Before there was a budding town, there was a market. Before the sun even rose, sticks and pegs rose and fell, linen canvas stretched in patches until the valley was covered as if in snow.
In your hands, you held five copper coins.
What did you want to buy?
You looked at the [[fruits|Fruits, ripe and sweet.]], at the [[weapons|Weapons, sharp and bright.]], at the [[armours|Armours, hopeless against her.]], at the [[jewleries|Gems, colourful and wistful.]], at the [[meat|Lamb, antelope, ibex.]], at the [[living animals|Birds, fish, crawfish, sheep and oxen.]], at the [[slaves|Pretty, strong, skillful and singing.]] and for the [[apple tree|His mother was a dragon.]]. It must be near.(set: $copper to 5)
"How much for the fruits?" you asked.
The merchant woman looked at you.
"Two coppers for the apples, one for the hops."
Hops weren't fruits. They were flowers, for beer brewing. You might want that.
You might have bought an [[apple|Apples, small and sweet.]], a [[small bundle of hops|Hops, for beer and ale.]], or you bought both. [[What would be beer in an empty stomach?|Lamb, antelope, ibex.]]
Daggers, swords, sabres, spears, maces. Bows and arrows. Wooden arrows, stone-tipped arrows, copper-tipped arrows.
Perhaps, one day, you shall have your weapons too. But not on this market day. You came for something else.
After all, you gave up on [[her|Her.]].
No armour could protect you, or anyone, against [[her|Her.]].
And besides, you didn't bring enough copper.
Gems. Favoured by women, birds and dragons. Your friend's sister, your friend's mother, both wore gems before their chest. Your friend, too, enjoyed gems. When he danced, they bounced off his body and back, and it charmed [[her|Her.]].
You would be lying if you weren't a bit charmed, too. Birds were pleasant things. So were dragons.
Dragons had a talent with sheep and cattle.
[[Lamb|Lamb.]], cut and sliced, wrapped in lambskin. The meaty bones could be made into delicious soup. Meat slices could be grilled on hot stones with a little salt.
[[Antelope|Antelope.]], meat firmer than lamb, skewed on pretty horns. You would buy the meat for the horns.
[[Ibex|Ibex.]], even firmer, good for quick cooking. Bigger horns.
(Wasn't your friend a lamb? Wouldn't it be insensitive?)
(But [[she|Her.]] wouldn't mind. She would laugh.)
"One copper for a cut of [[lamb|Lamb.]]. Two for [[antelope|Antelope.]]. Three for two pieces of [[ibex|Ibex.]]."
"And the bones?" you asked, pointing at the lamb.
"One copper for a bundle of [[lamb bones|Lamb.]]."
You would like an ox, or a bird, but you only had [[five coppers|A Market.]].
An inexpensive slave was often trouble, and an expensive one, often more trouble. You didn't really need slaves. You had followers and workers and oxen, you had a river and canals and vast fields. What a man could do on those fields, oxen could do better, with less complain.
But at night, in your brick house, you would want a [[bed warmer|Your friend?]].
But hear, this one was [[singing|Singer.]].
The apple tree. There was always an apple tree.
The shepherd was sleeping under the tree, a beer bowl in hand. You sniffed it. It wasn't beer, but something stronger.
You wanted to shake him [[awake|Awake.]]. Or, perhaps, you should let him [[sleep|Wind.]]. He mustn't had much sleep, last night, or the night before. He smelled of women and men and neither and both, and you weren't sure what kind of dance he performed last night.
She sat in the temple. This was your city, yet she was the one who reigned as its souvereign. But she was not the patron.
You remembered the [[apple tree|His mother was a dragon.]], and who should be waiting there.
You wanted to [[go to her|The Mountain House.]], but you feared her.
The [[cut|Lamb cut.]] was all soft material, thin white fat and thick pink meat, with a little skin or tendon. The [[bundles|Lamb bones, and meat.]], bones and meat.
Meat tasted better when attached to bones.
The horn was almost delicate. You should take some to the temple, meat and horn.
But you remembered the [[apple tree|His mother was a dragon.]], and who should be waiting there.
Your friend would like some [[fruits|Fruits, ripe and sweet.]], perhaps, or a [[companion|Birds, fish, crawfish, sheep and oxen.]], or a [[servant|Pretty, strong, skillful and singing.]].
You brought enough for [[fruits|Fruits, ripe and sweet.]], at least. Or [[hops|Hops, for beer and ale.]].(set: $copper -= 2)(set:$antelopemeat += 1)(set:$antelopehorn += 1)
The horn was heavy on your shoulder, the meat light as a feather. You should take some to the temple. Offer the entire horn, but share the meat.
But you remembered the [[apple tree|His mother was a dragon.]], and who should be waiting there.
Your friend would like some [[fruits|Fruits, ripe and sweet.]], perhaps, or a [[companion|Birds, fish, crawfish, sheep and oxen.]], or a [[servant|Pretty, strong, skillful and singing.]].
You brought enough for [[fruits|Fruits, ripe and sweet.]], at least. Or [[hops|Hops, for beer and ale.]].(set: $copper -= 3)(set: $ibexmeat += 1)(set: $ibexhorn += 1)
The lamb was fresh. You should take some to the temple. [[She|Her.]] would be pleased. She was not the one for bones.
But you remembered the [[apple tree|His mother was a dragon.]], and who should be waiting there.
Your friend would like some [[fruits|Fruits, ripe and sweet.]], perhaps, or a [[companion|Birds, fish, crawfish, sheep and oxen.]], or a [[servant|Pretty, strong, skillful and singing.]].
You brought enough for [[fruits|Fruits, ripe and sweet.]], at least. Or [[hops|Hops, for beer and ale.]].(set: $copper -= 1)(set: $lambmeat += 1)
The lamb was fresh. You should take some to the temple.
You remembered the [[apple tree|His mother was a dragon.]], and who should be waiting there.
Your friend would like some [[fruits|Fruits, ripe and sweet.]], perhaps, or a [[companion|Birds, fish, crawfish, sheep and oxen.]], or a [[servant|Pretty, strong, skillful and singing.]].
