C:\GAMES\IMPRO\SOH> soh (N)ew game, or (C)ontinue? C The Eastern Garden You gasp, as you realize that you are nearly out of breath. You try to suck in air, but your need seems to only grow deeper. You struggle to find the edge of the well. "Well, well," a familiar nasal voice croons, "what do we have here?" You clamber over the well's edge, sloshing water, and still find yourself gasping and wheezing. From a far away place, a prolonged wail of a kitten has begun. You begin to feel air coming in, and you take three deep gasps. "I remember you," the half-spider/half-man scientist wheezes. You vaguely sense Aoi is here. >DIAGNOSE You are slightly nightblind, slightly deaf, and very tired. You are hungry. You are thirsty. You are slightly out of breath. >INVENTORY You are carrying: a silver pendant (worn) servant's clothing, soaked (worn) arrows pocky a brown leather purse, soaked (jingles when shaken) a tattered map, soaked a tension bar a metal cup a black-painted keyring and key >SCORE You have gained 87 points out of a possible 2000. This earns you the rank of: Unenlightened Neophyte. >JUMP INTO WELL You are still too out of breath to move. As you try to regain your breath you can vaguely make out the fact that you are surrounded by ivy covered walls on all sides. As your vision clears you immediately notice there are only two exits besides the well from which you climbed out of. One leads south towards the spider scientist while the other leads north past the well. For some reason the fact that most of the ivy on the walls is either dead or dying catches your attention as well. "Now the REAL fun can begin my 'human' friend," the scientist cackles. >VERSION = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = SPIRITS OF HOPE An Improtext Adventure Lead Programmer: Brian Stricklin Module Programmer: Shaun Kronenfeld Version 1.93-Paths and Choices = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = >LOOK AT SCIENTIST From the waist up he is clearly human. His bottom half is harder to classify however as it resembles a spider's body, but with two lobster-like claws in the front in place of hands. The half- man is clad in an immaculate white coat, and a pair of black-rimmed spectacles that only help to reinforce the fact that he is a scientist. As you are looking wild-eyed at him, he is clearly examining you with a cold and clinical detachment in his eyes. It is clear from the amused smirk and narrowed eyes on his face that he truly does not care whether you live or die. As you come to this realization you feel your heart begin to beat faster as adrenaline races through your body. The scientist begins to lazily crawl towards you. >SAVE [Game saved] >NORTH The Eastern Fountain This is a medium sized unroofed room. The center of the room is occupied by a large, ornate dried out fountain of some kind. There are exits to the north and south of you. Before you can take more than one step into the room something hits you from behind. The force of the blow causes you to fall to ground hard face forward, once again knocking the breath out of you. You try to get back up, but your entire body is now covered with some substance that is restricting your movements. Something grabs your legs and drags you south. *** MORE *** The Eastern Garden You are in large unroofed room. Near the western edge of the room lies a large well filled with water. The walls of garden are covered with dead and dying ivy and there appears to be no other plants in the room. There are exits to the south and north. As you lay on the ground something begins to turn you over onto your back. The touch of whatever it is feels both cold as ice and hot as boiling water at the same time. Your heart is beating so loud now that it is practically all you can hear. The cloudy, starless night sky is all that fills your vision. >LOOK As you struggle against whatever binds you, you are able to lift your head enough to see ahead of you. You immediately regret this because of the sight that meets your eyes. Standing over you is what appears to be a hellhound similar to the one you fought earlier. This one is around twice the size of the previous one however. However it has human like hands with thumbs in the place of paws. The creature clinging to the south wall behind it however is what takes your breath away. *** MORE *** It appears to be some sort of spider-like creature hanging onto the wall. You think spider like partially because of its eight arms and eight legs. The lower part of it's anatomy also does seem similar to that of the spider scientist. The upper half however does not, as it resembles a giant sized spider head, mandibles and all. The two parts are connected by a strange gelatinous like torso and each of the eight arms attached to torso look like sculpted parts of a human from swamp slime. The odor coming from the creature is overwhelming even from where you are laying and you can not help but wonder how you missed the smell when you first emerged