The Edifice
by Lucian P. Smith (1997)
Genres: Historical
Science Fiction

Something new in your everyday hunter-gatherer routine: where did this strange edifice come from? Dare you enter and explore the secrets of this... thing, or do you try to face your enemies? Like you have a choice.

action: %
response: Life is pretty routine. Search for Food. Eat it. Hide from Enemies.
Ignore the Others. Then one day, you notice a staggeringly tall
Edifice, right here in the middle of the forest. Has it been here
before?



Type INFO for hints and credits.
Post-Competition Release, 
v6.14 Library 6/7

Here, in the forest where you have spent your entire life, stands a
huge Edifice, reaching into the clouds high above you.

The Others are here, doing typically boring things.

Though you can't see them, you sense your Enemies lurk nearby.

You can also see Rock here.
action: About yourself
response: You are well adapted to your environment. Your long arms and legs allow
you to easily climb and swing in trees; your fur makes it easier to
withstand the occasional cold night. Your colleagues seem to think your opposable thumbs make you look funny, which is why you spend so much
time alone, but all in all, they've worked out pretty well.
action: You examine the Rock
response: It's a rock. Unlike the Edifice, easily ignorable.
action: You take Rock
response: Taken.

The Others turn to stare at you, dumbfounded that anyone would think to
pick up an inedible object.
action: You eat the Rock
response: If you thought you were finding food when you picked this up, you were
sadly mistaken.
action: You throw the Rock at Others
response: The Others avoid Rock easily, but watch you more warily.

The Others turn to stare at you, dumbfounded that anyone would think to
toss the rock.
action: You examine the enemies
response: Your Enemies have sharp teeth, and would like nothing better than to
eat you!
action: You look at Edifice
response: Here, in the forest where you have spent your entire life, stands a
huge Edifice, reaching into the clouds high above you.

The Others are here, doing typically boring things.

Though you can't see them, you sense your Enemies lurk nearby.

Here, in the forest where you have spent your entire life, stands a
huge Edifice, reaching into the clouds high above you.

The Others are here, doing typically boring things.

Though you can't see them, you sense your Enemies lurk nearby.

The Edifice towers above you, shooting up through the trees of the
forest. It is completely smooth, apart from some irregularities above a
tall, shallow rectangular recess, carved into the stone. You don't
remember seeing it here before today, but, then again, it's not food
and it doesn't seem dangerous.

A distant howl sends a chill down your spine.
action: You climb Edifice
response: The walls are much too smooth.
action: You examine the recess
response: The recess is slightly larger than you, and is flush with the ground at
the bottom of the Edifice. The stone which fills it is slightly darker
than the stone walls which surround it.
action: You throw the Rock at Edifice
response: Rock narrowly misses the irregularities above the recess.

The Others turn to stare at you, dumbfounded that anyone would think to
toss the rock.
action: You touch the recess
response: If anything, the stone within the recess is smoother and colder than
that of the rest of the tower.
action: You enter the recess
response: The recess is too shallow to enter.

The wind shifts, carrying your scent in a new direction.
action: You hit the recess
response: You sense a slight tremor of movement, but nothing more.

With a snarl and a leap, something dark and dangerous leaps out of the
forest at you. The smell of particularly bad breath is the last thing
you remember.
action: No
response: That was a rhetorical question.
action: Waylay enemies
response: Your Enemies are too far away.
action: You ask Others about Edifice
response: The Others stare at you, confused.
action: You search Edifice
response: You find nothing of interest.

A distant howl sends a chill down your spine.
action: You feel recess
response: You sense a slight tremor of movement, but nothing more.

The wind shifts, carrying your scent in a new direction.

If anything, the stone within the recess is smoother and colder than
that of the rest of the tower.
action: You examine the irregularities
response: One of the irregularities reminds you of a snake.

You feel sure that your Enemies have found your trail now.
action: You shake Edifice
response: You can't see any such thing.

(first taking the Edifice)
That's fixed in place.

With a snarl and a leap, something dark and dangerous leaps out of the
forest at you. The smell of particularly bad breath is the last thing
you remember.
action: You throw the Rock at the enemies
response: Your Enemies are too far away.

With a snarl and a leap, something dark and dangerous leaps out of the
forest at you. The smell of particularly bad breath is the last thing
you remember.
action: You hide
response: Quickly, you scamper up a tree and swing over to a different one.
Rock-solid, you wait. Not long afterwards, one of your Enemies comes
wandering out of the Forest, looking for you. It circles the tree you
climbed a few times, staring up into the branches. You hardly dare
breathe as it stops and scans the rest of the forest. Finally, with a
low growl, it moves away. Thankfully, you descend back to the ground.
action: You pick up Edifice
response: That's fixed in place.
action: You examine Edifice
response: The Edifice towers above you, shooting up through the trees of the
forest. It is completely smooth, apart from some irregularities above a
tall, shallow rectangular recess, carved into the stone. You don't
remember seeing it here before today, but, then again, it's not food
and it doesn't seem dangerous.
action: You jump
response: You jump on the spot, fruitlessly.
action: You climb Edifice
response: The walls are much too smooth.
action: You examine the recess
response: The recess is slightly larger than you, and is flush with the ground at
the bottom of the Edifice. The stone which fills it is slightly darker
than the stone walls which surround it.
action: You get the Rock
response: The Others stare at you, confused.

You already have that.

The Others turn to stare at you, dumbfounded that anyone would think to
pick up an inedible object.
action: You throw the Rock at the recess
response: That can't contain things.

Clang! A brash sound of stone on stone resounds from the recess. It
begins to fade and drop in pitch when the Edifice itself picks up on
the resonance. The clang transforms into a harsh throbbing, growing,
deepening, until the scenery itself seems to shimmer with the wavering. Finally, it settles back down. A small cloud of dust is settling where
the recess--was? The stone there is gone, replaced by a spongy
blackness.

Rock lies on the ground in front of you, unblemished.

The Others turn to stare at you, dumbfounded that anyone would think to
toss the rock.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
Useful Rock
action: About yourself
response: You are well adapted to your environment. Your long arms and legs allow
you to easily climb and swing in trees; your fur makes it easier to
withstand the occasional cold night. Your colleagues seem to think your opposable thumbs make you look funny, which is why you spend so much
time alone, but all in all, they've worked out pretty well.
action: You touch the recess
response: If anything, the stone within the recess is smoother and colder than
that of the rest of the tower.
action: You touch yourself
response: Hesitantly, you step inside the Edifice,...

Green sunlight filters in from the west through the open recess,
illuminating a small, round room, simple but totally foreign to you. A staircase (when did you learn that word?) winds up along the curved
wall to another level above you, and, oddly, another doorway leads
east, as if it would lead back into the forest.

You see etchings on the wall here, pictures of a grassland with a
stream running through it, which adorn one panel on the wall next to
the door.

The simple door is closed.

You can't see any such thing.
action: You examine the etchings
response: Examining the panel near the door, you can see a man, wandering across
the plains, an animal of some sort, and a tall tree.
action: You look at door
response: The door seems to lead out the east side of the Edifice.
action: You touch panel
response: The etchings seem almost alive, as if dancing under your fingertips.
action: You look around
response: Green sunlight filters in from the west through the open recess,
illuminating a small, round room, simple but totally foreign to you. A staircase (when did you learn that word?) winds up along the curved
wall to another level above you, and, oddly, another doorway leads
east, as if it would lead back into the forest.
action: You look at the staircase
response: You see etchings on the wall here, pictures of a grassland with a
stream running through it, which adorn one panel on the wall next to
the door.

The simple door is closed.

That's not something you need to refer to in the course of this game.
action: You open the door
response: You open the simple door.
action: You go east
response: pass through the door.

Well, this certainly isn't the Forest you've come to know and love. You
are standing in the middle of a vast grassland, broken only by the
incongruous stone arch you passed through on your way here. Through it,
you can see back into the dimly-lit Edifice to the west, a sharp
contrast to the bright sunlight all around you.

Listening closely, you can hear the sounds of running water away to the northeast.

To the east some kind of animal roams the countryside.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it rustles through the grass, which bows in its wake.
action: About yourself
response: You're different. You are about as tall as a two-year-old sapling, and
your arms come down to about your knees. Walking upright is more
comfortable now, though you're hunched over. Your thin layer of hair
does little to block the wind, but this doesn't seem to bother you.
Your head seems to be bigger than it used to be in the Forest.

You feel a little thirsty.
action: Go northeast
response: Here you see the beginnings of a small spring.

The spring bubbles up out of the earth, and has turned the whole area
here quite muddy.

To the southeast some kind of animal roams the countryside.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it whispers over the water.
action: Xyzzy
response: You mutter a nonsense word, and, surprisingly, the Edifice trembles in response! Everything else goes silent, and for a moment, it sounds as
if the Edifice might collapse! Finally, it stills, and the world
returns to normal.

You seem to have created a Word of Power.
action: You examine the water
response: The spring bubbles up out of the earth, and has turned the whole area
here quite muddy.
action: Go southeast
response: The main feature of this area of the grassland is a large, squat,
blackened Stump, evidently a victim of a past brush fire. The grasses
wave around Stump, and one or two have taken root in the Stump itself.
Some day, this will be little more than a rise in the countryside.

Listening closely, you can hear the sounds of running water to the
north and east.

To the south some kind of animal roams the countryside.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it rustles through the grass, which bows in its wake.
action: You examine Stump
response: Stump is slightly soft from years of decay.
action: You examine the grasses
response: The long grasses bend in the breeze.
action: Go east
response: The lush grassland to the west begins to peter out here, becoming more
rocky, dry, and hilly.

The stream cascades down from a pool to the northwest, rushing away and thinning to the east. Wedged under a rock, you see a dead animal of
some sort, strangely distorted by the rushing water.

To the southwest some kind of animal roams the countryside.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of baked rock
as it whispers over the water.
action: You examine the dead animal
response: This animal must have died a long time ago. It is completely
unrecognizable.
action: You take it
response: The animal seems to be stuck in a crack at the bottom of the stream.
Besides, the water here is probably completely contaminated anyway.
action: You search the dead animal
response: The animal is stuck at the bottom of the stream.
action: You go to the southwest
response: You are in the middle of an open grassland, the only visible tree far
to the north. Despite your history of living in a forest, the wide open
space feels free and natural, as if you had spent your entire life
here.

Listening closely, you can hear the sounds of running water to the
north.

Nearby, you see Beast, chewing contentedly on some grass.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it rustles through the grass, which bows in its wake.

Beast finishes cropping the grass in his area, and wanders across the
plain up next to you.
action: You look at Beast
response: Beast is about three times your size, with a soft brown coat and nubs
of horns on his head. He is currently next to you, chewing contentedly
on some grass.
action: Pet Beast
response: Carefully, you approach and touch Beast. His hide is thick and soft,
and covers a rather plump body.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
Useful Rock
action: You ride Beast
response: You get a running start and attempt to leap on Beast. Unfortunately,
Beast steps away at the last minute, and you end up on the ground.
action: You ride Beast
response: You get a running start and attempt to leap on Beast. Unfortunately,
Beast steps away at the last minute, and you end up on the ground.

Beast finishes cropping the grass in his area, and wanders across the
plain up next to you.
action: You follow Beast
response: But Beast is right here!
action: You examine the grass
response: The long grasses bend in the breeze.

You're feeling rather parched.
action: You follow you
response: Beast has better things to do.
action: You go north
response: You wander through the grassland to the north.

The main feature of this area of the grassland is a large, squat,
blackened Stump, evidently a victim of a past brush fire. The grasses
wave around Stump, and one or two have taken root in the Stump itself.
Some day, this will be little more than a rise in the countryside.

