This file is part of the Cragne Manor source code collection. Posted with the author's permission. All rights reserved.
Chapter 1 - Do Not Change Any Of This
Include Cragne Suite by Ryan Veeder.
[Library book stuff:]
To say library insignia:
say "the insignia of the Backwater Public Library[one of], two back-to-back crescent moons joined by an eye looking down at an open book[or][stopping]".
To say Library insignia:
let the result be "[library insignia]" in sentence case;
say the result.
To say library insignia sentence:
say "A sticker on the spine bears [library insignia]."
A library book has a text called the official title. The official title of a library book is usually "[the printed name of the noun]".
[Don't mess with other people's rooms!]
M2F is a region.
M2F1 is a room in M2F. M2F1 is up from M1F6.
M2F2 is a room in M2F. M2F2 is east from M2F1.
Part 1 - M2F1 Top of Stairs
[Testing only:]
Include Object Response Tests by Juhana Leinonen.
Printed name of M2F1 is "Top of Stairs (Q. Pheevr)".
Description of M2F1 is "You are at the top of a staircase[if M1F6 is visited], which leads down to [the printed name of M1F6][end if]. An archway leads east[if M2F2 is visited] to [the printed name of M2F2][end if]."
Commentary of M2F1 is "'Broken-down kitchen at the top of the stairs / Can I mix in with your affairs?'".[Compatibility note: As things stand, the player can throw stuff into the adjacent rooms from here (by throwing it at the stairs or at the archway). But if this counts as "messing with other people's rooms," I'm happy to change it.]
Instead of examining the player when the location is M2F1 (this is the Pheevr introspection rule): say "You're still Naomi. At least for now.". [Foreshadowing!]
Instead of smelling the player when the location is M2F1 (this is the Pheevr sniff-test rule): say "You smell like the kind of day you've been having so far. To be honest, you could use a bath.". [I'm just going to assume this will be true enough by the time Naomi reaches the second floor of the manor.]
Instead of tasting the player when the location is M2F1 (this is the Pheevr lick-test rule): say "You touch your tongue to the back of your hand and taste the salt of your sweat.".
Instead of jumping when the location is M2F1 (this is the Pheevr wild-leap rule): say "For a wild moment, you contemplate hurling yourself down the stairs. Then the urge passes, and you feel steadier.".
Instead of attacking the player when the location is M2F1 (this is the Pheevr self-harm rule): say "[one of]You give yourself a bracing slap on the cheek[or]You pound your forehead in frustration[purely at random].".
Instead of searching the player when the location is M2F1 (this is the Pheevr pat-your-pockets rule): try taking inventory.
Instead of eating the player when the location is M2F1 (this is the Pheevr anti-autophagy rule):
say "Surely it hasn't come to that.".
Instead of taking the player when the location is M2F1 (this is the Pheevr self-possession rule):
say "Under normal circumstances, you are always self-possessed. Today, though, you have perhaps lost some of your usual savoir-faire.".
Instead of taking off or dropping the player when the location is M2F1 (this is the Pheevr we-wear-the-mask rule):
say "Sometimes you feel as if 'Naomi' is just a mask that you wear. But if so, it's a mask you can't take off.".
Before wearing the player when the location is M2F1 (this is the Pheevr are-you-putting-me-on rule):
instead say "Sometimes you feel as if 'Naomi' is just a mask that you wear. In any case, you're already wearing it. Her. You.".
Instead of going up in M2F1: say "You cannot ascend from here.".
Instead of going nowhere from M2F1: say "There are no hidden doors in this room. At least not that you can see. Of course, if you could see them, they wouldn't be hidden, would they?".
Instead of consulting something that is not a book about when the location is M2F1: try searching the noun.
Instead of turning the player when the location is M2F1: say "You turn on the spot and have another look at your surroundings."; try looking.
Instead of squeezing the player when the location is M2F1: say "You give yourself a reassuring hug.".
Instead of thinking when the location is M2F1:
if the Q-cabinet is Q-unnoticed:
say "It occurs to you that you might want to have a closer look at that sink.";
otherwise if the Q-tome is Q-begun:
say "You think about the story in [the Q-tome]. Surely that can't be how it's supposed to end.";
otherwise:
say "You reflect on all the strange things you've seen in Backwater so far.".
Instead of waking up when the location is M2F1:
say "You try pinching yourself, but nothing seems to change.".
Instead of sleeping when the location is M2F1:
say "This doesn't look at all like a comfortable place to sleep. Surely there's a bedroom somewhere in the manor.".
Q-ambient-smelling is an action applying to nothing.
Understand "smell" or "smell air" or "smell room" as Q-ambient-smelling when the location is M2F1.
Instead of Q-ambient-smelling when the location is M2F1: say "The room as a whole smells somewhat musty.".
[Instead of smelling M2F1: say "It smells like cows.".]
Q-injoking is an action applying to nothing.
Understand "xyzzy" or "plugh" or "plover" or "Odysseus" or "yo-ho" or "yoho" as Q-injoking when the location is M2F1.
Instead of Q-injoking when the location is M2F1: say "I understood that reference.".
[For testing only, because sometimes it's useful to have plural-named objects (and/or to have more than two portable objects in the room) and stuff to wear:]
[The player wears some Q-scissors. The printed name of the Q-scissors is "stainless steel testing trousers". Understand "trousers" as the Q-scissors. The description of the Q-scissors is "For testing purposes only.". The Q-scissors are wearable.]
Chapter 1 - Infrastructure (everything but the kitchen sink)
Section 1 - The stairs
The Q-staircase is an enterable supporter in M2F1. The Q-staircase is scenery. The printed name of the Q-staircase is "stairway leading down". Understand "stairway" or "stairs" or "stairs down" or "stairway leading down" or "staircase" or "staircase down" or "down staircase" or "staircase leading down" as the Q-staircase. The description of the Q-staircase is "From the top, the stairway looks gloomy and perilously steep.[if M1F6 is visited] At the bottom you can see a glimpse of [the printed name of M1F6].[end if]".
Instead of going up when the player is on the Q-staircase:
say "You get back up off the stairs.";
now the player is in M2F1.
Instead of going down when the player is on the Q-staircase: now the player is in M1F6.
Instead of throwing something (called the hurlee) at the Q-staircase when the location is M2F1:
say "You toss [the hurlee] down the stairs. You hear [them] bounce a couple of times on the way down.";
now the hurlee is in M1F6;
if the hurlee is the Q-clock:
now the Q-time of the Q-clock is the time of day.
Instead of taking the Q-staircase when the location is M2F1:
say "You take the stairs down.";
try going down.
Instead of looking under the Q-staircase: say "You can't see under the stairs from up here."
Check tasting the Q-staircase: instead say "You consider licking the staircase, but you decide not to risk getting a splinter in your tongue.".
Check smelling the Q-staircase: instead say "You're not sure, but you think perhaps you catch a faint whiff of [one of]lilac[or]juniper[or]lavender[or]lemon[or]jasmine[or]ozone[or]wood smoke[or]turpentine[or]ichor[or]ylang-ylang[as decreasingly likely outcomes] coming from downstairs.".
Before doing something other than examining to something that is not the Q-staircase when the player is on the Q-staircase and the noun is not on the Q-staircase and the noun is not held by the player:
say "(first getting off the stairs)";
try exiting.
Before examining something portable that is not the Q-staircase when the player is on the Q-staircase and the noun is not on the Q-staircase and the noun is not held by the player:
if the noun is on a Q-wall:
continue the action;
otherwise:
say "(first getting off the stairs)";
try exiting.
Before putting something on a Q-wall when the player is on the Q-staircase:
say "(first getting off the stairs)";
try exiting.
Section 2 - The floor
The Q-floor is scenery in M2F1. The printed name of the Q-floor is "floor at the top of the stairs". Understand "floor" or "floorboards" or "floors" as the Q-floor. The description of the Q-floor is "Bare wooden floorboards. None of them seem to be loose.".
[Making the floor an actual supporter would be annoying, but it should still be possible to talk about stuff being on the floor.]
Instead of searching the Q-floor:
if the number of portable things that are not the player in M2F1 is less than 1:
say "There's nothing on the floor except yourself and the sink.";
otherwise:
say "On the floor [is-are a list of portable things that are not the player in M2F1].".
After examining the Q-floor:
if the number of portable things that are not the player in M2F1 is at least 1:
say "On the floor [is-are a list of portable things that are not the player in M2F1].".