from the well. Standing in-between the two creatures is the spider scientist with a large and amused smirk on his face. >CUT SUBSTANCE WITH ARROWS Whatever the substance binding you, it is preventing all but the slightest movements from your body. Although you struggle hard for minutes you are unable to make any progress. Throughout your struggling the spider scientist has moved closer and is now almost standing on top of you. He continues to have the smirk on his face as he stands patiently waiting for you to cease your struggles. >STOP STRUGGLING You finally give up trying to escape and instead look up expectantly at the scientist. Satisfied that he now has your full attention the half- man half-spider begins to speak. "I imagine that you are wondering why you are still alive my entrapped friend. Well you shall not have to wonder for long but before I go any further perhaps it is time for proper introductions to finally be made. I am Doctor Scarabbus, head researcher and second in command for the 'Great Lord' Despise. Oh and you need not introduce yourself Okayama Keigo, for since our last encounter I have learned ALL about you. Indeed I suspect I now know more about you, than you know about you. Well surly you have questions so why do I not give you a chance to ask some before the experiment begins." >SAVE "Now, Now, none of that my dear Keigo please. I am not like most of the others you have dealt with and your little tricks will not work on one with my perceptions. You only have once chance to speak with me. Now surly you must be wondering why you are still alive or about Despise, or maybe even myself. So do ask dear boy." [You have gained 2 bonus points!] >ASK SCARABBUS ABOUT ME Scarabbus's smirk widens into a full fledged grin. "Ah straight to the point then. Very well. You are alive because if you were dead you could hardly participate in my experiment. >WHAT EXPERIMENT I do not understand >ASK SCARABBUS WHAT EXPERIMENT "More on that in few minutes, first why don't you ask me something else. We should have time for a few questions before The Shambler arrives." >ASK SCARABBUS ABOUT SPIDER CREATURE "Ah yes, my beautiful Silka. She is an unholy combination of my science and Despise's magic. She was created to be Despise's chief killer/hunter, a task she most excels at I assure you. It was she who cocooned you within her delicate webs. It took over fifteen years to perfect her but it was worth all the trouble. She is my second greatest masterpiece behind but one other. She is every bit as fearsome as she appears to be I assure you. I believe that I shall let you discover the full extent of her abilities during the experiment itself. After all we would not want to make things to easy for a fine specimen like yourself. Next question please. And make it count for even now I hear The Shambler approach." >ASK SCARABBUS ABOUT DESPISE NOT USING SILKA [You have gained 1 point!] Scarabbus eyes widen in what appears to be actual surprise at the question. "Well, well, well. And here I thought you were going to waste your next query on The Shambler. Instead you asked a very intelligent and thought out question. There are three main reasons Despise did not use her to hunt you down. First, until an hour ago she was... otherwise occupied at another task far more important than hunting the likes of you. >ASK SCARABBUS WHAT TASK "That is not important right now. All you need know is that Despise had fallen under the mistaken assumption that you were just another stray brought here by the breaching experiments. He had no idea that you were an actual Spirit. He assumed that the hell hound would be enough and he would have been correct if your were a mere human. By the time he found out otherwise it was to late. He had to leave for Gondalle so as to supervise the attack and could not waste time trying to find and deal with you. Still he thought that his soldiers would be enough. Of course it appears that he was wrong. Something that does not surprise me, since he assumed you merely defeated the hound through luck.... Ah I see the final participant of the experiment has arrived." Scarabbus steps aside and motions for you to look towards the southern exit where a large shadowy figure stands. You suddenly realize that you can sense Aoi extremely nearby and in the direction of the figure. >LOOK As you stare, the figure moves into the light. After all your experiences in Waypoint you thought that you were harden against whatever horrors this world might still hold. Now you see that you were wrong. The...THING stands nine feet tall as it shambles up to it's full height upon entering the garden. It appears to be made up of a variety of parts. Parts that were clearly once attached to other creatures...no other humans from the appearance of it. Its legs are made up of what appears to be nothing more than a mixture of various organs, limbs, and loose skins. For it's two arms it has heaps of skinned muscle attached to it's torso that