Wisher, Theurgist, Fatalist
by Xavid (2016)
Genres: Fantasy
Surreal

From the ranks of the people you have been raised up as a Wisher To seek among the fairies; the dragons of the deeps; the ur-toads and the claw things; among the shadows on the sun and the ghosts beneath the world, and in the lands of humankind besides for the jewel of all desiring. You must find the jewel and command the Creator to make the world as you desire it. And if you should succeed, then the world shall always have been as you wish it, and your life a thing sprung of your own desiring; and if you should fail then you shall be forgotten like the tides. Fanfic of the tabletop RPG by Jenna Katerin Moran. (No knowledge of the source material is expected or needed.) World, metaphysics, and the best bits of text are hers.

action: %
response: Reality is an illusion.

Those who seek to understand it corrode their understanding of it. In naïveté, objects are solid, ideas are true or false, sensations are real, and communication conveys information. To the adept, these things are as fading dreams.

There is no object that is not also emptiness. There is no arbiter of truth.

Sensations are the lies of Maya; they are the shifting of electrical patterns in the brain; they are signifiers without referent.

Communication is violence. Reality is false.

It does not matter how many layers one peels back. It does not matter what revelations one has. This is because there is no truth.

We are things that we have dreamed, and there is no sense in it, and when the sleeper wakes we shall be washed away.

From the ranks of the people you have been raised up as a Wisher—

To seek among the fairies;
the dragons of the deeps;
the ur-toads and the claw things;
among the shadows on the sun and the ghosts beneath the world,
and in the lands of humankind besides
for the jewel of all desiring.

You must find the jewel and command the Creator to make the world as you desire it. And if you should succeed, then the world shall always have been as you wish it, and your life a thing sprung of your own desiring; and if you should fail then you shall be forgotten like the tides.

Wisher, Theurgist, Fatalist
a Weird Textual Fiction by Xavid

Fanfic of the tabletop RPG by Jenna Katerin Moran. World, metaphysics, and the best bits of text are hers.
Original RPG:
[LINK]

You stand on a dusty crossroads in the Kingdom of Raif. The road leads south, west, and beith.

A signpost stands nearby.

(If you're unfamiliar with text adventures, try typing HELP.)
action: You look at the signpost
response: It points south. The lettering has been worn away by the wind.
action: About yourself
response: As good-looking as ever.
action: You go to the south
response: The road approaches the imposing gate to the south. To the north is the crossroads.

(I should mention that, as you begin your journey, you have many options before you. As Wisher, it is upon you to divide right from wrong.)
action: You look at the gate
response: The gate stands some distance to the south, with someone standing guard outside it.
action: You go to the south
response: A large gate guards entrance into the city.

The gate to the south is closed fast.

A guard stands here, watching you.
action: You look at the guard
response: She's wearing chainmail and a steady frown.
action: You examine the gate
response: The gate is itself exactly.
action: You talk to the guard
response: I'm not sure what you're trying to say to the gate guard. Try "gate guard, do something", "gate guard, I AM something", or "ASK gate guard ABOUT something".
action: You ask the guard about the gate
response: "You're not getting in. The Queen's put a ban on Wishers. They give her indigestion."

(As a Wisher, you have control over the power of Harmony. This gives you a supernatural or near-supernatural ability to win hearts and minds, reconcile divergent ideas, and share their vision of the world with others. To do so, you can "INSPIRE someone TO do something" or instruct them like "Guard, YOU SHOULD do something".)
action: You ask the guard about guard
response: "I am a gate guard."
action: You should open the gate
response: You focus the power of Harmony on the gate guard.

The guard hesitates. "You have impressed me with the nobility of your quest. Yet I fear my life if I disobey my Queen."
action: You go north
response: The road approaches the imposing gate to the south. To the north is the crossroads.
action: You go to the north
response: You stand on a dusty crossroads in the Kingdom of Raif. The road leads south, west, and beith.

A signpost stands nearby.
action: Turn sign
response: It is fixed in place.
action: You go to the west
response: Setting forth without the blessing of the royalty of Raif would be unimaginably improper.
action: You inspire the guard to open the gate
response: You focus the power of Harmony on the gate guard.

"I can't help but see it is for the best. I will not stand in your way, though it may mean my life."
The guard pulls a lever, and the gate slides open with a great whirring of gears.
action: You go south
response: You walk through the open gate.

A wide, well-traveled road leads south from the gate. It seems strangely devoid of traffic. A tavern with a sign possibly resembling an ur-toad stands to the east.

The gate to the north is open.
action: Go east
response: A large, dimly-lit tavern. It smells of beer and blood.

A poorly-dressed man, possibly a shoemaker, lounges here glumly.
action: You examine man
response: He looks common enough, but you nevertheless perceive his true nature as a Fatalist.

The Fatalist is carrying a piece of parchment and a pen.
action: You look at the parchment
response: The piece of parchment is itself exactly.
action: You examine the pen
response: The pen is itself exactly.
action: You ask man about himself
response: "My name is Froderick. I am a Fatalist.

"But I'm more concerned about what makes you the true Wisher."
action: You ask the man about Wisher
response: Froderick gives a long and in-depth explanation that, while presumably educational, is nevertheless fundamentally irrelevant.
action: You ask the man about the queen
response: "Having lost the Jewel of All Desiring, the royalty of Raif has become vampiric, treacherous, cold-blooded and bloodthirsty monsters. They have elected to help in the discovery of the Jewel. Setting forth without their blessing would be unimaginably improper."
action: You ask the man about Jewel
response: "The Jewel of All Desiring is that sleeper that dreams inwards, that inverted oyster, that creature that we name God the Shaper, God the Maker, Lord—

"And it has not yet begun to shape the world.