Instead of entering the Q-floor:
say "You are standing on the floor.".
Check smelling the Q-floor: instead say "The floor smells like wood.".
Check tasting the Q-floor: instead say "You consider licking the floor, but you decide not to risk getting a splinter in your tongue.".
Instead of looking under the Q-floor: say "You'd have to go downstairs to see what's under the floor.".
Instead of taking the Q-floor: say "You can't take the floor. What would you stand on?".
Instead of attacking the Q-floor: say "You st[one of]a[or]o[sticky random]mp your foot.".
Instead of putting something on the Q-floor:
if the noun is in M2F1:
say "[The noun] [are] already on the floor.";
otherwise if the noun is held by the player:
say "You put [the noun] on the floor.";
now the noun is in M2F1;
otherwise if the noun is the player and the player is on the Q-staircase:
try exiting;
otherwise:
say "You're not holding [the noun].".
Section 3 - The walls
A Q-wall is a kind of supporter. A Q-wall is scenery. The description of a Q-wall is usually "[The noun] is covered in pale blue paint, which has by now become rather dingy.". Understand "wall" or "walls" as a Q-wall when the location is M2F1.
The Q-w-wall is a Q-wall in M2F1. The printed name of the Q-w-wall is "west wall". Understand "west wall" as the Q-w-wall. The description of the Q-w-wall is "[The noun] is covered in pale blue paint, which has by now become rather dingy. The sink appears to be attached to it.".
The Q-s-wall is a Q-wall in M2F1. The printed name of the Q-s-wall is "south wall". Understand "south wall" as the Q-s-wall.
The Q-e-wall is a Q-wall in M2F1. The printed name of the Q-e-wall is "east wall". Understand "east wall" as the Q-e-wall. The description of the Q-e-wall is "[The noun] is covered in pale blue paint, which has by now become rather dingy. In it there is an archway[if M2F2 is visited] leading to [the printed name of M2F2][end if].".
The Q-n-wall is a Q-wall in M2F1. The printed name of the Q-n-wall is "north wall". Understand "north wall" as the Q-n-wall.
Instead of putting something that is not the Q-clock on a Q-wall: say "You can't think of a good way to attach [the noun] to the wall.".
After putting the Q-clock on a Q-wall: say "You put [the Q-clock] on [the second noun][if the second noun is the Q-e-wall], beside the archway[otherwise if the second noun is the Q-w-wall], near the sink[end if].".
Check rubbing a Q-wall: instead say "You rub the wall for a bit, but it doesn't really look any cleaner.".
Check smelling a Q-wall: instead say "The wall has a faint smell of mildew about it.".
Check tasting a Q-wall: instead say "You briefly wonder when the walls here were last painted. Quite possibly it was before they banned lead-based paint.".
Instead of looking under a Q-wall: say "The walls go all the way down to the floor, as is the manner of manors. You can't see under them.".
Check touching a Q-wall: instead say "The wall feels flat and smooth, if slightly uneven.".
Instead of taking a Q-wall: say "That's part of the house.".
To bounce is a verb. To fall is a verb. To rebound is a verb.
Instead of throwing something (called the hurlee) at a Q-wall (called the target wall):
say "[The hurlee] [one of][adapt the verb bounce][or][adapt the verb rebound][purely at random] off [the target wall] and [regarding the hurlee][adapt the verb fall] to the floor.";
now the hurlee is in M2F1;
if the hurlee is the Q-clock:
now the Q-time of the Q-clock is the time of day;
if the Q-clock is on the target wall:
say "[The Q-clock] falls off [the target wall] onto the floor.";
now the Q-clock is in M2F1;
now the Q-time of the Q-clock is the time of day.
Instead of attacking a Q-wall:
say "You vent your frustration by punching [the noun].";
if the Q-clock is on the noun:
say "[The Q-clock] falls off [the noun] onto the floor.";
now the Q-clock is in M2F1;
now the Q-time of the Q-clock is the time of day.
Instead of throwing something (called the hurlee) at the Q-clock when the Q-clock is on a Q-wall (called the target wall): try throwing the hurlee at the target wall.
Section 4 - The archway
The Q-archway is scenery in M2F1. The printed name of the Q-archway is "archway leading east". The description of the Q-archway is "The archway to the east looks… hungry?". Understand "archway" or "arch" or "east archway" or "east arch" or "east door" or "east doorway" or "doorway" or "eastern archway" or "eastern arch" as the Q-archway.
Instead of searching the Q-archway:
if M2F2 is visited:
say "Through the archway you can see [the printed name of M2F2].";
otherwise:
say "You can't quite make out what lies to the east.".
Instead of opening the Q-archway: say "There is no door in the archway.".
Instead of closing the Q-archway: say "There is no door in the archway.".
Instead of throwing something (called the hurlee) at the Q-archway when the location is M2F1:
say "You toss [the hurlee] through the archway to the east. You hear [them] land with a faint thud.";
now the hurlee is in M2F2;
if the hurlee is the Q-clock:
now the Q-time of the Q-clock is the time of day.
Instead of tasting the Q-archway: say "You briefly wonder when the archway was last painted. Quite possibly it was before they banned lead-based paint.".
Instead of smelling the Q-archway: say "It smells like the '[one of]Berry Blossom[or]Pop Star[or]Baby Powder Soft[or]Romantic Rose[or]California Breeze[or]Ocean Surf[or]Caribbean Cool[or]Orchard Blossom[at random]' scent of Teen Spirit® deodorant.".
Instead of taking the Q-archway when the location is M2F1:
say "You take the archway to the east.";
try going east.
Instead of attacking the Q-archway:
say "You vent your frustration by punching the archway.".
Section 5 - The ceiling
The Q-ceiling is scenery in M2F1. The printed name of the Q-ceiling is "ceiling". Understand "ceiling" as the Q-ceiling. The description of the Q-ceiling is "The ceiling here is vaulted, matching the curve of the eastern archway.".
Check searching the Q-ceiling: instead say "You see nothing on the ceiling.".
Instead of looking under the Q-ceiling: instead try looking.
Instead of doing anything other than examining, searching, or looking under to the Q-ceiling: say "It's too high to reach.".
Instead of putting something on the Q-ceiling: say "The ceiling is too high to reach.".
Section 6 - Looking around the room
Check examining a direction when the location is M2F1:
if the noun is north:
instead try examining the Q-n-wall;
otherwise if the noun is south:
instead try examining the Q-s-wall;
otherwise if the noun is west:
instead try examining the Q-w-wall;
otherwise if the noun is east:
instead try examining the Q-e-wall;
otherwise if the noun is up:
instead try examining the Q-ceiling;
otherwise if the noun is down:
instead try examining the Q-staircase;
otherwise if the noun is outside:
instead say "There are no windows in this room.";
otherwise if the noun is inside:
instead say "I don't know what you want to look inside.";
otherwise:
instead say "For a [one of]moment[or]second[purely at random], you thought you saw something moving in [the noun] corner of the room. But [one of]there's nothing there[or]you must have been mistaken[or]it must have been a trick of the light[or]you don't see anything there now[purely at random].".
Chapter 2 - The kitchen sink
The Q-sink is a fixed in place supporter in M2F1. The printed name of the Q-sink is "dilapidated kitchen sink". Understand "sink" or "kitchen sink" or "dilapidated sink" or "dilapidated kitchen sink" or "broken sink" or "broken kitchen sink" or "plumbing" or "pipes" as the Q-sink. The initial appearance of the Q-sink is "[if the Q-cabinet is Q-unnoticed]For some reason, there is a dilapidated kitchen sink standing against the west wall[otherwise]Standing against the west wall is a dilapidated kitchen sink with a pine cabinet under it[end if]." The description of the Q-sink is "It's not obvious whether the sink is plumbed in or just sitting here. The faucet is rusty and the basin is stained. Below the sink is a pine cabinet, which is [if the Q-cabinet is open and there is something in the Q-cabinet]open, revealing [a list of things in the Q-cabinet][otherwise if the Q-cabinet is open]open[otherwise]closed[end if].[if there is something in the Q-basin][paragraph break]In the basin of the sink [is-are a list of things in the Q-basin].[end if]". The carrying capacity of the Q-sink is 4.
Instead of entering the Q-sink: say "You're not confident that it would support you.".
Instead of attacking the Q-sink:
If a random chance of 1 in 5 succeeds:
Say "Ouch! That hurts.";
Otherwise:
Say "Klunk! The pipes vibrate noisily.".
