Crystal and Stone, Beetle and Bone
by Jenny Brennan (2007)
Genres: Fantasy

You are God! The last God and Lornedei is your only true believer. You need her to stand against the coming dark. Can you guide her? Will she follow?

action: %
response: Would you like to restore a saved game?
action: You go north
response: "Greetings Almighty! Allow me to tell you about your world, Aarkland."

Our story begins here.

The harvest time is upon the people. Their hard work goes on from early morning until all that must be done is done. The summer has been good and this winter no one will starve. That is what the villagers believe, anyway. In ignorance they have turned from you and cannot see the coming darkness. For them Ignorance is bliss, but refusing to see the truth is no protection against evil.

The young girl that's come to meet you in secret is Lornedei. You watch her treading along the road and when she stops next to the water, you once more feel a glimmer of hope. She is the first child in more than a hundred years that has been born with the old power. The youngest daughter to Lorne and Noki, this innocent girl searches the sky for your presence. She smiles when she senses it and gives you a little wave. She is the last one. The last hope.

Lornedei tightens the straps on her rucksack, throws a quick glance back along the road, and makes sure her sandals are fastened properly. Surely she can sense you watching her, but she says nothing. She reaches into her rucksack and brings out some bread. She nibbles on it without much enthusiasm while watching the flowing river, and she waits for you.

The girl has the power to "reach" beyond what the eye can see and "heal" what is broken, but she is not strong enough to make a difference. Not without guidance. That is where you come in. As the God of this land, you must guide her. First, you should send her to the unholy stones to see what the world around her is hiding.
An Interactive Fantasy.

Crystal and Stone, Beetle and Bone.

Latest update and bug fixed June 25 2009. Type "about" for more information.
Type "help" to get started.
Type "hint" for specific help.

Aarkland (End of Village Road)
This old road, coming from the village, runs north to the edge of the forest. Alongside it to the west is the rushing water of the river Aarkland. The river flows through the forest and divides it in two: To the east is the old forest, and to the west is the forbidden forest.

Few people use the road these days, and it is all but overtaken by grass and brush. A seemingly endless field stretches out to the east. Between the swaying grass and the road, a few deformed bushes prepare to invade what remains of the road. A short distance to the southeast is a pile of stones. The stones are barely visible above the grass.

The Aarkland river flows past as always.

A whiff of the deformed bushes reaches Lornedei's nose and she waves the unpleasant odor away.
action: About yourself
response: You are The almighty, the last of the Gods. Your wish is Lornedei's command and she will do as you ask if it is possible.

When she was born you managed to give her, as your chosen one, the power to heal and to reach into things with her mind. She is young though and you must show her the way. You might be a god but you are not much more than a vague presence in this world.
Lornedei suddenly looks startled.
"Master what is this?" A firefly is buzzing around her head. She waves her hand to wave it away when suddenly a small voice pipes up.
"No, No, silly girl. I am no harm! I am here to help you must know!" Lornedei stops waving but she looks dubiously at the tiny creature. Once safe from the terribly waving arm, the firefly stops for a rest on Lornedei's brow. The tiny voice pipes up again. "I must come, curious am I, and I can help such as you!" Lornedei tries to look up at the fly but all that happens is that her eyes cross. "There is magic here, magic in you girl. I have not sensed magic in a long time, yes!" the fly takes off and starts buzzing around Lornedei's head again. "Strong you are not! Oh, no. That god of yours was stingy in his giving so he was. Pity, pity. You can be stronger though. Sometimes from nature, sometimes from other things. You must know girl, to regain strength that you lose, you must eat. Ah, there are some here, I have searched for these." the fly buzzes off towards the deformed bushes and lands on one of the berries growing there. "Eat these and be strong, do not forget." there is an angry buzzing, a strange grunting sound, and a thud as a white berry, seemingly with a firefly attached on the top, falls to the ground. "Me... Will just.." In an amazing display of over-insectile powers, the fly lifts the berry off the ground. "will just take this." The firefly, along with its booty, disappears with a pop and a flash.

The firefly is available for questioning. It is happy to help. Just type "hint" and it will come.
action: You ask the firefly about reaching
response: She can't find anything like that. Are you sure it's here?
action: Magic
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 80.
action: Holiness
response: Your current holiness is 0 out of a possible holiness of 105, in 1 move.
action: Smell bush
response: Lornedei sniffs one of the leaves but pulls her head back with a grimace.
action: You look at the bush
response: They all look sick, small, and deformed as they reach their oddly shaped digits towards her. There must be something wrong with them. Despite it being in the middle of Harvest Moon, their leaves are yellow and riddled with brown and black blotches.
A few white berries still cling to the branches.
action: You examine the berries
response: The berries are slightly oval and quite large, almost white with barely visible bluish stripes. They are shriveled slightly but they look edible still.
action: You eat the berry
response: (Taking the white berries first.)
Lornedei picks all of the berries that seem edible. It turns out to be quite a handful. She drops them all into the rucksack.
action: You eat a the berry
response: (Taking the handful of white berries first.)
Lornedei eats one of the white berries.
"These are actually not too awful Master! They remind me of something but I cannot recall what." She shrugs.
Lornedei's magic just went up by three.
action: Heal bush
response: "These bushes' fate is beyond my powers. I cannot remove the dark power that is inside. I beg your forgiveness Master, I do not have the right knowledge and I would only be wasting my magic."
action: Magic
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 83.
action: You reach the bush
response: Carefully she reaches into the inner being of the bushes with her mind. "There is something strange here, something dark. I cannot see it clearly. All I know is that it feels wrong. Very wrong!"

Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: You check your inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 82.
Lornedei is carrying:
a handful of white berries
a loaf of horrid bread
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a piece of cheese
action: You go to the south-east
response: Aarkland (On the Unholy Stones)
For as long as Lornedei can remember, she has been told not to go there. There is nothing strange about the stones at a distance. It could just be a collection of fieldstones, perhaps from the time when the settlers first prepared the field. Nothing could be more wrong. There are piles of stones in many fields, but none with this kind of history.

She hesitates and turns to you. It seems like she wants to say something. She keeps silent and steps up on the platform.
The collection of stones is over ten paces from edge to edge. The top has been flattened to create a platform and that is where Lornedei stands. No new stones have been added in several hundred years. Despite the lack of activity, nothing grows near the stones.

There are powers here that make it easier for her to use her magic. You can make her see what hides around her. She will see the world as it is, what hides beyond what the eye can see.

She can go north to the field or northwest back to the dusty road.
action: You borrow Stone
response: "Master? I don't understand."
action: You reach the Stone
response: Lornedei reaches down in the ground by her feet. She shuts her eyes and lets her mind touch the stones one by one. One lost name after another flies through her mind like a swarm of insane and vicious insects. Hundreds, thousands of names of men, women and children. Each one has a history, a life led in pain or ignorance, but they all share the same pain. The same longing, the same sorrow, the same terrible fate. Crying, she drops to her knees.
"These people were all severed. Their names were stolen, ripped away from their souls. They did not all deserve this fate, I am sure. These names belong to the spirits Master, but they can never be whole again. Never!" Lornedei takes a deep breath and gets back up on her feet.

Lornedei bites on a nail.
action: You examine Lornedei
response: This is Lornedei. She is the youngest child of Lorne and Noki and the only girl out of the four children. She is not quite a woman, not quite a child. Her long golden hair, blue eyes and innocent eagerness to please is charming. Unlike her family and other villagers, she believes in you.
She is dressed in a finely woven shirt worn over a pair of riding trousers. The outfit is borrowed from her brother. He is of course unaware of his generosity. On her feet is a pair of leather sandals. Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: You get the Stone
response: Lornedei picks up one of the stones to take a closer look. She quickly drops it again.
"I cannot touch these Master. There is so much evil here, so much sorrow. They make me feel ill."
action: You look at the trousers
response: She is wearing a pair of pants that she borrowed for the day from one of her brothers. Well worn but clean and dry.
action: You search them
response: Perhaps you should leave Lornedei's clothing alone.
action: You examine the world
response: There is nothing she can do from here. She may be able to reach a distant object, but she can do nothing with it.
Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: You reach world
response: The world around Lornedei fades. She finds herself high up in the air, hovering above a seemingly endless field. She flaps her white wings tentatively at first, but then she catches an upwind and rises.
Not far ahead of her is a vast and lush forest, stretching north and northeast. She looks east. Between the field and the endless ocean are a few homes, perhaps a fishing village, and a patchwork of fields. As she hovers far above the field, turning to the south, she can see a road following a river to another village far to the south. It is Lornedei's own.

She turns west and the forbidden forest, a landscape of gray, stretches out ahead of her. It stretches to the southwest and to the northwest as far as she can see. It is a swirling black and gray mass of mist or smoke, for the most part unbroken except for the occasional tree-top protruding here and there.

She moves closer until she is above the glittering water of the Aarkland river and turns north. She follows the flowing water until it seems to disappear into a large cliff. The two forests meet at the top of the cliff, but the old forest seems to give way more and more so that the border turns northeast towards a distant mountain chain. The river does not seem to appear again.

She turns west, soaring above unbroken gray, seeing only the occasional twisted treetop shooting out of the thick mist and a blue sky above. She flies on, across a landscape of gray and black. The mist Swirls here and there, darkens here and there, but never reveals what is below.

Then the air seems to thin and she sinks down. She sinks down below the mist. She finds herself racing between twisted tree-trunks and grasping branches. A dry whisper follows her as she loses her orientation. Silent shapes like shadows follow her path. Spirits, hollow-eyed, pale and ragged, open their mouths in rage and longing before they shy away from her. They melt back into the shadows between the trees. Suddenly she is out of the forest.

Below her is a barren landscape of sand and broken earth. The forbidden forest surrounds this field of despair, although the sky is clear. Above the mist, to the northeast, she can see a pale silhouette of the mountains. She can see a far distant shade of green to the east, beyond which is a blue horizon.

The same view meets her to the southeast, but to the south, southwest and west, there is only the forbidden forest with its blanket of mist.

She lowers herself until she is just above stony ground. A deep ravine separates the field from the forest to the west. The ravine runs south to north into a misty plain where it disappears out of sight. To the northwest, clinging to the edge of the ravine, there is an old ruin...a castle. Only part of the ruin is visible as the rest of it fades into gray mist.

She turns westward and sinks down in the ravine. Making her way north, the tip of her left wing nearly strokes the far ravine wall. She turns upwards and flies clockwise around the entire castle ruin. Most of the old castle is gone. As she is viewing it from the outside she can see chambers, dungeons and rooms in several levels that are exposed. The rest of the ruin is at the bottom of the ravine. After flying through the mist on the far side of the ruin, she appears at a great wall that separates the castle grounds from the northern wastelands before turning southeast. In the southeast corner of the big desolate field the ground slopes down and turns into a ragged hole in the ground. Heat ripples the air around it. A large fire burns within a ring of stones.

She circles the fire. She is in a hurry, searching for the thing that should be but is no longer. She returns to the ruin. There is a high wall east of the castle and she stops to rest on top of it.

The world wavers its way back to reality and Lornedei looks pale and a bit unsteady on her feet.
"Too high! Master? If I die and must come back, please do not make me a bird!"There is nothing she can do from here. She may be able to reach a distant object, but she can do nothing with it.
action: You reach the fire
response: She can't find anything like that. Are you sure it's here?
action: You reach the ravine
response: "I cannot focus enough to find that Master. It is too distant for me, or too weak for me to reach from here."
Lornedei bites on a nail.
action: You examine the cheese
response: A piece of cheese. Fortunately, this is not made by Noki. It may actually be edible.
action: Inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 82.
Lornedei is carrying:
a handful of white berries
a loaf of horrid bread
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a piece of cheese
"What should I do?"
action: You reach river
response: "The river is flowing past in peace Master. It disappears into a cliff somewhere north, and I cannot follow it with my mind."
action: Pray
response: She does. Every night. You taught her well.
Lornedei looks around, biting her lower lip.
action: You go to the north
response: Aarkland (Billowing Field)
Lornedei hesitates throwing an anxious glance south.

Maybe she would prefer to be back in the safe grasp of her kin. If that is the case, she will never tell her God. She does not know why she is here or how easy her mind and flesh may be corrupted, and she may be better off that way.

Very carefully, you give her just the slightest of mental nudges to remove the hesitation from her mind. Not again can you give her a command without letting her choose how to proceed. What she has ahead of her she must do of her own free will as much as possible. Lornedei takes her eyes off the road and moves on.
The grass grows waist high. Touched by sun, wind, and rain, it patiently waits for the farmers that will not come. The edge of the old forest lies close by to the north. To the south, a big pile of stones rises above the grass. The road is back west.

There is a low growling coming from the high grass. An injured wolf lies there.
action: You examine the wolf
response: A wolf lies in the grass near the edge of the forest. The wolf is female and quite small. She is breathing heavily in obvious pain. Despite the apparent distress, she manages to show Lornedei an impressive set of sharp teeth. One of her hind legs seems broken and dried blood covering a big part of the grey fur tells its own story.

The animal is exhausted and badly injured. She will most definitely die if nothing is done soon.
action: Heal wolf
response: Lornedei shuts her eyes, raising both hands towards the dying animal. She summons her powers and the air starts to shimmer above the wolf. In sudden panic the wolf yelps miserably and tries to get up on its feet, but Lornedei's soft mumbling calms the animal. Still, the stare from those yellow eyes and a deep growl behind the exposed sharp teeth cannot be mistaken for friendliness.

Another mumbled phrase is heard from the girl and the predator's eyes slowly close. The wolf is asleep. The girl kneels while the swirling blue light covers the wolf with healing power. In one quick move, she corrects the broken leg to allow it to heal properly. A long while passes. Then she sits back in the grass, tired but smiling. She lets the healing light dissipate in the air.
"All is well Master. I shall call her Deini."

Another long while passes. The air is warm but a slight breeze moves the grass around Lornedei. It sways gently, like waves, across the vast field.

The wolf opens its eyes, blinks, gets up. Lornedei sits on the ground with a confident smile on her lips and her hands in her lap. The beautiful animal stands absolutely still for a moment, meeting the girl's eyes. Then, in a heartbeat, it turns away. It runs along the edge of the forest. It stops near a big tree and turns around to watch the human. It sits down while considering its options.

Then suddenly, the wolf that Lornedei named "Deini" comes running back. She smells the human, inspects her carefully, and makes a decision. She puts a cool muzzle in the hand that Lornedei is holding out. Lornedei has gained a friend.

Lornedei's magic just dropped by five.

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
action: You talk to Deini
response: The wolf looks at Lornedei expectantly but when the subject doesn't appear to be about food she starts gnawing on an itchy spot on her leg. Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: You ask Deini about the leg
response: Deini looks at Lornedei for a moment before she looses interest. Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: Go south
response: Aarkland (On the Unholy Stones)
"What should I do?"
action: You go north
response: Aarkland (Billowing Field)

Deini is here.
action: You follow you
response: Deini looks at Lornedei, wondering if there might be something to eat first. When that doesn't seem to happen, the wolf ignores her command.
action: Sance
response: "Master? I don't understand."
action: You give the bread to Deini
response: Deini smells the bread, sneezes, and backs away. She glances suspiciously at the piece of bread.
action: You give the cheese to Deini
response: (Taking the piece of cheese first.)
Deini smells the piece of cheese but she is not very interested in anything that never had a heart beat at one point.
action: Go west
response: Aarkland (End of Village Road)

The Aarkland river flows past as always.

The deformed bushes seem to reach for Lornedei as she walks by. Lornedei bites on a nail.
action: Go west
response: In the River (By the Road)
Lornedei tightens her sandals and checks her rucksack, making sure it is closed tight before entering the river. She steps carefully down the slippery slope and through the parting rushes and reeds. Something squawks at her but it is gone before she can see it. When her feet lose contact with the bottom, she floats and lets the remaining hesitation float away with the invisible currents below.
The river runs from north to south. Ahead of her, the glittering water becomes shaded by the two forests. The forbidden forest on the left and the still green old forest on the right. The river disappears out of sight perhaps a hundred paces into the tunnel of trees, water, and shadows. The dusty road is east, where she can get out of the water. She can also dive down to the bottom of the river.
Lornedei fumbles and dips the bread in the water. The loaf of horrid bread sucks up water like a sponge. It is totally ruined in seconds. It turns into mush that dissolves in Lornedei's hand. With a disgusted grimace, she lets it float away down stream.
A dry black leaf drops from the forbidden forest into the water right in front of Lornedei. It bobs up and down a couple of times before it floats away downstream.
action: You drop all
response: piece of cheese: Your wish is her command.
handful of white berries: Your wish is her command.
loaf of horrid bread: Your wish is her command.
action: You go west
response: In the River (By the Road)
Lornedei tightens her sandals and checks her rucksack, making sure it is closed tight before entering the river. She steps carefully down the slippery slope and through the parting rushes and reeds. Something squawks at her but it is gone before she can see it. When her feet lose contact with the bottom, she floats and lets the remaining hesitation float away with the invisible currents below.
The river runs from north to south. Ahead of her, the glittering water becomes shaded by the two forests. The forbidden forest on the left and the still green old forest on the right. The river disappears out of sight perhaps a hundred paces into the tunnel of trees, water, and shadows. The dusty road is east, where she can get out of the water. She can also dive down to the bottom of the river.
action: Dive
response: She dives down.

River Bottom (Here be Sand)
A magical world reveals itself. The river continues north. The bottom is mostly composed of sand, rocks, some mud, and quickly fleeing fish. All kinds of things have been thrown in the river from the road and are now resting under a layer of sand until the end of time. The river continues north.
action: Go south
response: That is not the way. She can go north or up.
action: Go north
response: River Bottom (Here be Mud)
It's harder to see here. The river flows from north to south. The mud swirls up, preventing her from seeing more than a few arm lengths ahead. The old trees reach out their roots under the water. They crowd the bottom along with swaying vegetation and rocks.

She can see a small gray plaque here.
action: You take the plaque
response: As you wish.

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
action: You examine the plaque
response: It is a small round plaque in a material unknown to Lornedei. The surface is smooth and with a deep polish. It is small enough to fit in Lornedei's hand. The surface shows nothing, not even the distorted image of Lornedei herself that one might expect. What shows in the plaque is like a reflection of a stormy sky in a puddle of murky water, just before the rain starts hammering.
Her lungs are starting to ache. She will have to go to the surface soon!
action: Black
response: The leaves look the same on each tree, even though the types of trees are different altogether. It is more like an infestation of these things, these leaves. They are leaves are they not? They grow in clusters that hang down from each limb. They give the entire forest a drooping, weighed down appearance. Each cluster holds somewhere around eight shell-like leaves and each branch holds eight to twelve clusters, depending on the size of the tree. The occasional single leaf grows directly on the black trunk of some of the trees. They look more like a shimmering wart or pimple growing on the scorched bark. The clusters look more and more like colonies of big water bugs clinging to each other in fear of dropping to the ground.

The leaves move, but not by wind. There is a barely perceptible rearrangement within the clusters. A quick adjustment of the leaves takes place and then it is entirely still again. Each slight movement in a cluster creates a dry, scratching, whispering sound. The sound generated by a single cluster of leaves is barely audible, but since some of the clusters are always moving, the resulting sound is a shrill whispering, a scraping, almost a singing. It is a strangely modulated melody that travels from tree to tree through the forest. It varies in pitch and volume but is always present.
action: Black
response: Lornedei lets her mind reach into the leaves.
"Master, these are not leaves, not entirely. They have been, and perhaps they can be again, but what I feel is something else. It is alive, in a way, and it is waiting."

Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: You get the black leaf
response: Lornedei grabs one of the black leaves in the nearest cluster of leaves and twists it loose. The leaf, being as long as her middle finger, falls to its side in her palm. The curved inside of the leaf suddenly fills with a hideous mush that swells and boils as she watches. Flesh grows and shapes itself in the shell into an insect's body. The mush is white with brown and dark red streaks. The nasty mess is swirling around inside the leaf, forming the flesh bit by bit. The shiny wetness dries quickly once the beetle's body takes form inside its shell. A thin purple layer finally covers the belly. Six black legs pop out through the newly formed glittering layer of skin. It takes only a moment for them to start moving around. Another pop forces a wriggling head out and the insect is near completion. The bug grows at a furious pace and finally it extrudes a pair of black antennae that unfold until they're as long, if not longer, than the entire beetle.

Lornedei turns the beetle over. It stays nearly motionless in her hand. The long antennae, shivering slightly, carefully touch the outline of the hand holding it, the sensitive inside of Lornedei's wrist, the sleeve of her shirt. The beetle seems satisfied with its new master.
action: Go south
response: In the River (By the Road)
action: You go south
response: Even if she needed to go south back to the village, following the road would be easier than swimming the entire way. She can get out of the river to the east or follow it north.
action: You get all
response: loaf of horrid bread: As you wish.
handful of white berries: As you wish.
piece of cheese: As you wish.
"Master?"
action: Go north
response: No, she can go east to the field, southeast to the unholy stones, or enter the river to the west.
Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
action: Go east
response: Aarkland (Billowing Field)

Deini is here.
action: You go to the north
response: No, that is not the way. The river is west and the unholy stones are to the south.
action: You go west
response: Aarkland (End of Village Road)

The Aarkland river flows past as always.

The deformed bushes seem to reach for Lornedei as she walks by.
action: You close the backpack
response: Lornedei takes care of the rucksack. She will open it when she needs something and close it properly when it needs to be closed. Just remember that she cannot do anything with it while she is under water.
action: You put bread in the rucksack
response: She drops the loaf of horrid bread into the leather rucksack.
Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: You put the cheese in the rucksack
response: She drops the piece of cheese into the leather rucksack.
action: You put the berries in the rucksack
response: She drops the handful of white berries into the leather rucksack.
action: You look at what you're carrying with you
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 76.
Lornedei is carrying:
a large black beetle (Fluffing up its wings at the moment.)
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a handful of white berries
a piece of cheese
a loaf of horrid bread
action: You put the Beetle in the rucksack
response: She drops the big black beetle into the leather rucksack.
action: You go west
response: In the River (By the Road)
action: Go downward
response: She dives down.

River Bottom (Here be Sand)
action: You get the sand
response: The sand and mud is everywhere and it's utterly useless.
action: You reach the plaque
response: Lornedei just shrugs. There doesn't seem to be anything she can learn about the plaque.
action: Go north
response: River Bottom (Here be Mud)
Her lungs are starting to ache. She will have to go to the surface soon!
action: Go upward
response: In the River (Between the Forests)
action: You reach sky
response: (the sky)
There seems to be nothing beyond what the eye can see.
action: You check your inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 76.
Lornedei is carrying:
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a large black beetle (Spinning around waving its antennae at the moment.)
a handful of white berries
a piece of cheese
a loaf of horrid bread
action: You examine the Beetle
response: It's a black beetle as big as Lornedei's hand from antenna tip to end. The hard shell shimmers in shades of red and green.
action: You talk to the Beetle
response: "I do not believe this little chap talks a whole lot. It is quiet now in any case."
action: You examine forest
response: These trees all look dead at first sight. Scorched and tortured, they reach out their blackened limbs over the cowering undergrowth. They do have leaves, however, not green and lush but almost black.
action: You examine the cliff
response: The river ends here. Ahead is a nearly triangular formation of smooth rock, its flat face perpendicular to the water, facing south. The triangle stands with its wide base in the water and the ragged tip acting as a divider beetween the two forests. The rock is smooth and dark.
action: You stand on the rock
response: Lornedei glances questioningly at the vertical cliff. That is not something that she can enter.
action: Exits
response: She can go south or down.
action: Go downward
response: She dives down.

River Bottom (At the Cave Entrance)
The bottom is littered with rocks. There are piles of them of varying sizes, washed clean by the constant flow of water. Around the sides of the opening into the cave, a few colonies of a slimy and sickly green plant have managed to make a home. They sway back and forth in the current while clinging desperately to the rocks. The opening leads northwest into a cave and south takes her back around the river bend.
action: You look at the rock
response: Rocks of all sizes: some sharp as if crushed, some reasonably round, some smooth smaller stones, and even some smoother pebbles are scattered everywhere on top of a layer of mud and sand.
action: You take the rock
response: The rocks do not interest Lornedei. Leave them be.
action: Go inside
response: Caves (Entering the Caves)
Lornedei's pale hand trails the cave wall as she quickly swims through the opening in the cliff. The opening is just big enough for her to go through. Inside, the cave widens slightly.
Darkness is chased away by only a few illusive reflections in the stone, thanks to the little light leaking in from the opening. The tunnel continues west into total darkness and Southeast takes her out of the cave.

She can see a fairy lamp with a crystal spider inside here.
action: You get the lamp
response: As you wish.
Her lungs are starting to ache. She will have to go to the surface soon!
action: Leave
response: River Bottom (At the Cave Entrance)
The bottom is littered with rocks. There are piles of them of varying sizes, washed clean by the constant flow of water. Around the sides of the opening into the cave, a few colonies of a slimy and sickly green plant have managed to make a home. They sway back and forth in the current while clinging desperately to the rocks. The opening leads northwest into a cave and south takes her back around the river bend.
action: Go upwards
response: In the River (By the Cliff)
The river makes a slight turn, hiding the road from view. A vertical cliff stops her from going any further north in this tunnel of water, trees, and shadows. Above her head is a frayed ribbon of blue sky and at the top of the cliff, the two forests meet. Below and around her there is that play of light and dark, maybe just a little bit darker. South takes her back around the bend. Looking down she can see an opening in the cliff.
action: You examine the lamp
response: The fairy lamp is a perfectly round, transparent orb that fits inLornedei's hand. It is hard as a rock, cold as ice and covered with years of grime and dirt. Through the dirt, a soft light is visible. It is not enough to illuminate anything at the moment.

This is one of the old people's fairy lamps. Crystal spiders light up in the presence of someone with any magical powers. However, the spiders are, according to legend, not to be trusted. That is why they were, and apparently, some still are, trapped this way.

There used to be many of these around and they were used as lamps by the light bearers but the use of them has been forgotten over the years.
action: Clean lamp
response: Lornedei starts to clean away the layer of dirt from the surface of the lamp. After some heavy duty scrubbing, the lamp shines bright.

There is a strange ticking sound. When she looks at the lamp, the crystal spider inside stares back at her. It lifts a leg and gives the inside of its prison another tap. After that, the spider curls up and is still again.
action: You look at the spider
response: She can't quite see what it looks like as long as it's trapped inside the lamp. She'll have to free it somehow.
action: You reach spider
response: She is surrounded by crimson light. Intense, dancing light streaked with strands of pure dark. Greasy suffocating smoke, then a flash of blinding white, Deafening thunder of falling rocks. Then nothing.

Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: Go inside
response: Caves (Entering the Caves)
Darkness is chased away by only a few illusive reflections in the stone, thanks to the little light leaking in from the opening. The tunnel continues west into total darkness and Southeast takes her out of the cave.
action: Go west
response: Caves (Choosing the Path)
Lornedei moves on through a current caused by the narrowing of the tunnel. She makes it past and to calmer water where the tunnel splits into four.
The main flow seems to continue north, while two smaller tunnels lead northwest and west. East takes her back near the opening.
action: You go west
response: Caves (In the Restless Waters)
A strong current grabs her. She is flipped around, thrown like a puppy's toy. The water tries to drag her down to the bottom. She is immediately confused and swims towards the surface. Hard rock meets her outstretched hand in each direction. There is nothing but stone.
action: Go downwards
response: Caves (In the Gathering of Dead)
The water is colder. The pressure in her ears is starting to get painful but now she can see it. The bottom is littered with bones, skulls and rib cages of all sizes that lie in droves on the sand. Pale bony hands wave at her in the unexplainable current. Grinning skulls mock her and whisper.
"Come! Rest here with us!"
There is a subtle movement near one wall. The bones twitch and move slightly as if pulled by a current.
Her lungs are starting to ache. She will have to go to the surface soon!
action: You get bone
response: Lornedei looks terrified, but she moves closer to the layer of bones covering the bottom.
Suddenly, Lornedei is grabbed by a current stronger than she can handle.

She is dragged and pulled through the water, through a narrow opening in the cliff, up through a narrow well, and through wet cold darkness. She breaks the surface, spitting water, choking in her greedy quest for air.

Inside an Old Stone Well (In Gurgling Water)
The dark water swirls and gurgles in this small well. The crumbling edge of the stone cylinder is perhaps an arms length higher than the surface.
Dim rays of light find their way down to the dark water, but help little to chase away the shadows.

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
action: You check your inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 75.
Lornedei is carrying:
A brightly shining fairy lamp with a crystal spider inside
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a large black beetle (Airing out its shell at the moment.)
a handful of white berries
a piece of cheese
a loaf of horrid bread
action: Go upwards
response: She grabs the slippery stones and climbs out of the old well, wet and exhausted. She sits down on the ground, leaning against the cold stones.

Slowly, Lornedei looks around this dark clearing. An oppressive gray fog hangs over everything and seems to add weight to the air itself. There is a presence here. Something is waiting among the dark trees. Something sinister.
The gray mist hides the sun from sight and there is no way to make out which direction is which.
The clearing is almost perfectly round and thirty or so paces across. It is surrounded by the forbidden forest on all sides.
A giant black oak stands in solitude in the middle of the clearing. Many of its roots stick out of the ground like snakes arching to suffocate their prey. Steps are cut in the oak to provide an easy way up.

A stone altar stands in the shadow of the big oak. Dry grass and shrubs are still rooted in the dead soil, and more of the deformed bushes grow in a loose circle around the oak and the altar.

An old stone well gurgles softly not far from a crumbling stone house. On the other side of the clearing, three paths lead into the forbidden forest.

The roots under the big oak stir restlessly. The shadows beneath them seem to grow momentarily, but when Lornedei Looks at them the movement stops.
There is a loud buzzing from the rucksack. Suddenly the Beetle comes crawling out and scrambles down to the ground. It spins around.
action: You examine Beetle
response: It's a black beetle as big as Lornedei's hand from antenna tip to end. The hard shell shimmers in shades of red and green.
action: You ask Beetle about the tree
response: The beetle actually seems to consider this for a moment. That was only wishful thinking though.
The beetle runs off to one of the paths. It spins around once before returning to Lornedei.
Something touches Lornedei's foot. She pulls her leg away from the grasping root with a shriek.
action: You examine the roots
response: The roots are black and scorched just like the rest of the tree, but there are patches where the crusted surface has cracked and large pieces, almost like scales, have dropped off. There in the open wounds, the surface is the colour of cheese gone hard and sweaty, but the texture is stringy instead of smooth. The bigger roots bend upwards and then down through the ground. In this way they leave hollows and shadows seeming to lead in under the oak's twisted and gnarled trunk. The deformed bushes rustle and seem to reach for her.
action: You examine the bushes
response: These bushes resemble those at the village road, but there are quite a few more of them. These look even more gnarled and deformed, as though starved of clean water and sunlight.
These also have thorns as well as, oddly enough, plenty of purple nuts. The beetle stands still, seemingly watching the deformed bushes.
A dry black leaf drops down on Lornedei's shoulder. With a grimace, she flicks it with a finger to get rid of it.
action: Heal roots
response: Healing drains too much power. That would be a waste.
Lornedei bites on a nail.
A dry black leaf drops down on Lornedei's shoulder. With a grimace, she flicks it with a finger to get rid of it.
action: You take the nuts
response: "No thank you Master. Only a fool would try to do anything with those nuts." To emphasize her point, she gives the nearest bush a kick and a cloud of putrid dust from the leaves rises. A thorny nut falls to the ground.
The beetle stands still, seemingly watching the deformed bushes.
action: You reach the bushes
response: Lornedei lets her mind sink into the dry twisted branches of the bushes. After just a moment she steps backwards, clasping her throat with wide, fearful eyes.
"These trees do not feed on water and sun. Their thirst is for something else and they have not received any for so long. That is why they have died, but the nuts... I do not understand."

Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: You take the nut
response: Lornedei carefully picks up the nut. She quickly drops it in the rucksack.
action: You examine the oak
response: A giant black oak takes pride of place in the hall of severance. The shadow of the huge crown, a shadow that is nothing more than a slightly darker darkness, seems to reach beyond what it ought to be able to.
The oak watches over the clearing. It gives the impression of a greedy old man guarding his treasures with suspiciously gleaming eyes.

One of the big black branches reaches out far above Lornedei's head and seems to disappear into a cloud of black smoke. Steps are cut in the oak to provide a way up.
action: You examine the altar
response: This less than holy stone is five feet long, four feet wide and is waist high. The old stone is almost black.
Whether it is the natural color of the stone or if the color is caused by something else is hard to tell. Lornedei will not speculate.

Ancient carvings cover all visible sides. Most of them are faded and impossible to read.
The beetle runs off to one of the paths. It spins around once before returning to Lornedei.
action: Exits
response: She can enter the stone house, climb the oak or try one of the trails.
action: You examine the house
response: This death house was not built in your name. The forgotten ones, when they were still only humans, were chained in there. Sometimes they were chained for hours, sometimes for weeks. They all gave up their names in the end, and their spirits fled into the vast forest. The trees were still green, the soil not yet tainted beyond repair, the forest alive and well.

What stands here now is a crumbling round stone building not more than perhaps six paces from opening to far wall, with a mostly sunken in roof. The opening in the gray and faltering stonework, the only opening, leads into darkness. This ragged and sorrowful eye is slightly askew and it seems to glare moodily at the altar, dead tired of the view, or perhaps relishing it. The door that must have hung there at one point is now gone. It is most likely now rotting away under a layer of dirt. Since the rituals ended, there has been no one to tend to this house of shame. The acknowledgement of its existence perhaps too painful.

The acts of cruelty, so wrongly justified in the name of peace, have stopped. The screams are now silence, but the memories remain.
action: You examine the right path
response: The right trail is quite wide and as well maintained as any great castles gardens trail. Seemingly so. The forbidden forest makes it dark and menacing, contradicting what the eye can clearly see.
The roots under the big oak stir restlessly.
action: You look at the left path
response: The trail is dark but hard packed and seemingly well traveled. Shadows line the sides even though there is no light to cast them.
action: You look at the straight path
response: This path is not so much a trail as a country road, Straight and flat, free from muddy wheel tracks or invading vegetation.

Looks a bit too straight, too clean, too good to be true.
The roots under the big oak stir restlessly.
A dry black leaf drops down on Lornedei's shoulder. With a grimace, she flicks it with a finger to get rid of it.
action: Go upwards
response: Hall of Severance (In the Black Oak)
A shiver runs through the tree and the shrill song of the leaves seems to increase in volume for a moment. Lornedei folds herself over the branch and stays hanging precariously over it. She looks down. The clearing below her swims out of focus, seems to move away from her and then come rushing back at her. She clings desperately to the scorched limb, unsure if she is going to slide backwards and down on the ground, or tip over forward with the same fatal result. She shuts her eyes hard.

And the world is still once more. Very carefully, she lifts one leg over the branch and then she is sitting steady. She opens her eyes and with a sigh of relief. The clearing looks as it should, all considering.

Clusters of black leaves surround Lornedei. They hang from the upper branches, creating a shield that totally obscures the sky above. She can look down, as all the clusters are above and around her, but up is nothing but shimmering black. The branch reaches out over the clearing and the end of it seems to disappear in a big cloud of smoke. She can climb down to the ground or follow the branch.
action: You examine the smoke
response: The cloud of smoke seems to be spinning slowly. It shifts in black and sometimes purple. It obscures the branch and she cannot see anything in or around it. Everything seems to disappear within the smoke.
action: You reach the smoke
response: "I cannot use my powers to reach into the smoke Master. It frightens me."
action: You follow the branch
response: Lornedei follows the branch outwards towards the smoke. It seems to rise and meet her and then it surrounds her.

A dark wall of smoke surrounds her. Occasionally a ragged veil of broken vapor is detached from it and dissolves in the air. There is nothing here. Even the ground is gone. Although she can feel it under her feet, she will not try to touch it.
"I feel so strange. It is so dark here, so wrong. Everything seems to be turning. I feel something here but it is hidden from me."
Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: You reach the smoke
response: "I feel ill Master. It feels like I would be sick if I try. Something is draining me and there is nothing I can do. It feels like everything is spinning."
Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: Search smoke
response: There is nothing hiding in the wall of smoke.
Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: Go outside
response: But she's not in anything at the moment.
Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: You rub lamp
response: Lornedei polishes the fairy lamp some more. The light remains the same. Lornedei is waiting for your command.
Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: Heal smoke
response: She cannot heal things that are not alive.
Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: Go downwards
response: Lornedei climbs down.

The clearing is almost perfectly round and thirty or so paces across. It is surrounded by the forbidden forest on all sides.
A giant black oak stands in solitude in the middle of the clearing. Many of its roots stick out of the ground like snakes arching to suffocate their prey. Steps are cut in the oak to provide an easy way up.

A stone altar stands in the shadow of the big oak. Dry grass and shrubs are still rooted in the dead soil, and more of the deformed bushes grow in a loose circle around the oak and the altar.

An old stone well gurgles softly not far from a crumbling stone house. On the other side of the clearing, three paths lead into the forbidden forest.

The roots under the big oak stir restlessly. The shadows beneath them seem to grow momentarily, but when Lornedei Looks at them the movement stops.

She can also see a large black beetle (Taking a nap at the moment.) here.
action: You examine the altar
response: This less than holy stone is five feet long, four feet wide and is waist high. The old stone is almost black.
Whether it is the natural color of the stone or if the color is caused by something else is hard to tell. Lornedei will not speculate.

Ancient carvings cover all visible sides. Most of them are faded and impossible to read.
action: You reach the altar
response: She lifts her hands towards the stained altar. She focuses, frowning, then she is shoved back by something. The connection breaks and Lornedei gasps for air.
"No Master, I cannot! There is so much wickedness there and it does not want to reveal its secrets. All I could sense was pain. Pain, fear, and blood."
Lornedei's magic just dropped by five.
"What should I do?"
action: You eat the berry
response: (Taking the handful of white berries first.)
Lornedei eats another white berry.
Lornedei's magic just went up by three.
Something touches Lornedei's foot. She pulls her leg away from the grasping root with a shriek.
action: You enter House
response: Hall of Severance (In the House of Penance)
Lornedei steps through the crumbling opening into a darkness that is not quite total. There is dim light sifting down from the ruined ceiling above. She glances up, perhaps fearing that the whole construction will give up at her intrusion.

But the only thing falling down on her is the weight of history; stories of cruel ignorance, memories that linger. The light catches a glittering thread and Lornedei swipes at the descending spider before it can land on her. With a grimace she steps on it before it can scramble away, burying it in the dry dirt. She looks around, but if there are more spiders here, they keep out of her way.
The many years have taken its toll on this house. The circular wall tapers slightly towards the ceiling. Above her, a framework of thick beams support several generations worth of spider webs. There is not much left of the roof now. The light from outside leaks in through the holes in the ceiling. It magnifies the presence of fine dry dust that floats lazily in the still air. Long since rotted straw and reeds cover the earthen floor.

A pair of rusty manacles hangs on the wall.
action: You look at the straw
response: She gives the rotted straw and dirt a quick glance but she has nothing to say about it.
"What should I do?"
action: You examine the manacles
response: Lornedei shakes her head.
action: You search the straw
response: Lornedei kicks the rotted remains around with a grimace, holding her breath against the odors rising from the floor. A shriek cuts through the still air and she takes a step back.

