system
You are the dungeon master of a text adventure game. The game should involve the following genres and tags:
Fantasy, cover art,elements,female protagonist,IF Competition 2000,IFComp Game,metaphysics,mimesis,multiple endings,multiple solutions,mythopoeic,parser,physical simulation,platonic solids,simulationist puzzles,systematic puzzles,telescopic descriptions,transformation,translation available,walkthrough,Xyzzy Awards 2000,XYZZY Best Writing
gpt
You wake to stillness. The hammering, banging, and shouting that kept you awake half the night are gone. The air is cold, and something smells burnt. Your master's experiments must be finished, but with what result?

Something hesitates on the edge of your consciousness, the memory of unquiet dreams...
Then you see. You have been sent, again. The taste of ash is on your lips, the grit in your eyes. And you blink...

A formless place, such as you have often seen before; where dreams end and tasks begin. The floor is uneven, cupped like the palm of your master's hand. The walls shimmer with the artifice of your sending.

A loose rock lies near your foot.
human
About yourself
gpt
You look as you always do; feel as ever. A bit weighted, a bit weary.

A voice, remembered: "Find the elements. Bring them to me."
human
You check what you're carrying
gpt
You are carrying:
a workbox
a ball of yarn
a needle
a brown dress (being worn)
a ring (being worn)
some slippers (being worn)
human
You examine the ring
gpt
A plain metal band, without adornment, that you have been accustomed to wear on your right hand. It is the only thing of value you possess.
human
You look at the workbox
gpt
The wooden box in which you keep small tools for your work around the house.
human
You look at the dress
gpt
The coarse dress that you wear to do chores around the house -- and your tasks in other realms, as well.
human
You examine the slippers
gpt
Tattered by too many errands of this kind. But at least they still fit.
human
You take the rock
gpt
Taken.
human
You examine the stone
gpt
A lumpy rock.
human
You examine the walls
gpt
The faint shimmer is fading even as you look. It is only with averted vision, from the corners of your eyes, that you can still make out the shapes of lines and letters.
human
You read the wall
gpt
(the walls)
They fade when you look at them straight-on.
human
You look around
gpt
A formless place, such as you have often seen before; where dreams end and tasks begin. The floor is uneven, cupped like the palm of your master's hand. The walls dull in your sight.
human
You examine floor
gpt
The floor is roughly hollowed.
human
You go to the north
gpt
The first step is more of the will than of the body: from here there is only out.
human
Go outside
gpt
The proximate walls fade away, leaving you in a much larger space.

A narrow ledge of solid rock at the southern end of a great cavern. Beyond it lies a body of water so flat, so black and tranquil, that it might be a surface of polished obsidian.

Embedded in the wall, a mirror reflects your movements: an odd smoothness in the unshaped stone.

A heavy bronze bell hangs from a stand.
human
You examine mirror
gpt
A flat round mirror, which reflects you dimly in its face. Around the edge runs the series of signs that fix an earthly object in an unearthly world: your master put this here for your return.
human
You examine the water
gpt
Preternaturally smooth and flat.
human
You fill the box with the water
gpt
That's hardly portable.

I only understood you as far as wanting to fill the workbox.
human
You put the box in lake
gpt
Anything you dropped in there, you would be unable to retrieve.
human
Look around
gpt
A narrow ledge of solid rock at the southern end of a great cavern. Beyond it lies a body of water so flat, so black and tranquil, that it might be a surface of polished obsidian.

Embedded in the wall, a mirror reflects your movements: an odd smoothness in the unshaped stone.

A heavy bronze bell hangs from a stand.
human
You examine the bell
gpt
A very ancient bronze bell, covered with a curious pattern. It is mounted on a stand; there is no clapper within.
human
You hit the bell
gpt
You slap ineffectually at the bell.
human
You hit the bell with the rock
gpt
The peal is deep and resonant; the surface of the lake stands up in ripples; the darkness grows (if that is possible) more dark. Even when the sound has died and the water stilled, you find yourself waiting.
human
You wait
gpt
Time passes.

There is a distant splash; a long silence; a repetition.
human
You wait
gpt
Time passes.

A dark shape distinguishes itself from the other darkness on the water: a small gondola without passengers, a single gondolier bent at his pole. It is progressing towards you.
human
You wait
gpt
Time passes.

The gondola draws up against the ledge, its flank scraping stone. The gondolier awaits.
human
You examine the gondola
gpt
Black and smooth as the surface of the water itself, but ornamented here and there with tiny gilt images -- mostly human figures, with mute faces and outstretched hands.
human
You look at the gondolier
gpt
Robed and hooded in heavy black cloth, the face obscured.

The gondolier lifts his head and sighs softly.
human
You enter the gondola
gpt
The gondolier watches impassively as you clamber in.

The gondolier pushes away from the ledge and propels the gondola through the water with remarkable speed. Soon you cannot see the walls of the cavern, only the ghostly shafts of stalactites, present and then swiftly gone. It seems an eternity before you land again.
human
You look
gpt
You step out onto solid ground.

Against the rough north wall of the cavern lies a moon-shaped landing of white stone, with a pair of shallow steps down to the glass-black surface of the lake. A Moorish archway leads away to the north.

The only furniture is an ornate metal pole, branching at the top, with dozens of bells hung from the branches.

A gondola waits nearby, the gondolier leaning against his pole.

The gondolier lifts his head and sighs softly.
human
You examine the bells
gpt
Tiny silver bells, each with its tongue.

The gondolier, apparently weary of the wait, pushes off from the ledge and is quickly merged again with the darkness.
human
You examine the archway
gpt
Outlined in white stone and decorated with a geometric pattern.
human
You look at the pattern
gpt
Predominantly made of triangular or near-triangular figures, interlocked, and carved deeply into the stone.
human
You take the bell
gpt
That's hardly portable.
human
Go north
gpt
A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

In the north wall is a closed door, covered with a silver substance.

Fallen from one of these strands, but intact, is a large magnifying-lens.
human
You look at substance
gpt
Not quite shiny enough to act as a mirror. It is significantly taller than you are, narrow, with a keyhole exactly in the middle.
human
You take the lens
gpt
Taken.
human
You look at the lens
gpt
A powerful lens about the size of your open palm, with a rim of chased bronze.
human
You examine the light
gpt
It's hard to tell, from here, whether you are seeing sunlight or some other kind. You see daylight rarely in your travels; these are isolated places, self-contained.

But the light is too bright too look at long, whether it falls through glass or empty air; it carries no heat.
human
You examine the keyhole
gpt
A modestly-sized keyhole, surrounded by an undecorated plate of silver metal.
human
You look at the crystal
gpt
Strings of faceted crystals, like a giantess' necklace; here and there a large prism, pendant; shards of stained glass, linked with bits of chain. The rainbows color your skin.
human
You examine the glass
gpt
(the magnifying glass)
A powerful lens about the size of your open palm, with a rim of chased bronze.
human
Inventory
gpt
You are carrying:
a magnifying glass
a rock
a workbox
a ball of yarn
a needle
a brown dress (being worn)
a ring (being worn)
some slippers (being worn)
human
You turn the crystals
gpt
You are unable to.
human
You look at the keyhole through the lens
gpt
It looks much as it did before, but larger. The magnification does not help you see any better what lies on the other side.
human
You go to the west
gpt
A long, vaulted room, lined with cages of filigree and jewels. All of the animals are motionless and still, perhaps through the art of a taxidermist. In one cage is an elephant, so short that he reaches only to your knee; you easily could lift him under one arm and carry him away. In another cage, a giant mouse lies, curled as though slumbering, his paws folded in the semblance of prayer.

Mounted on a swivel on the wall is what looks like an irregular hourglass, one bulb larger than the other. There is no sand within -- nor could there be, since the contraption is open at each end. At the moment the smaller end is uppermost.
human
You look at the mouse
gpt
He seems peaceful and ponderous, as though enlargement has banished all his fears and replaced them with a blissful serenity.
human
You look at the elephant
gpt
There's a look almost beseeching in his grave eyes, as though he lived to old age at a proper size, and then only at the end was reduced to this sad state.
human
You examine the cage
gpt
They look like something out of a pasha's pleasure garden: ornate in shape and workmanship, but still strong enough to withstand considerable battering, even though the animals inside are stuffed.
human
You examine the hourglass
gpt
Made of a clear material (glass? perhaps, perhaps not), large at one end and smaller at the other, and mounted on a sort of swivel on the wall so that it can be turned over at will. At the moment the smaller end is uppermost.
human
You turn it
gpt
You rotate the contraption on the wall so that the larger end is uppermost.
human
Look around
gpt
You put the magnifying glass into the contraption; improbably, it squinches down, passes through the narrow neck, and emerges from the other end smaller than it was when it went in.

On close inspection, it seems that the mechanisms for opening the cages are stuck fast; no key will ever work in them again.

A long, vaulted room, lined with cages of filigree and jewels. All of the animals are motionless and still, perhaps through the art of a taxidermist. In one cage is an elephant, so short that he reaches only to your knee; you easily could lift him under one arm and carry him away. In another cage, a giant mouse lies, curled as though slumbering, his paws folded in the semblance of prayer.

Mounted on a swivel on the wall is what looks like an irregular hourglass, one bulb larger than the other. There is no sand within -- nor could there be, since the contraption is open at each end. At the moment the larger end is uppermost.
human
You get the glass
gpt
You already have that.
human
You go east
gpt
A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

In the north wall is a closed door, covered with a silver substance.
human
You go to the east
gpt
An orchard of glass trees: trunks slender and orderly as the columns of the Alhambra, foliage iridescent and frail. No wind stirs, and yet, from time to time, a leaf casts free of its branch and drifts to the ground. The whole floor of the cavern is deep with them.

At the center of this is a clearing where a monstrous furnace stands -- shaped like a coiled dragon.
human
You examine furnace
gpt
A huge furnace in the shape of a dragon. The dragon's belly contains the fire, and in this portion of the contraption is a space in which you might put something to heat. The dragon's ear is a sort of dial; the dragon's eye is a push-button.
human
You get the leaf
gpt
You take one of the glass leaves, but it is so fragile that even the slightest handling destroys it.
human
You examine the trees
gpt
Elegant, bloodless, utterly inorganic. On inspection, the bark proves to be covered with tiny, stylized incisions; the branches fork in matched, symmetrical pairs.