stretch out almost seven feet long. Horribly it's torso and chest are made up of what appear to be multiple mouths, eyes, and ears attached to intestines, entrails, and more loose skin. It's head is a circular beating object apparently created by stitching together dozens of human hearts. But what truly makes this sight horrible is the fact that the thing is oozing and leaking blood constantly throughout it's body. The blood never touches the ground but is instead absorbed into the various other parts of the body as it continuously empties out and in. The sight overwhelms you as your body instinctively begins to retch. Scarabbus leans down near to your face and asks "Any more questions my friend?" >SPIT AT SCARABBUS'S FACE As the spittle leaves your mouth and impacts the mad (for it is the only word that can apply) scientist's face he smiles and slams his claw into your stomach causing you to retch again. "You have the fire I hoped for dear Keigo. Now more than ever I am certain that you are perfect for the experiment. Shambler hand our furry guest to me." As you lift your head you see Aoi being held in the claws of Scarabbus. >SCARABBUS, DROP AOI "Not quite yet Keigo for you see I still have need of him. He is your familiar you know and the two of you share a life connection. Should he be killed within your presence you will die and the reverse is also true. It is he that helps to bind you to this existence after all. As long as you two are separated by enough distance or a magical field, like the one that surrounds this pagoda, however the connection is weakened. If he should die then, instead of ceasing you would merely suffer great pain and be severely weakened. You would have a short period of time to bind your essence to another creatures life force however before you would cease. I tell you this so you understand fully just how important this seemingly insignificant being is to you. Unlike living humans, spirits always first appear with their familiar. Indeed this was the case with you as well. Suzume, sensing your rebirth, absconded with Aoi before you truly awoke in the dismal field. She even managed to give Aoi to a group of sympathetic servants who work in here before Despise, or yourself, caught up with her. They were the ones of course who smuggled Aoi into the pagoda. I mean she could hardly have been keeping Aoi herself while in Despise's presence. She clearly did this in a attempt to fool Despise and myself into thinking you a mere human. Her ploy worked for a time. After our encounter in the sewers however I began to grow suspicious of your true nature. I investigated and soon discovered both the truth and Aoi. I then took Aoi from her and have been using him ever since. >ASK SCARABBUS ABOUT AOI "Why to track you of course. I have been following your every move and action since then. You did not sneak into this pagoda unobserved as you thought. When you got far enough in I released Aoi knowing that your bond would draw you to him and he in turn would draw you to Suzume. Once you were with her there was only one place to escape to. A place where I could be waiting. Of course I let you hear some critical information about Statis first so you would better appreciate my influence." >ASK SCARABBUS ABOUT INFLUENCE "I would think it was obvious Keigo. Although Despise is near to it, he has not yet achieved our goal fully. With my help you can supplement him and complete what must be done. I have begun to come to the conclusion that although powerful and intelligent, Despise is quite insane. I also begin to doubt his true intentions and would in turn rather serve a more stable individual. Oh do not misunderstand me dear Keigo, I am more than willing to take my chances with him if I must. Still, you have managed to impress me. Over the course of your perils you have demonstrated intelligence and ability again and again. Indeed I believe you have far greater potential for power than even Despise, who until your arrival was unchallenged in the mastery of magic. All you lack is the full resources that he has had access to and I can provide you that. First however I must see if you are truly everything I think you are or if your survival has been through mere luck alone. Well no amount of luck will allow you to survive my test without the skill to match. If you succeed you will be free to do as you wish. You may even refuse me if you desire. Although I warn you Keigo, you will never achieve great power before Despise with out me. So what do you say?" >SCARABBUS, WHY DO YOU THINK I WANT POWER? "Why all beings of true intelligence know that it is only through power that survival can be assured. Now decided. Oh before you decide you may complete your earlier business. >SAVE [Game saved.] >TELL SCARABBUS NO "A pity." With that Scarabbus lifts Aoi closer to his face. As you watch in stunned horror Scarabbus's mouth seems to enlarge as a pair of mandibles emerge. Aoi begins to meow pitifully right before Scarabbus