"He found the knowledge at the heart of the universe; Returned, and cut his story into stone..." -- The Epic Of Gilgamesh Whom The Telling Changed By Aaron A. Reed Would you like instructions?>yes "Whom the Telling Changed" is interactive fiction, meaning both that you must read it and interact with it. Whenever you see the prompt: >...you may type something that will shape the story. This can be a single word, such as LOOK to remind yourself of where you are, or REPEAT, to remind yourself of what was recently said. Certain words will be highlighted, drawing your attention to important objects or topics of conversation. You may also type simple commands to perform actions. The story understands basic VERB NOUN combinations the best, such as TAKE ROCK, GO OUTSIDE, TALK TO ISI, or ATTACK ISI. Try the verbs TALK, PRAISE, MOCK, or SHOW TO to interact with characters. If you don't want to do anything, try LISTEN or WAIT. Finally, you may type STORY at any time to see how the choices you've made have shaped the ongoing story. HELP will repeat these instructions. Press any key to begin. The people have always gathered on moonless nights to hear the telling, since the time of your ancestors' ancestors. The heat of the fire and the glow in the storyteller's eyes make the past present, and the path to the future clear. Tonight the stars are bright, but the minds of your people are troubled. May the words of the telling guide your way. ----------- The walls of your tent glow yellow in the lamplight, your simple possessions casting flickering shadows on the wall. A straw bed; some skins of water, oil, and wine; a small, guttering lamp--it is simple, but it is enough. The symbol of your occupation hangs from the central support of the tent. >look at symbol Which do you mean, the medicine bag or the copper dagger? >symbol Which do you mean, the medicine bag or the copper dagger? >bag A small leather medicine pouch hangs from a long strap, bulging with curative herbs. >dagger This copper dagger is as long as your forearm, with a round pommel and hardened leather grip. >go outside You hesitate for a moment. The telling will begin soon, and it is custom to bring the symbol of your occupation to so important an event. >take bag The leather strap feels cool and familiar in your hands as you take your medicine bag down from its place. >go outside You step outside into the warm night air. It has been night for many hours, but the air is still warm, and the stars are a million brilliant fires above you. Nearby are the vague outlines of your neighbors' tents, but on this moonless night only the distant glow of the fire pit seems truly alive. In the darkness a few feet away, Sihan and Saiph talk quietly in strained tones. As you approach, your enemy grows silent. Your love turns to you with a look of relief and reaches out a hand. >story This is a story about a healer in the village, the night of the telling, and whom the telling changed. >talk to sihan You clasp Saiph's strong hand and turn to Sihan with a frown. "What business have you here?" you ask her coldly. Sihan tosses her hair and fixes her sharp gaze on you. "I came to see if Saiph is truly a man of action and not only of words," she says levelly. "But I see that, like you, he is counted among the cowards and the weaklings. I have no more to say." She turns and vanishes into the darkness without a sound. >story This is a story about a healer in the village who was in love with a strong warrior man, Saiph, and how the night of the telling would change them both. >love Saiph has been your beloved for a full season now, and the magic of discovery in each other has not yet faded. You are still entranced by the strength in his hands; the familiar sounds of his voice in your ear. It has been a year, now, since you have been together, though it seems like only a day. Saiph frowns. "Her heart clamors for war with these newcomers," your lover says, "and was upset to find I do not share her views. We shall see if your enemy has better luck at the telling." He looks up to the stars, and adds, "It is a good night for it." >telling "It is almost time," your love says seriously. "I wonder, what story will we hear tonight? The people are buzzing about the newcomers; perhaps the teller's story will be about them." >newcomers "Have you heard the news?" he asks. "Young Ada found traces of a camp less than an hour's walk from here, and more than half a day from their fires in the valley. Sihan and her friends are already sharpening their spears