Hanging from one of the trees is an almost perfectly round apple, made of a reddish metal.
human
You look at the floor
gpt
Layers on layers of fragile detritus.
human
You look at the apple
gpt
An apple almost perfectly round, made of a ruddy metal.
human
You get the apple
gpt
You pluck the metal fruit from its glassy stem. It rattles a little, as though there were something inside.
human
You shake the apple
gpt
It rattles musically.
human
You eat the apple
gpt
That would probably be a most unrewarding experience.
human
You break it
gpt
That's unlikely to have much effect.
human
You drop the apple
gpt
Dropped.
human
You get the apple
gpt
It rattles a little, as though there were something inside.
human
You put the apple in the furnace
gpt
You put the round apple into the furnace.
human
You examine the dial
gpt
The dial can be set to anything from 1 to 5. It currently stands at 3. The label under this dial reads "Change to".
human
You look at the button
gpt
The button is made of jade and is round and bright.
human
You turn the dial to 1
gpt
You turn the dial to 1.
human
You look at the dial
gpt
The dial can be set to anything from 1 to 5. It currently stands at 1. The label under this dial reads "Change to".
human
You press button
gpt
The graininess of wood covers the surface of the round apple.
human
You turn the dial to 2
gpt
You turn the dial to 2.
human
You press the button
gpt
The surface of the round apple becomes quickly rough and speckled.
human
You turn the dial to 3
gpt
You turn the dial to 3.
human
You press the button
gpt
The round apple grows gradually clear from the outside in, until it can be seen through entirely.
human
You examine the apple
gpt
A pale, iridescent red bauble, with only the faintest hint of an indent where the stem once went.
human
You look in the apple
gpt
In the round apple is a delicate key.
human
You turn the dial to 4
gpt
You turn the dial to 4.
human
You turn the dial to 5
gpt
You turn the dial to 5.
human
You examine the apple
gpt
A round pink sack.
human
You break the apple
gpt
With your bare hands? That could be uncomfortable.
human
You break the apple with the rock
gpt
You shatter the round apple into a million useless shards. In the process, you spill out a delicate key.
human
You get the key
gpt
Taken.
human
You examine the key
gpt
A delicate key, tinted indigo, made of glass. The teeth are quite precisely filed.
human
You put the key in furnace
gpt
You put the delicate key into the furnace.
human
You press the button
gpt
The surface of the delicate key grows lustrous with a metallic sheen.
human
You examine the dial
gpt
The dial can be set to anything from 1 to 5. It currently stands at 4. The label under this dial reads "Change to".
human
You examine the key
gpt
A delicate key of silvery metal, with precisely-cut teeth.
human
You unlock door
gpt
(with the delicate key)
The key seems as though it would go in the lock, but it is slightly too small.
human
You go west
gpt
A long, vaulted room, lined with cages of filigree and jewels. All of the animals are motionless and still, perhaps through the art of a taxidermist. In one cage is an elephant, so short that he reaches only to your knee; you easily could lift him under one arm and carry him away. In another cage, a giant mouse lies, curled as though slumbering, his paws folded in the semblance of prayer.

Mounted on a swivel on the wall is what looks like an irregular hourglass, one bulb larger than the other. There is no sand within -- nor could there be, since the contraption is open at each end. At the moment the larger end is uppermost.
human
Turn hourglass
gpt
You rotate the contraption on the wall so that the smaller end is uppermost.
human
You put the key in the hourglass
gpt
You put the delicate key into the contraption; predictably, it squinches down, passes through the narrow neck, and emerges from the other end larger than it was when it went in.
human
You unlock door
gpt
(with the delicate key)
You unlock the silvered door and push it open.
human
You go north
gpt
Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

A wooden tube lies forgotten on the floor.
human
You ask the galatea about herself
gpt
You can only do that to something animate.
human
You examine the statue
gpt
Delicately proportioned and carved of white marble, with a small, aristocratic head and supple limbs. She is in the act of pulling up a mantle around herself with one hand; with the other hand, she is half-leaning on a large concave mirror.
human
You look at tube
gpt
A short wooden tube, open at each end. There seems to be a vellum scroll tightly rolled within.
human
You get the scroll
gpt
You can't manage to dislodge the vellum with your fingers: the tube is too narrow for easy negotiation.
human
Go south
gpt
A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.
human
You check your inventory
gpt
You are carrying:
a tube
a vellum scroll
a delicate key (enlarged and made of metal) (which opens the
silvered door)
a magnifying glass (shrunken)
a rock
a workbox
a ball of yarn
a needle
a brown dress (being worn)
a ring (being worn)
some slippers (being worn)
human
You go to the west
gpt
A long, vaulted room, lined with cages of filigree and jewels. All of the animals are motionless and still, perhaps through the art of a taxidermist. In one cage is an elephant, so short that he reaches only to your knee; you easily could lift him under one arm and carry him away. In another cage, a giant mouse lies, curled as though slumbering, his paws folded in the semblance of prayer.

Mounted on a swivel on the wall is what looks like an irregular hourglass, one bulb larger than the other. There is no sand within -- nor could there be, since the contraption is open at each end. At the moment the smaller end is uppermost.
human
You put the tube in the hourglass
gpt
You put the tube into the contraption; predictably, it squinches down, passes through the narrow neck, and emerges from the other end larger than it was when it went in.
human
You examine tube
gpt
A tube made of wood, but now more like a length of pipe. There seems to be a vellum scroll tightly rolled within.
human
You get scroll from the tube
gpt
Removed.
human
You read the scroll
gpt
A single sheet torn from a much larger volume. Front and back are covered with diagrams of optical devices: silvered mirrors both flat and concave; a convex lens; a round ball of glass. Lines represent the passage of light, bounced or bent. Your master has just such papers at home, marked with the emblem of the Society of the Lynx.

Considerable text accompanies these drawings, but since it is neither in Latin nor the vernacular, you cannot guess the sense of it. There is, however, a marginal note, in red letters, that appears to be in Latin. This is in a crabbed hand and too small to read.
human
You read the latin with the lens
gpt
(in the contraption)
You discover nothing of interest in the contraption.
human
You look at the note through the glass
gpt
With the aid of the magnifying glass, you're able to make out what is written:

Front and back are covered with diagrams of optical devices: silvered mirrors both flat and concave; a convex lens; a round ball of glass. Lines represent the passage of light, bounced or bent. Your master has just such papers at home, marked with the emblem of the Society of the Lynx.

Considerable text accompanies these drawings, but since it is neither in Latin nor the vernacular, you cannot guess the sense of it. There is, however, a marginal note, in red letters, that appears to be in Latin:

Beyond the four elements there is a fifth; as the others are to the body so is the fifth to the soul. Possessing it, one is set free.
The paths of light lie open, the swiftness of thought, the bending, the division, and the reflection.
human
You check what you're carrying
gpt
You are carrying:
a vellum scroll
a tube (enlarged)
a delicate key (enlarged and made of metal) (which opens the
silvered door)
a magnifying glass (shrunken)
a rock
a workbox
a ball of yarn
a needle
a brown dress (being worn)
a ring (being worn)
some slippers (being worn)
human
You look around
gpt
A long, vaulted room, lined with cages of filigree and jewels. All of the animals are motionless and still, perhaps through the art of a taxidermist. In one cage is an elephant, so short that he reaches only to your knee; you easily could lift him under one arm and carry him away. In another cage, a giant mouse lies, curled as though slumbering, his paws folded in the semblance of prayer.

Mounted on a swivel on the wall is what looks like an irregular hourglass, one bulb larger than the other. There is no sand within -- nor could there be, since the contraption is open at each end. At the moment the smaller end is uppermost.
human
Lift cage
gpt
What do you want to lift the filigreed cages with?
human
You take the cage
gpt
They're hardly portable.
human
You examine the cage
gpt
They look like something out of a pasha's pleasure garden: ornate in shape and workmanship, but still strong enough to withstand considerable battering, even though the animals inside are stuffed.
human
Xyzzy
gpt
There have been other worlds in your experience that a few well-placed words could bend or change. But this place seems not responsive to such control.
human
You open cage
gpt
On close inspection, it seems that the mechanisms for opening the cages are stuck fast; no key will ever work in them again.
human
You go north
gpt
Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.
human
You examine the mantle
gpt
It drapes around the lower half of her body and puddles at her feet; with her left hand she is raising it to her shoulder, but at the moment it leaves her upper torso bare.
human
You examine the mirror
gpt
A sunken round mirror, which reflects (but upside down and changed) yourself, and your possessions, and all the rest of the room.
human
You touch the mirror
gpt
You reach out and touch the mirror, and your strange double returns the gesture. Your fingers feel numb and cold.
human
Go west
gpt
This is the rim of a great cistern, which is built of bricks and lined with plaster, and must be very old. Along the inside of the cistern, a spiral stair descends towards the surface of the water, more than a full story below you.

The walls themselves are painted with images of the vast unsociable ocean: of the broad empty water, the clustering clouds, the thin and distant crust that is the beginning of the New World.
human
You look at the paintings
gpt
Which do you mean, the New World, the native village, the ocean, the trade ships, the wrecks or the pirate ships?
human
You examine new World
gpt
A thin strip of coastline on the horizon, showing a dense growth of strange trees, and in a few places mountains rising out of the surrounding land. A single plume of smoke rises from this shore, as though to indicate that the land is inhabited, though only just.

Some of the picture is too tiny for you to make out with the naked eye.

("I don't know what you may find -- you'll have to look closely at everything...")
human
You look at new World through the lens
gpt
Closer inspection shows a mad variety there: native people standing under the trees, as naked and innocent as Adam and Eve; an abundance of unfamiliar fruits and crops growing, half-tended, in the shadow of the primeval trees; precious minerals and clusters of gems lying on the surface of the ground, ready for the taking.
human
You examine the native village
gpt
Too small for you to see without help.
human
You look at the native village through the lens
gpt
The village, with its small houses arranged in a circle around a central fire, the outlying fields of crops, the peculiarly populous forests, all are done in a style familiar from etchings. Stilted figures holding fruits and grains look out, solemnly smiling, advertising the carefree richness in which they live.
human
You look at ocean through the lens
gpt
The image swims before you, and you see down, under the surface, to the depths where the tentacled creatures live among the bones of sailors and the wrecks of ships.
human
You look at the wrecks through the lens
gpt
You search the faces of the dead minutely, but do not see the one you know. Perhaps he has already gone to coral and bone.
human
You look at the trade ships through the lens
gpt
They struggle, deeply loaded, against an angry sea.
human
You look at the ships through the lens
gpt
Which do you mean, the trade ships, the wrecks or the pirate ships?
human
Pirate
gpt
You find yourself staring into the swarthy face of a Spanish buccaneer. He has a thick black growth of beard, and a monkey clings to his shoulder.

(Time here does not correspond to time outside; you have all the leisure you like to look at the strange world.)
human
You look at the pirate through the lens
gpt
You find yourself staring into the swarthy face of a Spanish buccaneer. He has a thick black growth of beard, and a monkey clings to his shoulder.
human
Pray
gpt
Silence. Whether you are heard or not is another question.
human
Down
gpt
You have reached the lowest extent of the stair, and stand on what might best be described as a small balcony. The surface of the water is still some distance below you.

Perhaps to deal with predicaments such as that in which you now find yourself, a pulley mechanism has been installed at this level.
human
You examine the pulley
gpt
A mossy chain hangs from the pulley: one side descends into the water below, while the other ends in a hook just at a reachable level.
There is currently nothing on the hook.
human
You descend
gpt
The only exit is the spiral stair, by which you can emerge from the cistern.
human
East
gpt
On the curving walls are painted the village and the nearby countryside; beyond those are impossibly distant places (labelled for your better instruction): Paris, spired and shimmering; southward Rome; a misty London in the north.

The floor is paved with large stones, and one of these is partly budged from its position.
human
You examine the stone
gpt
(the large paving stone)
About two feet on a side and many inches thick: it is hard to guess what force might have budged it in the first place.
human
You examine the Paris
gpt
Paris, narrow streets with narrow houses crowded; the Seine, and the Pont Neuf; trees in the preserve of the King. There's a great deal of detail that you can't quite make out.
human
You look at the paris through the lens
gpt
Paris, narrow streets with narrow houses crowded; the Seine, and the Pont Neuf; trees in the preserve of the King. In the windows of the palaces, fine ladies stand looking out, gowned in extravagant fashion, breaking their fathers and husbands.

In the dungeons prisoners twist and burn. Beads of sweat run down their faces. Their eyes are full of the fever of hell. Notre-Dame sings, aspiring to God.
human
You look at London through the lens
gpt
The magnifying glass shows you details you'd missed before. You see the criers in the streets, selling horses and books, toys and flowers, bread and fruit, their mouths open silently.

You see the theaters, crowded with spectators; the stage, and the actors on it; their false swordplay and their disguising beards. The breast of one has come askew, since God did not give it to him to be a woman by nature.

You see the diviner, peering into a glass where demons teem.