bites his head off. *** You have died. *** Quit, Restore, or Undo? RESTORE Eastern Garden You are in large unroofed room. Near the western edge of the room lies a large well filled with water. The walls of the garden are covered with dead and dying ivy and there appears to be no other plants in the room. There are exits to the south and north. You are trapped in a webbing cocoon and are lying against the northern wall. Scarabbus, a hellhound, Silka, and The Shambler are all present. Scarabbus is looking at you expectedly and is also holding Aoi. >TELL SCARABBUS YES "I'm glad you have chosen so wisely. Listen well then for here are the terms of the experiment. This pagoda, as I am sure you are aware, is not located in within reality normally. Under the proper conditions, along with the proper power, a Spirit can teleport from here to any of the birthplaces of a still active Spirit. You shall be teleported to the dead GateWay Tree, birthplace of Despise. I will be waiting at your birthplace, the dismal field, with Aoi for you. You will be given a ten minute head start and then the hound, Silka, and The Shambler will begin to hunt you down. If you can reach me before they kill you than you will have won. Do not attempt to flee or enter Waypoint. I will know if you do for I shall be following your every step with sweet Aoi here. Do not worry though, for I will not attempt to help my creations in any way in locating you. Otherwise what would be the point of testing you. If you can survive them and reach me than you will indeed have proven yourself to be Despise's equal and worthy of my servitude and loyalty. If you fail, you die. Simple as that. Well let us begin. Kujo come here please." As Scarabbus calls out, his donkey like assistant from before enters from the north. Before he can say a word Scarabbus motions and Silka punctures his chest with three web cords. As Kujo collapses to the ground with a look of shock on his face, a blue fog emanates out from within him. Both you and The Shambler react as the room flashes white and begins to dissolve before your eyes. *** MORE *** As your vision returns, you see a massive tree easily as tall as a skyscraper in front of you. There appears to be people living in the tree along with what appear to be houses built on the various branches. Upon a closer look you realize that the houses have actually been grown out from the tree and not built. You notice many different varieties of people going about their business within and outside the tree. It would appear that there are not as great as a variety of them as in Waypoint. Suddenly screams can be heard from within as fire shoots out from behind you hitting the tree. As you turn you see three figures floating in the air. One of them, who you do not recognize, is laughing manically as huge flames shoot out from his arm. Each time he shoots a fireball he rubs the pendant on his arm. The second one, although much younger, is clearly Despise and he begins summoning monstrous creatures, some resembling the hell hound. As he releases them into the tree city, where they begin to attack and kill at random, his arms glow with the same runes that appeared the first time you met him. The third figure, and the one in the center of the two, is clearly the leader of the three as she directs the actions of the other two. She is wearing a cloak has been blocking her face but then she lowers it. As you stare at a face filled with insane glee you realize to your horror who she is. She is Suzume. Your vision fades once more. *** MORE *** The GateWay Tree As you regain your sense of self you look up at the same tree that appeared earlier in your vision. There appears to be paths leading to the north, northeast, south, and southwest. You can vaguely sense Aoi towards the North. >LOOK AT GATEWAY TREE The once great tree is now but a shadow of it's former self. There are scant remains of the city that existed amongst it's branches. There are no leaves and the branches have also become brittle and gray. You also notice some large writing on the trunk. Suddenly a strange and loud howl from the south interrupts your examination of the tree. You can vaguely sense Aoi to the north. You have eight minutes of your head start left >SAVE [Game saved.] >READ WRITING ON TREE TRUNK [You have gained 2 points!] It reads "As long as one heart continues to believe, The Spirit of Hope will never die." The howl has become continuous from the south and is growing louder. You can vaguely sense Aoi to the north. You have seven minutes of your head start left. >NORTH Forest Path You are in the middle of the Spirits Forest on a path surrounded by various trees. The path branches out ahead to the north, west, and behind you to the south. The howl is growing louder from the south. You can vaguely sense Aoi to the north. You have six minutes of your head start left. >NORTH Darkened and Dead Clearing You are in the middle of a dark clearing in the Spirits Forest. A path continues