree This is the hollow interior of a tall strange tree. It's surprisingly spacious and, high above you, the top of the tree is open. Tiny motes glisten and dance in the sunlight that streams down and the air is filled with a cacophany of small birds calling out while they flutter from side to side and in and out of the top of the tree. The only exit is out through an opening in the side of the tree. Partially hidden in the shadows here you see a massive bird nest, fashioned from branches the thickness of your arm. Shiny bits of metal and glass are embedded in the nest. Perched in the nest you see a giant great horned owl. As you enter, he stirs and regards you suspiciously with his massive eyes. "My goodness," he purrs. "What do we have here? We get so few visitors up here, you know." The floor rumbles and vibrates as the massive tree rotates beneath you. (Your score has gone up by 20 points.) > save Game state saved successfully. > * OK, I think I remember this! (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > x nest It's a freakishly large bird's nest, constructed from a tangle of thick branches. In it you see some scattered shiny objects. > search it The owl flaps his wings and stops you. He's very protective of his nest. > x objects It's a seemingly random assortment of shiny pieces of metal and glass embedded within the nest. The floor rumbles and vibrates as the massive tree rotates beneath you. > ask owl about nest His bravado seems to slip for a moment. "She's back? I've heard stories about her since I was a chick." He briefly recovers. "I'm sure she'd be no match for me, though." He puffs with pride. "It's lovely, isn't it? My great-great-grandowl built the first nest when he moved into this tree. Those of us who followed have maintained and built onto it over the years." "He calls himself 'king'. I'm the real king in this valley," his breast feathers fluff as his chest swells. "This has been my domain, my refuge if you will, for many years. After a while you don't even notice the constant spinning." He narrows his eyes at you suspiciously. "Don't you worry, little elf, about what I keep hidden in my nest." And, we're done... > give pinecone to owl He catches site of the pinecone. His huge eyes widen even more and his eybrows arch. "Oh, my. That does look like a delicious morsel." He hops from the nest and lands in front of you with a 'thud'. He plucks the pinecone from you with his huge beak and hops back into the nest. He tosses back the pinecone and with a loud 'crunch' gobbles it down. > search nest The owl flaps his wings and stops you. He's very protective of his nest. > restore Game state restored successfully. In The White Tree > play fife You blow into the fife but don't hear anything. > l In The White Tree This is the hollow interior of a tall strange tree. Tiny motes glisten and dance in the sunlight that streams down from the open top of the tree up above. A freakishly-large bird nest occupies one side of the room. Shiny bits of metal and glass are embedded in the nest. There's an opening in the side of the tree leading out. You can't be sure but you guess that it's currently facing south. A giant great horned owl is here. > * not a bird call (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > u The only way out is 'out'. The floor rumbles and vibrates as the massive tree rotates beneath you. > l In The White Tree This is the hollow interior of a tall strange tree. Tiny motes glisten and dance in the sunlight that streams down from the open top of the tree up above. A freakishly-large bird nest occupies one side of the room. Shiny bits of metal and glass are embedded in the nest. There's an opening in the side of the tree leading out. You can't be sure but you guess that it's currently facing west. A giant great horned owl is here. > i You have a glass vial, a match, a pinecone, a strawberry, a bindle, a silver fife, and a mug. You're wearing your hat. > throw pinecone west There's nowhere in that direction to throw to. The floor rumbles and vibrates as the massive tree rotates beneath you. > show pinecone to owl He catches site of the pinecone. His huge eyes widen even more and his eybrows arch. "Oh, little elf, I can promise that you shan't be leaving with that lovely little morsel." It seems as if the chirping and screeching have increased in intensity around you. > out With a flap of his massive wings, the owl quickly stations himself between you and the exit. "Not with that tasty morsel, you don't." "I'm going to start by asking you nicely to hand me the pinecone." > throw pinecone at opening (I only understood you as far as wanting to throw the pinecone at something.) > throw pinecone to opening (I only understood you as far as wanting to throw the pinecone at something.) > throw pinecone out You toss the pinecone out. In horror, the owl watches it sail through the opening in the trunk and disappear. For an instant there's a stunned silence. And then, in a whirl of feathers and a cacophany of screeching, there's a mad flight of hundreds of birds toward the opening. "No! That's mine!" the owl screams helplessly. Angrily, he flaps his massive wings and rises from the nest. Too large to fit through the opening in the side of the tree, he soars straight upward, exiting through the hollow crown. In a moment, the tree is silent. The floor rumbles and vibrates as the massive tree rotates beneath you. > search nest You crawl into the huge nest. In the nest you find some scattered shiny objects and a gold coin. > take coin Taken. (Your score has gone up by ten points.) > * OK that's for the chairlift (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * we probably want to skedaddle (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > l In The White Tree (in the nest) This is the hollow interior of a tall strange tree. Tiny motes glisten and dance in the sunlight that streams down from the open top of the tree up above. A freakishly-large bird nest occupies one side of the room. Shiny bits of metal and glass are embedded in the nest. There's an opening in the side of the tree leading out. You can't be sure but you guess that it's currently facing east. You see a collection of shiny junk embedded within the nest. The floor rumbles and vibrates as the massive tree rotates beneath you. > e The only way out is 'out'. > undo Undoing the last turn (e). In The White Tree (in the nest) > undo Undoing the last turn (l). In The White Tree (in the nest) > e The only way out is 'out'. The floor rumbles and vibrates as the massive tree rotates beneath you. > undo Undoing the last turn (e). In The White Tree (in the nest) > out You crawl out of the giant nest. The floor rumbles and vibrates as the massive tree rotates beneath you. > e The only way out is 'out'. > out You start to climb through the opening but reconsider when you notice the sheer drop down. > undo Undoing the last turn (out). In The White Tree > undo Undoing the last turn (e). In The White Tree > undo Undoing the last turn (out). In The White Tree (in the nest) > undo Undoing the last turn (* we probably want to skedaddle). In The White Tree (in the nest) > undo Undoing the last turn (* ok that's for the chairlift). In The White Tree (in the nest) > undo Undoing the last turn (take coin). In The White Tree (in the nest) > out You crawl out of the giant nest. > out You clamber out of the opening and jump back across to the oak branch. Branch End This is the end of a thick branch. It stretches east back towards the trunk. The trunk of a shimmering white tree stands just to the west. Currently, there's an opening in the white tree. You hear and feel a deep rumble. As you watch, the massive white tree slowly rotates clockwise, shaking loose leaves and birds as it again jolts to a stop. An opening in the white trunk rotates clockwise away from you. > * whew, tight timing (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > d You can't go that way. > e In The Oak You're perched high up in a tall oak tree. Green leaves rustle and flutter around you in the breeze and there are branches below allowing you to climb down. There's a particularly thick limb leading across to the white tree to the west. > d You clamber down through the branches. Base Of White Tree You're standing in the center of a clearing in the woods. A very tall, very strange tree nearly fills the glade. The bark is utterly smooth and white and seems to shimmer in the sunlight. Oddly, the entire tree rotates clockwise at regular intervals (you've heard that magic trees rotate counter-clockwise in the southern hemisphere), the canopy overhead rustling with every turn. There are no branches within reach that would render it climbable but, high above, you can see an opening in the side of the trunk. A second tall tree stands here next to the white tree. A white porcelain clawfoot bathtub is here. You hear and feel a deep rumble. As you watch, the massive white tree slowly rotates clockwise, shaking loose leaves and birds as it again jolts to a stop. > enter tub You hoist yourself into the bathtub. It immediately seems to come alive and to rise up on its clawfeet. > tub, se You can't go that way. > * no exit listed? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > tub, ne You can't go that way. You hear and feel a deep rumble. As you watch, the massive white tree slowly rotates clockwise, shaking loose leaves and birds as it again jolts to a stop. > tub, e The bathtub clambers off to the east. Wooded Path (in the bathtub) This is a leafy spot in the woods. The path here continues to the northeast and south and there's a break in the trees to the west. > tub, (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > tub, s The bathtub jumps excitedly and dashes to the south. Twist In The Path (in the bathtub) This is a tranquil spot in the woods. You're standing on a path that turns here to the north and southeast and there's a break in the trees here to the southwest. > tub se (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > tub, se The bathtub clambers off to the southeast. Outside The Chairlift (in the bathtub) This is a path through the woods. It ends (or starts) here and continues into the trees to the northwest. To the east you see a chairlift station. A large horizontal central wheel slowly turns as chairs rotate below it, dangling down from a thick rope that streams up and down a mountain to the east, the cable loop held aloft by wooden towers placed at intervals along the slope. There's a ticket booth here staffed by a very bored dwarf. A wooden sign is nailed to the booth. > ask dwarf about lift He sighs and taps the sign. > x sign It's a crudely-lettered wooden sign. It reads: "Ride The Chairlift - One Gold Coin". > save Game state saved successfully. > give coin to dwarf (I only understood you as far as wanting to give something to the bored dwarf.) > i You have a glass vial, a match, a strawberry, a bindle, a silver fife, and a mug. You're wearing your hat. > * oh FFS, did I undo past taking the coin (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > restore Game state restored successfully. In The White Tree > l In The White Tree This is the hollow interior of a tall strange tree. Tiny motes glisten and dance in the sunlight that streams down from the open top of the tree up above. A freakishly-large bird nest occupies one side of the room. Shiny bits of metal and glass are embedded in the nest. There's an opening in the side of the tree leading out. You can't be sure but you guess that it's currently facing south. A giant great horned owl is here. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. The floor rumbles and vibrates as the massive tree rotates beneath you. > l In The White Tree This is the hollow interior of a tall strange tree. Tiny motes glisten and dance in the sunlight that streams down from the open top of the tree up above. A freakishly-large bird nest occupies one side of the room. Shiny bits of metal and glass are embedded in the nest. There's an opening in the side of the tree leading out. You can't be sure but you guess that it's currently facing west. A giant great horned owl is here. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. The floor rumbles and vibrates as the massive tree rotates beneath you. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. > l In The White Tree This is the hollow interior of a tall strange tree. Tiny motes glisten and dance in the sunlight that streams down from the open top of the tree up above. A freakishly-large bird nest occupies one side of the room. Shiny bits of metal and glass are embedded in the nest. There's an opening in the side of the tree leading out. You can't be sure but you guess that it's currently facing north. A giant great horned owl is here. The floor rumbles and vibrates as the massive tree rotates beneath you. > l In The White Tree This is the hollow interior of a tall strange tree. Tiny motes glisten and dance in the sunlight that streams down from the open top of the tree up above. A freakishly-large bird nest occupies one side of the room. Shiny bits of metal and glass are embedded in the nest. There's an opening in the side of the tree leading out. You can't be sure but you guess that it's currently facing east. A giant great horned owl is here. > l In The White Tree This is the hollow interior of a tall strange tree. Tiny motes glisten and dance in the sunlight that streams down from the open top of the tree up above. A freakishly-large bird nest occupies one side of the room. Shiny bits of metal and glass are embedded in the nest. There's an opening in the side of the tree leading out. You can't be sure but you guess that it's currently facing east. A giant great horned owl is here. > l In The White Tree This is the hollow interior of a tall strange tree. Tiny motes glisten and dance in the sunlight that streams down from the open top of the tree up above. A freakishly-large bird nest occupies one side of the room. Shiny bits of metal and glass are embedded in the nest. There's an opening in the side of the tree leading out. You can't be sure but you guess that it's currently facing east. A giant great horned owl is here. The floor rumbles and vibrates as the massive tree rotates beneath you. > show pinecone to owl He catches site of the pinecone. His huge eyes widen even more and his eybrows arch. "Oh, little elf, I can promise that you shan't be leaving with that lovely little morsel." It seems as if the chirping and screeching have increased in intensity around you. > z Time passes. "I'm going to start by asking you nicely to hand me the pinecone." > z Time passes. "Now I'm starting to think that you won't hand it to me and I'm becoming irritated." The floor rumbles and vibrates as the massive tree rotates beneath you. > throw pinecone out You toss the pinecone out. In horror, the owl watches it sail through the opening in the trunk and disappear. For an instant there's a stunned silence. And then, in a whirl of feathers and a cacophany of screeching, there's a mad flight of hundreds of birds toward the opening. "No! That's mine!" the owl screams helplessly. Angrily, he flaps his massive wings and rises from the nest. Too large to fit through the opening in the side of the tree, he soars straight upward, exiting through the hollow crown. In a moment, the tree is silent. > search nest You crawl into the huge nest. In the nest you find some scattered shiny objects and a gold coin. > take coin Taken. The floor rumbles and vibrates as the massive tree rotates beneath you. (Your score has gone up by ten points.) > l In The White Tree (in the nest) This is the hollow interior of a tall strange tree. Tiny motes glisten and dance in the sunlight that streams down from the open top of the tree up above. A freakishly-large bird nest occupies one side of the room. Shiny bits of metal and glass are embedded in the nest. There's an opening in the side of the tree leading out. You can't be sure but you guess that it's currently facing north. You see a collection of shiny junk embedded within the nest. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. The floor rumbles and vibrates as the massive tree rotates beneath you. > out You crawl out of the giant nest. > out You clamber out of the opening and jump back across to the oak branch. Branch End This is the end of a thick branch. It stretches east back towards the trunk. The trunk of a shimmering white tree stands just to the west. Currently, there's an opening in the white tree. > d You can't go that way. You hear and feel a deep rumble. As you watch, the massive white tree slowly rotates clockwise, shaking loose leaves and birds as it again jolts to a stop. An opening in the white trunk rotates clockwise away from you. > e In The Oak You're perched high up in a tall oak tree. Green leaves rustle and flutter around you in the breeze and there are branches below allowing you to climb down. There's a particularly thick limb leading across to the white tree to the west. > d You clamber down through the branches. Base Of White Tree You're standing in the center of a clearing in the woods. A very tall, very strange tree nearly fills the glade. The bark is utterly smooth and white and seems to shimmer in the sunlight. Oddly, the entire tree rotates clockwise at regular intervals (you've heard that magic trees rotate counter-clockwise in the southern hemisphere), the canopy overhead rustling with every turn. There are no branches within reach that would render it climbable but, high above, you can see an opening in the side of the trunk. A second tall tree stands here next to the white tree. A white porcelain clawfoot bathtub is here. > enter tub You hoist yourself into the bathtub. It immediately seems to come alive and to rise up on its clawfeet. You hear and feel a deep rumble. As you watch, the massive white tree slowly rotates clockwise, shaking loose leaves and birds as it again jolts to a stop. > tub, e The bathtub clambers off to the east. Wooded Path (in the bathtub) This is a leafy spot in the woods. The path here continues to the northeast and south and there's a break in the trees to the west. A fluffy white cloud is here, floating a few feet off the ground. > save Game state saved successfully. > tub, se You can't go that way. > tub, s The bathtub jumps excitedly and dashes to the south. Twist In The Path (in the bathtub) This is a tranquil spot in the woods. You're standing on a path that turns here to the north and southeast and there's a break in the trees here to the southwest. > tub, se Pawing at the ground with its clawfeet, the bathtub scampers to the southeast. Outside The Chairlift (in the bathtub) This is a path through the woods. It ends (or starts) here and continues into the trees to the northwest. To the east you see a chairlift station. A large horizontal central wheel slowly turns as chairs rotate below it, dangling down from a thick rope that streams up and down a mountain to the east, the cable loop held aloft by wooden towers placed at intervals along the slope. There's a ticket booth here staffed by a very bored dwarf. A wooden sign is nailed to the booth. > give coin to dwarf The dwarf takes the coin and waves you through. > tub, e The tub won't enter the chairlift station. > out You get out of the bathtub. > e Lower Station You're standing among the chairs in the lower chairlift station. The large main drive wheel turns slowly as it looms above you. Chairs hang down from the main rope, arriving from the east, slowly rotating unde the wheel and then departing back up the mountain. There's a stone square here in the ground, presumably to let you know where to stand in order to most easily board one of the chairs. > x square It's a stone square in the ground. > x chairs You see chairs dangling from the chairlift rope streaming up and down the mountain. > stand on square You get onto the stone square. A chair rotates behind you and you plop backwards into it. The safety bar drops and you are swept along eastward out of the station. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift up the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. The green rocky hillside slips below you as you climb higher. Empty chairs trail out above and below you. You consider hawking an elfen loogie over the side but reconsider. > spit (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * ah well (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > x chairs You see chairs dangling from the chairlift rope streaming up and down the mountain. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift up the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. You notice the slope below you becoming rockier as you climb higher. You stare intently at the hillside below, looking for any dropped change. > x hill It's a mountain rising upward from west to east. The lower slopes are grassy and become progressively rockier higher up. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift up the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. The temperature seems to be dropping as you glide up the mountain face. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift up the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. It's quite cool now as you pass through a thin layer of low-lying clouds. You wish you had a pocket knife to carve your initials in the seat. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift up the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. You catch sight of the upper station as you approach the crest of the hill. You rock the chair mischievously, but startle yourself and immediately stop. > x station (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift through a chairlift station, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. You're now rotating slowly below the upper station drive wheel. > out (first trying to get off the chair) (first raising the safety bar) You hop off of the chair and step aside as it glides past you. Upper Station You're standing among the chairs in the upper chairlift station. The large main drive wheel turns slowly as it looms above you. Chairs hang down from the main rope, arriving from the west, slowly rotating unde the wheel and then departing back down the mountain. There's a stone square here in the ground, presumably to let you know where to stand in order to most easily board one of the chairs. A worn path leads away from the chairlift to the north. > x square It's a stone square in the ground. > n Outside The Rink You're standing outside of a timber-framed building with a steep gabled roof. The ornately carved door is to the north and a colorful sign hangs from a bracket above it. A well-worn path leads south back to the chairlift station and a less distinct track leads east into a thick copse of trees. > x building (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > x sign It's a colorful sign, blue with white lettering and snowflakes painted on it. It reads "Frostine's Ice Rink". > read it "Frostine's Ice Rink" > in In what direction? > n (first trying to open the plain wooden door to the north) The plain wooden door is locked. > e Icy Copse This is a copse of tall oaks and evergreens. It's cold here and you can see your breath in front of you. Sunlight glistens off of a thin coating of ice that covers everything and icicles dangle from from every branch like tinsel. A faint path starts here and continues to the west and there's a gap in the icy trees to the southeast. Frostine, the ice fairy, is standing here gripping a mug of iced coffee and talking very fast. "Oh, my. An elf? How did you get away from the witch, good sir? I thought she had locked everyone up in the castle dungeon." She takes a long sip of her mocha. > x frostine She's a fairy, elf-sized, with curls of platinum blonde hair and rosy cheeks. She's wearing a tall conical blue hat with a white veil affixed to the top and a long blue dress. She's gripping a mug of iced mocha coffee and when she speaks she does so very rapidly. Frostine cups her mug in her hands and takes a drink. > ask her about witch "Why, I'm an ice fairy. It's my job to manage all things cold and frozen. This time of year, though, there's very little to do. So I run the ice rink next door." She stops for a moment and takes a swig from her mocha. "You haven't seen my pet cloud Claude have you?" "Who said I had a coffee addiction?" she asks defensively, her hands shaking slightly. "I don't have a coffee addiction. YOU have a coffee addiction." "That's Claude my domestic cumulus. He can be quite a handful. He normally stays here with me but he ran away a few days ago and now I can't find his bottle." "We've not actually met, but I've heard he can be surly and is a bit of a collector." "Sadly, I've had to close it since the witch locked up all the elves. There's no one left to skate." "She's very mean and very powerful. She seems to have roosted behind the cliffs to the east. You'll most likely need the magic music box to stop her." "It's very powerful and works on whomever can appreciate its music. That is, it will work on elves and fairies. But more importantly, it works on witches as well. No one knows where the music box is hidden. Some say it's north of the river. They say it's locked with a silver key." "It was entrusted to the elves generations ago for safekeeping but no one knows for sure where they put it. Presumably, it's hidden in the castle vault. "Oh, speaking of keys, though," she starts to rifle through the folds of her dress. "Maybe this will help." She hands you a key made of ice. "That's the key to the rink. You can check out the 'Lost & Found'. Maybe there's something useful there." "That unlocks unlocks my ice rink. But you'd best hurry before it melts, my little warm-blooded friend." And, we're done... > w Outside The Rink You're standing outside of a timber-framed building with a steep gabled roof. The ornately carved door is to the north and a colorful sign hangs from a bracket above it. A well-worn path leads south back to the chairlift station and a less distinct track leads east into a thick copse of trees. The ice key melts a bit. > unlock door with key You unlock the plain wooden door with the ice key. The ice key melts a bit. > open door You open the plain wooden door. The ice key melts a bit. > n Ice Rink This is an open wood-panelled room. Wooden benches are arranged in rows and a counter occupies one wall. Behind the counter you see a large wooden box labelled "Lost & Found". There's a door to the south and an open archway leads north directly out onto a frozen lake. In the lost and found you see a pair of ice skates. The ice key melts a bit. > wear skates (first trying to take the ice skates) Taken. The ice key melts a bit. With some difficulty, you wriggle your feet into the ice skates. The ice key finally melts away to nothing. > n You skate to the north. Frozen Lake South This is the southern end of a large frozen lake. High rocky cliffs surround it in a bowl-like valley. The lake continues on to the north and you can see the ice rink across the ice to the south. > s You skate to the south. Ice Rink This is an open wood-panelled room. Wooden benches are arranged in rows and a counter occupies one wall. Behind the counter you see a large wooden box labelled "Lost & Found". There's a door to the south and an open archway leads north directly out onto a frozen lake. > x benches They're plain wooden benches. Useful for sitting on whilst slipping your ice skates on and off. > x corner (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > look under benches You find nothing under the benches. > x box It's a wooden box. Scrawled on the side it reads "Lost & Found". > x lake North from here is a frozen lake. > n You skate to the north. Frozen Lake South This is the southern end of a large frozen lake. High rocky cliffs surround it in a bowl-like valley. The lake continues on to the north and you can see the ice rink across the ice to the south. > skate (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > x cliffs They're steep rocky cliffs that surround the lake like an amphitheater. > n You skate to the north. Frozen Lake North This is the northern end of a large frozen lake. High rocky cliffs surround it in a bowl-like valley. You can see the tiny building containing the ice rink far across the frozen ice to the south. A glass bottle is sitting here on the ice. > x bottle Did you want to examine the glass jug or the glass vial? > glass bottle Did you want to examine the glass jug or the glass vial? > * neither, tbh (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > take all The glass jug: Taken. The cork: With a dull 'pop', you pull the cork from the bottle. (Your score has gone up by ten points.) > undo Undoing the last turn (take all). Frozen Lake North > x jug It's a large glass jug. It's currently corked. > take hug (I only understood you as far as wanting to take something.) > take jug Taken. (Your score has gone up by ten points.) > x corck (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > x cork It's a standard cork. > s You skate to the south. Frozen Lake South This is the southern end of a large frozen lake. High rocky cliffs surround it in a bowl-like valley. The lake continues on to the north and you can see the ice rink across the ice to the south. > s You skate to the south. Ice Rink This is an open wood-panelled room. Wooden benches are arranged in rows and a counter occupies one wall. Behind the counter you see a large wooden box labelled "Lost & Found". There's a door to the south and an open archway leads north directly out onto a frozen lake. > s You can't walk in the ice skates. You blame your weak ankles. > remove skates After much pulling, you are finally able to extricate your feet from the skates. > s Outside The Rink You're standing outside of a timber-framed building with a steep gabled roof. The ornately carved door is to the north and a colorful sign hangs from a bracket above it. A well-worn path leads south back to the chairlift station and a less distinct track leads east into a thick copse of trees. > e Icy Copse This is a copse of tall oaks and evergreens. It's cold here and you can see your breath in front of you. Sunlight glistens off of a thin coating of ice that covers everything and icicles dangle from from every branch like tinsel. A faint path starts here and continues to the west and there's a gap in the icy trees to the southeast. Frostine the ice fairy is here knocking back an iced mocha coffee. > give jug to frostine "Oh, good, you found Claude's jug. Would you be a dear? Hold on to that and if you see him be a dearie and get him back into it." Frostine cups her mug in her hands and takes a drink. > w Outside The Rink You're standing outside of a timber-framed building with a steep gabled roof. The ornately carved door is to the north and a colorful sign hangs from a bracket above it. A well-worn path leads south back to the chairlift station and a less distinct track leads east into a thick copse of trees. > s Upper Station You're standing among the chairs in the upper chairlift station. The large main drive wheel turns slowly as it looms above you. Chairs hang down from the main rope, arriving from the west, slowly rotating unde the wheel and then departing back down the mountain. There's a stone square here in the ground, presumably to let you know where to stand in order to most easily board one of the chairs. A worn path leads away from the chairlift to the north. > stand on square You get onto the stone square. A chair rotates behind you and you plop backwards into it. The safety bar drops and you are swept along westward out of the station. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift down the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. You are facing outward, away from the mountain, you can see for miles over endless green forests. You consider hawking an elfen loogie over the side but reconsider. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift down the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. As you descend into the valley the air becomes noticeably warmer. You wish you had peed before getting on the chairlift. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift down the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. In the distance below you can make out the lower chairlift station. You wish you had a pocket knife to carve your initials in the seat. > out (first trying to get off the chair) (first raising the safety bar) You hop off of the chair and step aside as it glides past you. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift down the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. You are now approaching the lower chairlift station, but still fairly high in the air. You wish you had peed before getting on the chairlift. (first trying to get off the chair) You hop off of the chair and step aside as it glides past you. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift through a chairlift station, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. You are gliding through the station at the bottom of the hill. Your chair is slowly rotating under the wheel. (first trying to get off the chair) You hop off of the chair and step aside as it glides past you. Lower Station You're standing among the chairs in the lower chairlift station. The large main drive wheel turns slowly as it looms above you. Chairs hang down from the main rope, arriving from the east, slowly rotating unde the wheel and then departing back up the mountain. There's a stone square here in the ground, presumably to let you know where to stand in order to most easily board one of the chairs. > w Outside The Chairlift This is a path through the woods. It ends (or starts) here and continues into the trees to the northwest. To the east you see a chairlift station. A large horizontal central wheel slowly turns as chairs rotate below it, dangling down from a thick rope that streams up and down a mountain to the east, the cable loop held aloft by wooden towers placed at intervals along the slope. There's a ticket booth here currently empty (it appears the dwarf is on break or got bored and went home). A wooden sign is nailed to the booth. A white porcelain clawfoot bathtub is here turning in circles, chasing a tail it doesn't have. > enter tub You hoist yourself into the bathtub. It immediately seems to come alive and to rise up on its clawfeet. > tub, w You can't go that way. > tub, nw The bathtub jumps excitedly and dashes to the northwest. Twist In The Path (in the bathtub) This is a tranquil spot in the woods. You're standing on a path that turns here to the north and southeast and there's a break in the trees here to the southwest. > tub, n The bathtub clambers off to the north. Wooded Path (in the bathtub) This is a leafy spot in the woods. The path here continues to the northeast and south and there's a break in the trees to the west. > tub, ne The bathtub jumps excitedly and dashes to the northeast. Path Intersection (in the bathtub) This is a leafy spot in the forest. The path here continues north and turns southwest deeper into the trees. A second path starts here and leads east. > tub, e Pawing at the ground with its clawfeet, the bathtub scampers to the east. Gnome Cottage (in the bathtub) This is a small clearing in the woods, in the center of which you see evidence of a gnome cottage. Although, there's little to actually see, since gnomes live underground. A mailbox is perched here on a wooden pole and a wooden hatch, currently closed is embedded in the ground at your feet. A narrow stone walkway leads west back to the forest trail. > save Game state saved successfully. > x mailbox It's a plain white mailbox perched on a pole. Sloppily painted on the side you see "The Gnomes". > open it You open the mailbox, revealing a magazine. > x magazine It's the most recent issue of "Modern Digging" with a label addressed to "Gnigel Gnome". The cover story excitedly declares that "the new fall shovels are in!" > take it Taken. > l Gnome Cottage (in the bathtub) This is a small clearing in the woods, in the center of which you see evidence of a gnome cottage. Although, there's little to actually see, since gnomes live underground. A mailbox is perched here on a wooden pole and a wooden hatch, currently closed is embedded in the ground at your feet. A narrow stone walkway leads west back to the forest trail. > hatch (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > x hatch It's a wooden hatch in the ground, currently closed. > open hatch You open the wooden hatch. > knock on hatch There's no response. > d The bathtub can't go up or down. > out You get out of the bathtub. > d You climb down the spiral staircase. Gnome Top Level This is a cylindrical underground chamber that's been carved from the rock and dirt. Iridescent roots jut here and there from the walls and ceiling and provide dim greenish illumination. A wooden spiral staircase fills the center of the room and leads upward and downward. A passage branches off here and heads through a dark opening to the north. > n Bedroom This is a typically untidy gnome bedroom. Mud cakes the makeshift floor of wooden boards and half-eatern turnips are tossed into the corner. A pair of unmade bunk-beds are pushed against one wall. Each one has a name painted on it. One is marked "Gnigel", the other "Gneville". The exit lies to the south. A muddy shovel is here propped against the wall. > x shovel It's a standard shovel. > take it Taken. > x beds Did you want to examine the top bunk or the bottom bunk? > top It's the top bunk, part of an unmade pair of bunk beds. > x bottom It's the bottom bunk, part of an unmade pair of bunk beds. > make bed (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > l Bedroom This is a typically untidy gnome bedroom. Mud cakes the makeshift floor of wooden boards and half-eatern turnips are tossed into the corner. A pair of unmade bunk-beds are pushed against one wall. Each one has a name painted on it. One is marked "Gnigel", the other "Gneville". The exit lies to the south. > s Gnome Top Level This is a cylindrical underground chamber that's been carved from the rock and dirt. Iridescent roots jut here and there from the walls and ceiling and provide dim greenish illumination. A wooden spiral staircase fills the center of the room and leads upward and downward. A passage branches off here and heads through a dark opening to the north. > d You climb down the spiral stairs. Gnome Middle Level This is a cylindrical underground chamber that's been carved from the rock and dirt. iridescent roots jut here and there from the walls and ceiling and provide dim greenish illumination. A wooden spiral staircase fills the center of the room and continues upward and downward. A passage branches off here and heads through a dark opening to the south. > s Bedroom This is an untidy bedroom apparently belonging to Gnoel and Gneal, since these are the names roughly painted on the bunk beds pushed against the wall. A poster hangs next to the beds and the exit lies to the north. There's a desk here pushed against one wall. Sitting on top you see a large glass tank filled with dirt. There's a hinged mesh lid covering it and it's currently closed. On the desk you see a glass tank. A miner's helmet lies discarded in the corner. > x poster It's a large glossy poster of Gnome digging champion Gnate Gnorton. He's giving a thumbs up to the camera with one hand and holding up his 'Dig-master 500' shovel in the other. > move poster There's nothing behind the poster. > x desk It's a plain wooden desk. Nearly the entire surface is taken up by a large glass tank full of dirt. > x tank It's an aquarium full of dirt. There's a hinged lid over the top, currently closed. > open it You lift the lid. Suddenly, a large worm pops up from the dirt. You have no way of knowing this but this is Wilhelmina, Gneal's pet worm. She sways excitedly for a moment back and forth, seemingly enjoying her freedom. She seems to be looking at you despite her lack of eyes. After a moment, she crawls from the tank onto the floor where she quickly burrows through the dirt and disappears. > undo Undoing the last turn (open it). Bedroom > l Bedroom This is an untidy bedroom apparently belonging to Gnoel and Gneal, since these are the names roughly painted on the bunk beds pushed against the wall. A poster hangs next to the beds and the exit lies to the north. There's a desk here pushed against one wall. Sitting on top you see a large glass tank filled with dirt. There's a hinged mesh lid covering it and it's currently closed. On the desk you see a glass tank. A miner's helmet lies discarded in the corner. > x tank It's an aquarium full of dirt. There's a hinged lid over the top, currently closed. > x helmet It's a mining helmet, essentially a thick leather band with a lamp fixed to the front. It's currently turned off. > wear it (first trying to remove your hat) You take off your hat. (first trying to take the mining helmet) You're holding too much and can't take the mining helmet. > put all in bindle Your hat: You put your hat in the bindle. The shovel: The shovel won't fit in the bindle. > i You have a shovel, a magazine, a pair of ice skates, a glass jug, a glass vial, a match, a strawberry, a bindle, a silver fife, and a mug. > drop shovel Dropped. > put all in bindle The magazine: You put the magazine in the bindle. The ice skates: You put the ice skates in the bindle. The glass jug: You put the glass jug in the bindle. The glass vial: You put the glass vial in the bindle. The match: You put the match in the bindle. The strawberry: You put the strawberry in the bindle. The silver fife: You put the silver fife in the bindle. The mug: You put the mug in the bindle. > take shovel Taken. > l Bedroom This is an untidy bedroom apparently belonging to Gnoel and Gneal, since these are the names roughly painted on the bunk beds pushed against the wall. A poster hangs next to the beds and the exit lies to the north. There's a desk here pushed against one wall. Sitting on top you see a large glass tank filled with dirt. There's a hinged mesh lid covering it and it's currently closed. On the desk you see a glass tank. A miner's helmet lies discarded in the corner. > wear helmet (first trying to take the mining helmet) Taken. You put on the mining helmet. > l Bedroom This is an untidy bedroom apparently belonging to Gnoel and Gneal, since these are the names roughly painted on the bunk beds pushed against the wall. A poster hangs next to the beds and the exit lies to the north. There's a desk here pushed against one wall. Sitting on top you see a large glass tank filled with dirt. There's a hinged mesh lid covering it and it's currently closed. On the desk you see a glass tank. > turn on helmet You switch the mining helmet on. > turn off helmet You switch the mining helmet off. > s You can't go that way. > n Gnome Middle Level This is a cylindrical underground chamber that's been carved from the rock and dirt. iridescent roots jut here and there from the walls and ceiling and provide dim greenish illumination. A wooden spiral staircase fills the center of the room and continues upward and downward. A passage branches off here and heads through a dark opening to the south. > d You climb down the spiral stairs. Gnome Parlor This appears to be the main living space for the gnomes. It's surprisingly cozy despite the fact that the walls and ceiling are packed dirt. A large couch and a polka-dotted easy chair sit against the wall. A coffee table occupies the middle of the room. The exit is upward via a spiral staircase and a wooden door lies to the west. > x couch It's a hopelessly dirt-stained couch. > x chair It's a brown easy chair with green polka dots. The brown can't hide the dirt stains. > look under chair You find nothing under the easy chair. > look under couch You find nothing under the couch. > search couch You find nothing of interest. > search sofa You find nothing of interest. > l Gnome Parlor This appears to be the main living space for the gnomes. It's surprisingly cozy despite the fact that the walls and ceiling are packed dirt. A large couch and a polka-dotted easy chair sit against the wall. A coffee table occupies the middle of the room. The exit is upward via a spiral staircase and a wooden door lies to the west. > search chair You find nothing of interest. > x table It's a low nondescript coffee table. > w Root Cellar This is a small dark storage space that appears to be where the gnomes store their root vegetables. Piles of turnips, beets, and rutabagas spill onto the dirt floor. The north and south walls seem to be bedrock but the west wall is packed earth. The way out lies through the door to the east. Suddenly, a large worm emerges from the dirt wall to the west. You correctly guess that it's Wilhelmina again. She regards you for a moment, then almost seems to beckon to you. Then she heads into the dirt wall again and disappears. > search vegetables You find nothing of interest. > dig west (with the shovel) As you start to dig, the shovel jumps in your hands and almost seems to come alive. It enthusiastically digs into the dirt with minimal guidance from you. In addition, the scoops of dirt, instead of accumulating around you, seem to disappear altogether from the shovel with a quiet 'poof'. You dig towards the west, and soon have created a narrow but quite passable tunnel that way. (Your score has gone up by ten points.) > w Underground This is a dark chamber burrowed out of the ground. Roots poke out from the packed earth and confused worms and beetles emerge from the walls. A tunnel has been dug east. Wilhelmina is here. She pauses a moment for you to catch up then burrows into the west wall and disappears. > x roots They're dirty roots sticking out of the dirt walls. > dig west (with the shovel) You dig towards the west, and soon have created a narrow but quite passable tunnel that way. > w You crawl west through the narrow tunnel. In the dark You are surrounded by darkness. > turn on helmet You switch the mining helmet on. This is a dark chamber burrowed out of the ground. Roots poke out from the packed earth and confused worms and beetles emerge from the walls. A tunnel has been dug east. Wilhelmina is here. She pauses a moment for you to catch up then burrows straight up and disappears. > dig u (with the shovel) You dig upward, and soon have created a narrow but quite passable tunnel that way. > u You crawl up through the narrow tunnel. Underground This is a dark chamber burrowed out of the ground. Roots poke out from the packed earth and confused worms and beetles emerge from the walls. A tunnel has been dug downward. Wilhelmina is here. She pauses a moment for you to catch up then burrows into the north wall and disappears. > dig n (with the shovel) You dig towards the north, and soon have created a narrow but quite passable tunnel that way. > n You crawl north through the narrow tunnel. Underground This is a dark chamber burrowed out of the ground. Roots poke out from the packed earth and confused worms and beetles emerge from the walls. A tunnel has been dug south. Wilhelmina is here. She pauses a moment for you to catch up then burrows into the north wall and disappears. > dig n (with the shovel) You dig towards the north, and soon have created a narrow but quite passable tunnel that way. > n You crawl north through the narrow tunnel. Underground This is a dark chamber burrowed out of the ground. Roots poke out from the packed earth and confused worms and beetles emerge from the walls. A tunnel has been dug south. Wilhelmina is here. She pauses a moment for you to catch up then burrows into the east wall and disappears. > dig e (with the shovel) You dig towards the east, and soon have created a narrow but quite passable tunnel that way. > e You crawl east through the narrow tunnel. Underground This is a dark chamber burrowed out of the ground. Roots poke out from the packed earth and confused worms and beetles emerge from the walls. A tunnel has been dug west. Wilhelmina is here. She pauses a moment for you to catch up then burrows straight up and disappears. > dig u (with the shovel) You dig upward, and soon have created a narrow but quite passable tunnel that way. > u You crawl up through the narrow tunnel. Underground This is a dark chamber burrowed out of the ground. Roots poke out from the packed earth and confused worms and beetles emerge from the walls. A tunnel has been dug downward. Wilhelmina is here. She pauses a moment for you to catch up then burrows into the west wall and disappears. > dig w (with the shovel) You dig towards the west, and soon have created a narrow but quite passable tunnel that way. > w You crawl west through the narrow tunnel. Underground This is a dark chamber burrowed out of the ground. Roots poke out from the packed earth and confused worms and beetles emerge from the walls. A tunnel has been dug east. Wilhelmina is here. She pauses a moment for you to catch up then burrows straight up and disappears. > dig u (with the shovel) You dig upward, and soon have created a narrow but quite passable tunnel that way. > u You pull yourself upward through the passage and emerge into bright sunlight. Path Intersection This is a leafy spot in the forest. The path here continues north and turns southwest deeper into the trees. A second path starts here and leads east. The ground has been disturbed here and you see a tunnel dug downward through the dirt. Wilhelmina is here waiting for you on the surface. She watches you climb from the hole and then seems to wave at you with her whole body. Then she plunges down into the ground and disappears. (Your score has gone up by 20 points.) > turn off helmet You switch the mining helmet off. > e Gnome Cottage This is a small clearing in the woods, in the center of which you see evidence of a gnome cottage. Although, there's little to actually see, since gnomes live underground. A mailbox is perched here on a wooden pole and a wooden hatch, currently open is embedded in the ground at your feet. A narrow stone walkway leads west back to the forest trail. A white porcelain clawfoot bathtub is here. > * hrm (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * not sure why that got me points but I guess that's OK? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > save Game state saved successfully. > l Gnome Cottage This is a small clearing in the woods, in the center of which you see evidence of a gnome cottage. Although, there's little to actually see, since gnomes live underground. A mailbox is perched here on a wooden pole and a wooden hatch, currently open is embedded in the ground at your feet. A narrow stone walkway leads west back to the forest trail. A white porcelain clawfoot bathtub is here. > enter tub You hoist yourself into the bathtub. It immediately seems to come alive and to rise up on its clawfeet. > tub, w The bathtub jumps excitedly and dashes to the west. Path Intersection (in the bathtub) This is a leafy spot in the forest. The path here continues north and turns southwest deeper into the trees. A second path starts here and leads east. The ground has been disturbed here and you see a tunnel dug downward through the dirt. > tub, n The bathtub clambers off to the north. Path at Sign (in the bathtub) This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. There's a break in the trees to the west and the path continues north and south. There's a hand-painted wooden sign posted next to the path. > tub, n Pawing at the ground with its clawfeet, the bathtub scampers to the north. Wooded Path (in the bathtub) This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. It continues south and east through the trees and there's a gap in the trees to the northwest. > tub, e The bathtub clambers off to the east. Forest Clearing (in the bathtub) This is the western half of a broad clearing in the forest. A crushed stone path starts here and leads east and a dirt path leads west back into the greenery of the surrounding trees. > tub, e Pawing at the ground with its clawfeet, the bathtub scampers to the east. South Of Castle (in the bathtub) This is a continuation of a large open clearing in the forest that continues to the west. To the north stands the royal elf castle. It's crafted from polished stones and thick timbers. The stone path continues north to the castle entrance and west into the clearing. A dirt path begins here and leads east into the woods. > tub, e The bathtub clambers off to the east. Path Fork (in the bathtub) This is a path winding through a thick leafy forest. Fractals of sunlight filter down through the canopy above. The path continues to the west and forks to the northeast and southeast. > open jub (I only understood you as far as wanting to open something.) > open jug With a dull 'pop', you pull the cork from the bottle. > tub, ne The bathtub jumps excitedly and dashes to the northeast. Wooded Path (in the bathtub) The path here continues to the southwest and leads north along the rim of a canyon that falls off to the east. Clouds of mist rise from the northeast where you can see a waterfall in the distance. > tub, ne You can't go that way. > tub, sw Pawing at the ground with its clawfeet, the bathtub scampers to the southwest. Path Fork (in the bathtub) This is a path winding through a thick leafy forest. Fractals of sunlight filter down through the canopy above. The path continues to the west and forks to the northeast and southeast. > tub, se The bathtub jumps excitedly and dashes to the southeast. Wooded Path (in the bathtub) You're standing on a path through the forest. It continues to the northwest into sunny trees. To the east the forest seems to darken as if the trees and foliage have been dusted with soot. > tub, e The tub rears up and refuses to go any further. > tub, nw Pawing at the ground with its clawfeet, the bathtub scampers to the northwest. Path Fork (in the bathtub) This is a path winding through a thick leafy forest. Fractals of sunlight filter down through the canopy above. The path continues to the west and forks to the northeast and southeast. > tub, w The bathtub jumps excitedly and dashes to the west. South Of Castle (in the bathtub) This is a continuation of a large open clearing in the forest that continues to the west. To the north stands the royal elf castle. It's crafted from polished stones and thick timbers. The stone path continues north to the castle entrance and west into the clearing. A dirt path begins here and leads east into the woods. > tub, w The bathtub clambers off to the west. Forest Clearing (in the bathtub) This is the western half of a broad clearing in the forest. A crushed stone path starts here and leads east and a dirt path leads west back into the greenery of the surrounding trees. > tub, w Pawing at the ground with its clawfeet, the bathtub scampers to the west. Wooded Path (in the bathtub) This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. It continues south and east through the trees and there's a gap in the trees to the northwest. > tub, nw The bathtub jumps excitedly and dashes to the northwest. Path Turn (in the bathtub) The leafy path turns here to run north toward the elf village and southeast toward the main forest path. > tub, n Pawing at the ground with its clawfeet, the bathtub scampers to the north. Elf Village (in the bathtub) This is a moss-carpeted clearing in the forest. Colorful, apparently deserted elf cottages surround you. A green cottage lies to the west, a blue one to the northwest, a rose-colored one to the north, a violet one to the northeast, and a yellow one to the east. Each cottage is guarded by a wooden door painted with its matching color. Thick trees surround the glade but a path leads south through a break in the trees. > tub, s The bathtub clambers off to the south. Path Turn (in the bathtub) The leafy path turns here to run north toward the elf village and southeast toward the main forest path. > tub, e You can't go that way. > tub, se Pawing at the ground with its clawfeet, the bathtub scampers to the southeast. Wooded Path (in the bathtub) This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. It continues south and east through the trees and there's a gap in the trees to the northwest. > * do we just wander until we find the cloud? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > tub, se You can't go that way. > tub, e The bathtub jumps excitedly and dashes to the east. Forest Clearing (in the bathtub) This is the western half of a broad clearing in the forest. A crushed stone path starts here and leads east and a dirt path leads west back into the greenery of the surrounding trees. > tub, e The bathtub clambers off to the east. South Of Castle (in the bathtub) This is a continuation of a large open clearing in the forest that continues to the west. To the north stands the royal elf castle. It's crafted from polished stones and thick timbers. The stone path continues north to the castle entrance and west into the clearing. A dirt path begins here and leads east into the woods. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. > tub, sw You can't go that way. > tub, w Pawing at the ground with its clawfeet, the bathtub scampers to the west. Forest Clearing (in the bathtub) This is the western half of a broad clearing in the forest. A crushed stone path starts here and leads east and a dirt path leads west back into the greenery of the surrounding trees. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. > tub, w The bathtub jumps excitedly and dashes to the west. Wooded Path (in the bathtub) This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. It continues south and east through the trees and there's a gap in the trees to the northwest. Claude is floating here. > open jug It's already uncorked. Claude floats away to the east. > tub, e The bathtub clambers off to the east. Forest Clearing (in the bathtub) This is the western half of a broad clearing in the forest. A crushed stone path starts here and leads east and a dirt path leads west back into the greenery of the surrounding trees. Claude is floating here. Claude floats away to the east. > tub, e Pawing at the ground with its clawfeet, the bathtub scampers to the east. South Of Castle (in the bathtub) This is a continuation of a large open clearing in the forest that continues to the west. To the north stands the royal elf castle. It's crafted from polished stones and thick timbers. The stone path continues north to the castle entrance and west into the clearing. A dirt path begins here and leads east into the woods. Claude is floating here. > talk to claude Claude doesn't seem to be much of a talker. > put claude in jug You're not holding Claude. > take claude You can't take Claude. Claude floats away to the east. > tub, e The bathtub jumps excitedly and dashes to the east. Path Fork (in the bathtub) This is a path winding through a thick leafy forest. Fractals of sunlight filter down through the canopy above. The path continues to the west and forks to the northeast and southeast. Claude is floating here. > cork jug You pop the cork into the bottle. > uncork jug With a dull 'pop', you pull the cork from the bottle. You hear a strange windy 'sucking' sound coming from the it and Claude is suddenly drawn towards the opening. He seems to realize what's happening and he turns an angry gray. But it's no use and in a moment you close the bottle and he's trapped inside. > * ...hopefully that was good? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > out You get out of the bathtub. > w South Of Castle This is a continuation of a large open clearing in the forest that continues to the west. To the north stands the royal elf castle. It's crafted from polished stones and thick timbers. The stone path continues north to the castle entrance and west into the clearing. A dirt path begins here and leads east into the woods. > w Forest Clearing This is the western half of a broad clearing in the forest. A crushed stone path starts here and leads east and a dirt path leads west back into the greenery of the surrounding trees. > s You can't go that way. > w Wooded Path This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. It continues south and east through the trees and there's a gap in the trees to the northwest. > s Path at Sign This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. There's a break in the trees to the west and the path continues north and south. There's a hand-painted wooden sign posted next to the path. > s Path Intersection This is a leafy spot in the forest. The path here continues north and turns southwest deeper into the trees. A second path starts here and leads east. The ground has been disturbed here and you see a tunnel dug downward through the dirt. > se You can't go that way. > sw Wooded Path This is a leafy spot in the woods. The path here continues to the northeast and south and there's a break in the trees to the west. > Come again? > s Twist In The Path This is a tranquil spot in the woods. You're standing on a path that turns here to the north and southeast and there's a break in the trees here to the southwest. > e You can't go that way. > se Outside The Chairlift This is a path through the woods. It ends (or starts) here and continues into the trees to the northwest. To the east you see a chairlift station. A large horizontal central wheel slowly turns as chairs rotate below it, dangling down from a thick rope that streams up and down a mountain to the east, the cable loop held aloft by wooden towers placed at intervals along the slope. There's a ticket booth here currently empty (it appears the dwarf is on break or got bored and went home). A wooden sign is nailed to the booth. > e Lower Station You're standing among the chairs in the lower chairlift station. The large main drive wheel turns slowly as it looms above you. Chairs hang down from the main rope, arriving from the east, slowly rotating unde the wheel and then departing back up the mountain. There's a stone square here in the ground, presumably to let you know where to stand in order to most easily board one of the chairs. > stand on square You get onto the stone square. A chair rotates behind you and you plop backwards into it. The safety bar drops and you are swept along eastward out of the station. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift through a chairlift station, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. Your chair has circled the drive wheel and is about to head back up the mountain. You rock the chair mischievously, but startle yourself and immediately stop. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift up the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. The green rocky hillside slips below you as you climb higher. Empty chairs trail out above and below you. You wonder why you keep winding up suspended in the air today. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift up the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. You notice the slope below you becoming rockier as you climb higher. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift up the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. The temperature seems to be dropping as you glide up the mountain face. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift up the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. It's quite cool now as you pass through a thin layer of low-lying clouds. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift up the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. You catch sight of the upper station as you approach the crest of the hill. You rock the chair mischievously, but startle yourself and immediately stop. > out (first trying to get off the chair) (first raising the safety bar) Oddly, you choose to exit the chair while still suspended high in the air. You plummet to the hillside below and then barrel down the mountain face like an adorable green pinwheel. Unfortunately, you fracture and rupture several important things in the process. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 110 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > undo Undoing the last turn (out). Chairlift (on the chair) > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift through a chairlift station, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. You're now rotating slowly below the upper station drive wheel. You wish you had peed before getting on the chairlift. > out (first trying to get off the chair) (first raising the safety bar) You hop off of the chair and step aside as it glides past you. Upper Station You're standing among the chairs in the upper chairlift station. The large main drive wheel turns slowly as it looms above you. Chairs hang down from the main rope, arriving from the west, slowly rotating unde the wheel and then departing back down the mountain. There's a stone square here in the ground, presumably to let you know where to stand in order to most easily board one of the chairs. A worn path leads away from the chairlift to the north. > n Outside The Rink You're standing outside of a timber-framed building with a steep gabled roof. The ornately carved door is to the north and a colorful sign hangs from a bracket above it. A well-worn path leads south back to the chairlift station and a less distinct track leads east into a thick copse of trees. > e Icy Copse This is a copse of tall oaks and evergreens. It's cold here and you can see your breath in front of you. Sunlight glistens off of a thin coating of ice that covers everything and icicles dangle from from every branch like tinsel. A faint path starts here and continues to the west and there's a gap in the icy trees to the southeast. Frostine the ice fairy is here knocking back an iced mocha coffee. Frostine blows across her already icy coffee. > give jug to frostine Frostine has already seen the glass jug and doesn't want it. Frostine cups her mug in her hands and takes a drink. > talk to frostine There are no topics to discuss with Frostine. > open jug With a dull 'pop', you pull the cork from the bottle. Claude streams from the bottle, dark and angry, and rises above you. He expresses his displeasure with a tiny crash of thunder followed by a small flash of lightning and a very heavy, brief, and localized rainstorm. After venting his spleen a bit, he returns to his previous white puffy countenance and drifts away. Frostine lets loose a surprisingly salty curse-word. "Well, great. He's gone again. I really should get him tagged." She sighs and waves her hand. She disappears in a cloud of ice crystals. > undo Undoing the last turn (open jug). Icy Copse > * OK that doesn't seem useful (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * maybe it gets used later? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > n You can't go that way. Frostine blows across her already icy coffee. > w Outside The Rink You're standing outside of a timber-framed building with a steep gabled roof. The ornately carved door is to the north and a colorful sign hangs from a bracket above it. A well-worn path leads south back to the chairlift station and a less distinct track leads east into a thick copse of trees. > n Ice Rink This is an open wood-panelled room. Wooden benches are arranged in rows and a counter occupies one wall. Behind the counter you see a large wooden box labelled "Lost & Found". There's a door to the south and an open archway leads north directly out onto a frozen lake. > s Outside The Rink You're standing outside of a timber-framed building with a steep gabled roof. The ornately carved door is to the north and a colorful sign hangs from a bracket above it. A well-worn path leads south back to the chairlift station and a less distinct track leads east into a thick copse of trees. > w You can't go that way. > s Upper Station You're standing among the chairs in the upper chairlift station. The large main drive wheel turns slowly as it looms above you. Chairs hang down from the main rope, arriving from the west, slowly rotating unde the wheel and then departing back down the mountain. There's a stone square here in the ground, presumably to let you know where to stand in order to most easily board one of the chairs. A worn path leads away from the chairlift to the north. > stand on square You get onto the stone square. A chair rotates behind you and you plop backwards into it. The safety bar drops and you are swept along westward out of the station. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift down the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. You are facing outward, away from the mountain, you can see for miles over endless green forests. You consider hawking an elfen loogie over the side but reconsider. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift down the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. As you descend into the valley the air becomes noticeably warmer. You wish you had peed before getting on the chairlift. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift down the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. In the distance below you can make out the lower chairlift station. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift down the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. You are now approaching the lower chairlift station, but still fairly high in the air. You wish you had peed before getting on the chairlift. > oz (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift through a chairlift station, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. You are gliding through the station at the bottom of the hill. Your chair is slowly rotating under the wheel. You rock the chair mischievously, but startle yourself and immediately stop. > out (first trying to get off the chair) (first raising the safety bar) You hop off of the chair and step aside as it glides past you. Lower Station You're standing among the chairs in the lower chairlift station. The large main drive wheel turns slowly as it looms above you. Chairs hang down from the main rope, arriving from the east, slowly rotating unde the wheel and then departing back up the mountain. There's a stone square here in the ground, presumably to let you know where to stand in order to most easily board one of the chairs. > w Outside The Chairlift This is a path through the woods. It ends (or starts) here and continues into the trees to the northwest. To the east you see a chairlift station. A large horizontal central wheel slowly turns as chairs rotate below it, dangling down from a thick rope that streams up and down a mountain to the east, the cable loop held aloft by wooden towers placed at intervals along the slope. There's a ticket booth here currently empty (it appears the dwarf is on break or got bored and went home). A wooden sign is nailed to the booth. > w You can't go that way. > nw Twist In The Path This is a tranquil spot in the woods. You're standing on a path that turns here to the north and southeast and there's a break in the trees here to the southwest. > n Wooded Path This is a leafy spot in the woods. The path here continues to the northeast and south and there's a break in the trees to the west. > n You can't go that way. > nw You can't go that way. > ne Path Intersection This is a leafy spot in the forest. The path here continues north and turns southwest deeper into the trees. A second path starts here and leads east. The ground has been disturbed here and you see a tunnel dug downward through the dirt. > nw You can't go that way. > n Path at Sign This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. There's a break in the trees to the west and the path continues north and south. There's a hand-painted wooden sign posted next to the path. > n Wooded Path This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. It continues south and east through the trees and there's a gap in the trees to the northwest. > n You can't go that way. > ne You can't go that way. > nw Path Turn The leafy path turns here to run north toward the elf village and southeast toward the main forest path. > n Elf Village This is a moss-carpeted clearing in the forest. Colorful, apparently deserted elf cottages surround you. A green cottage lies to the west, a blue one to the northwest, a rose-colored one to the north, a violet one to the northeast, and a yellow one to the east. Each cottage is guarded by a wooden door painted with its matching color. Thick trees surround the glade but a path leads south through a break in the trees. > s Path Turn The leafy path turns here to run north toward the elf village and southeast toward the main forest path. > e You can't go that way. > ne You can't go that way. > se Wooded Path This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. It continues south and east through the trees and there's a gap in the trees to the northwest. > e Forest Clearing This is the western half of a broad clearing in the forest. A crushed stone path starts here and leads east and a dirt path leads west back into the greenery of the surrounding trees. > e South Of Castle This is a continuation of a large open clearing in the forest that continues to the west. To the north stands the royal elf castle. It's crafted from polished stones and thick timbers. The stone path continues north to the castle entrance and west into the clearing. A dirt path begins here and leads east into the woods. > n Castle Entrance This is an open space in front of the elf king's castle. The main entrance is to the north but is blocked by the large wooden drawbridge which is up. The stone path leads south back towards a clearing and a dirt path leads around the castle to the northwest. > nw Outside The Thicket You're standing to the west of the castle. Looking up, you can only see a high unbroken stone wall. A path returns southeast around the building. A large thick briar patch abuts the wall of the castle here. You can head east into it through a break in the thorns. > * guess we'll try the maze again (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > e In The Briar Patch You're crouched in a massive briar patch, hemmed in by thorns on all sides. You can see nothing but a thick tangle of shrubs surrounding you. A wheat-colored bunny dashes off to the north. A white-colored bunny scampers off to the east. An earthen-colored bunny runs off to the east. A nutmeg-colored bunny dashes off to the east. > e You squeeze yourself through a tiny gap in the thorns, the brambles poking at you annoyingly. In The Briar Patch You're crouched in a massive briar patch, hemmed in by thorns on all sides. You can see nothing but a thick tangle of shrubs surrounding you. A saffron-colored bunny darts off to the north. A wheat-colored bunny scampers off to the west. A walnut-colored bunny runs off to the north. An eggshell-colored bunny scampers off to the south. > * hmm, two to the north, none to the east? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * east seemed to work, maybe it's the one whre two bunnies go? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > n The thorns poke at you as you pick your way through a tiny opening in the briars. Suddenly, you break through the thorns but, unfortunately, find yourself back where you started. Outside The Thicket You're standing to the west of the castle. Looking up, you can only see a high unbroken stone wall. A path returns southeast around the building. A large thick briar patch abuts the wall of the castle here. You can head east into it through a break in the thorns. > * ...nope (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > e In The Briar Patch You're crouched in a massive briar patch, hemmed in by thorns on all sides. You can see nothing but a thick tangle of shrubs surrounding you. A saffron-colored bunny dashes off to the north. A nougat-colored bunny scampers off to the west. A walnut-colored bunny darts off to the west. A wheat-colored bunny scampers off to the north. > * randomized (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > n Suddenly, you break through the thorns but, unfortunately, find yourself back where you started. Outside The Thicket You're standing to the west of the castle. Looking up, you can only see a high unbroken stone wall. A path returns southeast around the building. A large thick briar patch abuts the wall of the castle here. You can head east into it through a break in the thorns. You hear an egret flying off to the east. > * OK so that first E was correct, it looks like (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * oh, the colors are NEWS... maybe go with the one that matches? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > e In The Briar Patch You're crouched in a massive briar patch, hemmed in by thorns on all sides. You can see nothing but a thick tangle of shrubs surrounding you. A white-colored bunny dashes off to the east. A saffron-colored bunny darts off to the east. A wheat-colored bunny runs off to the west. A nougat-colored bunny scampers off to the south. > w You squeeze yourself through a tiny gap in the thorns, the brambles poking at you annoyingly. You crawl through a narrow gap in the thorns. In The Briar Patch You're crouched in a massive briar patch, hemmed in by thorns on all sides. You can see nothing but a thick tangle of shrubs surrounding you. A sepia-colored bunny darts off to the south. A sepia-colored bunny scampers off to the east. An eggshell-colored bunny darts off to the south. An ecru-colored bunny runs off to the west. > * yup (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > s The thorns poke at you as you pick your way through a tiny opening in the briars. In The Briar Patch You're crouched in a massive briar patch, hemmed in by thorns on all sides. You can see nothing but a thick tangle of shrubs surrounding you. An earthen-colored bunny scampers off to the south. A saffron-colored bunny dashes off to the west. A nutmeg-colored bunny darts off to the west. A steel-colored bunny runs off to the south. > s You pick your way through a narrow opening in the thorns and brambles. In The Briar Patch You're crouched in a massive briar patch, hemmed in by thorns on all sides. You can see nothing but a thick tangle of shrubs surrounding you. A walnut-colored bunny scampers off to the west. A walnut-colored bunny runs off to the north. A saffron-colored bunny dashes off to the north. A walnut-colored bunny runs off to the east. > w The thorns poke at you as you pick your way through a tiny opening in the briars. You squeeze yourself through a tiny gap in the thorns, the brambles poking at you annoyingly. Suddenly, you see daylight and find yourself on the other side of the briar patch. Thicket Clearing The thorns clear here to form a hollow in the thicket that abuts right up against the stone foundation immediately to the east. Looking up, the castle wall towers over you. Behind you lies a dense briar patch. Looking back, you can't see any trace of your previous path through the thorns. The masonry in the foundation here is somewhat worn and damaged. > x masonry You see the large stone blocks comprising the castle walls. The masonry around one of the stone blocks here seems to have eroded and crumbled away. > x block It's a large stone block. The masonry around it has eroded away. > push it You shove the block with as much mass as your compact elf frame can deliver. The stone gives a bit and slides backwards slightly. > push it You push again and are able to move it inward a little further. > push it With a final shove, the stone block falls backwards and you hear it 'crash' on the floor inside. There's now an opening in the foundation leading east into darkness. (Your score has gone up by ten points.) > e You squeeze yourself into the hole and drop to the stone floor below. Dungeon This is the castle dungeon. However, there's been so little need for it for so long that, a while back, it was converted into the King's workout room and wine cellar. Dumbbells are scattered about and a stationary bike sits in one corner. A large wine rack stands against the wall. There's a thick wooden cell door to the north, currently closed, and a shattered stone block is here on the floor. Next to the cell door you see a hook on the wall. On it you see a steel key. A gap in the foundation leads out to the west and a stairway of undressed stones starts here and curves upward, stopping at a landing above. On the floor here you see a large smashed masonry block. > work out (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > lift weights While you could use some bulking up, now's not the time. > * fair enough (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > x dumbbell They're improvised dumbbells fashioned from thick branches and heavy rocks. They're quite dusty, as if the king hasn't used them in a while. > l Dungeon This is the castle dungeon. However, there's been so little need for it for so long that, a while back, it was converted into the King's workout room and wine cellar. Dumbbells are scattered about and a stationary bike sits in one corner. A large wine rack stands against the wall. There's a thick wooden cell door to the north, currently closed, and a shattered stone block is here on the floor. Next to the cell door you see a hook on the wall. On it you see a steel key. A gap in the foundation leads out to the west and a stairway of undressed stones starts here and curves upward, stopping at a landing above. On the floor here you see a large smashed masonry block. > x bike It's an exercise bike ingeniously fashioned from thick vines, round flat stones, branches, and bits of metal. > ride bike (first climbing onto the bike) For a moment you go for a spin. Whee! > x rack It's a wooden rack filled with dusty bottles. > search rack Some wine bottles are in the wine rack. > x bottles It's an impressive collection of wine of various types and vintages. > take bottles Ugh. You're still queasy from last night. > * lol (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > search bottles You find nothing of interest. > l Dungeon (on the exercise bike) This is the castle dungeon. However, there's been so little need for it for so long that, a while back, it was converted into the King's workout room and wine cellar. Dumbbells are scattered about and a stationary bike sits in one corner. A large wine rack stands against the wall. There's a thick wooden cell door to the north, currently closed, and a shattered stone block is here on the floor. Next to the cell door you see a hook on the wall. On it you see a steel key. A gap in the foundation leads out to the west and a stairway of undressed stones starts here and curves upward, stopping at a landing above. On the floor here you see a large smashed masonry block. > x block Formerly, it was a stone block. Now it's a pile of broken rock and dust. > take it You don't need a pile of rubble. > x key It's a large plain steel key. > take it Taken. > unlock cell (I only understood you as far as wanting to unlock something.) > unlock cell door (I only understood you as far as wanting to unlock something.) > l Dungeon (on the exercise bike) This is the castle dungeon. However, there's been so little need for it for so long that, a while back, it was converted into the King's workout room and wine cellar. Dumbbells are scattered about and a stationary bike sits in one corner. A large wine rack stands against the wall. There's a thick wooden cell door to the north, currently closed, and a shattered stone block is here on the floor. Next to the cell door you see a hook on the wall. A gap in the foundation leads out to the west and a stairway of undressed stones starts here and curves upward, stopping at a landing above. On the floor here you see a large smashed masonry block. > x hhok (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > x hook It's a hook on the wall next to the cell door. > n (first getting off the bike) (first trying to open the door to the north) (first trying to unlock the door to the north with the steel key) You unlock the door with the steel key. The instant you release the lock, you're immediately bowled over by a mob of elves suddenly bursting through the door. Ready for a fight, they're instead quite relieved to see that you're one of their own. Last out is the elf king. He bows slightly to you and shakes your hand. "Thank you, sir, for rescuing us. We've been surviving on whatever candy we happened to have on-hand when the witch captured us and I'm not sure how much longer we could have held out." He looks you up and down. "I have great... well, some confidence that you will be able to defeat the witch as well. If I can provide you with any assistance..." his voice trails off and he starts to dig around in his pockets. Finally, he pulls something out of each one and hands it to you. He then takes the key from you and leads the elves up the stairs and out of sight. (Your score has gone up by ten points.) > i You have a piece of taffy, a yellow gumball, a shovel, and a bindle. You're wearing a mining helmet. > x taffy It's a pink piece of taffy. > * awesome (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > x gumball It's a yellow jawbreaker. > * great (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > l Dungeon This is the castle dungeon. However, there's been so little need for it for so long that, a while back, it was converted into the King's workout room and wine cellar. Dumbbells are scattered about and a stationary bike sits in one corner. A large wine rack stands against the wall. There's a thick wooden cell door to the north, currently closed, and a shattered stone block is here on the floor. Next to the cell door you see a hook on the wall. A gap in the foundation leads out to the west and a stairway of undressed stones starts here and curves upward, stopping at a landing above. On the floor here you see a large smashed masonry block. > * there should be a vault and a silver key, allegedly (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > u You head up the stone steps into dim light above. Landing This is a small landing at the top of a stone staircase that leads downward into darkness below. A thick wooden door, currently open, leads north. You see a steel key here. > take steel Taken. > n West End This is the dimly lit western end of a stone corridor. The air is damp here and in the darkness you can see a substantial wooden door to the south. The corridor continues to the east. > e North Hallway This is the midpoint of an east-west traversing hallway. A second corridor starts here and leads to the south. In the shadows down the hall to the east you can see the silhouette of a large hulking ogre. > save Game state saved successfully. > s Corridor This is a long corridor extending north and south. A scarlet red carpet runs down the center, covering the stone floor. There are signs of a recent struggle here. Scorch marks mar the walls and sections of the walls and arched ceiling have collapsed, littering the ground with bits of crumbled stone blocks and masonry. > x carpet It's a long scarlet red carpet running down the center of the room. > look under carpet You find nothing under the red carpet. > w You can't go that way. > e You can't go that way. > s Great Hall This airy space serves as the reception hall for his elven highness. Typically, rustic tapestries would cover the walls but these have apparently been looted. A bronze statue sits on a marble plinth in the dead center of the room. Rough stone steps start here and ascend upward. Arched doorways leads south into the castle courtyard and north down a long corridor. > x statue It's a bronze depiction of Gorbunol the Pointy, renowned in elven lore for his victory over an army of adorable but ill-tempered groundhogs two centuries ago. He is posed standing erect and pointing ahead to victory. Around his neck hangs a round medal engraved with a shamrock, his personal standard. The medal appears to be made of a different metal than the rest of the statue. > x medal It's a round medal around Gorbunol's neck. There's a shamrock engraved on it. > take it That's part of the bronze statue. > touch it The medal feels as expected. > x shamrock It's a round medal around Gorbunol's neck. There's a shamrock engraved on it. > touch it The medal feels as expected. > * hmm (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > l Great Hall This airy space serves as the reception hall for his elven highness. Typically, rustic tapestries would cover the walls but these have apparently been looted. A bronze statue sits on a marble plinth in the dead center of the room. Rough stone steps start here and ascend upward. Arched doorways leads south into the castle courtyard and north down a long corridor. > x plinth It's a white piece of marble about knee-high. > search it A bronze statue is on the marble plinth. > push it Did you want to push the marble plinth or the bronze statue? > plinth The hunk of marble ignores you. > push statue The statue is unimpressed with your efforts. > climb it It's not possible to get onto the bronze statue. > s Courtyard This is an open courtyard, enclosed by tall stone walls and with flat stones lining the floor. The castle entrance lies to the south but is currently blocked by the raised drawbridge. A thick chain is attached to it and runs up and over a pulley then back down again to wrap around a large winch next to the drawbridge. A wooden handle is attached to the winch. A stone archway leads north into the interior of the castle. > turn handle Turning the wooden handle has no apparent effect. > turn winch Turning the winch has no apparent effect. > x winch It's a large wooden drum next to the drawbridge. A long thick chain is wound around it. > x chain It's a large chain running from the drawbridge to a thick winch. > turn chain Turning the thick chain has no apparent effect. > open drawbridge It's not that simple. > l Courtyard This is an open courtyard, enclosed by tall stone walls and with flat stones lining the floor. The castle entrance lies to the south but is currently blocked by the raised drawbridge. A thick chain is attached to it and runs up and over a pulley then back down again to wrap around a large winch next to the drawbridge. A wooden handle is attached to the winch. A stone archway leads north into the interior of the castle. > x drawbridge It's a wooden drawbridge crafted from large timbers. It's currently up, blocking the castle entrance. > x chain It's a large chain running from the drawbridge to a thick winch. > lower chain You can't lower the thick chain. > x handle It's a wooden handle attached to the winch. It's currently in the forward position. > push handle It's already pushed forward. > pull handle With a rattle and clatter, the winch startes to turn and the drawbridge begins to lower. With a deep "thunk" it falls into place. > * oh, OK, kinda unintuitive (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > l Courtyard This is an open courtyard, enclosed by tall stone walls and with flat stones lining the floor. The castle entrance lies to the south. The drawbridge is currently down. A thick chain is attached to it and runs up and over a pulley then back down again to wrap around a large winch next to the drawbridge. A wooden handle is attached to the winch. A stone archway leads north into the interior of the castle. > s Castle Entrance This is an open space in front of the elf king's castle. The main entrance is to the north and the large wooden drawbridge is down. The stone path leads south back towards a clearing and a dirt path leads around the castle to the northwest. > n Courtyard This is an open courtyard, enclosed by tall stone walls and with flat stones lining the floor. The castle entrance lies to the south. The drawbridge is currently down. A thick chain is attached to it and runs up and over a pulley then back down again to wrap around a large winch next to the drawbridge. A wooden handle is attached to the winch. A stone archway leads north into the interior of the castle. > e You can't go that way. > n Great Hall This airy space serves as the reception hall for his elven highness. Typically, rustic tapestries would cover the walls but these have apparently been looted. A bronze statue sits on a marble plinth in the dead center of the room. Rough stone steps start here and ascend upward. Arched doorways leads south into the castle courtyard and north down a long corridor. > n Corridor This is a long corridor extending north and south. A scarlet red carpet runs down the center, covering the stone floor. There are signs of a recent struggle here. Scorch marks mar the walls and sections of the walls and arched ceiling have collapsed, littering the ground with bits of crumbled stone blocks and masonry. > n North Hallway This is the midpoint of an east-west traversing hallway. A second corridor starts here and leads to the south. In the shadows down the hall to the east you can see the silhouette of a large hulking ogre. > * guess we'lltake our chances with the ogre. maybe he wants candy? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > save Game state saved successfully. > e East End This is the dimly lit eastern end of a dank stone corridor. The air is damp here and in the darkness you can see an open archway to the north. Lurking in the shadows you see a large ogre blocking the way into the tower. The ogre sniffs the air and cocks his head as if listening. > x ogre He's a very large, very green, very intimidating specimen. His large head is topped by stiff black hair standing straight up. His bulbous nose looms over over an impressive underbite and two tusks protrude from his lower jaw. A tuft of thick hair protrudes from each ear. His beady eyes are black pinpoints below protruding brows. The ogre squints and grunts as he paces around. > talk to ogre Unfortunately, your decision to be sociable reveals your presence and location to the ogre. He whips out a huge paw-like hand and picks you up by the scruff of your neck. In a moment, you find yourself carried up the stairs into the tower and thrown into a cage hanging from the ceiling where you await your fate as an ogre appetizer. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 130 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > undo Undoing the last turn (talk to ogre). East End > * OK not so much (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > hide (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > l East End This is the dimly lit eastern end of a dank stone corridor. The air is damp here and in the darkness you can see an open archway to the north. A large ogre is here. The ogre circles you, listening carefully. > n As you try to slip away, the ogre catches sight of your movement (ogres are similar to T.rex in that way, apparently). Before you can dodge, he whips out a huge paw-like hand and picks you up by your head. In a moment, you find yourself carried up the stairs into the tower and thrown into a cage hanging from the ceiling where you await your fate as an ogre appetizer. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 130 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > undo Undoing the last turn (n). East End > i You have a steel key, a piece of taffy, a yellow gumball, a shovel, and a bindle. You're wearing a mining helmet. The ogre seems to be getting more excited. > throw gumball at ogre Throwing the yellow gumball at the ogre would achieve little. Unfortunately, the ogre seems to have triangulated your position by sound and smell. He whips out a huge paw-like hand and picks you up by the scruff of your neck. In a moment, you find yourself carried up the stairs into the tower and thrown into a cage hanging from the ceiling where you await your fate as an ogre appetizer. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 130 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > undo Undoing the last turn (throw gumball at ogre). East End > w As you try to slip away, the ogre catches sight of your movement (ogres are similar to T.rex in that way, apparently). Before you can dodge, he whips out a huge paw-like hand and picks you up by your head. In a moment, you find yourself carried up the stairs into the tower and thrown into a cage hanging from the ceiling where you await your fate as an ogre appetizer. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 130 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > undo Undoing the last turn (w). East End > undo Undoing the last turn (i). East End > i You have a steel key, a piece of taffy, a yellow gumball, a shovel, and a bindle. You're wearing a mining helmet. The ogre seems to be getting more excited. > undo Undoing the last turn (i). East End > throw taffy at ogre Throwing the piece of taffy at the ogre would achieve little. The ogre seems to be getting more excited. > look in bindle In the bindle you see a mug, a silver fife, a strawberry, a match, a glass vial, a glass jug, a pair of ice skates, a magazine, and your hat. Unfortunately, the ogre seems to have triangulated your position by sound and smell. He whips out a huge paw-like hand and picks you up by the scruff of your neck. In a moment, you find yourself carried up the stairs into the tower and thrown into a cage hanging from the ceiling where you await your fate as an ogre appetizer. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 130 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > undo Undoing the last turn (look in bindle). East End > undo Undoing the last turn (throw taffy at ogre). East End > throw strawberry at ogre (first trying to take the strawberry) Taken. The ogre seems to be getting more excited. Throwing the strawberry at the ogre would achieve little. Unfortunately, the ogre seems to have triangulated your position by sound and smell. He whips out a huge paw-like hand and picks you up by the scruff of your neck. In a moment, you find yourself carried up the stairs into the tower and thrown into a cage hanging from the ceiling where you await your fate as an ogre appetizer. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 130 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > undo Undoing the last turn (throw strawberry at ogre). East End > undo Undoing the last turn (l). East End > undo Undoing the last turn (hide). East End > undo Undoing the last turn (* ok not so much). East End > play fife (first trying to take the silver fife) Taken. The ogre circles you, listening carefully. You blow into the fife but don't hear anything. The ogre, however, immediately clasps his hands over his ears. > play fife You blow into the fife but don't hear anything. The ogre, hands covering his ears, bellows in anger and pain. > play fife You blow into the fife but don't hear anything. The ogre, however, unable to take it any longer, runs away down the hall and disappears. (Your score has gone up by 20 points.) > * a little random but not too many other things to try (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > n Tower Base This is a round stone-lined room at the base of a high tower. A stone stairway starts here and spirals upward, hugging the wall. A narrow open archway lies to the south. > u You circle around and up the stone staircase. The Tower This is a chamber high in the castle tower. It's a mess and the smell here is terrible. It would appear that either an ogre or some undergraduates from the nearby 'Cookie-Baking Polytechnic Institute' have been slumming here. Spoiled, partially-eaten rotten food lies scattered on the floor and a large empty birdcage is hanging from the ceiling. A makeshift bed of dirty blankets is piled in one corner. A stone staircase leads down into fresher air. You see the royal crown resting among the detritus on the floor. > x food It looks and smells horribly unappetizing. > x cage It's an empty battered metal wire birdcage suspended out of your reach. > x bed (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > search blankets You find nothing of interest. > x blankets It's a mass of stained and dirty blankets. > x crown It's the royal crown; fashioned from gold and inlaid with jewels. > take it Taken. (Your score has gone up by ten points.) > wear it (first trying to remove the mining helmet) You take off the mining helmet. You put on the royal crown. > w You can't go that way. > * put on statue, maybe? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > d You climb down the steps, circling around the inside of the tower. Tower Base This is a round stone-lined room at the base of a high tower. A stone stairway starts here and spirals upward, hugging the wall. A narrow open archway lies to the south. > s East End This is the dimly lit eastern end of a dank stone corridor. The air is damp here and in the darkness you can see an open archway to the north. > w North Hallway This is the midpoint of an east-west traversing hallway. A second corridor starts here and leads to the south. > s Corridor This is a long corridor extending north and south. A scarlet red carpet runs down the center, covering the stone floor. There are signs of a recent struggle here. Scorch marks mar the walls and sections of the walls and arched ceiling have collapsed, littering the ground with bits of crumbled stone blocks and masonry. > s Great Hall This airy space serves as the reception hall for his elven highness. Typically, rustic tapestries would cover the walls but these have apparently been looted. A bronze statue sits on a marble plinth in the dead center of the room. Rough stone steps start here and ascend upward. Arched doorways leads south into the castle courtyard and north down a long corridor. > put crown on statue (first trying to remove the royal crown) You take off the royal crown. You can't put things on the bronze statue. > * ah well (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * hmm (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * oh there are stairs here too (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > u You climb the steps up to the second floor. Hall This is a wide hallway and your footsteps echo off the stone walls and floor. An open doorway leads east and a large wooden door to the south is adorned with ornate carvings. A stone staircase begins here and angles downward, hugging the outer walls of the castle. > x carvings (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > x wooden It's a thick wooden door adorned with ornate geometric carvings. It's currently closed. > x carving (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > s (first trying to open the thick wooden door to the south) You open the thick wooden door. Royal bedroom This is presumably the royal bedroom. The otherwise rough stone walls are painted a light robins-egg blue and fluffy white clouds are painted on the ceiling. A large overstuffed featherbed topped with a wooden canopy occupies the center of the room. A wooden perch stands in one corner. The exit lies through a door to the north. As you enter, you see a large colorful bird sitting on a wooden perch. This is Peppers, the royal parrot. Equally surprised to see you, she flaps her wings and squawks. > x bird She's a scarlet macaw and her plumage is a brilliant bright red with blue and yellow on her wings. She's a spoiled bird and rarely flies, finding it easier to walk about. She's rarely seen outside the castle where she lives on imported dead insects and berries. Peppers is here grooming her tail feathers. > pepper, hello (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > talk to pepper (I only understood you as far as wanting to talk to someone.) > talk to peppers She stares at you blankly. Peppers is here grooming her tail feathers. > peppers, hello She stares at you blankly. Peppers is here staring at you. > give berry to peppers Peppers bobs her head excitedly and takes the berry in her beak. She happily tears and pecks away at it and soon she's completely consumed it. It seems you've made a new friend as she rubs his head against you. Can parrots purr? You would almost swear she's purring. "Awk! Injamble! Awk!" > peppers, hello She stares at you blankly. "Awk! Injamble! Awk!" > l Royal bedroom This is presumably the royal bedroom. The otherwise rough stone walls are painted a light robins-egg blue and fluffy white clouds are painted on the ceiling. A large overstuffed featherbed topped with a wooden canopy occupies the center of the room. A wooden perch stands in one corner. The exit lies through a door to the north. Peppers is here. > x perch It's a wooden perch, presumably for a large bird. > x canopy It's an expansive wooden canopy over the featherbed. "Awk! Injamble! Awk!" > x bed It's a large featherbed, almost larger than your entire cottage. "Awk! Injamble! Awk!" > search bed You find nothing of interest. > look under bed We could have put something under here, but didn't. > n Hall This is a wide hallway and your footsteps echo off the stone walls and floor. An open doorway leads east and a large wooden door to the south is adorned with ornate carvings. A stone staircase begins here and angles downward, hugging the outer walls of the castle. Peppers waddles in from the south. > e Office This appears to be an office, either for the king or one of his assistants. It's a sparsely furnished room with walls and floor lined with rough stone. A large mahogany desk occupies one side of the room, a wood and leather chair is pulled up next to it. The only door leads out to the west. On the mahogany desk you see a paperweight. Peppers waddles in from the west. > x desk It's a substantial wooden desk, crafted from a dark reddish wood. You note decorative patterns carved into the thick legs. On it you see a paperweight. "Awk! Injamble! Awk!" > xchair (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > x paperweight It's a round, dull gray, metal paperweight, surprisingly heavy. "Awk! Injamble! Awk!" > take it Taken. > * huh (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > i You have a paperweight, the royal crown, a mining helmet, a silver fife, a steel key, a piece of taffy, a yellow gumball, a shovel, and a bindle. > look in bindle In the bindle you see a mug, a match, a glass vial, a glass jug, a pair of ice skates, a magazine, and your hat. "Awk! Injamble! Awk!" > w Hall This is a wide hallway and your footsteps echo off the stone walls and floor. An open doorway leads east and a large wooden door to the south is adorned with ornate carvings. A stone staircase begins here and angles downward, hugging the outer walls of the castle. Peppers waddles in from the east. > d Your footsteps echo in the great hall as you descend. Great Hall This airy space serves as the reception hall for his elven highness. Typically, rustic tapestries would cover the walls but these have apparently been looted. A bronze statue sits on a marble plinth in the dead center of the room. Rough stone steps start here and ascend upward. Arched doorways leads south into the castle courtyard and north down a long corridor. Peppers waddles in from above. > ask peppers about statue She stares at you blankly. "Awk! Injamble! Awk!" > throw paperweight at statue Throwing the paperweight at the bronze statue would achieve little. > throw paperweight at medal Throwing the paperweight at the medal would achieve little. > i You have a paperweight, the royal crown, a mining helmet, a silver fife, a steel key, a piece of taffy, a yellow gumball, a shovel, and a bindle. "Awk! Injamble! Awk!" > climb state (I only understood you as far as wanting to get onto something.) > n Corridor This is a long corridor extending north and south. A scarlet red carpet runs down the center, covering the stone floor. There are signs of a recent struggle here. Scorch marks mar the walls and sections of the walls and arched ceiling have collapsed, littering the ground with bits of crumbled stone blocks and masonry. Peppers waddles in from the south. > e You can't go that way. "Awk! Injamble! Awk!" > n North Hallway This is the midpoint of an east-west traversing hallway. A second corridor starts here and leads to the south. > u You can't go that way. > n You can't go that way. > e East End This is the dimly lit eastern end of a dank stone corridor. The air is damp here and in the darkness you can see an open archway to the north. > n Tower Base This is a round stone-lined room at the base of a high tower. A stone stairway starts here and spirals upward, hugging the wall. A narrow open archway lies to the south. > u You circle around and up the stone staircase. The Tower This is a chamber high in the castle tower. It's a mess and the smell here is terrible. It would appear that either an ogre or some undergraduates from the nearby 'Cookie-Baking Polytechnic Institute' have been slumming here. Spoiled, partially-eaten rotten food lies scattered on the floor and a large empty birdcage is hanging from the ceiling. A makeshift bed of dirty blankets is piled in one corner. A stone staircase leads down into fresher air. > Come again? > d You climb down the steps, circling around the inside of the tower. Tower Base This is a round stone-lined room at the base of a high tower. A stone stairway starts here and spirals upward, hugging the wall. A narrow open archway lies to the south. > w You can't go that way. > w You can't go that way. > s East End This is the dimly lit eastern end of a dank stone corridor. The air is damp here and in the darkness you can see an open archway to the north. > w North Hallway This is the midpoint of an east-west traversing hallway. A second corridor starts here and leads to the south. > w West End This is the dimly lit western end of a stone corridor. The air is damp here and in the darkness you can see a substantial wooden door to the south. The corridor continues to the east. > s Landing This is a small landing at the top of a stone staircase that leads downward into darkness below. A thick wooden door, currently open, leads north. > s You can't go that way. > e You can't go that way. > s You can't go that way. > e You can't go that way. > n West End This is the dimly lit western end of a stone corridor. The air is damp here and in the darkness you can see a substantial wooden door to the south. The corridor continues to the east. > e North Hallway This is the midpoint of an east-west traversing hallway. A second corridor starts here and leads to the south. > s Corridor This is a long corridor extending north and south. A scarlet red carpet runs down the center, covering the stone floor. There are signs of a recent struggle here. Scorch marks mar the walls and sections of the walls and arched ceiling have collapsed, littering the ground with bits of crumbled stone blocks and masonry. Peppers is here. > peppers, n Peppers refuses. > * not wanting to go near the ogre, I guess? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * seems like the treasury must be hidden (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * something to do with the statue? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * Let's try crossing the river in the tub I guess (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > s Great Hall This airy space serves as the reception hall for his elven highness. Typically, rustic tapestries would cover the walls but these have apparently been looted. A bronze statue sits on a marble plinth in the dead center of the room. Rough stone steps start here and ascend upward. Arched doorways leads south into the castle courtyard and north down a long corridor. Peppers waddles in from the north. > s Courtyard This is an open courtyard, enclosed by tall stone walls and with flat stones lining the floor. The castle entrance lies to the south. The drawbridge is currently down. A thick chain is attached to it and runs up and over a pulley then back down again to wrap around a large winch next to the drawbridge. A wooden handle is attached to the winch. A stone archway leads north into the interior of the castle. Peppers waddles in from the north. > s Castle Entrance This is an open space in front of the elf king's castle. The main entrance is to the north and the large wooden drawbridge is down. The stone path leads south back towards a clearing and a dirt path leads around the castle to the northwest. > s South Of Castle This is a continuation of a large open clearing in the forest that continues to the west. To the north stands the royal elf castle. It's crafted from polished stones and thick timbers. The stone path continues north to the castle entrance and west into the clearing. A dirt path begins here and leads east into the woods. > s You can't go that way. > e Path Fork This is a path winding through a thick leafy forest. Fractals of sunlight filter down through the canopy above. The path continues to the west and forks to the northeast and southeast. A white porcelain clawfoot bathtub is here. > enter tub You hoist yourself into the bathtub. It immediately seems to come alive and to rise up on its clawfeet. > tub,ne Pawing at the ground with its clawfeet, the bathtub scampers to the northeast. Wooded Path (in the bathtub) The path here continues to the southwest and leads north along the rim of a canyon that falls off to the east. Clouds of mist rise from the northeast where you can see a waterfall in the distance. > tub, n The bathtub clambers off to the north. Rapids (in the bathtub) You're standing on the rocky bank of a raging river. It roars past you, constrained by a narrow rocky riverbed, and plunges over a roaring waterfall just next to you. Clouds of mist fill the air and rainbows flicker in and out of view as the sun shines down. Upstream, you can see the river emerge from a narrow gap in a high rocky cliff face. A dirt path starts here and leads south and, should you be feeling suicidal, you can step down into the river to the east. > save Game state saved successfully. > tub, n You can't go that way. > tub, e The tub can't swim. > * so much for that (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > out You get out of the bathtub. > e For reasons known only to yourself, you step east down into the rapids. As expected, you are immediately swept away by the current and in a moment you are plummeting over the waterfall. You enjoy a lovely, albeit brief, view of the canyon spread out before you just before crashing into the wet jagged rocks at the bottom. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 160 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > undo Undoing the last turn (e). Rapids > l Rapids You're standing on the rocky bank of a raging river. It roars past you, constrained by a narrow rocky riverbed, and plunges over a roaring waterfall just next to you. Clouds of mist fill the air and rainbows flicker in and out of view as the sun shines down. Upstream, you can see the river emerge from a narrow gap in a high rocky cliff face. A dirt path starts here and leads south and, should you be feeling suicidal, you can step down into the river to the east. A white porcelain clawfoot bathtub is here turning in circles, chasing a tail it doesn't have. > n You can't go that way. > nw You can't go that way. > ne You can't go that way. > w You can't go that way. > e For reasons known only to yourself, you step east down into the rapids. As expected, you are immediately swept away by the current and in a moment you are plummeting over the waterfall. You enjoy a lovely, albeit brief, view of the canyon spread out before you just before crashing into the wet jagged rocks at the bottom. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 160 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > undo Undoing the last turn (e). Rapids > se You can't go that way. > sw You can't go that way. > * huh (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > cross river For reasons known only to yourself, you step east down into the rapids. As expected, you are immediately swept away by the current and in a moment you are plummeting over the waterfall. You enjoy a lovely, albeit brief, view of the canyon spread out before you just before crashing into the wet jagged rocks at the bottom. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 160 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > undo Undoing the last turn (cross river). Rapids > i You have a paperweight, the royal crown, a mining helmet, a silver fife, a steel key, a piece of taffy, a yellow gumball, a shovel, and a bindle. > wear crown You put on the royal crown. > n You can't go that way. > e For reasons known only to yourself, you step east down into the rapids. As expected, you are immediately swept away by the current and in a moment you are plummeting over the waterfall. You enjoy a lovely, albeit brief, view of the canyon spread out before you just before crashing into the wet jagged rocks at the bottom. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 160 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > undo Undoing the last turn (e). Rapids > * not a magic swimming crown,,then (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > i You have a paperweight, a mining helmet, a silver fife, a steel key, a piece of taffy, a yellow gumball, a shovel, and a bindle. You're wearing the royal crown. > eat gumball You chew on the gumball until your jaws are sore. You're left with a gooey wet wad. > undo Undoing the last turn (eat gumball). Rapids > eat gumball You chew on the gumball until your jaws are sore. You're left with a gooey wet wad. > x wad It's a wet gooey wad of yellow gum. > * maybe helpful for...something (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > eat taffy You chew the piece of taffy until your jaws are tired. You're left with a gooey wet wad. > undo Undoing the last turn (eat taffy). Rapids > undo Undoing the last turn (* maybe helpful for... something). Rapids > undo Undoing the last turn (x wad). Rapids > undo Undoing the last turn (eat gumball). Rapids > undo Undoing the last turn (i). Rapids > i You have a paperweight, a mining helmet, a silver fife, a steel key, a piece of taffy, a yellow gumball, a shovel, and a bindle. You're wearing the royal crown. > * not seeing anything immediately useful here (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > s Wooded Path The path here continues to the southwest and leads north along the rim of a canyon that falls off to the east. Clouds of mist rise from the northeast where you can see a waterfall in the distance. > sw Path Fork This is a path winding through a thick leafy forest. Fractals of sunlight filter down through the canopy above. The path continues to the west and forks to the northeast and southeast. > w South Of Castle This is a continuation of a large open clearing in the forest that continues to the west. To the north stands the royal elf castle. It's crafted from polished stones and thick timbers. The stone path continues north to the castle entrance and west into the clearing. A dirt path begins here and leads east into the woods. > n Castle Entrance This is an open space in front of the elf king's castle. The main entrance is to the north and the large wooden drawbridge is down. The stone path leads south back towards a clearing and a dirt path leads around the castle to the northwest. > n Courtyard This is an open courtyard, enclosed by tall stone walls and with flat stones lining the floor. The castle entrance lies to the south. The drawbridge is currently down. A thick chain is attached to it and runs up and over a pulley then back down again to wrap around a large winch next to the drawbridge. A wooden handle is attached to the winch. A stone archway leads north into the interior of the castle. Peppers is here. "Awk! Injamble! Awk!" > * injamble? Is that an anagram? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > n Great Hall This airy space serves as the reception hall for his elven highness. Typically, rustic tapestries would cover the walls but these have apparently been looted. A bronze statue sits on a marble plinth in the dead center of the room. Rough stone steps start here and ascend upward. Arched doorways leads south into the castle courtyard and north down a long corridor. Peppers waddles in from the south. > x statue It's a bronze depiction of Gorbunol the Pointy, renowned in elven lore for his victory over an army of adorable but ill-tempered groundhogs two centuries ago. He is posed standing erect and pointing ahead to victory. Around his neck hangs a round medal engraved with a shamrock, his personal standard. The medal appears to be made of a different metal than the rest of the statue. "Awk! Injamble! Awk!" > x medal It's a round medal around Gorbunol's neck. There's a shamrock engraved on it. > touch it The medal feels as expected. > i You have a paperweight, a mining helmet, a silver fife, a steel key, a piece of taffy, a yellow gumball, a shovel, and a bindle. You're wearing the royal crown. "Awk! Injamble! Awk!" > x paperweight It's a round, dull gray, metal paperweight, surprisingly heavy. "Awk! Injamble! Awk!" > * checked hints -- not sure I would have gotten this (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > put paperweight on medal As you bring the paperweight near Gorbunol's medal, you suddenly feel a powerful magnetic tug and the slug of metal slams into the shamrock with a loud metallic 'clank'. You hear and feel a deep rumbling coming from beneath you. Suddenly, with a harsh scraping noise, the statue and the plinth it's standing on start to slowly slide to one side, revealing a square opening in the floor. You see a spiral staircase leading downward into blackness. (Your score has gone up by 20 points.) > d You circle down the spiral stairs into the darkness below. Treasury You're standing in a dark, roughly cubic stone-lined room. It appears to have been carved from the bedrock far below the castle above. A spiral starcase starts here and disappears upward into darkness. The room is otherwise empty but embedded in the western wall you see a massive vault, secured with a thick iron door which is currently closed. Embedded, in turn, in the door you see a mirror in an ornate frame. > x vault It's a vault embedded in the wall and guarded by a massive iron door which is closed. There's a large mirror fixed into the door. > x mirror It's a large antique mirror in an ornate rococo frame. In the dim light you can see smudges and fingerprints on it. > touch mirror As you rub the mirror there is a swirl of color and light and, suddenly, a figure appears in the glass that looks just like you, but wearing impossibly thick glasses. The figure turns and peers at you from the mirror. He squints at you through his thick glasses, his eyes bizzarely magnified through them. "Yes, your majesty. What can I do for you?" He sighs and sounds quite bored. The mirror examines his fingernails and aggressively starts to chew on one of them. > x elf (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > xmirror (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > x mirror It's a large antique mirror in an ornate rococo frame. In the dim light you can see smudges and fingerprints on it. There's a figure looking out at you from the mirror. > talkto mirror (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > talk to mirror "What's to say, really? I've been in this mirror for decades? Centuries, maybe? It's hard to keep track. It could be worse. I could be stuck in a lamp." "As you well know, your highness," he pauses and squints at you closely. "It's dug into bedrock and is nearly impenetrable. It's where the kingdom's most valuable treasures are kept." He pauses. "Or maybe not. I actually have no idea what's in there." He eyes you suspiciously. "That's an odd request, your Highness." "You know the palace better than I do, Sire. I'm sure it's very nice but I've only seen the basement." The mirror squints at you suspiciously. "It's your safe, your highness. You know all there is to know about it, including the password." "If you've forgotten your passphrase, you'll need to send a carrier pigeon to 'passwordreset@magicsafeco.elf'. You should receive a response within 3-4 weeks." And, we're done... > say injamble (to the magic mirror) "Correct, Your Highness, that is the correct password. Now, since you have enabled two-factor authentication on this vault, I just need to see your crown." The mirror scrapes something out of an ear and examines it. > * lol (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > show crown to mirror (first trying to remove the royal crown) You take off the royal crown. The figure in the mirror nods and disappears in a 'blip' of white light. From deep within the earth around you, you hear a "clunk" and a pleasant female voice echoes in the room. "Warning. Door is opening. Stand clear." The floor begins to vibrate and the massive vault door slowly and silently glides open. (Your score has gone up by 20 points.) > w In The Vault This is a small dark featureless space carved out of bedrock. It's empty except for a small stone pedestal in the center. The only exit is through the vault door to the east. On the stone pedestal you see a silver key. > x pedestal It's a plain featureless stone pedestal. On it you see a silver key. > take key Taken. (Your score has gone up by 20 points.) > e Treasury You're standing in a dark, roughly cubic stone-lined room. It appears to have been carved from the bedrock far below the castle above. A spiral starcase starts here and disappears upward into darkness. The room is otherwise empty but embedded in the western wall you see a massive vault, secured with a thick iron door which is currently open. Embedded, in turn, in the door you see a mirror in an ornate frame. > * progress! (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > out In what direction? > u You circle up the spiral stairs. Great Hall This airy space serves as the reception hall for his elven highness. Typically, rustic tapestries would cover the walls but these have apparently been looted. A bronze statue sits on a marble plinth in the dead center of the room. Rough stone steps start here and ascend upward. Arched doorways leads south into the castle courtyard and north down a long corridor. The statue and its support have slid to one side revealing a dark opening in the floor leading downward. Peppers is here. > s Courtyard This is an open courtyard, enclosed by tall stone walls and with flat stones lining the floor. The castle entrance lies to the south. The drawbridge is currently down. A thick chain is attached to it and runs up and over a pulley then back down again to wrap around a large winch next to the drawbridge. A wooden handle is attached to the winch. A stone archway leads north into the interior of the castle. Peppers waddles in from the north. > n Great Hall This airy space serves as the reception hall for his elven highness. Typically, rustic tapestries would cover the walls but these have apparently been looted. A bronze statue sits on a marble plinth in the dead center of the room. Rough stone steps start here and ascend upward. Arched doorways leads south into the castle courtyard and north down a long corridor. The statue and its support have slid to one side revealing a dark opening in the floor leading downward. Peppers waddles in from the south. > n Corridor This is a long corridor extending north and south. A scarlet red carpet runs down the center, covering the stone floor. There are signs of a recent struggle here. Scorch marks mar the walls and sections of the walls and arched ceiling have collapsed, littering the ground with bits of crumbled stone blocks and masonry. Peppers waddles in from the south. > s Great Hall This airy space serves as the reception hall for his elven highness. Typically, rustic tapestries would cover the walls but these have apparently been looted. A bronze statue sits on a marble plinth in the dead center of the room. Rough stone steps start here and ascend upward. Arched doorways leads south into the castle courtyard and north down a long corridor. The statue and its support have slid to one side revealing a dark opening in the floor leading downward. Peppers waddles in from the north. > s Courtyard This is an open courtyard, enclosed by tall stone walls and with flat stones lining the floor. The castle entrance lies to the south. The drawbridge is currently down. A thick chain is attached to it and runs up and over a pulley then back down again to wrap around a large winch next to the drawbridge. A wooden handle is attached to the winch. A stone archway leads north into the interior of the castle. Peppers waddles in from the north. > s Castle Entrance This is an open space in front of the elf king's castle. The main entrance is to the north and the large wooden drawbridge is down. The stone path leads south back towards a clearing and a dirt path leads around the castle to the northwest. > s South Of Castle This is a continuation of a large open clearing in the forest that continues to the west. To the north stands the royal elf castle. It's crafted from polished stones and thick timbers. The stone path continues north to the castle entrance and west into the clearing. A dirt path begins here and leads east into the woods. > s You can't go that way. > e Path Fork This is a path winding through a thick leafy forest. Fractals of sunlight filter down through the canopy above. The path continues to the west and forks to the northeast and southeast. > ne Wooded Path The path here continues to the southwest and leads north along the rim of a canyon that falls off to the east. Clouds of mist rise from the northeast where you can see a waterfall in the distance. > n Rapids You're standing on the rocky bank of a raging river. It roars past you, constrained by a narrow rocky riverbed, and plunges over a roaring waterfall just next to you. Clouds of mist fill the air and rainbows flicker in and out of view as the sun shines down. Upstream, you can see the river emerge from a narrow gap in a high rocky cliff face. A dirt path starts here and leads south and, should you be feeling suicidal, you can step down into the river to the east. A white porcelain clawfoot bathtub is here. > save Game state saved successfully. > open jug With a dull 'pop', you pull the cork from the bottle. Claude streams from the bottle, dark and angry, and rises above you. He expresses his displeasure with a tiny crash of thunder followed by a small flash of lightning and a very heavy, brief, and localized rainstorm. After venting his spleen a bit, he returns to his previous white puffy countenance and drifts away. > undo Undoing the last turn (open jug). Rapids > * no joy (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > i You have a silver key, the royal crown, a mining helmet, a silver fife, a steel key, a piece of taffy, a yellow gumball, a shovel, and a bindle. > dig You shouldn't go indiscriminately digging holes everywhere. > s Wooded Path The path here continues to the southwest and leads north along the rim of a canyon that falls off to the east. Clouds of mist rise from the northeast where you can see a waterfall in the distance. > e You can't go that way. > s You can't go that way. > w You can't go that way. > sw Path Fork This is a path winding through a thick leafy forest. Fractals of sunlight filter down through the canopy above. The path continues to the west and forks to the northeast and southeast. > se Wooded Path You're standing on a path through the forest. It continues to the northwest into sunny trees. To the east the forest seems to darken as if the trees and foliage have been dusted with soot. > e At The Wall The air here is oppressive and still as you stand at the base of a high rock wall. You see a column of black smoke rising from the other side and everything here is ashen and gray, coated with a layer of soot. It's eerily quiet here, as if all the birds and wildlife have moved on. A path starts here and leads west into greener environs. You can, presumably, head north and south along the wall as well. > s You set out south along the wall. However, some black magic is apparently at work because you notice that the wall seems to move along with you, always blocking you from getting past or around it. You cut your lossess and return to the path. At The Wall The air here is oppressive and still as you stand at the base of a high rock wall. You see a column of black smoke rising from the other side and everything here is ashen and gray, coated with a layer of soot. It's eerily quiet here, as if all the birds and wildlife have moved on. A path starts here and leads west into greener environs. You can, presumably, head north and south along the wall as well. > x wall It's a high gray stone wall extending north and south. It's discolored in places by soot and ash. It's very smooth and utterly unclimbable. > touch it It's smooth rock. > dig (with the shovel) The ground is currently too hard and dry. > * aww thought I could dig underit (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * though maybe I could soften it with the cloud? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > open jug With a dull 'pop', you pull the cork from the bottle. Claude streams from the bottle, dark and angry, and rises above you. He expresses his displeasure with a tiny crash of thunder followed by a small flash of lightning and a very heavy, brief, and localized rainstorm. After venting his spleen a bit, he returns to his previous white puffy countenance and drifts away. > dig (with the shovel) You dig downward, and soon have created a narrow but quite passable tunnel that way. > * aha! (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > e You can't go that way. > d You squeeze downward through the narrow passage. In the dark You are surrounded by darkness. > turn on helmet You switch the mining helmet on. This is a dark chamber burrowed out of the ground. Roots poke out from the packed earth and confused worms and beetles emerge from the walls. A tunnel has been dug upward. > dig e (with the shovel) You dig towards the east, and soon have created a narrow but quite passable tunnel that way. > e You crawl east through the narrow tunnel. Underground This is a dark chamber burrowed out of the ground. Roots poke out from the packed earth and confused worms and beetles emerge from the walls. A tunnel has been dug west. > dig u (with the shovel) There seems to be impenetrable rock in that direction. > dig e (with the shovel) You dig towards the east, and soon have created a narrow but quite passable tunnel that way. > e You crawl east through the narrow tunnel. Underground This is a dark chamber burrowed out of the ground. Roots poke out from the packed earth and confused worms and beetles emerge from the walls. A tunnel has been dug west. > dig u (with the shovel) You dig upward, and soon have created a narrow but quite passable tunnel that way. > u You crawl up through the narrow tunnel. Lair You emerge from the ground into a round muddy space surrounded by grey cliffs and a tall gray wall. There's no trace of vegetation or greenery. The cliffs are scorched and blackened and a large cauldron squats in the center, a tower of black smoke rising from it. A witch enveloped in black stirs the cauldron, her back to you. As you enter, you hear a soft hoarse chuckle and she turns, fixing you with glowing yellow eyes. Suddenly, you feel yourself lifted off the ground. You rise several feet in the air, suspended for a moment before abruptly crashing back down into the mud, scattering your belongings. > undo Undoing the last turn (u). Underground > save Game state saved successfully. > * not sure Ihave everything I need yet (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * like no music box in sight (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * but guess we can give it a whirl (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > u You crawl up through the narrow tunnel. Lair You emerge from the ground into a round muddy space surrounded by grey cliffs and a tall gray wall. There's no trace of vegetation or greenery. The cliffs are scorched and blackened and a large cauldron squats in the center, a tower of black smoke rising from it. A witch enveloped in black stirs the cauldron, her back to you. As you enter, you hear a soft hoarse chuckle and she turns, fixing you with glowing yellow eyes. Suddenly, you feel yourself lifted off the ground. You rise several feet in the air, suspended for a moment before abruptly crashing back down into the mud, scattering your belongings. > x cauldron It's a huge black pot, coated and stained by things you'd rather not think about. The witch nonchalantly waves one hand and with a flash of light a massive round boulder suddenly appears, ominously suspended several feet above your head. > push it You dare not approach the cauldron. You feel the strangest sensation, like a huge invisible hand suddenly wrapping around you. Then you feel the sensation of being painfully slammed back against the wall behind you. > dodge (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > e You can't go that way. The witch puts two fingers in her mouth and whistles. Suddenly, the cliffs above are crowded with goblins looking down on you, excitedly licking their lips and the ground around you suddenly collapses, leaving you standing on a tiny column surrounded by a hot flaming pit. > i You have no possessions. Suddenly, you see the yellow eyes grow brighter and turn a gleaming white. She seems to have decided to take care of you herself. She raises her arms, hands outstretched towards you. Your hair stands on end and you see sparks gather in her bony palms and begin to collect into two round bolts of electricity. > l Lair You're standing in an amphitheater-like space surrounded by blackened rocky cliffs and a high stone wall. The ground is mud and a greasy black cauldron stands in the center, a pillar of black smoke rising from it. You're perched precariously on a narrow column surrounded by a small but deep round pit. Heat and flames rise from the chasm surrounding you. You see a bindle here. You see a shovel here. You see a yellow gumball here. You see a piece of taffy here. You see a steel key here. You see a silver fife here. You see a mining helmet here. You see the royal crown here. You see a silver key here. You see a cork here. With a triumphant cackle, she release two titanic lightning bolts at you and you are instantly vaporized in a cloud of elf dust. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 220 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > restore Game state restored successfully. Underground > * yeah that didn't go well (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * ...the hints sure seem to indicate I needtogetacross the river (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * oh, there was stuff behind the ice fairy? Totally missedthat! (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > w You crawl west through the narrow tunnel. Underground This is a dark chamber burrowed out of the ground. Roots poke out from the packed earth and confused worms and beetles emerge from the walls. You see tunnels dug east and west. > w You crawl west through the narrow tunnel. Underground This is a dark chamber burrowed out of the ground. Roots poke out from the packed earth and confused worms and beetles emerge from the walls. You see tunnels dug east and upward. > u You crawl up through the narrow tunnel. At The Wall The air here is oppressive and still as you stand at the base of a high rock wall. You see a column of black smoke rising from the other side and everything here is ashen and gray, coated with a layer of soot. It's eerily quiet here, as if all the birds and wildlife have moved on. A path starts here and leads west into greener environs. You can, presumably, head north and south along the wall as well. There's a passage here dug downward into the ground. > w Wooded Path You're standing on a path through the forest. It continues to the northwest into sunny trees. To the east the forest seems to darken as if the trees and foliage have been dusted with soot. > w You can't go that way. > nw Path Fork This is a path winding through a thick leafy forest. Fractals of sunlight filter down through the canopy above. The path continues to the west and forks to the northeast and southeast. > w South Of Castle This is a continuation of a large open clearing in the forest that continues to the west. To the north stands the royal elf castle. It's crafted from polished stones and thick timbers. The stone path continues north to the castle entrance and west into the clearing. A dirt path begins here and leads east into the woods. > s You can't go that way. > w Forest Clearing This is the western half of a broad clearing in the forest. A crushed stone path starts here and leads east and a dirt path leads west back into the greenery of the surrounding trees. > w Wooded Path This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. It continues south and east through the trees and there's a gap in the trees to the northwest. > sw You can't go that way. > s Path at Sign This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. There's a break in the trees to the west and the path continues north and south. There's a hand-painted wooden sign posted next to the path. > s Path Intersection This is a leafy spot in the forest. The path here continues north and turns southwest deeper into the trees. A second path starts here and leads east. The ground has been disturbed here and you see a tunnel dug downward through the dirt. > se You can't go that way. > sw Wooded Path This is a leafy spot in the woods. The path here continues to the northeast and south and there's a break in the trees to the west. > se You can't go that way. > s Twist In The Path This is a tranquil spot in the woods. You're standing on a path that turns here to the north and southeast and there's a break in the trees here to the southwest. > e You can't go that way. > se Outside The Chairlift This is a path through the woods. It ends (or starts) here and continues into the trees to the northwest. To the east you see a chairlift station. A large horizontal central wheel slowly turns as chairs rotate below it, dangling down from a thick rope that streams up and down a mountain to the east, the cable loop held aloft by wooden towers placed at intervals along the slope. There's a ticket booth here currently empty (it appears the dwarf is on break or got bored and went home). A wooden sign is nailed to the booth. > e Lower Station You're standing among the chairs in the lower chairlift station. The large main drive wheel turns slowly as it looms above you. Chairs hang down from the main rope, arriving from the east, slowly rotating unde the wheel and then departing back up the mountain. There's a stone square here in the ground, presumably to let you know where to stand in order to most easily board one of the chairs. > e You can't go that way. > stand on square You get onto the stone square. A chair rotates behind you and you plop backwards into it. The safety bar drops and you are swept along eastward out of the station. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift through a chairlift station, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. Your chair has circled the drive wheel and is about to head back up the mountain. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift up the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. The green rocky hillside slips below you as you climb higher. Empty chairs trail out above and below you. You wonder if this chairlift is economically feasible. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift up the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. You notice the slope below you becoming rockier as you climb higher. You rock the chair mischievously, but startle yourself and immediately stop. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift up the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. The temperature seems to be dropping as you glide up the mountain face. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift up the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. It's quite cool now as you pass through a thin layer of low-lying clouds. You wonder why you keep winding up suspended in the air today. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift up the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. You catch sight of the upper station as you approach the crest of the hill. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift through a chairlift station, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. You're now rotating slowly below the upper station drive wheel. You wish you had peed before getting on the chairlift. > out (first trying to get off the chair) (first raising the safety bar) You hop off of the chair and step aside as it glides past you. Upper Station You're standing among the chairs in the upper chairlift station. The large main drive wheel turns slowly as it looms above you. Chairs hang down from the main rope, arriving from the west, slowly rotating unde the wheel and then departing back down the mountain. There's a stone square here in the ground, presumably to let you know where to stand in order to most easily board one of the chairs. A worn path leads away from the chairlift to the north. > e You can't go that way. > n Outside The Rink You're standing outside of a timber-framed building with a steep gabled roof. The ornately carved door is to the north and a colorful sign hangs from a bracket above it. A well-worn path leads south back to the chairlift station and a less distinct track leads east into a thick copse of trees. > e Icy Copse This is a copse of tall oaks and evergreens. It's cold here and you can see your breath in front of you. Sunlight glistens off of a thin coating of ice that covers everything and icicles dangle from from every branch like tinsel. A faint path starts here and continues to the west and there's a gap in the icy trees to the southeast. Frostine the ice fairy is here knocking back an iced mocha coffee. > s You can't go that way. Frostine cups her mug in her hands and takes a drink. > * Just totally missedthat, oops! (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > se Icy Cul-De-Sac This icy hollow is hemmed in tightly by trees in all directions except to the northwest. It's exceedingly cold here. Your breath seems to nearly freeze in your throat and you can feel the moisture in your eyes icing over. The trees and branches here are coated with ice and icicles dangles from every branch. There's a large stump here. > x stump It's a stump, completely encased in ice except for a hollow in the center. In it you see a blue scroll. > x scroll It's a scroll of brittle bluish parchment. Written on it in fine caligraphy, it reads "Tinsot-Cause water to freeze" followed by several lines of small impenetrable text. > takeit (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > take it Taken. > nw Icy Copse This is a copse of tall oaks and evergreens. It's cold here and you can see your breath in front of you. Sunlight glistens off of a thin coating of ice that covers everything and icicles dangle from from every branch like tinsel. A faint path starts here and continues to the west and there's a gap in the icy trees to the southeast. Frostine the ice fairy is here knocking back an iced mocha coffee. Frostine takes a swig from her iced mocha. > * well that's certainly a more straightforward puzzle than it seemed at first (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > w Outside The Rink You're standing outside of a timber-framed building with a steep gabled roof. The ornately carved door is to the north and a colorful sign hangs from a bracket above it. A well-worn path leads south back to the chairlift station and a less distinct track leads east into a thick copse of trees. > s Upper Station You're standing among the chairs in the upper chairlift station. The large main drive wheel turns slowly as it looms above you. Chairs hang down from the main rope, arriving from the west, slowly rotating unde the wheel and then departing back down the mountain. There's a stone square here in the ground, presumably to let you know where to stand in order to most easily board one of the chairs. A worn path leads away from the chairlift to the north. > stand on square You get onto the stone square. A chair rotates behind you and you plop backwards into it. The safety bar drops and you are swept along westward out of the station. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift down the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. You are facing outward, away from the mountain, you can see for miles over endless green forests. You wish you had a pocket knife to carve your initials in the seat. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift down the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. As you descend into the valley the air becomes noticeably warmer. You consider hawking an elfen loogie over the side but reconsider. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift down the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. In the distance below you can make out the lower chairlift station. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift down the mountain, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. You are now approaching the lower chairlift station, but still fairly high in the air. You wish you had peed before getting on the chairlift. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift through a chairlift station, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. You are gliding through the station at the bottom of the hill. Your chair is slowly rotating under the wheel. You wish you had a pocket knife to carve your initials in the seat. > z Time passes. Chairlift (on the chair) You are riding a chairlift through a chairlift station, sitting on a bench suspended from a rope. Your chair has circled the drive wheel and is about to head back up the mountain. You consider hawking an elfen loogie over the side but reconsider. > out (first trying to get off the chair) (first raising the safety bar) You hop off of the chair and step aside as it glides past you. Lower Station You're standing among the chairs in the lower chairlift station. The large main drive wheel turns slowly as it looms above you. Chairs hang down from the main rope, arriving from the east, slowly rotating unde the wheel and then departing back up the mountain. There's a stone square here in the ground, presumably to let you know where to stand in order to most easily board one of the chairs. > w Outside The Chairlift This is a path through the woods. It ends (or starts) here and continues into the trees to the northwest. To the east you see a chairlift station. A large horizontal central wheel slowly turns as chairs rotate below it, dangling down from a thick rope that streams up and down a mountain to the east, the cable loop held aloft by wooden towers placed at intervals along the slope. There's a ticket booth here currently empty (it appears the dwarf is on break or got bored and went home). A wooden sign is nailed to the booth. > w You can't go that way. > nw Twist In The Path This is a tranquil spot in the woods. You're standing on a path that turns here to the north and southeast and there's a break in the trees here to the southwest. > n Wooded Path This is a leafy spot in the woods. The path here continues to the northeast and south and there's a break in the trees to the west. > n You can't go that way. > e You can't go that way. > nw You can't go that way. > n You can't go that way. > ne Path Intersection This is a leafy spot in the forest. The path here continues north and turns southwest deeper into the trees. A second path starts here and leads east. The ground has been disturbed here and you see a tunnel dug downward through the dirt. > n Path at Sign This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. There's a break in the trees to the west and the path continues north and south. There's a hand-painted wooden sign posted next to the path. > e You can't go that way. > n Wooded Path This is a well-worn path winding through a thick leafy forest. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves above. It continues south and east through the trees and there's a gap in the trees to the northwest. > e Forest Clearing This is the western half of a broad clearing in the forest. A crushed stone path starts here and leads east and a dirt path leads west back into the greenery of the surrounding trees. > e South Of Castle This is a continuation of a large open clearing in the forest that continues to the west. To the north stands the royal elf castle. It's crafted from polished stones and thick timbers. The stone path continues north to the castle entrance and west into the clearing. A dirt path begins here and leads east into the woods. > ne You can't go that way. > e Path Fork This is a path winding through a thick leafy forest. Fractals of sunlight filter down through the canopy above. The path continues to the west and forks to the northeast and southeast. > n You can't go that way. > ne Wooded Path The path here continues to the southwest and leads north along the rim of a canyon that falls off to the east. Clouds of mist rise from the northeast where you can see a waterfall in the distance. > n Rapids You're standing on the rocky bank of a raging river. It roars past you, constrained by a narrow rocky riverbed, and plunges over a roaring waterfall just next to you. Clouds of mist fill the air and rainbows flicker in and out of view as the sun shines down. Upstream, you can see the river emerge from a narrow gap in a high rocky cliff face. A dirt path starts here and leads south and, should you be feeling suicidal, you can step down into the river to the east. A white porcelain clawfoot bathtub is here turning in circles, chasing a tail it doesn't have. > cast spell (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > i You have a blue scroll, a cork, a silver key, the royal crown, a mining helmet, a silver fife, a steel key, a piece of taffy, a yellow gumball, a shovel, and a bindle. > x scroll It's a scroll of brittle bluish parchment. Written on it in fine caligraphy, it reads "Tinsot-Cause water to freeze" followed by several lines of small impenetrable text. > read it "Tinsot-Cause water to freeze". Below this you see finely written lines of text. Apparently, to use the spell you would either "cast tinsot on..." or simply "tinsot...". > tinsot (I only understood you as far as wanting to tinsot something.) > tinsot river You recite the spell. The scroll glows briefly then disintegrates in a tiny shower of ice crystals. At first, nothing seems to happen. But then ice begins to form on the water, a small frozen focus at first, then spreading rapidly across the surface. You hear cracking and crackling as the waterfall freezes and the ice progresses upstream. In another moment, the river is frozen solid. (Your score has gone up by ten points.) > save Game state saved successfully. > * in case there's a timer (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > n You can't go that way. > e You can't maneuver out onto the ice without skates. > wear skates (first trying to take the ice skates) Taken. With some difficulty, you wriggle your feet into the ice skates. > e You skate to the east. Ice River You're standing on a frozen river. It falls over a waterfall immediately behind you to the south and continues north toward a towering rocky cliff. You can step onto the stone bank to the west. > n You skate to the north. Ice River Here the frozen river passes through a gap in a high cliff face. The rocks loom over you on either side. The river continues north and south. > n You skate to the north. Ice River You're standing on a frozen river of ice. You can return to the south through a gap in the cliffs. To the north, the river ends, oddly enough, at another downward-plunging waterfull which is also frozen solid. You can step onto a grassy bank to the east. > n You can't go that way. > e You skate to the east. Grotto This is a shady grotto carved from the woods and the surrounding rock. A bed of fallen leaves covers the ground and it's noticeably cooler in here. A frozen river lies to the west. Standing here is a plain white door in a frame. There's nothing behind it and it doesn't seem to lead anywhere. A narrow beam of sunlight pokes through the canopy above to form an odd and very bright circle of light on the ground. (Your score has gone up by ten points.) > x door It's a bare white door in a frame with nothing behind it. > open it (first trying to unlock the white door with the silver key) You unlock the white door with the silver key. You open the white door. You're suddenly bathed in bright white light and your eyes are forced tightly closed by the glare. You feel yourself pulled forward through the door and in a moment, the light dims and you open your eyes again. Among The Doors This isolated hollow deep within a forest seems somehow different from any forest you've been in before. It's heavily shaded from above and a carpet of moss covers the ground. Six closed doors surround you here in a ring. Clockwise around the circle you see a red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet door. Each door stands in a frame, with nothing behind it. > undo Undoing the last turn (open it). Grotto > l Grotto This is a shady grotto carved from the woods and the surrounding rock. A bed of fallen leaves covers the ground and it's noticeably cooler in here. A frozen river lies to the west. Standing here is a plain white door in a frame. There's nothing behind it and it doesn't seem to lead anywhere. A narrow beam of sunlight pokes through the canopy above to form an odd and very bright circle of light on the ground. > x bed (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > x leaves The grotto is surrounded by leafy greenery. > search leaves You find nothing of interest. > x beam It's a bright circle of sunlight. > xcircle (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > x circle It's a bright circle of sunlight. > dig circle (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > dig You shouldn't go indiscriminately digging holes everywhere. > stand in circle (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > unlock door (with the silver key) You unlock the white door with the silver key. > open it You open the white door. You're suddenly bathed in bright white light and your eyes are forced tightly closed by the glare. You feel yourself pulled forward through the door and in a moment, the light dims and you open your eyes again. Among The Doors This isolated hollow deep within a forest seems somehow different from any forest you've been in before. It's heavily shaded from above and a carpet of moss covers the ground. Six closed doors surround you here in a ring. Clockwise around the circle you see a red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet door. Each door stands in a frame, with nothing behind it. > * optics puzzle? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > open red You open the red door. Bright red light pours through it and an invisible force pulls you through the doorway. In an instant you, again, find yourself in a strange woods surrounded by colorful doors. Among The Doors This isolated hollow deep within a forest seems somehow different from any forest you've been in before. It's heavily shaded from above and a carpet of moss covers the ground. Six closed doors surround you here in a ring. Clockwise around the circle you see a red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet door. Each door stands in a frame, with nothing behind it. > open orange You open the orange door. Bright white light pours through it and an invisible force pulls you through the doorway. In an instant you find yourself back in the strange grotto next to the white door. Grotto This is a shady grotto carved from the woods and the surrounding rock. A bed of fallen leaves covers the ground and it's noticeably cooler in here. A frozen river lies to the west. Standing here is a plain white door in a frame. There's nothing behind it and it doesn't seem to lead anywhere. A narrow beam of sunlight pokes through the canopy above to form an odd and very bright circle of light on the ground. > * nope (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > x sunlight It's a bright circle of sunlight. > x circle It's a bright circle of sunlight. > i You have a cork, a silver key, the royal crown, a mining helmet, a silver fife, a steel key, a piece of taffy, a yellow gumball, a shovel, and a bindle. You're wearing a pair of ice skates. > look in bindle In the bindle you see a mug, a match, a glass vial, a glass jug, a magazine, and your hat. > put mug in circle (first trying to take the mug) Taken. You put the mug in the circle. The sunlight refracts through the thick glass of the broken mug and the grotto is immediately filled with a repeating pattern of brilliant colors: red, green, blue, red, and yellow. > * aha! (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > * OK that was a cool puzzle (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > open door You open the white door. You're suddenly bathed in bright white light and your eyes are forced tightly closed by the glare. You feel yourself pulled forward through the door and in a moment, the light dims and you open your eyes again. Among The Doors This isolated hollow deep within a forest seems somehow different from any forest you've been in before. It's heavily shaded from above and a carpet of moss covers the ground. Six closed doors surround you here in a ring. Clockwise around the circle you see a red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet door. Each door stands in a frame, with nothing behind it. > open red You open the red door. Bright red light pours through it and an invisible force pulls you through the doorway. In an instant you, again, find yourself in a strange woods surrounded by colorful doors. Among The Doors This isolated hollow deep within a forest seems somehow different from any forest you've been in before. It's heavily shaded from above and a carpet of moss covers the ground. Six closed doors surround you here in a ring. Clockwise around the circle you see a red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet door. Each door stands in a frame, with nothing behind it. > open green You open the green door. Bright green light pours through it and an invisible force pulls you through the doorway. In an instant you, again, find yourself in a strange woods surrounded by colorful doors. Among The Doors This isolated hollow deep within a forest seems somehow different from any forest you've been in before. It's heavily shaded from above and a carpet of moss covers the ground. Six closed doors surround you here in a ring. Clockwise around the circle you see a red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet door. Each door stands in a frame, with nothing behind it. > open blue You open the blue door. Bright blue light pours through it and an invisible force pulls you through the doorway. In an instant you, again, find yourself in a strange woods surrounded by colorful doors. Among The Doors This isolated hollow deep within a forest seems somehow different from any forest you've been in before. It's heavily shaded from above and a carpet of moss covers the ground. Six closed doors surround you here in a ring. Clockwise around the circle you see a red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet door. Each door stands in a frame, with nothing behind it. > open red You open the red door. Bright red light pours through it and an invisible force pulls you through the doorway. In an instant you, again, find yourself in a strange woods surrounded by colorful doors. Among The Doors This isolated hollow deep within a forest seems somehow different from any forest you've been in before. It's heavily shaded from above and a carpet of moss covers the ground. Six closed doors surround you here in a ring. Clockwise around the circle you see a red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet door. Each door stands in a frame, with nothing behind it. > open yellow You open the yellow door. Bright white light pours through it and an invisible force pulls you through the doorway. In an instant you find yourself in a strange glade surrounded by thick forest. Glade This is a small roughly circular glade surrounded by impossibly dense forest. The ground here is covered with thick moss. In the center of the clearing stands a single white door in a frame with nothing behind it. Sitting in the grass next to the door you see a white marble pedestal. The air here seems to hum and pop with electricity. There's a small ornate music box sitting on the pedestal. On the white marble pedestal you see a music box. (Your score has gone up by 20 points.) > take music box You reach for the music box. As you touch it you receive a nasty electrical shock. You're thrown backwards and your hair momentarily stands on end. Suddenly, you hear a voice purring in your ear. "Why hello there, tiger." You turn to see a gray cat sitting there watching you. The cat rubs up against the pedestal. The air around it seems to crackle and spark. > x cat She's a green-eyed dark gray cat with a white bib. The cat stretches and arches her back. > talk to cat The cat simply looks at you, puzzled. The cat rubs against your leg. You feel static electricity. > pet cat As you reach down to pet the cat, you feel an odd sensation crawling on your skin. You touch her fur and hear a loud 'pop' and, although the cat is unfazed, you feel a discharge of static electricity through your body and, for a moment, your hair stands on end. You hear the purring voice in your head one final time. "Thanks, tiger. It's been forever since I could unload all that static." The cat hops away and disappears into the woods. > take box Taken. (Your score has gone up by ten points.) > * well that happened (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > l Glade This is a small roughly circular glade surrounded by impossibly dense forest. The ground here is covered with thick moss. In the center of the clearing stands a single white door in a frame with nothing behind it. Sitting in the grass next to the door you see a white marble pedestal. The air here seems to hum and pop with electricity. > w You can't go that way. > open door You open the white door. You're suddenly bathed in bright white light and your eyes are forced tightly closed by the glare. You feel yourself pulled forward through the door and in a moment, the light dims and you open your eyes again. Grotto This is a shady grotto carved from the woods and the surrounding rock. A bed of fallen leaves covers the ground and it's noticeably cooler in here. A frozen river lies to the west. Standing here is a plain white door in a frame. There's nothing behind it and it doesn't seem to lead anywhere. A narrow beam of sunlight pokes through the canopy above to form an odd and very bright circle of light on the ground. In the circle you see a mug. > take mug Taken. > w You skate to the west. Ice River You're standing on a frozen river of ice. You can return to the south through a gap in the cliffs. To the north, the river ends, oddly enough, at another downward-plunging waterfull which is also frozen solid. You can step onto a grassy bank to the east. > w You can't go that way. > s You skate to the south. Ice River Here the frozen river passes through a gap in a high cliff face. The rocks loom over you on either side. The river continues north and south. > s You skate to the south. Ice River You're standing on a frozen river. It falls over a waterfall immediately behind you to the south and continues north toward a towering rocky cliff. You can step onto the stone bank to the west. > s Confused, perhaps, regarding the nature of both altitude and gravity, you pluckily skate over the crest of the frozen waterfall. Not surprisingly, this does not end well for you. You plummet gracefully to the bottom where you splat in a decidedly ungraceful manner onto the rocks and frozen water below. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 270 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > undo Undoing the last turn (s). Ice River > w You skate to the west. Rapids You're standing on the rocky bank of a river. It's currently solid ice, shimmering in the sunlight. The river of ice ends here as it falls, static, over a frozen waterfall beside you. It continues north into a narrow gap in a high rocky cliff. You can step down onto the river to the east and a dirt path starts here and heads south. A white porcelain clawfoot bathtub is here scratching itself with one of its clawfeet. > s You can't walk in the ice skates. You blame your weak ankles. > remove skates After much pulling, you are finally able to extricate your feet from the skates. > s Wooded Path The path here continues to the southwest and leads north along the rim of a canyon that falls off to the east. Clouds of mist rise from the northeast where you can see a waterfall in the distance. > s You can't go that way. > sw Path Fork This is a path winding through a thick leafy forest. Fractals of sunlight filter down through the canopy above. The path continues to the west and forks to the northeast and southeast. > s You can't go that way. > se Wooded Path You're standing on a path through the forest. It continues to the northwest into sunny trees. To the east the forest seems to darken as if the trees and foliage have been dusted with soot. > s You can't go that way. > e At The Wall The air here is oppressive and still as you stand at the base of a high rock wall. You see a column of black smoke rising from the other side and everything here is ashen and gray, coated with a layer of soot. It's eerily quiet here, as if all the birds and wildlife have moved on. A path starts here and leads west into greener environs. You can, presumably, head north and south along the wall as well. There's a passage here dug downward into the ground. > * guess we'll try now (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > x box It's a small porcelain music box the color of ivory with gold leaf edging along the top and base. There's a small silver crank on the side for winding it up. The box is closed. > crank box You turn the silver crank until you reach resistance. The silver music box crank slowly turns. > open it You open the music box, revealing a complex mechanism. Music begins to play. You are momentarily mesmerised by the dulcet tinkling but then you notice tendrils of light creeping from the open box. The luminous fingers brighten and begin to move toward you. Then there is a sudden white flash which you can't fully appreciate because it vaporizes you. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 270 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > undo Undoing the last turn (open it). At The Wall > * wow that's no joke (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > e You can't go that way. The silver crank grinds to a stop. > d You squeeze downward through the narrow passage. Underground This is a dark chamber burrowed out of the ground. Roots poke out from the packed earth and confused worms and beetles emerge from the walls. You see tunnels dug east and upward. > e You crawl east through the narrow tunnel. Underground This is a dark chamber burrowed out of the ground. Roots poke out from the packed earth and confused worms and beetles emerge from the walls. You see tunnels dug east and west. > e You crawl east through the narrow tunnel. Underground This is a dark chamber burrowed out of the ground. Roots poke out from the packed earth and confused worms and beetles emerge from the walls. You see tunnels dug upward and west. > turn crank You turn the silver crank until you reach resistance. The silver music box crank slowly turns. > ave (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > ave (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > save Game state saved successfully. > u You crawl up through the narrow tunnel. Lair You emerge from the ground into a round muddy space surrounded by grey cliffs and a tall gray wall. There's no trace of vegetation or greenery. The cliffs are scorched and blackened and a large cauldron squats in the center, a tower of black smoke rising from it. A witch enveloped in black stirs the cauldron, her back to you. As you enter, you hear a soft hoarse chuckle and she turns, fixing you with glowing yellow eyes. Suddenly, you feel yourself lifted off the ground. You rise several feet in the air, suspended for a moment before abruptly crashing back down into the mud, scattering your belongings. The silver crank grinds to a stop. > take box Taken. The witch nonchalantly waves one hand and with a flash of light a massive round boulder suddenly appears, ominously suspended several feet above your head. > open it You open the music box, revealing a complex mechanism. You feel the strangest sensation, like a huge invisible hand suddenly wrapping around you. Then you feel the sensation of being painfully slammed back against the wall behind you, again scattering your possessions. > turn crank (first trying to take the music box) Taken. The witch puts two fingers in her mouth and whistles. Suddenly, the cliffs above are crowded with goblins looking down on you, excitedly licking their lips and the ground around you suddenly collapses, leaving you standing on a tiny column surrounded by a hot flaming pit. It has to be closed first. Suddenly, you see the yellow eyes grow brighter and turn a gleaming white. She seems to have decided to take care of you herself. She raises her arms, hands outstretched towards you. Your hair stands on end and you see sparks gather in her bony palms and begin to collect into two round bolts of electricity. > * comedy of errors (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > undo Undoing the last turn (* comedy of errors). Lair > undo Undoing the last turn (turn crank). Lair > undo Undoing the last turn (open it). Lair > undo Undoing the last turn (take box). Lair > undo Undoing the last turn (u). Underground > undo Undoing the last turn (save). Underground > u You crawl up through the narrow tunnel. Lair You emerge from the ground into a round muddy space surrounded by grey cliffs and a tall gray wall. There's no trace of vegetation or greenery. The cliffs are scorched and blackened and a large cauldron squats in the center, a tower of black smoke rising from it. A witch enveloped in black stirs the cauldron, her back to you. As you enter, you hear a soft hoarse chuckle and she turns, fixing you with glowing yellow eyes. Suddenly, you feel yourself lifted off the ground. You rise several feet in the air, suspended for a moment before abruptly crashing back down into the mud, scattering your belongings. The silver crank grinds to a stop. > d You suddenly notice the tunnel you came in through seems to be gone. The witch nonchalantly waves one hand and with a flash of light a massive round boulder suddenly appears, ominously suspended several feet above your head. > undo Undoing the last turn (d). Lair > undo Undoing the last turn (u). Underground > turn crank The music box is already wound up. The silver crank grinds to a stop. > turn crank You turn the silver crank until you reach resistance. The silver music box crank slowly turns. > u You crawl up through the narrow tunnel. Lair You emerge from the ground into a round muddy space surrounded by grey cliffs and a tall gray wall. There's no trace of vegetation or greenery. The cliffs are scorched and blackened and a large cauldron squats in the center, a tower of black smoke rising from it. A witch enveloped in black stirs the cauldron, her back to you. As you enter, you hear a soft hoarse chuckle and she turns, fixing you with glowing yellow eyes. Suddenly, you feel yourself lifted off the ground. You rise several feet in the air, suspended for a moment before abruptly crashing back down into the mud, scattering your belongings. The silver crank grinds to a stop. > turn crank (first trying to take the music box) Taken. The witch nonchalantly waves one hand and with a flash of light a massive round boulder suddenly appears, ominously suspended several feet above your head. You turn the silver crank until you reach resistance. The silver music box crank slowly turns. You feel the strangest sensation, like a huge invisible hand suddenly wrapping around you. Then you feel the sensation of being painfully slammed back against the wall behind you, again scattering your possessions. > open box (first trying to take the music box) Taken. The silver crank grinds to a stop. The witch puts two fingers in her mouth and whistles. Suddenly, the cliffs above are crowded with goblins looking down on you, excitedly licking their lips and the ground around you suddenly collapses, leaving you standing on a tiny column surrounded by a hot flaming pit. You open the music box, revealing a complex mechanism. Suddenly, you see the yellow eyes grow brighter and turn a gleaming white. She seems to have decided to take care of you herself. She raises her arms, hands outstretched towards you. Your hair stands on end and you see sparks gather in her bony palms and begin to collect into two round bolts of electricity. > turn crank It has to be closed first. With a triumphant cackle, she release two titanic lightning bolts at you and you are instantly vaporized in a cloud of elf dust. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 270 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > undo Undoing the last turn (turn crank). Lair > undo Undoing the last turn (open box). Lair > undo Undoing the last turn (turn crank). Lair > undo Undoing the last turn (u). Underground > u You crawl up through the narrow tunnel. Lair You emerge from the ground into a round muddy space surrounded by grey cliffs and a tall gray wall. There's no trace of vegetation or greenery. The cliffs are scorched and blackened and a large cauldron squats in the center, a tower of black smoke rising from it. A witch enveloped in black stirs the cauldron, her back to you. As you enter, you hear a soft hoarse chuckle and she turns, fixing you with glowing yellow eyes. Suddenly, you feel yourself lifted off the ground. You rise several feet in the air, suspended for a moment before abruptly crashing back down into the mud, scattering your belongings. The silver crank grinds to a stop. > take box Taken. The witch nonchalantly waves one hand and with a flash of light a massive round boulder suddenly appears, ominously suspended several feet above your head. > turn crank You turn the silver crank until you reach resistance. The silver music box crank slowly turns. You feel the strangest sensation, like a huge invisible hand suddenly wrapping around you. Then you feel the sensation of being painfully slammed back against the wall behind you, again scattering your possessions. > open box (first trying to take the music box) Taken. The silver crank grinds to a stop. The witch puts two fingers in her mouth and whistles. Suddenly, the cliffs above are crowded with goblins looking down on you, excitedly licking their lips and the ground around you suddenly collapses, leaving you standing on a tiny column surrounded by a hot flaming pit. You open the music box, revealing a complex mechanism. Suddenly, you see the yellow eyes grow brighter and turn a gleaming white. She seems to have decided to take care of you herself. She raises her arms, hands outstretched towards you. Your hair stands on end and you see sparks gather in her bony palms and begin to collect into two round bolts of electricity. > * hmm (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > turn crank It has to be closed first. With a triumphant cackle, she release two titanic lightning bolts at you and you are instantly vaporized in a cloud of elf dust. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 270 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > undo Undoing the last turn (turn crank). Lair > undo Undoing the last turn (* hmm). Lair > undo Undoing the last turn (open box). Lair > undo Undoing the last turn (turn crank). Lair > undo Undoing the last turn (take box). Lair > undo Undoing the last turn (u). Underground > u You crawl up through the narrow tunnel. Lair You emerge from the ground into a round muddy space surrounded by grey cliffs and a tall gray wall. There's no trace of vegetation or greenery. The cliffs are scorched and blackened and a large cauldron squats in the center, a tower of black smoke rising from it. A witch enveloped in black stirs the cauldron, her back to you. As you enter, you hear a soft hoarse chuckle and she turns, fixing you with glowing yellow eyes. Suddenly, you feel yourself lifted off the ground. You rise several feet in the air, suspended for a moment before abruptly crashing back down into the mud, scattering your belongings. The silver crank grinds to a stop. > take box Taken. The witch nonchalantly waves one hand and with a flash of light a massive round boulder suddenly appears, ominously suspended several feet above your head. > turn crank You turn the silver crank until you reach resistance. The silver music box crank slowly turns. You feel the strangest sensation, like a huge invisible hand suddenly wrapping around you. Then you feel the sensation of being painfully slammed back against the wall behind you, again scattering your possessions. > take box Taken. The silver crank grinds to a stop. The witch puts two fingers in her mouth and whistles. Suddenly, the cliffs above are crowded with goblins looking down on you, excitedly licking their lips and the ground around you suddenly collapses, leaving you standing on a tiny column surrounded by a hot flaming pit. > turn crank You turn the silver crank until you reach resistance. The silver music box crank slowly turns. Suddenly, you see the yellow eyes grow brighter and turn a gleaming white. She seems to have decided to take care of you herself. She raises her arms, hands outstretched towards you. Your hair stands on end and you see sparks gather in her bony palms and begin to collect into two round bolts of electricity. > open box You open the music box, revealing a complex mechanism. Music begins to play, the dulcet tinkling tones cutting through the thick air. Tendrils of light creep from the open box, growing brighter as they spread outward. The witch seems to understand what's happening. "What have you done," she hisses angrily. The luminous tendrils seek out and move toward both you and the witch. Then there is a sudden white flash of light which you are unable to appreciate because it vaporizes you both. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 270 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > undo Undoing the last turn (open box). Lair > * OK so I'm guessing that's not right, though at least I figred out the timing (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > undo Undoing the last turn (* ok so i'm guessing that's not right, though at least i figred out the timing). Lair > undo Undoing the last turn (turn crank). Lair > undo Undoing the last turn (take box). Lair > undo Undoing the last turn (turn crank). Lair > undo Undoing the last turn (take box). Lair > undo Undoing the last turn (u). Underground > undo Undoing the last turn (turn crank). Underground > i You have a pair of ice skates, a mug, a music box, a cork, a silver key, the royal crown, a mining helmet, a silver fife, a steel key, a piece of taffy, a yellow gumball, a shovel, and a bindle. > look inbindle (I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.) > look in bindle In the bindle you see a match, a glass vial, a glass jug, a magazine, and your hat. > turn crank You turn the silver crank until you reach resistance. The silver music box crank slowly turns. > open box You open the music box, revealing a complex mechanism. Music begins to play. You are momentarily mesmerised by the dulcet tinkling but then you notice tendrils of light creeping from the open box. The luminous fingers brighten and begin to move toward you. Then there is a sudden white flash which you can't fully appreciate because it vaporizes you. *** You have died *** Game over. You scored 270 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > undo Undoing the last turn (open box). Underground > * maybe it's the sound that's killling me? (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > chew gum You chew on the gumball until your jaws are sore. You're left with a gooey wet wad. The silver crank grinds to a stop. > chew taffy You chew the piece of taffy until your jaws are tired. You're left with a gooey wet wad. > put wad in ears (I only understood you as far as wanting to put the yellow wad of gum in something.) > put wad in ear Did you want to: 1. put the yellow wad of gum in your right ear, 2. put the pink wad of taffy in your right ear, 3. put the yellow wad of gum in your left ear, or 4. put the pink wad of taffy in your left ear? (Type the corresponding number) > 1 You put the yellow wad of gum in your right ear. > put wad in ear Did you want to put the pink wad of taffy in your right ear or your left ear? > left You put the pink wad of taffy in your left ear. Suddenly, the world goes completely quiet. > * lol overly complex implementation there (I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.) > turn crank You turn the silver crank until you reach resistance. The silver music box crank slowly turns. > open box You open the music box, revealing a complex mechanism. Presumably, music begins to play but you can't hear it because of the globs of candy occluding your ears. White tendrils of light emerge from the box and first extend toward you but then move away. After a moment of apparently not finding what it's looking for, the light sinks back into the box which slams shut behind it. The silver crank grinds to a stop. > u You crawl up through the narrow tunnel. Lair You emerge from the ground into a round muddy space surrounded by grey cliffs and a tall gray wall. There's no trace of vegetation or greenery. The cliffs are scorched and blackened and a large cauldron squats in the center, a tower of black smoke rising from it. A witch enveloped in black stirs the cauldron, her back to you. As you enter, she turns, fixing you with glowing yellow eyes. Suddenly, you feel yourself lifted off the ground. You rise several feet in the air, suspended for a moment before abruptly crashing back down into the mud, scattering your belongings. > take box Taken. The witch nonchalantly waves one hand and with a flash of light a massive round boulder suddenly appears, ominously suspended several feet above your head. > z Time passes. You feel the strangest sensation, like a huge invisible hand suddenly wrapping around you. Then you feel the sensation of being painfully slammed back against the wall behind you, again scattering your possessions. > take box Taken. The witch puts two fingers in her mouth and whistles. Suddenly, the cliffs above are crowded with goblins looking down on you, excitedly licking their lips and the ground around you suddenly collapses, leaving you standing on a tiny column surrounded by a hot flaming pit. > turn crank You turn the silver crank until you reach resistance. The silver music box crank slowly turns. Suddenly, you see the yellow eyes grow brighter and turn a gleaming white. She seems to have decided to take care of you herself. She raises her arms, hands outstretched towards you. Your hair stands on end and you see sparks gather in her bony palms and begin to collect into two round bolts of electricity. > open box You open the music box, revealing a complex mechanism. Presumably, music begins to play but you can't hear it because of the globs of candy occluding your ears. White tendrils of light emerge from the box and first extend toward you but then move away and reach toward the witch instead. Her red eyes now flash blue and she screams in fury and fear, holding out her arms in front of her. The tendrils thicken and brighten, now wrapping around her. She seems to understand what's happening and begins to frantically wave her arms in a vain attempt to ward off the light. Suddenly, there is a blinding flash. You hear nothing but your eyes are forced shut by the brilliant light. When you open them, the witch is gone and the music box lies closed on the ground. The earth beneath you starts to vibrate, gently at first then becoming more pronounced. You notice swirls of dirt and branches now being pulled into the pit surrounding you. The suction pulls the plugs from your ears and, with a giant sucking sound, the boulder, the cauldron, and the goblins are all pulled into the fissure. Finally, the stone blocks of the massive wall are dismantled by the force and sucked down into the opening. After a moment, the pit abruptly and silently closes, leaving no trace behind. You find yourself alone in the clearing and, in a moment, the birds start singing once again. The elves quickly learn of your success and there is a great feast as you are feted as a hero. Shortly thereafter, the wind shifts direction and you find yourself once again strapped to a balloon, this time headed west over the mountain back to your village where you are lauded all over again. Happy to be home, you hope desperately that there's no sequel. *** You have won *** Game over. You scored 300 points out of 300. Would you like to: UNDO the last move, RESTORE a saved position, see FULL score breakdown QUIT the program, or RESTART from the beginning? > quit Thanks for playing!