Squish: The Cycle

[[Déjà vu]]

Is it because of the (if: $karma > 0)[ [[grass]] ](else:)[grass] you feel beneath you? You rest for a while and [[think]].

You //think// you can here footsteps. They're running footsteps. You open your eyes to check, and sure enough, there's a bearded man in thick pelts with a spear running towards you. The [[spear]] leaves his hand as he swings his arm forward in your direction. (if: (history:) contains "think")[] (else:)[(set: $karma to it + 1)]

The spear goes straight through your [[heart]].(set: $dead to 0)

{(if: $karma < 5)[[[*squish*|Start]] ] (if: $karma > 4)[[[*squish*|onwards]] ]} (if: $debug is 1)[$karma]

You've been here before. You know you have, but you can't [[explain]] why.

You remember feeling this grass when a certain [[spear]] went through your heart. (if: $karma < 2)[But how could that be, since you're clearly alive?](else:)[And if you don't want that to happen again, you'd better [[get a move on.]]] (if: (history:) contains "grass")[] (else:)[(set: $karma to it + 1)]

You stand up. You are on a grassy incline that slopes down to a wide valley, where hundreds of thickly bearded men are charging up the hill. Straight towards you. At the head of the approaching horde is a familiar man with a [[spear]], preparing to let it sail from his hands. You'd better [[do something]].

{(if: $karma < 3)[You move towards the approaching army with your hands up. As you watch the [[spear]] fly in your direction, you wonder if that was the right something to do.] (else:)[You briefly consider surrendering to the wild-looking men, then decide to turn and [[run]] instead.] (if: (history:) contains "do something")[] (else:)[(set: $karma to it + 1)]}

Behind you, at the top of the incline, you see the entrance to an outpost. The twenty-foot gates are currently open, but you see guards stationed at the top of the walls made of thick tree trunks beginning to pull the winches that will close them. You increase your speed, making it up the hill and inside the fort just before the gates bang shut behind you. Moments later you hear the thuds of spears striking the heavy wood. You are promptly seized by several soldiers. They hold you still, while another man approaches you. By his uniform, bedecked with many medallions, you suspect him to be [[the captain]]. He sizes you up, and addresses you.

"I dunno where y' came from, nor do I have an inklin' for what yer doin' here, but it's clear as daylight yer not one of those brutes what's bangin' on our front door." "How can you tell?" you ask, surprised. "Why, yer not even wearin' any weapons! No matter whose side yer on, y'ould be killed either way. That much tells me yer okay." You exhale a sigh of relief. "That doesn't mean I won't be keepin' an eye on yeh," he says gruffly. "Nor does it mean y' won't stay here without lendin' a hand. We need all the help we can get if we want to fend off these barbarians what's layin' siege to this here outpost." You offer to: [[serve atop the wall]] [[tend to the wounded]] [[do anything, but secretly plan to hide]]

You ascend to the top of the wooden wall, surveying the fields beyond. In the distance you can see a river, the other side of which lie sickly brown plains, dotted with villages. Directly below you, the hundreds of savages continue their onslaught on the outpost's gate. From the looks of it, their ferocity is taking its toll on the gate, which won't survive their barrage for much longer. You glance at the soldiers on either side of you. The one on your right, a broad-shouldered man with a neat goatee, notices your weaponless state, and hands you a [[bow and quiver]]. He eyes you carefully; he's probably already been warned by the captain to "keep y' from tryin' anything dangerous." (if: $hames is "known")["Is your name Hames?" you [[ask]] the soldier.]

You enter the building that's designated for injured soldiers. A medic hurriedly tells you to put on gloves and a mask, then assist one of the other medics. As you go from person to person, handing the medic the tools he requests, your arm is suddenly gripped by one of the dying men. He is not a soldier--he's dressed far too lightly for that. He holds out a letter with his other hand. "A message, from the north..." he feebly informs you. "See that Hames gets it..." The man's grip loosens. You take [[the letter]] reverently.

You don't really know the layout of the fort, so you make for the nearest building. It happens to be a warehouse, so you settle down between a number of crates, out of sight. Some time later, you hear the sound of a gate being torn down. You decide it's time to get out of here. As you emerge from your hiding place and into the street, a rampaging barbarian notices you, and greets you with his [[spear]].

You nock an arrow, and point the bow at: [[an advancing barbarian]] [[the soldier beside you]]

Your shot is true! You take down one of the brutes. His fellow companion looks up to see where the arrow came from. He spies you, and heaves his [[spear]] up towards where you stand on the battlements.

The man lets out a cry and falls off the wall. The other soldier quickly detains you and flings you over the side of the wall, where you land amongst the barbarians, one of whom is waiting for you with a [[spear]].

You look at the envelope that contains the letter. Written in a shaky scrawling hand on the front is the name "Hames." You wonder where this Hames could be. You'll have to [[search for him]]. It occurs to you to [[open the letter]] and read it, but realize that that would be a breach of privacy, and that the information is most likely for Hames' eyes, and no one else's. (set: $hames to "known")

You leave the medical building in search of this Hames. As you enter the street, you are in time to see the wooden gate come crashing down. The pillaging army spills into the fort, and a single [[spear]] comes out of the frenzy, bearing straight for you.

You rip open the end of the envelope and slide the letter out. The paper has been folded in thirds, and when you unfold it, you read the following message: "URGENT: Hames, something has developed in your sister's training. We've made a breakthrough. With a little more leverage, we might be able to use her to get what we have been looking for, but we're going to need your assistance. As promised, you will both be rewarded for your help in aiding us. But without your influence, your sister will not make any more progress. She's a...difficult person, as I'm sure you already know. At any rate, come to Drayn's Chasm immediately. We will be waiting. Yours expectantly, The monks of Outlook Abbey" A [[crash]] draws your attention away from the letter. (if: (history:) contains "open the letter")[] (else:)[(set: $karma to it + 1)]

You run outside in time to see barbarians pouring through the broken gates. One spots you, and flings his [[spear]] in your direction.

"Yes it is," replies the man. //Lucky break,// you think. {(if: $karma < 4)["There's a messenger with a letter for you in the medical building," you explain. Hames nods his head and hurries down the steps. As he reaches the ground level, the wooden gates break open, and brutes begin to swarm the fort. You have time to nock a single arrow before a [[spear]] flies towards you from below.] (else:)["You got a letter telling you to go to Drayn's Chasm. It says your sister has made progress, but she needs your help." The man's eyes widen in surprise. He grabs your arm and leads you along the [[parapets]] of the wooden wall.]}

"How do you know about all that?" he hisses. "That's private information!" "I didn't mean to pry, but believe me when I say there wasn't any other way I could get that information to you without knowing it myself." As you say this, you hear a crash from the direction of the gate. Hames glances over your shoulder to see the commotion. "There's not much time," he says. "This fort is going to be overrun, and I'm not planning on staying to see that happen. Don't tell anyone about what you heard. Thanks for the message." With that, he runs off along the wall. You wonder whether you should [[run after him]], but think that perhaps your duty is to [[stay with the other soldiers]].

You doubt that it's your business to involve yourself with this man's affairs, but you know one thing: this fort is done for, and you'll just have to relive it if you stay here and get killed. You don't know why this keeps happening to you, but until you do, you'd rather not keep repeating the experience. You chase after Hames, and when he reaches the other side of the outpost's perimeter, the side opposite of the maurauding savages, he attaches a length of [[rope]] to one of the parapets. He slides down the outer wall and drops the last ten feet to the ground. Without a backwards glance, he begins jogging away from the fort.

You return to your post, now seeing how badly the outpost has been infiltrated. You take out several barbarians with your arrows, but before too long you are overpowered by a particularly large and savage. He knocks you to the floor, then lifts his [[spear]] above you.

You follow suit. Once you've made it to the ground, you look up at the rope now dangling a few feet out of reach. It's a pity you can't take it with you. Oh well, someone else will use it, perhaps. (if: (history:) contains "rope")[Hames is growing smaller and smaller as he runs off into the distance. Better [[close that gap]]. On the other hand, you might have better luck out in the plains this time. If you try a different route, perhaps you'll [[make it to civilization|strike out for someplace new]].]{ }(else:)[Hames is growing smaller and smaller as he runs off into the distance. Better [[close that gap]]. On the other hand, now that you've escaped that hellhole, you might have a chance on your own. You could head your own way, and [[strike out for someplace new]].]

Hames starts when he realizes he's being followed. He reaches for his sword before he notices that it's you. He smiles. "Say what you will about deserting, but I'll take self-preservation over meaningless suicide any day. Glad to see you're with me, friend." You fall in line with Hames, and you both continue your journey to the north. "Besides, I've been waiting for years to hear back about my sister. I'm not about to give up this opportunity." Hames turns to you. "You're mighty silent, aren't you? Have you got a [[name]]?"(set: $karma to it + 1)

(set: $name to (prompt: "My name is")) "My name is $name." "Well met, friend!" The two of you run [[onwards]].

(if: $karma < 6)[You reach Outlook Abbey. Hames has told you a lot about this place on your journey, about how it's built into the side of a mountain, on the eastern side of the treacherous cleft that is Drayn's Chasm. When you arrive, however, you realize Hames' descriptions do not do justice to the architectural genius that crafted the outside of the abbey. You and Hames pause to admire the stonework on the mountain's exterior. Wide terraces lead up to the portal that leads inside the monastery, where large, Renaissance-style columns, at least fifty feet tall, flank it on either side. The cleft of stone above the abbey's entrance contains many bas-reliefs of magical creatures: gargoyles, primarily, but gryphons, rocs, and wyverns as well. A few more moments, then Hames sighs, and begins to [[climb the the broad steps]].]{ }(elseif: $karma is 6)[You reach Outlook Abbey, where you are asked to answer the monks' [[questions|begin]] before they will let you stay, or even live.]{ }(elseif: $karma is 7)[You reach Outlook Abbey. You know this is a dangerous place, but you can't stay away. Something about the monks' secrecy has piqued an unquenchable urge to discover what is happening with Hames' sister, and what other secrets the monks may be hiding. You will keep coming here with Hames until you can get to the bottom of everything. After meeting the monks, being questioned, and receiving a warning not to pry about the monastery, save for the ground floor and the garden, you are taken to a private cell, where you bathe, eat a small meal one of the brothers brings you, and [[go to sleep]].]{ }(elseif: $karma > 7)[You reach Outlook Abbey. You know this is a dangerous place, but you can't stay away. Something about the monks' secrecy has piqued an unquenchable urge to discover what is happening with Hames' sister, and what other secrets the monks may be hiding. You will keep coming here with Hames until you can get to the bottom of everything.(if: $hameshelp is 1)[ Speaking of Hames, you explained that you might need to talk with him in private once you reached the monastery, and that he should listen at night for six knocks.(set: $passcode to 1)] After meeting the monks, being questioned, and receiveing a warning not to pry about the monastery, save for the ground floor and the garden, you are taken to a private cell, where you bathe, eat a small meal one of the brothers brings you, and [[go to sleep|sneak]].]{ (if: $karma is 8)[(set: $firstmeal to 1)(set: $secondmeal to 1)(set: $thirdmeal to 1)] (if: $rendezvous is 2)[(set: $rendezvous to 1)] (if: $clearance is 1)[(set: $clearance to 0)] (if: $passcode is 2)[(set: $passcode to 1)] (set: $greet to 0) (set: $lesson to 0) (set: $teach to 0) (set: $days to 0) (set: $strike to 0) (set: $noteach to 0) (set: $correct to 0) (set: $soupq to 0) (set: $temper to 0) (set: $botched to 0) (set: $interacted to 0) (set: $matteusconvo to 0) (set: $meeting to 0) (set: $knocks to 0) (set: $bluesoil to 0) (set: $admittance to 0) (set: $note to 0) (set: $candle to 0) (set: $candlecaught to 0) (set: $water to 0) (set: $kleptonep to 0) (set: $tomato to 0) (set: $apitcher to 0) (set: $spiked to 0) (set: $fade to 11) (set: $hamesy to 0) (set: $keey to 0) (set: $dagger to 0) (set: $trapped to 0) (set: $case to 0) (set: $knock to 0) (set: $wary to 0) (set: $estir to 0) (set: $dstir to 0) (set: $hs to 0) (set: $hk to 0) (set: $ht to 0) (set: $newvisit to 0) (set: $errol to 0) (set: $brasskey to 0) (set: $thel to 0) (set: $hypno to 0) (set: $poisonplan to 0) (set: $thelp to 0) (set: $message to 0) (set: $newmessage to 0) (set: $newresponse to 0) (set: $keyc to 0) (set: $givesignal to 0) }

You can't help but observe, as you pass through the enormous door to the abbey's interior, the two guards posted there, standing at the ready with a sturdy spear each. You eye the spears' sharpened tips and swallow hard. You've made it this far, you'd hate to make a wrong move and find yourself on a grassy slope again. The many day journey was long enough the first time around. Hames sees your nervous expression, and lays a hand on your shoulder. "No need to worry, the monks will resort to violence only if need be. And I can vouch for you, friend." The [[monks]] in question appear seconds later.

Several figures in grey robes descend a spiral staircase at the far end of the room, their arms folded across their chests, hidden inside loose sleeves. They are silent save for the clacking of sandals on the hard floor, the echoes of which carry throughout the vaulted chamber. Hames approaches; you stay just a few steps behind him. When you and the monks meet in the center of the room, the [[first monk]] in the procession lowers his hood. The others line up on either side of this monk, keeping their hoods over their faces.

"Greetings, Hames," the monk says, in a sonorous voice, "We are glad to see you so soon on such short notice. We were not expecting you to arrive for some time, as we thought you might have to wait to be relieved of your post." "Ah, well, certain circumstances arose that fortuitously allowed me to take leave of my station for the time being." The monk raises an eyebrow at Hames' reply. "Fortuitous indeed." Then, [[the monk turns to face you]].

"And who is your acquaintance, Hames?" "An agreeable traveling companion, who answers to the name of $name. Brought me your message, too." You think you see a flicker of some emotion go through the head monk's eyes. The monk nods his head and says, "Very well. You are welcome here, $name. If you are weary from your journey you may--" [["Brother Errol, forgive my interruption."]]

The monk on Errol's left speaks up. "Forgive me, but are you certain this is a wise course of action? We have no bearing on this $name's character save what Hames tells us. Perhaps we should assess the stranger ourselves before continuing?" Brother Errol looks to the monks on either side of him, and seeing their nods of assent, says aloud, "So be it. We will follow your advice, Brother Deirn." Turning to you, he says, "A precaution. You understand." Hames looks to you apologetically. "I'm sure there won't be any problem. Just answer them honestly. So long as you're no threat to their way of life, I'm sure they'll let you stay." And in a quieter voice, he says, "Though there are some kooks in the lot, who think they should be more careful with their secrets, and execute unwanted visitors. But I'm sure you won't have to worry about that! Good luck." Not very reassured, you face the monks again. "Brother Matteus! You may [[begin]] the questioning," announces Errol.

A monk from the right end of the line steps forward, and asks, "What is your calling, $name?" [["Soldier"]] [["Monk"]] [["Wizard"]] [["Scholar"]] [["Thief"]] (if: (history:) contains "begin")[] (else:)[(set: $karma to it + 1)]

"Your calling is of blood, then. A dishonorable path, but perhaps a necessary one, in this world. Tell us, where are you stationed?" [["At the outpost to the south."]] [["In a distant kingdom to the west."]] [["In a distant kingdom to the east."]] [["In a distant kingdom to the north."]] [["To tell the truth, I'm more of a freelancer."]]

"Here to learn our way of life, then?" "With a bow on your back?" sneers Brother Deirn. "Let us see your credentials," says Brother Errol, silencing Deirn's remark. [["I have no credentials."]] [["I lost them on the journey."]]

"A wizard?" cries the monk. "We want no more sorcery here!" yells another. "You pose a potential threat to our abbey, stranger," growls Brother Errol. "State your branch of magic, if you value your life." [["Elemental magic"]] [["Clairvoyance"]] [["I meant that I was a wiz at chess"]]

"Ah, a purloiner of knowledge," the monk replies. "What information have you come here to seek?" [["Architecture"]] [["Horticulture"]] [["Magic"]] [["Religion"]]

"You know, that's an awfully stupid answer," says the monk. Brother Errol replies, "Indeed. I'd be tempted to think you were trying to use reverse psychology in order to prove you innocence by saying the most damning answer. Sadly, we don't have time for that nonsense these days. Guards, kill the thief." And one of them does, with his [[spear]].

"The outpost? Hames, is this true?" Hames darts a glance in your direction. "To tell the truth, I had not seen $name at the outpost before the day I left." You can tell he regrets having to say that. The monks whisper amongst themselves. "A lie!" says one. "Can we trust anything he says?" questions another. The one called Deirn steps forward and says, "They are right, Brother Errol. We cannot let this dubious person stay here, especially considering that $name claims to be a soldier!" Brother Errol hesitantly gestures with his hand towards the two guards. "Very well. Dispose of the intruder." The last sensation you have is of a [[spear]] impaling your back.

"Roandarr!?" the monk exclaims. "Those //barbarians//?" shouts another. "To death! Immediately!" cries Brother Deirn. Brother Errol gives the signal to the guards. They advance from behind you, ready to run you through with a [[spear]].

"Ah, the coastal kingdom of Lopatz, correct?" You nod your head. Brother Deirn pipes up, "Strange to see a Lopatz soldier so far from home." "Or without the customary trident that every Lopatz soldier carries," responds another. Brother Errol says, "Indeed, you lack every typical accoutrement of a warrior from Lopatz. Can you explain?" "Uhh...I'm incognito?" //Wrong answer//, you think as the monks begin to yell "Spy!" and the guards approach you, each with a pointy [[spear]] aimed right at your chest.

"To the north?" asks the monk, sounding surprised. There is some snickering amongst the others. Brother Deirn says to Brother Errol, "$name is making fools of us. Why else would $name claim a kingdom exists in the arctic wastes?" Based on Errol's reluctant wave of his hand, it would appear he agrees with Brother Deirn. At any rate, the guards surround you on both sides. The last thing you hear is Errol saying, "It's a pity we have to kill you, but we simply can't keep anyone around who we can't even trust to not make up such silly fibs." Then the guard on your right strikes with his [[spear]].

"Ah, a mercenary. Willing to trade kills for coins." Brother Deirn speaks. "Perhaps we might have a demonstration of your skill? A freelancer might be of use to us." You grow more nervous. You're not confident that you can shoot with the skill of a soldier-for-hire. But you're already in this far, so you have little choice. "Could you shoot the stone above that tapestry on the wall?" You can feel all the monks' eyes on you as you take out your bow, nock an arrow, draw, and aim for the target. [[You let the arrow fly.]]

You miss by a mile. "Hmph! Some freelancer!" cries a monk. "Some freelancer indeed," replies Brother Errol. Brother Deirn says, "Yes, I would say that you're all talk. You're here with some other motive, trying to deceive us into believing you dole out your services to the highest bidder! Well, I say we keep you from serving your 'highest bidder' any longer!" Brother Errol makes a hand signal to the guards, and you soon find yourself once more at the pointy end of a [[spear]].

"Then I regrettably cannot admit you into our order." Brother Deirn speaks up once more, "I suspect $name wanted to learn our secrets in order to exploit them! Didn't even bother to bring evidence proving any sort of dedication to a monastic life!" Errol considers this. "Indeed. And one wonders how $name learned of our existence, if not from another abbey. Very well," and he gestures to the guards, who surround you promptly. You regard the [[spear]] now in front of you for a second.

"A likely story!" bursts Brother Deirn. "It's true!" "Never had them in the first place, more likely." Brother Errol shakes his head. "As much as I want to disagree, I must concede Brother Deirn's point. We cannot risk an infiltration these days. And as I cannot ascentain your character, I must have you put to death. Guards." One of the guards moves towards you with his [[spear]], a look of relish in his eyes.

"You chose poorly in coming here, mage," says Brother Errol, and they are the last words you hear before feeling a [[spear]] penetrate your back.

"And do you have proof of this ability?" asks Errol. "Ask me a question I couldn't possibly know the answer to." "Hmmm...[[what did I eat for lunch an hour ago?]]"

One of the monks screams, runs past you, seizes a guard's spear, and then charges you, shouting "I...HATE...CHESS!" before plunging the [[spear]] into your torso.

(if: (history:) contains "what did I eat for lunch an hour ago?")["You had [[eggs and half a loaf of bread]]."]{ }(else:)["You're right, [[I don't know the answer]]."]

"Why, yes! That's exactly what I had." Hames looks at you in wonder. "Unfortunately, that makes you extremely dangerous. Guards, dispatch this psychic." And with that, you are struck once more with the guard's [[spear]].

"As I thought. You have been a waste of time, and furthermore, are too unpredictable. It is my reluctant decision to have you killed," says Brother Errol. "Before you kill me, could you tell me the answer?" "Very well. I had eggs, and half a loaf of bread." And that's when you feel the [[spear]] hit your back.

"Yes, Outlook Abbey would be a fine place to study that," says Brother Matteus, nodding his head. "But this abbey is old," Deirn remarks. "It contains secrets within its walls that even we of the Order do not fully know. We cannot let strangers discover these things for themselves." "A just assessment," answers Brother Errol. "To prevent any risk to our brotherhood, we must silence you on these matters." Errol waves a hand at his guards, who are all too eager to end your life with a convenient jab of a [[spear]].

"Brother Thelon will be delighted to hear that!" the monk expresses. "He's our gardener. Thanks to his brilliance, we need provisions from the nearest settlement only once a month." Brother Deirn grumbles. "How do we know this is true, that $name seeks to learn only about plants?" To this, Errol replies, "Knowledge of our prowess in cultivating gardens is not widespread. $name must be a devoted scholar of horticulture to have come here to learn." Before Deirn can get in another word, Brother Errol [[extends his hands]] to you and Hames.

"I'm afraid you know too much about this monastery to begin with," comments the monk. Brother Errol nods, and the guards behind you cut your life short with a [[spear]] between the shoulder blades.

"So do we wish of all people, that they would seek out knowledge of the divine." Shaking his head slowly, Brother Errol speaks, "But this is not the place for that knowledge to be sought. Our Order preoccupies itself with knowledge of a different sort. And in the interest of protecting that knowledge, we must put you to death." And with a sign to the guards, Errol has your life ended, as one of the guards impales you with a [[spear]].

"You are both welcome here, Hames and $name. Brother Matteus will show you to your guest cells. There you will be provided with water for a bath and some food, and then you may rest from your journey." Turning to face you, Brother Errol says, in a more serious tone, "And though we will show you our hospitality, we ask that you show gratitude by respecting the privacy of our monastery. You are not to wander the parts of the abbey that you are not explicitly given permission to go. Stay on the ground floor, the only exception being the garden at the top of the northeast stairwell. Disobeying us on this point will disappoint us greatly. And," here Errol leans in very close, "you do not want to see us disappointed thus." With that, Brother Errol [[dismisses you]] to your room. (set: $karma to it + 1)

Brother Matteus, your questioner, silently takes you to your chamber, which is the last door at the end of a corridor that branches off of the main room to the right. Once inside, you find yourself in a bare room, with only a table, cot, and chink in the wall where light from the dying day shines through. Soon, a monk brings you a basin of water. After that, a small meal is brought to you. Once you finish bathing in the chilly water and eating the simple food, you retire to your cot, and(if: $thirdmeal is 0)[ [[go to sleep]].](elseif: $thirdmeal is 1)[ [[go to sleep|sneak]].]

(if: $thel is 5)[(set: $thel to 6)](if: $water is 2)[(set: $water to 4)](if: $water is 3)[(set: $water to 5)](if: $thel is 6)[(if: $newmessage is 2)[(set: $newmessage to 0)](else:)[(set: $newmessage to 1)] ](if: $days is 2 and $givesignal is 2)[(set: $signal to 1)]You wake up the next morning, refreshed(if: $newarrival is 0)[ and burning with curiosity. Curiosity that will likely get you killed a number of times. But hey, since when has that stopped you?](else:)[.] [[Begin your day.|Your room]] (set: $countdown to 31)(set: $newarrival to 1)

{(set: $karma to it + 1) }[[Increase Karma|Karma]] = $karma [Select Name]<select| (click: ?select)[(set: $name to (prompt: "Name"))] [Turn On Display]<turnon| (click: ?turnon)[(set: $debug to 1)] [[Proceed|heart]]

[[Several days later...]]

You head east, away from where Hames is now disappearing to the north. As he vanishes over the lip of a hill, you wonder if you should have gone with him, to that mysterious abbey at Drayn's Chasm. You are more than a bit curious as to what objective they were trying to achieve with Hames' sister, and why all the secrecy. The feeling is fleeting, and soon you forget all thoughts of Hames and Outlook Abbey. The [[plains]] stretch out to the horizon, and as the sun sets, your shadow begins to stretch that way as well. It will be dark soon.

Very soon, the plains are all that you can see in any direction. The gentle rises and falls of the terrain have ceased in favour of a featureless and flat expanse of grass. You continue heading east. [[The sun sets.]]

As the stars come out, you (if: (history:) contains "The sun sets.")[](else:)[realize that you] recognize not a single one of them. If you had any notion of how to navigate via constellations before, that knowledge is useless to you now. Without the sun, you cannot guarantee that you are still going east. In fact, you feel as if you might have been veering to the right for a little while. You wonder if you should alter your course. [[Turn slightly to the left.]] [[Continue straight.]] [[Turn slightly to the right.]]

You make a slight adjustment and continue to travel through the night. Soon you grow tired, and have no choice but to [[rest]].

You feel confident that you're on the right track. You mustn't second-guess yourself. You keep trekking forward, but soon you grow fatigued, and have no choice but to [[rest]].

You make a slight adjustment and continue to travel through the night. Soon you grow tired, and have no choice but to [[rest]].

The night is rather warm, but the flat ground is too hard to be comfortable. You sleep some, but wake up at dawn still tired. When the sun appears over the lip of the horizon, you are appalled to see it rising behind you, in the direction you assumed was west! During the night you must have fully reversed direction! Despite this setback, you resolve not to be deterred, and [[begin another day's travel]] with new determination.

The day passes mercilessly. The sun is at full force, and with no shade in any direction, it beats on you with more severity than in an arid desert. You soon can no longer travel, and you collapse to [[rest until nightfall]].

At night, the temperature is much more manageable. You fret over not being able to navigate correctly, but conclude that there's no helping it; the sun makes it impossible to travel during the day, so you will have to make do at night. You press [[onwards|turned around]].

With growing despair, you realize as the sun rises the next morning that you have once again turned around during the night. You will have to decide now whether to [[continue traveling at night]] at the risk of going in circles, or to [[attempt traveling during the day]] even though the sun might prove too oppressive.

You know you cannot survive the blazing heat of the day, so you rest until nightfall once more, and set out again. It is only after another two days of journeying that you realize you have not had food or drink the entire trip. You wonder if this is a strange, timeless place that you have wandered into, where the effects of time on a stomach cease to apply. You grow more fearful of escaping this seemingly endless plain. At night, you [[continue|night death]].

You set out as the sun continues to rise in the sky. By midday, the heat has increased so much that you are unable to stop from fainting halfway through a step. You are [[unconscious]] before you hit the ground.