ahead to the north, behind you to the south, and southeast. There is nothing growing in the clearing and the trees on the clearings edge are bent and twisted. The howl is growing even louder from the south. You can vaguely sense Aoi to the north. You have five minutes of your head start left. >N Dismal Path You are in the middle of the Spirits Forest. This portion of the path is narrow and rocky with only a few blackened trees creating the path. The only possible exits lies to the north, behind you to the south, and to the east. The is howl now causing the entire Forest to shake. You can vaguely sense Aoi to the north. You have four minutes of your head start left. >N A Rocky Path You are in the middle of the Spirits Forest. The path continues behind you the to the south and southwest, and ahead to the northeast and northwest. The path continues down a small hill covered with loose rocks. You can vaguely sense Aoi to the north. As you walk forward you slip and fall on some rocks. It takes you a few minutes to regain your balance. The howl is now so loud you can barley think. You have one minute of your head start left. >SAVE [Game saved.] >NW Overgrown Path You are in the middle of the Spirits Forest. The path continues behind you to the southeast and forward to the northwest and north. It also branches out to side to the east. The howl has suddenly stopped. You can vaguely sense Aoi to the north. Your head start is over. Before you can move in any direction a repugnant smell coming from the north overwhelms your senses momentarily >N As you run towards the north, The Shambler bursts out from behind you. From its torso you can hear it's many mouths crying out in many voices "Help me us me us" as it lunges at you. Although you manage to dodge it Silka slips out from the north west path, grabs your head, and twists. *** You have died. *** Quit, Restore, or Undo? RESTORE A Rocky Path You are in the middle of the Spirits Forest. The path continues behind you the to the south and southwest, and ahead to the northeast and northwest. The path continues down a small hill covered with loose rocks. You can vaguely sense Aoi to the north. As you walk forward you slip and fall on some rocks. It takes you a few minutes to regain your balance. The howl is now so loud you can barley think. You have one minute of your head start left. >NE [You have gained 1 point!] Hells Lake-South Edge You have come upon a lake of boiling water that stretches out for miles. The only path leads back behind you to your south. The howl has stopped. You can vaguely sense Aoi to the north. Suddenly the Shambler burst out from behind you. It has expanded it's flesh and muscle even more and now is the size of an elephant. You can hear the mouths on it torso screaming out in various voices "HELP ME US ME US ME US HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP MEMEEEEUEEMSSSEEEE". It begins to charge you. >INVENTORY You are carrying: a silver pendant (worn) servant's clothing, soaked (worn) arrows pocky a brown leather purse, soaked (jingles when shaken) a tattered map, soaked a tension bar a metal cup a black-painted keyring and key >THROW ARROW AT SHAMBLER With all your strength you grab an arrow and throw it at The Shambler. To your surprise the arrow shoots out of your hand like a rocket and impacts against the creatures misshapen head. The Shambler roars in pain and blind rage and veers to left just barely missing you. It runs right to the edge of lake where it begins to turn around to face you. >PUSH SHAMBLER [You have gained 1 point!] You back up a little distance and then with all your might charge The Shambler. You are running faster than you ever have before in your life and with a mighty smack, impact against the large misshapen creature. Amazingly the creature goes flying back a short distance into the boiling hot lake. It begins to make a horrible, disturbing noise as it thrashes about in an attempt to escape the deadly water. It looks as if it might actually succeed. >THROW ARROW AT SHAMBLER Once more the arrow flies out your hand and impacts the creatures head. This causes the creature to thrash about even more wildly than before. Eventually the poor, misshapen creature ceases to move and you assume that it is now dead. >LOOK AT LAKE This is Hells Lake a body of water that is miles wide and heated by a flow of magma beneath it to boiling temperatures. In the lake the carcass of The Shambler floats. Next to you is a large pole like stick lying on the ground. >PICK UP STICK You reach down and pick up the large and sturdy cylinder shaped stick. >SAVE [Game saved.] >CLIMB ON THE SHAMBLER'S CARCASS The body of the Shambler is more than large enough to support your weight with out plunging you into the deadly waters below. >PUSH OFF BANK What do you want to push off with? >PUSH OFF BANK WITH STICK You use the stick to push the Shambler's carcass away from the bank. Although this is a lake, there is strong current that picks up your