"He found the knowledge at the heart of the universe; Returned, and cut his story into stone..." -- The Epic Of Gilgamesh Whom The Telling Changed By Aaron A. Reed Would you like instructions?>restart Please answer yes or no.>yes I am your eyes and hands within the story. Direct me with commands such as EXAMINE THE BAG, GO OUTSIDE, LISTEN, or FIGHT HIM. Single word shorthand like FIGHT or BAG will often suffice. Some single words will be highlighted to bring them to your attention: type them to shape the story. The header bar suggests things you may try, but there are always more options available than it shows. Time only advances when you give a command or type LISTEN, which it is sometimes wise to do. Other useful commands include REPEAT, to remember what was recently said; STORY to see the choices you have made; INVENTORY to see what you are holding; WAIT to let the time pass; UNDO to take back your last turn; and GREET, MOCK, PRAISE, TALK TO or ASK ABOUT to interact with characters. More information about this story is available by typing ABOUT. Press any key to begin. The people have always gathered on moonless nights to hear the telling, since the time of your ancestors' ancestors. The heat of the fire and the glow in the storyteller's eyes make the past present, and the path to the future clear. Tonight the stars are bright, but the minds of your people are troubled. May the words of the telling guide your way. ----------- The walls of your tent glow yellow in the lamplight, your simple possessions casting flickering shadows on the wall. A straw bed; some skins of water, oil, and wine; a small, guttering lamp--it is simple, but it is enough. The symbol of your occupation hangs from the central support of the tent. >view symbol [Things to try: LOOK | LOOK AT | GO | TALK TO | GREET | ATTACK | TAKE | TOUCH | HEAL | LISTEN | PRAISE | MOCK | STORY | UNDO | or an EMPHASIZED word. For more detailed instructions, type INFO] >look at symbol Which do you mean, the medicine bag or the copper dagger? >look at medicine bag A small leather medicine pouch hangs from a long strap, bulging with curative herbs. >look at copper dagger This copper dagger is as long as your forearm, with a round pommel and hardened leather grip. >examine copper dagger This copper dagger is as long as your forearm, with a round pommel and hardened leather grip. >go outside You hesitate for a moment. The telling will begin soon, and it is custom to bring the symbol of your occupation to so important an event. >take symbol Which do you mean, the medicine bag or the copper dagger? >take copper dagger You carefully take your weapon down from the wall and study it thoughtfully for a moment. >take medicine bag You lift your lover's medicine bag down from its place, handling it carefully. Lowered voices speak softly from somewhere outside your tent. >listen to voices The voices are muffled, and you can make out neither who is speaking nor what is being said. >go to door [I'm not sure what you are referring to.] >look outside You see nothing unexpected in that direction. >go outside You step outside into the warm night air. It has been night for many hours, but the air is still warm, and the stars are a million brilliant fires above you. Nearby are the vague outlines of your neighbors' tents, but on this moonless night only the distant glow of the fire pit seems truly alive. In the darkness a few feet away, Sihan and Saiph talk quietly in strained tones. As you approach, your enemy grows silent. Your love turns to you with a look of relief and reaches out a hand. >take hand Which do you mean, Sihan or Saiph? >look at Sihan Sihan is beautiful; you have always thought so, as have many others. Her long black hair seems to swallow up her face in the dark of night. >look at (Saiph) Saiph has his father's tall strength and the bearing of a leader. His grace and bold demeanor draw others to him, though few know of his quiet and gentle side underneath. >Take hand of Saiph Which do you mean, Sihan or Saiph? >saiph I only understood you as far as wanting to take Saiph. >story This is a story about a warrior of the village, the night of the telling, and whom the telling changed. >help [Things to try: LOOK | LOOK AT | GO | TALK TO | GREET | ATTACK | TAKE | TOUCH | HEAL | LISTEN | PRAISE | MOCK | STORY | UNDO | or an EMPHASIZED word. For more detailed instructions, type INFO] >talk to saiph You clasp Sihan's soft hand and turn to Saiph with a frown. "What business have you here?" you ask him coldly. Saiph stares down at you with distaste. "I came to see if Sihan has sense left in her head after a season with you," he says levelly. "But I see that, like you, she would lead our people down the path of needless killing. I have no more to say." He turns and strides fiercely into the darkness. >talk to sihan "I care for you more than you know," you say, kissing Sihan on the cheek. Sihan sighs. "He still hopes for peace with the newcomers," your lover says, "and was upset to find I do not share his views. We shall see if your enemy has better luck at the telling." She