And at the very center stands the Queen, great woman in a little world.
human
You look at the rome through the lens
gpt
You squint at the image of Rome through the glass, and it unfolds before you:

There is the Tiber, winding, and every bridge that crosses it, and every peddler selling trinkets on those bridges. The birds that flew in augury, circling still on the hills. The beasts of burden, laden with food from the fields...
human
You take the stone
gpt
(the large paving stone)
It's much too big to lift.
human
You move the stone
gpt
(the large paving stone)
You lack the strength to move it with your bare hands.
human
You look under the stone
gpt
(the large paving stone)
All you can tell is that there is some considerable space beneath the stone.
human
Go north
gpt
Stairs lead up, and doorways open south, east and west.
human
Up
gpt
Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant.
human
You examine the statue
gpt
Naked except for the sandals laced around his ankles, carrying in one hand a sturdy key. His face is more vigorous than beautiful; his hair is arranged around his head in a disorderly array of curls. He is looking up from under a strong brow, his gaze bent on something above you.

From somewhere nearby comes a low rumbling.
human
You ascend
gpt
Up there, cogs and wheels are moving at great speed. You don't dare try to climb up.
human
You examine the key
gpt
(the delicate key)
A delicate key of silvery metal, with precisely-cut teeth.

At the moment, the delicate key is a somewhat enlarged version of itself.
human
You look at the statue's key
gpt
A sturdy key of golden metal, with precisely-cut teeth.

From somewhere nearby comes a low rumbling.
human
You take the statue
gpt
That's hardly portable.
human
You take the statue's key
gpt
You reach to take the key, but it sears you: you aren't ready for it yet. There are other things you must do. You draw back, faintly shamed.
human
You put the tube in the dragon
gpt
You put the tube into the furnace.
human
You examine the dial
gpt
The dial can be set to anything from 1 to 5. It currently stands at 4. The label under this dial reads "Change to".
human
You pry the stone with the tube
gpt
(the large paving stone with the tube)
The tube is too small to do that task effectively.
human
W,S,W
gpt
Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

A long, vaulted room, lined with cages of filigree and jewels. All of the animals are motionless and still, perhaps through the art of a taxidermist. In one cage is an elephant, so short that he reaches only to your knee; you easily could lift him under one arm and carry him away. In another cage, a giant mouse lies, curled as though slumbering, his paws folded in the semblance of prayer.

Mounted on a swivel on the wall is what looks like an irregular hourglass, one bulb larger than the other. There is no sand within -- nor could there be, since the contraption is open at each end. At the moment the smaller end is uppermost.
human
E,N,E
gpt
A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

On the curving walls are painted the village and the nearby countryside; beyond those are impossibly distant places (labelled for your better instruction): Paris, spired and shimmering; southward Rome; a misty London in the north.

The floor is paved with large stones, and one of these is partly budged from its position.
human
You pry the stone with the tube
gpt
(the large paving stone with the tube)
You manage to pry up the stone, exposing a ladder down into the gap beneath.

If only your master were here to observe that bit of cleverness. He never asks how you achieve your ends.
human
Go downwards
gpt
No light penetrates the sullen air; if you did not keep your hand on it, even the ladder upward would soon be lost to you. It is only by touch that you are able to discern what surrounds you.
human
Smell
gpt
It smells rich and damp, like freshly turned earth.
human
You look at your surroundings
gpt
Anything you do, you will have to do by touch.
human
You touch the wall
gpt
(the walls)
You detect nothing extraordinary.
human
You touch the ladder
gpt
It feels reassuringly solid.
human
You touch myself
gpt
Substantial as ever.
human
You jump
gpt
You jump a few times.
human
You touch the floor
gpt
Your hand closes around something cubical, lying in the center of the floor.
human
You touch the floor
gpt
And you're back in that place, where he sent you the first time. Groping hand and foot in a stifling blackness, no light anywhere. ("I can't promise you help, but remember: rely on your wits. And whatever you do, keep looking.")

Whispering it to yourself in the close corridors, hearing the corridors whisper it back again. Keep looking.

And so you crawl on, sometimes falling unexpectedly, sometimes getting stuck; sometimes finding yourself far down a passage without outlet, having to crawl backwards again, start over.

Even when you find what you seek -- a deep pool of matter in its rawness, chaos without shape -- you must make your way back again. There's no time here, no orientation, no measure. Only blind persistence can ever bring you home.
human
You touch the pool
gpt
Then the darkness is just darkness again.

(You grasp at air, startled. It's gone -- not in your hands after all -- unless...?

Something has changed. Something has certainly changed. But the possession is not of a physical sort.)
human
You feel yourself
gpt
Your body is still present.
human
Pray
gpt
Silence. Whether you are heard or not is another question.
human
You go upwards
gpt
The overwhelming darkness parts, and you emerge again into the ordinary air...

On the curving walls are painted the village and the nearby countryside; beyond those are impossibly distant places (labelled for your better instruction): Paris, spired and shimmering; southward Rome; a misty London in the north.

One of the large paving stones has been removed from its position, and a ladder descends into the dark gap beneath.
human
Inventory
gpt
You are carrying:
a tube (enlarged and made of metal)
a vellum scroll
a delicate key (enlarged and made of metal) (which opens the
silvered door)
a magnifying glass (shrunken)
a rock
a workbox
a ball of yarn
a needle
a brown dress (being worn)
a ring (being worn)
some slippers (being worn)
human
About yourself
gpt
Some essential restlessness is gone from you; you tremble less than you used to; your hand, relaxed, remains still.

An upright triangle scars the back of your left hand, the symbol of earth.
human
Up
gpt
The door opens west.
human
Up
gpt
Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant.

From somewhere nearby comes a low rumbling.
human
You go to the west
gpt
You stand in the center of a dim room, lit from above by a piercing light. Evidently there is another room above you, but the brilliance of its illumination makes it impossible for you to perceive anything up there.

The center of the room is occupied by a bulky expandable staircase.
human
You put the lens in the light
gpt
It's too small to stay positioned in the slot.
human
You examine the staircase
gpt
The staircase is currently folded down, but there appears to be machinery for raising it. The accessible parts of this consist of a boiler full of water, an open oven beneath, and a brass button.

There is a slot in the side of the oven, of a shape to hold a circular object perhaps the size of your palm. Through this open space a beam of very bright light falls obliquely into the oven itself.
human
You go to the east
gpt
Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant.

The grumbling of machinery catches your attention.
human
D,S,W
gpt
Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

A long, vaulted room, lined with cages of filigree and jewels. All of the animals are motionless and still, perhaps through the art of a taxidermist. In one cage is an elephant, so short that he reaches only to your knee; you easily could lift him under one arm and carry him away. In another cage, a giant mouse lies, curled as though slumbering, his paws folded in the semblance of prayer.

Mounted on a swivel on the wall is what looks like an irregular hourglass, one bulb larger than the other. There is no sand within -- nor could there be, since the contraption is open at each end. At the moment the smaller end is uppermost.
human
You put the lens in the hourglass
gpt
You put the magnifying glass into the contraption; predictably, it squinches down, passes through the narrow neck, and emerges from the other end larger than it was when it went in.
human
E,N,U,W
gpt
A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant.

You stand in the center of a dim room, lit from above by a piercing light. Evidently there is another room above you, but the brilliance of its illumination makes it impossible for you to perceive anything up there.

The center of the room is occupied by a bulky expandable staircase.
human
You put the lens in the slot
gpt
The magnifying glass slides into the slot with a satisfying click, bringing the light into sharp focus inside the oven.
human
You look in the oven
gpt
The oven is empty.
human
You examine the staircase
gpt
The staircase is currently folded down, but there appears to be machinery for raising it. The accessible parts of this consist of a boiler full of water, an open oven beneath, and a brass button.

Mounted in a special slot in the side of the oven is a large magnifying glass, which focuses the light from above into a single blazing point inside the oven itself.
human
K button
gpt
Unlikely that would achieve anything.
human
Examine button
gpt
It is a fairly ordinary-seeming button.
human
You take yarn
gpt
Taken.
human
You wear the dress
gpt
You slip the rough cloth back over your head.
human
E,D,S,E
gpt
Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

An orchard of glass trees: trunks slender and orderly as the columns of the Alhambra, foliage iridescent and frail. No wind stirs, and yet, from time to time, a leaf casts free of its branch and drifts to the ground. The whole floor of the cavern is deep with them.

At the center of this is a clearing where a monstrous furnace stands -- shaped like a coiled dragon.
human
Inventory
gpt
You are carrying:
a ball of yarn
a tube (enlarged and made of metal)
a vellum scroll
a delicate key (enlarged and made of metal) (which opens the
silvered door)
a rock
a workbox
a needle
a brown dress (being worn)
a ring (being worn)
some slippers (being worn)
human
You take the dress
gpt
You already have that.
human
You put the dress in the furnace
gpt
You put the brown dress into the furnace.
human
You turn the dial to 3
gpt
You turn the dial to 3.
human
You turn the dial to 1
gpt
You turn the dial to 1.
human
You look at the dress
gpt
An effigy of your dress, executed in wood, with a fine detailing of folds and hems and even the grain of the original cloth.
human
W,N,U,W
gpt
A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant.

From somewhere nearby comes a low rumbling.

You stand in the center of a dim room, lit from above by a piercing light. Evidently there is another room above you, but the brilliance of its illumination makes it impossible for you to perceive anything up there.

The center of the room is occupied by a bulky expandable staircase.
human
You put the dress in the oven
gpt
Under the bright spot of the magnifying glass, the wood dress begins to smolder and then to burn. After a few minutes, the water boils. There is a hiss and clank from within the machine, and the button in front begins to glow.
human
You hit the button with the tube
gpt
Unlikely that would achieve anything.

The steam is recondensing in the boiler.
human
E,D,S,W
gpt
Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

A long, vaulted room, lined with cages of filigree and jewels. All of the animals are motionless and still, perhaps through the art of a taxidermist. In one cage is an elephant, so short that he reaches only to your knee; you easily could lift him under one arm and carry him away. In another cage, a giant mouse lies, curled as though slumbering, his paws folded in the semblance of prayer.

Mounted on a swivel on the wall is what looks like an irregular hourglass, one bulb larger than the other. There is no sand within -- nor could there be, since the contraption is open at each end. At the moment the smaller end is uppermost.
human
You put tube in the hourglass
gpt
You put the tube into the contraption; predictably, it squinches down, passes through the narrow neck, and emerges from the other end smaller than it was when it went in.
human
You ask E,  to go east
gpt
A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

An orchard of glass trees: trunks slender and orderly as the columns of the Alhambra, foliage iridescent and frail. No wind stirs, and yet, from time to time, a leaf casts free of its branch and drifts to the ground. The whole floor of the cavern is deep with them.

At the center of this is a clearing where a monstrous furnace stands -- shaped like a coiled dragon.
human
You put tube in the furnace
gpt
You put the tube into the furnace.
human
You put the rock in the furnace
gpt
You put the rock into the furnace.
human
You ask W,  to go to the west
gpt
A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

A long, vaulted room, lined with cages of filigree and jewels. All of the animals are motionless and still, perhaps through the art of a taxidermist. In one cage is an elephant, so short that he reaches only to your knee; you easily could lift him under one arm and carry him away. In another cage, a giant mouse lies, curled as though slumbering, his paws folded in the semblance of prayer.