make shift boat and moves it along northward towards the distant shore. Halfway across the lake you notice paths on both the east and west edges of the lake leading back into the forest and creating a cross like effect. As you float along towards the north you think you see Silka briefly for a moment to the west before she disappears back into the forest once more. Hell's Lake-North Edge After an hour of travel like this you reach the other shore and land. There are exits both to the north and west of your current location both of which lead back into the forest. You can sense Aoi to the north. >CLIMB OFF THE SHAMBLER You carefully maneuver yourself off the carcass and land safely on the ground. >N Lonely Path You are in the middle of the Spirits Forest. The path continues to the south, south east, west, east, and north west. You can sense Aoi to the north. Suddenly you hear a rustling sound coming ahead from the clearing to north west. >NW Grassy Clearing The clearing is full of healthy green grass and health, if leafless, trees surround it. You see a figure standing at the far edge next to a path that exits to the northwest, it's back facing you. It is the only exit in the clearing besides the one to the south east that you just came from. >ATTACK FIGURE Brandishing your staff you charge towards the figure planning to slam the staff into his head. At the last second he turns and counters with his sword so fiercely that it causes you to go flying back. As you sit up you realize to your amazement that it is none other Rojanosh, your fellow escapee from Despise's prison. He looks down at you with a look of shock that quickly changes to a large grin. "Well I do not believe it. Just as I was beginning to wonder how I was ever gonna find you, you find me instead. I've been looking all over Waypoint for you." Before you can say anything else to Rojanosh, Silka lands in middle of the clearing and looks at you with a murderous gleam in her eye. >NW Grue's Tunnel Entrance You have entered a large path with a large hole to the east leading down to a tunnel below. Although you are not completely sure you think you can almost see movement in the darkest part of the tunnel that you can see before you. Situated all around the entrance to the tunnel are large boulders. Trees restrict movement on the path and the only wait out besides the tunnel is to the southeast and north. You can sense Aoi to the north. Rojanosh charges in from the southeast. "Keigo listen to me because we have no time. I was able to delay Silka but we don't got more than a few minutes at most. I wish I had time to explain what I'm doing here.. look..." He stops for a second and appears to be strengthening his resolve. To the southeast you hear the loud screeching of Silka and you briefly wonder what exactly Rojanosh did to delay her. >ASK ROJANOSH ABOUT TUNNEL Rojanosh looks behind himself quickly before turning back to you. "That's just the Grue tunnel that I used to escape from the prison. It was dangerous to use because of the Grue that lives in it but I had no choice. It's a dangerous monster but it can't survive light. We thought they were all dead after the destruction of the Underground Kingdom but apparently one managed to survive. Look there no time to talk about it okay. Just don't go in the tunnel. I didn't get who you were when we first met, but I since have gotten filled in. You have to survive Keigo, without you....well you gotta survive. Now I need you to do as I say and no arguments ok. Stab me with this sword straight through the chest." Rojanosh shoves the sword into your hand and looks expectedly at you. >TELL ROJANOSH NO "You gotta. Listen you're a spirit and that means that when death happens around you can draw strength from it. But if you cause the death you can draw double the strength. Occording to my info you can also use this to activate the power of your bracelet thing. She also said only you can choose which of the paths you'll walk and whether hope lives or dies. You already must of seen that you're faster and stronger than you were before. It's only temporary when you don't do the killing yourself or if you kill something without a spirit. Killing me should give you the power to defeat Silka. Otherwise there is no way either of us are gonna survive. Look we haven't known each other real long but even so I think of you as a friend. Even if I didn't it wouldn't matter. Your more important than a dozen of me. You gotta do this." Suddenly Silka jumps into the clearing. She rears back and hisses at the two of you. "You have to have power to survive this and that means you have do whatever it takes to get that power. This is the only way, Keigo." >STAB ROJANOSH WITH SWORD As your sword plunges into his chest, Rojanosh gets a content look on his face. He slumps to the ground and the mist once more comes out. As you breath in the mist you feel its power wash over you. This time the experience seem more like the time with the hell