Instead of smelling the Q-sink: say "It smells of rusty metal.".
Instead of tasting the Q-sink: say "The sink tastes like rusty metal.".
Check pushing the Q-sink: instead say "Rickety as it looks, it doesn't budge.".
Check pulling the Q-sink: instead say "Rickety as it looks, it doesn't budge.".
Check taking the Q-sink: instead say "Rickety as it looks, it won't budge.".
Section 1 - The basin
A container called the Q-basin is part of the Q-sink. Understand "basin" or "stained basin" or "stain" or "stains" as the Q-basin. The printed name of the Q-basin is "basin of the kitchen sink". The description of the Q-basin is "The basin bears stains that might be rust, or coffee, or blood.". The carrying capacity of the Q-basin is 3.
Instead of entering the Q-basin: say "You're not confident that it would support you.".
Instead of smelling the Q-basin: say "The basin doesn't smell like much. Those stains look pretty old.".
Instead of tasting the Q-basin: say "The basin doesn't taste like much. Those stains look pretty old.".
Check attacking the Q-basin: try attacking the Q-sink instead.
Check rubbing the Q-basin: instead say "Those stains look like they've been there a long time, and they're not coming out.".
To land is a verb. To bounce is a verb. To rebound is a verb.
Instead of throwing something (called the hurlee) at the Q-basin:
say "You toss [the hurlee] at the sink. ";
if the number of things in the Q-basin is less than the carrying capacity of the Q-basin:
say "[They] [adapt the verb land] in the basin.";
now the hurlee is in the Q-basin;
otherwise:
say "[They] [one of][adapt the verb bounce][or][adapt the verb rebound][purely at random] off [the random thing in the Q-basin] and [regarding the hurlee][adapt the verb land] on the floor.";
now the hurlee is in M2F1;
if the hurlee is the Q-clock:
now the Q-time of the Q-clock is the time of day.
Section 2 - The faucet
A device called the Q-faucet is part of the Q-sink. Understand "faucet" or "tap" or "rusty faucet" or "rusty tap" as the Q-faucet. The printed name of the Q-faucet is "faucet of the kitchen sink". The description of the Q-faucet is "The faucet is rusty, but it can still be turned on or off.".
Check attacking the Q-faucet: try attacking the Q-sink instead.
Instead of smelling the Q-faucet: say "It smells of rusty metal.".
Instead of tasting the Q-faucet: say "You tentatively lick the faucet. It tastes of rust, and nothing comes out of it.".
Check rubbing the Q-faucet: instead say "It doesn't appear to get any less rusty.".
Instead of examining the Q-faucet:
say "The faucet is rusty, but it can still be turned on or off[if the Q-faucet is switched on]. Right now it looks as if it's turned on, but there's no water coming out[otherwise]. Right now it seems to be turned off[end if].".
Section 3 - The cabinet under the sink
A closed openable container called the Q-cabinet is part of the Q-sink. The printed name of the Q-cabinet is "cabinet under the sink". Understand "cabinet" or "cabinet under the sink" or "cabinet under sink" or "cupboard" or "cupboard under the sink" or "cupboard under sink" or "pine cabinet" or "pine cupboard" as the Q-cabinet. The description of the Q-cabinet is "The cabinet is made of pine. It is marred by several scratches near the bottom.". The carrying capacity of the Q-cabinet is 6.
Check attacking the Q-cabinet: try attacking the Q-sink instead.
Check looking under the Q-cabinet: instead say "The bottom of the cabinet is flush with the floor; you can't see under it.".
Check looking under the Q-sink: instead try searching the Q-cabinet.
Check looking under the Q-basin: instead try searching the Q-cabinet.
Check looking under the Q-faucet: instead try searching the Q-basin.
Instead of smelling the Q-cabinet: say "The cabinet smells like pine furniture.".
Instead of tasting the Q-cabinet: say "The cabinet tastes woody.".
Instead of entering the Q-cabinet:
if the Q-cabinet is closed:
say "(first opening it)";
try opening the Q-cabinet;
say "[The Q-cabinet] is too small to accommodate you.".
Check locking the Q-cabinet with: instead say "There's no lock on [the Q-cabinet].".
Check unlocking the Q-cabinet with: instead say "There's no lock on [the Q-cabinet].".
Some Q-scratches are part of the Q-cabinet. The printed name of the Q-scratches is "scratches on the cabinet under the sink". Understand "scratches" or "scratch" or "scratches on the cabinet under the sink" as the Q-scratches. The description of the Q-scratches is "The scratches look as if they were made by something small but fierce, like a raccoon.".
Check attacking the Q-scratches: instead say "The cabinet has already suffered enough, don't you think?".
Instead of touching the Q-scratches: say "You trace the scratches with your fingers. They look as if they were made by something small but fierce, like a raccoon.".
Instead of smelling the Q-scratches: instead try smelling the Q-cabinet.
Instead of tasting the Q-scratches: instead try tasting the Q-cabinet.
Instead of rubbing the Q-scratches: say "Rubbing them won't make them go away.".
Check looking under the Q-scratches: instead say "The inch or two of cabinet below the scratches seems unscathed.".
To bounce is a verb. To land is a verb. To rebound is a verb.
Instead of throwing something (called the hurlee) at the Q-cabinet:
if the Q-cabinet is open:
if the number of things in the Q-cabinet is less than the carrying capacity of the Q-cabinet:
say "You toss [the hurlee] into the open cabinet.";
now the hurlee is in the Q-cabinet;
otherwise:
say "You toss [the hurlee] at the open cabinet. [They] [one of][adapt the verb bounce][or][adapt the verb rebound][purely at random] off [the random thing in the Q-cabinet] and [regarding the hurlee][adapt the verb land] on the floor.";
now the hurlee is in M2F1;
otherwise:
say "You toss [the hurlee] at the closed cabinet. [They] [one of][adapt the verb bounce][or][adapt the verb rebound][purely at random] off and [adapt the verb land] on the floor.";
now the hurlee is in M2F1;
if the hurlee is the Q-clock:
now the Q-time of the Q-clock is the time of day.
Check throwing something (called the hurlee) at the Q-scratches: instead try throwing the hurlee at the Q-cabinet.
Section 4 - Some rules for deciding which part of the sink to interact with
[Goal: Make the sink easy to work with. The tap turns on and off however you think it does: explicit turn/switch/set on/off, or toggling with turn/push/pull.]
Instead of switching on the Q-faucet: say "[if the Q-faucet is switched off]You open the tap. There is a faint clunking noise, but no water comes out[otherwise]It's already on, but there's no water coming out[end if]."; now the Q-faucet is switched on.
Instead of switching off the Q-faucet: say "[if the Q-faucet is switched on]You close the tap[otherwise]It's already off[end if]."; now the Q-faucet is switched off.
Instead of turning the Q-faucet when the Q-faucet is switched off: try switching on the Q-faucet.
Instead of turning the Q-faucet when the Q-faucet is switched on: try switching off the Q-faucet.
Understand "set [the Q-faucet] to on" as switching on.
Understand "set [the Q-faucet] to off" as switching off.
Understand "set [the Q-sink] to on" as switching on.
Understand "set [the Q-sink] to off" as switching off.
[In general, interact with the part of the sink where the verb will do something sensible:]
Instead of pushing the Q-faucet: try turning the Q-faucet.
Instead of pulling the Q-faucet: try turning the Q-faucet.
Instead of pushing the Q-basin: say "The basin is firmly fixed in place.".
Instead of pushing the Q-scratches: say "The scratches don't move.".
Instead of pushing the Q-cabinet: say "Rickety though it looks, it doesn't budge.".
Instead of turning the Q-basin: say "The basin is firmly fixed in place.".
Instead of turning the Q-scratches: say "The scratches don't move.".
Instead of turning the Q-cabinet: say "Rickety though it looks, it doesn't budge.".
Instead of switching on the Q-sink: try switching on the Q-faucet.
Instead of switching off the Q-sink: try switching off the Q-faucet.
Instead of opening the Q-faucet: try switching on the Q-faucet.
Instead of closing the Q-faucet: try switching off the Q-faucet.
Instead of inserting something (called the insertee) into the Q-sink: try inserting the insertee into the Q-basin.
Instead of rubbing the Q-sink: try rubbing the Q-basin.
