Start of a transcript of Our Lady of Thorns A medieval monastic mystery/tragedy by Joel Burton Site: https://lady-of-thorns.netlify.app Release 2 / Serial number 260410 / Inform v6.44 PunyInform v6.4.1 SR > x me You're a novice in your first year, younger than all of the professed monks. Your black habit marks you as Benedictine, though you haven't yet taken your final vows. Brother Hugh heads down. > x hugh You can't see any such thing. > here Brothers here: - Aelred, the herbalist - Anselm, the cantor - Benedict, the infirmarer > talk to anselm [Instead, try: ASK monk ABOUT person/thing or TELL monk ABOUT person/thing. But: many monks follow their vow of silence and others speak only in certain locations.] > credits Like most projects, this was possible only with much help from others. Handles are usernames on intfiction.org. PLAYTESTERS: - Allyson Gray (@Ally) - Daniel Stelzer (@Draconis) - Rovarsson (@Rovarsson) - Robert Eggleston (@AERobert) - Garry Francis (@Warrigal) - Andy Galilee (@AndyG) - Doug Egan (@Doug_Egan) - Melissa "Moth" Higuchi - Thomas Mack (@tmack) - rh (@rh) - Hellzon (@Hellzon) - Andrew (@andrewj) - Deborah (@dsherwood) - Javier Garza (@Jade) - Hannah (@Hannah31415) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: - Fredrick Ramsberg (@fredrik) - Daniel Stelzer (@Draconis) - Andrew (@andrewj) - Garry Francis (@Warrigal) - Dannii (@Dannii) - Giger Kitty (@Giger_Kitty) - Andrew Plotkin (@zarf) - Pontus I (@pontusi) - Tara McGrew (@vaporware) BUG REPORTS: - Phil Riley (@rileypb) - Tabitha (@alyshkalia) > about In this case, you'll be exploring a small monastery in the fourteenth century, and investigating a possible murder. Some games like this focus heavily on difficult puzzles to solve; others focus on puzzle-free narrative. This game aims in between those two poles. It's difficult to know how difficult puzzles are for different people, or how long games will take. Many testers used a few hints, though a few used none. The amount of time they needed was between 3 and 6 hours. This game uses some non-traditional IF commands; use the game command HELP to see them. You may also find the first item shown by HINTS to be very helpful; it provides non-spoiler advice for solving the puzzles. If you aren't familiar with monastic terms or locations, you may find the "Monastic knowledge" of the HELP section useful. [Please press SPACE to continue.] Our Lady of Thorns was written by Joel Burton. I'm a teacher and software developer in San Francisco, California. This is my first attempt at interactive fiction, but I've been playing games like this since the Infocom games of the 1980s. While I'm the primary author, many others have helped: see the sections "Technical information" and "Credits". You can reach me at intfiction.org, where I am "joelburton" or at joel@joelburton.com. [Please press SPACE to continue.] Like many monastic mystery authors, I was inspired by Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose". Both the novel and the movie are excellent and rich in the texture of monastic life. I also wrote this after enjoying the Cadfael television series (which itself was based on books by Edith Pargeter/Ellis Peters). While they share the setting of a monastery in a very similar time period, this wasn't consciously influenced by the earlier IF work "Vespers", by Jason Devlin---only because in the 20 years since I briefly played it, I had unfortunately forgotten about it. I have since played it through and enjoyed it. The piece of IF that I thought of the most in creating this was Gareth Reed's excellent "Christminster", a medium-length game rich in setting and with a very specific characterization of the player character. If you're not familiar with it and you enjoyed this, you should check it out. [Please press SPACE to continue.] While there are many humans that provided critical support, I'm dedicating this to Auden, my feline companion for twenty years. He passed away during the testing period of this game, and is much missed. [Please press SPACE to continue.] The game is written using: - Inform6, primarily authored by Graham Nelson and now managed by David Kinder. - PunyInform, a replacement library particularly focused on retro computers, primarily authored by Johan Berntsson and Fredrik Ramsberg. Special thanks to Garry Francis, who supplied some code for better handling of locking/unlocking doors. [Please press SPACE to continue.] The game text, characters, and puzzle ideas were authored by Joel Burton and without the use of AI. Claude Sonnet 4.5 and 4.6 (both from Anthropic) were used to: - check for anachronisms and American-isms in text - suggest debugging steps for misbehaving code - help create non-game scripts, like my testing/build system [Please press SPACE to continue.] If you find a bug in the game or would like to tell me about anything confusing, I'd very much welcome it. I can be reached at joel+thorns@joelburton.com. [Please press SPACE to continue.] Dorter (on your cot) This great room is used by all of the choir monks except the prior, Brother Oswald. It could easily provide rest for twenty brothers, but there are only eight cots in here now. Each cot has a chest at its foot for any meagre possessions the brother has. A window high up reflects pale moonlight on the floor. A doorway leads south to the Hall. Narrow stairs descend to the Quire, where offices are held. You can see three Brothers (Anselm, Benedict and Aelred) here. > ask anselm about quire He puts his finger to his lips to remind you to be silent while the service is underway. Brother Benedict heads down. Brother Martin arrives from the south. > x martin Brother Martin, the kitchener, is short, round, and quick to laugh---unusual in this sombre place. He and Brother Remigio, the lay monk, produce the simple meals that sustain the community. Brother Aelred heads down. Brother Anselm heads down. Brother Martin heads down. Brother Wilfred arrives from the south. > down (first getting up from your cot) Night Stairs Midway on the narrow stone stairs connecting the Dorter to the Quire. These are the Night Stairs: three times each night, monks file down in darkness for Matins, Lauds, and Prime. The walls are close, the air still. A lone candle flickers in its niche. You can also see three Brothers (Martin, Anselm and Aelred) here. Brother Aelred heads down. Brother Anselm heads down. Brother Martin heads down. > d Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. Brothers here: - Aelred, the herbalist - Anselm, the cantor - Benedict, the infirmarer (seated) - Cuthbert, the sacrist - Hugh, the cellarer (seated) - Martin, the kitchener Brother Aelred sits on the stalls. Brother Anselm sits on the stalls. Brother Cuthbert sits on the stalls. Brother Martin sits on the stalls. Brother Oswald arrives from the south. > sit You sit on a stall next to your mentor, the herbalist Brother Aelred. Brother Oswald sits on the stalls. Brother Remigio arrives from upstairs. > x aelred Your beloved mentor. Brother Aelred is in his sixties, tall and broad-shouldered, with gentle eyes that often crinkle with quiet amusement. In the five months you've studied under him, his kindness has been matched only by his knowledge of healing herbs. Brother Remigio sits on the stalls. Brother Wilfred arrives from upstairs. > z You wait a minute. Brother Wilfred sits on the stalls. > z You wait a minute. Brother Anselm lifts his voice---clear, unwavering---and the office begins, with the other brothers joining in. > pray Your song will be your prayer. > sing O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. --- The Book of Psalms You join the others in song. [You'll automatically continue singing throughout the office. You may perform other allowed actions. When you'd like to skip to the end of the service, just WAIT.] [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > l Quire (on the stalls) The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. Brothers here: - Aelred, the herbalist (seated) - Anselm, the cantor (seated) - Benedict, the infirmarer (seated) - Cuthbert, the sacrist (seated) - Hugh, the cellarer (seated) - Martin, the kitchener (seated) - Oswald, the prior (seated) - Remigio, the lay kitchen assistant (seated) - Wilfred, the librarian (seated) You continue to sing with the others. > z Using WAIT during a service skips to the end of the service. Is this what you want (y/n)? n You wait a minute. You continue to sing with the others. > x wilfred Brother Wilfred, the librarian, is the most venerated of the brethren, well over seventy. He's lean and wiry, with wisps of white hair shooting in all directions from his head. His habit has bits of orange fluff or fur on it. You continue to sing with the others. > x remigio Brother Remigio is a lay brother from Tuscany---not fully professed, but devoted to the work. He's in his late thirties, with sharp features and expressive hands. His English is poor, and he often lapses into his native tongue. You continue to sing with the others. > l Quire (on the stalls) The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. Brothers here: - Aelred, the herbalist (seated) - Anselm, the cantor (seated) - Benedict, the infirmarer (seated) - Cuthbert, the sacrist (seated) - Hugh, the cellarer (seated) - Martin, the kitchener (seated) - Oswald, the prior (seated) - Remigio, the lay kitchen assistant (seated) - Wilfred, the librarian (seated) You continue to sing with the others. > x oswald Brother Oswald, the prior. Lean and grey-haired, in his early fifties, he governs the priory with stern discipline. You've learned to measure your words and deeds carefully in his presence. You continue to sing with the others. > x martin Brother Martin, the kitchener, is short, round, and quick to laugh---unusual in this sombre place. He and Brother Remigio, the lay monk, produce the simple meals that sustain the community. You continue to sing with the others. > x hugh Brother Hugh, the cellarer, is lean and blond, barely thirty but already worry-worn. He manages the priory's worldly goods---trade, stores, accounts---and the weight of it shows in his troubled expression. You continue to sing with the others. > l Quire (on the stalls) The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. Brothers here: - Aelred, the herbalist (seated) - Anselm, the cantor (seated) - Benedict, the infirmarer (seated) - Cuthbert, the sacrist (seated) - Hugh, the cellarer (seated) - Martin, the kitchener (seated) - Oswald, the prior (seated) - Remigio, the lay kitchen assistant (seated) - Wilfred, the librarian (seated) You continue to sing with the others. > x cuthbert Brother Cuthbert, the sacrist, is in his late forties. Dark-haired and sharp-featured, he keeps the sacred vessels spotless, the candles well-stocked, and the bell hours precise. He rarely smiles. You continue to sing with the others. > x benedict Brother Benedict, the infirmarer, is a heavyset man in his forties with gentle hands and a warmer smile than his bulk might suggest. He moves with the careful efficiency of one who tends the suffering daily. You continue to sing with the others. > l Quire (on the stalls) The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. Brothers here: - Aelred, the herbalist (seated) - Anselm, the cantor (seated) - Benedict, the infirmarer (seated) - Cuthbert, the sacrist (seated) - Hugh, the cellarer (seated) - Martin, the kitchener (seated) - Oswald, the prior (seated) - Remigio, the lay kitchen assistant (seated) - Wilfred, the librarian (seated) You continue to sing with the others. > x anselm Brother Anselm, the cantor, is barely thirty, young for his office. He joined the priory at a young age and was put under the tutelage of Brother Wilfred for many years. He has a clear, strong voice and an easy smile. You've learned that unlike many of the other brothers, he seems to enjoy conversation where the Rule permits it. You continue to sing with the others. > x aelred Your beloved mentor. Brother Aelred is in his sixties, tall and broad-shouldered, with gentle eyes that often crinkle with quiet amusement. In the five months you've studied under him, his kindness has been matched only by his knowledge of healing herbs. You continue to sing with the others. > l Quire (on the stalls) The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. Brothers here: - Aelred, the herbalist (seated) - Anselm, the cantor (seated) - Benedict, the infirmarer (seated) - Cuthbert, the sacrist (seated) - Hugh, the cellarer (seated) - Martin, the kitchener (seated) - Oswald, the prior (seated) - Remigio, the lay kitchen assistant (seated) - Wilfred, the librarian (seated) You continue to sing with the others. > wait (skipping about twenty minutes to end of service) ----------------------- && ----------------------- The office ends. Brother Aelred touches your shoulder. "The hour is early, my son, but our herbs call for our care. First, though, I must conclude a conversation with another brother. Seek me out in the gardens when you are ready. The air is pleasant this morning, is it not?" All of the brethren head out, leaving you alone in the Quire. You spend several long minutes reflecting on your life now: ritual, timing, prayer, silence. It feels both comforting and confining. You're not sure which feeling prevails. Our Lady of Thorns A medieval monastic mystery/tragedy by Joel Burton Site: https://lady-of-thorns.netlify.app Release 2 / Serial number 260410 / Inform v6.44 PunyInform v6.4.1 SR > w (first getting up from the stalls) Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits pale moonlight. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door out to the west is closed. > w (first opening the great door) Porch This covered entrance protects the great door from the winds that come across the sea from the east. Villagers used to gather here before services, but the number who do so has been declining for years. You can go south out to the covered walkway the brothers call "The Passage", or you can go east into the church. The great door is open, revealing the Nave to the east. > e Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits pale moonlight. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. > u Tower Stairs A spiral staircase winds up and down from here. The stone steps are narrow and treacherously steep. Cool air and pale moonlight flows down from above. > u You shouldn't go to the Bell Tower now. Brother Cuthbert will be there and will report you for not working in the Garden with Brother Aelred. > d Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits pale moonlight. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. > w Porch This covered entrance protects the great door from the winds that come across the sea from the east. Villagers used to gather here before services, but the number who do so has been declining for years. You can go south out to the covered walkway the brothers call "The Passage", or you can go east into the church. The great door is open, revealing the Nave to the east. > s The Passage (North) A covered walkway that runs along the west edge of the priory. The stones underfoot are set carefully to make this a clear path. You can go north to the Porch or south to the southern end of the Passage. The West Gate, allowing entrance into the Cloister, is here and closed. > e You can't, since the West Gate is locked. You remember Brother Aelred's request to meet him this morning. You know he'll be in the gardens, south of the Cloister. > s The Passage (South) The narrow walkway ends here. This part seems less travelled, with weeds growing from between the stones underfoot. To the east, the ground slopes down to a wide closed door. > e The door blocks the way. > open door You try to pull it open, but have no success. > n The Passage (North) A covered walkway that runs along the west edge of the priory. The stones underfoot are set carefully to make this a clear path. You can go north to the Porch or south to the southern end of the Passage. The West Gate, allowing entrance into the Cloister, is here and closed. > n Porch This covered entrance protects the great door from the winds that come across the sea from the east. Villagers used to gather here before services, but the number who do so has been declining for years. You can go south out to the covered walkway the brothers call "The Passage", or you can go east into the church. The great door is open, revealing the Nave to the east. > e Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits pale moonlight. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. You know you should go to the gardens. You wouldn't want to keep your mentor waiting. > e Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > s Cloister North You emerge on the northern edge of the Cloister walk, the covered stone arcade at the centre of the priory. It's a continuous square path surrounding the Garth, a large open yard. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. [Since the Cloister is so large, it is divided into eight parts: Cloister Northwest, Cloister North, and so on.] > se This game uses only north, south, west, east, up, down, in, and out. > e Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. > * quick nav to extremes? [Comment recorded] > x garth Through the openings, you can see the Garth, the central yard. The lay monk, Brother Remigio, runs up to you, his face ashen. "You!" he cries, grabbing your sleeve. "Come---Frate Aelred, l'erborista, he is, the Slype---" He cannot find the words. His eyes say everything. He urgently points south. > s You follow Brother Remigio south. Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. Brother Remigio desperately signals you to follow him south to the Slype. > s You follow Brother Remigio south. Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. Brother Remigio desperately signals you to follow him east to the Slype. > e You follow Brother Remigio east. Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. Brother Remigio is here, looking terrified. Brother Aelred lies on the stone floor. Brother Aelred is clearly unwell. His movements are frantic and his eyes look unusual. > ask aelred about himself He mumbles something incoherent in response. Brother Aelred seems gripped with delirium. "Gathering... he was always gathering... I wanted to know why..." > get aelred You consider trying to carry him to the Infirmary---but, clearly, he is beyond cure. Instead, you stroke his head. Brother Aelred's hand jerks, trembling, gesturing north toward the bushes lining the Slype and the Scriptorium behind. His lips move. "The letter... the letter told me everything..." > ask aelred about letter Perhaps in response, he points north. "They're not alive." Brother Aelred convulses wildly. The end of his earthly time cannot be far. > e You wouldn't dare abandon Brother Aelred. A strange peace crosses Brother Aelred's face. He finds your hand and holds it with surprising strength. "One life for two, my friend." He smiles, looking towards Heaven---and is gone. > pray You pray fervently for Brother Aelred. ----------------------- && ----------------------- Having heard Remigio's cries, Prior Oswald arrives and, upon seeing the wide and still eyes of Brother Aelred, makes the sign of the cross and whispers a prayer. The other brothers assemble. Brother Benedict, the infirmarer, is called upon to determine if Aelred is dead, and does so. You find yourself in the garden without quite knowing how you got there, standing among Brother Aelred's carefully tended beds. Your friend. Your mentor. The pangs of loneliness that have eaten at you on long nights return cruelly. Brother Wilfred, the venerable librarian, finds you in the Garden and tries to offer consolation: "My child", he says, "you will always have a friend in me. Brother Aelred lived a joyful life, and we can carry on in his spirit with your help." He gestures to the gardens that you have grown to love so much. You are told by others that there is a meeting in the Chapter House. You dry your eyes and make your way there. ----------------------- && ----------------------- Chapter House The Chapter House is a modest hall where the brothers gather each morning to discuss priory business. A painted panel on the wall depicts the hours of the Divine Offices. In one corner stands a wooden statue. The only exit is west, out to the Cloister. Two benches are in the centre of the room. A broad table lies between the benches. You can also see eight Brothers (Wilfred, Remigio, Oswald, Martin, Hugh, Cuthbert, Benedict and Anselm) here. The brothers gathered here begin to find seats, and Brother Oswald, the prior, begins to speak. > listen You listen intently to Brother Oswald. You sit on a bench next to Brother Anselm. "Brothers," starts Brother Prior Oswald, "this is a terrible day for our community: the loss of our herbalist, Brother Aelred." > listen You listen intently to Brother Oswald. Brother Oswald pauses. "Brother Aelred's passing was... sudden. He did have a weak heart. Let us thank God that his passing was quick." > ask oswald about death Brother Martin, sitting beside you, rebukes you kindly: "We should listen to what our prior tells us." Brother Oswald continues: "We will observe a day of fasting today and break our fast after Matins tomorrow. Brother Benedict has placed our dear brother in the Infirmary Chapel. You may pay your final respects to him there." > z You listen intently to Brother Oswald. Brother Oswald continues: "Our novice"---he gestures toward you---"is doing adequately in his role, and will spend today cataloguing the gardens. He and I will meet after the burial tomorrow to decide how to proceed without our herbalist." > z You listen intently to Brother Oswald. Brother Oswald continues: "Of course, we will continue to hold the rest of our Divine Offices today---however, given the circumstances, some of you may be absent. To this, I give my blessing." > z You listen intently to Brother Oswald. The meeting draws to a close and the brethren stand. [You can always get a list of brothers with you with the command HERE.] > here Brothers here: - Anselm, the cantor - Benedict, the infirmarer - Cuthbert, the sacrist - Hugh, the cellarer - Martin, the kitchener - Oswald, the prior - Remigio, the lay kitchen assistant - Wilfred, the librarian > ask benedict about death Brother Benedict looks at you kindly, but raises his finger to his lips, to remind you of the rule against unnecessary speech. Brother Wilfred yawns sleepily. Brothers Oswald, Hugh, Benedict, Cuthbert and Remigio leave. > * feels necessary! :] [Comment recorded] > ask benedict about aelred You can't see any such thing. > w You're too struck considering what Prior Oswald said to leave quite yet. Brother Aelred died of a heart attack? It didn't seem so to you. Brothers Wilfred, Martin and Anselm depart, leaving you alone. You feel a deep sense of obligation to Brother Aelred. Something about this death doesn't feel right or natural. You vow to discover what happened and why. You'll need to finish your investigation by the end of Compline tonight, since Brother Aelred will be buried tomorrow morning. You're not sure where to begin, but examining his body in the Infirmary Chapel or searching his Herbarium might be good places to start. Of course, such an investigation would be unsanctioned by the prior. You'll have to cover your tracks carefully. > w (first getting up from the benches) Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. > s Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > e Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the pale moonlight that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the closed door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace. [There is no clock here, but between bells ringing for offices and your own internal sense, you decide that it is very approximately four in the morning. You can check this sense at any time with the command TIME.] > x table Large enough for four monks to work here, the table is laden with implements for producing illuminated manuscripts. A breviary, presumably a current work, is open on the table, along with a silver key. > x key A silver key, tarnished with age. Brother Wilfred guards it jealously: it's his responsibility as librarian to control access to the priory's precious books. > l Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the pale moonlight that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the closed door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace. Brother Wilfred rubs his temples wearily. > ask wilfred about letter Brother Wilfred hushes you kindly. "Never mind that." [There are other things you can ask, but one good idea is to ask the brothers about each other.] > ask wilfred about aelred "What a loss for our community. I knew him his entire adult life, and such a pleasant acquaintance it was. He was always thoughtful---he began to bring me rosemary sprigs after he learned that that was my mother's name." > ask wilfred about oswald "He's done very well as prior. That was once my role, but---" He looks at you with tenderness. "Age comes for us all, my son." > ask wilfred about himself Brother Wilfred hushes you kindly. "Never mind that." Brother Wilfred stifles a yawn. > ask wilfred for key You're a novice, and in no position to order anyone. > get key Brother Wilfred's eyes snap up just as your hand reaches for it. "Ah-ah," he says kindly but firmly, stifling a yawn. "Not without the prior's leave, young Brother." > l Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the pale moonlight that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the closed door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace. > e You wouldn't dare try to enter the Library with Brother Wilfred watching you. Access to the Library is restricted to him. > l Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the pale moonlight that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the closed door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace. Brother Wilfred rubs his eyes. > w Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > s Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. > e Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > s Herbarium This room still carries Brother Aelred's presence in every corner. Bundles of dried herbs hang from the rafters. The worktable in the centre, laden with materials above and below, bears the marks of much use. A large terracotta pot in the corner was used often to transfer plants. Without him here, the room feels hollow. The Slype lies north, and the Garden---his garden---waits to the south. > x pot A substantial container, perfect for repotting a large plant. It is empty. > x herbs The different bunches of herbs hang from the rafters. From here, you can't make out what they are. > x table The table is the one where you and Brother Aelred did your daily work. On top of it are some jars, some gloves and Aelred's Herbal. > x jars There are almost two dozen of them, each carefully labelled. You know these well---managing these has been your daily labour for the past few months. You don't see anything missing or unusual about them. > x gloves These are rough gloves, used by Aelred in the gardens. > get gloves Taken. > x herbal A thin volume, but very handy: it lists many herbs and other plants, along with descriptions of them and their uses. > get herbal You take the Herbal, aware that this was among his most prized possessions. You can only hope you'll make as good use of it as he did. > read herbal It's much too dense to read the entire thing. (You can consult it by looking up a plant by name, like CONSULT HERBAL ABOUT YARROW.) > consult herbal about rosemary Rosemary: one of God's most beneficial gifts, useful for the digestion and for nerves. Can be made into a decoction or served as a tea. [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > n Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > e Infirmary The Infirmary serves both the brothers and visiting villagers who seek healing. Several narrow beds line the western wall. A workbench holds mortars and bowls for preparing remedies. The air has a sharp tang. The Infirmary Chapel is to the south, and the Slype is out to the west. Brother Benedict is here, tidying the workbench and looking reflective. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. A curious cabinet, perhaps for medicines, sits against a wall. > x mirror A young face, barely requiring shaving, stares back at you. Your black Benedictine habit hangs loose on your thin frame. No tonsure marks your crown---you're still a novice, not yet bound by final vows. Brother Aelred used to say you had honest eyes. You hope he was right. > x cabinet A wooden cabinet secured with a brass lock mechanism. Four brass wheels, each engraved with digits "0" through "9", can be rotated independently. Carved into the wood above the lock: "Historia nostra, fides nostra". You remember Brother Aelred mentioning this cabinet: "A clever device, this. The secret is something any brother would know---I myself guessed it years ago. At least it should protect the villagers from getting to our medicines." The four wheels currently show: 0-0-0-0. > l Infirmary Several narrow beds line the western wall. A workbench holds mortars and bowls for preparing remedies. The air has a sharp tang. The Infirmary Chapel is to the south, and the Slype is out to the west. Brother Benedict is here, tidying the workbench and looking reflective. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. The medicine cabinet sits against a wall, closed. > ask benedict about aelred "Our dear brother is in the Infirmary Chapel and you may seek him there." > ask benedict about death "I examined Brother Aelred carefully before preparing his body. His heart stopped---he was an old man, and such is God's will. We will lay him to rest tomorrow with proper honour." > consult book about heart attack You find no entry for that in Aelred's Herbal. > ask benedict about letter Brother Benedict nods kindly but gestures toward his work. "Forgive me, Brother Novice, but I have much to attend to." > l Infirmary Several narrow beds line the western wall. A workbench holds mortars and bowls for preparing remedies. The air has a sharp tang. The Infirmary Chapel is to the south, and the Slype is out to the west. Brother Benedict is here, tidying the workbench and looking reflective. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. The medicine cabinet sits against a wall, closed. > x workbench A plain wood table holding the mortars and bowls. > s Infirmary Chapel This is a tiny chapel attached to the Infirmary, barely large enough for a priest and one or two others. A simple stone altar stands against a wall, and a statue stands in a corner, worn smooth by many hands. This chapel is where the dying receive extreme unction, where the desperately ill make their final prayers. The air is heavy with the memory of fear and hope. The only exit, for the living, is out to the north. You can see an altar (with Brother Aelred's body on it) here. > x altar A simple stone altar, worn by generations of prayer. On it is Brother Aelred's body. > x body Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. --- The Book of Psalms Your beloved mentor lies still on the altar, still dressed. His face is peaceful now, though you remember his agony earlier. His eyes are wide open---staring upward as if fixed on Heaven---and his hands are folded across his chest. Something seems odd about him, though you can't quite place it. > x eyes His pupils are unnaturally dilated and black, like you have never seen in a person living or dead. This definitely feels like an unnatural condition. You resolve to discover what happened to Aelred. [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > x hands You notice nothing unusual about his hands. > x lips Sorry, I don't understand what "lips" means. > x mouth You detect nothing unusual about Brother Aelred's face and mouth, except for his eyes and the odour coming from his mouth. > smell mouth There's an odd smell about his remains, something like alcohol and urine in his mouth. Unusual. > * ewwww [Comment recorded] > open mouth You find nothing in his mouth and close it. > x robe You see nothing unusual about his habit, and don't see the things he was picking at. > l Infirmary Chapel This is a tiny chapel attached to the Infirmary, barely large enough for a priest and one or two others. A simple stone altar stands against a wall, and a statue stands in a corner, worn smooth by many hands. The only exit, for the living, is out to the north. You can see an altar (with Brother Aelred's body on it) here. > x body Your beloved mentor lies still on the altar, still dressed. His face is peaceful now, though you remember his agony earlier. His eyes are wide open---staring upward as if fixed on Heaven---and his hands are folded across his chest. > x hair Your examination here finds nothing useful. > touch hand You don't feel anything unexpected. > search habit In an inner pocket of his robe, you find an iron key. You take it. [The score has just gone up by 2 points.] > x key Heavy and iron, its surface pitted with rust from years hanging in the damp Herbarium. You know this key from seeing Aelred use it: it opens the gate to the Restricted Garden where the dangerous herbs are grown. > l Infirmary Chapel This is a tiny chapel attached to the Infirmary, barely large enough for a priest and one or two others. A simple stone altar stands against a wall, and a statue stands in a corner, worn smooth by many hands. The only exit, for the living, is out to the north. You can see an altar (with Brother Aelred's body on it) here. > pray You whisper a small sad prayer to your dear mentor. You fervently hope he can hear you. > n Infirmary Several narrow beds line the western wall. A workbench holds mortars and bowls for preparing remedies. The air has a sharp tang. The Infirmary Chapel is to the south, and the Slype is out to the west. Brother Benedict is here, tidying the workbench and looking reflective. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. The medicine cabinet sits against a wall, closed. > ask benedict about eyes "They were very dilated. Perhaps he was in pain?" "RING! RING!" You hear the bell ring two times to call the brothers to the Lauds office. Prior Oswald excused you from offices today, but you know the choir monks will be in the Quire for the next forty-five minutes or so. > w Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. Brother Benedict arrives from the east. > s Herbarium This room still carries Brother Aelred's presence in every corner. Bundles of dried herbs hang from the rafters. The worktable in the centre, laden with materials above and below, bears the marks of much use. A large terracotta pot in the corner was used often to transfer plants. Without him here, the room feels hollow. The Slype lies north, and the Garden---his garden---waits to the south. > s Garden Aelred's garden. You can still see where his hands touched everything: the carefully weeded beds, the path worn by his daily rounds. You can enter the Herbarium to the north. A closed gate west guards plants too dangerous for common use. > unlock gate (with the iron key) You unlock the restricted garden gate and open it. > w Restricted Garden Here is Aelred's collection of dangerous plants---those too potent for casual use, too deadly for error. The beds here are smaller, more carefully separated. Aelred brought you here only twice, making you repeat each plant's name, its use, its danger. "Respect them, my son", he said. "In the right dose, they heal. In the wrong, they kill." The only exit is out through the gate to the east, which is open. A small gnarled mandrake root pushes from the earth, pale and forked like a tiny human figure. > x mandrake A small, pale, forked root twisted into a vaguely human shape. > look up mandrake in book Mandrake: called also Mandragora, and by some the sleeping root or gallows root. In small doses brings drowsiness and eases pain. The smoke of the root, carefully breathed, brings a deep and restful sleep---useful before surgery or for the gravely restless. The root itself should not be eaten in quantity, but it is not dangerous to handle. > l Restricted Garden Here is Aelred's collection of dangerous plants---those too potent for casual use, too deadly for error. The beds here are smaller, more carefully separated. The only exit is out through the gate to the east, which is open. A small gnarled mandrake root pushes from the earth, pale and forked like a tiny human figure. > x beds The beds are smaller and carefully separated here---no risk of cross-contamination. You recognise monkshood by its dark leaves and hooded flowers, foxglove by its pink bells, henbane by its sickly-sweet smell. > smell henbane Reminiscent of stale urine. Very unpleasant. > smell foxglove Barely any scent at all, just a faint greenness, like cut stems. > smell monkshood You cautiously sniff: barely any scent at all. The plant saves its power for those who consume it. > look up monkshood in book Aconite: called also "wolfsbane" and, in the common tongue, "monkshood", for the shape of its flower. When used with caution, can reduce inflammation or problems with breathing. When used without care, can result in a death that looks like rabies: with frothy saliva, slurred speech, and impaired vision. Used as a liniment or decoction. > look up foxglove in book Foxglove: some claim it strengthens a weak heart, though its use is controversial and dangerous. Even small amounts can cause the heart to beat irregularly. Handle with great caution, as the plant irritates the skin terribly. > look up henbane in book Henbane: of great virtue against toothache and the pains of rheumatism when taken in very small amounts as a decoction. Yet henbane is treacherous in larger quantity. The dying man's eyes grow wide and strange, the pupils swallowed up by darkness, as though he looks upon things unseen. Visions come upon him---some report them as blessed, others as torments. Let the infirmarer dispense this herb with great caution, for the difference between remedy and poison is a matter of mere drops. You recognise in Brother Aelred's symptoms the signs of henbane poisoning. This death wasn't caused by a heart attack. [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > l Restricted Garden Here is Aelred's collection of dangerous plants---those too potent for casual use, too deadly for error. The beds here are smaller, more carefully separated. The only exit is out through the gate to the east, which is open. A small gnarled mandrake root pushes from the earth, pale and forked like a tiny human figure. > x beds The beds are smaller and carefully separated here---no risk of cross-contamination. You recognise monkshood by its dark leaves and hooded flowers, foxglove by its pink bells, henbane by its sickly-sweet smell. > x plants The beds are smaller and carefully separated here---no risk of cross-contamination. You