hound than in the monastery or eastern gardens. [You have gained 150 points!] You now can feel the fire burning on you fingertips and it is with some satisfaction that you see Silka back away in fear. Yet at the same time you also feel as if a part of you is dying. As if your soul is bleeding out from your body and mixing with the blood of Rojanosh that has begun to cover the ground. You have now set yourself down a path from which there is no escape and no return. The path of power. [You have lost 150 points!] The world blurs and you find yourself standing in front of Rojanosh holding a sword up to his chest. You realize that you have been given a vision of what will happen if you decide to kill Rojanosh. Are you still sure this is the path you want to travel? >DROP SWORD [You have gained 5 bonus points] Rojanosh looks at you in horror as you let the sword drop to the ground. Silka moves closer and is grinning for she clearly does not believe you have the strength to defeat her. >EAST You quickly maneuver towards the Grue's tunnel. Rojanosh charges at Silka in attempt to buy you time but she simply webs him to the ground. It is obvious that she plans to kill him later at her leisure. As you reach the edge of the tunnel you can hear her approaching lazily. >DOWN You leap into the tunnel just as some webbing passes through were you were. Grue's Tunnel You land in a part of the tunnel that is still filled with some light. The tunnel is small, claustrophobic environment with barely enough room for you to stand and about 3 feet wide. The tunnel continues off into darkness to the west. Above you is hole which leads to the surface and is the source of the light. Although you cannot see it you almost feel the presence of the Grue in the tunnel. Silka leaps down into the tunnel clearly intent on finishing you off once and for all. The tunnel however is to small for her massive frame and she is having difficulty moving forward. She appears to be momentarily stuck. >JUMP ON SILKA You mange to leap onto Silka's back. Although she attempts to swipe at you with her arms she still to jammed with in the tunnel to reach you. >JUMP OUT OF TUNNEL Grue's Tunnel Entrance Using Silka herself as a surprised springboard you are to able to barley leap out of the tunnel. She looks up in anger and tries to leap out after you. You have at most a few seconds before she get unstuck. >THROW ARROW AT SILKA With a mighty heave you impale Silka through the abdomen causing her to rear back in pain. Still you have only bought yourself a little more time. >PUSH BOULDERS ONTO TUNNLE ENTRANCE You run over to the largest boulder and with the last of all your strength you manage to shove it onto the tunnel entrance. It blocks the entrance completely preventing any entrance or exit. You hear Silka roar in rage, a roar which is suddenly cut off and replaced with the sound of a struggle taking place. Amazingly enough your desperate plan has worked. She will probably be eaten by a Grue. >LOOK You are standing on a large path with what appears to be a large hole blocked by a boulder to the east. Situated all around the entrance to the tunnel are large boulders. Trees restrict movement on the path and the only wait out besides the tunnel is to the southeast and north. You can sense Aoi to the north. Rojanosh is lying on the ground face first entrapped in webbing. A sword has been discarded near him. >CUT THE WEBBING With what? >GET SWORD Taken. >CUT THE WEBBING WITH THE SWORD You bend down and carefully cut Rojanosh free. As remove the webbing you notice that Rojanosh has a series of large fresh scratches on his back. Before you can examine them any further Rojanosh leaps to his feet. He heads towards the Southwest before turning back and motioning towards you. "Come on Keigo, we've got to hurry and get back to the GateWay tree. From there we can use a passage to escape." >TELL ROJANOSH ABOUT EXPERIMENT You begin to explain to Rojanosh about what happened to you in Despise's pagoda and the challenge you were forced to agree to. He frowns before speaking. "I don't really claim to understand about this familiar business but if you think you got do this... Well lets go. We're not to far away from the place your describing and it shouldn't take more than a few minutes to reach it. Of course I don't like you walking into a trap but I'll be dammed if I'll let you walk alone." As soon as he finishes speaking he quickly runs off towards the north. >N Forested Path You are near the edge of the Spirits Forest on a path that leads to the ahead to the north and back to the south. You can strongly sense Aoi to the north. An impatient Rojanosh is waiting for you. As soon as he sees you he moves ahead to the north. He seems to be moving somewhat sluggishly. >N Plain Forest Path You are traveling on a path near the edge of the Spirits Forest. The path leads ahead to the north and back to the south. It also seems to branch off to the northeast. You can strongly sense Aoi to