Listening closely, you can hear the sounds of running water to the
north and east.

To the south Beast roams the countryside.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it rustles through the grass, which bows in its wake.
action: You go north
response: The land here is divided by a stream, which has collected to form a
wide, still pool.

Weeds and long grasses choke the sides of the pool all around, but a
long, flat rock juts out into the pool, shaded by a tall tree to the
north.

To the south Beast roams the countryside.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it whispers over the water.
action: Drink pool
response: You push your way through the grass and rushes to get a drink, but you
end up stirring up a lot of mud in the process. You take a drink, but
it's not that satisfying.
action: You sit on Rock
response: (Flat Rock)
You get onto Flat Rock.
action: Drink pool
response: You crouch on the edge of the rock and drink deeply from the wide pool.
In the process, the rock you are squatting on gets wet, but your thirst
is now completely satisfied.
action: You go to the north-east
response: You'll have to get off Flat Rock first.

Your stomach growls.
action: You go outside
response: You get off Flat Rock.

The land here is divided by a stream, which has collected to form a
wide, still pool.

Weeds and long grasses choke the sides of the pool all around, but a
long, flat rock juts out into the pool, shaded by a tall tree to the
north.

To the south Beast roams the countryside.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it whispers over the water.
action: Go northeast
response: You can follow the stream west upstream or southeast downstream, or
leave the stream north to the tree or south to open grassland.
action: You go north
response: The lush grassland to the south and southwest begins to get rocky here.
Just at the border between grassland and rocks, a mighty Tree towers
above you.

Listening closely, you can hear the sounds of running water to the
south.

To the south Beast roams the countryside.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it rustles through the branches of the tree.
action: You go to the northeast
response: The land begins to get rocky and treacherous in that direction.
action: Up
response: Climbing trees is a lot harder than you remember. You've managed to
position yourself about three-quarters of the way up the tree, and are
sitting in a fork in the trunk.

Listening closely, you can hear the sounds of running water below you
to the south.

To the south, beyond the stream and a stump, Beast roams the
countryside.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it rustles through the grass, which bows in its wake.

From this vantage point, you can see a large dead Branch, jutting out
to the east.
action: You go east
response: You would surely fall to your death!
action: You examine Branch
response: Branch is large, taking up a good portion of the tree. It must be held
in place by adjacent branches, because it has almost detached from the
trunk near your feet.
action: You get Branch
response: Branch must be attached more firmly than it looked. You seem unable to
detach it with your hands.
action: You hit Branch with Rock
response: CRAAAAACK! After a few moments of persistent hacking, the
already-weakened Branch breaks apart from the tree and swings to the
ground, the momentum pulling it from the clutches of the surrounding
branches.
action: Go down
response: The lush grassland to the south and southwest begins to get rocky here.
Just at the border between grassland and rocks, a mighty Tree towers
above you.

Listening closely, you can hear the sounds of running water to the
south.

To the south Beast roams the countryside.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it rustles through the branches of the tree.

You can see Dead Branch here.
action: You take Branch
response: You strain at the heavy branch for a bit, but are unable to move it
more than a few inches.
action: You look at Branch
response: Branch is quite large. A long, central shaft, twice as long as you are
tall and surprisingly straight is covered with twisty branches and dead
leaves.
action: You remove smaller branches
response: (first taking the twisty branches)
The branches are currently attached to the main branch.
action: You break the smaller branches
response: It's a good thing Branch was so dry. It still takes some concerted
effort, but you manage to break off the side branches from Branch.
action: You examine Branch
response: The denuded branch is about as thick around as your thigh on one end,
and about as thick around as your wrist on the other.
action: You take Branch
response: Even devoid of any extraneous branches, Branch is still too long and
heavy to move. You figure you could probably carry one half of it, but
not the whole thing.
action: You cut Branch
response: Though that might take out some of your frustrations, it is unlikely to accomplish much.

Cutting that up would achieve little.
action: You pull the branch south
response: You can lean forwards, backwards, right, or left.
action: Break branch
response: With a heave, you bend the branch over itself, snapping it in two.
action: You examine Branch
response: Which do you mean, Stick or Log?
action: You take the stick
response: Taken.
action: You look at stick
response: Stick is about as long as you are tall, and surprisingly straight.
Along its shaft, it tapers from about the width of your bicep to the
width of your wrist.
action: You cut the Stick
response: Using Rock, you whittle down the tapered end of Stick to a point.
action: You look at your surroundings
response: The lush grassland to the south and southwest begins to get rocky here.
Just at the border between grassland and rocks, a mighty Tree towers
above you.

Listening closely, you can hear the sounds of running water to the
south.

To the south Beast roams the countryside.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it rustles through the branches of the tree.

You can see Log and some twisty branches here.
action: You take the branches
response: (the twisty branches)
Taken.
action: You examine Log
response: As thick around as your thigh at its thickest, Log is about as long as
you are tall.
action: You look at the branches
response: Which do you mean, Tree or the twisty branches?
action: You look at the twisty branches
response: The many branches are numerous, dry, and twisty. Twigs and leaves stick
out at all angles.
action: You take the Log
response: items.
action: Go south
response: The land here is divided by a stream, which has collected to form a
wide, still pool.

Weeds and long grasses choke the sides of the pool all around, but a
long, flat rock juts out into the pool. The sun shines through a gap in
a tree to the north, bathing the rock in sunlight.

To the south Beast roams the countryside.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it whispers over the water.

You're beginning to feel rather hungry.
action: Go south
response: The main feature of this area of the grassland is a large, squat,
blackened Stump, evidently a victim of a past brush fire. The grasses
wave around Stump, and one or two have taken root in the Stump itself.
Some day, this will be little more than a rise in the countryside.

Listening closely, you can hear the sounds of running water to the
north and east.

To the south Beast roams the countryside.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it rustles through the grass, which bows in its wake.
action: You go south
response: You are in the middle of an open grassland, the only visible tree far
to the north. Despite your history of living in a forest, the wide open
space feels free and natural, as if you had spent your entire life
here.

Listening closely, you can hear the sounds of running water to the
north.

Nearby, you see Beast, chewing contentedly on some grass.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it rustles through the grass, which bows in its wake.
action: You kill Beast with the Stick
response: You throw Spear, but completely miss. You feel you could do better next
time, though.
Beast looks at you askance.
action: You take the Stick
response: Taken.
action: You examine Beast
response: Beast is about three times your size, with a soft brown coat and nubs
of horns on his head. He is currently next to you, chewing on some
grass, watching you.
action: Hello
response: Beast gazes at you steadily, and you feel rather foolish.
action: You throw Spear at Beast
response: Spear strikes a glancing blow, landing to one side. You're getting
slightly better.
Beast looks at you askance.
action: You follow you
response: Beast has better things to do.
action: You drop dead
response: Beast gazes at you steadily, and you feel rather foolish.

Beast finishes cropping the grass in his area, and wanders across the
plain up next to you.
action: You throw the Stick at Beast
response: Another miss, but you're steadily improving.
Beast looks at you askance.
action: You take the Stick
response: Spear is about as long as you are tall, and surprisingly straight.
Along its shaft, it tapers from about the width of your bicep to where
you have sharpened it to a point.

Taken.
action: You throw the Stick at Beast
response: Another miss, but you're steadily improving.
Beast looks at you askance.
Beast decides you are too close for comfort, and wanders away to the
northwest.
action: You go northwest
response: You wander through the grassland to the northwest.

Seeing you move, Beast lopes away to the northwest.

Beast is now a little ways northwest, nervously watching you and pawing
the ground.
action: You throw the Stick at Beast
response: (first taking Spear)
You wander back to pick up Spear.

Beast finishes cropping the grass in his area, and wanders across the
plain to the northwest.
Another miss, but you're steadily improving.
Beast looks at you askance.
Beast decides you are too close for comfort, and wanders away to the
southeast.
action: You throw Rock at Beast
response: Useful Rock falls way short of its mark, but Beast appears to have
noticed anyway.

Beast decides he's had just about enough of your attacks, and lopes
away with surprising speed and agility for one so large. You run to
catch up, but he quickly outdistances you, becoming a dot on the
horizon in a matter of seconds, and disappearing entirely in a matter
of minutes.
action: Look around
response: The lush grassland to the south and southwest begins to get rocky here.
Just at the border between grassland and rocks, a mighty Tree towers
above you.

Listening closely, you can hear the sounds of running water to the
south.

To the south Beast roams the countryside.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it rustles through the branches of the tree.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
Useful Rock
action: Up
response: Climbing trees is a lot harder than you remember. You've managed to
position yourself about three-quarters of the way up the tree, and are
sitting in a fork in the trunk.

Listening closely, you can hear the sounds of running water below you
to the south.

To the south, beyond the stream and a stump, Beast roams the
countryside.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it rustles through the grass, which bows in its wake.

From this vantage point, you can see a large dead Branch, jutting out
to the east.
action: You cut the branches
response: Which do you mean, the twisty branches or Tree?
action: Twisty
response: It's a good thing Branch was so dry. It still takes some concerted
effort, but you manage to break off the side branches from Branch.
action: Break branch
response: With a heave, you bend the branch over itself, snapping it in two.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
Useful Rock
action: Look around
response: The lush grassland to the south and southwest begins to get rocky here.
Just at the border between grassland and rocks, a mighty Tree towers
above you.

Listening closely, you can hear the sounds of running water to the
south.

To the south Beast roams the countryside.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it rustles through the branches of the tree.

You can see Stick, Log and some twisty branches here.
action: You get the Stick
response: Taken.
action: You cut the Stick
response: Using Rock, you whittle down the tapered end of Stick to a point.
action: You throw the Stick at Tree
response: Futile.
action: You throw the Stick
response: Dropped.
action: Sharpen stick
response: Spear is plenty sharp already.
action: You look at stick
response: Spear is about as long as you are tall, and surprisingly straight.
Along its shaft, it tapers from about the width of your bicep to where
you have sharpened it to a point.
action: Go south
response: The land here is divided by a stream, which has collected to form a
wide, still pool.

Weeds and long grasses choke the sides of the pool all around, but a
long, flat rock juts out into the pool. The sun shines through a gap in
a tree to the north, bathing the rock in sunlight.

To the south Beast roams the countryside.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it whispers over the water.
action: Go south
response: The main feature of this area of the grassland is a large, squat,
blackened Stump, evidently a victim of a past brush fire. The grasses
wave around Stump, and one or two have taken root in the Stump itself.
Some day, this will be little more than a rise in the countryside.

Listening closely, you can hear the sounds of running water to the
north and east.

To the south Beast roams the countryside.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it rustles through the grass, which bows in its wake.
action: You throw Spear at Stump
response: You throw Spear, but completely miss. You feel you could do better next
time, though.
action: You throw Spear at Stump
response: Spear strikes a glancing blow, landing to one side. You're getting
slightly better.
action: You continue
response: (first taking Spear)
Another miss, but you're steadily improving.
action: You throw Spear at Stump
response: (first taking Spear)
A miss, but only barely!
action: You throw Spear at Stump
response: (first taking Spear)
A hit! A very palpable hit!

Spear embeds itself into the soft wood.
action: You throw Rock at Stump
response: You throw Useful Rock, but completely miss. You feel you could do
better next time, though.
action: You throw Rock at Stump
response: (first taking Useful Rock)
Useful Rock strikes a glancing blow, landing to one side. You're
getting slightly better.
action: You throw Rock at Stump
response: (first taking Useful Rock)
Another miss, but you're steadily improving.