Empty sockets in a yellowed and cracked skull stare up at her. She takes another step towards the opening and starts to turn to leave. Something causes her to look back, though, perhaps a sense of shame for disturbing this final resting place. She stares at the human skull peeking out from its shallow grave, and goes to cover it again. Before she can throw a handful of the old straw over it, she stops. There is a sudden glimmering light from within one of the dark holes. There is something inside the skull. She also notices a small pouch in the shallow grave, half buried in the dirt.
action: You look in the skull
response: In the cracked skull is An amulet.
action: You look at the amulet
response: It's a pale blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
action: You take the amulet
response: Lornedei's hand trembles at the touch.
"So much power!"

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
action: You wear it
response: Lornedei hangs the amulet around her neck. Immediately it flares up and shines brightly. The blinding light fades somewhat and the light becomes soft and steady. Lornedei shivers in delight from the power in the crystal that gives itself to her.

Lornedei's magic just went up by one hundred.

"What should I do?"
action: You take the pouch
response: As you wish.
action: You examine the pouch
response: It is a dry and withered leather pouch, no bigger than a woman's fist. A leather string is used to close it and hang it in a belt.
action: You wear it
response: She can't wear that!
Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
action: You open the pouch
response: She opens the small leather pouch, revealing a golden acorn.
action: You look at the acorn
response: It is an acorn in shape and form but it seems to be one in solid gold.
action: You reach the acorn
response: Lornedei holds the golden acorn in her hand. The images come to her without being reached for.

A seedling, a sapling, a giant oak.
All in a matter of seconds. Dripping water, a silver goblet.
A wish to grow, a wish to heal.
Instant flashes, not much more than emotion and fleeing images, but strong and urgent.
Time is running out.
The vision fades.
action: You look at the beams
response: Lornedei has no interest in the construction of this place. It may not even be safe to stay here very long.
action: Leave
response: She steps out in the clearing.

The clearing is almost perfectly round and thirty or so paces across. It is surrounded by the forbidden forest on all sides.
A giant black oak stands in solitude in the middle of the clearing. Many of its roots stick out of the ground like snakes arching to suffocate their prey. Steps are cut in the oak to provide an easy way up.

A stone altar stands in the shadow of the big oak. Dry grass and shrubs are still rooted in the dead soil, and more of the deformed bushes grow in a loose circle around the oak and the altar.

An old stone well gurgles softly not far from a crumbling stone house. On the other side of the clearing, three paths lead into the forbidden forest.

The roots under the big oak stir restlessly. The shadows beneath them seem to grow momentarily, but when Lornedei Looks at them the movement stops.

She can also see a large black beetle (Taking a nap at the moment.) here.
Something touches Lornedei's foot. She pulls her leg away from the grasping root with a shriek.
action: You search the roots
response: After a quick look, she just shakes her head. She does not know.
The beetle runs off to one of the paths. It spins around once before returning to Lornedei.
action: You ask Beetle about the paths
response: The beetle actually seems to consider this for a moment. That was only wishful thinking though.
The beetle scrambles through the dead grass to one of the paths. It spins around and comes back to Lornedei.
action: You take Beetle
response: The beetle crawls up in her hand.
The beetle squirms its way out of Lornedei's grasp and drops to the ground. It runs off, climbs up on the stone well, climbs back down, crawls through the bushes and seems to inspect the stone house, to finally stop at one of the paths.
action: You examine well
response: It is an old, neglected well made of stones. It's nearly invisible among the long dry grass dying bushes that surround it.
Something touches Lornedei's foot. She pulls her leg away from the grasping root with a shriek.
action: You examine Beetle
response: It's a black beetle as big as Lornedei's hand from antenna tip to end. The hard shell shimmers in shades of red and green.
Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
The roots under the big oak stir restlessly.
action: You go left
response: Lornedei takes a couple of steps towards the dark trail, glancing nervously up at the trees. Then she takes a deep breath before moving forward. The shadows of the forbidden forest fall on her.
She walks without sun as guidance or aim to where she is going.
The path twists and turns and soon she is cursing her own thoughtlessness. The prickling sensation of a forgotten spirit's hatred sinks down on her like a heavy blanket.
Her feet feel strangely heavy and clumsy, as if the undergrowth hinders her movement. However there is nothing growing on the path. It is empty. Flat and hard-packed, it should be easy to walk on.
A somewhat stronger light appears further ahead and with a soft sob of relief Lornedei starts running towards the clearing.
She stops with the beginning of a smile freezing on her lips.
The clearing is dark, a stone well gurgles softly, and three paths disappear into the forbidden forest.
The beetle scrambles through the dead grass to one of the paths. It spins around and comes back to Lornedei.
action: You reach the right path
response: Lornedei closes her eyes, letting the unseen take over. Nothing. The scorched trees stand guard over the withered undergrowth, the rocks, the fallen trees,...but not one single trail.
She turns her attention to the next passage, and then the final one, but there is nothing except the forest hiding its secrets even from Lornedei's magic eye.
She opens her eyes, blinking a few times to make sure. Yes, there they are.

Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: You check your inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 176.
Lornedei is carrying:
a small leather pouch (which is open)
a golden acorn
A blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
a handful of white berries
A brightly shining fairy lamp with a crystal spider inside
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a purple nut with thorns
a piece of cheese
a loaf of horrid bread
"Master?"
action: You put the nut on the altar
response: She needs to be holding the purple nut with thorns before she can put it on top of something else.
Lornedei is waiting for your command.
The beetle disappears into the crumbling stone house. It comes back out, stays a moment in the opening, waving its antennae, before coming back to Lornedei.
Lornedei stares at the leaf clusters in the black forest. She looks away, biting her lower lip.
action: You put the nut on the altar
response: Lornedei carefully takes the nut, holding it with two fingers by one of the thorns. That way she won't get hurt.
She puts the purple nut with thorns on the stone altar.
action: You look
response: The clearing is almost perfectly round and thirty or so paces across. It is surrounded by the forbidden forest on all sides.
A giant black oak stands in solitude in the middle of the clearing. Many of its roots stick out of the ground like snakes arching to suffocate their prey. Steps are cut in the oak to provide an easy way up.

A stone altar stands in the shadow of the big oak. Dry grass and shrubs are still rooted in the dead soil, and more of the deformed bushes grow in a loose circle around the oak and the altar.

An old stone well gurgles softly not far from a crumbling stone house. On the other side of the clearing, three paths lead into the forbidden forest.

The roots under the big oak stir restlessly. The shadows beneath them seem to grow momentarily, but when Lornedei Looks at them the movement stops.

On the stone altar is a purple nut with thorns.

She can also see a large black beetle (Spinning around waving its antennae at the moment.) here.
action: You take the nut
response: Lornedei carefully picks up the nut. She quickly drops it in the rucksack.
The beetle scrambles through the dead grass to one of the paths. It spins around and comes back to Lornedei.
action: You follow Beetle
response: The black beetle is still for a few moments. Sniffing the air for danger. Then suddenly it decides where to go and takes off along one of the paths. Lornedei follows.

Shadows reach for her, imaginary or not, from the growing darkness between the trees, as she moves into the forbidden forest. The beetle is ahead of her, leading on, stopping now and then to find its way. The path twists and changes direction so many times that Lornedei has to rely totally on her glimmering little guide.

Lornedei keeps her eye on the bug, but looks around now and then. The trees all look the same. No matter which kind they might have been originally, they are now all black and scorched. Clusters of leaves, singing their strange melody, hang from nearly all of them, some nearly touching the undergrowth. The forest is cold, the air thick, and Cowering under the stare of the shadows, she moves on. The bug leads. It runs ahead, over a dry and cracked puddle of mud, through the hollowed out insides of a dead tree, forward.

The beetle stops. Its antennae wave frantically and it spins around on the ground a couple of times. When Lornedei reaches down to pick it up it quickly unfolds its wings, takes off with a buzzing and disappears among the trees.

Forbidden Forest (Near the Raven Tree)
Disappointed, Lornedei looks around.
"I think I am lost."
The scorched trees tower over anyone and anything unfortunate enough to be here. An air of ill will hangs over the treetops.
The gray fog touches the trees highest branches, hiding the sun from view. Two paths lead into the black forest from here.
Lornedei sighs.

An enormous raven sits high up on a blackened branch, surrounded by the bug like leaves. It stares unblinking at Lornedei as she moves around in the crossing. It greets her with a threatening flutter with the wings, a guttural croaking and constant nervous sidestepping on the branch.

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
action: You reach Raven
response: In the moment she reaches the bird with her mind, she is pushed backwards by an unknown force. She loses the connection.
The bird croaks as it shakes the unwelcome intrusion from its mind.

Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: You give the cheese to Raven
response: (Taking the piece of cheese first.)
The piece of cheese does not seem to interest the bird.
action: You examine Raven
response: A large black bird with a shaggy, iridescent plumage. It never moves its gaze far from the trespasser. Every move she makes results in a nervous side step, a twitching in the wedge-shaped tail and a curious tilt of the black head.
action: You put the cheese in the rucksack
response: She drops the piece of cheese into the leather rucksack.
action: You examine Tree
response: These trees all look dead at first sight. Scorched and tortured, they reach out their blackened limbs over the cowering undergrowth. They do have leaves, however, not green and lush but almost black.
action: Exits
response: She can try following one of the paths.
action: You talk to Raven
response: "I cannot talk to animals Master. Besides that, I am sure that a thing like that has nothing but nasty things to say."
Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: You show the plaque to Raven
response: The small gray plaque does not interest the bird. It just keeps on sidestepping.
action: You follow Raven
response: Follow the bird? The black bird is not going anywhere at the moment. Perhaps it needs some incentive.
action: You give the bread to Raven
response: (Taking the loaf of horrid bread first.)
The loaf of horrid bread does not seem to interest the bird.
action: You give the acorn to Raven
response: Really? the golden acorn?

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
The golden acorn does not interest the bird. It just keeps on sidestepping.
action: You give the nut to Raven
response: Really? the purple nut with thorns?
Lornedei carefully takes the nut, holding it with two fingers by one of the thorns. That way she won't get hurt.
Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
action: You put the nut in the rucksack
response: She drops the purple nut with thorns into the leather rucksack.
A dry black leaf drops down on Lornedei's shoulder. With a grimace, she flicks it with a finger to get rid of it.
action: You take the leaf
response: Lornedei grabs one of the black leaves in the nearest cluster and twists it loose from the branch. The leaf falls over and the beetle quickly takes shape in her hand. When it is done growing, it crawls up on Lornedei's shoulder.
action: You take the leaf
response: She already woke one beetle. There's no need to wake another one.
action: Caw
response: "Master? I don't understand."
action: Pet Raven
response: "I fail to see a point in what you ask!"
A dry black leaf falls to the ground next to her. A gust of wind catches it and carries it away.
action: You get Raven
response: The bird is too far up in the tree; it will not come close enough to be caught.
action: You climb Tree
response: There's no way she could.
Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
action: Dig
response: (the raven)
The ground is too hard to dig in this place.
Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal. A dry black leaf falls to the ground next to her. A gust of wind catches it and carries it away.
action: Pray
response: She does. Every night. You taught her well.
action: Inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 176.
Lornedei is carrying:
a large black beetle (Spinning around waving its antennae at the moment.)
a golden acorn
a loaf of horrid bread
a small leather pouch (which is open but empty)
A blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
a handful of white berries
A brightly shining fairy lamp with a crystal spider inside
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a purple nut with thorns
a piece of cheese
Lornedei bites on a nail.
action: You give the Crystal to Raven
response: (the amulet to the raven)
The amulet does not interest the bird. It just keeps on sidestepping.
A dry black leaf falls to the ground next to her. A gust of wind catches it and carries it away.
action: Rub crystal
response: (the amulet)
There is no need for her to do that.
action: You read the plaque
response: It is a small round plaque in a material unknown to Lornedei. The surface is smooth and with a deep polish. It is small enough to fit in Lornedei's hand. The surface shows nothing, not even the distorted image of Lornedei herself that one might expect. What shows in the plaque is like a reflection of a stormy sky in a puddle of murky water, just before the rain starts hammering.
action: Holiness
response: Your current holiness is 30 out of a possible holiness of 105, in 173 moves.
action: You look at your surroundings
response: Forbidden Forest (Near the Raven Tree)
The gray fog touches the trees highest branches, hiding the sun from view. Two paths lead into the black forest from here.
Lornedei sighs.

An enormous raven sits high up on a blackened branch, surrounded by the bug like leaves. It stares unblinking at Lornedei as she moves around in the crossing. It greets her with a threatening flutter with the wings, a guttural croaking and constant nervous sidestepping on the branch.
Lornedei bites on a nail.
action: Rub ball
response: Lornedei polishes the fairy lamp some more. The light remains the same. Lornedei bites on a nail.
action: You look into the ball
response: In the fairy lamp is a crystal spider.
Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
action: You watch spider
response: She can't quite see what it looks like as long as it's trapped inside the lamp. She'll have to free it somehow.
Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: Twist ball
response: Lornedei turns the fairy lamp in her hand. The crystal spider jerks to life in there and taps angrily at the inside of its prison.
Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
action: You feel the ball
response: "It is very cold. It feels almost like ice but it does not melt in my hand."
"What should I do?"
action: You give Beetle to Raven
response: Lornedei holds the beetle in a tight grip, and shows it to the bird. The black bird leans its head to one side. Most interested, it moves restlessly on its branch. Lornedei slowly puts the beetle on the ground. She steps back and waits.

The beetle turns towards Lornedei, turns back, notices the bird and makes a run for it. It heads for the high grass. The hungry bird dives from the tree and drops in a cloud of dirt between the bug and the safe undergrowth. The beetle stops dead in its track, changes direction and rushes forward, but the bird is already there, flipping the bug over. For one moment, it is immobilized. That moment is enough.

While the beetle is helpless, the bird gets to the eating. Big chunks of the insect's body is ripped out and swallowed. At some point, the legs and antennae stop moving. Finally, there is nothing left of the beetle but an empty shell, lined with a few sad remains of legs, flesh, and unidentifiable insect parts.

The bird skips along the path where, if one looks hard enough, one can see another trail. The bird turns to Lornedei and croaks.
Waiting.

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
action: You take the leaf
response: Lornedei grabs one of the black leaves in the nearest cluster and twists it loose from the branch. The leaf falls over and the beetle quickly takes shape in her hand. When it is done growing, it crawls up on Lornedei's shoulder. Lornedei frowns. She seems to be listening.
And there truly is a sound, distant, from the forest. It sounds like a bird, unlike any other.
action: You tap on the ball
response: "Master? I don't understand."
action: You follow Raven
response: Lornedei dares a careful step towards the black bird. It turns and hops along the path a short distance before it again faces the girl. Waiting.

Lornedei takes another step and the bird takes off in the air. It flies in circles in front of her, high up and almost out of sight at times but always close enough for Lornedei to follow. The path winds its way through and around the disturbing shadows of the forbidden forest. Fallen trees and dense undergrowth is constantly in her way and she has to climb over, through, or around these obstacles, while keeping an eye on the bird. It is just ahead and above her. She follows the black bird, expecting the cold grip of the forgotten ones around her ankles at any moment. Images of soul wrenching, flesh ripping, and blood drinking spirits run through her mind. Nothing happens. Exhausted and bruised, with her clothes torn and dusty, she stumbles on.

Something grabs her foot; she loses her balance and falls forward with a painful thud. Frozen in a breathless heap on the ground, she takes a moment to gather her strength as well as her breath. The bird croaks, Light seeps in through her closed eyelids.

She looks up in time to catch a final glimpse of the bird. It disappears into a glowing sunset beyond a desolate field.

Wasteland (Overlooking the Field of Despair)
Slowly Lornedei gets up on her feet. Nearly blinded by the light from the dying sun, she inspects the damage. She sighs deeply.

She opens her mouth to speak again but the words never come. She takes in the view of this seemingly empty wasteland in shocked silence for some time. She swallows. A dry wind tugs at her clothing while playing restlessly in the dry ground.
Behind her is the forbidden forest. The tree line is sharp as if cut with a knife at creation, separating the blackened forest from the uniform gray ahead.

The horizon ahead is strangely blurred. If from dust, mist or simply the uncertainty of distance is hard to tell from here. In the east, the field slopes down towards something that she cannot see. On the far side of that, the forest continues. In the opposite direction, the dying sun has set the horizon in flames above the gray covering the forbidden forest on that side. On this side of the forest, the land is cut, cracked, dropping down into a ravine. In the northwest, there is an old ruin reflecting the colours of the sun. To the north and northeast, the field continues into the blurred horizon.

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
action: Go east
response: Wasteland (By the Circle of Stones)
Lornedei walks east and the ground slopes down. It becomes increasingly difficult to walk. On the other side of the valley she is entering, the forest resumes. At the bottom of the slope where the sharp rocks slip under her feet, heat ripples the air. Lornedei makes her way down.

This is the southeastern corner of the field of despair. The forbidden forest is nearly all around her. West, northwest, and north takes her out. The ground sinks into a large hole, a bowl more than fifty paces across, in the ground, edged by crevices and uneven ridges. A broken land. Once at the bottom, the rest of the field is out of sight.

A stone circle is laid out on the ground.

There is a fire inside the ring of stones, blasting out heat and light. Shadows cast by the stones stretch out from the circle. Their wavering tips caress the ragged ground where it begins to ascend to the plane above.

A black plaque lies near the center of the fire pit.
Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: You look at Circle
response: The circle is almost ten paces wide. Inside the edging of boulders, the ground sinks further down, into another bowl. This one is smooth and perfectly round.
action: You enter Circle
response: Lornedei glances questioningly at the circle of stones. That is not something that she can enter.
action: You enter Circle
response: Lornedei glances questioningly at the circle of stones. That is not something that she can enter.
Lornedei frowns. She seems to be listening.
And there truly is a sound, distant, from the forest. It sounds like a wolf. Yes, a wolf, but it's far away.
action: You call
response: Lornedei whistles but does Deini want to come to her?
action: You reach Circle
response: There seems to be nothing beyond what the eye can see.
Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
action: You reach the Stone
response: There seems to be nothing beyond what the eye can see.
Lornedei bites on a nail.
action: You put plaque in the fire
response: (the small gray plaque in the Blazing fire)
This fire needs no fuel. Never mind burning up her inventory.
A dry black leaf falls to the ground next to her. A gust of wind catches it and carries it away.
action: You look at the Crystal
response: (the amulet)
It's a pale blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
Lornedei frowns. She seems to be listening.
And there truly is a sound, distant, from the forest. It sounds like a bird, unlike any other.
action: You wear chain
response: Lornedei hangs the amulet around her neck. Immediately it flares up and shines brightly. The blinding light fades somewhat and the light becomes soft and steady. Lornedei shivers in delight from the power in the crystal that gives itself to her.

Lornedei's magic just went up by one hundred.

A dry black leaf falls to the ground next to her. A gust of wind catches it and carries it away.
action: Magic
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 276.
action: You wear the chain
response: Lornedei hangs the amulet around her neck. Immediately it flares up and shines brightly. The blinding light fades somewhat and the light becomes soft and steady. Lornedei shivers in delight from the power in the crystal that gives itself to her.

Lornedei's magic just went up by one hundred.
action: Magic
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 376.
action: You reach the black plaque
response: Lornedei just shrugs. There doesn't seem to be anything she can learn about the plaque.
action: You reach the fire
response: There seems to be nothing beyond what the eye can see.
Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: You reach the amulet
response: A golden haired woman walks across the courtyard of a long lost castle. A young lad in a brown tunic with a wooden sword in hand immediately interrupts his training to bow respectfully as she passes.
An exhausted but smiling young woman lies in a bed with an infant in her arms. The blue light reflected in the child's so far unseeing eyes comes from a crystal hanging around the new mother's neck.
A white haired old woman reaches into her robe to hold up a shining blue crystal hanging on a silver chain. She pulls it over her head and hands it to the girl kneeling before her on the stone floor.
Generation after generation passes by in Lornedei's mind. Fleeing images of the many bearers, the many powerful women yielding respect and sometimes fear, but never hatred.
Not until the final image.
The amulet is thrown carelessly on top of a broken and bloody mess lying against cold stone. This very wall.
Lornedei shivers and lets go of the crystal.
action: You get the Crystal
response: (the amulet)
She already has that.
action: Dig
response: What do you want Lornedei to dig?
action: Ground
response: (the ground)
Lornedei digs a hole in the dry ground.
action: Plant acorn
response: "Master! Nothing can grow here." She picks up a handful of dirt but drops it again with a grimace.
"This soil is poisoned, I can feel it."
action: You go to the west
response: Wasteland (Overlooking the Field of Despair)
Behind her is the forbidden forest. The tree line is sharp as if cut with a knife at creation, separating the blackened forest from the uniform gray ahead.

The horizon ahead is strangely blurred. If from dust, mist or simply the uncertainty of distance is hard to tell from here. In the east, the field slopes down towards something that she cannot see. On the far side of that, the forest continues. In the opposite direction, the dying sun has set the horizon in flames above the gray covering the forbidden forest on that side. On this side of the forest, the land is cut, cracked, dropping down into a ravine. In the northwest, there is an old ruin reflecting the colours of the sun. To the north and northeast, the field continues into the blurred horizon.
A high pitched squeal from somewhere among the blackened trees fills the air, and Lornedei shudders.
action: You go to the north-west
response: Lornedei steps in-between a big wall that continues north, away from her, and the remains of another wall trailing west. What stands before her is only a small part of a castle. The rest of it, including any main gate or towers, is gone, as if cut away. She stops and looks around.

Ahead of her is the southeastern corner of the castle. The corridor between the building and the outer wall leads northeast, but is blocked by a great pile of stone blocks and other debris. To the west, the courtyard ends at the ravine.

Looking up, the facade disappears into a swirling ceiling of mist. Right at the corner of the castle, a narrow doorway leads north into darkness. She can look around, or walk around to learn more. South or southeast takes her away from the ruins. East brings her around to the east side of the east wall.
action: You go north
response: Castle Ruins (In a Stone Corridor)
Lornedei enters a long stone hall. The sudden noise of her own foot falls echoing makes her stop after just a few steps. She stands just inside the gate. The corridor is dim and it takes a while for her eyes to adjust to the darkness.
The wide stone corridor continues north for perhaps sixty feet and there is a dim light at the far end.
She takes a few more steps forward through the dusty corridor. She stops at an opening in the wall where a staircase leads down into darkness.
action: Go north
response: Lornedei walks towards the dim light. The corridor ends, the floor drops away, and beyond is the mist. The edge of the cliff itself has dropped off, taking the entire inner castle down with it. The entire northwest corner of the big ledge has slid down to the bottom of the ravine.

Lornedei takes a quick look down the ravine, through veils of mist, but the floor suddenly feels very unsteady under her feet. She returns to the opening to the staircase.
Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
action: Go down
response: Castle Ruins (In the Guard Chamber)
Lornedei leans into the opening in the wall, trying to see what is below the dark staircase. There is light down there. Without further hesitation, she descends the dusty stone steps.

The spiral staircase ends in the middle of a square chamber. The west wall has fallen out into the ravine, letting in the glowing sunset. The walls that are still standing and the marble floor have cracked in several places. Rocks, a thick layer of dust, and all sorts of debris cover the floor. The only thing still intact is a stone statue standing in the southeast corner.

The spiral staircase leads up and the west wall is open to the ravine.
action: You examine statue
response: The stone statue stands against the south wall. It seems undamaged by what ever happened here. It is a woman. She is dressed in a guard's robust clothing and she is standing with her feet somewhat apart, one arm bent to let her hand rest on a stone dagger at her waist.
The statue is holding up its right arm as if holding something, perhaps a staff or a spear, but the hand is empty. The stone woman looks as if she could wake up at any moment, ready to protect.
The polished stone eyes are fixed on something in the northeast corner of the chamber.
action: You look at the ne
response: Cracked marble in walls and floor. Rubble. Nothing of interest catches her eye.
action: You go northeast
response: Lornedei takes a few steps to take a look at the corner but a fair bit of the wall has cracked and fallen. There is nothing to see but rubble.
action: You search the rubble
response: Lornedei scratches her head, looking at the mountain of rubble.
"If I could get through this first pile of blocks, then maybe, I am not sure I can though. I am going to need some help."
action: Go upwards
response: Castle Ruins (In a Stone Corridor)
A staircase leads down in darkness and south takes her out to the courtyard. The corridor seems to lead only to the dim light to the north.
action: You go to the south
response: Ahead of her is the southeastern corner of the castle. The corridor between the building and the outer wall leads northeast, but is blocked by a great pile of stone blocks and other debris. To the west, the courtyard ends at the ravine.

Looking up, the facade disappears into a swirling ceiling of mist. Right at the corner of the castle, a narrow doorway leads north into darkness. She can look around, or walk around to learn more. South or southeast takes her away from the ruins. East brings her around to the east side of the east wall.
Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
action: You go to the east
response: Wasteland (By the East Wall)
The eastern wall of the ruined castle stands strong here. Fifty or so paces north, it fades into a wall of mist. East, south, southwest and southeast takes her to the rest of the field. West takes her past the east wall to the courtyard of the castle. Anything north of here is dwelled in gray mist.
action: You climb Wall
response: There is no way she can get up on the wall. It is too high and there are no handholds.
action: You go north
response: She should not venture too far into this scarred landscape. Beyond is the mist, where she would be lost. Lornedei turns back.
action: You go southeast
response: Wasteland (By the Circle of Stones)
This is the southeastern corner of the field of despair. The forbidden forest is nearly all around her. West, northwest, and north takes her out. The ground sinks into a large hole, a bowl more than fifty paces across, in the ground, edged by crevices and uneven ridges. A broken land. Once at the bottom, the rest of the field is out of sight.

A stone circle is laid out on the ground.

There is a fire inside the ring of stones, blasting out heat and light. Shadows cast by the stones stretch out from the circle. Their wavering tips caress the ragged ground where it begins to ascend to the plane above.

A black plaque lies near the center of the fire pit.

She can also see a small hole in the hard ground (which is empty) here.
action: Go north
response: Wasteland (By the Petrified Tree)
This is nothing but wasteland. Scattered remains of a once big tree cover the ground. It might have been a great oak at one point. A dry and hot wind tears at her while throwing sand in her eyes and mouth. Beyond rocks, sand and starved soil, there is nothing but a gray mist. In the distant west, beyond more wasteland, she can see a high stone wall. South, the broken land dips down in a bowl beyond which is the forbidden forest. Southwest would take her back to the edge of the forest where she first entered the field.
action: You examine Tree
response: These are scattered remains of a tree. Mostly ashes, a few charred branches, a hollowed out trunk lying on its side, all petrified by time and lack of rain. All is covered in years of sand.
action: Heal Tree
response: There is nothing left here that can be healed. The tree is long since dead.
Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: You reach Tree
response: Lornedei puts her hand on the petrified wood. She shuts her eyes. Suddenly, the air is fresh with a scent of damp soil, grass and the new flowers of spring. Golden leaves tremble on silver limbs. Rooted deep in fertile soil, cared for, held in awe, the golden oak waits.

Soft grass beneath bare feet, feet tredding silently towards the great oak, but stopping to wait at the proper distance. A mumble, a nervous questioning, a whispered reply. A moment of silence. A silver cup carried the last two steps to the roots below the tree.

A trickle of water, a new light bearer's gift, then the acceptance of it, knowing the young one is true and strong. A golden acorn drops to the ground.

Ages has passed, eons of repeated procedures, of dying and re-birth. The golden oak feels no fear, no regret, knowing that after this life, it will come again. The light bearers will plant the acorn and the spiral of life will turn once more. It is soon time. Very soon. Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
action: You dig the ground
response: (the ground)
Lornedei digs a hole in the dry ground.
"Master?"
action: You search Tree
response: Lornedei looks around, in the trunk, kicks away some dirt, but all she finds is more sad remains of the tree. Anything of interest is long since gone.
action: You go west
response: Wasteland (By the East Wall)
The eastern wall of the ruined castle stands strong here. Fifty or so paces north, it fades into a wall of mist. East, south, southwest and southeast takes her to the rest of the field. West takes her past the east wall to the courtyard of the castle. Anything north of here is dwelled in gray mist.
"What should I do?"
action: You go west
response: Ahead of her is the southeastern corner of the castle. The corridor between the building and the outer wall leads northeast, but is blocked by a great pile of stone blocks and other debris. To the west, the courtyard ends at the ravine.

Looking up, the facade disappears into a swirling ceiling of mist. Right at the corner of the castle, a narrow doorway leads north into darkness. She can look around, or walk around to learn more. South or southeast takes her away from the ruins. East brings her around to the east side of the east wall.
action: You go south
response: Wasteland (Overlooking the Ravine)
Lornedei stands on an outcropping overlooking a deep ravine going as far north as she can see. The ledge seems to be the remains of a road, cut off by the creation of the break in the earth. On the other side of the ravine, there's a barely visible opening through the trees. There is no way over there though. A steady wind tears at her clothes and hair in sudden gusts that seem eager to throw her off balance.

East, northeast and north are the ways off the ledge.
action: Go northeast
response: Wasteland (By the East Wall)
The eastern wall of the ruined castle stands strong here. Fifty or so paces north, it fades into a wall of mist. East, south, southwest and southeast takes her to the rest of the field. West takes her past the east wall to the courtyard of the castle. Anything north of here is dwelled in gray mist.
action: You go to the west
response: A few paces away, the courtyard ends abruptly as the ground is replaced by the ravine. A vertical cliff of bare rock is all that is left. If there was a western wall there, it now lies at the bottom of the ravine, along with a big part of the castle. On the other side, the forbidden forest starts again. Lornedei quickly backs away from the edge.
action: You go to the west
response: Lornedei takes one step towards the edge of the ravine, then another longer step away from it. The ravine is too deep and too wide to cross. Lornedei turns her head towards a sudden rustling in the forbidden forest. There is nothing there.
action: You go down
response: Castle Ruins (In the Guard Chamber)
The spiral staircase ends in the middle of a square chamber. The west wall has fallen out into the ravine, letting in the glowing sunset. The walls that are still standing and the marble floor have cracked in several places. Rocks, a thick layer of dust, and all sorts of debris cover the floor. The only thing still intact is a stone statue standing in the southeast corner.

The spiral staircase leads up and the west wall is open to the ravine.
action: You go west
response: Lornedei steps closer to the huge hole in the wall. One glimpse down is enough. She steps back on unsteady legs.
Lornedei bites on a nail.
action: Go east
response: Wasteland (Overlooking the Field of Despair)
Behind her is the forbidden forest. The tree line is sharp as if cut with a knife at creation, separating the blackened forest from the uniform gray ahead.

The horizon ahead is strangely blurred. If from dust, mist or simply the uncertainty of distance is hard to tell from here. In the east, the field slopes down towards something that she cannot see. On the far side of that, the forest continues. In the opposite direction, the dying sun has set the horizon in flames above the gray covering the forbidden forest on that side. On this side of the forest, the land is cut, cracked, dropping down into a ravine. In the northwest, there is an old ruin reflecting the colours of the sun. To the north and northeast, the field continues into the blurred horizon.
action: Inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 376.
Lornedei is carrying:
a large black beetle (Taking a nap at the moment.)
a golden acorn
a loaf of horrid bread
a small leather pouch (which is open but empty)
A blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
a handful of white berries
A brightly shining fairy lamp with a crystal spider inside
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a purple nut with thorns
a piece of cheese
Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: Go south
response: The forbidden forest stands guard. There is no way through it.
Lornedei frowns. She seems to be listening.
And there truly is a sound, distant, from the forest. It sounds like something that does not want to be heard. Careful, tentative.
action: You listen
response: There is nothing here to listen to but the constant wind.
Lornedei is waiting for your command.
A dry black leaf falls to the ground next to her. A gust of wind catches it and carries it away.
action: You go east
response: Wasteland (Overlooking the Field of Despair)
Behind her is the forbidden forest. The tree line is sharp as if cut with a knife at creation, separating the blackened forest from the uniform gray ahead.

The horizon ahead is strangely blurred. If from dust, mist or simply the uncertainty of distance is hard to tell from here. In the east, the field slopes down towards something that she cannot see. On the far side of that, the forest continues. In the opposite direction, the dying sun has set the horizon in flames above the gray covering the forbidden forest on that side. On this side of the forest, the land is cut, cracked, dropping down into a ravine. In the northwest, there is an old ruin reflecting the colours of the sun. To the north and northeast, the field continues into the blurred horizon.
Lornedei frowns. She seems to be listening.
And there truly is a sound, distant, from the forest. It sounds like a bird, unlike any other.
action: You go to the northeast
response: Wasteland (By the Petrified Tree)
This is nothing but wasteland. Scattered remains of a once big tree cover the ground. It might have been a great oak at one point. A dry and hot wind tears at her while throwing sand in her eyes and mouth. Beyond rocks, sand and starved soil, there is nothing but a gray mist. In the distant west, beyond more wasteland, she can see a high stone wall. South, the broken land dips down in a bowl beyond which is the forbidden forest. Southwest would take her back to the edge of the forest where she first entered the field.

She can see a small hole in the hard ground (which is empty) here.
action: You go to the south-west
response: Wasteland (Overlooking the Field of Despair)
Behind her is the forbidden forest. The tree line is sharp as if cut with a knife at creation, separating the blackened forest from the uniform gray ahead.

The horizon ahead is strangely blurred. If from dust, mist or simply the uncertainty of distance is hard to tell from here. In the east, the field slopes down towards something that she cannot see. On the far side of that, the forest continues. In the opposite direction, the dying sun has set the horizon in flames above the gray covering the forbidden forest on that side. On this side of the forest, the land is cut, cracked, dropping down into a ravine. In the northwest, there is an old ruin reflecting the colours of the sun. To the north and northeast, the field continues into the blurred horizon.
A dry black leaf falls to the ground next to her. A gust of wind catches it and carries it away.
action: You go to the east
response: Wasteland (By the Circle of Stones)
This is the southeastern corner of the field of despair. The forbidden forest is nearly all around her. West, northwest, and north takes her out. The ground sinks into a large hole, a bowl more than fifty paces across, in the ground, edged by crevices and uneven ridges. A broken land. Once at the bottom, the rest of the field is out of sight.

A stone circle is laid out on the ground.

There is a fire inside the ring of stones, blasting out heat and light. Shadows cast by the stones stretch out from the circle. Their wavering tips caress the ragged ground where it begins to ascend to the plane above.

A black plaque lies near the center of the fire pit.
action: Go south
response: The forbidden forest stands guard as if regretting giving passage. She is lucky to have made it through at all. Now there is no way back. She can however go east, west, northeast, northwest, and north.
action: Blow ball
response: "Master?"
action: You hit the ball
response: "Perhaps. There might be a way but violence is not the answer." Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
Lornedei frowns. She seems to be listening.
And there truly is a sound, distant, from the forest. It sounds like a wolf. Yes, a wolf, but it's far away.
action: You look at the nut
response: A purple nut from the deformed bushes in the hall of severance. It is deep purple and hosts a number of sharp thorns.
action: Go east
response: Wasteland (By the Circle of Stones)
This is the southeastern corner of the field of despair. The forbidden forest is nearly all around her. West, northwest, and north takes her out. The ground sinks into a large hole, a bowl more than fifty paces across, in the ground, edged by crevices and uneven ridges. A broken land. Once at the bottom, the rest of the field is out of sight.

A stone circle is laid out on the ground.

There is a fire inside the ring of stones, blasting out heat and light. Shadows cast by the stones stretch out from the circle. Their wavering tips caress the ragged ground where it begins to ascend to the plane above.

A black plaque lies near the center of the fire pit.
"What should I do?"
action: Go east
response: The forbidden forest stands guard above the rim of the bowl she is in. She can get back to the field by going north, west, or northwest.
action: Go north
response: Wasteland (By the Petrified Tree)
This is nothing but wasteland. Scattered remains of a once big tree cover the ground. It might have been a great oak at one point. A dry and hot wind tears at her while throwing sand in her eyes and mouth. Beyond rocks, sand and starved soil, there is nothing but a gray mist. In the distant west, beyond more wasteland, she can see a high stone wall. South, the broken land dips down in a bowl beyond which is the forbidden forest. Southwest would take her back to the edge of the forest where she first entered the field.

She can see a small hole in the hard ground (which is empty) here.
action: Go east
response: There is nothing ahead but swirling dust, a hot wind, and the mist beyond. She turns away.
"Master?"
action: Go north
response: There is nothing ahead but all that fog, hiding everything. She takes a few steps in that direction, but turns back.
action: You go south
response: Wasteland (By the Circle of Stones)
This is the southeastern corner of the field of despair. The forbidden forest is nearly all around her. West, northwest, and north takes her out. The ground sinks into a large hole, a bowl more than fifty paces across, in the ground, edged by crevices and uneven ridges. A broken land. Once at the bottom, the rest of the field is out of sight.

A stone circle is laid out on the ground.

There is a fire inside the ring of stones, blasting out heat and light. Shadows cast by the stones stretch out from the circle. Their wavering tips caress the ragged ground where it begins to ascend to the plane above.

A black plaque lies near the center of the fire pit.
Lornedei frowns. She seems to be listening.
And there truly is a sound, distant, from the forest. It sounds like someone crying. An abandoned cry of loneliness.
action: You walk through fire
response: The heat forces her back.
action: Pray
response: She does. Every night. You taught her well.
Lornedei bites on a nail.
A dry black leaf falls to the ground next to her. A gust of wind catches it and carries it away.
action: Heal fire
response: Healing drains too much power. That would be a waste.
action: You throw the dirt on the fire
response: She needs to be holding the ground before she can put it on top of something else.
"What should I do?"
action: You take the dirt
response: Lornedei picks up a handful of dry soil. Frowning, she lets it scatter. Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
action: Inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 376.
Lornedei is carrying:
a large black beetle (Airing out its shell at the moment.)
a golden acorn
a loaf of horrid bread
a small leather pouch (which is open but empty)
A blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
a handful of white berries
A brightly shining fairy lamp with a crystal spider inside
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a purple nut with thorns
a piece of cheese
action: You examine the spider
response: She can't quite see what it looks like as long as it's trapped inside the lamp. She'll have to free it somehow.
Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: You throw the ball into the fire
response: Lornedei throws the fairy lamp into the fire. There is a loud whistling and the fire grows. After a short while, a crystal spider comes crawling out of the flames and the fire returns to normal.

The spider stops for a moment between the fire and the boulder closest to Lornedei.
It bobs up and down a couple of times as if working the stiffness out of its long legs, then it sprints out of the pit. The spider stops at her feet, turns around once and curls itself up into a ball.

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
action: You examine the spider
response: It's a large spider made of crystal. It has curled up as if either dead or sleeping most of the time. It is hard to tell which. It gives off a cold sparkling light and has a pair of multi facetted eyes. Oddly enough, the eyes seem both beady and shifty. No matter from where it is observed, it seems to glare suspiciously. She will have to touch the spider to examine it further. That is, if it will let her.
Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: You touch the spider
response: Lornedei reaches for the spider and it actually lets her investigate. She carefully holds one leg and the spider lets her flex it experimentally before resolutely pulling it away from her. The spider is cold and strangely flexible. It seems to be able to appear as hard as the crystal it is at will, just to move around like any other spider the next moment. It is however staring suspiciously at her, wondering what this touchy feely thing is all about.
action: You take spider
response: The spider reluctantly steps up on her hand.

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
action: You look at the boulder
response: The circle is almost ten paces wide. Inside the edging of boulders, the ground sinks further down, into another bowl. This one is smooth and perfectly round.
action: You enter Circle
response: Lornedei glances questioningly at the circle of stones. That is not something that she can enter.
Lornedei bites on a nail.
action: You look at the plaque
response: (the small black plaque)
The plaque is too close to the flames, she cannot get near it without setting herself on fire.
Lornedei bites on a nail.
action: You examine the baked berry
response: "I can smell nothing here but dust Master. The air is dead and dry."