You brought enough for [[fruits|Fruits, ripe and sweet.]], at least. Or [[hops|Hops, for beer and ale.]].(set: $copper -= 1)(set: $lambbone += 1)
Was that him? Your friend, the shepherd, who asked you to give him the goddess' hand?
You lift his veil. It was him.
"Five coppers. Good dancer. Better with words. Excellent in bed."
This must be a trick. Or a mistake. He shouldn't be here.
But then, this might be safer. For him, at least. Maybe.
But then again, who would be sitting by the goddess' side tonight?
If not him, then he might live.
"[[Five coppers|Shepherd bird.]]," the trader repeated.
You shouldn't [[leave him here|You traitor.]].
The singer was performing a lament.
Dry season was coming. Rains would all but cease. The goddess' husband would be dead. The lament was for the shepheld bird, and for the living that must suffer without him.
And then, when winter came, the husband would be back, and so would the rain.
They said the rain was [[her|Her.]] tears of joy. You knew better.
You remembered that you were expected at the [[temple|The Mountain House.]].
Did you have the [[fruits|Fruits, ripe and sweet.]] and [[ meat|Lamb, antelope, ibex.]]?
Did it matter, in the end? Would an offering save you, or merely remind her that you existed, and that you had wronged her?
You didn't want to think about that.
He glared at you as he woke, eyelids heavy from exhaustion. You asked him about his dance.
"All three kinds, probably."
You didn't ask which three kinds.
Perhaps you should take him back to the temple.
Perhaps you shouldn't. You should take him to your house, where he would be safe. Safer. Nowhere was truly safe.
"Let's [[go to the temple,|The Mountain House.]]" you suggested.
You [[shouldn't|The steppe.]] have said that.
The breeze was pleasant here. You sat beside him, and watched the leaves rustle. The [[temple|Her.]] was visible from here, blue over clay grey.
Your friend married [[her|Her.]] for the seat in a temple, yet here he was, sleeping under an apple tree, more miserable than when he was a mere shepherd.
But he was never a mere shepherd.
The [[singing|Singer.]] began, and you might want to wake your friend.
But, it was not like any choice was safe.
You should let your friend sleep, a little more, while his lungs still moved and his heart still beat.
(if: $copper < 5)[Alas, you must leave him. You didn't have enough copper to buy him.
You still remembered the [[apple tree|You traitor.]]. You would go there, even though he would stay here.
And you would regret.](if: $copper is 5)[You bought him, brought him to the apple tree. He looked exhausted. He mustn't had much sleep, last night, or the night before. He smelled of women and men and neither and both, and you weren't sure what happened last night. The ropes already left their marks on his wrists, around his neck, on the ankles he was so proud of.
You should let him [[rest|Wind.]].
You should take him to the [[temple|The Mountain House.]].
You'd rather take him [[home|The emptying house.]].]
You knew that should you leave him there, nobody would be under the apple tree. That wasn't a mistake.
The apple tree stood alone on the hill. The [[temple|Her.]] was visible from here, blue over clay grey.
You would wait alone here. Not for an eternity, no, none of you might last that long, not at once. You would wait through the rainless days. The singers would lament in the temple, and you, here.
Then, it would rain.
And he would be [[back|Almost morning.]].(set: $phase to 3)(set: $ninazu to 1)
The apples were small, but fragrant and sweet. They would make fine cider, too.
You might want some [[hops|Hops, for beer and ale.]], too.
And [[meat|Lamb, antelope, ibex.]]. [[She|Her.]] liked [[meat|Lamb, antelope, ibex.]].
(if: $enbilulu is 1)["Enbilulu?"
You stopped in your track. You knew that voice.
"What you are doing, buying fruits when you are the god of prosperity?" The voice was annoyed, as if you were the one to blame.
That was your friend.
"Did you bring money?" you asked, waving an apple in his face for emphasis.
He shook his head. You shoved the apple in his hands. (set: $apple -= 1)](set: $copper -= 2)(set: $apple += 1)
Your friend prefered stronger stuff, but beer would do. Beer went well with meat.
You might want [[apples|Apples, small and sweet.]], too.
And [[meat|Lamb, antelope, ibex.]]. [[She|Her.]] liked [[meat|Lamb, antelope, ibex.]].
(if: $enkimdu is 1)["Enkimdu?"
That was your friend. Well, friend. In a way.
He tore the hops out of your hand.
"Stop drinking so much," he said, "you are making it look like it's my fault."
"I was going to share it," you explained, trying to get the hops back before they bruised, but he twisted and turned and the bundle was just out of your reach.
He ran towards the [[fields|Barley fields.]].](set: $copper -= 1)(set: $hops += 1)
You are almost there.
Do you remember the [[market|A Market.]]?
But first, do you want to talk to the [[Antelope|Antelope of Heaven.]]?
(if: $nanna is 1)[(set: $phasetotal += 1)](if: $nergal is 1)[(set: $phasetotal += 1)](if: $enbilulu is 1)[(set: $phasetotal += 1)](if: $ninazu is 1)[(set: $phasetotal += 1)](if: $ninmada is 1)[(set: $phasetotal += 1)] (if: $suen is 1)[(set: $phasetotal += 1)](if: $enkimdu is 1)[(set: $phasetotal += 1)] (if:$dilimbabbar is 1)[(set: $phasetotal += 1)]
You see a floor with (print: $phasetotal) marks.
"Hello, (if: $phase is 0)[white bowl.] (if: $phase is 1)[juniper.] (if: $phase is 2)[brother.] (if: $phase is 3)[barley.] (if: $phase is 4)[white bull.] (if: $phase is 5)[serpent.] (if: $phase is 6)[cruel sun.] (if: $phase is 7)[radiance.]"
The Antelope's horns are lapis lazuli. Legs, chalcedony.
You don't say anything. You look at him, your eyes empty as his are bright and burning.