You're beginning to feel rather hungry.
action: You throw Rock at Stump
response: (first taking Useful Rock)
Another miss, but you're steadily improving.
action: You throw Rock at Stump
response: (first taking Useful Rock)
A miss, but only barely!
action: You throw Rock at Stump
response: (first taking Useful Rock)
A hit! A very palpable hit!

Having no point, Useful Rock falls to the ground.
action: You describe your surroundings
response: The main feature of this area of the grassland is a large, squat,
blackened Stump, evidently a victim of a past brush fire. The grasses
wave around Stump, and one or two have taken root in the Stump itself.
Some day, this will be little more than a rise in the countryside.

Listening closely, you can hear the sounds of running water to the
north and east.

To the south Beast roams the countryside.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it rustles through the grass, which bows in its wake.

Sticking out of Stump is Spear.
action: You throw Spear at Beast
response: A hit! A very palpable hit!

Spear impales Beast deeply. Beast gives a low cry, looks at you with
its mournful brown eyes, and keels over, dead.
action: You look at Beast
response: Beast lies dead at your feet, a gruesome sacrifice to your hunger.
action: You eat Beast
response: (first taking Dead Beast)
Beast is much too heavy to move.
action: You cut Beast with Rock
response: Doggedly, you carve open Beast with Rock, exposing the meat underneath.
action: You eat Meat
response: (first taking Meat)
That seems to be a part of Dead Beast.
action: You examine the Meat
response: A slab of meat sits attached to Beast's rib cage.
action: You cut the Meat
response: (with Useful Rock)
A few more minutes of hacking, and you have sectioned off a nice large
slab of meat from Beast.
action: You take the Meat
response: You already have that.
action: You eat the Meat
response: You gnaw at the raw meat for a bit. It's okay, but not extremely
appetizing. It should hold you over for a while at least, but not
forever.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
Meat
Useful Rock
action: You examine the Meat
response: A large, juicy slab of meat.
action: You look around
response: You are in the middle of an open grassland, the only visible tree far
to the north. Despite your history of living in a forest, the wide open
space feels free and natural, as if you had spent your entire life
here.

Listening closely, you can hear the sounds of running water to the
north.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it rustles through the grass, which bows in its wake.

Dead Beast lies here, grasses slowly swaying over its corpse. One side
of it has been peeled back, revealing a gaping hole where a swath of
muscle has been removed.

You can also see Spear here.
action: You take the grass
response: You pluck a handful of the dry grass.
action: Go north
response: You wander through the grassland to the north.

The main feature of this area of the grassland is a large, squat,
blackened Stump, evidently a victim of a past brush fire. The grasses
wave around Stump, and one or two have taken root in the Stump itself.
Some day, this will be little more than a rise in the countryside.

Listening closely, you can hear the sounds of running water to the
north and east.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it rustles through the grass, which bows in its wake.
action: You examine Stump
response: Stump is slightly soft from years of decay.
action: Go north
response: The land here is divided by a stream, which has collected to form a
wide, still pool.

Weeds and long grasses choke the sides of the pool all around, but a
long, flat rock juts out into the pool. The sun shines through a gap in
a tree to the north, bathing the rock in sunlight.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it whispers over the water.
action: You put the grass on flat Rock
response: (the handful of grass on Flat Rock)
You put the handful of grass on Flat Rock.
action: You hit flat Rock with useful Rock
response: You strike Rock sharply across Rock. A shower of sparks flies out!

Some of the sparks hit the handful of grass. A tiny flame appears,
which quickly licks across to the others. Soon, all the grass is
burning.

The small flame flickers and begins to grow.
action: You take grass
response: You pluck a handful of the dry grass.
Fire expends all of its fuel and burns out, leaving nothing but Ashes.
action: You put the Meat on Spear
response: You stab Meat with Spear. It is now hanging off the end.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
a handful of grass
Spear
Meat
Useful Rock
action: Go north
response: The lush grassland to the south and southwest begins to get rocky here.
Just at the border between grassland and rocks, a mighty Tree towers
above you.

Listening closely, you can hear the sounds of running water to the
south.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it rustles through the branches of the tree.

You can see Log and some twisty branches here.
action: You take the branches
response: (the twisty branches)
Taken.
action: You take the Log
response: items.
action: Go south
response: The land here is divided by a stream, which has collected to form a
wide, still pool.

Weeds and long grasses choke the sides of the pool all around, but a
long, flat rock juts out into the pool. The sun shines through a gap in
a tree to the north, bathing the rock in sunlight.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it whispers over the water.

Sitting on Flat Rock you see some Ashes.
action: You move Ashes
response: Nothing obvious happens.
action: Blow ashes
response: The Ashes billow and blow away.
action: You put all on flat Rock
response: twisty branches: Done.
handful of grass: Done.
Spear: Done.
Useful Rock: Done.
action: Go north
response: The lush grassland to the south and southwest begins to get rocky here.
Just at the border between grassland and rocks, a mighty Tree towers
above you.

Listening closely, you can hear the sounds of running water to the
south.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it rustles through the branches of the tree.

You can see Log here.
action: You take the Log
response: You struggle under the heavy load, but manage to heft the remains of
Branch.
Taken.
action: Go south
response: The land here is divided by a stream, which has collected to form a
wide, still pool.

Weeds and long grasses choke the sides of the pool all around, but a
long, flat rock juts out into the pool. The sun shines through a gap in
a tree to the north, bathing the rock in sunlight.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it whispers over the water.

Sitting on Flat Rock you see Useful Rock, Spear, inside which is Meat,
a handful of grass and some twisty branches.
action: You put the Log on flat Rock
response: You put Log on Flat Rock.
action: Useful
response: Spear: Taken.
Useful Rock: Taken.

You're now extremely hungry.
action: You hit flat with useful
response: You strike Rock sharply across Rock. A shower of sparks flies out!

Some of the sparks hit the handful of grass. A tiny flame appears,
which quickly licks across to the others. Soon, all the grass is
burning.

A few sparks hit the branches, but they quickly die out. One spark hits
a solitary twig, which briefly flares, but soon dies out again.
A few sparks hit Log, but die away before igniting anything.

The small flame flickers and begins to grow.
action: You put the grass on the twigs
response: You need to be holding the fields of grass before you can put it on top
of something else.
Fire expends all of its fuel and burns out, leaving nothing but Ashes.
action: You put twigs on the grass
response: You need to be holding the twigs and leaves before you can put them on
top of something else.
Fire expends all of its fuel and burns out, leaving nothing but Ashes.
action: You take the twigs
response: The twigs and leaves are currently attached to the branches.
action: You cut branches
response: Cutting those up would achieve little.
action: You cut the twigs
response: You pull off many of the twigs and leaves from the branches.
action: You check what you're carrying
response: You are carrying:
some twisty branches
a handful of grass
Useful Rock
Spear
Meat
action: You take all
response: twigs and leaves: Taken.
Flat Rock: That's fixed in place.
action: You look around
response: The land here is divided by a stream, which has collected to form a
wide, still pool.

Weeds and long grasses choke the sides of the pool all around, but a
long, flat rock juts out into the pool. The sun shines through a gap in
a tree to the north, bathing the rock in sunlight.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it whispers over the water.

Sitting on Flat Rock you see some Ashes and Log.
action: Blow ashes
response: The Ashes billow and blow away.
action: You put the twigs on Rock
response: Which do you mean, Flat Rock or Useful Rock?
action: You put the twigs on flat Rock
response: You put the twigs and leaves on Flat Rock.
action: You put branches on flat Rock
response: You put the twisty branches on Flat Rock.
action: You put the grass on flat Rock
response: (the handful of grass on Flat Rock)
You put the handful of grass on Flat Rock.
action: Describe the surroundings
response: The land here is divided by a stream, which has collected to form a
wide, still pool.

Weeds and long grasses choke the sides of the pool all around, but a
long, flat rock juts out into the pool. The sun shines through a gap in
a tree to the north, bathing the rock in sunlight.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it whispers over the water.

Sitting on Flat Rock you see a handful of grass, some twisty branches,
some twigs and leaves and Log.
action: You hit flat Rock with useful Rock
response: You strike Rock sharply across Rock. A shower of sparks flies out!

Some of the sparks hit the handful of grass. A tiny flame appears,
which quickly licks across to the others. Soon, all the grass is
burning.

A few sparks hit the branches, but they quickly die out.

A few sparks hit the pile of twigs. A twig flares, and a leaf on it
catches fire. Soon, a small flame dances between the leaves.
A few sparks hit Log, but die away before igniting anything.

The small flame flickers and begins to grow.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

Fire grows large enough to consume the twigs, and becomes even bigger.
action: You get the branches
response: Carefully, you pull the twisty branches away from Fire's reach.

Fire grows large enough to consume the twigs, and becomes even bigger.
action: You put the branches on the twigs
response: Unfortunately, the twigs and leaves are now a part of Fire.

Fire grows steadily, and you can begin to feel heat coming from it.
action: You put the branches on Fire
response: You carefully add the twisty branches to the Fire, hoping it catches.

Fire begins licking at the dry branches, and shortly they are all
ablaze.
action: You cook the Meat
response: You hold Meat over Fire, letting the heat begin to cook it.

If you don't get some food soon, you're likely to faint.

Fire burns a little hotter, popping as it does so.
action: Keep going
response: You hold Meat over Fire, letting the heat begin to cook it.

Fire burns a little hotter, popping as it does so.
The meat begins to simmer.
action: You look at the Meat
response: A slightly warm slab of meat.

Fire spreads until it has engulfed the Log. It is now so hot that you
can feel it from several feet away.
Juices bubble from meat's center.
action: You examine the Meat
response: Meat is turning dark around the edges.
Meat begins to darken around the edges.
action: You examine the Meat
response: Meat is turning dark around the edges.
Meat is almost completely cooked.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.
Meat has been nicely browned, and looks delectable.
action: You eat the Meat
response: (first taking Meat)
You pull Meat from the end of Spear.
action: You eat the Meat
response: You eat the cooked meat, savoring every morsel. Your hunger has been
completely satiated, and you feel strangely content.
action: You eat Fire
response: (first taking Fire)
Involuntarily, you jerk your hand back away from Fire when the flames
lick your fingers. Ow!
action: Pray
response: Nothing practical results from your prayer.
action: Xyzzy
response: As you speak the Word again, you hear a rumbling in the distance, but
nothing further happens.
action: You get all
response: Flat Rock: That's fixed in place.
action: You get Fire
response: Involuntarily, you jerk your hand back away from Fire when the flames
lick your fingers. Ow!
action: Light Stick
response: You carefully add Spear to the Fire, hoping it catches.

Fire spreads to Spear, and shortly it is completely aflame.
action: You look at what you're carrying with you
response: You are carrying:
Useful Rock
Spear
action: You go to the southwest
response: The main feature of this area of the grassland is a large, squat,
blackened Stump, evidently a victim of a past brush fire. The grasses
wave around Stump, and one or two have taken root in the Stump itself.
Some day, this will be little more than a rise in the countryside.

Listening closely, you can hear the sounds of running water to the
north and east.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of smoke as
it rustles through the grass, which bows in its wake.

Here you see the beginnings of a small spring.

The spring bubbles up out of the earth, and has turned the whole area
here quite muddy.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of pollen as
it whispers over the water.

Well, this certainly isn't the Forest you've come to know and love. You
are standing in the middle of a vast grassland, broken only by the
incongruous stone arch you passed through on your way here. Through it,
you can see back into the dimly-lit Edifice to the west, a sharp
contrast to the bright sunlight all around you.