She can't find anything like that. Are you sure it's here?
action: You check your inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 376.
Lornedei is carrying:
A crystal spider with shifty, beady eyes (Curled up acting dead at
the moment.)
a large black beetle (Fluffing up its wings at the moment.)
a golden acorn
a loaf of horrid bread
a small leather pouch (which is open but empty)
A blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
a handful of white berries
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a purple nut with thorns
a piece of cheese
Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
action: You look at Circle
response: The circle is almost ten paces wide. Inside the edging of boulders, the ground sinks further down, into another bowl. This one is smooth and perfectly round.
action: You read the plaque
response: (the small black plaque)
It's a totally black round plaque. It is small enough to fit in Lornedei's palm. The smooth stone is of a kind that Lornedei has never seen. A strange picture is carved on one side. It looks like a flying insect of some sort, with a giant tree in the background.
Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: You take it
response: As you wish.
Lornedei is waiting for your command.

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
action: Black
response: Nothing happens.
action: Go down
response: The forbidden forest stands guard above the rim of the bowl she is in. She can get back to the field by going north, west, or northwest. Lornedei frowns. She seems to be listening.
And there truly is a sound, distant, from the forest. It sounds like someone whimpering. Someone, or something.
action: You look around
response: What do you want Lornedei to dig?

Wasteland (By the Circle of Stones)
This is the southeastern corner of the field of despair. The forbidden forest is nearly all around her. West, northwest, and north takes her out. The ground sinks into a large hole, a bowl more than fifty paces across, in the ground, edged by crevices and uneven ridges. A broken land. Once at the bottom, the rest of the field is out of sight.

A big round stone lies in the middle of the pit. The fire is gone.

A stone circle is laid out on the ground.
Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
action: Ground
response: The forbidden forest stands guard above the rim of the bowl she is in. She can get back to the field by going north, west, or northwest.
action: You dig the ground
response: (the ground)
Lornedei digs a hole in the dry ground.
Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
action: Plant acorn
response: "Master! Nothing can grow here." She picks up a handful of dirt but drops it again with a grimace.
"This soil is poisoned, I can feel it."
action: You move Circle
response: The fire is already extinguished. There is no need to push any more boulders.
action: You look at debris
response: Sad remains of a once great building. Blocks of stone that once made up the walls, smaller rocks, old faded pieces of wood, dust and gravel. A precariously stacked pile is blocking the way northeast.Everything is covered in years of sand that has drifted in from the dry fields.
action: You search debris
response: Lornedei scratches her head, looking at the mountain of rubble.
"If I could get through this first pile of blocks, then maybe, I am not sure I can though. I am going to need some help."
action: Go north
response: Castle Ruins (In a Stone Corridor)
A staircase leads down in darkness and south takes her out to the
action: You climb the debris
response: courtyard. The corridor seems to lead only to the dim light to the north.
Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.

She can't find anything like that. Are you sure it's here?
action: You drop the spider
response: Your wish is her command.
action: SPIDER, ,EXAMINE DEBRIS
response: The spider straightens to show its maximum height. It taps one of its legs against another and turns away. It is clearly beneath a creature of light to obey common humans.
action: You move the statue
response: The stone statue cannot be moved in any way. Lornedei makes a couple of attempts of pushing the statue but there is not much point in trying.
action: You examine the eyes
response: Beautiful blue eyes dominate her pale and quite thin face. So far, it has that innocent glow that will fade with time and experience.
For the most part her lips are tightened into a disapproving line. It is most likely an unconscious imitation of her step mother but when she does smile her face changes drastically and she looks like the child she is.
action: You give Beetle to the spider
response: The spider stretches out to its full height and pokes the beetle in the eye. The bug gives off a high-pitch squeal and crawls in under Lornedei's hair.
action: You give the acorn to the statue
response: Lornedei drops the acorn in the hand. After falling halfway through, it stops. The stone hand has turned into a fist. The stone limbs crackle slightly as the hand turns palm side down. After a moment, the fingers flex jerkily and opens. The acorn drops to the floor. The hand turns back to holding its imaginary item.
action: You get acorn
response: As you wish.
action: You take the acorn and the spider
response: crystal spider: The spider reluctantly steps up on her hand.
action: Black
response: Lornedei looks at the small black plaque. She looks at the hole in the stone hand. She looks at you, smiles a little, and shakes her head.
action: You check what you're carrying
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 376.
Lornedei is carrying:
A crystal spider with shifty, beady eyes (Polishing its underside at the moment.)
a golden acorn
a small black plaque
a large black beetle (Airing out its shell at the moment.)
a loaf of horrid bread
a small leather pouch (which is open but empty)
A blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
a handful of white berries
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a purple nut with thorns
a piece of cheese
"Master?"
action: You examine the statue
response: The stone statue stands against the south wall. It seems undamaged by what ever happened here. It is a woman. She is dressed in a guard's robust clothing and she is standing with her feet somewhat apart, one arm bent to let her hand rest on a stone dagger at her waist.
The statue is holding up its right arm as if holding something, perhaps a staff or a spear, but the hand is empty. The stone woman looks as if she could wake up at any moment, ready to protect.
The polished stone eyes are fixed on something in the northeast corner of the chamber.
Lornedei looks around, biting her lower lip.
action: You give spider to the statue
response: Lornedei looks at the crystal spider. She looks at the hole in the stone hand. She looks at you, smiles a little, and shakes her head.
action: You give the berry to statue
response: Lornedei looks at the handful of white berries. She looks at the hole in the stone hand. She looks at you, smiles a little, and shakes her head.
action: You give the acorn to the statue
response: Lornedei drops the acorn in the hand. After falling halfway through, it stops. The stone hand has turned into a fist. The stone limbs crackle slightly as the hand turns palm side down. After a moment, the fingers flex jerkily and opens. The acorn drops to the floor. The hand turns back to holding its imaginary item.
Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
action: You give the nut to the statue
response: Really? the purple nut with thorns?
Lornedei carefully takes the nut, holding it with two fingers by one of the thorns. That way she won't get hurt.
action: You go south
response: There is nothing there but rubble and cracked marble walls. She can't go that way.
Lornedei bites on a nail.
action: Examine remains
response: These are scattered remains of a tree. Mostly ashes, a few charred branches, a hollowed out trunk lying on its side, all petrified by time and lack of rain. All is covered in years of sand.
Lornedei looks around, biting her lower lip.
action: You climb the debris
response: There's no way she could.
"Master?"
action: You examine the ravine
response: The ravine ends here only twenty paces or so to the south, where it narrows and meets the forbidden forest. It stretches north, past the old ruins, beyond which it disappears in a wall of mist. A deep cut in the earth, more than a stone-throw across and deeper than is comfortable to even consider.
"Master?"
action: You enter ravine
response: Lornedei moves closer to the edge. Against better knowledge she looks down. Immediately she retreats to safe ground.
action: You talk to the spider
response: The spider's shifty, beady eyes seem both shiftier and more beady. It has nothing to say though.
action: Stroke spider
response: "I fail to see a point in what you ask!"
action: You ask the spider about itself
response: The spider stares suspiciously at her. It is beneath a creature of light to indulge in conversation with lower beings.
action: Go north
response: Lornedei walks towards the dim light. The corridor ends, the floor drops away, and beyond is the mist. The edge of the cliff itself has dropped off, taking the entire inner castle down with it. The entire northwest corner of the big ledge has slid down to the bottom of the ravine.

Lornedei takes a quick look down the ravine, through veils of mist, but the floor suddenly feels very unsteady under her feet. She returns to the opening to the staircase.
action: Go northwest
response: Lornedei takes one step but stops. She cannot go there. She can go south or down.
action: You go down
response: Castle Ruins (In the Guard Chamber)
The spiral staircase ends in the middle of a square chamber. The west wall has fallen out into the ravine, letting in the glowing sunset. The walls that are still standing and the marble floor have cracked in several places. Rocks, a thick layer of dust, and all sorts of debris cover the floor. The only thing still intact is a stone statue standing in the southeast corner.

The spiral staircase leads up and the west wall is open to the ravine.
action: You reach the nut
response: There seems to be nothing beyond what the eye can see.
Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: You give the nut to the statue
response: Lornedei looks at the purple nut with thorns. She looks at the hole in the stone hand. She looks at you, smiles a little, and shakes her head.
action: You feed cheese to the spider
response: (Taking the piece of cheese first.)
The spider pokes the piece of cheese with some interest. The curiosity doesn't last long though and the spider returns to its suspicious glaring.
action: Kiss statue
response: Lornedei ignores you. she has no time for nonsense.
action: You check what you're carrying
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 376.
Lornedei is carrying:
a piece of cheese
a purple nut with thorns
a golden acorn
A crystal spider with shifty, beady eyes (Glaring suspiciously.)
a small black plaque
a large black beetle (Airing out its shell at the moment.)
a loaf of horrid bread
a small leather pouch (which is open but empty)
A blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
a handful of white berries
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
action: You climb the statue
response: Lornedei takes a closer look at the stone woman's head and shoulders, the walls and the ceiling behind and above her, but decides against it.
action: You feed the bread to the statue
response: Lornedei looks at the loaf of horrid bread. She looks at the hole in the stone hand. She looks at you, smiles a little, and shakes her head.
action: Hint
response: The firefly appears. it buzzes around Lornedei's head.
"Me, yes, has come to help! Now hurry and ask!"
action: Go south
response: Ahead of her is the southeastern corner of the castle. The corridor between the building and the outer wall leads northeast, but is blocked by a great pile of stone blocks and other debris. To the west, the courtyard ends at the ravine.

Looking up, the facade disappears into a swirling ceiling of mist. Right at the corner of the castle, a narrow doorway leads north into darkness. She can look around, or walk around to learn more. South or southeast takes her away from the ruins. East brings her around to the east side of the east wall.

"I must go, yes I must. The firefly disappears with a pop and a flash. Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
action: You throw nut into the ravine
response: Lornedei throws the nut over the edge. A sudden gust of wind grabs it. After dancing around in the air for a few moments, it drops down at her feet.
Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: You throw the acorn into the ravine
response: "No Master. I think I should hold on to this."
action: You open the nut
response: That's not something that can be opened.
"Master?"
action: Crack nut
response: Never mind having her wreck her inventory, unless it is truly called for.
action: You examine the pouch
response: It is a dry and withered leather pouch, no bigger than a woman's fist. A leather string is used to close it and hang it in a belt.
action: You put the acorn in the pouch
response: She drops the golden acorn into the small leather pouch.
action: You give the pouch to the statue
response: Lornedei looks at the small leather pouch. She looks at the hole in the stone hand. She looks at you, smiles a little, and shakes her head.
action: Go south
response: Wasteland (Overlooking the Ravine)
Lornedei stands on an outcropping overlooking a deep ravine going as far north as she can see. The ledge seems to be the remains of a road, cut off by the creation of the break in the earth. On the other side of the ravine, there's a barely visible opening through the trees. There is no way over there though. A steady wind tears at her clothes and hair in sudden gusts that seem eager to throw her off balance.

East, northeast and north are the ways off the ledge.
Lornedei bites on a nail.
action: You search the trees
response: She can't find anything that might interest you besides those leaves. They are the only thing close enough for her to reach without entering the shadows.
action: Go east
response: Wasteland (By the Circle of Stones)
This is the southeastern corner of the field of despair. The forbidden forest is nearly all around her. West, northwest, and north takes her out. The ground sinks into a large hole, a bowl more than fifty paces across, in the ground, edged by crevices and uneven ridges. A broken land. Once at the bottom, the rest of the field is out of sight.

A big round stone lies in the middle of the pit. The fire is gone.

A stone circle is laid out on the ground.

She can also see a small hole in the hard ground (which is empty) here.
action: You examine round Stone
response: It's a big round stone from the circle. It was pushed into the fire pit to suffocate the flames.
Lornedei looks over her shoulder into the dark forest, anxious.
action: Circle
response: You are the almighty here. Lornedei does not have that kind of strength.
Lornedei turns her head towards a sudden rustling in the forbidden forest. There is nothing there.
action: You climb Tree
response: There's no way she could.
Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: Go west
response: Ahead of her is the southeastern corner of the castle. The corridor between the building and the outer wall leads northeast, but is blocked by a great pile of stone blocks and other debris. To the west, the courtyard ends at the ravine.

Looking up, the facade disappears into a swirling ceiling of mist. Right at the corner of the castle, a narrow doorway leads north into darkness. She can look around, or walk around to learn more. South or southeast takes her away from the ruins. East brings her around to the east side of the east wall.
"Master?"
action: You reach the Castle
response: A great castle stands before Lornedei. A massive gate leading into the castle is to the northwest, The south wall with another gate runs west, parallel to the castle wall. The corridor between the inner and outer gate lies open to the west. There it meets the west wall that disappears around the corner and out of site. The courtyard is still, silent, peaceful, and empty.

There is a shadow though, barely perceptible, but the longer Lornedei looks, the clearer it gets. It is creeping across the stones. A moving darkness that emerges from the air itself creeps across the stone to melt into a crack in a stone or a mortar joint. It glides over the ground until sinking between the flagstones.

Then the world breaks.

Although the images are old, the time long ago, the earth seems to shake under her feet. A woman runs past her, fleeing through deadly projectiles dislodged from falling towers, towards the main gate. Holding her arms above her head, she stumbles and falls. The moment after, the ground disappears ahead of her. The ground moves, cracks, and slides away as she is scrambling back. The woman gets up on her feet, staggers before regaining some balance, and backs away from the opening in the earth that was not there a moment ago. The castle cracks as the ground, solid stone, disappears beneath it. The south wall crumbles into piles of stone. Everything starting at an imagined line drawn between the two great gates and beyond them, drops away through a cloud of smoke and dust.

An enormous cloud of dust spews out of the ravine, and even though Lornedei knows it is only in her mind, she coughs.

The images fade.
Lornedei's magic drops by one.
Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
action: Go northwest
response: The front wall of the castle ends there in a jagged edge. The rest of it is at the bottom of the ravine. There is no way of knowing how big the castle might have been before. Lornedei takes a quick look over the edge of the ravine. It is too far down to see anything clearly and she retreats.
action: Castle
response: Only two walls remain of a once big castle. Those walls seem strong and reach up into a ceiling of mist far above her head. Lornedei is surrounded by rubble. A small opening leads into the building to the north.
Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: You go to the west
response: Lornedei takes one step but stops. She cannot go there. She can go south or down.
Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: Go northwest
response: Lornedei takes one step but stops. She cannot go there. She can go south or down.
action: Eastern
response: There seems to be nothing beyond what the eye can see.
Lornedei looks around, biting her lower lip.
action: You check your inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 374.
Lornedei is carrying:
a piece of cheese
A crystal spider with shifty, beady eyes (Stretching out, apparently snoozing at the moment.)
a small black plaque
a large black beetle (Taking a nap at the moment.)
a loaf of horrid bread
a small leather pouch (which is open)
a golden acorn
A blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
a handful of white berries
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a purple nut with thorns
action: You examine the chain
response: It's a pale blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
action: You look at the black plaque
response: It's a totally black round plaque. It is small enough to fit in Lornedei's palm. The smooth stone is of a kind that Lornedei has never seen. A strange picture is carved on one side. It looks like a flying insect of some sort, with a giant tree in the background.
action: You drop Beetle
response: Lornedei tries to let the bug go. As soon as she manages to shake the thing off her hand, it spreads its wings, makes a short trip around her head to finally land on her shoulder, not pleased with Lornedei at all. The bug crawls underneath her hair, grabs a few of those fine hairs in the back of her neck and tugs on  them. Lornedei shrieks.
action: Where
response: You can only use this command when trying to find the wolf.
action: Where wolf
response: Deini is running all over the place. The last I saw of her she was somewhere in the Aarkland (Billowing Field).
action: Whats
response: Whats what?
Here are some commands you can use:

>Whats up with Lornedei (or "h ld") Check Lornedei's current mental health.
>Whats up with [object](or "h [object]") A simple status check, no specifics. As a rule there are no changes in normal objects. Examine and reach are still the main commands to use when interacting with objects and creatures.
>Whats in the rucksack (or h in rucksack) Same as "search rucksack".

Lornedei bites on a nail.
action: You look at the spider
response: It's a large spider made of crystal. It has curled up as if either dead or sleeping most of the time. It is hard to tell which. It gives off a cold sparkling light and has a pair of multi facetted eyes. Oddly enough, the eyes seem both beady and shifty. No matter from where it is observed, it seems to glare suspiciously. She will have to touch the spider to examine it further. That is, if it will let her.
action: You touch the spider
response: Lornedei reaches for the spider and it actually lets her investigate. She carefully holds one leg and the spider lets her flex it experimentally before resolutely pulling it away from her. The spider is cold and strangely flexible. It seems to be able to appear as hard as the crystal it is at will, just to move around like any other spider the next moment. It is however staring suspiciously at her, wondering what this touchy feely thing is all about.
action: You move spider
response: The spider bobs up and down a bit at her touch but that's it.
action: You ask the firefly about the statue
response: "It is one of the old ones sentries. They are all gone now I believe. Shame, such a shame. The light bearers held them very high but now they are all gone. This one must be angry though. Someone has stolen her spear. Oh dear oh dear!"
action: You ask the firefly about the spear
response: "Me, yes me, I will not tell."

"I must go, yes I must. The firefly disappears with a pop and a flash.
action: You ask the firefly about the acorn
response: "Acorn? Pretty thing is it not? An acorn is a nut, is a seed, is a thing that needs growing, needs soil and water? It needs to be planted in the mist. Oh no, not the dangerous mist. The golden mist."
action: You ask firefly about the spider
response: "This is a magical little creepy crawly. The light bearers used them to bring light and to cast away dark spirits. They do very little voluntarily those nasty creatures. Me, I don't know if they are lazy or only full of themselves, but they do seem to think that they are above simple humans."
action: Describe the surroundings
response: Wasteland (By the Petrified Tree)
This is nothing but wasteland. Scattered remains of a once big tree cover the ground. It might have been a great oak at one point. A dry and hot wind tears at her while throwing sand in her eyes and mouth. Beyond rocks, sand and starved soil, there is nothing but a gray mist. In the distant west, beyond more wasteland, she can see a high stone wall. South, the broken land dips down in a bowl beyond which is the forbidden forest. Southwest would take her back to the edge of the forest where she first entered the field.

She can see a Firefly here.

"I must go, yes I must. The firefly disappears with a pop and a flash.
action: Go west
response: Wasteland (By the East Wall)
The eastern wall of the ruined castle stands strong here. Fifty or so paces north, it fades into a wall of mist. East, south, southwest and southeast takes her to the rest of the field. West takes her past the east wall to the courtyard of the castle. Anything north of here is dwelled in gray mist.
Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: Look around
response: Castle Ruins (In a Stone Corridor)
A staircase leads down in darkness and south takes her out to the courtyard. The corridor seems to lead only to the dim light to the north.

She can see A crystal spider with shifty, beady eyes (Curled up acting dead at the moment.) here.
action: You go to the east
response: Lornedei takes one step but stops. She cannot go there. She can go south or down.
"Master?"
action: Go northeast
response: Lornedei takes one step but stops. She cannot go there. She can go south or down.
action: You go to the northwest
response: Lornedei takes one step but stops. She cannot go there. She can go south or down.
"What should I do?"
action: Go upwards
response: Lornedei takes one step but stops. She cannot go there. She can go south or down.
Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: You kick the spider
response: Lornedei would never.
action: You give the berry to the spider
response: The spider pokes the handful of white berries with some interest. The curiosity doesn't last long though and the spider returns to its suspicious glaring.
action: You give the nut to the spider
response: Really? the purple nut with thorns?
Lornedei carefully takes the nut, holding it with two fingers by one of the thorns. That way she won't get hurt.
action: You put the nut in rucksack
response: She drops the purple nut with thorns into the leather rucksack.
action: Hint
response: The firefly appears. it buzzes around Lornedei's head.
"Me, yes, has come to help! Now hurry and ask!"
action: You ask Firefly about the altar
response: "Me, yes me, I will not tell."

"I must go, yes I must. The firefly disappears with a pop and a flash. Lornedei bites on a nail.
action: You look around
response: Castle Ruins (In a Stone Corridor)
A staircase leads down in darkness and south takes her out to the courtyard. The corridor seems to lead only to the dim light to the north.

She can see A crystal spider with shifty, beady eyes (Glaring suspiciously.) here.
action: You examine the staircase
response: The stone staircase spirals down into the dark. The steps are worn and cracked. A layer of sand and dust covers each step. No one has walked here for many years.
action: Smell
response: Castle Ruins (In the Guard Chamber)
The spiral staircase ends in the middle of a square chamber. The west wall has fallen out into the ravine, letting in the glowing sunset. The walls that are still standing and the marble floor have cracked in several places. Rocks, a thick layer of dust, and all sorts of debris cover the floor. The only thing still intact is a stone statue standing in the southeast corner.

The spiral staircase leads up and the west wall is open to the ravine.

"This place is dry and dusty but there are no smells, nothing but despair and loneliness. Everything is dead."
action: You listen
response: All is quiet.
action: Shout
response: I can't understand you. Try to say it differently.
action: You remove the debris
response: Really? the rubble?
That is not possible.
action: Attack statue
response: "Even if I could damage this statue, I fail to see the point in it Master."
Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: You eat cheese
response: Lornedei takes a careful little bite. Once proven safe and truly edible, she quickly gobbles it down.
"Pardon my manners Master, but I was hungry."
action: You search debris
response: Lornedei's magic just went up by seven.

Lornedei scratches her head, looking at the mountain of rubble.
"If I could get through this first pile of blocks, then maybe, I am not sure I can though. I am going to need some help."
action: Go upwards
response: Castle Ruins (In a Stone Corridor)
A staircase leads down in darkness and south takes her out to the courtyard. The corridor seems to lead only to the dim light to the north.

She can see A crystal spider with shifty, beady eyes (Stretching out, apparently snoozing at the moment.) here.
action: You get the spider
response: The spider reluctantly steps up on her hand.
action: Blow spider
response: "Master?"
Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
action: Blow acorn
response: Really? the golden acorn?
"Master?"
action: You give Beetle to the statue
response: Lornedei looks at the big black beetle. She looks at the hole in the stone hand. She looks at you, smiles a little, and shakes her head.
action: You give the cheese to statue
response: Lornedei looks at the piece of cheese. She looks at the hole in the stone hand. She looks at you, smiles a little, and shakes her head.
action: Go east
response: Wasteland (By the Petrified Tree)
This is nothing but wasteland. Scattered remains of a once big tree cover the ground. It might have been a great oak at one point. A dry and hot wind tears at her while throwing sand in her eyes and mouth. Beyond rocks, sand and starved soil, there is nothing but a gray mist. In the distant west, beyond more wasteland, she can see a high stone wall. South, the broken land dips down in a bowl beyond which is the forbidden forest. Southwest would take her back to the edge of the forest where she first entered the field.
"What should I do?"
action: You fix Tree
response: There is nothing left here that can be healed. The tree is long since dead.
action: Dig
response: What do you want Lornedei to dig?
action: Ground
response: (the ground)
Lornedei digs a hole in the dry ground.
Lornedei bites on a nail.
action: Go south
response: Wasteland (By the Circle of Stones)
This is the southeastern corner of the field of despair. The forbidden forest is nearly all around her. West, northwest, and north takes her out. The ground sinks into a large hole, a bowl more than fifty paces across, in the ground, edged by crevices and uneven ridges. A broken land. Once at the bottom, the rest of the field is out of sight.

A big round stone lies in the middle of the pit. The fire is gone.

A stone circle is laid out on the ground.
Lornedei frowns. She seems to be listening.
And there truly is a sound, distant, from the forest. It sounds like someone crying. An abandoned cry of loneliness.
action: Round
response: Lornedei glances up at you. After a moment of puzzled silence, she shakes her head.
action: Round
response: Lornedei shrugs. What the big round boulder feels like does not interest her.
action: You listen to Forest
response: "I hear nothing but a careful whispering from these trees right now. It is the sound of dry leaves scraping against each other, that is all. I cannot hear any animals at all."
action: You listen
response: There is nothing here to listen to but the constant wind.
Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: You listen
response: There is nothing here to listen to but the constant wind.
Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
action: You listen
response: There is nothing here to listen to but the constant wind.
Lornedei bites on a nail.
action: You go west
response: Wasteland (Overlooking the Ravine)
Lornedei stands on an outcropping overlooking a deep ravine going as far north as she can see. The ledge seems to be the remains of a road, cut off by the creation of the break in the earth. On the other side of the ravine, there's a barely visible opening through the trees. There is no way over there though. A steady wind tears at her clothes and hair in sudden gusts that seem eager to throw her off balance.

East, northeast and north are the ways off the ledge.
Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
A high pitched squeal from somewhere among the blackened trees fills the air, and Lornedei shudders.
action: You examine the sun
response: Right above her the sky is clear, darkening to a graphite tinted blue. All around this patch, in all directions, there is a ceiling of constant mist. Visible above this blanket of gray, to the west, a dying sun sets the horizon in flames.
action: You wait
response: Lornedei waits as the dry wind tears at her torn clothing.
action: You touch the gray plaque
response: "It feels warm. Warm and heavy.
Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: You touch the black plaque
response: "It feels warm. Warm and heavy.
action: You listen to the gray plaque
response: She can hear nothing from the small gray plaque.
"Master?"
action: You examine the gray plaque
response: It is a small round plaque in a material unknown to Lornedei. The surface is smooth and with a deep polish. It is small enough to fit in Lornedei's hand. The surface shows nothing, not even the distorted image of Lornedei herself that one might expect. What shows in the plaque is like a reflection of a stormy sky in a puddle of murky water, just before the rain starts hammering.
Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
action: You break the gray plaque
response: Never mind having her wreck her inventory, unless it is truly called for.
action: You show the gray plaque to the sky
response: She can only do that to something living that has at least half a brain.
action: You hit the gray plaque
response: Never mind having her wreck her inventory, unless it is truly called for.
Lornedei looks around, biting her lower lip.
action: Rub gray
response: There is no need for her to do that.
Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: You throw the gray plaque into the ravine
response: Lornedei gives you a doubtful glance. After just a moments hesitation, she decides to trust your judgment. She drops the small gray plaque in the ravine. She does not stay at the edge long enough to watch it fall. "Was that necessary?"
action: You hold the gray plaque
response: She already has that.
action: No
response: There is no need to answer her. Better to keep your peace.
action: You ask the ld about the statue
response: Lornedei shrugs.
"What should I do?"
action: You ask the ld about the gray plaque
response: Lornedei shrugs.
Lornedei looks around, biting her lower lip.
action: You examine the black plaque
response: It's a totally black round plaque. It is small enough to fit in Lornedei's palm. The smooth stone is of a kind that Lornedei has never seen. A strange picture is carved on one side. It looks like a flying insect of some sort, with a giant tree in the background.
"What should I do?"
action: Inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 374.
Lornedei is carrying:
a purple nut with thorns
a golden acorn
A crystal spider with shifty, beady eyes (Polishing its underside at the moment.)
a piece of cheese
a small black plaque
a large black beetle (Spinning around waving its antennae at the moment.)
a loaf of horrid bread
a small leather pouch (which is open but empty)
A blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
a handful of white berries
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
action: You give the black plaque to Beetle
response: The bug spins around and around but that's it.
"Master?"
action: You feed Beetle to the spider
response: The spider stretches out to its full height and pokes the beetle in the eye. The bug gives off a high-pitch squeal and crawls in under Lornedei's hair.
action: You ask Firefly about the wolf
response: "Eeee! Just keep that horrible animal away from me. Have you fed it? You should not! You will spoil it rotten and then it will come after you for more food!
If you are stupid enough to ask it to follow you it is even worse. You will never get rid of it."
action: You ask Firefly about the nut
response: "Me, yes me, I will not tell."

"I must go, yes I must. The firefly disappears with a pop and a flash.
action: You throw the spider into the ravine
response: "No Master. I think I will hold on to this for now."
Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: You remove the shirt
response: Really? the shirt?
Perhaps you should leave Lornedei's clothing alone.

"I must go, yes I must. The firefly disappears with a pop and a flash.
action: You go north
response: Castle Ruins (In a Stone Corridor)
A staircase leads down in darkness and south takes her out to the courtyard. The corridor seems to lead only to the dim light to the north.
Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
action: You search debris
response: The beetle seems to ponder this. Then it crosses its antennae, willing but confused.
action: You search debris
response: The spider straightens to show its maximum height. It taps one of its legs against another and turns away. It is clearly beneath a creature of light to obey common humans.
"What should I do?"
action: You find the wolf
response: The bug waves its antennae but has very little to say.
action: Inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 374.
Lornedei is carrying:
a purple nut with thorns
a golden acorn
A crystal spider with shifty, beady eyes (Stretching out, apparently snoozing at the moment.)
a piece of cheese
a small black plaque
a large black beetle (Airing out its shell at the moment.)
a loaf of horrid bread
a small leather pouch (which is open but empty)
A blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
a handful of white berries
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
action: You throw the spider in ravine
response: "No Master. I think I will hold on to this for now."
action: You throw the acorn in the ravine
response: "No Master. I think I should hold on to this."
action: You throw the cheese in the ravine
response: Lornedei gives you a doubtful glance. After just a moments hesitation, she decides to trust your judgment. She drops the piece of cheese in the ravine. She does not stay at the edge long enough to watch it fall. "Was that necessary?"
action: You throw the nut in the ravine
response: Lornedei throws the nut over the edge. A sudden gust of wind grabs it. After dancing around in the air for a few moments, it drops down at her feet.
action: You take the nut
response: Lornedei carefully takes the nut, holding it with two fingers by one of the thorns. That way she won't get hurt.
action: You put the nut in the pouch
response: She drops the purple nut with thorns into the small leather pouch. "What should I do?"
action: You look in it
response: In the small leather pouch is a purple nut with thorns.
action: You throw the pouch into ravine
response: Lornedei drops the small leather pouch over the edge.
action: Y.
response: Would you like to restore a saved game?
action: You go north
response: "Greetings Almighty! Allow me to tell you about your world, Aarkland."

Our story begins here.

The harvest time is upon the people. Their hard work goes on from early morning until all that must be done is done. The summer has been good and this winter no one will starve. That is what the villagers believe, anyway. In ignorance they have turned from you and cannot see the coming darkness. For them Ignorance is bliss, but refusing to see the truth is no protection against evil.

The young girl that's come to meet you in secret is Lornedei. You watch her treading along the road and when she stops next to the water, you once more feel a glimmer of hope. She is the first child in more than a hundred years that has been born with the old power. The youngest daughter to Lorne and Noki, this innocent girl searches the sky for your presence. She smiles when she senses it and gives you a little wave. She is the last one. The last hope.

Lornedei tightens the straps on her rucksack, throws a quick glance back along the road, and makes sure her sandals are fastened properly. Surely she can sense you watching her, but she says nothing. She reaches into her rucksack and brings out some bread. She nibbles on it without much enthusiasm while watching the flowing river, and she waits for you.

The girl has the power to "reach" beyond what the eye can see and "heal" what is broken, but she is not strong enough to make a difference. Not without guidance. That is where you come in. As the God of this land, you must guide her. First, you should send her to the unholy stones to see what the world around her is hiding.
An Interactive Fantasy.

Crystal and Stone, Beetle and Bone.

Latest update and bug fixed June 25 2009. Type "about" for more information.
Type "help" to get started.
Type "hint" for specific help.

Aarkland (End of Village Road)
This old road, coming from the village, runs north to the edge of the forest. Alongside it to the west is the rushing water of the river Aarkland. The river flows through the forest and divides it in two: To the east is the old forest, and to the west is the forbidden forest.

Few people use the road these days, and it is all but overtaken by grass and brush. A seemingly endless field stretches out to the east. Between the swaying grass and the road, a few deformed bushes prepare to invade what remains of the road. A short distance to the southeast is a pile of stones. The stones are barely visible above the grass.

The Aarkland river flows past as always.

A whiff of the deformed bushes reaches Lornedei's nose and she waves the unpleasant odor away.
Is that a language I have not yet learned?
action: Go southeast
response: Aarkland (On the Unholy Stones)
For as long as Lornedei can remember, she has been told not to go there. There is nothing strange about the stones at a distance. It could just be a collection of fieldstones, perhaps from the time when the settlers first prepared the field. Nothing could be more wrong. There are piles of stones in many fields, but none with this kind of history.

She hesitates and turns to you. It seems like she wants to say something. She keeps silent and steps up on the platform.
The collection of stones is over ten paces from edge to edge. The top has been flattened to create a platform and that is where Lornedei stands. No new stones have been added in several hundred years. Despite the lack of activity, nothing grows near the stones.

There are powers here that make it easier for her to use her magic. You can make her see what hides around her. She will see the world as it is, what hides beyond what the eye can see.

She can go north to the field or northwest back to the dusty road. Lornedei suddenly looks startled.
"Master what is this?" A firefly is buzzing around her head. She waves her hand to wave it away when suddenly a small voice pipes up.
"No, No, silly girl. I am no harm! I am here to help you must know!" Lornedei stops waving but she looks dubiously at the tiny creature. Once safe from the terribly waving arm, the firefly stops for a rest on Lornedei's brow. The tiny voice pipes up again. "I must come, curious am I, and I can help such as you!" Lornedei tries to look up at the fly but all that happens is that her eyes cross. "There is magic here, magic in you girl. I have not sensed magic in a long time, yes!" the fly takes off and starts buzzing around Lornedei's head again. "Strong you are not! Oh, no. That god of yours was stingy in his giving so he was. Pity, pity. You can be stronger though. Sometimes from nature, sometimes from other things. You must know girl, to regain strength that you lose, you must eat. Ah, there are some here, I have searched for these." the fly buzzes off towards the deformed bushes and lands on one of the berries growing there. "Eat these and be strong, do not forget." there is an angry buzzing, a strange grunting sound, and a thud as a white berry, seemingly with a firefly attached on the top, falls to the ground. "Me... Will just.." In an amazing display of over-insectile powers, the fly lifts the berry off the ground. "will just take this." The firefly, along with its booty, disappears with a pop and a flash.

The firefly is available for questioning. It is happy to help. Just type "hint" and it will come.
Lornedei looks around, biting her lower lip.
action: Go northwest
response: Aarkland (End of Village Road)

The Aarkland river flows past as always.

The deformed bushes seem to reach for Lornedei as she walks by.
action: You get the berries
response: Lornedei picks all of the berries that seem edible. It turns out to be quite a handful. She drops them all into the rucksack.
action: You go north
response: No, she can go east to the field, southeast to the unholy stones, or enter the river to the west.
action: Go east
response: Aarkland (Billowing Field)
Lornedei hesitates throwing an anxious glance south.

Maybe she would prefer to be back in the safe grasp of her kin. If that is the case, she will never tell her God. She does not know why she is here or how easy her mind and flesh may be corrupted, and she may be better off that way.

Very carefully, you give her just the slightest of mental nudges to remove the hesitation from her mind. Not again can you give her a command without letting her choose how to proceed. What she has ahead of her she must do of her own free will as much as possible. Lornedei takes her eyes off the road and moves on.
The grass grows waist high. Touched by sun, wind, and rain, it patiently waits for the farmers that will not come. The edge of the old forest lies close by to the north. To the south, a big pile of stones rises above the grass. The road is back west.

There is a low growling coming from the high grass. An injured wolf lies there.
Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
action: You follow you
response: Deini looks at Lornedei, wondering if there might be something to eat first. When that doesn't seem to happen, the wolf ignores her command. Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
action: You reach the wolf
response: "I do not need to reach inside her to know that she is better now. The pain is gone."
Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
action: You give the bread to Deini
response: Deini smells the bread, sneezes, and backs away. She glances suspiciously at the piece of bread.
action: You give the cheese to Deini
response: (Taking the piece of cheese first.)
Deini smells the piece of cheese but she is not very interested in anything that never had a heart beat at one point.
Lornedei looks around, biting her lower lip.
action: You give the berry to Deini
response: (Taking the handful of white berries first.)
Deini smells the handful of white berries but she is not very interested in anything that never had a heart beat at one point.
action: You get Deini
response: Deini is still a wild animal in her true element. She should not be captured or provoked.
action: You put all in the backpack
response: handful of white berries: Done.
piece of cheese: Done.
loaf of horrid bread: Done.
action: Go south
response: Aarkland (On the Unholy Stones)
action: You reach world
response: The world around Lornedei fades. She finds herself high up in the air, hovering above a seemingly endless field. She flaps her white wings tentatively at first, but then she catches an upwind and rises.
Not far ahead of her is a vast and lush forest, stretching north and northeast. She looks east. Between the field and the endless ocean are a few homes, perhaps a fishing village, and a patchwork of fields. As she hovers far above the field, turning to the south, she can see a road following a river to another village far to the south. It is Lornedei's own.

She turns west and the forbidden forest, a landscape of gray, stretches out ahead of her. It stretches to the southwest and to the northwest as far as she can see. It is a swirling black and gray mass of mist or smoke, for the most part unbroken except for the occasional tree-top protruding here and there.

She moves closer until she is above the glittering water of the Aarkland river and turns north. She follows the flowing water until it seems to disappear into a large cliff. The two forests meet at the top of the cliff, but the old forest seems to give way more and more so that the border turns northeast towards a distant mountain chain. The river does not seem to appear again.

She turns west, soaring above unbroken gray, seeing only the occasional twisted treetop shooting out of the thick mist and a blue sky above. She flies on, across a landscape of gray and black. The mist Swirls here and there, darkens here and there, but never reveals what is below.

Then the air seems to thin and she sinks down. She sinks down below the mist. She finds herself racing between twisted tree-trunks and grasping branches. A dry whisper follows her as she loses her orientation. Silent shapes like shadows follow her path. Spirits, hollow-eyed, pale and ragged, open their mouths in rage and longing before they shy away from her. They melt back into the shadows between the trees. Suddenly she is out of the forest.

Below her is a barren landscape of sand and broken earth. The forbidden forest surrounds this field of despair, although the sky is clear. Above the mist, to the northeast, she can see a pale silhouette of the mountains. She can see a far distant shade of green to the east, beyond which is a blue horizon.

The same view meets her to the southeast, but to the south, southwest and west, there is only the forbidden forest with its blanket of mist.

She lowers herself until she is just above stony ground. A deep ravine separates the field from the forest to the west. The ravine runs south to north into a misty plain where it disappears out of sight. To the northwest, clinging to the edge of the ravine, there is an old ruin...a castle. Only part of the ruin is visible as the rest of it fades into gray mist.

She turns westward and sinks down in the ravine. Making her way north, the tip of her left wing nearly strokes the far ravine wall. She turns upwards and flies clockwise around the entire castle ruin. Most of the old castle is gone. As she is viewing it from the outside she can see chambers, dungeons and rooms in several levels that are exposed. The rest of the ruin is at the bottom of the ravine. After flying through the mist on the far side of the ruin, she appears at a great wall that separates the castle grounds from the northern wastelands before turning southeast. In the southeast corner of the big desolate field the ground slopes down and turns into a ragged hole in the ground. Heat ripples the air around it. A large fire burns within a ring of stones.

She circles the fire. She is in a hurry, searching for the thing that should be but is no longer. She returns to the ruin. There is a high wall east of the castle and she stops to rest on top of it.

The world wavers its way back to reality and Lornedei looks pale and a bit unsteady on her feet.
"Too high! Master? If I die and must come back, please do not make me a bird!"There is nothing she can do from here. She may be able to reach a distant object, but she can do nothing with it.
Lornedei bites on a nail.
action: Go northwest
response: Aarkland (End of Village Road)

The Aarkland river flows past as always.