"The jewel is a pearl of infinite layers and subtleties and its possessor may obtain everything that they desire.

"For uncounted æons it was in the hands of the Kings and Queens of Raif. Never did they wish.

"Never did they fulfill the destiny of the jewel.

"Who would want to obtain everything that one desires?"
action: You inspire man to write
response: What do you want Froderick to write on?
action: You inspire the man to write on the parchment
response: You focus the power of Harmony on Froderick.

He's not sure what to write.
action: Go west
response: A wide, well-traveled road leads south from the gate. It seems strangely devoid of traffic. A tavern with a sign possibly resembling an ur-toad stands to the east.

The gate to the north is open.
action: Go south
response: A large, tree-lined square sits before the grand steps of the royal palace, which stands ominously to the south. The main road leads north. A dirtier road leads west.

A large fountain burbles enthusiastically here.
action: You examine the fountain
response: A large fountain made of marble. The water seems clear, clean, and pure.

It has strong valence.

(Your power of Harmony also allows you to manipulate valence. Try TAKE VALENCE FROM FOUNTAIN or GIVE VALENCE TO FOUNTAIN.)
action: You take the valence from the fountain
response: The fountain now has normal valence.
You now have an amorphous quality of valence.
action: You look at the valence
response: Abstract, yet clearly present.
action: You examine the fountain
response: A large fountain made of marble. The water is cloudy and has a slight putrid smell.
action: Go west
response: Inauspiciously surrounded by narrow apartment buildings lies what must be the city dump. The deep, still moat surrounding the palace lies to the south, apparently untroubled by its proximity to mouldering trash. Things smell a bit better to the east.

A huge mound of trash sits here, beset by flies.

You can also see an old bone here.
action: You examine the bone
response: Looks a bit gnawed on.
action: You take it
response: Taken.
action: You look at the trash
response: The mound of trash is itself exactly.
action: You examine the moat
response: The water of the moat is still and filled with eerie shadows.
action: Look around
response: Inauspiciously surrounded by narrow apartment buildings lies what must be the city dump. The deep, still moat surrounding the palace lies to the south, apparently untroubled by its proximity to mouldering trash. Things smell a bit better to the east.

A huge mound of trash sits here, beset by flies.
action: You go west
response: If you get lost in the tangles of alleys and passageways, you might get mugged or eaten, and that would preclude the existence of the world.
action: Go east
response: A large, tree-lined square sits before the grand steps of the royal palace, which stands ominously to the south. The main road leads north. A dirtier road leads west.

A large fountain burbles lackadaisically here.
action: Go south
response: Marble steps lead up to an ornately-carved entryway. Below them on either side sits a stagnant moat.

An open portcullis leads into the palace to the south.

A guard wearing a helmet blocks the way in.
action: You look at the guard
response: She seems to be wearing something under her helmet, possibly earmuffs.
action: You examine the portcullis
response: The portcullis is itself exactly.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
an old bone
some valence
action: You give the valence to the trash
response: The mound of trash's weight of dharma is insufficient to have strong valence.
action: You give the valence to the moat
response: The moat's weight of dharma is insufficient to have strong valence.
action: You examine the bone
response: Looks a bit gnawed on.

It has strong valence.
action: You take valence from the bone
response: The old bone now has normal valence.
You now have an amorphous quality of valence.
action: Go east
response: A large, tree-lined square sits before the grand steps of the royal palace, which stands ominously to the south. The main road leads north. A dirtier road leads west.

A large fountain burbles lackadaisically here.
action: You go north
response: A wide, well-traveled road leads south from the gate. It seems strangely devoid of traffic. A tavern with a sign possibly resembling an ur-toad stands to the east.

The gate to the north is open.
action: You ask the man about valence
response: "Valence measures the degree to which something matters.
Something with strong valence has the power to create good outcomes—both in the sense of abstract virtue and in the sense of matching your desires."
action: You give the valence to the man
response: People are too multifaceted for yourself to modify their valence directly.
action: You ask the man about Fatalist
response: "My name is Froderick. I am a Fatalist.

"But I'm more concerned about what makes you the true Wisher."
action: You ask the man about the Theurgist
response: "Theurgists are people who can light the hidden fires in the world.

"They could be angels, wizards, fairies, or little gods. They could be holy men or women. They are those who, wielding Pramana and Mimamsa, have the power to lift others up into light or cast them down into shadow.

"The theurgists do not desire the jewel for themselves—at least, not at first, and not aloud.

"Their goal is to forge the wishers into the kinds of people who are worthy to give unto God the purpose for this world; into heroes worthy of the wishes that shall define the world. Their goal is to judge the wishers and make them ready for their task—and only then to ensure their success.

"They can use their command of Theurgy to see hidden possibility in the world and make it into truth, to make things how they should be: to give things characteristics they previously lacked."
action: You show the valence to the man
response: Froderick is unimpressed.
action: You should follow you
response: You focus the power of Harmony on Froderick.

"It seems my doubts as to your nature must be swept aside. I will join you."
The man pauses, considering. "As you certainly know, I am a Fatalist. I have the power of Knowledge. I may speak for the past, the present, and the future when others' inner eyes are blind. You may ask me about anything, and I will explain the truths of the world."
action: You go west
response: A wide, well-traveled road leads south from the gate. It seems strangely devoid of traffic. A tavern with a sign possibly resembling an ur-toad stands to the east.

