All text will now be saved to the script file. Type UNSCRIPT at any time to discontinue scripting. >restart Are you sure you want to start over? (YES or NO) > y Temple of Kaos Version 3.3.1 at 23 September 2003 Written by Peter Gambles. 2002-03 The Temple The walls are bare, cold solid stone Light filters from the roof. Enigmatic, undisturbed, aeons have passed by. Intact, life-devoid, on plateau high. But chambers two, entrance none The mystery has now begun. In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. >x me Intrepid explorer, fearless, daring, Knowledgeable and caring, The past exploring. >i You are empty-handed. >x temple Ancient ruins, your secrets tell Enable this sole traveller the spell of Time to unravel The mysteries of dark to bring to light To cast away the shadows of the night. >cast away shadows I don't know the word "cast". >l In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. >x north I don't understand that sentence. >n You can't go that way. >s In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >x chest Yin to Yang, dark to light All heaven's spectrum merged to white. Bound together are the twain Laws of science they disdain. White chest stands closed unto the night. >open it You hear the sound of a chest opening. >x chest Yin to Yang, dark to light All heaven's spectrum merged to white. Bound together are the twain Laws of science they disdain. White chest stands closed unto the night. >look in chest Closed yet stands the white chest. >open chest In the gloom, you seem strangely unable to open the chest. >g In the gloom, you seem strangely unable to open the chest. >g In the gloom, you seem strangely unable to open the chest. >l In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >get chest The white chest cannot be taken. The chamber shakes to a tremendous thud. >l In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >x chest Yin to Yang, dark to light All heaven's spectrum merged to white. Bound together are the twain Laws of science they disdain. White chest stands closed unto the night. >touch it You reach out and touch the white chest. Nothing changes. >close chest It's already closed. >open chest You hear the sound of a chest opening. >enter chest You will need to get the chest open before you can try to get in it. >open chest In the gloom, you seem strangely unable to open the chest. >turn on light I don't see any light here. >s You can't go that way. >d You can't go that way. >u You can't go that way. >jump The temple reverberates to the sound of your landing. >xyzzy "XYZZY" you say to yourself. The chamber shakes to a tremendous thud. >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >i You are empty-handed. >z The slow pulse of time fills the temple. >x chest Yin to Yang, dark to light All heaven's spectrum merged to white. Bound together are the twain Laws of science they disdain. White chest stands closed unto the night. >close chest It's already closed. >help In an adventure game, you play by typing commands that describe what you want to do. Unfortunately, the game isn't very smart, so you have to follow certain rules. This game is designed so that you shouldn't need to think of any unusual words or phrases that aren't directly mentioned by the game. In particular, you shouldn't need to guess a strange verb or an unusual way of phrasing a command. Each time you see the prompt, >, you type a command, which should be a simple sentence. Press the RETURN key to finish your instruction. You can use capital or small letters in any mixture. You can use words such as THE and AN when they're appropriate, but you can omit them if you prefer. Some examples of commands that the game recognizes are shown below. These aren't necessarily commands that you'll ever type while playing, but they illustrate some of the verbs and sentence formats that you may use. If you're new to interactive fiction, type INSTRUCTIONS for more details. Also listed below are examples of some verbs that you might want to use in TEMPLE OF KAOS which do not occur in all games. NORTH (or N), likewise South (S), W, E, NE, SE, SW, NW, U(P), D(OWN), IN, OUT LOOK (or simply L) AGAIN or G: Repeats your last command. INVENTORY or I: Shows the list of items you are carrying. OOPS: Allows you to correct the spelling of a word in the last command. QUIT: Stops the game. RESTART: Starts the game over from the beginning. RESTORE: Restores a position previously saved with the SAVE command. SAVE: Stores the current state of the game in a file. WAIT or Z: Causes game time to pass while you wait for something to happen. OPEN BOX CLOSE BOX TAKE THE BRICK LOOK AT BRICK (or EXAMINE or just X) PUT THE BRICK IN THE BOX TAKE BRICK OUT OF BOX LOOK IN BOX DROP THE BRICK WEAR THE HAT TAKE OFF HAT TURN ON THE LANTERN PUSH BUTTON TURN THE KNOB EAT BISCUIT READ NEWSPAPER UNLOCK DOOR WITH KEY CLIMB UP THE LADDER JUMP TYPE "HELLO" ON THE KEYBOARD TYPE 1234 ON THE KEYPAD GET IN THE BOAT GET OUT OF THE BOAT GIVE WAND TO WIZARD ASK WIZARD ABOUT WAND VERBS in TEMPLE OF KAOS PRAY SING DANCE HAVING said all that, this game does, as its name implies, not always follows the rules! Type "INSTRUCTIONS" for more details. If you are stuck, you can type "WALKTHROUGH" (or "WALKTHRU") for a series of the commands that will get you through a particular section of the game. BE WARNED: this is a real spoiler. The IF competition release of this game also comes with a walk.txt and a hints.txt file. >credits This game was designed and written by Peter Gambles, using the Text Adventure Development System, TADS. My thanks to Andreas Sewe for his invaluable comments and beta-testing of the game, and to Lucian Smith for running the beta-testing site (http://plover.net/~textfire/beta/) and for a helpful suggestion. Also to Quintin Stone and Mike Roberts for helping with some coding problems (and to Mike for TADS at all, of course!). Kaos uses the asktell.t module, an ASK/TELL-based conversation system for TADS by Suzanne Skinner, 1999, Public Domain. It also uses checks.t, a module which checks the interpreter's version number, as well as whether the game is running on a HTML runtime and whether or not the interpreter can handle graphics, copyright (c) 1999, Stephen Granade. All rights reserved. Acknowledgement is made of Ursula LeGuin's 'invention' of shiftgrethor in her wonderful book The Left Hand of Darkness: 'prestige, face, place, the pride- relationship, the untranslatable and all- important principle of social authority...'. It seemed a useful addition to this game, though the responsibility for its (mis)use here is entirely mine. This game is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, organizations, places, or events is purely coincidental. If you have any comments or suggestions, or would like to report a bug, I'd be pleased to hear from you. Please send email to Peter Gambles >shiftgrethor [Shiftgrethor is not translatable into Our World, but is, approximately, "prestige, face, place, the pride-relationship, the untranslatable and all-important principle of social authority...". See 'Credits'. In this game it can increase or decrease as a consequence of various events or actions.] Your shiftgrethor is mid-clade. >n In the North Chamber >verbose Okay, now in VERBOSE mode. In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. >x chest Coffin sized Black as Death All knowing of colour It denies And firmly shut in temple lies. >enter it You will need to get the chest open before you can try to get in it. >x it Coffin sized Black as Death All knowing of colour It denies And firmly shut in temple lies. >open it A creaking sound echoes round the temple, though it seems not to emanate from this chamber. >s In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >x chest Yin to Yang, dark to light All heaven's spectrum merged to white. Bound together are the twain Laws of science they disdain. White chest stands open to vision plain. So simple seeming. In it you perceive a dagger and a brooch Clear. Yet not. How can this be? Your eyes, your mind, deceived? >get dagger Despite the evidence of your eyes, you are unable to find the dagger anywhere in this chest. >n In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. >get dagger I don't see any dagger here. >touch chest You reach out and touch the black chest. Nothing changes. >s In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place A loud thud reverberates through the chamber, slowly dying away. >open chest You hear the sound of a chest opening. >n In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. >x chest Coffin sized Black as Death All knowing of colour It denies Though open in the chamber still it lies. Within is naught that meets your eyes, bar dust: Untrusty tools of mind beware. >get dagger With eyes closed, you focus not on emptiness seen but on mind's eye. Utter cold wraps your wrist as into the darkness within the chest you reach. You grasp the dagger firmly. >get brooch Taken. >x dagger Cold as ice, black as heart's last blood Narrow and twisted weaves the blade Like flame of death or life Well seized from darkness, well made for strife. >x brooch Green of corroded copper Battered and crushed by wanton force Once a clasp or brooch An eye perhaps, in form proper. >wear it The brooch cannot be worn. The chamber shakes to a tremendous thud. >s In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >open chest You hear the sound of a chest opening. >n In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. >enter chest Mind spinning, senses reeling, ears popping, eyes bursting, aching, aching, aching Cold of all eternity, dark of all infinity