"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?>Please answer yes or no.>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. >tent [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] >GO OUT 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. >LOOK at the symbol Which do you mean, the medicine bag or the copper dagger? >copper 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. >symbo [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] >symbol Which do you mean, the medicine bag or the copper dagger? >bad [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] >bag A small leather medicine pouch hangs from a long strap, bulging with curative herbs. > [Nothing entered.] >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. Lowered voices speak softly from somewhere outside your tent. >listen The lamp crackles softly as it burns. Somewhere distant is the sound of muffled voices. >show circlet to Isi She is not nearby. >open door [I'm not sure what you are referring to.] >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.] >look 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. >drink water Water for your hands, oil for your lamp, wine for your thirst. You need none of them now, but knowing they are there brings comfort. >leave tent [That action is unimportant to this story.] >sleep Though it is late, this is a special night. You should stay awake. >drink wine Water for your hands, oil for your lamp, wine for your thirst. You need none of them now, but knowing they are there brings comfort. >turn off light You cup the small lamp in your hands and blow. The flame sputters out, and you are swallowed up by darkness. >look It is dark and still inside, silver starlight brightening up the entrance flap but leaving you in near darkness. >open flap [That action is unimportant to this story.] >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. >get bag The leather strap feels cool and familiar in your hands as you take your medicine bag down from its place. >get dagger You carefully take your lover's weapon down from the wall and study it thoughtfully for a moment. >look It is dark and still inside, silver starlight brightening up the entrance flap but leaving you in near darkness. >look outside You see nothing unexpected in that direction. >look left [I'm not sure what you are referring to.] >look up You see nothing unexpected in that direction. >symbol Which do you mean, the medicine bag or the copper dagger? >go outsiede [I'm not sure what you are referring to.] >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. >kill shian [I'm not sure what you are referring to.] >kill 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. >talk to saiph "I care for you more than you know," you say, kissing Saiph on the cheek. 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." >look 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. >go to fire You linger for a moment in the starlight, tempted to enjoy more quiet words with your love. >kiss saiph You wrap your arms around your love and receive a quick kiss in return. "Calm yourself," Saiph says, a corner of his mouth rising, "there will be time for that after the telling." >fuck saiph [Try typing HELP or INFO for ideas, or contact the author at aaronareed.net with complaints or suggestions.] >make to to saiph I didn't understand that sentence. >make love to saiph You wrap your arms around your love and receive a quick kiss in return. "Calm yourself," Saiph says, a corner of his mouth rising, "there will be time for that after the telling." >go to fire Saiph glances towards the fire pit and takes his dagger from you, 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. 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. >quit Are you sure you want to quit? y