the north. Rojanosh is waiting for you although he seems to be having some trouble staying upright. He takes off towards the North although he stumbles and nearly loses his footing first. >N Forest Edge You are traveling on a path near the edge of the Spirit's Forest. To the north you can see the forest end as the path continues to the bottom of a large hilltop. The path also branches off deeper into the forest towards the east and northeast. You can strongly sense Aoi to the north. Rojanosh is lying on the ground in front of you. >EXAMINE ROJANOSH As you bend down and examine Rojanosh you can tell that he unconscious and beginning to have difficulty breathing. You surmise it must have been from the cuts he received from Silka. It is clear that he needs medical attention quickly or else will die. >PICK UP ROJANOSH You try to lift Rojanosh up but find that he is to heavy for you to carry. Apparently your enhanced strength has worn off. It probably wore off a while back and you have merely been operating on adrenaline since. After a great deal of effort you are able to finally get Rojanosh up. Using yourself as a brace you should be able to drag him along at a fairly quick pace. Suddenly the giant hellhound bursts out behind you from the south. It snarls as it spots you and begins to charge in your direction. >N Running forward desperately you some how manage to race up to the top of hill while dragging Rojanosh with you. You manage to stay just two steps ahead of the enraged hellhound the entire time. Hilltop Vista Standing atop this wide hillock, you're treated to an impressive view of the surrounding terrain. To the north you can see the field where you woke up, and to the east and south there seems to be a large, foreboding forest. To the west, however, is a huge walled city, of a type you've never seen before; its buildings vary in design, being mostly of a Victorian style but with a few Japanese-style structures as well. A wide river sits next to the city, intersecting it briefly on the town's northern side then splitting off to the west and northeast. The nearby path leads back to the field to the northwest, and continues on toward the city to the southwest. You can strongly sense Aoi to the north. The hellhound arrives from the south. >NW You run, almost slide, down the hill while roughly dragging Rojanosh towards the field Dismal Field You find yourself in the middle of a cold, tree-lined field. The grasses here are clearly wild, rising almost to your waist in some spots, and ripple in a chill breeze. The scenery is illuminated by the moon above, its pale light draining all the color from the landscape. A faint path leads off to the southeast. There is a tombstone here. Doctor Scarabbus is waiting here with a neutral look on his face. He is currently holding Aoi roughly in his hands. The hellhound arrives from the southeast and upon spotting Scarabbus halts and continues to eye you menacingly. [You have gained 1 point!] >PUT ROJANOSH DOWN As you carefully lower Rojanosh to the ground Scarabbus begins to speak. "The sun is about to rise any moment now dear Keigo. The dawn of a new day in possibly more ways than one. I am being of my word and you have more than successfully completed my experiment and thus Aoi is yours." Scarabbus places Aoi on the ground and he quickly runs towards you and hides between your legs. "Of course you could have completed it much more easily had you been willing to make certain....sacrifices. Still your loyalty to your...friend speaks well for a possible partnership between us. I am sure in time I can help you overcome your...squeamishness. So will you join me and begin the path towards true survival and power? Or will you go your own way again for a time. Don't worry, I'll respect whatever decision you make and if you wish return to Despise's pagoda with out harming you either way. After all you are far to useful and perhaps even dangerous to destroy now. I am certain you will come to see the wisdom of a partnership between us eventually, one way or another. Oh and just so clearly understand your choices the poison your friend is dying from has but one cure and I alone posses it. So if you do not throw your lot in with me your friend will die within two hours. Now your answer and quickly please for Despise will be returning shortly. What will it be: yes or no?" >DIAGNOSE You are Healthy You are not hungry. You are not thirsty. >INVENTORY You are carrying: a silver pendant (worn) servant's clothing, soaked (worn) pocky a brown leather purse, soaked (jingles when shaken) a tattered map, soaked a tension bar a metal cup a black-painted keyring and key >SCORE You have gained 100 points out of a possible 2000. This earns you the rank of: Unenlightened Neophyte. >SAVE [Game saved.] >QUIT C:\GAMES\IMPRO\SOH>_ ---------- Authors Note: See mailing list for comments from me. Hope this satisfies everyone this time. If not let me know at StorytellerSJK@yahoo.com Thanks. StorytellerSJK. TTFN