"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 "Whom the Telling Changed" is interactive fiction, meaning both that you must read it and interact with it. Whenever you see the prompt: >...you may type something that will shape the story. This can be a single word, such as LOOK to remind yourself of where you are, or REPEAT, to remind yourself of what was recently said. Certain words will be highlighted, drawing your attention to important objects or topics of conversation. You may also type simple commands to perform actions. The story understands basic VERB NOUN combinations the best, such as TAKE ROCK, GO OUTSIDE, TALK TO ISI, or ATTACK ISI. Try the verbs TALK, PRAISE, MOCK, or SHOW TO to interact with characters. If you don't want to do anything, try LISTEN or WAIT. Finally, you may type STORY at any time to see how the choices you've made have shaped the ongoing story. HELP will repeat these instructions. 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. >look at symbol Which do you mean, the medicine bag or the copper dagger? >look at bag A small leather medicine pouch hangs from a long strap, bulging with curative herbs. >get bag The leather strap feels cool and familiar in your hands as you take your medicine bag down from its place. >look at dagger Your lover's dagger is long as your forearm and lovingly oiled and sharpened. It is a prized possession, a talisman against times of woe. >look in bag Your fingers brush the familiar textures of cold clay and scratchy herbs. Everything is in its familiar place. >look at clay [I'm not sure what you are referring to.] >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. Your lover's copper dagger hangs from the central support of the tent. >get dagger You carefully take your lover's weapon down from the wall and study it thoughtfully for a moment. Lowered voices speak softly from somewhere outside your tent. >exit 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. >look at enemy What it was that first made an enemy out of a dear friend you cannot recall, but it has been many years now since smiles passed between you. >look 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. Sihan and Saiph watch you expectantly. >look at love It has been a year, now, though it seems like only a day since you first felt the texture of those hands, the warmth of that fierce embrace. In a hundred years it will still feel as fresh. >give dagger to love Who 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 inner turmoil. >give dagger to sihan It seems now is not a good time for that; your enemy is watching you narrowly while your lover holds out a hand to you. >look at enemy What it was that first made an enemy out of a dear friend you cannot recall, but it has been many years now since smiles passed between you. >enter 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. >exit 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. Sihan and Saiph watch you expectantly. >talk Whom do you want to talk? >ask sihan about enemy Now is not the time for that. >use dagger This weapon should not be used rashly, even in times of war. >ask enemy Who do you mean, Sihan or Saiph? >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 inner turmoil. >attack [** Programming error: tried to test "has" or "hasnt" of nothing **] You have more important things to do. >go Your tent is nearby; in the distance is the glow of the fire pit. Your love reaches out to you again with a hand and a pleading expression. >look at love It has been a year, now, though it seems like only a day since you first felt the texture of those hands, the warmth of that fierce embrace. In a hundred years it will still feel as fresh. >look 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. Sihan and Saiph watch you expectantly. >look at fire The fire at the center of town is where the story is told. Around its guttering flames you can already see the shapes of the gathering people. >gt fire [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 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. Sihan and Saiph watch you expectantly. >look at enemy What it was that first made an enemy out of a dear friend you cannot recall, but it has been many years now since smiles passed between you. >look at dagger Your lover's dagger is long as your forearm and lovingly oiled and sharpened. It is a prized possession, a talisman against times of woe. >n Not just yet. You are curious to know what it is your enemy and your lover are discussing. >take sihan's hand 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 is truly a woman of action and not only of words," he says levelly. "But I see that, like you, she is counted among the cowards and the weaklings. I have no more to say." He turns and strides fiercely into the darkness. >look 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. Your beloved gazes up at the stars. Sihan sighs. "His heart clamors for war with these 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." >ask about newcommer [It is best to interact with characters using one of the following formats: TALK TO PERSON VERB PERSON (where VERB is a word like HUG, ATTACK, TOUCH, etc.) SHOW/GIVE OBJECT TO PERSON KEYWORD (typing simply a highlighted keyword from the text.) And, when appropriate, TELL PERSON TO DO SOMETHING.] >ask love about newcomers [You may simply type the most relevant topic word in the future.] "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 and his friends are already sharpening their spears and preparing for war," she says darkly. >enemy "Saiph has been asking all the warriors to support his plan to attack the newcomers," your love says. "He is convinced they are planning to murder us all in our beds at any moment. He is so sure of himself; how nice it must be to have such conviction in one's own superiority." >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." >restart Are you sure you want to restart? y