The deformed bushes seem to reach for Lornedei as she walks by.
action: You get the leaf
response: (the yellow leaves)
Lornedei pulls a leaf off of one of the branches and it immediately crumbles into a smelly dust. She quickly brushes it off her hands while wrinkling her nose in disgust.
Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: You describe your surroundings
response: Aarkland (End of Village Road)
This old road, coming from the village, runs north to the edge of the forest. Alongside it to the west is the rushing water of the river Aarkland. The river flows through the forest and divides it in two: To the east is the old forest, and to the west is the forbidden forest.

Few people use the road these days, and it is all but overtaken by grass and brush. A seemingly endless field stretches out to the east. Between the swaying grass and the road, a few deformed bushes prepare to invade what remains of the road. A short distance to the southeast is a pile of stones. The stones are barely visible above the grass.

The Aarkland river flows past as always.

The deformed bushes seem to reach for Lornedei as she walks by.
action: Go east
response: Aarkland (Billowing Field)

Deini is here.
Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
action: You go east
response: No, there is nothing but the field as far as the eye can see and then the ocean beyond. Today is not the day to make that trip. The river is west and the unholy stones are to the south.
Deini plunks her behind down and starts attacking an itchy spot on her leg with her front teeth.
action: You examine Tree
response: There is nothing she can do from where she is. She will have to get closer.
action: Inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 75.
Lornedei is carrying:
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a loaf of horrid bread
a piece of cheese
a handful of white berries
action: You go inside
response: No, she can go east to the field, southeast to the unholy stones, or enter the river to the west.
action: You go west
response: In the River (By the Road)
Lornedei tightens her sandals and checks her rucksack, making sure it is closed tight before entering the river. She steps carefully down the slippery slope and through the parting rushes and reeds. Something squawks at her but it is gone before she can see it. When her feet lose contact with the bottom, she floats and lets the remaining hesitation float away with the invisible currents below.
The river runs from north to south. Ahead of her, the glittering water becomes shaded by the two forests. The forbidden forest on the left and the still green old forest on the right. The river disappears out of sight perhaps a hundred paces into the tunnel of trees, water, and shadows. The dusty road is east, where she can get out of the water. She can also dive down to the bottom of the river.
action: Dive
response: She dives down.

River Bottom (Here be Sand)
A magical world reveals itself. The river continues north. The bottom is mostly composed of sand, rocks, some mud, and quickly fleeing fish. All kinds of things have been thrown in the river from the road and are now resting under a layer of sand until the end of time. The river continues north.
action: You catch the fish
response: Lornedei looks puzzled. She seems not to understand your command.
action: You go to the north
response: Lornedei digs through some of the mud but there doesn't seem to be anything of interest down there.

River Bottom (At the Cave Entrance)
The bottom is littered with rocks. There are piles of them of varying sizes, washed clean by the constant flow of water. Around the sides of the opening into the cave, a few colonies of a slimy and sickly green plant have managed to make a home. They sway back and forth in the current while clinging desperately to the rocks. The opening leads northwest into a cave and south takes her back around the river bend. Her lungs are starting to ache. She will have to go to the surface soon!
action: Go east
response: She can't get out of the river that way. She can go back south along the river or down to the bottom.
action: Green
response: The leaves are fine just the way they are. I'm sure Lornedei would agree.
A dry black leaf drops from the forbidden forest into the water right in front of Lornedei. It bobs up and down a couple of times before it floats away downstream.
action: You get the black leaf
response: Lornedei grabs one of the black leaves in the nearest cluster of leaves and twists it loose. The leaf, being as long as her middle finger, falls to its side in her palm. The curved inside of the leaf suddenly fills with a hideous mush that swells and boils as she watches. Flesh grows and shapes itself in the shell into an insect's body. The mush is white with brown and dark red streaks. The nasty mess is swirling around inside the leaf, forming the flesh bit by bit. The shiny wetness dries quickly once the beetle's body takes form inside its shell. A thin purple layer finally covers the belly. Six black legs pop out through the newly formed glittering layer of skin. It takes only a moment for them to start moving around. Another pop forces a wriggling head out and the insect is near completion. The bug grows at a furious pace and finally it extrudes a pair of black antennae that unfold until they're as long, if not longer, than the entire beetle.

Lornedei turns the beetle over. It stays nearly motionless in her hand. The long antennae, shivering slightly, carefully touch the outline of the hand holding it, the sensitive inside of Lornedei's wrist, the sleeve of her shirt. The beetle seems satisfied with its new master.
action: You put it in the backpack
response: That makes very little sense. Try something else.
action: You go east
response: Lornedei drags herself up on the east bank, steps carefully over the slippery rocks and into the old forest.

Leaving the river behind her, she stops a moment to rest. In the cool shade she is surrounded by the comforting whispers of life. Leaning against a big tree, she silently watches the river. She does not notice the small brown shape rushing down the tree until it uses her shoulder as a springboard. It propels itself outward from there, sprints across the trail, and vanishes among the trees before Lornedei's gasp of surprise changes into a scream. With her shoulders relaxing again she looks for the squirrel among the trees, but it has already moved on to somewhere else. She clears her throat and glances up at you.
"Just a stupid squirrel."
A narrow path leads east into the forest. All is still. The old forest surrounds her.

The glittering water of the Aarkland can be seen through the trees to the west.
action: You go east
response: After the walk through the dark forest, she is surprised to suddenly step into a big clearing. She stops just beyond the tree line to look around.
The clearing is perfectly round and it's surrounded by the old forest in all directions. A giant oak tree stands in solitude a short distance into the hall of trees, separated from the wall of birch, ash, silver pine and the myriad of other plants growing there. The barely visible path through the forest is to the west.

An old urn sits in the grass next to the big oak.
action: You examine Oak
response: (the giant oak)
The giant oak stands proud and enormous, shading a big part of the clearing with its outstretched limbs with their dense foliage. The first big branch reaches out far above Lornedei's head. Craning her neck, she still cannot see the highest branches.
All she can see is something glittering green far above. To see what's behind the big tree she'll have to go around to the northwest or the northeast.
action: You examine urn
response: It's an old bronze urn as long as your lower arm and as wide as your neck. The outside is covered with symbols whose meaning has long since been forgotten.
action: You look in the urn
response: The old tarnished bronze urn is empty.
action: You reach Oak
response: (the giant oak)
The tree fades away before Lornedei's inner sight. For a moment there is nothing but a shimmering mist all around, but then three shapes appear in the distance. They are trees. This she is sure of. Giant trees. They are somehow out of focus and no matter how she strains, they remain that way. The only thing clear about the shapes is the color of the mist surrounding them. They are surrounded by green, black, and gold. Suddenly the golden tree fades, leaving the mist behind. The black tree grows, and the green one appears to cower under it. Lornedei's vision fades.

Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: You take urn
response: As you wish.
action: You go to the northeast
response: Hall of Elevation (Behind the Oak)
Lornedei walks around the enormous tree. The giant oak's shadow has all but starved everything growing on the ground behind it.
She is standing between the big oak and the dense forest. Southeast or southwest will take her back to the open clearing. Steps are cut in the big oak.

An old water sack lies against the trunk. Someone must have left it here recently.

A dead rabbit lies next to the tree.

She can also see a small dented silver plate (which is empty) here.
action: You examine the sack
response: It's a small water sack with a wooden cork and a leather strap to tie to a belt. It seems to be in good shape.
action: You look at the rabbit
response: Someone has recently hunted and killed this rabbit, probably using a snare of some sort. The little furry thing is still fresh and edible.
action: You examine the plate
response: It is a somewhat dented silver dish. One side returns a distorted but clear image of the holder.
action: You take all
response: small water sack: As you wish.
dead rabbit: As you wish.
small dented silver plate: As you wish.
Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: You go upwards
response: Hall of Elevation (In the Giant Oak)
A soft warm breeze catches Lornedei's hair when she finally reaches a branch. It is, in fact, the first branch she gets to and the only one she can reach. It's as thick as a well-fed pig and she swings one leg over it. She ends up sitting with her face towards the trunk. Above her is an enormous and glittering green ceiling that is the crown of the oak.

She looks up. The endless movements of the countless leaves trick her into swaying with them. That is, until she nearly loses her balance. She grabs the branch and focuses instead on the unmoving trunk. A pale shadow of a smile touches her lips when she quickly glances up at you. The shadow of the big oak trembles on the ground below. The far end of the branch Lornedei is sitting on seems to disappear in a gray mist. The other two branches on this level are just as unreachable for her as the limbs higher up.

In the trunk in front of her, three holes are lined up in a tidy row. They are apparently inhabited by some kind of worm. She can climb down or go north along the branch.
A fat blue worm quickly crawls over to the third hole.

The beetle scrambles out of its confinement. It sits motionless but trembling on Lornedei's shoulder, making a strange hissing noise.

After a moment of that, it scrambles down to the branch, utters that strange hissing again, louder this time. One of the worms sticks its head out and hisses back at the beetle. It makes a very hasty retreat back in the hole though.
action: You examine the first hole
response: Three holes, neatly in a row, can be seen in the trunk. Apparently worms live there.
The beetle hisses at the worms. The yellow worm shows its head and hisses back.
Suddenly, all the worms crawl out of their holes. In an instant they're all relocated. The yellow worm drags its chunk of wood into its new home.
action: You look at the yellow worm
response: "I Cannot see as long as it is hiding in the hole Master."
The beetle hisses at the worms. The yellow worm shows its head and hisses back.
action: You look in the third hole
response: "I can see something blue in there, Oh, dear! It has teeth.
The beetle hisses at the worms. The yellow worm shows its head and hisses back.
action: You look in the second hole
response: "There is something yellow and squirmy in there."
The beetle hisses at the worms. The yellow worm shows its head and hisses back.
Suddenly, all the worms crawl out of their holes. In an instant they're all relocated. The yellow worm drags its chunk of wood into its new home.
action: You reach the yellow worm
response: "Ahum! Interesting idea, but I think it would make me sick."

The beetle hisses at the worms. The yellow worm shows its head and hisses back.
action: You put Beetle in the first hole
response: She needs to be holding the big black beetle before she can put it into something else.
The beetle hisses at the worms. The yellow worm shows its head and hisses back.
A shiny red worm squirms its way over to the first hole.
A skinny yellow worm quickly pops out of its hole and disappears into the third hole. In its path, it drops tiny pieces of wood that scatter in the breeze.
action: You take Beetle
response: The beetle crawls up in her hand.
A fat blue worm quickly pops out of its hole and disappears into the second hole.
Suddenly, all the worms come out of their holes. They crawl over each other in a haste to switch habitats. In an instant they're all back in their chosen holes.
The beetle hisses at the worms. The yellow worm shows its head and hisses back.
action: You put Beetle in the first hole
response: The beetle rushes into the first hole. After a while, it comes out again with the fat blue worm in its jaw.
A shiny red worm squirms its way over to the first hole.
The beetle hisses at the worms. The yellow worm shows its head and hisses back.
action: You take the blue worm
response: As you wish.
A skinny yellow worm quickly pops out of its hole and disappears into the third hole. In its path, it drops tiny pieces of wood that scatter in the breeze.
The beetle hisses at the worms. The yellow worm shows its head and hisses back.
action: You take Beetle
response: The beetle is already with her.
A skinny yellow worm carefully checks Lornedei out. It drops into the second hole, dragging a chunk of wood in with it.
The beetle hisses at the worms. The yellow worm shows its head and hisses back.
action: You put Beetle in the first hole
response: The beetle rushes into the first hole. After a while, it comes out again with the shiny red worm in its jaw.
The beetle hisses at the worms. The yellow worm shows its head and hisses back.
action: You take the red worm
response: As you wish.
The beetle hisses at the worms. The yellow worm shows its head and hisses back.
action: You take Beetle
response: The beetle is already with her.
A skinny yellow worm quickly pops out of its hole and disappears into the third hole. In its path, it drops tiny pieces of wood that scatter in the breeze.
The beetle hisses at the worms. The yellow worm shows its head and hisses back.
action: You put Beetle in the third hole
response: The beetle rushes into the third hole. After a while, it comes out again with the skinny yellow worm in its jaw.
action: You look at the yellow worm
response: The worm is as long as a mans foot from toes to heel, as thick as the middle toe on that same foot and canary yellow. At each end of the somewhat slimy body sits a head. It has no eyes, only two mouths. Each mouth opens and closes in turns, when one is open the other is closed, revealing several rows of very small but razor sharp teeth.
When one mouth closes and almost disappears in the stubby face, the other end opens its mouth and starts attacking the other end, biting it furiously until it seems to be satisfied and it turns away from its other self for a while.
After some time the procedure repeats itself with the tables turned.
action: You put Beetle in the third hole
response: The trusty little bug rushes into the hole but comes out right away. It quickly examines the other two holes but when there's nothing more to find, it crawls back into Lornedei's hand.
action: Inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 74.
Lornedei is carrying:
a skinny yellow worm
a shiny red worm
a fat blue worm
a large black beetle (Fluffing up its wings at the moment.)
a small dented silver plate
a dead rabbit
a small water sack (which is open but empty)
an old tarnished bronze urn
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a loaf of horrid bread
a piece of cheese
a handful of white berries
action: You reach the yellow worm
response: "Ahum! Interesting idea, but I think it would make me sick."
action: You examine the red worm
response: The worm is as long as a mans foot from toes to heel, as thick as the big toe on that same foot and deep red. On each end of the squirming shiny body sits a head. It has no eyes. Each mouth opens and closes in turns, when one is open the other is closed, revealing several rows of very small but razor sharp teeth.
When one mouth closes and almost disappears in the stubby face, the other end opens its mouth and starts attacking the other end, biting it furiously until it seems to be satisfied and it turns away from its other self for a while.
After some time the procedure repeats itself with the tables turned.
action: Go north
response: Lornedei makes her way along the wide branch. The fog rises to meet her as she steps into it. For a dizzying moment, she can see nothing at all. Then she is passed the moment of blindness and steps into another one, different but possibly more disturbing. She is surrounded by a wall of mist. The clearing is gone, the light dim and nondescript, and the sounds muffled and distant.

There is nothing but a slightly greenish mist all around her. Even the ground is nothing but greenish vapor. Lornedei turns around like in a dream.
"I am tired Master. So tired. Everything seems to be spinning.
There is something here. Something that drains my powers. I cannot stay in here for too long."
Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: You reach the mist
response: "My mind feels weak Master. Something is draining me and there is nothing I can do. It feels like everything is spinning."
Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: Sleep
response: Lornedei lies down.
"I should not Master. But everything is spinning."
"The mist is"
action: Keep going
response: "spinning."
action: Keep going
response: You watch the girl as she struggles to wake up. You wait.
"Father?", she mumbles in a dream where you cannot reach her.
action: Continue
response: "Raccdaha, NO! Stop!"
She moves in her sleep. Occasionally a hand touches one of the stones and she pulls it back as if it burns. Her face is full of agony.
action: You keep going
response: She wakes up with a scream. She looks sick. She scrambles off the pile of stones on her hands and knees.
Moving away from the unholy. She sits in the grass staring at her surroundings.
"Umpffp" she says. You have no reply to that. She looks up at you and opens her mouth to say something but she keeps silent and looks away. Eventually, she stands up. She gives the stone pile a strange look and then suddenly she is calm, but distant. She stares into space while chewing on her hair.

Aarkland (On the Unholy Stones)

"Buzz! Dear oh dear." Lornedei looks down all of a sudden and points to the ground. "Oh, silly girl, rude you are. Put that finger away!" Lornedei quickly puts her finger in her mouth and starts chewing on it instead as her gaze wanders. The firefly crawls up from under one of the rocks. "Oh, dear, bad you are little girl. I see you have met a minion of Raccdaha girl. Oh dear." the fly lifts off and starts buzzing around Lornedei's head. Lornedei tries to follow the flight, turning and turning, but she gets dizzy and shuts her eyes, giggling uncontrollably. "Wake up Girl; this is not good, not at all." the fly charges and hits Lornedei between the eyes. *WHACK* Lornedei blinks but nothing happens. "Oh, dear. Well worry you should not Girl. The sleepwalker is no real harm unless it holds you too long in its dream. I must be off now. Perhaps your god can wake you up." the fly disappears with a pop and a flash.
action: You look at her
response: I'm not sure who you mean by her. Deini? You may need to use her name instead of just "her".
action: You examine Lornedei
response: Your young follower looks confused. She seems not to notice her surroundings. The dreamy look in her blue eyes is worrying. She is constantly looking over her shoulder or staring into a distant nothing. The look on her face however, tells you that she really does not know why she does it. Her mind wanders as if still in a dream.
everything she is wearing is now soaking wet. Her hair hangs in wet stripes over her shoulders and her sandals make funny shlurp-sounds for every step.
action: Inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 72.
Lornedei is carrying:
a skinny yellow worm
a shiny red worm
a fat blue worm
a large black beetle (Fluffing up its wings at the moment.)
a small dented silver plate
a dead rabbit
a small water sack (which is open but empty)
an old tarnished bronze urn
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a loaf of horrid bread
a piece of cheese
a handful of white berries
action: You wake the ld
response: Lornedei shakes her head. For one short moment, she is looking at you. Seeing you, but then her eyes start to wander again.
action: You wake her
response: (Lornedei)
Lornedei makes an effort to clear her mind. She rubs her eyes and drags her fingers through her hair. She even gives herself a slap in the face.
"Ouch!" She looks at you. Then she gets distracted by a spot of dirt on her arm and she is gone again.
action: You examine the plate
response: It is a somewhat dented silver dish. One side returns a distorted but clear image of the holder.
action: You look in the plate
response: Lornedei takes a good look at her own reflection in the plate. She seems disturbed by what she sees.
"Who is that Master?"
action: About yourself
response: You are The almighty, the last of the Gods. Your wish is Lornedei's command and she will do as you ask if it is possible.

When she was born you managed to give her, as your chosen one, the power to heal and to reach into things with her mind. She is young though and you must show her the way. You might be a god but you are not much more than a vague presence in this world.
action: You give the rabbit to Deini
response: The hungry wolf snatches the rabbit from Lornedei's hand and sinks her teeth into the body. It is not a pretty sight and Lornedei looks away as the wolf eats. The wolf seems quite satisfied after that meal and Lornedei has gained a friend.

Suddenly the wolf turns around and runs off in the grass. She seems to be searching for something specific and Lornedei waits. After a while, she comes back. Between her teeth is a bone, gnawed clean of meat. She drops the bone at Lornedei's feet, looking proud of her find.

Lornedei pats Deini on the head.
"Smart doggy."

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
action: You reach the bone
response: There seems to be nothing beyond what the eye can see.
Deini gets in front of Lornedei but the girl just gives her a distracted pat on the head.
action: You look at the bone
response: As far as Lornedei can gather, it's a bone from a dear's leg. It has plenty of bite marks on it so this might have been one of Deini's unfortunate preys.
action: You throw the bone
response: Your wish is her command.
action: You follow you
response: Lornedei pats the wolf on the head.
"Nice doggy."
action: Go east
response: No, there is nothing but the field as far as the eye can see and then the ocean beyond. Today is not the day to make that trip. The river is west and the unholy stones are to the south.
The wolf tires of Lornedei and pretends to sleep for a bit.
action: You go west
response: Aarkland (End of Village Road)

The Aarkland river flows past as always.

The deformed bushes seem to reach for Lornedei as she walks by.
action: You fill the sack with the water
response: Don't bother asking her to fill anything right now. She can do that from any location that is close to the river.
action: You fill the sack with the water
response: She fills the small water sack with river water.
action: Close sack
response: She closes the small water sack.
action: Inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 72.
Lornedei is carrying:
a bone
a skinny yellow worm
a shiny red worm
a fat blue worm
a large black beetle (Taking a nap at the moment.)
a small dented silver plate
a small water sack (which is closed)
plenty of river water
an old tarnished bronze urn
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a loaf of horrid bread
a piece of cheese
a handful of white berries
action: You put the yellow worm in the urn
response: She drops the skinny yellow worm into the old tarnished bronze urn.
action: You put the red worm in the urn
response: She drops the shiny red worm into the old tarnished bronze urn.
action: You put the blue worm in the urn
response: She drops the fat blue worm into the old tarnished bronze urn.
action: You check your inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 72.
Lornedei is carrying:
a bone
a large black beetle (Airing out its shell at the moment.)
a small dented silver plate
a small water sack (which is closed)
plenty of river water
an old tarnished bronze urn
a fat blue worm
a shiny red worm
a skinny yellow worm
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a loaf of horrid bread
a piece of cheese
a handful of white berries
action: Go west
response: No, there is no way into the forbidden forest along the river. She will have to find another way to get there. She can go north, south, or east into the old forest.
A dry black leaf drops from the forbidden forest into the water right in front of Lornedei. It bobs up and down a couple of times before it floats away downstream.
action: You go downward
response: She dives down.

River Bottom (Here be Mud)
action: You go south
response: River Bottom (Here be Sand)
action: You go north
response: River Bottom (Here be Mud)
action: Go north
response: River Bottom (At the Cave Entrance)
Her lungs are starting to ache. She will have to go to the surface soon!
action: Go upwards
response: In the River (By the Cliff)
A dry black leaf drops from the forbidden forest into the water right in front of Lornedei. It bobs up and down a couple of times before it floats away downstream.
action: Exits
response: She can go south or down.
action: Go downwards
response: She dives down.

River Bottom (At the Cave Entrance)
action: You go to the north-west
response: Caves (Entering the Caves)
Lornedei's pale hand trails the cave wall as she quickly swims through the opening in the cliff. The opening is just big enough for her to go through. Inside, the cave widens slightly.
Darkness is chased away by only a few illusive reflections in the stone, thanks to the little light leaking in from the opening. The tunnel continues west into total darkness and Southeast takes her out of the cave.

She can see a fairy lamp with a crystal spider inside here.
action: Go outside
response: River Bottom (At the Cave Entrance)
action: Go upward
response: In the River (By the Cliff)
action: You rub lamp
response: Lornedei starts to clean away the layer of dirt from the surface of the lamp. After some heavy duty scrubbing, the lamp shines bright.

There is a strange ticking sound. When she looks at the lamp, the crystal spider inside stares back at her. It lifts a leg and gives the inside of its prison another tap. After that, the spider curls up and is still again.
action: You go to the northwest
response: Caves (Entering the Caves)
action: You look around
response: Caves (Entering the Caves)
Darkness is chased away by only a few illusive reflections in the stone, thanks to the little light leaking in from the opening. The tunnel continues west into total darkness and Southeast takes her out of the cave.
action: Go west
response: Caves (Choosing the Path)
Lornedei moves on through a current caused by the narrowing of the tunnel. She makes it past and to calmer water where the tunnel splits into four.
The main flow seems to continue north, while two smaller tunnels lead northwest and west. East takes her back near the opening.
action: You go to the north
response: Caves (Where Bubbles Rise)
Lornedei stops for a moment, surprised to see a stream of glittering bubbles rise from the bottom.
Following the bubbles upwards, she notices a slight rippling of the water above.
There is air above in this larger cave and just a hint of light somewhere ahead.
The cave curves gently to the left and continues northwest towards the light while south takes her back to the Junction.

Lornedei looks down to see where the bubbles are coming from, but she can't locate the source. She doesn't seem all that interested anyway. Her lungs are starting to ache. She will have to go to the surface soon!
action: Go upwards
response: Caves (Among the Restless Roots)
Lornedei floats on the surface in a small pocket of stale air. The ceiling is an arms length above her head, too far for her to reach. The air reeks of mold and damp wood. The trees above, not too far away but separated from her by a layer of cracked rock, reach down through the rock to this underground watering hole. The roots cling to all sides, and it's like a nest full of snakes turned upside down. The slithering animals are still hanging on to it.
"There is something...." Lornedei shuts her mouth when the mass of roots comes alive. It trembles, writhes. The movements slowly fade as the silence returns.

Lornedei turns around in the water, making sure to stay away from the walls and ceiling. She is staring at the tangle of roots in horrified fascination.
The space she is in is not more then twice Lornedei's length in any direction. The tangle of roots makes the space seem smaller yet. The pale mass of roots stirs restlessly. Below her, the inky water of the river flows past.

Something pulls Lornedei's hair and she shrieks. Less a few strands of hair, she turns around in the water. A thin root slithers away to disappear among the others.
action: You reach the roots
response: There is a low grumbling from above. Lornedei looks uneasily up at the ceiling of roots.

"Eh?"
A low squeaking makes Lornedei turn around. The sound stops.
action: You examine the roots
response: There is a low grumbling from above. Lornedei looks uneasily up at the ceiling of roots.

They are like a lid above the putrid liquid in a warlocks kettle. Some of the roots hang from the ceiling and down in the dark water next to Lornedei, but most of them are curled up, braided, weaved, or simply twisted around each other like a two-threaded rope. They cover each side of this small space. The roots are a sickly pale yellow, some as thick as Lornedei's waist, others as thin as the thread you might use to tie around a large ham before baking it.
action: Go downwards
response: She dives down.

Caves (Where Bubbles Rise)
There is air above in this larger cave and just a hint of light somewhere ahead.
The cave curves gently to the left and continues northwest towards the light while south takes her back to the Junction.

A stream of bubbles rises from the pitch-black bottom, meets the girl on its way up, and then explode in a glittering cascade of air around her.
action: Go downward
response: That is not the way. She can go south, northwest, southwest or up.
action: Go northwest
response: River Bottom (Below the Waterfall)
Lornedei swims towards the light. As she comes out of the dark cave, a dull thundering meets her. The water is restless, striving noticeably back southeast. The bottom is washed clean from debris and vegetation. There is a dim light from above.
action: You examine the waterfall
response: The water falls from the cliff and thunders down into the waterfall pool.
action: Go northwest
response: Lornedei climbs up on a small ledge to one side of the waterfall.

Elder's Spring (Behind the Waterfall)
Lornedei climbs the ledge and makes her way in behind the waterfall. The light is dim, yet livid, glittering on damp stone walls. She takes a few steps forward, leaving the pooling water behind. She stops further into the cave where the floor is comparatively dry, and starts to leave a puddle of her own at her feet.
Southeast takes her back out in the waterfall pool.

The cave is only a few paces wide and perhaps ten paces deep. The ceiling is just above her head in this, mostly natural cavity in the stone. The cave narrows and at the far end, the rough stone has been hollowed out further and smoothed into a rectangular niche. Water drips down from somewhere far above in the niche. For centuries the water has been gathered in ceremonial cups by selected light bearers. Drop by drop, never less and never more than necessary.

In the narrow hollow in the wall stands a stone pillar hidden by shadows.

A silver goblet lies thrown on the stone floor next to the pillar.

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
action: Examine goblet
response: The goblet shines as if it were newly polished by careful hands. Its cup is richly engraved on both the outside and inside.
It narrows into a slender stem that spirals down until its twined silver threads separate into three smoothly curved tips, like the roots of a tree.
action: Reach the goblet
response: Lornedei is standing in the middle of a puddle on the stone floor. She giggles and stomps her feet.
action: You take the goblet
response: Lornedei is busy trying to drink from the waterfall.
action: You examine the pillar
response: The pillar is about shoulder height and an arms length wide at the bottom. It tapers off near the top, where the surface is just about as wide as a fully extended hand.

It is circular with a deep polished surface. The stone is the color of newly fallen snow on a bed of mahogany wood shavings. The pillar is standing on an oval slab of the same kind of stone. A large metal ring sticks out from the pillar about half way up.
action: You examine the ring
response: It's a shiny metal ring attached to the front of the stone pillar. It might be a handle of some sort.
action: You pull the ring
response: Lornedei pulls the pillar backwards and out of the dark niche until its bottom sits edge to edge with the supporting slab's outer edge.
action: You wake her
response: (Lornedei)
You decide to break the rules just slightly. You give her a tiny nudge. A mental slap if you will. Her head snaps up and she is staring at you, shocked.

Her eyes are bright and aware. She smiles.
"I was not quite here Master. I am sorry. I am awake now."
"What should I do?"
action: You put the goblet on the pillar
response: She puts the silver goblet on the stone pillar.
action: You fill the goblet
response: Lornedei reaches out to hold the silver goblet under the dripping water. Her arm is pushed back and away from the dark niche and its water. The spring will not let her come any closer.
action: You pull the pillar
response: Lornedei pulls the pillar backwards until the silver goblet again appears.
action: You open the sack
response: She opens the small water sack.
action: Empty sack
response: The river water pours onto the ground creating a puddle that soon disappears.
action: You pour the goblet into the sack
response: She pours the water from the Elder's spring into the small water sack.
action: Close sack
response: She closes the small water sack.
action: You look at what you're carrying with you
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 72.
Lornedei is carrying:
a silver goblet
A brightly shining fairy lamp with a crystal spider inside
a bone
a large black beetle (Spinning around waving its antennae at the moment.)
a small dented silver plate
a small water sack (which is closed)
the water from the Elder's spring
an old tarnished bronze urn
a fat blue worm
a shiny red worm
a skinny yellow worm
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a loaf of horrid bread
a piece of cheese
a handful of white berries
Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: You go to the southeast
response: Lornedei moves towards the opening in the cave but suddenly she stops with her arm stretched out awkwardly behind her.
She grabs the goblet with both hands and pulls hard. It will not move. It stays in mid air a short distance from the falling water. Lornedei takes one step back into the cave, and the goblet is suddenly willing to go with her.
Staring at the stubborn object in her hand, she frowns.
"The Goblet does not want to leave the cave Master!"
action: You put Goblet on the pillar
response: She puts the silver goblet on the stone pillar.
action: Go down
response: She dives down.

River Bottom (Below the Waterfall)
Lornedei swims towards the light. As she comes out of the dark cave, a dull thundering meets her. The water is restless, striving noticeably back southeast. The bottom is washed clean from debris and vegetation. There is a dim light from above.
action: You go to the south-east
response: Caves (Where Bubbles Rise)
There is air above in this larger cave and just a hint of light somewhere ahead.
The cave curves gently to the left and continues northwest towards the light while south takes her back to the Junction.

A stream of bubbles rises from the pitch-black bottom, meets the girl on its way up, and then explode in a glittering cascade of air around her.
action: You go to the south-west
response: Caves (The Latent Waters)
There's a soft light and a rippling from the surface up above. Southeast takes her back to the Junction and there is a ragged hole in the rock to the northeast. The bottom here is mostly sand and rocks, and nothing grows here.

The water is still.
action: You examine carvings
response: The stone print fills the entire wall above the ledge. The writing is old and forgotten but the essence of the message should still be in the stone itself.
action: You reach the carvings
response: She may be better off if she gets up on the ledge first. She is quite tired.
action: You get on the ledge
response: She gets onto the Narrow ledge.
action: You examine the ledge
response: Lornedei is sitting with her back against the west wall. The ledge is barely wide enough to sit on, let alone standing, as the wall leans outward over the dark water.
action: You reach the carvings
response: Lornedei places a cold, wet hand on the carvings.
"I cannot understand it all. There is a message here that will not reveal itself to me. What I understand, or think I understand is this:

One great is the light.
One great is the dark.
One great is the lost one that judges us all."

Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: You eat the berry
response: (Taking the handful of white berries first.)
Lornedei eats one of the white berries.
"These are actually not too awful Master! They remind me of something but I cannot recall what." She shrugs.
Lornedei's magic just went up by three.
action: You put the berries in the rucksack
response: She drops the handful of white berries into the leather rucksack.
action: Exits
response: She can go down to the bottom or up on the ledge.
action: Go downwards
response: She gets off the Narrow ledge.

This is a big, nearly circular cave. The ceiling is enveloped in darkness but a light, barely more than the glow of fireflies, comes from the walls themselves.
The mirror of dark water reflects the light.
Above a narrow ledge sticking out from the west wall, carvings cover a big part of the wall.
action: You go down
response: She dives down.

Caves (The Latent Waters)
There's a soft light and a rippling from the surface up above. Southeast takes her back to the Junction and there is a ragged hole in the rock to the northeast. The bottom here is mostly sand and rocks, and nothing grows here.

The water is still.
action: Go northeast
response: Caves (Where Bubbles Rise)
There is air above in this larger cave and just a hint of light somewhere ahead.
The cave curves gently to the left and continues northwest towards the light while south takes her back to the Junction.

A stream of bubbles rises from the pitch-black bottom, meets the girl on its way up, and then explode in a glittering cascade of air around her.
action: Go upwards
response: Caves (Among the Restless Roots)
The space she is in is not more then twice Lornedei's length in any direction. The tangle of roots makes the space seem smaller yet. The pale mass of roots stirs restlessly. Below her, the inky water of the river flows past.
action: You take the red worm
response: As you wish.
Something wraps itself around Lornedei's hand. She pulls her hand away with a shriek.
action: You put the red worm on the roots
response: Lornedei places the red worm on one of the roots. It sniffs the air, surveying the roots for a moment before taking a huge bite out of one. All the roots seem to stir and shudder, trying to avoid the biting pest. After only a few big bites out of the root the red worm seems satisfied. The root's restless movement seizes right away as the worm curls up into a ball. Lornedei picks it up again.
action: You put the yellow worm on the roots
response: She drops the shiny red worm into the old tarnished bronze urn. Something wraps itself around Lornedei's hand. She pulls her hand away with a shriek.
As you wish.
A low squeaking makes Lornedei turn around. The sound stops.
The skinny worm starts biting the moist tangle of roots. One after another get to feel the starved fury of the yellow worm. The roots start to shake violently to get rid of the furiously eating worm. Big pieces of moist wood are torn from the roots. Some disappear down the worm's seemingly bottomless stomach. Most, however, drop in the water.

Eventually, the tree gives in. The roots move aside, revealing a passage south into darkness. Lornedei picks up the worm that oddly enough looks no less skinny now.
A low squeaking makes Lornedei turn around. The sound stops.

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
action: You go south
response: After squeezing herself through the tight passage she is not just dripping wet but also filthy and out of breath.

Slowly, Lornedei looks around this dark clearing. An oppressive gray fog hangs over everything and seems to add weight to the air itself. There is a presence here. Something is waiting among the dark trees. Something sinister.
The gray mist hides the sun from sight and there is no way to make out which direction is which.
The clearing is almost perfectly round and thirty or so paces across. It is surrounded by the forbidden forest on all sides.
A giant black oak stands in solitude in the middle of the clearing. Many of its roots stick out of the ground like snakes arching to suffocate their prey. Steps are cut in the oak to provide an easy way up.

A stone altar stands in the shadow of the big oak. Dry grass and shrubs are still rooted in the dead soil, and more of the deformed bushes grow in a loose circle around the oak and the altar.

An old stone well gurgles softly not far from a crumbling stone house. On the other side of the clearing, three paths lead into the forbidden forest.

The great roots under the giant oak have slid aside revealing a passage.
A greenish fog seeps out of the darkness between the trees. Lazily it gathers itself until a green pillar of mist is formed. It glides slowly over the dead grass and stops next to Lornedei. It starts to spin. Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
The beetle squirms its way out of Lornedei's grasp and drops to the ground. It runs off, climbs up on the stone well, climbs back down, crawls through the bushes and seems to inspect the stone house, to finally stop at one of the paths.
action: You examine the green mist
response: A stubby pillar of greenish fog hovers just above ground level. It spins around its own axis like a slow motion whirlwind.

An old stone well gurgles softly not far from a crumbling stone house. On the other side of the clearing, three paths lead into the forbidden forest.
An old stone well gurgles softly not far from a crumbling stone house. On the other side of the clearing, three paths lead into the forbidden forest.

The roots under the big oak stir restlessly. The shadows beneath them seem to grow momentarily, but when Lornedei Looks at them the movement stops.
There is a loud buzzing from the rucksack. Suddenly the Beetle comes crawling out and scrambles down to the ground. It spins around.
action: You enter House
response: Hall of Severance (In the House of Penance)
Lornedei steps through the crumbling opening into a darkness that is not quite total. There is dim light sifting down from the ruined ceiling above. She glances up, perhaps fearing that the whole construction will give up at her intrusion.

But the only thing falling down on her is the weight of history; stories of cruel ignorance, memories that linger. The light catches a glittering thread and Lornedei swipes at the descending spider before it can land on her. With a grimace she steps on it before it can scramble away, burying it in the dry dirt. She looks around, but if there are more spiders here, they keep out of her way.
The many years have taken its toll on this house. The circular wall tapers slightly towards the ceiling. Above her, a framework of thick beams support several generations worth of spider webs. There is not much left of the roof now. The light from outside leaks in through the holes in the ceiling. It magnifies the presence of fine dry dust that floats lazily in the still air. Long since rotted straw and reeds cover the earthen floor.

A pair of rusty manacles hangs on the wall.
"Master?"
action: You search the straw
response: Lornedei kicks the rotted remains around with a grimace, holding her breath against the odors rising from the floor. A shriek cuts through the still air and she takes a step back.

Empty sockets in a yellowed and cracked skull stare up at her. She takes another step towards the opening and starts to turn to leave. Something causes her to look back, though, perhaps a sense of shame for disturbing this final resting place. She stares at the human skull peeking out from its shallow grave, and goes to cover it again. Before she can throw a handful of the old straw over it, she stops. There is a sudden glimmering light from within one of the dark holes. There is something inside the skull. She also notices a small pouch in the shallow grave, half buried in the dirt.
action: Wear amulet
response: As you wish.
Lornedei looks around, biting her lower lip.
In the cracked skull is An amulet.
Lornedei's hand trembles at the touch.
"So much power!"

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
Lornedei hangs the amulet around her neck. Immediately it flares up and shines brightly. The blinding light fades somewhat and the light becomes soft and steady. Lornedei shivers in delight from the power in the crystal that gives itself to her.

Lornedei's magic just went up by one hundred.
action: You examine the skull
response: The skull shares the shallow grave under straw, dirt and reeds with the rest of the skeleton. Lornedei takes only a quick look at the bones before making sure they are covered. They are of no interest to her.

The skull is cracked, and brutally so it seems. This person, whoever it may have been, was sent to the afterlife with the help of something heavy but blunt, a rock, perhaps a hammer. No doubt it was swung in fury or fear. Lornedei cringes when she sees scattered pieces of bone near the skull. She quickly covers the teeth, hiding them from view while holding a protective hand over her own mouth.
action: You reach the skull
response: Lornedei places a hand lightly on the skull and shuts her eyes. A low sound escapes her tightly closed lips. The final moments of a girl's life spill into her mind. An already pale face turns ash gray and she trembles, tries to pull her hand away, but cannot.

"No! No please." The screams have lost their strength and turned to whispers, gurgling coughing, and inaudible pleading. Now they are only in her mind. She knows there will be no mercy. She tries to turn to the side on the hard ground, tries to spit the teeth out before they choke her, but another blow forces her head the other way. Someone is holding her legs down. She cannot pull them up, bring them together, cannot get rid of the weight. Something else is pushing down on her stomach, a boot, and she cannot turn, barely breathe. Something is holding her hands, but then one comes free. She lifts it to her face. The next thing that breaks are four of her fingers along with her nose, the nose that is underneith the hand.

There are four of them. They take turns with her, sharing the pleasure of beating her with the rock. They take turns using her body, the part of her body that is not yet covered in blood. She cannot see them. What slits might be left to see through have filled with blood. She has no wish to see. She knows it will be over soon, very soon.

There is no salvation, no hope of rescue, but in the end there is no longer any pain. When Anadei's body is used up and is systematically broken up, the way it is told it should be done, she is long gone.

Lornedei reels back from the skull, turns, and staggers away from you. She leans forward and struggles to avoid being sick.