Recollect, retain, return, recover, emerge Where? Nothing Darkest soul of eternity Coldest heart of time Alpha and Omega Universal, sublime. >stab me with dagger I don't know the word "stab". >attack me with dagger All action fails in this utter non-existence. >kill me with dagger All action fails in this utter non-existence. >z All action fails in this utter non-existence. >l All action fails in this utter non-existence. >u If you take a piece of eternity, what is left? >nothing I don't know the word "nothing". >everything There's no verb in that sentence! >get all You'd be better off taking one thing at a time. >get one I don't know the word "one". >get nothing I don't know the word "nothing". >out If you take a piece of eternity, what is left? >l If you take a piece of eternity, what is left? >take eternity In utter none-ness you reach out And seize the very fabric of existence. Tearing aside the veil of dark and doubt Allowing eternal light to flow about The whirlpool twists 'til Time exists Once more. >l In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >n In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. >n You can't go that way. The chamber shakes to a tremendous thud. >open chest A creaking sound echoes round the temple, though it seems not to emanate from this chamber. >s In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >enter chest Purity surrounds, sublime Dazzling white, beyond all colour Senses overwhelmed You stand alone Humbled before the godhead Whiteness Purest white Clearest light Immortal place Omnipotent face >x god A figure you stand before Awesome beyond mind Powerful god, infinite and kind A guide to farthest shores >ask god to make a rock so big he can't lift it. I don't know the word "make". >i You have a dagger, a brooch, and a small piece of eternity. >give eternity to god The small piece of eternity evaporates. >undo (Undoing one command) Whiteness Purest white Clearest light Immortal place Omnipotent face >x brooch Green of corroded copper Battered and crushed by wanton force Once a clasp or brooch An eye perhaps, in form proper. >look in brooch You are unable to do that in the Presence. >d You are unable to do that in the Presence. >u You are unable to do that in the Presence. >e You are unable to do that in the Presence. >w You are unable to do that in the Presence. >n You are unable to do that in the Presence. >sing You are unable to do that in the Presence. >jump You are unable to do that in the Presence. >go I don't understand that sentence. >out You are unable to do that in the Presence. >i You have a dagger, a brooch, and a small piece of eternity. >eat eternity You are unable to do that in the Presence. >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >z You hear in your soul the sound of time arrowing its way through eternity. >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >time There's no verb in that sentence! >x time I don't see any time here. >x god A figure you stand before Awesome beyond mind Powerful god, infinite and kind A guide to farthest shores >follow god You are unable to do that in the Presence. >guide There's no verb in that sentence! >x guide A figure you stand before Awesome beyond mind Powerful god, infinite and kind A guide to farthest shores >x shores I don't know the word "shores". >ask god about shores I don't know the word "shores". >[hints] I don't understand the punctuation "[". >ask god for help I don't understand that sentence. >ask god about help I don't understand that sentence. >god, help Dare'st thou command a god? >yes I don't know the word "yes". >god, yes I don't know the word "yes". >ask god about me [You feel your shiftgrethor enhance.] "You are more than you yet comprehend, time-flown priest of mine." >ask god about dagger "The sacred dagger, light and dark, frozen flame." >ask god about eternity Your entreaty is ignored. >ask god about brooch Your entreaty is ignored. >ask god about shiftgrethor "You have the potential to attain high shifgrethor, but you must beware of your curiosity." >ask god about curiosity I don't know the word "curiosity". >ask god about temple "My temple will prevail through all eternity. " >ask god about chest "The chests are sacred unto Me, linked through space and time, to light and dark. My silent servant the crystal tends, but beware the blood." >ask god about blood I don't know the word "blood". >ask god about crystal Your entreaty is ignored. >ask god about link I don't know the word "link". >l Whiteness Purest white Clearest light Immortal place Omnipotent face >ask god about face "KNOW THIS, MORTAL. I AM THE GOD." >ask god about light "Of such you will come to learn, if you have the courage." >ask god about dark "Of such you will come to learn, if you have the courage." >learn I don't know the word "learn". >ask god about help I don't understand that sentence. >help god I don't recognize that sentence. >help In an adventure game, you play by typing commands that describe what you want to do. Unfortunately, the game isn't very smart, so you have to follow certain rules. This game is designed so that you shouldn't need to think of any unusual words or phrases that aren't directly mentioned by the game. In particular, you shouldn't need to guess a strange verb or an unusual way of phrasing a command. Each time you see the prompt, >, you type a command, which should be a simple sentence. Press the RETURN key to finish your instruction. You can use capital or small letters in any mixture. You can use words such as THE and AN when they're appropriate, but you can omit them if you prefer. Some examples of commands that the game recognizes are shown below. These aren't necessarily commands that you'll ever type while playing, but they illustrate some of the verbs and sentence formats that you may use. If you're new to interactive fiction, type INSTRUCTIONS for more details. Also listed below are examples of some verbs that you might want to use in TEMPLE OF KAOS which do not occur in all games. NORTH (or N), likewise South (S), W, E, NE, SE, SW, NW, U(P), D(OWN), IN, OUT LOOK (or simply L) AGAIN or G: Repeats your last command. INVENTORY or I: Shows the list of items you are carrying. OOPS: Allows you to correct the spelling of a word in the last command. QUIT: Stops the game. RESTART: Starts the game over from the beginning. RESTORE: Restores a position previously saved with the SAVE command. SAVE: Stores the current state of the game in a file. WAIT or Z: Causes game time to pass while you wait for something to happen. OPEN BOX CLOSE BOX TAKE THE BRICK LOOK AT BRICK (or EXAMINE or just X) PUT THE BRICK IN THE BOX TAKE BRICK OUT OF BOX LOOK IN BOX DROP THE BRICK WEAR THE HAT TAKE OFF HAT TURN ON THE LANTERN PUSH BUTTON TURN THE KNOB EAT BISCUIT READ NEWSPAPER UNLOCK DOOR WITH KEY CLIMB UP THE LADDER JUMP TYPE "HELLO" ON THE KEYBOARD TYPE 1234 ON THE KEYPAD GET IN THE BOAT GET OUT OF THE BOAT GIVE WAND TO WIZARD ASK WIZARD ABOUT WAND VERBS in TEMPLE OF KAOS PRAY SING DANCE HAVING said all that, this game does, as its name implies, not always follows the rules! Type "INSTRUCTIONS" for more details. If you are stuck, you can type "WALKTHROUGH" (or "WALKTHRU") for a series of the commands that will get you through a particular section of the game. BE WARNED: this is a real spoiler. The IF competition release of this game also comes with a walk.txt and a hints.txt file. >ask god about kaos "As KAOS am I known in that region of the mortal world where stands the temple. Within its bounds have I weakened what you mortals think are laws of nature." >ask god about whiteness "KNOW THIS, MORTAL. I AM THE GOD." >ask god about chaos "As KAOS am I known in that region of the mortal world where stands the temple. Within its bounds have I weakened what you mortals think are laws of nature." >ask god about score I don't understand that sentence. >pray "O Mighty God Release your unworthy servant From Your immanent Presence" The eyes on the figure before you blaze, and the whiteness intensifies until you have to close your eyes from the light. Your senses reel for a timeless instant, before you sense the brilliance has faded. In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. You see a wooden disc here. >x disc Smooth round wood, passing to dust Two hollows mar once perfect curve A place to sit, for those with nerve. >sit on disc Space there is upon the disc Mayhap time and space decrease the risk. >get disc The disc is several feet across, far too big to pick up. >x it Smooth round wood, passing to dust Two hollows mar once perfect curve A place to sit, for those with nerve. >enter it I don't know how to enter the disc. >sit on disc Space there is upon the disc Mayhap time and space decrease the risk. >g Space there is upon the disc Mayhap time and space decrease the risk. >s In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >n In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. You see a wooden disc here. >put eternity on disc The small piece of eternity evaporates. >undo (Undoing one command) In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. You see a wooden disc here. >i You have a dagger, a brooch, and a small piece of eternity. >x dagger Cold as ice, black as heart's last blood Narrow and twisted weaves the blade Like flame of death or life Well seized from darkness, well made for strife. >burn disc with dagger The dagger has no effect on the disc. >cut disc (with the dagger) To cut the disc could be imprudent. >cut chest (with the dagger) To cut the black chest could be imprudent. >open chest A creaking sound echoes round the temple, though it seems not to emanate from