and preparing for war," he says darkly. >fires "The moon has waxed and grown small again since they arrived," Saiph murmurs, holding you tightly. "Why don't they come to us? Why do they hide when we send our emissaries? They must know the unrest they're causing in us." >praise saiph "I care for you more than you know," you say, kissing Saiph on the cheek. >look around It has been night for many hours, but the air is still warm, and the stars are a million brilliant fires above you. Nearby are the vague outlines of your neighbors' tents, but on this moonless night only the distant glow of the fire pit seems truly alive. Your beloved gazes up at the stars. >walk away But you aren't in anything at the moment. Saiph glances towards the fire pit, ducks inside the tent and emerges a moment later with his copper dagger, sliding it into its familiar place at his waist. "Let us join the gathering and hear the story," your love says lightly, and turns to the fire at the center of the village. >fire You walk to the firepit with Saiph, and friends and neighbors greet you with a nod or quiet word. Always the fire pit is the center of the village, and always the people gather there. Faint smells of tonight's great feast still linger, but the fire now smolders low, only a shadow of its roaring fierceness at sunset. Isi and Nabu stand near the fire, along with a growing crowd. Saiph stands near your side. >talk to isi "My brightest light," says Isi as she always does, a smile lighting her face as she pulls you down to kiss your cheek. >hug isi You put out a hand and squeeze Isi's shoulder with affection. She puts her hand on yours and pats it gently. >talk to nabu Your uncle Nabu regards you seriously. "Is your Saiph ready to fight for this village, should it be necessary?" he asks. "Perhaps it will not come to fighting," you say. "Who can tell?" he says, "But those who bear arms must be prepared, nonetheless." Saiph places a hand on your shoulder. "Go on, my love," he says softly. "Give the circlet of office to the storyteller. It is time." >storyteller "The storyteller awaits," Saiph says. "The telling cannot begin until the teller's circlet has been gifted." >give circlet to storyteller Your people have always believed in the power of names. For such an important ceremony as this, you must use the teller's name. >teller The teller is older than time and thick as space; wise as the moon, and sharp as the stars. The storyteller is older than the oldest king and will live yet when the last spark of the sun dies out. >give circlet to isi You approach your aunt Isi and hand the circlet to the white-haired old woman. She takes it delicately, eyeing the craftsmanship, and then looks up at you and smiles warmly. Carefully, she lifts it up to her old head--and now before you is no longer your father's sister, but the storyteller... a role she has taken every new moon for many years. >story This is a story about a healer in the village who was in love with a strong warrior man, Saiph. On the night of the telling, when the healer's aunt Isi became the teller, something happened which long changed the people of the village, the warrior, the healer and even their enemies. >sit down It is late, and the feet of many are tired from the day's work. But the people stand for the telling, as they always have. Sihan approaches the far side of the fire and greets some friends warmly. >watch sihan Sihan, Sihan: strong, fierce, proud, graceful. She is the eldest daughter of Tanhar, the people's richest merchant, and they say the fire of the gods burns within her. She says this too, and for this and other reasons you have not seen eye to eye for many years. >wait for storyteller I only understood you as far as wanting to wait. >wait A bat circles above the fire for a moment, then swoops away. Saiph kisses your cheek. "May the story bring you what you seek," he whispers, then slips into the crowd. Your beloved has always liked to hear the stories by himself. >listen Somewhere in the darkness, a night bird calls. The murmurings of the people die away as the storyteller rises to her feet and raises two bony hands. >watch What do you want to watch? >storyteller The teller is older than time and thick as space; wise as the moon, and sharp as the stars. The storyteller is older than the oldest king and will live yet when the last spark of the sun dies out. In the vessel of your father's sister, the teller seems like any other one of the people; but there is something in the eyes that tells you