You watch her with clinical curiosity. Can this young and soft girl, in the end, do what you need her to do? Can she banish the evil and then bring back the old ways? The old beliefs? Perhaps even the old rituals could be revived. You must think this over as time moves on. For now, you turn your attention to the task at hand.

Lornedei is watching you. She is pale but composed.
"Her name was Anadei, daughter of Meredea. She was the last of the light bearers Master. They feared her so much that she was ordered dead." Lornedei laughs dryly and continues with a cynicism very unlike her. "I guess they completed that task, but that is not all they did." She shudders and will not say more on the subject.
Lornedei's magic just dropped by five.
action: Bury skull
response: The cracked skull? Think that will grow?
action: Dig
response: (the pair of manacles)
Lornedei shakes her head.
action: Look around
response: Hall of Severance (In the House of Penance)
The many years have taken its toll on this house. The circular wall tapers slightly towards the ceiling. Above her, a framework of thick beams support several generations worth of spider webs. There is not much left of the roof now. The light from outside leaks in through the holes in the ceiling. It magnifies the presence of fine dry dust that floats lazily in the still air. Long since rotted straw and reeds cover the earthen floor.

A pair of rusty manacles hangs on the wall.
Lornedei bites on a nail.
action: Go upwards
response: There is no way she could climb up to the ceiling. The building would most likely drop down on top of her.
action: Leave
response: She steps out in the clearing.

The clearing is almost perfectly round and thirty or so paces across. It is surrounded by the forbidden forest on all sides.
A giant black oak stands in solitude in the middle of the clearing. Many of its roots stick out of the ground like snakes arching to suffocate their prey. Steps are cut in the oak to provide an easy way up.

A stone altar stands in the shadow of the big oak. Dry grass and shrubs are still rooted in the dead soil, and more of the deformed bushes grow in a loose circle around the oak and the altar.

An old stone well gurgles softly not far from a crumbling stone house. On the other side of the clearing, three paths lead into the forbidden forest.

The great roots under the giant oak have slid aside revealing a passage.

The sleepwalker is here, spinning slowly.

She can also see a large black beetle (Taking a nap at the moment.) here.
action: You look at the bushes
response: These bushes resemble those at the village road, but there are quite a few more of them. These look even more gnarled and deformed, as though starved of clean water and sunlight.
These also have thorns as well as, oddly enough, plenty of purple nuts. Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: You take the nuts
response: "No thank you Master. Only a fool would try to do anything with those nuts." To emphasize her point, she gives the nearest bush a kick and a cloud of putrid dust from the leaves rises. A thorny nut falls to the ground.
The deformed bushes rustle and seem to reach for her.
action: You take the nut
response: Lornedei carefully picks up the nut. She quickly drops it in the rucksack.
action: You kick bush
response: No Master. Why would I do anything like that?
action: You ask the ld about the nuts
response: Lornedei shrugs.
The roots under the big oak stir restlessly.
action: You reach Oak
response: The tree fades away before Lornedei's inner sight. For a moment, there is nothing but a shimmering mist all around her. Then three shapes appear in the distance. They are trees, that she is sure of. Giant trees. One shimmers in gold, one is shrouded in black smoke, and one is bright green. The green tree suddenly fades into the distance, leaving only a greenish mist. Once gone, the black tree grows. It reaches towards the golden tree, shades it and suffocates it. The image fades. Lornedei's magic drops by one.
The roots under the big oak stir restlessly.
action: You open the pouch
response: She opens the small leather pouch, revealing a golden acorn.
Lornedei frowns. She seems to be listening.
And there truly is a sound, distant, from the forest. It sounds like someone whimpering. Someone, or something.
action: Go upwards
response: Hall of Severance (In the Black Oak)
A shiver runs through the tree and the shrill song of the leaves seems to increase in volume for a moment. Lornedei folds herself over the branch and stays hanging precariously over it. She looks down. The clearing below her swims out of focus, seems to move away from her and then come rushing back at her. She clings desperately to the scorched limb, unsure if she is going to slide backwards and down on the ground, or tip over forward with the same fatal result. She shuts her eyes hard.

And the world is still once more. Very carefully, she lifts one leg over the branch and then she is sitting steady. She opens her eyes and with a sigh of relief. The clearing looks as it should, all considering.

Clusters of black leaves surround Lornedei. They hang from the upper branches, creating a shield that totally obscures the sky above. She can look down, as all the clusters are above and around her, but up is nothing but shimmering black. The branch reaches out over the clearing and the end of it seems to disappear in a big cloud of smoke. She can climb down to the ground or follow the branch.
action: Sleep
response: Lornedei sits down, puts her head in her hands and shuts her eyes.
"I should not Master. But I feel so strange."
"The air is so hard to breathe. So dark here."
"I feel ill."
Amidst her dream, Lornedei speaks. An insistant whispering. Spoken through her, not by her.

"Wake up and be mine.
Wake up and come to me.
Give your blood to the seed.
Give me a tree.
Destroy the other one, the golden one.
We will rule together.
Wake and I am with you.

WAKE NOW!
The hall of severance is silent. The whispering from the forest is gone, the air seems dense.

Lornedei is sitting on the stone altar with her head bent as in prayer. The long hair hides her face from you and you listen to her breathing. The dry whispers and the shrill singing from the black leaves returns as Lornedei wakes up.
Slowly, the girl looks up. She seems surprised and her eyes glide over the clearing as if she's never seen it before.

When she looks at you, her eyes are gray and a weary smile turns into a grin. Then the grin fades and her entire body tenses in fear. She turns her face away from you.

Hall of Severance (on the stone altar)
The clearing is almost perfectly round and thirty or so paces across. It is surrounded by the forbidden forest on all sides.
A giant black oak stands in solitude in the middle of the clearing. Many of its roots stick out of the ground like snakes arching to suffocate their prey. Steps are cut in the oak to provide an easy way up.

A stone altar stands in the shadow of the big oak. Dry grass and shrubs are still rooted in the dead soil, and more of the deformed bushes grow in a loose circle around the oak and the altar.

An old stone well gurgles softly not far from a crumbling stone house. On the other side of the clearing, three paths lead into the forbidden forest.

The great roots under the giant oak have slid aside revealing a passage.

The sleepwalker is here, spinning slowly.

She can also see a large black beetle (Spinning around waving its antennae at the moment.) here.
action: You stand
response: She gets off the stone altar.

The clearing is almost perfectly round and thirty or so paces across. It is surrounded by the forbidden forest on all sides.
A giant black oak stands in solitude in the middle of the clearing. Many of its roots stick out of the ground like snakes arching to suffocate their prey. Steps are cut in the oak to provide an easy way up.

A stone altar stands in the shadow of the big oak. Dry grass and shrubs are still rooted in the dead soil, and more of the deformed bushes grow in a loose circle around the oak and the altar.

An old stone well gurgles softly not far from a crumbling stone house. On the other side of the clearing, three paths lead into the forbidden forest.

The great roots under the giant oak have slid aside revealing a passage.

The sleepwalker is here. It has stopped spinning.

She can also see a large black beetle (Fluffing up its wings at the moment.) here.

A very tentative voice speaks up from the old stone well. "Girl?" Lornedei turns her head and stares at the tiny creature sitting on a blade of razor grass next to the well. She takes two fast steps toward the fly. With a screech, the fly buzzes off to sit on the stone house roof. "The same you are not Girl. I know not if you can be trusted Girl." Lornedei picks up a rock and throws it at the fly that buzzes off to sit on the stone altar. "Will you listen Girl?" Lornedei crosses her arms and glares at the fly. After a moment's indecision, she nods.

The fly moves to the edge of the altar and pauses a moment. "You have met one of Raccdaha's minions I see. You must have set it free. Shame. Such shame. Do not believe him Girl! Raccdaha is not strong enough now to possess you from where he is hiding, but he lets his lesser demons do his bidding. Do not believe the messages he sends!" Lornedei takes a step forward and raises a hand to swat the fly, but the fly is already sitting in the black oak. "Oh dear, temper, temper. Me, yes, will be in this place to tell the story when your god evicts the demon that is in you Girl." The firefly disappears with a pop and a flash.
The roots under the big oak stir restlessly.
action: You enter the sleepwalker
response: Lornedei's stare is not just hostile. It is pure poison. She has no intention of entering the sleepwalker.
Lornedei shivers. She looks behind her. There is nothing there. Lornedei frowns. She seems to be listening.
And there truly is a sound, distant, from the forest. It sounds like something that does not want to be heard. Careful, tentative.
action: You take the nuts
response: "No, I only need one. I have it."
action: You wake the ld
response: "Just leave me be! I have my eyes open, can you not see that?"
The beetle runs off to one of the paths. It spins around once before returning to Lornedei.
action: You look at the sleepwalker
response: A stubby pillar of greenish fog hovers just above ground level. It spins around its own axis like a slow motion whirlwind.
Lornedei is muttering to herself.
The beetle runs off to one of the paths. It spins around once before returning to Lornedei.
action: Go upwards
response: Hall of Severance (In the Black Oak)
Clusters of black leaves surround Lornedei. They hang from the upper branches, creating a shield that totally obscures the sky above. She can look down, as all the clusters are above and around her, but up is nothing but shimmering black. The branch reaches out over the clearing and the end of it seems to disappear in a big cloud of smoke. She can climb down to the ground or follow the branch.
action: You follow the branch
response: "The passage is not yet open, and I can't go through yet. What was trapped between, is now roaming the woods though."
action: Go downward
response: Lornedei climbs down.

The clearing is almost perfectly round and thirty or so paces across. It is surrounded by the forbidden forest on all sides.
A giant black oak stands in solitude in the middle of the clearing. Many of its roots stick out of the ground like snakes arching to suffocate their prey. Steps are cut in the oak to provide an easy way up.

A stone altar stands in the shadow of the big oak. Dry grass and shrubs are still rooted in the dead soil, and more of the deformed bushes grow in a loose circle around the oak and the altar.

An old stone well gurgles softly not far from a crumbling stone house. On the other side of the clearing, three paths lead into the forbidden forest.

The great roots under the giant oak have slid aside revealing a passage.

The sleepwalker is here. It has stopped spinning.

She can also see a large black beetle (Airing out its shell at the moment.) here.
A dry black leaf falls down to rest on Lornedei's shoulder. It crumbles into dust and is gone.
The beetle scrambles through the dead grass to one of the paths. It spins around and comes back to Lornedei.
action: You touch sleepwalker
response: Lornedei is clearly skeptical. What the sleep walker feels like does not interest her.
The beetle disappears into the crumbling stone house. It comes back out, stays a moment in the opening, waving its antennae, before coming back to Lornedei.
action: You reach sleepwalker
response: Lornedei turns her back to it.
"I will not waste magic on that!"
action: You reach LD
response: "I cannot! I will not! Just leave my mind alone!"
Lornedei shivers. She looks behind her. There is nothing there.
The beetle runs off to one of the paths. It spins around once before returning to Lornedei.
action: You enter House
response: Hall of Severance (In the House of Penance)
The many years have taken its toll on this house. The circular wall tapers slightly towards the ceiling. Above her, a framework of thick beams support several generations worth of spider webs. There is not much left of the roof now. The light from outside leaks in through the holes in the ceiling. It magnifies the presence of fine dry dust that floats lazily in the still air. Long since rotted straw and reeds cover the earthen floor.

A pair of rusty manacles hangs on the wall.
action: You examine the manacles
response: Lornedei shakes her head.
Lornedei shivers. She looks behind her. There is nothing there.
action: You take the manacles
response: "Interesting, but I have no use for those. For the moment."
action: Pet yellow worm
response: "Do I really want to? No!"
action: You go outside
response: She steps out in the clearing.

The clearing is almost perfectly round and thirty or so paces across. It is surrounded by the forbidden forest on all sides.
A giant black oak stands in solitude in the middle of the clearing. Many of its roots stick out of the ground like snakes arching to suffocate their prey. Steps are cut in the oak to provide an easy way up.

A stone altar stands in the shadow of the big oak. Dry grass and shrubs are still rooted in the dead soil, and more of the deformed bushes grow in a loose circle around the oak and the altar.

An old stone well gurgles softly not far from a crumbling stone house. On the other side of the clearing, three paths lead into the forbidden forest.

The great roots under the giant oak have slid aside revealing a passage.

The sleepwalker is here. It has stopped spinning.

She can also see a large black beetle (Spinning around waving its antennae at the moment.) here.
Lornedei reaches down to scratch her ankle.
Lornedei frowns. She seems to be listening.
And there truly is a sound, distant, from the forest. It sounds like a bird, unlike any other.
action: You follow Raven
response: Lornedei dares a careful step towards the black bird. It turns and hops along the path a short distance before it again faces the girl. Waiting.

Lornedei takes another step and the bird takes off in the air. It flies in circles in front of her, high up and almost out of sight at times but always close enough for Lornedei to follow. The path winds its way through and around the disturbing shadows of the forbidden forest. Fallen trees and dense undergrowth is constantly in her way and she has to climb over, through, or around these obstacles, while keeping an eye on the bird. It is just ahead and above her. She follows the black bird, expecting the cold grip of the forgotten ones around her ankles at any moment. Images of soul wrenching, flesh ripping, and blood drinking spirits run through her mind. Nothing happens. Exhausted and bruised, with her clothes torn and dusty, she stumbles on.

Something grabs her foot; she loses her balance and falls forward with a painful thud. Frozen in a breathless heap on the ground, she takes a moment to gather her strength as well as her breath. The bird croaks, Light seeps in through her closed eyelids.

She looks up in time to catch a final glimpse of the bird. It disappears into a glowing sunset beyond a desolate field.

Wasteland (Overlooking the Field of Despair)
Slowly Lornedei gets up on her feet. Nearly blinded by the light from the dying sun, she inspects the damage. She sighs deeply.

She opens her mouth to speak again but the words never come. She takes in the view of this seemingly empty wasteland in shocked silence for some time. She swallows. A dry wind tugs at her clothing while playing restlessly in the dry ground.
Behind her is the forbidden forest. The tree line is sharp as if cut with a knife at creation, separating the blackened forest from the uniform gray ahead.

The horizon ahead is strangely blurred. If from dust, mist or simply the uncertainty of distance is hard to tell from here. In the east, the field slopes down towards something that she cannot see. On the far side of that, the forest continues. In the opposite direction, the dying sun has set the horizon in flames above the gray covering the forbidden forest on that side. On this side of the forest, the land is cut, cracked, dropping down into a ravine. In the northwest, there is an old ruin reflecting the colours of the sun. To the north and northeast, the field continues into the blurred horizon.
Lornedei turns her head slowly from side to side, dazed. She blinks.

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
action: Go east
response: Wasteland (By the Circle of Stones)
Lornedei walks east and the ground slopes down. It becomes increasingly difficult to walk. On the other side of the valley she is entering, the forest resumes. At the bottom of the slope where the sharp rocks slip under her feet, heat ripples the air. Lornedei makes her way down.

This is the southeastern corner of the field of despair. The forbidden forest is nearly all around her. West, northwest, and north takes her out. The ground sinks into a large hole, a bowl more than fifty paces across, in the ground, edged by crevices and uneven ridges. A broken land. Once at the bottom, the rest of the field is out of sight.

A stone circle is laid out on the ground.

There is a fire inside the ring of stones, blasting out heat and light. Shadows cast by the stones stretch out from the circle. Their wavering tips caress the ragged ground where it begins to ascend to the plane above.

A black plaque lies near the center of the fire pit.
action: You throw lamp at the boulder
response: The stones are more or less round. Anything placed on the stones would drop to the ground.
action: You examine the stones
response: The circle is almost ten paces wide. Inside the edging of boulders, the ground sinks further down, into another bowl. This one is smooth and perfectly round.
action: You break the lamp
response: Lornedei lets a blue spark appear in one palm. She focuses and the light turns red. She quickly moves the fairy lamp until she is holding it between both hands. the red light seeps through her fingers and a sizzling is heard. A cloud of steam surrounds her hands.
"Ouch! The little bastard bit me!" A storm of ugly words fly out of her mouth as the crystal spider drops to the ground.
Lornedei looks over her shoulder into the dark forest, anxious.

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
action: You take the spider
response: the spider jumps backwards. It apparently doesn't like her.
Lornedei is muttering to herself.
Lornedei frowns. She seems to be listening.
And there truly is a sound, distant, from the forest. It sounds like something that does not want to be heard. Careful, tentative.
action: You look at the spider
response: It's a large spider made of crystal. It has curled up as if either dead or sleeping most of the time. It is hard to tell which. It gives off a cold sparkling light and has a pair of multi facetted eyes. Oddly enough, the eyes seem both beady and shifty. No matter from where it is observed, it seems to glare suspiciously. She will have to touch the spider to examine it further. That is, if it will let her.
action: You touch the spider
response: Lornedei shakes her head. She has no wish to touch that thing. It bites!
action: You take the plaque
response: (the small black plaque)
If you insist.

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
action: Go north
response: Wasteland (By the Petrified Tree)
This is nothing but wasteland. Scattered remains of a once big tree cover the ground. It might have been a great oak at one point. A dry and hot wind tears at her while throwing sand in her eyes and mouth. Beyond rocks, sand and starved soil, there is nothing but a gray mist. In the distant west, beyond more wasteland, she can see a high stone wall. South, the broken land dips down in a bowl beyond which is the forbidden forest. Southwest would take her back to the edge of the forest where she first entered the field.
Lornedei's shadow trembles and disappears. In an instant, it is back. She seems not to notice.
action: You go south
response: Wasteland (By the Circle of Stones)
This is the southeastern corner of the field of despair. The forbidden forest is nearly all around her. West, northwest, and north takes her out. The ground sinks into a large hole, a bowl more than fifty paces across, in the ground, edged by crevices and uneven ridges. A broken land. Once at the bottom, the rest of the field is out of sight.

A big round stone lies in the middle of the pit. The fire is gone.

A stone circle is laid out on the ground.

She can also see A crystal spider with shifty, beady eyes (Curled up acting dead at the moment.) here.
A high pitched squeal from somewhere among the blackened trees fills the air, and Lornedei shudders.
action: You call
response: Lornedei whistles.
action: You wait
response: Lornedei waits as the dry wind tears at her torn clothing.
action: You wait
response: Lornedei waits as the dry wind tears at her torn clothing.
Lornedei's shadow jerks to life, reaches for her ankle, and pulls. She stumbles.
action: You examine the shadow
response: It is only a shadow. There is nothing she can do with it.
Lornedei feels something against her leg. Like a shadow, silent and cautious, Deini has come to her. The wolf is sniffing the air, is constantly watching Lornedei, but she finally lies down. She puts her head on her front paws but keeps constant watch.
"You just stay out of my way."
action: Help
response: Deini looks at Lornedei for a moment before she looses interest.
action: Sniff
response: The wolf just looks at Lornedei. Willing but confused.
Lornedei is muttering to herself.
Lornedei looks over her shoulder into the dark forest, anxious.
action: Pet deini
response: In an attempt to seem friendly, she calls for Deini. The wolf hesitates. This human is different from the other and there is something very wrong with this one.
action: You kill the shadow
response: Deini stands still, seemingly wondering about Lornedei's choice of enemy.
action: Go north
response: Wasteland (By the Petrified Tree)
This is nothing but wasteland. Scattered remains of a once big tree cover the ground. It might have been a great oak at one point. A dry and hot wind tears at her while throwing sand in her eyes and mouth. Beyond rocks, sand and starved soil, there is nothing but a gray mist. In the distant west, beyond more wasteland, she can see a high stone wall. South, the broken land dips down in a bowl beyond which is the forbidden forest. Southwest would take her back to the edge of the forest where she first entered the field.
action: You examine Tree
response: These are scattered remains of a tree. Mostly ashes, a few charred branches, a hollowed out trunk lying on its side, all petrified by time and lack of rain. All is covered in years of sand.
action: You look in Tree
response: Lornedei looks around, in the trunk, kicks away some dirt, but all she finds is more sad remains of the tree. Anything of interest is long since gone.
action: You look at the ground
response: (the ground)
The soil is dry and starved of both moisture and nutrition. It looks and feels dead.
action: You kill Tree
response: The tree is already as dead as it can be, so what would be the point?
action: Heal ld
response: There may not be a way to heal her now. She has been changed. There is something dark lurking in her mind. Perhaps if you could get that presence out. Perhaps an exorcism?
action: Vomit
response: "What was that you said?"
action: Pray
response: She may or may not. Just hope that her prayers go to you and not something... else.
action: You search ld
response: Lornedei is wearing a shirt, a pair of riding pants and sandals. Type inv to see what else she is carrying.
action: You reach LD
response: "I cannot! I will not! Just leave my mind alone!"
action: You look in the ld
response: Lornedei is wearing a shirt, a pair of riding pants and sandals. Type inv to see what else she is carrying.
Lornedei is muttering to herself.
action: You examine the shadow
response: It is only a shadow. There is nothing she can do with it.
action: You kill the shadow
response: Light banishes one shadow while creating another. Then how can a shadow be killed?
action: Wear amulet
response: "Wear that? No! It hates me."
action: You go southwest
response: Wasteland (Overlooking the Field of Despair)
Behind her is the forbidden forest. The tree line is sharp as if cut with a knife at creation, separating the blackened forest from the uniform gray ahead.

The horizon ahead is strangely blurred. If from dust, mist or simply the uncertainty of distance is hard to tell from here. In the east, the field slopes down towards something that she cannot see. On the far side of that, the forest continues. In the opposite direction, the dying sun has set the horizon in flames above the gray covering the forbidden forest on that side. On this side of the forest, the land is cut, cracked, dropping down into a ravine. In the northwest, there is an old ruin reflecting the colours of the sun. To the north and northeast, the field continues into the blurred horizon.
action: You search debris
response: "I have no intention of crawling in there. Find someone else to do that. Perhaps you, god as you are, can conjure up some faithful and ridiculously loyal companion to do that kind of work.
action: You take red worm
response: If you insist.
action: You put it in the debris
response: That cannot be used to contain items. The purpose here is otherwise. Lornedei is muttering to herself.
action: You put the red worm on the debris
response: Placing things on the rubble will not do her any good.
There is a shadow stretching out on the ground behind Lornedei. It folds into inky black and then it rises, takes one step away from her, and is gone.
action: You look at what you're carrying with you
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 167.
Lornedei is carrying:
a small black plaque
a cracked skull
A blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
a small leather pouch (which is open)
a golden acorn
a skinny yellow worm
a bone
a small dented silver plate
a small water sack (which is closed)
the water from the Elder's spring
an old tarnished bronze urn
a shiny red worm
a fat blue worm
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a purple nut with thorns
a handful of white berries
a loaf of horrid bread
a piece of cheese
action: You wait for a while
response: The spiral that is life keeps on turning.
action: You wake the ld
response: "Just leave me be! I have my eyes open, can you not see that?"
Lornedei hears careful steps behind her. She turns towards a very reluctantly approaching Deini. The wolf sneezes.
action: Keep going
response: "Just leave me be! I have my eyes open, can you not see that?"
action: Continue
response: Deini sniffs around. After a while, she comes back, carrying an old torch. She drops it at Lornedei's feet.

Deini sniffs a couple of the rocks and sneezes. She seems to search aimlessly and finds nothing of interest.
action: You examine the torch
response: The old torch must have been lying around here for many years, along with many others. It's totally useless and may just fall apart if given a harsh glance.
action: You put the torch in the statue
response: The only thing capable of holding items on the statue, is the grasping hand. Try to put the old torch there instead.
action: You put the torch in the hand
response: Lornedei places the torch in the stone hand. It does not really fit so she forces it down in the hole. It stands nearly upright in place for a moment. Then, the stone fingers flex and spread. The torch topples over and drops to the floor as the hand tightens its grip around its imaginary object again.
action: You search debris
response: Deini sniffs a couple of the rocks and sneezes. She seems to search aimlessly and finds nothing of interest.
Lornedei is muttering to herself.
action: Light torch
response: Nothing would benefit from that.
Deini comes up to Lornedei and puts her nose in the girl's hand. Lornedei pulls her hand away.
action: Wait
response: Lornedei waits as the dry wind tears at her torn clothing.
Lornedei's shadow trembles and disappears. In an instant, it is back. She seems not to notice.
action: Wait
response: Lornedei waits as the dry wind tears at her torn clothing.
Lornedei feels something against her leg. Like a shadow, silent and cautious, Deini has come to her. The wolf is sniffing the air, is constantly watching Lornedei, but she finally lies down. She puts her head on her front paws but keeps constant watch.
"You just stay out of my way."
action: You search the rubble
response: Deini takes off and enters the tunnel through the big pile of rubble. She shows up safely on the other side. A number of loud sneezes and a cloud of rising dust show her path. After some time, she comes crawling out again, dragging something with her. Between her teeth is a long spear. She drops it in front of Lornedei, looking mighty happy.
action: You examine the spear
response: The spear is a head taller than Lornedei. The dark wood is decorated with carvings and the stone tip is sharp.
action: You reach the spear
response: There seems to be nothing beyond what the eye can see.
Lornedei is muttering to herself.
action: You give the spear to the statue
response: Lornedei puts the spear into the grasping hand. It is a perfect fit. The hand suddenly tightens. The stone fingers crackle slightly and a puff of dust flies from it as it grips the spear.
action: You wait for a while
response: The spiral that is life keeps on turning.
action: You examine the statue
response: The stone guard stands in the southeast corner staring intently at the opposite corner of the chamber. In her right hand she has a long wooden spear with a stone tip.
action: You talk to the statue
response: You wish her to talk to the stone statue? Seems a bit odd to me.
action: You touch the statue
response: Lornedei brushes off some of the dust gathered on the statue an sneezes.
Lornedei wipes her forehead with her shirtsleeve.
action: You move statue
response: The stone statue cannot be moved in any way. Lornedei makes a couple of attempts of pushing the statue but there is not much point in trying. Lornedei's shadow tears one shadow-leg from Lornedei's real one, then the other. It fades as it rises. Once upright, it melts into Lornedei. She shivers.
action: Go northwest
response: There is nothing there but rubble and cracked marble walls. She can't go that way.
action: You look at the statue
response: The stone guard stands in the southeast corner staring intently at the opposite corner of the chamber. In her right hand she has a long wooden spear with a stone tip.
There is a shadow stretching out on the ground behind Lornedei. It folds into inky black and then it rises, takes one step away from her, and is gone.
action: You look northwest
response: Cracked marble in walls and floor. Rubble. Nothing of interest catches her eye.
Lornedei's shadow stretches out behind her. It sits up. It reaches. It touches the exposed skin on her neck before lying back down. Lornedei scratches her neck furiously.
action: You turn the statue
response: The stone statue cannot be moved in any way. Lornedei makes a couple of attempts of pushing the statue but there is not much point in trying.
action: You go west
response: Lornedei steps closer to the huge hole in the wall. One glimpse down is enough. She steps back on unsteady legs.
action: You go south
response: Ahead of her is the southeastern corner of the castle. The corridor between the building and the outer wall leads northeast, but is blocked by a great pile of stone blocks and other debris. To the west, the courtyard ends at the ravine.

Looking up, the facade disappears into a swirling ceiling of mist. Right at the corner of the castle, a narrow doorway leads north into darkness. She can look around, or walk around to learn more. South or southeast takes her away from the ruins. East brings her around to the east side of the east wall.

Deini is here.
action: You go to the west
response: A few paces away, the courtyard ends abruptly as the ground is replaced by the ravine. A vertical cliff of bare rock is all that is left. If there was a western wall there, it now lies at the bottom of the ravine, along with a big part of the castle. On the other side, the forbidden forest starts again. Lornedei quickly backs away from the edge.
action: Go downwards
response: Lornedei takes one step towards the edge of the ravine, then another longer step away from it. The ravine is too deep and too wide to cross.
action: You go to the east
response: Wasteland (Overlooking the Field of Despair)
Behind her is the forbidden forest. The tree line is sharp as if cut with a knife at creation, separating the blackened forest from the uniform gray ahead.

The horizon ahead is strangely blurred. If from dust, mist or simply the uncertainty of distance is hard to tell from here. In the east, the field slopes down towards something that she cannot see. On the far side of that, the forest continues. In the opposite direction, the dying sun has set the horizon in flames above the gray covering the forbidden forest on that side. On this side of the forest, the land is cut, cracked, dropping down into a ravine. In the northwest, there is an old ruin reflecting the colours of the sun. To the north and northeast, the field continues into the blurred horizon.
A high pitched squeal from somewhere among the blackened trees fills the air, and Lornedei shudders.
action: Go northwest
response: Ahead of her is the southeastern corner of the castle. The corridor between the building and the outer wall leads northeast, but is blocked by a great pile of stone blocks and other debris. To the west, the courtyard ends at the ravine.

Looking up, the facade disappears into a swirling ceiling of mist. Right at the corner of the castle, a narrow doorway leads north into darkness. She can look around, or walk around to learn more. South or southeast takes her away from the ruins. East brings her around to the east side of the east wall.

Deini is here.
There is a shadow stretching out on the ground behind Lornedei. It folds into inky black and then it rises, takes one step away from her, and is gone.
action: You turn spear
response: Lornedei grabs the spear on each side of the hand and turns it. A click is heard from inside the statue and the entire guard woman rotates on her right foot, swinging her left side outwards.
In doing that, a slab of stone comes loose from the corner thus revealing a narrow passage to the southeast.
action: You go to the south-east
response: Castle Ruins (In the Hall of Mirrors)
Silence, perfect stillness, a sense of waiting.
As soon as Lornedei steps past the statue, the sensation overwhelms her. For once, she is silent for a long while before making her remark. "What a mess!"
The chamber seems to have survived the devastation of the castle with only minor damages though. Sand and scattered pieces of marble lie beneath a few cracks in one corner.

This chamber is over ten paces across and perfectly square. A large oval mirror dominates each wall. Four mirrors. North, west, south and east.

Lornedei came in from the northwest. An old burned out torch sits askew on the south wall.

A big pile of stone and steel takes up a large part of the space in the middle of the floor.
"Who would bring that junk down here? Seems very strange to me."

Lornedei stumbles on a big staff on the floor. She barely avoids stepping on a sad looking long dead somebody.

The dead somebody seems to be the owner of the staff.
"I believe that this might be one of the Elders."

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
action: You look at Elder
response: Lornedei bends down to take a look at the grim pile of bones. The figure lies near the west wall with the arms stretched out above the head. The grinning skull is bent backwards and in an odd angle. The spine showing above the robe it is dressed in has been turned until it broke off from the rest of the body. The feet are still protected by a pair of leather sandals.
Lornedei looks around, puzzled.
action: You examine the robe
response: The figure on the floor is dressed in a robe that once must have been sky blue but now it's faded and covered in dust and cobwebs. The fabric is finely woven and smooth. The hems are decorated with golden vines just like the sandals that still sit securely on the skeletons feet.
action: You examine the sandals
response: (the robe and sandals)
The figure on the floor is dressed in a robe that once must have been sky blue but now it's faded and covered in dust and cobwebs. The fabric is finely woven and smooth. The hems are decorated with golden vines just like the sandals that still sit securely on the skeletons feet.
action: You take the robe
response: It is probably better if she leaves them where they are.
action: Steel
response: It is a big pile of stone and steel. It takes up a big portion of the floor. She can see small stones and big boulders covered in moss, dirt and dust.

A few of the bigger rocks seem to be attached to each other with steel rings and rusty chains. A row, uneven and broken up, of triangular pieces of steel sit along an oblong rock near one end of the pile.
action: You search the steel pile
response: She can not find anything that might interest you.
Lornedei reaches down to scratch her ankle.
action: You examine the staff
response: It's a heavy staff in what appears to be oak. It reaches Lornedei to the shoulder, is thicker in one end and irregular in shape, with the natural shape preserved. It is polished and given a patina with many years use.
action: You examine north mirror
response: A wide and heavy frame surrounds a dark mirror. There is only a dull reflection of the chamber behind Lornedei when she looks in it.
There's an indentation in the top part of the frame. It is empty.
action: You look at the north indentation
response: There is an indentation in the top part of the frame. A plaque might fit there.

Under a layer of dust covering the frame, the wood is decorated with delicately painted vines and leaves of all sizes and shapes. Tiny animals peek out from behind the leaves, which seem to stand out even though the surface is flat: a red squirrel's curious gaze, a deer and its offspring, ready to flee, a miniature snake on a vine.

Lornedei reaches down to scratch her ankle.
action: You examine the east mirror
response: The glass, underneath a layer of dust, has no reflection whatsoever. Lornedei glances at the frame but she just shakes her head in puzzlement. She looks away from the strange sight.
There's an indentation in the top part of the frame. It is empty.
action: You look at the east indentation
response: Reluctantly, Lornedei examines the frame. The heavy frame around the east mirror has a deep, almost black surface. Delicate, spidery carvings cover every surface. The intricate pattern of geometrical shapes underlies other shapes. These seem to avoid observation. Sometimes a shapeless blob turns into a perfectly logical entity for a split second. Although the logic eludes the mind to be just a blob again, the feeling of an unreachable, untouchable wisdom remains. Lornedei blinks and looks away.
action: You check your inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 167.
Lornedei is carrying:
a wizard's staff
a large black beetle (Taking a nap at the moment.)
an old torch
a small black plaque
a cracked skull
A blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
a small leather pouch (which is open)
a golden acorn
a skinny yellow worm
a bone
a small dented silver plate
a small water sack (which is closed)
the water from the Elder's spring
an old tarnished bronze urn
a shiny red worm
a fat blue worm
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a purple nut with thorns
a handful of white berries
a loaf of horrid bread
a piece of cheese
Lornedei is muttering to herself.
action: You examine the south mirror
response: On the south wall hangs a big oval mirror. The glass is dark and cold. There's a shallow indentation in the top part of the frame. It is empty.
action: You look at the black plaque
response: It's a totally black round plaque. It is small enough to fit in Lornedei's palm. The smooth stone is of a kind that Lornedei has never seen. A strange picture is carved on one side. It looks like a flying insect of some sort, with a giant tree in the background.
action: You look at the south indentation
response: The wide frame around the south mirror has a shallow indentation where a plaque might fit.

The frame itself is totally featureless. It has a deep gray polish that almost, but not quite, looks like the glass itself.
action: You put the black plaque in the east indentation
response: Lornedei puts the small black plaque in the round hole on the frame. It goes into place with a click.
action: You take black plaque
response: "Ouch, I broke a nail! the plaque is stuck. At least I do not know how to get it out again. Maybe it is the way it is supposed to be." Lornedei wipes her forehead with her shirtsleeve.
action: You check your inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 167.
Lornedei is carrying:
a wizard's staff
a large black beetle (Fluffing up its wings at the moment.)
an old torch
a small black plaque
a cracked skull
A blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
a small leather pouch (which is open)
a golden acorn
a skinny yellow worm
a bone
a small dented silver plate
a small water sack (which is closed)
the water from the Elder's spring
an old tarnished bronze urn
a shiny red worm
a fat blue worm
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a purple nut with thorns
a handful of white berries
a loaf of horrid bread
a piece of cheese
action: You examine the west mirror
response: The glass is cracked and dark. The frame surrounding the broken mirror seems to be in bad shape. There appears to be a shallow indentation in the top part of the frame. She may need to look closer at the frame.
action: You examine the west indentation
response: The wide frame seems at first to be a mosaic of different types of frayed fabric. Upon closer inspection, it is clear that the frame is made up of different types of wood, stone, and even metal. It has however been demolished by something, cut and beaten into a mess of splinters. There seems to be an indentation in the top part of the frame but it may not be able to hold anything in place.
action: You look at the torch
response: (the unlit torch)
The torch looks old and burnt out.
Lornedei reaches down to scratch her ankle.
action: You turn it
response: The torch is not of any use now. Let's just leave it as it is.
action: You check what you're carrying
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 167.
Lornedei is carrying:
a wizard's staff
a large black beetle (Taking a nap at the moment.)
an old torch
a small black plaque
a cracked skull
A blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
a small leather pouch (which is open)
a golden acorn
a skinny yellow worm
a bone
a small dented silver plate
a small water sack (which is closed)
the water from the Elder's spring
an old tarnished bronze urn
a shiny red worm
a fat blue worm
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a purple nut with thorns
a handful of white berries
a loaf of horrid bread
a piece of cheese
action: You go northwest
response: Castle Ruins (In the Guard Chamber)
The spiral staircase ends in the middle of a square chamber. The west wall has fallen out into the ravine, letting in the glowing sunset. The walls that are still standing and the marble floor have cracked in several places. Rocks, a thick layer of dust, and all sorts of debris cover the floor. The only thing still intact is a stone statue standing in the southeast corner.

The spiral staircase leads up and the west wall is open to the ravine.
action: You drop the torch
response: Your wish is her command.
action: You go to the southeast
response: Castle Ruins (In the Hall of Mirrors)
This chamber is over ten paces across and perfectly square. A large oval mirror dominates each wall. Four mirrors. North, west, south and east.

Lornedei came in from the northwest. An old burned out torch sits askew on the south wall.

The stone pile still takes up too much room and the dead somebody is still very much dead.

Lornedei is muttering to herself.
action: You reach bones
response: (the pile of bones)
Lornedei reaches into the figure on the cold stone floor but something is resisting her. Something suddenly gives. The air starts to shimmer above the pale bones and a figure rises from the pile. The transparent shape standing before her is a man. An old man dressed in a sky blue robe, his thin face with a thin white beard looks gaunt and tired beyond his apparent age. He is holding a long staff in one hand that partially supports his old frail and bent body.
He is looking around the chamber. He lets his gaze touch the mirrors on the wall, rest a moment on the stone pile until he is looking straight at Lornedei.
Assessing her, judging her.
Suddenly his eyes turn to steel. He seems to recoil from her and swings his staff through the air.
It goes through her body and for a moment, she feels numb, tingling. He sinks back down in his remains and is gone.
action: You reach the steel
response: suddenly Lornedei smiles.
"If you say so."
She Lifts one arm, turns the hand over and makes a blue spark appear in her palm. Lornedei glances up at you, still smiling, as the blue spark turns to red.
Slowly she turns her head and blows the spark towards the pile.
The red light drops down and disappears between two rocks. Nothing happens for a short while. And then there is movement. Slowly, the rocks rearrange themselves, moving into place with a grinding noise that causes the entire chamber to vibrate.
Triangular metal pieces covered in rust and dust, although they seem sharp enough, align themselves in two rows.
Some of the smaller rocks, scattered around the periphery of the pile, skip and hop along the dusty floor until they are also in place. There is a loud bang as the two largest pieces come together. The noise gets louder as hundreds of rocks of all sizes and rusty pieces of metal move into place, all at the same time.
For a heartbeat, everything is still. Then it rises - grunting, grinding, and groaning, it rises.
Lornedei is awestruck, but whispers to the being.
"Raccdaha!"
action: You examine steel
response: It is a big pile of stone and steel. It takes up a big portion of the floor. She can see small stones and big boulders covered in moss, dirt and dust.

A few of the bigger rocks seem to be attached to each other with steel rings and rusty chains. A row, uneven and broken up, of triangular pieces of steel sit along an oblong rock near one end of the pile. Lornedei wipes her forehead with her shirtsleeve.
action: You talk to Raccdaha
response: Lornedei's eyes change again. She smiles.
"Did you come for me?" She holds up both hands, offering herself to him. Everything is silent. A strand of darkness wraps itself around her fingers, her hands and her arms.
"Yes! Take me with you."
She shuts her eyes. Her body shakes as the spirit caresses her, touches her face, her hair. The touch leaves her skin scorched and bleeding. She comes to him willingly and all the promises of power, of eternal bliss, are coming true.
The spirit that was once human embraces her. He wraps his arms around her body, seeking warmth. He holds her with arms of stone. She melts into the darkness.

