system
You are the dungeon master of a text adventure game. The game should involve the following genres and tags:
Zorkian, fan fiction,TADS,TADS 2,walkthrough,Xyzzy Awards 1996,XYZZY Best Individual NPC,Zork
gpt
GlkTADS - A text-only TADS 2.5.3 Interpreter.

Maintained by Stephen Granade <sgranade@phy.duke.edu>

"Hello. You have reached the Frobozz Magic Support Company hotglyph. All our adepts are busy at present, but if you keep chanting the invocation you used to summon this image, a support clerk will be with you shortly. In the meantime, please relax while the Accardia Barbershop Musicians Guild presents Movements VIII-XVI of 'Ode to Belboz'. Thank you for summoning Frobozz Magic Support."



The six interior walls of this perfectly cubical room are perfectly white and featureless. A single silver compass rose, balancing a delicate crystal sphere on its bloom, floats like a pedestal above the floor.
human
You look at the bar
gpt
It's a bar of everyone's favourite snack food, granola. Stamped into its side are the words "Product of the Frobozz Magic Granola Mining Company Antharia."
human
You look at Book
gpt
The book is leather-bound and bears the title "My Log Book" in flowing gilt lettering. It is currently closed.
human
Xyzzy
gpt
Unfortunately, you never quite finished Elementary Enchanting 101, so you have no idea how to cast, or even learn, that spell. If indeed it is a spell.
human
You open Book
gpt
As you open the log book, an animated burin flutters out.

"Hi there," says the burin cheerfully. "You must be the new support clerk everyone's been talking about. No, don't say it, I know what you're going to ask. What's such a smart and attractive burin like me doing in a low paid job like Magic Support? Well, I've asked myself that same question many times, believe me, and the best answer I've come up with is that I love my work. Yes sir, I just love task logging. Give me a task to log, any task, and I'll have it written down before you can say Zebulon's your uncle!"
human
Yes
gpt
"Great! I can see we're going to get along famously, Zog the mighty." The burin buzzes around excitedly, then settles into a casual hovering pattern over your head.
human
You look at burin
gpt
This burin looks much every other burin you've seen, except for the small wings protruding from its pen-like body, and the tiny glowing eyes on its nib.
human
Log task
gpt
The burin blinks at you. "I don't see any task worth logging here."

"This reminds me of Old Quendor," muses the burin to itself. "Or was it Kroz? Anyways, thems were the days, they had real adventurers back then, yessiree."
human
You look at the pedestal
gpt
The compass rose is so beautiful it would bring tears to the eyes of a grue. Oddly enough, it seems to float perfectly centred in the middle of the room.
human
You read Log
gpt
The opened log book contains a list of previous magic support problems and solutions, signed and dated by the clerk on duty at the time.

24/4   Malyon spell backfired; burin accidentally animated. Oops. Zuzvuz.
27/4   Adventurer eaten by stray grues. Resurrected with gaspar. Zuzvuz.
32/4   Trolls ravaging village. Applied two-handed axe; resolved. Felenar.
6/5    Some trouble communicating with cyclops. See legend 2001. Zuzvuz.
13/5   Adventurer llepsed gaspar. Summoned Implementors. Zuzvuz.
17/5   Implementors de-implemented Zuzvuz. Attempted blorple to Old Quendor. Felenar.
20/5   Felenar and Zuzvuz missing. Sent replacement job application to GUE Tech. Sorkin.
23/5   GUE Tech gated to Old Quendor. Llepsed golmac might work. Sorkin.
29/5   Two words: why me? New support clerk arrives tomorrow. Must train
before (after) breaking Sorkin's time loop. Assuming
counterspell
exists, if not... Helistar.
human
You ask burin about Sorkin
gpt
The burin launches into a lengthy exposition on the meaning of life, with special consideration to the role of sentient burins as its prime representatives. After discussing and refuting all imaginable challenges to this thesis, the burin abruptly stops and says, "I'm sorry, what was the question again?"

The burin practises its penthingship.
human
You ask burin about Log
gpt
"It's a log book," explains the burin patiently. "Used for logging Magic Support tasks. When you finish a task, just tell me to log it and I'll write all the details up for you. I'm really very good at it. It's almost as if I were born to log tasks, and nothing else."
human
You ask burin about the job
gpt
The burin thinks for a moment and replies, "Tuesday."
human
You ask burin about the rose
gpt
The burin flaps thoughtfully and replies, "According to the traditional Thardon the Deep interpretation of Blorbaz the Seer, which was of course completely rejected by Antrodon, advisor to Duncanthrax himself, there are such an infinite number of potential frames of reference that it is quite impossible for two individuals to discourse intelligently about a compass rose without losing all touch with reality. But I don't believe a word of that myself."
human
You take burin
gpt
The burin flits out of reach.
human
You ask burin about the helistar
gpt
The burin thinks for a moment and replies, "The butler, in the Double Fanucci room, with the wand of polymorphism."
human
You ask burin about Zuzvuz
gpt
The burin thinks for a moment and replies, "No."

The burin nibbles softly at your ear.
human
Turn rose
gpt
You feel a strong desire to go somewhere, anywhere.
human
You ask burin about yourself
gpt
The burin stretches its wings and preens. "Of course, I'm sure I could tell you everything ever written about yourself, but that would spoil all the fun, wouldn't it?"