You've been worried about going crazy for a few days, and now you think you finally have; far off in the distance, you see another person. It could be a mirage, but it could also be the real thing. You do not trust yourself enough to make a call. The only course of action is to [[get closer]].

The figure grows larger. It is of a bulky man, wearing animal skins and carrying a [[spear]]. You can hardly believe it, but then you realize you can believe it; of course someone would make it all the way out here. You resign yourself to your fate. (if: (history:) contains "get closer")[Perhaps you shouldn't have tried to brave the plains after all.]

When you [[regain consciousness]], you recall having been in a feverous state for at least two days. You know because you can separate your fever dreams into two types: light and dark. In the light hallucinations, you were always in unbearable heat, and there was the smell of magic and some hideous laughter. The dark nightmares were in cramped, cold places, where you attempted to hide from your fears of a neverending cycle of pain.

It dawns on you that you are in shade; a large shadow is spread across your face. As you look up, you see in silhouette the figure of a large man, wearing furs and holding a [[spear]] with his hands above his head. (if: (history:) contains "regain consciousness")[Looks like this is what you get for trying to brave the plains again.]

(unless: $sneak is 2)[(if: (history:)'s last is "Your room")[You wait in your room for a while. (if: $countdown > 10 and $days is 0)[A monk knocks on the door, asking if he can take your plate to the kitchen. You say he can, and he enters the room and does so.] ]You are in your guest cell, which sports a simple cot, one table with a [[drawer]], a wooden chair, a chamberpot, and(if: $bluesoil is 1)[ [[a basin of cold water]]](elseif: $water is 1)[ [[a basin of cold water and blue soil]]](elseif: $water is 2)[ [[a basin, where a pitcher plant is growing at an amazing pace]],](elseif: $water is 3)[ a basin, with a large tomato plant,](elseif: $water is 4)[ [[a basin, where a pitcher plant is growing at an amazing pace]],](elseif: $water is 5)[ [[a basin, with a massive tomato plant]],](else:)[ a basin of cold water] in the corner. (if: $days is 0 and $countdown > 20)[Your empty plate from last night's meal lies on the table. ]In the wall is a single chink, through which (if: $sneak is 1)[moonlight shines.](elseif: $countdown > 20)[faint light shines, letting you know that it is morning.](elseif: $countdown > 10)[broad light shines, letting you know that it is midday.](elseif: $countdown > 0)[dying light shines, letting you know that it is afternoon.] A [[door|east corridor]] leads out to the corridor. (if: $debug is 1)[$countdown] {(if: $sneak is 0)[(if: $candle > 0)[(goto: "candleprobs")]{ }[Kill some time.]<wait| (set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown < 1)[(goto: "Nightime")]] (if: $sneak is 1)[(if: $knock is 3)[(set: $knock to 5)][Go back to sleep.]<retire| (set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown < 1)[(goto: "Daytime")]]} (click: ?wait)[(set: $countdown to it - 9)(goto: "Your room")] (click: ?retire)[(goto: "slip back into bed")] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[You are in your guest cell, which sports a simple cot, one table and chair, a chamberpot, and a basin with a enormous pitcher plant in the corner. In the wall is a single chink, through which the light of the setting sun shines. A [[door|east corridor]] leads out to the corridor.(if: $hamesy is 1)[ Hames is flabbergasted by the humongous plant dominating your room.]{ }(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")]]

This plain corridor connects to the [[entrance hall]] on one side, and a separate [[hallway|east hallway]] on the other. [[Your room]] is here, as is [[Hames' room]]. The other cells are unoccupied and barren.(set: $knocks to 0) (if: $sneak is 1)[(if: $case is 4)[(set: $case to 5)](if: $knock is 2)[(set: $knock to 3)](unless: $knock is 3)[You can hear the voices of guards coming from the direction of the entrance hall.](if: $knock is 3)[You hear noise coming from the kitchen.] ](elseif: $sneak is 0)[(if: $occurence is 5)[(if: $flavour is 1)[(display: "Flavour 1")](if: $flavour is 2)[(display: "Flavour 2")](if: $flavour is 3)[(display: "Flavour 3")](if: $flavour is 4)[(display: "Flavour 4")](if: $flavour is 5)[(display: "Flavour 5")]] (set: $occurence to (random: 1, 5)) (set: $flavour to (random: 1, 5)) (set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Nightime")]]{ }(if: $sneak is 1)[ (set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Daytime")]]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[(if: $hamesy is 1)[Hames follows behind you.]{ }(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")]]

{(if: $sneak is 1)[(unless: $case is 3)[(unless: $knock is 3)[(goto: "caughtg")] ](if: $case is 3 and $wary is 1)[(goto: "caughtg")](if: $knock is 3 and $wary is 1)[(goto: "caughtg")] ] (set: $balcony to 0) }The entrance hall is a cavernous room. Unlike the smaller hallways, this part of the monastery has some tapestries adorning the walls, depicting scenes from history that you do not recognize. Some high windows let natural light into the room, as well as the large door that leads(if: $sneak > 0)[ [[outside|steps]]](elseif: $admittance is 0 and $note is 2)[ [[outside|steps]]](elseif: $admittance is 1)[ [[outside|steps]]](else:)[ [[outside]]]. (if: $sneak is 0)[Two guards, armed with spears, watch over the entrance. ](elseif: $sneak is 1)[The two guards that usually protect the entrance are absent, most likely making the ruckus in the (if: $case is 3)[library](if: $knock is 3)[kitchen] as they search for the cause of the disturbance. ](elseif: $sneak is 2)[Two guards have collapsed, their tampered soup splattered on the floor next to them. ]On the far side of the hall, a spiral staircase rises up to a [[balcony]]. Beyond the staircase is a tall archway, leading into the [[sanctuary]]. Smaller arches branch off to the(if: $sneak is 1)[ [[northwest|nightlibrary]] ](else:)[ [[northwest|library]] ]and [[northeast|dining hall]]; you can't tell exactly what lies in those directions. Two corridors also branch off from this hall, one to the [[west|west corridor]], and the other to the [[east|east corridor]], where your guest room is. {(if: $sneak is 0)[ (if: $occurence is 5)[(if: $flavour is 1)[(display: "Flavour 1")](if: $flavour is 2)[(display: "Flavour 2")](if: $flavour is 3)[(display: "Flavour 3")](if: $flavour is 4)[(display: "Flavour 4")](if: $flavour is 5)[(display: "Flavour 5")]] (set: $occurence to (random: 1, 5)) (set: $flavour to (random: 1, 5)) (set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Nightime")]] (elseif: $sneak is 1)[(if: $case is 3)[(set: $case to 4)](if: $knock is 3)[(set: $knock to 4)] (set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Daytime")]] }(elseif: $sneak is 2)[(if: $hamesy is 1)[Hames gives the guards an uneasy look, as if expecting them to get up at any moment.]{ }(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")]]

This side hallway runs from the [[corridor|east corridor]] to a dank [[stairwell|east stairwell]]. In two places the bare wall of the hallway is interrupted by archways, one leading to the [[kitchen]], and the other to the [[dining hall]]. (if: $sneak is 0)[(if: $occurence is 5)[(if: $flavour is 1)[(display: "Flavour 1")](if: $flavour is 2)[(display: "Flavour 2")](if: $flavour is 3)[(display: "Flavour 3")](if: $flavour is 4)[(display: "Flavour 4")](if: $flavour is 5)[(display: "Flavour 5")]] (set: $occurence to (random: 1, 5)) (set: $flavour to (random: 1, 5)) (set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Nightime")]]{ }(if: $sneak is 1)[(if: $knock is 1)[You hear footsteps in the dining hall.(set: $knock to 2)](if: $knock is 3)[You hear footsteps walking back through the dining hall and towards the entrance hall.(set: $knock to 4)] (set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Daytime")]]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[(if: $hamesy is 1)[Hames follows behind you.]{ }(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")]]

(unless: $sneak is 1)[Hames' room is identical to yours save for the placement of the basin. The monks pride themselves on tidiness, it would seem. (if: $sneak is 0)[You do not feel completely comfortable in this room while Hames is away, so you decide to return to the [[corridor|east corridor]].](elseif: $sneak is 2)[The only way out is through the [[door|east corridor]] you came in.] (if: $sneak is 0)[(set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Nightime")]] ]{ }(elseif: $sneak is 1)[Hames' door is locked.(if: $knock is 3)[(set: $knock to 5)] [[Turn back to the corridor.|east corridor]] [[Knock.]] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[(if: $hamesy is 1)["What are we doing here?" Hames asks.](set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")]]

(if: $thel is 3)[(goto: "Hypnotize Thelon")]This cramped room has three exits, one leading to the [[west|east wing]], one to the [[south|east hallway]], and one going [[up|garden]] a rickety set of steps. (if: $sneak is 0)[(if: $occurence is 5)[(if: $flavour is 1)[(display: "Flavour 1")](if: $flavour is 2)[(display: "Flavour 2")](if: $flavour is 3)[(display: "Flavour 3")](if: $flavour is 4)[(display: "Flavour 4")](if: $flavour is 5)[(display: "Flavour 5")]] (set: $occurence to (random: 1, 5)) (set: $flavour to (random: 1, 5)) (set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown < 1)[(goto: "Nightime")]]{ }(if: $sneak is 1)[(if: $knock is 2)[(set: $knock to 3)] (set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Daytime")]]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[(if: $hamesy is 1)[Hames follows behind you.]{ }(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")]]

(unless: $sneak is 2)[(if: $sneak is 0)[(set: $bump to it + 1)(if: $bump is 5)[(goto: "Bump!")]This is undoubtedly the warmest room in whole abbey, thanks to the fire in the corner, over which a medium-sized(if: $apitcher is 1)[ [cauldron]<pot|](else:)[ cauldron] hangs.](elseif: $sneak is 1)[This room is much colder at night, since there are no flames burning in the fireplace underneath the empty cauldron.] Cupboards and cabinets line the walls, and in the center of the room are four tables pushed together(if: $knock is 5)[, where the bowls from the floor have been placed]. The lingering smell of cooked food pervades the entire space. (if: $sneak is 0)[Several monks are busy with chores, mostly getting ready for the day's meal, so you'd best not get in their way.(if: $herby is 1)[ Still, you can't help but ask what herbs they put in their delectable soup. "Sorry, stranger, but that's a closely guarded secret," they say.(set: $herby to 2)]] There are two exits to the room, one [[archway|east hallway]] and a larger portal that leads to the [[dining hall]].(click: ?pot)[(goto: "Spike")] (if: $sneak is 1 and $candle is 1)[{ }(if: $lit is 0)[There must be something here for starting fires. [Check cupboards]<cupboard| [Check cabinets]<cabinet|{ }(click: ?cupboard)[(replace: ?cupboard)[(if: $knock is 1)[(goto: "caughtg")]You see bowls inside the cupboards.]]{ }(click: ?cabinet)[(replace: ?cabinet)[(if: $knock is 1)[(goto: "caughtg")]In one of the cabinets you find a tinderbox. Using the flint and steel that you find in it, you light the candlestick. (set: $candle to 2)(set: $lit to 1)]]{ }](elseif: $lit is 1)[(if: $candle is 1)[[Light candlestick]<light|] ]{ }(click: ?light)[(replace: ?light)[(if: $knock is 1)[(goto: "caughtg")]Using the tinderbox in one of the cabinets, you light the candlestick.(set: $candle to 2)] ] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 1 and $idea is 1)[(unless: $knock > 0 and < 6)[{ }(if: $bowls is 0)[You could knock something over in here to make some noise. [Check cupboards]<cup| [Check cabinets]<cab|{ }(click: ?cup)[(replace: ?cup)[You see [bowls]<bowl| inside the cupboards.(set: $bowls to 1)]]{ }(click: ?cab)[(replace: ?cab)[In the cabinets you find nothing useful.]] ]{ }(elseif: $bowls is 1)[You could [knock over the bowls]<noise| to make some noise.]{ }(click: ?noise)[(goto: "Noisemaking")]{ }(click: ?bowl)[(goto: "Noisemaking")] ] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 0)[(set: $countdown to it - 1){ }(if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Nightime")]]{ }(if: $sneak is 1)[(if: $knock is 3)[(goto: "caughtg")](if: $knock is 4)[(set: $knock to 5)]{ }(set: $countdown to it - 1){ }(if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Daytime")]] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[This is undoubtedly the warmest room in whole abbey, thanks to the fire in the corner, over which a medium-sized cauldron of spiked soup hangs. Cupboards and cabinets line the walls, and in the center of the room are four tables pushed together. The lingering smell of cooked food pervades the entire space.(if: $candle is 1)[ You look for the tinderbox, but it's not in the spot it usually is. You contemplate continuing to [[search|Fadeaway]].] There are two exits to the room, one [[archway|east hallway]] and a larger portal that leads to the [[dining hall]].(if: $hamesy is 1)[ Hames peers through the door to the dining hall, checking for signs of movement from the frozen monks.]{ }(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")]]

(unless: $sneak is 2)[Like most everything in the monastery, this room is designed for practicality and simplicity. Six long tables with benches on each side are laid out in the room. Plain chandeliers have been set above each to provide lighting when the monks eat their meals. (unless: $countdown < 11 and $sneak is 0)[Currently there are no bowls on the tables; they're probably put away in the [[kitchen]] at the north end of the room.](if: $countdown < 11 and $sneak is 0)[Currently there are monks bringing bowls in from the(if: $idea is 0)[ [[kitchen|Bump!]] ](elseif: $idea is 1)[ [[kitchen]] ]at the north end of the room.] There are also exits on two of the other walls that lead southwest to the [[entrance hall]] and east to a [[hallway|east hallway]].{ }(if: $sneak is 0)[(set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Nightime")]]{ }(if: $sneak is 1)[(if: $knock is 1)[(goto: "caughtg")](if: $knock is 2)[(goto: "caughtg")](if: $knock is 4)[(set: $knock to 5)](if: $case is 4)[(set: $case to 5)] (set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Daytime")]] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[Like most everything in the monastery, this room is designed for practicality and simplicity. Six long tables with benches on each side are laid out in the room. Plain chandeliers have been set above each to provide lighting when the monks eat their meals. Currently there are bowls and wooden spoons set out at the tables, though some have spilled onto the ground, their contents along with them. There is a [[kitchen]] at the north end of the room. There are also exits on two of the other walls that lead southwest to the [[entrance hall]] and east to a [[hallway|east hallway]]. The most notable feature of the room is the cabal of monks splayed all over the flower, paralyzed by the spiked soup. Some seem to be wiggling their fingers, a sign that they may regain full bodily control in a few more minutes.(if: $hamesy is 1)[ Hames looks around the room, still surprised at what has transpired here.]{ }(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")]]

You are standing in the east wing of the abbey's sanctuary. This alcove, like most of the monastery, has unadorned walls that echo every little sound. Your own footsteps are amplified significantly in this reverant space. The [[centre|sanctuary]] of the sanctuary lies just beyond. In the other direction, you can see a musty [[stairwell|east stairwell]]. (if: $sneak is 0)[(if: $occurence is 5)[(if: $flavour is 1)[(display: "Flavour 1")](if: $flavour is 2)[(display: "Flavour 2")](if: $flavour is 3)[(display: "Flavour 3")](if: $flavour is 4)[(display: "Flavour 4")](if: $flavour is 5)[(display: "Flavour 5")]] (set: $occurence to (random: 1, 5)) (set: $flavour to (random: 1, 5)) (set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Nightime")]]{ }(if: $sneak is 1)[(if: $knock is 3)[(set: $knock to 5)] (set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Daytime")]]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[(if: $hamesy is 1)[Hames follows behind you.]{ }(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")]]

(unless: $sneak is 2)[(if: $sneak is 0)[(if: $thel is 2)[(set: $thel to 3)]A small room at the top of the stairs opens out onto a crater of sorts. The sun is a bit too bright after being inside the mountain for so long. When your eyes adjust, you see the monks' garden, where they grow all the vegetables that they subsist on between visits from traders. (if: $noteach is 1)[The fat little monk Brother Thelon is here, tending to the plants. He refuses to look in your direction. His intentional ignoring of you makes you uncomfortable, and you [[leave|east stairwell]] before too long. (set: $countdown to it - 1)]{ }(elseif: $lesson is 0)[The fat little monk Brother Thelon is here, tending to the plants. He waves, stands up slowly, then waddles up to you. "(if: $greet is 0)[Hello, $name! I'm excited to talk to someone as interested in greens as I am! ]Are you ready to begin our lesson?" [["Yes."]] [["Actually, I'm still getting my bearings."]]]{ }(elseif: $lesson > 0)["Ah, greetings $name!" cries the paunchy monk. (if: $teach is 1)["I don't have anything more to teach you today, but if you come back tomorrow I can share more of my botanical knowledge." You tell him that you are eager to learn more and he goes back to his work. You explore the garden for a while, familiarizing yourself with the placement of the plant, then return to the [[stairwell|east stairwell]]. (set: $countdown to it - 1)]{ }(elseif: $teach is 0)["Are you ready for more instruction in the ways of botany?" You consider whether to (if: $lesson is 1)[say [[yes|lesson two]]](if: $lesson is 2)[say [[yes|lesson three]]] or to tell him you will [[come back later]].]]]{ }(elseif: $sneak is 1)[(if: $knock is 3)[(set: $knock to 5)]The garden is peaceful in the dead of night. Only a chill wind disturbs the serene silence.(if: $water is 1)[(if: $poisoning is 1 and $kleptonep is 0)[ You search the garden until you find the pitcher plants. After selecting a strong-looking specimen, you scoop up the soil around it and lift the entire plant out of the ground.(set: $kleptonep to 1)](elseif: $tomato is 0)[ You search the garden until you decide on which plant you want to put in your basin of blue soil. Eventually you choose a nice tomato plant, which you scoop up with some of its surrounding dirt.(set: $tomato to 1)] ] After enjoying the quiet for a few minutes, you return to the [[monastery|east stairwell]]. (set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Daytime")]] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[A small room at the top of the stairs opens out onto a crater of sorts. The sun is a bit too bright after being inside the mountain for so long. When your eyes adjust, you see the monks' garden, where they grow all the vegetables that they subsist on between visits from traders. The only way out of hear is back down the [[steps|east stairwell]].(if: $hamesy is 1)[ Hames gazes at all the flora, astonished at the beauty that can exist amidst such wicked people.]{ }(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")]]

This room is even grander than the entrance hall. The work of just removing the stone from this space boggles your mind, let alone all the fine carvings that you can see along the tops of the walls. While most of the abbey has been plain, this room demonstrates a fine attention to detail, much like the bas-reliefs on the outside of the monastery with their wyverns and gryphons and such. A few openings in the ceiling also allow the (unless: $sneak is 1)[sun](else:)[moon] to shine down and illuminate the room in shafts of light. The sanctuary's size also means that every little noise you make reverberates throughout the entire chamber. It adds to the serious ambience of this place. Two rows of pews lead from the back of the room, with its exit to the [[entrance hall]], up to the [[front]], where you can see an ornate altar. There are also wings to the [[east|east wing]] and [[west|west wing]]. (if: $sneak is 1)[(if: $case is 4)[(set: $case to 5)](if: $knock is 4)[(set: $knock to 5)]You can hear the voices of guards coming from the direction of the entrance hall.](elseif: $sneak is 0)[{(if: $occurence is 5)[(if: $flavour is 1)[(display: "Flavour 1")](if: $flavour is 2)[(display: "Flavour 2")](if: $flavour is 3)[(display: "Flavour 3")](if: $flavour is 4)[(display: "Flavour 4")](if: $flavour is 5)[(display: "Flavour 5")]] (set: $occurence to (random: 1, 5)) (set: $flavour to (random: 1, 5)) (set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Nightime")]}]{ }(if: $sneak is 1)[ (set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Daytime")]]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[(if: $hamesy is 1)[Hames looks at the sanctuary with a mix of reverence and fear.]{ }(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")]]

A highly-decorated altar stands at the front of the [[sanctuary]]. Its workmanship excels any you've seen on an object of this size. The etchings on the side, the paint-work, and even the quality of the material is magnificent. The monks are either very dedicated to their worship, or they have a generous patron.(if: $hamesy is 1)[ Hames looks about anstily.] (if: $candle is 0)[Two candlesticks stand on either side](elseif: $candle > 0)[A single candlestick stands on one side] of the altar. (if: $candle is 0)[ [Take a candlestick]<candle| (click: ?candle)[(replace: ?candle)[You take one of the candlesticks with you. (set: $candle to 1)]] ]{ }(if: $candle > 0)[ [Replace the candlestick]<uncandle| (click: ?uncandle)[(replace: ?uncandle)[You (if: $candle is 1)[put your candlestick](if: $candle is 2)[blow out your candlestick and put it] back where it belongs on the altar. (set: $candle to 0)]] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 0)[(set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Nightime")]]{ }(if: $sneak is 1)[ (set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Daytime")]]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")]]

You are in an alcove on the west side of [[the sanctuary|sanctuary]]. Here the walls are much less decorated than the ones in the wider part of the sacred room. The sounds you make are amplified a bit by the acoustics in this space. The wing leads to a small [[stairwell|west stairwell]]. (if: $sneak is 1)[(set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Daytime")]{ }(if: $thel > 4)[(if: $countdown is 16 and $thel is 5)[You hear footsteps to the southwest moving north.](if: $countdown is 15 and $thel is 5)[You hear descending footsteps to the west.](if: $countdown is 13 and $thel is 6)[You hear footsteps to the southwest moving north.](if: $countdown is 12 and $thel is 6)[You hear descending footsteps to the west.](if: $countdown is 8)[You hear ascending footsteps to the west.](if: $countdown is 7)[You hear footsteps moving south.] ] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 0)[(if: $occurence is 5)[(if: $flavour is 1)[(display: "Flavour 1")](if: $flavour is 2)[(display: "Flavour 2")](if: $flavour is 3)[(display: "Flavour 3")](if: $flavour is 4)[(display: "Flavour 4")](if: $flavour is 5)[(display: "Flavour 5")]] (set: $occurence to (random: 1, 5)) (set: $flavour to (random: 1, 5)) (set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Nightime")]]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[(if: $hamesy is 1)[Hames follows behind you.]{ }(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")]]

In this confined room, a [[staircase|basement]] of stone steps retreats into the darkness. A sign hanging above the staircase reads, in a calligraphic but ominous font, "SPECIAL PERMISSION ONLY." The other ways out of the tight room are to the [[east|west wing]] and [[south|west hallway]]. (if: $sneak is 0 and $countdown < 11 and $errolp is 1 and $signal is 1 and $days is 2)[Brother Errol might be down there. [[Call for him.]] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 1)[(set: $countdown to it - 1){ }(if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Daytime")]{ }(if: $thel > 4)[(if: $countdown is 17)[You hear footsteps from the south, growing louder.](if: $countdown is 16 and $thel is 5)[You hear footsteps in the hallway coming this way from the south.](elseif: $countdown is 15 and $thel is 6)[You hear footsteps and a door opening to the south.](if: $countdown is 15 and $thel is 5)[(goto: "Caught")](if: $countdown is 15 and $thel is 6)[You hear a door shut to the south.](if: $countdown is 14 and $thel is 5)[You hear footsteps in the tunnel below you.](if: $countdown is 14 and $thel is 6)[You hear a door open to the south.](if: $countdown is 13 and $thel is 6)[You hear footsteps coming this way from the south.](if: $countdown is 12 and $thel is 6)[(goto: "Caught")](if: $countdown is 11 and $thel is 6)[You hear footsteps in the tunnel below you.](if: $countdown is 9)[You hear the echoes of footsteps in a tunnel below.](if: $countdown is 8)[You hear footsteps in the tunnel below you.](if: $countdown is 7)[(goto: "Caught")](if: $countdown is 6)[You hear footsteps in the hallway to the south.](if: $countdown is 5)[You hear a door shut to the south.](if: $countdown is 4)[You hear a door open to the south.](if: $countdown is 4)[You hear footsteps from the south, growing fainter.] ] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 0)[(if: $occurence is 5)[(if: $flavour is 1)[(display: "Flavour 1")](if: $flavour is 2)[(display: "Flavour 2")](if: $flavour is 3)[(display: "Flavour 3")](if: $flavour is 4)[(display: "Flavour 4")](if: $flavour is 5)[(display: "Flavour 5")]] (set: $occurence to (random: 1, 5)) (set: $flavour to (random: 1, 5)) (set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Nightime")]]{ }(if: $sneak is 1)[(if: $case > 0)[(set: $case to 5)] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[(if: $hamesy is 1)[Hames follows behind you.]{ }(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")]]

(if: $sneak > 0)[You (if: $sneak is 1)[tenderly](elseif: $sneak is 2)[quickly] walk down the cold slabs of stone that descend into the [[lower levels of the monastery|lower levels]](if: $hamesy is 1)[, Hames following right behind you].]{ }(elseif: $strike < 2)[Before you get two steps down, you see Brother Errol ascending the stairs. He looks at you disapprovingly. "I thought we had an agreement that you were not to go poking your nose in places where you shouldn't be. Stay to this floor, or the garden at the top of the other stairwell." (if: $outsideinquiry is 1)["Brother Errol, I was wondering if I might be permitted to make an excursion outside the monastery..." "I would be happy to discuss the matter with you," begins the monk, "//if// I had the time. Please ask one of the others." ]He watches you as you leave and enter... (set: $strike to it + 1) [[the sanctuary|west wing]] [[the hallway|west hallway]]]{ }(elseif: $strike is 2)[Before you get two steps down, you see Brother Errol ascending the stairs. He looks at you disapprovingly. "It seems you will not correct your behaviour. I didn't want to do this, but you leave us no choice." He grabs you firmly by the arm, his grip stronger than you would expect, and leads you to a guard. He is more than happy to put his [[spear]] to work.]