otherwise. >listen It is strangely quiet around the fire. The storyteller shouts, "In this time of darkness the people gather for the telling. Will the people hear?" >yes You call out your response along with many others. The crowd cries out with one voice, "The people are ready." The teller bows humbly, accepting the people's blessing, then straightens with the hint of a smile. "Tonight," she says, "we shall hear an old, old story, from days long ago when great cities and mighty kings ruled this land. May you find in the story that which you seek." >shout I didn't understand that sentence. >speak I didn't understand that sentence. >mock isi How the story is interpreted may be questioned; but never the teller, never the story itself. The storyteller lifts her hands in invocation. "Our story begins," she says quietly, "in the far-off city of Uruk. Uruk of the broad streets, Uruk of the mighty walls. Can you see them, gleaming in the desert heat?" The teller gestures into the night, and in your mind the walls come alive, shimmering in the desert air. "Come," she continues, "cross the ancient threshold, walk the streets and orchards and markets. Walk the streets and climb the great stone steps to the temple. Climb the steps and find the box of burnished copper. Find the box and undo the lock and draw out the great tablet of deep blue stone. Draw out the tablet and read of Uruk's king, Uruk's pride, Uruk's greatest hero. Hear of the trials of Gilgamesh." >temple "The great temple of Inanna: what did it look like?" you say. "Mighty and tall and grand and proud," the teller replies, "so fine that Inanna herself dwelt there instead of in her heavenly palace. Inanna, goddess of warfare, goddess of lust, dwelt often in Uruk herself." >uruk "Tell more of the city of Uruk," you ask. "Uruk, mighty Uruk of the wide streets," the teller says with shining eyes, "its heart the temple of Inanna, towering over all; its skin mighty walls of oven-fired brick, their like unmatched in all the world. Uruk, planned by the seven sages and filled with orchards and gardens. Never was a city more mighty and proud than Uruk, and never had any city so great a king." >king You wonder why the teller has chosen a story of Gilgamesh, whose name is legend. Is it to inspire the people in a time of fear? >why Before you can speak, Sihan steps forward. The teller continues. "Mighty was Gilgamesh, a lord among lords. Mighty is he who both leads the way and guards the rear. Mighty is he who both crashes like a wave and shelters the weak. Gilgamesh was tall, strong, bearded, a roaring bull among his people. Aruru, mother of the Earth, gave him his form, and Adad the Storm gave him courage, and Shamash the Sun gave him beauty--but," the teller's piercing eyes fixate on the crowd, "he was still a man, nonetheless." >watch sihan Sihan, Sihan: strong, fierce, proud, graceful. She is the eldest daughter of Tanhar, the people's richest merchant, and they say the fire of the gods burns within her. She says this too, and for this and other reasons you have not seen eye to eye for many years. >mighty Gilgamesh had something of the gods in him, it seems, but also something of men. Which, you wonder, shaped him more? >adad "Adad, god of storms, blessed mighty Gilgamesh?" you ask. "He breathed lightning into the body of Gilgamesh," the teller says powerfully, "Adad of the tempest and the rain. He gave Gilgamesh the spark of courage and the fire of charisma." >praise storyteller "The story is well told tonight," you say. "It comes alive in my mind with strength and clarity." There are many murmurs of agreement. "How awesome to have such divinity in one's creation," Sihan says. "The people of Uruk were blessed indeed to have such a king to lead them." "And they knew it," says the teller with a twinkle in her eye, "even if they sometimes wished for a leader who provoked awe less frequently." A voice somewhere behind you calls, "It is true!" and one or two nod their heads in agreement. Saiph scowls darkly across the flames. > [Nothing entered.] >hmm [Things to try: LOOK | LOOK AT | GO | TALK TO | GREET | ATTACK | TAKE | TOUCH | HEAL | LISTEN | PRAISE | MOCK | STORY | UNDO | or an EMPHASIZED word. For more detailed instructions, type INFO] >info ["Whom the Telling Changed" is interactive fiction, meaning both that you must read it and interact with it. Whenever you see the prompt: >...you may type something that will shape the story. This can be a single word, such as LOOK to remind yourself of where you are, or REPEAT, to