looks up to the stars, and adds, "It is a good night for it." >enemy "Saiph talks endlessly, but words cannot sharpen axes or protect children," your love says. "He is convinced still that these newcomers mean us no harm. What will it take for him to wake up to the truth?" >newcomers "Have you heard the news?" she asks. "Young Ada found traces of a camp less than an hour's walk from here, and more than half a day from their fires in the valley. Saiph maintains they were merely investigating our camp. Many, perhaps, would call it spying instead," she says darkly. >telling "It is almost time," your love says seriously. "I wonder, what story will we hear tonight? The people are buzzing about the newcomers; perhaps the teller's story will be about them." >fires "The moon has waxed and grown small again since they arrived," Sihan murmurs, holding you tightly. "Why don't they come to us? Why do they hide when we send our emissaries? They must know the unrest they're causing in us." >go to telling You linger for a moment in the starlight, tempted to enjoy more quiet words with your love. >talk to sihan "I care for you more than you know," you say, kissing Sihan on the cheek. Sihan glances towards the fire pit and takes her medicine bag from you, slinging it into its familiar place around her neck. "Let us join the gathering and hear the story," your love says lightly, and turns to the fire at the center of the village. >fire You walk to the firepit with Sihan, and friends and neighbors greet you with a nod or quiet word. Always the fire pit is the center of the village, and always the people gather there. Faint smells of tonight's great feast still linger, but the fire now smolders low, only a shadow of its roaring fierceness at sunset. Isi and Nabu stand near the fire, along with a growing crowd. Sihan stands near your side. >look at Isi Isi's long black hair is white now, and her soft skin is loose and wrinkled, but her eyes have grown sharper with each passing year. Your father's sister sees more than most; the truth behind deceit and the sadness behind smiles. Her eyes sparkle as they meet yours, and she gives you a tiny nod. >look at Nabu Your father's brother Nabu has never been good with a spear, but there is a warrior somewhere inside him that the wise respect more than the strongest man in the village. He is short and stern; quiet, but clever and collected. He is old, now, but his spirit is as strong as ever. >info [I am your eyes and hands within the story. Direct me with commands such as EXAMINE THE BAG, GO OUTSIDE, LISTEN, or FIGHT HIM. Single word shorthand like FIGHT or BAG will often suffice. Some single words will be highlighted to bring them to your attention: type them to shape the story. The header bar suggests things you may try, but there are always more options available than it shows. Time only advances when you give a command or type LISTEN, which it is sometimes wise to do. Other useful commands include REPEAT, to remember what was recently said; STORY to see the choices you have made; INVENTORY to see what you are holding; WAIT to let the time pass; UNDO to take back your last turn; and GREET, MOCK, PRAISE, TALK TO or ASK ABOUT to interact with characters. More information about this story is available by typing ABOUT.] >greet nabu Your uncle Nabu regards you seriously. "Are you ready to fight for your people, should you be called upon?" he asks. "Perhaps it will not come to fighting," you say. "Who can tell?" he says, "But those who bear arms must be prepared, nonetheless." Sihan places a hand on your shoulder. "Go on, my love," she says softly. "Give the circlet of office to the storyteller. It is time." >storyteller "The storyteller awaits," Sihan says. "The telling cannot begin until the teller's circlet has been gifted." >go to storyteller You can't see storyteller nearby. >greet isi "My brightest light," says Isi as she always does, a smile lighting her face as she pulls you down to kiss your cheek. >storyteller The teller is older than time and thick as space; wise as the moon, and sharp as the stars. The storyteller is older than the oldest king and will live yet when the last spark of the sun dies out. >go to storyteller You can't see storyteller nearby. >look for storyteller [I'm not sure what you are referring to.] >go to fire You are already close enough. >story This is a story about a warrior of the village who was in love with the gentle healer woman, Sihan, and how the night of the telling would change them both. >repeat Sihan places a hand on your shoulder. "Go on, my love," she says softly. "Give the circlet of office to the storyteller. It is time." >examine circlet of office I only understood you as far as wanting to examine the feather circlet. >examine feather circlet Sihan spent countless weeks collecting the delicate feathers and weaving them together to make this circlet. It is light as air in your hands, and seems to glow in the firelight. >go to storyteller You can't see storyteller nearby. >restart Are you sure you want to restart? yesj Please answer yes or no.>yes