{(if: (history:)'s last is "nightlibrary")[(if: $trapped is 1)[(goto: "trapped")] ] }A chilly hallway runs down the length of the monastery, connecting a tiny [[stairwell|west stairwell]] with a larger [[corridor|west corridor]]. A single [[door|library]] rests halfway down the hall. (if: $sneak is 1)[{(set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Daytime")] }(if: $thel > 4)[(if: $countdown is 18)[You hear a door open in the corridor to the south.](if: $countdown is 17)[You hear footsteps coming this way from the corridor to the south.](if: $countdown is 16)[(goto: "Caught")](if: $countdown is 15 and $thel is 5)[You hear footsteps to the north descending a flight of stairs.](if: $countdown is 15 and $thel is 6)[The door to the library just shut.](if: $countdown is 14 and $thel is 6)[Someone is in the library, walking towards the door.](if: $countdown is 13 and $thel is 6)[(goto: "Caught")](if: $countdown is 12 and $thel is 6)[You hear footsteps to the north descending a flight of stairs.](if: $countdown is 8)[You hear the echoes of footsteps in a tunnel below.](if: $countdown is 7)[You hear footsteps to the north coming up the stairs.](if: $countdown is 6)[(goto: "Caught")](if: $countdown is 5)[The door to the library just shut.](if: $countdown is 4)[Someone in the library(if: $distraction is 1)[ just knocked over a bookcase(set: $case to 2) and] is walking towards the door.](if: $countdown is 3)[(goto: "Caught")](if: $countdown is 2)[You hear footsteps in the corridor to the south and a door shutting.] ] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 0)[(if: $occurence is 5)[(if: $flavour is 1)[(display: "Flavour 1")](if: $flavour is 2)[(display: "Flavour 2")](if: $flavour is 3)[(display: "Flavour 3")](if: $flavour is 4)[(display: "Flavour 4")](if: $flavour is 5)[(display: "Flavour 5")]] (set: $occurence to (random: 1, 5)) (set: $flavour to (random: 1, 5)) (set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Nightime")]]{ }(if: $sneak is 1)[(if: $case is 1)[(set: $case to 2)You hear the guards sorting through the books in the library and muttering to themselves.] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[(if: $hamesy is 1)[Hames follows behind you.]{ }(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")]]

This corridor mirrors the one where your room is. The main difference is that all of the cells here are occupied by monks. The doors each have a simple namecard on which are printed the names of the inhabitants, some of which you recognize: Matteus, and Thelon. To the east is the [[entrance hall]], and a [[hallway|west hallway]] also connects to the corridor.(unless: $sneak is 2)[ (if: $sneak is 0 and $outsideinquiry is 1 and $matteusconvo is 0 and $clearance is 0)[You wonder if you might be able to talk to one of the monks on this hall about going outside. [Knock on Thelon's door.]<thelondoor| [Knock on Matteus' door.]<matteusdoor| { (click: ?thelondoor)[(replace: ?thelondoor)[Nothing. He's probably at the garden.] ] (click: ?matteusdoor)[(replace: ?matteusdoor)[A voice calls [["Come in!"]] ] ] } ](elseif: $sneak is 0 and $outsideinquiry is 1 and $matteusconvo is 0 and $clearance is 2)[You wonder if you could talk to Brother Matteus again to get a reminder of the password. [Knock on Matteus'door.]<matteusreminder| { (click: ?matteusreminder)[(replace: ?matteusreminder)[A voice calls [["Come in!"]] ] ] } ] ](if: $sneak is 1)[{(set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Daytime")] }(if: $case is 0)[You can hear the voices of guards coming from the direction of the entrance hall. ](if: $case is 4)[You can hear the voices of guards coming from the direction of the entrance hall.(set: $case to 5) ]{ }(if: $thel > 4)[(if: $countdown is 18)[You (if: $case is 0)[also ]hear stirring noises coming from Brother Thelon's room.](elseif: $countdown is 17)[(goto: "Caught")](elseif: $countdown is 16 and $thel is 5)[You hear footsteps to the north that are growing fainter.](elseif: $countdown is 16 and $thel is 6)[You hear footsteps to the north, then a door opening.](elseif: $countdown is 14 and $thel is 6)[You hear a door open to the north.](elseif: $countdown is 13 and $thel is 6)[You hear footsteps to the north that are growing fainter.](elseif: $countdown is 7)[You hear footsteps far to the north that are growing louder.](elseif: $countdown is 6)[You hear footsteps to the north, then a door opening.](elseif: $countdown is 4)[You hear a door open to the north.](elseif: $countdown is 3)[You hear footsteps to the north that are growing louder.](elseif: $countdown is 2)[(goto: "Caught")](elseif: $countdown is 1)[You see Brother Thelon's door closing shut. He must be going to bed.] ] ] { }(if: $case is 2)[ (set: $case to 3)From the library comes the sound of something heavy being moved.]{ }(elseif: $sneak is 0)[(if: $occurence is 5)[(if: $flavour is 1)[(display: "Flavour 1")](if: $flavour is 2)[(display: "Flavour 2")](if: $flavour is 3)[(display: "Flavour 3")](if: $flavour is 4)[(display: "Flavour 4")](if: $flavour is 5)[(display: "Flavour 5")]] (set: $occurence to (random: 1, 5)) (set: $flavour to (random: 1, 5)) (set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Nightime")]]{ }(if: $sneak is 1)[(if: $knock is 4)[(set: $knock to 5)] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[(if: $hamesy is 1)[Hames follows behind you.]{ }(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")]]

(unless: $sneak is 1)[Due to the [[bookshelves]] that cover all the walls, this room does not echo as much as the rest of the abbey. The library is split into two tiers, the upper one separated from the lower by a guardrail. Besides the shelves, tables and chairs also populate the room, some of the tables bearing quills, ink jars, and blank books for transcription. You are standing on the upper portion of the library, where a short flight of stairs connects to the [[lower portion]]. A door to the west connects to a [[hallway|west hallway]] and a an archway to the southeast leads to the [[entrance hall]]. (unless: $sneak is 2)[(set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Nightime")]] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")]]{ }(if: $sneak is 1)[(if: $thelp is 2 and $thel is 6)[(goto: "nightlibrary")](elseif: $thelp is 2 and $thel is 5 and $countdown < 6)[(goto: "nightlibrary")](elseif: $thel is 6 and $countdown > 13 and $countdown < 16)[(goto: "nightlibrary")](elseif: $thel > 4 and $countdown > 3 and $countdown < 6)[(goto: "nightlibrary")](else:)[[[The library door is locked.|west hallway]](if: $countdown is < 13 and > 5 and $thel is 6 and $thelp is 1)[(set: $lib to 1)](elseif: $countdown < 3 and $thel > 4 and $thelp is 1)[(set: $lib to 1)] ] ]

The guards step in the way. "We've received orders not to let anyone without special permission venture outdoors," one of them says arrogantly. [[Force your way outside.]] [[Stay inside.|ask about exiting]] (if: $clearance > 0)[{ }[[Tell the guards you have permission.]] ]

At the top of the spiral staircase you have a fascinating view of the [[entrance hall]] below, and you can more clearly see the scenes shown on the tapestries, though you still do not know what events in history the portray. A [[hallway|quarters]] leads deeper into the monastery. (if: $sneak is 0)[(set: $countdown to it - 1){ }(if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Nightime")] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 1)[(if: $case is 4)[(set: $case to 5)Below you, the guards return to their posts.](elseif: $knock is 4)[(set: $knock to 5)Below you, the guards return to their posts.]{ }(else:)[Below you, the guards keep watch over the entrance hall. (if: $distraction is 1 and $countdown is 4)[Suddenly, a loud noise emanates from the library(set: $case to 3). The guards abandon their posts to investigate.](else:)[There's no way you'll sneak down the stairs and past them while they remain there. You might just have to [[wait|balcony]] and see if they'll leave the room.(if: $dagger is 1 and $idea2 is 1)[ Or, you could [[throw the dagger]] off the balcony and hope that it distracts the guards.] ] ]{ }(set: $balcony to 1)(set: $countdown to it - 1){ }(if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Daytime")] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[(if: $hamesy is 1)[Hames follows behind you.]{ }(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")] ]

(if: $case is 1)[(goto: "caughtg")]The lower half of the library, just like the upper part, is full of [[bookshelves|shelves]] and tables. A number of alcoves jut out from the rectangularly-shaped room. Stairs lead back up to the(unless: $sneak is 1)[ [[rest of the library|library]].](if: $sneak is 1)[ [[rest of the library|nightlibrary]].]{ (if: $sneak is 0)[(set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Nightime")] ] (if: $sneak is 1)[(set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Daytime")] ] (if: $sneak is 2)[(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")]]}

(if: $sneak > 0)[This is a special area reserved for the highest ranking monks; the corridor is lined with a plain yet appealing rug, and the doors to the monks' individual cells are each adorned with intricate carvings and a burnished nameplate. One reads [["Deirn"]]. Another, [["Errol"]]. The corridor ends at [[a pair of double doors]]. Behind you is the [[balcony]].(if: $hamesy is 1)[ Hames looks very nervous.]{ }(if: $sneak is 1)[(set: $countdown to it - 1){ }(if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Daytime")] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")] ] ]{ }(elseif: $strike < 2)[A monk comes out of the hallway, and you realize in dismay that it is Brother Deirn. He scowls when he spots you. "What did we tell you about snooping? You are not permitted up here where the head monks' chambers are. You are to be learning from Brother Thelon, in his garden. It's at the top of the northeast stairwell.(if: $outsideinquiry is 1)[" "Brother Deirn, I had a question about being allowed to go outside--" "I'm busy, $name! Don't trifle me with such matters. Go bother some other monk!] [[Begone!|entrance hall]]" (set: $strike to it + 1)]{ }(elseif: $strike is 2)[A monk comes out of the hallway, and you realize in dismay that it is Brother Deirn. He scowls when he spots you. "If you refuse to stop snooping, then we will simply have to stop you from doing anything again, ever. Guards!" The men stationed at the entrance hurry up the spiral staircase, and when one of the guards reaches you, he does not need to be told what to do with his [[spear]].]

They each have a [[spear]]. You don't.

"That's perfectly fine," answers the portly monk. "I'll be here when you're ready. He goes back to his previous task. You survey the area around you. The natural ditch is too steep to climb out. This spot only serves to house the garden. Brother Thelon keeps glancing at you, which is somewhat disconcerting. You should either [[go back downstairs|east stairwell]] or [[tell the monk you're ready to begin|"Yes."]]. (set: $greet to 1)

"Splendid! Then let's begin, shall we?" The chubby monk squats down amongst the plants. "Now, how about I test your knowledge? It'll be good to get a feel for how much you know, before I begin explaining my findings." You nod your head. Brother Thelon smiles, and holds the leaves of one plant towards you. "Can you tell me the name on this herb?" Looking closer, you can see that the small plant has a square stem, and its leaves have jagged edges and look like they're covered in tiny hairs. [["Basil?"|Next]] [["Coriander?"|Next]] [["Parsley?"|Next]] [["Sage?"|Next]] [["Rosemary?"|Next]] [["Thyme?"|Next]] [["Oregano?"|Next]] [["Cardamom?"|Next]] ["Mint?"]<mint| (click: ?mint)[(set: $correct to it + 1)(goto: "Next")] [["Cilantro?"|Next]] [["Tarragon?"|Next]] [["Fennel?"|Next]]

A bell is rung from some far-off part of the monastery; it's time for [[supper]], followed by bed.(if: $apitcher is 1)[ You look at the pitcher plant you've been carrying; it has wilted beyond usefulness, so you discard it.(set: $apitcher to 0)]

(if: $days is 0)[You follow the monks to the dining hall, where you find Hames and sit down next to him. The tables have been set with spoons, and soon the cooks begin bringing out bowls of savory-smelling soup and placing them in front of the monks. (if: $firstmeal is 0)[You look around the room in search of Hames' sister, but you only see the monks in their grey robes. "Where is your sister?" you ask Hames. Hames looks at the bowl of soup in front of him and answers softly, "She's not hungry." Sensing that he doesn't want to speak more on the subject, you turn your attention to the soup. It's absolutely delicious! (if: $lesson is 1 and $herby < 2)[You make a point to ask the cooks or Brother Thelon about what herbs and spices they used for its flavour. (set: $herby to 1)] During the meal your mind wanders back to Hames' sister. Between his response to your question, the monks' behaviour, and the deliciousness of the soup, you suspect that there must be some other reason for her absence from supper other than not being hungry. You will have to investigate tomorrow. ](elseif: $firstmeal is 1)[The soup, as before, is absolutely delicous! (if: $lesson is 1 and $herby < 2)[You make a point to ask the cooks or Brother Thelon about what herbs and spices they used for its flavour. (set: $herby to 1)] ]After you finish eating (which happens before anyone else is done, having devoured the scrumptious soup quickly), you carry your bowl and spoon to a tub that lies outside the kitchen door.(if: $passcode is 1)[ You then return to your room and climb into [[bed|sneak]].](elseif: $hameshelp is 1)[ Before you leave the dining hall, you [[stop to talk to Hames]].](elseif: $rendezvous is 1)[ Before you leave the dining hall, you [[stop to talk to Hames]].](else:)[ You then return to your room and climb into(if: $firstmeal is 0)[ [[bed|go to sleep]].](elseif: $firstmeal is 1)[ [[bed|sneak]].] (set: $firstmeal to 1)] ]{ }(elseif: $days is 1)[You file into the dining hall along with the rest of the monks. Finding Hames once again, you take your seat next to him and (if: $spiked is 1)[whisper to him, "Don't eat the soup." Then you remember that he doesn't eat the soup anyway. (if: $hk is 0)[Hames looks at you curiously but doesn't say anything.] You try not to look conspicuous but Brother Deirn keeps staring as you fiddle with your soup. "Not much of an appetite, $name?" "No," you grimace. "I must have eaten too much yesterday." This answer seems to satisfy Deirn. He attends to his own bowl. You wait in anticipation, worried that something might go wrong. Then, the monks begin to fall off their benches, stiff like boards. Brother Deirn stands up and shouts, "What is going on here!?" but then he, too, falls overs ilke the rest. In less than a minute everyone, including the cooks, has been paralyzed save for you and Hames. He turns to you and asks(if: $hk is 1)[, [["Now what?"|"What is happening?"]] ](elseif: $hk is 0)[ in a horrified voice, [["What is happening?"]] ]{ }](else:)[then turn your head to the kitchen, waiting eagerly for tonight's meal. (if: $secondmeal is 1)[When the second days' soup is placed in front of you, you guzzle it voraciously.](elseif: $secondmeal is 0)[ You are delighted to see that soup is on the menu again, hoping that it is the same recipe as yesterday. When you take a sip, you can hardly believe that this soup is even better than the previous one! You gulp it down rapidly.] "You certainly seem to be enjoying our cooking," says a familiar voice." You glance up at Brother Deirn, who has seated himself across from you and Hames. He points to you: "You have some soup on your face." You draw your sleeve across your mouth and chin, then go back to eating, a little more slowly this time. Hames is as silent as he was last night. Today he doesn't even touch his bowl, except to push it over towards you. When you contemplate asking about it, you glipmse Deirn across the table and think you better not, at least not here. When you finish Hames' bowl, you take it and your own to the tub by the kitchen door(if: $passcode is 1)[, then [[retire|sneak]] to your room.](elseif: $hameshelp is 1)[. Before you leave the dining hall, you [[stop to talk to Hames]].](elseif: $rendezvous is 1)[. Before you leave the dining hall, you [[stop to talk to Hames]].](else:)[, then (if: $secondmeal is 0)[[[retire|go to sleep]] ](elseif: $secondmeal is 1)[[[retire|sneak]] ]to your room. (set: $secondmeal to 1)] ] ]{ }(elseif: $days is 2)[(if: $spiked is 1)[You enter the dining hall. As always, Hames is nowhere in sight. You decide to keep up appearances by pretending to eat your soup, hoping that nobody will notice your act. Brother Matteus, sitting at the end of your table, seems oblivious. Then, monks begin to fall off their benches, including the cooks who joined the throng after serving up the soup. There is momentary pandemonium, but soon this fades as the last of the monks fall still. Knowing you probably only have a few minutes, you [[hurry to the entrance hall]].](else:)[(if: $thirdmeal is 0)[Anticipating another delicious meal, you enter the dining hall once more. You seek out Hames, but cannot find him anywhere, so you sit down at a table where the only person you recognize is Brother Matteus, your questioner from the day you arrived. You are served yet another bowl of soup, this one topping the first two days'. You do your best to savour it slowly, but after several spoonfuls you cannot help yourself, and you down it all in minutes.]{ }(elseif: $thirdmeal is 1)[You enter the dining hall once more, hoping that perhaps something that occured in this timeline will prevent circumstances from playing out like they did last time. You search for Hames, but do not see him: a bad sign. You no longer have as much as an appetite for soup as you did before. You have a few spoonfuls, but your mind keeps waiting for the sound of commotion in the entrance hall. Brother Matteus, who is sitting next to you, notices your anxious demeanour and asks, "Is there something wrong, $name?"] Suddenly, there is shouting from the direction of the main hall, followed by a loud cry. The monks all rise from their seats and hurry into the entrance hall to see what is the matter. You are [[swept along]] with them. (set: $thirdmeal to 1)] ]{ (set: $days to it + 1) (if: $note is 2)[(set: $note to 3)] (set: $teach to 0)}

"Hmmm..." says the monk. He moves to another plant. "And this one?" The plant he points to appears to be a vegetable, submerged in the soil. The stem rising out of the ground is short and very hairy, and the oval-shaped leaves sticking out of it radiate outwardly. [["Parsnip?"|More next]] [["Garlic?"|More next]] [["Onion?"|More next]] [["Potato?"|More next]] [["Rutabaga?"|More next]] ["Radish?]<radish| (click: ?radish)[(set: $correct to it + 1)(goto: "More next")] [["Turnip?"|More next]] [["Beet?"|More next]] [["Celery?"|More next]] (if: $debug is 1)[$correct]

Brother Thelon pauses and considers you for a moment. Then he turns away and surveys the garden. You notice a fly buzzing near you, and you wave your arm to shoo it away. You watch it descend to a group of plants. The leaves of these plants have pouches hanging off of them with bright red rims, and little lids hanging over the pouches' apertures. The fly lands inside one of these pouches. Looking closer, you can see that the fly has landed in some sort of liquid. The fly does not seem to be able to escape. "Ah!" exclaims the little monk. "Can you tell me the name of that carnivourous plant?" [You wrack your memory before answering.]<carno|(click: ?carno)[(set: $plant to (prompt: "It is called "))(goto: "You wrack your memory before answering.")] (set: $carnivory to 1)(if: $debug is 1)[$correct]

{(if: $plant is "Nepenthes")[(set: $correct to it + 1)] (if: $plant is "nepenthes")[(set: $correct to it + 1)] }"I see." Brother Thelon stands upright, brushes his hands off on his robes, then [[faces you]] directly. (if: $debug is 1)[$correct $plant]

(if: $correct is 0)["You don't know a thing about plants, do you?" Thelon asks, a note of contempt in his voice. "I was told you were interested in horticulture, but it's clear you were attempting to dupe our brotherhood." The stout monk disappears down the stairs, and before you can plan an escape, returns with a guard, who seems overly excited to use his [[spear]] for once. Your body will likely be good fertilizer for these plants.]{ }(if: $correct is 1)["You seem to have an interest in plants, but you're very much an amateur," says Thelon. "I'm sorry, but I don't have the time to instruct you in everything that you don't currently know. I will not teach you." With that, he sends you back down the [[stairs|east stairwell]] into the monastery. (set: $noteach to 1)(set: $lesson to 1)(set: $countdown to it - 1)]{ }(if: $correct is 2)["You know quite a bit about plants, but there are some gaps in your knowledge," Thelon announces. "I look forward to sharing with you the things I have learned from my years of work in botany. Let's start by going over how to grow the juiciest tomatoes." He beckons you over to him and squats down once more, where he proceeds to give you lesson after lesson about the best conditions for growing plants. At the end of the afternoon, you know so much more about raising cauliflower than you ever thought you would in your life. You thank Brother Thelon for the lessons, then return to the [[stairwell|east stairwell]]. (set: $lesson to 1)(set: $thelon to 1)(set: $teach to 1)(set: $countdown to it - 5)]{ }(if: $correct is 3)["You have excellent knowledge about plants! I'm delighted to have such a good student," squeals the rotund Thelon. "I will share with you everything I've learned from my years of studying horticulture. Shall we start with growing the biggest cucumbers you've ever seen?" The afternoon goes by in a flood of lessons where you learn everything from making peas grow in less than two week to growing purple broccoli. You head is swimming with all the bizarre knowledge by the time Brother Thelon pats you on the back and commends you for the good work. You stumble down the [[stairs|east stairwell]] back into the monastery. (set: $lesson to 1)(set: $thelon to 1)(set: $teach to 1)(set: $countdown to it - 5)]

The second day of lessons proceeds much like the first. (if: $correct is 2)[You go over new kinds of herbs, the differences between various gourds, the budding times of flowers, how much water to give peppers, etc. By the end of the session, you feel like a pretty competent gardener!](if: $correct is 3)[You go over herbs that improve a person's mood, how to grow the tastiest gourds, which flowers will bloom the lovliest, how much water to give a pepper so that its spice is the most potent, etc. By the end of the session, you think you could settle down anywhere and impress the people with your gardening prowess!] Then you remember that you're a sham, pretending to be interested in horticulture so you can stay and find out what's happening between Hames, his sister, and the monks.(if: $herby is 1)[ During the lesson you also ask what herbs the cooks put in the soup to make it so delicious. He gives you a sly smile and answers, "Trade secret."(set: $herby to 2)] "Brilliant work again, $name!" expresses Brother Thelon. "Come back again tomorrow and I'll share with you a secret!" He winks. You bid him good day, then go back to the [[stairwell|east stairwell]]. (set: $lesson to it + 1)(set: $teach to 1)(set: $countdown to it - 5)

The ample monk nods his head and returns to work. You wander through the garden for a bit before you [[return|east stairwell]] to the monastery. (set: $countdown to it - 1)

The library's collection is most impressive. The books cover all sorts of subjects(if: $sneak is 0)[, from [[history]] to [[warfare]] and even [[philosophy]] and [[economics]]. Probably at Brother Thelon's request, the library boasts a large [[horticulture]] section as well. Other topics include [[astronomy]], [[geology]], [[mathematics]] and [[science]], crafts such as [[blacksmithing]] and [[pottery]], and [[seafaring]]. Finished looking at the books, you turn back to the [[room|library]].(if: $countdown < 1)[(goto: "Nightime")] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 1)[, but it is too dark to read any of them at length.(if: $geo is 1)[ The only book worthwhile to examine is the(if: $thel is 6 and $countdown > 13 and $countdown < 16)[ geology book, but Brother Thelon is using it right now.](elseif: $thel > 4 and $countdown > 3 and $countdown < 6)[ geology book, but Brother Thelon is using it right now.](else:)[ [[geology book|geology]].] ] (if: $case is 0)[Looking at the bookshelves does give you an idea. If you [[push over the shelves]] in order to cause a distraction. You might even draw the guards away from the entrance hall temporarily. ](elseif: $case is 1)[(set: $case to 2)]{ }(elseif: $case > 4)[You examine the bookcase that you knocked over before, wondering if you should [[push it over again|push over the shelves]]. ]You turn back to the [[room|nightlibrary]].]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[, but you don't have any time to leaf through them. You turn back to the [[room|library]].]

The alcoves in this section of the library contain books with really esoteric subjects. (if: $sneak is 0)[You see a book about [[calligraphy]], another about [[geography]]. Some other topics include [[zen gardens]], [[horology]], [[the art of persuasion]], [[meditative cooking]], [[the nature of silence]], and a volume of [[poetry]]. There are even books here about games like [[chess]] and [[mancala]], and one that is about [[the usage of spoons in folk tales]]. After scanning a few more unorthodox titles, you turn back to the [[library|lower portion]].(if: $countdown < 1)[(goto: "Nightime")]]{ }(elseif: $sneak is 1)[It is too dark in this part of the library to read any of the volumes, though. You turn back to the [[library|lower portion]].]{ }(elseif: $sneak is 2)[You don't have time to read any of the volumes, though. You turn back to the [[library|lower portion]].]

"The history of Voäth remains mostly a mystery. Many myths exist that describe how the first humans arrived in that place such as one tale that says the first two people were born of the mountain, man from the stone, and woman from the snowmelt, but none of them are corroborated by any evidence. What is confirmed by written accounts is that settlers arrived across the ocean in 131 AP (Many historians fear that a plague will arise in Voäth that will equal in devastation the Great Plague that wiped out half the human race in her sister continent, a tragedy so significant that it called for a change in the calendar.) After two decades, travel between the New World and Old World was constant enough that nobles began to establish dominion there, such as the Earl of Lopatz (an ambitious man who was the first to declare himself a king in Voäth, which is how the mighty kingdom of Lopatz was born). The following centuries saw the expansion of Old World dynasties into inland territory, which inevitably led to clashes with the natives, such as the wild people of Roandarr, the savage white-skinned clan that refuses to this day to be sophisticated, though historians still cannot agree on how they came to live on that continent. By 778 AP, all known land had been claimed by a country from across the waters. The only frontier still resistant to the claims of eager monarchies remained the north, where frigid expanses of ice took the lives of countless explorers. The most famous expedition made in that direction was by an enigmatic figure named Drayn. He led a large company of men and women into the tundra, where all perished save but himself, who returned changed. Those who conversed with him before he disappeared claim that he spoke madness, and there was a wild look in his eyes that had not been as pronounced before his journey. The passageway that he took to the north is known as Drayn's Chasm. The Prairie Wars, which raged from 474-532 AP, were fought between the kingdoms of..." When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves]] again. (set: $countdown to it - 3)(set: $historybook to 1)

"Warfare is the second-greatest plague to mankind. It has affected the world since the first battles between city-states of the Old World, and has continued to evolve into new forms to this day. Factions fight over issues from religion to politics, but many theorize that the basis for all conflict is a desire for power. There are several leading pacifist movements that advocate for world peace. Some encourage the world to accept the existence of other ways of life, and other organizations argue for the enlightenment of all peoples, believing that this is the way to finding a worldview that will satisfy everyone. A small, controversial movement calls itself the True Pacifists. Its chief tenet is that man can never find harmony on his own. The only way to achieve peace between factions is to seize total control, and enforce a society of obedience. This philosophy is unpopular, yet it has some followers, but too few to gain the influence it would need to accomplish its ideals. The most detrimental war in Voäth to date is the War of the Green Hand, which is the second-longest conflict in history, beaten only by the Prairie Wars..." When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves]] again. (set: $countdown to it - 3)

"What does it mean to be? This question has plagued philosophers since the beginning of human thought. It is the philosophically-minded person's goal to seek an answer to this pesky question, and having answered it satisfactorily, freed humanity to consider other pressing questions of ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology. This text sets as its goal the task of recording every major and minor thinkers' conjectures as to what it might possibly mean to be, and by doing so, lay important groundwork for future philosophers so that they might make further progress towards answering this question by familiarizing themselves with the work of their ancestors..." When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves]] again. (set: $countdown to it - 3)

"Billooks are the basis for modern society. Without this crucial unit of currency, mankind would be limited in the trades that they could make. With the Billhook, however, goods can be exchanged for a token of value, that could be saved or traded again for other purchases of items or services. Shamol the Inventor could not have started his career without being able to offer his repair services for money, which he would then use to buy the materials he needed for his labor-efficient contraptions..." When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves]] again. (set: $countdown to it - 3)

"Agriculture is one of the oldest professions, a source of sustenance that could be relied on more than hunting and gathering. Over time, human invention led to more efficient farming practices, and soon the field of horticulture became a serious pasttime of many scientists..." (if: $carnivory is 1)[Wanting to see if you can find answers to Brother Thelon's questions, you search through the book, looking for a [[specific category]]. ]When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves]] again. (set: $countdown to it - 1)

"The night sky is a beautiful sight, and has fascinated people for eons. The earliest socieities wrote legends about the stars, weaving them into their origin stories and histories. Later, when telescopes and charts became instruments of the scientific mind, the skies were documented, and soon traveling with the aid of the constellations became more reliable than ever. Nowadays, eyes that are drawn to the void above are on the lookout for new, unobserved astronomical phenomena. New planets in orbit around our star, comets whose circuits have not been estimated, meteor showers and more are all of interest to those whose gaze is constantly held by the immensity of space..." When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves]] again. (set: $countdown to it - 3)