remind yourself of what was recently said. Certain words will be highlighted, drawing your attention to important objects or topics of conversation. You may also type simple commands to perform actions. The story understands basic VERB NOUN combinations the best, such as TAKE ROCK, GO OUTSIDE, TALK TO ISI, or ATTACK ISI. Try the verbs TALK, PRAISE, MOCK, or SHOW TO to interact with characters. If you don't want to do anything, try LISTEN or WAIT. Finally, you may type STORY at any time to see how the choices you've made have shaped the ongoing story. HELP will repeat these instructions.] >story This is a story about a healer in the village who was in love with a strong warrior man, Saiph. On the night of the telling, when the healer's aunt Isi became the teller, their enemy Sihan tried her best to turn the people towards needless war with the outsiders. >look sihan Always the fire pit is the center of the village, and always the people gather there. Faint smells of tonight's great feast still linger, but the fire now smolders low, only a shadow of its roaring fierceness at sunset. The teller stands near the fire, and all the people's attention is focused on her. The telling continues. "With his friend and companion Enkidu," the storyteller says, "Gilgamesh ruled Uruk with a young and prideful heart. But he saw the dead and dying in the streets of Uruk, and his mind was troubled." >dead "Why were there so many dead in the streets of Uruk?" you wonder. "No special reason," says the teller, "other than that which must one day take us all. In the cities things are different than here, or so my father told me: the people there are so many that every day there is death; every day a birth; every day a wedding or a feast or a piece of intriguing news." A bat circles above the fire for a moment, then swoops away. >troubled You wonder, was Gilgamesh a fool to be so troubled by distant death? >fool "Death comes to the weak quicker than the strong," you call out. "It is the way of things, and cannot change. Gilgamesh spent his worries needlessly." Whispers of assent float across the fire; one or two nod visibly at these words. Saiph catches your eye with a puzzled look. >dead It is no longer the right time to make that part of the story. The storyteller continues. "One night," she says, "as Gilgamesh knelt in prayer, Shamash, god of the sun, came down to whisper in his ear. Shamash whispered to Gilgamesh of a far off place called the Cedar Forest, where dwelt the demon Humbaba. Shamash whispered that he who could defeat Humbaba would gain fame greater than any man. He who could chop down the tallest cedar and defeat Humbaba the guardian would gain everlasting fame. He would burn in the minds of men forever. He would never be forgotten. And the heart of Gilgamesh became restless." >cedar "What magic was there in the Cedar Forest that made it special?" you ask. "Uruk was a land like ours," the teller answers, "where the tree is scarce and the wood is poor. Cedarwood is strong, and beautiful, and pleasant to see and smell, and in those days was valued as gold. In the Cedar Forest far, far away, the cedar trees are so thick you could not see a man a hundred paces away; and so tall you could not see the sky." >restless Your mouth is already open to respond when Sihan's voice rises above the circle. "You said King Gilgamesh was restless when he heard Shamash's call," Sihan says loudly. "And of course he was! What king would not seize a chance for glory, to prove his strength and power? A leader is trebled in stature when admired by the people." Whispers dance around the circle as the people share their views; a fair number seem in agreement. >look Always the fire pit is the center of the village, and always the people gather there. Faint smells of tonight's great feast still linger, but the fire now smolders low, only a shadow of its roaring fierceness at sunset. The teller stands near the fire, and all the people's attention is focused on her. The story moves on. "The heart of Gilgamesh burned with the words of Shamash," says the teller. "Gilgamesh sought out his friend Enkidu and said to him: 'You came from the wild. My friend, you came from the wild and you know the secret paths of animals. Do you know the way to the Cedar Forest?' "Enkidu sighed and his heart grew heavy," says the teller, and then seems to become young and strong as the gruff guise of Enkidu comes over her. "'Yes, I know the way to the Cedar Forest, but it is long and lonely. And what awaits you at its end