"I thought you would stay with me," he says, a little more forceful than you thought he would. "But our brother wants you back. What's good about him, and the cycle?"
He walks close. Licks your shoulder.
"Stay with me," he pleads again, "Don't go back into the cycle."
But you remember your fields, your people.
(if: $phasetotal < 7)[You remember the [[market|A Market.]].](else:)[You remember the ''market''.
He grabs you before you could go back. His eyes, bright with terrible radiance, is burning a hole in your face.
"I told you, //do not go back//."
You stay. You don't have a choice.
"I ask you again: [[stay|Demo end.]] with me."
It wasn't a question.]
It used to be your mountain. One day, it became her mountain. One day, everything became hers.
No. Not everything.
Only the living.
But you wanted to live, and he wanted to live.
So he sat by her side, on the consort throne.
You kneed by their side, on the lion hide rug.
You watched the offerings. Oil. Meat. Feathers. Blood. Weapons. Words. Slaves. Children.
You felt sick.
But once a while, somebody would offer grains or linen fabric.
You smiled at the grains.
She smiled at the linen.
He, too, smiled at the linen.
The night crawled close. He didn't have much [[time|The knell sounded.]].(set: $enkimdu to 1)
He stood here, watching you. He should be leaving. He should head to the temple. You, too, should be heading to the temple.
"There should be another way out," he said.
You had no knives on you, but you could use your hands. It would still be the cycle, but there would be a change. No more demons, no more bandits, [[less screaming and more peace|Executioner, butcher.]].
You looked at the sky. It was still noon, but when the sun set, you know there would be no moon.
You could try [[run away|Drying plains.]]. Both of you.
(if: $ninazu is 1)[You remembered that when facing wolves, when one sheep was down, the chase would end. The sheep would be eaten and the flock would leave.
He wasn't a flock, but you hadn't much [[to live for|Decoy.]].] (if: $dilimbabbar is 1)[Or, you could always try to [[fight|The burial of the Moon.]]. You weren't that much of a coward.]
Barley. Resistent to salt, resistent to drought. Your brothers brought those from the mountains, and you hadn't heard of Ninmada since. Ninazu was replaced, and new Ninazu wasn't a farmer until you taught him.
In the fields, the shepherd boy stood, bundle of hops in hands like a child's toy.
"Enkimdu," the boy said, his face in the shadow of the sun, "one day, our meeting would be a tragedy. You won't be Enkimdu. I won't be Dumuzid, won't be Amaushumgalana. The shepherd cannot escape death forever."
You took the hops and, for the briefest moment, you thought you caught a bleeding head.
"If you dream of your death, but cannot avoid it, wouldn't it be just a torment? Like the whipping before an execution?" The shepherd boy's voice began to shake. "Aren't you, too, sick of this cycle?"
You weren't sure how to answer.
[[Yes.|The steppe.]]
[[No.|The Mountain House.]]
They didn't change anything, no.
It wasn't up to you two to decide.
The bell was tongueless.
After all, the man wasn't dead, not yet, not then.
When the bell sounded, the men made their move, dressed as bandits and demons, maces and knives in hand.
The goddess sat still in her throne. The screams drew close, pure at first, mixed with pain the next, as the bandits slashed the backs of farmers and women and livestock, and the livestock trampled the stalls under their hooves. Children ran for roofs and women ran for their children, men hid behind stalls in fear of being trampled.
The consort could not sit still. He wanted to run. His sister would have wanted him to run, to live, to hide and to fight, for as long as possible, at cost of her own life.
The sister was dead. He could run, but no soul would buy time for him.
You wanted to jump in. To [[shield him|The river, the swamp.]].
But you are a [[coward|Almost morning.]]. Still are.(set: $phase to 1)
You shielded him.
In vain.
What good, can water do, against blades and stones?
They caught him. They tore him out, from inside you. They smashed his skull. They poured the white out onto your head like placing a crown.
And then, as his lungs still heaved, they filled his lungs with you. His lungs stopped moving then.
You cradled his body until his sister came.
And when the [[sun|Almost morning.]] rose again, there was no cloud in the sky.(set: $phase to 2)(set: $enbilulu to 1)
He went limp in your arms.
His head was pretty, intact like that. He could have challenged you, defied you, worked for his own ending. A mortal woman had done that against your knive and she won back her throne, her empire.
But he, he was a [[coward|Almost morning.]].(set: $phase to 7)(set: $nanna to 1)
You began running with the sun at his zenith. Both of you. The rivers were drying from dwindling rains, the exposed beds were ploughed but left unsown, so the water would drain.
You made to the next hill before you heard the knell.
When the bell sounded, tongueless it was, the men made their move, dressed as bandits and demons, maces and knives in hand.
You made to the second hill when they caught him. Caught you both. They held him upright, his blood spilled onto your belly, his tears on your hands. You were forced to hold them until blood pushed the tears out, down your arms, onto your tunic, soaked through the linen and wetted your skin.
They let you go when the blood soaked both your feet all [[red|Almost morning.]].(set: $phase to 0)(set: $dilimbabbar to 1)
You took him home. He should be able to rest, here, away from his wife. Your house was no longer loved by the goddess.
He undressed, unashamed, so you could wsh him.
When you ran your hands over his body, you realized that he was attractive, [[erotic|Your wife called.]] even.
He should have used that as his argument, when he fought for the goddess' hand. He didn't. His beauty was the goddess's argument, was the sun's argument, not his. He wanted to be more than his body, his physical beauty, a look that was held up as a trophy and placed in a shelf in the morning. He had other things to offer, too.
And when he was washed and had rested, it was the time for the [[temple|The Mountain House.]].
But he would want to [[leave|The steppe.]].
Your touch became rough, and still he didn't move. You thought he might have grown used to it. Your touched his legs and you tried to part them, but he closed them tighter instead, and patted you on the shoulder.
"Hey," he said, "my eyes are up here, and so are my lips."
You looked up. He smiled, a sly smile much like the goddess in the city's temple.
"Up, up!" he said, patting your cheek and guided you up. His smile was playful, like birds in the morning.