Listening closely, you can hear the sounds of running water away to the northeast.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of smoke as
it rustles through the grass, which bows in its wake.
action: You go west
response: Green sunlight filters in from the west through the open recess,
illuminating a small, round room, simple but totally foreign to you. A staircase (when did you learn that word?) winds up along the curved
wall to another level above you, and, oddly, another doorway leads
east, as if it would lead back into the forest.

You see etchings on the wall here, pictures of a grassland with a
stream running through it, which stretch around the entire room, from
the doorway to the staircase.

The simple door is open. Oddly, you see grassland on the other side,
not forest.
action: You examine the etching
response: Examining the panel near the door, you can see a man, wandering across
the plains, an animal of some sort, and a tall tree.

stream, drinking deeply.

In the next panel, you see the man fashioning a spear from a fallen
tree branch, and using it to attack and kill the animal.

In the next panel, the man is making a fire on the rock by the stream.

In the final panel, the man is cooking and eating the animal.
action: About you
response: You are about as tall as a two-year-old sapling, and your arms come
down to about your knees. Walking upright is more comfortable now,
though you're hunched over. Your thin layer of hair does little to
block the wind, but this doesn't seem to bother you. Your head seems to
be bigger than it used to be in the Forest.

You are no longer either thirsty or hungry.
action: Go upwards
response: This room is akin to the room below. There are staircases going up and
down, and another door going east.

The simple door is closed.

You see etchings on the wall here, pictures of a forest with a river,
and two huts, which adorn one panel on the wall next to the door.
action: You look at the etching
response: The panel near the door contains etchings of a man, wandering through a
forest.
action: You go east
response: pass through the door.

This is a small, cleared area in front of your Hut in the middle of the
forest. The autumn leaves crunch under your feet, and the smell of
winter is in the air. A well-worn path runs to the south towards the
sound of rushing water, and another leads north, deeper into the
forest.

Strangely, you seem to have entered this area through a
rectangular-shaped hole in a tree to the west.

Near the door is Firepit, where you cook all your meals.
action: About yourself
response: You're different. You seem to be walking almost perfectly upright now,
and your hands only come down to mid-thigh. Your head is even larger
than it was in the plains, and your jaw juts forward. You feel you have
much more fine motor control of the muscles around your mouth. You also
seem to have some sort of skin wrapped around your waist.
action: You look at the skin
response: You seem to be walking almost perfectly upright now, and your hands
only come down to mid-thigh. Your head is even larger than it was in
the plains, and your jaw juts forward. You feel you have much more fine
motor control of the muscles around your mouth. You also seem to have
some sort of skin wrapped around your waist.
action: You look at what you're carrying with you
response: You are carrying:
Spear
Useful Rock
action: You look at Hut
response: A hide hangs over the entryway of your Hut, to the east.
action: You go east
response: You push aside the hide and enter the Hut.

You are inside the hut where it seems you have lived all your life. You
live here with Grandmother (your Mother), Wife, and Son. The normally
homey smell you associate with this place is currently masked by the
smell of sickness. Stray light and fresh air come in around a
hide-covered doorway, back to the west, but they do little to mask the
sense of dread and concern that hangs over everyone in this room.

A hushed conversation is coming from the two women of the house, as
they do what they can for your boy.

Wife takes the rag from Son's head and replaces it with a dampened one.

As you enter, Wife runs up to you and throws her arms around you.
"Thankful! Good! Grandmother says Fever more bad." She indicates Son,
as Grandmother exchanges a now-dry rag on his forehead for a wet one. "Grandmother says you search forest now, find Feverleaf. If you find,
Son will live, but last chance." You look at Son again as Wife gazes imploringly at you, and you turn around quickly, so Wife will not see
you wipe a tear from your cheek.
action: You ask Grandmother about Feverleaf
response: Grandmother sighs impatiently. "Told you before. Long stem, with many
groups of four round leaves. Find in Forest."
action: Well excuuuuuuuuuse you
response: You quail at the thought of ordering Grandmother around, especially
now, when she's in one of her authoritative moods.
action: Go west
response: This is a small, cleared area in front of your Hut in the middle of the
forest. The autumn leaves crunch under your feet, and the smell of
winter is in the air. A well-worn path runs to the south towards the
sound of rushing water, and another leads north, deeper into the
forest.

Strangely, you seem to have entered this area through a
rectangular-shaped hole in a tree to the west.

Near the door is Firepit, where you cook all your meals.
action: Go south
response: Here, a river wider across than you can throw a stone flows past. You
sometimes catch fish here, and your son loves to come here and skip
rocks across the river's surface. Many white-barked trees grow close to
the river's edge here, of a different variety than you usually see in
the depths of the forest.
action: Go north
response: This is the forest where you hunt for food and skins, though you don't
believe you'll be hunting much today. Some birds still chirp in the
trees, though many have flown away, as they do every winter. The rustle
of wind through the golden leaves counterpoints your own footsteps, as
you wend your way through the forest. The path you used to get here
goes back south, and another path leads northeast, which you've never
used before today.

To one side of the path, you see a small berry bush.

On Berry Bush are Berries.
action: Go northeast
response: You've emerged from the northeast path to another Hut, rather like your
own. This one is larger, though, and has woven leaves as a doorway
instead of a hide. This Hut is to the north, or you can go back down
the path you came from the southwest.

Stranger is here, standing in front of his Hut, standing defensively,
and looking suspiciously at you.
action: You examine the berries
response: Stranger watches you carefully.

These juicy black berries are in season this time of year, and should
be good to eat.
action: You look at Stranger
response: Stranger watches you carefully.

Stranger is tall, slender, and quite muscular. He wears the black skin
of Panther and carries a long knife, making him that much more
impressive.
action: You ask Stranger about Feverleaf
response: Stranger stops you, saying "Y. Fa hallen, scarmul alsen," and points to
your Useful Rock. "Y gralashen na!"
action: Go southwest
response: Stranger nods in approval as you leave. "Fa alsen scarmul! Hallen!" he
tells you as you go.

This is the forest where you hunt for food and skins, though you don't
believe you'll be hunting much today. Some birds still chirp in the
trees, though many have flown away, as they do every winter. The rustle
of wind through the golden leaves counterpoints your own footsteps, as
you wend your way through the forest. The path you used to get here
goes back south, and another path leads northeast, which you've never
used before today.

To one side of the path, you see a small berry bush.
action: You kill Stranger with Spear
response: Stranger stops you, saying "Y. Fa hallen, scarmul alsen," and points to
your Spear. "Y gralashen na!"

Stranger stops you, saying "Y. Fa hallen, scarmul alsen," and points to
your Spear. "Y gralashen na!"
action: You give Spear to Stranger
response: Stranger stops you, saying "Y. Fa hallen, scarmul alsen," and points to
your Spear. "Y gralashen na!"
action: You go to the north-east
response: You've emerged from the northeast path to another Hut, rather like your
own. This one is larger, though, and has woven leaves as a doorway
instead of a hide. This Hut is to the north, or you can go back down
the path you came from the southwest.

Stranger is here, standing in front of his Hut. He has an easy
confidence about him, and watches you with a slight smile.
action: Point to leaves
response: "Tsa ben ne salum," Stranger says, proudly.

You see a rustling from inside the Hut, and a small boy peeks out.
After examining you carefully, he cautiously emerges and stands by
Stranger, who puts his arm on the boy's shoulder.
action: Wave
response: Smiling, Stranger waves back.
action: You point at the boy
response: "Tsa ben ne rema!" he says, proudly.
action: Rema
response: Stranger says, "Tsa," pointing to his son. "Ne rema!" he adds, proudly.
action: Salum
response: Stranger gestures grandly at his abode. "Selme salum, a?"
action: You point at yourself
response: "Fa," he says, pointing back at you.
action: You tell him about ne rema
response: Stranger looks around and behind you. "Fe rema?" he asks, "Fa hallen fe
salum?"
action: You point at Stranger
response: "Na," he says, putting his hand on his chest.
action: Gralashen
response: Stranger looks confused. "Y gralashen," he suggests, and shrugs.
action: Fe gralashen
response: "A gralashen,...?" Stranger asks you. "Salum fe? Scarmul fe?
action: Scarmul
response: "A," says Stranger, showing you his knife, "scarmul ben takre!" He
slashes with the knife at some invisible enemy, as if to emphasize his
point.
action: You tell him about ne rema
response: Stranger looks around and behind you. "Fe rema?" he asks, "Fa hallen fe salum?"
action: Y.
response: Stranger looks at you quizzically, and spreads his hands. "Y alanasen,"
he says.
action: Look around
response: You've emerged from the northeast path to another Hut, rather like your
own. This one is larger, though, and has woven leaves as a doorway
instead of a hide. This Hut is to the north, or you can go back down
the path you came from the southwest.

Stranger is here, standing in front of his Hut. He has an easy
confidence about him, and watches you with a slight smile.

You can also see Small Boy here.
action: You point at the Boy
response: "Tsa ben ne rema!" he says, proudly.
action: You look at the Boy
response: Small Boy looks remarkably like your own son. He would come up to about
your waist, and has a shock of black hair.
action: You draw Feverleaf
response: What do you want to draw the picture of Feverleaf on?
action: You draw Feverleaf on the ground
response: (with Berries)
The ground here is not suited for drawing any sort of a detailed
picture.
action: You point at the ground
response: Stranger smiles. "Tsa ne ben!" he tells you, and stands proudly in
front of his hut.
action: You go southwest
response: Stranger waves to you as you leave.

This is the forest where you hunt for food and skins, though you don't
believe you'll be hunting much today. Some birds still chirp in the
trees, though many have flown away, as they do every winter. The rustle
of wind through the golden leaves counterpoints your own footsteps, as
you wend your way through the forest. The path you used to get here
goes back south, and another path leads northeast, which you've never
used before today.

To one side of the path, you see a small berry bush.

You can also see Useful Rock and Spear here.
action: You go to the south
response: This is a small, cleared area in front of your Hut in the middle of the
forest. The autumn leaves crunch under your feet, and the smell of
winter is in the air. A well-worn path runs to the south towards the
sound of rushing water, and another leads north, deeper into the
forest.

Strangely, you seem to have entered this area through a
rectangular-shaped hole in a tree to the west.

Near the door is Firepit, where you cook all your meals.
action: Go south
response: Here, a river wider across than you can throw a stone flows past. You
sometimes catch fish here, and your son loves to come here and skip
rocks across the river's surface. Many white-barked trees grow close to
the river's edge here, of a different variety than you usually see in
the depths of the forest.
action: You take the bark
response: Carefully, you peel off a swath of white bark from a tree.
action: Go north
response: This is the forest where you hunt for food and skins, though you don't
believe you'll be hunting much today. Some birds still chirp in the
trees, though many have flown away, as they do every winter. The rustle
of wind through the golden leaves counterpoints your own footsteps, as
you wend your way through the forest. The path you used to get here
goes back south, and another path leads northeast, which you've never
used before today.

To one side of the path, you see a small berry bush.

You can also see Useful Rock and Spear here.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
White Bark
Berries
action: You draw Feverleaf
response: What do you want to draw the picture of Feverleaf on?
action: Bark
response: What do you want to draw the picture of Feverleaf on White Bark with?
action: Crush berries
response: You grind up the berries, making a purple syrupy paste.
action: You point at the paste
response: "Fa ben lalse," Stranger says, shaking his head.
action: You point at the Bark
response: Stranger looks at the bark, then looks at you, then looks at the bark,
then looks at you again. "A," he says? He seems confused.
action: Kiss Stranger
response: Keep your mind on the game.
action: You put the paste on Boy
response: You need to be holding Small Boy before you can put him into something
else.
action: You look at the paste
response: A purple mash of berry remains.
action: You go southwest
response: Stranger waves to you as you leave.