but the demon Humbaba? The lord of all gods, mighty Enlil, has set him there to guard the Cedar Forest. What man or god could defeat him, my brother?'" >enkidu "Let us hear more of Gilgamesh's friend Enkidu," you say. "Enkidu the wild man, made by the gods to tame unruly Gilgamesh," says the teller, a smile lighting her face. "He lived with the animals in the wild lands till he came to Uruk to challenge Gilgamesh. But their battle united them, and instead of enemies they became closer than friends. Inseparable were Gilgamesh and Enkidu; together they faced all foes and fought all battles." >guard "Guard?" you call out. "Did you say the demon Humbaba was set by the gods to guard the Cedar Forest?" "By Enlil," says the teller, nodding, "Humbaba long had guarded the Cedar Forest against mortal intruders, at the command of Enlil, lord of all gods." "So Shamash who set this idea before Lord Gilgamesh sought merely to use him as a pawn in some divine gambit?" you ask. A babble of astonished voices rises from the crowd. Your adversary's voice shouts above the others: "Bold is he who dares to question the will of a god, even one now worshipped by few. How can a mortal know what purpose drives the divine?" >purpose Before you can speak, Sihan steps forward. "Subtle is the art of the storyteller," Sihan says with a smile. "Do you see why Gilgamesh is the leader and Enkidu only a follower? He hesitates in the face of danger; when courage is called for, he backs away. It is Gilgamesh whose bravery will be remembered and loved." People murmur in agreement and nod. The storyteller's eyes sparkle in the firelight, inscrutable. >question "The gods must be questioned," you respond, "for otherwise what purpose do men serve but as their playthings and mindless lackeys?" "And could you understand their answers?" Sihan says powerfully. "The gods spin and weave our fate; without their powers we are nothing." The telling continues. "Gilgamesh looked at Enkidu with disapproving eyes," continues the teller, who then seems to grow tall and strong. "Is this the brave Enkidu I know?" she asks in the voice of the king. "Is this Enkidu who fought with the wild beasts and once challenged King Gilgamesh himself? Have you traded courage for cowardice? Our days are few, and chances for glory far between. Do you not wish to burn forever in the minds of men?" The teller becomes Enkidu again, and seems to consider the words of Gilgamesh. "'You have set your mind, I see. You will make this quest no matter what your friend Enkidu counsels. Since that is your road, I will go with you. I will guide you on the hidden paths; I will find for you the hidden water; I will help you on your quest for glory. Enkidu will go with you.'" >cowardice "There are few chances for glory," you say. "Why did Enkidu not relish such a chance to prove his valor, and that of his King?" "The story does not say," says the teller demurely, "and so neither shall I." Whispers move around the circle. Many look in your direction with smiles and nods. The crowd is listening with rapt attention to both you and Sihan. >glory "What better task for Gilgamesh to take on?" you wonder aloud. "If he succeeds, his people will love him and follow him all the more; and if he fails, his name will live on in death as one who showed no fear." "As it has," the teller says, "though which of those outcomes found Gilgamesh has not yet been told." >enkidu You consider Enkidu's response for a moment. Some might call him weak for giving in so easily to Gilgamesh... but others would call him a true friend for standing by even though he did not agree. >weak "So easily Enkidu gives in," you mutter quietly, turning a few nearby heads. "A true friend would have stood up for his opinion, would have discussed the matter with Gilgamesh until either the king changed his mind or Enkidu changed his. Blind obedience is no friendship." "Perhaps it is so," says the teller simply, "but that is for the people to judge. The story continues. "Gilgamesh rejoiced," the teller says, "and summoned the blacksmiths to forge mighty weapons for the companions. He summoned the blacksmiths and summoned the servants to prepare food and supplies. He summoned the servants and summoned the priestesses to make generous sacrifices, to ask the gods for good fortune." "When all was ready, Gilgamesh and Enkidu passed through the seven gates of Uruk and set off into the desert. The people watched them go," she says softly, "the people of Uruk in silence watched them go." >silence "Did the