"The continent of Voäth is two-thirds the size of the Old World, but still boasts an impressive size. It has land in all four hemispheres of the world, and many theorize that it reaches all the way to the northern pole of the planet. The eastern coast borders the Mortric Ocean, the coastline full of wide bays and beaches, though to the north the beaches decline in favour of high bluffs and fjords. To the west, Voäth touches the Enoldic Ocean, which it encompasses in a wide semi-circle, the lower half of which extends in a large peninsula. The central part of the continent consists mostly of wide plains, bordered on the north by the world's longest mountain range, referred to as the Crags. Swamplands dot the landscape in the south..." In the margins you see some scribbles and what looks like a conversation between two people who must have exchanged this book back and forth some time ago. (if: $delivery is 1)[This gives you an idea for how to contact Hertha.](set: $graffiti to 1) When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves|shelves]] again. (set: $countdown to it - 3)

"For the purposes of this text, we assume the proposition that 1 is equal to 1. Furthermore, we assert that 1 and 1 is equal to 2, 2 being the number that is 1 more than the number 1. It is also taken for granted that new numbers are yielded when 1 is added to a number, the sum being of value 1 more than the previous number. Thus, 1 and 2 is 3, 3 being the number that follows 2 in a series of numbers separated in value by increments of 1, and 1 added to 3 makes 4, 4 following the same rule as 2 and 3..." When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves]] again. (set: $countdown to it - 3)

"Ah, science! Is there any subject more worthy, more deserving of the admiration of all humans of intellect and academic leaning? Is there any pursuit more noble, than that of scientific enquiry and impirical study? Is there any use of time more rewarding than that of observation and experimentation? No. It is the opinion of this author that there is not. But, in the interests of science, the author has made it his sacred duty to impirically prove this hypothesis. What follows is a methodology for testing the benefits of dedication to various aspects of civilization, and measuring and comparing those results to that of science. First, the author will begin by spending one month as a street musician. At the end of each day, the author will record her thoughts and rate her experience in a number of categories, including satisfaction, sense of accomplishment, financial gains, mental and physical health..." When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves]] again. (set: $countdown to it - 3)

"Blacksmything as a Method of Gaining the Affections of Wimmen Never feare, intrepid soul! Yon girle who ne'er giveth thee the time of day? Soon she shalt be begging for thy attention! When thou hast learneth the secrets of blacksmything, thou shalt have all ladyfolken dying to maketh thy acquaintance. Lesson One: Stoking the flaemes of thy forge, and the lasses..." When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves]] again. (set: $countdown to it - 3)

"The art of pottery is long and sacred tradition. As one of the earliest crafts, pottery has a long history and its usefulness to the human race has been immeasurable. To illustrate, the following list is a comprehensive one of all the uses for which clay jars have provided to mankind: Storing water, storing oil, storing grain, storing milk, storing rocks, storing leaves, storing smaller jars, being stored in larger jars, storing secrets, storing money, being smashed to access said money, providing a temporary storage space for the products of certain human faculties, dumping said products on the heads of people who deserve it (I'm looking at you, Gareth, you know what you did), stacking on top of other pottery, complementing the furniture, impressing a date, hiding one's naughty carvings, (did I say storing oil?), squashing bugs, being something to look at instead of the wall, storing one's potted plant, storing one's cat (no joking, my friend did this one time), being rolled down the street as an act of leisure, providing gloating rights over those who don't have pottery, fulfilling an aesthetic, hiding from sight when placed upside down over one's head..." When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves]] again. (set: $countdown to it - 3)

"Sailing, like a sickness, affects a person's whole being until they die or are cured. For those who put to sea, more die than are ever cured. Since the first journeys to the New World, man has tested the limits of their vessels, and made venturous voyages into far reaches of the oceans. The tales told round hearths of port city taverns amaze and inspire more young people to take to a life of seafaring, and the draw to the sea will likely continue to take hold of people's lives until humans uncover every secret the ocean has to offer..." When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves]] again. (set: $countdown to it - 3)

"Calligraphy sythesizes the communicative side of writing with the beauty of the written word. When one writes with the purpose of creating something beautiful, it is an empowering experience, and those who have practiced the art attest to its exhilirating qualities. As with any artistic form, sinceritiy can be observed through the effort one takes to procure tools that will produce the most pleasing results. Thus, a fine brush and paper that will take well to ink are of the utmost importance. Make sure you select your instruments with careful consideration. Now, the art of the stroke..." When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves|shelves]] again. (set: $countdown to it - 3)

(if: $newmessage is 1)[(set: $newresponse to 1)](if: $thel is 5 and $sneak is 1 and $countdown < 4)[(set: $message to 1)(set: $newresponse to 1)(set: $newmessage to 2)](elseif: $thel is 6 and $newmessage is 1)[(set: $message to it + 1)(set: $newmessage to 0)](elseif: $thel is 6 and $sneak is 1 and $countdown < 4)[(set: $message to it + 1)(set: $newmessage to 2)]{ (unless: $water is 3)[(unless: $givesignal is 2)[(if: $fullplan is 1 and $water > 2 and $brasskey > 0)[(set: $givesignal to 1)] ] ] (if: $givesignal is 2 and $sneak is 1 and $countdown < 4)[(set: $signal to 1)] (if: $signal is 1)[(set: $message to 3)] }(if: $geo is 1)[You flip back to the end of the book and scan the tenth to last page.(if: $message > 0)[ There is writing in the margins that reads: (if: $message is 1)["Your idea was a success! I don't know what you said to convince him to pay me a visit, but he wasn't suspecting a thing. I have instructed him as you told me to. I've also made sure to command him never to tell anyone else what we're planning, nor to try and intervene himself. He'll come back every night, stopping here before and after. Let me know if you need anything else from me, and thank you again for helping."]{ }(elseif: $message is 2)[(if: $fullplan is 0)["I received your message. I must say, this plan is working very well. I hope you can figure out the rest of the details you need in order to get us all out of this monastery.(if: $poisonplan is 0)[ I had an idea earlier today that might help you out with the third obstacle. How much do you know about plants? Our mutual friend knows a lot about all sorts of vegetation, and I asked him some things when he came to visit me. I think there might be a plant that could solve our issue if it could be given to the right people in a way they won't notice. I don't know what plant is the right one for the job, though. Maybe you could ask our friend or look at some of the books in the library.]"](elseif: $fullplan is 1)["Terrible news! Brother Errol said he was going to to measure my progress again, and that he would do so tomorrow during suppertime! That means he's not going to be drugged with the others!"] ]{ }(elseif: $message is 3)["Terrible news! Brother Errol said he was going to measure my progress again, and that he would do so tomorrow during suppertime! That means he's not going to be drugged with the others, and that he'll be in the way when Hames comes to get me!"] ]{ }(else:)[ Nothing, however, has been written here.] (if: $newresponse is 1)[(set: $newresponse to 0)(if: $givesignal is 1)[You write: "The soil is ready to grow the plant, and I have the key to give to your brother. I will use the plant on the day after you receive this message. Tell your brother as subtly as possible that he needs to get you before supper and make it clear that I am giving him the signal."(if: $countdown > 15)[(set: $givesignal to 2)] ](else:)[(if: $message is 1)[You write in resonse: "Glad to hear the plan worked. Keep up the good work, and I'll inform you of my progress."](elseif: $message is 2 and $fullplan is 0)[You write in response: "Thanks for the advice. I'll look into it."](elseif: $message is 2 and $fullplan is 1)[You write in response: "That's bad. I'll see what I can do about getting him out of there right before supper."(set: $errolp to 1)](elseif: $message is 3)[You write in response: "That's bad. I'll see what I can do about getting him out of there. In the meantime, the plan goes forward as usual."(set: $errolp to 1)] ] ](else:)[You don't need to write anything here yet.](set: $countdown to it - 1) ]{ }(else:)["That which calls men to the sea may be the very same power that draws dwarves to the chambers beneath the earth. The precious minerals that rest in the stone of mountains are of interest to all seeking wealth, but dwarves in particular have probed the ground for its secrets. Virtually all knowledge of geology comes from the valuable accounts that have been recorded by these people. It was accepted for centuries that there were three kinds of rock: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. But it was dwarves who proved the existence of a fourth type..."(set: $countdown to it - 3)] When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves]] again.

"I know what you're thinking: 'Oh my! Are we going to learn how to //draw in the sand//?' This text's initial chapter will be dedicated to proving the legitimacy of the practice of zen gardening. To illustrate this, I will first provide a definition for what constitutes a garden. Then, I will demonstrate how sand is inherently meditative, and lastly point out the benefits of being 'zen' and how to achieve this through the zen garden..." When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves|shelves]] again. (set: $countdown to it - 3)

"There is no universally agreed upon theory of time. There are, however, popular conjectures, which this text will outline, beginning with the most commonly accepted one. Time is a river. Humans, in their natural state, drift down the river in the direction it is flowing. Some places of the world exist in tight spaces where the flow of time is accelerated. According to this theory, there is magic that can enable a human to flow upstream, resuming a downstream drift at an earlier point in history. The danger involved in such an attempt lies in ceasing one's upstream flow, lest one finds oneself in a time much earlier than they desired, or not early enough..." When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves|shelves]] again. (set: $countdown to it - 3)

"For a world in which people are affected by their emotions, logical arguments are often not enough. It is necessary for one to employ all the tactics at his or her disposal in order to persuade others to accept a point of view. Thus, learning the art of persuasion is a valuable use of one's time. Some assert that it is unethical to use emotional arguments to convince people; likewise it is improper to let one's reputation sell their perspective. Only grounded logic is acceptable in a debate. For various reasons, this opinion can be impractical in reality. There are situations in which one cannot afford to take the time to persuade someone with clear logical evidence. Therefore, using information that will impress upon one's sentiments is a strategy that this text will explain. For the more desperate and results-hungry, there is the option of lying. This method can produce desired effects the fastest, but it runs the risk of backfiring when one dismantles the deceiving statements. The enemy to a liar is the intelligence and common sense of the target. Some advocate using hypnosis in order to limit these faculties, which raises many moral questions. What is indisputable is that hypnotism can be effective in leading others to believe in one's ideas, and perform one's requests." When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves|shelves]] again. (set: $countdown to it - 3)

"Meditation is vital in the life of an ascetic. The ritual of clearing the mind allows for tranquility to fill it instead. When choosing a task that will provide a meditative state, make sure to pick one that suits your skills and interests. For me, this is cooking, and it is my hope that this text will help you decide whether that is also the right task for you. What I find to be the greatest factor of why cooking instills a meditative state for me is its olfactory nature..." When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves|shelves]] again. (set: $countdown to it - 3)

"Let us contemplate the nature of silence, in all of its forms: the silence of the stars, the silence of death, the silence of an empty room, the silence of the end of a sentence, the silence of the day after a battle has been fought, the silence after one has broken wind, the silence when one has made a joke that others do not get, the silence when one enters a room and people were talking about that person..." When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves|shelves]] again. (set: $countdown to it - 3)

The pages of this book have all been ripped out but one, on which there is only one word scrawled lengthwise across the page: "HERESY" When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves|shelves]] again. (set: $countdown to it - 1)

"Winning Strategies of Mancala The Common Strategy: Begin with whichever node will land your final piece in the mancala zone, so that you are immediately rewarded with another turn. This tactic can be employed multiple times throughout the game, and is straightforward and reliable. The Confounding Strategy: Begin with the node furthest from the mancala zone. This is a bad strategy on the surface; the goal is to confuse your opponent into thinking you are planning something a few turns from now. Continue to make impractical moves, until your opponent starts making strange moves as well in hopes of gumming up your plan. Then, take advantage of the opportunity and sweep up. The Compulsively Lying Strategy: Begin with normal moves, and when you have accrued a few pieces in your mancala zone, point at the ceiling and ask, "Is there a spider up there?" When your opponent looks, move a piece into the mancala zone. Do similar misdirection techniques throughout the game. You are now a winner and an awful person." When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves|shelves]] again. (set: $countdown to it - 3)

"Spoons have had a convoluted history in common folklore. Many have theorized about the symbolism of spoons, but no hypothesis clearly defines how and why humans inserted these utensils into their oral tradition. Some believe that spoons represent sophistication; without spoons, a human would have to eat soup by scooping it up with his or her hands, like an uncivilized person. Others further state that the appearance of a spoon in a tale implies the basic humanity of a person, that which separates the person from beasts. Another common theory is that spoons represent the innovativeness of mankind. A spoon is a tool, a tool invented to facilitate and refine the experience of eating. It is crafted out of many materials, including wood, bone, and metal. Its handle is gripped by the hand, and like hands themselves, it allows people to be resourceful. One controversial area of conjecture is that of the spoon's sexual symbolism. Proponents of the spoon as representitive of masculinity highlight its phallic appearance, whereas those who assert that it is feminine stress the concave, yonic depression at the end of the spoon, not to mention its relationship to cooking, a task culturally associated with women..." When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves|shelves]] again. (set: $countdown to it - 3)

"Carnivorous plants are some of nature's most fascinating flora. As we are accustomed to thinking of plants as producers who get all needed resources from the sun and soil, it is intriguing to us that these plants also get nourishment from organisms that they lure in through various methods. Of these tactics, most involve luring in prey using attractive colours and scents. When the unsuspecting prey has moved close enough, the plant might seize the creatures, as in the case of the venus flytrap, which closes around the prey, and the bladderwort, which employs a vacuum to suck organisms into its pouch where the plant then digests them. Other plants are more passive in their methods. Sundews and rainbow plants have adhesive surfaces, and sun pitchers capture prey in rainwater contained in rolled up leaves..."(if: $nepenthes is 1)[ You now recall what the poem reminded you of. [[You try to find it in this book.]]](elseif: $nepenthes is 0)[ You keep reading for a few more pages, but since you can't quite remember what the carnivorous plant in the garden looked like, none of the descriptions stick out to you.] [[Return the book to its shelf.|bookshelves]] (set: $pitcher to 1)(set: $countdown to it - 1)

"Then a new thought struck Elena, Zeus' descendant: Into the wine anon, which they were drinking, She cast nepenthe to soothe all grief and anger, And make forget all evils 'neath the sun!"(if: $pitcher is 1)[ Something about this excerpt from an epic poem reminds you of something, but you cannot put your finger on what it is exactly. You think you might have seen it in one of the other books.(set: $nepenthes to 1)] When you are done reading, you replace the book and look at the [[bookshelves|shelves]] again. (set: $countdown to it - 1)

Aha! You've found it: "A variant of the pitfall trap can be found in //nepenthes//, a type of pitcher plant. Instead of sprouting out of the ground, the pitcher that contains the digestive juices hangs off of the leaves of the //nepenthes// plant. The word "nepenthe" has come to mean a drug that causes one to forget, though there is no indication that the liquid of the actual //nepenthes// plant has this effect on the prey that it catches." [[You return the volume to the shelf.|bookshelves]](set: $pitcherplant to 1)(set: $pitcher to 2)

"Now, would you like to know the secret I told you about yesterday?" asks Brother Thelon, his voice barely above a whisper. You nod enthusiastically. The chubby monk chuckles, then procures a cup from within the folds of his robe. He totters over to a wheelbarrow that you hadn't noticed right away. You follow. The barrow contains a pile of blue-tinted dirt. You watch as Thelon scoops up some of the soil into the cup, giving you a wink as he does so. "This earth is blue because it has a concentrated amount of a mineral--one that provides all the nutrients that plants can thrive on. There are so many nutrients packed into it that it can even accelerate the rate of growth." The monk then dips the cup into a pail of water beside the wheelbarrow. He continues, "I've studied it for years and still can't quite explain it, but the results can't be argued with." You and Thelon walk into the rows of the garden. He bends down on his haunches and drizzles the cups contents onto the soil around a head of cabbage. "It can grow to enormous proportions overnight. That's how long it takes to absorb the nutrients that are now soaking the earth around it." He looks up at you. "The reasons I don't grow humongous vegetables more often is because I have limited room out here, and I try to make the dirt last for a long time. It's treacherous trying to gather it, because the only place it exists is on a steep cliff a half hour north of the abbey." You stare in fascination at the cabbage. It's probably your imagination, but you think you can see it expanding already. It crosses your mind that you ought to share this soil with the world, and you wonder why the monks haven't done so yet. "That's all for today's lesson," the monk sighs, getting to his feet. "You've been a diligent student, so you have the rest of the day off. We'll continue with our lessons tomorrow, alright?" He pats your shoulder, then wanders off to the far side of the garden. You [[depart|east stairwell]] for the inside of the monastery again.{ }(set: $teach to 1)(set: $countdown to it - 3)(set: $growknow to 1)

A monk wanders through the room, his head bowed beneath the grey hood.

You can hear chanting from another room in the monastery.

One of the monastery's many brothers enters the room. He eyes you askance, then hurries along.

The clicks of a monk's sandals echo down one of the passages of the abbey.

A procession of monks walks past you and into another room.

Hames (if: $brasskey is 1)[is ](else:)[and his sister are ]standing in front of the doorway that leads outside. (if: $brasskey is 1)[He ](else:)[The woman is bent over, clutching her side that is currently pouring out blood. It is staining her dress a dark scarlet and dripping onto the floor. Hames ]is in combat with the two guards of the entrance, armed only with a staff to match the guards' two spears. His years as a soldier are paying off; he succeeds in deflecting jabs made by the guards. Despite his skill, he is still up against two, and his weariness is showing. In seconds it's all over; one of the guards circles around Hames, who turns to parry another jab. The other guard seizes the moment and strikes Hames in the back. Hames cries out, and drops to the floor, blood now spreading through his clothes(if: $brasskey is 1)[.](else:)[, just like his sister.] Brother Deirn and Brother Errol emerge from the crowd of onlooking monks. They turn to face everyone, and Deirn declares, "We have been double-crossed! It is now evident that our associate Hames was plotting to have our brotherhood train his sister's talents, then kidnap her so that he would not have to keep up his end of the bargain. (if: $brasskey is 1)[He has ](else:)[They have ]paid for their treachery!" The monks murmur amongst themselves. Your heart begins beating faster when Brother Deirn [[turns towards you]].

"But," continues the wary monk, "there is still a viper in our midst. Bring the stranger $name forward!" You are seized by men on either side of you and dragged out into the open. They force you to your knees in front of the head monks. You look up at Brother Errol, who looks back solemnly, eyes masking whatever thoughts he is having right now. Brother Deirn gives you a despising glare, then spits out the following words: "Your greatest mistake, fool, was thinking you could deceive the brotherhood of Outlook Abbey. Let you know the punishment for crossing us." One guard approaches and stands directly behind you. He raises his weapon above your head. Blood drips onto your back(unless: $brasskey is 1)[--Hames' or his sister's, you do not know]. The guard brings the [[spear]] swiftly down between your shoulderblades. (if: (history:) contains "turns towards you")[] (else:)[(set: $karma to it + 1)]

As you lie in bed, you wonder whether you should take this opportunity to(if: $meeting is 1)[ [[have your meeting with Hames|explore the monastery]] ](elseif: $meeting is 0)[ [[explore the monastery]] ]while everyone else is in their rooms, or not risk being discovered and just [[go to sleep]].

(set: $sneak to 1)(set: $countdown to 31)(goto: "Your room")

(if: (history:)'s last is "entrance hall")[(if: $wary is 0)[Uh-oh! The guards posted at the entrance for the night have spotted you! They sprint up to you and seize your arms, preventing you from escaping. "What are you doing outside your room after dark? Don't you know there's a strict curfew?" The other guard groans, "Let's just kill the stranger already. The monks told us to do it if we caught $name doing anything suspicious, right?" "That they did. Alright, then," says the first guard, who follows up his reply with a [[spear]] straight through your chest.]{ }(elseif: $wary is 1)[Though the entrance hall seemed empty, the moment you step into the open you hear shouting from the (if: $case > 0)[library](elseif: $knock > 0)[dining hall] and the guards rush out and seize you. "Thought you were being sneaky, huh? You won't fool us twice that way!" Then they stick you with a [[spear]].] ]{ }(else:)[(if: $case is 2)[The guards rush into the library. There aren't really any places to hide, so it only takes a minor bit of deduction on behalf of the guards to conclude that you knocked over the bookcase. That, on top of your violation of curfew, gives them justification to run you through with a [[spear]].]{ }(if: $case > 2 and < 5)[You enter the library and find the guards sorting through all the displaced books. Too late you try to leave the room but the guards react much quicker. They apprehend you and then skewer you with a [[spear]] because you were out after dark.]{ }(if: $knock is 1)[(if: (history:)'s last is "kitchen")[The guards rush into the kitchen and seize you. "Thought you'd get a midnight snack, eh? Well we have orders to take care of you if we find that you're getting into too much trouble." He drives his point home with his [[spear]].]{ }(if: (history:)'s last is "dining hall")[You walk straight into the guards who were coming to investigate the commotion. "Aha! It was the stranger! I knew it," says one guard as his partner approaches you with a [[spear]]. "Can't have anyone snooping too much, Brother Deirn told us."] ]{ }(if: $knock is 2)[(if: (history:)'s last is "kitchen")[You walk into the kitchen and find the guards picking up the fallen bowls. They immediately notice you and grab you before you can turn and run. "Kill anyone who causes trouble, the monks instructed us," says a guard as he pins you to the floor (next to a couple of bowls) and stakes you with a [[spear]].]{ }(if: (history:)'s last is "dining hall")[You walk straight into the guards who were coming to investigate the commotion. "Aha! It was the stranger! I knew it," says one guard as his partner approaches you with a [[spear]]. "Can't have anyone snooping too much, Brother Deirn told us."] ] ]

(unless: $sneak is 2)[(if: $thel is 5)[(if: $countdown < 16 and > 7)[(goto: "Caught")]](if: $thel is 6)[(if: $countdown < 12 and > 7)[(goto: "Caught")]]This passageway is dark. Unlike the rooms above that have slits in the ceiling that provide natural lighting, these tunnels have no such thing. (if: $candle is 0)[You grope blindly for a few steps before turning around.](if: $candle is 1)[Unfortunately, your unlit candle does little good here.] (if: $candle is 0)[{ }[[You will have to come back when you have something with which to light your way.|west stairwell]] ]{ }(if: $candle is 1)[{ }[[You will have to come back when you have something with which to light your candle.|west stairwell]] ]{ }(if: $candle is 2)[{ }Your lit candle, however, shines down the passage. There are many doors on either side of the hall, (if: $interacted is 1)[and one at the end, Hertha's cell. Not seeing much point to staying here, you return to the [[upper level|west stairwell]].](else:)[but [[the one at the end]] (if: $firstvisit is 0)[catches your eye](else:)[is the only one of interest to you right now]. The skin on your arm prickles(if: $interacted is 2)[ even more than before]. Maybe you should [[head back|west stairwell]].] ] (set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Daytime")]]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[(unless: $candle is 2)[Your have no hope of making your way to Hertha's cell without a light source. You [[head back upstairs|west stairwell]].]{ }(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")]]

(if: (history:)'s last is "nightlibrary")[(if: $thelp is 0 and $thel > 4 and $countdown > 5)[When Brother Thelon enters the library, he ](else:)[You sense that the sun will be rising soon, but you can't escape the library without being seen. The first monk who enters the library ]accuses you of trespassing and summons a guard with a pointy [[spear]].]{ }(elseif: (history:)'s last is "lower portion")[(if: $thelp is 0 and $thel > 4)[When Brother Thelon enters the library, he ](else:)[You sense that the sun will be rising soon, but you can't escape the library without being seen. The first monk who enters the library ]accuses you of trespassing and summons a guard with a pointy [[spear]].]{ }(elseif: $balcony is 1)[You sense that the sun will be rising soon, but you can't get down from the upper level without being seen. When Brother Deirn wakes up and finds you upstairs, he summons the guards and orders them to [[spear]] the trespasser.]{ }(else:)[(if: $knock > 0)[(set: $knock to 5)](if: $case > 0)[(set: $case to 5)]You sense that the sun will be rising soon. You hurry back to your room, and [[slip back into bed]].]

(if: $meeting is 0)["Could I talk to you tonight, after everyone is in bed?" you whisper to Hames. He looks back at you quizzically, but after seeming to weigh the matter in his mind, he nods and says, "Okay, friend. Knock six times when you come by my room." You return to your quarters, then [[get into bed|sneak]]. (set: $meeting to 1)]{ }(elseif: $meeting is 1)["Sorry I didn't stop by last night. Could I meet with you tonight?" Hames sighs and says, "Yes, $name, but please don't keep me waiting up. Knock six times if you come by." You return to your quarters, then [[get into bed|sneak]].]

You rap your knuckles on the door to Hames' room(if: (history:) contains "Knock.")[ again.](else:)[.] (set: $knocks to it + 1)(set: $rendezvous to 1) (if: $meeting is 1 and $knocks > 5)[The handle turns, and Hames opens the door. You silently(if: $hameshelp is 0)[ [[enter|Rendezvous]] ](elseif: $hameshelp is 1)[ [[enter|Fill Hames in]] ]his room.]{ }(elseif: $passcode is 1 and $ht is 0 and $knocks > 5)[The handle turns, and Hames opens the door. You silently [[enter|Fill Hames in]] his room.]{ }(else:)[There is no reply. Perhaps he is asleep? [[Turn back to the corridor.|east corridor]] [[Knock again.|Knock.]]]

As Hames shuts and locks the door behind him, he demands, "Alright, $name, what is this about?"(set: $knocks to 0) You turn the chair away from the table and towards the bed, then sit down. Hames sits on the bed, facing you. [["What is this deal that you have with the monks?"]] [["How safe are we at this monastery?"]] [["Can you tell me more about your sister?"]] [["Isn't the soup here delicious?"]]

Hames narrows his eyes. "Is that any of your business? I don't pry into your matters, I expect you not to pry into mine." You don't know how to reply to this. Before you can think of a suitable response, Hames continues, "Especially considering how nobody remembers seeing you approach the outpost. What were you doing in front of those barbarians? Where are you from in the first place? Since you haven't shared that with me, I see no reason to share with you what I am doing here." His words are a punch to the gut. You and Hames have been more than civil towards each other over the past few days, so seeing him grow angry all of a sudden is upsetting to you. And while it is true that you haven't told him about yourself, he never bothered to ask. Perhaps he respected your privacy, and was waiting for you to bring up the subject on your own. So it's not that unreasonable for him to be displeased with you suddenly asking about his private business, even if it does seem shady to you. [["My past is none of your concern."|get out]] [["I am sorry for being silent about my life. I had my reasons."]] [["I'll gladly tell you what I can about my past. It was not my intention to keep anything from you."]]

"I understand your question. Yes, the monks do seem quite dubious. I've never felt completely at ease amongst them, but nothing bad has ever happened to me, so it's safe to assume that as long as you and I stay in line, we'll be fine." //If only you knew what will happen to you (if: $days is 0)[three days from now](elseif: $days is 1)[two days from now](elseif: $days is 2)[tomorrow],// you think. "Unless you have some reason to think otherwise?" adds Hames. [["I know some things that you don't know."]] [["The monks are going to kill you soon."]] [["What's going to stop the monks from disposing of you when they get what they want?"]] [["Why were the monks so hesitant to let me stay?"]]