The gate to the north is open.

Froderick arrives from the east.
action: You go to the south
response: A large, tree-lined square sits before the grand steps of the royal palace, which stands ominously to the south. The main road leads north. A dirtier road leads west.

A large fountain burbles lackadaisically here.

Froderick arrives from the north.
action: Go south
response: Marble steps lead up to an ornately-carved entryway. Below them on either side sits a stagnant moat.

An open portcullis leads into the palace to the south.

A guard wearing a helmet blocks the way in.

Froderick arrives from the north.
action: Go south
response: The guard blocks your path. "No one enters without a letter from the Queen."
action: You write on the parchment
response: He tries to forge a letter from the queen.
action: You examine the parchment
response: A piece of parchment with "a letter from the queen" written on it.
action: You show the parchment to the guard
response: (first taking the forged letter)
That seems to belong to Froderick.
action: You ask Froderick for the letter
response: Froderick gives the forged letter to you.
action: You go south
response: The guard looks at your letter. "Are you trying to waste my time?"
action: You look at the letter
response: A piece of parchment with "a letter from the queen" written on it.

It has strong valence.
action: You take the valence from the letter
response: The forged letter now has normal valence.
You now have an amorphous quality of valence.
action: You go north
response: A large, tree-lined square sits before the grand steps of the royal palace, which stands ominously to the south. The main road leads north. A dirtier road leads west.

A large fountain burbles lackadaisically here.

Froderick arrives from the south.
action: Go south
response: Marble steps lead up to an ornately-carved entryway. Below them on either side sits a stagnant moat.

An open portcullis leads into the palace to the south.

A guard wearing a helmet blocks the way in.

Froderick arrives from the north.
action: You give the letter to Froderick
response: You give the forged letter to Froderick.
action: You inspire Froderick to write on the parchment
response: You focus the power of Harmony on Froderick.

It's already got something written on it.
action: You inspire the guard to accept the letter
response: You focus the power of Harmony on the palace guard.

She does not respond, almost as if she cannot hear you.
action: You give the letter to the guard
response: (first taking the forged letter)
That seems to belong to Froderick.
action: You give letter to the guard
response: Froderick gives the forged letter to the palace guard.
action: Go south
response: The guard blocks your path. "No one enters without a letter from the Queen."
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
an old bone
action: You examine Froderick
response: He looks common enough, but you nevertheless perceive his true nature as a Fatalist.

Froderick is carrying a pen.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
some valence
an old bone
action: You examine man
response: He looks common enough, but you nevertheless perceive his true nature as a Fatalist.

Froderick is carrying a forged letter and a pen.
action: You hit the guard
response: With what? Your bare hands?
action: Yes
response: She's not a dragon. Honestly.
action: You ask the man about the guard
response: Froderick gives a long and in-depth explanation that, while presumably educational, is nevertheless fundamentally irrelevant.
action: You drop the bone
response: Dropped.
action: You go south
response: You walk through the open gate.

A wide, well-traveled road leads south from the gate. It seems strangely devoid of traffic. A tavern with a sign possibly resembling an ur-toad stands to the east.

The gate to the north is open.
action: Go south
response: A large, tree-lined square sits before the grand steps of the royal palace, which stands ominously to the south. The main road leads north. A dirtier road leads west.

A large fountain burbles enthusiastically here.
action: You take the valence from the fountain
response: The fountain now has normal valence.
You now have an amorphous quality of valence.
action: You go north
response: A wide, well-traveled road leads south from the gate. It seems strangely devoid of traffic. A tavern with a sign possibly resembling an ur-toad stands to the east.

The gate to the north is open.
action: You inspire the man to follow yourself
response: You focus the power of Harmony on the Fatalist.

"It seems my doubts as to your nature must be swept aside. I will join you."
The man pauses, considering. "As you certainly know, I am a Fatalist. I have the power of Knowledge. I may speak for the past, the present, and the future when others' inner eyes are blind. You may ask me about anything, and I will explain the truths of the world."
action: Go west
response: A wide, well-traveled road leads south from the gate. It seems strangely devoid of traffic. A tavern with a sign possibly resembling an ur-toad stands to the east.

The gate to the north is open.

The Fatalist arrives from the east.
action: You go south
response: A large, tree-lined square sits before the grand steps of the royal palace, which stands ominously to the south. The main road leads north. A dirtier road leads west.

A large fountain burbles lackadaisically here.

The Fatalist arrives from the north.
action: You go to the west
response: Inauspiciously surrounded by narrow apartment buildings lies what must be the city dump. The deep, still moat surrounding the palace lies to the south, apparently untroubled by its proximity to mouldering trash. Things smell a bit better to the east.

A huge mound of trash sits here, beset by flies.

You can also see an old bone here.

The Fatalist arrives from the east.
action: You ask the man about the bone
response: The Fatalist gives a long and in-depth explanation that, while presumably educational, is nevertheless fundamentally irrelevant.
action: You go to the east
response: A large, tree-lined square sits before the grand steps of the royal palace, which stands ominously to the south. The main road leads north. A dirtier road leads west.

A large fountain burbles lackadaisically here.

The Fatalist arrives from the west.
action: Go south
response: Marble steps lead up to an ornately-carved entryway. Below them on either side sits a stagnant moat.