people of Uruk not cheer as their two greatest heroes left on this quest?" you ask. "I would not," says an old woman near you. "If my protectors left me for a long journey to distant lands, leaving the weak and defenseless to fend for themselves? No; I would watch in silence, too." Whispers move around the circle. Many look in your direction with smiles and nods. >sacrifices "What were the sacrifices Gilgamesh made to the gods?" you ask. "They were many," the teller responds, "and befitting of such a strong king; three fattened oxen and twelve fattened sheep; four golden bowls of honey and five silver bowls of butter. The incense was lit and the prayers were sung; the priestesses sang the prayers while the stars turned above." >look Always the fire pit is the center of the village, and always the people gather there. Faint smells of tonight's great feast still linger, but the fire now smolders low, only a shadow of its roaring fierceness at sunset. The teller stands near the fire, and all the people's attention is focused on her. "Hot were the sands of the desert," continues the teller, "hot were the sands and hard was the way. Many bones of less fortunate travellers marked their journey. But Enkidu knew the secret paths of the animals and the secret hiding places of water, and the land fell behind them swiftly." "The first mountain range they crossed in a day; the first desert and mountain range they crossed in a single day. On the next day they crossed the second desert and the second mountain range; on the next they crossed the third desert and the third mountain range. On the third night they lay down to sleep, utterly exhausted from their journey." >bones "Did the companions not stop to perform burial rites on the bones of those who had died in the desert?" you ask. "Why should they?" says Sihan. "Those who failed the journey were weak, and their fate was decided accordingly. We should not pity the weak." The wind picks up, bending the fire's smoke and rustling your hair. >attack sihan You step forward in a rage and raise your hands, but before you have gone more than a few steps, Saiph is at your side, holding you back. "No," he says softly, "do not lessen yourself this way." "That's right," says Sihan with a sneer, "control your dog before he bites more than he can swallow." "Enough of this," says the teller harshly. "Are you children? Do not interrupt the story again with your pointless bickering, or I shall become angry." She fixes each of you with a fierce stare. >mock sihan You laugh with unconcealed contempt. "Who believes these foolish words?" you ask. "It is clear the speaker has little of value to add to the story." Sihan ignores your baiting, set jaw and steel gaze focusing on the storyteller, but the crowd snickers at your enemy's expense. >praise isi "Well spoken," you call out with a smile to the teller, who gives you a slight nod. A muffled snore floats across the circle, and heads turn towards an old woman asleep on her feet. As the crowd giggles, she jerks awake, and looks around guiltily. "I was but picturing the story in my head," she sniffs in a defensive tone. "Do not fret, old mother," the teller says with a wink in her voice, "after the desert crossing the tale becomes much more exciting." The crowd laughs uproariously. Sihan scowls darkly at you from across the flames. For once, the people seem all in agreement. >look Always the fire pit is the center of the village, and always the people gather there. Faint smells of tonight's great feast still linger, but the fire now smolders low, only a shadow of its roaring fierceness at sunset. The teller stands near the fire, and all the people's attention is focused on her. The teller continues. "In the darkest hour of night Gilgamesh woke with a start and clutched his chest. 'Who walks there?' he gasped. 'Why does my flesh tingle? Has a god touched me?' Enkidu heard and awoke, saying, 'Have you dreamt, Gilgamesh? Tell me your dream and I will unravel its meaning.' 'I dreamt we walked in a gorge beneath a mighty mountain, you and I,' said Gilgamesh. 