reconstructing adventure
(one of the first and best online interactive fiction/games; this is
the stuff of legends)
down a gully. rocky bed. down, but small ledge can be seen to the west
across chasm. in rock. downstream streambed is bare dirt strong steel
grate mounted concrete. a dry leads into depression. low crawl over
cobbles inward west. at east end of passage. wide passage with becomes
plugged mud and debris has scrawled, "magic word xyzzy". rivers orange
stone. an awkward canyon good exit from sides chamber. staircase
downward.
the hall filled wisps white mist swaying fro almost as if alive. a cold
wind blows up this room crude note on wall. says, directions. dome
unclimbable. wall above pit this room. pool oil one corner pit. an e/w
rock room's center. sight. a floor indistinctly visible feet below.
traces
cover pit, becoming thicker right. marks dust around window would seem
indicate that enters exits through tiny slits. hall mists. continues
another goes north. to south little off floor. dead up. maze level.
chambers. to slants north round two foot hole down. joins narrow
north/south higher make walking explore random select north, south,
up, or
go west, east, ne, nw. part occupied by large bedrock block. littered
thin
slabs, which it easy descend pits. passages, they are now boulders. low
passages quickly bends boulders. se. tall other combined. crawl. get
back
seems open runs mass boulders -- dead end. stream flows out pair
diameter
sewer pipes. it advisable use exit. profusion leaves. leading north.
lamp
show it. cavernous lead south. on scrawled inscription, "fee fie foe
foo"
[sic]. sparkling waterfall roaring whirlpool disappears passages thick
pile carpet. moss covers ceiling. oriental room. ancient oriental cave
drawings walls. a gently sloping upward se, hands knees far below,
heavy
mist, strange splashing noises heard. the rises fissure path distance.
extremely tight tunnel east. looks like very squeeze. an eerie light
dark
corridor ne. walls bits shells imbedded shallow proceeds downward,
somewhat steeper remnants recent digging evident. proceed own risk.
[witt
construction company]" covered seeping extend for well feet. suspended
some unseen point far midway between walls. (the mirror obviously
provided
either wall, fifty left. stalactite extends roof reaches fills rapidly
upward. the lake fed stream, tumbles about giant appears repository
"adventure" program. massive torches overhead bathe smoky oysters,
bundle
black rods rusty stars their ends, collection brass lanterns. off side
great many dwarves sleeping floor, snoring loudly. notice nearby reads:
"do not disturb dwarves!" immense hanging against sundry objects
glimpsed
dimly full fierce green snakes. row wicker cages, each contains sulking
bird. in marks ends. number velvet pillows scattered grate, next sign
reads, "treasure vault. keys main office. " below obscures all view
side.
sw away chasm winding corridor. heard louder direction. the right fork
southeast gentle slope. roar, so loud entire trembling. another active
volcano, gouts molten lava come surging out, cascading depths. glowing
farthest cavern blood-red glare, giving every- thing eerie, macabre
appearance. air flickering sparks ash smell brimstone. hot touch,
thundering volcano drowns sounds. embedded jagged myriad twisted
formations composed pure alabaster, scatter murky sinister apparitions
upon deep gorge, bizarre chaos tortured have been crafted devil
himself.
river fire crashes depths burns its way right, geyser blistering steam
erupts continuously barren island center sulfurous lake, bubbles
ominously. aflame incandescence own, lends additional infernal splendor
already hellish scene. a dark, foreboding warm, causing stifling heat.
only heading coming rumbling. oddly shaped limestone formations.
entrance
"caution! bear room!" empty except dust. toward paths ledge. across
clearing surrounded forest. rear roar water past dangerous. here base
cliff lie remains several earlier adventurers who apparently failed
tumble
hundred join unlucky adventurers. set keys brass lantern *grate locked.
open. wicker cage black rod three star lies nearby. mark *steps rough
stone steps dome. little bird bird's singing quite melodious. does
inclined sing while cage. joys forest home. thank information, flies
*rusty door barred massive, rusty, iron door. velvet pillow *snake huge
snake bars way! %! (chased away) hissing venomously. *fissure crystal
bridge spans fissure. vanished! *stone tablet massive "congratulations
bringing dark-room!" clam >grunt!< tight-mouthed a, er, clam. oyster
groan!< oyster. even though it's oyster, critter's says same did
before.
hm, maybe pun? "spelunker today" i'm afraid magazine written dwarvish.
but pencilled tasty food small bottle water oil *mirror *plant
bellowing "water!! water!!" plant spurts furious growth few seconds.
grows explosively, filling bottom ask plaintively water. demand
maintains contented silence. *phony (seen twopit room when enough) top
-foot-tall beanstalk poking *stalactite *shadowy figure and/or dwarf's
axe *cave *pirate/genie (never present) *dragon dragon blood-specked
body lying hands!(unbelievable, isn't it?) is, surprisingly, silent.
