"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?>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. >WHAT [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 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. >TAKE (the feather circlet) You already have that. >TOUCH' [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] >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.] >WAIT Wind tugs gently at the tent flaps, then subsides. >GO 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 (the feather circlet) You already have that. >LEAVE 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. Lowered voices speak softly from somewhere outside your tent. >LISTEN The lamp crackles softly as it burns. Somewhere distant is the sound of muffled voices. >LISTEN' [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] >LISTEN The lamp crackles softly as it burns. Somewhere distant is the sound of muffled voices. >GO 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. >WATCH (the feather circlet) Countless weeks were spent 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 lamplight. >GO 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. >WATI [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] >WAIT Wind tugs gently at the tent flaps, then subsides. >LISTEN The lamp crackles softly as it burns. Somewhere distant is the sound of muffled voices. >STORY This is a story about the night of the telling, and whom the telling changed. >INVENTORY You are carrying the storyteller's feathered circlet. >WALK 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. >EXAMINE (the feather circlet) Countless weeks were spent 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 lamplight. >TAKE (the feather circlet) You already have that. >GO 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. >HEL[ [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] >HEL[ [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] >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] >LOOK AT (the feather circlet) Countless weeks were spent 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 lamplight. >HEAL There is no one here who needs your help. >TOUCH (the feather circlet) The feathers are delicate as clouds; light, soft, and warm. >GO 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. >GO 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. >LISTEN The lamp crackles softly as it burns. Somewhere distant is the sound of muffled voices. >LISTEN The lamp crackles softly as it burns. Somewhere distant is the sound of muffled voices. >WHAT [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] >WHY The time is not right to speak about that. >WHO [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] >BECAUSE [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 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. >TAKE (the feather circlet) You already have that. >WATER SKINS Water for your hands, oil for your lamp, wine for your thirst. You need none of them now, but knowing they are there brings comfort. >LEAVE 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 AND GO [I'm not sure what you are referring to.] >TAKE GO [I'm not sure what you are referring to.] >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] >SAVE Save failed. >LEAVE 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. >DON'T HESITATE There is no one here to disagree with. >ATTACK [** Programming error: tried to test "has" or "hasnt" of nothing **] You have more important things to do. >LEAVE 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. >TELL (yourself about the feather circlet) Tonight is not the time to turn inwards. >BRING [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 (the feather circlet) You already have that. >LEAV [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] >LEAVE 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. >GO 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. >RESTART Are you sure you want to restart? Please answer yes or no.>Y