The burin flies a slow loop around your shoulder.
human
You take the sphere
gpt
A warning nymph appears before you, writes "You do know you're not allowed to take company property, don't you?" in the air with her finger, then vanishes with a broad wink.
human
Go north
gpt
Oddly enough, you find your way blocked by an invisible barrier.

"Isn't this fun?" giggles the burin. "By the Quill, 'twill make a tall tale to tell thy tykes."
human
You look at the rose
gpt
The compass rose is so beautiful it would bring tears to the eyes of a grue. Oddly enough, it seems to float perfectly centred in the middle of the room.
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are standing on a barren, windswept plain. A knight in black armour clatters past toward a foreboding stone tower, and from the distance, a beautiful maiden's voice calls out. "Help me! My rezrov scroll is gone and I must flee before the Dark Lord comes!"

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.
human
Go north
gpt
As you move in that direction, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

The road bends here, running northwest to a distant tower and south to the mountains. Across a barren plain to the east, a wide rutted cart track bears the scars of recent heavy troop movements.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.

"You aren't lost, are you?" quips the burin worriedly.
human
Log task
gpt
The burin blinks at you. "I don't see any task worth logging here."
human
Go east
gpt
You have stumbled into the camp of some invading army. Tents, battering rams and hand weapons are stacked neatly all around, awaiting the coming attack. Nobody appears to have noticed you yet, but you have the distinct feeling that novice magic support clerks are not highly regarded around here. The plain opens to the west.

You see a black cube here.

An animated burin hovers over your head.

The burin gives a screech of agony and dives back into the log book, which snaps closed after it.
human
You examine cube
gpt
The cube is about an inch on a side, and is featureless black, apart from a tiny legend embossed on one face.
human
You look at the legend
gpt
"Frobozz Magic Defence Research Company Weapons Grade Antimagic."
human
You get the cube
gpt
Taken.
human
Go west
gpt
The road bends here, running northwest to a distant tower and south to the mountains. Across a barren plain to the east, a wide rutted cart track bears the scars of recent heavy troop movements.

You see a white cube here.
human
You touch the white cube
gpt
As you touch the cube, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

The six interior walls of this perfectly cubical room are perfectly white and featureless. A single silver compass rose, balancing a delicate crystal sphere on its bloom, floats like a pedestal above the floor.

The black cube vaporises instantly!
The crystal sphere tumbles to the floor!
The compass rose bursts into a flower of flame!
human
You go south
gpt
This north-south highway seems to lead forever through a barren wilderness. Distant mountains to the south remain constantly on the horizon. A billboard to the side of the road reads "Why."
human
You go south
gpt
This north-south highway seems to lead forever through a barren wilderness. Distant mountains to the south remain constantly on the horizon. A billboard to the side of the road reads "walk."
human
Go south
gpt
This north-south highway seems to lead forever through a barren wilderness. Distant mountains to the south remain constantly on the horizon. A billboard to the side of the road reads "when."
human
You go south
gpt
This north-south highway seems to lead forever through a barren wilderness. Distant mountains to the south remain constantly on the horizon. A billboard to the side of the road reads "you."
human
Go south
gpt
This north-south highway seems to lead forever through a barren wilderness. Distant mountains to the south remain constantly on the horizon. A billboard to the side of the road reads "can."
human
You go south
gpt
This north-south highway seems to lead forever through a barren wilderness. Distant mountains to the south remain constantly on the horizon. A billboard to the side of the road reads "take."
human
You go to the south
gpt
This north-south highway seems to lead forever through a barren wilderness. Distant mountains to the south remain constantly on the horizon. A billboard to the side of the road reads "a."
human
Go south
gpt
This north-south highway seems to lead forever through a barren wilderness. Distant mountains to the south remain constantly on the horizon. A billboard to the side of the road reads "cube?."
human
You go south
gpt
This north-south highway seems to lead forever through a barren wilderness. Distant mountains to the south remain constantly on the horizon. A billboard to the side of the road reads "Frobozz."
human
Go south
gpt
This north-south highway seems to lead forever through a barren wilderness. Distant mountains to the south remain constantly on the horizon. A billboard to the side of the road reads "Magic."
human
You go south
gpt
This north-south highway seems to lead forever through a barren wilderness. Distant mountains to the south remain constantly on the horizon. A billboard to the side of the road reads "Billboard."
human
Go south
gpt
This north-south highway seems to lead forever through a barren wilderness. Distant mountains to the south remain constantly on the horizon. A billboard to the side of the road reads "Company."
human
Go south
gpt
This north-south highway seems to lead forever through a barren wilderness. Distant mountains to the south remain constantly on the horizon. A billboard to the side of the road reads "...."
human
You go north
gpt
You see a white cube here.

You wander across the plain for a while, but find nothing of interest, so you return to the road.

You wander across the plain for a while, but find nothing of interest, so you return to the road.