recognise monkshood by its dark leaves and hooded flowers, foxglove by its pink bells, henbane by its sickly-sweet smell. > l Restricted Garden Here is Aelred's collection of dangerous plants---those too potent for casual use, too deadly for error. The beds here are smaller, more carefully separated. The only exit is out through the gate to the east, which is open. A small gnarled mandrake root pushes from the earth, pale and forked like a tiny human figure. > get mandrake You are carrying too many things already. > i You're carrying an iron key, Aelred's Herbal, some gloves and your robe (worn). > e Garden Aelred's garden. You can still see where his hands touched everything: the carefully weeded beds, the path worn by his daily rounds. You can enter the Herbarium to the north. An open gate west guards plants too dangerous for common use. > lock gate (first closing it) (with the iron key) You lock the restricted garden gate. > n Herbarium This room still carries Brother Aelred's presence in every corner. Bundles of dried herbs hang from the rafters. The worktable in the centre, laden with materials above and below, bears the marks of much use. A large terracotta pot in the corner was used often to transfer plants. Without him here, the room feels hollow. The Slype lies north, and the Garden---his garden---waits to the south. > n Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > w Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. You can see an orange cat here. Hint: Now that you've searched both gardens and examined the body in the Infirmary Chapel, your next step could be to search all the Priory locations looking for evidence. > w Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > s Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit pale moonlight that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > s Kitchen The priory kitchen is a large room, lit by high windows. A door leads north to the Refectory, and stairs descend to the Undercroft below. A large table dominates the centre, scattered with implements and vessels. A hearth is built into a wall, its fire warming the room. Brother Remigio is here, tidying the table. > x table A long high table, big enough for two or three people to work at. It has a collection of utensils, knives, a piece of smoked fish, and vessels of spices on it. > x spices You needn't worry about these---Brother Martin is the kitchener. > here Brothers here: - Remigio, the lay kitchen assistant > ask remigio about aelred "Such sad thing." He looks despondent. > ask remigio about alcohol Brother Remigio listens politely, but doesn't understand. > ask remigio about wine Brother Remigio listens politely, but doesn't understand. > ask remigio about beer Brother Remigio listens politely, but doesn't understand. > l Kitchen The priory kitchen is a large room, lit by high windows. A door leads north to the Refectory, and stairs descend to the Undercroft below. A large table dominates the centre, scattered with implements and vessels. A hearth is built into a wall, its fire warming the room. Brother Remigio is here, tidying the table. > ask remigio about letter Brother Remigio listens politely, but doesn't understand. > d Brother Remigio stops you, apologetically. "No, not allowed", he says, "Frate Hugh, he not allow go to cellars." > l Kitchen The priory kitchen is a large room, lit by high windows. A door leads north to the Refectory, and stairs descend to the Undercroft below. A large table dominates the centre, scattered with implements and vessels. A hearth is built into a wall, its fire warming the room. Brother Remigio is here, tidying the table. > n Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit pale moonlight that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > n Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > w Cloister Southwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. A small alcove, the Lavatorium, is to the south. You can go north to the western edge, or east to the southern edge. The West Gate, allowing outsiders to enter the Cloister, is to the west and closed. > s Lavatorium A small alcove off the Cloister where the brothers wash before entering the Refectory. A basin is built into the wall. You can only return the way you came. A threadbare towel hangs on a peg by the basin. > x towel It's a simple linen towel, well-worn by use. > wash hands That is not a verb I recognise. > x basin The basin normally contains water for washing but, perhaps given the events today, someone has failed to fill it. > n Cloister Southwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. A small alcove, the Lavatorium, is to the south. You can go north to the western edge, or east to the southern edge. The West Gate, allowing outsiders to enter the Cloister, is to the west and closed. > n Cloister West This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The Locutory lies in to the west. You can also go north to the northwestern corner of the Cloister, south to the southwestern corner, or east into the Garth. You can see an orange cat here. > pet cat Cats usually need to be bribed to let you touch them. The orange cat rubs against the walls. > x cat She is small and lean with hunger. > w A time to keep silence, and a time to speak. --- Ecclesiastes Locutory A sparse rectangular room. A plain table is in the centre, surrounded by two benches. This is the Locutory, where the prior meets with merchants, where brothers discuss monastery business, where the silence of the Rule may be broken for practical needs. The only exit is out the way you came. > x table This is the table where necessary business is conducted. > e Cloister West This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The Locutory lies in to the west. You can also go north to the northwestern corner of the Cloister, south to the southwestern corner, or east into the Garth. You can see an orange cat here. > n Cloister Northwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The high walls of the church rise imposingly to the north, and a curious door lies to the west. Brother Oswald arrives from the east. > w You can't, since the prior door is locked. Brother Anselm arrives from the east. > ask anselm about henbane "Brother Benedict stores the medicines, that's all I know." Brother Anselm heads south. Brother Oswald goes to the Prior's Solar. > w You can't, since the prior door is locked. > l Cloister Northwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The high walls of the church rise imposingly to the north, and a curious door lies to the west. > e Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit cold night air and pale moonlight. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. > n Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > e Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > s (first opening the door) Sacristy A small room where items used during services are kept. Shelves hold neatly folded linens, precious chalices, and other miscellaneous vestry items. The smell of beeswax and old incense lingers. Brother Cuthbert maintains this space with meticulous care. Through the open door, pale moonlight spills in from the Sanctuary. > x shelves You find linens, chalices, a pewter platter, and other smaller vestry items useful for services. > smell Dusty and fragrant with wax and wood. > x chalice The chalices are used for sacred purpose during Mass. > n Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > x altar The austerity of the priory is evident in the simplicity of this altar, a stone structure supporting a cross. > e Lady Chapel The largest of the three chapels, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. This chapel sees more use than the others: the brothers pray here for the priory's patroness, Our Lady of Thorns. To the west is the Sanctuary. Small doorways lead north and south to smaller chapels. A statue of Mary stands in a niche and a stone altar is next to her. > x mary A stone statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her hands are open in a gesture of welcome and mercy. Her carved face is serene. Carved on the base: BEATAE MARIAE MATRIS DEI (Blessed Mary, Mother of God) > pray You make the sign of the cross and murmur an Ave Maria. > n FitzAlan Chantry The FitzAlan family chantry, endowed long ago for masses. But the FitzAlans are gone now---their line ended in the pestilence---and no masses are said here anymore. You can return out to the Lady Chapel through the south. A stone altar is set against a wall. > x altar A heavy-looking block of stone on the floor. Gouges in the floor by the altar testify to its weight. Above the altar, carved into the wall, are the FitzAlan arms and motto. > read motto It's high above the altar, but you can make it out: "LEO VIAM DUCIT". They certainly thought highly of themselves. > x arms A lion? It's a bit too far up to see clearly. > push altar While it seems that the altar isn't built into the floor, it also doesn't budge when you try to move it. > l FitzAlan Chantry The FitzAlan family chantry, endowed long ago for masses. But the FitzAlans are gone now---their line ended in the pestilence---and no masses are said here anymore. You can return out to the Lady Chapel through the south. A stone altar is set against a wall. > x altar A heavy-looking block of stone on the floor. Gouges in the floor by the altar testify to its weight. Above the altar, carved into the wall, are the FitzAlan arms and motto. > say motto [Instead, try: ASK monk ABOUT person/thing or TELL monk ABOUT person/thing. But: many monks follow their vow of silence and others speak only in certain locations.] > s Lady Chapel The largest of the three chapels, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. This chapel sees more use than the others: the brothers pray here for the priory's patroness, Our Lady of Thorns. To the west is the Sanctuary. Small doorways lead north and south to smaller chapels. A statue of Mary stands in a niche and a stone altar is next to her. > s St Jude Chapel A small chapel dedicated to St Jude, patron of desperate causes. The stone floor is worn down---many souls have visited here over the generations, praying for urgent escape from terrible situations. A doorway leads north, out to the Lady Chapel. A statue of the saint is in a corner. Near it is a stone altar with a prayer mat laid before it. > x mat A rough flax mat before the altar, worn thin by countless hours of kneeling. Someone has been using it recently---very recently. > look under mat Nothing is under it but the floor. > kneel on mat You kneel on the mat, as many others have done before. > x saint A wooden statue of St Jude, simply carved and painted. The saint holds a staff in one hand. His painted eyes seem to gaze down with deep concern at those who kneel before him in desperation. > x altar A simple stone altar. Someone has left an offering of small red berries on it. > x berries Small seed pods. You don't know them by sight, though. Someone carefully gathered these as an offering. They're fresh and fragrant, picked within the last day or two. > smell berries First, you'd need to get up from the prayer mat. > stand You stand up from the prayer mat. > smell berries A faint, floral scent, but clearly of a rosehip. I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. --- Song of Solomon This action brings back a memory from summer: Aelred in the Garden, showing you a rose in full bloom. "Beautiful now, Brother, but its true gift comes later. These petals fall, and by autumn the hip swells with seed, tart and rich. We gather them after the first frost for winter cordials." He'd smiled. "The rose serves us twice: beauty in summer, medicine in autumn." He pauses, then continues: "For some, though, they portend painful loss." [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > lookup berries in book That is not a verb I recognise. > look up berries in book The Herbal is indexed by plant names---try using a different sense to identify them > look up rosehip in book Rosehips: as a tea, useful for warding off colds and chest pain. > get berries You are carrying too many things already. > put on gloves You pause for a second. His gloves, and now they'll pass to you. You hope you can honour his work in the garden. You put on Aelred's gloves. > get berries Taken. > i You're carrying some offering rosehips, an iron key, Aelred's Herbal, some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > l St Jude Chapel A small chapel dedicated to St Jude, patron of desperate causes. The stone floor is worn down---many souls have visited here over the generations, praying for urgent escape from terrible situations. A doorway leads north, out to the Lady Chapel. A statue of the saint is in a corner. Near it is a stone altar with a prayer mat laid before it. > n Lady Chapel The largest of the three chapels, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. This chapel sees more use than the others: the brothers pray here for the priory's patroness, Our Lady of Thorns. To the west is the Sanctuary. Small doorways lead north and south to smaller chapels. A statue of Mary stands in a niche and a stone altar is next to her. > w Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > open gate It's locked. > w Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > s Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. > e Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. You can see an orange cat here. The orange cat twitches, sensing movement somewhere. > n The walls of the Cloister block that direction. The orange cat rubs against the walls. > u Day Stairs You're in the middle of a set of broad stone steps. The steps dip in the centre from generations of sandaled feet. This staircase is used by you and the brethren to travel between the Cloister and the dorters above when there's enough light and warmth to use outdoor stairs. Above is the upper living areas and below is the Cloister walk. > u Hall This plain corridor connects the two dorters. Wooden floorboards creak underfoot. There are passages to the north, south, and east. Broad stairs lead down to the Cloister. > e Necessarium This narrow chamber extends from the Hall. A wooden bench with several latrine holes runs along one wall, each opening onto the dung pit far below. The smell is overpowering. Cold, foul air rises from the pit. The only exit is out to the west. > w Hall This plain corridor connects the two dorters. Wooden floorboards creak underfoot. There are passages to the north, south, and east. Broad stairs lead down to the Cloister. > s Lay Dorter This chamber was built to house the lay brothers, those who serve without taking full vows. The walls are marked with darker patches where other cots once stood, and you can see the worn floorboards where chests were dragged back and forth over the years. Now the room holds only Brother Remigio's single cot and chest, pushed against a far wall. The priory's decline is nowhere more visible than in this emptiness, this quiet room that once held the sounds of simple men at their evening prayers. The only exit is north to the Hall. > x chest It is a simple wooden box with a lid. > open chest You open Brother Remigio's chest, revealing a pilgrim badge. > x badge A small badge, cheaply cast in pewter but carefully kept. It depicts a figure in a monk's robe: St Francis of Assisi, you think, given the birds around him. The kind of thing sold to pilgrims at a shrine. How it ended up in an English priory, in the chest of a Tuscan lay brother, is a story you will never fully know. > close chest You close Brother Remigio's chest. > x bed Brother Remigio's cot is a simple straw mattress, lacking any ornamentation---but also lacking anything on or under it. > l Lay Dorter This chamber was built to house the lay brothers, those who serve without taking full vows. The walls are marked with darker patches where other cots once stood, and you can see the worn floorboards where chests were dragged back and forth over the years. Now the room holds only Brother Remigio's single cot and chest, pushed against a far wall. The only exit is north to the Hall. > n Hall This plain corridor connects the two dorters. Wooden floorboards creak underfoot. There are passages to the north, south, and east. Broad stairs lead down to the Cloister. > n Dorter This great room is used by all of the choir monks except the prior, Brother Oswald. It could easily provide rest for twenty brothers, but there are only eight cots in here now. Each cot has a chest at its foot for any meagre possessions the brother has. A window high up reflects cool morning light on the floor. A doorway leads south to the Hall. Narrow stairs descend to the Quire, where offices are held. > x aelreds chest It is a simple wooden box with a lid. > open it You open Brother Aelred's chest, revealing nothing. > x aelreds bed Brother Aelred's cot is a simple straw mattress, lacking any ornamentation---but also lacking anything on or under it. > close chest You close Brother Aelred's chest. > open my chest You open your chest, revealing nothing. > close chest You close your chest. "RING! RING! RING!" You hear the bell ring three times to call the brothers to the Prime office. Prior Oswald excused you from offices today, but you know the choir monks will be in the Quire for the next forty-five minutes or so. > s Hall This plain corridor connects the two dorters. Wooden floorboards creak underfoot. There are passages to the north, south, and east. Broad stairs lead down to the Cloister. > d Day Stairs You're in the middle of a set of broad stone steps. The steps dip in the centre from generations of sandaled feet. This staircase is used by you and the brethren to travel between the Cloister and the dorters above when there's enough light and warmth to use outdoor stairs. Above is the upper living areas and below is the Cloister walk. > d Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. You can see an orange cat here. Brother Wilfred arrives from the south. > s Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. You can see Brother Benedict here. Brother Benedict heads north. > s Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. > w Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > s Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit cool morning light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > smell The scent of pottage from previous meals. > s Kitchen The priory kitchen is a large room, lit by high windows. A door leads north to the Refectory, and stairs descend to the Undercroft below. A large table dominates the centre, scattered with implements and vessels. A hearth is built into a wall, its fire warming the room. Brother Remigio is here, tidying the table. > ask remigio for food You're a novice, and in no position to order anyone. > n Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit cool morning light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > n Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. You can see an orange cat here. > w Cloister Southwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. A small alcove, the Lavatorium, is to the south. You can go north to the western edge, or east to the southern edge. The West Gate, allowing outsiders to enter the Cloister, is to the west and closed. > open gate You raise the bar, unlocking the gate. You open the West Gate. > w The Passage (North) A covered walkway that runs along the west edge of the priory. The stones underfoot are set carefully to make this a clear path. You can go north to the Porch or south to the southern end of the Passage. The West Gate, allowing entrance into the Cloister, is here and open. > s The Passage (South) The narrow walkway ends here. This part seems less travelled, with weeds growing from between the stones underfoot. To the east, the ground slopes down to a wide closed door. > e The door blocks the way. > unlock door There's no apparent way to unlock this. > open door You try to pull it open, but have no success. > n The Passage (North) A covered walkway that runs along the west edge of the priory. The stones underfoot are set carefully to make this a clear path. You can go north to the Porch or south to the southern end of the Passage. The West Gate, allowing entrance into the Cloister, is here and open. > n Porch This covered entrance protects the great door from the winds that come across the sea from the east. Villagers used to gather here before services, but the number who do so has been declining for years. You can go south out to the covered walkway the brothers call "The Passage", or you can go east into the church. The great door is open, revealing the Nave to the east. > e Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits cool morning light. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > up Tower Stairs A spiral staircase winds up and down from here. The stone steps are narrow and treacherously steep. Cool air and cool morning light flows down from above. > up Bell Tower The bell chamber. Wind whistles through the open arches on all four sides. Dead leaves have drifted into the corners and along the walls, blown in through the open arches. The great bell hangs overhead. A rope from it hangs to within your reach. From here, you have clear views in all four directions---such fine views that the priory allows outsiders into this space. You can also see a wooden chest (which is closed) here. > open chest You open the wooden chest, revealing some bell-repairing tools. > x tools Some maintenance items: a small vial of oil and some wooden wedges. All the practical things needed to keep the great bell ringing true. > get oil Leave them be---you have no need of bell-repairing tools, and Brother Cuthbert will want these left here. > close chest You close the wooden chest. > touch bell The bell is far above you. You can only reach the rope. > pull rope Grabbing the cord causes the bell to toll, echoing across the priory. Instinctively you let go of the cord. You know you shouldn't have done that. > undo Previous turn undone. > l Bell Tower The bell chamber. Wind whistles through the open arches on all four sides. Dead leaves have drifted into the corners and along the walls, blown in through the open arches. The great bell hangs overhead. A rope from it hangs to within your reach. From here, you have clear views in all four directions---such fine views that the priory allows outsiders into this space. You can also see a wooden chest (which is closed) here. > x views There are excellent views in all directions. > x leaves The leaves that settled across the floor are less prominent immediately around the chest, as though it was moved more recently. > move chest Moving the chest reveals a note that was hidden under it. > read note (first taking the note) You are carrying too many things already. > i You're carrying some offering rosehips, an iron key, Aelred's Herbal, some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > drop rosehips Dropped. > read note (first taking the note) The note is folded and sealed with wax. You tear it open and unfold it. It is written in an educated hand on fine paper. It reads: "The manuscript was exquisite---the illumination work exceptional. Should other such works become available, I remain most interested. Leave word at our usual place." It is unsigned. Who wrote this note? An outsider? Buying precious priory property? And who was meant to find it and read it? [Carrying items not related to your work here (such as the treacherous note) is against priory rules. Find a way to hide these or carry them unnoticed.] [The score has just gone up by 5 points.] > put note under chest You can't see any such thing. > i You're carrying a treacherous note, an iron key, Aelred's Herbal, some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > put note in robe Your robe has no pockets. > put note in book Aelred's Herbal can't contain things. > put note in gloves The gloves can't contain things. > l Bell Tower The bell chamber. Wind whistles through the open arches on all four sides. Dead leaves have drifted into the corners and along the walls, blown in through the open arches. The great bell hangs overhead. A rope from it hangs to within your reach. From here, you have clear views in all four directions---such fine views that the priory allows outsiders into this space. You can also see some offering rosehips and a wooden chest (which is closed) here. > l Bell Tower The bell chamber. Wind whistles through the open arches on all four sides. Dead leaves have drifted into the corners and along the walls, blown in through the open arches. The great bell hangs overhead. A rope from it hangs to within your reach. From here, you have clear views in all four directions---such fine views that the priory allows outsiders into this space. You can also see some offering rosehips and a wooden chest (which is closed) here. > i You're carrying a treacherous note, an iron key, Aelred's Herbal, some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > d Tower Stairs A spiral staircase winds up and down from here. The stone steps are narrow and treacherously steep. Cool air and cool morning light flows down from above. > drop note Dropped. > u Bell Tower The bell chamber. Wind whistles through the open arches on all four sides. Dead leaves have drifted into the corners and along the walls, blown in through the open arches. The great bell hangs overhead. A rope from it hangs to within your reach. From here, you have clear views in all four directions---such fine views that the priory allows outsiders into this space. You can also see some offering rosehips and a wooden chest (which is closed) here. > get rosehips Taken. > d Tower Stairs A spiral staircase winds up and down from here. The stone steps are narrow and treacherously steep. Cool air and cool morning light flows down from above. You can see a treacherous note here. > d Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits cool morning light. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > w Porch This covered entrance protects the great door from the winds that come across the sea from the east. Villagers used to gather here before services, but the number who do so has been declining for years. You can go south out to the covered walkway the brothers call "The Passage", or you can go east into the church. The great door is open, revealing the Nave to the east. > drop rosehips Dropped. > e Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits cool morning light. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. You can also see Brother Cuthbert here. Brother Cuthbert heads up. > up Tower Stairs A spiral staircase winds up and down from here. The stone steps are narrow and treacherously steep. Cool air and cool morning light flows down from above. You can see Brother Cuthbert and a treacherous note here. Brother Cuthbert heads up. > get note Taken. > d Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits cool morning light. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. > e Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > u Night Stairs Midway on the narrow stone stairs connecting the Dorter to the Quire. These are the Night Stairs: three times each night, monks file down in darkness for Matins, Lauds, and Prime. The walls are close, the air still. A lone candle flickers in its niche. > u Dorter This great room is used by all of the choir monks except the prior, Brother Oswald. It could easily provide rest for twenty brothers, but there are only eight cots in here now. Each cot has a chest at its foot for any meagre possessions the brother has. A window high up reflects cool morning light on the floor. A doorway leads south to the Hall. Narrow stairs descend to the Quire, where offices are held. > open aelred chest You open Brother Aelred's chest, revealing nothing. > put note in aelred chest You put the treacherous note into Brother Aelred's chest. > close chest You close Brother Aelred's chest. > d Night Stairs Midway on the narrow stone stairs connecting the Dorter to the Quire. These are the Night Stairs: three times each night, monks file down in darkness for Matins, Lauds, and Prime. The walls are close, the air still. A lone candle flickers in its niche. > d Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > w Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits cool morning light. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. > w Porch This covered entrance protects the great door from the winds that come across the sea from the east. Villagers used to gather here before services, but the number who do so has been declining for years. You can go south out to the covered walkway the brothers call "The Passage", or you can go east into the church. The great door is open, revealing the Nave to the east. You can also see some offering rosehips here. > get rosehips Taken. > s The Passage (North) A covered walkway that runs along the west edge of the priory. The stones underfoot are set carefully to make this a clear path. You can go north to the Porch or south to the southern end of the Passage. The West Gate, allowing entrance into the Cloister, is here and open. > e Cloister Southwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. A small alcove, the Lavatorium, is to the south. You can go north to the western edge, or east to the southern edge. The West Gate, allowing outsiders to enter the Cloister, is to the west and open. > e Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. You can see an orange cat here. The orange cat wriggles. > e Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. > e Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > s Herbarium This room still carries Brother Aelred's presence in every corner. Bundles of dried herbs hang from the rafters. The worktable in the centre, laden with materials above and below, bears the marks of much use. A large terracotta pot in the corner was used often to transfer plants. Without him here, the room feels hollow. The Slype lies north, and the Garden---his garden---waits to the south. > put rosehips in pot You put the rosehips into the plant pot. > put book on table You put Aelred's Herbal on the worktable. > l Herbarium This room still carries Brother Aelred's presence in every corner. Bundles of dried herbs hang from the rafters. The worktable in the centre, laden with materials above and below, bears the marks of much use. A large terracotta pot in the corner was used often to transfer plants. Without him here, the room feels hollow. The Slype lies north, and the Garden---his garden---waits to the south. > e You can only go north or south. > n Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > e Infirmary Several narrow beds line the western wall. A workbench holds mortars and bowls for preparing remedies. The air has a sharp tang. The Infirmary Chapel is to the south, and the Slype is out to the west. Brother Benedict is here, tidying the workbench and looking reflective. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. The medicine cabinet sits against a wall, closed. > time From your vague sense of time, it is past eight in the morning. > i You're carrying an iron key, some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > s Infirmary Chapel This is a tiny chapel attached to the Infirmary, barely large enough for a priest and one or two others. A simple stone altar stands against a wall, and a statue stands in a corner, worn smooth by many hands. The only exit, for the living, is out to the north. You can see an altar (with Brother Aelred's body on it) here. > x statue It depicts St Roch, patron saint of the plague-stricken and the sick. He's depicted as a pilgrim, with a hand pointing to a sore on his leg. > x leg The artist was clearly aiming for realism with these. You recall Brother Aelred telling you vivid stories of illness he saw on his travels. > x aelred Your beloved mentor lies still on the altar, still dressed. His face is peaceful now, though you remember his agony earlier. His eyes are wide open---staring upward as if fixed on Heaven---and his hands are folded across his chest. Now you notice: even in death, his pupils remain enormously dilated---a telltale sign of henbane poisoning.. > n Infirmary Several narrow beds line the western wall. A workbench holds mortars and bowls for preparing remedies. The air has a sharp tang. The Infirmary Chapel is to the south, and the Slype is out to the west. Brother Benedict is here, tidying the workbench and looking reflective. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. The medicine cabinet sits against a wall, closed. > get mirror You dare not steal this in front of the brother. > a benedict about henbane That is not a verb I recognise. > ask benedict about henbane "I keep that here for medicine." > x henbane You can't see any such thing. > x table A plain wood table holding the mortars and bowls. > x key Heavy and iron, its surface pitted with rust from years hanging in the damp Herbarium. You know this key from seeing Aelred use it: it opens the gate to the Restricted Garden where the dangerous herbs are grown. > x cabinet A wooden cabinet secured with a brass lock mechanism. Four brass wheels, each engraved with digits "0" through "9", can be rotated independently. Carved into the wood above the lock: "Historia nostra, fides nostra". The four wheels currently show: 0-0-0-0. > w Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > w Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. You can see an orange cat here. > n Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > e Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the cool morning light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the closed door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace. > ask wilfred about faith Brother Wilfred hushes you kindly. "Never mind that." > ask wilfred about history Brother Wilfred hushes you kindly. "Never mind that." > open door You wouldn't dare try to enter the Library with Brother Wilfred watching you. Access to the Library is restricted to him. Brother Wilfred blinks his eyes heavily. > x table Large enough for four monks to work here, the table is laden with implements for producing illuminated manuscripts. A breviary, presumably a current work, is open on the table, along with a silver key. > x key A silver key, tarnished with age. Brother Wilfred guards it jealously: it's his responsibility as librarian to control access to the priory's precious books. > w Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > n Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. > e Chapter House The Chapter House is a modest hall where the brothers gather each morning to discuss priory business. A painted panel on the wall depicts the hours of the Divine Offices. In one corner stands a wooden statue. The only exit is west, out to the Cloister. Two benches are in the centre of the room. A broad table lies between the benches. > read panel It shows the offices: Matins 2 AM Sext Noon Lauds 5 AM None 3 PM Prime 7 AM Vespers 5 PM Terce 9 AM Compline 7 PM (Since you know these by heart, you can see this list at any time with the command OFFICES). [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > time From your vague sense of time, it is approaching nine in the morning. > x statue It's a wooden statue, worn and with the paint flaking in places. You know it to be Brother Gordian, the founder of the priory. His face is filled with reverence and curiosity, and he is depicted holding a scroll reading "III: SAPIENTIA", reflecting one of his three creeds, wisdom. > here There are no brothers here. > l Chapter House The Chapter House is a modest hall where the brothers gather each morning to discuss priory business. A painted panel on the wall depicts the hours of the Divine Offices. In one corner stands a wooden statue. The only exit is west, out to the Cloister. Two benches are in the centre of the room. A broad table lies between the benches. > w Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. > s Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. You can see an orange cat here. > e Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the cool morning light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the closed door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace. > ask wilfred about gordian "Before even my time, my son, but by all accounts a most clever and reverent man. Did amazing work in brass---almost like clockwork." > ask wilfred about founding Brother Wilfred hushes you kindly. "Never mind that." > w Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. You can see an orange cat here. > n Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. > e Chapter House The Chapter House is a modest hall where the brothers gather each morning to discuss priory business. A painted panel on the wall depicts the hours of the Divine Offices. In one corner stands a wooden statue. The only exit is west, out to the Cloister. Two benches are in the centre of the room. A broad table lies between the benches. > x table A large wooden table. > x statue It's a wooden statue, worn and with the paint flaking in places. You know it to be Brother Gordian, the founder of the priory. His face is filled with reverence and curiosity, and he is depicted holding a scroll reading "III: SAPIENTIA", reflecting one of his three creeds, wisdom. > move statue With some effort, you push the statue a bit, revealing nothing. Feeling shame about the potential sacrilege of this action, you reset it as it was. > x scroll It's a painted part of the statue, and "III: SAPIENTIA" is all that is on it. > w Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. > w Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. > w Cloister Northwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The high walls of the church rise imposingly to the north, and a curious door lies to the west. You can also see an orange cat here. "RING! RING! RING! RING!" You hear the bell ring four times to call the brothers to the Terce office. Prior Oswald excused you from offices today, but you know the choir monks will be in the Quire for the next forty-five minutes or so. > w You can't, since the prior door is locked. Brother Oswald comes from the Prior's Solar. > e Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. Brother Oswald arrives from the west. > e Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. Brother Wilfred arrives from the south. > e Chapter House The Chapter House is a modest hall where the brothers gather each morning to discuss priory business. A painted panel on the wall depicts the hours of the Divine Offices. In one corner stands a wooden statue. The only exit is west, out to the Cloister. Two benches are in the centre of the room. A broad table lies between the benches. > w Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. You can see Brother Benedict here. Brother Benedict heads west. > s Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. > e Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the