When your neck was above his mouth and your hands on his chest, a sharp pain slashed across, then pierced your throat. You staggered. Stepped back. You touched your neck. Blood. Yours. You dislodged the object, a small piece of rusty metal, and the blood only flowed more.
You wouldn't survive this, not this time.
"Your wife told me to pick you up, while I'm at it." He brushed his hair with a hand clean of blood but powdered with rust. "I thought you should go first."
You felt a few more stabs of pain, and you fell, eyes wide [[open|Almost morning.]].(set: $phase to 6)(set: $nergal to 1)
In your memory, this had worked once. It might not be what was recorded, but someone survived, back then. You hoped someone survived.
You gave your linen to the boy, you took his sheep skin. You sent him south and you ran north. You made sure to tell him to turn west at some point, and you would turn east. With any luck he might reach Greece.
And you, you didn't hope for [[anything|Almost morning.]].(set: $phase to 5)(set: $ninmada to 1)
When the tongueless bell sounded, the men made their move, dressed as bandits and demons, maces and knives in hand. When they caught you, he was not there, but you were, and you were not alone.
Still, what was cattle before men?
They slaughtered your drove, caught you and tied you up, dragged you as they ran around screaming like hyenas, looking for their true prey.
When they found him, you were blind. You heard his scream [[echo|Almost morning.]] in the mountains and hills.
You felt water and you imagined his blood.
When you saw him again, none of you were alive.(set: $phase to 4)(set: $suen to 1)
(font: "Georgia;serif;font-size:280%")[''Skull of Ram, Skull of Ewe''](if: $nanna is 1 and $nergal is 1 and $enbilulu is 1 and $ninazu is 1 and $ninmada is 1 and $suen is 1 and $enkimdu is 1 and $dilimbabbar is 1)['', Alight by Moonlight''(set: $blazingkey to 1)]
(font: "Georgia;serif;font-size:90%")[(align: "==>")[//Your phase is //(if: $phase is 0)[empty.] (if: $phase is 1)[lining.] (if: $phase is 2)[waxing.] (if: $phase is 3)[multiplying.] (if: $phase is 4)[horns.] (if: $phase is 5)[ascending.] (if: $phase is 6)[burning.] (if: $phase is 7)[full.]// (link: "Mark down.")[(if:(save-game:"tablet A"))[Marked down.](else: )[Error.]] [[Check.|Look, what do you have, who are you, where do you stand?]] (link: "Repeat.")[(load-game: "tablet A")]//]]<hr>
phase (print:$phase)
copper (print:$copper)
apple (print:$apple)
hop (print:$hops)
lamb meat (print:$lambmeat)
lamb bones (print:$lambbone)
ibex meat (print:$ibexmeat)
ibex horns (print:$ibexhorn)
antelope meat (print: $antelopemeat)
antelope horn (print: $antelopehorn)
nanna (print: $nanna)
nergal (print: $nergal)
ninazu (print: $ninazu)
suen (print: $suen)
ninmada (print: $ninmada)
enbilulu (print: $enbilulu)
enkimdu (print: $enkimdu)
dilimbabbar (print: $dilimbabbar)
Skull of Ram, Skull of Ewe is a story that manifests as an obsessive memory of a city, or maybe the moon, or the sun, or the movement of water, for the death of a shepherd and his sister.
It is a fragmented and tainted memory, filled with hotspots into other parts of time, and you don't have to break free from it. You don't even have to be you.
Because freedom does not exist.
You are dust of the moon. The storm and the river carved your body into a tomb, and you lived. The moon needed to rise, so you died.
You had a friend, once.
You've seen him die on the day of a [[market|A Market.]].
(Remember to mark down your process now and then, if you may.)
"How bold of you, to leave for the living without me."
(if: $phase is 6)[(if: $nergal is 1)[
The Antelope bears your name, too. You are Nergal. And he, he is Ninurta-Nergal. You were given your name. He, the one with sharp horns of lapis lazuli, he earned it. He has many names, and he earned them all.
]]
And here he is, the Antelope of Heaven, standing before the gate to the path of the sun, like he is a servant on par with Dumuzid and Gishzida.
(if: $phase is 6)[(if: $nergal is 1)["I would have brought you," you say, and it comes out like a lie, for it is a lie, "if you don't already have to stay here."
He tuts, and pats you on the shoulder. He gestures you to [[descend|The Siblings of Moonlight, Children of the Male and Female Winds]] with him.]](if: $phase is 1)["But," he says, the scenery blurring around you, "isn't it the time to [[remember when you are|Today, tonight]]? We are not here, in the past. The sun is but a flaming ball of gas these days, not a god."](if: $phase is 2)["But," he says, "I'm not very interested in you, to be honest. You don't really have a city, so I can't really conquer you. Your rivers move way too much. Your brother on the other hand..."
You fear what he is about to say. You know which brother of yours he means. You know about his greed and lust.
But he, the kind, peace-loving Enkimdu, was already walking towards the Antelope.
"Go back to your miserable [[cycle|A Market.]] if you wish," says the Antelope, "Enkimdu and Zabala belong to me, rightefully."
(if: $blazingkey is 1)[But you, who inspected all flows, know it as a trap.
Instead, you head for the [[sister|She, Ram of the shepherd]].]](if: $phase is 7)["I'm also a sibling of yours, am I not?" He says and extends his hand like a claw, "I am also entitled to your lifeforce."
He tore off a piece of you, and [[you are not you anymore|The Siblings of Moonlight, Children of the Male and Female Winds]].](else:)["But you are forgiven."
He paces around you, hooves loud.
"Yearly, the sheep are thinned, the shepherd sacrificed, the wolves fed. Monthly, you die and change eyes with another."
He stops behind you, stood up, his arms on your shoulders like you are the thicket to his sheep.
"What do you say? How about we make a trade?"
Before you could say anything, he smears the blue of his horns onto yours. Some fell as dust onto your hair.(set: $bluehorned to 1)
"Let us go to your [[siblings|The Siblings of Moonlight, Children of the Male and Female Winds]], now."]