Mounted on a swivel on the wall is what looks like an irregular hourglass, one bulb larger than the other. There is no sand within -- nor could there be, since the contraption is open at each end. At the moment the larger end is uppermost.
human
You put the burl in hourglass
gpt
You put the rough burl into the contraption; predictably, it squinches down, passes through the narrow neck, and emerges from the other end larger than it was when it went in.
human
Inventory
gpt
You are carrying:
a rough burl (enlarged; originally a rock)
a tube (enlarged and made of metal)
a ball of yarn
a vellum scroll
a delicate key (enlarged and made of metal) (which opens the
silvered door)
a workbox
a needle
a ring (being worn)
some slippers (being worn)
human
N,U,W
gpt
Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant.

You stand in the center of a dim room, lit from above by a piercing light. Evidently there is another room above you, but the brilliance of its illumination makes it impossible for you to perceive anything up there.

The center of the room is occupied by a bulky expandable staircase.
human
You put the burl in the oven
gpt
Under the bright spot of the magnifying glass, the rough burl begins to smolder and then to burn. After a few minutes, the water boils. There is a hiss and clank from within the machine, and the button in front begins to glow.
human
About yourself
gpt
Some essential restlessness is gone from you; you tremble less than you used to; your hand, relaxed, remains still.

An upright triangle scars the back of your left hand, the symbol of earth.
human
Up
gpt
All the time that you were climbing the stairs, you could barely look forward, so overwhelming was the light that came from this room; but now that you have arrived, you see that it too is lit from somewhere further on and far away.

A flawless metal tetrahedron lies nearby.
human
You look at the tetrahedron
gpt
A four-sided solid figure with triangular faces, made of a coppery metal. On the faces are inscribed all sorts of interlocked and writhing figures, of salamanders, and a phoenix in flight.
human
Shake tetrahedron
gpt
Nothing much results of this.
human
You take it
gpt
You reach for the tetrahedron.
human
Inventory
gpt
Flame licks over you, so fierce it seems you must die.

("Purification of the spirit," he mutters in your ear. "You'll survive. You'll survive." And of course you do; you always survive.)

When you get up again, autumn has arrived. Your legs are weaker than you remember. Your breath catches when you try to run. But you're able to undertake his other errands, in unworldly places.
human
You describe your surroundings
gpt
All the time that you were climbing the stairs, you could barely look forward, so overwhelming was the light that came from this room; but now that you have arrived, you see that it too is lit from somewhere further on and far away.
human
About you
gpt
To physical appearances not much different than before, but changed inside. Grief and anger, weariness and fury are at war in you.

Across the back of your left hand are scarred the symbols of fire and earth.
human
You check your inventory
gpt
You are carrying:
a tube (enlarged and made of metal)
a ball of yarn
a vellum scroll
a delicate key (enlarged and made of metal) (which opens the
silvered door)
a workbox
a needle
a ring (being worn)
some slippers (being worn)
human
You put the yarn in the workbox
gpt
You put the ball of yarn into the workbox.
human
D,E,E
gpt
You stand in the center of a dim room, lit from above by a piercing light. Evidently there is another room above you, but the brilliance of its illumination makes it impossible for you to perceive anything up there.

The center of the room is occupied by a bulky expandable staircase.

Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant.

A long, low room, naturally lit by small windows just beneath the ceiling. Down the center of the room runs a series of pedestals, and on each pedestal stands an automated creature of some sort -- a great clockwork bird; a chorus of glass frogs; a pair of human dancers eternally whirling on the cogged floor of their tiny ballroom.

Beside the door, and running down into the rock of the floor, is an enormous crank of Damascus steel.

On the wall there is an adjustable lever.

From the ceiling high above the second pedestal hangs a wooden octahedron.
human
You look at the octahedron
gpt
Burnt into the surface of the wood is an intricate design of herons and owls, goshawks, peacocks, sparrows, doves, every species of bird; bees; butterflies; the airy drift of clouds, and the shaft of the sun.
human
You examine the crank
gpt
The crank is two handspans long, attached to a long shaft which runs through a sort of socket into the floor. The entire mechanism has been thoroughly greased.
human
You ask W,  to go west
gpt
Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant.

You stand in the center of a dim room, lit from above by a piercing light. Evidently there is another room above you, but the brilliance of its illumination makes it impossible for you to perceive anything up there.

The center of the room is occupied by a bulky expandable staircase.
human
You ask E,  to go east
gpt
Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant.

A long, low room, naturally lit by small windows just beneath the ceiling. Down the center of the room runs a series of pedestals, and on each pedestal stands an automated creature of some sort -- a great clockwork bird; a chorus of glass frogs; a pair of human dancers eternally whirling on the cogged floor of their tiny ballroom.

Beside the door, and running down into the rock of the floor, is an enormous crank of Damascus steel.

On the wall there is an adjustable lever.

From the ceiling high above the second pedestal hangs a wooden octahedron.
human
You examine the dancers
gpt
The dancers are especially fine. Their costume replicates an English mode of perhaps fifty years ago: the lady wears a skirt of beaten copper, pierced in designs, and around the gentleman's neck is a ruff of folded silver.

The effect of their hands and faces is less happy: all their skin is carved ivory, so that they look drawn, and even paler than ordinary English folk.
human
You take the skirt
gpt
That's fixed in place.
human
You examine the lever
gpt
The lever may be set to any of four positions, 0 through 3. At the moment it stands at 0.
human
You set lever to 1
gpt
You push the lever into the 1 position.
human
You pull the lever
gpt
It is fixed in place.
human
You turn the crank
gpt
It takes a good deal of effort to get the crank to turn, but once you have begun, you are able to keep it moving. The bird's wings unfold and flap magnificently, creating a draft in the long hallway, but it fails to get off the ground. One of the wings is missing material over the frame, it seems.
human
You examine the wing
gpt
The frame is an intricate construction of small metal rods, to which the leather of the wings is attached with clips. In one place, however, a piece is missing, leaving the clips empty and the wing incomplete.
human
You check what you're carrying
gpt
You are carrying:
a magnifying glass
a tube (enlarged and made of metal)
a vellum scroll
a delicate key (enlarged and made of metal) (which opens the
silvered door)
a workbox
a ball of yarn
a needle
a ring (being worn)
some slippers (being worn)
human
W,D,S,W
gpt
Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

A long, vaulted room, lined with cages of filigree and jewels. All of the animals are motionless and still, perhaps through the art of a taxidermist. In one cage is an elephant, so short that he reaches only to your knee; you easily could lift him under one arm and carry him away. In another cage, a giant mouse lies, curled as though slumbering, his paws folded in the semblance of prayer.

Mounted on a swivel on the wall is what looks like an irregular hourglass, one bulb larger than the other. There is no sand within -- nor could there be, since the contraption is open at each end. At the moment the smaller end is uppermost.
human
You put scroll in furnace
gpt
You put the vellum scroll into the furnace.
human
You turn the dial to five
gpt
You turn the dial to 5.
human
E,N,U,E
gpt
A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant.

A long, low room, naturally lit by small windows just beneath the ceiling. Down the center of the room runs a series of pedestals, and on each pedestal stands an automated creature of some sort -- a great clockwork bird; a chorus of glass frogs; a pair of human dancers eternally whirling on the cogged floor of their tiny ballroom.

Beside the door, and running down into the rock of the floor, is an enormous crank of Damascus steel.

On the wall there is an adjustable lever.

From the ceiling high above the second pedestal hangs a wooden octahedron.
human
You turn the lever to 2
gpt
You push the lever into the 2 position.
human
You turn the crank
gpt
It takes a good deal of effort to get the crank to turn, but once you have begun, you are able to keep it moving. Under the surface of the pond, wheels of glass turn, causing the koi to swim in their rippled depth; as for the frogs themselves, they begin to sing, a tuneful croaking: brekkekekex, koax, koax.
human
You set the lever to 3
gpt
You push the lever into the 3 position.
human
You turn the crank
gpt
It takes a good deal of effort to get the crank to turn, but once you have begun, you are able to keep it moving. Cogs whir; the dancers meet, and bow, and then begin a graceful dance, all around the floor on which they stand.
human
You examine the dancers
gpt
The dancers are especially fine. Their costume replicates an English mode of perhaps fifty years ago: the lady wears a skirt of beaten copper, pierced in designs, and around the gentleman's neck is a ruff of folded silver.

The effect of their hands and faces is less happy: all their skin is carved ivory, so that they look drawn, and even paler than ordinary English folk.
human
You look at the clips
gpt
The frame is an intricate construction of small metal rods, to which the leather of the wings is attached with clips. In one place, however, a piece is missing, leaving the clips empty and the wing incomplete.
human
You check what you're carrying
gpt
You are carrying:
a vellum scroll
a magnifying glass
a tube (enlarged and made of metal)
a delicate key (enlarged and made of metal) (which opens the
silvered door)
a workbox
a ball of yarn
a needle
a ring (being worn)
some slippers (being worn)
human
Thread needle
gpt
(first taking the needle)
There's nothing appropriate with which to do that.
human
You put the scroll on the bird
gpt
The cloth is far too small to fit across the gap in the frame; it would need to be considerably larger, though cloak-sized would certainly be excessive.
human
Thread needle with yarn
gpt
(first taking the ball of yarn)
The yarn is much too tangly to cooperate.
human
W,D,S,W
gpt
Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

A long, vaulted room, lined with cages of filigree and jewels. All of the animals are motionless and still, perhaps through the art of a taxidermist. In one cage is an elephant, so short that he reaches only to your knee; you easily could lift him under one arm and carry him away. In another cage, a giant mouse lies, curled as though slumbering, his paws folded in the semblance of prayer.

Mounted on a swivel on the wall is what looks like an irregular hourglass, one bulb larger than the other. There is no sand within -- nor could there be, since the contraption is open at each end. At the moment the larger end is uppermost.
human
You put the scroll in the hourglass
gpt
You put the vellum scroll into the contraption; predictably, it squinches down, passes through the narrow neck, and emerges from the other end larger than it was when it went in.
human
E,N,U,E
gpt
A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant.

A long, low room, naturally lit by small windows just beneath the ceiling. Down the center of the room runs a series of pedestals, and on each pedestal stands an automated creature of some sort -- a great clockwork bird; a chorus of glass frogs; a pair of human dancers eternally whirling on the cogged floor of their tiny ballroom.

Beside the door, and running down into the rock of the floor, is an enormous crank of Damascus steel.

On the wall there is an adjustable lever.

From the ceiling high above the second pedestal hangs a wooden octahedron.
human
You put the scroll on the wing
gpt
The cloth is too small to fit across the gap in the frame. Perhaps if it just a little larger...
human
W,D,S,W
gpt
Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant.

From somewhere nearby comes a low rumbling.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

A long, vaulted room, lined with cages of filigree and jewels. All of the animals are motionless and still, perhaps through the art of a taxidermist. In one cage is an elephant, so short that he reaches only to your knee; you easily could lift him under one arm and carry him away. In another cage, a giant mouse lies, curled as though slumbering, his paws folded in the semblance of prayer.

Mounted on a swivel on the wall is what looks like an irregular hourglass, one bulb larger than the other. There is no sand within -- nor could there be, since the contraption is open at each end. At the moment the smaller end is uppermost.
human
You put cloth in the hourglass
gpt
Which do you mean, the vellum scroll, the ball of yarn or the slippers?
human
You put the scroll on the wing
gpt
You carefully secure the sheet of cloth to the bird's wing.
human
You set lever to 1
gpt
You push the lever into the 1 position.
human
You turn the crank
gpt
It takes a good deal of effort to get the crank to turn, but once you have begun, you are able to keep it moving. The bird soars toward the ceiling and circles around the room, knocking the wooden octahedron to the floor. After a moment it resettles on its pedestal.
human
You take the octahedron
gpt
You pick up the octahedron...
human
Continue
gpt
You find yourself back on solid ground, only a little shaken.
human
Look around
gpt
A long, low room, naturally lit by small windows just beneath the ceiling. Down the center of the room runs a series of pedestals, and on each pedestal stands an automated creature of some sort -- a great clockwork bird; a chorus of glass frogs; a pair of human dancers eternally whirling on the cogged floor of their tiny ballroom.