(if: $temper is 0)["What do you mean?" Hames seems taken aback. [["What kind of training is she doing?"]] [["Like, is she single?"]] [["How long has it been since you saw her last?"]] [["Will you promise not to get mad?"]] [["Where is she staying?"]] ]{ }(elseif: $temper is 1)[Hames glares at you. "What about?" [["What kind of training is she doing?"]] [["How long has it been since you saw her last?"]] [["Will you promise not to get mad?"]] [["Where is she staying?"]] ]

(if: $temper is 1)["GET OUT!" [[You get out.|east corridor]] (set: $meeting to 0)(set: $rendezvous to 2) That...probably could have gone better.]{ }(elseif: $temper is 0)["You came here to talk about soup?" "I was just breaking the ice. It is pretty good though, right?" "Yes, yes it is. Now please, what's really on your mind?" (set: $soupq to 1) [["What is this deal that you have with the monks?"]] [["How safe are we at this monastery?"]] [["Can you tell me more about your sister?"]] ]

"Then I suppose we have nothing further to discuss." Hames shows you [[out|east corridor]]. (set: $meeting to 0)(set: $rendezvous to 2) That...probably could have gone better.

Hames raises a thick eyebrow. "Yeah? And what would those reasons be?" [["I keep reliving the same days over and over. I have no memory of before I appeared at the outpost."]] [["I'm on the run from a cruel master. The less you know about me, the better for you if you are ever questioned."]] [["I've...forgotten my past."]]

"Very well," says Hames with a huff. "Are you really here to study horticulture?" [["No"|I thought so]] [["Yes"|get out]]

"Sounds like an awfully convenient reason to me," drawls Hames, crossing his arms over his chest. "I know it is, but you'll just have to trust me. Haven't I shown myself to be a decent person these past few days? Would I be so bold to say I have amnesia if I were lying?" The man who you've come to see as a friend after all these repeated journeys to this abbey leans back, stroking his beard. He ponders your words for a long time. Your apprehension presses on the following seconds, turning them into minutes. At long last, Hames closes his eyes and says, "I'll believe you." Opening his eyes again, he looks directly at you, and says, "And if you are telling the truth, then that should mean you bear me no ill will, correct?" You nod as sincerely as you can. "And so I can entrust with you a secret?" Again you nod. Hames stands up and walks towards the wall. He stops and says nothing for [[another lengthy pause]].

Hames does not know what to make of that. He stands slowly. "What?" "Whenever I die, I wake up on the grass, outside the fort. I have all my memories from that point on until I die again, and then I start all over again." Hames sidles over to the door. "I...see." He clearly doesn't see. "It's true! I can prove it! I'm not lying or crazy or nothing!" But Hames has already opened the door and fled. You are crestfallen. Is there some way you can explain that won't make him afraid of you? Perhaps this will have to be your secret forever. At any rate, Hames returns with one of the guards in tow. The guard strides up to you and sticks you with the [[spear]] before you can say another word. (set: $meeting to 0)(set: $rendezvous to 2)

Hames doubles over laughing. You look on, nervously. "That's a new one," he chortles. After he recovers his breath, he says, "Run from some nasty lord, did you? Did he force you go without supper? Did he send you to the dungeon? Oh, you poor thing!" Hames erupts into a new fit of laughter. "And if he finds me, he'll torture me to learn your whereabouts? I'm so frightened!" You don't know whether to be insulted or worried. He looks at you with a grin. "Okay, tell me the truth." [["I keep reliving the same days over and over. I have no memory of before I appeared at the outpost."]] [["I've...forgotten my past."]]

Hames turns back to you, then announces, "My sister is learning hypnotism. For some reason, she has a knack for it. And," here Hames looks down at the floor in shame, "I brought her here against her wishes to develop her skills. We grew up poor, you see, and I greedily thought that if she could learn how to trick people into doing what we wanted, we would be set for life." Hames looks up again. "But now I'm afraid I've gotten us in too deep. The monks want to use her powers for their own endgoals, and I'm not sure their objectives are commendable. But they have a lot of power and, more importantly, guards posted over the entrance. The brotherhood is watching our every move. I see no option but to go along with their plans as I originally promised them. $name, what am I going to do?" [["Have you spoken to your sister about this?"]]

"I thought so. Who the hell studies plants besides monks and farmers?" Disregarding the remark, you ask, "What else do you want to know?" "Hmmm...where are you from?" [["I grew up as an orphan. I've been traveling the world as long as I can remember, so I known nothing of my roots."|mysterious past]] [["I'm from a nation across the ocean, but I fled when an unkind ruler ascended to the throne."|evil king]]

"I suppose not being tied to anywhere explains why you ended up in the middle of a battle, and why you chose to join me on my journey here." "Tell me," Hames says, in a very grave voice, "If you didn't come here to learn about botany why did you come?" [["To keep you company."]] [["To learn more about your sister."]] [["To infiltrate the brotherhood, learn their secrets, and destroy them."]]

"A refugee? That would make sense, considering how out-of-place you looked at the outpost, and your willingness to come with me here." "Tell me," Hames says in a very grave voice, "If you didn't come here to learn about botany, why did you come?" [["To keep you company."]] [["To learn more about your sister."]] [["To infiltrate the brotherhood, learn their secrets, and destroy them."]]

"While I appreciate your companionship, I wasn't born yesterday. I sense another motive behind your decision to tag along, and if you aren't going to be frank with me, like you claimed you would, then I'm going to have to bid you goodnight. Well?" [["I came out of curiosity. Honestly, I had nothing better to do than to accompany you."|get out]] [["I came to learn about what the monks said in their message to you."|"To learn more about your sister."]] [["I came because I wanted to join the monks and discover their secrets, then end their existence."|"To infiltrate the brotherhood, learn their secrets, and destroy them."]]

"I demand that you explain what you mean by that immediately." "Well," you begin, "I read the letter the monks sent you." "Why, you--" "Hear me out, I beg! Are we not friends?" Hames pauses, then reluctantly says, "Aye, $name, we are." "If I meant to prevent you from coming here and completing your sister's training, would I have told you what the letter said?" "No, I suppose you wouldn't." "Exactly. I know next to nothing about Outlook Abbey, the monks, or this training that your sister is doing. The one thing I know," you pause for effect, "is that I am on your side, no matter what." Hames stands and walks to the wall. You wonder if your little speech had a positive effect on him. Hames says to himself, "What other choice do I have?" He stays facing the wall for a [[long while|another lengthy pause]].

"I see..." Hames bows his head. "I'm...sorry, friend." "Sorry for what?" Looking up, he answers, "Because I, like you, think these monks are up to no good, and would love to see their evil organization dissolved." Then Hames stands up. "But I need them right now. And if you have treason in mind, I cannot risk being incriminated by association." He leaves the room. Before the meaning of his words fully sinks in, he returns with a guard. Pointing to you, he informs the guard that you are plotting against the monks. What the guard cannot see as he prepares to skewer you with his [[spear]] is Hames, shaking his head sadly at you. (set: $meeting to 0)(set: $rendezvous to 2)

"I believe you're being too nosy for your own good," Hames fumes. "I had nearly forgotten about how you knew more about me and my sister than you should've, but now I see you're still trying to pry. Well I won't stand for it any longer." With that, Hames departs, and returns with a guard. "Please dispatch of this fellow. $name is trying to learn the abbey's secrets." The guard unquestioningly follows the command, ending your life and your pesky questions with his [[spear]].

"Get out." [["I was only joking."]] [["Are YOU single?"]] [["Well, is she?"]]

Hames seems puzzled by your question. "I haven't seen her since the day I brought her here, six years ago." [["Why would you leave her in a place like this?"]] [["Why haven't you visited her sooner?"]]

"I will try, but I can't swear on it." "I read the letter that the monks sent to you," you say in an ashamed voice. Hames says nothing, perhaps trying to keep his word. "The circumstances were such that I couldn't deliver the letter to you myself. The original messenger died; you might not have gotten the message at all." Hames nods slowly. "I will overlook this, for now." "So, what I'm wondering is...what were the monks talking about when they mentioned your sister's 'training?'" He says nothing for a long time. Then he asks, "$name, what were you doing at the outpost?" [["I stumbled across it while on my way to Outlook Abbey."|get out]] [["Just trying to stay alive."]]

A pause. "I can't reveal that information." "Why not? Surely it can't hurt to let me know why I haven't seen her(if: $days > 0)[, not even at supper.](else:)[.]" Hames thinks about this, then replies, "The monks believe it would disrupt her training if she were to be exposed to outside influences. You don't want to get in the way of her training, do you?" [[You say nothing.|get out]] [["What IS your sister training for?"|"What kind of training is she doing?"]]

Hames rolls his eyes. "Very well, but please don't try my patience any further." (set: $temper to 1) "What did you really come here to ask?" [["What is this deal that you have with the monks?"]] [["How safe are we at this monastery?"]] [["Can you tell me more about your sister?"]] {(if: $soupq is 0)[ [["Isn't the soup here delicious?"]] ]}

"GET OUT!" [[You get out.|east corridor]] (set: $meeting to 0)(set: $rendezvous to 2) That...probably could have gone better.

"And how would you have come about that knowledge?" asks Hames, suspiciously. "Well, how did I know about the message from the monks?" "Good question. Brother Errol did seem surprised when I said you were the one who brought me the message. How did you know that information?" [["I knew because I am able to discover the future."]] [["The explanation would take too long and be too unbelievable. You'll just have to trust me when I say that I know your sister's in danger."]] [["I knew because I had read the letter they sent."]]

Hames is wordless for a few seconds before sputtering, "Excuse me?" "You're going to try to escape with your sister, and both of you will be caught and killed." "How do you figure?" "I keep seeing it happen," you explain. "I relive the same few days over and over, and it happens every time." "I...I can't believe it. You're making this up. You're trying to deter me from my task! But you won't, not when I'm this close to my goal!" Hames jumps up and rushes out of the room. Looks like you might be in trouble... And indeed you are, for Hames has returned with a guard. "The monks and I have a bargain. I intend to deliver. I would never betray them." With that, the guard moves in and puts his [[spear]] to use. (set: $meeting to 0)(set: $rendezvous to 2)

"If I hadn't traveled with you for several days, I would be insulted by that question!" cries Hames. "The monks and I have a deal!" "I'm sure it was a deal that was made on friendly terms," you reply in a hushed voice, "But I have a question I want you to consider seriously." "I'm listening, but only because I respect you, $name." [["I don't know anything about this deal, but you do. Think about what you have you promised the monks. Are you a necessary part of their plan?"|necessary]] [["Why do the monks have so many precautions, like guards and curfews and restricted areas? Doesn't that seem excessive?"|excessive]] [["Have you noticed the way Brother Deirn looks at me, and acts when I'm around? Why would he be so suspicious of me even after you vouched for me, unless he didn't trust your judgment?"|suspicious]]

"Well, they have a way of life to preserve. The brotherhood can't let just anybody in, especially considering the sensitive information they are entrusted with. Imagine the devastation the world would suffer if an enemy learned powerful secrets. That is why they questioned you when you arrived. Which, by the way, reminds me," Hames switches to a interrogative tone, "Why are you here, really? To study horticulture? You seem so worried about the monks, I wonder if you aren't up to something. Be honest; were you telling the monks the truth about why you came here?" [["Yes, I'm here to learn about plants."|get out]] [["No, that was what I told them so I could stay here with you."]]

"So, in a way, you are deceiving the monks?" Hames' face darkens. "By coming here, you have put me in great danger." "What else was I supposed to do? What else could I have said that wouldn't have gotten me killed?" You are surprised to see Hames get angry so quickly. His predicament must be dire for him to distrust you suddenly. "You could have told the truth!" "The monks don't like the truth!" "I don't like the truth either!" screams Hames. At the sound of raised voices, a guard breaks into the room. Hames points at you and orders, "Kill this infiltrator!" The guard obeys, and before you can explain any further, you feel a familiar piercing sensation as the [[spear]] enters your chest. (set: $meeting to 0)(set: $rendezvous to 2)

"Of course I'm necessary!" Hames declares. "And you're not just trying to convince yourself of that?" "I..." he trails off. Then he stands up, and walks slowly to the wall, thinking about what you asked. "Perhaps I am expendable to them," he says, more to himself than to you. "Maybe fate put you in my path, so I could be warned about the monks' betrayal before it happened." He considers this [[a while longer|another lengthy pause]].

"I thought it was clear that the monks are very private and cautious people," says Hames. "They are taking a great risk by admitting a total stranger. If that's the best evidence you have of the monks being distrustful, then I'm going to have to end our conversation." [["But the monks are being more than just cautious!"|get out]]

"I believe I already said they have important information to protect. Those measures seem acceptable to me. Besides, I don't have anything to fear from them," adds Hames. "It's you who is at risk, and I'm starting to think there's a good reason Deirn is so suspicious of you." It seems you drew too much attention to yourself. Hames leaves the room and returns with a guard, who pays good attention to you as he drives his [[spear]] into your stomach.

"So, you intercepted their message?" "I wouldn't call it intercepting," you answer. "There was a messenger with a letter, you see." "And you read the letter instead of bringing it to me?" says Hames, a little louder. "I told you, I couldn't bring you the letter, trust me." "I don't know why I trusted you in the first place! You deceived me, and you are deceiving the monks as well! Guards!" roars Hames. Hames opens the door to let a guard in. "This man is a threat! Eliminate him now!" The guard nods. Despite your protests, the guard makes quick work of you with his [[spear]]. (set: $meeting to 0)(set: $rendezvous to 2)

"Is that so?" says Hames, disbelievingly. "It's true. I learned the contents of the letter that way, and it's how I know what the monks might do to us if we don't do something." "What if you're lying? You know, I liked you from the beginning, but always thought there was more to you than met the eye. You could have a hidden agenda; you could have learned about the monks somehow, and you might be trying to stop me from working with them. Convincing me that they're my enemy would be the easiest way to do that." "You have to believe me," you plead. "I know what will happen!" "If that's true, then tell me what I'm about to do." [["You're about to see I'm your only hope for avoiding your doom."]] [["You're about to call for the guards."]]

At the mention of his sister being in trouble, Hames eyes grow wide in fear. "You think so?" "I know so." "I..." he begins, "I...truth be told, have worried about my own life. But I always thought my sister would be safe because of her...talents. You really think her life is at stake?" "I swear it on our friendship." The soldier gets on his feet and paces across the cell, stopping in front of the wall. He [[pauses|another lengthy pause]] there for a spell, muttering to himself about "having to trust his instincts."

"Like I thought," says Hames sarcastically. "You're so desperate to persuade me that you're on my side that you'll claim anything, even that you can see the future." He leaves to fetch a guard. He returns moments later, and the guard sends you to your doom with his [[spear]].

Hames is unable to hide the surprise from his face, but he quickly regains composure and says, "That I am." In the remaining minute before Hames returns with a guard, you reflect on how much cooler this scene went when you imagined it in your head. You suppose it's only natural that Hames did exactly what you said he would. Anyway, the guard's [[spear]] impales you, as you foresaw as well.

"Honestly, $name, you'll be more likely to stay alive the less you know about my sister." "I don't think that's necessarily the case," you answer. Hames is startled by your reply. He gets off the bed and walks away from you, turning towards the wall. "So you suspect something is wrong? Something that puts you in danger for being here?" You nod, then remember that Hames can't see you, and say, "Yes." Hames is quite for a [[very long time|another lengthy pause]].

"Excuse me, are you saying I made a poor judgment?" "I'm just pointing out that this doesn't seem like the nicest place to leave someone's own sister." "Well I don't like you're implying. And I'm starting to regret letting you come along with me. I think Brother Deirn might have had the right idea in suspecting you of being a nuisance. You're a little too curious for my tastes. Now, if you'll let me step out of the room for a minute..." Hames departs. Less than a minute later, he has returned with a guard. //I guess he's pretty sensitive about his sister//, you think, as the guard's [[spear]] penetrates your chest.

"What do you mean by that?" asks Hames. "Surely you've had time on leave in the past six years?" "I d-don't know what you're trying to insinuate here," he stammers. You can see he's trying to deflect your questions. "Tell me, Hames--do you love your sister?" "Of course I do." "You'd do anything to make sure she's happy, right?" "Well, yes--" "And you wouldn't stick her someplace she didn't want to be, or if you did you'd at least visit her?" "Stop it!" "Wouldn't you?" [["SHUT UP!"]]

Hames covers his face with his hands and turns away from you. He get up and walks to the corner of the room. You stop your barrage of incriminating questions to give him time to deal with his guilt. Then, after [[a long time|another lengthy pause]], he takes a deep breath.

"Did I mention that we're being watched? There's no way I can talk to her when nobody else is around." You consider for a moment. "Let me talk to her. I'll go at night, when everyone is asleep." Hames looks at you closely, "You would risk that for us?" "Of course I would, friend." He smiles. [["Friend."]]

Hames continues, "She's being kept in a room in a lower level of the monastery. It won't be hard to find." "How will I prove to your sister that I'm on her side?" "Use her real name. She's never told the monks what it is; she said she would hate to hear it coming from any of their lips. They call her 'padis,' their word for student." "And her name is?" you ask. [["Hertha."]]

After Hames thanks a several more times, you slip out of his room, and back into the [[corridor|east corridor]]. (set: $meeting to 0)(set: $rendezvous to 2)(set: $countdown to it - 3)

The wooden door has a head-sized hatch set into it. You open this and peer into the room beyond. It's very dark inside. You can barely see the outline of a bed and (if: $hertha is 0)[a sleeping figure](else:)[Hertha] on top of it. (if: $interacted is 2)[{ }[Open the door.]<openthedooragain| [[Turn back.|too little too late]] [[Call out to Hertha.|caught red handed]]{ }]{ }(else:)[{ }[Open the door.]<openthedoor| [[Turn back.|west stairwell]] [[Call out to the form on the bed.]] ]{ (click: ?openthedoor)[(replace: ?openthedoor)[Locked. Figures.]] (click: ?openthedooragain)[(replace: ?openthedooragain)[Still locked.]]}

(set: $wakeup to (prompt: "You clear your voice and say:")) (goto: "Wake up")

(if: $wakeup is "Hertha")["Hmmm?" a voice mumbles from the bed. "$wakeup!" you repeat. The form turns over in the bed, then slowly rises, step onto the ground, and approaches the door. As the figure moves towards the light, it is revealed to be that of a young woman in her late twenties. She looks at you in disbelief. "Who are you?" she demands. "My name is $name! I came here with your brother! I want to help you and him!" "Look me in the eyes so I can tell if you're lying or not." [[You look directly into her eyes.|trust]] [[You turn away.]] ]{ }(else:)[(if: $botched is 0)["Hmmm?" a voice mumbles from the bed. "$wakeup!" you repeat. The form turns over in the bed, then slowly rises, step onto the ground, and approaches the door. As the figure moves towards the light, it is revealed to be that of a young woman in her late twenties. She looks at you in disbelief and suspicion. "Who are you?" she demands. "My name is $name! I want to help you!" "Look me in the eyes so I can tell if you're lying or not." [[You look directly into her eyes.]] [[You turn away.]] ]{ }(elseif: $botched is 1)[There is no reply from the woman. [[Turn back.|west stairwell]] ] ] (set: $firstvisit to 1)

The next thing you know, you are face down on the floor in the entrance hall, your arms pinned to your back you by a guard. "Try to steal my keys, were you? Well, I'd like to see you try that when you're dead!" Then another guard stabs you with his [[spear]].

"Hah! That's proof enough for me that you're lying. Go away, let me go back to sleep." The woman goes back to bed. You call out to her again, but she never responds. [[Turn back.|west stairwell]] (set: $botched to 1)

"You really mean it, don't you?" she says astounded.(set: $hertha to 1) "Yes." "So you came here with Hames? You're coming up with a plan for us all to escape?" "That's right!" Hertha smiles broadly and then says, "Great! So what's the plan?" (if: $fullplan is 0)[{ }[["Uhhh..."]] ]{ }(if: $fullplan is 1)[{ }[["The plan goes like this:"|explain the plan]] ]

Hertha rolls her eyes. "Great," she repeats, sarcastically this time. "Hey now...look--why don't you hypnotize one of the monks into letting you out of your cell?" You realize unpleasantly that Hertha's room is more than just a monk's cell; it's a prison cell too. "You really don't think I've tried that...//years ago//?" You shrug. She continues, "If someone knows I can hypnotize them and they steel themselves against my powers, I can't affect them. I'm only allowed to talk to the monks who know how to do that." [[Seconds pass as you both try to think of a solution.|Planning]]

"The way I see it," Hertha states, "We have three obstacles: "1) We have no safe way of keeping each other updated--meeting at night is too risky. (if: $hypno is 2)[We might, however, be able to pass messages along using a hypnotized monk who will read and write messages in the library's book on geology.(set: $part1 to 1)] "2) We don't have the key for unlocking my room. (if: $keyc is 1)[But if you can succeed in stealing it from Brother Errol, then that will be taken care of.(set: $part2 to 1)] "3) We can't get past the guards that are always posted at the entrance to the abbey. (if: $poisonplan is 1)[If they were drugged, though, we might just stand a chance.(set: $part3 to 1)]{ (if: $part1 is 1 and $part2 is 1 and $part3 is 1 and $hypno is 2 and $keyc is 1 and $poisonplan is 1)[(set: $fullplan to 1)]} (if: $fullplan is 0)["Until we have a solution to those issues, I don't know how we'll manage to escape." She turns and looks at you for input. (if: $keyq is 0)[{ }[["Do you know who might have the key to your cell?"]] ](if: $keyk is 1 and $keyc is 0)[{ }[["I think I know where the key to your cell is."]] ](if: $thelon is 1 and $thel is 0)[{ }[["Do you know Brother Thelon?"]] ](if: $graffiti is 1 and $hypno is 0)[{ }[["Could you hypnotize someone to leave messages in a book?"]] ](if: $pitcherplant is 1 and $poisonplan is 0)[{ }[["What if we found a way to neutralize everyone?"]] ](if: $thel is 1 and $hypno is 1)[{ }[["If I sent Brother Thelon here, could you instruct him to write messages in one of the library books?"]] ][["I'll keep that in mind. Let me talk to Hames, and I'll get back to you when I can."]] ]{ }(elseif: $fullplan is 1)["I think we have an approach to each of the obstacles. Why don't you [[explain the plan]] back to me?"]

"No, I don't believe so," replies Hertha. "I usually only see a few of the monks: Brother Errol, Brother Deirn, Brother Hibbota..." "If I could convince Brother Thelon--he's the gardener--to come visit you, do you think you could hypnotize him?" "I could, provided he hasn't been taught how to withstand my gaze. But what good would that do? If anyone saw him do something suspicious, they would catch on very quickly." [["That's true,"|Planning]] you admit. (set: $thel to 1)

"Like I said," Hertha replies, "any monk who knows to be on guard is immune to my powers of hypnotism." [["Oh, right."|Planning]] (set: $hypno to 1)

You explain to Hertha how you have learned of a plant that could make the monks, guards--everyone in Outlook Abbey--forget what is happening, temporarily. If you could produce the liquid from the //nepenthes// plant in a large enough quantity to affect all the monks, then you might be able to break out of the monastery with minimum resistance. Hertha nods her head in agreement. [["Sounds good,"|Planning]] she says. (set: $poisoning to 1)(set: $poisonplan to 1)

"Thank you," says Hertha. You step away from the door and head back [[up the stairs|west stairwell]]. (set: $interacted to 1)(set: $hameshelp to 1)

Rethinking your trip down here, you turn around to head up the stairs. That's when you see [[Brother Deirn]] coming down the steps.

"Hertha!" you cry. "So //that's// her name," says a voice from behind you. You turn to see [[Brother Deirn]] walking down the stairs.

"Well, well, well...what have we here?" His lantern swings back and forth as he descends the staircase. "I knew to suspect you. Your story about being here to study plants was so obviously false. Now I have proof, though, that Hames brought you in order to kidnap his sister. Well, you'll all pay for your trickery." And indeed you do, when you all get executed the following morning, three guards killing each one of you. The one assigned to you seems to enjoy stabbing you with his [[spear]] a bit more than he should.

(if: $brasskey > 1)[(unless: $keey is 3)[(goto: "deadmeat")] ](if: $case is 5)[(set: $case to 6)](if: $knock is 5)[(set: $knock to 6)](if: $thel is 5)[(set: $thel to 6)](if: $water is 2)[(set: $water to 4)](if: $water is 3)[(set: $water to 5)](if: $ht is 1)[(set: $ht to 0)](if: $thel is 6)[(if: $newmessage is 2)[(set: $newmessage to 0)](else:)[(set: $newmessage to 1)] ](if: $days is 2 and $givesignal is 2)[(set: $signal to 1)]A few hours later, you are awoken by a knocking on your door. (if: $candle > 0 and $candlecaught > 0)["$name! We know you took a candle again! We have given you warning, but you seem intent to disobey, leaving us no choice but to see you as a threat to our monastery!" The door bursts open and Brother Deirn enters with a guard. As the guard brings down his [[spear]], you wryly think of how sad it is that you are being killed over a stolen candle.](else:)["Pardon me, $name, but it is already late morning," says the voice of a monk. "Thank you for waking me," you answer. You rise out of bed, exhausted. (if: $candle > 0)["I have also been told to inform you that the brothers discovered a candle missing from the altar. We want to stress that these objects are not yours, and we will not tolerate you stealing them from the monastery. Furthermore, being out of bed after curfew is strictly forbidden. Do not violate these rules again." Embarassed, you take the candle, open the door, and hand it to the monk. (set: $candle to 0)(set: $candlecaught to 1) ][[Start the day.|Your room]]]{ (set: $sneak to 0)(set: $countdown to 25) (if: $interacted is 1)[(set: $interacted to 2)]}

Before you return to the hall, you ask(if: (history:) contains "ask about exiting")[ again], "Where might I get 'special permission'?" The other waves his [[spear|stupid]] intimidatingly, saying "You'd have to speak with the monks, preferably one of the head ones." You nod your head and turn back to the [[entrance hall]]. (set: $outsideinquiry to 1)

What? Why would you do that? That's such a stupid move! Okay, fine: You clumsily trip and land directly on the [[spear]] that the guard was menacingly waving at you. So stupid.

"Ah!" exclaims the monk. "Do come in and sit down! $name, wasn't it?" He gestures to a second chair in his cell. "Yes," you say as you sit down. "What can I do for you this (if: $countdown > 15)[morning](if: $countdown < 16)[afternoon]?" Matteus continues to write in a large tome lying on his table. "Well, sir--" "Please, no 'sirs' here. Just 'brother' will do." "Er, yes...[[brother]]." (if: (history:) contains "Come in!")[You still can't remember to say that.]