You wander across the plain for a while, but find nothing of interest, so you return to the road.
human
Go northwest
gpt
You are standing beneath a menacing black stone tower. The only entrance at ground level seems to be a sturdy oak door which is shut and bolted fast. However, rough stone steps wind up around the outside and vanish somewhere near the top. The road leads back across a barren plain to the southeast.
human
You look at the door
gpt
It's firmly shut, and plans to stay that way.
human
You examine Tower
gpt
It looks like a Frobozz Magic Castle Company Princess Peril (TM) Tower For Her, as advertised in last month's catalog edition of "Better Keeps and Dungeons".
human
You look at the steps
gpt
The steps lead upward.
human
Go upwards
gpt
(climbing the steps)
Atop the Tower
You are crouched on a minnaret at the top of a menacing stone tower. Rough stone steps lead down around the outside and vanish somewhere near the ground. A dark chimney opening to the northwest seems the only way in - but once inside, you could not climb back out.
human
Go downwards
gpt
(climbing down the steps)
Outside the Tower
You are standing beneath a menacing black stone tower. The only entrance at ground level seems to be a sturdy oak door which is shut and bolted fast. However, rough stone steps wind up around the outside and vanish somewhere near the top. The road leads back across a barren plain to the southeast.
human
You drop the black cube
gpt
Dropped.
human
Go southeast
gpt
The road bends here, running northwest to a distant tower and south to the mountains. Across a barren plain to the east, a wide rutted cart track bears the scars of recent heavy troop movements.

You see a white cube here.
human
You touch the cube
gpt
As you touch the cube, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

The six interior walls of this perfectly cubical room are perfectly white and featureless. A single silver compass rose, balancing a delicate crystal sphere on its bloom, floats like a pedestal above the floor.
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are swimming in the depths of an unfathomable ocean. A dark shape with sleek fins and hundreds of shiny white teeth looms toward you and thinks, "Eat eat hungry eat, er, this is most embarrassing, but my snavig spell appears to have jammed on. Could you possibly help?"

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.
human
You open Log
gpt
Opened. The burin flutters out again.
human
You ask burin about the snavig
gpt
The burin thinks for a moment and replies, "Tuesday."
human
Look around
gpt
The six interior walls of this perfectly cubical room are perfectly white and featureless. A single silver compass rose, balancing a delicate crystal sphere on its bloom, floats like a pedestal above the floor.

An animated burin is perched on your head.

The burin makes a lunge at its shadow, and misses.
human
Go east
gpt
As you move in that direction, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

You are standing on a tiny rock islet, barely more than a few feet across, in the middle of a vast ocean. No land is visible in any direction, and the water swirls threateningly about your feet.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin hovers over your head.
human
You examine the ocean
gpt
You see a circling fin far below.
human
You examine the fin
gpt
It has a fishy kind of look to it.
human
No
gpt
You wisely decide to stay high and dry.
human
You touch the cube
gpt
As you touch the cube, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

The six interior walls of this perfectly cubical room are perfectly white and featureless. A single silver compass rose, balancing a delicate crystal sphere on its bloom, floats like a pedestal above the floor.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.

"If you can pick it up, it's yours," the burin sniggers sagely.
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are in pitch darkness. From all around you can hear horrible lurking droolings, and a single sudden metallic clatter. A nervous voice says, "Hello? Can you bring a new battery? I don't know for sure, but I think these might be gr - "

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are standing on the peak of a mountain reaching high above the rim of the world. Dazzling light fills your eyes, and a hollow voice booms down:
"Don't try to match wits with us, Zuzvuz. We'll consider your request for reimplementation in the next beta release, not a single compile before."

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.

The burin preens itself, licking traces of ink from its nib.
human
You go upwards
gpt
As you move in that direction, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

You are standing on the apex of a towering rock pinnacle high in the southern mountains. Before you, to the northeast, stands the unfinished shell of a building, presumably a temple of some kind.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
You look at the temple
gpt
The temple, or what parts of have been built, appears to have been carved out of perfectly white rock, but its age or purpose is unguessable. An elaborate ornamental frieze runs around the temple's outside walls, covered with cryptic runes.
human
You look at the frieze
gpt
oqg974 qhe 5y3 d9j0o353e g99i 9r 548qow 0oqd3 5y3j
9h 5y3 d7g3 8h 5yq5 94e34 5y3h dqw5 123456 r974
58j3w e9h5 t35 85 249ht w8th3e 5y3 8j0o3j3h594w
human
%
gpt
GlkTADS - A text-only TADS 2.5.3 Interpreter.

Maintained by Stephen Granade <sgranade@phy.duke.edu>

"Hello. You have reached the Frobozz Magic Support Company hotglyph. All our adepts are busy at present, but if you keep chanting the invocation you used to summon this image, a support clerk will be with you shortly. In the meantime, please relax while the Accardia Barbershop Musicians Guild presents Movements VIII-XVI of 'Ode to Belboz'. Thank you for summoning Frobozz Magic Support."



The six interior walls of this perfectly cubical room are perfectly white and featureless. A single silver compass rose, balancing a delicate crystal sphere on its bloom, floats like a pedestal above the floor.
human
You open Book
gpt
As you open the log book, an animated burin flutters out.

"Hi there," says the burin cheerfully. "You must be the new support clerk everyone's been talking about. No, don't say it, I know what you're going to ask. What's such a smart and attractive burin like me doing in a low paid job like Magic Support? Well, I've asked myself that same question many times, believe me, and the best answer I've come up with is that I love my work. Yes sir, I just love task logging. Give me a task to log, any task, and I'll have it written down before you can say Zebulon's your uncle!"
human
Yes
gpt
"Great! I can see we're going to get along famously, Krosk lord of blood." The burin buzzes around excitedly, then settles into a casual hovering pattern over your head.
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are standing on a barren, windswept plain. A knight in black armour clatters past toward a foreboding stone tower, and from the distance, a beautiful maiden's voice calls out. "Help me! My rezrov scroll is gone and I must flee before the Dark Lord comes!"