An open portcullis leads into the palace to the south.

A guard wearing a helmet blocks the way in.

The Fatalist arrives from the north.
action: You give the valence to the pen
response: The pen's weight of dharma is insufficient to have strong valence.
action: You go north
response: A large, tree-lined square sits before the grand steps of the royal palace, which stands ominously to the south. The main road leads north. A dirtier road leads west.

A large fountain burbles lackadaisically here.

The Fatalist arrives from the south.
action: You ask the man about the letter
response: The Fatalist gives a long and in-depth explanation that, while presumably educational, is nevertheless fundamentally irrelevant.
action: You give the valence to the parchment
response: The piece of parchment's weight of dharma is insufficient to have strong valence.
action: You inspire the man to forge the letter
response: You focus the power of Harmony on the Fatalist.

The Fatalist does not respond.
action: You ask the man about Queen
response: "Having lost the Jewel of All Desiring, the royalty of Raif has become vampiric, treacherous, cold-blooded and bloodthirsty monsters. They have elected to help in the discovery of the Jewel. Setting forth without their blessing would be unimaginably improper."
action: You ask the man about Jewel
response: "The Jewel of All Desiring is that sleeper that dreams inwards, that inverted oyster, that creature that we name God the Shaper, God the Maker, Lord—

"And it has not yet begun to shape the world.

"The jewel is a pearl of infinite layers and subtleties and its possessor may obtain everything that they desire.

"For uncounted æons it was in the hands of the Kings and Queens of Raif. Never did they wish.

"Never did they fulfill the destiny of the jewel.

"Who would want to obtain everything that one desires?"
action: You should write the letter on the parchment
response: You focus the power of Harmony on the Fatalist.

He tries to forge a letter from the queen.
action: Go west
response: Inauspiciously surrounded by narrow apartment buildings lies what must be the city dump. The deep, still moat surrounding the palace lies to the south, apparently untroubled by its proximity to mouldering trash. Things smell a bit better to the east.

A huge mound of trash sits here, beset by flies.

The Fatalist arrives from the east.
action: Wish
response: I'm not sure that's going to do you much good without the Jewel of All Desiring. (As a Wisher, your main abilities are to use Harmony to inspire people to do things and to take valence from things with high valence and give said valance to other things.)
action: You give the letter to you
response: The Fatalist gives the forged letter to you.
action: You show the bone to Fatalist
response: The Fatalist is unimpressed.
action: You ask the man for the pen
response: The Fatalist gives the pen to you.
action: You ask the man for the parchment
response: The Fatalist gives the piece of parchment to you.
action: You write on the parchment
response: You try to forge a letter from the queen.
action: You examine the letter
response: A piece of parchment with "a letter from the queen" written on it.
action: You go north
response: A large, tree-lined square sits before the grand steps of the royal palace, which stands ominously to the south. The main road leads north. A dirtier road leads west.

A large fountain burbles lackadaisically here.

The Fatalist arrives from the south.
action: You go to the north
response: A wide, well-traveled road leads south from the gate. It seems strangely devoid of traffic. A tavern with a sign possibly resembling an ur-toad stands to the east.

The gate to the north is open.

The Fatalist arrives from the south.
action: You go to the north
response: You walk through the open gate.

A large gate guards entrance into the city.

The gate to the south is open.

A guard stands here, watching you.

The Fatalist arrives from the south.
action: Go north
response: The road approaches the imposing gate to the south. To the north is the crossroads.

The Fatalist arrives from the south.
action: You go north
response: You stand on a dusty crossroads in the Kingdom of Raif. The road leads south, west, and beith.

A signpost stands nearby.

The Fatalist arrives from the south.
action: Beith
response: The road here winds erratically before coming to a ford, beith of you. The water is flowing too rapidly to allow for safe passage. This surfeit of water has also done a number on the condition of the road, in contrast to its dusty condition back towards the crossroads.

There is a large anvil with a sword sticking out of it by the side of the road.

The Fatalist arrives.
action: You look at the ANVIL
response: A heavy iron anvil. An inscription reads, "Only one with the blood of an angel may take this sword."

In the anvil is a sword.

The Fatalist says, "Hmm, that anvil has strong truth."
(The Fatalist can manipulate truth. Try "Fatalist, TAKE TRUTH FROM ANVIL" or "Fatalist, GIVE TRUTH TO ANVIL".)
action: You take the truth from the ANVIL
response: The anvil now has normal truth.
The Fatalist now has an amorphous quality of truth.
action: You examine the letter
response: A finely-written letter of invitation from the queen.

The Fatalist says, "Hmm, that forged letter has strong truth."
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a forged letter
a pen
an old bone
some valence
action: You take the ANVIL
response: That's too heavy to lift.
action: You look
response: The road here winds erratically before coming to a ford, beith of you. The water is flowing too rapidly to allow for safe passage. This surfeit of water has also done a number on the condition of the road, in contrast to its dusty condition back towards the crossroads.

The Fatalist is here.

There is a large anvil by the side of the road.
action: Beith
response: The river is too quick and too cutting.
action: Back
response: You stand on a dusty crossroads in the Kingdom of Raif. The road leads south, west, and beith.

A signpost stands nearby.

The Fatalist arrives from the beith.
action: You go south
response: The road approaches the imposing gate to the south. To the north is the crossroads.

The Fatalist arrives from the north.
action: Go south
response: A large gate guards entrance into the city.

The gate to the south is open.