cool morning light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the closed door. > x table Large enough for four monks to work here, the table is laden with implements for producing illuminated manuscripts. A breviary, presumably a current work, is open on the table. > x breviary Brother Wilfred's current work: an unfinished breviary for the office. The Latin text flows in careful Gothic script across vellum pages. Several decorated initials have been illuminated with silver leaf and vermilion, their intricate patterns revealing the master's eye even as the slightly wavering lines betray his trembling hands. Many pages still await illumination. > read breviary The breviary lies open to Psalm 23. The Latin reads: "Dominus regit me, et nihil mihi deerit; in loco pascuae ibi me collocavit..." (The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; He maketh me to lie down in green pastures...) > e The library door is locked. > w Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. You can see an orange cat here. The orange cat wriggles. > s Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. > s The walls of the Cloister block that direction. > w Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > s Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit cool morning light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > s Kitchen The priory kitchen is a large room, lit by high windows. A door leads north to the Refectory, and stairs descend to the Undercroft below. A large table dominates the centre, scattered with implements and vessels. A hearth is built into a wall, its fire warming the room. Brother Remigio is here, tidying the table. > d Brother Remigio stops you, apologetically. "No, not allowed", he says, "Frate Hugh, he not allow go to cellars." > n Refectory The Refectory is a long, austere hall where the community takes its meals in silence while one brother reads aloud from the lectern. Two rows of trestle tables stretch the length of the room, their surfaces scrubbed clean. High windows along the wall admit cool morning light that barely reaches the floor. The smell of pottage lingers faintly in the air. A doorway to the south leads to the Kitchen, and a wide opening to the north returns out to the Cloister. > e You can only go north or south. > n Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > e Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. > e Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > s Herbarium This room still carries Brother Aelred's presence in every corner. Bundles of dried herbs hang from the rafters. The worktable in the centre, laden with materials above and below, bears the marks of much use. A large terracotta pot in the corner was used often to transfer plants. Without him here, the room feels hollow. The Slype lies north, and the Garden---his garden---waits to the south. > move pot Nothing is under the pot. > x table The table is the one where you and Brother Aelred did your daily work. On top of it are Aelred's Herbal and some jars. > look under table Looking below the table, you find Brother Aelred's basket, which he used for gathering and carrying herbs. > i You're carrying an iron key, some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > get basket Taken. > look in pot Nothing is under the pot. > x rosehip Someone carefully gathered these as an offering. They're fresh and fragrant, picked within the last day or two. > l Herbarium This room still carries Brother Aelred's presence in every corner. Bundles of dried herbs hang from the rafters. The worktable in the centre, laden with materials above and below, bears the marks of much use. A large terracotta pot in the corner was used often to transfer plants. Without him here, the room feels hollow. The Slype lies north, and the Garden---his garden---waits to the south. > x pot A substantial container, perfect for repotting a large plant. In it are some offering rosehips. > *look in aliased to look under? [Comment recorded] > put rosehips in basket (first taking the rosehips) You put the rosehips into the basket. > w You can only go north or south. > l Herbarium This room still carries Brother Aelred's presence in every corner. Bundles of dried herbs hang from the rafters. The worktable in the centre, laden with materials above and below, bears the marks of much use. A large terracotta pot in the corner was used often to transfer plants. Without him here, the room feels hollow. The Slype lies north, and the Garden---his garden---waits to the south. > s Garden Aelred's garden. You can still see where his hands touched everything: the carefully weeded beds, the path worn by his daily rounds. You can enter the Herbarium to the north. A closed gate west guards plants too dangerous for common use. Spending time here reminds you of a conversation from spring, when Brother Aelred was tending part of the garden. "This one's a challenge, my son," he said, gesturing at a new, small plant. "It wants warmth and sun we can barely give it here. But there's a brother of ours---he came from sunnier lands, seeking refuge. He never complains, but I see the homesickness in his eyes." Aelred touched the leaves gently. "If I can coax this to grow, it will remind him of home. A small kindness, perhaps, but sometimes those matter most." You will miss Aelred so much. > x beds Neat rows of raised beds, carefully tended and weeded. Woody rosemary grows tall in one corner, its leaves green against the autumn sky. Low-growing thyme spreads in silvery-green mats, while feverfew's white daisy-flowers still bloom despite the season. In the most sheltered spot, a tiny basil plant catches what little sun reaches this northern garden. It's a small miracle that Aelred coaxed it to survive this long. > put rosemary in basket (first taking just a sprig from the rosemary plant) You put the rosemary sprig into the basket. > put feverfew in basket (first taking just a sprig from the feverfew plant) You put the feverfew sprig into the basket. > smell feverfew Strong and bitter, almost medicinal. Like chamomile but sharper. > put basil in basket (first taking just a sprig from the basil plant) You put the basil sprig into the basket. > smell basil It's strong and peppery, with notes of anise. > taste basil You try a single leaf: it's sharp at first, then peppery and a bit like liquorice. > x beds Neat rows of raised beds, carefully tended and weeded. Woody rosemary grows tall in one corner, its leaves green against the autumn sky. Low-growing thyme spreads in silvery-green mats, while feverfew's white daisy-flowers still bloom despite the season. In the most sheltered spot, a tiny basil plant catches what little sun reaches this northern garden. It's a small miracle that Aelred coaxed it to survive this long. > unlock door You can't see any such thing. > i You're carrying a basket (which contains some offering rosehips and three sprigs (basil, feverfew and rosemary)), an iron key, some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > w You can't, since the restricted garden gate is locked. > unlock gate (with the iron key) You unlock the restricted garden gate and open it. > i You're carrying a basket (which contains some offering rosehips and three sprigs (basil, feverfew and rosemary)), an iron key, some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > w Restricted Garden Here is Aelred's collection of dangerous plants---those too potent for casual use, too deadly for error. The beds here are smaller, more carefully separated. The only exit is out through the gate to the east, which is open. A small gnarled mandrake root pushes from the earth, pale and forked like a tiny human figure. > put mandrake in basket (first taking the mandrake root) You wrap your fingers around it carefully and pull it free. The root forks into two distinct limbs below the crown---the shape the ancients called anthropomorphon, the man-formed. They said it screamed when pulled from the earth. The silence feels like a small mercy. You put the mandrake root into the basket. > l Restricted Garden Here is Aelred's collection of dangerous plants---those too potent for casual use, too deadly for error. The beds here are smaller, more carefully separated. The only exit is out through the gate to the east, which is open. > x beds The beds are smaller and carefully separated here---no risk of cross-contamination. You recognise monkshood by its dark leaves and hooded flowers, foxglove by its pink bells, henbane by its sickly-sweet smell. > put henbane in basket (first taking just a sprig from the henbane plant) You put the henbane sprig into the basket. > put monkshood in basket (first taking just a sprig from the monkshood plant) You put the monkshood sprig into the basket. > smell monkshood You cautiously sniff: barely any scent at all. The plant saves its power for those who consume it. > e Garden Aelred's garden. You can still see where his hands touched everything: the carefully weeded beds, the path worn by his daily rounds. You can enter the Herbarium to the north. An open gate west guards plants too dangerous for common use. > lock gate (first closing it) (with the iron key) You lock the restricted garden gate. > look up monkshood in book Exactly what resource are you trying to use? > l Garden Aelred's garden. You can still see where his hands touched everything: the carefully weeded beds, the path worn by his daily rounds. You can enter the Herbarium to the north. A closed gate west guards plants too dangerous for common use. > n Herbarium This room still carries Brother Aelred's presence in every corner. Bundles of dried herbs hang from the rafters. The worktable in the centre, laden with materials above and below, bears the marks of much use. A large terracotta pot in the corner was used often to transfer plants. Without him here, the room feels hollow. The Slype lies north, and the Garden---his garden---waits to the south. > look up monkshood in book (first taking Aelred's Herbal) Aconite: called also "wolfsbane" and, in the common tongue, "monkshood", for the shape of its flower. When used with caution, can reduce inflammation or problems with breathing. When used without care, can result in a death that looks like rabies: with frothy saliva, slurred speech, and impaired vision. Used as a liniment or decoction. > n Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > w Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. You can see an orange cat here. The orange cat licks a paw contentedly. > w Cloister South This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Refectory lies in to the south. You can also go west to the southwestern corner of the Cloister, east to the southeastern corner, or north to the Garth. > w Cloister Southwest This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. A small alcove, the Lavatorium, is to the south. You can go north to the western edge, or east to the southern edge. The West Gate, allowing outsiders to enter the Cloister, is to the west and open. > w The Passage (North) A covered walkway that runs along the west edge of the priory. The stones underfoot are set carefully to make this a clear path. You can go north to the Porch or south to the southern end of the Passage. The West Gate, allowing entrance into the Cloister, is here and open. > n Porch This covered entrance protects the great door from the winds that come across the sea from the east. Villagers used to gather here before services, but the number who do so has been declining for years. You can go south out to the covered walkway the brothers call "The Passage", or you can go east into the church. The great door is open, revealing the Nave to the east. > x door A great oaken door. Carved deeply into its face: EGRESSUS FRUCTUM FERT ("Going out bears fruit"). The door is open. > w As a novice, you're not to leave the priory grounds without permission. > close door You close the west door, revealing the carving on this face. > x carving A great oaken door. Carved deeply into its face: NOSTRA DOMINA SPINARUM ("Our Lady of Thorns") FUNDATUM ANNO DOMINI MCLII Almost two hundred years of wind and rain have worn the letters down. The door is closed. [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > e (first opening the great door) Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits cool morning light. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. > s You can only go north, west, east, or up. > s You can only go north, west, east, or up. > e Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > e Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > w Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > s Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. > e Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. > s Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. You can see an orange cat here. > e Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the cool morning light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the closed door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace. > w Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. You can see an orange cat here. > s Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit fresh morning breeze. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. > e Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > e Infirmary Several narrow beds line the western wall. A workbench holds mortars and bowls for preparing remedies. The air has a sharp tang. The Infirmary Chapel is to the south, and the Slype is out to the west. Brother Benedict is here, tidying the workbench and looking reflective. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. The medicine cabinet sits against a wall, closed. > x cabinet A wooden cabinet secured with a brass lock mechanism. Four brass wheels, each engraved with digits "0" through "9", can be rotated independently. Carved into the wood above the lock: "Historia nostra, fides nostra". The four wheels currently show: 0-0-0-0. > turn wheels to 1152 You dare not do this in front of a brother. > time From your vague sense of time, it is half past ten in the morning. > offices Matins 2 AM Sext Noon Lauds 5 AM None 3 PM Prime 7 AM Vespers 5 PM Terce 9 AM Compline 7 PM > wait until noon Time passes. "RING! RING! RING! RING! RING!" You hear the bell ring five times to call the brothers to the Sext office. Prior Oswald excused you from offices today, but you know the choir monks will be in the Quire for the next forty-five minutes or so. (waiting stopped because the bell rang) > l Infirmary Several narrow beds line the western wall. A workbench holds mortars and bowls for preparing remedies. The air has a sharp tang. The Infirmary Chapel is to the south, and the Slype is out to the west. Brother Benedict is here, tidying the workbench and looking reflective. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. The medicine cabinet sits against a wall, closed. Brother Benedict heads west. > turn dial to 1152 You turn the first wheel to 1152. > turn dial to 1 You turn the first wheel to 1. > turn second dial to 1 You turn the second wheel to 1. > turn third dial to 5 You turn the third wheel to 5. > turn fourth dial to 2 You turn the fourth wheel to 2. You hear a satisfying click as the lock disengages. [The score has just gone up by 3 points.] > open cabinet You open the medicine cabinet, revealing three decoctions (foxglove, henbane and feverfew). > get decoctions Do you mean foxglove decoction, henbane decoction or feverfew decoction? > foxglove (putting the iron key into the basket to make room) Taken. > put foxglove in baskte Sorry, I don't understand what "baskte" means. > put foxglove in basket You put foxglove decoction into the basket. > put henbane in basket (first taking henbane decoction) You put henbane decoction into the basket. Now that you've recognised the symptoms of henbane poisoning in Brother Aelred and found the henbane decoction, you're even more certain he died of unnatural means. Henbane causes violent convulsions and terrible pain before death. No herbalist would choose such suffering for themselves, even if they were desperate enough to commit the mortal sin of self-murder. This was murder. [The score has just gone up by 5 points.] > x cabinet The medicine cabinet is open, and contains feverfew decoction. > put feverfew in basket (first taking feverfew decoction) You put feverfew decoction into the basket. > look up feverfew in book Feverfew: also known as "featherfoil" or "featherfew". A sovereign remedy for headaches and the agues that bring fever. Women take it for monthly afflictions. Chew the fresh leaves or make a tea, though the bitterness is formidable. Some claim it prevents the megrim when taken daily. > look up foxglove in book Foxglove: some claim it strengthens a weak heart, though its use is controversial and dangerous. Even small amounts can cause the heart to beat irregularly. Handle with great caution, as the plant irritates the skin terribly. > l Infirmary Several narrow beds line the western wall. A workbench holds mortars and bowls for preparing remedies. The air has a sharp tang. The Infirmary Chapel is to the south, and the Slype is out to the west. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. The medicine cabinet is open. > close cabinet You close the medicine cabinet. > turn dial to 8 You turn the first wheel to 8. > x henbane decoction A small bottle of a concentrated greenish-brown liquid, labelled "Henbane". You know from Brother Aelred that this is used for sedative purposes, though it does have disturbing side-effects. If used in excess, it can be fatal. This bottle is almost entirely empty, with only a few drops remaining. > smell henbane decoction Like stale urine. > look up mandrake in book Mandrake: called also Mandragora, and by some the sleeping root or gallows root. In small doses brings drowsiness and eases pain. The smoke of the root, carefully breathed, brings a deep and restful sleep---useful before surgery or for the gravely restless. The root itself should not be eaten in quantity, but it is not dangerous to handle. > l Infirmary Several narrow beds line the western wall. A workbench holds mortars and bowls for preparing remedies. The air has a sharp tang. The Infirmary Chapel is to the south, and the Slype is out to the west. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. The medicine cabinet sits against a wall, closed. > w Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > n There is an open area between here and the Scriptorium, but you can't get to it. > e Infirmary Several narrow beds line the western wall. A workbench holds mortars and bowls for preparing remedies. The air has a sharp tang. The Infirmary Chapel is to the south, and the Slype is out to the west. A polished metal mirror hangs from a hook on the wall. The medicine cabinet sits against a wall, closed. > w Slype The Slype is a long east-west corridor lined with decorative bushes. West is the Cloister, east is the Infirmary. A small passage heads south to the Herbarium and the gardens. > n There is an open area between here and the Scriptorium, but you can't get to it. > w Cloister Southeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The long Slype, leading to the Infirmary and the Herbarium, lies to the east. You can also go north to the eastern end of the Cloister, and west to the southern end. > n Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. You can see an orange cat here. > e Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the bright afternoon light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the closed door. > z You wait a minute. > z You wait a minute. > z You wait a minute. > z You wait a minute. > time From your vague sense of time, it is half past noon. > wait until 1 Time passes. Brother Wilfred arrives from the west, places the silver key on the table, and sits. (waiting stopped because of movement here) > l Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the bright afternoon light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the closed door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace. > x fire The fireplace is a stone recess in the wall with a fire going. > put mandrake in fire (first taking the mandrake root) You wrap your fingers around it carefully and pull it free. The root forks into two distinct limbs below the crown---the shape the ancients called anthropomorphon, the man-formed. They said it screamed when pulled from the earth. The silence feels like a small mercy. You throw the mandrake root into the fireplace. An unpleasant, acrid stench starts to fill the room. To be cautious, you move to the other side of the room, far from the fireplace. > z You wait a minute. Now under the influence of the burning mandrake, Brother Wilfred starts to snore. The sleepy like to make excuses. --- The Rule of St Benedict > get key (putting Aelred's Herbal into the basket to make room) Being as quiet as you can be, you take the key from the table. Brother Wilfred seems deeply asleep. > unlock door (with the silver key) You unlock the library door and open it. > e Library This is a small private room. There is a bookshelf on one wall and a large map of the priory on the other. The only exit is out to the west. [The score has just gone up by 3 points.] > get map No need to concern yourself with that. > x map Finely etched into brass and signed "Prior Gordian". It shows both the indoor and outdoor areas, from the two dorters on the upper floor all the way down to two crypts below ground. > x bookshelf The bookshelf has about fifty items, most of which are manuscripts, used for the work in the Scriptorium. One that draws your attention because of its thin size and small format is titled "Registrum Fratrum". > read registrum It's too long to read through, but you can look up particular entries by name. > x registrum The "Registrum Fratrum" ("Register of the Brothers"). A small leather-bound registry that Brother Wilfred has been keeping for decades, back to when he was prior. It has notes on brothers who have served in the priory, even including some historical ones. > who Priory brethren: - Aelred, the herbalist - Anselm, the cantor - Benedict, the infirmarer - Cuthbert, the sacrist - Hugh, the cellarer - Martin, the kitchener - Oswald, the prior - Remigio, the lay kitchen assistant - Wilfred, the librarian > look up aelred (first taking the Registrum Fratrum) You carefully remove the Registrum Fratrum from the shelf. Brother Wilfred would be furious if he knew. (consulting the Registrum Fratrum) Aelred (1284-). Entered the priory 1295 as a youth. Serves as herbalist. Fluent in several languages beyond English and Latin. Written below this, in fresh ink in Wilfred's scratchy hand, it reads: "Requiescat in pace, care frater". [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > lookup benedict That is not a verb I recognise. > look up benedict (consulting the Registrum Fratrum) Benedict (1298-). Entered 1318. Served as infirmarer from 1328. Treats both brothers and villagers who seek healing. Known for his patience with the dying. > who Priory brethren: - Aelred, the herbalist - Anselm, the cantor - Benedict, the infirmarer - Cuthbert, the sacrist - Hugh, the cellarer - Martin, the kitchener - Oswald, the prior - Remigio, the lay kitchen assistant - Wilfred, the librarian > look up anselm (consulting the Registrum Fratrum) Anselm (1316-). Entered 1332. Studied under Brother Wilfred as a youth. Appointed cantor 1344 despite his youth, owing to the exceptional clarity of his voice. Leads the brothers in the Divine Office. > look up cuthbert (consulting the Registrum Fratrum) Cuthbert (1300-). Entered 1315, son of a nobleman from the south. Appointed sacrist 1325. Maintains the sacred vessels and vestments with meticulous care. Keeps the canonical hours by ringing the great bell. > look up hugh (consulting the Registrum Fratrum) Hugh (1314-). Brought to the priory in 1322 as a child of eight, his family unable to feed him after failed harvests. Raised and educated by the brothers. Appointed cellarer 1342. Manages stores and trade with exceptional diligence. Has a widowed sister in the village of Coldport who visited once. > look up martin (consulting the Registrum Fratrum) Martin (1304-). Entered 1322. Born into a prominent Welsh family. Appointed kitchener 1334. Oversees the preparation of meals for the community, assisted by Brother Remigio. You can hear stirring from the Scriptorium, suggesting Wilfred is starting to waken. > x shelves You can't see any such thing. > search shelf There are many items on the bookshelf. > l Library This is a small private room. There is a bookshelf on one wall and a large map of the priory on the other. The only exit is out to the west. Oh no! Brother Wilfred discovered that the library door was open---you've been caught. You are given a very stern speech. If you want to keep investigating, you'll need to be more careful. > undo Previous turn undone. > w Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the bright afternoon light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the open door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace, snoring heavily. Brother Wilfred now is groggily awake. Oh no! Brother Wilfred discovered that the library door was open---you've been caught. You are given a very stern speech. If you want to keep investigating, you'll need to be more careful. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > l Library This is a small private room. There is a bookshelf on one wall and a large map of the priory on the other. The only exit is out to the west. > get book (putting the silver key into the basket to make room) Taken. Oh no! Brother Wilfred discovered that the library door was open---you've been caught. You are given a very stern speech. If you want to keep investigating, you'll need to be more careful. You found a way to carry illicit things unnoticed. [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > l Library This is a small private room. There is a bookshelf on one wall and a large map of the priory on the other. The only exit is out to the west. > w (first opening the library door) Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the bright afternoon light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the open door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace. > w Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. You can see an orange cat here. The orange cat rubs against the walls. > w Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its bright afternoon light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > x sundial The sundial casts a shadow showing the time as quarter past one in the afternoon. > x well An old stone well, its edges worn down by centuries of drawing water. You can recall a story Aelred told about this: "The summer of... thirty-one, I think it was. Perhaps thirty-two. The well ran so low you could hear the bucket scrape the bottom, and Brother Oswald, then our cellarer, was rationing water like a miser counts farthings. We processed around the garth singing the litany, 'Ora pro nobis'." "Nothing happened, of course. Not that day. We went to bed parched and unconvinced. But in the morning the level had risen a foot. Prior Wilfred wept for joy. Brother Oswald said it was condensation." > who Priory brethren: - Aelred, the herbalist - Anselm, the cantor - Benedict, the infirmarer - Cuthbert, the sacrist - Hugh, the cellarer - Martin, the kitchener - Oswald, the prior - Remigio, the lay kitchen assistant - Wilfred, the librarian > look up oswald in book Do you mean Aelred's Herbal or the Registrum Fratrum? > registrum Oswald (1294-). Entered in 1312 from a minor noble family. Elected prior 1338 upon the retirement of Brother Wilfred. Governs with strict adherence to the Rule of St Benedict. > look up remigio (consulting the Registrum Fratrum) Remigio (c.1308-). A lay brother from Tuscany, came to the priory in 1340 seeking refuge from troubles in his homeland. Works in the Kitchen and performs manual labour. Has not taken full vows. > look up wilfred (consulting the Registrum Fratrum) Wilfred (1273-). Entered 1290 from a scholarly family in Norwich. Elected prior 1310, serving until 1338 when he stepped down due to age. Now serves as librarian and master illuminator, though his hands tremble with the years. The oldest brother in living memory, he has seen the priory through plague, famine, and decline. You note that this entry was written by Brother Wilfred himself, but in his way, he tried to maintain a scholarly and truthful tone. > look up me (consulting the Registrum Fratrum) Aldwin (1326-). Joined us in 1346, coming from a family serving Lord Thornbury. Educated by that Lord. Mother died young. Interested in gardening, so he is being mentored by Brother Aelred. > look up cat (consulting the Registrum Fratrum) In the margin, you find a note: "Pax: First spotted in 1342 by Remigio. She's an excellent ratter and conversationalist, though her Latin is poor." > i You're carrying Aelred's Herbal, the Registrum Fratrum, a basket (which contains an iron key, some offering rosehips, three decoctions (feverfew, henbane and foxglove) and five sprigs (monkshood, henbane, basil, feverfew and rosemary)), some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > put books in basket You can't see any such thing. > put herbal in basket You put Aelred's Herbal into the basket. > put registrum in basket You put the Registrum Fratrum into the basket. > l Garth The Garth is the small grass courtyard at the heart of the Cloister. The covered Cloister walk surrounds it on all sides, its arches framing the sky above with its bright afternoon light. In the centre is a sundial and a stone well. > n Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. > n Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > up Night Stairs Midway on the narrow stone stairs connecting the Dorter to the Quire. These are the Night Stairs: three times each night, monks file down in darkness for Matins, Lauds, and Prime. The walls are close, the air still. A lone candle flickers in its niche. > up Dorter This great room is used by all of the choir monks except the prior, Brother Oswald. It could easily provide rest for twenty brothers, but there are only eight cots in here now. Each cot has a chest at its foot for any meagre possessions the brother has. A window high up reflects bright afternoon light on the floor. A doorway leads south to the Hall. Narrow stairs descend to the Quire, where offices are held. > who Priory brethren: - Aelred, the herbalist - Anselm, the cantor - Benedict, the infirmarer - Cuthbert, the sacrist - Hugh, the cellarer - Martin, the kitchener - Oswald, the prior - Remigio, the lay kitchen assistant - Wilfred, the librarian > open cuthbert chest You open Brother Cuthbert's chest, revealing a comb. > x comb A plain wooden comb. You're surprised that Brother Cuthbert has this, given how he's lectured you about the evils of vanity. > close chest You close Brother Cuthbert's chest. > open hugh chest You open Brother Hugh's chest, revealing some letters. > read letters (first taking the letters) The first letter reads: Dearest Brother Hugh, I write to you in desperation, though it shames me to beg. The harvest failed again this year, and what little we had has gone to the lord's rent. My William can barely stand now---his leg has worsened terribly since Candlemas. The wound festers and will not heal. It must be cut, else the poison will spread to his heart. There is a surgeon in Norwich, but the cost---Hugh, it is three shillings. We have not three pence. I have sold all I can: the good kettle, even the winter blankets. I know the Rule forbids monks from keeping wealth. I know you have given all to God. But if there is any way, any kindness you might ask of your abbot, any alms the monastery might spare for Christian charity. My William will die without it. Your sister in Christ and in blood, Rose The second letter reads: Dearest Hugh, May God bless you a thousand times for your mercy. The two shillings came just as William could no longer rise from bed. We took William to the surgeon. He cut the leg below the knee. It was terrible, Hugh, but necessary. William lives, praise God, though he is weak yet. But the surgeon demands another shilling and sixpence still owed. He will not wait past Michaelmas. And now William cannot work at all---he who used to haul timber is now fit only to sit and weave baskets, if his strength returns. I hate to ask again after your generosity. The shame burns in me. But Hugh, they will take our cottage for the debt. We have nowhere. Starvation comes. If there is anything more you can do---any favour you might ask---I swear by Our Lady I will never ask again. One more shilling would save us. Your grateful sister, Rose Where could Brother Hugh have found the money she mentions? Might it have come from the buyer who wrote that note you found? You think of those rosehips left at St Jude's altar. Hugh has been praying for her---desperately enough to seek the saint of hopeless causes. [The score has just gone up by 2 points.] > who Priory brethren: - Aelred, the herbalist - Anselm, the cantor - Benedict, the infirmarer - Cuthbert, the sacrist - Hugh, the cellarer - Martin, the kitchener - Oswald, the prior - Remigio, the lay kitchen assistant - Wilfred, the librarian > l Dorter This great room is used by all of the choir monks except the prior, Brother Oswald. It could easily provide rest for twenty brothers, but there are only eight cots in here now. Each cot has a chest at its foot for any meagre possessions the brother has. A window high up reflects bright afternoon light on the floor. A doorway leads south to the Hall. Narrow stairs descend to the Quire, where offices are held. > d Night Stairs Midway on the narrow stone stairs connecting the Dorter to the Quire. These are the Night Stairs: three times each night, monks file down in darkness for Matins, Lauds, and Prime. The walls are close, the air still. A lone candle flickers in its niche. > d Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > e Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > e Lady Chapel The largest of the three chapels, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. This chapel sees more use than the others: the brothers pray here for the priory's patroness, Our Lady of Thorns. To the west is the Sanctuary. Small doorways lead north and south to smaller chapels. A statue of Mary stands in a niche and a stone altar is next to her. > n FitzAlan Chantry The FitzAlan family chantry, endowed long ago for masses. But the FitzAlans are gone now---their line ended in the pestilence---and no masses are said here anymore. You can return out to the Lady Chapel through the south. A stone altar is set against a wall. > x arms A lion? It's a bit too far up to see clearly. > climb on altar You climb onto the altar. From here you can better see the arms above. > x arms A finely-detailed brass rampant lion standing out from the stone. > push lion You push against the lion and, surprisingly, it moves inward slightly. A deep click is heard in the wall. > down You climb down from the altar. > push altar You push against the altar and it swings away from the wall, revealing an opening in the floor. Roll a great stone to me here. --- The First Book of Kings The opening reveals a ladder descending into darkness. [The score has just gone up by 3 points.] > d You dare not head down to darkness without a light source. > s Lady Chapel The largest of the three chapels, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. This chapel sees more use than the others: the brothers pray here for the priory's patroness, Our Lady of Thorns. To the west is the Sanctuary. Small doorways lead north and south to smaller chapels. A statue of Mary stands in a niche and a stone altar is next to her. > w Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > w Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > up Night Stairs Midway on the narrow stone stairs connecting the Dorter to the Quire. These are the Night Stairs: three times each night, monks file down in darkness for Matins, Lauds, and Prime. The walls are close, the air still. A lone candle flickers in its niche. > get candle You now know how useful a candle would be---but Brother Cuthbert would be very annoyed if this disappeared, and if you were suspected, you'd have heavy penance. You'll have to find another source of light than this. > d Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > s Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. > e Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. > s Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. You can see an orange cat here. The orange cat twitches, sensing movement somewhere. > e Scriptorium The Scriptorium---where brothers create the illuminated manuscripts that are a primary source of priory income---smells of ink, manuscripts, and woodsmoke. High windows admit the bright afternoon light that the season allows, and a modest fire burns in the fireplace, keeping the manuscripts dry despite the sea air. The large central table is covered with the materials of the illuminator's art as well as a sample of their work. The Cloister is out to west; the Library is east, through the open door. Brother Wilfred sits at the table, close to the fireplace. > x basket A flax basket with high sides, useful when harvesting herbs and carrying them to the Infirmary. In it are the Registrum Fratrum, Aelred's Herbal, an iron key, some offering rosehips, three decoctions (are feverfew, henbane and foxglove) and five sprigs (are monkshood, henbane, basil, feverfew and rosemary). > get firewood Sorry, I don't understand what "firewood" means. > get wood You can't see any such thing. > x fire The fireplace is a stone recess in the wall with a fire going. > get fire That's hardly portable. > * fair enough [Comment recorded] > w Cloister East This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. To the east is the entrance to the Scriptorium. You can also go north to the northeastern corner, south to the southeastern corner, or west into the Garth. You can see an orange cat here. > n Cloister Northeast This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The Chapter House is in to the east, and the Day Stairs to the upper floor head upward from here. You can also go west to the northern end of the Cloister or south to the eastern end. > w Cloister North This is one of the eight sections of the Cloister. Arched openings admit slanted autumn sun. The wall of the Nave rises imposingly to the north. A passageway into it leads to the Quire. You can also go west to the northwest corner, east to the northeastern corner, or south into the Garth. > n Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > x screen A wooden rood screen separates the Nave from the Quire, dividing the public space from the sacred. A simple carved cross tops the screen---the "rood" that gives the screen its name. The wood is dark with candle smoke. > x candle You can see no candles here now---the autumn light provides enough illumination that candles wouldn't be needed. > look behind screen You find nothing special. > x cross Simply carved and without ornamentation. > l Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > x altar You can only see the altar from here, but you should head east for a closer look. > e Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > x altar The austerity of the priory is evident in the simplicity of this altar, a stone structure supporting a cross. > x cross A simple wooden cross---no gold, no jewels---firmly attached to the altar. > e Lady Chapel The largest of the three chapels, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. This chapel sees more use than the others: the brothers pray here for the priory's patroness, Our Lady of Thorns. To the west is the Sanctuary. Small doorways lead north and south to smaller chapels. A statue of Mary stands in a niche and a stone altar is next to her. > s St Jude Chapel A small chapel dedicated to St Jude, patron of desperate causes. The stone floor is worn down---many souls have visited here over the generations, praying for urgent escape from terrible situations. A doorway leads north, out to the Lady Chapel. A statue of the saint is in a corner. Near it is a stone altar with a prayer mat laid before it. > n Lady Chapel The largest of the three chapels, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. This chapel sees more use than the others: the brothers pray here for the priory's patroness, Our Lady of Thorns. To the west is the Sanctuary. Small doorways lead north and south to smaller chapels. A statue of Mary stands in a niche and a stone altar is next to her. > n FitzAlan Chantry The FitzAlan family chantry, endowed long ago for masses. But the FitzAlans are gone now---their line ended in the pestilence---and no masses are said here anymore. You can return out to the Lady Chapel through the south. A stone altar is swung open from the wall (revealing a ladder leading down into darkness). > s Lady Chapel The largest of the three chapels, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. This chapel sees more use than the others: the brothers pray here for the priory's patroness, Our Lady of Thorns. To the west is the Sanctuary. Small doorways lead north and south to smaller chapels. A statue of Mary stands in a niche and a stone altar is next to her. > w Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > w Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > w Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits bright afternoon light. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. > x candle You can see no candles here now---the autumn light provides enough illumination that candles wouldn't be needed. > * a church without candles??? lol [Comment recorded] > up Tower Stairs A spiral staircase winds up and down from here. The stone steps are narrow and treacherously steep. Cool air and bright afternoon light flows down from above. > up Bell Tower The bell chamber. Wind whistles through the open arches on all four sides. Dead leaves have drifted into the corners and along the walls, blown in through the open arches. The great bell hangs overhead. A rope from it hangs to within your reach. From here, you have clear views in all four directions---such fine views that the priory allows outsiders into this space. Brother Cuthbert is here, looking dour and staring at the view. You can also see a wooden chest (which is closed) here. > ask cuthbert about himself Brother Cuthbert refuses to engage in unnecessary speech, and considers almost all speech as such. You should be more careful. If Brother Cuthbert had noticed you carrying the letters, you'd have faced severe punishment. > x letters A pair of letters on rough, cheap paper. Again: be careful! Openly carrying contraband, like the letters, will get you in trouble. > put letters in basket You put the letters into the basket. > i You're carrying a basket (which contains some letters from Rose, the Registrum Fratrum, Aelred's Herbal, an iron key, some offering rosehips, three decoctions (feverfew, henbane and foxglove) and five sprigs (monkshood, henbane, basil, feverfew and rosemary)), some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > l Bell Tower The bell chamber. Wind whistles through the open arches on all four sides. Dead leaves have drifted into the corners and along the walls, blown in through the open arches. The great bell hangs overhead. A rope from it hangs to within your reach. From here, you have clear views in all four directions---such fine views that the priory allows outsiders into this space. Brother Cuthbert is here, looking dour and staring at the view. You can also see a wooden chest (which is closed) here. > d Tower Stairs A spiral staircase winds up and down from here. The stone steps are narrow and treacherously steep. Cool air and bright afternoon light flows down from above. > d Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits bright afternoon light. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. > l Nave The public space, where villagers stand for Mass weekly. The stone floor is worn smooth by centuries of feet. Detailed stained glass admits bright afternoon light. The Quire lies to the east, separated by a screen. A doorway in the north wall leads up to the Tower Stairs. The great door is open, revealing the Porch to the west. > e Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > e Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > s Sacristy A small room where items used during services are kept. Shelves hold neatly folded linens, precious chalices, and other miscellaneous vestry items. The smell of beeswax and old incense lingers. Brother Cuthbert maintains this space with meticulous care. Through the open door, bright afternoon light spills in from the Sanctuary. > get candle You take it, promising yourself you will return it. > put candle in basket You put the beeswax candle into the basket. > x items The only thing you particularly notice now is the brush. > get brush Brother Cuthbert will need this. > x brush A simple brush to clean the linens and chalices. > n Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > w Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > up Night Stairs Midway on the narrow stone stairs connecting the Dorter to the Quire. These are the Night Stairs: three times each night, monks file down in darkness for Matins, Lauds, and Prime. The walls are close, the air still. A lone candle flickers in its niche. > light candle (first taking the beeswax candle) You light the beeswax candle using the canonical hour candle. [The score has just gone up by 1 point.] > d Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. > e Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. A closed gate bars the path descending to the Crypt. You can see the high altar here. > e Lady Chapel The largest of the three chapels, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. This chapel sees more use than the others: the brothers pray here for the priory's patroness, Our Lady of Thorns. To the west is the Sanctuary. Small doorways lead north and south to smaller chapels. A statue of Mary stands in a niche and a stone altar is next to her. > n FitzAlan Chantry The FitzAlan family chantry, endowed long ago for masses. But the FitzAlans are gone now---their line ended in the pestilence---and no masses are said here anymore. You can return out to the Lady Chapel through the south. A stone altar is swung open from the wall (revealing a ladder leading down into darkness). > d You climb down the ladder. "SNAP!" As you step off the bottom rung, a counterweight somewhere in the mechanism snaps the ladder back to the ceiling, far out of reach. Are you trapped? FitzAlan Crypt This is a small vaulted chamber, no more than ten feet across. The central tomb bears the effigy of a knight. Flanking this is a smaller undecorated tomb. The walls here are finished stone rather than rough-hewn rock, and a narrow recess has been cut into them---likely once holding offerings or relics. The air is still, undisturbed for decades or longer. A patina of dust covers everything, unmarred by footprints save your own. Against the southern wall hangs a faded wooden panel depicting a painted scene, its Latin inscription barely legible in the gloom. > x panel A large wooden painted panel set in a distinctive brass frame, it depicts the Three Living and the Three Dead---three noble youths recoiling from three crowned corpses who gesture toward them. Woven beneath in Gothic script: "QUOD FUIMUS, ESTIS; QUOD SUMUS, ERITIS" (What we were, you are; what we are, you will be). Time has taken its toll on the pigments. > x recess The recess is a space cut into the wall. > x effigy The knight, shield, and lion are well done, but they're mere carvings in the stone. > l FitzAlan Crypt This is a small vaulted chamber, no more than ten feet across. The central tomb bears the effigy of a knight. Flanking this is a smaller undecorated tomb. The walls here are finished stone rather than rough-hewn rock, and a narrow recess has been cut into them---likely once holding offerings or relics. The air is still, undisturbed for decades or longer. A patina of dust covers everything, unmarred by footprints save your own. Against the southern wall hangs a faded wooden panel depicting a painted scene, its Latin inscription barely legible in the gloom. "RING! RING! RING! RING! RING! RING!" You hear the bell ring six times to call the brothers to the None office. Prior Oswald excused you from offices today, but you know the choir monks will be in the Quire for the next forty-five minutes or so. > x tomb Do you mean the larger tomb or the smaller tomb? > larger Large, heavy, and sealed. The carving shows a knight in chainmail, his hands clasped in prayer. His shield displays a lion, the FitzAlan arms. > x smaller tomb Probably for the FitzAlan wife or children, this is a simple square block, fully sealed. > open large tomb The tomb is sealed solidly with mortar. > open small tomb The tomb is sealed solidly with mortar. > l FitzAlan Crypt This is a small vaulted chamber, no more than ten feet across. The central tomb bears the effigy of a knight. Flanking this is a smaller undecorated tomb. The walls here are finished stone rather than rough-hewn rock, and a narrow recess has been cut into them---likely once holding offerings or relics. The air is still, undisturbed for decades or longer. A patina of dust covers everything, unmarred by footprints save your own. Against the southern wall hangs a faded wooden panel depicting a painted scene, its Latin inscription barely legible in the gloom. > get in recess It's much too small for you. > feel recess You don't feel anything unexpected. > x panel A large wooden painted panel set in a distinctive brass frame, it depicts the Three Living and the Three Dead---three noble youths recoiling from three crowned corpses who gesture toward them. Woven beneath in Gothic script: "QUOD FUIMUS, ESTIS; QUOD SUMUS, ERITIS" (What we were, you are; what we are, you will be). Time has taken its toll on the pigments. > push panel The art panel seems fixed to the distinctive brass frame. > x frame The brass frame encloses the art panel. Examining it closely, you find a small button on the right-hand side of the panel. > push button You push the button and hear a faint click from inside the frame. The panel pops ajar from the wall, revealing an opening to the south. [The score has just gone up by 2 points.] > s You head south through the opening behind the panel, revealing... Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > s Crypt Vestry The Crypt Vestry is a long passage of rough stone. This may have originally been designed to be another crypt, but it is used to store materials needed for masses held in the crypt, and there are some such things on a ledge. The room is very infrequently used, since such masses are quite rare. The only exit out is the way you came. > x materials The materials are on the ledge. You could examine that. > x ledge It's a thick plank fastened to the wall. It contains several items, likely needed for services held down here. > x items Searching around, you find some pewter platters, a cup, and some old cloth. > get cloth, platter, cup You can't see any such thing. > get cup Leave the cup be. > get platter You can't see any such thing. > get platters Leave the platters be. > get cloth As you start to gather them, you find that under them was a sack. You decide against taking the rotting cloths. > get sack You take it, noting metallic clinking as you do. > look in sack The sack is dark burlap, smeared with yellow powder, tied with simple cord. Opening it, your hands tremble: the weight is unmistakable. Silver coins spill into view: groats and pennies, perhaps ten shillings' worth. Your breath catches. A small fortune, enough to feed the priory for a season. Hidden here, among the dead, where none have need of it. These coins are certainly evidence of wrongdoing and may have come from the buyer who wrote that note. Note: You've learned enough to solve the crime, but you can continue if you'd like to better understand the crime. To make a public accusation, you can do so at the next office. Or you could first talk with a sympathetic Brother. [The score has just gone up by 5 points.] > l Crypt Vestry The Crypt Vestry is a long passage of rough stone. This may have originally been designed to be another crypt, but it is used to store materials needed for masses held in the crypt, and there are some such things on a ledge. The room is very infrequently used, since such masses are quite rare. The only exit out is the way you came. > put sack in basket You put the sack of coins into the basket. > n Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > u Crypt Stairs At the midpoint of these stairs, you can sense the damp below. A thin veil of bright afternoon light comes from the area above, but the path down descends into darkness. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > u You can't, since the crypt gate is locked. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > d Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > d You can only go north, south, or up. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > l Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > n You slip through the opening behind the panel, revealing... FitzAlan Crypt This is a small vaulted chamber, no more than ten feet across. The central tomb bears the effigy of a knight. Flanking this is a smaller undecorated tomb. The walls here are finished stone rather than rough-hewn rock, and a narrow recess has been cut into them---likely once holding offerings or relics. The air is still, undisturbed for decades or longer. A patina of dust covers everything, unmarred by footprints save your own. The panel is ajar, revealing an opening to the south. > up Alas, the ladder is raised up and well out of your reach. > climb on large tomb While it feels deeply sacrilegious, you climb on the larger tomb. > up First, you'd have to leave the larger tomb. > get ladder Even from here, the ladder is much too high to reach. > down You climb down from the larger tomb. > l FitzAlan Crypt This is a small vaulted chamber, no more than ten feet across. The central tomb bears the effigy of a knight. Flanking this is a smaller undecorated tomb. The walls here are finished stone rather than rough-hewn rock, and a narrow recess has been cut into them---likely once holding offerings or relics. The air is still, undisturbed for decades or longer. A patina of dust covers everything, unmarred by footprints save your own. The panel is ajar, revealing an opening to the south. > climb effigy There's nothing you can do with these. > climb recess You would achieve nothing by this. > x recess The recess is a space cut into the wall. > put hand in recess You can't see any such thing. > s You head south through the opening behind the panel, revealing... Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > ring bell You sound it with vigour which produces an almost deafening peal as it echoes. You feel certain someone above will have heard that. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > up Crypt Stairs At the midpoint of these stairs, you can sense the damp below. A thin veil of bright afternoon light comes from the area above, but the path down descends into darkness. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. Brother Cuthbert stops short. "Brother Novice? What brings you to the crypt?" When this is reported to Brother Oswald, you are summoned before him. "Why would you be wandering the crypt?" he asks unkindly. For violating a serious rule of the priory, you are sentenced to bread and water for seven days. By the time your penance ends, any chance of solving any mystery has long passed. *** You have failed *** In that game you scored 40 out of a possible 55, in 763 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > l Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > s Crypt Vestry The Crypt Vestry is a long passage of rough stone. This may have originally been designed to be another crypt, but it is used to store materials needed for masses held in the crypt, and there are some such things on a ledge. The room is very infrequently used, since such masses are quite rare. The only exit out is the way you came. > x ledge It's a thick plank fastened to the wall. It contains several items, likely needed for services held down here. > get plank That's hardly portable. > x items Searching around, you find some pewter platters, a cup, and some old cloth. > n Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > up Crypt Stairs At the midpoint of these stairs, you can sense the damp below. A thin veil of bright afternoon light comes from the area above, but the path down descends into darkness. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > up You can't, since the crypt gate is locked. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > x gate The gate is made of sturdy iron and has a heavy lock built into it. It is closed. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > open gate It's locked. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > unlock gate You don't have the key. The singing from the Quire stops. > shake gate That is not a verb I recognise. > d Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > n You slip through the opening behind the panel, revealing... FitzAlan Crypt This is a small vaulted chamber, no more than ten feet across. The central tomb bears the effigy of a knight. Flanking this is a smaller undecorated tomb. The walls here are finished stone rather than rough-hewn rock, and a narrow recess has been cut into them---likely once holding offerings or relics. The air is still, undisturbed for decades or longer. A patina of dust covers everything, unmarred by footprints save your own. The panel is ajar, revealing an opening to the south. > s You head south through the opening behind the panel, revealing... Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > x tombs You cast your eyes over the tombs. Son of man, can these bones live? --- The Book of Ezekiel There are six tombs holding the earthly remains of former priors: Brothers Gordian, Ezra, Crispin, Dunstan, Godric, and Ambrose. > look up ezra in registrum (first taking the Registrum Fratrum) Ezra (1155-1212). Elected as the second prior in 1192 and served in this role for 18 years. He built out the Infirmary and the Infirmary Chapel and opened the priory to religious pilgrims travelling to Wales. Contemporary brothers remembered him for his flaming orange hair and for his bravery: he always said he would protect his brethren from danger to his very limits. > look up crispin (consulting the Registrum Fratrum) Crispin (1180-1248). Gained renown in the Holy Land as a young man, then took his vows and joined the priory. The second-longest serving prior (1210-1248), he brought many benefactors and the priory saw many pilgrims pass through hoping to meet the man who had taken the cross with such honour. Oh no! Brother Wilfred discovered that the library door was open---you've been caught a second time! For violating a serious rule of the priory, you are sentenced to bread and water for seven days. By the time your penance ends, any chance of solving any mystery has long passed. *** You have failed *** In that game you scored 40 out of a possible 55, in 778 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > x tombs You can't see any such thing. > l Crypt Stairs At the midpoint of these stairs, you can sense the damp below. A thin veil of bright afternoon light comes from the area above, but the path down descends into darkness. The singing from the Quire stops. > d Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > x tombs You cast your eyes over the tombs. Son of man, can these bones live? --- The Book of Ezekiel There are six tombs holding the earthly remains of former priors: Brothers Gordian, Ezra, Crispin, Dunstan, Godric, and Ambrose. > look up crispin in book Do you mean the Registrum Fratrum or Aelred's Herbal? > registrum (first taking the Registrum Fratrum) Crispin (1180-1248). Gained renown in the Holy Land as a young man, then took his vows and joined the priory. The second-longest serving prior (1210-1248), he brought many benefactors and the priory saw many pilgrims pass through hoping to meet the man who had taken the cross with such honour. > look up dunstan (consulting the Registrum Fratrum) Dunstan (1210-1270). Entered the priory from a trading family in Pembroke. Elected prior in 1248, after the death of Prior Crispin, he served for 22 years until his death. The latter half of his time as prior was marred by the start of the Second Baron's War and a decline in the prestige of the priory. > look up godric (consulting the Registrum Fratrum) Godric (1230-1299). Entered the priory as a child and was raised in its confines. Known best for his singing voice, he was the cantor from his early twenties, and was elected prior at only 40. He served in this role for 25 years (1270-1295), stepping down only a few years before his death. > look up ambrose (consulting the Registrum Fratrum) Ambrose (1255-1310). After losing two brothers in the civil wars, Ambrose took his vows at twenty. He was elected as prior and served 1295-1310. During his administration, he emphasised the importance of silence, and began the tradition of total silence throughout the grounds except in very limited circumstances. It is said that, in addition to his offices, he spent several hours daily silently praying in memory of his lost brothers. Oh no! Brother Wilfred discovered that the library door was open---you've been caught a second time! For violating a serious rule of the priory, you are sentenced to bread and water for seven days. By the time your penance ends, any chance of solving any mystery has long passed. *** You have failed *** In that game you scored 40 out of a possible 55, in 778 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > x ambrose tomb Brother Ambrose's tomb is a stone block with a lid on which his name is carved. It is otherwise like the others in the room. > x dunstan tomb Brother Dunstan's tomb is a stone block with a lid on which his name is carved. It is otherwise like the others in the room. > x tombs You cast your eyes over the tombs. Son of man, can these bones live? --- The Book of Ezekiel There are six tombs holding the earthly remains of former priors: Brothers Gordian, Ezra, Crispin, Dunstan, Godric, and Ambrose. > x gordian tomb Brother Gordian's tomb is a stone block with a lid on which his name is carved. It is otherwise like the others in the room. > x ezra tomb Brother Ezra's tomb is a stone block with a lid on which his name is carved. It sits in the dankest corner of the crypt, positioned between two thick pillars that cast deep shadows behind it. Oh no! Brother Wilfred discovered that the library door was open---you've been caught a second time! For violating a serious rule of the priory, you are sentenced to bread and water for seven days. By the time your penance ends, any chance of solving any mystery has long passed. *** You have failed *** In that game you scored 40 out of a possible 55, in 778 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > l Crypt Stairs At the midpoint of these stairs, you can sense the damp below. A thin veil of bright afternoon light comes from the area above, but the path down descends into darkness. The singing from the Quire stops. > d Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > x ezra tomb Brother Ezra's tomb is a stone block with a lid on which his name is carved. It sits in the dankest corner of the crypt, positioned between two thick pillars that cast deep shadows behind it. > x pillars They're part of the ceiling and far too high for you to do anything with them. > x shadow Sorry, I don't understand what "shadow" means. > x shadows Sorry, I don't understand what "shadows" means. > climb on ezra tomb Disturbing the Christian dead is a mortal sin. > look behind ezra tomb You push, pull, twist and try to raise it, without any result. The tomb and the lid must weigh several hundredweight. It would take multiple men with levers to shift one. > x tombs You cast your eyes over the tombs. Son of man, can these bones live? --- The Book of Ezekiel There are six tombs holding the earthly remains of former priors: Brothers Gordian, Ezra, Crispin, Dunstan, Godric, and Ambrose. Oh no! Brother Wilfred discovered that the library door was open---you've been caught a second time! For violating a serious rule of the priory, you are sentenced to bread and water for seven days. By the time your penance ends, any chance of solving any mystery has long passed. *** You have failed *** In that game you scored 40 out of a possible 55, in 778 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > l Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > l Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > l Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > uno That is not a verb I recognise. > undo Previous turn undone. > l Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > undo Previous turn undone. > l Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > undo Previous turn undone. > l Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > undo Previous turn undone. > l Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > uno That is not a verb I recognise. > undo Previous turn undone. > l Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > undo Previous turn undone. > l Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > l Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > l Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > l Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > l Crypt Stairs At the midpoint of these stairs, you can sense the damp below. A thin veil of bright afternoon light comes from the area above, but the path down descends into darkness. > d Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > save Ok. > l Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > x tombs You cast your eyes over the tombs. Son of man, can these bones live? --- The Book of Ezekiel There are six tombs holding the earthly remains of former priors: Brothers Gordian, Ezra, Crispin, Dunstan, Godric, and Ambrose. > x crispin tomb Brother Crispin's tomb is a stone block with a lid on which his name is carved. It is otherwise like the others in the room. > x dunstan tomb Brother Dunstan's tomb is a stone block with a lid on which his name is carved. It is otherwise like the others in the room. Oh no! Brother Wilfred discovered that the library door was open---you've been caught a second time! For violating a serious rule of the priory, you are sentenced to bread and water for seven days. By the time your penance ends, any chance of solving any mystery has long passed. *** You have failed *** In that game you scored 40 out of a possible 55, in 778 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo\ That is not a verb I recognise. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > i You're carrying a beeswax candle (providing light), a basket (which contains a sack of coins, some letters from Rose, the Registrum Fratrum, Aelred's Herbal, an iron key, some offering rosehips, three decoctions (feverfew, henbane and foxglove) and five sprigs (monkshood, henbane, basil, feverfew and rosemary)), some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > i You're carrying a beeswax candle (providing light), a basket (which contains a sack of coins, some letters from Rose, the Registrum Fratrum, Aelred's Herbal, an iron key, some offering rosehips, three decoctions (feverfew, henbane and foxglove) and five sprigs (monkshood, henbane, basil, feverfew and rosemary)), some gloves (worn) and your robe (worn). > l FitzAlan Crypt This is a small vaulted chamber, no more than ten feet across. The central tomb bears the effigy of a knight. Flanking this is a smaller undecorated tomb. The walls here are finished stone rather than rough-hewn rock, and a narrow recess has been cut into them---likely once holding offerings or relics. The air is still, undisturbed for decades or longer. A patina of dust covers everything, unmarred by footprints save your own. The panel is ajar, revealing an opening to the south. > save Ok. > s You head south through the opening behind the panel, revealing... Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > x ezra tomb Brother Ezra's tomb is a stone block with a lid on which his name is carved. It sits in the dankest corner of the crypt, positioned between two thick pillars that cast deep shadows behind it. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > look behind ezra tomb You push, pull, twist and try to raise it, without any result. The tomb and the lid must weigh several hundredweight. It would take multiple men with levers to shift one. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > l Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > ring bell You sound it with vigour which produces an almost deafening peal as it echoes. You feel certain someone above will have heard that. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > hide behind ezra tomb You crouch far down on the darkest side of Brother Ezra's tomb. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. You can hear a key turning in the gate above. If you get caught here, you'll be in serious trouble. > put out candle You extinguish the beeswax candle. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. You can hear footsteps coming down the crypt stairs. They grope in the dark without light. --- The Book of Job It is now pitch dark in here. > z You wait a minute. The footsteps are closer, and you can see some light coming from the stairs. Main Crypt (hiding) The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > z You wait a minute. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. "The panel is open? Someone must have been robbing that old family crypt?" When this is reported to Brother Oswald, you are summoned before him. "Why would you be wandering the crypt?" he asks unkindly. For violating a serious rule of the priory, you are sentenced to bread and water for seven days. By the time your penance ends, any chance of solving any mystery has long passed. *** You have failed *** (To do so, you get up from crouching) In that game you scored 40 out of a possible 55, in 762 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > l Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. You can hear a key turning in the gate above. If you get caught here, you'll be in serious trouble. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > undo Previous turn undone. > l Main Crypt The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. An opening in the north wall reveals a passage. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > close panel You pull the panel closed and hear a click in the frame. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > ring bell You sound it with vigour which produces an almost deafening peal as it echoes. You feel certain someone above will have heard that. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. > hide behind ezra tomb You crouch far down on the darkest side of Brother Ezra's tomb. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. You can hear a key turning in the gate above. If you get caught here, you'll be in serious trouble. > put out candle You extinguish the beeswax candle. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. You can hear footsteps coming down the crypt stairs. They grope in the dark without light. --- The Book of Job It is now pitch dark in here. > z You wait a minute. The footsteps are closer, and you can see some light coming from the stairs. Main Crypt (hiding) The crypt stretches dimly before you, thick stone pillars supporting low vaulted arches. Rows of tombs line the walls; the air is thick and damp. A section of the north wall has been covered with wood planks. A large bell is in a stand by the stairs heading upward, and a small doorway is to the south. > z You wait a minute. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. Someone has entered the crypt bearing a light. > z You wait a minute. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. Very close, you hear "Is someone down here?" You recognise the voice as Brother Cuthbert's. > z You wait a minute. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. Very close, you hear "Helloooo?" > z You wait a minute. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. The light moves to the south and you sense Brother Cuthbert is now searching the Crypt Vestry. > up You stand. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. To the south, you hear "Is someone in the Vestry?" > up Crypt Stairs At the midpoint of these stairs, you can sense the damp below. A thin veil of bright afternoon light comes from the area above, but the path down descends into darkness. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. Faintly, you hear "Helloooo?" > up You slip through the open gate. Sanctuary A domed ceiling rises above this, the area where Prior Oswald leads public Mass. The Quire is to the west and a chapel is to the east. The Sacristy is through a doorway to the south. The crypt gate is open. You can see the high altar here. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. Faintly, you hear rustling noises. > n You can only go south, west, east, or down. From a distance, you can hear your brothers singing. Faintly, you hear "Must have been a draft from the church above." (You hear him muttering a brief prayer.) > w Quire The Quire is the heart of monastic worship and the centre of the church. Two stalls face each other across a narrow gap, where the brothers gather to chant the Divine Offices. The high altar rises to the east. The Nave lies west, beyond the rood screen. The Night Stairs ascend to the Dorter, and a path leads south, out to the Cloister. Brothers here: - Anselm, the cantor (seated) - Benedict, the infirmarer (seated) - Hugh, the cellarer (seated) - Martin, the kitchener (seated) - Oswald, the prior (seated) - Wilfred, the librarian (seated) The brothers look at you, puzzled. Why aren't you seated? You escaped the Crypt without being discovered. Faintly, you hear the footsteps now walking back to the stairs. Accusation? You know this may be your best chance to make the accusation and help catch the killer. If you'd like to do so, SHOUT to interrupt the office. [The score has just gone up by 3 points.] > save Ok. > shout You dare not draw attention to yourself like this. The brothers look at you, puzzled. Why aren't you seated? > *hmm? [Comment recorded] > s Surely, you wouldn't leave the office at this point. ----------------------- && ----------------------- After the office, Brother Oswald confronts you. "Where was your mind, Brother Novice? Part of your duty is participating in offices." For violating a serious rule of the priory, you are sentenced to bread and water for three days. By the time your penance ends, any chance of solving any mystery has long passed. *** You have failed *** In that game you scored 43 out of a possible 55, in 772 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? solution Brother Hugh has a sister, Rose, with a desperately ill son. She's destitute and couldn't afford care for him. So he stole one of Brother Wilfred's illuminated manuscripts and found an outside buyer for it. He continues to do this, perhaps for greed and perhaps to help pay for future help for Rose. Brothers Wilfred and Oswald assumed that Wilfred had misplaced these works. He communicates with the outside buyer through leaving notes under the chest in the Bell Tower, since that's a place where outsiders can get to without anyone being suspicious. He's been hiding his payments in a sack in the Crypt Vestry, since almost no one ever goes there. Brother Aelred discovered the crime from noticing how stressed Hugh has been lately and from hearing from Wilfred how Hugh had been 'helping' him in the Library. He searched and found the letters from Rose and connected this to the rosehips that Hugh has been leaving on the St Jude altar as a form of prayer for her. Brother Aelred confronted Hugh. Hugh told Aelred that they could discuss this more completely the next day, and then he broke into the Infirmary medicine cabinet and emptied the henbane decoction into a cup. When they met the morning of the game, after Matins, Hugh forced him to drink the poison. --- There are several possible endings for the game: Early endings: - You die from jumping in a fireplace. - You eat something toxic and become too ill to continue the investigation. - You are caught with a lit candle. - You are caught with contraband too many times. - You are repeatedly careless (leaving private area doors open, and so on). Main endings not requiring enough evidence: - You fail to get enough evidence by the end of Compline. - You are caught in the Undercroft by Hugh with evidence incriminating him on you. He kill you. Main endings requiring enough evidence: - You accuse Hugh during a service (the "Justice" end) - You confess to Wilfred, who offers you a choose between "Justice" or "Mercy". The Mercy ending allows Hugh to escape and not be executed for his crime. No ending is a perfect win, of course (this is a tragedy!). But the Mercy and Justice endings are the best outcomes, especially if you've found the sack of coins and the stolen psalter, since you can give those to Prior Oswald and help the priory's dire financial straits. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? q Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE, UNDO the last move, give the FULL score for that game, read the full SOLUTION, or QUIT? quit