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are swimming in the depths of an unfathomable ocean. A dark shape with sleek fins and hundreds of shiny white teeth looms toward you and thinks, "Eat eat hungry eat, er, this is most embarrassing, but my snavig spell appears to have jammed on. Could you possibly help?"

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.

"This reminds me of Old Quendor," muses the burin to itself. "Or was it Kroz? Anyways, thems were the days, they had real adventurers back then, yessiree."
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are in pitch darkness. From all around you can hear horrible lurking droolings, and a single sudden metallic clatter. A nervous voice says, "Hello? Can you bring a new battery? I don't know for sure, but I think these might be gr - "

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are standing on the peak of a mountain reaching high above the rim of the world. Dazzling light fills your eyes, and a hollow voice booms down:
"Don't try to match wits with us, Zuzvuz. We'll consider your request for reimplementation in the next beta release, not a single compile before."

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.
human
You enter the temple
gpt
You are inside the temple, which seems to be built roughly in a square; the roof, still unfinished, is open to the sky. In the centre of the room stands a transparent crystalline cube, about a metre a side. A doorless archway leads out to the southwest.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.

The burin flies a slow loop around your shoulder.
human
You examine cube
gpt
The crystal cube is perfectly transparent.
human
You enter the cube
gpt
I don't know how to enter the crystal cube.

The burin makes a lunge at its shadow, and misses.
human
You examine the archway
gpt
The archway leads out to the southwest.
human
Qwerty
gpt
Unfortunately, you never quite finished Elementary Enchanting 101, so you have no idea how to cast, or even learn, that spell. If indeed it is a spell.
human
Exit
gpt
You are standing on the apex of a towering rock pinnacle high in the southern mountains. Before you, to the northeast, stands the unfinished shell of a building, presumably a temple of some kind.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
You examine the mountains
gpt
The rock pinnacle that you're on stands tall and alone among the mountains.
human
Go down
gpt
There is no apparent way down the pinnacle.

The burin flutters around your head.
human
You touch the cube
gpt
As you touch the cube, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

The six interior walls of this perfectly cubical room are perfectly white and featureless. A single silver compass rose, balancing a delicate crystal sphere on its bloom, floats like a pedestal above the floor.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are clinging to the edge of a bridge above a vast chasm. A thundering waterfall cascades through a rainbow below, while from behind a bored voice yawns, "So tell me then, how do I get that pot of gold?"

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.
human
You go south
gpt
As you move in that direction, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

You are standing at the end of a path running north into dense forest. A small sign casts a shadow beside the path, while just to the south, a wooden bridge leads across a massive chasm.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
You examine the bridge
gpt
The bridge is off to the south.

"You aren't lost, are you?" quips the burin worriedly.
human
You examine the sign
gpt
"Notice: The Forest of Eternal Chaos is temporarily under enchantment while we alter local reality to comply with new Quendor Tourism Guild guidelines. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Frobozz Magic Conservation Company."

The sign seems to have a small arrow carved into one edge, and casts a deep shadow beside the footprint-covered path.
human
You examine the shadow
gpt
The shadow points due north, into the forest. A small clump of moss is growing in the shadow, at the base of the sign.
human
You look at sun
gpt
The sun is visible to the south of here.
human
You look at the moss
gpt
The moss is on the north side of the sign.

"Make sure you get a good look at everything," cheeps the burin helpfully.
human
You go south
gpt
Chasm, on the bridge
You are standing on a wooden bridge, which stretches halfway across a vast chasm to the south. Beyond the bridge, a rainbow arcs across the chasm through clouds of mist from a spectacular waterfall.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.
human
You go north
gpt
You are standing at the end of a path running north into dense forest. A small sign casts a shadow beside the path, while just to the south, a wooden bridge leads across a massive chasm.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin hovers over your head.
human
You go north
gpt
The forest seems to change subtly as you enter it.

You are deep in the forest, surrounded by towering trees and sticky clinging vines. A trail winds through the trees at this point, but then seems to fade into the undergrowth without a trace. Your sense of direction feels strangely altered.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.

The burin practises its penthingship.
human
You examine the tree
gpt
These towering forest giants block most of the sky. There's a small patch of moss on the nearest tree.
human
You go northwest
gpt
The forest seems to change subtly as you move to the northwest.

You are deep in the forest, surrounded by towering trees and sticky clinging vines. A trail winds through the trees at this point, but then seems to fade into the undergrowth without a trace. Your sense of direction feels strangely altered.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.

A bored tourist wanders around looking lost.

The tourist looks up at you with a faint flicker of interest. "Frobozz Magic Support? At least something works around here. Look, I'll do anything you ask, just get me out of this stupid forest!"

The burin preens itself, licking traces of ink from its nib.
human
You follow you
gpt
"Huh?" says the tourist.
human
You look at the tourist
gpt
The tourist wears a gaudy flower print T-shirt and a pair of shorts, and is carrying nothing. He scratches his head and yawns every few minutes.
human
You examine the sun
gpt
The sun is obscured by the trees here.
human
You look at the trees
gpt
These towering forest giants block most of the sky.

"If you can pick it up, it's yours," the burin sniggers sagely.
human
You look at vines
gpt
The undergrowth rustles disturbingly, as if it's alive.
human
You look around
gpt
You are deep in the forest, surrounded by towering trees and sticky clinging vines. A trail winds through the trees at this point, but then seems to fade into the undergrowth without a trace. Your sense of direction feels strangely altered.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.

