"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. >take (the feather circlet) You already have that. >bag A small leather medicine pouch hangs from a long strap, bulging with curative herbs. >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. >symbol Which do you mean, the medicine bag or the copper dagger? >dagger This copper dagger is as long as your forearm, with a round pommel and hardened leather grip. >take symbol Which do you mean, the medicine bag or the copper dagger? >dagger You carefully take your weapon down from the wall and study it thoughtfully for a moment. Lowered voices speak softly from somewhere outside your tent. >talk (yourself) [It is best to interact with characters using one of the following formats: TALK TO PERSON VERB PERSON (where VERB is a word like HUG, ATTACK, TOUCH, etc.) SHOW/GIVE OBJECT TO PERSON KEYWORD (typing simply a highlighted keyword from the text.) And, when appropriate, TELL PERSON TO DO SOMETHING.] >listen The lamp crackles softly as it burns. Somewhere distant is the sound of muffled voices. >listen The lamp crackles softly as it burns. Somewhere distant is the sound of muffled voices. >take dagger You already have that. >symbol Which do you mean, the medicine bag or the copper dagger? >bag Your lover's medicine bag is like a tiny garden, filled with dried herbs wrapped in leaves and small clay vials. Many lives have been saved with the power in these small things, and, of course, with skill. >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. >talk to enemy Who do you mean, Sihan or Saiph? >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 has sense left in his head after a season with you," she says levelly. "But I see that, like you, he would lead our people down the path of needless killing. I have no more to say." She turns and vanishes into the darkness without a sound. >talk to saiph "I care for you more than you know," you say, kissing Saiph on the cheek. Saiph frowns. "She still hopes for peace with the 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." >night Saiph points up at the night sky. "See how bright the stars are," he says, "as if the gods themselves gather round our fire to hear the teller's story." >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 maintains they were merely investigating our camp. Many, perhaps, would call it spying instead," he says darkly. >[Nothing entered.] >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." >sihan "Sihan talks endlessly, but words cannot sharpen axes or protect children," your love says. "She is convinced still that these newcomers mean us no harm. What will it take for her to wake up to the truth?" >attack sihan She is not nearby. >attack lover You would not dream of harming him, not even in jest. Saiph glances towards the fire pit, ducks inside the tent and emerges a moment later with his medicine bag, slinging it into its familiar place around his neck. "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. > [Nothing entered.] >isi Isi's long black hair is white now, and her soft skin is loose and wrinkled, but her eyes have grown sharper with each passing year. Your father's sister sees more than most; the truth behind deceit and the sadness behind smiles. Her eyes sparkle as they meet yours, and she gives you a tiny nod. >show circlet to isi She admires the workmanship. "Beautiful," she says with a smile. >attack isi Though Isi gave you plenty of whackings when you were a child, looking back, you are sure you deserved them. 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." >attack storyteller That title is meaningless until the circlet is placed on the storyteller's head. > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] >greet You'll have to specify whom you wish to greet. > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] >\ [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] > [Nothing entered.] >restart Are you sure you want to restart? yes