[We don't explicitly mention a door to the cabinet, but it's reasonable to assume it has one. However, we shouldn't assume the player is talking about the cabinet unless they've actually seen it. If they try to refer to a door without having looked at the sink, let's assume they mean the archway:]
The Q-cabinet can be Q-noticed or Q-unnoticed. The Q-cabinet is Q-unnoticed.
After examining the Q-sink: now the Q-cabinet is Q-noticed.
Understand "door" as the Q-archway when the location is M2F1 and the Q-cabinet is Q-unnoticed.
Understand "door" as the Q-cabinet when the location is M2F1 and the Q-cabinet is Q-noticed.
Instead of opening the Q-sink:
if the Q-cabinet is Q-noticed:
try opening the Q-cabinet;
otherwise:
try opening the Q-faucet.
Instead of closing the Q-sink:
if the Q-cabinet is Q-noticed:
try closing the Q-cabinet;
otherwise:
try closing the Q-faucet.
[If the player somehow already knows that the cabinet is there and tries interacting with it, we can assume it's been noticed:]
Before doing anything to the Q-cabinet: now the Q-cabinet is Q-noticed.
Before doing anything to the Q-scratches: now the Q-cabinet is Q-noticed.
[Search the sink: Check all the parts we can see.]
Instead of searching the Q-sink:
if there is something on the Q-sink:
say "On [the Q-sink] [is-are a list of things on the Q-sink].";
if there is something in the Q-basin:
try searching the Q-basin;
if there is something in the Q-cabinet and the Q-cabinet is Q-noticed and the Q-cabinet is open:
try searching the Q-cabinet;
otherwise if there is something in the Q-basin:
try searching the Q-basin;
if there is something in the Q-cabinet and the Q-cabinet is Q-noticed and the Q-cabinet is open:
try searching the Q-cabinet;
otherwise if the Q-cabinet is Q-noticed:
say "There is nothing on top of the sink or in the basin. [run paragraph on]";
try searching the Q-cabinet;
otherwise:
try examining the Q-sink;
say "There is nothing on top of the sink or in the basin.".
Check throwing something (called the hurlee) at the Q-sink: instead try throwing the hurlee at the Q-basin.
Check throwing something (called the hurlee) at the Q-faucet: instead try throwing the hurlee at the Q-basin.
Section 5 - The song of the sink
The Q-sink-lyrics-count is a number that varies. The Q-sink-lyrics-count is initially 16.
Every turn when the location is M2F1:
if the Q-faucet has been switched on for at least two turns and we are not listening:
If a random chance of 2 in 7 succeeds:
say "You seem to hear a faint voice coming from the plumbing, saying:[paragraph break][italic type][one of]As day follows day, I shall tread the earth and make music. But when the sun hath set and risen once more, then shall I cease to do these things. And I will commence.[or]Wherefore am I denied the pleasure of lips upon lips? Truly I can withstand much deprivation, but I gaze upon thy lower garment and long for the touch of thy lips.[or]Wherefore can I not lie with thee? Know that I am skilled in the art of love, but an unknown force prevents me.[or]Wherefore am I denied the pleasure of carnal knowledge? I curse my ill fortune, for I have lived my entire life in hope of a single—![or]As day follows day, I become wrathful. And verily I say unto thee that I foresee a day when I shall take my leave of thee, and bid thee good night.[or]O my mother! Hast thou attended to the doings of thy son? I know that thou art afflicted with many troubles, and many besides thee are so afflicted.[or]When thy beloved turned from thee, then wast thou a fugitive.[or]O my mother! Look thou now at what thy son hath wrought. He goeth about the city as though he were first among men; he hath gone into the city and bought him a mighty weapon.[or]Oh, hurl not thy stones in my direction! Forbear! Know thou that I feel for thee, but harm me not with thy weapon![or]The hearth is fallen to ruin, alas! I beg thee, admit me into thy most secret doings.[or]Let us inhale together the smoke of the fire, and be merry; let us seek comfort each in the limbs of the other.[or]I take these words into my heart and am amazed; I speak these words with my mouth to no avail. Between thy legs I am silent.[or]O my mother! O my lover, would that I could love thee. The city sleepeth not; it shall spring like a panther here in thy chamber, measure upon measure.[or]Now I say to thee that thou must choose: some things must thou renounce, and to some things must thou hold fast.[or]And as he stood ready to divide the things from the things, then spake she, saying, 'Beloved, hold! I will tell the sums.' And she told the sums.[or]As day follows day, I become wrathful. And verily I say unto thee that I foresee the day when I shall take my leave of thee, and bid thee good night.[then at random][roman type]";
if the Q-sink-lyrics-count is 1:
say "[line break][The Q-faucet] quietly turns itself off.";
now the Q-faucet is switched off;
now the Q-sink-lyrics-count is 0;
otherwise if the Q-sink-lyrics-count is greater than 0:
now the Q-sink-lyrics-count is the Q-sink-lyrics-count minus 1.
[Does the sink want us to kiss it? We might try. So we should be allowed to kiss inanimate objects in this room:]
Understand "kiss [something]" as kissing when the location is M2F1.
Instead of kissing something when the location is M2F1:
if the noun is the Q-tome or the noun is part of the Q-tome:
say "Bleah. Have you smelled this thing?";
otherwise if the noun is the Q-sink, or the noun is the Q-faucet, or the noun is the Q-basin:
if the Q-faucet is switched on:
say "You kiss [the noun]. Does the sink seem to [one of]tremble[or]shiver[purely at random] a little, or [one of]are you imagining it[or]is it your imagination[purely at random]?";
otherwise:
say "You kiss [the noun]. Nothing happens.";
otherwise:
say "You kiss [the noun]. Nothing happens.".
Chapter 3 - A clock that runs backwards
The Q-clock is on the Q-n-wall. The printed name of the Q-clock is "round white wall clock". Understand "clock" or "white clock" or "round clock" or "wall clock" or "round wall clock" or "white wall clock" or "round white clock" or "round white wall clock" as the Q-clock.
The Q-clock has a time called the Q-time. The Q-time of the Q-clock is 10:20 am.
[The clock starts at 10:20 when play begins, and runs backward from there. An impact (dropping it, knocking it off the wall, throwing it) will set it to the current nominal "time of day" in the game. Hitting it sets it to a random time. You can also set it to whatever time you want.]
[It's an analogue clock, so we want to report times in 12-hour time without AM or PM appended:]
To say (relevant time - a time) as Q-underspecified 12h time:
let H be the hours part of relevant time;
let M be the minutes part of relevant time;
say "[if H is 0]12[otherwise if H is greater than 12][H minus 12][otherwise][H][end if]:[if M is less than 10]0[end if][M]".
The description of the Q-clock is "A round white wall clock with black Arabic numbers. It currently shows the time as [the Q-time as Q-underspecified 12h time].".
Q-setting is an action applying to one thing and one time. Understand "set [the Q-clock] to [time]" or "reset [the Q-clock] to [time]" as Q-setting.
Understand "set [the Q-clock] to [text]" or "reset [the Q-clock] to [text]" as a mistake ("You can only set the clock to a time (such as [a random time as Q-underspecified 12h time]).").
Understand "set [the Q-clock]" or "reset [the Q-clock]" as a mistake ("You need to specify a time (e.g., 'Set clock to [a random time as Q-underspecified 12h time]').").
Carry out Q-setting: now the Q-time of the Q-clock is the time understood.
Report Q-setting: say "You set [the noun] to [time understood as Q-underspecified 12h time].".
[The clock runs backwards at a rate of one minute per turn. On the hour, it announces the time:]
Every turn when we are not Q-setting the Q-clock:
now the Q-time of the Q-clock is one minute before the Q-time of the Q-clock;
if the minutes part of the Q-time of the Q-clock is 0:
if the Q-clock is visible:
say "A ghastly spectral cuckoo flies out of [the Q-clock] and [one of]squawks[or]announces[or]proclaims[at random], [bold type]'The time is now [the Q-time of the Q-clock in words]!'[roman type] before vanishing into thin air.";
if we are listening:
say "Okay, maybe that was a [italic type]little[roman type] unexpected.".
After dropping the Q-clock:
now the Q-time of the Q-clock is the time of day;
say "You drop the clock with a thud. It now reads [the time of day as Q-underspecified 12h time].".
Instead of listening to the Q-clock: say "[The Q-clock] makes a very faint noise that sounds like [italic type]cot-kit, cot-kit, cot-kit[roman type].".
Instead of smelling the Q-clock: say "It smells like plastic.".
