"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?>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. > [Nothing entered.] >burn bed You have more important things to do. >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. >bring lamp [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] >take lamp Though the sky is dark outside, the bonfire will provide light for what seeing is necessary. >looka ta 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? >dagger This copper dagger is as long as your forearm, with a round pommel and hardened leather grip. >take (the feather circlet) You already have that. >take dagger You carefully take your weapon down from the wall and study it thoughtfully for a moment. Lowered voices speak softly from somewhere outside your tent. >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. >talk Whom do you want to talk? >lover Who do you mean, Sihan or Saiph? >both Sorry, you can only have one item here. Which exactly? >sihan You clasp Saiph's strong hand and turn to Sihan with a frown. "What business have you here?" you ask her coldly. Sihan tosses her hair and fixes her sharp gaze on you. "I came to see if Saiph has sense left in his head after a season with you," she says levelly. "But I see that, like you, he would lead our people down the path of needless killing. I have no more to say." She turns and vanishes into the darkness without a sound. > [Nothing entered.] >talk to saiph "I care for you more than you know," you say, kissing Saiph on the cheek. Saiph frowns. "She still hopes for peace with the newcomers," your lover says, "and was upset to find I do not share her views. We shall see if your enemy has better luck at the telling." He looks up to the stars, and adds, "It is a good night for it." >see newcomers [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] >newcomers "Have you heard the news?" he 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. Sihan maintains they were merely investigating our camp. Many, perhaps, would call it spying instead," he says darkly. >fires "The moon has waxed and grown small again since they arrived," Saiph 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." >unrest "Sihan talks endlessly, but words cannot sharpen axes or protect children," your love says. "She is convinced still that these newcomers mean us no harm. What will it take for her to wake up to the truth?" >enemy The time is not right to speak about that. >mock (Saiph) You would not dream of harming him, not even in jest. >listen A log falls in the fire, sending a shower of sparks up into the night. Saiph glances towards the fire pit, ducks inside the tent and emerges a moment later with his medicine bag, slinging it into its familiar place around his 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 Saiph, 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. Nabu and Isi stand near the fire, along with a growing crowd. Saiph stands near your side. >talk to 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." >I am ready to fight! [Please begin your command with a verb or keyword to be better understood. Type HELP or INFO for more details.] >yes You mutter a quiet word of support. >ask nabu about fighting "Come now," says old Nabu with a smile, "perhaps it will not come to that. But if it does," he adds darkly, "I would take up my spear again had I twice the winters I have now." >talk to isi "My brightest light," says Isi as she always does, a smile lighting her face as she pulls you down to kiss your cheek. Saiph places a hand on your shoulder. "Go on, my love," he says softly. "Give the circlet of office to the storyteller. It is time." >storyteller "The storyteller awaits," Saiph says. "The telling cannot begin until the teller's circlet has been gifted." >looka at storyteller [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 story teller 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. >give dagger to isi "Strange," she says, seeming to look deep into the reflections on the burnished copper, "how beauty and destruction are so often mingled in this world." >yes You mutter a quiet word of support. >take back dagger [I'm not sure what you are referring to.] >take What do you want to take? >dagger You already have that. > mock Whom do you want to mock? >isi Though Isi gave you plenty of whackings when you were a child, looking back, you are sure you deserved them. >attack nabu Though Nabu gave you plenty of whackings when you were a child, looking back, you are sure you deserved them. >listen A log falls in the fire, sending a shower of sparks up into the night. >fight [** Programming error: tried to test "has" or "hasnt" of nothing **] You have more important things to do. Saiph places a hand on your shoulder. "Go on, my love," he says softly. "Give the circlet of office to the storyteller. It is time." >give Whom do you want to give sheep to? >stroyteller [I'm not sure what you are referring to.] >circlet Saiph reaches out with a delicate hand and touches the feathers lightly. "So beautiful," he says quietly, "more than worthy to replace the one that was lost. The storyteller will be pleased. It is fine work; perhaps my finest." Saiph places a hand on your shoulder. "Go on, my love," he says softly. "Give the circlet of office to the storyteller. It is time." >storyteller "The storyteller awaits," Saiph says. "The telling cannot begin until the teller's circlet has been gifted." >give Whom do you want to give sheep to? >storyteller That title is meaningless until the circlet is placed on the storyteller's head. >touch What do you want to touch? >storyteller That title is meaningless until the circlet is placed on the storyteller's head. >palce circlet in storyteller hand [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] >dfsdf [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] >praise Whom do you want to praise? >storyteller Do not place the cart before the ox; the story has not yet begun. >story This is a story about a warrior of the village who was in love with a gentle man, the village healer, Saiph, and how the night of the telling would change them both. >listen A log falls in the fire, sending a shower of sparks up into the night. >greet storyteller That title is meaningless until the circlet is placed on the storyteller's head. >restart Are you sure you want to restart? yes