Smiling, she lets herself be crushed between stones, cut to pieces by sharp metal. He reaches for her hand, which turns to a bloody mess. He holds her head, which cracks like a ripe melon. Only then does the smile fade from her lips.
action: Attack raccdaha
response: Lornedei says calmly: "No!"
Lornedei wipes her forehead with her shirtsleeve.
A crimson light dances on the white walls of the chamber, metal jaws snap and stone limbs creak.
action: Exorcise ld
response: Lornedei is possessed. Would you like to perform an exorcism on her?
action: Yes
response: You give it your best shot, chanting and carrying on.
"Master?" Lornedei is extremely pale but she seems well.
The exorcism succeeded.
action: You touch the north mirror
response: "the frame feels warm."
action: You reach elder
response: Lornedei reaches into the figure on the cold stone floor but something is resisting her. Something suddenly gives. The air starts to shimmer above the pale bones and a figure rises from the pile. The transparent shape standing before her is a man. An old man dressed in a sky blue robe, his thin face with a thin white beard looks gaunt and tired beyond his apparent age. He is holding a long staff in one hand that partially supports his old frail and bent body.
He is looking around the chamber. He lets his gaze touch the mirrors on the wall, rest a moment on the stone pile until he is looking straight at Lornedei.
Assessing her, judging her.
He is watching Lornedei appraisingly for a long while.
Finally, he nods and looks pleased. He opens his mouth to speak but his remains are pulling him back.
There is not much time. He lifts a hand towards the stone pile. He shakes his head violently. Then he moves his hand to indicate the west wall while producing a weak smile. He slowly sinks down towards his bones with a deep sigh of relief that is felt but never heard.
Lornedei shivers as the spirit returns to its uneasy rest.

Lornedei's magic drops by one.
"Master?"
action: Look around
response: Castle Ruins (In the Hall of Mirrors)
This chamber is over ten paces across and perfectly square. A large oval mirror dominates each wall. Four mirrors. North, west, south and east.

Lornedei came in from the northwest. An old burned out torch sits askew on the south wall.

The stone pile still takes up too much room and the dead somebody is still very much dead.
action: You fix the west indentation
response: She cannot heal things that are not alive.
Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: You examine the east mirror
response: The glass, underneath a layer of dust, has no reflection whatsoever. Lornedei glances at the frame but she just shakes her head in puzzlement. She looks away from the strange sight.
A small black plaque is placed on the frame.
action: You touch it
response: "the frame feels warm."
action: You enter the east mirror
response: Lornedei examines the mirror, looks behind it, and taps the dark glass where nothing is reflected but darkness. Finally, she shakes her head.
action: You take the black plaque
response: "Ouch, I broke a nail! the plaque is stuck. At least I do not know how to get it out again. Maybe it is the way it is supposed to be."
action: You put the gray plaque in the south indentation
response: Lornedei puts the small gray plaque in the round hole on the frame. It goes into place with a click.
action: You look at the gray mirror
response: On the south wall hangs a big oval mirror. The glass is dark and cold. The gray plaque is placed in the indentation in the frame.
action: You look at the south mirror
response: On the south wall hangs a big oval mirror. The glass is dark and cold. The gray plaque is placed in the indentation in the frame.
Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: You look in it
response: The mirror is dark and cold. There is no reflection. If this is a portal, it must be opened somehow.
action: You touch it
response: Lornedei puts a hand on the dark glass and shivers. She pulls it back again.
action: You enter the south mirror
response: Lornedei examines the mirror, looks behind it and taps the dark glass where nothing is reflected but darkness. Finally she shakes her head. The portal needs to be activated first.
action: You reach the south mirror
response: The matted surface of the glass suddenly flares up in a cascade of crimson sparks. A shower of hot air and red light throws Lornedei back. It throws her on the floor, and she desperately claps at her shirt to kill the tiny flames. She drags herself back across the dusty floor.

The moment passes, the sparks fade and die. Lornedei gets up on her feet, staring at a wavy, unsettling darkness. There is nothing at all beyond the polished frame.

The portal to the Eternal Void is open.
action: Go south
response: It reaches for her. The void, the darkness. It grabs her. She recoils and tries to back away. Tentacles of greasy smoke around and inside her pull her towards the void.

Curiously silent while she is tearing at the darkness surrounding her, it drags her relentlessly through the open portal. She gets a hand around the frame of the mirror as it pulls her through. Just one uselessly grasping and clawing hand. The rest of her is beyond this world, and that other world tears her apart.

An impossible wind rips her hair, clothes, skin and flesh from her bones. The dark eternity sucks her in.

Left in the hall of mirrors is Lornedei's right hand and scattered hope.
action: You reach the east mirror
response: The darkness in the mirror changes into a swirling mist. The portal to the Hall of Severance is open.

Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: You go to the east
response: Lornedei steps through the mirror.

Hall of Severance (In the Black Oak)
Clusters of black leaves surround Lornedei. They hang from the upper branches, creating a shield that totally obscures the sky above. She can look down, as all the clusters are above and around her, but up is nothing but shimmering black. The branch reaches out over the clearing and the end of it seems to disappear in a big cloud of smoke. She can climb down to the ground or follow the branch.
action: You go downwards
response: Lornedei climbs down.

The clearing is almost perfectly round and thirty or so paces across. It is surrounded by the forbidden forest on all sides.
A giant black oak stands in solitude in the middle of the clearing. Many of its roots stick out of the ground like snakes arching to suffocate their prey. Steps are cut in the oak to provide an easy way up.

A stone altar stands in the shadow of the big oak. Dry grass and shrubs are still rooted in the dead soil, and more of the deformed bushes grow in a loose circle around the oak and the altar.

An old stone well gurgles softly not far from a crumbling stone house. On the other side of the clearing, three paths lead into the forbidden forest.

The great roots under the giant oak have slid aside revealing a passage.

The sleepwalker is here, spinning slowly.
Black smoke seeps out of the darkness between the trees. The smoke gathers itself until a dark pillar of smoke is formed. In erratic, twitching moves, it comes closer.

It stops next to the staring Lornedei. It starts to turn slowly, releasing veils of broken smoke from its ragged surface. They dissolve in the air and new ones form to take their place.
"The maker of horrors at night. The roaming nightmare. I thought they were stories."
Lornedei frowns. She seems to be listening.
And there truly is a sound, distant, from the forest. It sounds like something that does not want to be heard. Careful, tentative.
action: You examine the nightmare
response: A ragged pillar of smoke shifting in black and purple. It is floating just above ground level. It spins around its own axis like a slow motion whirlwind.
There is an angry buzzing from nearby. Lornedei looks around, mystified.
"Pft, which is it, oh smelly it is. Stubborn, umpf, thing." Suddenly, the firefly comes out of the opening to the stone house, dragging a piece of straw. One end of it touches the ground while the other end, with the firefly in unsteady flight through the air, is at level with Lornedei's knees. "Hiya!" With a terrible boost of tiny wings, the fly gets the straw totally off the ground and stays hovering at eye level. "Oh dear, you are back." The fly and the straw, despite intense buzzing, starts to sink. Quickly, Lornedei grabs the straw and stops it from falling.

"Phew! Thankee Girl. Let me rest. Was waiting for you." Lornedei sticks the end of the straw in her hair so that the other end sticks out in front of her face. After a moment, the fly starts pacing the piece of straw.
"You were in the smoke were you not? I feared you being lost Girl. Oh, dear. I must tell a story now. About a little boy." Lornedei sits down on the ground to listen.

"He is an ugly one, if you can say so about a spirit. He was not always so. He was a boy once, born in a village not far from yours. That was a long time ago you see. An odd child he was, yes he was. He sat by the pond for much time, lost in the sight of his own face in the water, catching..." the fly stops pacing for a moment and seems to shudder. "I heard from rumor I did don't you know, He caught fireflies and he... He pulled...Oh, dear, I will not speak of that. He was wicked! Then his parents died. He was alone and he took care of himself. How, no one could tell, as he was still only a little boy.

Then the magician came. The villagers were relieved to see the boy go with him, and no one knows where they went. For many years the boy was gone, yes he was. When he came back, a young man with riches and fancy ways, he moved in to the old home of his family, and said he had gotten rich from trade in the far lands and wished to set up business in his home village." The firefly makes an angry buzzing and starts pacing the straw again.

"I must make this story of less length I believe. He did not make trade honestly, tricks he had, power he had gained and fooled the villagers he did, and rose to a man of importance despite him being still young. Then his gaze fell on the merchant's daughter, and he wished her for himself. There was nothing but desire in his mind and when the girl's father refused him the still too young girl, a spell was cast. With magic he tried to force her to him, but something went wrong, very wrong."

"The spell he cast was powerful. The girl ran from her father in desperation one night, threw herself on a horse and rode for her love. She was in a hurry and fell. The girl was several years younger than you Girl, and the Elder's knew something was amiss. They traced the magic spell to Raccdaha.

The Elder's council banished him from the village and from his own body in the ancient sentence of severance. Death but no rest. A very cruel punishment and Raccdaha was in fact the last one they kept in the House of Penance. He became one of the forgotten ones, chased into the vast forest.

He did not remain forgotten though. He remembered his name as some of them might if they are strong enough. He grew strong. The hatred he felt poisoned big parts of the old forest and gave some kind of life to the other forgotten souls that dwelled there.

He fed the spirits with lies and promises of life. When they finally felt the same rage as him, he fed on their collective hatred and he could possess a poor wanderer's body for a while. Before his temporary body was used up, he joined the light bearers without them knowing. Their numbers started to decrease until there was very few left. He spread lies. The people grew afraid of magic, and the remaining light bearers had only one place to go. From their castle in the field of Unification, they tried to maintain the three great oaks for many years, but the day came when they had to flee even that haven. Me, cannot tell where they fled, or how. Perhaps if you go there, the place is now the field of despair, you could find knowledge. Me, yes me I don't know the rest of this story, only that Raccdaha came to rest somewhere, not able to move on, not able to live. I believe that he may be guarding the entrance to somewhere where he cannot go, waiting."

The firefly is quiet for a long moment. Then it walks over to the end of the straw and with a powerful buzzing, the straw is dislodged from Lornedei's hair. The fly pipes up again. "I will be off. Good luck Girl, he may be strong but remember that he is only a big foolish and vain child." The fly and the straw disappear with a flash, leaving a scent of burnt straw in the air.
action: You look at the bone
response: As far as Lornedei can gather, it's a bone from a dear's leg. It has plenty of bite marks on it so this might have been one of Deini's unfortunate preys.
action: You enter well
response: "No Master, I will not go down there."
The roots under the big oak stir restlessly.
action: Go north
response: Hesitantly she takes a few steps forward, but she has no idea in what directions the paths lead. Uncertain, she looks up at you.
action: You enter the roots
response: Lornedei drops down into the opening between the roots of the black oak. She tumbles down into cool dark water.

Caves (Among the Restless Roots)
The space she is in is not more then twice Lornedei's length in any direction. The tangle of roots makes the space seem smaller yet. The pale mass of roots stirs restlessly. Below her, the inky water of the river flows past.

The roots on the south wall have slid apart enough to reveal a narrow passage through rock and soil.
action: Go downwards
response: She dives down.

Caves (Where Bubbles Rise)
There is air above in this larger cave and just a hint of light somewhere ahead.
The cave curves gently to the left and continues northwest towards the light while south takes her back to the Junction.

A stream of bubbles rises from the pitch-black bottom, meets the girl on its way up, and then explode in a glittering cascade of air around her.
action: You follow the bubbles
response: She kicks her feet until her speed is the same as the rising bubbles. In the company of the glittering bubbles she reaches the surface.

Caves (Among the Restless Roots)
The space she is in is not more then twice Lornedei's length in any direction. The tangle of roots makes the space seem smaller yet. The pale mass of roots stirs restlessly. Below her, the inky water of the river flows past.

The roots on the south wall have slid apart enough to reveal a narrow passage through rock and soil.

Caves (Among the Restless Roots)
The space she is in is not more then twice Lornedei's length in any direction. The tangle of roots makes the space seem smaller yet. The pale mass of roots stirs restlessly. Below her, the inky water of the river flows past.

The roots on the south wall have slid apart enough to reveal a narrow passage through rock and soil.
action: Go south
response: Caves (Choosing the Path)
The main flow seems to continue north, while two smaller tunnels lead northwest and west. East takes her back near the opening.
action: You go west
response: Caves (In the Restless Waters)
A strong current grabs her. She is flipped around, thrown like a puppy's toy. The water tries to drag her down to the bottom. She is immediately confused and swims towards the surface. Hard rock meets her outstretched hand in each direction. There is nothing but stone.
action: Go downwards
response: Caves (In the Gathering of Dead)
The water is colder. The pressure in her ears is starting to get painful but now she can see it. The bottom is littered with bones, skulls and rib cages of all sizes that lie in droves on the sand. Pale bony hands wave at her in the unexplainable current. Grinning skulls mock her and whisper.
"Come! Rest here with us!"
There is a subtle movement near one wall. The bones twitch and move slightly as if pulled by a current.
Her lungs are starting to ache. She will have to go to the surface soon!
action: Search bones
response: (the bones)
Lornedei looks terrified, but she moves closer to the layer of bones covering the bottom.
Suddenly, Lornedei is grabbed by a current stronger than she can handle.

She is dragged and pulled through the water, through a narrow opening in the cliff, up through a narrow well, and through wet cold darkness. She breaks the surface, spitting water, choking in her greedy quest for air.

Inside an Old Stone Well (In Gurgling Water)
The dark water swirls and gurgles in this small well. The crumbling edge of the stone cylinder is perhaps an arms length higher than the surface.
Dim rays of light find their way down to the dark water, but help little to chase away the shadows.

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
action: Exits
response: She can go up.
action: You go upwards
response: She grabs the slippery stones and climbs out of the old well, wet and exhausted. She sits down on the ground, leaning against the cold stones.

The clearing is almost perfectly round and thirty or so paces across. It is surrounded by the forbidden forest on all sides.
A giant black oak stands in solitude in the middle of the clearing. Many of its roots stick out of the ground like snakes arching to suffocate their prey. Steps are cut in the oak to provide an easy way up.

A stone altar stands in the shadow of the big oak. Dry grass and shrubs are still rooted in the dead soil, and more of the deformed bushes grow in a loose circle around the oak and the altar.

An old stone well gurgles softly not far from a crumbling stone house. On the other side of the clearing, three paths lead into the forbidden forest.

The great roots under the giant oak have slid aside revealing a passage.

The nightmare is here, spinning slowly. The frayed edges are constantly releasing veils of broken smoke that dissolves in the air.

The sleepwalker is here, spinning slowly.
Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
The deformed bushes rustle and seem to reach for her.
action: You dig the hole
response: The ground is too hard to dig in this place.
Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
The beetle squirms its way out of Lornedei's grasp and drops to the ground. It runs off, climbs up on the stone well, climbs back down, crawls through the bushes and seems to inspect the stone house, to finally stop at one of the paths.
action: Go upwards
response: Hall of Severance (In the Black Oak)
Clusters of black leaves surround Lornedei. They hang from the upper branches, creating a shield that totally obscures the sky above. She can look down, as all the clusters are above and around her, but up is nothing but shimmering black. The branch reaches out over the clearing and the end of it seems to disappear in a big cloud of smoke. She can climb down to the ground or follow the branch.
action: Exits
response: She can go down to the ground or try the branch.
action: You go to the west
response: If she moves around too much she will fall and break her neck. She can go down to the ground or try to follow the branch.
action: You follow the branch
response: Lornedei follows the branch. She steps through the smoke and enters the Hall of Mirrors.

Castle Ruins (In the Hall of Portals)
This square chamber is dominated by four portals. Each has a small impression to place one of the plaques. Lornedei came in from the northwest. If all portals are open, she can also go south, east, west or north.

On the portal to the void is a small gray plaque.

On the portal to the Hall of Severance is a small black plaque.

The stone pile still takes up too much room and the dead somebody is still very much dead.
action: You take the stone pile
response: that is way too heavy to move around.
action: You reach the north frame
response: "Something is not right. Something is missing."
action: You reach the west frame
response: "I cannot reach into this one Master. I am not sure what is stopping me. Perhaps it needs to be whole."
action: You examine the staff
response: It's a heavy staff in what appears to be oak. It reaches Lornedei to the shoulder, is thicker in one end and irregular in shape, with the natural shape preserved. It is polished and given a patina with many years use.
action: You reach the staff
response: "No need for that Master. I have heard about things like this. I believe that this staff once had much power but it is now useless. A staff like this focuses the owner's powers only and this ones owner is obviously quite dead."
action: You go northwest
response: Castle Ruins (In the Guard Chamber)
The spiral staircase ends in the middle of a square chamber. The west wall has fallen out into the ravine, letting in the glowing sunset. The walls that are still standing and the marble floor have cracked in several places. Rocks, a thick layer of dust, and all sorts of debris cover the floor. The only thing still intact is a stone statue standing in the southeast corner.

The spiral staircase leads up and the west wall is open to the ravine.

She can see an old torch here.
action: Go upward
response: Castle Ruins (In a Stone Corridor)
A staircase leads down in darkness and south takes her out to the courtyard. The corridor seems to lead only to the dim light to the north.
The column of black smoke rushes towards the opening, jerks through it. It struggles to stay, twitching.
action: You look at the opening
response: The stone staircase spirals down into the dark. The steps are worn and cracked. A layer of sand and dust covers each step. No one has walked here for many years.
The nightmare twitches, stirring up dust.
Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: Go south
response: Ahead of her is the southeastern corner of the castle. The corridor between the building and the outer wall leads northeast, but is blocked by a great pile of stone blocks and other debris. To the west, the courtyard ends at the ravine.

Looking up, the facade disappears into a swirling ceiling of mist. Right at the corner of the castle, a narrow doorway leads north into darkness. She can look around, or walk around to learn more. South or southeast takes her away from the ruins. East brings her around to the east side of the east wall.

Deini is here.
The hovering sleepwalker shows up at the edge of the forest. It picks up speed over the dry land, swirls up sand and dust and stays next to Lornedei.
Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
action: You dig the hole
response: The ground is too hard to dig in this place.
action: Go east
response: Wasteland (By the East Wall)
The eastern wall of the ruined castle stands strong here. Fifty or so paces north, it fades into a wall of mist. East, south, southwest and southeast takes her to the rest of the field. West takes her past the east wall to the courtyard of the castle. Anything north of here is dwelled in gray mist.
The sleepwalker stirs up a cloud of dust and dirt as it follows Lornedei.
action: You go east
response: Wasteland (By the Petrified Tree)
This is nothing but wasteland. Scattered remains of a once big tree cover the ground. It might have been a great oak at one point. A dry and hot wind tears at her while throwing sand in her eyes and mouth. Beyond rocks, sand and starved soil, there is nothing but a gray mist. In the distant west, beyond more wasteland, she can see a high stone wall. South, the broken land dips down in a bowl beyond which is the forbidden forest. Southwest would take her back to the edge of the forest where she first entered the field.
The sleepwalker stirs up a cloud of dust and dirt as it follows Lornedei.
"What should I do?"
action: Dig
response: (the sleep walker)
Lornedei digs a hole in the dry ground.
action: You put nut in the hole
response: She needs to be holding the purple nut with thorns before she can put it into something else.
"Master?"
action: You put the nut in the hole
response: "No Master. I will not plant that thing. It is wrong."
"Master?"
action: You go southwest
response: Wasteland (Overlooking the Field of Despair)
Behind her is the forbidden forest. The tree line is sharp as if cut with a knife at creation, separating the blackened forest from the uniform gray ahead.

The horizon ahead is strangely blurred. If from dust, mist or simply the uncertainty of distance is hard to tell from here. In the east, the field slopes down towards something that she cannot see. On the far side of that, the forest continues. In the opposite direction, the dying sun has set the horizon in flames above the gray covering the forbidden forest on that side. On this side of the forest, the land is cut, cracked, dropping down into a ravine. In the northwest, there is an old ruin reflecting the colours of the sun. To the north and northeast, the field continues into the blurred horizon.
The sleepwalker stirs up a cloud of dust and dirt as it follows Lornedei.
action: Go west
response: Wasteland (Overlooking the Ravine)
Lornedei stands on an outcropping overlooking a deep ravine going as far north as she can see. The ledge seems to be the remains of a road, cut off by the creation of the break in the earth. On the other side of the ravine, there's a barely visible opening through the trees. There is no way over there though. A steady wind tears at her clothes and hair in sudden gusts that seem eager to throw her off balance.

East, northeast and north are the ways off the ledge.
The sleepwalker stirs up a cloud of dust and dirt as it follows Lornedei.
Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
action: Go northeast
response: Wasteland (By the East Wall)
The eastern wall of the ruined castle stands strong here. Fifty or so paces north, it fades into a wall of mist. East, south, southwest and southeast takes her to the rest of the field. West takes her past the east wall to the courtyard of the castle. Anything north of here is dwelled in gray mist.
The sleepwalker stirs up a cloud of dust and dirt as it follows Lornedei.
action: You go west
response: Ahead of her is the southeastern corner of the castle. The corridor between the building and the outer wall leads northeast, but is blocked by a great pile of stone blocks and other debris. To the west, the courtyard ends at the ravine.

Looking up, the facade disappears into a swirling ceiling of mist. Right at the corner of the castle, a narrow doorway leads north into darkness. She can look around, or walk around to learn more. South or southeast takes her away from the ruins. East brings her around to the east side of the east wall.

The nightmare is here, spinning slowly. The frayed edges are constantly releasing veils of broken smoke that dissolves in the air.

Deini is here.
The wolf tires of Lornedei and pretends to sleep for a bit.
action: You enter the nightmare
response: "Master? Are you sure about this?"
She looks terrified but she decides to trust your judgment. She walks into the spinning smoke.
the nightmare stops spinning and Lornedei appears on the other side. She looks at you with gray eyes and an uncanny smile on her lips.
action: Go east
response: Wasteland (By the East Wall)
The eastern wall of the ruined castle stands strong here. Fifty or so paces north, it fades into a wall of mist. East, south, southwest and southeast takes her to the rest of the field. West takes her past the east wall to the courtyard of the castle. Anything north of here is dwelled in gray mist.

The sleepwalker is here. It has stopped spinning.
action: You go to the east
response: Wasteland (By the Petrified Tree)
This is nothing but wasteland. Scattered remains of a once big tree cover the ground. It might have been a great oak at one point. A dry and hot wind tears at her while throwing sand in her eyes and mouth. Beyond rocks, sand and starved soil, there is nothing but a gray mist. In the distant west, beyond more wasteland, she can see a high stone wall. South, the broken land dips down in a bowl beyond which is the forbidden forest. Southwest would take her back to the edge of the forest where she first entered the field.

She can see a small hole in the hard ground (which is empty) here.
action: You put the nut in the hole
response: "Lornedei stares at the nut.
"No! It is not ready. It needs something else. It needs blood to grow. That is what he said."
action: You cut yourself
response: That makes very little sense. Perhaps you should think that one through.
action: You take the red worm
response: If you insist.
Lornedei is muttering to herself.
action: You kill it
response: Lornedei mumbles.
"With time. The end is coming and they will all die."
Lornedei's shadow trembles and disappears. In an instant, it is back. She seems not to notice.
action: You bite the the red worm
response: Lornedei mumbles.
"With time. The end is coming and they will all die."
action: Inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 165.
Lornedei is carrying:
a shiny red worm
a purple nut with thorns
a wizard's staff
a cracked skull
A blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
a small leather pouch (which is open)
a golden acorn
a skinny yellow worm
a bone
a small dented silver plate
a small water sack (which is closed)
the water from the Elder's spring
an old tarnished bronze urn
a fat blue worm
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a handful of white berries
a loaf of horrid bread
a piece of cheese
action: You look at the bone
response: As far as Lornedei can gather, it's a bone from a dear's leg. It has plenty of bite marks on it so this might have been one of Deini's unfortunate preys.
Lornedei's shadow tears one shadow-leg from Lornedei's real one, then the other. It fades as it rises. Once upright, it melts into Lornedei. She shivers.
action: Yes
response: You give it your best shot, chanting and carrying on.
"Master?" Lornedei is extremely pale but she seems well.
The exorcism succeeded.
The sleepwalker stirs up a cloud of dust and dirt as it follows Lornedei.
action: You enter the sleepwalker
response: "Master?" She glances up at you, frowning, but she walks into the spinning mist.
The sleepwalker stops spinning and Lornedei appears on the other side, apparently not sure where she is or why.
action: You go west
response: Ahead of her is the southeastern corner of the castle. The corridor between the building and the outer wall leads northeast, but is blocked by a great pile of stone blocks and other debris. To the west, the courtyard ends at the ravine.

Looking up, the facade disappears into a swirling ceiling of mist. Right at the corner of the castle, a narrow doorway leads north into darkness. She can look around, or walk around to learn more. South or southeast takes her away from the ruins. East brings her around to the east side of the east wall.

The nightmare is here. It has stopped spinning but occasionally it twitches, releasing veils of broken smoke that dissolves in the air.

Deini is here.
action: Pet deini
response: Lornedei moves to pet the wolf but halfway there, she seems to forget what she was about to do.
action: You go to the west
response: A few paces away, the courtyard ends abruptly as the ground is replaced by the ravine. A vertical cliff of bare rock is all that is left. If there was a western wall there, it now lies at the bottom of the ravine, along with a big part of the castle. On the other side, the forbidden forest starts again. Lornedei quickly backs away from the edge.
The wolf tires of Lornedei and pretends to sleep for a bit.
action: Go downwards
response: She cannot go there, or she just does not wish to. She can go north, south, east or southeast.
action: You look around
response: Ahead of her is the southeastern corner of the castle. The corridor between the building and the outer wall leads northeast, but is blocked by a great pile of stone blocks and other debris. To the west, the courtyard ends at the ravine.

Looking up, the facade disappears into a swirling ceiling of mist. Right at the corner of the castle, a narrow doorway leads north into darkness. She can look around, or walk around to learn more. South or southeast takes her away from the ruins. East brings her around to the east side of the east wall.

The nightmare is here. It has stopped spinning but occasionally it twitches, releasing veils of broken smoke that dissolves in the air.

Deini is here.
Deini gets in front of Lornedei but the girl just gives her a distracted pat on the head.
action: You go downward
response: Lornedei takes a quick glance down the ravine. She shakes her head.
action: You go southeast
response: Castle Ruins (In the Hall of Portals)
This square chamber is dominated by four portals. Each has a small impression to place one of the plaques. Lornedei came in from the northwest. If all portals are open, she can also go south, east, west or north.

On the portal to the void is a small gray plaque.

On the portal to the Hall of Severance is a small black plaque.

The stone pile still takes up too much room and the dead somebody is still very much dead.
action: You reach elder
response: Lornedei gives the pile of bones a sad look.
"Is he dead?"
action: Yes
response: There is no need to answer her. Better to keep your peace.
action: You search elder
response: Lornedei is less than interested in digging around in old dead peoples remains.
action: You rest
response: "Huh?"
action: You wake the ld
response: You decide to break the rules just slightly. You give her a tiny nudge. A mental slap if you will. Her head snaps up and she is staring at you, shocked.

Her eyes are bright and aware. She smiles.
"I was not quite here Master. I am sorry. I am awake now."
action: Go northwest
response: Castle Ruins (In the Guard Chamber)
The spiral staircase ends in the middle of a square chamber. The west wall has fallen out into the ravine, letting in the glowing sunset. The walls that are still standing and the marble floor have cracked in several places. Rocks, a thick layer of dust, and all sorts of debris cover the floor. The only thing still intact is a stone statue standing in the southeast corner.

The spiral staircase leads up and the west wall is open to the ravine.

She can see an old torch here.
The sleepwalker hovers past.
The whirlwind of black smoke twitches past the opening in the wall. Then it turns back, rushes, and enters the guard chamber. It twitches, hovering over the rubble, casting out broken smoke that escapes through the opening.
action: You go downwards
response: Lornedei climbs down.

The clearing is almost perfectly round and thirty or so paces across. It is surrounded by the forbidden forest on all sides.
A giant black oak stands in solitude in the middle of the clearing. Many of its roots stick out of the ground like snakes arching to suffocate their prey. Steps are cut in the oak to provide an easy way up.

A stone altar stands in the shadow of the big oak. Dry grass and shrubs are still rooted in the dead soil, and more of the deformed bushes grow in a loose circle around the oak and the altar.

An old stone well gurgles softly not far from a crumbling stone house. On the other side of the clearing, three paths lead into the forbidden forest.

The great roots under the giant oak have slid aside revealing a passage.

She can also see a large black beetle (Airing out its shell at the moment.) here.
The sleepwalker comes charging out of the forest in a hurry. It stops next to Lornedei, disposing of sand, leaves and sticks, dead grass and not just a little dry soil.
action: Go downward
response: Lornedei drops down into the opening between the roots of the black oak. She tumbles down into cool dark water.

Caves (Among the Restless Roots)
The space she is in is not more then twice Lornedei's length in any direction. The tangle of roots makes the space seem smaller yet. The pale mass of roots stirs restlessly. Below her, the inky water of the river flows past.

The roots on the south wall have slid apart enough to reveal a narrow passage through rock and soil.
SPLASH!
action: Go upwards
response: In the River (By the Cliff)
The river makes a slight turn, hiding the road from view. A vertical cliff stops her from going any further north in this tunnel of water, trees, and shadows. Above her head is a frayed ribbon of blue sky and at the top of the cliff, the two forests meet. Below and around her there is that play of light and dark, maybe just a little bit darker. South takes her back around the bend. Looking down she can see an opening in the cliff.
A dry black leaf drops from the forbidden forest into the water right in front of Lornedei. It bobs up and down a couple of times before it floats away downstream.
action: Go south
response: In the River (Between the Forests)
The forbidden forest is to the west and the old forest to the east. The river flows back south and down takes her to the bottom of the river. To the north the river disappears out of sight around a bend, and there is a slight opening in the trees to the east.
A dry black leaf drops down on Lornedei's shoulder. With a grimace, she flicks it with a finger to get rid of it.
action: You go south
response: In the River (By the Road)
The river runs from north to south. Ahead of her, the glittering water becomes shaded by the two forests. The forbidden forest on the left and the still green old forest on the right. The river disappears out of sight perhaps a hundred paces into the tunnel of trees, water, and shadows. The dusty road is east, where she can get out of the water. She can also dive down to the bottom of the river.
action: Go east
response: Aarkland (Billowing Field)
The grass grows waist high. Touched by sun, wind, and rain, it patiently waits for the farmers that will not come. The edge of the old forest lies close by to the north. To the south, a big pile of stones rises above the grass. The road is back west.
action: Dig
response: What do you want Lornedei to dig?
action: You dig the ground
response: (the ground)
The ground is too hard to dig in this place.
action: You go south
response: Aarkland (On the Unholy Stones)
The collection of stones is over ten paces from edge to edge. The top has been flattened to create a platform and that is where Lornedei stands. No new stones have been added in several hundred years. Despite the lack of activity, nothing grows near the stones.

There are powers here that make it easier for her to use her magic. You can make her see what hides around her. She will see the world as it is, what hides beyond what the eye can see.

She can go north to the field or northwest back to the dusty road. Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: Search stones
response: There is nothing on the unholy stones.
Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
action: You reach the stones
response: Lornedei reaches down in the ground by her feet. She shuts her eyes and lets her mind touch the stones one by one. One lost name after another flies through her mind like a swarm of insane and vicious insects. Hundreds, thousands of names of men, women and children. Each one has a history, a life led in pain or ignorance, but they all share the same pain. The same longing, the same sorrow, the same terrible fate. Crying, she drops to her knees.
"These people were all severed. Their names were stolen, ripped away from their souls. They did not all deserve this fate, I am sure. These names belong to the spirits Master, but they can never be whole again. Never!" Lornedei takes a deep breath and gets back up on her feet.

Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: Wave bone
response: Lornedei frowns. She is not quite sure what it is that you wish her to do.
action: You break the bone
response: She gives you a quick glance but shakes her head.
Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: Heal bone
response: She cannot heal things that are not alive.
Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
action: You go to the west
response: In the River (By the Road)
The river runs from north to south. Ahead of her, the glittering water becomes shaded by the two forests. The forbidden forest on the left and the still green old forest on the right. The river disappears out of sight perhaps a hundred paces into the tunnel of trees, water, and shadows. The dusty road is east, where she can get out of the water. She can also dive down to the bottom of the river.
Lornedei slowly turns around in the water. She looks down through the surface, then up at the trees. She mutters under her breath.
action: Go north
response: In the River (Between the Forests)
The forbidden forest is to the west and the old forest to the east. The river flows back south and down takes her to the bottom of the river. To the north the river disappears out of sight around a bend, and there is a slight opening in the trees to the east.
action: Go west
response: What makes you think that she wants to be nearly drowned in there again? Especially as the passage under the giant black oak is open.
action: Look around
response: Caves (Choosing the Path)
The main flow seems to continue north, while two smaller tunnels lead northwest and west. East takes her back near the opening.
Her lungs are starting to ache. She will have to go to the surface soon!
action: Go north
response: Caves (Where Bubbles Rise)
There is air above in this larger cave and just a hint of light somewhere ahead.
The cave curves gently to the left and continues northwest towards the light while south takes her back to the Junction.

A stream of bubbles rises from the pitch-black bottom, meets the girl on its way up, and then explode in a glittering cascade of air around her.
action: Go upwards
response: Caves (Among the Restless Roots)
The space she is in is not more then twice Lornedei's length in any direction. The tangle of roots makes the space seem smaller yet. The pale mass of roots stirs restlessly. Below her, the inky water of the river flows past.

The roots on the south wall have slid apart enough to reveal a narrow passage through rock and soil.
action: Exits
response: She can go down or south.
action: Go south
response: After squeezing herself through the tight passage she is not just dripping wet but also filthy and out of breath.

The clearing is almost perfectly round and thirty or so paces across. It is surrounded by the forbidden forest on all sides.
A giant black oak stands in solitude in the middle of the clearing. Many of its roots stick out of the ground like snakes arching to suffocate their prey. Steps are cut in the oak to provide an easy way up.

A stone altar stands in the shadow of the big oak. Dry grass and shrubs are still rooted in the dead soil, and more of the deformed bushes grow in a loose circle around the oak and the altar.

An old stone well gurgles softly not far from a crumbling stone house. On the other side of the clearing, three paths lead into the forbidden forest.

The great roots under the giant oak have slid aside revealing a passage.

The sleepwalker is here, spinning slowly.

She can also see a large black beetle (Fluffing up its wings at the moment.) here.
The wandering nightmare crashes out from the black forest. It swirls up dust and dry grass on its erratic route through the dead grass. It twitches past the altar and stops near the black oak.
The beetle disappears into the crumbling stone house. It comes back out, stays a moment in the opening, waving its antennae, before coming back to Lornedei.
action: You take the left path
response: Lornedei takes a couple of steps towards the dark trail, glancing nervously up at the trees. Then she takes a deep breath before moving forward. The shadows of the forbidden forest fall on her.
She walks without sun as guidance or aim to where she is going.
The path twists and turns and soon she is cursing her own thoughtlessness. The prickling sensation of a forgotten spirit's hatred sinks down on her like a heavy blanket.
Her feet feel strangely heavy and clumsy, as if the undergrowth hinders her movement. However there is nothing growing on the path. It is empty. Flat and hard-packed, it should be easy to walk on.
A somewhat stronger light appears further ahead and with a soft sob of relief Lornedei starts running towards the clearing.
She stops with the beginning of a smile freezing on her lips.
The clearing is dark, a stone well gurgles softly, and three paths disappear into the forbidden forest.
A dry black leaf drops down on Lornedei's shoulder. With a grimace, she flicks it with a finger to get rid of it.
action: You take straight path
response: Lornedei takes a couple of steps towards the dark trail, glancing nervously up at the trees. Then she takes a deep breath before moving forward. The shadows of the forbidden forest fall on her.
She walks without sun as guidance or aim to where she is going.
The path twists and turns and soon she is cursing her own thoughtlessness. The prickling sensation of a forgotten spirit's hatred sinks down on her like a heavy blanket.
Her feet feel strangely heavy and clumsy, as if the undergrowth hinders her movement. However there is nothing growing on the path. It is empty. Flat and hard-packed, it should be easy to walk on.
A somewhat stronger light appears further ahead and with a soft sob of relief Lornedei starts running towards the clearing.
She stops with the beginning of a smile freezing on her lips.
The clearing is dark, a stone well gurgles softly, and three paths disappear into the forbidden forest.
The beetle runs off to one of the paths. It spins around once before returning to Lornedei.
action: You take right path
response: Lornedei takes a couple of steps towards the dark trail, glancing nervously up at the trees. Then she takes a deep breath before moving forward. The shadows of the forbidden forest fall on her.
She walks without sun as guidance or aim to where she is going.
The path twists and turns and soon she is cursing her own thoughtlessness. The prickling sensation of a forgotten spirit's hatred sinks down on her like a heavy blanket.
Her feet feel strangely heavy and clumsy, as if the undergrowth hinders her movement. However there is nothing growing on the path. It is empty. Flat and hard-packed, it should be easy to walk on.
A somewhat stronger light appears further ahead and with a soft sob of relief Lornedei starts running towards the clearing.
She stops with the beginning of a smile freezing on her lips.
The clearing is dark, a stone well gurgles softly, and three paths disappear into the forbidden forest.
action: You go west
response: Hesitantly she takes a few steps forward, but she has no idea in what directions the paths lead. Uncertain, she looks up at you.
action: Go east
response: Hesitantly she takes a few steps forward, but she has no idea in what directions the paths lead. Uncertain, she looks up at you.
Lornedei looks around, biting her lower lip.
action: You examine well
response: It is an old, neglected well made of stones. It's nearly invisible among the long dry grass dying bushes that surround it.
The roots under the big oak stir restlessly.
Lornedei frowns. She seems to be listening.
And there truly is a sound, distant, from the forest. It sounds like a bird, unlike any other.
action: You look at the grass
response: The brush is dry, withered, gnarled, deformed, starved. In the midst of that, razor-like blades of grass poke up. Their tips are shaped like scalpels, their stems straight and silvery gray.
Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
action: You search the grass
response: She reaches for one of the dry tufts of dead grass. She quickly pulls her hand back.
"Ouch!"
The grass is razor-sharp and she is better off keeping her hands away from it.
action: Cut grass
response: She has nothing to cut that with.
Lornedei bites on a nail.
action: You reach the grass
response: There seems to be nothing beyond what the eye can see.
The beetle scrambles through the dead grass to one of the paths. It spins around and comes back to Lornedei.
action: You reach well
response: There seems to be nothing beyond what the eye can see.
Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
action: You look at your surroundings
response: The clearing is almost perfectly round and thirty or so paces across. It is surrounded by the forbidden forest on all sides.
A giant black oak stands in solitude in the middle of the clearing. Many of its roots stick out of the ground like snakes arching to suffocate their prey. Steps are cut in the oak to provide an easy way up.

A stone altar stands in the shadow of the big oak. Dry grass and shrubs are still rooted in the dead soil, and more of the deformed bushes grow in a loose circle around the oak and the altar.

An old stone well gurgles softly not far from a crumbling stone house. On the other side of the clearing, three paths lead into the forbidden forest.

The nightmare is here, spinning slowly. The frayed edges are constantly releasing veils of broken smoke that dissolves in the air.

The great roots under the giant oak have slid aside revealing a passage.