In the unlit palace rests a row of gods. Your silblings.
(if: $nanna is 1)[(if: $phase is 6)[Nannar](else:)[[[Nannar|Nannar]]], god of the full moon, bright on a slab of polished stone.
](if: $nergal is 1)[(if: $phase is 6)[Nergal](else:)[[[Nergal|Nergal]]], god of burning, harmful, murderous sun, plague and diseases, destructive wars and razing of cities, vain and prideful beyond measures.
](if: $ninazu is 1)[(if: $phase is 6)[Ninazu](else:)[[[Ninazu|Ninazu]]], sits still as a statue, calm as dead. He trembled as the ground trembled.
](if: $ninmada is 1)[(if: $phase is 6)[Ninmada](else:)[[[Ninmada|Ninmada]]], sits by the sculpture of a tree, supporting the head of a docile serpent.
](if: $suen is 1)[(if: $phase is 6)[Suen](else:)[[[Suen|Suen]]], the crescent moon, paces in a circle, visibly stressed. This counts as resting.
](if: $enbilulu is 1)[(if: $phase is 6)[Enbilulu](else:)[[[Enbilulu|Enbilulu]]], the pull on waters of the land, sits by a map.
](if: $enkimdu is 1)[(if: $phase is 6)[Enkimdu](else:)[[[Enkimdu|Enkimdu]]], the digging of canals and dykes, sits atop a gigangtic bull, its inside burning dimmely, its steam cooling in the cold air, leaving a wet patch on the ground.
](if: $dilimbabbar is 1)[(if: $phase is 6)[Dilimbabbar](else:)[[[Dilimbabbar|Dilimbabbar]]], white bowl filled to the brim with gentle darkness of the night, sits alone, hands empty and gaze empty.
][[Ninurta|Ninurta]], the hunter, stood close to you.
You look again. Again. And again. Something is odd.
You see yourself among them. But you are here.
"Do you begin to remember?" The Antelope laughs. (if: $phase is 6)["You are [[dead and replaced|The Bull, dismantled.]], dear."](if: $phase is 7)["You can't be alive if you are not full."
You realise that the Nannar is a statue.
You are Nannar, the full moon. In kindness, you let your siblings take your place, and live.
Only one may live.
One of them, ''not you''.
Not for more than one day and night.
//This concludes the demo version for this path. Please purchase the full version or try another path in the demo. When you obtain the full version, the same save file should be usable and allow you to continue. If you wish to continue from here, please mark down your process at the upper right corner. When you open the full version, click repeat to load.//]
(else:)[Perhaps you were ''someone else''?
//This concludes the demo version for this path. Please purchase the full version or try another path in the demo. When you obtain the full version, the same save file should be usable and allow you to continue. If you wish to continue from here, please mark down your process at the upper right corner. When you open the full version, click repeat to load.
Continue this path to learn about the identity of the one wearing the eyes of gods.//]
Ninurta. Also Ningirsu, for he was the lord of the city of Girsu. Also Ishum, Endursaga, Ninazu... was he Irra or Meslamtaea? Lugalirra, most likely. He was even Achilles. He was many things, many men, perhaps women or neither too, but he was always at the service of someone willing to kill.
He would sit by [[Nergal]] and urge him to fight, he would sit by kings of Lagash and urge them to subjugate.
Ninurta was the flame behind the strike of every weapon.
That was [[Inanna]], too. But Inanna needed no reason, only a desire.
Ninurta, on the other hand, always held a justification between his lips. For glory. For honour. For safety. For purity. For a father, for a mother, for a brother for a sister, for a child, for the past for the future for the present right now.
For this and that, this one must die.
And like that, a weapon is held and used.
Ninurta is behind the death of ''every king''.
//This concludes the demo version for this path. Please purchase the full version or try another path in the demo. When you obtain the full version, the same save file should be usable and allow you to continue. If you wish to continue from here, please mark down your process at the upper right corner. When you open the full version, click repeat to load.
Follow this path to learn a little about Ninurta and his ambition. You won't be able to stay on it for long.//
Nannar, the full moon. Said to be the very same being as [[Suen]] and [[Dilimbabbar]].
Because he was kind, he promised to share his life with his brothers, who were born dead, so all would be able to see the living world.
Because of this, he waned and waxed as he shared and took back.
He was worshipped by humans as a mystery, and worshipped by ''moths'' as the utter completion. Both wanted to land on him. One kidn succeeded.
//This concludes the demo version for this path. Please purchase the full version or try another path in the demo. When you obtain the full version, the same save file should be usable and allow you to continue. If you wish to continue from here, please mark down your process at the upper right corner. When you open the full version, click repeat to load.
Nannar, the image of perfection in eyes of moths and dreamers. And moths are dreamers. Humans lament of their greed, but moths, they have wanted so much that they turned their very flesh into mush in order to receive wings, and the mad ones would fly towards the moon or his images forever. To them, the moon might as well be their god.
Continue down this path to allow moths becoming your messengers. Give them your blessings. Give them a meaning. They have longed for it so.
You might be able to help someone out. You did a good thing for your brothers, but have unleashed horror into the world. Fix your mistakes. Learn about them and fix them.//
Ninazu, patron of the city Enegi. He was a great serpent that measured the fields, the deity who stole barley and flax from the ''Mountain'' and gave to mankind.
//This concludes the demo version for this path. Please purchase the full version or try another path in the demo. When you obtain the full version, the same save file should be usable and allow you to continue. If you wish to continue from here, please mark down your process at the upper right corner. When you open the full version, click repeat to load.
Continue this path and you will experience great confusion.//
Nergal, who might haven been Erra or Meslamtaea, was a god of war and diseases, of evil and scorched earth tactics. His city was Kuthah, two hills divided by a canal. He had taken many wives, but when he showed disrepect to the representative of Ereshkigal, and to Ereshkigal herself, he was bound to the netherworld as its king, and his wife became Ereshkigal.
