A Simple Theft 2: A Simple Theftier
by Mark Musante (2010)
Genres: Fantasy

Your master Apaman has learnt about something that may help him unlock the secrets of magic, and has sent you, his apprentice, on another mission: to retrieve the sky rock from the north tower of Fossen Festning, a fortress built into the side of a mountain beside a large waterfall. All you've brought with you is a dark cloak and an old grappling hook that Apaman was generous enough to loan to you. All you need to bring out is the sky rock.

action: %
response: Many years ago, when the Iron Branch was passed down from king to king (instead of being a pile of rust in an overadorned urn), when dragons walked the earth (instead of flying about like the maniacs they are now), when Strongle was the God of Gods (instead of being, well, I think the polite term is "deposed")... back when all of that was taking place, magic had yet to be conquered by mere mortal man.

What's that got to do with you, you ask? Well, since you're an apprentice to one of those men who are trying to figure out how magic works, you get to do all the dirty deeds.

A few weeks ago, Apaman (the loser you're apprenticed to) had sent you to recover the Hestron (one of the jewels in the Sceptre of Charlten). Despite your success on that mission, Apaman is not treating you any better. Your best guess is that many of the Hestron's secrets remain hidden to him, and he's taking his frustrations out on the nearest convenient target.

Now he's learnt about something that may help him unlock those secrets, and has sent you on another mission: to retrieve the sky rock from the north tower of Fossen Festning, a fortress built into the side of a mountain beside a large waterfall. All you've brought with you is a dark cloak and an old grappling hook that Apaman was generous enough to loan to you. All you need to bring out is the sky rock.

Good luck with that.

A Simple Theft 2: A Simple Theftier

Type "credits" to see credits.

A dark tower rises high above you, lit dimly in the cloud-obscured moonlight. The sound of a waterfall is nearby but somewhat muted by the high walls of the fortress. To your south is the main courtyard, and directly west of you is the face of the cliff into which the fortress was built.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a dark cloak (being worn)
a grappling hook
action: You look at the cliff
response: Rising higher than the tower itself, the mountainside has been carved away here to make room for the fortress. The marks from the builders' tools have not yet worn away, despite the age of this place.
action: You examine the tower
response: The tower is made of a bright, almost perfectly white, stone. The scant moonlight that filters through the thin clouds overhead allows you to just make out its shape. Far above you is the lowest window in the tower, just wide enough for an archer to use. There don't appear to be any entrances on this side, and it appears too dangerous, too well-lit, to walk around it to the north.
action: You examine the hook
response: You're lucky that Apaman has let you have at least this much equipment, even if he wouldn't let you bring a sword or even a knife. It is attached to a modest length of rope.
action: You throw the hook at the window
response: You expertly spin the hook on its rope, gathering momentum, and release! The hook noisily clatters against the side of the tower, well below the window, and falls with a thud to the ground. The rope isn't long enough. You gather it all back up and nervously look around for approaching guards.
action: You wait
response: Time passes.
action: Go south
response: Completely covered in cobblestones, the central courtyard is an enormous place, used for assembling the troops and greeting royalty.
A large entryway is topped by an enormous stone arch. It leads to the east where, hidden somewhere beyond the outer portcullis, Apaman awaits your return. To the south and to the north rise the two watchtowers, and it is in the northern one that Apaman believes the star rock to be. West is the entrance to the Festning itself, dug out of the rock of this mountain. Although you're hiding as best as you can in the shadows, it's dangerous to remain here long.
action: You keep going
response: Time passes.

You hear a shout come from somewhere high above you, but you couldn't make out any words.
action: Sing
response: As good as your voice is, at the moment you prefer not to draw too much attention to yourself.

You hear someone running, but you can't tell which direction it's coming from, and you can't tell the direction it's moving.
action: You wait for a while
response: Time passes.

A single guard emerges from the Festing entrance! "Halt!" he shouts, running directly at you.
action: You look at cloak
response: You put this on before you came to the Festning, hoping mightily that it would help you blend into the shadows.