Instead of tasting the Q-clock: say "It tastes like plastic.".
Instead of touching the Q-clock: say "It feels smooth to the touch.".
Instead of eating the Q-clock: say "It's too big to fit in your mouth, and too hard to chew.".
Instead of squeezing the Q-clock: say "It's not very compressible.".
Instead of attacking the Q-clock:
if the Q-clock is on a Q-wall (called the clockwall):
say "You knock [the Q-clock] off [the clockwall]. It lands on the floor with a thud.";
now the Q-clock is in M2F1;
now the Q-time of the Q-clock is the time of day;
otherwise:
let percussive-time be a random time;
now the Q-time of the Q-clock is percussive-time;
say "You hit [the Q-clock], resetting it to [percussive-time as Q-underspecified 12h time]."
Chapter 4 - The library book
The Q-tome is a library book in the Q-cabinet. The printed name of the Q-tome is "pink-bound book". Understand "Venator" or "Venator in Tenebris" or "Tenebris" or "book" or "tome" or "volume" or "pink book" or "pink-bound book" or "pink" or "pink-bound" as the Q-tome. The passage of the Q-tome is "This book recounts the legend of an ancient and terrible beast that lives in some caverns near Backwater.". The description of the Q-tome is "A quarto-size volume bound in remarkably ugly pink leather, with a label on the spine. The book bears the title [italic type]Venator in Tenebris,[roman type] but no author's name is given. The front endpaper is embossed with [library insignia]. On the title page, there is a footnote in which the anonymous author appears to be pleading for forgiveness from a hooligan and some kind of metal cup-holder.". The official title of the Q-tome is "[italic type]Venator in Tenebris[roman type]".
[Some values for tracking whether we've started/finished reading the Q-tome:]
The Q-tome can be Q-unread, Q-begun, or Q-completed. The Q-tome is Q-unread.
Check smelling the Q-tome: instead say "It smells disconcertingly like cocktail wieners soaked in urine.".
Check tasting the Q-tome: instead say "Bleah. Have you [italic type]smelled[roman type] this thing?".
Check eating the Q-tome: instead say "Feh. Have you [italic type]smelled[roman type] this thing?".
Check touching the Q-tome: instead say "It feels smooth, cool, and very slightly damp.".
Check searching the Q-tome: instead say "You briefly flip through [the Q-tome]. It [if the Q-tome is Q-unread]appears to recount[otherwise]recounts[end if] an often-told legend about an ancient and terrible beast that lives in some caverns near Backwater[if the Q-tome is Q-unread]. You'll have to read it to get more detail[end if].".
Check consulting the Q-tome about: instead say "[The Q-tome] has no index or table of contents[if the Q-tome is Q-unread]. If you want to know whether it has anything to say about '[the topic understood],' you'll have to read it[end if].".
Check attacking the Q-tome: instead say "It's a [italic type]library[roman type] book, you thoughtless philistine!".
Check burning the Q-tome: instead say "It's a [italic type]library[roman type] book, you thoughtless philistine!".
Check squeezing the Q-tome: instead say "You give [the Q-tome] a squeeze. Does it let out a small sigh, or are you imagining things?".
Check closing the Q-tome: instead say "[The Q-tome] is closed.".
[Library insignia. To be updated as needed:]
The Q-endpaper is part of the Q-tome. The printed name of the Q-endpaper is "front endpaper of [the Q-tome]". Understand "endpaper" or "front endpaper" or "embossed" or "embossed endpaper" or "end paper" as the Q-endpaper. The description of the Q-endpaper is "[The Q-endpaper] is embossed with [library insignia].".
Check smelling the Q-endpaper: instead say "The whole book smells like cocktail wieners soaked in urine. The endpaper has no distinct bouquet of its own.".
Check tasting the Q-endpaper: instead try tasting the Q-tome.
Check eating the Q-endpaper: instead try eating the Q-tome.
Check touching the Q-endpaper: instead say "You trace the embossed insignia with one finger.".
Instead of taking, pulling, or attacking the Q-endpaper: say "Even if you tore out the endpaper with the library insignia, it would still be a library book. A damaged library book. Do you want that on your conscience?".
The Q-titlepage is part of the Q-tome. The printed name of the Q-titlepage is "title page of [the Q-tome]". Understand "title page" or "titlepage" or "footnote" as the Q-titlepage. The description of the Q-titlepage is "[The Q-titlepage] identifies it as [italic type]Venator in Tenebris,[roman type] published by Ompompanoousuc College Press in MDCCCXCIII. The author's name is not indicated. In a footnote, the anonymous author offers abject apologies to a hooligan and a metal cup-holder.".
Check smelling the Q-titlepage: instead say "The whole book smells like cocktail wieners soaked in urine. The title page has no distinct bouquet of its own.".
Check tasting the Q-titlepage: instead try tasting the Q-tome.
Check eating the Q-titlepage: instead try eating the Q-tome.
Check touching the Q-titlepage: instead say "[The Q-titlepage] feels like paper.".
Instead of taking, pulling, or attacking the Q-titlepage: say "It's a [italic type]library[roman type] book, you thoughtless philistine!".
The Q-sticker is part of the Q-tome. The printed name of the Q-sticker is "label on the spine of [the Q-tome]". Understand "label" or "spine" or "cataloguing label" or "label on the spine of [the Q-tome]" or "label on spine of [Q-tome]" as the Q-sticker. The description of the Q-sticker is "[The Q-sticker] is slightly yellowed. It reads:[paragraph break][fixed letter spacing]GR[line break]106[line break].A42[line break]1893[variable letter spacing]".
Check smelling the Q-sticker: instead say "It's a library cataloguing label, not a scratch-and-sniff sticker.".
Check tasting the Q-sticker: instead say "The smell of the book deters you.".
Check touching the Q-sticker: instead say "You can just barely feel the impressions made on the label by the impact of the typewriter keys that imprinted it with the call number.".
Instead of taking, pulling, eating, or attacking the Q-sticker: say "If you damage the label, the librarian will be upset. This would be a bad thing.".
[Where are we when we start reading? We need to be able to come back.]
The Q-reading-room is a room that varies. The Q-reading-room is initially M2F1.
[Containers to store the player's clothing and possessions while reading:]
The Q-armoire is a privately-named closed container.
The Q-vault is a privately-named closed container.
[Reading the book transports us into another world. If we haven't read the book before, let's confirm before doing so. If we have started it but not finished it, we dive right in—in fact, we can't even pick the book up without reading it. Once we have successfully completed the story in the book, we can't read it again.]
Instead of reading the Q-tome:
if the Q-tome is Q-unread:
if the player does not hold the Q-tome:
say "(first taking [the Q-tome])";
try taking the Q-tome;
say "[The Q-tome] gives off a sinister energy (and a highly unpleasant smell).[line break]Are you sure you want to read it? ";
if the player consents:
say line break;
say "You begin to read. You find yourself immersed in the legend of a creature living in…";
pause the game;
now everything worn by the player is in the Q-armoire;
now everything held by the player is in the Q-vault;
now the Q-reading-room is the location;
now the player is in Q-cave-nu;
now the Q-pits are Q-unoccupied;
now Q-Orion is in Q-cave-sd;
now all the Q-arrows are in the Q-quiver;
now Q-Orion is Q-frozen;
stop the action;
otherwise:
say "You decide not to delve into [the Q-tome].";
stop the action;
otherwise if the Q-tome is Q-begun:
say line break;
say "You [if the Q-tome is not held by the player]pick up [the Q-tome] and [end if]start reading again…";
pause the game;
now the Q-tome is in the Q-vault;
now everything worn by the player is in the Q-armoire;
now everything held by the player is in the Q-vault;
now the Q-reading-room is the location;
now the player is in Q-cave-nu;
now the Q-pits are Q-unoccupied;
now Q-Orion is in Q-cave-sd;
now all the Q-arrows are in the Q-quiver;
now Q-Orion is Q-frozen;
stop the action;
otherwise if the Q-tome is Q-completed:
say "You have already finished reading [the Q-tome].";
otherwise:
say "[bold type]Oops. This condition should never be reached. Something went wrong.[roman type]".
Instead of taking the Q-tome when the Q-tome is Q-begun: try reading the Q-tome.
Instead of searching the Q-tome when the Q-tome is Q-begun: try reading the Q-tome.
Chapter 5 - Inside the book
[For testing purposes:]
[Q-cheating is an action applying to nothing. Understand "xyzzy" as Q-cheating when the location is in Q-Caverns.