May or may not be the bull of heaven that was [[slaughtered|The Bull, dismantled.]] by Enki and Gilgamesh.
Good riddance, probably.
If we can truly get rid of a god. Should we forget the representation, the burning sun of the noon would not change, nor the destruction of lands for the sake of enemies' ruins, and in one name or another, Nergal would be there. Same with [[Ninurta]] or [[Inanna]].
Mankind, and not limited to mankind, has always wished for war and destruction. And apes and monkeys. Even ''ants'' and bees wish it.
//This concludes the demo version for this path. Please purchase the full version or try another path in the demo. When you obtain the full version, the same save file should be usable and allow you to continue. If you wish to continue from here, please mark down your process at the upper right corner. When you open the full version, click repeat to load.
If Nannar was worshipped by moths, Nergal was feared and worshipped by ants. If you leave ant trails, you might be able to help your brothers.//
After Enki had intercourse with the rivers, he gave them to Enbilulu to herd. He directed the flow of waters, spread them as needed, into canals and dykes as sluice gates were released.
His name was used to crown Asalluhi, who became Marduk when Babylon achieved hegemony. Enbilulu was then known as Enbilulugugal.
The holder of scepter to [[Enkimdu]]'s wearer of diadem.
Was silenced at the ''destruction of Ur'', apparently.
//This concludes the demo version for this path. Please purchase the full version or try another path in the demo. When you obtain the full version, the same save file should be usable and allow you to continue. If you wish to continue from here, please mark down your process at the upper right corner. When you open the full version, click repeat to load.
Continue this path to learn about Ninurta. Yes, wasn't you after his eyes?//
Ninmada, snake charmer of An. Brother to Ninazu. The two brothers stole tamed barley and flax from the ''Mountain'' and gave it to mankind. He was submisive to Ningirsu, who was also called Ninurta.
Ninmada was't exactly a thinker.
But a god must be wise, in one way or ''another''.
//This concludes the demo version for this path. Please purchase the full version or try another path in the demo. When you obtain the full version, the same save file should be usable and allow you to continue. If you wish to continue from here, please mark down your process at the upper right corner. When you open the full version, click repeat to load.
This is actually a dead end, if you continue, but won't you like to see it anyway?//
Enkimdu, the one who dug canals and dykes by the rivers. With Enbilulu they allowed the growth of vegetation and the taming of water. He was the god of farmers, labourors and implements. He tamed oxen and put them in yokes. Had certain involvement with Ninurta and kingdom of Lagash.
In 2016 AD, he would create apps for ''smartphones'', probably.
[[Ninurta]] really likes them.
//This concludes the demo version for this path. Please purchase the full version or try another path in the demo. When you obtain the full version, the same save file should be usable and allow you to continue. If you wish to continue from here, please mark down your process at the upper right corner. When you open the full version, click repeat to load.
Continue down this path to go the the future and follow Enkimdu's story. No, you can't really get Ninurta's eyes if you continue here withouth help, for Enkimdu is already a belonging of Ninurta.
Whose help? A certain goddess, perhaps. She sits high in her lofty temples.//
Suen, the bull that walked in night sky and whose radiant horns illuminated. Was said to have sired a calf in a mortal cow.
The patron of Ur, he was said to be one and same with [[Nannar]] and [[Dilimbabbar]], the husband to Ningal and father to [[Inanna]] and [[Utu]].
Said to be a kind god, but rarely able to do anything.
Especially not against the destruction of his own city.
When it was restored, it was as a ''Necropolis''.
//This concludes the demo version for this path. Please purchase the full version or try another path in the demo. When you obtain the full version, the same save file should be usable and allow you to continue. If you wish to continue from here, please mark down your process at the upper right corner. When you open the full version, click repeat to load.
Continue down this path to learn about the alliance between Ur and Umma against Lagash and Ninurta. You will lose, but you will learn. Excellent to learn about the past of the Antelope, and possibly the fight to become the first born of the Winds.//
Dilimbabbar, the white bowl. New moon. Tend to be overlooked in more ways than one.
Where is he again.
You remember that you are ''not him'', at least.
//This concludes the demo version for this path. Please purchase the full version or try another path in the demo. When you obtain the full version, the same save file should be usable and allow you to continue. If you wish to continue from here, please mark down your process at the upper right corner. When you open the full version, click repeat to load.
Follow this path to learn about the moon who went invisible. A good choice if you want to learn about the many faces of the moon, taking turn to live and die.//
You remember that you are here.
Your city is long gone, barely an archeological mound, left to looters and dust.
"You are so tired," he says, his face a semblance of compassion. You are unwilling to believe him, after all this time.
He gives you water. Warm, in a porcelain mug. Not a white bowl. Not a drinking horn. A mug, beige with baby blue snowflakes and festive red elks, in a wool sweater that was certainly not made of wool.
This is 2016 AD.
Your city, and his, were long in ruins.
When you are done with the water, he lets you go to the washroom by the bedrooms, to wash your face and hands.
When you are done with that, he takes you to his bed, lets you lie down on it, and locks you there with all four limbs.
"I'll let you go in the morning. [[Sleep|Morning, with smell of coffee.]]."]
(if: $nergal is 1)[You struggle. You bite. He isn't letting you go. At last he seemed to let go, only to bite you in the shoulder, then in the neck, and soon you are bleeding but no less free.
//I'm doing this for your own good//, he says, //Stop!// he pleads. You don't doubt that he is also doing it for you, but in the end, he has always cared more about himself.
(if: $ninazu is 1)[You want to do this for him.] (if: $ninmada is 1)[You want to stay for him.] (if:$nanna is 1)[(if: $suen is 1)[You remember how he had hurt you in the past.]]]
In the morning, he had already let you go in your sleep. You find him in the kitchen, reading newspaper on a tablet PC, stirring a cup of latte.
He looks up and meets your eyes.
"Good morning," he says, as if he didn't lock you into sleeping in his bed last night, "take a glass and pour yourself a cup," he taps his coffee glass, "and the soy milk is in the fridge."