A guard stands here, watching you.

The Fatalist arrives from the north.
action: You go south
response: You walk through the open gate.

A wide, well-traveled road leads south from the gate. It seems strangely devoid of traffic. A tavern with a sign possibly resembling an ur-toad stands to the east.

The gate to the north is open.

The Fatalist arrives from the north.
action: Go south
response: The guard looks at your letter carefully, then motions you through.

A towering room decorated with mosaics in gold and gems.

An open portcullis leads north.

Sitting on a throne is the Queen of Raif, sipping blood out of a jeweled goblet.

Next to the queen stand several well-armed guards.

On a balcony an archer keeps careful watch.

The Fatalist arrives from the north.
action: You examine Queen
response: Before you can do anything, the Queen gives you a hard stare. "Having lost the Jewel of All Desiring, we royals of Raif have elected to help in its discovery by those worthy of it. I am unsurprised that you have come to seek my blessing.

"However, you bear none of the signs of the prophecy and are unquestionably unworthy. How dare you defile my halls like this?" She motions to the guards. "Throw them in a cell until my son gets back. Wishers give me heartburn, and that Fatalist hardly looks like a good meal."

The guards waste no time carrying out her instructions.

A damp cell with slimy stone walls.

The Fatalist is here.

Steel bars block the exit to the east.

A scarred woman sits in the corner.
action: You examine the woman
response: She looks rather wan and hungry, but she is clearly recognizable as a Theurgist.
action: You ask the woman about herself
response: "My name is Theresa. I am a Theurgist.

"But right now I'm mostly a prisoner. Of this cell, and of my guilt."
action: You ask the woman about the guilt
response: "I used Theurgy in anger to immure someone deep within the world. I am rightly guilty of murder."
action: You ask the woman about the murder
response: Theresa shrugs absently.
action: You inspire woman to follow yourself
response: You focus the power of Harmony on Theresa.

"Well, then, I find my heart has moved. I will join you."
The woman smiles at you. "As a Theurgist, I have the power of Insight. I can see hidden truths through a deep understanding of the
cosmos—and
then bring them forth; essentially, if I believe an object should be a certain way I can make it that way. I can make boulders light and lead into gold."
action: You look
response: A damp cell with slimy stone walls.

The Fatalist is here.

Steel bars block the exit to the east.

Theresa is here.
action: You examine bars
response: The steel bars are themselves exactly.
action: THERESA, ,LOOK AT BARS
response: Theresa looks closely at the steel bars.
action: You examine the walls
response: The walls are made of stone blocks covered in a grimy green slime.
action: THERESA, ,EXAMINE WALLS
response: Theresa looks closely at the wall.
action: You open the door
response: Theresa is unable to do that.
action: You inspire Theresa to open the door
response: You focus the power of Harmony on Theresa.

Theresa is unable to do that.
action: You inspire Theresa to lighten the bars
response: You focus the power of Harmony on Theresa.

Theresa does not respond.
action: You make the bars light
response: That requires command of the power of Insight.
action: You make the bars light
response: "I'm not sure I believe that should be the case. I don't want to risk Corrupt Insight."
action: You make the door open
response: "I could do that, easily. But I'm guilty of my crime. I should be locked up here. Using Theurgy to break free would be Corrupt Insight."
action: You ask the man about the truth
response: "Truth measures how real something is. Something that is strong in its truth is all but written in the book of the world--- an axiom of creation, a primal cause, a thing that makes ordinary rocks and trees pale into corollaries and lemmas. There is nothing more true or indisputable than this."
action: You inspire Theresa to make the door open
response: You focus the power of Harmony on Theresa.

"I could do that, easily. But I'm guilty of my crime. I should be locked up here. Using Theurgy to break free would be Corrupt Insight."
action: You examine Theresa
response: She looks rather wan and hungry, but she is clearly recognizable as a Theurgist.
action: You tell Theresa that we're not guilty
response: "Ah, I see. You are a victim of this foul Queen. You do not deserve to be locked here. That changes things."
action: You make the door open
response: "Yes, it is not right for you to be confined here."
The steel bars are now open, as if they had been that way all along.
action: You go to the east
response: A damp hallway lined with cells. Stairs lead up to the north.

Steel bars stand open to the west.

The Fatalist arrives from the west.

Theresa arrives from the west.
action: Go upwards
response: You seem to lack wings.
action: You go north
response: A beautiful garden with carefully-trimmed topiaries and rather unnerving statues. Doorways are open to the east and south. Across a short railing to the north lies the moat.

You can see a fallen leaf here.

The Fatalist arrives from the south.

Theresa arrives from the south.
action: You examine the leaf
response: The fallen leaf is itself exactly.
action: You look at statues
response: The statues feature individuals of various species screaming in horror.
action: You examine topiaries
response: The topiaries depict dragons, chimerae, and wombats.
action: You look at railing
response: It's only three feet tall and should be easy climb.

Theresa says, "I perceive strong mechanical support in that short easily-climbed railing."
(Theresa can manipulate mechanical support. Try "Theresa, TAKE SUPPORT FROM SHORT EASILY-CLIMBED RAILING" or "Theresa, GIVE SUPPORT TO SHORT EASILY-CLIMBED RAILING".)
action: You take the support from the railing
response: The short easily-climbed railing now has normal mechanical support. Theresa now has an amorphous quality of mechanical support.
action: You put support on the leaf
response: Theresa is unable to do that.
action: Go north
response: You are on a narrow muddy bank. A deep, still moat separates you from the main city to the north. To the south is the gardens.

