Start of a transcript of Sparrow's Song A Smoochie Comp Entry by J.D. Berry (berryx@earthlink.net) This game is freeware (Type 'about' at any > prompt). (An 'overview' is recommended for your first go.) Release 1 / Serial number 010122 / Inform v6.21 Library 6/10 Standard interpreter 1.0 (6F) / Library serial number 991113 >restore Ok. >[aack! crash!] That's neither a verb nor a topic I recognize. >l Bedroom Your bedroom is quite modest for someone of nobility; still it's likely the largest in Hinter Keep. The main furnishings here--a bed, a desk, an armoire and a fireplace--are all of deceptive quality. Plain on first glance, they gradually reveal their exquisite workmanship. An opened bay window offers a view of most of the keep and, for the moment at least, a warm, spring breeze. [Nearby locations: Hall] >get stick Yeah! Where did you put your walking stick? Oh... that wise guy Arctos put it in the fireplace. Very funny. You quickly snatch your walking stick from the fireplace. >x papers These are mostly all legal documents, none of which interest you in the slightest, today. >out Hall The manor's hall resembles the one in your father's palace in nearly every way but size. Trappings similar to his are displayed here--family portraits, ceremonial suits of armor, and curios from various lands. A theory exists that the first room a visitor sees upon entering a home sets the tone for all further interactions. For any ruler, maintaining the proper tone is critical. In civilized and lawful realms such as your own, authority must be established without projecting domination. Prosperity must be conveyed without falling into the decadent state of lavishness. Fortunately for you, your chamberlain, Arctos, mastered this art serving on your father's staff and now serves you here. Theory and art aside, the joyous song in your heart has not quickly departed such as mere dreams do. You can feel her soft presence, the woman the sparrow introduced has spiritually pledged herself to you. [Nearby locations: Bedroom, Dining Room, Treasury, Keep] >room That's neither a verb nor a topic I recognize. >dining Dining Room Of your many habits, one of the good ones is conversing with Arctos before you leave the manor. You have many responsibilities in a typical day and many preoccupations, so it's not surprising that a detail or two will sometimes slip even your sharp mind. And Arctos has an uncanny knack for filling in the memory blanks. (In the ethereally ecstatic state you're in today, Arctos will need to tell you about the current earthquake and douse the fire consuming your tunic...) This focus of this room is the nearly endless cherrywood table, every other item is virtually unnoticeable. [Nearby locations: Hall] Arctos is here, as busy as ever. Arctos speaks to you while continuing the daunting task of setting the table. "So, Kellen... I guess you've decided not to sign the Ronqon peace treaty? An acceptance was due to them today." Arctos gives you his typical "everything's under control" look, then gets back to work. >table? "Everything needs to be in place for tomorrow, Kellen," Arctos says. Arctos gives you his typical "everything's under control" look, then gets back to work. >ronqon? "Where's you head today, Kellen? The Ronqons? You know, the giants that live in those mountains over there? The giants who have strangled overland trade for the past, oh, 500 years? Yeah, those. If you agreed to their terms of peace, you were supposed to have that treaty to them today. I guess it's water under the bridge now, Baron von Pocket Veto." Ah, there's nothing like a sarcastic lecture from Arctos. Arctos walks quickly to the kitchen, then quickly returns. >peace? "Unless you can fly there magically, I don't see what you can do about it now," he muses. >g "Maybe in another 500 years there will be another offer from the Ronqons," he says sarcastically. The chamberlain methodically puts down a new place setting. >mountains? That's neither a verb nor a topic I recognize. >love? You know you're not ready to share your recent experience with anyone, not even an old friend and advisor. Perhaps Arctos has a reflection or two, however. Arctos wonders aloud about which cheeses should be served. >table That's neither a verb nor a topic I recognize. >table? "I THINK we have all the items we'll need," he says. >council? "Remember," Arctos says formally, "you need to interview the two council nominees today. I believe one is replacing Zendar as the magic representative and the other is the candidate for the new, religion seat." "Grax excrement!" you think to yourself. You forgot all about Cordelia. Deliberately forgot, of course, even though as an exprienced ruler you know how often that ever solves anything. A former girlfriend who still wants to be your current girlfriend on the council--that CAN'T be good, especially when that girlfriend is a wizard! The chamberlain methodically puts down a new place setting. >zendar? "I know you wanted him off the council, although not the way it happened of course. But now, my good man," he starts to grin, "you're getting your wish. Aren't you lucky?!" Arctos wonders aloud about which cheeses should be served. >g "ZENDAR!" he cackles ominously to annoy you. Arctos really needs to get out more. Arctos gives you his typical "everything's under control" look, then gets back to work. >g "ZENDAR!" he cackles ominously to annoy you. Arctos really needs to get out more. The chamberlain methodically puts down a new place setting. >wizard? "Since YOU don't want her, maybe she'd consider me?" Arctos half-teases. Arctos wonders aloud about which cheeses should be served. >g "Seriously, though, Kellen, she's a smart woman and not a BAD person. She'll be an asset to the council." Arctos gives you his typical "everything's under control" look, then gets back to work. >g "Perhaps you're still hung up on her? That would explain your strange mood today." >g "Let's talk no more about HER, okay. It's not good for someone with your responsibilities not having his mind on his duties. >religion? You dismiss that subject as currently irrelevant. The