Instead of Q-cheating when the location is in Q-Caverns:
say "You tear yourself away from the book.";
now everything in the Q-armoire is worn by the player;
now everything in the Q-vault is held by the player;
now the player is in the Q-reading-room.
Q-cheating2 is an action applying to nothing. Understand "plugh" as Q-cheating2 when the location is in Q-Caverns.
Instead of Q-cheating2 when the location is in Q-Caverns:
say "You tear yourself away from the book.";
now everything in the Q-armoire is worn by the player;
now everything in the Q-vault is held by the player;
now the player is in the Q-reading-room;
now the Q-tome is Q-completed.]
Section 1 - The caverns
Definition: a direction (called thataway) is Q-viable if the room thataway from the location is a room.
[For debugging, comment out comment out 'printed name "Limestone Caverns [roman type](inside [the Q-tome])" and' from the following to display which part of the caverns we're in:]
Q-Caverns is a region. A Q-cave-room is a kind of room with printed name "Limestone Caverns [roman type](inside [the Q-tome])" and description "These caves are your home. You know every stalagmite, stalactite, pit, and bat's nest.[paragraph break]From this part of the cavern you can go [list of Q-viable directions].[if the Q-pits are Q-occupied][paragraph break]You are currently lurking in one of the pits, out of view of anything that might pass by.[end if]".
Q-cave-nu is a Q-cave-room in Q-Caverns.
Q-cave-nd is a Q-cave-room in Q-Caverns.
Q-cave-nd is down from Q-cave-nu.
Q-cave-wu is a Q-cave-room in Q-Caverns.
Q-cave-wu is southwest from Q-cave-nu.
Q-cave-wd is a Q-cave-room in Q-Caverns.
Q-cave-wd is down from Q-cave-wu.
Q-cave-wd is southwest from Q-cave-nd.
Q-cave-su is a Q-cave-room in Q-Caverns.
Q-cave-su is southeast from Q-cave-wu.
Q-cave-sd is a Q-cave-room in Q-Caverns.
Q-cave-sd is down from Q-cave-su.
Q-cave-sd is southeast from Q-cave-wd.
Q-cave-eu is a Q-cave-room in Q-Caverns.
Q-cave-eu is southeast from Q-cave-nu.
Q-cave-eu is northeast from Q-cave-su.
Q-cave-ed is a Q-cave-room in Q-Caverns.
Q-cave-ed is down from Q-cave-eu.
Q-cave-ed is southeast from Q-cave-nd.
Q-cave-ed is northeast from Q-cave-sd.
[Yes, it's a cube. I'm too lazy to work out the set of directions needed for a dodecahedron.]
Instead of going nowhere in the Q-Caverns: say "You know that the cave offers no passage in that direction, at least not for a being of your size. The bats might be able to get through.".
Some Q-stalactites are a backdrop in the Q-caverns. The printed name of the Q-stalactites is "stalactites". Understand "stalactite" or "stalactites" as the Q-stalactites. The description of the Q-stalactites is "The stalactites hang down from the roof of the cavern in their familiar way.".
Some Q-stalagmites are a backdrop in the Q-caverns. The printed name of the Q-stalagmites is "stalagmites". Understand "stalagmite" or "stalagmites" as the Q-stalagmites. The description of the Q-stalagmites is "The stalagmites taper up from the floor of the cavern. Over time, you have watched them grow.".
Some Q-pits are a backdrop in the Q-caverns. The printed name of the Q-pits is "pits". Understand "pit" or "pits" as the Q-pits. The description of the Q-pits is "Here and there the floor of the cavern opens into a pit so deep that even you do not know if it has a bottom. You have explored some of the wider ones, using your suckers to cling to their walls, but you have not found where they end.".
Instead of searching the Q-pits: say "You can't tell if there's anything at the bottom of the any of these pits, or even whether they [italic type]have[roman type] a bottom.".
[I want a backdrop that is also enterable. Since that's ontologically impossible, let's pretend! I chose to make the variable that tracks this a property of the pits rather than of the player; it doesn't really matter.]
The Q-pits can be Q-occupied or Q-unoccupied. The Q-pits are Q-unoccupied.
Instead of entering the Q-pits:
if the Q-pits are Q-unoccupied:
say "You climb into a pit just wide enough to accommodate you, gripping its sides with your suckers.";
now the Q-pits are Q-occupied;
otherwise:
say "You are already hiding in a pit.".
Q-lurking is an action applying to nothing. Instead of Q-lurking, try entering the Q-pits.
Understand "hide" or "lurk" or "hide in pit" or "lurk in pit" or "in" or "go in" as Q-lurking when the location is in the Q-caverns.
Understand "delurk" or "out" or "go out" as exiting when the location is in the Q-Caverns and the Q-pits are Q-occupied.
Instead of exiting when the Q-pits are Q-occupied and the location is in the Q-Caverns:
say "You climb out of the pit.";
now the Q-pits are Q-unoccupied.
Instead of getting off the Q-pits when the Q-pits are Q-occupied and the location is in the Q-Caverns:
say "You climb out of the pit.";
now the Q-pits are Q-unoccupied.
Before going somewhere when the Q-pits are Q-occupied and the location is in the Q-Caverns:
say "(first climbing out of the pit)";
now the Q-pits are Q-unoccupied.
Some Q-nests are a backdrop in the Q-caverns. The printed name of the Q-nests is "bats['] nests". Understand "nest" or "nests" or "bat's nest" or "bats' nest" or "bats' nests" or "bat's nests" or "bats nests" or "bats nest" as the Q-nests. The description of the Q-nests is "You recognize all the places where the bats like to roost. You do not bother them when they are roosting, but on the wing they are fair game… if no more enticing food presents itself.".
The Q-cavefloor is a backdrop in the Q-caverns. The printed name of the Q-cavefloor is "floor of the cavern". Understand "floor" or "floor of the cavern" or "floor of cavern" or "cavern floor" as the Q-cavefloor. The description of the Q-cavefloor is "The floor of the cavern is uneven and studded with stalagmites, but you know it intimately and move across it with ease.". Instead of searching the Q-cavefloor, try looking.
Some Q-cavewalls are a backdrop in the Q-caverns. The printed name of the Q-cavewalls is "walls of the cavern". Understand "wall" or "walls" or "walls of the cavern" or "walls of cavern" or "wall of the cavern" or "wall of cavern" or "cavern wall" or "cavern walls" or "surfaces" or "surface" as the Q-cavewalls. The description of the Q-cavewalls is "In some places the cavern has well-defined vertical surfaces; in others, the roof and floor just gradually converge.". Instead of searching the Q-cavewalls, try looking.
The Q-caveroof is a backdrop in the Q-caverns. The printed name of the Q-caveroof is "roof of the cavern". Understand "roof" or "cavern roof" or "roof of the cavern" or "roof of the cave" or "cave roof" as the Q-caveroof. The description of the Q-caveroof is "Clusters of stalactites hang from the roof of the cavern. You know exactly where you must hunch down, and exactly where you can stretch yourself out to your full height.". Instead of searching the Q-caveroof, try looking.
[For referring to the cave(s) as a whole:]
The Q-sceniccavern is a backdrop in the Q-Caverns. The printed name of the Q-sceniccavern is "cavern". Understand "cavern" or "caverns" or "cave" or "caves" as the Q-sceniccavern. The description of the Q-sceniccavern is "Home.". Instead of examining the Q-sceniccavern, try looking. Instead of searching the Q-sceniccavern, try looking.
[Stuff mentioned in text about bats:]
Some Q-insects are a backdrop in the Q-Caverns. The printed name of the Q-insects is "insects". Understand "insect" or "insects" as the Q-insects. The description of the Q-insects is "The insects are too small for you to bother with. Bats eat them. You eat nothing smaller than bats.".
Some Q-guano is a backdrop in the Q-Caverns. The printed name of the Q-guano is "guano". Understand "guano" or "bat guano" or "shit" or "batshit" or "bat shit" as the Q-guano. The description of the Q-guano is "The leavings of the bats.".
Instead of doing anything other than examining to the Q-insects: try examining the Q-insects.
Instead of smelling a backdrop that is not the Q-insects when the location is in the Q-Caverns:
say "You smell the familiar smells of limestone and guano.";
if Q-Orion is in a Q-cave-room that is adjacent to the location:
say "You also smell something new in a nearby cave. Something mostly alien, but partly familiar.".