"Anyway," says Brother Matteus, scribbling away with his pen, "What was it you were here to see me about?" "I was told by the guards that I could not step outside the abbey unless I had 'special permission'. I wanted to know if I could have that permission." The monk puts his pen down. "And might I ask why you would like to venture outside the monastery? It's dangerous in Drayn's Chasm you know." [["I'm planning to escape."]] [["The fresh air would do me good."]] (if: $historybook is 1)[{ }[["I hear this pass is the way Drayn took on his expedition north. I would very much like to see the view of the tundra. Is it far?"]] ](if: $growknow is 1)[{ }[["I want to see if I can find a special mineral north of the abbey, one that aids the growth of plants."]] ]

"Wait here, please." The monk stands and leaves the room. He closes the door firmly behind him. You wait a few seconds and then attempt to open the door, but Brother Matteus has locked it. Minutes later, the door reopens. This time, Brother Errol is with Matteus, and a guard is behind them. Brother Errol looks down at you disapprovingly. "Brother Matteus tells me you were intending to leave the monastery." He kneels in front of you. "Why do you insult our hospitality? You disappoint me, $name." He stands up, turns away, and as he leaves the room, gestures to the guard to kill you with his [[spear]].

Brother Matteus says, still writing in his book, "Ah, yes, a brief jaunt outdoors to help the lungs." He stops, purses his lips, and then asks, "Why not stroll around the gardens?" //Oh right//, you think. "Oh right." "I'm sure Brother Thelon will be happy to see someone enjoying his garden. And the air is just as nice up there as it would be outside the abbey. Now, if you would permit me to return to my duties, I will bid you goodday. Thank you for coming in, and good luck with your lungs." "Er, yes. Thank you." [[You stand up and leave.|west corridor]] (set: $matteusconvo to 1)

"Ah! A healthy interest in this land's rich history!" "Yes sir--ah I mean brother," you mumble. "Well, you'll be happy to know that a vista of the cold lands to the north is not far at all! About three hours, nay, two and a half in that direction is as far as you need travel. Quite maneageable in a day." "And will you allow me to do so?" "That I will. But be warned, $name. Drayn's Chasm has treacherous footing. You will want to be very cautious. You will also want to pack a lunch." As Matteus says this, he turns to the end of his book and tears off a small scrap from one of the pages. Scribbling on it and handing it to you, he says, "Give this to the guards, and they will let you outside." You glance at the slip and see a note to the guards to admit you outside of the abbey, along with a signature. The scrawling script seems familiar. "Thank you, Brother Matteus," you say. Then you return to the [[corridor|west corridor]]. (set: $clearance to 1)(set: $matteusconvo to 1)(set: $note to 1)

Brother Matteus looks at you out of the corner of his eye. "A special mineral, hmmm?" "That's right." "Something you learned about from Brother Thelon, correct?" You nod your head. "Well, if it's important for you education in botany, I suppose I will permit it. Tell the guards that I am giving you clearance to go outside. If they don't believe you, say 'Bloodscale' and they should let you pass." You thank Matteus and return to the [[corridor|west corridor]]. (set: $clearance to 2)(set: $matteusconvo to 1)

One guard relaxes a little bit, but the other stays poised to attack you if he thinks you are bluffing. (if: $note is 1)[{ }[["I have a note from Brother Matteus."]] ](elseif: $note is 3)[{ }[["I had a note from Brother Matteus the other day."]] ]["I know the password."]<password| (click: ?password)[(set: $password to (prompt: "The password is"))(goto: "I know the password.")]

(if: $password is "Bloodscale")[The guards seem surprised. Then the aggressive one stands upright and says, "Very well, then. You may pass." He steps aside to allow you [[outside|steps]]. (set: $admittance to 1)]{ }(elseif: $password is "bloodscale")[The guards seem surprised. Then the aggressive one stands upright and says, "Very well, then. You may pass." He steps aside to allow you [[outside|steps]]. (set: $admittance to 1)]{ }(else:)["What!?" cries one of the guards. "That's not even close!" "He's trying to pull one over on us! Better kill him. He's dangerous, he is!" "Agreed," says the other one, and they both attack you at the same time. As you die, you reflect on how weird it is to be impaled by a [[spear]] on each side.]

The suspicious guards snatches the note from your hand. After reading it, he clears his throat and say, "Well, this appears to be in order." Then he steps aside and allows you [[through the doorway|steps]]. (set: $note to 2)

You are on the steps that lead back [[into the monastery|entrance hall]]. The columns on either side of the entrance are impressive as always(if: $sneak is 0)[, and you take a moment to admire the etchings of magical creatures that have been carved above the abbey as well]. The ledge that the monastery is situated upon continues to the [[north|north ledge]] and [[south|south ledge]]. (if: $sneak is 0)[(set: $countdown to it - 1)(if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "nightfalls")] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 1)[(if: $case is 4)[(set: $case to 5)](if: $knock is 4)[(set: $knock to 5)] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[(if: $hamesy is 1)[Hames stops at the top of the stairs. "I'm not leaving without my sister."](elseif: $hamesy is 0)[(if: $fade is 9)[You see Hertha and Hames running along the path going south.]]{ }(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")]]

(if: $sneak is 1)[This mountainous region is far too cold after dark. Your teeth begin to chatter and your body starts convulsing. Miserable, you turn back to [[Outlook Abbey|steps]].](else:)[Half an hour later, (if: $sneak is 0)[you pause to take a break. (if: $growknow is 1)[As you rest, you admire the strange [[blue soil]] scattered beneath your feet.](else:)[As you rest, you admire the strange blue soil scattered beneath your feet.] (if: $countdown > 11)[After catching your breath, you... [[continue onward.]] [[decide to head back.|steps]] ](elseif: $countdown < 12)[After catching your breath, you realize how low the sun is. You decide to [[head back|long trip back]] before it grows too dark.] (set: $countdown to it - 1)(if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "nightfalls")] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[you run out of breath and collapse. Soon you hear the footsteps of the guards who have caught up to you, and then the familiar sound of a [[spear]] going between your shoulderblades.] ]

After a few minutes of travel, you round a corner and see a spear that has been stuck into the ground, pointy end up. You don't remember seeing it on your journey to the abbey, so it must have been placed here since then.(if: $fade is 9 and $hamesy is 0)[(if: $errol is 0)[(set: $speared to 1) Beyond the spear you see Hertha and Hames. "Wait!" you cry out. "I can't go past the spear unless someone gets rid of it!" Hames stops and turns around. "What? That's crazy! Just run past it, we can't waste any more time." "Too late!" yells Hertha, pointing. You see that behind you, Brother Errol has woken up and is coming after you all, armed with a spear. [[Continue forward.]] [[Turn back.|Errolkill]] [[Wait.|Errolkill]] ]{ }(elseif: $errol is 1)[ Beyond the spear you see Hertha and Hames. "Wait!" you cry out. "I can't go past the spear unless someone gets rid of it!" Hames stops and turns around. "What? That's crazy! Just run past it, we can't waste any more time." "Please! You've trusted me with your lives. Now I'm trusting you to do this one thing." Hertha steps over to the spear and yanks it out of the ground. "Better?" "Much." You run up to the others and you all continue your flight away from Outlook Abbey. [[Several days later...|Elsewhere]] ] ]{ }(else:)[ [[Continue forward.]] [[Turn back.|steps]] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 0)[(set: $countdown to it - 1)(if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "nightfalls")] ]

You (if: $sneak is 0)[walk tentatively past the spear, holding your breath.](if: $sneak is 2)[sprint past the spear, but it is no use.] Just when you think you're in the clear, you feel the ground beneath you slipping away. In seconds, you find yourself riding down the side of the chasm in an avalanche! Everything that follows happens in a blur. After the rumbling and crashing die away, you find that you have become pinned beneath the rubble by several large boulders. Only your head and torso are free from the huge pile of debris. You glance upwards at the cliff from where you fell, and see the spear still standing there, upright. But at the moment, you start to see it teeter towards the abyss. It falls! As it moves downward, it grows larger in your vision, until the [[spear]] finally lands right where you are lying.

(if: $climbed is 0)[You squat to get a better look at the oddly-hued dirt. You recall Brother Thelon's lesson about the miraculous soil that can speed up the growth rate of plants, and that there was only one known location where that substance could be found--half an hour north of the monastery. Unfortunately, there's seems to be little soil here. It's possible that it's all concentrated at the top of the nearby [[cliff]].](elseif: $climbed is 1)[The soil can only be found on top of the [[cliff]], which you know from experience is a tough obstacle.]

Two long hours later, you are rewarded with the view. Nothing but flat white expanses of snow and frost lie beyond the end of the mountain range. You can see why so many have perished traveling here, as there is nothing hospitable from here to the horizon. Finally, once you have had your fill, you turn around and begin your [[long trip back]]. (set: $countdown to it - 12)

(if: $countdown > 5)[(goto: "steps")]{ }(else:)[You arrive just in time for [[supper]], and you sure do have the appetite for it!]

If the player has read the correct book, then s/he can suggest writing messages to each other. The player needs to have some trigger that gives her/him the idea for Thelon to be hypnotized by Hertha as a messenger. The player can sneak upstairs, but the sleeping quarters are hard to sneak through. What does s/he find up there? What other rooms are there? The player needs to grow a nepenthes plant. This means getting blue soil and a plant to grow in the water basin. This can be used to drug people during dinner. What prevents the player from drugging people and escaping on the third evening? What does Hames say if the player speaks to him a second time? Explain that Thelon can be hypnotized IF you have had lessons with him Explain that books can be used to exchange messages IF you have read the history book Explain that guards can be put to sleep IF you have read about nepenthes IF plan is in place, Hertha mentions the key problem (OR DOES SHE SAY THIS SOONER?) IF you speak to Hertha, then you can speak to Hames on the first night IF you speak to Hames, he will make a distraction for you IF you investigate the rooms, you find the library key IF you unlock the library, you can make a distraction IF you knock over shelves, you can investigate the monks’ beds IF you go outside, the guards will be there when you get back IF you have blue soil, you can transplant a pitcher plant (as early as the 2nd night) IF you have transplanted a pitcher plant, it will be full-grown by the 3rd night IF you have a full-grown plant, then you can lace the food Messages: None Key Nepenthes Key+Nepenthes Day 1 – Nope Library key No luck yet Night 2 – Help Keep looking Hurry Day 2 – More Actual key? Planted Night 2 – Try Yes! Hope it grows fast Day 3 – Sorry Actual key? Lacing food tonight Be ready Sanctum Corridor Errol Corridor Deirn Balcony

You approach the steep cliff wall. (if: $climbed is 0)[The [[climb]] looks difficult, but possible.](elseif: $climbed is 1)[The [[climb|look around]] looks difficult, but possible.] Though you could [[leave]] for now and return some other time.

Thin crevasses and protusions offer possible handholds and footholds. The only question is where to begin: with a [[foothold on the left]] or a [[handhold on the right]]. (set: $countdown to it - 1)(if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "nightfalls")]

(if: $countdown > 11)[Best to come back when you're more prepared, perhaps. You walk back to the road before deciding whether to [[continue on|continue onward.]] or to [[head back to the monastery|steps]]. ](elseif: $countdown < 12)[Best to come back when you're more prepared, perhaps. You walk back to the road, basked in the ruddy glow of the setting sun. You decide to [[head back to the monastery|long trip back]].] (set: $countdown to it - 1)(if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "nightfalls")]

(set: $climb to (random: 1, 3))(if: $climb is 1)[From here, you can just barely reach a handhold to either [[the left]] or [[the right]].] (else:)[(goto: "fall")]

(set: $climb to (random: 1, 3))(unless: $climb is 1)[From here, you can just barely reach a handhold to either [[the left|left1]] or [[the right|right1]].] (else:)[(goto: "fall")]

(set: $climb to (random: 1, 5))(if: $climb > 2)[Just a few more meters and you'll summit the cliff. But that requires either trying to [[lunge]] for the next handhold or [[stretch]] a leg over to another foothold.] (else:)[(goto: "fall")]

(set: $climb to (random: 1, 5))(if: $climb > 4)[Just a few more meters and you'll summit the cliff. But that requires either trying to [[lunge|lunge1]] for the next handhold or [[stretch|stretch1]] a leg over to another foothold.] (else:)[(goto: "fall")]

(set: $climb to (random: 1, 9))(if: $climb > 4)[You pull yourself over the ledge, panting in exhaustion. After a few moments, you [[look around]].] (else:)[(goto: "fall")]

(set: $climb to (random: 1, 9))(if: $climb > 7)[You pull yourself over the ledge, panting in exhaustion. After a few moments, you [[look around]].] (else:)[(goto: "fall")]

(if: $countdown > 11)[You briefly consider whether to [[continue traveling north|continue onward.]] or to [[backtrack to Outlook Abbey|steps]].](elseif: $countdown < 12)[You see how far the sun has set, meaning that there's no time to continue north. It's time to [[backtrack to Outlook Abbey|long trip back]].]

(set: $climb to (random: 1, 5))(if: $climb > 3)[Just a few more meters and you'll summit the cliff. But that requires either trying to [[lunge|lunge2]] for the next handhold or [[stretch|stretch2]] a leg over to another foothold.] (else:)[(goto: "fall")]

(set: $climb to (random: 1, 5))(if: $climb > 1)[Just a few more meters and you'll summit the cliff. But that requires either trying to [[lunge|lunge3]] for the next handhold or [[stretch|stretch3]] a leg over to another foothold.] (else:)[(goto: "fall")]

(set: $climb to (random: 1, 9))(if: $climb > 1)[You pull yourself over the ledge, panting in exhaustion. After a few moments, you [[look around]].] (else:)[(goto: "fall")]

(set: $climb to (random: 1, 9))(if: $climb > 3)[You pull yourself over the ledge, panting in exhaustion. After a few moments, you [[look around]].] (else:)[(goto: "fall")]

(set: $climb to (random: 1, 9))(if: $climb > 5)[You pull yourself over the ledge, panting in exhaustion. After a few moments, you [[look around]].] (else:)[(goto: "fall")]

(set: $climb to (random: 1, 9))(if: $climb > 2)[You pull yourself over the ledge, panting in exhaustion. After a few moments, you [[look around]].] (else:)[(goto: "fall")]

(set: $climb to (random: 1, 9))(if: $climb > 8)[You pull yourself over the ledge, panting in exhaustion. After a few moments, you [[look around]].] (else:)[(goto: "fall")]

(set: $climb to (random: 1, 9))(if: $climb > 6)[You pull yourself over the ledge, panting in exhaustion. After a few moments, you [[look around]].] (else:)[(goto: "fall")]

(if: $climbed is 1)[Once again, you summit the steep cliff, putting in all the effort you can. ]Your hard work paid off: all around you is rich, azure soil. You scoop up a thick handful, which you place in your pockets. They bulge awkwardly. (set: $bluesoil to 1)(set: $climbed to 1) You rest awhile longer before you [[climb back down]], which(if: (history:) contains "look around")[, as before,] proves to be far easier than the ascent.

Your fingers slip and you find yourself falling to the base of the cliff. Nevertheless, you stand up again, battered but not beaten. You gaze at the wall again, before deciding to [[give it another go|climb]] or [[come back another time|leave]].

"That's right," says one of the guards. "//the other day//." The other guards adds, "Matteus said you were only to be given access outside for one day. Move along, then." Begrudgingly, you go [[inside|entrance hall]]. (set: $note to 4)

You empty your pockets of the blue soil you collected outside the monastery. The soil soaks up all of the water in the metal basin, turning it from cerulean to ultramarine. You admire the moistened dirt, then turn back towards [[the room|Your room]]. (set: $water to 1)(set: $bluesoil to 0)

You hear a knock on your door. (if: $candlecaught is 0)["Yes?" you ask. A monk answers, "I have been told to inform you that the brothers discovered a candle missing from the altar. We want to stress that these objects are not yours, and we will not tolerate you stealing them from the monastery. Do not steal again." Embarassed, you take the candle, open the door, and hand it to the monk.(set: $candle to 0)(set: $candlecaught to 1) Closing the door, you turn back to [[your room|Your room]].]{ }(elseif: $candlecaught > 0)["$name! We know you took a candle again! We have given you warning, but you seem intent to disobey, leaving us no choice but to see you as a threat to our monastery!" The door bursts open and Brother Deirn enters with a guard. As the guard brings down his [[spear]], you wryly think of how sad it is that you are being killed over a stolen candle.]

(if: $kleptonep is 1)[You place the stolen pitcher plant into the soil in the basin. Immediately the plant begins to soak in the moisture and nutrients. You can see it growing before your very eyes! By morning it will be dominating at least half of the room!(set: $water to 2)](elseif: $tomato is 1)[You place the stolen tomato plant into the soil in the basin. Immediately the plant begins to soak in the moisture and the nutrients. You can see it growing before your very eyes! By morning it will be dominating at least half of the room!(set: $water to 3)](else:)[The blue soil moistened by the basin's water provides the perfect conditions to grow something at an accelerated rate.] [[Return|Your room]]

You see how far the sun has set, meaning that it's time to [[backtrack to Outlook Abbey|long trip back]].

(if: $water is 2)[The pitcher plant is almost as big as you are!](elseif: $water is 4)[The pitcher plant swamps this side of the room. The //nepenthes//' pitchers are now as large as ordinary pitchers, and each one contains the liquid that causes amnesia (according to mythology) or paralysis (according to biology). (if: $apitcher is 0)[You carefully remove one of the pitchers and take it with you.(set: $apitcher to 1)] ][[Return|Your room]]

"You know what? I think that just might work." "Perfect. I'll tell Brother Thelon something that will make him come to you, and then you'll tell him to visit you each night. If you need to tell me something, have Brother Thelon write your message in the tenth to last page of the book about geology(set: $geo to 1). Tell him to check that page for messages before he comes to see you as well.(if: $sneakier is 1 and $lib is 0)[ Oh! And please make sure he ignores me if he sees me in the monastery after dark.(set: $thelp to 1)](elseif: $lib is 1)[ Oh! and please make sure he ignores me if he sees me in the monastery after dark. And ask him to leave it unlocked during the night.(set: $thelp to 2)](if: $idea2 is 1 and $ideac is 1)[ One more thing! Tell him to knock over a bookcase in the library after he visits you. It's crucial that he does this.(set: $distraction to 1)]" [["I'll do that,"|Planning]] says Hertha.(set: $thel to 2)(set: $hypno to 2)

(set: $thel to 4)Before reaching the stairs you remember that you meant to convince Thelon to visit Hertha. You turn back and approach the monk, who is checking on some zucchini. "Brother Thelon?" "Yes, $name?" (if: $growknow is 1)["Do you ever do any cooking with these vegetables?" "No, I leave that to the kitchen staff." "Aren't you curious about the culinary difference between ordinary vegetables and those that you grow?" "I know for a fact that the latter tastes far superior to the former." "But what about the nutritional difference?" you ask. "Wouldn't it be helpful to conduct a few tests on a subject to ascertain just how beneficial these plants are? Maybe a malnourished individual would show great improvement if fed a diet of specially grown vegetables." The chubby monk squints at you, then remarks, "That's not a bad idea, $name. I might try that. Thank you for the suggestion." "You're welcome."(set: $thel to 5)](else:)["Do you think everyone gets fed well enough here?" "Yes, I believe my produce covers everyone's meals fairly well." "I'd hate to think that somebody wasn't being fed properly." The chubby monk squints at you, then asks, "Is there anyone specific you are thinking of?" You quickly try to reduce Thelon's suspicion. "No, nobody. I'm sure you're right. I was just reminiscing about my youth when food was nowhere near as plentiful as it is here." "Well, I'm sorry your childhood was unfortunate." You silently nod your head.] [[Leave|east stairwell]]

(if: (history:)'s last is "west corridor")[Brother Thelon (if: $countdown is 17)[opens his door and ]finds you standing in the west corridor.]{ }(if: (history:)'s last is "west hallway")[Brother Thelon (if: $countdown is 13)[opens the library door and ](elseif: $countdown is 3)[opens the library door and ]finds you standing in the west hallway.]{ }(if: (history:)'s last is "west stairwell")[Brother Thelon (if: $countdown is 7)[comes up the steps and](else:)[comes through the doorway to the south and] finds you standing in the west stairwell.]{ }(if: (history:)'s last is "lower levels")[Brother Thelon (if: $thel is 5 and $countdown > 13)[comes down the steps and finds you](if: $thel is 6 and $countdown > 10)[comes down the steps and finds you](else:)[crosses your path] in the tunnel.(set: $countdown to 8)] (if: $thelp is 0)["$name! What are you doing here? You're not supposed to be out after dark, let alone snooping around the abbey!" Before you are given a chance to explain yourself, the voluminous monk cries out for the guards. You vow to be sneakier next time round, as the [[spear]] pierces your chest. (set: $sneakier to 1)]{ }(elseif: $thelp > 0 and $thel is 5 and $countdown > 10)["$name! What are you doing here? You're not supposed to be out after dark, let alone snooping around the abbey!" Before you are given a chance to explain yourself, the voluminous monk cries out for the guards. You vow to be sneakier next time round, as the [[spear]] pierces your chest. (set: $sneakier to 1)]{ }(elseif: $thelp > 0 and $thel is 5 and $countdown < 11)[He acknowledges your presence but moves on without a word. [You watch him leave.]<resume|]{ }(elseif: $thelp > 0 and $thel is 6)[He acknowledges your presence but moves on without a word. [You watch him leave.]<resume|]{ }(click: ?resume)[(goto: (history:)'s last)]

You pluck a giant tomato from the plant and take a bite. [[It's delicious!|Your room]]

While none of the cooks are looking, you wander over to the cauldron and surreptitiously pour the contents of the pitcher plant into the soup. Then you leave as quickly and casually as possible, discarding the empty pitcher in a pile of waste. (set: $apitcher to 2)(set: $spiked to 1) [[You remember to start breathing again.|east hallway]]

(if: $hk is 0)[You quickly explain to Hames your plan. He looks at you dubiously, as if unsure whether to trust someone who just poisoned an entire monastic order. Exasperated, you say, "Look, you can either come with me or you can stay here, where I'm sure the monks won't be suspicious of you." This gets through to him, and he resigns to follow your lead. ](set: $sneak to 2)(set: $fade to 11)(set: $hamesy to 1){ }As always, the exits to the dining room are to the [[north|kitchen]], [[southwest|entrance hall]], and [[east|east hallway]].

(if: $brasskey is 1)[You see Brother Errol enter from the western corridor. "Where's Hames?" you ask. "Your friend assaulted me just now. It appears he was trying to break his sister out of her room, but the key he tried to use didn't work." The head monk moves over towards the still bodies of the guards. "Not sure why, though. That key should have been the room to the cell...unless someone swapped it with a different key." He suddenly bends down and grabs a spear. (if: $speary is 0)[Too late do you notice what Errol is doing. You turn to run but Errol is both quick and precise. He flings the [[spear]] at you and hits you dead center.(set: $speary to 1)](elseif: $speary is 1)[You see Brother Errol, so you turn and run. The monk is faster, though; he dashes to the entrance, grabs a [[spear]], and kills you before you can get away.] ]{ }(else:)[As you arrive in the entrance hall, you see Hames and Hertha enter from the western corridor.(if: $hk is 0)[ They see that the guards are immobile and look at you in wonder. "Was this your doing, $name?" asks Hames. You nod(unless: (history:) contains "hurry to the entrance hall")[, and then ask him how he sprung his sister from the basement. "I couldn't take another night knowing she was locked up downstairs. I got desperate, so I grabbed Brother Errol who was keeping an eye on her and forced him to unlock it.(set: $keyk to 1) Then I knocked him out." ](if: $speared is 1)[, and then ask Hames to remove the spear from the road when he and Hertha leave, because otherwise you won't be able to follow them. "What? Why would that prevent you from following? Are you mad?" Before you can explain, ]Hertha butts in, saying, "We'd better hurry. Now's our chance to escape!" They rush off through the gates to the abbey. You make ready to follow them but realize that this is a rare opportunity to check out the upstairs section. [[You weigh the options in your mind.|entrance hall]] ](elseif: $hk is 1)[(if: $signal is 0)[ You shout at Hames, "I told you not to do anything until I gave you the signal!" "I'm sorry, $name, but I couldn't take another night knowing she was locked up downstairs." "Did anyone see you free Hertha?" The siblings look at each other, then Hertha replies, "Brother Errol (if: $brasskey is 3)[was there, ](elseif: $brasskey is 0)[had the key, ]so Hames had to knock him out."(if: $speared is 1)[ You groan, since you know Errol will probably be along any second now. He must not have been truly knocked out. "Go," you tell the others. "And if you can, move the spear from the road." Hames looks at you puzzledly, but Hertha grabs his arm and pulls him outside. [[You try to figure out what to do now.|entrance hall]] ](elseif: $speared is 0)[ "Let's hope that's enough to make good our escape." Hertha and Hames run out the gates. [[You prepare to follow them.|entrance hall]] ] ]{ }(elseif: $signal is 1)[ "Did everything go alright?" (if: $errol is 1)[They nod. "Then let's go!" Hertha and Hames run outside, and you [[prepare to follow|entrance hall]].](elseif: $errol is 0)[They shake their heads. "Brother Errol was there and Hames struggled with him, but eventually Hames knocked him out."(if: $speared is 1)[ You groan, since you know Errol will probably be along any second now. He must not have been truly knocked out. "Go," you tell the others. "And if you can, move the spear from the road." Hames looks at you puzzledly, but Hertha grabs his arm and pulls him outside. [[You try to figure out what to do now.|entrance hall]] ](elseif: $speared is 0)[ "Let's hope that's enough to make good our escape." Hertha and Hames run out the gates. [[You prepare to follow them.|entrance hall]] ] ] ] ]{ }(set: $sneak to 2)(set: $fade to 11)]

The monks and guards have regained mobility! (if: (history:)'s last is "steps")[You try to outrun them, but the reinvigorated--and far more athletic--guards catch up to you and [[spear]] you.](else:)[With nowhere to run, you are quickly cornered and put to death in the traditional way: by [[spear]].]