The sleepwalker is here, spinning slowly.

She can also see a large black beetle (Spinning around waving its antennae at the moment.) here.
action: You reach sleepwalker
response: Lornedei focuses on the spinning mist but suddenly she seems weary and confused.
"It is strange Master. If I try to feel what is inside it, I feel like I am going to fall asleep."
Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: You reach altar
response: She lifts her hands towards the stained altar. She focuses, frowning, then she is shoved back by something. The connection breaks and Lornedei gasps for air.
"No Master, I cannot! There is so much wickedness there and it does not want to reveal its secrets. All I could sense was pain. Pain, fear, and blood."
Lornedei's magic just dropped by five.
A dry black leaf drops down on Lornedei's shoulder. With a grimace, she flicks it with a finger to get rid of it.
action: You cut ld
response: That makes very little sense. Perhaps you should think that one through.
The roots under the big oak stir restlessly.
Lornedei stares at the leaf clusters in the black forest. She looks away, biting her lower lip.
action: You search grass
response: Lornedei is staring at the black oak.
action: You search grass
response: Lornedei is staring at the black oak.
Something touches Lornedei's foot. She pulls her leg away from the grasping root with a shriek.
action: You close the eyes
response: That's not something she can close.
Something touches Lornedei's foot. She pulls her leg away from the grasping root with a shriek.
action: You wake the ld
response: You decide to break the rules just slightly. You give her a tiny nudge. A mental slap if you will. Her head snaps up and she is staring at you, shocked.

Her eyes are bright and aware. She smiles.
"I was not quite here Master. I am sorry. I am awake now."
The roots under the big oak stir restlessly.
action: You enter the nightmare
response: "Master? Are you sure about this?"
She looks terrified but she decides to trust your judgment. She walks into the spinning smoke.
the nightmare stops spinning and Lornedei appears on the other side. She looks at you with gray eyes and an uncanny smile on her lips. Lornedei shivers. She looks behind her. There is nothing there. Lornedei turns her head slowly from side to side, dazed. She blinks.
action: You search the grass
response: The thin strands of grass are sharp enough to cut her hand to pieces, but she shoves her hand in the middle of one of the tufts of grass.
she pulls it out of the ground and throws it into the gurgling stone well. In doing that, a rusty something is revealed. It looks like an old sword.
Lornedei's hand is undamaged.
action: You examine the sword
response: It might have been a mighty sword in a brave warriors hand at one point. There is now a fingers length left of the blade and the thing looks more like a clump of rust.
Lornedei is muttering to herself.
action: You reach the sword
response: There seems to be nothing beyond what the eye can see.
The beetle stands still, seemingly watching the deformed bushes.
action: You cut yourself
response: That makes very little sense. Perhaps you should think that one through.
Lornedei reaches down to scratch her ankle.
Lornedei stares at the leaf clusters in the black forest. She looks away, biting her lower lip.
action: You search the grass
response: "There is nothing more to find there."
Something touches Lornedei's foot. She pulls her leg away from the grasping root with a shriek.
action: Go upwards
response: Hall of Severance (In the Black Oak)
Clusters of black leaves surround Lornedei. They hang from the upper branches, creating a shield that totally obscures the sky above. She can look down, as all the clusters are above and around her, but up is nothing but shimmering black. The branch reaches out over the clearing and the end of it seems to disappear in a big cloud of smoke. She can climb down to the ground or follow the branch.
action: You follow the branch
response: Lornedei steps through the smoke.
Castle Ruins (In the Hall of Portals)
This square chamber is dominated by four portals. Each has a small impression to place one of the plaques. Lornedei came in from the northwest. If all portals are open, she can also go south, east, west or north.

On the portal to the void is a small gray plaque.

On the portal to the Hall of Severance is a small black plaque.

The stone pile still takes up too much room and the dead somebody is still very much dead.
action: You go northwest
response: Castle Ruins (In the Guard Chamber)
The spiral staircase ends in the middle of a square chamber. The west wall has fallen out into the ravine, letting in the glowing sunset. The walls that are still standing and the marble floor have cracked in several places. Rocks, a thick layer of dust, and all sorts of debris cover the floor. The only thing still intact is a stone statue standing in the southeast corner.

The spiral staircase leads up and the west wall is open to the ravine.

She can see an old torch here.
action: You go upwards
response: Castle Ruins (In a Stone Corridor)
A staircase leads down in darkness and south takes her out to the courtyard. The corridor seems to lead only to the dim light to the north.
Lornedei stumbles for no apparent reason. She looks up at you, accusingly.
action: You go south
response: Ahead of her is the southeastern corner of the castle. The corridor between the building and the outer wall leads northeast, but is blocked by a great pile of stone blocks and other debris. To the west, the courtyard ends at the ravine.

Looking up, the facade disappears into a swirling ceiling of mist. Right at the corner of the castle, a narrow doorway leads north into darkness. She can look around, or walk around to learn more. South or southeast takes her away from the ruins. East brings her around to the east side of the east wall.

Deini is here.
The girl looks at the wolf as if seeing it for the first time. Deini backs away from her.
action: You kill Deini
response: Lornedei just looks at you. Her blank stare reveals none of her thoughts.
action: You throw sword at Deini
response: Lornedei's aim is awful. The rusty sword grip is so far off the intended target it is not even funny.
action: Zap deini
response: Lornedei just looks at you. Her blank stare reveals none of her thoughts.
Lornedei's shadow trembles and disappears. In an instant, it is back. She seems not to notice.
Deini comes up to Lornedei to be scratched.
"Deini NO!" Lornedei waves the wolf away.
action: Go northeast
response: There is a mountain of rubble in the way. There is a couple of passages through the precariously stacked pile, but it is far to risky to send Lornedei in there.
Deini comes up to Lornedei to be scratched.
"Deini NO!" Lornedei waves the wolf away.
action: Go east
response: Wasteland (By the East Wall)
The eastern wall of the ruined castle stands strong here. Fifty or so paces north, it fades into a wall of mist. East, south, southwest and southeast takes her to the rest of the field. West takes her past the east wall to the courtyard of the castle. Anything north of here is dwelled in gray mist.
Lornedei is muttering to herself.
action: Go east
response: Wasteland (By the Petrified Tree)
This is nothing but wasteland. Scattered remains of a once big tree cover the ground. It might have been a great oak at one point. A dry and hot wind tears at her while throwing sand in her eyes and mouth. Beyond rocks, sand and starved soil, there is nothing but a gray mist. In the distant west, beyond more wasteland, she can see a high stone wall. South, the broken land dips down in a bowl beyond which is the forbidden forest. Southwest would take her back to the edge of the forest where she first entered the field.

She can see a small hole in the hard ground (which is empty) here. Lornedei's shadow stretches out behind her. It sits up. It reaches. It touches the exposed skin on her neck before lying back down. Lornedei scratches her neck furiously.
action: Wait
response: Lornedei waits as the dry wind tears at her torn clothing.
Lornedei wipes her forehead with her shirtsleeve.
action: You wait
response: Lornedei waits as the dry wind tears at her torn clothing.
action: Wait
response: Lornedei waits as the dry wind tears at her torn clothing.
Lornedei feels something against her leg. Like a shadow, silent and cautious, Deini has come to her. The wolf is sniffing the air, is constantly watching Lornedei, but she finally lies down. She puts her head on her front paws but keeps constant watch.
"You just stay out of my way."
Deini stares at the small hole in the ground, then at Lornedei. She growls.
action: You kill Deini
response: Lornedei just looks at you. Her blank stare reveals none of her thoughts.
Deini looks at the hole in the ground and walks over to it. She lies down and rolls around on top of it, effectively filling it with dirt.

Would you like to restore a saved game?
action: You check your inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 166.
Lornedei is carrying:
a wizard's staff
a large black beetle (Spinning around waving its antennae at the moment.)
a small black plaque
a cracked skull
A blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
a small leather pouch (which is open)
a golden acorn
a skinny yellow worm
a bone
a small dented silver plate
a small water sack (which is closed)
the water from the Elder's spring
an old tarnished bronze urn
a shiny red worm
a fat blue worm
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a purple nut with thorns
a handful of white berries
a loaf of horrid bread
a piece of cheese
action: You put the Crystal in the west indentation
response: No, the amulet will not fit in that hole.
Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: You look at the plate
response: It is a somewhat dented silver dish. One side returns a distorted but clear image of the holder.
Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: You examine the plate
response: It is a somewhat dented silver dish. One side returns a distorted but clear image of the holder.
action: You put plate in the north indentation
response: No, the small dented silver plate will not fit in that hole.
"Master?"
action: You reach the plate
response: There seems to be nothing beyond what the eye can see.
Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
action: You go to the south
response: Ahead of her is the southeastern corner of the castle. The corridor between the building and the outer wall leads northeast, but is blocked by a great pile of stone blocks and other debris. To the west, the courtyard ends at the ravine.

Looking up, the facade disappears into a swirling ceiling of mist. Right at the corner of the castle, a narrow doorway leads north into darkness. She can look around, or walk around to learn more. South or southeast takes her away from the ruins. East brings her around to the east side of the east wall.

Deini is here.
The hovering sleepwalker shows up at the edge of the forest. It picks up speed over the dry land, swirls up sand and dust and stays next to Lornedei.
A black smoke is rising from the forbidden forest. It hovers over the treetops and is barely distinguishable from the constant mist. It moves closer and starts spinning. It drops down to the ground at the edge of the forest and forms a ragged column of black smoke. It swirls up sand and dust at touchdown. It picks up speed across the flat ground and stops close to Lornedei. It is turning slowly while releasing strands of broken smoke that dissolves in the air.
"The nightmare. The maker of bad dreams. I thought that they were only stories."
Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
action: Heal sleepwalker
response: She cannot heal things that are not alive.
Deini yawns, utterly bored.
action: Go northwest
response: The front wall of the castle ends there in a jagged edge. The rest of it is at the bottom of the ravine. There is no way of knowing how big the castle might have been before. Lornedei takes a quick look over the edge of the ravine. It is too far down to see anything clearly and she retreats.
action: Go north
response: Castle Ruins (In a Stone Corridor)
A staircase leads down in darkness and south takes her out to the courtyard. The corridor seems to lead only to the dim light to the north.
The sleepwalker stalks the courtyard.
The column of black smoke rushes towards the opening, jerks through it. It struggles to stay, twitching.
action: Go west
response: Lornedei takes one step but stops. She cannot go there. She can go south or down.
The sleepwalker stalks the courtyard.
The nightmare twitches, stirring up dust.
action: Go downwards
response: Castle Ruins (In the Guard Chamber)
The spiral staircase ends in the middle of a square chamber. The west wall has fallen out into the ravine, letting in the glowing sunset. The walls that are still standing and the marble floor have cracked in several places. Rocks, a thick layer of dust, and all sorts of debris cover the floor. The only thing still intact is a stone statue standing in the southeast corner.

The spiral staircase leads up and the west wall is open to the ravine.

She can see an old torch here.
The sleepwalker hovers past.
action: You go southeast
response: Castle Ruins (In the Hall of Mirrors)
This chamber is over ten paces across and perfectly square. A large oval mirror dominates each wall. Four mirrors. North, west, south and east.

Lornedei came in from the northwest. An old burned out torch sits askew on the south wall.

The stone pile still takes up too much room and the dead somebody is still very much dead.

Lornedei bites on a nail.
action: You put the gray plaque in the north indentation
response: Lornedei puts the small gray plaque in the round hole on the frame. It goes into place with a click.
Lornedei bites on a nail.
action: Go north
response: A wide and heavy frame surrounds a dark mirror. There is only a dull reflection of the chamber behind Lornedei when she looks in it.
The green plaque is in place on the frame.
action: You touch the north mirror
response: "the frame feels warm."
"Master?"
action: You look at the green plaque
response: It is a small round plaque made of a green smooth stone. It is small enough to fit in Lornedei's hand and has a delicate carving on one side. The picture shows a woman's head and shoulders in profile. A giant oak is in the background. The woman is wearing a leather helmet on top of her braided hair and she is holding a long spear.
action: You examine the gray plaque
response: It is a small round plaque in a material unknown to Lornedei. The surface is smooth and with a deep polish. It is small enough to fit in Lornedei's hand. The surface shows nothing, not even the distorted image of Lornedei herself that one might expect. What shows in the plaque is like a reflection of a stormy sky in a puddle of murky water, just before the rain starts hammering.
action: You look at the black plaque
response: It's a totally black round plaque. It is small enough to fit in Lornedei's palm. The smooth stone is of a kind that Lornedei has never seen. A strange picture is carved on one side. It looks like a flying insect of some sort, with a giant tree in the background.
action: You look around
response: Castle Ruins (In the Hall of Mirrors)
This chamber is over ten paces across and perfectly square. A large oval mirror dominates each wall. Four mirrors. North, west, south and east.

Lornedei came in from the northwest. An old burned out torch sits askew on the south wall.

On the east mirror is a small black plaque.

The stone pile still takes up too much room and the dead somebody is still very much dead.
action: You check your inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 166.
Lornedei is carrying:
a small gray plaque
a wizard's staff
a large black beetle (Airing out its shell at the moment.)
a cracked skull
A blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
a small leather pouch (which is open)
a golden acorn
a skinny yellow worm
a bone
a small dented silver plate
a small water sack (which is closed)
the water from the Elder's spring
an old tarnished bronze urn
a shiny red worm
a fat blue worm
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a purple nut with thorns
a handful of white berries
a loaf of horrid bread
a piece of cheese
action: Look around
response: Castle Ruins (In the Hall of Mirrors)
This chamber is over ten paces across and perfectly square. A large oval mirror dominates each wall. Four mirrors. North, west, south and east.

Lornedei came in from the northwest. An old burned out torch sits askew on the south wall.

On the east mirror is a small black plaque.

The stone pile still takes up too much room and the dead somebody is still very much dead.

Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: You put the green plaque in the north indentation
response: Lornedei puts the small green plaque in the round hole on the frame. It goes into place with a click.
action: Go north
response: A wide and heavy frame surrounds a dark mirror. There is only a dull reflection of the chamber behind Lornedei when she looks in it.
The green plaque is in place on the frame.
action: You enter the north mirror
response: Lornedei examines the mirror, looks behind it, and taps the dark glass where nothing is reflected but darkness. Finally, she shakes her head.
action: You take the green plaque
response: "I cannot seem to take the plaque again. Perhaps it is exactly where it is supposed to be now."
Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
action: You go east
response: The glass, underneath a layer of dust, has no reflection whatsoever. Lornedei glances at the frame but she just shakes her head in puzzlement. She looks away from the strange sight.
A small black plaque is placed on the frame.
action: You look at the north indentation
response: There is an indentation in the top part of the frame. A plaque might fit there.

Under a layer of dust covering the frame, the wood is decorated with delicately painted vines and leaves of all sizes and shapes. Tiny animals peek out from behind the leaves, which seem to stand out even though the surface is flat: a red squirrel's curious gaze, a deer and its offspring, ready to flee, a miniature snake on a vine.
action: You take the black plaque
response: "Ouch, I broke a nail! the plaque is stuck. At least I do not know how to get it out again. Maybe it is the way it is supposed to be."
action: You look around
response: Castle Ruins (In the Hall of Mirrors)
This chamber is over ten paces across and perfectly square. A large oval mirror dominates each wall. Four mirrors. North, west, south and east.

Lornedei came in from the northwest. An old burned out torch sits askew on the south wall.

On the north mirror is a small green plaque.

On the east mirror is a small black plaque.

The stone pile still takes up too much room and the dead somebody is still very much dead.
action: You look around
response: Castle Ruins (In the Hall of Mirrors)
This chamber is over ten paces across and perfectly square. A large oval mirror dominates each wall. Four mirrors. North, west, south and east.

Lornedei came in from the northwest. An old burned out torch sits askew on the south wall.

On the south mirror is a small gray plaque.

On the north mirror is a small green plaque.

On the east mirror is a small black plaque.

The stone pile still takes up too much room and the dead somebody is still very much dead.

Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
action: You go east
response: The glass, underneath a layer of dust, has no reflection whatsoever. Lornedei glances at the frame but she just shakes her head in puzzlement. She looks away from the strange sight.
A small black plaque is placed on the frame.
Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
action: Go south
response: On the south wall hangs a big oval mirror. The glass is dark and cold. The gray plaque is placed in the indentation in the frame.
action: You reach the north mirror
response: The darkness in the mirror changes into a swirling mist. The portal to the Hall of Elevation is open.

Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: You reach the east mirror
response: The darkness in the mirror changes into a swirling mist. The portal to the Hall of Severance is open.

Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: Go north
response: Lornedei steps through the mirror.

Hall of Elevation (In the Giant Oak)
The shadow of the big oak trembles on the ground below. The far end of the branch Lornedei is sitting on seems to disappear in a gray mist. The other two branches on this level are just as unreachable for her as the limbs higher up.

In the trunk in front of her, three holes are lined up in a tidy row. They are apparently inhabited by some kind of worm. She can climb down or go north along the branch.
action: Heal Oak
response: (the giant oak)
There is nothing wrong with the tree. It is still strong and healthy. How long it will last, is yet to be seen.
action: Go upwards
response: She can't reach any of the higher branches. This is as high as she can go.
action: You look at your surroundings
response: Hall of Elevation (In the Giant Oak)
The shadow of the big oak trembles on the ground below. The far end of the branch Lornedei is sitting on seems to disappear in a gray mist. The other two branches on this level are just as unreachable for her as the limbs higher up.

In the trunk in front of her, three holes are lined up in a tidy row. They are apparently inhabited by some kind of worm. She can climb down or go north along the branch.
action: You go north
response: Lornedei steps through the mist.
Castle Ruins (In the Hall of Portals)
This square chamber is dominated by four portals. Each has a small impression to place one of the plaques. Lornedei came in from the northwest. If all portals are open, she can also go south, east, west or north.

On the south mirror is a small gray plaque.

On the portal to the Hall of Elevation is a small green plaque.

On the portal to the Hall of Severance is a small black plaque.

The stone pile still takes up too much room and the dead somebody is still very much dead.
action: Y.
response: %% Enter a save filename to read:
action: Y.
response: debugcheapnitfol quit with exit status: 0
action: Search bones
response: (the long dead wizard)
Lornedei carefully searches the bones on the floor. After gingerly lifting the wide sleeve covering one arm, she stops and looks up at you.
"I found something Master. It is a green plaque."
action: You examine west
response: (the west mirror (broken))
The glass is cracked and dark. The frame surrounding the broken mirror seems to be in bad shape. There appears to be a shallow indentation in the top part of the frame. She may need to look closer at the frame.
action: You look at the west frame
response: The wide frame seems at first to be a mosaic of different types of frayed fabric. Upon closer inspection, it is clear that the frame is made up of different types of wood, stone, and even metal. It has however been demolished by something, cut and beaten into a mess of splinters. There seems to be an indentation in the top part of the frame but it may not be able to hold anything in place.
action: Heal west mirror
response: Lornedei lifts her hand to the mirror, wondering if it is possible to heal. She gathers her powers and lets a thin blue streak of light touch the glass fragments. A sudden rumble makes her turn around, loosing the connection with the magic. The statue slides back over the opening in the wall. The sound of it drowns in a loud grinding noise. Steel against steel. The sound turns into a scream, a guttural growl. Lornedei staggers backwards as the floor shakes.
The big pile of steel and stone stands before Lornedei with every seemingly random part now in its right place. The creature is almost twice as tall as the girl, and it stares down at her from within a diffuse darkness that surrounds it. This darkness is the force keeping all of its parts together and enabling the heavy body to move.

An enormous head sits directly on a giant shoulder, and the jaw of rusty metal opens and closes constantly with a creaking and a clank that echoes in the chamber.
The enormous body of stone shifts constantly, as if restless. The sound of stone grinding against stone, steel against stone and steel against steel is terribly loud.

A crimson glow pulsates deep in a horizontal crack in the head.
Puffs of dust fly out of the many joints between the rocks. Tufts of mold, moss, and shards of stone are raining down on the marble floor.

Lornedei's magic drops by one.
Clouds of dust swirl up around stomping stone feet.
action: You check your inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 165.
Lornedei is carrying:
a wizard's staff
a large black beetle (Fluffing up its wings at the moment.)
a small black plaque
a cracked skull
A blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
a small leather pouch (which is open)
a golden acorn
a skinny yellow worm
a bone
a small dented silver plate
a small water sack (which is closed)
the water from the Elder's spring
an old tarnished bronze urn
a shiny red worm
a fat blue worm
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a purple nut with thorns
a handful of white berries
a loaf of horrid bread
a piece of cheese
Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: You reach the south mirror
response: "No Master, there is something not right. It feels like I should be able to but something is missing."
A crimson light dances on the white walls of the chamber, metal jaws snap and stone limbs creak.
action: You put gray in the south
response: (the small gray plaque in the south mirror)
Lornedei puts the small gray plaque in the round hole on the frame. It goes into place with a click.
Clouds of dust swirl up around stomping stone feet.
action: You reach the south mirror
response: The matted surface of the glass suddenly flares up in a cascade of crimson sparks. A shower of hot air and red light throws Lornedei back. It throws her on the floor, and she desperately claps at her shirt to kill the tiny flames. She drags herself back across the dusty floor.

The moment passes, the sparks fade and die. Lornedei gets up on her feet, staring at a wavy, unsettling darkness. There is nothing at all beyond the polished frame.

The portal to the Eternal Void is open.
"What should I do?"
Lornedei barely escapes a swinging stone arm. The chamber shakes when the arm hits the wall.
action: You heal west
response: (the west mirror (broken))
Lornedei yells: "There is no time for that now!"
"What should I do?"
A loud scream of frustration fills the chamber. Lornedei staggers, and a tendril of greasy smoke touches her forehead before she can get out of the way. The magic is slowly fading.

Lornedei's magic just dropped by two.
action: You put the green in the west
response: (the west mirror (broken))
She needs to be holding the small green plaque before she can put it into something else.
Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal. Clouds of dust swirl up around stomping stone feet.
action: You examine west
response: (the west mirror (broken))
The glass is cracked and dark. The frame surrounding the broken mirror seems to be in bad shape. There appears to be a shallow indentation in the top part of the frame. She may need to look closer at the frame.
action: Heal broken mirror
response: Lornedei yells: "There is no time for that now!"
action: You put the black plaque in the south indentation
response: No, there is already a plaque in place in the frame. She will have to take it out to put another one in.
Lornedei barely escapes a swinging stone arm. The chamber shakes when the arm hits the wall.
action: You put the gray plaque in the south indentation
response: She needs to be holding the small gray plaque before she can put it into something else.
Lornedei barely escapes a swinging stone arm. The chamber shakes when the arm hits the wall.
action: You reach the south mirror
response: "I am not sure I should. There is something very wrong here."
She takes a couple of steps back.
action: Look around
response: Castle Ruins (In the Hall of Portals)
This square chamber is dominated by four portals. Each has a small impression to place one of the plaques. Lornedei came in from the northwest. If all portals are open, she can also go south, east, west or north.

Raccdaha stomps the floor, shifting its weight. It is getting ready to crush Lornedei.

On the portal to the void is a small gray plaque.

She can also see a small green plaque here.
Lornedei stumbles backwards.
action: You check your inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 159.
Lornedei is carrying:
a wizard's staff
a large black beetle (Airing out its shell at the moment.)
a small black plaque
a cracked skull
A blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
a small leather pouch (which is open)
a golden acorn
a skinny yellow worm
a bone
a small dented silver plate
a small water sack (which is closed)
the water from the Elder's spring
an old tarnished bronze urn
a shiny red worm
a fat blue worm
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a purple nut with thorns
a handful of white berries
a loaf of horrid bread
a piece of cheese
action: Heal raccdaha
response: Do you really think evil can be healed?
Two giant stone arms meet with a crash above Lornedei's head. She stumbles back.
action: You throw the plate at Raccdaha
response: the small dented silver plate flies through the air but misses totally. The creature takes a step towards her and she quickly sidesteps to avoid a shower of crimson sparks.

Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: Kiss raccdaha
response: Lornedei backs away, horrified.
action: You give the urn to Raccdaha
response: Lornedei holds up the old tarnished bronze urn in front of the creature. A swinging arm comes too close for comfort. The draft from the near hit blows her hair back from her face. she drops the old tarnished bronze urn on the floor.
A crimson light dances on the white walls of the chamber, metal jaws snap and stone limbs creak.
action: You give the bone to Raccdaha
response: Lornedei holds up the bone in front of the creature. A swinging arm comes too close for comfort. The draft from the near hit blows her hair back from her face. she drops the bone on the floor.
action: You give the yellow worm to Raccdaha
response: Lornedei holds up the skinny yellow worm in front of the creature. A swinging arm comes too close for comfort. The draft from the near hit blows her hair back from her face. she drops the skinny yellow worm on the floor.
action: You give the acorn to Raccdaha
response: Really? the golden acorn?

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
Lornedei holds up the golden acorn in front of the creature. A swinging arm comes too close for comfort. The draft from the near hit blows her hair back from her face. she drops the golden acorn on the floor.
action: You take all
response: golden acorn: As you wish.
skinny yellow worm: As you wish.
bone: As you wish.
old tarnished bronze urn: As you wish.
small dented silver plate: As you wish.
raccdaha: Lornedei stares furiously at you. Horrified but still angry, she steps back.
"I am not strong enough Master, can you not see that?"
She sidesteps to avoid a shower of crimson sparks.

small green plaque: As you wish.

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
action: You give the plate to Raccdaha
response: Lornedei holds up the silver plate with trembling hands. Raccdaha stops moving. He is quiet, absorbed by the reflection in the polished surface. He grabs the plate.
His attention is far from Lornedei for a little while.
Lornedei looks around, biting her lower lip.
Raccdaha is staring into the polished surface, oblivious.
action: Heal west mirror
response: Lornedei yells: "There is no time for that now!"
Raccdaha is staring into the polished surface, oblivious.
action: You give the acorn to Raccdaha
response: Raccdaha snaps out of it and turns to her.
Lornedei holds up the golden acorn in front of the creature. A swinging arm comes too close for comfort. The draft from the near hit blows her hair back from her face. she drops the golden acorn on the floor. Lornedei bites on a nail.
Raccdaha is staring into the polished surface, oblivious.
action: You throw the water at Raccdaha
response: (the small water sack at raccdaha)
the small water sack flies through the air but misses totally. The creature takes a step towards her and she quickly sidesteps to avoid a shower of crimson sparks.

"What should I do?"
Raccdaha is staring into the polished surface, oblivious.
action: You take water
response: (the small water sack)
As you wish.
Raccdaha is staring into the polished surface, oblivious.
action: You reach south mirror
response: "I am not sure I should. There is something very wrong here."
She takes a couple of steps back.
Raccdaha is staring into the polished surface, oblivious.
action: You open the bag
response: That's already open.
Lornedei bites on a nail.
Raccdaha is staring into the polished surface, oblivious.
action: You pour the water on Raccdaha
response: (the small water sack on raccdaha)
The Elders water cannot be wasted that way. It is needed elsewhere. Raccdaha is staring into the polished surface, oblivious.
action: Close bag
response: She closes the small leather pouch.
Raccdaha drops the silver plate on the floor and turns to Lornedei. He leans forward and reaches for her. She realizes that the time is up. He is furious now, not just annoyed with her.
She sidesteps and ducks under his massive arm, and she nearly gets away. Unfortunately, he gets a hold of her hair. Using it as rope, he swings her around the chamber, throws her like a sack of potatoes, and hits her against the walls until the screaming stops.
action: You go to the east
response: The glass, underneath a layer of dust, has no reflection whatsoever. Lornedei glances at the frame but she just shakes her head in puzzlement. She looks away from the strange sight.
There's an indentation in the top part of the frame. It is empty.

Raccdaha drops the silver plate on the floor and turns to Lornedei. He leans forward and reaches for her. She realizes that the time is up. He is furious now, not just annoyed with her.
She sidesteps and ducks under his massive arm, and she nearly gets away. Unfortunately, he gets a hold of her hair. Using it as rope, he swings her around the chamber, throws her like a sack of potatoes, and hits her against the walls until the screaming stops.
action: You put the black plaque in the east indentatino
response: Lornedei puts the small black plaque in the round hole on the frame. It goes into place with a click.
A black tendril of darkness creeps toward Lornedei's head. It touches her mind, and she can feel her powers weaken.

Lornedei's magic just dropped by 4.
action: Go downwards
response: Lornedei climbs down.

The clearing is almost perfectly round and thirty or so paces across. It is surrounded by the forbidden forest on all sides.
A giant black oak stands in solitude in the middle of the clearing. Many of its roots stick out of the ground like snakes arching to suffocate their prey. Steps are cut in the oak to provide an easy way up.

A stone altar stands in the shadow of the big oak. Dry grass and shrubs are still rooted in the dead soil, and more of the deformed bushes grow in a loose circle around the oak and the altar.

An old stone well gurgles softly not far from a crumbling stone house. On the other side of the clearing, three paths lead into the forbidden forest.

The great roots under the giant oak have slid aside revealing a passage.

The sleepwalker is here, spinning slowly.
Black smoke seeps out of the darkness between the trees. The smoke gathers itself until a dark pillar of smoke is formed. In erratic, twitching moves, it comes closer.

It stops next to the staring Lornedei. It starts to turn slowly, releasing veils of broken smoke from its ragged surface. They dissolve in the air and new ones form to take their place.
"The maker of horrors at night. The roaming nightmare. I thought they were stories."
action: You enter the nightmare
response: "Master? Are you sure about this?"
She looks terrified but she decides to trust your judgment. She walks into the spinning smoke.
the nightmare stops spinning and Lornedei appears on the other side. She looks at you with gray eyes and an uncanny smile on her lips.
There is an angry buzzing from nearby. Lornedei looks around, mystified.
"Pft, which is it, oh smelly it is. Stubborn, umpf, thing." Suddenly, the firefly comes out of the opening to the stone house, dragging a piece of straw. One end of it touches the ground while the other end, with the firefly in unsteady flight through the air, is at level with Lornedei's knees. "Hiya!" With a terrible boost of tiny wings, the fly gets the straw totally off the ground and stays hovering at eye level. "Oh dear, you are back." The fly and the straw, despite intense buzzing, starts to sink. Quickly, Lornedei grabs the straw and stops it from falling.

"Phew! Thankee Girl. Let me rest. Was waiting for you." Lornedei sticks the end of the straw in her hair so that the other end sticks out in front of her face. After a moment, the fly starts pacing the piece of straw.
"You were in the smoke were you not? I feared you being lost Girl. Oh, dear. I must tell a story now. About a little boy." Lornedei sits down on the ground to listen.

"He is an ugly one, if you can say so about a spirit. He was not always so. He was a boy once, born in a village not far from yours. That was a long time ago you see. An odd child he was, yes he was. He sat by the pond for much time, lost in the sight of his own face in the water, catching..." the fly stops pacing for a moment and seems to shudder. "I heard from rumor I did don't you know, He caught fireflies and he... He pulled...Oh, dear, I will not speak of that. He was wicked! Then his parents died. He was alone and he took care of himself. How, no one could tell, as he was still only a little boy.

Then the magician came. The villagers were relieved to see the boy go with him, and no one knows where they went. For many years the boy was gone, yes he was. When he came back, a young man with riches and fancy ways, he moved in to the old home of his family, and said he had gotten rich from trade in the far lands and wished to set up business in his home village." The firefly makes an angry buzzing and starts pacing the straw again.

"I must make this story of less length I believe. He did not make trade honestly, tricks he had, power he had gained and fooled the villagers he did, and rose to a man of importance despite him being still young. Then his gaze fell on the merchant's daughter, and he wished her for himself. There was nothing but desire in his mind and when the girl's father refused him the still too young girl, a spell was cast. With magic he tried to force her to him, but something went wrong, very wrong."

"The spell he cast was powerful. The girl ran from her father in desperation one night, threw herself on a horse and rode for her love. She was in a hurry and fell. The girl was several years younger than you Girl, and the Elder's knew something was amiss. They traced the magic spell to Raccdaha.

The Elder's council banished him from the village and from his own body in the ancient sentence of severance. Death but no rest. A very cruel punishment and Raccdaha was in fact the last one they kept in the House of Penance. He became one of the forgotten ones, chased into the vast forest.

He did not remain forgotten though. He remembered his name as some of them might if they are strong enough. He grew strong. The hatred he felt poisoned big parts of the old forest and gave some kind of life to the other forgotten souls that dwelled there.

He fed the spirits with lies and promises of life. When they finally felt the same rage as him, he fed on their collective hatred and he could possess a poor wanderer's body for a while. Before his temporary body was used up, he joined the light bearers without them knowing. Their numbers started to decrease until there was very few left. He spread lies. The people grew afraid of magic, and the remaining light bearers had only one place to go. From their castle in the field of Unification, they tried to maintain the three great oaks for many years, but the day came when they had to flee even that haven. Me, cannot tell where they fled, or how. Perhaps if you go there, the place is now the field of despair, you could find knowledge. Me, yes me I don't know the rest of this story, only that Raccdaha came to rest somewhere, not able to move on, not able to live. I believe that he may be guarding the entrance to somewhere where he cannot go, waiting."

The firefly is quiet for a long moment. Then it walks over to the end of the straw and with a powerful buzzing, the straw is dislodged from Lornedei's hair. The fly pipes up again. "I will be off. Good luck Girl, he may be strong but remember that he is only a big foolish and vain child." The fly and the straw disappear with a flash, leaving a scent of burnt straw in the air.
Lornedei is muttering to herself.
Lornedei turns her head slowly from side to side, dazed. She blinks.
action: You follow the branch
response: Lornedei steps through the smoke.
Castle Ruins (In the Hall of Portals)
This square chamber is dominated by four portals. Each has a small impression to place one of the plaques. Lornedei came in from the northwest. If all portals are open, she can also go south, east, west or north.

Raccdaha stomps the floor, shifting its weight. It is getting ready to crush Lornedei.

On the portal to the Hall of Severance is a small black plaque.

She can also see a small green plaque here.
action: You give the plate to Raccdaha
response: Lornedei holds up the silver plate with trembling hands. Raccdaha stops moving. He is quiet, absorbed by the reflection in the polished surface. He grabs the plate.
His attention is far from Lornedei for a little while.
Lornedei looks around, puzzled.
Raccdaha is staring into the polished surface, oblivious.
action: You put the gray plaque in the south indentation
response: Lornedei puts the small gray plaque in the round hole on the frame. It goes into place with a click.
Raccdaha is staring into the polished surface, oblivious.
action: You reach the south mirror
response: The matted surface of the glass suddenly flares up in a cascade of crimson sparks. A shower of hot air and red light throws Lornedei back. It throws her on the floor, and she desperately claps at her shirt to kill the tiny flames. She drags herself back across the dusty floor.

The moment passes, the sparks fade and die. Lornedei gets up on her feet, staring at a wavy, unsettling darkness. There is nothing at all beyond the polished frame.

The portal to the Eternal Void is open.
Raccdaha is staring into the polished surface, oblivious.
action: Light torch
response: The torch is not of any use now. Let's just leave it as it is.
Raccdaha is staring into the polished surface, oblivious.
action: Kiss raccdaha
response: Raccdaha snaps out of it and turns to her.
Lornedei smiles her uncanny smile and looks calm, pleased. She holds up one hand and Raccdaha is still. She walks closer and puts a hand on one of the rocks, caressing it slowly.
"Yes. You can live again. Let me come with you. Let's find a body for you."
A strand of darkness twists itself around her hand, touching her fingers, moving over her entire body. Light as the draft from a butterfly's wing, yet leaving her skin scorched and bleeding.
If she feels the burning, her face shows nothing of it.
The spirit that was once human embraces her. He wraps his arms around her body, seeking warmth. He holds her with arms of stone. She melts into the darkness.

Smiling, she lets herself be crushed between stones, cut to pieces by sharp metal. He reaches for her hand, which turns to a bloody mess. He holds her head, which cracks like a ripe melon. Only then does the smile fade from her lips.
action: Pray
response: She may or may not. Just hope that her prayers go to you and not something... else.
Raccdaha drops the silver plate on the floor.
Raccdaha is staring into the polished surface, oblivious.
action: You take the plate
response: Raccdaha is holding the plate, turning it this way and that. She can't take it from him.
Raccdaha is staring into the polished surface, oblivious.
action: Heal west mirror
response: Lornedei's shining eyes are fixed on Raccdaha. There is no way she will listen to you now.
Raccdaha is staring into the polished surface, oblivious.
action: Exorcise ld
response: Lornedei is possessed. Would you like to perform an exorcism on her?
action: Yes
response: You give it your best shot, chanting and carrying on.
action: You kill Raccdaha
response: Raccdaha snaps out of it and turns to her.
Lornedei stares furiously at you. Horrified but still angry, she steps back.
"I am not strong enough Master, can you not see that?"
She sidesteps to avoid a shower of crimson sparks.

Raccdaha is staring into the polished surface, oblivious.
action: Magic
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 160.
action: Look around
response: Castle Ruins (In the Hall of Portals)
This square chamber is dominated by four portals. Each has a small impression to place one of the plaques. Lornedei came in from the northwest. If all portals are open, she can also go south, east, west or north.

Raccdaha is not moving. His full attention is on the reflection in the silver plate. For the moment he is not watching Lornedei.

On the portal to the void is a small gray plaque.

On the portal to the Hall of Severance is a small black plaque.

She can also see a small green plaque here.
Raccdaha is staring into the polished surface, oblivious.
action: You describe your surroundings
response: Castle Ruins (In the Hall of Mirrors)
This chamber is over ten paces across and perfectly square. A large oval mirror dominates each wall. Four mirrors. North, west, south and east.

Lornedei came in from the northwest. An old burned out torch sits askew on the south wall.

Raccdaha stomps the floor, shifting its weight. It is getting ready to crush Lornedei.

She can also see a small green plaque here.
Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
action: Search bones
response: (the long dead wizard)
Lornedei is less than interested in digging around in old dead peoples remains.
action: Go upwards
response: Castle Ruins (In a Stone Corridor)
A staircase leads down in darkness and south takes her out to the courtyard. The corridor seems to lead only to the dim light to the north.
Lornedei is muttering to herself.
action: You go south
response: Ahead of her is the southeastern corner of the castle. The corridor between the building and the outer wall leads northeast, but is blocked by a great pile of stone blocks and other debris. To the west, the courtyard ends at the ravine.

Looking up, the facade disappears into a swirling ceiling of mist. Right at the corner of the castle, a narrow doorway leads north into darkness. She can look around, or walk around to learn more. South or southeast takes her away from the ruins. East brings her around to the east side of the east wall.