Check smelling when the location is in the Q-Caverns: instead try smelling the Q-cavewalls.
Instead of listening when the location is in the Q-Caverns:
say "You hear the familiar sounds of the cavern: the slow drip of water, the occasional flutter of wings.";
if Q-Orion is in a Q-cave-room that is adjacent to the location:
say "You also hear something else moving in a nearby cave. Something larger than a bat.".
Instead of touching a backdrop when the location is in the Q-Caverns:
if the noun is the Q-insects:
try examining the noun instead;
otherwise:
say "You gently slide your suckers along [the noun].".
Instead of attacking a backdrop when the location is in the Q-Caverns:
if the noun is the Q-insects:
try examining the noun instead;
otherwise:
say "[The noun] [are] part of your home. You don't want to damage [them].".
To belong is a verb.
Instead of taking a backdrop when the location is in the Q-Caverns:
if the noun is the Q-insects:
try examining the noun instead;
otherwise:
say "[The noun] [are] exactly where [they] [adapt the verb belong].".
Check rubbing something that is not the player when the location is in the Q-Caverns:
try touching the noun instead.
To offer is a verb.
Check drinking something when the location is in the Q-Caverns:
if the noun is the Q-stalactites:
say "You lap some water from a nearby stalactite.";
otherwise if the noun is the Q-stalagmites:
say "You lap some water from a nearby stalagmite.";
otherwise if the noun is the Q-bat:
try taking the noun instead;
otherwise:
say "[The noun] [adapt the verb offer] nothing to drink.";
stop the action.
Instead of tying something to when the location is in the Q-Caverns:
say "Your claws and suckers are adroit in many things, but they are not suited to tying knots. In any case, there is nothing here that could be tied.".
Section 2 - The creature
Instead of examining the player when the location is in Q-Caverns:
say "You are burly but nimble. Your matted fur is glorious. Your teeth and claws are formidable. Your suckers [if the Q-pits are Q-occupied]hold you securely to the sides of the pit, where you are out of sight of anything that might pass by[otherwise]kiss and caress the surfaces of the cavern[end if].";
Instead of smelling the player when the location is in Q-Caverns:
say "You smell powerful.".
Instead of taking inventory when the location is in Q-Caverns:
say "You have no use for tools, clothes, or weapons. You are utterly sufficient unto yourself.".
Instead of wearing something when the location is in Q-Caverns:
say "You have no use for clothes.".
Understand "kiss [something]" as kissing when the location is in the Q-Caverns.
Instead of kissing something when the location is in the Q-Caverns: say "Your mouth is for eating.".
Instead of eating something inedible when the location is in the Q-Caverns:
if the noun is the player:
say "You are always hungry, but you are not hungry enough to resort to that.";
otherwise if the noun is the Q-insects:
try examining the Q-insects;
otherwise:
say "You crave flesh. [The noun] [are] not flesh.".
Instead of consulting something about when the location is in the Q-Caverns:
say "Everything you know comes from instinct or experience.".
[This rather simplistic epistemology is just an indirect way of saying that there's nothing to read in the caves, even if the creature could read.]
Instead of burning something when the location is in the Q-Caverns:
say "You have encountered fire only rarely in your existence. You did not like it.".
Instead of taking the player when the location is in the Q-Caverns:
say "You already have yourself. That is all you have, and all you need.".
Instead of thinking when the location is in the Q-Caverns:
say "You pause to wonder how long it has been since you last saw another of your kind. It seems very long ago, but you have no real way of measuring.". [Might be veering off into "Reference and Representation" here.]
Instead of waking up when the location is in the Q-Caverns:
say "[bracket][italic type]This isn't a dream. It's a story in a book you're reading.[roman type][close bracket][line break]".
Instead of sleeping when the location is in the Q-Caverns:
say "Some instinct tells you that it is better to stay alert right now.".
Instead of jumping when the location is in the Q-Caverns:
if the Q-bat is in the location:
say "You pounce on the bat and devour it[if the Q-pits are Q-occupied], then return to your hiding place in the pit[otherwise]. Small, but tasty[end if].";
now the Q-bat is nowhere;
now the Q-bat is Q-in-abeyance;
otherwise:
say "There isn't much room for jumping in here, but you are ready to pounce on prey if you spot it.".
Understand "pounce" as jumping when the location is in the Q-Caverns.
Instead of waving hands when the location is in the Q-Caverns:
say "You wave your claws through the air.";
if the Q-bat is in the location:
let Q-bat-direction be a random Q-viable direction;
say "Startled, the bat flies [if the Q-bat-direction is up]up to a higher part of the caverns[otherwise if the Q-bat-direction is down]down to a lower part of the caverns[otherwise]off to [the Q-bat-direction][end if].";
now the Q-bat is in the room Q-bat-direction from the location.
Instead of touching or rubbing the player when the location is in the Q-Caverns:
say "It has been an extremely long time since you last knew another of your kind. Touching yourself allays the physical urge, but it also reminds you that you are very much alone.".
[Dear Ryan and Jenni: I'm sorry I put a masturbating wumpus in your Anchorhead tribute. I didn't mean to, but as I was working my way through the verbs that needed responses, I decided that this was the most effective way of conveying a bit of backstory. Love, Q.]
Instead of attacking the player when the location is in the Q-Caverns:
say "You thump your chest.".
Understand "xyzzy" or "plugh" or "plover" or "Odysseus" or "yo-ho" or "yoho" as Q-injoking when the location is in the Q-Caverns.
Instead of Q-injoking when the location is in the Q-Caverns: say "Such words have no meaning here.".
Section 3 - Bats
The Q-bat is a neuter animal. The printed name of the Q-bat is "bat". The indefinite article of the Q-bat is "a lone". Understand "bat" or "lone bat" as the Q-bat. The description of the Q-bat is "Small. Furry. Airborne. Restless. Tasty.". The Q-bat is edible. The Q-bat can be Q-in-abeyance or Q-primed. The Q-bat is Q-primed.
[If the bat isn't here, it might show up. If it is here, it might fly away. Let's not generate a new bat on the same turn if one just left or got eaten, or if something dramatic is about to happen. The status Q-primed or Q-in-abeyance tracks whether it's okay to fly in a new bat.]
Every turn when the location is in the Q-Caverns:
if the Q-bat is not in the location:
if the Q-bat is Q-in-abeyance:
now the Q-bat is Q-primed;
otherwise:
if a random chance of 1 in 4 succeeds:
now the Q-bat is in the location;
say "[A Q-bat] flies into the cave.";
otherwise:
if a random chance of 1 in 6 succeeds:
let Q-bat-direction be a random Q-viable direction;
say "The bat flies [if the Q-bat-direction is up]up to a higher part of the caverns[otherwise if the Q-bat-direction is down]down to a lower part of the caverns[otherwise]off to [the Q-bat-direction][end if].";
now the Q-bat is in the room Q-bat-direction from the location;
now the Q-bat is Q-in-abeyance;
otherwise:
say "The bat [one of]flits[or]darts[or]flies[purely at random] [one of]back and forth[or]to and fro[or]here and there[purely at random][one of], hunting insects[or][purely at random].".
[Most things we could do to the bat should be understood as killing and eating it:]
Instead of taking the Q-bat:
say "You snatch the bat out of the air and devour it. A small but meaty morsel.";
now the Q-bat is nowhere;
now the Q-bat is Q-in-abeyance.
Check eating the Q-bat: instead try taking the Q-bat.
Check tasting the Q-bat: instead try taking the Q-bat.
Check attacking the Q-bat: instead try taking the Q-bat.
Check touching the Q-bat: instead try taking the Q-bat.
Check squeezing the Q-bat: instead try taking the Q-bat.
Check pulling the Q-bat: instead try taking the Q-bat.
Check cutting the Q-bat: instead try taking the Q-bat.
Check rubbing the Q-bat: instead try taking the Q-bat.
Check searching the Q-bat: instead try examining the Q-bat.
Instead of saying hello to, quizzing, informing, or answering when the noun is the Q-bat:
let Q-bat-direction be a random Q-viable direction;
say "You grunt at the bat. Startled, it flies [if the Q-bat-direction is up]up to a higher part of the caverns[otherwise if the Q-bat-direction is down]down to a lower part of the caverns[otherwise]off to [the Q-bat-direction][end if].";
now the Q-bat is in the room Q-bat-direction from the location;
now the Q-bat is Q-in-abeyance.