A bored tourist leans against a tree.
human
You look at tree
gpt
These towering forest giants block most of the sky.
human
You look at the trail
gpt
The trail seems to lead in all directions at once, but you can almost make out a faint set of footprints.

The burin makes a lunge at its shadow, and misses.
human
You examine the footprints
gpt
The footprints are very faint, and seem to have been made by many people some time in the past. They lead northwest.
human
Go northwest
gpt
The forest seems to change subtly as you move to the northwest.

You are deep in the forest, surrounded by towering trees and sticky clinging vines. A trail winds through the trees at this point, but then seems to fade into the undergrowth without a trace. Your sense of direction feels strangely altered.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
You look at the sun
gpt
The sun is obscured by the trees here.

"You aren't lost, are you?" quips the burin worriedly.
human
You examine the moss
gpt
The moss appears to be growing on the west side of the tree.
human
Go east
gpt
The forest seems to change subtly as you move to the east.

You are deep in the forest, surrounded by towering trees and sticky clinging vines. A trail winds through the trees at this point, but then seems to fade into the undergrowth without a trace. Your sense of direction feels strangely altered.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.
human
You go to the west
gpt
The forest seems to change subtly as you move to the west.

You are deep in the forest, surrounded by towering trees and sticky clinging vines. A trail winds through the trees at this point, but then seems to fade into the undergrowth without a trace. Your sense of direction feels strangely altered.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.

A bored tourist wanders around looking lost.
human
You examine the vines
gpt
The undergrowth rustles disturbingly, as if it's alive.

The burin flies a slow loop around your shoulder.
human
You examine the trees
gpt
These towering forest giants block most of the sky. Someone seems to have carved an arrow into the nearest tree.
human
You examine the arrow
gpt
The arrow appears to point to the east.
human
You ask Tourist,  to go east
gpt
The forest seems to change subtly as the tourist heads off to the east.
human
You look at vines
gpt
The undergrowth rustles disturbingly, as if it's alive.
human
You look at the sun
gpt
The sun is obscured by the trees here.

The burin flies a slow loop around your shoulder.
human
You examine the trees
gpt
These towering forest giants block most of the sky.
human
You examine the trail
gpt
The trail seems to lead in all directions at once, but you can almost make out a faint set of footprints.
human
You examine the footprints
gpt
The footprints are very faint, and seem to have been made by many people some time in the past. They lead west.
human
You go west
gpt
The forest seems to change subtly as you move to the west.

You are deep in the forest, surrounded by towering trees and sticky clinging vines. A trail winds through the trees at this point, but then seems to fade into the undergrowth without a trace. Your sense of direction feels strangely altered.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
Look around
gpt
You are deep in the forest, surrounded by towering trees and sticky clinging vines. A trail winds through the trees at this point, but then seems to fade into the undergrowth without a trace. Your sense of direction feels strangely altered.

An animated burin is perched on your head.

A bored tourist wanders around looking lost.

"Make sure you get a good look at everything," cheeps the burin helpfully.
human
East
gpt
The forest seems to change subtly as the tourist heads off to the east.
human
You look at tree
gpt
These towering forest giants block most of the sky.
human
You examine the sun
gpt
The sun is obscured by the trees here.
human
You examine the footprints
gpt
The footprints are very faint, and seem to have been made by many people some time in the past. They lead southeast.
human
You go to the south-east
gpt
The forest seems to change subtly as you move to the southeast.

You are deep in the forest, surrounded by towering trees and sticky clinging vines. A trail winds through the trees at this point, but then seems to fade into the undergrowth without a trace. Your sense of direction feels strangely altered.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
Go northwest
gpt
The forest seems to change subtly as you move to the northwest.

You are deep in the forest, surrounded by towering trees and sticky clinging vines. A trail winds through the trees at this point, but then seems to fade into the undergrowth without a trace. Your sense of direction feels strangely altered.

An animated burin hovers over your head.

A bored tourist leans against a tree.

The burin preens itself, licking traces of ink from its nib.
human
You examine the tree
gpt
These towering forest giants block most of the sky. There's a small patch of moss on the nearest tree.
human
You look at the moss
gpt
The moss appears to be growing on the east side of the tree.
human
West
gpt
The forest seems to change subtly as the tourist heads off to the west.

"This reminds me of Old Quendor," muses the burin to itself. "Or was it Kroz? Anyways, thems were the days, they had real adventurers back then, yessiree."
human
You examine the sun
gpt
The sun is obscured by the trees here.
human
You examine the moss
gpt
The moss appears to be growing on the southwest side of the tree.
human
Go northeast
gpt
The forest seems to change subtly as you move to the northeast.

You are deep in the forest, surrounded by towering trees and sticky clinging vines. A trail winds through the trees at this point, but then seems to fade into the undergrowth without a trace. Your sense of direction feels strangely altered.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.

A bored tourist leans against a tree.
human
You examine the tree
gpt
These towering forest giants block most of the sky. Someone seems to have carved an arrow into the nearest tree.

"You aren't lost, are you?" quips the burin worriedly.
human
You examine the arrow
gpt
The arrow appears to point to the southwest.
human
You ask Tourist,  to go southwest
gpt
The forest seems to change subtly as the tourist heads off to the southwest. You hear something crash through the undergrowth in the distance.
human
You examine the footprints
gpt
The footprints are very faint, and seem to have been made by many people some time in the past. They lead northeast.

