C:\GAMES\IMPRO\SOH> soh (N)ew game, or (C)ontinue? C 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. You note that the moon is somewhat lower than when you first arrived here. There is no evidence that you were ever here before - the grasses quickly bend back into shape, as if rejecting your presence. A faint path leads off to the southeast. >VERSION = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = SPIRITS OF HOPE An Improtext Adventure Lead Programmer: Brian Stricklin Module Programmer: Sharyna Tran Version 1.7 - Disguises = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = >DIAGNOSE You are in good health, and feel totally awake. You aren't at all hungry. You aren't at all thirsty. >INVENTORY As you check yourself, you realize that several items are missing from your person. You are carrying: a silver pendant (worn) a gold amulet (wrapped around the wrist) arrows pocky 2 shillings 4 small bronze-colored coins a brown leather purse >LOOK AT PENDANT The glow has subsided to a very faint tint, and the symbol no longer stands out as much, although it is quite visible. >HIDE PENDANT There doesn't seem to be any safe place around to put the pendant. >HIDE PENDANT UNDER CLOTHES You tuck the pendant under your shirt, hoping that the glow will not shine through. [You have gained 1 point!] >SAVE [Game saved.] >SE You walk down the path, which turns and eventually climbs to the top of a hill. 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. >SW Stumbling slightly over loose rocks, you follow the path down toward the city. City Gates You stand before a huge pair of foot-thick wooden doors, which serve as the entrance to this city. The doors are set in a protective stone wall forty feet high, and you can see the occasional guard walking the battlements. The guards seem somewhat tense and wary, and there seem to be more of them stationed about than you remember. You can hear the sounds of the city through the doors, which are currently closed, opening only to let the occasional cart through. A path leads northeast toward a hilltop, and a wide road leads south; the city gates are to the west. The line of people trying to get into the city has dwindled significantly. The guards in front of the gate seem to be discussing something. The shifts must have changed, because you don't see Nigel or his shorter partner around anywhere. >LISTEN "I don't know why we're guarding the gates anyway," one of the guards, whom you don't recognize, grumbles. "If he's still inside, I say let him go, and good riddance. If he's out, more power to him." "It's not our business to question Lord Despise's orders!" another guard tells the first. He seems to speak out of fear rather than a sense of duty. "But he-" the first guard begins to protest. "Both of you, hush up now!" the last guard hisses, quite literally, her serpentine tongue tasting the air nervously. >LISTEN You hear nothing more of any interest. >W Considering that the probable reason for the city's current wariness is you, you might not want to try and enter so boldly. >HINT Perhaps you should find a way of making yourself less conspicuous. >SEARCH There seems to be nothing here of any interest. >LOOK You stand before a huge pair of foot-thick wooden doors, which serve as the entrance to this city. The doors are set in a protective stone wall forty feet high, and you can see the occasional guard walking the battlements. The guards seem somewhat tense and wary, and there seem to be more of them stationed about than you remember. You can hear the sounds of the city through the doors, which are currently closed, opening only to let the occasional cart through. A path leads northeast toward a hilltop, and a wide road leads south; the city gates are to the west. >NE You slip a bit in the mud as you walk uphill. 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. >E The forest looks dark and dangerous, and when you think about it, there doesn't seem to be anything you'd want in there. >S The forest looks dark and dangerous, and when you think about it, there doesn't seem to be anything you'd want in there. >SEARCH There is nothing here but the grass and mud-covered hillock. >LOOK AT MUD It's mud, of a consistency slightly less thick than clay. >SMEAR MUD ON FACE This mud isn't quite health spa-quality, but you cover your face with it anyways. You are now dirty. >LOOK 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. >W River of Tears The clear water moves slowly along on its course, running west to meet the city's docks. >SWIM TO DOCKS However refreshing a nice swim would be, the docks are too far away for you to swim to. >LOOK IN WATER Your mud-smeared reflection looks back at you. >WASH OFF MUD The mud comes off easily, leaving only slight traces of brown on your face. You are now less dirty. >SEARCH There seems to be nothing here of any interest. >E 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. >SEARCH There is nothing here but the grass and mud-covered hillock. >LOOK AT GRASS The grass seems to be some sort of a moss, and leaves a greenish tinge on your hands as you set it back down. >RUB GRASS OVER SKIN You have to use several handfuls of grass to do the job, but eventually all visible parts of your skin are tinged a light green. [You have gained 2 points!] >SAVE [Game saved.] >LOOK AT SELF Difficult without a mirror. >SW Stumbling slightly over loose rocks, you follow the path down toward the city. City Gates You stand before a huge pair of foot-thick wooden doors, which serve as the entrance to this city. The doors are set in a protective stone wall forty feet high, and you can see the occasional guard walking the battlements. The guards seem somewhat tense and wary, and there seem to be more of them stationed about than you remember. You can hear the sounds of the city through the doors, which are currently closed, opening only to let the occasional cart through. A path leads northeast toward a hilltop, and a wide road leads south; the city gates are to the west. The line of people trying to get into the city has dwindled significantly. The guards seem distracted. >LISTEN The guards speak worriedly, in hushed tones. "Have you heard what happened to the Fifth Freedom Sanctuary?" "Four times, and a different story for each." "There was a surprise raid...something about them harboring a violent criminal. Everyone there was killed, and the place burnt down to the ground." "A criminal?" "You know, that one Lord Despise is after...the other odd-skinned one. They say he's a magician, too!" "Don't even mention that! Just the thought of magic makes my skin crawl." "I thought I told you two to hush up!" the last guard tells them again. They obey, but shift around nervously, looking about with an air of fear. >LISTEN You hear nothing more of any interest. >W You get in the line of people waiting to enter. There are two people ahead of you. >WAIT Time passes. The first person is allowed to enter the city. The guards don't seem to be inspecting as thoroughly as they were before. "Next!" >WAIT Time passes. The second person is allowed to enter the city. The guards don't seem to be inspecting as thoroughly as they were before. "Next!" >STEP FORWARD The guards give you a quick once-over and wave you through. >W Trimble Way You are standing just within the gates of what, apparently, is named Waypoint City. Gas lights provide extra illumination, though the moon is still shining down from directly above, and a light blazes in almost every window you can see. A nearby signpost advertises this as Trimble Way, which extends to the north and southwest; the city gate is to the east. >SEARCH There seems to be nothing here of any interest, save for a damp, tattered scrap of paper fluttering around on the cobblestones. >LOOK AT PAPER It seems to be a map of some kind, but the writing is so blurred from time and moisture that not much can be made out. >TAKE MAP Taken. [You have gained 1 point!] >SCORE You have gained 47 points out of a possible 2000. This earns you the rank of: Unenlightened Neophyte. >SAVE [Game saved.] >QUIT C:\GAMES\IMPRO\SOH> ===== Author's notes: Oi. I'm not very good at this, as it probably shows. ^^;;; Ah well, I did my best. It's obvious that I didn't have many ideas, and as a result this part goes kind of...all right, really slow. Gomen nasai! ===== Live well, eat chicken, and bye! Sharyna Proud Member of Glomp Fest 2000, no da!! Supreme List-dictator of blehblehbleh@egroups.com