*chasm rickety wooden chasm, vanishing mist. posted "stop! pay troll!"
wreckage (and bear) *troll troll sounds adamant his treasure. (bear
uses rtext ) (dead) *message second *volcano *vending machine section
revealing southward vending swings block batteries some worn-out
batteries discarded *carpet moss curtains *ogre formidable ogre
northern strong, silent type. *urn urn embedded flame extrudes *cavity
(something it) *blood (described dragon) *reservoir waters parted form
reservoir. crash together again. leporine appendage *mud xyzzy" *note
*sign cave under construction beyond point. company] large gold nugget
several diamonds bars silver precious jewelry rare coins treasure
chest golden eggs nest golden done! jeweled trident ming vase resting,
delicately, pillow. worthless shards pottery. ming drops delicate
crash. egg-sized emerald platinum pyramid glistening pearl glistening
pearl! persian rug sprawled persian rug!! spices chain bear locked
chain! ruby jade necklace amber gemstone star sapphire ebony statuette
treasure gold, rumored enter never hands. direct me commands words. i
should warn "northeast" "ne" distinguish "north". program was
originally developed willie crowther. most features current were added
don woods. contact hollow voice "plugh". misses! sorry, am allowed
give more detail. will repeat might what is. resources now. attacks
snake, astounding flurry drives away. no lock. don't know how lock
unlock such thing. unlocked. light. probably just well. nothing
happens. dead. its disappears. attacking both doesn't work good try,
old magic word. places, actions, things. most my vocabulary forest,
building, downstream, enter, special objects, hidden cave. these
manipulated using object action words (in order), sometimes infer verb
alone. also imply verbs; particular, "inventory" implies "take
inventory", causes effects; effects always desirable!usually people
having trouble moving need try usually trying unsuccessfully
manipulate attempting something (or my!) capabilities completely
different tack. one often confusing beginners that, holes wall),
choosing direction effect chooses ways random; often, though,
specifying turn lot, leaving place guarantee entering please stick -
-word commands. ok surface long. stream. detailed instructions do
that. huh? trees hardwood oak maple, growth, largely birch saplings
plus nondescript bushes various sorts. this time year visibility
restricted spruce berry bushes. digging without shovel impractical.
even progress unlikely. blasting requires dynamite. mist vapor,
usually water, think lost appetite. minerals, unpleasant. cold. empty.
rubbing electric particularly rewarding. anyway, nothing exciting
peculiar. unexpected watch it! which way? all blame wr. . . . . .
--- poof!!
everything dense cloud smoke. >>> messages thru reserved "obituaries".
<<< seed. don't ridiculous! refuses indignantly shakes leaves asks,
"water?" hinges thoroughly rusted won't budge. freed move, although
effort. exceptionally roots cannot pulled free. dwarves' knives vanish
strike falls rolls goodness, must really oyster. (i identifying
bivalves. ) whatever snapped shut creaks open, inside. promptly snaps
he chortles, "i'll take booty hide gloom. sepulchral reverberating
cave, "cave closing soon. immediately mysterious recorded groans life
announces: "this closed. leave via anyway, we'll call day. intones,
"the closed. " as echoes friendly elves carry conquering adventurer
sunset. burying snakes rubble. pours oh, poor unhappy for summary most
changes game, say "news". getting (to rest pack), treasures, keep
exploring while. if interesting points master's section. may
occasionally offer hints sudden change temperature delicately
shattered vase. how. shell impervious attack. bounces harmlessly
dragon's scales. dragon, gets burnt cinder. ashes blow what? okay,
i'll describe first trolls close relatives rocks skin tough deftly
catches axe, examines carefully, tosses back, declaring, "good
workmanship, valuable enough. " stumble fall lumbers troll, lets
startled shriek scurries away. the soon gives pursuit wanders back.
crying loud, dead! considerably even rather friendly. still chained
falling none available useful discovering secret. gluttony troll's
vices. avarice, however, answer question. he carrying chest. "shiver
timbers!" cries, "i've spotted! i'd best hie meself chest!" with
vanishes batteries. start wrapping obliterating cryptic message. read
should ahead anyway? understand. fragments. is acceptable? over. new
adventure, resume please run fresh copy appear hungry. blood-curdling
yell turns bounds after dwarves, flee dwarf, flees agitatedly moment.
moment, then crack. reappears shortly, beak jade lit. dark. oil. his
aspect stern advises: "one wouldst traffic wrests stone, cavity.
turning genie amber smoke condenses rare gemstone, resting cavity gem
fits easily stiffens ground. subsides. settles cooperate. gurgling
placidly. splashes loudly pool. dwarves. emanates dull rumbling sound.
culprit. (uh, y'know, wasn't bright. ) advanced. find first. upstream
downstream? twice, crashing shore. word "%w". %c achieve rating neat
trick! congratulations!!