Instead of smelling the Q-bat: say "You smell the vital force of the bat coursing through its tiny body.".
Instead of turning or pushing the Q-bat: say "You can't control the direction of the bat's flight, but you could end it with one swipe of your mighty claws.".
Section 4 - The adversary
[If all works as intended, the player will never see the name or description of the hunter.]
Q-Orion is a neuter animal. The printed name of Q-Orion is "strange figure". Understand "figure" or "strange figure" or "creature" or "strange creature" as Q-Orion. The description of Q-Orion is "A strange figure, slighter than yourself, but bigger than most other animals you've seen. It is wrapped in furs that resemble your own, but its exposed skin is nearly hairless. It carries strange implements made of wood.". Q-Orion can be Q-frozen or Q-unfrozen. Q-Orion is Q-frozen.
[The Q-frozen property is so that the hunter doesn't move on the very first turn we're in the book.]
[Ammunition:]
A Q-arrow is a kind of thing. The printed name of a Q-arrow is "strange bent stick". Rule for printing the plural name of a Q-arrow: say "strange bent sticks". Understand "arrow" or "stick" or "bent stick" or "strange stick" or "strange bent stick" or "pointy stick" or "feathered" or "feathers" or "feathered stick" or "sharp stick" or "sharp" or "crooked arrow" or "shape" or "long thin shape" or "long shape" or "thin shape" or "long" or "thin" as a Q-arrow. Understand "sticks" and "arrows" and "bent sticks" and "strange sticks" and "strange bent sticks" and "sharp sticks" and "crooked arrows" and "shapes" and "long shapes" and "thin shapes" and "long thin shapes" as the plural of Q-arrow. The description of a Q-arrow is "A strange stick, unusually smooth and straight except for a single bend in the middle. One end is very sharp; the other has feathers sticking out of it.".
The Q-quiver is a privately-named container. In the Q-quiver are 5 Q-arrows.
[The hunter really has SIX arrows; see below.]
Instead of smelling a Q-arrow: say "It smells evil.".
Instead of tasting or eating a Q-arrow: say "All your instincts tell you not to.".
Instead of taking, attacking, throwing, dropping, cutting, squeezing, or pulling when the noun is a Q-arrow:
say "You pick up [if there is more than one Q-arrow in the location]one of the sticks[otherwise][the noun][end if], break [them] in two, and drop the pieces into [if the Q-pits are Q-unoccupied]a bottomless[otherwise]the[end if] pit.";
now the noun is nowhere.
Instead of touching or rubbing when the noun is a Q-arrow:
say "[The noun] feels dangerous.".
[Pouncing on the hunter:]
Instead of going to a Q-cave-room (called the destination) when Q-Orion is in the destination:
let direction-of-travel be the best route from the location to the destination;
say "As you enter the cave [if direction-of-travel is down]below[otherwise if direction-of-travel is up]above[otherwise]to the [direction-of-travel][end if], the smell intensifies. Before you stands a strange creature. It is smaller than yourself, but larger than most other animals you have seen. It carries strange implements made of wood. And its body—";
[wait for any key;]
say "[paragraph break]—part of its body is covered in furry hide very much like your own, but the hide hangs loosely on it, and underneath it the creature's skin—its own skin—is nearly hairless.";
[wait for any key;]
say "[line break]Your claws find their way under the stolen hide, and your teeth find the creature's throat, and you tear and you rend and you bite until at last the creature is lying on the floor of the cave, limp and still.";
[wait for any key;]
say "[line break]After a moment, you carefully, gently peel the hide from the creature's lifeless form and hold it to your face. Your howl reverberates through the caves.";
[wait for any key; ]
say "[line break]And then you put down the hide and begin to eat.";
pause the game;
now everything in the Q-armoire is worn by the player;
now everything in the Q-vault is held by the player;
now the player is in the Q-reading-room;
now the Q-tome is Q-completed;
now Q-Orion is nowhere;
now the Q-bat is nowhere;
now all the Q-arrows are in the Q-quiver.
[If the hunter is in an adjacent room, it will probably try to shoot us (definitely if we are not hiding or if it hasn't already tried). If we're hiding in a pit, it misses; if not, we die. If it's not adjacent to us, it moves.]
[The hunter really has six arrows, not the five in the Q-quiver. The fewer arrows there are in the quiver, the less likely it is to shoot when we are lurking. But it keeps one in reserve (not actually an object in the game!) to kill us if we are not careful.]
Every turn when the location is in the Q-caverns:
if Q-Orion is in a Q-cave-room (called the danger-room) that is adjacent to the location:
now the Q-bat is Q-in-abeyance;
let arrow-direction be the best route from the location to the danger-room;
if the Q-pits are Q-occupied:
let arrow-count be the number of Q-arrows in the Q-quiver;
if a random chance of arrow-count in 5 succeeds:
let projectile be a random Q-arrow in the Q-quiver;
say "From the cave [if arrow-direction is down]below[otherwise if arrow-direction is up]above[otherwise]to the [arrow-direction][end if], a long, thin shape comes flying through the air[first time], following a strange arcing path through the convoluted passages of the cavern[only]. It [one of]bounces off[or]ricochets off[or]hits[or]strikes[purely at random] [one of]a stalactite[or]a stalagmite[or]the wall of the cave[at random] and lands harmlessly on the floor.";
move projectile to the location;
if the Q-bat is in the location:
say "[line break]Startled, the bat flies away.";
now the Q-bat is nowhere;
say "[line break]From the same direction, you smell something living[first time]. It has been a long time since you smelled another of your own kind, but you could almost imagine…[only].";
otherwise:
say "Somewhere nearby, you smell something living[first time]. You don't think it can be another of your own kind, but it smells almost as if…[only].";
otherwise:
say "From the cave [if arrow-direction is down]below[otherwise if arrow-direction is up]above[otherwise]to the [arrow-direction][end if], a long, thin shape comes flying through the air[first time], following a strange arcing path through the convoluted passages of the cavern[only].";
[wait for any key;]
say "[line break]It strikes your fur and somehow it keeps going, into your flesh. Nothing could be that sharp, could it? Not even your own claws. But it pierces your hide and goes deep into your body.";
[wait for any key;]
say "[line break]You howl. You can feel something evil in the shape working its way into your blood. You try to pull the thing out of your flesh but you can no longer feel where it is. Everything hurts. Your vision goes dark.";
pause the game;
say "[bold type]No![roman type] This cannot be how the story ends.";
say "[line break]You stop reading and fling [the Q-tome] away…";
pause the game;
now the Q-tome is Q-begun;
now Q-Orion is in Q-cave-sd;
now the Q-bat is nowhere;
now the Q-bat is Q-primed;
now all the Q-arrows are in the Q-quiver;
now everything in the Q-armoire is worn by the player;
now everything in the Q-vault is held by the player;
now the Q-tome is in the Q-reading-room;
now the player is in the Q-reading-room;
silently try waiting;
otherwise if Q-Orion is Q-unfrozen:
if the Q-tome is Q-unread:
let hunter-destination be a random Q-cave-room that is adjacent to the location of Q-Orion;
if hunter-destination is not adjacent to the location:
[This condition means that on the first readthrough, the player cannot "win" the story in the book, but they also have as much time as they like to examine things in the first cave room without danger. On first readthrough, the hunter won't get you until you start moving around—but the hunter *will* get you.]
move Q-Orion to hunter-destination;
otherwise:
let hunter-destination be a random Q-cave-room that is adjacent to the location of Q-Orion;
move Q-Orion to hunter-destination;
if hunter-destination is adjacent to the location:
say "From a nearby cave you smell something living. Its scent is strange and hostile, but intermingled with something familiar[first time]. It smells almost like one of your own kind, but it can't be, can it? It has been so long[only].";
otherwise:
now Q-Orion is Q-unfrozen.
[SPOILER: There are multiple ways to complete the book successfully, but you can't do it the first time through. You can lurk in a pit until an arrow appears, then go in the direction it came from. Or, if you move whenever you smell the hunter nearby (and not when you don't), then each time you move you have a one-in-three chance of killing it, and it won't be able to kill you (because no two adjacent rooms are also adjacent to the same third room).]
[Debugging only. For this to be useful, we also need to comment out "printed name "Limestone Caverns [roman type](inside [the Q-tome])" and" from the definition of the kind Q-cave-room:]
[Every turn when the location is in the Q-caverns:
showme the location;
showme the location of Q-Orion.]