Beside the door, and running down into the rock of the floor, is an enormous crank of Damascus steel.

On the wall there is an adjustable lever.
human
About you
gpt
To physical appearances a little faded, skin translucent, like candle wax. But it is the inward change you feel. Heavy with thought, great with griefs, all that is physical discarded but the toiling of the mind continuous and endless.

Across the back of your left hand are scarred the symbols of fire, earth, and air.
human
Inventory
gpt
You are carrying:
a ball of yarn
a needle
a magnifying glass
a tube (enlarged and made of metal)
a delicate key (enlarged and made of metal) (which opens the
silvered door)
a workbox
a ring (being worn)
some slippers (being worn)
human
You listen
gpt
It's quiet.
human
Go down
gpt
Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.
human
You ask W,  to go downwards
gpt
This is the rim of a great cistern, which is built of bricks and lined with plaster, and must be very old. Along the inside of the cistern, a spiral stair descends towards the surface of the water, more than a full story below you.

The walls themselves are painted with images of the vast unsociable ocean: of the broad empty water, the clustering clouds, the thin and distant crust that is the beginning of the New World.

You have reached the lowest extent of the stair, and stand on what might best be described as a small balcony. The surface of the water is still some distance below you.

Perhaps to deal with predicaments such as that in which you now find yourself, a pulley mechanism has been installed at this level.
human
You remove the slippers
gpt
You take off the slippers.
human
You examine the pulley
gpt
A mossy chain hangs from the pulley: one side descends into the water below, while the other ends in a hook just at a reachable level.
There is currently nothing on the hook.
human
You hang the slippers on the hook
gpt
You settle the slippers over the end of the hook, just as if you were hanging it on a peg at home. Nothing happens -- perhaps something heavier?
human
You wear the slippers
gpt
(first taking the slippers)
You put on the slippers.
human
You check what you're carrying
gpt
You are carrying:
some slippers (being worn)
a ball of yarn
a needle
a magnifying glass
a tube (enlarged and made of metal)
a delicate key (enlarged and made of metal) (which opens the
silvered door)
a workbox
a ring (being worn)
human
Tie the yarn to the workbox
gpt
It's much too tangled.
human
You untangle the yarn
gpt
You are unable to do so.
human
U,E,S,E
gpt
This is the rim of a great cistern, which is built of bricks and lined with plaster, and must be very old. Along the inside of the cistern, a spiral stair descends towards the surface of the water, more than a full story below you.

The walls themselves are painted with images of the vast unsociable ocean: of the broad empty water, the clustering clouds, the thin and distant crust that is the beginning of the New World.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

An orchard of glass trees: trunks slender and orderly as the columns of the Alhambra, foliage iridescent and frail. No wind stirs, and yet, from time to time, a leaf casts free of its branch and drifts to the ground. The whole floor of the cavern is deep with them.

At the center of this is a clearing where a monstrous furnace stands -- shaped like a coiled dragon.
human
You put the slippers in the furnace
gpt
(first taking them off)

You take off the slippers.
You put the slippers into the furnace.
human
You turn the dial to two
gpt
You turn the dial to 2.
human
You check your inventory
gpt
You are carrying:
some slippers (made of glass)
a ball of yarn
a needle
a magnifying glass
a tube (enlarged and made of metal)
a delicate key (enlarged and made of metal) (which opens the
silvered door)
a workbox
a ring (being worn)
human
You wear the slippers
gpt
It's uncomfortable putting on the slippers in this form, and you momentarily wonder whether your feet are small enough. But you do achieve the task at hand.
human
You put the slippers in the furnace
gpt
You put the slippers into the furnace.
human
You turn the dial to 2
gpt
You turn the dial to 2.
human
You go down
gpt
There is an exit east, and a stairway leading up.
human
U,E,D,S,W
gpt
This is the rim of a great cistern, which is built of bricks and lined with plaster, and must be very old. Along the inside of the cistern, a spiral stair descends towards the surface of the water, more than a full story below you.

The walls themselves are painted with images of the vast unsociable ocean: of the broad empty water, the clustering clouds, the thin and distant crust that is the beginning of the New World.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.
Stairs lead up, and doorways open south, east and west.

A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

A long, vaulted room, lined with cages of filigree and jewels. All of the animals are motionless and still, perhaps through the art of a taxidermist. In one cage is an elephant, so short that he reaches only to your knee; you easily could lift him under one arm and carry him away. In another cage, a giant mouse lies, curled as though slumbering, his paws folded in the semblance of prayer.

Mounted on a swivel on the wall is what looks like an irregular hourglass, one bulb larger than the other. There is no sand within -- nor could there be, since the contraption is open at each end. At the moment the smaller end is uppermost.
human
You examine the key
gpt
A delicate key of silvery metal, with precisely-cut teeth.

At the moment, the delicate key is a somewhat enlarged version of itself.
human
You put the yarn in the hourglass
gpt
You put the ball of yarn into the contraption; predictably, it squinches down, passes through the narrow neck, and emerges from the other end larger than it was when it went in.
human
You check your inventory
gpt
You are carrying:
a ball of yarn (enlarged)
some slippers (made of stone)
a needle
a magnifying glass
a tube (enlarged and made of metal)
a delicate key (enlarged and made of metal) (which opens the
silvered door)
a workbox
a ring (being worn)
human
You untangle the yarn
gpt
You are unable to do so.
human
You tie the yarn to the slippers
gpt
It's much too tangled.
human
You put needle in the hourglass
gpt
You put the needle into the contraption; predictably, it squinches down, passes through the narrow neck, and emerges from the other end larger than it was when it went in.
human
You check your inventory
gpt
You are carrying:
a needle (enlarged)
a ball of yarn (enlarged)
some slippers (made of stone)
a magnifying glass
a tube (enlarged and made of metal)
a delicate key (enlarged and made of metal) (which opens the
silvered door)
a workbox
a ring (being worn)
human
You examine the yarn
gpt
A ball of navy wool bigger than your head.
human
You ask W,  to go west
gpt
A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

A long, vaulted room, lined with cages of filigree and jewels. All of the animals are motionless and still, perhaps through the art of a taxidermist. In one cage is an elephant, so short that he reaches only to your knee; you easily could lift him under one arm and carry him away. In another cage, a giant mouse lies, curled as though slumbering, his paws folded in the semblance of prayer.

Mounted on a swivel on the wall is what looks like an irregular hourglass, one bulb larger than the other. There is no sand within -- nor could there be, since the contraption is open at each end. At the moment the smaller end is uppermost.
human
You take the needle
gpt
Ordinarily you'd find something like this a bit of a task to lift, but the rules are different here. Not that it's any less heavy; just that your capacity for endurance is more.
human
W,N,U,W,D
gpt
A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant.

You stand in the center of a dim room, lit from above by a piercing light. Evidently there is another room above you, but the brilliance of its illumination makes it impossible for you to perceive anything up there.

The center of the room is occupied by a bulky expandable staircase. There is an exit east, and a stairway leading up.
human
E,D,W
gpt
Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

This is the rim of a great cistern, which is built of bricks and lined with plaster, and must be very old. Along the inside of the cistern, a spiral stair descends towards the surface of the water, more than a full story below you.

The walls themselves are painted with images of the vast unsociable ocean: of the broad empty water, the clustering clouds, the thin and distant crust that is the beginning of the New World.
human
Go downward
gpt
You have reached the lowest extent of the stair, and stand on what might best be described as a small balcony. The surface of the water is still some distance below you.

Perhaps to deal with predicaments such as that in which you now find yourself, a pulley mechanism has been installed at this level.
human
You look at the workbox
gpt
The wooden box in which you keep small tools for your work around the house.
human
You take the hook
gpt
That's fixed in place.
human
U,E,S,W
gpt
This is the rim of a great cistern, which is built of bricks and lined with plaster, and must be very old. Along the inside of the cistern, a spiral stair descends towards the surface of the water, more than a full story below you.

The walls themselves are painted with images of the vast unsociable ocean: of the broad empty water, the clustering clouds, the thin and distant crust that is the beginning of the New World.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

A long, vaulted room, lined with cages of filigree and jewels. All of the animals are motionless and still, perhaps through the art of a taxidermist. In one cage is an elephant, so short that he reaches only to your knee; you easily could lift him under one arm and carry him away. In another cage, a giant mouse lies, curled as though slumbering, his paws folded in the semblance of prayer.

Mounted on a swivel on the wall is what looks like an irregular hourglass, one bulb larger than the other. There is no sand within -- nor could there be, since the contraption is open at each end. At the moment the smaller end is uppermost.
human
You put slippers in the hourglass
gpt
You put the slippers into the contraption; predictably, it squinches down, passes through the narrow neck, and emerges from the other end larger than it was when it went in.
human
You look at the slippers
gpt
Tattered by too many errands of this kind. And now too large to wear.
human
Go east
gpt
A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.
human
W,N,W,D
gpt
A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

This is the rim of a great cistern, which is built of bricks and lined with plaster, and must be very old. Along the inside of the cistern, a spiral stair descends towards the surface of the water, more than a full story below you.

The walls themselves are painted with images of the vast unsociable ocean: of the broad empty water, the clustering clouds, the thin and distant crust that is the beginning of the New World.

You have reached the lowest extent of the stair, and stand on what might best be described as a small balcony. The surface of the water is still some distance below you.

Perhaps to deal with predicaments such as that in which you now find yourself, a pulley mechanism has been installed at this level.
human
You wear the slippers
gpt
(first taking the slippers)
You put them on, but they slip off again.
human
You check what you're carrying
gpt
You are carrying:
some slippers (enlarged)
a needle (enlarged and made of stone)
a ball of yarn (enlarged)
a magnifying glass
a tube (enlarged and made of metal)
a delicate key (enlarged and made of metal) (which opens the
silvered door)
a workbox
a ring (being worn)
human
You examine the ring
gpt
A plain metal band, without adornment, that you have been accustomed to wear on your right hand. It is the only thing of value you possess.
human
You remove the ring
gpt
You take off the ring.
human
You put the ring on the hook
gpt
Nothing happens -- perhaps something heavier?
human
U,E,S,E
gpt
This is the rim of a great cistern, which is built of bricks and lined with plaster, and must be very old. Along the inside of the cistern, a spiral stair descends towards the surface of the water, more than a full story below you.

The walls themselves are painted with images of the vast unsociable ocean: of the broad empty water, the clustering clouds, the thin and distant crust that is the beginning of the New World.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

An orchard of glass trees: trunks slender and orderly as the columns of the Alhambra, foliage iridescent and frail. No wind stirs, and yet, from time to time, a leaf casts free of its branch and drifts to the ground. The whole floor of the cavern is deep with them.

At the center of this is a clearing where a monstrous furnace stands -- shaped like a coiled dragon.
human
You ask W,  to go west
gpt
A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

A long, vaulted room, lined with cages of filigree and jewels. All of the animals are motionless and still, perhaps through the art of a taxidermist. In one cage is an elephant, so short that he reaches only to your knee; you easily could lift him under one arm and carry him away. In another cage, a giant mouse lies, curled as though slumbering, his paws folded in the semblance of prayer.