His soy milk expires tomorrow. There is more than half in the carton, and you only need so little.
"Don't only drink the soy milk," he warns, "Drink some coffee. It's nice."
You don't want to die because of half carton of soy milk that expires tomorrow, so you pour yourself some coffee. You add as much soy milk as he tolerates.
He watches you mix. Watches you drink.
"I need food with this," you say at last. There is still half of the coffee left in your glass.
"How's the coffee?" he asks instead.
The coffee is fine, but you'd enjoy it more if you weren't forced to drink it. You can't tell him that, of course.
"It's decent coffee," you tell him, "nutty, not fruity, slightly sweet in the bitterness."
His relief is a smiling sigh, and then he laughs, and he would look very becoming to your eyes if you didn't know who he is.
He gets up, and makes you a sandwich. He uses turkey ham, from real turkey. You are vegan.
You eat the sandwich anyway.
When you are done, he kisses on your left cheek, and right cheek, and left again, and he kisses your lips, light and innocent. He tells you to wait for him. He leaves. Locks the door.
And you are left in the house, behind the locked door. Ordered to wait for him.
You know better than to obey and wait.
You watch him leave from the window.
You reach into your ''pockets''.
(if: $copper > 1)[You have (print: $copper) ''copper coins''.]
//This concludes the demo version for this path. Please purchase the full version or try another path in the demo. When you obtain the full version, the same save file should be usable and allow you to continue. If you wish to continue from here, please mark down your process at the upper right corner. When you open the full version, click repeat to load.
If you have the help of moths and ants, this will be the way to an ending. If not, why not go back to the market?
Or continue, because you will get an ending regardless, happiness be damned.
If your eyes are blazing and the sheep skulls have landed, if moths are singing your name and ants are leading your way, this is your path to an happier end.//
When the sun rose again, there was no cloud in the sky.
The sister rose from below, her hair wild in the wind.
The body of the shepherd god was already cold in your arms.
She took the body, cradled and kissed it.
It wasn't long before the funeral procession arrived, took the body from her, and placed the body in its casket.
The procession marched towards the great land below.
"Geshtiana," you called, your lips trembling though your words were clear, "we need to do something."
"Do what?" She was trembling, too. The sunlight was beginning to burn, and she trembled. "What else, beside crying his death? I have bargained for half of the year for him, and [[she|Inanna]] decreed it! I can't possibly do more."
You watched her tear her skin open, as if her blood was her tears, too.
"I'm exhausted," she said when she finally stopped.
You could see the [[temple|The Mountain House of Zabala.]] casting its shadow on the water before you, its blue almost black.
[[The Mountain House of Zabala|The Mountain House of Zabala.]] was the seat of Inanna, the goddess who harvested heads like grains. Weapons grew from her back like trees bore fruits.
The goddess loved the farmer, the god of Zabala, the god who dug canals and dykes by your rivers, the god who knew the secrets of earth, the god of vegetation, the god of labour and implements. He once made plants grow like jewels in the fields of Sumer and Akkad alike, in the cradle of the two rivers.
The shepherd fought the farmer for her hand. The farmer gave the goddess to the shepherd.
The goddess harvested Zabala and married the shepherd.
In the conquered Zabala, the Conqueror King from Akkad built the Mountain House for Inanna, and for his daughter, Enheduanna. The princess-poet was devoted to Inanna.
As if beautiful words could hide the smell of blood long soaked into the very being of the city.
Yearly, the shepherd god was sacrificed. Inanna reigns eternal from this sacrifice.
When you brought Geshtiana to the temple, the goddess was smiling. You'd believe her friendly, even, with a face like that. Her face was sweet as a coating of syrup.
You dreaded to think what might lie below that coating.
"Welcome back," the goddess said with a voice as sweet as her face, "Geshtiana, it's good to have you back, even as I mourn my husband."
You could see beads exposed from under her funeral dress. Colourful beads.
She turned to you. "Enbilulu, is your brother, the farmer, doing well?"
"Which farmer?" You spat out before Geshtiana could warn you. Your disgust was too visible for your survival.
The goddess nodded, gestured the servants to take both of you away.
"Rest well tonight," she said with a reasonable voice, "In the morning, we shall lament for the shepherd [[together|Not with her, not the goddess...]]."
You were a bull of heaven like your siblings. Your horns were lapis lazuli. Your presence was doom to the mortalkind.
Yet they cut you apart and roasted you over ''fire''.
And your wife is ''smiling''.
//This concludes the demo version for this path. Please purchase the full version or try another path in the demo. When you obtain the full version, the same save file should be usable and allow you to continue. If you wish to continue from here, please mark down your process at the upper right corner. When you open the full version, click repeat to load.
Continue this path to learn about Nergal and his wife, especially his wife, and about the feud between two divine sisters.//
nanna (set: $nanna to 1)
nergal (set: $nergal to 0)
ninazu (set: $ninazu to 1)
suen (set: $suen to 1)
ninmada (set: $ninmada to 1)
enbilulu (set: $enbilulu to 1)
enkimdu (set: $enkimdu to 1)
dilimbabbar (set: $dilimbabbar to 1)
(set: $ibexhorn to 2)
(set: $antelopehorn to 5)
(set: $bluehorned to 1)
(set: $phase to 0)
Utu, known as Shamash, was the fair sun. Said to reward the just in the netherworld. He would move in underground tunnels guarded by the scorpion people. His wife was ''Aya'', the dawn.
In divination, his name was invoked. He was the patron god of Lugalbanda and Giglamesh, until [[Enkidu]] gave Gilgamesh other meanings, and Enkidu became the patron of dreams.
He was also a symbol of law.
//This concludes the demo version for this path. Please purchase the full version or try another path in the demo. When you obtain the full version, the same save file should be usable and allow you to continue. If you wish to continue from here, please mark down your process at the upper right corner. When you open the full version, click repeat to load.//
You'd seek him for ''visions''.