'We were like flies beneath its massive bulk. Then, with a rumble, the mountain collapsed on top of us. What is its meaning, my friend?'" >dream Dreams are sent by the gods. Was this dream sent by Shamash, to presage the fall of Humbaba? Or, perhaps, by Enlil, warning of the consequences of destroying his guardian? >god Before you can speak, Sihan steps forward. "Dreams of portent are frightening," says a young mother, pulling her wrap tighter around her. "I do not like the gods to enter my head in the night." "Wise you are to be cautious," says the teller with a nod. "The ways of the gods are strange and obscure to men, their dealings laced with complexities we cannot understand." >story This is a story about a healer in the village who was in love with a strong warrior man, Saiph. On the night of the telling, when the healer's aunt Isi became the teller, their enemy Sihan tried her best to turn the people towards needless war with the outsiders. The healer also spoke for the path of strength, to the surprise of many >look Always the fire pit is the center of the village, and always the people gather there. Faint smells of tonight's great feast still linger, but the fire now smolders low, only a shadow of its roaring fierceness at sunset. The teller stands near the fire, and all the people's attention is focused on her. >enid [Things to try: LOOK | LOOK AT | GO | TALK TO | GREET | ATTACK | TAKE | TOUCH | HEAL | LISTEN | PRAISE | MOCK | STORY | UNDO | or an EMPHASIZED word. For more detailed instructions, type INFO] >listen A flash of lightning on the horizon catches your eye, followed by a low, rumbling wave of thunder. As the teller speaks more of the journey across the desert, a strong hand presses on your shoulder. You turn to see Sihan's face only inches from yours. "You made your feelings towards me clear when you tried to raise your hand against me," she breathes quietly, face a mask of contempt, "but I ask you to put aside your animosity and think of the people, as I have done. For the course of action our village must take, tell me: are you with me or against me?" >against "I do not wish to say I am against you," you whisper back, "but unless you turn from this rush towards warfare, I must oppose you." Sihan's face darkens and her eyes become daggers. "You are a fool," she says. "I hope only that your foolishness does not mean the end of our people. I have no more to say." She turns and vanishes back into the crowd. >fool It is no longer the right time to make that part of the story. You turn your attention back to the teller. "On the seventh day," she is saying, "the companions crossed the seventh desert and the seventh mountain range, and came at last to the edge of the Cedar Forest." "The cedars were green, and the forest cool after the barren heat of the desert, and it smelled inside of wood and soil. But quiet it was under the boughs of the trees; quiet, with a lingering whisper of fear." >fear Fear, you wonder, of the unknown? Or the dreadful fear of a terrible evil? >dreadful "This fear is portentious," you say. "Fear is a warning; a harbinger of terrible things and dangerous times. It is the gods themselves warning us of doom." There are some who frown, but a fair number of the people smile and nod. The crowd is as excited as you have ever seen them, looking between you and Sihan with growing confidence. >evil The story has moved on; there are other things to say. "A whisper of fear?" calls out a wide-eyed old woman. "How does fear whisper?" "It prickled at the edge of their skin," says the teller, her voice dropping so low the circle strains to hear it, "like spider legs, subtle and menacing. It was as if fear was a creature in the forest, its sharp claws and hungry eyes fixed on their bellies." >legs [Things to try: LOOK | LOOK AT | GO | TALK TO | GREET | ATTACK | TAKE | TOUCH | HEAL | LISTEN | PRAISE | MOCK | STORY | UNDO | or an EMPHASIZED word. For more detailed instructions, type INFO] >claws [Things to try: LOOK | LOOK AT | GO | TALK TO | GREET | ATTACK | TAKE | TOUCH | HEAL | LISTEN | PRAISE | MOCK | STORY | UNDO | or an EMPHASIZED word. For more detailed instructions, type INFO] >touch sihan She is not close enough for that. The teller speaks slowly, lingering over each word. "Enkidu and Gilgamesh stepped into the cedars with care, but," she says, picking up speed, "the demon Humbaba, Humbaba, Humbaba heard the rustle of every leaf in the forest." The teller leaps up and spreads her arms wide, and the people shrink back in fear. "A wind blew through the trees," the teller says quickly, "and a freezing terror seized the companions. Nightmare faces leered behind gnarled branches: blood-smeared faces, faces of rabid lions, faces with hideous tusks, always changing, always horrible. But the demon did not appear before them." >go sihan That's not something you can enter. Sihan raises her voice above the crowd. "Truly Humbaba was hideous!" she shouts. "These changing faces that