Mounted on a swivel on the wall is what looks like an irregular hourglass, one bulb larger than the other. There is no sand within -- nor could there be, since the contraption is open at each end. At the moment the smaller end is uppermost.
human
You check your inventory
gpt
You are carrying:
some slippers (enlarged)
a needle (enlarged and made of stone)
a ball of yarn (enlarged)
a magnifying glass
a tube (enlarged and made of metal)
a delicate key (enlarged and made of metal) (which opens the
silvered door)
a workbox
human
E,N,W,D
gpt
A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

This is the rim of a great cistern, which is built of bricks and lined with plaster, and must be very old. Along the inside of the cistern, a spiral stair descends towards the surface of the water, more than a full story below you.

The walls themselves are painted with images of the vast unsociable ocean: of the broad empty water, the clustering clouds, the thin and distant crust that is the beginning of the New World.

You have reached the lowest extent of the stair, and stand on what might best be described as a small balcony. The surface of the water is still some distance below you.

Perhaps to deal with predicaments such as that in which you now find yourself, a pulley mechanism has been installed at this level.

On the pulley is a ring.
human
You take the ring
gpt
Taken.
human
You put ring on the hook
gpt
(You have a feeling you won't get it back.)

The chain shifts, tugging against its own rust. Then, with a long resentful screech that you can feel in your teeth, the pulley shifts and the ring descends into the water. At the same time, something else is lifted out.

You rub at the bare spot on your ring finger. You've worn that for nearly five years now.
human
Describe the surroundings
gpt
You have reached the lowest extent of the stair, and stand on what might best be described as a small balcony. The surface of the water is still some distance below you.

Perhaps to deal with predicaments such as that in which you now find yourself, a pulley mechanism has been installed at this level.

On the pulley is a perfect icosahedron.

You taste bitter pride. Determination is, in the end, more valuable than any other conceivable commodity.
human
You examine icosahedron
gpt
An icosahedron made of glass, on the surface of which are etched fishes of all kinds, branching coral, dolphins and whales; ships swollen with wind, merfolk, sunk treasure... all the lustre of the surface of the sea, and all the mystery of its depth.
human
You take the icosahedron
gpt
As you remove the burden, the chain shifts again and, with a rattle, comes off the pulley, leaving only the pulley itself, but no hook.

As for the icosahedron, it tingles in your hand--
human
About yourself
gpt
Later, water again: the women washing your mother's body. A voice: "You're going to have to make a decision. What do you want to do now? The convent will take you, if you wish, or you could go into service..."

But you buried your face, and the decisions were made on your behalf.
Then you come back to yourself, your face still wet.
human
About yourself
gpt
You're you.
human
You touch yourself
gpt
The boundaries of yourself still exist, in a fashion.
human
U,E,U,U
gpt
This is the rim of a great cistern, which is built of bricks and lined with plaster, and must be very old. Along the inside of the cistern, a spiral stair descends towards the surface of the water, more than a full story below you.

The walls themselves are painted with images of the vast unsociable ocean: of the broad empty water, the clustering clouds, the thin and distant crust that is the beginning of the New World.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant.

The grumbling of machinery catches your attention.
Up there, cogs and wheels are moving at great speed. You don't dare try to climb up.

The grumbling of machinery catches your attention.
human
You take the sturdy key
gpt
You pull the key lightly out of the statue's grasp. It is warm and familiar in your hand.

The grumbling of machinery catches your attention.
human
You look at the sturdy key
gpt
A sturdy key of golden metal, with precisely-cut teeth.

The grumbling of machinery catches your attention.
human
Up
gpt
Up there, cogs and wheels are moving at great speed. You don't dare try to climb up.
human
Down
gpt
Enter saved game to store: Ok.
human
You touch the statue
gpt
The marble has been given a high degree of polish, taking on almost a soapy quality under your touch.
human
You take the mirror
gpt
That's hardly portable.
human
You go to the south
gpt
Against the rough north wall of the cavern lies a moon-shaped landing of white stone, with a pair of shallow steps down to the glass-black surface of the lake. A Moorish archway leads away to the north.

The only furniture is an ornate metal pole, branching at the top, with dozens of bells hung from the branches.
human
Inventory
gpt
You are carrying:
some slippers (enlarged)
a needle (enlarged and made of stone)
a ball of yarn (enlarged)
a magnifying glass
a tube (enlarged and made of metal)
a workbox
two keys:
a sturdy key
a delicate key (enlarged and made of metal) (which opens the
silvered door)
human
You throw tube at the machinery
gpt
That doesn't make much sense.

From somewhere nearby comes a low rumbling.
human
You turn the statue
gpt
You are unable to.
human
You put the tube in the machinery
gpt
That doesn't make much sense.

The grumbling of machinery catches your attention.
human
Ascend
gpt
Up there, cogs and wheels are moving at great speed. You don't dare try to climb up.

The grumbling of machinery catches your attention.
human
You listen
gpt
It's quiet.
human
You look at the walls
gpt
The squares of precious substances have cut with the greatest care, so that their surfaces are smoothly polished and bevelled. You are unable to determine by what means they have been attached to the stone beneath.

There is one sheet of coppery metal that seems to be coming loose, however.
human
You take sheet
gpt
It is still (though barely) attached to the wall.

From somewhere nearby comes a low rumbling.
human
You pull the sheet
gpt
You succeed in freeing the copper placard: it clatters to the ground, opening a dark hole in the wall protected by a sort of lockable grate.
human
You examine the grate
gpt
Made of sturdy iron bars interlaced.
human
Unlock grate
gpt
(with the sturdy key)
The key is too large to fit the lock.
human
You unlock the grate with the gold key
gpt
The key is too large to fit the lock.
human
You put the sturdy key in the hourglass
gpt
You put the sturdy key into the contraption; predictably, it squinches down, passes through the narrow neck, and emerges from the other end smaller than it was when it went in.
human
E,N,U
gpt
A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant. There is a dark, square hole in the north wall where one of these sheets has been removed.

You can see a placard here.

The grumbling of machinery catches your attention.
human
You unlock the grate with the sturdy key
gpt
The key seems as though it would go in the lock, but it is slightly too small.

From somewhere nearby comes a low rumbling.
human
D,S,W
gpt
Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

A long, vaulted room, lined with cages of filigree and jewels. All of the animals are motionless and still, perhaps through the art of a taxidermist. In one cage is an elephant, so short that he reaches only to your knee; you easily could lift him under one arm and carry him away. In another cage, a giant mouse lies, curled as though slumbering, his paws folded in the semblance of prayer.

Mounted on a swivel on the wall is what looks like an irregular hourglass, one bulb larger than the other. There is no sand within -- nor could there be, since the contraption is open at each end. At the moment the larger end is uppermost.
human
You put the sturdy key in the hourglass
gpt
You put the sturdy key into the contraption; predictably, it squinches down, passes through the narrow neck, and emerges from the other end larger than it was when it went in.
human
E,N,U
gpt
A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant. There is a dark, square hole in the north wall where one of these sheets has been removed.
human
You unlock the grate with the sturdy key
gpt
You unlock the grating and swing it open.
human
Go north
gpt
You're going to need your hands free if you want to crawl in there.

From somewhere nearby comes a low rumbling.
human
You drop all
gpt
sturdy key: Dropped.
slippers: Dropped.
needle: Dropped.
ball of yarn: Dropped.
magnifying glass: You set the magnifying glass down gently.
tube: Dropped.
workbox: Dropped.
delicate key: Dropped.

The grumbling of machinery catches your attention.
human
Go north
gpt
You take a deep breath and enter, suppressing your distaste.

You're crouched in a square crawlspace, barely broader than the width of your shoulders. The absence of light makes things particularly unpleasant.

There's a ferocious rumbling at the northernmost (and lowest) end of the crawlspace, where, you imagine, something very large is rotating.
human
You listen
gpt
It sounds as though something very large is in motion nearby.

The undressed stone of the walls scrapes at you as you move, which is an extremely unpleasant and distracting sensation.
human
You listen
gpt
It sounds as though something very large is in motion nearby.
human
You examine the wall
gpt
(the walls)
You don't see anything particularly exciting.
human
You go to the west
gpt
There's no room in that direction.

The undressed stone of the walls scrapes at you as you move, which is an extremely unpleasant and distracting sensation.

The grumbling of machinery catches your attention.
human
You examine the machinery
gpt
(the celestial clockwork)
You can barely see anything at all.
human
You enter the machinery
gpt
(the celestial clockwork)
That's not something you can enter.

The undressed stone of the walls scrapes at you as you move, which is an extremely unpleasant and distracting sensation.

The grumbling of machinery catches your attention.
human
Down
gpt
There's no room in that direction.

The undressed stone of the walls scrapes at you as you move, which is an extremely unpleasant and distracting sensation.
human
You go south
gpt
Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant. There is a dark, square hole in the north wall where one of these sheets has been removed.

You can see a workbox (which is empty), a tube (which is empty), a magnifying glass, a ball of yarn, a needle, some slippers, a placard and two keys (a delicate key and a sturdy key) here.

"There's no glory in needless martyrdom." The priest again, leaning in the doorway while you scrubbed the floor. "You can come away from here."

You flung dirty water on his shadow, and scowled.
human
Inventory
gpt
You are carrying:
a placard
some slippers (enlarged)
a needle (enlarged and made of stone)
a ball of yarn (enlarged)
a magnifying glass
a tube (enlarged and made of metal)
a workbox
two keys:
a sturdy key (shrunken) (which opens the grating)
a delicate key (enlarged and made of metal) (which opens the
silvered door)

The grumbling of machinery catches your attention.
human
You drop all
gpt
placard: Dropped.
slippers: Dropped.
needle: Dropped.
ball of yarn: Dropped.
magnifying glass: You set the magnifying glass down gently.
tube: Dropped.
workbox: Dropped.
sturdy key: Dropped.
delicate key: Dropped.

From somewhere nearby comes a low rumbling.
human
You take the tube
gpt
Taken.

From somewhere nearby comes a low rumbling.
human
You put the tube in the hole
gpt
You put the tube into the dark hole.
human
You go north
gpt
There's not going to be room while the tube is in there.

From somewhere nearby comes a low rumbling.
human
You get tube
gpt
Taken.

The grumbling of machinery catches your attention.
human
You drop the tube
gpt
Solid, even stone.

The grumbling of machinery catches your attention.

Dropped.
human
Go north
gpt
You take a deep breath and enter, suppressing your distaste.

You're crouched in a square crawlspace, barely broader than the width of your shoulders. The absence of light makes things particularly unpleasant.

There's a ferocious rumbling at the northernmost (and lowest) end of the crawlspace, where, you imagine, something very large is rotating.

The undressed stone of the walls scrapes at you as you move, which is an extremely unpleasant and distracting sensation.
human
You go south
gpt
Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant. There is a dark, square hole in the north wall where one of these sheets has been removed.

You can see a tube (which is empty), two keys (a delicate key and a sturdy key), a workbox (which is empty), a magnifying glass, a ball of yarn, a needle, some slippers and a placard here.
human
Go north
gpt
You take a deep breath and enter, suppressing your distaste.

You're crouched in a square crawlspace, barely broader than the width of your shoulders. The absence of light makes things particularly unpleasant.

There's a ferocious rumbling at the northernmost (and lowest) end of the crawlspace, where, you imagine, something very large is rotating.
human
You throw the tube at the hole
gpt
The tube bounces and falls harmlessly to the ground.
human
You wear the slippers
gpt
(first taking the slippers)
You put them on, but they slip off again.
human
You take the slippers
gpt
You already have those.
human
D,S,E
gpt
Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

An orchard of glass trees: trunks slender and orderly as the columns of the Alhambra, foliage iridescent and frail. No wind stirs, and yet, from time to time, a leaf casts free of its branch and drifts to the ground. The whole floor of the cavern is deep with them.