"Make sure you get a good look at everything," cheeps the burin helpfully.
human
Go southwest
gpt
You stumble out into the open air.

You are standing at the end of a path running north into dense forest. A small sign casts a shadow beside the path, while just to the south, a wooden bridge leads across a massive chasm.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin hovers over your head.
human
Go south
gpt
Chasm, on the bridge
You are standing on a wooden bridge, which stretches halfway across a vast chasm to the south. Beyond the bridge, a rainbow arcs across the chasm through clouds of mist from a spectacular waterfall.

A bored tourist leans against the bridge.

The tourist leans on the bridge railing and stares greedily across the chasm. A gleam of gold sparkles through the mist as he mutters, "Now there's a souvenir I could be proud of. I'd do anything to get my hands on it!"

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.
human
You examine the rainbow
gpt
The rainbow passes through the mist thrown up by the waterfall. It seems to span the entire width of the chasm, arcing southeast from the bridge to the far sidewhere you see a gleam of gold.

The tourist wanders off to the north.
human
Log task
gpt
The burin shakes its wings. "I can't log this task until we've completed it."
human
You touch the rainbow
gpt
It's too far away.

The burin whistles a few bars of the national anthem.
human
You climb waterfall
gpt
It's too far away.

The tourist approaches from the north.
human
You touch the waterfall
gpt
It's too far away.
human
You close eyes
gpt
The burin flits out of reach.

The burin recites a few choice passages from the Rites of the Implementors, then laughs at them.
human
You look around
gpt
Chasm, on the bridge
You are standing on a wooden bridge, which stretches halfway across a vast chasm to the south. Beyond the bridge, a rainbow arcs across the chasm through clouds of mist from a spectacular waterfall.

An animated burin is perched on your head.

A bored tourist leans against the bridge.

The tourist wanders off to the north.
human
You examine the rainbow
gpt
The rainbow passes through the mist thrown up by the waterfall. It seems to span the entire width of the chasm, arcing southeast from the bridge to the far sidewhere you see a gleam of gold.
human
You examine the mist
gpt
The waterfall cascades down from a higher level of the chasm to the southwest, filling the air below with mist. A rainbow arch gleams through the mist, spanning the chasm.

"If you can pick it up, it's yours," the burin sniggers sagely.
human
No
gpt
Wisely, you back away from the chasm.
human
No
gpt
Wisely, you back away from the chasm.

The tourist approaches from the north.
human
You close the eyes
gpt
"Huh?" says the tourist.
human
You ask Tourist,  to go to the southeast
gpt
The tourist takes a step off the bridge to the southeast, walking on the rainbow. Two thirds of the way across the chasm, he looks down, realises that he's standing on nothing but coloured light, and plummets into the chasm.
human
You examine burin
gpt
This burin looks much every other burin you've seen, except for the small wings protruding from its pen-like body, and the tiny glowing eyes on its nib.

The burin traces an intricate Double Fanucci figure in midair.
human
You examine the eyes
gpt
This burin looks much every other burin you've seen, except for the small wings protruding from its pen-like body, and the tiny glowing eyes on its nib.

The tourist wanders off to the north.
human
Go north
gpt
You are standing at the end of a path running north into dense forest. A small sign casts a shadow beside the path, while just to the south, a wooden bridge leads across a massive chasm.

You see a white cube here.

A bored tourist wanders around looking lost.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
You touch the cube
gpt
As you touch the cube, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

The six interior walls of this perfectly cubical room are perfectly white and featureless. A single silver compass rose, balancing a delicate crystal sphere on its bloom, floats like a pedestal above the floor.

An animated burin hovers over your head.

"If you can pick it up, it's yours," the burin sniggers sagely.
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are at the bottom of an immense smouldering crater gashed out of bare rock. Stars flicker slowly in a midnight sky, and through the eerie silence a single voice wails over and over again, "Yek wen eht ton! Yek dlo eht esu!"

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.
human
You go west
gpt
As you move in that direction, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

You are standing at the entrance to a large, familiar college campus. At least, it would be large and familiar if it existed, which it apparently doesn't anymore. The only solid things remaining are a white mailbox and two paths leading west and southwest. Everything else seems to be swallowed by a black, swirling void.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin is perched on your head.

"Come on! Let's go exploring!" chirps the burin excitedly.
human
You look at the mailbox
gpt
The white mailbox is closed.
human
You open it
gpt
Opening the white mailbox reveals a red envelope and a syllabus.
human
You take all from it
gpt
red envelope: Taken.
syllabus: Taken.

The burin flutters around your head.
human
You examine the envelope
gpt
The envelope is bright red, and appears to be addressed to The School of Remedial Magic, GUE Tech, Quendor. It is closed.
human
You open it
gpt
Opening the red envelope reveals a crisp vellum scroll and a packing slip.
human
You examine the vellum
gpt
The scroll appears to have been freshly written.
human
You read it
gpt
Unfortunately, you never studied Elementary Spellcoding 101, so the contents of the scroll are completely incomprehensible to you.
human
You examine the packing slip
gpt
Contents: One (1) Rezrov Spell Scroll, Educational License Only

For your safety and convenience, this spell has been hand-inscribed on finest enchanting grade vellum and packaged in our special Spel-Gard (tm) Resealable Magic-Proof Envelope, guaranteed to prevent magic leakage for up to 30 days, or double your zorkmids back! Thank you for purchasing your magic supplies from the Frobozz Magic Magic Supply Company.