This is the forest where you hunt for food and skins, though you don't
believe you'll be hunting much today. Some birds still chirp in the
trees, though many have flown away, as they do every winter. The rustle
of wind through the golden leaves counterpoints your own footsteps, as
you wend your way through the forest. The path you used to get here
goes back south, and another path leads northeast, which you've never
used before today.

To one side of the path, you see a small berry bush.

You can also see Useful Rock and Spear here.
action: You examine the Firepit
response: Firepit is a simple ring of stones, filled with ashes and leftover
bones.
action: You take the bones
response: Well, you thought there would be bones in here. As a matter of fact,
there's only one, which you take.
action: You take Ashes
response: You pick up a few ashes, but they quickly scatter in the wind.
action: You look at the bone
response: This small bone is about as long as your finger, but much thinner. It's
quite porous and light.
action: You put the bone in the Paste
response: You dip the end of Bone into Purple Paste. The porous bone soaks up
much of the juice, and it becomes heavily stained.
action: Go north
response: This is the forest where you hunt for food and skins, though you don't
believe you'll be hunting much today. Some birds still chirp in the
trees, though many have flown away, as they do every winter. The rustle
of wind through the golden leaves counterpoints your own footsteps, as
you wend your way through the forest. The path you used to get here
goes back south, and another path leads northeast, which you've never
used before today.

To one side of the path, you see a small berry bush.

You can also see Useful Rock and Spear here.
action: You draw Feverleaf on the Bark with the bone
response: Carefully, you sketch a picture of Feverleaf on White Bark.
action: You examine picture
response: "Rakasha," Stranger declares after looking at your picture. "Rakasha a
ben selme. Vicnen akne."

You have sketched Feverleaf exactly the way Grandmother described it to
you once: a long stem, clustered with groups of four, round, leaves.
action: Gelashen na rakasha
response: Stranger concentrates, but cannot seem to figure out the combination of
your two languages.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
Bone
Purple Paste
White Bark (with a picture of Feverleaf)
action: You give the Bark to Stranger
response: "Rakasha," Stranger declares after looking at your picture. "Rakasha a
ben selme. Vicnen akne."
action: Ne rema ben akne
response: Stranger becomes serious, and looks quite concerned. "Krande," he says,
"Fe rema akne; ben krande."
action: Fe rema ben akne
response: Stranger looks at his son and feels his forehead. "Y," he says, looking relieved, "Tsa y ben akne."
action: You show the Bark to Stranger
response: Stranger says, "A! Rakasha! Fe rema ben akne! Na alanasen!" He runs
back into his hut, and shortly reappears with a stem from a small
action: Ne rema ben akne
response: plant, which he hands to you with great reverence. "Fa alsen tsa fe
rema," he tells you. "Tsa ben selme."

Stranger becomes serious, and looks quite concerned. "Krande," he says,
"Fe rema akne; ben krande."
action: You check what you're carrying
response: You are carrying:
Feverleaf
Bone
Purple Paste
White Bark (with a picture of Feverleaf)
action: You go southwest
response: Stranger waves to you as you leave. "Selme hallen!" he calls to you as
you go. "Fe rakasha ben y akne fe rema!" he adds.

This is the forest where you hunt for food and skins, though you don't
believe you'll be hunting much today. Some birds still chirp in the
trees, though many have flown away, as they do every winter. The rustle
of wind through the golden leaves counterpoints your own footsteps, as
you wend your way through the forest. The path you used to get here
goes back south, and another path leads northeast, which you've never
used before today.

To one side of the path, you see a small berry bush.

You can also see Useful Rock and Spear here.
action: You take all
response: Useful Rock: Taken.
Spear: Taken.
Berry Bush: That's fixed in place.
action: Go south
response: You've emerged from the northeast path to another Hut, rather like your
own. This one is larger, though, and has woven leaves as a doorway
instead of a hide. This Hut is to the north, or you can go back down
the path you came from the southwest.

Stranger is here, standing in front of his Hut, standing defensively,
and looking suspiciously at you.

You can also see Small Boy here.

Stranger stops you angrily. "Tsa ben ne! Fa hallen, scarmul alsen!" He
points at your Useful Rock, then back down the southwest path.

With a start, Small Boy points at your Useful Rock, exclaiming,
"Scarmul!" He runs back into the Hut, and Stranger moves to stand
protectively in front of the door.
action: You examine Wife
response: Wife is supervising the two children playing by River. She catches you
looking at her and winks at you.
action: Kiss Wife
response: Wife kisses you back. "Ooo-la-la," she says, afterwards.
action: You look at kids
response: The two children are playing in the shallows of the river, with Wife
looking on. Son looks much better; you would hardly have guessed that
he used to be sick. Friend's Son is still shy around you, but seems to
be comfortable enough playing with someone almost his own age.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
Spear
Useful Rock
Bone
Purple Paste
White Bark (with a picture of Feverleaf)
action: Sing
response: Your singing is abominable.
action: Swim
response: The current is too strong to swim safely.
action: Go west
response: You wander through the Forest happily, but eventually return to where
you left.
action: Go west
response: This room is akin to the room below. There are staircases going up and
down, and another door going east.

The simple door is open. Through it, you see a wooded area, and a small
Hut.

You see etchings on the wall here, pictures of a forest with a river,
and two huts, which stretch around the entire room, from the doorway to
the staircase.
action: You examine the etching
response: The panel near the door contains etchings of a man, wandering through a
forest.

The next panel shows the man searching the forest for something. The
detail in one of the huts is a little more clear, and it seems that
there are three other figures within the hut, one of whom is lying on a
bed of rags.

area, and showing them to a second man by the other hut.

In the next panel, the two men are conversing. It seems the first is
describing the prone character in the hut, and the second is giving him
some sort of plant as a result.

In the final panel, the man has brought back the plant to the first
hut, where it is being prepared for the figure in the bed. In the final
scene, all the characters are mingling freely with each other.
action: Up
response: This room is akin to the room below. There is a staircase going down,
and another door going east.

The simple door is closed.

You see etchings on the wall here, pictures of a village near a canyon
with a herd of horses, which adorn one panel on the wall next to the
door.
action: You open the door
response: You open the simple door.
action: You go to the east
response: pass through the door.

This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. The People are there now, in fact, arguing over something. The
ground slopes down to the north, and a path leads along a ridge to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope down to
the north.

The People are debating loudly amongst themselves in the meeting area.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.

As you enter, someone amongst the People yells, "There's the Chief!"
Everyone quickly presses around you, all talking at once, and very
agitated. After a bit you manage to calm them down, and figure out what
they're concerned about: Marauders are rumored to be plundering
villages to the south! Something must be done to give your village an
edge in the inevitable conflict to come.
action: About yourself
response: You're different. You are walking erect, and seem to be decorated with
some sort of headdress and body paint. If more paint implies more
significance, you must be the most significant person in the
village--everyone else wears much less than you do.
action: You examine Hut
response: Looking inside your grass hut you see stone walls, which is really
rather odd.
action: You look at People
response: bell would be placed on the Marauders, so the People will know when
they are near. The plan is quickly shot down by someone asking, "But
who will bell the Marauders?"
action: You ask People about Marauders
response: The People give you about ten differing opinions, all of them
singularly unhelpful.
action: You tell People about the democracy
response: The People listen to you, then half of them claim that what you said
supports their side, and the other half claim you supported their side.
The debate rages on, unimpeded.
action: You look around
response: This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. The People are there now, in fact, arguing over something. The
ground slopes down to the north, and a path leads along a ridge to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope down to
the north.

The People are debating loudly amongst themselves in the meeting area.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.

Chief will come up with something ingenious to defend them.
action: You tell People to stay the the course
response: The People listen to you, then half of them claim that what you said
supports their side, and the other half claim you supported their side.
The debate rages on, unimpeded.

You notice one man slip to the edge of the crowd. A few minutes later,
he seems to be gone.
action: You follow the man
response: But People is right here!
action: You examine the stream
response: The small stream has begun to show life again, although it disappeared
in the height of summer. There is still more room among the rocks for
more water, due later in the year.

defensible position.
action: Go north
response: This path marks the beginnings of a descent down into the local canyon,
to the northeast. To the west is a small ragged cliff, small enough
here to scale, but which becomes a more imposing wall as you continue
your descent into the canyon. A small stream, beginning to show life
again after the worst of the summer heat, follows its rocky bed here,
as it continues down into the canyon.
action: You climb the cliff
response: You scramble up the slope and finally make it to the top.

east, as it wends its way amongst the scrub. Your Village is back to
the southeast.
action: You go to the northeast
response: This spot gives you a breathtaking view of the countryside. A box
canyon drops away to the east, and another, deeper ridge is to your
north. Far away, you can see the tiny shimmer of the Stream which
begins at your Village.
action: You go north
response: Despairing of ever finding a way to outclass the Marauders, the Chief
of the Village throws himself over the edge of the Cliff, dashing
himself on the Rocks below. Fortunately for the Village in question,
this is in an alternate time line, so there's still hope.
action: You look at the canyon
response: The cliff is quite steep, although ragged. The top layer, where you
are, is a dusty red color. At the base of the canyon, you can see a
herd of horses.
action: Go southwest
response: east, as it wends its way amongst the scrub. Your Village is back to
the southeast.
action: Go east
response: Considering that discretion is the better part of valor, you carefully
climb down the cliff.

This path marks the beginnings of a descent down into the local canyon,
to the northeast. To the west is a small ragged cliff, small enough
here to scale, but which becomes a more imposing wall as you continue
your descent into the canyon. A small stream, beginning to show life
again after the worst of the summer heat, follows its rocky bed here,
as it continues down into the canyon.
action: Go northeast
response: You are at the base of a box canyon. Ragged walls tower over you on
three sides, striated red, black, and tan. The small stream running
along here dries up in the summer, but is now still active. A crack in
the north wall of the canyon allows it to pass along its path from the
Village, back up to the southwest.

A Herd of Horses roam here, grazing on the tough grasses.
action: You look at Horses
response: You haven't paid much attention to the Horses before today, although
you believe you've seen this Herd around before. These large and
powerful beasts, fortunately, seem to be vegetarian.
action: You examine the crack
response: The walls provide some shade from the afternoon sun. That and the
stream must be why the Horses are here.
action: You look at Stream
response: The small stream has begun to show life again, although it disappeared
in the height of summer. There is still more room among the rocks for
more water, due later in the year.
action: Inventory
response: That's a very good idea, but there's no easy way to get onto a Horse's
back, even if it was likely to let you.

You are carrying:
Headdress (being worn)
White Bark (with a picture of Feverleaf)
Purple Paste
Bone
Useful Rock
Spear
action: You throw Rock at Horses
response: The Herd parts, and Useful Rock lands in the midst of them.
Unflustered, they move away.
action: You go north
response: The stream from the south cuts through the wall of the canyon here, and
runs for several paces before cascading down a steep, gravelly slope.
The sides of the canyon provide a welcome shade from the hot sun, which apparently is also enjoyed by a small grove of Fruit Trees, clustered
around a wide section of the stream.
action: You examine Tree
response: an ideal environment in which to thrive. Although not exactly laden
with fruit, there is a fair amount of Fruit on the trees.
action: You take the Fruit
response: (the Piece of Fruit)
You choose the ripest Piece of Fruit you can find, and pluck it from a low-swung branch.
action: You examine Fruit
response: Which do you mean, Fruit Trees, the remaining Fruit or the Piece of
Fruit?
action: You examine Piece of the Fruit
response: Fruit looks delicious!
action: You take the Fruit
response: (the remaining Fruit)
Since this is the only grove of Fruit Trees in the area, you decide to
use what you have before picking more.
action: You go south
response: You are at the base of a box canyon. Ragged walls tower over you on
three sides, striated red, black, and tan. The small stream running
along here dries up in the summer, but is now still active. A crack in
the north wall of the canyon allows it to pass along its path from the
Village, back up to the southwest.