The guard reaches you, and clonks you over the head. You black out. By the time you black back in again, it's all over.
action: You hit the guard
response: You make your best attempt to overcome the guard, but he is not impressed. Instead, he overcomes you.
action: Go south
response: Apaman was very clear: the star rock is in the top of the north tower, and nowhere near, in, over, under, behind, or around the south tower. He made you go over the points of the compass too many times for you to get it wrong now. "What's this?" he'd ask. "East," you'd say. "And if I turn this way?" he'd ask. "South by southwest," you'd respond. And then you'd get smacked in the ear-hole for getting it wrong.
action: Go east
response: Depart before you've acquired the star rock? Apaman would... well, you're not sure what he would do, but it wouldn't be at all nice.
action: Go west
response: Entering the fortress itself? Now that would be foolish.

You hear a shout come from somewhere high above you, but you couldn't make out any words.
action: Go north
response: A dark tower rises high above you, lit dimly in the cloud-obscured moonlight. The sound of a waterfall is nearby but somewhat muted by the high walls of the fortress. To your south is the main courtyard, and directly west of you is the face of the cliff into which the fortress was built.
action: You go north
response: You start to make your way around and see the entrance to the tower, but you notice that someone else is in the shadows. A guard, lying in wait, perhaps? You dare not chance it, and so you return.
action: Go downward
response: You can't go that way.

You momentarily freeze as you hear a guard approaching. You spot a good shadow, trying to blend in, and the guard moves on to a different part of the Festning.
action: You examine rope
response: A modest length of rope, tied firmly to a grappling hook.
action: You examine the waterfall
response: Although you can't see it, you can definitely hear the roar of the waterfall. Its one advantage to you is that it's noisy enough to cover most mistakes a novice thief such as yourself would make.
action: You climb the cliff
response: You look up at the steep cliff face and try not to imagine what would happen if you fell down. You attempt to get a finger-hold on the cliff's face, but you don't get much more than a foot or two up the side before failing. You jump back down, and the grappling hook thumps painfully against your bottom.
action: You throw the hook at the cliff
response: You expertly spin the hook on its rope, gathering momentum, and release! The hook sails through the air and clanks against the side of the cliff. It starts sliding down, but it catches on a small protrusion of rock! The rope comes to a rest on the side of the cliff.
action: You climb the rope
response: Grabbing the end of the rope, you offer up a silent and very quick prayer. You pull the rope taut and make your way up the cliff's face. Upon reaching the top of the rope, you wriggle the grappling hook free of the cliff and look around.

Too far down below is the ground. The wind whips mercilessly up here, and the sound of the waterfall is slightly louder, though still somewhat muted. Although you can no longer see the archer slot, you're much closer to the top than you were before. The peak of the tower is visible now, and you can see a ring of iron-barred windows around the top.

You'd rather not jump down from this height.
action: You throw the hook at the windows
response: You expertly spin the hook on its rope, gathering momentum, and release! The hook sails towards the windows, but stops far short of them. The hook seems to pause in mid-air at the end of the rope before, to your horror, it falls slowly down and clanks loudly against the base of the cliff below you. Scraping and clunking, you drag the hook up along the cliff face until it's back in your hands.
action: You examine the peak
response: It looks like a conical hat on top of the tower.
action: You look at the windows
response: They encircle the top, just where the conical roof meets the walls of the tower. They were too far up to see from the ground level and, using your expert eye, you judge that they're too far for your grappling hook to reach even from here..
action: You look at the cliff
response: Up here, the cliff is more natural, with protrusions and lumps. It doesn't appear to be as carefully sculpted as it is down below.
action: You climb the cliff
response: Enough protrusions and bumps are on the cliff's face now that you can get a decent purchase on them. You climb higher beside the tower, although the cliff is curving away from it now as you approach the top.

You're almost level with the top of the tower now, although the cliff side has curved rather far away from it. Although the side of the mountain isn't nearly level at this point, it has levelled off enough that trees are starting to find places to grow in the cracks and crevices. Right beside you here is a particularly tall oak.
action: You look at tree
response: Firmly rooted here is a large oak tree, hanging out over the cliff.
action: You climb the oak
response: You shimmy up the tree.

Out here on a branch near the tower, the wind is brutal. One slip, and you'll fall to certain death. Far, far below is where you started, but you try not to think about that.
action: You examine the tower
response: The top of the tower has a conical roof, immediately below which the tower is ringed with iron-barred windows. You can't really reach the tower from here, but you should be close enough for that grappling hook. You hope.
action: You throw the hook at the windows
response: You expertly spin the hook on its rope, gathering momentum, and release. The hook clanks against the windows and catches! You grab onto the rope with your hands, and grab onto the branch with your feet, and slowly pull yourself towards the tower. Once you're within reach of the iron bars, you feel around them for a latch, releasing it. One set of bars swings inwards, and you pull yourself through, letting go of the branch.