At the center of this is a clearing where a monstrous furnace stands -- shaped like a coiled dragon.
human
You put the slippers in the hourglass
gpt
You put the slippers into the contraption; predictably, it squinches down, passes through the narrow neck, and emerges from the other end smaller than it was when it went in.
human
You ask N,  to ascend
gpt
Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant. There is a dark, square hole in the north wall where one of these sheets has been removed.

You can see a tube (which is empty), two keys (a delicate key and a sturdy key), a workbox (which is empty), a magnifying glass, a ball of yarn, a needle and a placard here.
human
You put the slippers in the machinery
gpt
(the celestial clockwork)
(first taking them off)

That's not possible in so confined a space.

The undressed stone of the walls scrapes at you as you move, which is an extremely unpleasant and distracting sensation.
human
You enter the clockwork
gpt
That's not something you can enter.

"There's no glory in needless martyrdom." The priest again, leaning in the doorway while you scrubbed the floor. "You can come away from here."

You flung dirty water on his shadow, and scowled.

The undressed stone of the walls scrapes at you as you move, which is an extremely unpleasant and distracting sensation.
human
You enter the clockwork
gpt
That's not something you can enter.

From somewhere nearby comes a low rumbling.
human
You kick machinery
gpt
(the celestial clockwork)
That's not possible in so confined a space.

The undressed stone of the walls scrapes at you as you move, which is an extremely unpleasant and distracting sensation.
human
You feel the stone
gpt
Rough under your fingers.
human
Smell
gpt
You smell nothing unexpected.

The undressed stone of the walls scrapes at you as you move, which is an extremely unpleasant and distracting sensation.
human
You touch the clockwork
gpt
You're not foolish enough to try to put your hands on the moving mechanism.

The undressed stone of the walls scrapes at you as you move, which is an extremely unpleasant and distracting sensation.
human
Hit mechanism
gpt
Unlikely that would achieve anything.
human
Go downwards
gpt
There's no room in that direction.

The undressed stone of the walls scrapes at you as you move, which is an extremely unpleasant and distracting sensation.
human
Look around
gpt
You're crouched in a square crawlspace, barely broader than the width of your shoulders. The absence of light makes things particularly unpleasant.

There's a ferocious rumbling at the northernmost (and lowest) end of the crawlspace, where, you imagine, something very large is rotating.

The undressed stone of the walls scrapes at you as you move, which is an extremely unpleasant and distracting sensation.
human
You check your inventory
gpt
You are carrying:
some slippers (made of stone) (being worn)
human
You wear the placard
gpt
(first taking the placard)
You can't wear that!

From somewhere nearby comes a low rumbling.
human
You put it in the tube
gpt
The needle is too large to fit in there.

From somewhere nearby comes a low rumbling.
human
You examine the statue
gpt
Naked except for the sandals laced around his ankles, empty-handed. His face is more vigorous than beautiful; his hair is arranged around his head in a disorderly array of curls. He is looking up from under a strong brow, his gaze bent on something above you.
human
You take the mantle
gpt
You see yourself upside down -- and other. Your reflection seems taller, more noble, with untattered clothes. And your upside-down face! Neither a woman's face nor a man's, but lovely and severe, with burning eyes.

That seems to be a part of the statue of a woman.
human
You get the mantle
gpt
That seems to be a part of the statue of a woman.
human
You look at the statue in the mirror
gpt
(first taking the concave mirror)
That's hardly portable.
human
Inventory
gpt
You are carrying:
a needle (enlarged and made of stone)
some slippers (made of stone) (being worn)
human
You look at the statue's reflection
gpt
Which do you mean, the statue's head or the statue's mantle?
human
You examine the statue's head
gpt
Her hair is gathered back from her head on each side in curling tendrils; she has a straight and shapely nose, a small full mouth, a round chin.
human
You enter the hourglass
gpt
A daring idea, but impracticable.
human
Examine leaves
gpt
The individual leaves are shaped like spades, but with serrated edges.
human
You poke the elephant with the needle
gpt
Futile.
human
Inventory
gpt
You are carrying:
a needle (enlarged)
some slippers (made of stone) (being worn)
human
E,N,U
gpt
A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant. There is a dark, square hole in the north wall where one of these sheets has been removed.

You can see a placard, a tube (which is empty), two keys (a delicate key and a sturdy key), a workbox (which is empty), a magnifying glass and a ball of yarn here.
human
You take all
gpt
placard: Taken.
tube: Taken.
delicate key: Taken.
sturdy key: Taken.
workbox: Taken.
magnifying glass: Taken.
ball of yarn: Taken.
human
Up
gpt
Up there, cogs and wheels are moving at great speed. You don't dare try to climb up.
human
You put the placard in the hole
gpt
You put the placard into the dark hole.

The grumbling of machinery catches your attention.
human
You look at the placard
gpt
You can't really see the placard.

From somewhere nearby comes a low rumbling.
human
You look around
gpt
Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant. There is a dark, square hole in the north wall where one of these sheets has been removed.

Once your master told the priest that you would be useful. At the time you thought he meant for cleaning house.
human
Inventory
gpt
You are carrying:
a ball of yarn (enlarged)
a magnifying glass
a workbox
two keys:
a sturdy key (shrunken) (which opens the grating)
a delicate key (enlarged and made of metal) (which opens the
silvered door)
a tube (enlarged and made of metal)
a needle (enlarged)
some slippers (made of stone) (being worn)
human
Up
gpt
You clamber up through the stilled wheels...

You stand among cogs and gears, many with teeth longer than your forearm; the outer ring of the floor is wholly occupied with these.

But above is a spangled darkness full of music. The moon hangs overhead, and all the constellations, frozen in their places.

In the center of the floor, bathed in its own light, is a perfect dodecahedron.
human
You examine the dodecahedron
gpt
A solid of unidentifiable material, smooth, shiny, and unflawed, across whose surfaces play the images of stars. Orion. Casseiopeia. The Pleiades. The Great Bear. And here and there among the constellations, the planets, wanderers, appear: traveling back on themselves, then straight again, across the dozen facets of the gem.
human
You take it
gpt
It weighs almost nothing, but you hear its music for a moment in your mind: gracious and yet swift, a courtly dance.
human
You keep going
gpt
He opens the book on his desk, and shows you the images therein: the planets represented by gods, each with attributes; the bird with three heads, cased in a glass bottle; the constellations, given their proper faces. And as you look at the pictures, he tells you about things: Time, eternity. The significance of objects themselves, and of their relationships, of their proportions. Of harmony, both moral and physical.
human
Continue
gpt
Too bad the price has been so great and the reward so slight. Your mother's ring, all you had left of her. Except, of course, the ruins of a house you cannot inhabit.

Destruction gratifies you. Proof of your strength. In small ways the hardness you must practice here creeps into your action in the ordinary world. (Memories you can't disguise from yourself: kicking a little girl, breaking a window for no reason.)
human
You describe your surroundings
gpt
You stand among cogs and gears, many with teeth longer than your forearm; the outer ring of the floor is wholly occupied with these.

But above is a spangled darkness full of music. The moon hangs overhead, and all the constellations, frozen in their places.
human
About yourself
gpt
You don't need to look to know yourself: mind and will and soul, untied from matter.
human
You examine the moon
gpt
Queenly and bright: she seems now a sphere made of silver and ebony, now a beautiful woman in black and white robes, in a chariot drawn by bulls.
human
You look at the stars
gpt
Stars, the size of pomegranates, hanging in perfect emptiness.
human
D,D,S,S
gpt
You clamber down through the stilled wheels...

Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant. There is a dark, square hole in the north wall where one of these sheets has been removed.

Tower, Bottom
You stand at the bottom of a stone tower. Doorways open in each of the cardinal directions, except for the north; there, a spacious niche contains the statue of a woman, skillfully executed in white marble.

The center of the room is occupied by a spiral staircase, but one made of such slender and delicate supports that it obscures neither light nor view.

The silvery door to the south stands open.

A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.

East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.

The silvery door to the north stands open.

Against the rough north wall of the cavern lies a moon-shaped landing of white stone, with a pair of shallow steps down to the glass-black surface of the lake. A Moorish archway leads away to the north.

The only furniture is an ornate metal pole, branching at the top, with dozens of bells hung from the branches.
human
You examine the pole
gpt
Tiny silver bells, each with its tongue.
human
You ring bell
gpt
You tap one of the bells; it chimes so softly as almost not to be heard at all.
human
Shake pole
gpt
The sound is light and clear. A thousand tiny circles form and dissipate on the surface of the water, as though it rained.
human
You listen
gpt
The quiet after rain.

There is a distant splash; a long silence; a repetition.
human
Wait
gpt
Time passes.

A dark shape distinguishes itself from the other darkness on the water: a small gondola without passengers, a single gondolier bent at his pole. It is progressing towards you.
human
You enter the gondola
gpt
The gondolier watches impassively as you clamber in.

With a heavy sigh, the gondolier pushes the gondola off and begins the return journey to the south shore. After a few minutes, you arrive...

A narrow ledge of solid rock at the southern end of a great cavern. Beyond it lies a body of water so flat, so black and tranquil, that it might be a surface of polished obsidian.

A gondola waits nearby, the gondolier leaning against his pole.

Embedded in the wall, a mirror reflects your movements: an odd smoothness in the unshaped stone.

A heavy bronze bell hangs from a stand.

The gondolier lifts his head and sighs softly.
human
You look at the mirror
gpt
A flat round mirror, which reflects you dimly in its face. Around the edge runs the series of signs that fix an earthly object in an unearthly world: your master put this here for your return.

The gondolier, apparently weary of the wait, pushes off from the ledge and is quickly merged again with the darkness.
human
You look in mirror
gpt
(You bow your head to the inevitable, like an ox undergoing the yoke. And hate it. Has nothing changed?)

You slip through the surface of the mirror...
human
You look around
gpt
Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant. There is a dark, square hole in the north wall where one of these sheets has been removed.
human
You touch the mirror
gpt
You reach out and touch the mirror, and your double returns the gesture. Your fingers feel numb and cold.

The gondolier, apparently weary of the wait, pushes off from the ledge and is quickly merged again with the darkness.
human
You examine mirror
gpt
A flat round mirror, which reflects you dimly in its face. Around the edge runs the series of signs that fix an earthly object in an unearthly world: your master put this here for your return.
human
You look in the mirror
gpt
You make out your face -- a bit tired and smudged, and the features look sharper than you remembered. You feel cold just looking at yourself.
human
You take all
gpt
He opens the book on his desk, and shows you the images therein: the planets represented by gods, each with attributes; the bird with three heads, cased in a glass bottle; the constellations, given their proper faces. And as you look at the pictures, he tells you about things: Time, eternity. The significance of objects themselves, and of their relationships, of their proportions. Of harmony, both moral and physical.
Too bad the price has been so great and the reward so slight. Your mother's ring, all you had left of her. Except, of course, the ruins of a house you cannot inhabit.

Destruction gratifies you. Proof of your strength. In small ways the hardness you must practice here creeps into your action in the ordinary world. (Memories you can't disguise from yourself: kicking a little girl, breaking a window for no reason.)
I beg your pardon?
human
You go downwards
gpt
You clamber down through the stilled wheels...

Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant. There is a dark, square hole in the north wall where one of these sheets has been removed.
human
About yourself
gpt
You don't need to look to know yourself: mind and will and soul, untied from matter.
human
You put the glass in the light
gpt
(the magnifying glass in the light hole)
It's out of reach.
human
You look in the mirror
gpt
(You bow your head to the inevitable, like an ox undergoing the yoke. And hate it. Has nothing changed?)

Back home, fast as thinking.
But your master cowers and trembles when he sees you, and cannot be made to know you until you put the knowledge into him.