this chamber. >s In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >x chest Yin to Yang, dark to light All heaven's spectrum merged to white. Bound together are the twain Laws of science they disdain. White chest stands open to vision plain. Naught within comes to your sight. But senses frail are; not always right. >enter chest Purity surrounds, sublime Dazzling white, beyond all colour Senses overwhelmed You stand alone Humbled before the godhead Whiteness Purest white Clearest light Immortal place Omnipotent face >pray "O Mighty God Release your unworthy servant From Your immanent Presence" The eyes on the figure before you blaze, and the whiteness intensifies until you have to close your eyes from the light. Your senses reel for a timeless instant, before you sense the brilliance has faded. In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. You see a wooden disc here. >shiftgrethor [Shiftgrethor is not translatable into Our World, but is, approximately, "prestige, face, place, the pride-relationship, the untranslatable and all-important principle of social authority...". See 'Credits'. In this game it can increase or decrease as a consequence of various events or actions.] Your shiftgrethor is well-writhen. A loud thud reverberates through the chamber, slowly dying away. >touch chest You reach out and touch the black chest. Nothing changes. >touch disc You reach out and touch the disc. Nothing changes. >turn disc The disc appears locked in place. >enter it I don't know how to enter the disc. >sit on it Space there is upon the disc Mayhap time and space decrease the risk. >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >z The slow pulse of time fills the temple. >l In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. You see a wooden disc here. >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >z The slow pulse of time fills the temple. >z You hear in your soul the sound of time arrowing its way through eternity. >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >z The slow pulse of time fills the temple. >z The slow pulse of time fills the temple. >z The slow pulse of time fills the temple. >put all on disc You'd be better off taking one thing at a time. >i You have a dagger, a brooch, and a small piece of eternity. >put brooch on disc You put the brooch onto the disc. >put dagger on disc You put the dagger onto the disc. >sit on disc Space there is upon the disc Mayhap time and space decrease the risk. >get all You'd be better off taking one thing at a time. >get dagger You grasp the dagger firmly. >get brooch Taken. >wear it The brooch cannot be worn. >x it Green of corroded copper Battered and crushed by wanton force Once a clasp or brooch An eye perhaps, in form proper. >smash it I don't know the word "smash". >push it Pushing the brooch doesn't do anything. >help In an adventure game, you play by typing commands that describe what you want to do. Unfortunately, the game isn't very smart, so you have to follow certain rules. This game is designed so that you shouldn't need to think of any unusual words or phrases that aren't directly mentioned by the game. In particular, you shouldn't need to guess a strange verb or an unusual way of phrasing a command. Each time you see the prompt, >, you type a command, which should be a simple sentence. Press the RETURN key to finish your instruction. You can use capital or small letters in any mixture. You can use words such as THE and AN when they're appropriate, but you can omit them if you prefer. Some examples of commands that the game recognizes are shown below. These aren't necessarily commands that you'll ever type while playing, but they illustrate some of the verbs and sentence formats that you may use. If you're new to interactive fiction, type INSTRUCTIONS for more details. Also listed below are examples of some verbs that you might want to use in TEMPLE OF KAOS which do not occur in all games. NORTH (or N), likewise South (S), W, E, NE, SE, SW, NW, U(P), D(OWN), IN, OUT LOOK (or simply L) AGAIN or G: Repeats your last command. INVENTORY or I: Shows the list of items you are carrying. OOPS: Allows you to correct the spelling of a word in the last command. QUIT: Stops the game. RESTART: Starts the game over from the beginning. RESTORE: Restores a position previously saved with the SAVE command. SAVE: Stores the current state of the game in a file. WAIT or Z: Causes game time to pass while you wait for something to happen. OPEN BOX CLOSE BOX TAKE THE BRICK LOOK AT BRICK (or EXAMINE or just X) PUT THE BRICK IN THE BOX TAKE BRICK OUT OF BOX LOOK IN BOX DROP THE BRICK WEAR THE HAT TAKE OFF HAT TURN ON THE LANTERN PUSH BUTTON TURN THE KNOB EAT BISCUIT READ NEWSPAPER UNLOCK DOOR WITH KEY CLIMB UP THE LADDER JUMP TYPE "HELLO" ON THE KEYBOARD TYPE 1234 ON THE KEYPAD GET IN THE BOAT GET OUT OF THE BOAT GIVE WAND TO WIZARD ASK WIZARD ABOUT WAND VERBS in TEMPLE OF KAOS PRAY SING DANCE HAVING said all that, this game does, as its name implies, not always follows the rules! Type "INSTRUCTIONS" for more details. If you are stuck, you can type "WALKTHROUGH" (or "WALKTHRU") for a series of the commands that will get you through a particular section of the game. BE WARNED: this is a real spoiler. The IF competition release of this game also comes with a walk.txt and a hints.txt file. >hint There is a separate hints.txt file included with the IF Competition release of this game. >s In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >n In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. You see a wooden disc here. >open chest A creaking sound echoes round the temple, though it seems not to emanate from this chamber. >s In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >enter chest Purity surrounds, sublime Dazzling white, beyond all colour Senses overwhelmed You stand alone Humbled before the godhead Whiteness Purest white Clearest light Immortal place Omnipotent face >ask god about disc "The spinning disc, properly lit, will guide the devout." >pray "O Mighty God Release your unworthy servant From Your immanent Presence" The eyes on the figure before you blaze, and the whiteness intensifies until you have to close your eyes from the light. Your senses reel for a timeless instant, before you sense the brilliance has faded. In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. You see a wooden disc here. >spin disc The disc appears locked in place. A loud thud reverberates through the chamber, slowly dying away. >turn disc The disc appears locked in place. >s In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >open chest You hear the sound of a chest opening. >n In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. You see a wooden disc here. >enter chest Mind spinning, senses reeling, ears popping, eyes bursting, aching, aching, aching Cold of all eternity, dark of all infinity Recollect, retain, return, recover, emerge Where? Nothing Darkest soul of eternity Coldest heart of time Alpha and Omega Universal, sublime. >x dark If you take a piece of eternity, what is left? >get eternity You already have the small piece of eternity! >drop it If you take a piece of eternity, what is left? >get eternity You already have the small piece of eternity! >take eternity You already have the small piece of eternity! >undo (Undoing one command) Nothing Darkest soul of eternity Coldest heart of time Alpha and Omega Universal, sublime. >undo (Undoing one command) Nothing Darkest soul of eternity Coldest heart of time Alpha and Omega Universal, sublime. >undo (Undoing one command) Nothing Darkest soul of eternity Coldest heart of time Alpha and Omega Universal, sublime. >undo (Undoing one command) Nothing Darkest soul of eternity Coldest heart of time Alpha and Omega Universal, sublime. >undo (Undoing one command) Nothing Darkest soul of eternity Coldest heart of time Alpha and Omega Universal, sublime. >undo (Undoing one command) In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. You see a wooden disc here. >s In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >walkthrough This gives you a terse list of the command sequence to get you through whichever section of the game you are currently in. Only read this if you really, really, want to find out what to do next. (For the IF Competition release, there is also a hints.txt file available, which gives prose clues if you are stuck.) Please press space to continue, or Q to quit and return to the game. The first temple south open white chest north get dagger wait [Several WAIT commands required- probably five] open black chest south get candle enter white chest pray to god cut candle with dagger light candle with dagger light candle with dagger put candle in hollow put candle in hollow BACK TO THE GAME. In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >[what the heck is this candle thing?] I don't understand the punctuation "[". >l In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >n In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. You see a wooden disc here. >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >z The slow pulse of time fills the temple. The chamber shakes to a tremendous thud. >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >z You hear in your soul the sound of time arrowing its way through eternity. >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >z You hear in your soul the sound of time arrowing its way through eternity. >z You hear in your soul the sound of time arrowing its way through eternity. >l In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. You see a wooden disc here. >s In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >open white chst I don't know the word "chst". >open white chest You hear the sound of a chest opening. >n In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. You see a wooden disc here. >get dagger You already have the dagger! >z The slow pulse of time fills the temple. >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >z The slow pulse of time fills the temple. >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >z You hear in your soul the sound of time arrowing its way through eternity. The chamber shakes to a tremendous thud. >get candle I don't see any candle here. >open black chest A creaking sound echoes round the temple, though it seems not to emanate from this chamber. >s In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >x chest Yin to Yang, dark to light All heaven's spectrum merged to white. Bound together are the twain Laws of science they disdain. White chest stands open to vision plain. Naught within comes to your sight. But senses frail are; not always right. >get candle Through eye of mind you once more envision Passing hand unto the other. You take hold of the candle. >undo (Undoing one command) In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >undo (Undoing one command) In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >undo (Undoing one command) In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. You see a wooden disc here. >undo (Undoing one command) In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. You see a wooden disc here. >x chest Coffin sized Black as Death All knowing of colour It denies And firmly shut in temple lies. >s In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >get candle I don't see any candle here. >n In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. You see a wooden disc here. >open chest A creaking sound echoes round the temple, though it seems not to emanate from this chamber. >s In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >get candle Through eye of mind you once more envision Passing hand unto the other. You take hold of the candle. >[that's just silly] I don't understand the punctuation "[". >put dagger in candle You can't put anything into the candle. >n In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. You see a wooden disc here. >spin disc The disc appears locked in place. A loud thud reverberates through the chamber, slowly dying away. >put dagger in candle You can't put anything into the candle. >burn dagger Such action seems unlikely to endear you to the spirits of this place. >burn disc Such action seems unlikely to endear you to the spirits of this place. >open chest A creaking sound echoes round the temple, though it seems not to emanate from this chamber. >s In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >enter chest Purity surrounds, sublime Dazzling white, beyond all colour Senses overwhelmed You stand alone Humbled before the godhead Whiteness Purest white Clearest light Immortal place Omnipotent face >ask god about candle "The dark flames twain you need to journey unto my realms, and complete your quest." >ask god about dagger "The sacred dagger, light and dark, frozen flame." >ask god about disc "The spinning disc, properly lit, will guide the devout." >pray "O Mighty God Release your unworthy servant From Your immanent Presence" The eyes on the figure before you blaze, and the whiteness intensifies until you have to close your eyes from the light. Your senses reel for a timeless instant, before you sense the brilliance has faded. In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. You see a wooden disc here. >x disc Smooth round wood, passing to dust Two hollows mar once perfect curve A place to sit, for those with nerve. >close chest The black chest is already closed. >s In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >close chest It's already closed. >n In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. You see a wooden disc here. >x disc Smooth round wood, passing to dust Two hollows mar once perfect curve A place to sit, for those with nerve. >put candle in disc You can't put anything into the disc. >put candle on disc You put the candle onto the disc. >spin disc The disc appears locked in place. >turn disc The disc appears locked in place. >put dagger on disc You put the dagger onto the disc. >turn disc The disc appears locked in place. >[looking at the walkthrough again...] I don't understand the punctuation "[". >[pfft] I don't understand the punctuation "[". >cut candle with dagger (First taking the candle) You slice the candle with the dagger. Instead of two halves, you find you now have two whole candles, just the same size as before. >spin disc The disc appears locked in place. >put candles on disc You put the candle onto the disc. >put candles on disc You put the candle onto the disc. >spin disc The disc appears locked in place. >[looking at the walkthrough again...] I don't understand the punctuation "[". >[dude, they weren't lit? pfft.] I don't understand the punctuation "[". >light candle with dagger From dagger's evil point the darkness leaps Kindling black flame as tallow weeps Disturbing the rest of that which sleeps. >light candle with dagger From dagger's evil point the darkness leaps Kindling black flame as tallow weeps Disturbing the rest of that which sleeps. >spin disc The disc appears locked in place. >x candle Stands candle tall of tallow cast Black the flame that flickers fast Light it steals and does not cast. >get candle You take hold of the candle. >s In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place >drop candle You drop the candle. As you do so, the flame is extinguished. >n In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. You see a wooden disc here. Sitting on the disc you see a dagger and a candle (thief of light). >x candle Stands candle tall of tallow cast Black the flame that flickers fast Light it steals and does not cast. >s In the South Chamber The southern chamber, empty seeming, Save another chest, white and gleaming. Exit but your steps retrace Northwards to the entrance place You see a candle here. >get candle You take hold of the candle. >light candle with dagger I don't see any dagger here. >i You have a small piece of eternity, a brooch, and a candle. >n In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. You see a wooden disc here. Sitting on the disc you see a dagger and a candle (thief of light). >get dagger You grasp the dagger firmly. >light dagger with candle I don't know how to light the dagger. >light candle with dagger From dagger's evil point the darkness leaps Kindling black flame as tallow weeps Disturbing the rest of that which sleeps. >get candle You take hold of the candle. >l In the North Chamber Chamber of the north, so empty, still, all noise grates Black as night the chest your thought awaits. The other chamber southward lies Cloaked in mystery's disguise. You see a wooden disc here. >i You have a small piece of eternity, a brooch, two candles (thieves of light), and a dagger. >cut candle with dagger Two candles are enough unto your quest. >turn disc The disc appears locked in place. >spin it The disc appears locked in place. >put candle in hollow You set the candle upright in the first hollow. >put candle in hollow There's no room for the candle in the first hollow, so you put it in the second hollow. The chamber pulsates, darkens within Spaces hum and disc does spin. Sound on sound, wave on wave Til stillness, silence, of the grave. [Your wisdom is rewarded by the gods with two points.] The Temple The walls are bare, cold solid stone Light filters from the roof. Enigmatic, undisturbed, aeons have passed by. Intact, life-devoid, on plateau high. But chamber one, entrance nil From cup of mystery drink your fill. In the Temple chamber Empty, echoing chamber dim Filled with all unknowing shapes In far corner a figure grim By changed disc awaits. >x grim A form eroded, worn by aeons Barely now a figure, e'en. Lingering sense of power lost Of duty done, at final cost. >x disc Worn through time's travels Darkened wood turned smooth Purpose as yet but darkly seen; By traveller's eye. >get it The disc is several feet across, far to big to pick up. >x hollow I don't see any hollow here. >i You have a small piece of eternity, a brooch, a dagger, and a candle (thief of light). >n You can't go that way. >s You can't go that way. >e You can't go that way. >w You can't go that way. >u You can't go that way. >d There's no obvious way down. >[aha] I don't understand the punctuation "[". >l In the Temple chamber Empty, echoing chamber dim Filled with all unknowing shapes In far corner a figure grim By changed disc awaits. >x shapes The chamber dances with unseen shapes. >get shape I don't know the word "shape". >hit shapes What do you want to attack them with? >dagger The shapes aren't important. >get figure The statue cannot be taken. >push statue You find there's no room in the corner to push the ancient figure, but that you can pull it a few feet across the temple, which reveals a small hole in the floor. >d It's pitch black. >light candle with dagger It's already lit! >blow candle I don't understand that sentence. >snuff candle You snuff out the black flame. Immediately, the room brightens, as if the flame had been sucking the light out of it. Under the Temple floor In subterranean noisome cavity Where senses mislead, opposites oblige No tunnels lead, no traps, no levers Nothing save what you deposit To wait and return the only course. >[ha] I don't understand the punctuation "[". >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >z The slow pulse of time