The Fatalist arrives from the south.

Theresa arrives from the south.
action: Go north
response: Given what you've heard about the royalty of Raif, you're not keen to try swimming. If only you had something you could ride across.
action: You examine the leaf
response: The fallen leaf is itself exactly.
action: You drop the leaf
response: Dropped.
action: Ride leaf
response: As strange as it may seem, you successfully ride the fallen leaf across the moat with Theresa and the Fatalist.

Inauspiciously surrounded by narrow apartment buildings lies what must be the city dump. The deep, still moat surrounding the palace lies to the south, apparently untroubled by its proximity to mouldering trash. Things smell a bit better to the east.

A huge mound of trash sits here, beset by flies.

You can also see some valence, an old bone, a pen, a forged letter, and a sword here.

The Fatalist arrives from the south.

Theresa arrives from the south.
action: You examine the leaf
response: The fallen leaf is itself exactly.

Theresa says, "I perceive strong mechanical support in that fallen leaf."
action: You look at the trash
response: The mound of trash is itself exactly.
action: You examine the bone
response: Looks a bit gnawed on.
action: You examine the pen
response: The pen is itself exactly.
action: You examine the letter
response: A finely-written letter of invitation from the queen.

The Fatalist says, "Hmm, that forged letter has strong truth."
action: You ask Fatalist about the prophecy
response: "Legend states that Vedic astrologers prophesied that the true Wisher would be bright green, bear a sword of lightning, and carry a representation of Ketu.

"Of course, some say that this legend was created as a way of conveniently dismissing Wishers."
action: You ask Fatalist about Ketu
response: "Ketu, the Contemplation Planet, is the dragon's tail. It is an invisible planet, one of two key secret planets studied in Vedic astrology."
action: You take all
response: fallen leaf: Taken.
valence: You now have an amorphous quality of valence.
old bone: Taken.
pen: Taken.
forged letter: Taken.
sword: Taken.
truth: That requires command of the power of Knowledge.
action: You go east
response: A large, tree-lined square sits before the grand steps of the royal palace, which stands ominously to the south. The main road leads north. A dirtier road leads west.

A large fountain burbles lackadaisically here.

The Fatalist arrives from the west.

Theresa arrives from the west.
action: You examine the fountain
response: A large fountain made of marble. The water is cloudy and has a slight putrid smell.
action: You go to the north
response: A wide, well-traveled road leads south from the gate. It seems strangely devoid of traffic. A tavern with a sign possibly resembling an ur-toad stands to the east.

The gate to the north is open.

The Fatalist arrives from the south.

Theresa arrives from the south.
action: You go to the east
response: A large, dimly-lit tavern. It smells of beer and blood.

The Fatalist arrives from the west.

Theresa arrives from the west.
action: Go west
response: A wide, well-traveled road leads south from the gate. It seems strangely devoid of traffic. A tavern with a sign possibly resembling an ur-toad stands to the east.

The gate to the north is open.

The Fatalist arrives from the east.

Theresa arrives from the east.
action: Go north
response: You walk through the open gate.

A large gate guards entrance into the city.

The gate to the south is open.

A guard stands here, watching you.

The Fatalist arrives from the south.

Theresa arrives from the south.
action: You look at the guard
response: She's wearing chainmail and a steady frown.
action: You look at the lever
response: The guard blocks access to the lever.
action: You go north
response: The road approaches the imposing gate to the south. To the north is the crossroads.

The Fatalist arrives from the south.

Theresa arrives from the south.
action: You go north
response: You stand on a dusty crossroads in the Kingdom of Raif. The road leads south, west, and beith.

A signpost stands nearby.

The Fatalist arrives from the south.

Theresa arrives from the south.
action: You look at the signpost
response: It points south. The lettering has been worn away by the wind.
action: You go to the west
response: Setting forth without the blessing of the royalty of Raif would be unimaginably improper.
action: Beith
response: The road here winds erratically before coming to a ford, beith of you. The water is flowing too rapidly to allow for safe passage. This surfeit of water has also done a number on the condition of the road, in contrast to its dusty condition back towards the crossroads.

There is a large anvil by the side of the road.

The Fatalist arrives.

Theresa arrives.
action: You examine the ANVIL
response: A heavy iron anvil. It used to have a sword stuck through it. An inscription reads, "Only one with the blood of an angel may take this sword."
action: You put the truth in the sword
response: (the Fatalist first taking the truth)
The Fatalist is unable to do that.
action: You get the truth
response: The Fatalist is unable to do that.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
a sword
a forged letter
a pen
an old bone
some valence
a fallen leaf
action: You give the letter to Fatalist
response: You give the forged letter to the Fatalist.
action: You get the truth
response: The forged letter now has normal truth.
The Fatalist now has an amorphous quality of truth.
action: You get the truth from the ANVIL
response: The anvil now has normal truth.
The Fatalist now has an amorphous quality of truth.
action: You examine sword
response: The sword is itself exactly.

The Fatalist says, "Hmm, that sword has strong truth."
action: You take the truth from the sword
response: The sword now has normal truth.
The Fatalist now has an amorphous quality of truth.
action: You examine ANVIL
response: A heavy iron anvil. An inscription reads, "Only one with the blood of an angel may take this sword."

In the anvil is a sword.