"Isn't this fun?" giggles the burin. "By the Quill, 'twill make a tall tale to tell thy tykes."
human
You examine Envelope
gpt
The envelope is bright red, and appears to be addressed to The School of Remedial Magic, GUE Tech, Quendor. It is open, and contains a crisp vellum scroll and a packing slip.
human
You look at Syllabus
gpt
The Great Underground Empire (Memorial) Institute of Magickal Techknowledgies, Artes and Psiences, School of Remedial Magic Syllabus

On completing this course, the student shall be capable of defining the following terms and their usage in modern enchanting:

Antharia   island province famed for its granola mines, survive field trip
antimagic  theoretical opposite of magic, inhibits or annihilates spells
blorple    spell, opens a dimension gate
Borphee    industrial capital of modern Quendor, list leading spell merchants
burin      pen-like instrument needed for magical inscriptions, own and use
Flathead   Dimwit, worst ruler of the GUE, describe in excessive detail gaspar     spell, prepares caster for resurrection
golmac     spell, causes time travel
granola    tasty and highly nutritious food source, write poetic praise epic
grue       lurking menace in dark places, avoid getting eaten by
GUE        Great Underground Empire, describe history, fall and excavations
Infocom    aka Implementors, mythical godlike beings, dismiss as fallacy
lleps      spell, reverses effect of memorised spell
malyon     spell, brings inanimate objects to life
nymph      small magical fairy-like creatures often used as secretaries, hire
Quendor    our homeland, analyse socio-political ramifications of granola tax
qwerty     spell (mythical), student must logically refute its existence
raif       minor modern cult of Infocom, of no significance whatsoever rezrov     spell, opens closed or locked objects
rose       compass rose, oh sweet compass rose, etc, national anthem, sing
snavig     spell, causes caster to assume another shape at will timeloop   highly dangerous phenomenon, describe how to avoid creating vellum     leather-based scroll substrate, explain advantages over parchment
work       part-time jobs in magic support, readily available for students
Zork       common name for Quendor and the GUE, also an epic saga zorkmid    national unit of currency, pay all tuition fees promptly
human
You examine void
gpt
Void, n. Absence of matter; nothingness.
human
Go west
gpt
Here, in what was once the centre of campus, what little reality is left has condensed into a grue-black, rock-blasted crater hammered out of existence by some unimaginable power. The stars distort overhead in a strange demented dance; you can barely remember seeing a white mailbox to the east.

An iron vault floats calmly in the void, apparently unscathed.

An animated burin hovers over your head.
human
You examine the stars
gpt
The stars above seem weirdly distorted.
human
You take stars
gpt
It's too far away.

"If you can pick it up, it's yours," the burin sniggers sagely.
human
Go upwards
gpt
Unfortunately, you failed Elementary Levitation 101.
human
Examine vault
gpt
The vault is about twice your height, forged from cast iron and imprinted with an ornate logo that appears to date back to the early Flathead Dynasty. The vault is closed. A shiny iron key sits in the keyhole, with a note attached.
human
You examine the note
gpt
"Gorgax: Here's the replacement master key you requested. We didn't have time to test it, hope it works okay, some of these old vaults can be a mite touchy. I'll get the dwarves in Technical to look at it next week. Sorkin."
human
You turn the key
gpt
The shiny iron key turns stiffly in the lock. As the last tumbler clicks into place, an alarm nymph flies out of the keyhole, writes "You do know there's no way you can fool a genuine Frobozz Magic Vault Company vault with such a patently fraudulent imitation of a master key, don't you?" in the air with her finger, then vanishes with a loud raspberry. The vault explodes.

Nothing happens. It would seem that you are dead.
human
You look
gpt
GUE Tech, Old Quendor
Moments earlier, you find yourself falling backward through a strangely familiar college campus. A vague premonition tugs at your mind about some great deed left undone - or was it a memory? As you watch, buildings dismantle and shed moss, spells implode on their casters, and stars spin down across the oscillating sky.

A woman in a senior Enchanter's robe steps away from you, gathers a cloud of green lightning with a wave of her hands, and runs into the distance saying "Nialpxe ot emit on. Tfel evah I cigam ylno eht si siht. Poolemit siht fo tuo su kearb nac ohw tfel eno ylno eht er'uoy diarfa m'I tub, siht otni uoy gard ot yrros. Krelc troppus wen eht eb tsum uoy, Ratsileh m'I..."

With a wrench, the universe turns itself inside out...
human
You look at your surroundings
gpt
"Hello. You have reached the Frobozz Magic Support Company hotglyph. All our adepts are busy at present, but if you keep chanting the invocation you used to summon this image, a support clerk will be with you shortly. In the meantime, please relax while the Accardia Barbershop Musicians Guild presents Movements VIII-XVI of 'Ode to Belboz'. Thank you for summoning Frobozz Magic Support."



The six interior walls of this perfectly cubical room are perfectly white and featureless. A single silver compass rose, balancing a delicate crystal sphere on its bloom, floats like a pedestal above the floor.
human
You take the key
gpt
[taking the note as well]
Taken.

The burin makes a lunge at its shadow, and misses.
human
Inventory
gpt
You have a granola bar, a log book, a red envelope, a syllabus, a note, and a shiny iron key. The red envelope seems to contain a crisp vellum scroll and a packing slip.
human
You examine the vellum
gpt
The scroll appears to have been freshly written.
human
You go south
gpt
Even if you could fly, reaching the cliff would be uncertain.