fills the temple. >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >z You hear in your soul the sound of time arrowing its way through eternity. >n You can't go that way. >e You can't go that way. >s You can't go that way. >w You can't go that way. >d You can't go that way. >u In the Temple chamber Empty, echoing chamber hollow Filled with all unknowing shapes In corner far a small hole gapes By figure grim. >d Under the Temple floor In subterranean noisome cavity Where senses mislead, opposites oblige No tunnels lead, no traps, no levers Nothing save what you deposit To wait and return the only course. >drop dagger Dropped. >l Under the Temple floor In subterranean noisome cavity Where senses mislead, opposites oblige No tunnels lead, no traps, no levers Nothing save what you deposit To wait and return the only course. You see a dagger here. >get dagger You grasp the dagger firmly. >x lever I don't know the word "lever". >x traps I don't know the word "traps". >x nothing I don't know the word "nothing". >return I don't know the word "return". >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >z You hear in your soul the sound of time arrowing its way through eternity. >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >u In the Temple chamber Empty, echoing chamber hollow Filled with all unknowing shapes In corner far a small hole gapes By figure grim. >x hole The hole is just about large enough to fit through. There's no sign of a bottom to it. >d Under the Temple floor In subterranean noisome cavity Where senses mislead, opposites oblige No tunnels lead, no traps, no levers Nothing save what you deposit To wait and return the only course. >close eyes I don't know the word "eyes". >listen Your heartbeat sounds loud in your ears. >smell A slight dankness overlays the musty odour of the temple. >[hints again...[ I don't understand the punctuation "[". >u In the Temple chamber Empty, echoing chamber hollow Filled with all unknowing shapes In corner far a small hole gapes By figure grim. >x disc Worn through time's travels Darkened wood turned smooth Purpose as yet but darkly seen; By traveller's eye. >turn it The disc spins sluggishly, and as it does so, you notice that there is a worn patch where people have evidently sat on it. >sit on disc Though place there is Here is not the place. >sit on patch I don't know the word "patch". >sit on worn I don't know how to sit on the statue. >sit on worn patch on disc I don't know the word "patch". >sit on disc Though place there is Here is not the place. >spin disc The disc spins sluggishly, and as it does so, you notice that there is a worn patch where people have evidently sat on it. >enter disc I don't know how to enter the disc. >stand on disc Not for mortal feet the surface of the holy disc. >[snort] I don't understand the punctuation "[". >pull disc Pulling the disc doesn't do anything. >push it Pushing the disc doesn't do anything. >turn it The disc spins sluggishly, and as it does so, you notice that there is a worn patch where people have evidently sat on it. >g The disc spins sluggishly, and as it does so, you notice that there is a worn patch where people have evidently sat on it. >g The disc spins sluggishly, and as it does so, you notice that there is a worn patch where people have evidently sat on it. >g The disc spins sluggishly, and as it does so, you notice that there is a worn patch where people have evidently sat on it. >cut disc with dagger To cut the disc could be imprudent. >i You have a small piece of eternity, a brooch, a candle, and a dagger. >l In the Temple chamber Empty, echoing chamber hollow Filled with all unknowing shapes In corner far a small hole gapes By figure grim. >d Under the Temple floor In subterranean noisome cavity Where senses mislead, opposites oblige No tunnels lead, no traps, no levers Nothing save what you deposit To wait and return the only course. >u In the Temple chamber Empty, echoing chamber hollow Filled with all unknowing shapes In corner far a small hole gapes By figure grim. >drop all You do not have the all. >drop dagger Dropped. >get it You grasp the dagger firmly. >get all The all cannot be taken. >[?] I don't understand the punctuation "[". >x all It looks like an ordinary all to me. >turn all The all cannot be turned. >stand on all I don't know how to stand on the all. >drop dagger Dropped. >drop candle You drop the candle. >i You have a small piece of eternity and a brooch. >drop brooch Dropped. >sit on disc Though place there is Here is not the place. >get dagger, candle, brooch dagger: You grasp the dagger firmly. candle: You take hold of the candle. brooch: Taken. >put candle on disc You feel it would be improper to sully the disc thus. >[?] I don't understand the punctuation "[". >sit on disc Though place there is Here is not the place. >get up You're already standing! >d Under the Temple floor In subterranean noisome cavity Where senses mislead, opposites oblige No tunnels lead, no traps, no levers Nothing save what you deposit To wait and return the only course. >walkthrough This gives you a terse list of the command sequence to get you through whichever section of the game you are currently in. Only read this if you really, really, want to find out what to do next. (For the IF Competition release, there is also a hints.txt file available, which gives prose clues if you are stuck.) Please press space to continue, or Q to quit and return to the game. The second temple move figure snuff candle down drop candle wait up BACK TO THE GAME. Under the Temple floor In subterranean noisome cavity Where senses mislead, opposites oblige No tunnels lead, no traps, no levers Nothing save what you deposit To wait and return the only course. >d You can't go that way. >drop candle You drop the candle. >z You hear in your soul the sound of time arrowing its way through eternity. >u Floor drops Upward thrusting Sideways now Can there be knowing Direction loses Gravity is stolen [Your wisdom is rewarded by the gods with two points.] The Temple The walls are bare, cold solid stone Light filters from the roof. Long and long since raiders dared Trespass upon this hallowed space. Gold and other trinkets stolen, Now only we few remain True believers for forgotten gods Through the years keeping their place. In the Temple chamber To be on such familiar ground great pleasure gives E'en though the decor by robbers past bare be stripped And southern wall violent rent asunder. The presence of our gods lingers yet. Silent waits their servant And with strength yet embued is the holy disc. >[oy] I don't understand the punctuation "[". >x disc The holy disc of the temple is kept not where unclean eyes may spy it. >turn it Only the pure may contemplate the holy disc. >s Through yawning gap from chamber passing Into corridor stretching into darkness. In the long corridor South and south runs the corridor Though north you may return. >s You could have sworn you headed south along the corridor. In the Temple chamber To be on such familiar ground great pleasure gives E'en though the decor by robbers past bare be stripped And southern wall violent rent asunder. The presence of our gods lingers yet. Silent waits their servant And with strength yet embued is the holy disc. You see a wooden disc here. The second hollow seems to contain a candle (thief of light). >x disc Candles placed Disc has spun Through time and chance and place. To pray To sit What purpose now Awaits? In the second hollow you see a candle (thief of light). >sit on disc Seeking on disc to sit By fearsome force seized. Ignomiously with accuracy flung Confused into corridor. In the long corridor South and south runs the corridor Though north you may return. >undo (Undoing one command) In the Temple chamber To be on such familiar ground great pleasure gives E'en though the decor by robbers past bare be stripped And southern wall violent rent asunder. The presence of our gods lingers yet. Silent waits their servant And with strength yet embued is the holy disc. You see a wooden disc here. The second hollow seems to contain a candle (thief of light). >x disc Candles placed Disc has spun Through time and chance and place. To pray To sit What purpose now Awaits? In the second hollow you see a candle (thief of light). >pray Whatever the god is to whom this temple belongs, you offer up a silent prayer. >sit on disc Seeking on disc to sit By fearsome force seized. Ignomiously with accuracy flung Confused into corridor. In the long corridor South and south runs the corridor Though north you may return. >s You could have sworn you headed south along the corridor. In the Temple chamber To be on such familiar ground great pleasure gives E'en though the decor by robbers past bare be stripped And southern wall violent rent asunder. The presence of our gods lingers yet. Silent waits their servant And with strength yet embued is the holy disc. You see a wooden disc here. The second hollow seems to contain a candle (thief of light). >n You can't go that way. >s In the long corridor South and south runs the corridor Though north you may return. >s You could have sworn you headed south along the corridor. In the Temple chamber To be on such familiar ground great pleasure gives E'en though the decor by robbers past bare be stripped And southern wall violent rent asunder. The presence of our gods lingers yet. Silent waits their servant And with strength yet embued is the holy disc. You see a wooden disc here. The second hollow seems to contain a candle (thief of light). >s In the long corridor South and south runs the corridor Though north you may return. >n In the Temple chamber