{(if: $sneak is 1)[(if: (history:)'s last is "Searchd")[(set: $dstir to it + 1)](if: (history:)'s last is "chest")[(set: $dstir to it + 1)] ] }Deirn's room is kept orderly. Books are organized on two small bookshelves and a stack of books also rests on his desk, next to four ink jars and a dozen quills. A chair has been pushed in at the desk. (if: $sneak is 1)[Deirn himself is asleep in his bed,](elseif: $sneak is 2)[The bed has been newly made,] and a(if: $dstir is 4)[ chest](elseif: $keey is 1)[ [[chest]]](else:)[ chest] lies squarely at the foot of it. A prayer mat is rolled up in the corner next to the bed. The(if: $dstir is 4)[ door ](else:)[ [[door|quarters]] ]leads back to the corridor.(if: $hamesy is 1)[ Hames looks even more nervous in the monk's cell.]{ }(if: $sneak is 1)[(if: $dstir > 0)[ (if: $dstir is 1)[Deirn mumbles a bit, then resumes snoring.](if: $dstir is 2)[You flinch as the monk turns over in his sleep.](if: $dstir is 3)["Is someone there?" says Deirn groggily, more to himself than anyone else.](if: $dstir is 4)[Suddenly Deirn sits up. "Intruder! Guards, come quick! $name is trying to kill me!" There's no use in explaining your reason for being in his room. You resign yourself to your [[spear]]-related death.] ] ] (unless: $dstir is 4)[[Search room]<search| ]{ (click: ?search)[(set: $search to (prompt: "You search the"))(goto: "Searchd")] }(if: $sneak is 1)[(set: $countdown to it - 1){ }(if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Daytime")] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")] ]

{(if: $sneak is 1)[(if: (history:)'s last is "Searche")[(set: $estir to it + 1)](if: (history:)'s last is "nook")[(set: $estir to it + 1)] ] }The head monk's cell is considerably larger than any of the others on the floor below. A comfy bed occupies one corner(if: $sneak is 1)[ (with Errol sleeping in it)], and next to that is Errol's writing desk. It is covered in papers and scrolls, plus a small wooden box. The wall opposite the bed has built-in shelves, filled with books, naturally. Brother Errol's prayer mat is laid out beside his bed. A(if: $estir is 5)[ door ](else:)[ [[door|quarters]] ]leads to the corridor.(if: $nook is 1)[ One of the walls contains a secret [[nook]](if: $brasskey is 1)[ from which you retrieved a brass key].](if: $hamesy is 1)[ (if: $hs is 0)[Hames pokes at some of the books curiously.]{ }(if: $hs is 1)[Hames bends down and peers under the bed.]{ }(if: $hs is 2)[Hames runs his hand along one of the walls.]{ }(if: $hs is 3)[Hames exclaims, "Wow! I wonder what Brother Errol usually keeps there in that nook."(set: $hs to 0)]]{ }(if: $sneak is 1)[(if: $estir > 0)[ (if: $estir is 1)[Errol sneezes, but appears to go back to sleep.](if: $estir is 2)[Brother Errol seems to be having a terrible nightmare. He cries aloud at one point, scaring you half to death.](if: $estir is 3)[Brother Errol sits up abruptly. "What are you doing?" You freeze, and seconds later you realize he's talking to someone in his dream. He lies back down again.](if: $estir is 4)["No! The world needs us!" cries the monk in his sleep. "Nobody can discover the secrets hidden within these walls!"](if: $estir is 5)[Errol bolts upright and yells, "$name! How dare you!?" Then he summons the guards who put you to death for trespassing. And of course, you are executed by [[spear]].] ] ] (unless: $estir is 5)[[Search room]<search| ]{ (click: ?search)[(set: $search to (prompt: "You search the"))(goto: "Searche")] }(if: $sneak is 1)[(set: $countdown to it - 1){ }(if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Daytime")] ]{ }(if: $sneak is 2)[(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 0)[(goto: "Fadeaway")] ]

You are in a circular room, somewhere above the sanctuary one floor down. The room is designed to draw one's attention to the center, where a single shrine sits on a dais.(if: $hamesy is 1)[ "We shouldn't be here," whispers Hames.] The monks' quarters are back through the [[double doors|quarters]].{ (if: $sneak is 2)[(set: $fade to it - 1)(if: $fade is 1)[(goto: "Fadeaway")] ] (if: $sneak is 1)[(set: $countdown to it - 1)(if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Daytime")] ] }

Brother Errol catches up to you on the ledge. Caught between two spears, you have no choice but to surrender yourself to the monk's attack. His aim is true, and the [[spear]] hits its target.

{(if: $search is "mat")[(if: $keey is 0)[You find a brass key in the rolled-up prayer mat.(set: $keey to 1)](else:)[You find nothing else.]] (elseif: $search is "prayer mat")[(if: $keey is 0)[You find a brass key in the rolled-up prayer mat.(set: $keey to 1)](else:)[You find nothing else.]] (elseif: $search is "books")[The book titles look dense and uninteresting. The ones on the desk are blank.] (elseif: $search is "shelves")[The book titles look dense and uninteresting.] (elseif: $search is "bookshelves")[The book titles look dense and uninteresting.] (elseif: $search is "bed")[(if: $sneak is 2)[You find nothing under or in the bed.](elseif: $sneak is 1)[Now you've done it! Your snooping woke up Deirn, and he's not happy about it. He calls for a guard who puts you to death, by [[spear]], of course.(set: $dead to 1)] ] (elseif: $search is "chest")[(if: $keey is 0)[The chest is locked.](elseif: $keey is 1)[Your key opens the chest, but it is empty.(set: $keey to 2)](elseif: $keey is 2)[The chest is empty.](elseif: $keey is 3)[The chest is locked.] ] (elseif: $search is "desk")[The books on the desk are blank. The drawers are similarly empty.] (elseif: $search is "room")[You need to be more specific.] (else:)[Try saying that another way or try something else.]} (unless: $dead is 1)[[Return]<go| ](click: ?go)[(goto: (history:)'s last)]

{(if: $search is "mat")[There is nothing under the mat.] (elseif: $search is "prayer mat")[There is nothing under the mat.] (elseif: $search is "books")[The book titles look dense and uninteresting.(set: $hs to 1)] (elseif: $search is "shelves")[The book titles look dense and uninteresting.(set: $hs to 1)] (elseif: $search is "bookshelves")[The book titles look dense and uninteresting.(set: $hs to 1)] (elseif: $search is "bed")[(if: $sneak is 2)[You find nothing under or in the bed.(if: $hs is 1)[(set: $hs to 2)] ](elseif: $sneak is 1)[Now you've done it! Your snooping woke up Errol, and he's not pleased about it. He calls for a guard who puts you to death, by [[spear]], of course.(set: $dead to 1)] ] (elseif: $search is "desk")[The drawers are empty, but the scrolls and papers look like they have important information.] (elseif: $search is "box")[(if: $dagger is 0)[The box slides open to reveal a tiny dagger, which you take.(set: $dagger to 1)](else:)[The box is empty.]] (elseif: $search is "room")[You need to be more specific.] (elseif: $search is "paper")[The papers are mostly letters. Many of them are from a Brother Remeb from a monastery called Umbra Abbey. The others are not distinguishable.] (elseif: $search is "papers")[The papers are mostly letters. Many of them are from a Brother Remeb from a monastery called Umbra Abbey. The others are not distinguishable.] (elseif: $search is "scroll")[These scrolls describe various prayers and rites that a religious acolyte might perform in servitude to their deity. Some of them, however, appear to be more than just traditional rituals; one scroll bears the name "Supplication for Power."] (elseif: $search is "scrolls")[These scrolls describe various prayers and rites that a religious acolyte might perform in servitude to their deity. Some of them, however, appear to be more than just traditional rituals; one scroll bears the name "Supplication for Power."] (elseif: $search is "wall")[Your inspection of the wall reveals a false stone. You remove it and discover a hidden nook! (if: $sneak is 1)[(if: $brasskey is 0)[Inside is a brass key. You take it.(set: $brasskey to 1)(set: $keyk to 1)(set: $nookkey to 1)(set: $keyq to 2)](else:)[There is nothing inside right now.]](elseif: $sneak is 2)[Alas, it is empty.(set: $hs to 3)](set: $nook to 1)] (elseif: $search is "walls")[Your inspection of the wall reveals a false stone. You remove it and discover a hidden nook! (if: $sneak is 1)[(if: $brasskey is 0)[Inside is a brass key.(set: $brasskey to 1)(set: $keyk to 1)(set: $nookkey to 1)](else:)[There is nothing inside right now.]](elseif: $sneak is 2)[Alas, it is empty.(set: $hs to 3)](set: $nook to 1)] (else:)[Try saying that another way or try something else.]} (unless: $dead is 1)[[Return]<go| ](click: ?go)[(goto: (history:)'s last)]

You insert the key and lift the lid of the chest. It's empty. (set: $keey to 2) [Return]<go| (click: ?go)[(goto: (history:)'s last)]

(if: $thel < 5)[(set: $knock to 5)You sneak through the archway and into the library. As soon as you do, you hear the guards return to their posts. You try the door but find it locked, realizing that the only way to leave is back through the [[entrance hall]]. It's either that or [[wait until dawn|Daytime]].]{ }(elseif: $thelp is 0)[(if: (history:)'s last is "entrance hall")[You sneak through the archway and into the library. As soon as you do, you hear the guards return to their posts. You try the door but find it locked, realizing that the only way to leave is back through the [[entrance hall]]. It's either that or [[wait until dawn|Daytime]].]{ }(else:)[You enter the library and find Brother Thelon here. He immediately stops what he is doing (he was looking in a book) and demands to know why you're up after dark. "You know the rules! I'm going to have to call the guards." He does, and they come quickly through the southeast archway. As usual, they dutifully stick you with a [[spear]].] ]{ }(elseif: $thelp > 0)[{(set: $countdown to it - 1) (if: $countdown is 0)[(goto: "Daytime")](if: (history:)'s last is "entrance hall" and $thel is 5 and $countdown > 5)[(set: $trapped to 1)] }Due to the [[bookshelves]] that cover all the walls, this room does not echo as much as the rest of the abbey. The library is split into two tiers, the upper one separated from the lower by a guardrail. Besides the shelves, tables and chairs also populate the room, some of the tables bearing quills, ink jars, and blank books for transcription. You are standing on the upper portion of the library, where a short flight of stairs connects to the [[lower portion]]. A door to the west connects to a(unless: $trapped is 1)[ [[hallway|west hallway]] ](if: $trapped is 1)[ [[hallway|trapped]] ]and an archway to the southeast leads to the [[entrance hall]](if: $knock is 4)[(set: $knock to 5)].{ }(if: $case > 0)[ (if: $case is 1)[One of the shelves of books has been toppled over; the books it held are not spread over the floor. You hear guards' footsteps approaching from the direction of the entrance hall.](elseif: $case is 5)[The overturned bookcase has been set upright, and most of the books replaced on its shelves, though some have just been deposited on nearby tables.](if: $case > 1 and $case < 5)[(goto: "caughtg")] (if: $thelp is 1)[(if: $countdown is 15)[Brother Thelon opens the western door and enters the library. He nods once in your direction then takes a book off the shelf and flips toward the end.(set: $trapped to 0)](elseif: $countdown is 14)[Brother Thelon is here, putting a book back on the shelf. He waves at you and then leaves the room through the western exit, locking the door behind him.(set: $trapped to 1)(set: $lib to 1)(set: $countdown to it - 1)](elseif: $countdown is 5)[Brother Thelon opens the western door and enters the library. He smiles at you and then takes a book off the shelf and flips toward the end.(set: $trapped to 0)](elseif: $countdown is 4)[Brother Thelon is here, putting a book back on the shelf. (if: $distraction is 0)[He bids you goodnight](elseif: $distraction is 1)[He bids you goodnight, pushes over a bookcase(set: $case to 1),] and then leaves the room through the western exit, locking the door behind him.(set: $trapped to 1)(set: $lib to 1)(set: $countdown to it - 1)] ]{ }(elseif: $thelp is 2)[(if: $countdown is 15)[Brother Thelon opens the western door and enters the library. He nods once in your direction then takes a book off the shelf and flips toward the end.(set: $trapped to 0)](elseif: $countdown is 14)[Brother Thelon is here, putting a book back on the shelf. He waves at you and then leaves the room through the western exit.(set: $countdown to it - 1)](elseif: $countdown is 5)[Brother Thelon opens the western door and enters the library. He smiles at you then takes a book off the shelf and begins writing in it.(set: $trapped to 0)](elseif: $countdown is 4)[Brother Thelon is here, putting a book back on the shelf. (if: $distraction is 0)[He bids you goodnight](elseif: $distraction is 1)[He bids you goodnight, pushes over a bookcase(set: $case to 1),] and then leaves the room through the western exit.(set: $countdown to it - 1)] ] ] ]

The door is locked! You perspire as you realize the only exit is through the entrance hall.(if: $case is 1)[(set: $case to 2)] You turn back to the [[library|nightlibrary]].

(if: $case > 0)[(set: $wary to 1)]You push your weight against the side of one of the bookcases and strain. Just when you think your strength will give out, you feel the case start to tip. You quickly jump out of the way.(set: $ideac to 1) The bookcase lands on the floor with a mighty //THUD//. (if: $thel is 6 and $countdown > 13 and $countdown < 16)[Brother Thelon doesn't even react. ](if: $thel > 4 and $countdown > 3 and $countdown < 6)[Brother Thelon doesn't even react. ]You're sure the guards heard it, and will be heading this way in a moment. (set: $case to 1)You need to [[get out of here|nightlibrary]].(set: $idea to 1)

You carefully inspect the nook hidden behind the false stone. { }(if: $brasskey is 0)[The [brass key]<key| is inside.(click: ?key)[ You take it.(replace: ?key)[brass key](set: $brasskey to 1)(set: $keyk to 1)(set: $nookkey to 1)] ]{ }(elseif: $keey is 3)[The [brass key]<keey| from Brother Deirn's room is inside.(click: ?keey)[ You take it.(replace: ?keey)[brass key](set: $keey to 1)] ]{ }(elseif: $dagger is 2)[The [dagger]<dag| is inside.(click: ?dag)[ You take it.(replace: ?dag)[dagger](set: $dagger to 1)] ]{ }(else:)[There is currently nothing in the nook, though you could [put something in there]<put|.]{ }(click: ?put)[(set: $place to (prompt: "You examine the items with you before storing the"))(goto: "placed")] [[Return|"Errol"]]

(if: $place is "brass key" and $brasskey is 1)[{ }(if: $keey is 1)[|query>[Which key? [The one from Deirn's room]<key2|(set: $resolve to 1) [The one from here]<key1| ] ]{ }(else:)[You put the brass key back in its original place.(set: $brasskey to 0)] ]{ }(elseif: $place is "key" and $brasskey is 1)[{ }(if: $keey is 1)[|query>[Which key? [The one from Deirn's room]<key2|(set: $resolve to 1) [The one from here]<key1| ] ]{ }(else:)[You put the brass key back in its original place.(set: $brasskey to 0)] ]{ }(elseif: $place is "dagger" and $dagger is 1)[You put the small dagger in the nook.(set: $dagger to 2)]{ }(else:)[You either cannot or will not put that there.]{ }(click: ?key1)[(replace: ?query)[You put the brass key back in its original place.(set: $brasskey to 0)](replace: ?res)[[[You step back and observe the nook again.|nook]] ](set: $resolve to 0)]{ }(click: ?key2)[(replace: ?query)[You put Deirn's brass key in the nook.(set: $keey to 3)](replace: ?res)[[[You step back and observe the nook again.|nook]] ](set: $resolve to 0)] (if: $resolve is 1)[|res>[] ](elseif: $resolve is 0)[[[You step back and observe the nook again.|nook]] ]

You wake up to find that you have been surrounded. Two guards flank you on either side of the bed, while Brother Errol looks down at you disapprovingly. "This morning I discovered that I had been robbed. Guess where we found this?" He holds up a brass key. "I didn't want to believe it, but sure enough, (if: $brasskey is 1)[we found it right here in your room. If this had been some minor theft I might have overlooked it, but you brazenly entered my room and burgled a very important item. For that, there can be no second chances."](elseif: $brasskey is 3)[we found it in Hames' room. If this had been some minor theft I might have overlooked it, but because Hames violated our trust in him I had to have him killed. Unfortunately, that means we have to kill you too, since we can't risk you being an accomplice.] With that, he waves his hand and the guards both attack. You don't know which [[spear]] hits you first.

{(set: $idea to 1)(set: $bump to 6) }Oops! You bump into one of the cooks who was carrying a stack of bowls. The bowls go flying, landing all over the room. "Watch where you're going!" growls the surly monk. You apologize and help gather up the wayward bowls. Moments later two guards rush in. "What's going on? We heard a disturbance." "What are you doing?" screams the monk. "Get back to your posts! You know better than to leave the entrance unguarded!" The guards return to the entrance hall and you finish collecting the bowls. You think about the words of the cook and get an idea. Then you [go about your business]<return|. (click: ?return)[(goto: (history:)'s last)]

(if: $knock is 6)[(set: $wary to 1)]Without another thought you push all the bowls off the cupboard and onto the floor. The cacophany of falling bowls is sure to draw someone's attention. You'd better [[split|kitchen]].(set: $knock to 1)

(set: $keyq to 1)[["Nope."|Planning]]

"Brother Errol has it," you tell Hertha.(set: $keyc to 1) "That's good to know. I figured it was one of the monks in charge. But how are we going to get it from him? We can't just take it off his person or he'll call for the guards, and they'll--" "Spear me like a hog," you finish. "I know.(if: $nookkey is 1)[ The good news is that he hides the key in a nook in his room. I could steal it at night and give it to Hames." "That's perfect! You can sneak into his room? Amazing." (if: $idea is 1)["I can make a distraction and sneak upstairs while the guards are occupied.](elseif: $idea is 0)["Well, truthfully I've only made it into his room during the day. There are guards watching the staircase at night." "What if you made a distraction to draw them away from the stairs?"(set: $idea to 1) "Good idea.](unless: $idea2 is 1)[ I might have trouble coming back down, though." "You'll have to have a second distraction ready."(set: $idea2 to 1) "Like what?" Hertha shrugs. "That you'll have to figure out yourself." "Hmmm...]]" "Well, if you manage to get the key and bring it to Hames, then he could spring me when the time comes and we can all get out of the cursed place." [["I'll do my best."|Planning]]

"First, I will send a monk named Thelon to you. He doesn't know how to resist your hypnotism, so you can command him as you wish. I need you to tell him to visit you every night, but before he comes he should stop by the library and look for the book about geology. Check for messages written in the margins on the tenth to last page. Then, when he does come see you, he should tell you what the messages said. Whatever you need to tell me, instruct Thelon to write it in the same place.(if: $sneakier is 1)[ You should also make him ignore me if he should cross paths with me at night(set: $thelp to 1)(if: $lib is 1)[, and he should keep the library unlocked all night long as well(set: $thelp to 2)].](set: $thel to 2) "Second, I will locate the key to your cell, which Brother Errol has(if: $nookkey is 1)[ in a nook in his room].(if: $idea2 is 1)[ To help in that task I need you again to give Thelon specific instructions; when he stops by the library after visiting you, he should push over one of the bookcases so that the guards will investigate the noise and I can escape.(set: $distraction to 1)] Once I have stolen the key, I'll deliver it to Hames, who will use it to free you when the proper time arises. "Last, I will take the liquid from a (if: $growknow is 1)[giant ]pitcher plant (if: $growknow is 1)[that I can grow using a special soil that accelerates growth ]and use it to drug the soup. This should paralyze everyone in the monastery, except us, of course. That means we'll be able to walk right past the guards at the entrance and leave the valley without anyone in pursuit." Hertha smiles broadly. "I think that will work. Now get out of here before someone catches you!" You step away from the door and head back [[up the stairs|west stairwell]]. (set: $interacted to 1)

You take careful aim at the [(west/east)]<choice| corridor.(if: $countdown > 2)[(set: $countdown to it - 1)]{ }(click: "west")[(replace: ?choice)[west] Then you toss the dagger in that direction.(set: $dagger to 3) It bounces and clangs down the corridor before sliding to a stop. The guards react immediately, rushing after the dagger. You scurry down the stairs and then hurry in the [[opposite direction|east corridor]].]{ }(click: "east")[(replace: ?choice)[east] Then you toss the dagger in that direction.(set: $dagger to 3) It bounces and clangs down the corridor before sliding to a stop. The guards react immediately, rushing after the dagger. You scurry down the stairs and then hurry in the [[opposite direction|west corridor]].]{ }(set: $balcony to 0)

(set: $knocks to 0)(if: $hk is 0)[(if: $newvisit is 0)[As Hames shuts and locks the door behind him, he asks, "Alright, $name, what do you need to tell me?" "First, of all, I think your sister is in trouble. I swear on my life that what I want most is to protect you, her, and myself, and to get us all out of here. That is why I came with you." Hames' eyes widen. "My sister in danger? You're sure?" "Positive. The monks mean to do us all harm once they have what they desire." "I've had my reservations about the Outlook Abbey, but I didn't think these monks would be a danger to us so long as we worked together. Well, then, do you have a plan?"(set: $newvisit to 1)](elseif: $newvisit is 1)["Any news? Have you figured out a plan?"] (if: $fullplan is 1)[[["Yes."|Tell plan]] ]{ }(if: $fullplan is 0)[[["Not yet,"|Questions]] you admit. "That's why I wanted to talk to you."] ](elseif: $hk is 1)[Hames hurriedly shuts and locks the door. Then he invites you to sit on his bed. He remains standing. "Have you found the key yet?"(if: $brasskey is 1)[ You triumphantly present Hames with the brass key. He shouts, "Yes!" then covers his mouth with his hands. He continues to grin, however, as he takes the key from you. "You'll never cease to amaze me, $name."(set: $brasskey to 3)(set: $ht to 2) You get up to [[leave|Leave Hames]], but before you go you remind Hames that he needs to wait for your signal.](elseif: $brasskey is not 1)[ You shake your head. "I've had no success (if: $nookkey is 0)[finding it, let alone ]sneaking it away from Brother Errol." "I have faith in you, $name. I wish I could aid you in your search; I might have an idea or two where to look, even. But leaving my room would be too risky." You get up to [[leave|Leave Hames]]. "Let me know if you hear anything."] ]

You inform Hames of everything that you plan to do. His countenance brightens with each step of the plan, and by the time you explain how he will spring his sister from the basement he is grinning like a madman. "I don't know how you concocted such a clever scheme, but I like it! Once you get the key, bring it to me and I'll be ready to free my sister when you give me the go ahead."(set: $hk to 1)(if: $brasskey is 1)[ "Actually, I already got it." You reveal the key and hand it to Hames.(set: $brasskey to 3)(set: $ht to 2) "Magnificent! You're a wonder, $name, you know that?" "I do now." You get up to [[leave|Leave Hames]]. "Remember, wait until I give the word."](else:)[ "I'd better [[get back to work|Leave Hames]], then," you say. "Keep an ear out for my knocking, because I might have the key for you next time I come by."(set: $ht to 0)]

"Is there anything I can help with?" asks Hames.(set: $ht to 1) (if: $keyq is 1)[{ }[["Do you know where we might find the key to your sister's cell?" ]] ](if: $idea2 is 1 and $hd is 0)[{ }[["Would you be able to cause a distraction during the night so I can sneak up to the upper level?" ]] ](if: $delivery is 0)[{ }[["Could you be a messenger for your sister and me?" ]] ](if: $dagger is 1 and $dq is 0)[{ }[["Can you take out the guards watching the entrance when the time comes to free your sister?" ]] ](if: $fighty is 0)[{ }[["Can you take out the guards watching the entrance when the time comes to free your sister?" ]] ][["I don't have any questions at the moment, but if you think of anything, let me know."|Leave Hames]]

"I will. Thanks again, friend, for helping me and my sister."(set: $countdown to it - 1)(set: $meeting to 0)(set: $rendezvous to 2) [[You bid Hames goodnight and leave.|east corridor]]

"I do not. But if I had to venture a guess, I would say Brother Errol keeps it safe. He's the monk who takes me to see my sister, so it would make sense if kept a key to her cell, even though I've never been permitted to go inside."(set: $keyk to 1)(set: $keyq to 2) [["I'll see if I can find it,"|Questions]] you say.

Hames inhales through his teeth. "I'm afraid not. I can't risk being caught in the hallways after dark, especially if what you say about the monks being dangerous is true."(set: $hd to 1) [["That's okay. I'll figure something else out."|Questions]]

"That would work, except that whenever I'm visiting my sister, we're both being watched by one of the monks. I couldn't pass on any messages without being noticed and arousing their suspicion. Perhaps if I knew a secret code that my sister understood, then I could manage it. Why don't you check the library for books about hidden forms of communication?"(set: $delivery to 1) [["Okay, I'll do that."|Questions]]

"Would I //love// to! I'm so sick of seeing those smug morons thinking they're so tough because they have weapons and nobody else here does." "So you think you can do it?" "Well...not really. They do outnumber me and I wouldn't have a chance without my own weapon.(if: $dagger is 1)[" "Would this help?" You show Hames the small dagger. "Where did that come from?" "I found it in Brother Errol's room." "Didn't think he was the sort to own a blade. Still, it's not much in a fight, especially against two guards armed with spears.] Sorry. I think the only way to get rid of them is in a way they won't see coming. If we had poison then we could take them out in one go, but alas, I don't think the monks would keep something like that around where we could find it. Not really the sort of thing you find rolling around the kitchen, right?"(set: $fighty to 1)(if: $dagger is 1)[(set: $dq to 1)] [["You're probably right."|Questions]]

"Brother Errol!" you shout down the steps. "It is imperative that I speak to you." A minute later the monk walks up the steps with a purposeful air. "What is it?" he asks tersely. "I need spiritual guidance." "$name, can it wait until tomorrow?" he inquires in an annoyed voice. "That's the problem. I won't be here tomorrow." This catches him off guard. "Why is that?" "Because I keep reliving the same hours over and over. When the cycle ends, I wake up at the beginning of it. I'm starting to lose my mind, and if someone doesn't help me, I don't know what I'll do! I've asked the other monks but none of them have a clue. Please, Brother Errol, you're the only one who can explain to me what is happening." He considers you for a moment, then says, "Very well. First, let's get you calmed down. I think supper will be starting soon, so why don't you [[follow me|suppere]] to the dining hall?"

You enter the dining hall with Brother Errol. Hames is nowhere in sight, which is a good sign. You and the head monk take seats side by side. Errol pushes a bowl of soup in front of you and--to your relief--also grabs a bowl for himself. To keep up appearances you lift a spoon to your mouth, though you stop before putting it to your lips. "Thank you, Brother Errol. I'm feeling better. But I know this won't last, because in an hour I'm going to wake up again and relive everything that just happened." Errol has still not touched his soup. You worry that he might not touch it at all. "How long has this been happening?" "How long is the cycle, or how many cycles have I lived through?" "Forgive my inspecificity. I meant the latter, though you could answer both." He lifts a spoon up to his mouth. "The cycle has been about a week long, but I've cycled through it more times than I can count. I've maybe lived several months this way." Brother Errol stops before tasting the soup. "One week? Yet you keep coming here? Why don't you try traveling to a wizard to see if he can undo your spell? Surely you know we can't do that for you here by now." The wheels seem to be turning in the monk's mind. You suspect he's starting to question your reasons for coming to the monastery so often and probably fears that you're learning too much. Just then, monks begin to fall off their benches, including the cooks who joined the throng after serving up the soup. There is momentary pandemonium, amidst which Brother Errol cries, "What is this? Is this your doing?" but you grab his head and mash it into his bowl of soup. He thrashes with impressive strength, but you take your own bowl and pour its contents on his arms and torso. Seconds later he stops resisting as he and the rest of the monks fall still.(set: $errol to 1) Knowing you probably only have a few minutes, you [[hurry to the entrance hall]].

You, Hames, and Hertha have traversed the plains. Each night, you fell asleep under the stars, while the siblings pointed out constellations and told you stories. Slowly, you made your way far to the southeast, and by the end of your journey you felt you could probably navigate by the celestial lights if you needed to. [[In the distance you see rising smoke...]]