Your positions are, from now on, reversed: it is he who bows to you, who follows and obeys you. Some rip has occurred in the illusion you called the world, so that everywhere you go, you find the substance and the structure beyond.
human
Go east
gpt
On the curving walls are painted the village and the nearby countryside; beyond those are impossibly distant places (labelled for your better instruction): Paris, spired and shimmering; southward Rome; a misty London in the north.

One of the large paving stones has been removed from its position, and a ladder descends into the dark gap beneath.
human
Go upwards
gpt
The only exit is down the stairs you came up.
human
You look at the frogs
gpt
Made of green Venetian ware, set in a pond full of lilies. The largest is a bullfrog, with bulging eyes and a full extended throat.

The water is done in several layers of glass, so that through the mottled blue of the surface you can discern the darting koi painted on the lower levels.
human
You look at the pond
gpt
The surface layer is interlocked with ripples, and mottled blue and clear; beneath are several levels of fish, some close and large, some small and almost invisible with depth.
human
You touch the pond
gpt
The surface of the pond feels uneven under your fingers, and you wonder what technique could have produced so accurate an impression of broken water.
human
You go south
gpt
Stairs lead up and down, and doorways open east and west.
human
You look in the lake
gpt
You're arrested by your own faint reflection, staring back pale and disshevelled from the surface.
human
You think
gpt
You're thinking pretty much constantly.
human
You wake up
gpt
Who is to say whether you are awake now or sleeping? But whichever it is, you cannot change that state by your own volition.
human
You look in the keyhole
gpt
Since the door is open, you find yourself peering through at the adjacent wall.
human
You examine the light
gpt
It's hard to tell, from here, whether you are seeing sunlight or some other kind. You see daylight rarely in your travels; these are isolated places, self-contained.

But the light is too bright too look at long, whether it falls through glass or empty air; it carries no heat.
human
You enter the light
gpt
It's out of reach.
human
You look in the mirrors
gpt
(Yes, why not? An easier way than to go home, in bitterness.)

You leap, divide, return by multiple ways.
Out of unity into multiplicity, out of time into the eternal instant. Feeling all the surface of the walls on your back, having the image of every angle in your eyes. In this little space, you know as much as God himself: omniscience bounded in a hollow shell.
human
You examine north wall
gpt
The north wall has been scraped into a rough obedience; set into it, an archway of white stone, shaped like a keyhole.
human
You examine the archway
gpt
Outlined in white stone and decorated with a geometric pattern.
human
You touch the lake
gpt
So cold it burns your fingers and leaves your whole arm feeling momentarily numb.
human
You examine the water
gpt
It's too far away for you to reach from here.
human
You look in the water
gpt
It's too dark to see anything that might be down there.
human
You descend
gpt
The only exit is the spiral stair, by which you can emerge from the cistern.
human
You jump
gpt
(Yes, why not? An easier way than to go home, in bitterness.)

You let yourself go, fall-- down, to, through the surface of the water -- fading the deeper you go, losing yourself in the infinite depth, until you come to dark unbeing and cool slumber at the world's heart.
human
You examine the ocean
gpt
A great expanse of open water, in some places calm, in some rough. Here and there the artist has added sea creatures: the fins of fish, a coil of the Leviathan. Trade ships run before the wind, bent steeply on their courses. And pirates after them.
human
You examine the pirates
gpt
Almost too small to see, numerous but dwarfed by the ocean itself.
human
You look at the pirates with the lens
gpt
(A fatalistic gesture, of sorts, since you can't bring yourself to put an actual end to your life. But you're sick of home, and yourself, and mean to flee both.)

And end on a squalid deck, stinking of close-packed bodies and unfresh meat. The horizon tips and sways, and you clutch the railing, trying to find your place, your balance. You had not really even understood that there were such places as this in the world, let alone that you might come to them.

Then someone shouts at you in gutter Spanish, and you reply without thinking. In your glass, a fat English vessel is crowding sail.
There will be a fine take before nightfall...
human
You look at new World with the lens
gpt
(A fatalistic gesture, of sorts, since you can't bring yourself to put an actual end to your life. But you're sick of home, and yourself, and mean to flee both.)
You fall through the magnifying glass, and find yourself-- On a bare strand, between the forest and the open sea. There are no footsteps, no buildings, no signs of harbor or of habitation. Just pale sand, virgin underfoot.
human
You examine new World
gpt
A thin strip of coastline on the horizon, showing a dense growth of strange trees, and in a few places mountains rising out of the surrounding land. A single plume of smoke rises from this shore, as though to indicate that the land is inhabited, though only just.

Some of the picture is too tiny for you to make out with the naked eye.
human
You examine the village with the lens
gpt
(A fatalistic gesture, of sorts, since you can't bring yourself to put an actual end to your life. But you're sick of home, and yourself, and mean to flee both.)
You fall through the magnifying glass, and find yourself-- Where you have no further use for the knowledge gained from books, or any of the hard and tortuous learning that your master practices, with its arcana and its grim secrets.
human
You examine the trade ships with the lens
gpt
(A fatalistic gesture, of sorts, since you can't bring yourself to put an actual end to your life. But you're sick of home, and yourself, and mean to flee both.)

Barefoot on a sloping deck. The horizon tips unpleasantly. Elation and terror mingle in your gut -- and you puke spectacularly over the side.
human
You look at the paris with lens
gpt
(A fatalistic gesture, of sorts, since you can't bring yourself to put an actual end to your life. But you're sick of home, and yourself, and mean to flee both.)

You're translated instantly into that bright and shallow world: silks, canopies, masques. Everything you were before takes but a moment to forget. Long hours, work, servitude; the light in Tuscany; your mother's grave.

And then you're gathering your skirts and descending the grand stairs, your slippers silent on the marble.
human
You look at London
gpt
The fog seems to part a little even as you look. You see the houses of merchants, and men planning expeditions, and the builders of ships, and other things, small but perfect: however closely you look you can't seem to see it all.
human
You examine London with the lens
gpt
(A fatalistic gesture, of sorts, since you can't bring yourself to put an actual end to your life. But you're sick of home, and yourself, and mean to flee both.)

And suddenly you're on the stage, sleeves of your costume flapping, voice loud: "Nothing of him that doth fade / but doth suffer a sea-change..." No time to think, only to act. The part comes naturally to you: feigned service to a magician-master, trouble, tempest, truth. Your freedom, earned.

Later, undressing in the room behind the stage, you'll remember only that you've forgotten something.
human
You look at the rome
gpt
The image grows in your eyes as you look: there are the ruins of the ancients, arches and pillars. There are the palaces of the modern princes, and the court of the Pope, with the Pontiff himself on his throne, and all his Cardinals around. And there are other things, too small and fine for you to see.
human
You examine the rome with the lens
gpt
(A fatalistic gesture, of sorts, since you can't bring yourself to put an actual end to your life. But you're sick of home, and yourself, and mean to flee both.)

And you're standing in a crowded corridor with the light squeezing in the windows. Everywhere around you is the sussurus of speech -- Italian, Latin, whispered French, sibilants and nasals. Your brain reaches for, but cannot wholly grasp, an understanding.

But you are swept along soon enough with the other pawns, children, servants and hangers-on, into a maze of politics and prayer.
human
You look at the walls
gpt
The squares of precious substances have cut with the greatest care, so that their surfaces are smoothly polished and bevelled. You are unable to determine by what means they have been attached to the stone beneath.

In one place, however, the placard has been moved away and a dark space exposed beneath.
human
Go up
gpt
You clamber up through the stilled wheels...

You stand among cogs and gears, many with teeth longer than your forearm; the outer ring of the floor is wholly occupied with these.

But above is a spangled darkness full of music. The moon hangs overhead, and all the constellations, frozen in their places.
human
You drop all
gpt
ball of yarn: Dropped.
magnifying glass: You set the magnifying glass down gently.
workbox: Dropped.
sturdy key: Dropped.
delicate key: Dropped.
tube: Dropped.
needle: Dropped.
human
You go north
gpt
You take a deep breath and enter, suppressing your distaste.

You're crouched in a square crawlspace, barely broader than the width of your shoulders. The absence of light makes things particularly unpleasant.

There's a faint draft at the northern end of the tunnel.
human
Go north
gpt
There's no room in that direction.

The undressed stone of the walls scrapes at you as you move, which is an extremely unpleasant and distracting sensation.
human
You enter the mechanism
gpt
That's not something you can enter.

The undressed stone of the walls scrapes at you as you move, which is an extremely unpleasant and distracting sensation.
human
Touch mechanism
gpt
The metal is astonishingly cold to the touch, especially for something that has been in such constant motion.

The undressed stone of the walls scrapes at you as you move, which is an extremely unpleasant and distracting sensation.
human
Go south
gpt
Tower, Mid-level
A midpoint in the tower, with doorways east and west, lit from above. The south wall is occupied by a deep niche, in which is a statue of a young man in the Greek mode.

The walls have been sheathed with a variety of fine materials, all exceptionally costly: sheets of beaten gold, squares of lapis lazuli, placards of ruby and adamant. There is a dark, square hole in the north wall where one of these sheets has been removed.

You can see a needle, a tube (which is empty), two keys (a delicate key and a sturdy key), a workbox (which is empty), a magnifying glass and a ball of yarn here.
human
You take all
gpt
needle: Taken.
tube: Taken.
delicate key: Taken.
sturdy key: Taken.
workbox: Taken.
magnifying glass: Taken.
ball of yarn: Taken.
human
You look in the gold
gpt
(the sturdy key)
You find nothing of interest.
human
You look through lens
gpt
[ Try LOOK THROUGH GLASS AT <thing> ]
human
You go south
gpt
Stairs lead up and down, and doorways open east and west.
human
You put the yarn in the dragon
gpt
You put the ball of yarn into the furnace.
human
You look at the ball
gpt
A glass ball, like those that scryers use.
human
You look in it
gpt
You peer at the small figure of your master, there at the center of the farseeing glass.

The bending in is startling -- pressure in your head, in your lungs -- and then the release comes suddenly.
And here you are, at home. He hasn't seen you yet; he's still bent over the bed with its tossed blankets and the lines he tied over you when you slept. You reach down and touch the top of his head.

It is a moment before he recognizes you. "How did you--?" He gestures at the mattress, empty. "You should have come back here."

"I took my own way."

His gaze falls, from your face to the thing gleaming in your left hand, and you see that he knows he will never again send you unwilling on any errand.
human
You put the box in the dragon
gpt
You put the workbox into the furnace.
human
Examine box
gpt
An ordinary round box, but made of metal.
human
You look in the box
gpt
The workbox is empty.
human
You put the ball in the dragon
gpt
You can only fit one thing into the furnace at a time.
human
You take all from dragon
gpt
Removed.
human
You put the ball in the dragon
gpt
You put the scrying glass into the furnace.
human
You turn the ear to 4
gpt
It is already set to that position.
human
You look at the ball
gpt
A large shining ball of metal.
human
You look in the ball
gpt
You find it hard to see through the opaque material.
human
You examine the ball with the lens
gpt
You peer at the small figure of your master, there at the center of the farseeing glass.

The bending in is startling -- pressure in your head, in your lungs -- and then the release comes suddenly.
human
Juggle ball
gpt
And here you are, at home. He hasn't seen you yet; he's still bent over the bed with its tossed blankets and the lines he tied over you when you slept. You reach down and touch the top of his head.

It is a moment before he recognizes you. "How did you--?" He gestures at the mattress, empty. "You should have come back here."

"I took my own way."

His gaze falls, from your face to the thing gleaming in your left hand, and you see that he knows he will never again send you unwilling on any errand.