To be on such familiar ground great pleasure gives E'en though the decor by robbers past bare be stripped And southern wall violent rent asunder. The presence of our gods lingers yet. Silent waits their servant And with strength yet embued is the holy disc. You see a wooden disc here. The second hollow seems to contain a candle (thief of light). >s In the long corridor South and south runs the corridor Though north you may return. >s You could have sworn you headed south along the corridor. In the Temple chamber To be on such familiar ground great pleasure gives E'en though the decor by robbers past bare be stripped And southern wall violent rent asunder. The presence of our gods lingers yet. Silent waits their servant And with strength yet embued is the holy disc. You see a wooden disc here. The second hollow seems to contain a candle (thief of light). >x disc Candles placed Disc has spun Through time and chance and place. To pray To sit What purpose now Awaits? In the second hollow you see a candle (thief of light). >pray Whatever the god is to whom this temple belongs, you offer up a silent prayer. >sit (the disc) Seeking on disc to sit By fearsome force seized. Ignomiously with accuracy flung Confused into corridor. In the long corridor South and south runs the corridor Though north you may return. >sw You can't go that way. >se You can't go that way. >ss I don't know the word "ss". >south south I don't understand that sentence. >south and south You could have sworn you headed south along the corridor. In the Temple chamber To be on such familiar ground great pleasure gives E'en though the decor by robbers past bare be stripped And southern wall violent rent asunder. The presence of our gods lingers yet. Silent waits their servant And with strength yet embued is the holy disc. You see a wooden disc here. The second hollow seems to contain a candle (thief of light). In the long corridor South and south runs the corridor Though north you may return. >s You could have sworn you headed south along the corridor. In the Temple chamber To be on such familiar ground great pleasure gives E'en though the decor by robbers past bare be stripped And southern wall violent rent asunder. The presence of our gods lingers yet. Silent waits their servant And with strength yet embued is the holy disc. You see a wooden disc here. The second hollow seems to contain a candle (thief of light). >get candle You take hold of the candle. >pray Whatever the god is to whom this temple belongs, you offer up a silent prayer. >sit (the disc) Seeking on disc to sit By fearsome force seized. Ignomiously with accuracy flung Confused into corridor. In the long corridor South and south runs the corridor Though north you may return. >s You could have sworn you headed south along the corridor. In the Temple chamber To be on such familiar ground great pleasure gives E'en though the decor by robbers past bare be stripped And southern wall violent rent asunder. The presence of our gods lingers yet. Silent waits their servant And with strength yet embued is the holy disc. You see a wooden disc here. >[sigh] I don't understand the punctuation "[". >pray Whatever the god is to whom this temple belongs, you offer up a silent prayer. >stand You're already standing! >stand on disc Not for mortal feet the surface of the holy disc. >walkthrough This gives you a terse list of the command sequence to get you through whichever section of the game you are currently in. Only read this if you really, really, want to find out what to do next. (For the IF Competition release, there is also a hints.txt file available, which gives prose clues if you are stuck.) Please press space to continue, or Q to quit and return to the game. The third temple: first part south north spin disc again sit on disc south clean statue wait wait follow statue BACK TO THE GAME. In the Temple chamber To be on such familiar ground great pleasure gives E'en though the decor by robbers past bare be stripped And southern wall violent rent asunder. The presence of our gods lingers yet. Silent waits their servant And with strength yet embued is the holy disc. You see a wooden disc here. >spin disc As you turn the disc, it starts to spin at a moderate pace, emitting a gentle thrumming sound. >g You spin the disc once again, and it revolves faster and faster, until it is just a blur, and the noise has risen to a tremendous shrieking, which echoes down the corridor. >sit (the disc) Disc spins so fast, yet seems at rest Defying sense you pass the test Now the time, now the space Sitting on this holy place A flash so quick, of gul, of or appears within the corridor. [The gods favour your move. Point one do you obtain.] >x gul I don't know the word "gul". >l In the Temple chamber, on the disc To be on such familiar ground great pleasure gives E'en though the decor by robbers past bare be stripped And southern wall violent rent asunder. The presence of our gods lingers yet. Silent waits their servant And with strength yet embued is the holy disc. You see a wooden disc here. >s You get off the disc and head away south. In the long corridor South and south runs the corridor Though north you may return. You notice a statue in the corridor. >x statue Unsexed by time, crumbled beyond detail Dirt encrusts, cobwebs veil Placed by those of faith long dust, here to rest Entombed in niche facing west. >clean it Overcoming your squeamishness and teaching that only the great ones may touch a servant of the gods, you brush the statue with your hands, sweeping away the cobwebs and dirt. >push it Pushing the statue doesn't do anything. >pull it Pulling the statue doesn't do anything. Figure moves! Eyes astonished wide. Silent turns Vanishes behind. >l In the long corridor South and south runs the corridor Though north you may return. Or westward pass where once stood statue grim. >w In the Domed Hall Echoes whisper Fade, boom. Vastness domed. Arcing blue Hair on end Elemental force Ether rends Of ways out four: east beckons the corridor Else three arches, confusing of sense One northward seemingly, perchance Another up, or mayhap down Illusion? the third...is there a third? South. South-east. South. Imagined only, but yet south-west.... The statue stands immobile, piercing you with its unnerving, unblinking gaze. [Your wisdom is rewarded by the gods with one point.] >x statue Long vestments sweep the ground Eyes in faceless disintergration Stare unknowing malevolently at you, no priest, intruder Disturber of age-long slumber. Arising from stoney slumber Gliding north the figure leaves >n You peer into a small gloomy space off to the north, and decide against stepping into it. >s In the storage closet Pegs round walls a closet tell Though empty now of all but smell Of moth Imagined only capes and hats and cloaks and gowns of gold, silver, russet, brown in leather and in cloth. Hanging from the pegs you see a blue cloak and a hat >get cloak Taken. >get hat Taken. >wear hat You put on the hat. The closet close seems as the figure appear within. >x figure Long vestments sweep the ground Eyes in faceless disintergration Stare unknowing malevolently at you, no priest, intruder Disturber of age-long slumber. >put hat on statue Something tells you not to mock the servant of the gods in that way. >wear hat You're already wearing the hat! >wear cloak You put on the blue cloak. As you don it, something tickles you. >i You have a small piece of eternity, a brooch, a candle (thief of light), a blue cloak (being worn), and a hat (being worn). Again unnerving companion moves Swiftly out of sight, not mind. >x cloak The cloak is of heavy velvet, a deep, swirling, blue. Pinned to it is a green feather. >x feather The feather is a gorgeous iridescent green. You feel a tickling sensation: something to do with the cloak. >get it Taken. >x it The feather is a gorgeous iridescent green. >l In the storage closet Pegs round walls a closet tell Though empty now of all but smell Of moth Imagined only capes and hats and cloaks and gowns of gold, silver, russet, brown in leather and in cloth. >n In the Domed Hall Echoes whisper Fade, boom. Vastness domed. Arcing blue Hair on end Elemental force Ether rends Of ways out four: east beckons the corridor Else three arches, confusing of sense One northward seemingly, perchance Another up, or mayhap down Illusion? the third...is there a third? South. South-east. South. Imagined only, but yet south-west.... The statue stands immobile, piercing you with its unnerving, unblinking gaze. >u The ways in or out of this vastness keep shifting in a way poets would love. Arising from stoney slumber Gliding north the figure leaves >u The ways in or out of this vastness keep shifting in a way poets would love. >u The ways in or out of this vastness keep shifting in a way poets would love. >u The ways in or out of this vastness keep shifting in a way poets would love. >d Inside the crystal chest Chest of perlucid crystal made, Hangs from ceiling, upside down. In cramped space you find a candle. Long and hard the drop to floor - upon your face a frown. Below you, you see a hammer and a dagger. >get hammer You can't reach that from here. >u You can't go that way. >x hammer The hammer is a heavy, bronze affair with a mahogany shaft. Equally suitable for causing serious damage, or for striking a ceremonial gong. >drop feather Dropped. >get it Taken. >get hammer with feather I don't recognize that sentence. >i You have a small piece of eternity, a brooch, a candle (thief of light), a blue cloak (being worn), a hat (being worn), and a green feather. >x dagger Cold as ice, black as heart's last blood Narrow and