"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. >story This is a story about the night of the telling, and whom the telling changed. >symbol Which do you mean, the medicine bag or the copper dagger? >look at symbol Which do you mean, the medicine bag or the copper dagger? >look at copper daggers [I'm not sure what you are referring to.] >look at copper dagger This copper dagger is as long as your forearm, with a round pommel and hardened leather grip. >take dagger You carefully take your weapon down from the wall and study it thoughtfully for a moment. >look at 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. >take bag You lift your lover's medicine bag down from its place, handling it carefully. >where is lover? [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] >story This is a story about a warrior of the village, the night of the telling, and whom the telling changed. >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. Lowered voices speak softly from somewhere outside your tent. >take skins 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.] >go to tent [That action is unimportant to this story.] >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. >wait The lamp sputters quietly, sending flickering shadows across the tent wall. >goto thing [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 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. >look at love It has been a year, now, though it seems like only a day since you first felt the texture of those hands, the warmth of that fierce embrace. In a hundred years it will still feel as fresh. >look at enemy What it was that first made an enemy out of a dear friend you cannot recall, but it has been many years now since smiles passed between you. >talk to enemy Who do you mean, Sihan or Saiph? >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 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. >l 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. 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." >mock saiph You would not dream of harming him, not even in jest. >? [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] >praise saiphg [I'm not sure what you are referring to.] >praise saiph "I care for you more than you know," you say, kissing Saiph on the cheek. >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. >attack saiph You would not dream of harming him, not even in jest. Saiph glances towards the fire pit and takes his medicine bag from you, 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. Nabu and Isi stand near the fire, along with a growing crowd. Saiph stands near your side. >nabu Your father's brother Nabu has never been good with a spear, but there is a warrior somewhere inside him that the wise respect more than the strongest man in the village. He is short and stern; quiet, but clever and collected. He is old, now, but his spirit is as strong as ever. >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. >? [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.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] >story This is a story about a warrior of the village who was in love with a gentle man, the village healer, Saiph, and how the night of the telling would change them both. >about Whom The Telling Changed By Aaron A. Reed Type HELP or ABOUT for game info. First time players type INFO. Release 3 / Serial number 060122 / Inform v6.30 Library 6/11 S This interactive story is by Aaron A. Reed and was first released in March 2005. Release 2 was in November 2005. The work is written in Inform 6.3. It may be distributed or archived as long as no fee is charged and the game is not modified; contact the author for all other usages at aaronareed.net. Very special thanks to my beta testers James Cunningham, Michael Fransioli, and Henrik 'Drix' Jensen, to Jonathon Duerig for technical assistance, and to numerous other friends who gave me suggestions and ideas during development. >help [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] >about Whom The Telling Changed By Aaron A. Reed Type HELP or ABOUT for game info. First time players type INFO. Release 3 / Serial number 060122 / Inform v6.30 Library 6/11 S This interactive story is by Aaron A. Reed and was first released in March 2005. Release 2 was in November 2005. The work is written in Inform 6.3. It may be distributed or archived as long as no fee is charged and the game is not modified; contact the author for all other usages at aaronareed.net. Very special thanks to my beta testers James Cunningham, Michael Fransioli, and Henrik 'Drix' Jensen, to Jonathon Duerig for technical assistance, and to numerous other friends who gave me suggestions and ideas during development. >xyzzy [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] >greet You'll have to specify whom you wish to greet. 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." >greet storyteller That title is meaningless until the circlet is placed on the storyteller's head. > [Nothing entered.] > [Nothing entered.] >listen A bat circles above the fire for a moment, then swoops away. >listen A log falls in the fire, sending a shower of sparks up into the night. >restart Are you sure you want to restart? yes