The Fatalist says, "Hmm, that anvil has strong truth."
action: You ask the man about the angel
response: "They're not as rare as you'd think. I saw one get arrested in a tavern brawl just the other day."
action: You get the truth
response: The anvil now has normal truth.
The Fatalist now has an amorphous quality of truth.
action: Back
response: You stand on a dusty crossroads in the Kingdom of Raif. The road leads south, west, and beith.

A signpost stands nearby.

The Fatalist arrives from the beith.

Theresa arrives from the beith.
action: Go south
response: The road approaches the imposing gate to the south. To the north is the crossroads.

The Fatalist arrives from the north.

Theresa arrives from the north.
action: Go south
response: A large gate guards entrance into the city.

The gate to the south is open.

A guard stands here, watching you.

The Fatalist arrives from the north.

Theresa arrives from the north.
action: You go south
response: You walk through the open gate.

A wide, well-traveled road leads south from the gate. It seems strangely devoid of traffic. A tavern with a sign possibly resembling an ur-toad stands to the east.

The gate to the north is open.

The Fatalist arrives from the north.

Theresa arrives from the north.
action: You go to the east
response: A large, dimly-lit tavern. It smells of beer and blood.

The Fatalist arrives from the west.

Theresa arrives from the west.
action: You look at blood
response: Using your nose, you find a bloody rag.

It looks like it was used to mop up a pool of blood.
action: You look at the rag
response: It looks like it was used to mop up a pool of blood.
action: Go west
response: A wide, well-traveled road leads south from the gate. It seems strangely devoid of traffic. A tavern with a sign possibly resembling an ur-toad stands to the east.

The gate to the north is open.

The Fatalist arrives from the east.

Theresa arrives from the east.
action: Go north
response: You walk through the open gate.

A large gate guards entrance into the city.

The gate to the south is open.

A guard stands here, watching you.

The Fatalist arrives from the south.

Theresa arrives from the south.
action: You take the sword
response: A bright ray of light shines down from the heavens, and an unseen chorus chants melodiously.

Taken.
action: You look
response: The road here winds erratically before coming to a ford, beith of you. The water is flowing too rapidly to allow for safe passage. This surfeit of water has also done a number on the condition of the road, in contrast to its dusty condition back towards the crossroads.

Theresa is here.

The Fatalist is here.

There is a large anvil by the side of the road.
action: You take the truth from the ANVIL
response: The anvil now has normal truth.
The Fatalist now has an amorphous quality of truth.
action: Back
response: You stand on a dusty crossroads in the Kingdom of Raif. The road leads south, west, and beith.

A signpost stands nearby.

The Fatalist arrives from the beith.

Theresa arrives from the beith.
action: You go south
response: A large, tree-lined square sits before the grand steps of the royal palace, which stands ominously to the south. The main road leads north. A dirtier road leads west.

A large fountain burbles lackadaisically here.

The Fatalist arrives from the north.

Theresa arrives from the north.
action: Go west
response: Inauspiciously surrounded by narrow apartment buildings lies what must be the city dump. The deep, still moat surrounding the palace lies to the south, apparently untroubled by its proximity to mouldering trash. Things smell a bit better to the east.

A huge mound of trash sits here, beset by flies.

The Fatalist arrives from the east.

Theresa arrives from the east.
action: Ride leaf
response: As strange as it may seem, you successfully ride the fallen leaf across the moat with Theresa and the Fatalist.

You are on a narrow muddy bank. A deep, still moat separates you from the main city to the north. To the south is the gardens.

The Fatalist arrives from the north.

Theresa arrives from the north.
action: You look at what you're carrying with you
response: You are carrying:
a fallen leaf
a sword
a bloody rag
a pen
an old bone
some valence
action: Go south
response: A beautiful garden with carefully-trimmed topiaries and rather unnerving statues. Doorways are open to the east and south. Across a short railing to the north lies the moat.

The Fatalist arrives from the north.

Theresa arrives from the north.
action: You examine topiaries
response: The topiaries depict dragons, chimerae, and wombats.
action: You cut the topiaries
response: Cutting them up would achieve little.
action: You look at statues
response: The statues feature individuals of various species screaming in horror.
action: You ask the man about the statues
response: The Fatalist gives a long and in-depth explanation that, while presumably educational, is nevertheless fundamentally irrelevant.
action: You ask the man about Ketu
response: "Ketu, the Contemplation Planet, is the dragon's tail. It is an invisible planet, one of two key secret planets studied in Vedic astrology."
action: You go to the east
response: A towering room decorated with mosaics in gold and gems.

A closed portcullis blocks the way north.

Sitting on a throne is the Queen of Raif, sipping blood out of a jeweled goblet.

Next to the queen stand several well-armed guards.

On a balcony an archer keeps careful watch.

The Queen looks down at you with a bored expression. "You have returned. You did better than I thought you would. Remain here as my guests until my son gets back, or until I get particularly hungry. I will overlook your failure to give a proper guest's tribute, and I will even give you leave to attempt to prove yourself worthy. You will fail, of course. You are not the one kissed by prophecy.

"Oh, and don't think of trying your mystical powers. My guards are instructed to kill anyone who does so."

The Fatalist arrives from the west.

Theresa arrives from the west.
action: You look at Queen
response: The Queen is herself exactly.
action: You look at the guards
response: The well-armed guards are themselves exactly.
action: You look at the archer
response: The archer is himself exactly.
action: You examine the portcullis
response: The portcullis is itself exactly.
action: You ask man about the tribute
response: "Royalty expect golden jeweled treasures, I'm sure. But even then, taste and appropriateness are hard to judge."
action: You inspire Queen to give the blessing to yourself
response: To talk to someone, try "someone, hello" or some such.
action: You should give the blessing to you
response: You focus the power of Harmony on the Queen.