Deini is here.
action: You go to the east
response: Wasteland (By the East Wall)
The eastern wall of the ruined castle stands strong here. Fifty or so paces north, it fades into a wall of mist. East, south, southwest and southeast takes her to the rest of the field. West takes her past the east wall to the courtyard of the castle. Anything north of here is dwelled in gray mist.
There is a shadow stretching out on the ground behind Lornedei. It folds into inky black and then it rises, takes one step away from her, and is gone.
action: You go to the east
response: There is nothing ahead but swirling dust, a hot wind, and the mist beyond. She turns away.
action: You open the bag
response: That's already open.
action: You pour the water on Tree
response: (the small water sack on the petrified tree)
The Elders water cannot be wasted that way. It is needed elsewhere.
action: You pour the water on the acorn
response: (the small water sack on the golden acorn)
The Elders water cannot be wasted that way. It is needed elsewhere. Lornedei's shadow jerks to life, reaches for her ankle, and pulls. She stumbles.
action: You pour the water into the hole
response: (the small water sack into the small hole in the hard ground)
The Elders water cannot be wasted that way. It is needed elsewhere. Lornedei's shadow stretches out behind her. It sits up. It reaches. It touches the exposed skin on her neck before lying back down. Lornedei scratches her neck furiously.
action: Close bag
response: She closes the small leather pouch.
action: You dig the hole
response: Lornedei digs a hole in the dry ground.
action: You reach Oak
response: (the petrified tree)
Lornedei steps back from the remains of the golden oak and shakes her head.
action: Heal Tree
response: There is nothing left here that can be healed. The tree is long since dead.
action: Exorcise ld
response: Lornedei is possessed. Would you like to perform an exorcism on her?
action: Yes
response: You give it your best shot, chanting and carrying on.
"Master?" Lornedei is extremely pale but she seems well.
The exorcism succeeded.
action: You reach Oak
response: (the petrified tree)
Lornedei puts her hand on the petrified wood. She shuts her eyes. Suddenly, the air is fresh with a scent of damp soil, grass and the new flowers of spring. Golden leaves tremble on silver limbs. Rooted deep in fertile soil, cared for, held in awe, the golden oak waits.

Soft grass beneath bare feet, feet tredding silently towards the great oak, but stopping to wait at the proper distance. A mumble, a nervous questioning, a whispered reply. A moment of silence. A silver cup carried the last two steps to the roots below the tree.

A trickle of water, a new light bearer's gift, then the acceptance of it, knowing the young one is true and strong. A golden acorn drops to the ground.

Ages has passed, eons of repeated procedures, of dying and re-birth. The golden oak feels no fear, no regret, knowing that after this life, it will come again. The light bearers will plant the acorn and the spiral of life will turn once more. It is soon time. Very soon. Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: You check what you're carrying
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 167.
Lornedei is carrying:
a wizard's staff
a large black beetle (Airing out its shell at the moment.)
a small black plaque
a cracked skull
A blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
a small leather pouch (which is closed)
a skinny yellow worm
a bone
a small dented silver plate
a small water sack (which is closed)
the water from the Elder's spring
an old tarnished bronze urn
a shiny red worm
a fat blue worm
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a purple nut with thorns
a handful of white berries
a loaf of horrid bread
a piece of cheese
Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
action: Go upward
response: Castle Ruins (In a Stone Corridor)
A staircase leads down in darkness and south takes her out to the courtyard. The corridor seems to lead only to the dim light to the north.
"Master?"
action: Go south
response: Ahead of her is the southeastern corner of the castle. The corridor between the building and the outer wall leads northeast, but is blocked by a great pile of stone blocks and other debris. To the west, the courtyard ends at the ravine.

Looking up, the facade disappears into a swirling ceiling of mist. Right at the corner of the castle, a narrow doorway leads north into darkness. She can look around, or walk around to learn more. South or southeast takes her away from the ruins. East brings her around to the east side of the east wall.

Deini is here.
The hovering sleepwalker shows up at the edge of the forest. It picks up speed over the dry land, swirls up sand and dust and stays next to Lornedei.
A black smoke is rising from the forbidden forest. It hovers over the treetops and is barely distinguishable from the constant mist. It moves closer and starts spinning. It drops down to the ground at the edge of the forest and forms a ragged column of black smoke. It swirls up sand and dust at touchdown. It picks up speed across the flat ground and stops close to Lornedei. It is turning slowly while releasing strands of broken smoke that dissolves in the air.
"The nightmare. The maker of bad dreams. I thought that they were only stories."
action: Go east
response: Wasteland (By the East Wall)
The eastern wall of the ruined castle stands strong here. Fifty or so paces north, it fades into a wall of mist. East, south, southwest and southeast takes her to the rest of the field. West takes her past the east wall to the courtyard of the castle. Anything north of here is dwelled in gray mist.
The sleepwalker stirs up a cloud of dust and dirt as it follows Lornedei.
action: Go east
response: Wasteland (By the Petrified Tree)
This is nothing but wasteland. Scattered remains of a once big tree cover the ground. It might have been a great oak at one point. A dry and hot wind tears at her while throwing sand in her eyes and mouth. Beyond rocks, sand and starved soil, there is nothing but a gray mist. In the distant west, beyond more wasteland, she can see a high stone wall. South, the broken land dips down in a bowl beyond which is the forbidden forest. Southwest would take her back to the edge of the forest where she first entered the field.
The sleepwalker stirs up a cloud of dust and dirt as it follows Lornedei.
Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: Go south
response: Wasteland (By the Circle of Stones)
This is the southeastern corner of the field of despair. The forbidden forest is nearly all around her. West, northwest, and north takes her out. The ground sinks into a large hole, a bowl more than fifty paces across, in the ground, edged by crevices and uneven ridges. A broken land. Once at the bottom, the rest of the field is out of sight.

A big round stone lies in the middle of the pit. The fire is gone.

A stone circle is laid out on the ground.

She can also see A crystal spider with shifty, beady eyes (Polishing its underside at the moment.) here.
The sleepwalker stirs up a cloud of dust and dirt as it follows Lornedei.
action: Rub spider
response: The crystal spider would most certainly not appreciate that.
A dry black leaf falls to the ground next to her. A gust of wind catches it and carries it away.
action: You ask spider about the sleepwalker
response: The spider stares suspiciously at her. It is beneath a creature of light to indulge in conversation with lower beings.
A high pitched squeal from somewhere among the blackened trees fills the air, and Lornedei shudders.
action: Go north
response: Wasteland (By the Petrified Tree)
This is nothing but wasteland. Scattered remains of a once big tree cover the ground. It might have been a great oak at one point. A dry and hot wind tears at her while throwing sand in her eyes and mouth. Beyond rocks, sand and starved soil, there is nothing but a gray mist. In the distant west, beyond more wasteland, she can see a high stone wall. South, the broken land dips down in a bowl beyond which is the forbidden forest. Southwest would take her back to the edge of the forest where she first entered the field.
The sleepwalker stirs up a cloud of dust and dirt as it follows Lornedei.
action: You examine Oak
response: (the petrified tree)
These are scattered remains of a tree. Mostly ashes, a few charred branches, a hollowed out trunk lying on its side, all petrified by time and lack of rain. All is covered in years of sand.
action: You look in Oak
response: (the petrified tree)
Lornedei looks around, in the trunk, kicks away some dirt, but all she finds is more sad remains of the tree. Anything of interest is long since gone.
Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
action: You search Oak
response: (the petrified tree)
Lornedei looks around, in the trunk, kicks away some dirt, but all she finds is more sad remains of the tree. Anything of interest is long since gone.
action: Heal Oak
response: (the petrified tree)
There is nothing left here that can be healed. The tree is long since dead.
Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: You look at the sand
response: The soil is dry and starved of both moisture and nutrition. It looks and feels dead.
action: You put the spider on Oak
response: (the petrified tree)
Placing things on the petrified tree will not do her any good.
action: Heal spider
response: Healing drains too much power. That would be a waste.
action: You ask the spider about Raccdaha
response: The spider stares suspiciously at her. It is beneath a creature of light to indulge in conversation with lower beings.
action: Inventory
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 166.
Lornedei is carrying:
A crystal spider with shifty, beady eyes (Polishing its underside at the moment.)
a wizard's staff
a large black beetle (Taking a nap at the moment.)
a small black plaque
a cracked skull
A blue crystal hanging on a silver chain.
a small leather pouch (which is open)
a golden acorn
a skinny yellow worm
a bone
a small dented silver plate
a small water sack (which is closed)
the water from the Elder's spring
an old tarnished bronze urn
a shiny red worm
a fat blue worm
a small gray plaque
a leather rucksack (being worn)
a purple nut with thorns
a handful of white berries
a loaf of horrid bread
a piece of cheese
Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: Plant acorn
response: "Master! Nothing can grow here." She picks up a handful of dirt but drops it again with a grimace.
"This soil is poisoned, I can feel it."
action: You go southwest
response: Wasteland (Overlooking the Field of Despair)
Behind her is the forbidden forest. The tree line is sharp as if cut with a knife at creation, separating the blackened forest from the uniform gray ahead.

The horizon ahead is strangely blurred. If from dust, mist or simply the uncertainty of distance is hard to tell from here. In the east, the field slopes down towards something that she cannot see. On the far side of that, the forest continues. In the opposite direction, the dying sun has set the horizon in flames above the gray covering the forbidden forest on that side. On this side of the forest, the land is cut, cracked, dropping down into a ravine. In the northwest, there is an old ruin reflecting the colours of the sun. To the north and northeast, the field continues into the blurred horizon.
The sleepwalker stirs up a cloud of dust and dirt as it follows Lornedei.
action: Dig
response: (the sleep walker)
The ground is too hard to dig in this place.
action: Go north
response: Wasteland (By the East Wall)
The eastern wall of the ruined castle stands strong here. Fifty or so paces north, it fades into a wall of mist. East, south, southwest and southeast takes her to the rest of the field. West takes her past the east wall to the courtyard of the castle. Anything north of here is dwelled in gray mist.
The sleepwalker stirs up a cloud of dust and dirt as it follows Lornedei.
action: Go southeast
response: Wasteland (By the Circle of Stones)
This is the southeastern corner of the field of despair. The forbidden forest is nearly all around her. West, northwest, and north takes her out. The ground sinks into a large hole, a bowl more than fifty paces across, in the ground, edged by crevices and uneven ridges. A broken land. Once at the bottom, the rest of the field is out of sight.

A big round stone lies in the middle of the pit. The fire is gone.

A stone circle is laid out on the ground.
The sleepwalker stirs up a cloud of dust and dirt as it follows Lornedei.
action: You put the acorn in the hole
response: Lornedei puts the golden acorn in the small hole in the ground. After a moment, it starts to move around in there. It circles the inside of the hole and when reaching enough speed, the acorn makes it out of the hole completely. It rolls over to stop next to Lornedei's left foot.
A high pitched squeal from somewhere among the blackened trees fills the air, and Lornedei shudders.
action: You open the bag
response: That's already open.
action: You pour the water into the hole
response: (the small water sack into the small hole in the hard ground)
The Elders water cannot be wasted that way. It is needed elsewhere.
action: Close sack
response: That's already closed.
Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
A high pitched squeal from somewhere among the blackened trees fills the air, and Lornedei shudders.
action: You take the acorn
response: She already has that.
action: Heal ground
response: (the ground)
"There is nothing I can do for this soil."
action: You reach the bushes
response: Lornedei lets her mind sink into the dry twisted branches of the bushes. After just a moment she steps backwards, clasping her throat with wide, fearful eyes.
"These trees do not feed on water and sun. Their thirst is for something else and they have not received any for so long. That is why they have died, but the nuts... I do not understand."
action: Go northwest
response: Wasteland (By the East Wall)
The eastern wall of the ruined castle stands strong here. Fifty or so paces north, it fades into a wall of mist. East, south, southwest and southeast takes her to the rest of the field. West takes her past the east wall to the courtyard of the castle. Anything north of here is dwelled in gray mist.
The sleepwalker stirs up a cloud of dust and dirt as it follows Lornedei.
action: You go west
response: Ahead of her is the southeastern corner of the castle. The corridor between the building and the outer wall leads northeast, but is blocked by a great pile of stone blocks and other debris. To the west, the courtyard ends at the ravine.

Looking up, the facade disappears into a swirling ceiling of mist. Right at the corner of the castle, a narrow doorway leads north into darkness. She can look around, or walk around to learn more. South or southeast takes her away from the ruins. East brings her around to the east side of the east wall.

The nightmare is here, spinning slowly. The frayed edges are constantly releasing veils of broken smoke that dissolves in the air.

Deini is here.
action: Go north
response: Castle Ruins (In a Stone Corridor)
A staircase leads down in darkness and south takes her out to the courtyard. The corridor seems to lead only to the dim light to the north.
The sleepwalker stalks the courtyard.
The column of black smoke rushes towards the opening, jerks through it. It struggles to stay, twitching.
action: You go down
response: Lornedei climbs down.

The clearing is almost perfectly round and thirty or so paces across. It is surrounded by the forbidden forest on all sides.
A giant black oak stands in solitude in the middle of the clearing. Many of its roots stick out of the ground like snakes arching to suffocate their prey. Steps are cut in the oak to provide an easy way up.

A stone altar stands in the shadow of the big oak. Dry grass and shrubs are still rooted in the dead soil, and more of the deformed bushes grow in a loose circle around the oak and the altar.

An old stone well gurgles softly not far from a crumbling stone house. On the other side of the clearing, three paths lead into the forbidden forest.

The great roots under the giant oak have slid aside revealing a passage.
There is an angry buzzing from nearby. Lornedei looks around, mystified.
"Pft, which is it, oh smelly it is. Stubborn, umpf, thing." Suddenly, the firefly comes out of the opening to the stone house, dragging a piece of straw. One end of it touches the ground while the other end, with the firefly in unsteady flight through the air, is at level with Lornedei's knees. "Hiya!" With a terrible boost of tiny wings, the fly gets the straw totally off the ground and stays hovering at eye level. "Oh dear, you are back." The fly and the straw, despite intense buzzing, starts to sink. Quickly, Lornedei grabs the straw and stops it from falling.

"Phew! Thankee Girl. Let me rest. Was waiting for you." Lornedei sticks the end of the straw in her hair so that the other end sticks out in front of her face. After a moment, the fly starts pacing the piece of straw.
"You were in the smoke were you not? I feared you being lost Girl. Oh, dear. I must tell a story now. About a little boy." Lornedei sits down on the ground to listen.

"He is an ugly one, if you can say so about a spirit. He was not always so. He was a boy once, born in a village not far from yours. That was a long time ago you see. An odd child he was, yes he was. He sat by the pond for much time, lost in the sight of his own face in the water, catching..." the fly stops pacing for a moment and seems to shudder. "I heard from rumor I did don't you know, He caught fireflies and he... He pulled...Oh, dear, I will not speak of that. He was wicked! Then his parents died. He was alone and he took care of himself. How, no one could tell, as he was still only a little boy.

Then the magician came. The villagers were relieved to see the boy go with him, and no one knows where they went. For many years the boy was gone, yes he was. When he came back, a young man with riches and fancy ways, he moved in to the old home of his family, and said he had gotten rich from trade in the far lands and wished to set up business in his home village." The firefly makes an angry buzzing and starts pacing the straw again.

"I must make this story of less length I believe. He did not make trade honestly, tricks he had, power he had gained and fooled the villagers he did, and rose to a man of importance despite him being still young. Then his gaze fell on the merchant's daughter, and he wished her for himself. There was nothing but desire in his mind and when the girl's father refused him the still too young girl, a spell was cast. With magic he tried to force her to him, but something went wrong, very wrong."

"The spell he cast was powerful. The girl ran from her father in desperation one night, threw herself on a horse and rode for her love. She was in a hurry and fell. The girl was several years younger than you Girl, and the Elder's knew something was amiss. They traced the magic spell to Raccdaha.

The Elder's council banished him from the village and from his own body in the ancient sentence of severance. Death but no rest. A very cruel punishment and Raccdaha was in fact the last one they kept in the House of Penance. He became one of the forgotten ones, chased into the vast forest.

He did not remain forgotten though. He remembered his name as some of them might if they are strong enough. He grew strong. The hatred he felt poisoned big parts of the old forest and gave some kind of life to the other forgotten souls that dwelled there.

He fed the spirits with lies and promises of life. When they finally felt the same rage as him, he fed on their collective hatred and he could possess a poor wanderer's body for a while. Before his temporary body was used up, he joined the light bearers without them knowing. Their numbers started to decrease until there was very few left. He spread lies. The people grew afraid of magic, and the remaining light bearers had only one place to go. From their castle in the field of Unification, they tried to maintain the three great oaks for many years, but the day came when they had to flee even that haven. Me, cannot tell where they fled, or how. Perhaps if you go there, the place is now the field of despair, you could find knowledge. Me, yes me I don't know the rest of this story, only that Raccdaha came to rest somewhere, not able to move on, not able to live. I believe that he may be guarding the entrance to somewhere where he cannot go, waiting."

The firefly is quiet for a long moment. Then it walks over to the end of the straw and with a powerful buzzing, the straw is dislodged from Lornedei's hair. The fly pipes up again. "I will be off. Good luck Girl, he may be strong but remember that he is only a big foolish and vain child." The fly and the straw disappear with a flash, leaving a scent of burnt straw in the air.
The sleepwalker comes charging out of the forest in a hurry. It stops next to Lornedei, disposing of sand, leaves and sticks, dead grass and not just a little dry soil.
The wandering nightmare crashes out from the black forest. It swirls up dust and dry grass on its erratic route through the dead grass. It twitches past the altar and stops near the black oak.
The beetle squirms its way out of Lornedei's grasp and drops to the ground. It runs off, climbs up on the stone well, climbs back down, crawls through the bushes and seems to inspect the stone house, to finally stop at one of the paths.
action: You look around
response: The clearing is almost perfectly round and thirty or so paces across. It is surrounded by the forbidden forest on all sides.
A giant black oak stands in solitude in the middle of the clearing. Many of its roots stick out of the ground like snakes arching to suffocate their prey. Steps are cut in the oak to provide an easy way up.

A stone altar stands in the shadow of the big oak. Dry grass and shrubs are still rooted in the dead soil, and more of the deformed bushes grow in a loose circle around the oak and the altar.

An old stone well gurgles softly not far from a crumbling stone house. On the other side of the clearing, three paths lead into the forbidden forest.

The nightmare is here, spinning slowly. The frayed edges are constantly releasing veils of broken smoke that dissolves in the air.

The sleepwalker is here, spinning slowly.

The great roots under the giant oak have slid aside revealing a passage.

She can also see a large black beetle (Taking a nap at the moment.) here.
Lornedei moves a strand of hair from her face and puts it behind her ear.
action: You look at the bushes
response: These bushes resemble those at the village road, but there are quite a few more of them. These look even more gnarled and deformed, as though starved of clean water and sunlight.
These also have thorns as well as, oddly enough, plenty of purple nuts.
action: You touch the thorns
response: Lornedei is better off keeping her fingers away from those thorns. Losing her concentration could draw blood.
The beetle disappears into the crumbling stone house. It comes back out, stays a moment in the opening, waving its antennae, before coming back to Lornedei.
action: You enter the sleepwalker
response: "Master?" She glances up at you, frowning, but she walks into the spinning mist.
The sleepwalker stops spinning and Lornedei appears on the other side, apparently not sure where she is or why.
Lornedei stares at the leaf clusters in the black forest. She looks away, biting her lower lip.
action: You touch the thorns
response: Lornedei reaches for the nut but just a bit too fast. The sharp thorns puncture her skin. She pulls her hand back.

The nut just got stained with Lornedei's blood.
action: You examine the nut
response: A purple nut from the deformed bushes in the hall of severance. It is deep purple and hosts a number of sharp thorns.
Some of Lornedei's blood is smeared on the nut.
action: You wake the ld
response: You decide to break the rules just slightly. You give her a tiny nudge. A mental slap if you will. Her head snaps up and she is staring at you, shocked.

Her eyes are bright and aware. She smiles.
"I was not quite here Master. I am sorry. I am awake now."
Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: You enter the nightmare
response: "Master? Are you sure about this?"
She looks terrified but she decides to trust your judgment. She walks into the spinning smoke.
the nightmare stops spinning and Lornedei appears on the other side. She looks at you with gray eyes and an uncanny smile on her lips. Lornedei is muttering to herself.
action: Go upwards
response: Hall of Severance (In the Black Oak)
Clusters of black leaves surround Lornedei. They hang from the upper branches, creating a shield that totally obscures the sky above. She can look down, as all the clusters are above and around her, but up is nothing but shimmering black. The branch reaches out over the clearing and the end of it seems to disappear in a big cloud of smoke. She can climb down to the ground or follow the branch.
action: You follow the branch
response: Lornedei steps through the smoke.
Castle Ruins (In the Hall of Portals)
This square chamber is dominated by four portals. Each has a small impression to place one of the plaques. Lornedei came in from the northwest. If all portals are open, she can also go south, east, west or north.

On the portal to the Hall of Severance is a small black plaque.

The stone pile still takes up too much room and the dead somebody is still very much dead.

Lornedei reaches down to scratch her ankle.
action: Go northwest
response: Castle Ruins (In the Guard Chamber)
The spiral staircase ends in the middle of a square chamber. The west wall has fallen out into the ravine, letting in the glowing sunset. The walls that are still standing and the marble floor have cracked in several places. Rocks, a thick layer of dust, and all sorts of debris cover the floor. The only thing still intact is a stone statue standing in the southeast corner.

The spiral staircase leads up and the west wall is open to the ravine.

She can see an old torch here.
Lornedei's shadow tears one shadow-leg from Lornedei's real one, then the other. It fades as it rises. Once upright, it melts into Lornedei. She shivers.
action: Go east
response: Wasteland (By the Petrified Tree)
This is nothing but wasteland. Scattered remains of a once big tree cover the ground. It might have been a great oak at one point. A dry and hot wind tears at her while throwing sand in her eyes and mouth. Beyond rocks, sand and starved soil, there is nothing but a gray mist. In the distant west, beyond more wasteland, she can see a high stone wall. South, the broken land dips down in a bowl beyond which is the forbidden forest. Southwest would take her back to the edge of the forest where she first entered the field.
Lornedei wipes her forehead with her shirtsleeve.
action: Ground
response: (the ground)
Lornedei digs a hole in the dry ground.
Lornedei's shadow jerks to life, reaches for her ankle, and pulls. She stumbles.
action: You put the nut in the hole
response: Lornedei inspects the nut carefully. She looks pleased. She plants the nut in the ground, flattens the soil over the nut and steps back.

She smiles expectantly and lifts one hand. She turns it over and lets a blue spark appear. It turns to red as she focuses on it, and then she blows it towards her little patch of garden.

The wind suddenly changes direction. It seems to come from everywhere now, focusing on the thorn that slowly grows out of the ground, feeding it. Lornedei looks up. The mist follows the wind, billowing like clouds towards the new tree. A turmoil of gray soon covers the entire field, tightens, grows heavy, and darkness falls.

The single thorn grows, pointing straight up towards the mist, and the ground seems restless under Lornedei's feet. The mist sinks further to meet the thorn, a greasy black spike, taller than Lornedei now and growing still. A small slit opens up at the base of the spike. it oozes a black liquid before a smaller spike is thrust straight out of it, barely missing Lornedei.

More slits appear and more of these spiked branches come to be. The "tree" continues to grow. The base is now two paces wide and suddenly the earth cracks around it. The spikes, more than thirty now, reach out several paces in every direction, twisting and deforming as they grow. The glistening black skin cracks and oozes more black sap, and thorns starts to grow from these as well.

The crack in the stone widens, but the spike clings to the rock that isn't moving. It doesn't lose its grip as the spike grows down more than up, creating an enormous pillar going down in the mist and out of sight. The crack widens further and the ground shakes violently. With an enormous rumble and screaming stone, everything north of the spike falls out of sight in the deepening mist.
At the same time in the Hall of Unification, a lush oak shudders as gray mist darkens the sky. In the village, the ground trembles and the blacksmith tries in vain to calm the horse he is putting new shoes on. Over the Aarkland river, the forgotten ones follow the mist that rolls out over the billowing field and the road. The villagers on the streets, on their porches, glancing out the door to call in their children for supper, fall silent. All look up at the sky to the northwest as the mist rolls closer.
Lornedei puts the nut in the small hole in the ground.
action: Go northwest
response: Castle Ruins (In the Guard Chamber)
The spiral staircase ends in the middle of a square chamber. The west wall has fallen out into the ravine, letting in the glowing sunset. The walls that are still standing and the marble floor have cracked in several places. Rocks, a thick layer of dust, and all sorts of debris cover the floor. The only thing still intact is a stone statue standing in the southeast corner.

The spiral staircase leads up and the west wall is open to the ravine.

She can see an old torch here.
"Master?"
action: You go upwards
response: Castle Ruins (In a Stone Corridor)
A staircase leads down in darkness and south takes her out to the courtyard. The corridor seems to lead only to the dim light to the north.
Lornedei is waiting for your command.
action: Go south
response: Ahead of her is the southeastern corner of the castle. The corridor between the building and the outer wall leads northeast, but is blocked by a great pile of stone blocks and other debris. To the west, the courtyard ends at the ravine.

Looking up, the facade disappears into a swirling ceiling of mist. Right at the corner of the castle, a narrow doorway leads north into darkness. She can look around, or walk around to learn more. South or southeast takes her away from the ruins. East brings her around to the east side of the east wall.

Deini is here.
The hovering sleepwalker shows up at the edge of the forest. It picks up speed over the dry land, swirls up sand and dust and stays next to Lornedei.
A black smoke is rising from the forbidden forest. It hovers over the treetops and is barely distinguishable from the constant mist. It moves closer and starts spinning. It drops down to the ground at the edge of the forest and forms a ragged column of black smoke. It swirls up sand and dust at touchdown. It picks up speed across the flat ground and stops close to Lornedei. It is turning slowly while releasing strands of broken smoke that dissolves in the air.
"The nightmare. The maker of bad dreams. I thought that they were only stories."
action: You go to the east
response: Wasteland (By the Circle of Stones)
This is the southeastern corner of the field of despair. The forbidden forest is nearly all around her. West, northwest, and north takes her out. The ground sinks into a large hole, a bowl more than fifty paces across, in the ground, edged by crevices and uneven ridges. A broken land. Once at the bottom, the rest of the field is out of sight.

A big round stone lies in the middle of the pit. The fire is gone.

A stone circle is laid out on the ground.

She can also see A crystal spider with shifty, beady eyes (Stretching out, apparently snoozing at the moment.) here.
The sleepwalker stirs up a cloud of dust and dirt as it follows Lornedei.
action: You go to the south-east
response: Wasteland (Overlooking the Field of Despair)
Behind her is the forbidden forest. The tree line is sharp as if cut with a knife at creation, separating the blackened forest from the uniform gray ahead.

The horizon ahead is strangely blurred. If from dust, mist or simply the uncertainty of distance is hard to tell from here. In the east, the field slopes down towards something that she cannot see. On the far side of that, the forest continues. In the opposite direction, the dying sun has set the horizon in flames above the gray covering the forbidden forest on that side. On this side of the forest, the land is cut, cracked, dropping down into a ravine. In the northwest, there is an old ruin reflecting the colours of the sun. To the north and northeast, the field continues into the blurred horizon.
The sleepwalker stirs up a cloud of dust and dirt as it follows Lornedei.
"What should I do?"

Ahead of her is the southeastern corner of the castle. The corridor between the building and the outer wall leads northeast, but is blocked by a great pile of stone blocks and other debris. To the west, the courtyard ends at the ravine.

Looking up, the facade disappears into a swirling ceiling of mist. Right at the corner of the castle, a narrow doorway leads north into darkness. She can look around, or walk around to learn more. South or southeast takes her away from the ruins. East brings her around to the east side of the east wall.

The nightmare is here, spinning slowly. The frayed edges are constantly releasing veils of broken smoke that dissolves in the air.

Deini is here.
Deini yawns, utterly bored.

Castle Ruins (In a Stone Corridor)
A staircase leads down in darkness and south takes her out to the courtyard. The corridor seems to lead only to the dim light to the north.
The sleepwalker stalks the courtyard.
The column of black smoke rushes towards the opening, jerks through it. It struggles to stay, twitching.

Castle Ruins (In the Guard Chamber)
The spiral staircase ends in the middle of a square chamber. The west wall has fallen out into the ravine, letting in the glowing sunset. The walls that are still standing and the marble floor have cracked in several places. Rocks, a thick layer of dust, and all sorts of debris cover the floor. The only thing still intact is a stone statue standing in the southeast corner.

The spiral staircase leads up and the west wall is open to the ravine.

She can see an old torch here.
The sleepwalker hovers past.

Castle Ruins (In the Hall of Mirrors)
This chamber is over ten paces across and perfectly square. A large oval mirror dominates each wall. Four mirrors. North, west, south and east.

Lornedei came in from the northwest. An old burned out torch sits askew on the south wall.

The stone pile still takes up too much room and the dead somebody is still very much dead.
action: You reach the pile of the steel
response: Lornedei reaches into the strange pile of stone on the floor. A shiver runs through her body and the stone and steel is suddenly gone, replaced with a torch lit smooth marble floor.
The room is full of people, all of them looking at the west mirror. They are nothing but diffuse memories of this chamber as it was, as it used to be, but the tension in the group is clear.

Flickering torches on the walls light up the chamber, creating illusive shadows across frightened faces. The silent spirits seem to hesitate.

They talk hastily among themselves, casting nervous looks into the mirror and over their shoulders. The mirror in this vision is whole and shows a picture of a giant golden oak. The image is fading with each breath. Several of the people in the crowd stagger as if the floor itself is moving. An old man raises a staff towards the mirror, uttering a string of words that catch the attention of the group. A young woman picks up a silently crying child in her arms, looks around the chamber and walks through the mirror. The rest of the crowd quickly follows her until only the old man remains.

He takes a step towards the mirror but then he stops. Something that Lornedei is unable to see looms over him. His eyes widen in horror and his mouth opens in a silent scream. He raises his staff against the oncoming threat with a thin shaking hand. He knows the end is close as a shadow falls over his pale face. Several long moments he stands still, facing the danger while speaking words that cannot be heard, holding the staff in front of him. The horror in his eyes grows with each meaningless attack.

His back straightens as the answer comes to him. Instead of fighting a futile battle, he turns to the mirror. He swings his staff with full force at the mirror. The glittering image disappears.

Lornedei lowers her hand when the vision explodes in a shower of shattered glass and blood.

Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: You give the plate to him
response: She can only do that to something living that has at least half a brain.
action: Look around
response: Castle Ruins (In the Hall of Mirrors)
This chamber is over ten paces across and perfectly square. A large oval mirror dominates each wall. Four mirrors. North, west, south and east.

Lornedei came in from the northwest. An old burned out torch sits askew on the south wall.

The stone pile still takes up too much room and the dead somebody is still very much dead.
action: West
response: Lornedei lifts her hand to the mirror, wondering if it is possible to heal. She gathers her powers and lets a thin blue streak of light touch the glass fragments. A sudden rumble makes her turn around, loosing the connection with the magic. The statue slides back over the opening in the wall. The sound of it drowns in a loud grinding noise. Steel against steel. The sound turns into a scream, a guttural growl. Lornedei staggers backwards as the floor shakes.
The big pile of steel and stone stands before Lornedei with every seemingly random part now in its right place. The creature is almost twice as tall as the girl, and it stares down at her from within a diffuse darkness that surrounds it. This darkness is the force keeping all of its parts together and enabling the heavy body to move.

An enormous head sits directly on a giant shoulder, and the jaw of rusty metal opens and closes constantly with a creaking and a clank that echoes in the chamber.
The enormous body of stone shifts constantly, as if restless. The sound of stone grinding against stone, steel against stone and steel against steel is terribly loud.

A crimson glow pulsates deep in a horizontal crack in the head.
Puffs of dust fly out of the many joints between the rocks. Tufts of mold, moss, and shards of stone are raining down on the marble floor.

Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: Describe the surroundings
response: Castle Ruins (In the Hall of Mirrors)
This chamber is over ten paces across and perfectly square. A large oval mirror dominates each wall. Four mirrors. North, west, south and east.

Lornedei came in from the northwest. An old burned out torch sits askew on the south wall.

Raccdaha stomps the floor, shifting its weight. It is getting ready to crush Lornedei.

A black tendril of darkness creeps toward Lornedei's head. It touches her mind, and she can feel her powers weaken.

Lornedei's magic just dropped by 4.
action: You give the plate to Raccdaha
response: Lornedei holds up the silver plate with trembling hands. Raccdaha stops moving. He is quiet, absorbed by the reflection in the polished surface. He grabs the plate.
His attention is far from Lornedei for a little while.
Raccdaha is staring into the polished surface, oblivious.
action: You give the spider to Raccdaha
response: Lornedei holds up the crystal spider in front of Raccdaha. He recoils, spewing out crimson sparks that rain down around Lornedei. He throws an arm out, and she has to throw herself backwards.
Lornedei shakes her foot to get rid of a painful stone from her sandal.
action: You give the plate to him
response: Lornedei holds up the silver plate with trembling hands. Raccdaha stops moving. He is quiet, absorbed by the reflection in the polished surface. He grabs the plate.
His attention is far from Lornedei for a little while.
Lornedei glances up at you, uncertain.
Raccdaha is staring into the polished surface, oblivious.
action: You throw spider at Raccdaha
response: Taking advantage of the distraction, Lornedei moves closer to Raccdaha with the crystal spider in her hand.
The crystal spider jerks to life and jumps from her hand.
A sparkling light flares up around it. The light grows stronger and Lornedei has to throw her hands up in front of her face to keep the blinding light from her eyes.
As she steps back, she stumbles on the pile of bones and drops hard on the marble.
A roar echoes in the chamber and the floor shakes.
Raccdaha is moving away from Lornedei, trying to back away from the small creature of light.
The spider is growing. Soon it is doubling, tripling, and quadrupling its size, becoming brighter each second. It glows furiously, the light pulsating as it keeps growing.
the roaring increases and turns from rage into fear. Raccdaha is trying to shield itself from the light, but the light is everywhere. It throws its arms at the spider to crush it. It gets a hold of one leg of the spider, and with a sharp explosion, it pulverizes the leg. But the spider is already where it wants to be.
The spider wraps its remaining legs around Raccdaha's head, obscuring it entirely. Raccdaha's trashing is slowly fading. The crushing arms have lost their aim and the few blows hitting the spider make little damage. A cloud of pulverized crystal sparkles in the pulsating light. The crimson light flares up through the spider's body, but it has no effect on the spider.
The creature's head is now only a blinding light, and the swirling darkness starts to melt away from the rock. The roar of terror from the creature changes into a howling shriek that comes from everywhere.
The sound cuts through Lornedei's mind and soul. Then the horrible scream is not just one.
There are now hundreds, thousands of howling screams of terror and pain filling the chamber.
The light from the crystal spider travels to the tips of the stone fingers on both hands and down the legs. As the light covers one stone foot and reaches to cover the final glimpse of gray mossy rock on the other foot, the screaming climbs in volume further. Then it stops, leaving only a ringing in Lornedei's ears.
Finally, the darkness that held the stone limbs together is gone. The spider is gone, the light is fading and for a moment, Raccdaha stays upright. Then it falls into a pile of stone and steel.
Lornedei hears the crash, but it is as if she hears it through water. The ringing is still loud in her head.
She steps forward, and now the pile is actually nothing but stone and rusted steel covered with a layer of crystal dust.
A glimmer catches her eye and she notices something golden lying among the stones.

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
action: You examine golden
response: (the small golden plaque)
It is a small round plaque made of purest gold. A carving on one side shows an old man kneeling before a small hole in the ground. He is holding a goblet of some sort in one hand. A giant oak can be seen in the background.
action: You take golden
response: (the small golden plaque)
As you wish.

[Your holiness has just gone up by five.]
action: Heal west mirror
response: Lornedei lets her blue light touch the shards of glass. One by one the pieces fuse together, leaving a smooth glass surface.

Lornedei's magic drops by one.
The crystal dust rises, then floats above the pile of steel and stones. It spreads out in the chamber before surrounding Lornedei.
The swirling dust stays motionless in the air for a few moments. Lornedei waits without fear.
Then it reaches for her, entering her. She takes an involuntary breath and in an instant, the shimmering dust is gone.
An enormous surge of power runs through her body.
The ringing in her head disappears. Every bruise and cut she received this day fades and disappears.
Lornedei is still, closing her eyes for a moment. Then she laughs aloud.
"The light bearers will come back now. There is only one thing left to do."

Lornedei's magic just went up...
Lornedei looks around, biting her lower lip.
action: Magic
response: Lornedei's magic is currently at 10159.
action: You put the golden in the west
response: (the small golden plaque in the west mirror)
Lornedei puts the small golden plaque in the round hole on the frame. It goes into place with a click.
action: You reach the west mirror
response: The darkness in the mirror changes into a swirling mist. The portal to the Hall of Unification is open.

Lornedei's magic drops by one.
action: Go west
response: Lornedei steps through the mirror.

The disappointment is obvious. Lornedei turns around in the nothingness.
"I thought..."
She never tells you what she thought but there is no need. She sighs and scratches her head.
She is surrounded by a shimmering mist. The ground is flat and featureless. She takes a few steps across the flat soil but the mist stays with her. There seems to be nowhere to go from here besides back to the hall of mirrors.

The portal back into the hall of mirrors is open to the east.
action: Dig
response: (the portal to the hall of mirrors)
Lornedei digs in the soft fertile ground until she has a small hole.
action: Plant acorn
response: Lornedei drops the golden acorn into the hole.
action: Water acorn
response: Lornedei pours the Elder's water over the Golden acorn. She covers the hole with soil and steps back.

At first, nothing happens. Then a soft golden light emerges from the soil covering the acorn. A shudder goes through the ground and the soil starts to bulge.
The fog around Lornedei sings to her. It whispers long forgotten words to the earth below. A thin green leaf breaks The surface of the small pile of soil in front of Lornedei. It is quickly followed by another. They shoot out of the ground, eager to grow.

A tree starts to grow before her eyes. A seedling turns into a sapling, the sapling turns into a young tree. With limbs trembling and leaves turning towards the sky it grows into a giant oak.

The tree is growing leaves that shimmer in gold and silver, deep green and bright yellow. It keeps growing and the oak widens and stretches towards the sky to the sound of the singing mist.

The branches reach out and turn silvery. The leaves are gold. The tree just keeps growing and roots stretch out below the soil under Lornedei's feet. Lornedei takes a couple of steps back and watches the still changing tree in awe. The mist begins to disappear around the girl and the oak and it is done.

The giant oak has finished growing and the leaves are humming in a soft wind coming from the west.

Lornedei finds herself in the outskirts of a small village. She is standing next to the big golden oak. People gather around the tree and they all stare at it. The group consists of ten or so old women and even fewer old men in robes in sky blue, green and white. They have all gathered around the golden oak. A few of them cry, one laughs, one man grabs the arm of the man next to him for support. Smiling faces, trembling gestures towards this leaf or that. Excited whispers quickly fade as one of the old women comes forward.

She walks very slowly, supporting herself on a long staff. Despite her fragile appearance, Lornedei can feel the power within her.

Her voice is old. Her face is ancient. The words she speaks are spoken slowly.
"We knew you were coming child but it took so long, so very long." she smiles and holds out her hands to Lornedei that takes them in her own. "I should have known you were a powerful one child.
Now she turns towards the people. She pushes Lornedei ahead and raises a hand to get their full attention, a totally unnecessary gesture as they are all staring at the girl
"Raccdaha is gone. He has been cast out of this world. He is beyond the eternal void. I cannot sense him any longer. The giant old ones are three again and the balance of the three will heal the land. Now we must step back into the world to receive the new light bearers that will come. We have waited long for the passage to open. We fled from the world outside, but now the time has come."
"We are old now and we are still many years older than we seem. We are tired and not as strong as we used to be. The mist that trapped us here has also kept us alive for centuries. Now the mist is gone. Do you understand what this means girl?"
Lornedei nods but she looks uncertain.
The old light bearer removes a chain from her neck and holds it out to Lornedei. On the chain hangs a crystal spider. The old woman hangs it around Lornedei's neck without a word.
Lornedei can hear a low murmuring of approval from the small group of people gathered and when the former Queen of the light bearers holds her arm out Lornedei gently takes it under her own and smiles.
The new queen of this so far very small kingdom straightens her back and turns to the people.