twisted weaves the blade Like flame of death or life Well seized from darkness, well made for strife. Below appears the stony form, silent stands and waits. >get it You can't reach that from here. >x statue Long vestments sweep the ground Eyes in faceless disintergration Stare unknowing malevolently at you, no priest, intruder Disturber of age-long slumber. >x cloak The cloak is of heavy velvet, a deep, swirling, blue. >d You can't go that way. >u You can't go that way. With parting gaze round treasures gone, and upward glance at crystal chest, the figure stalks away. >x chest Chest of perlucid crystal made, Hangs from ceiling, upside down. In cramped space you find a candle. Long and hard the drop to floor - upon your face a frown. Below you, you see a hammer and a dagger. >enter chest I don't know how to enter the crystal chest. >close chest Thankfully, the chest is already closed. >open it "Aaaaiiiiiiihhhh!" You scream as the chest opens and you plummet head first towards the ground too many feet below. *** You have died *** In a total of 391 turns, you have achieved a score of 6 points out of a possible 11. You near the end of your quest. Your shiftgrethor is well-writhen. You may restore a saved game, start over, quit, or undo the current command. Please enter RESTORE, RESTART, QUIT, or UNDO: >undo (Undoing one command) Inside the crystal chest Chest of perlucid crystal made, Hangs from ceiling, upside down. In cramped space you find a candle. Long and hard the drop to floor - upon your face a frown. Below you, you see a hammer and a dagger. >smile I don't know the word "smile". >hold feather I don't know the word "hold". >drop feather Dropped. >open chest "Aaaaiiiiiiihhhh!" You scream as the chest opens and you plummet head first towards the ground too many feet below. *** You have died *** In a total of 392 turns, you have achieved a score of 6 points out of a possible 11. You near the end of your quest. Your shiftgrethor is well-writhen. You may restore a saved game, start over, quit, or undo the current command. Please enter RESTORE, RESTART, QUIT, or UNDO: >undo (Undoing one command) Inside the crystal chest Chest of perlucid crystal made, Hangs from ceiling, upside down. In cramped space you find a candle and a green feather. Long and hard the drop to floor - upon your face a frown. Below you, you see a hammer and a dagger. >pray Whatever the god is to whom this temple belongs, you offer up a silent prayer. >z The slow pulse of time fills the temple. >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >z The slow pulse of time fills the temple. >z The slow pulse of time fills the temple. >get candle You take hold of the candle. >x it Stands candle tall of tallow cast Charred the wick where flame burned last. >light it There's no obvious way to do that. >i You have a small piece of eternity, a brooch, a candle (thief of light), a blue cloak (being worn), a hat (being worn), and a candle. Below appears the stony form, silent stands and waits. >open chest "Aaaaiiiiiiihhhh!" You scream as the chest opens and you plummet head first towards the ground too many feet below. In the nick of time, the servant of your Gods opens its arms wide to catch you, and deposits you gently on the floor before resuming its stance. [Your wisdom is rewarded by the gods with two points.] In the treasury Temple treasury this for sure Massive the strength of upwards door Around are stands, all empty now Memories holding of glories gone But in corner yet ceremonial gong For power from evil the priests to wrest. From ceiling hangs a crystal chest. You see a hammer, a dagger, and a green feather here. The statue stands immobile, piercing you with its unnerving, unblinking gaze. >get hammer Taken. >get dagger You grasp the dagger firmly. >get feather Taken. With parting gaze round treasures gone, and upward glance at crystal chest, the figure stalks away. >x gong The brass gong is a good five feet in diameter, and looks as if it would make a fair old noise. >hit gong with feather You flap the feather in a frenzy at the gong. This achieves nothing, but feels good. >[sigh] I don't understand the punctuation "[". >hit gong with hammer You tap gently on the gong with the hammer. A soft pure low note fills the room with sweet music. Just as it starts to fade away, the tone changes, becoming higher, more discordant, louder, harser, louder, higher, louder, shrieking, jarring, rending..... Silence. Blessed silence. "Perhaps that wasn't such a good idea", you muse. >undo (Undoing one command) In the treasury Temple treasury this for sure Massive the strength of upwards door Around are stands, all empty now Memories holding of glories gone But in corner yet ceremonial gong For power from evil the priests to wrest. From ceiling hangs a crystal chest. >stand You're already standing! >x chest Chest of perlucid crystal made, Hangs from ceiling, upside down. Though nothing it contains. It's just floating there, high above you. >u In the Domed Hall Echoes whisper Fade, boom. Vastness domed. Arcing blue Hair on end Elemental force Ether rends Of ways out four: east beckons the corridor Else three arches, confusing of sense One northward seemingly, perchance Another up, or mayhap down Illusion? the third...is there a third? South. South-east. South. Imagined only, but yet south-west.... >n You peer into a small gloomy space off to the north, and decide against stepping into it. >n You peer into a small gloomy space off to the north, and decide against stepping into it. >n You peer into a small gloomy space off to the north, and decide against stepping into it. >n You peer into a small gloomy space off to the north, and decide against stepping into it. >l In the Domed Hall Echoes whisper Fade, boom. Vastness domed. Arcing blue Hair on end Elemental force Ether rends Of ways out four: east beckons the corridor Else three arches, confusing of sense One northward seemingly, perchance Another up, or mayhap down Illusion? the third...is there a third? South. South-east. South. Imagined only, but yet south-west.... >light candle with dagger From dagger's evil point the darkness leaps Kindling black flame as tallow weeps Disturbing the rest of that which sleeps. >n You peer into a small gloomy space off to the north, and decide against stepping into it. >l In the Domed Hall Echoes whisper Fade, boom. Vastness domed. Arcing blue Hair on end Elemental force Ether rends Of ways out four: east beckons the corridor Else three arches, confusing of sense One northward seemingly, perchance Another up, or mayhap down Illusion? the third...is there a third? South. South-east. South. Imagined only, but yet south-west.... >x blue The cloak is of heavy velvet, a deep, swirling, blue. >s All ways are chance. >s In the storage closet Pegs round walls a closet tell Though empty now of all but smell Of moth Imagined only capes and hats and cloaks and gowns of gold, silver, russet, brown in leather and in cloth. >get capes I don't know the word "capes". >x cape I don't know the word "cape". >n In the Domed Hall Echoes whisper Fade, boom. Vastness domed. Arcing blue Hair on end Elemental force Ether rends Of ways out four: east beckons the corridor Else three arches, confusing of sense One northward seemingly, perchance Another up, or mayhap down Illusion? the third...is there a third? South. South-east. South. Imagined only, but yet south-west.... Your silent companion appears at your side once more. >x statue Long vestments sweep the ground Eyes in faceless disintergration Stare unknowing malevolently at you, no priest, intruder Disturber of age-long slumber. >touch it Steeling yourself against such heresy, you reach out gingerly and touch the servant of the Powers with a fingertip. Instantly, you whip your hand back from the seering cold. >n You peer into a small gloomy space off to the north, and decide against stepping into it. Arising from stoney slumber Gliding north the figure leaves >walkthrough This gives you a terse list of the command sequence to get you through whichever section of the game you are currently in. Only read this if you really, really, want to find out what to do next. (For the IF Competition release, there is also a hints.txt file available, which gives prose clues if you are stuck.) Please press space to continue, or Q to quit and return to the game. The third temple: second part south [This may needs two or three tries] get cloak wear it examine it get feather out down wait [Several WAIT commands needed - random factor] open chest get hammer get dagger up wait [Several WAIT commands needed - waiting for statue] follow statue get print stand on print hit wall with hammer hit wall with feather east north BACK TO THE GAME. In the Domed Hall Echoes whisper Fade, boom. Vastness domed. Arcing blue Hair on end Elemental force Ether rends Of ways out four: east beckons the corridor Else three arches, confusing of sense One northward seemingly, perchance Another up, or mayhap down Illusion? the third...is there a third? South. South-east. South. Imagined only, but yet south-west.... >z The slow pulse of time fills the temple. >z You hear in your soul the sound of time arrowing its way through eternity. >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >z You hear in your soul the sound of time arrowing its way through eternity. >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >z You hear in your soul the sound of time arrowing its way through eternity. >z You hear in your soul the sound of time arrowing its way through eternity. >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? >z The slow pulse of time fills the temple. >z The slow