precede him are like those of all liars and thieves who mask their true self." "Only too true," nods a gaunt woman from the crowd. "Evil is often couched in deception and lies." >liars "Be careful in your words," you say to Sihan thoughtfully. "Humbaba is a demon; horrible; terrible; frightening. But we have heard nothing of lies from him; nor of thievery." Sihan laughs. "One does not need to wait for the lion to attack before fleeing," she says. "One does not need to wonder each time stormclouds gather whether there will be rain. Those who do are the simple and the foolish, to be pitied or ridiculed by those with sense." >not Curious, that. Did the demon not appear because he was a coward, trembling before the approach of the mighty heroes? Or did he perhaps hope to scare off the companions and avoid a fight? >scare "Perhaps he thought to save himself the trouble of fighting," you say with an amused tone, "by scaring off the intruders. Wise is the one who avoids unnecessary conflict." The story goes on. "With a cry, Enkidu fell to his knees," says the teller, mimicking the action. "'I cannot go on, friend Gilgamesh! You must leave me and go on alone. I must return to Uruk in shame, for I cannot withstand the terrors of Humbaba!'" "Gilgamesh pulled Enkidu to his feet. 'Courage, friend,' he said. 'Two may prevail where one would fall. Together, we are stronger than any single man. Touch my heart and you will not fear death.' And Enkidu placed his hand on Gilgamesh's chest, and he felt no fear. Together they journeyed deeper into the forest." >together Sihan is speaking before you can react. Sihan lets out a contemptuous snort. "So a few shadows in the dark is all it takes to subdue this Enkidu?" Sihan asks. "I would have expected more from one of Uruk's greatest heroes." "You would expect the entire village to walk off a cliff if it would make them seem more honorable," Saiph says hotly, but the mood of the crowd is clearly against him. "Be quiet and let the story continue," shouts a voice from the back of the circle. >heroes "Even the bravest of heroes feel fear at times," you say gently. "Even the surest of feet sometimes question their way." Sihan's eyes stare deeply at you. You return her stare and for a moment a flicker of some vanishing emotion touches her face. The crowd is listening with rapt attention to both you and Sihan. >forest "What did this mighty forest look like?" you say. "Tall were the trees," says the teller, "tall and broad were the trees of the cedar forest, their wide arms grasping each other high above. The Cedar Mountain sloped up, up, up, and the trees were a pale green blanket wrapping it tight. "Soon before them rose up a mighty cedar," continues the storyteller, so tall its top seemed to touch the sky. 'Surely, this must be the tallest cedar in the forest,' Gilgamesh cried, and unsheathed his axe. But his first blow had scarcely fallen when Humbaba screamed with rage. The leaves rustled and the ground shook, and in an instant Humbaba the terrible had come." "His face shimmered and whirled with a thousand forms," says the teller, eyes wide as if the demon stands before him, "a thousand nightmare faces whirled and shimmered down at them. Humbaba's breath scorched their faces; his screeches cut their ears." >first Before you can speak, Sihan steps forward. "On the very first blow of Gilgamesh the demon came?" Sihan asks. "That is so," nods the teller, "the sound of the splitting tree had not yet died when the ground began to shake with Humbaba's rage." "He is cunning," Sihan says, "this demon. He hides behind shadows and terror, waiting for his victims to grow complacent before striking." Whispers dance around the circle as the people share their views; a fair number seem in agreement. The crowd is listening with rapt attention to both you and Sihan. >striking "And Gilgamesh and Enkidu's response will be swift," you say. "They will cut down this wicked demon before he may spread his terror to the world." The crowd voices their approval loudly. >story This is a story about a healer in the village who was in love with a strong warrior man, Saiph. On the night of the telling, when the healer's aunt Isi became the teller, their enemy Sihan tried her best to turn the people towards needless war with the outsiders. The healer spoke against this reckless path, and rallied the people as the story unfolded. Words flew between these two firebrands, but their rancor was too bitter and curdled to heal. . >restart Are you sure you want to restart? y