Before closing the bars again, you retrieve your grappling hook.

This is a dim room and, from the smell of it, very dusty as well. The only light comes in through the windows, casting a dull grey sheen across everything you see. The room is sparsely appointed, with a cot along one wall and a small cupboard near it. A wall divides the tower, turning this room into a semicircle, putting you in the half that faces to the west. There is a ring set into the floor, near to the western wall.
action: You examine the cupboard
response: (the small cupboard)
A small wooden cupboard sits beside the cot.
action: You open the cupboard
response: (the small cupboard)
You open the small cupboard.
action: You search cupboard
response: (the small cupboard)
The small cupboard is empty.

You hear a noise! It's coming from somewhere below you.
action: You examine the ring
response: The ring appears to be attached to a trap door.

You slip into a shadow, remaining as still as can be.
action: Sing
response: You daren't do anything at the moment.

You see the trap door slowly open upwards. A person's head pokes up through the opening.
action: You wait
response: Time passes.

The figure pulls itself up into the room and looks around cautiously.
action: You look at the figure
response: With the black clothing this person is wearing, it's hard to discern anything, really. Other than, y'know, being all human-shaped and stuff.

You freeze in place as you watch the figure glide quietly through the room feeling along the wall. Suddenly, it stops, taps gently on one of the stones in the wall, and wiggles it free. It's the star rock! Oh no.
action: You wait for a while
response: Time passes.

The black-clad figure runs lightly to the trap door and drops through, closing it quietly behind.
action: You hit figure
response: The figure jumps with fright. It turns to look at you, and you just make out a wild-eyed expression before the figure swirls to the trap door and disappears below.

You let out a breath, only just now noticing you had been holding it in.
action: Look around
response: This is a dim room and, from the smell of it, very dusty as well. The only light comes in through the windows, casting a dull grey sheen across everything you see. The room is sparsely appointed, with a cot along one wall and a small cupboard near it. A wall divides the tower, turning this room into a semicircle, putting you in the half that faces to the west. There is an open trap door in the floor.
action: You tap the wall
response: That figure took a rock out of the wall, and you'd bet your last generic monetary unit that that was the rock you were looking for.
action: Go downwards
response: You slip through the trap door. That thieving thief! Without that rock, you're really in for it with Apaman. You're not sure you'll live long enough to experience the full extent of his wrath. He warned you about guards, but not about another thief.

In any case, it's not an easy task, getting to the bottom of the tower. You manage to avoid the guards somehow using your cleverness, the cloak, and some convenient nooks and crannies.

You're on the ground floor of the north tower now, and this is clearly meant to be where men and women prepare for guard duty. Bunk beds line the northern wall, and assorted weaponry hangs on the south wall. The staircase you came down is on the far wall, and you see the exit to the tower to the east.
action: You examine weaponry
response: For use by the guards only - these would only slow you down anyway.
action: Go up
response: It was difficult enough trying to get down past all those guards, and you want to do it again? Talk about living dangerously...

This is a dim room and, from the smell of it, very dusty as well. The only light comes in through the windows, casting a dull grey sheen across everything you see. The room is sparsely appointed, with a cot along one wall and a small cupboard near it. A wall divides the tower, turning this room into a semicircle, putting you in the half that faces to the west. There is an open trap door in the floor.
action: You go to the east
response: You're fairly certain you can sneak out of here before that thief wakes up.

You can't go that way.
action: You look at the beds
response: For use by the guards only.
action: Go east
response: You start to exit the tower, when suddenly you feel yourself grabbed from behind! You are spun around and slammed against the wall. "So, following me, are you?" the black-clad figure whispers. "I'll teach you to follow me." You feel the heat from this person's body, the hot breath in your face, and the smell... a fragrance of some kind?
action: Kiss thief
response: Moving your head forward, you surprise your opponent by stealing a kiss! Twisting free, you swing with your foot to knock the person off-balance and, with an elbow to the neck, you've incapacitated your opponent, who rolls across the floor and comes to a stop by one of the walls.
action: Search thief
response: You see something in one of the person's pockets, and extract it.
It's the star rock!