pulse of time fills the temple. >z The slow pulse of time fills the temple. >z You hear in your soul the sound of time arrowing its way through eternity. >z The slow pulse of time fills the temple. >z The slow pulse of time fills the temple. Your silent companion appears at your side once more. >z The slow pulse of time fills the temple. >z You hear in your soul the sound of time arrowing its way through eternity. >z A second, a minute, an hour: what is time in a place such as this? Arising from stoney slumber Gliding north the figure leaves >follow statue In the north cellar Dank, dark, gloom Pervade the cellar room Faintly seen a crimson chest Rack of wine, past its best. You see a left footprint here. The statue stands immobile, piercing you with its unnerving, unblinking gaze. >get footprint Taken. >x it The footprint left by the moving statue glimmers faintly. It is a left print, too. >x chest Red as blood, cold as death In timeless cellar trapped. Frozen tear, frozen breathe The chain of life is snapped. >open it As you open the red chest, a sense of terrible, hungry, loneliness seems to pour over the lip. Long, long ages beyond knowing, alone, waiting alone, dark, dark and alone Hastily you slam the lid shut again. [Such reckless curiosity ill becomes you. The gods diminish your shiftgrethor.] Sudden stir once more Silent exits the nameless servant >undo (Undoing one command) In the north cellar Dank, dark, gloom Pervade the cellar room Faintly seen a crimson chest Rack of wine, past its best. The statue stands immobile, piercing you with its unnerving, unblinking gaze. >x bottles I don't know the word "bottles". >x wine In the dark cellar stands a large wine rack. Alas, it is empty. Sudden stir once more Silent exits the nameless servant >follow statue You are oddly unable to find the way the statue left the cellar. >s Despite the ease with which you came in, there is no visible way out of the cellar. >u Despite the ease with which you came in, there is no visible way out of the cellar. >d Despite the ease with which you came in, there is no visible way out of the cellar. >l In the north cellar Dank, dark, gloom Pervade the cellar room Faintly seen a crimson chest Rack of wine, past its best. >x rack In the dark cellar stands a large wine rack. Alas, it is empty. >climb rack The wine rack isn't important. >stand on chest I don't know how to stand on the red chest. >walkthrough This gives you a terse list of the command sequence to get you through whichever section of the game you are currently in. Only read this if you really, really, want to find out what to do next. (For the IF Competition release, there is also a hints.txt file available, which gives prose clues if you are stuck.) Please press space to continue, or Q to quit and return to the game. The third temple: second part south [This may needs two or three tries] get cloak wear it examine it get feather out down wait [Several WAIT commands needed - random factor] open chest get hammer get dagger up wait [Several WAIT commands needed - waiting for statue] follow statue get print stand on print hit wall with hammer hit wall with feather east north BACK TO THE GAME. In the north cellar Dank, dark, gloom Pervade the cellar room Faintly seen a crimson chest Rack of wine, past its best. >stand on print You feeling foolish stand on footprint Revolves room cellar fades Domed hall mist emerges. In the Domed Hall Echoes whisper Fade, boom. Vastness domed. Arcing blue Hair on end Elemental force Ether rends Of ways out four: east beckons the corridor Else three arches, confusing of sense One northward seemingly, perchance Another up, or mayhap down Illusion? the third...is there a third? South. South-east. South. Imagined only, but yet south-west.... Your silent companion appears at your side once more. >i You have a small piece of eternity, a brooch, two candles (thieves of light), a blue cloak (being worn), a hat (being worn), a hammer, a dagger, a green feather, and a left footprint. >x wall Although you had no difficulty following the statue into this room, you are quite unable to find the way out: the east wall seems solid and unbroken. >e Although you had no difficulty following the statue into this room, you are quite unable to find the way out: the east wall seems solid and unbroken. Arising from stoney slumber Gliding north the figure leaves >hit wall with hammer You strike the wall a tremendous blow with the hammer. The sound is deafening in this confined space. Although the wall doesn't collapse, it looks seriously damaged. >hit wall with feather Glowing with embarassment, you strike out at the wall with the feather. To your amazement, it collapses away, leaving the way clear out into the long corridor. >e In the long corridor South and south runs the corridor Though north you may return. Or westward pass where once stood statue grim. >n Changed the Temple Disc is turned Returned Changed the time. [The gods favour your move. Points two do you obtain.] The Temple Amidst such splendour unease you feel E'en though as last remaining priest Of gods departed Every right have you 'fore them to kneel In sacred heart of temple chamber To finish that long hence started. In the Temple chamber Walls of whitewashed stone In golden grandour clad Restored to ancient glory By means, magic, unknown Time-traveller, you, else mad. You see a wooden disc here. >x disc Bleached by time the disc of wood is palest cream Smooth as silken cloth; For Mortal feet to tread upon, e'en in dream Would surely rouse gods' wrath >turn it The wooden disc cannot be turned. >sit on it You feel you would be advised to heed the warning. >stand on it You feel you would be advised to heed the warning. >x cloth I don't know the word "cloth". >l In the Temple chamber Walls of whitewashed stone In golden grandour clad Restored to ancient glory By means, magic, unknown Time-traveller, you, else mad. You see a wooden disc here. >[that's 'grandeur', btw] I don't understand the punctuation "[". >x disc Bleached by time the disc of wood is palest cream Smooth as silken cloth; For Mortal feet to tread upon, e'en in dream Would surely rouse gods' wrath >wear it The wooden disc cannot be worn. >touch it You reach out and touch the wooden disc. Nothing changes. >i You have a small piece of eternity, a brooch, two candles (thieves of light), a blue cloak (being worn), a hat (being worn), a hammer, a dagger, a green feather, and a left footprint. >put candle on disc You put the candle onto the wooden disc. >g The candle is already on the wooden disc! >put candle on disc You put the candle onto the wooden disc. >turn disc The wooden disc cannot be turned. >put candle in hollow I don't see any hollow here. >put footprint on disc You put the left footprint onto the wooden disc. >get candle You take hold of the candle. >get candle You take hold of the candle. >i You have a small piece of eternity, a brooch, a blue cloak (being worn), a hat (being worn), a hammer, a dagger, a green feather, and two candles (thieves of light). >stand on print You see no footprint here. >get print Taken. >put print on disc You put the left footprint onto the wooden disc. >enter footprint I don't know how to enter the left footprint. >hit disc with hammer You contemplate hammering at the wooden disc, but decide against such a wanton act of vandalism. >walkthrough This gives you a terse list of the command sequence to get you through whichever section of the game you are currently in. Only read this if you really, really, want to find out what to do next. (For the IF Competition release, there is also a hints.txt file available, which gives prose clues if you are stuck.) Please press space to continue, or Q to quit and return to the game. The fourth temple cut left print with dagger put left print on disc put right print on disc BACK TO THE GAME. In the Temple chamber Walls of whitewashed stone In golden grandour clad Restored to ancient glory By means, magic, unknown Time-traveller, you, else mad. You see a wooden disc here. Sitting on the wooden disc you see a left footprint. >cut print with dagger (First taking the footprint) You slide the blade through the footprint. As with the candles, instead of forming two half-prints, you find you have two whole matching prints. >i You have a small piece of eternity, a brooch, a blue cloak (being worn), a hat (being worn), a hammer, a dagger, a green feather, two candles (thieves of light), a left footprint, and a right footprint. >put left on disc You put the left footprint onto the wooden disc. >put right on disc You put the right footprint onto the wooden disc. On disc of mortal man not these feet Room starts to fade and heart to race Darkness enfold, encompass, all embrace Until in bed awake, twisted round in sheet. The dream endeth here, the tale is told Of temple magic, still, and old. In a total of 489 turns, you have achieved a score of 10 points out of a possible 11. A perfect end to a dream. And yet, and yet.... who were you, who are you? Your shiftgrethor is well-writhen. Time of Kaos, chaotic time Game is over, dream is stilled. Solved the puzzles; endured the rhyme That this poor author painstaking quilled. Mayhap explore the temple more, when Its realms you enter once again. Inspect yourself, do this for sure. Enter chests - but three; not four. Eternity inspect, and candles lit together touch Smell the dust (from the black chest) and much And more ask of the god. About itself, and still Seek of the statue if you will. Inspect the temple, search around Tho' naught of use is to be found. Strike the gong but not with hammer more Beatificatory make your shiftgrethor.