(unless: "hints" is in (passage:)'s tags)[<span id="box">(link: "Save Game")[(if: (save-game: "Slot 1"))[Game Saved!](else:)[Your game could not be saved.] ] (link: "Load Game")[(load-game: "Slot 1")] (link: "Tips and Hints")[(if: (save-game: "Slot 2"))[(goto: "Hints")]] </span>]

<span id="box2">(if: (passage:) is "Start")[(link: "Debug")[(goto: "Karma")] ]</span>

(set: $countdown to it + 1)In the drawer is an apparently abandoned manuscript. You flip through it, admiring the beautiful illustrations and calligraphy. On one of the pages is a poem, scrawled into the margins: "Pangur, white Pangur, How happy we are Alone together, Scholar and cat. Each has his own work to do daily; For you it is hunting, for me study. Your shining eye watches the wall; my feeble eye is fixed on a book. You rejoice when your claws entrap a mouse; I rejoice when my mind fathoms a problem. Pleased with his own art Neither hinders the other; Thus we live ever without tedium and envy. Pangur, white Pangur, How happy we are Alone together, Scholar and cat." [[Return|Your room]]

Hames frowns. "Those plumes look like they're coming from Lopatzig." "That can't be!" exclaims Hertha. "The capital boasts the strongest garrison in all of Vöath!" "We'll see. If we can't find refuge there, then we'll have to hide from the monks elsewhere." As you and your friends approach the dark smoke rising over a large city, you come across a glade, filled with tents. A few scrappy fellows with tridents keep a perimeter around the camp. [[A well-armoured woman emerges from their ranks to speak with you.]]

"I am Finnha. You are welcome here, as I see you don't bear weapons and the barbarians who pillaged the city don't employ spies." She sees Hertha's crestfallen face. "Yes, the Azure City has fallen. "We were outnumbered, and had no warning the berzerkers were coming. I was able to oversee the evacuation of a great deal of the civilian population, but the city watch is no more. //Lopatz// is no more. The earl has absconded and the country lies in chaos. We will do our best to rebuild. Come with me and I'll show you where you may sleep tonight." [[You go with Finnha.]]

The following days are tough: foraging and hunting for food, avoiding barbarian scouting parties, staying warm during the nights. You, Hertha and Hames are valuable assets to the community, but the grueling existence wears on all three of you. More than once over the next week you wonder if there was something you might have been able to do to prevent this. Now that you know how to find the capital city, Lopatzig, could you warn the garrison? You'd have to leave Hertha to her fate with the monks, but perhaps you'd be able to rescue her after you saved the city? As repulsed as you are by the prospect of rushing headfirst into a barbarian squad so you can be impaled by a spear, you can't help but think that maybe you should, for the good of these fugitives... [[Do it]] [[Don't do it]]

Not prepared to have a tearful goodbye with Hames and Hertha, you leave abruptly during the night. You don't know if this timeline will continue to exist when you're gone, but you hope not, if it means your friends won't have to bear the pain of finding your body. An hour later you've found what you're looking for: the barbarian encampment. They refuse to live in the city, preferring instead to loot it and bring their spoils back to their tents outside the walls. You rush headlong into the camp, screaming with all your fury. Several [[spears]] plunge into you.

(either: "Days pass, life goes on...", "Half the camp falls ill when the well goes bad. You and Hames spend a muggy afternoon digging a new well.", "You and Hertha almost get caught by the savage westerners. They pass by your hiding place by mere feet, and the two of you take a wide looping path to get back to camp.", "You are growing sick of eating berries and roasted squirrel.", "The stars continue to shine, but Hames and Hertha no longer tell stories about them.", "One of the fugitives gives birth to a child. The camp throws a celebration, and for one evening you are able to ignore the worries of life.", "You have a peculiar dream of a ticking watch.", "Finnha takes a nasty wound when she fights off a pair of barbarians who wandered close to camp. She's off her feet for two weeks, during which the rest of the perimeter guards struggles to get by.", "Someone didn't return to camp today. You and Hames lead a search party but turn up with nothing.", "Hertha leads a small contingent of men and women to try reasoning with the barbarians. Hames tries to convince her not to go, but to no avail. That evening, Hertha returns with half the group. They don't speak of what happened.", "You catch Finnha singing a song to herself, but when she realizes someone is listening, she stops and walks away.", "In the middle of the day, you keel over in pain. Hertha asks what's wrong, and you try to describe the awful sensation you just felt in your chest and heart.", "You have terrible dreams, filled with dark laughter. Some of the voices you recognize as those of the monks. Others you don't. One of them is so deep you can't imagine a normal human making it.", "Nothing eventful happens this week.", "Finnha rushes into the camp with Hames, both shouting that everyone needs to relocate. Three minutes later the fugitives have evacuated, leaving most of their belongings. As you maneuver through the woods, the sound of barbarians tearing through your former camp reach you.", "Tempers flare as food grows scarce. Hames and Hertha aren't speaking to each other.", "Finnha tries to calm a hysterical mother whose children are malnourished. The sound of crying infants carries through the camp.", "Hames comes back to camp with a devastated look. You overhear him informing Finnha that another guard was killed. That evening, Finnha break's the bad news to the guard's widow, who weeps all night long.") You think again about restarting. [[Do it]] [[Don't do it]]

They go straight through your [[heart|end]].

[[**SQUISH**|part 2]]

//Continued in Part II.//

(link: "Return to game")[(load-game: "Slot 2")] [[General advice]] Hints and Solutions: [[Beginning of game / Fort|Fort]] [[Plains]] [[Monastery]]

[[Go back|Hints]] [[I keep dying on the grassy slope!]] [[I can't escape from the fort; barbarians keep killing me.]] [[When I get the letter for Hames, I don't have time to get it to him.]]

[[Go back|Hints]] [[How do I get through the plains without dying?]]

[[Go back|Hints]] [[The monks won't let me stay because they think I'm dangerous.]] [[Exploring the monastery|Explore]] [[Avoiding trouble|Avoid]] [[Solving the monastery's mysteries|Solve]]

[[Go back|Fort]] [Death is going to be frequent in this game; it's not always a bad thing.]<1| (click: ?1)[[Every time you die, your memories persist, granting you knowledge that you wouldn't have otherwise.]<2| (click: ?2)[[This knowledge gives you new choices. Look carefully; are there new options that might allow you to leave the grassy slope and reach the fort before the barbarians reach you?]<3| (click: ?3)[[You will need to die at least three times before the possibility to reach the fort manifests itself. And be careful, because you can still make the wrong choice and continue to die. **FINAL SOLUTION AHEAD**]<4| (click: ?4)[First iteration: explain, think, spear Second: explain, grass, spear Third: explain, grass, get a move on, do something, spear Fourth: explain, grass, get a move on, do something, run]]]]

[[Go back|Fort]] [You will need to accomplish a task before escaping the fort becomes possible.]<1| (click: ?1)[[If you explore the fort enough, you will learn what that task is. **FINAL SOLUTION AHEAD**]<2| (click: ?2)[Tending to the wounded will reveal that a dying messenger had a message to deliver to a man named Hames.]]

[[Go back|Fort]] [You are absolutely right. Is there any other way around this problem?]<1| (click: ?1)[[Remember that death in this game works differently than real life.]<2| (click: ?2)[[When you die, your memories carry over to your next life. **FINAL SOLUTION AHEAD**]<3| (click: ?3)[First, you must open the letter and read its message. Once you've commited its contents to memory, you die, but you can now take the message directly to the ramparts where you find Hames and can deliver the message.]]]

[[Go back|Plains]] [Do you know where you're trying to get to?]<1| (click: ?1)[[Without a clear destination, you're hopelessly wandering.]<2| (click: ?2)[The only place you know how to get to is the monastery, so you need to follow Hames.]]

[[Go back|Monastery]] [You'll have to convince them you're harmless.]<1| (click: ?1)[[Some responses will work better than others.]<2| (click: ?2)[[There's a few interesting possibilities, but only one will grant you access.]<3| (click: ?3)[[The monks are rather bookish, and probably don't trust people who aren't similarly inclined.]<4| (click: ?4)[[The area of expertise is also important--ideally something that won't strike the monks as suspicious. **EASTER EGGS AND FINAL SOLUTION AHEAD**]<5| (click: ?5)[To gain permission, claim that you're a scholar, and that you're here to study horticulture. For fun, claim that you're a wizard, and that you're a wizard at chess. Also, claim that you're a wizard, and that you can read minds. When you've died once, repeat the same claim to get a different ending.]]]]]

[[Go back|Monastery]] [[I can't convince the guards to let me go outside.]] [[I can't get into the lower level.]] [[I can't get into the upper level.]] [[I can get into Hames' room, but he isn't there.]] [[None of the other rooms appear to be enterable.]]

[[Go back|Monastery]] [[The monks seem to dislike it when I go certain places, and I keep dying because of it. (TIPS ON HOW TO AVOID DYING UNNECESSARILY)]] [[There doesn't seem to be a way to avoid dying after three days.]]

[[Go back|Monastery]] [[I don't know what I'm doing here.]] [[I want to escape from the monastery but don't know how.]] [[I can't convince Brother Thelon to teach me about plants.]] [[I can't convince Brother Matteus to let me venture outside the abbey.]] [[I want to talk to Hames about the monastery and his sister.]] [[I want to find Hames' sister.]] [[I die when I try to talk to Hames' sister.]] (This section should only be read if you have found and successfully spoken with Hames' sister.) [[Putting together a plan|Plan]]

[[Go back|Avoid]] [The monks are heavily suspicious of you, and won't tolerate you snooping too much. Some actions will be met with warnings, others will be outright punished by execution. To see a complete list of the dangers and how often you can get away with certain behaviours, see the next clue. **EXPLANATIONS AHEAD**]<1| (click: ?1)[[Trying to investigate the upper or lower floors (excluding the garden up the northeast corner stairwell) will receive warnings. After two warnings, you will be executed. These warnings reset whenever you return to the abbey. Don't try to go to these places unless you've found a way to explore while the monks aren't around. Trying to force your way outside will get you killed. Don't try this; instead, find a way to get outside without force. **PROCEED IF YOU HAVE FAILED YOUR TEST WITH BROTHER THELON**]<2| (click: ?2)[[Brother Thelon will order your death if he suspects that you lied about being a horticulture scholar. To avoid execution you must answer at least one question correctly. (To receive lessons you need to answer two questions correctly.) Reading in the library might help. Also, you could use the information from Thelon's questions to do Internet searches on your own. **PROCEED IF YOU HAVE BEEN AT THE MONASTERY FOR A WHILE**]<3| (click: ?3)[[On the third evening, you will unavoidably be executed. There is no way to easily stop this. This puts a time limit on your actions. DO NOT PREVENT THIS BY LOADING A SAVED GAME. **PROCEED IF YOU HAVE DIED AFTER THREE DAYS**]<4| (click: ?4)[[Once you have died, you can now explore at night. You die immediately if you are caught by the guards, who patrol the entrance hall. You also get in trouble if evidence that you have been snooping is discovered by the monks. You get one warning (which resets each time you die). **PROCEED IF YOU HAVE SPOKEN WITH HAMES**]<5| (click: ?5)[[Many conversations points can get you killed, because Hames will call for the guards. Some will only get you sent away from his room, after which you will need to reset the timeline to attempt another conversation. **PROCEED IF YOU HAVE EXPLORED THE BASEMENT**]<6| (click: ?6)[[You can get caught in the basement. Don't go there if you have already gone once during the current timeline. If you are having trouble speaking to the woman there, it may be because you haven't spoken with Hames. Also, remember that if you forget to replace the candlestick, you will receive a warning from the monks the next day. **PROCEED IF YOU HAVE DISTRACTED THE GUARDS**]<7| (click: ?7)[[The guards won't fall for the same ruse twice, so you will need to reset the timeline to distract the guards again. Otherwise, getting caught gets you executed immediately. **PROCEED IF YOU HAVE EXPLORED UPSTAIRS**]<8| (click: ?8)[[Spending too much time upstairs will get you caught. The monks wake up if they are disturbed, or if you wait too long. Additionally, the guards will return to their posts and capture you if you try to descend again while they are in the entrance hall. **PROCEED IF YOU HAVE GIVEN INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING BROTHER THELON**]<9| (click: ?9)[Being caught by Thelon in the corridors will get you killed. But once you've been caught once, you will give new instructions on the next iteration that Thelon is to ignore you if he sees you again.]]]]]]]]]

[[Go back|Avoid]] [You are absolutely right.]<1| (click: ?1)[[It is important that you don't reload a saved game to prevent this from happening.]<2| (click: ?2)[[Once you've died after three days, new opportunities should be available to you.]<3| (click: ?3)[[Knowing what happens to Hames and his sister after three days should help you. How can you use this knowledge to your advantage?]<4| (click: ?4)[[Try exploring the monastery at night, and see what you can discover. **FINAL CLUE AHEAD**]<5| (click: ?5)[The end goal is to find a way to escape the monastery with Hames and his sister. This will be a challenging task, requiring all three of you working together. (See the solving mysteries section for advice on doing this.)]]]]]

[[Go back|Explore]] (This is just for getting past the guards. For more details about escaping the monastery, see the section about solving mysteries.) [Have you spoken with them?]<1| (click: ?1)[[The guards should give you details of how to receive permission.]<2| (click: ?2)[[They'll tell you that you must speak with one of the important monks.]<3| (click: ?3)[[Where have you found monks during the course of the day? You might find Errol or Deirn if you explore enough.]<4| (click: ?4)[[They'll just tell you to leave them alone. You need to find a monk who isn't busy. Maybe in one of their rooms?]<5| (click: ?5)[[Brother Matteus is in his chambers in the western corridor.]<6| (click: ?6)[[You will need to give him a reason for wanting to venture outside. There are a few possibilities, some are better than others, but those are available only if you've completed other things in the abbey.]<7| (click: ?7)[[Remember that you have told Matteus that you are here to study, specifically horticulture. Using information that you have gained while at the monastery might help. **FINAL SOLUTION AHEAD**]<8| (click: ?8)[[There are two options that will grant you access outside. The first requires you to read books in the library, the one about history. You can use the information about the mountain pass to convince Matteus to grant you one-day access via a written note. The second requires you to complete three days of gardening lessons, after which you will gain permanent access via a special password. **PASSWORD AHEAD**]<9| (click: ?9)[The password is bloodscale]]]]]]]]]

[[Go back|Explore]] [It's clear that the monk won't give you permission to go down there.]<1| (click: ?1)[[So the only way to get down would be when he's not aware.]<2| (click: ?2)[[If you spend enough time at the monastery, you might find a way to explore the monastery while the monks aren't up and about. **FINAL SOLUTION AHEAD**]<3| (click: ?3)[After three days at the monastery, something will happen and on your next life you will be able to wander the monastery at night. Now the stairs leading down should be unattended.]]]

[[Go back|Explore]] [If you haven't looked at the answer to getting into the lower level, look there first. Getting into the upper level has additional steps.]<1| (click: ?1)[[Once you've found a way to explore without the monks being aware, you still have the problem of the guards. //(Note; you might not be able to deal with this issue until you've found the motive to snoop upstairs.)//]<2| (click: ?2)[[Unlike the monks, these guards won't go to sleep.]<3| (click: ?3)[[This means you'll need to find some way to get the guards away from the staircase.]<4| (click: ?4)[[Is there something in another room of the monastery that might draw the guards' attention away temporarily?]<5| (click: ?5)[[There are two possibilities, each with their pros and cons. **FINAL SOLUTION AHEAD**]<6| (click: ?6)[If you have learned that distracting the guards is necessary, you should be able to investigate either the library or the kitchen. In the library, you can tip over a bookshelf, and in the kitchen you can knock over some bowls. Be careful not to run into the guards while they head towards the noise, and also remember that they will return to their posts eventually. The same trick may or may not work a second time.]]]]]]

[[Go back|Explore]] [It does seem odd that Hames isn't around except dinnertime, isn't it?]<1| (click: ?1)[[There isn't much that you can get out of Hames unless you can speak with him in private.]<2| (click: ?2)[[Unfortunately, you won't have cause to do so until a specific moment happens. If you've spent a lot of time at the monastery, this may have already happened.]<3| (click: ?3)[[If you are able to explore the monastery at night, then you can try to see Hames in his room while he sleeps.]<4| (click: ?4)[[He isn't answering; he must be fast asleep. But you might be able to set up a time to meet with him. **FINAL SOLUTION AHEAD**]<5| (click: ?5)[First, you need to have spent three full days at the monastery before dying during the third dinner. After that, you have the ability to roam the monastery, and you can knock on Hames door. Once you have knocked, the next dinner you will talk to Hames and set up a meeting signal. Follow his instructions, and you will be able to visit him at night to discuss what is happening at the abbey.]]]]]

[[Go back|Explore]] [Yes, only some of the rooms are available. Others will manifest when you do the right things.]<1| (click: ?1)[Eventually, you should be able to knock on the doors of monks in the western corridor, and visit Hames' room while he is in there.]

[[Go back|Solve]] [True, you don't have much of a reason to be here except that it was the only place to go to get away from the barbarians. But now that you're here, you might want to investigate the mystery behind these monks and whatever it is they wrote to Hames about in the letter.]<1| (click: ?1)[If you spend enough time at the monastery, you will be able to explore at night, and that should reveal more secrets.]

[[Go back|Solve]] [If you speak to the right people, you might be able to leave the abbey. But be warned; simply leaving the building might not be enough to guarantee that you get away safely.]<1| (click: ?1)[[If you spoke to the guards, you learned that one of the head monks could grant you permission to go outside.]<2| (click: ?2)[[Brother Matteus in the western corridor can do that. (See the page on exploring the monastery for advice on getting permission.)]<3| (click: ?3)[[Once outside, you might discover that the path south is barred by a lonely spear. As the bane to your existence, these spears are impassible.]<4| (click: ?4)[You'll need to get someone's help to get past it.]]]]

[[Go back|Solve]] [Brother Thelon's questions are meant to assess your worthiness.]<1| (click: ?1)[[To prove yourself worthy, you must correctly answer at least 2 questions. Answering all of them wrong gets you killed. Only 1 correct answer gets you banished from the garden.]<2| (click: ?2)[[Two of the questions are multiple choice. Brute force //could// get you through it, or you could try to look the answers up with the Internet, by using Thelon's description of the plants. Answering both of these will guarantee that you receive tutelage.]<3| (click: ?3)[[The third question must be typed. Only one answer will suffice (first letter can be capitalized). Again, you can use the Internet for help, however, there might be a way to learn the answer in-game.]<4| (click: ?4)[[Have you explored other places in the abbey?]<5| (click: ?5)[[The library might have information you could use.]<6| (click: ?6)[[You might have to reread some books to find info you may have missed on the first pass.]<7| (click: ?7)[[The third question's answer must be given in //latin//. **FULL SOLUTION AHEAD**]<8| (click: ?8)[[You can find it by reading the book on horticulture, followed by the poetry book, and then rereading the horticulture book. **ALL ANSWERS AHEAD**]<9| (click: ?9)[[The first answer is mint. The second answer is radish.]<10| (click: ?10)[The third answer is nepenthes.]]]]]]]]]]

[[Go back|Solve]] [You might not have enough information to be able to convince him.]<1| (click: ?1)[[Try exploring elsewhere, then coming back to ask.]<2| (click: ?2)[[Have you been to the library?]<3| (click: ?3)[[One of the books might give you an excuse. Alternatively, there's a better place to go that can get you long-term permission, but it will require more effort on your behalf.]<4| (click: ?4)[[The book on history will give you a plausible excuse. But for the better excuse, you will need to visit Brother Thelon.]<5| (click: ?5)[[Have you had any horticulture lessons with him yet?]<6| (click: ?6)[[By your third lesson, you will have learned something that you can share with Matteus to convince him to let you go.]<7| (click: ?7)[[Once you do this, you will have a permanent password. **PASSWORD AHEAD**]<8| (click: ?8)[The password is bloodscale.]]]]]]]]

[[Go back|Solve]] [He probably won't want to talk about sensitive issues unless he's alone and trusts you.]<1| (click: ?1)[[You can't seem to find him during the day, though--only at supper, and he's not in the mood to chat at that time.]<2| (click: ?2)[[Perhaps if you had something dire to share with him, he could be convinced to set aside time to palaver.]<3| (click: ?3)[[Have you spent three days at the monastery?]<4| (click: ?4)[[Once you've done this, you will have both the means to speak with Hames privately, and pressing news that he'll want to hear.]<5| (click: ?5)[[You'll have to try talking to him at night. **FINAL SOLUTION AHEAD**]<6| (click: ?6)[Knock on his door, and the following day you'll approach him at supper to establish a meeting time and signal. Then it's up to you to figure out how to win his trust. If you forget to meet with him, then you can ask him the following night. Remember that you need to set up a meeting with him first in future timelines.]]]]]]

[[Go back|Solve]] [It's odd that she hasn't been seen around, isn't it?]<1| (click: ?1)[[Where else could she be staying?]<2| (click: ?2)[[If you discover a way to explore more of the abbey, you might be able to find her. (See exploring the monastery for advice on this.) **FINAL SOLUTION AHEAD**]<3| (click: ?3)[You need to get into the basement. The only way to do this is during the night, so you must have survived three days at the monastery first. Then, once you're able to explore at night, you will need to retrieve candlesticks from the altar and light them with a tinderbox in the kitchen. Then you can light your way into the basement where Hames' sister is being kept.]]]

[[Go back|Solve]] [Something strange is happening, and it's up to you to figure out why.]<1| (click: ?1)[[You might not have all the information you need, but someone else might.]<2| (click: ?2)[[Have you spoken in private with Hames?]<3| (click: ?3)[[If you have successfully convinced Hames that you are on his side, he should have shared with you the name of his sister, which is a closely guarded secret.]<4| (click: ?4)[[This name will earn you her trust, so she doesn't do to you whatever it is she does. **HER TRUE NAME AHEAD**]<5| (click: ?5)[Her name is Hertha.]]]]]

[[Go back|Solve]] If you have spoken with Hames' sister, she will have asked you what your plan of escape is. If you //haven't// spoken with her, you shouldn't be on this page. You also can find in-game advice by speaking to Hames after discussing plans with his sister. I need to: [[Find a way to get her out of her prison cell.|Unlock]] [[Find a way to stop the guards so we can exit without opposition.|Escape]] [[Find a way to communicate with Hames' sister in the future.|Signal]] (Do not read further if you are still piecing things together. The following is advice on fully pulling off the escape.) [[I'm having trouble actually escaping, even though I have the full plan.]]

[[Go back|Plan]] [There must be a key somewhere that unlocks the cell; you just need to find it.]<1| (click: ?1)[[Is there anywhere in the monastery you haven't explored much?]<2| (click: ?2)[[If you haven't discovered how to get upstairs, go to the exploring the monastery section and read how to do that.]<3| (click: ?3)[[One of the upstairs rooms might have what you need.]<4| (click: ?4)[[Have you searched the rooms carefully? It's dangerous, and might require a few tries, though paying attention to detail might aid you.]<5| (click: ?5)[[You're also going to have to be careful about leaving evidence behind. If the monks discover that a key is missing, they might catch on to you. Is there a way you can cover this up?]<6| (click: ?6)[[Listen closely to what the monks say in their sleep. And you might find a way to hide your deeds by searching the room thoroughly. **FINAL SOLUTION AHEAD**]<7| (click: ?7)[In Brother Errol's room, he says something about secrets in the monastery's walls. Search the wall and you will find a key. Hide an identical key here to hide the fact that you took this one. You will find it in the mat in Deirn's room. Now you just have to give it to Hames, like you said you would. Remember, physical objects will reset in each timeline, so this task isn't helpful unless this is the timeline in which you successfully escape!]]]]]]]

[[Go back|Plan]] [Without weapons, your only real hope is to incapacitate the guards in some other way.]<1| (click: ?1)[[Have you heard or read anything that might suggest a way to deal with the guards?]<2| (click: ?2)[[There might be something at the monastery that you can access that can suit your needs. Where might that be?]<3| (click: ?3)[[Have you taken any lessons with Brother Thelon? If you started them on the first day, you should be able to receive three days of lessons.]<4| (click: ?4)[[Brother Thelon's third question refers to a carnivorous plant that paralyzes its prey. If you could get enough liquid from this plant, you might be able to recreate the effect on humans.]<5| (click: ?5)[[To do that, though, would require a massive-sized plant. Is there any way you could acquire such a thing?]<6| (click: ?6)[[In Thelon's third lesson, he mentions a blue soil. Maybe you could find some of that? He mentioned off-handedly that it occurs naturally in the nearby area. **FINAL SOLUTION AHEAD**]<7| (click: ?7)[You will need to get permission to leave the monastery (see exploring the monastery for help on that front). Then, you go north until you find blue soil. To climb the cliff will require luck and perseverance, but once you're at the top you can scoop up the blue soil you need. Now you can create the conditions in your room needed to grow a pitcher plant. Just take it from the garden and grow it overnight. All that's left is administering it to the guards! Remember, everything but memories resets each timeline, so make sure you're ready to escape when trying this!]]]]]]]

[[Go back|Plan]] [If you haven't spoken to Hames yet, he might have a suggestion for you.]<1| (click: ?1)[[Checking the library might reveal a possible way to converse with Hertha.]<2| (click: ?2)[[If you read the books, eventually you'll find that the geology book has writing in the margins.]<3| (click: ?3)[[Once you've found this, you can suggest to Hertha that you pass messages via this book. But you'll need a susceptible monk to be the go-between. **FINAL SOLUTION AHEAD**]<4| (click: ?4)[Brother Thelon is the right person for this. If you give Hertha the idea, and then persuade Thelon to go, the plan should work. Just make sure you have a good reason to convince Thelon, or else he might not agree. Try to attend all of his lessons in at least one cycle. Pulling this off also requires patience, since you need to talk to Hertha on the first night, talk to Thelon the next day, and then wait until the following day to see any messages. You must complete this part of the plan because it's how you learn important info on the final day (see pulling off the plan). You might be able to make things easier for you if you try going to the library during the night--if you do, you can ask Hertha to order Thelon to unlock it for you so you can see the messages she leaves behind sooner.]]]]

[[Go back|Plan]] [To escape, you really must have all the pieces in place.]<1| (click: ?1)[[This means carefully implementing all the physical steps in the escaping process, with time to be ready when the third supper happens.]<2| (click: ?2)[[Remember, Hames must have the key by the third night (following the second day), and the plant must be full grown by the third day so it can be used to paralyze the guards. But you also need to be communicating regularly with Hertha.]<3| (click: ?3)[[The timing is precise. It will take no less than three days to have everything ready. Make sure you don't forget an important step! If you don't communicate with Hertha each day, you won't learn what the missing piece is.]<4| (click: ?4)[[When you check the messages on the third day, you will discover that Errol skips the third dinner to check on Hertha's training. You will need to remedy this situation, but first you must be told this via Hertha's warning in the geology book. **FINAL SOLUTION AHEAD**]<5| (click: ?5)[First night: talk to Hertha First day: talk to Thelon, collect the blue soil Second night: get the key, give it to Hames Second day: check messages, (get blue soil if you failed to get it on first day) Third night: get the pitcher plant, (give key to Hames if you ran out of time on second night) Third day: poison the food with the pitcher plant, check messages, go to the basement steps right before dinner]]]]]

[[Go back|Hints]] The game operates on a central gimmick: every time your character dies, they remember everything that happens them. This means you--as the player--are allowed to metagame. Anything //you// discover is likewise discovered by //the character//, and can be used to solve puzzles. **This is also why you should not use the save game feature to avoid dying, because doing so my prevent //the character// from learning an important detail that might only be found by reaching a "dead"-end!!** Die often, and think of how you can use the information you gleaned to work through puzzles on the next cycle. There are some "checkpoints" during the game, so you don't have to repeat all your progress. Enjoy!