//This concludes the demo version for this path. Please purchase the full version or try another path in the demo. When you obtain the full version, the same save file should be usable and allow you to continue. If you wish to continue from here, please mark down your process at the upper right corner. When you open the full version, click repeat to load.//
You look at yourself. Do you remember who you are supposed to be?
You are (if: $phase is 0)[Dilimbabbar.] (if: $phase is 1)[Enkimdu.] (if: $phase is 2)[Enbilulu.] (if: $phase is 3)[Ninmada.] (if: $phase is 4)[Suen.] (if: $phase is 5)[Ninazu.] (if: $phase is 6)[Nergal.] (if: $phase is 7)[Nannar.]
You are holding (print:$copper) copper coin(if: $copper > 1)[s]. (print:$apple) apple(if: $apple >1)[s]. (print:$hops) bundle(if: $hops >1)[s] of hops. (print:$lambmeat) bundle(if: $lambmeat >1)[s] of lamb meat. (print:$lambbone) bundle(if: $lambmeat >1)[s] of lamb bones. (print:$ibexmeat) bundle(if: $ibexmeat >1)[s] of ibex meat. (print:$ibexhorn) curve(if: $ibexhorn >1)[s] of ibex horn(if: $ibexhorn >1)[s]. (print: $antelopemeat) bundle(if: $antelopemeat >1)[s] of antelope meat. (print: $antelopehorn) sharpness of antelope horn(if: $antelopehorn >1)[s].
Not that any of those will save your life, but you could do more shopping. Perhaps at [[a market|A Market.]]?
Do return, now.
(if: $blazingkey is 0)[(You have not opened all eyes.(if: $nanna is 1)[ The light of full moon crowns your irises.](if: $nergal is 1)[ Plague and bloodlust burn your sclera.](if: $ninazu is 1)[ The hissing serpent dances behind your pupils.](if: $ninmada is 1)[ The snake charmer's melancholy burdens you.](if: $suen is 1)[ The crescent beast veils you with mist.](if: $enbilulu is 1)[ You have the eyes of the one who herds waters.] (if: $enkimdu is 1)[ You have the eyes of the one who bears a poisoned crown.](if: $dilimbabbar is 1)[ The hiding bowl is your eyes.] Whose eyes are still not yours?)](if: $blazingkey is 1 and $ninurta is 0)[(You have opened most eyes. Time for the Antelope's.)](if: $blazingkey is 1 and $ninurta is 1)[(Your eyes are thunderstorms.)]
(if: $bluehorned is 1)[Your horns are smeared with blue, your hair hosting a nebula of blue stars.]
When you were alone with Geshtiana, you called up pure water, and you helped her wash. Her body was marked with scars, and her mind, you dare not think of its scars.
Geshtiana, the ram, the moonlight. Should you ever see through her eyes, you would fall into despair.
But she, the woman, the mortal goddess, she hadn't given up yet. Never for long.
"Do you have horns?" she asked.
You looked confused. To be fair, you were confused.
"Animal horns, not yours. Did you buy any from the market?"
(if: $antelopehorn is 1)[You gave her the antelope horn you bought. It was a mortal antelope's, but she didn't ask the Antelope's. You'd need a turtle to get that antelope's horns. ](if: $antelopehorn > 1)[You gave her the antelope horn you bought. It was a mortal antelope's, but she didn't ask the Antelope's. You'd need a turtle to get that antelope's horns. ] (if: $ibexhorn is 1)[You loaded the ibex horn on her shoulder.](if: $ibexhorn > 1)[You loaded the ibex horns on her shoulders. She looked satisfied.](if: $antelopehorn is 0 and $ibexhorn is 0)[You told her that you didn't. She sighed and grabbed yours. It took great effort to make her grab one from the wall decoration instead.]
(set: $antelopehorn to 0)
(set: $ibexhorn to 0)
//This concludes the demo version for this path. Please purchase the full version or try another path in the demo. When you obtain the full version, the same save file should be usable and allow you to continue. If you wish to continue from here, please mark down your process at the upper right corner. When you open the full version, click repeat to load.
This path will allow you to gain Antelope's eyes in a more forceful way.//
"Should you be playing the full version," the Antelope says, "here is where you will be making choices about who you are."
You look at him, bewilded.
"Look," he explains, hands on your shoulders, "we aren't real. At most, we are living memories. Spirits. Zeitgeists. Mascots. Personifications. Concepts. That's what we are. Lines of words and ideas."
The Antelope looks at you, not the moon aspect, not the cities praying for rain, not the soul holding a handful of fear and coins.
You, the one reading this.
"There will be more markets. Failing that, there will be merchants. Failing even that, moths. Are you seeing this, from a time when moths are still alive? I perfer ants, but moths are important. Have you spoken to one? They understand you. Know that.
"But that isn't the point. The point is, this is where the demo ends. The story continues in the full version. It's always like that, like how you remember and anticipate the future before it happens. Do you remember your future? I remember mine. Dead bodies everywhere, the way I am supposed to be.
"Do you still have school in your time? That is a market.
"A job? A market.
"Family? That, too.
"They all want something out of you, and you must pay them to get something you might need. A market.
"A market is a flow of power, like water.
"The sheep pay for their safety against wolves with their flesh. The shepherd pays for his luxury with his blood. The priestly gods receive their payments and in turn feed the people who destroyed the beauty of the cities."
The Antelope looks at his sibling fondly, the way a cat looks at fish.
"But we've all got only one life, don't we?
"You can do one thing, if you are lucky and wise. You can rescue the sheep siblings from their torment. You can let the moon siblings share a day in the living."
The Antelope smiles like a hyena.
"Or you can help me rule."
Your eyes and ears pushes the Antelope away.
"He lies," says your body and mind, "you will not get your choice. He will choose for you."
But the Antelope's grin became wide, wide, wide open until he is a serpent taller than city walls, and he eats your body whole. You watched as the body becomes bright and then dull and dim, a sphere of light gone as if behind a cloud.
The great serpent perches above a city of ruined temple, grey body smeared with speckles of blue, the moon a perfectly round bulge in his belly.
[End of demo version.]