chamberlain methodically puts down a new place setting. >treasury Hall The manor's hall resembles the one in your father's palace in nearly every way but size. Trappings similar to his are displayed here--family portraits, ceremonial suits of armor, and curios from various lands. [Nearby locations: Bedroom, Dining Room, Treasury, Keep] You drift down the stairs thinking of HER. Not realizing you've reached the bottom, you... You awake staring at a large eye. You blink. The eye, taking up half of a floating "head" with many little eyestalks on top, doesn't. "Xyzzy," it growls through a wicked mouth near its 'bottom'. "The password is 'xyzzy.' The next time I may gaze death and not sleep." This exotic being you call Pyzynk (which is as close as you can come to its pronunciation) has served your family for generations. Pyzynk looms as ominously as ever, always with a disturbingly malevolent and highly intelligent manner. It serves under contract, however. It has never harmed a Moorwick. Whatever its ultimate intentions are, it seems to like you as much as its kind is capable of liking another being. You think? "Great," Pyzynk growls as it probes your head with a ray from another one of its little eyestalks, "the master of the manor is in love." Treasury If a thief somehow managed to defeat Pyzynk, he would not be disappointed with the rewards of his efforts. Valuables of all types are here, each neatly organized and stored. [Nearby locations: Hall] You can't help but notice Pyzynk here. >xyzzy Xyzzy. Xyzzy... That seems familiar to you for a moment, but then your mind travels elsewhere. In cat-like fashion and reasoning, Pyzynk 'sprints' to the far side of the treasury. After a bit, it sprints to a space near you. >xyzzy? That's neither a verb nor a topic I recognize. >love? You start to dismiss the topic, but your current mood decides "why not?" Pyzynk surprises you with more than just a curt growl. "Most creatures share this concept and feel its emotion deeply. Most members of most races think love is unique to their own kind. It is not. Its manifestation and frequency may be different, but its core is the same." >council? "You have been fortunate up to this point. The members for the most part have put the common good first. Remember that a cooperative but uninspired council is more effective than a brilliant but divisive one." Pyzynk rotates horizontally, its main eye circumnagivating until it once again stares at you. You have known Pyzynk long enough to know this means it has, for now, said all it will say on a subject. Pyzynk's eyestalks seem to shift in unison. One emerges and 'looks' in a specific direction, shrinking into the others a moment later. >wizard? "When you and she were together, you had a hint of the powerful love you have now come to possess," it growls. If this were anyone else speaking, you'd assume poetic hyperbole. Pyzynk rotates horizontally, its main eye circumnagivating until it once again stares at you. >religion? You dismiss that subject as currently irrelevant. The great beholder hovers menacingly. >keep? "The new cleric in town, the one up for a council seat, was once a ranger lord of great influence in the East," growls Pyzynk. Pyzynk rotates horizontally, its main eye circumnagivating until it once again stares at you. >cleric? "He seeks the greater good for all. His philosophies are somewhat different from your own, however. Pyzynk rotates horizontally, its main eye circumnagivating until it once again stares at you. >east? That's neither a verb nor a topic I recognize. >bedroom Hall The manor's hall resembles the one in your father's palace in nearly every way but size. Trappings similar to his are displayed here--family portraits, ceremonial suits of armor, and curios from various lands. [Nearby locations: Bedroom, Dining Room, Treasury, Keep] Bedroom Your bedroom is quite modest for someone of nobility; still it's likely the largest in Hinter Keep. The main furnishings here--a bed, a desk, an armoire and a fireplace--are all of deceptive quality. Plain on first glance, they gradually reveal their exquisite workmanship. An opened bay window offers a view of most of the keep and, for the moment at least, a warm, spring breeze. [Nearby locations: Hall] On the desk is an unsigned Ronqon peace treaty. >get treaty Taken. >sign it You sign the treaty. Unless you can deliver it to the Ronqon chief by night, however, your action means nothing. >keep Hall The manor's hall resembles the one in your father's palace in nearly every way but size. Trappings similar to his are displayed here--family portraits, ceremonial suits of armor, and curios from various lands. [Nearby locations: Bedroom, Dining Room, Treasury, Keep] As you leave the manor, you try in earnest to remove the grin from your face. First of all, you know how annoying it is when someone else has one. Second, a ruler needs to have at least some semblance of seriousness. But you fail. Hinter Street There are many about their business here, but to you right now they are the painted backdrop of a stage. [Nearby locations: Manor, Tower, Shrine] >shrine Shrine The former owners of this large and open building were animal trainers. Knowing that Tilson was once a ranger, a warrior and protector of nature, you're not as puzzled as to why a religious group would choose this place as a shrine. Conversing with you now is Tilson. >save Ok. >l Shrine Sparrow's Song A Smoochie Comp Entry by J.D. Berry (berryx@earthlink.net) This game is freeware (Type 'about' at any > prompt). (An 'overview' is recommended for your first go.) Release 1 / Serial number 010122 / Inform v6.21 Library 6/10 Bedroom (on the bed) Your bedroom is quite modest for someone of nobility; still it's likely the largest in Hinter Keep. The main furnishings here--a bed, a desk, an armoire and a fireplace--are all of deceptive quality. Plain on first glance, they gradually reveal their exquisite workmanship. An opened bay window offers a view of most of the keep and, for the moment at least, a warm, spring breeze. [Nearby locations: Hall] >script Attempt to begin transcript failed. >