You take it.
action: You look at the thief
response: Your nemesis lies crumpled near a wall. The blackness of the clothing that this person is wearing makes it hard to see in the dim light.
action: You examine the rock
response: It's about two inches in diameter and looks like an ordinary rock, but feels much rougher than an ordinary rock does.
action: Kiss thief
response: Keep your mind on the game.
action: You wake her up
response: That could prove to be fatal. To you, that is, not to this person here.
action: Go east
response: You're fairly certain you can sneak out of here before that thief wakes up.

Although this is a much smaller courtyard than the main one by the entrance, it is still large enough to assemble quite a few troops. Normally, this place would be bustling with activity, but this late at night most everyone is asleep. You can head back into the tower to the west, or go around the tower to the south.
action: You go east
response: You sneak out under the portcullis, drawing absolutely no attention to yourself. Apaman is there, ready to greet you.

"Have you got it?" he asks excitedly.

Wordlessly, you place the star rock into his eager, outstretched hand. Blinking once, twice in the moonlight, hardly daring to believe, he stares at it. Finally, reality sets in and his gaze returns to you.

"Let's go now," he says, gruffly. He leads you back to the place you sarcastically call home. You're not sure if the star rock really is the key to unlocking the Hestron like Apaman says, but you do feel a subtle difference in the way he's treating you.

Could it be that he's beginning to show you a modicum of respect?
action: You look around
response: You're on the ground floor of the north tower now, and this is clearly meant to be where men and women prepare for guard duty. Bunk beds line the northern wall, and assorted weaponry hangs on the south wall. The staircase you came down is on the far wall, and you see the exit to the tower to the east.

You can see an unconscious black-clad figure here.
action: Xyzzy
response: You giggle quietly to yourself.
action: You eat the star
response: That's plainly inedible.
action: You smell thief
response: The primary odour of the Festning is horse manure. Not something you're really fond of.
action: You check what you're carrying
response: You are carrying:
a star rock
a grappling hook
a dark cloak (being worn)
action: You examine the hook
response: You're lucky that Apaman has let you have at least this much equipment, even if he wouldn't let you bring a sword or even a knife. It is attached to a modest length of rope.
action: Go up
response: It was difficult enough trying to get down past all those guards, and you want to do it again? Talk about living dangerously...

This is a dim room and, from the smell of it, very dusty as well. The only light comes in through the windows, casting a dull grey sheen across everything you see. The room is sparsely appointed, with a cot along one wall and a small cupboard near it. A wall divides the tower, turning this room into a semicircle, putting you in the half that faces to the west. There is an open trap door in the floor.
action: You search east
response: You must name something more substantial.
action: You feel the wall
response: You've already got the rock. Apaman is waiting for you, and you don't have time to fool around.
action: You look at the windows
response: It's hard to see out of the windows, given the dim moonlight. Nothing much is out there but the wind.
action: You enter the cupboard
response: (the small cupboard)
That's not something you can enter.
action: You tap the cupboard
response: (the small cupboard)
You feel nothing unexpected.
action: You move the cupboard
response: (the small cupboard)
It is fixed in place.
action: You jump
response: You jump on the spot, fruitlessly.
action: You eat the rock
response: That's plainly inedible.
action: Go downward
response: You slip through the trap door. Precious star rock in hand, you race your way down to the bottom of the tower. This is easier than you had anticipated as there are far fewer guards than Apaman had led you to believe.

In any case, it's not an easy task, getting to the bottom of the tower. You manage to avoid the guards somehow using your cleverness, the cloak, and some convenient nooks and crannies.

You're on the ground floor of the north tower now, and this is clearly meant to be where men and women prepare for guard duty. Bunk beds line the northern wall, and assorted weaponry hangs on the south wall. The staircase you came down is on the far wall, and you see the exit to the tower to the east.

You can see an unconscious black-clad figure here.
action: Go east
response: You're fairly certain you can sneak out of here before that thief wakes up.

Although this is a much smaller courtyard than the main one by the entrance, it is still large enough to assemble quite a few troops. Normally, this place would be bustling with activity, but this late at night most everyone is asleep. You can head back into the tower to the west, or go around the tower to the south.
action: You go to the west
response: You're on the ground floor of the north tower now, and this is clearly meant to be where men and women prepare for guard duty. Bunk beds line the northern wall, and assorted weaponry hangs on the south wall. The staircase you came down is on the far wall, and you see the exit to the tower to the east.

You can see an unconscious black-clad figure here.
action: You throw star at the figure
response: You lack the nerve when it comes to the crucial moment.