A Herd of Horses roam here, grazing on the tough grasses.

One of the Horses moves out of the herd towards you, sniffing.
action: You show the Fruit to the Horse
response: Cautiously, Horse approaches you, sniffing. Gingerly, he plucks the
fruit from your hand, and trots a few paces away, where he drops it
again and begins to eat it.

Horse noisily munches Fruit.
action: You get on the Horse
response: That's a very good idea, but there's no easy way to get onto Horse's
back, even if he was likely to let you.

Horse noisily munches Fruit.
action: Pet Horse
response: Horse isn't letting you near enough to touch him.

Horse noisily munches Fruit.
action: You take the Fruit
response: You move towards Horse, who shies away, allowing you to pick up Fruit.
action: Go southwest
response: This path marks the beginnings of a descent down into the local canyon,
to the northeast. To the west is a small ragged cliff, small enough
here to scale, but which becomes a more imposing wall as you continue
your descent into the canyon. A small stream, beginning to show life
again after the worst of the summer heat, follows its rocky bed here,
as it continues down into the canyon.

Horse follows you, sniffing and snorting loudly.
action: Go south
response: This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. The People are there now, in fact, arguing over something. The
ground slopes down to the north, and a path leads along a ridge to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope down to
the north.

The People are debating loudly amongst themselves in the meeting area.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.

Horse shies away from so many people, and trots off back down the path.

Two men get in a heated argument, which almost comes to blows before
it's stopped.
action: Up
response: You scramble up the slope and finally make it to the top.

east, as it wends its way amongst the scrub. Your Village is back to
the southeast.

Horse watches you climb the cliff, snorts in disgust, then canters back
down to his herd.
action: Up
response: You scramble up the slope and finally make it to the top.

east, as it wends its way amongst the scrub. Your Village is back to
the southeast.

Horse finishes Fruit, and with a whinny, trots back to join the herd.
action: You go north
response: Even here, the walls are too steep to go directly in that direction.
action: You go to the north
response: You are at the base of a box canyon. Ragged walls tower over you on
three sides, striated red, black, and tan. The small stream running
along here dries up in the summer, but is now still active. A crack in
the north wall of the canyon allows it to pass along its path from the
Village, back up to the southwest.

A Herd of Horses roam here, grazing on the tough grasses.

The stream from the south cuts through the wall of the canyon here, and
runs for several paces before cascading down a steep, gravelly slope.
The sides of the canyon provide a welcome shade from the hot sun, which apparently is also enjoyed by a small grove of Fruit Trees, clustered
around a wide section of the stream.
action: You take the Fruit
response: (the Piece of Fruit)
You choose the ripest Piece of Fruit you can find, and pluck it from a low-swung branch.
action: You go south
response: You are at the base of a box canyon. Ragged walls tower over you on
three sides, striated red, black, and tan. The small stream running
along here dries up in the summer, but is now still active. A crack in
the north wall of the canyon allows it to pass along its path from the
Village, back up to the southwest.

A Herd of Horses roam here, grazing on the tough grasses.

One of the Horses moves out of the herd towards you, sniffing.
action: Go southwest
response: This path marks the beginnings of a descent down into the local canyon,
to the northeast. To the west is a small ragged cliff, small enough
here to scale, but which becomes a more imposing wall as you continue
your descent into the canyon. A small stream, beginning to show life
again after the worst of the summer heat, follows its rocky bed here,
as it continues down into the canyon.

Horse follows you, sniffing and snorting loudly.
action: Go upward
response: You scramble up the slope and finally make it to the top.

east, as it wends its way amongst the scrub. Your Village is back to
the southeast.

At the bottom of the cliff, Horse noisily munches fruit, oblivious to
you.
action: You jump
response: Throwing caution to the wind, you leap off the cliff, hurtling down
towards the path below.

Horse, busily munching away at the bottom of the hill, never even sees
you coming. With a WHUMP, you land square on his back! You drop all
your possessions as Horse rears, whinnies, and begins to run!

Streaking Across the Countryside (on Horse)
The view is almost a blur around you, as Horse runs frantically, trying
to get you off his back. Every so often, you notice some feature of the landscape, but, unsurprisingly, most of your attention is on Horse, and
your bumpy ride.

Horse turns sharply, and your arms spin wildly, trying to compensate
and keep your balance.

The ride is unsettling you, and you feel yourself start to slip.
action: You grab Horse
response: Using both hands, you grab hold of the streaming Mane.

Feeling your grip on his neck, Horse stops twisting and turning, and
takes off in a new direction, going even faster.
action: You pull Horse
response: You'll need to be more specific. Do you want to pull it back? To the
right or left?

Ahead and to the left, you can see a cliff wall approaching.
action: You pull Horse right
response: You pull Mane to the right.

The cliff grows as Horse approaches it at an angle.

You steer Horse a little more directly towards the cliff.
action: You pull right
response: What do you want to pull to the right?
action: You pull Mane right
response: You pull Mane to the right.

You and Horse are almost upon the cliff! It looms above you to the
left.

You steer Horse a little more directly towards the cliff.
action: You pull Mane right
response: You pull Mane to the right.

Just before Horse runs into cliff, he veers sharply to the right,
causing your weight to shift to the left. Too far left, in fact.
Rolling off to the left, your fingers tear from Mane as you fall.

Horse whinnies with delight, and disappears across the countryside. You
pick yourself up, and make your way back to the Village.

This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. The People are there now, in fact, arguing over something. The
ground slopes down to the north, and a path leads along a ridge to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope down to
the north.

The People are debating loudly amongst themselves in the meeting area.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.
action: You pull Horse back
response: You pull back on Mane. Unfortunately, Horse doesn't seem to slow
perceptibly.

The cliff grows as Horse approaches it at an angle.
action: You pull Mane left
response: You pull Mane to the left.

You and Horse are almost upon the cliff! It looms above you to the
left.

You steer Horse a little more directly towards the cliff.
action: You pull Mane right
response: You pull Mane to the right.

Just before Horse runs into cliff, he veers sharply to the right,
causing your weight to shift to the left. Too far left, in fact.
Rolling off to the left, your fingers tear from Mane as you fall.

Horse whinnies with delight, and disappears across the countryside. You
pick yourself up, and make your way back to the Village.

This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. The People are there now, in fact, arguing over something. The
ground slopes down to the north, and a path leads along a ridge to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope down to
the north.

The People are debating loudly amongst themselves in the meeting area.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.
action: You describe your surroundings
response: This path marks the beginnings of a descent down into the local canyon,
to the northeast. To the west is a small ragged cliff, small enough
here to scale, but which becomes a more imposing wall as you continue
your descent into the canyon. A small stream, beginning to show life
again after the worst of the summer heat, follows its rocky bed here,
as it continues down into the canyon.

You can see Horse here.
action: You lean forward
response: You lean forward, towards Horse's neck.

Suddenly, Horse leaps over a ridge, and starts down a hill.

The ride is unsettling you, and you feel yourself start to slip.
action: You pull Mane
response: You straighten up again.

Horse gains speed as he continues down the hill.

You're faltering badly, and are having trouble righting yourself.

You'll need to be more specific. Do you want to pull it back? To the
right or left?

Horse has almost reached the bottom of the hill.

You can't seem to get your balance!
action: You pull Mane back
response: You pull back on Mane. Unfortunately, Horse doesn't seem to slow
perceptibly.

With a force that jars you, Horse lands at the base of the hill,
causing you to be thrown forward before Horse begins running again with
renewed vigor.

You are now completely unsettled. Sliding off around Horse's neck, you
narrowly avoid being trodden upon as you fall forward and Horse runs
over you.
Horse whinnies with delight, and disappears across the countryside. You
pick yourself up, and make your way back to the Village.

This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. The People are there now, in fact, arguing over something. The
ground slopes down to the north, and a path leads along a ridge to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope down to
the north.

The People are debating loudly amongst themselves in the meeting area.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.

Opinion in the crowd seems to be towards staying, but no-one seems to
know how that could happen.
action: You lean forward
response: You lean forward, towards Horse's neck.

With a force that jars you, Horse lands at the base of the hill,
throwing you forward over his neck!
Sliding off around Horse's neck, you narrowly avoid being trodden upon
as you fall forward and Horse runs over you.
Horse whinnies with delight, and disappears across the countryside. You
pick yourself up, and make your way back to the Village.

This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. The People are there now, in fact, arguing over something. The
ground slopes down to the north, and a path leads along a ridge to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope down to
the north.

The People are debating loudly amongst themselves in the meeting area.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.
action: You lean right
response: You lean over to the right.

With a force that jars you, Horse lands at the base of the hill,
causing you to be thrown forward before Horse begins running again with
renewed vigor.

You are now completely unsettled. Rolling off to the right, your
fingers tear from Mane as you fall.

Horse whinnies with delight, and disappears across the countryside. You
pick yourself up, and make your way back to the Village.

This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. The People are there now, in fact, arguing over something. The
ground slopes down to the north, and a path leads along a ridge to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope down to
the north.

The People are debating loudly amongst themselves in the meeting area.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.
action: You pull Mane back
response: You pull back on Mane. Unfortunately, Horse doesn't seem to slow
perceptibly.

With a force that jars you, Horse lands at the base of the hill,
causing you to be thrown forward before Horse begins running again with
renewed vigor.

You are now completely unsettled. Sliding off around Horse's neck, you
narrowly avoid being trodden upon as you fall forward and Horse runs
over you.
Horse whinnies with delight, and disappears across the countryside. You
pick yourself up, and make your way back to the Village.

This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. The People are there now, in fact, arguing over something. The
ground slopes down to the north, and a path leads along a ridge to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope down to
the north.

The People are debating loudly amongst themselves in the meeting area.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.
action: Go west
response: This room is akin to the room below. There is a staircase going down,
and another door going east.

The simple door is open. Through it, you see a small group of huts,
clustered on an open mesa.

You see etchings on the wall here, pictures of a village near a canyon
with a herd of horses, which cover the walls on one half of the room.
action: Go east
response: This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. The People are there now, in fact, arguing over something. The
ground slopes down to the north, and a path leads along a ridge to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope down to
the north.

The People are debating loudly amongst themselves in the meeting area.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.
action: Go south
response: You wander that direction for a bit, find nothing, and eventually
wander back.

One little boy starts to cry, but his mother comforts him.
action: Go east
response: You wander that direction for a bit, find nothing, and eventually
wander back.
action: You ask People for the rope
response: The People give you about ten differing opinions, all of them
singularly unhelpful.
action: Go northwest
response: east, as it wends its way amongst the scrub. Your Village is back to
the southeast.
action: You squeeze legs
response: Keep your hands to yourself.
action: You pull Mane back
response: If you're not holding on to Mane, how do you expect to pull it?

Again, Horse turns, and you are almost thrown off!

You're faltering badly, and are having trouble righting yourself.
action: You pull Mane back
response: You pull back on Mane. Unfortunately, Horse doesn't seem to slow
perceptibly.

Suddenly, Horse leaps over a ridge, and starts down a hill.