The guards kill you without hesitation.
action: You should shoot Queen
response: You focus the power of Harmony on the archer.

The guards kill you without hesitation.
action: You give the rag to Queen
response: "That's hardly a gift worthy of the royalty of Raif. Frankly, it's insulting."
action: You go west
response: A beautiful garden with carefully-trimmed topiaries and rather unnerving statues. Doorways are open to the east and south. Across a short railing to the north lies the moat.

The Fatalist arrives from the east.

Theresa arrives from the east.
action: You go to the south
response: A damp hallway lined with cells. Stairs lead up to the north.

Steel bars stand open to the west.

The Fatalist arrives from the north.

Theresa arrives from the north.
action: You go west
response: A damp cell with slimy stone walls.

Steel bars stand open to the east.

The Fatalist arrives from the east.

Theresa arrives from the east.
action: You make the pen invisible
response: The pen fades from sight.
action: You go to the east
response: A damp hallway lined with cells. Stairs lead up to the north.

Steel bars stand open to the west.

The Fatalist arrives from the west.

Theresa arrives from the west.
action: Go north
response: A beautiful garden with carefully-trimmed topiaries and rather unnerving statues. Doorways are open to the east and south. Across a short railing to the north lies the moat.

The Fatalist arrives from the south.

Theresa arrives from the south.
action: Go east
response: The Queen gasps. "You bear the signs of prophecy! There is no escaping it. I must give you my blessing, and resign myself to a world that exists."

With the blessing of the royalty of Raif, you are free to proceed on your journey.

You proceed to Tin 'An, the calcifying city. You evade the Axeman and pay your respects to the Duke and the Foremost Scribe. You learn much here, though the existence of such a dying city is a weight upon your concept of the world you seek to have created.

You travel among the savage peoples, who must pay horrible prices to survive. Your time there redoubled the questions about why the world born from your wish would require such painful compromises.

You make inquiry among the fairies. They are beautiful and magical and tragic. They do not exist. You nevertheless find profound secrets lurking in their stories.

You visit the sun. Great continent-sized fortresses of dark stone drift there: the homes of thieves and blackguards too notorious to live within the dreaming kingdoms. To sail on its surface is absolute torment, but still you find something of value there.

No paths lead to the Dragons of the Deeps. They are impossible to find. Yet, encounter them you do. They are deepness and greatness and inspiration and they war against the shadow. It might have been for them to eat you, but you were not there for their teeth to find.

You travel to the golden meadows under the world. There, you find the ur-toads. They are insanely cool, dreadful, and awe-inspiring. They are mysterious and sagacious. They kill you, and thus end your journey.

Except it is then, in the afterlife, that you find Tiresias, Seer of Thebes. He tells you that the Jewel of All Desiring is not in the world, nor above, nor below it, nor outside it in any direction.

And thus, you have come, the three of you, boon companions all, to this place, a surfeit of the void, a spaceless space both before and after the world. You are at your journey's end. There is but one task left: to wish upon the jewel.

There is nothing all around you, save for raw prameya stripped of danda and your companions.

Theresa is here.

The Fatalist is here.

Floating before you is the Jewel of All Desiring.
action: You look at Jewel
response: It is a celestial jewel that contains all that is, was, and will be within its facets.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
Spring's Root
a cloak of breezes
a battery-powered brass lantern
an obsidian knife
some empty gallon cans of blood
action: You examine the Spring 's root
response: Spring's Root is itself exactly.
action: You examine the cloak
response: The cloak of breezes is itself exactly.
action: You examine the lantern
response: The battery-powered brass lantern is itself exactly.
action: You examine the knife
response: The obsidian knife is itself exactly.
action: You look at the cans
response: The empty gallon cans of blood are themselves exactly.
action: You wish upon Jewel
response: Theresa nods at you as you grasp the jewel tightly. "Go ahead. You have proven yourself worthy."

You hold the jewel and form your intent, radiance from the jewel emerging the Fatalist, who shall form the firmament of the world.

But before you can conceptualize your wish, shadowy flames emerge from the void and surround you. You find your thoughts thrown back to your decisions and their nature.

Was it correct to force the gate guard to disobey her Queen and then leave her to face that Queen's wrath?
action: No
response: Was it correct to win the Fatalist's loyalty with the power of Harmony?
action: No
response: Was it correct to remove the Valence from the fountain, leaving the townspeople to depend on polluted water?
action: Yes
response: Was it correct to forge a letter to gain access to the Queen under false pretenses?
action: Yes
response: Was it correct to have Theresa use theurgy to break out of the cell, despite her guilt?
action: No
response: Was it correct to remove the mechanical support from the railing, creating a safety hazard?
action: No
response: Was it correct to assume the signs of prophecy to obtain the Queen's blessing?
action: Yes
response: Was it correct to never even ask the Fatalist's name despite your long journey together?
action: Yes
response: Is it correct to create the world, with its vampiric queens and calcifing cities and horrible compromises, with its beasts and murderers, with its pain and death and suffering?
action: No
response: Apparently satisfied with your answers, the shadowy flames disperse.

And then, emanating from the body of the Fatalist, you see the Dreaming Kingdoms you have always known grow and kindle, unmistakably real, until they encompass all.