The ride is unsettling you, and you feel yourself start to slip.
action: You lean back
response: You lean backwards, your arm stretching to keep a hold of Horse's Mane.

Horse gains speed as he continues down the hill.

You manage to steady yourself a bit.
action: You pull Mane back
response: You pull back on Mane. Unfortunately, Horse doesn't seem to slow
perceptibly.

Horse has almost reached the bottom of the hill.
action: You lean back
response: You're already leaning as far back as you can.

With a force that jars you, Horse lands at the base of the hill,
jarring you forward on your seat again, but you manage otherwise to
keep your balance.
action: You pull Mane back
response: You pull back on Mane. Unfortunately, Horse doesn't seem to slow
perceptibly.

Ahead of you, you see something large and black.
action: You look at the black
response: Which do you mean, the boulder or the Mane?
action: You pull left
response: What do you want to pull to the left?
action: Mane
response: You pull Mane to the left.

As you get nearer, the object resolves itself into a large boulder.
Horse is heading straight towards it!

As the boulder approaches, you think Horse might be heading to the left
of it, due to your pulling.
action: Lean left
response: You lean over to the left.

The boulder looms immanently. Horse still hasn't committed himself to
go one way or the other!

As the boulder approaches, you think Horse might be heading to the left
of it, due to your pulling.
action: You examine the boulder
response: It's a huge boulder, straight ahead of Horse. There's no way Horse
could go over it, but there is yet no indication as to which direction
Horse might choose.

Pulling desperately to the left, you force Horse to follow your lead,
going left around the boulder.
action: Look around
response: Streaking Across the Countryside (on Horse)
The view is almost a blur around you, as Horse runs frantically, trying
to get you off his back. Every so often, you notice some feature of the landscape, but, unsurprisingly, most of your attention is on Horse, and
your bumpy ride.

You sense that Horse is beginning to tire. This is good, because it
means you might be able to free up one of your hands to do something. Unfortunately, you are also tiring, and you can feel your grip with
your knees weakening.

The ride is unsettling you, and you feel yourself start to slip.
action: You pull back
response: What do you want to pull backwards?
action: Mane
response: You pull back on Mane. Unfortunately, Horse doesn't seem to slow
perceptibly.

You're faltering badly, and are having trouble righting yourself.
action: You lean back
response: You lean backwards, your arm stretching to keep a hold of Horse's Mane.

You are beginning to become sore from the constant jarring.

You are now completely unsettled. Rolling off to the left, your fingers
tear from Mane as you fall.

Horse whinnies with delight, and disappears across the countryside. You
pick yourself up, and make your way back to the Village.

This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. The People are there now, in fact, arguing over something. The
ground slopes down to the north, and a path leads along a ridge to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope down to
the north.

The People are debating loudly amongst themselves in the meeting area.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.

defensible position.
action: You lean forward
response: You lean forward, towards Horse's neck.

You are beginning to become sore from the constant jarring.

You can't seem to get your balance!
action: You grab Mane
response: You're already holding onto Mane (and it's a good thing, too).

You are now completely unsettled. Rolling off to the left, your fingers
tear from Mane as you fall.

Horse whinnies with delight, and disappears across the countryside. You
pick yourself up, and make your way back to the Village.

This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. The People are there now, in fact, arguing over something. The
ground slopes down to the north, and a path leads along a ridge to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope down to
the north.

The People are debating loudly amongst themselves in the meeting area.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.
action: You lean right
response: You center yourself again.

You manage to steady yourself a bit.
action: Mane
response: If you're leaning forwards, how do you expect to pull back on Mane?

One of your hands slip, and it is only Horse's slower pace that allows
you to grab a hold again.

You manage to steady yourself a bit.
action: You lean back
response: You straighten up again.

You're just about to fall off from exhaustion!

You manage to steady yourself a bit.
action: You pull back mane
response: You pull back on Mane. Unfortunately, Horse doesn't seem to slow
perceptibly.
Unable or unwilling to hold on any more, you slide off Horse, narrowly
avoiding being kicked on the way down.
Horse whinnies with delight, and disappears across the countryside. You
pick yourself up, and make your way back to the Village.

This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. The People are there now, in fact, arguing over something. The
ground slopes down to the north, and a path leads along a ridge to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope down to
the north.

The People are debating loudly amongst themselves in the meeting area.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.
action: You say whoa
response: Whom do you want to say that to?
action: Horse
response: There is no reply.
Unable or unwilling to hold on any more, you slide off Horse, narrowly
avoiding being kicked on the way down.
Horse whinnies with delight, and disappears across the countryside. You
pick yourself up, and make your way back to the Village.

This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. The People are there now, in fact, arguing over something. The
ground slopes down to the north, and a path leads along a ridge to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope down to
the north.

The People are debating loudly amongst themselves in the meeting area.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.

defensible position.
action: You squeeze the legs
response: Keep your hands to yourself.
Unable or unwilling to hold on any more, you slide off Horse, narrowly
avoiding being kicked on the way down.
Horse whinnies with delight, and disappears across the countryside. You
pick yourself up, and make your way back to the Village.

This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. The People are there now, in fact, arguing over something. The
ground slopes down to the north, and a path leads along a ridge to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope down to
the north.

The People are debating loudly amongst themselves in the meeting area.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.

defensible position.
action: You grab Mane
response: You're already holding onto Mane (and it's a good thing, too).
Unable or unwilling to hold on any more, you slide off Horse, narrowly
avoiding being kicked on the way down.
Horse whinnies with delight, and disappears across the countryside. You
pick yourself up, and make your way back to the Village.

This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. The People are there now, in fact, arguing over something. The
ground slopes down to the north, and a path leads along a ridge to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope down to
the north.

The People are debating loudly amongst themselves in the meeting area.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.
action: You jump
response: Unable or unwilling to hold on any more, you slide off Horse, narrowly
avoiding being kicked on the way down.
Horse whinnies with delight, and disappears across the countryside. You
pick yourself up, and make your way back to the Village.

This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. The People are there now, in fact, arguing over something. The
ground slopes down to the north, and a path leads along a ridge to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope down to
the north.

The People are debating loudly amongst themselves in the meeting area.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.
action: You look at Horse
response: Horse is an earthy brown color with a sharp black Mane, which you are
clinging to.
Unable or unwilling to hold on any more, you slide off Horse, narrowly
avoiding being kicked on the way down.
Horse whinnies with delight, and disappears across the countryside. You
pick yourself up, and make your way back to the Village.

This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. The People are there now, in fact, arguing over something. The
ground slopes down to the north, and a path leads along a ridge to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope down to
the north.

The People are debating loudly amongst themselves in the meeting area.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.

You notice one man slip to the edge of the crowd. A few minutes later,
he seems to be gone.
action: You wait
response: Time passes.

With a force that jars you, Horse lands at the base of the hill,
jarring you forward on your seat again, but you manage otherwise to
keep your balance.
action: You wait
response: Time passes.

Ahead of you, you see something large and black.
action: You pull Mane left
response: You pull Mane to the left.

As you get nearer, the object resolves itself into a large boulder.
Horse is heading straight towards it!

As the boulder approaches, you think Horse might be heading to the left
of it, due to your pulling.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

Pulling desperately to the left, you force Horse to follow your lead,
going left around the boulder.
action: Mane
response: If you're leaning left, how do you expect to pull Mane right?

You sense that Horse is beginning to tire. This is good, because it
means you might be able to free up one of your hands to do something. Unfortunately, you are also tiring, and you can feel your grip with
your knees weakening.

The ride is unsettling you, and you feel yourself start to slip.
action: You lean right
response: You center yourself again.

You sense that Horse is beginning to tire. This is good, because it
means you might be able to free up one of your hands to do something. Unfortunately, you are also tiring, and you can feel your grip with
your knees weakening.
action: You pull Mane back
response: You pull back on Mane. Unfortunately, Horse doesn't seem to slow
perceptibly.
action: You lean back
response: You lean backwards, your arm stretching to keep a hold of Horse's Mane.

You are beginning to become sore from the constant jarring.

The ride is unsettling you, and you feel yourself start to slip.
action: You pull Mane back
response: You pull back on Mane. Unfortunately, Horse doesn't seem to slow
perceptibly.

You're faltering badly, and are having trouble righting yourself.
action: You lean forward
response: You straighten up again.

One of your hands slip, and it is only Horse's slower pace that allows
you to grab a hold again.

You manage to steady yourself a bit.
action: You ride Horse
response: You're trying!

You're just about to fall off from exhaustion!

You manage to steady yourself a bit.
action: You pull Mane
response: You'll need to be more specific. Do you want to pull it back? To the
right or left?
Unable or unwilling to hold on any more, you slide off Horse, narrowly
avoiding being kicked on the way down.
Horse whinnies with delight, and disappears across the countryside. You
pick yourself up, and make your way back to the Village.

This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. The People are there now, in fact, arguing over something. The
ground slopes down to the north, and a path leads along a ridge to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope down to
the north.

The People are debating loudly amongst themselves in the meeting area.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.
action: You lean forwards
response: You lean forward, towards Horse's neck.
Sliding off around Horse's neck, you narrowly avoid being trodden upon
as you fall forward and Horse runs over you.
Horse whinnies with delight, and disappears across the countryside. You
pick yourself up, and make your way back to the Village.

This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. The People are there now, in fact, arguing over something. The
ground slopes down to the north, and a path leads along a ridge to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope down to
the north.

The People are debating loudly amongst themselves in the meeting area.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.
action: You pull Mane forward
response: You push forwards on Mane. Horse increases speed slightly, which
unsettles you enough that you can't push forward any more. You ease
back, and Horse resumes his regular breakneck pace.

You sense that Horse is beginning to tire. This is good, because it
means you might be able to free up one of your hands to do something. Unfortunately, you are also tiring, and you can feel your grip with
your knees weakening.

The ride is unsettling you, and you feel yourself start to slip.
action: You lean forward
response: You lean forward, towards Horse's neck.

You're faltering badly, and are having trouble righting yourself.
action: You pull Mane forward
response: You push forwards on Mane. Horse increases speed slightly, which
unsettles you enough that you can't push forward any more. You ease
back, and Horse resumes his regular breakneck pace.

You are beginning to become sore from the constant jarring.
action: You pull Mane forward
response: You push forwards on Mane. Horse increases speed slightly, which
unsettles you enough that you can't push forward any more. You ease
back, and Horse resumes his regular breakneck pace.
action: You pull Mane forward
response: You push forwards on Mane. Horse increases speed slightly, which
unsettles you enough that you can't push forward any more. You ease
back, and Horse resumes his regular breakneck pace.

One of your hands slip, and it is only Horse's slower pace that allows
you to grab a hold again.
action: You pull Mane forward
response: You push forwards on Mane. Horse increases speed slightly, which
unsettles you enough that you can't push forward any more. You ease
back, and Horse resumes his regular breakneck pace.

You're just about to fall off from exhaustion!
action: You pull Mane back
response: You pull back on Mane. Unfortunately, Horse doesn't seem to slow
perceptibly.

You are beginning to become sore from the constant jarring.
action: You pull Mane back
response: You pull back on Mane. Unfortunately, Horse doesn't seem to slow
perceptibly.

One of your hands slip, and it is only Horse's slower pace that allows
you to grab a hold again.
action: You pull Mane back
response: You pull back on Mane. Unfortunately, Horse doesn't seem to slow
perceptibly.

You're just about to fall off from exhaustion!
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
Headdress (being worn)
Unable or unwilling to hold on any more, you slide off Horse, narrowly
avoiding being kicked on the way down.
Horse whinnies with delight, and disappears across the countryside. You
pick yourself up, and make your way back to the Village.

This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. The People are there now, in fact, arguing over something. The
ground slopes down to the north, and a path leads along a ridge to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope down to
the north.

The People are debating loudly amongst themselves in the meeting area.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.
action: You hit Horse
response: Violence isn't the answer to this one.
Unable or unwilling to hold on any more, you slide off Horse, narrowly
avoiding being kicked on the way down.
Horse whinnies with delight, and disappears across the countryside. You
pick yourself up, and make your way back to the Village.

This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. The People are there now, in fact, arguing over something. The
ground slopes down to the north, and a path leads along a ridge to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope down to
the north.

The People are debating loudly amongst themselves in the meeting area.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.

You notice one man slip to the edge of the crowd. A few minutes later,
he seems to be gone.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
Headdress (being worn)

You sense that Horse is beginning to tire. This is good, because it
means you might be able to free up one of your hands to do something. Unfortunately, you are also tiring, and you can feel your grip with
your knees weakening.

The ride is unsettling you, and you feel yourself start to slip.
action: You put Headdress on Horse
response: Using your free hand, you cram your headdress on Horse's head, so that
his eyes are covered. Not being able to see where he's going, Horse
stops and moves around nervously. Gently, you calm him, and manage to
urge him back to the Village.

Your arrival causes a great commotion amongst the People. Everyone is
overawed at the sight; the only thing detracting from your entrance the
fact that your headdress is unceremoniously rammed onto Horse's head,
making both of you look rather undignified. Still, the People are quick
to realize that riding a Horse would be a wonderful way to discourage
raiding Marauders, and they pester you with questions about how you
managed to do it. Soon, the whole Village is out, trying to learn how
to master the art of Horse Riding.

This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. Right now, the entire place is rather deserted, as everyone is
down in the Canyon, trying to learn how to ride a Horse like you did.
The ground slopes down to the northeast, and a path leads along a ridge
to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope
down to the northeast.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.
action: You check what you're carrying
response: You are carrying:
Headdress (being worn)
action: Go north
response: This path marks the beginnings of a descent down into the local canyon,
to the northeast. To the west is a small ragged cliff, small enough
here to scale, but which becomes a more imposing wall as you continue
your descent into the canyon. A small stream, beginning to show life
again after the worst of the summer heat, follows its rocky bed here,
as it continues down into the canyon.

You can see Spear, Useful Rock, Bone, Purple Paste, White Bark and a
Piece of Fruit here.
action: You take all
response: Spear: Taken.
Useful Rock: Taken.
Bone: Taken.
Purple Paste: You scoop up what you can of the berry mash.
White Bark: Taken.
Piece of Fruit: Taken.
action: Go south
response: This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. Right now, the entire place is rather deserted, as everyone is
down in the Canyon, trying to learn how to ride a Horse like you did.
The ground slopes down to the northeast, and a path leads along a ridge
to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope
down to the northeast.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.
action: You go west
response: This room is akin to the room below. There is a staircase going down,
and another door going east.

The simple door is open. Through it, you see a small group of huts,
clustered on an open mesa.

You see etchings on the wall here, pictures of a village near a canyon
with a herd of horses, which stretch around the entire room, from the
doorway to the staircase.

As you go back into the Edifice, you begin to hear a rumbling sound.
action: You examine the etching
response: The panel near the door contains etchings of a man dressed up with some
sort of hat, leading a small village. Off in one corner lurk threatening-looking men.

The next panel shows the man with the hat near a waterfall, picking a
piece of fruit.

The next panel shows the man with the hat enticing a horse near a cliff
with the fruit, then leaping on its back.

In the next panel, the man with the hat is on the horse's back, dodging obstacles, and trying to keep his balance.

In the final panel, the man no longer has his hat on, and is urging the
horse back to the village. It seems that the hat is now on top of the
horse, instead.

The simple door to the east is closing of its own volition!
action: Up
response: There seems to be no way out in that direction.

The rumbling is getting louder, and the whole Edifice is starting to
shake!
action: Go downwards
response: This room is akin to the room below. There is a staircase going down,
and another door going east.

The simple door is open. Through it, you see a small group of huts,
clustered on an open mesa.

You see etchings on the wall here, pictures of a village near a canyon
with a herd of horses, which stretch around the entire room, from the
doorway to the staircase.

The rumbling is getting louder, and the whole Edifice is starting to
shake!

This room is akin to the room below. There are staircases going up and
down, and another door going east.

The simple door is open. Through it, you see a wooded area, and a small
Hut.

You see etchings on the wall here, pictures of a forest with a river,
and two huts, which stretch around the entire room, from the doorway to
the staircase.

A particularly violent tremble almost knocks you off your feet, but you
manage to recover.
action: Go down
response: Green sunlight filters in from the west through the open recess,
illuminating a small, round room, simple but totally foreign to you. A staircase (when did you learn that word?) winds up along the curved
wall to another level above you, and, oddly, another doorway leads
east, as if it would lead back into the forest.

You see etchings on the wall here, pictures of a grassland with a
stream running through it, which stretch around the entire room, from
the doorway to the staircase.

The simple door is open. Oddly, you see grassland on the other side,
not forest.

The east door is just about closed!
action: Leave
response: pass through the door.

Here, in the forest where you have spent your entire life, stands a
huge Edifice, reaching into the clouds high above you.

The Others are here, doing typically boring things.

In the distance, your Enemies search for easier prey.

As you pass through the doorway, there is a rumble behind you. You turn
to see the recess filled with stone again! You bang on it with Rock,
but nothing seems to happen this time. As you step back, a fleeting
memory from inside the Edifice tells you that the irregularities above
the recess spell, "HISTORY", but then the memory disappears, and the irregularities just look like odd shapes again. "Oh, well," you think
as you turn away. "At least it didn't try to eat me."
action: Go upwards
response: This room is akin to the room below. There are staircases going up and
down, and another door going east.

The simple door is open. Through it, you see a wooded area, and a small
Hut.

You see etchings on the wall here, pictures of a forest with a river,
and two huts, which stretch around the entire room, from the doorway to
the staircase.

The east door closes, and, as it does, the rumbling stops.
action: Go east
response: pass through the door.

This is a small, cleared area in front of your Hut in the middle of the
forest. The autumn leaves crunch under your feet, and the smell of
winter is in the air. A well-worn path runs to the south towards the
sound of rushing water, and another leads north, deeper into the
forest.

Strangely, you seem to have entered this area through a
rectangular-shaped hole in a tree to the west.

Near the door is Firepit, where you cook all your meals.

You step through the door, and hear a peculiar "Whump." behind you.
Turning back around, you find that the tree which used to contain the
door is seamless, with no trace of its former portal. You turn back
around to the sound of laughing children, playing by the River, and
decide to go join them for a while.
action: Go up
response: This room is akin to the room below. There is a staircase going down,
and another door going east.

The simple door is open. Through it, you see a small group of huts,
clustered on an open mesa.

You see etchings on the wall here, pictures of a village near a canyon
with a herd of horses, which stretch around the entire room, from the
doorway to the staircase.

The east door is just about closed!
action: You go outside
response: This is the small Village you seem to lead. It consists of several
small huts, plus a larger one with no walls the People use as a meeting
area. Right now, the entire place is rather deserted, as everyone is
down in the Canyon, trying to learn how to ride a Horse like you did.
The ground slopes down to the northeast, and a path leads along a ridge
to the northwest. A small stream collects here, and follows the slope
down to the northeast.

Your own hut is just to the west, slightly larger than the others.

As you step through your door back to the Village, you hear a peculiar
"Foosh." behind you. Looking back, you see that the inside of your hut
looks perfectly normal again; the stone walls of the Edifice gone
completely. As you stand there contemplating this, a horse gallops by
with one of the People on its back, yelling for help. Laughing, you run
after them, shouting advice.
action: Go upwards
response: There seems to be no way out in that direction.

The east door closes, and, as it does, the rumbling stops.
action: Go downward
response: This room is akin to the room below. There are staircases going up and
down, and another door going east.

The simple door is closed.

You see etchings on the wall here, pictures of a forest with a river,
and two huts, which stretch around the entire room, from the doorway to
the staircase.
action: Go downwards
response: This room is small and featureless. There is a  staircases going up,
and a door going east.
The recess you originally came through is gone!

You see etchings on the wall here, pictures of a grassland with a
stream running through it, which stretch around the entire room, from
the doorway to the staircase.

The simple door is closed.
action: You go east
response: pass through the door.

Well, this certainly isn't the Forest you've come to know and love. You
are standing in the middle of a vast grassland, broken only by the
incongruous stone arch you passed through on your way here. Through it,
you can see back into the dimly-lit Edifice to the west, a sharp
contrast to the bright sunlight all around you.

Listening closely, you can hear the sounds of running water away to the northeast.

A gentle breeze blows from the northeast, carrying a hint of smoke as
it rustles through the grass, which bows in its wake.

As you pass through the arch, the door closes behind you. You watch in wonderment as it shimmers, then disappears from view. You wander around
the spot where it was, but absolutely nothing remains--even the grass
seems to have grown up where the arch's posts once stood. Finally, you
turn and make your way across the grassland to the place you suddenly
remember is home,...
action: You wait
response: Time passes.

The east door closes, and, as it does, the rumbling stops. To the west,
the recess is blocked, as well.
action: You look around
response: This room is small and featureless. There is a  staircases going up,
and a door going east.
The recess you originally came through is gone!

You see etchings on the wall here, pictures of a grassland with a
stream running through it, which stretch around the entire room, from
the doorway to the staircase.

The simple door is closed.
action: You look at the etchings
response: This room is akin to the room below. There are staircases going up and
down, and another door going east.

The simple door is closed.

You see etchings on the wall here, pictures of a forest with a river,
and two huts, which stretch around the entire room, from the doorway to
the staircase.

The panel near the door contains etchings of a man, wandering through a
forest.

The next panel shows the man searching the forest for something. The
detail in one of the huts is a little more clear, and it seems that
there are three other figures within the hut, one of whom is lying on a
bed of rags.

area, and showing them to a second man by the other hut.

In the next panel, the two men are conversing. It seems the first is
describing the prone character in the hut, and the second is giving him
some sort of plant as a result.

In the final panel, the man has brought back the plant to the first
hut, where it is being prepared for the figure in the bed. In the final
scene, all the characters are mingling freely with each other.
action: Go upwards
response: This room is akin to the room below. There are staircases going up and
down, and another door going east.

The simple door is closed.

You see etchings on the wall here, pictures of a village near a canyon
with a herd of horses, which stretch around the entire room, from the
doorway to the staircase.

Wait a minute. A staircase going up? That wasn't here before. Was it?
action: Up
response: This room is akin to the room below. There are staircases going up and
down, and another door going east.

You see etchings on the wall here, pictures of a tribe, wandering
through a vast landscape, which adorn one panel on the wall next to the
door.

The simple door is closed.
action: You look at the etchings
response: The panel near the door contains etchings of a nomadic tribe of people,
hunting and gathering food to survive.
action: Up
response: Resolutely, you climb even higher in the Edifice.
action: You go east
response: Resolutely, you step through the door.
action: Look around
response: This room is akin to the room below. There are staircases going up and
down, and another door going east.

You see etchings on the wall here, pictures of a tribe, wandering
through a vast landscape, which adorn one panel on the wall next to the
door.

The simple door is open. Through it, you see an ever-changing landscape
of hills, forest, grassland, mountains, and rivers.
action: You go east
response: Resolutely, you step through the door.