The burin nibbles softly at your ear.
human
You go to the east
gpt
You are standing at the entrance to a large, familiar college campus. At least, it would be large and familiar if it existed, which it apparently doesn't anymore. The only solid things remaining are a white mailbox and two paths leading west and southwest. Everything else seems to be swallowed by a black, swirling void.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
You go to the southwest
gpt
The path ends here at a newly formed cliff face, looking down over a strangely distorted crater to the north. Inky black void shivers around your feet, and trickles in small eddies from the crater's rim, nearly obscuring the single crumbling line of reality that leads northeast.

A yellow signpost balances on the crater's edge.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
You examine signpost
gpt
"The Lord Dimwit Flathead (the Excessive) Memorial Wabe.
Positively NO littering."
human
You drop the key
gpt
The shiny iron key distorts weirdly as the void swallows it. You see it slowly fall toward the distant vault, then vanish.
human
You go northeast
gpt
You are standing at the entrance to a large, familiar college campus. At least, it would be large and familiar if it existed, which it apparently doesn't anymore. The only solid things remaining are a white mailbox and two paths leading west and southwest. Everything else seems to be swallowed by a black, swirling void.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin is perched on your head.

"Make sure you get a good look at everything," cheeps the burin helpfully.
human
Go west
gpt
Here, in what was once the centre of campus, what little reality is left has condensed into a grue-black, rock-blasted crater hammered out of existence by some unimaginable power. The stars distort overhead in a strange demented dance; you can barely remember seeing a white mailbox to the east.

An iron vault floats calmly in the void, apparently unscathed.

An animated burin hovers over your head.

Out of the corner of your eye, you see a rusty iron key fall from above.
human
You take the key
gpt
Taken.
human
You examine the key
gpt
It looks like an ordinary rusty iron key to me.
human
You open the vault
gpt
It's locked.

The burin nibbles softly at your ear.
human
Unlock vault
gpt
(with the rusty iron key)
The rusty iron key turns smoothly in the lock. As the last tumbler clicks into place, an alarm nymph flies out of the keyhole, writes "Your master key has been age-verified. Thank you for using genuine Frobozz Magic Vault Company security products" in the air with her finger, then vanishes with a broad wink.
human
You open the vault
gpt
Opening the vault reveals a silver slide rule.
human
You examine the rule
gpt
It's a slide rule crafted from pure silver, inscribed with the initials "L.D.F.". Must be worth a fortune for antiquity value alone.
human
You go east
gpt
You are standing at the entrance to a large, familiar college campus. At least, it would be large and familiar if it existed, which it apparently doesn't anymore. The only solid things remaining are a white mailbox and two paths leading west and southwest. Everything else seems to be swallowed by a black, swirling void.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.

"Isn't this fun?" giggles the burin. "By the Quill, 'twill make a tall tale to tell thy tykes."
human
You touch the cube
gpt
As you touch the cube, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

The six interior walls of this perfectly cubical room are perfectly white and featureless. A single silver compass rose, balancing a delicate crystal sphere on its bloom, floats like a pedestal above the floor.

An animated burin hovers over your head.
human
Log
gpt
What do you want the burin to write?
human
You examine Log Book
gpt
The book is leather-bound and bears the title "My Log Book" in flowing gilt lettering. It is currently open.

The burin traces an intricate Double Fanucci figure in midair.
human
You read it
gpt
The opened log book contains a list of previous magic support problems and solutions, signed and dated by the clerk on duty at the time.

24/4   Malyon spell backfired; burin accidentally animated. Oops. Zuzvuz.
27/4   Adventurer eaten by stray grues. Resurrected with gaspar. Zuzvuz.
32/4   Trolls ravaging village. Applied two-handed axe; resolved. Felenar.
6/5    Some trouble communicating with cyclops. See legend 2001. Zuzvuz.
13/5   Adventurer llepsed gaspar. Summoned Implementors. Zuzvuz.
17/5   Implementors de-implemented Zuzvuz. Attempted blorple to Old Quendor. Felenar.
20/5   Felenar and Zuzvuz missing. Sent replacement job application to GUE Tech. Sorkin.
23/5   GUE Tech gated to Old Quendor. Llepsed golmac might work. Sorkin.
29/5   Two words: why me? New support clerk arrives tomorrow. Must train
before (after) breaking Sorkin's time loop. Assuming
counterspell
exists, if not... Helistar.
human
Log task
gpt
The burin scribbles something into the logbook.
human
You read Book
gpt
The opened log book contains a list of previous magic support problems and solutions, signed and dated by the clerk on duty at the time.

24/4   Malyon spell backfired; burin accidentally animated. Oops. Zuzvuz.
27/4   Adventurer eaten by stray grues. Resurrected with gaspar. Zuzvuz.
32/4   Trolls ravaging village. Applied two-handed axe; resolved. Felenar.
6/5    Some trouble communicating with cyclops. See legend 2001. Zuzvuz.
13/5   Adventurer llepsed gaspar. Summoned Implementors. Zuzvuz.
17/5   Implementors de-implemented Zuzvuz. Attempted blorple to Old Quendor. Felenar.
20/5   Felenar and Zuzvuz missing. Sent replacement job application to GUE Tech. Sorkin.
23/5   GUE Tech gated to Old Quendor. Llepsed golmac might work. Sorkin.
29/5   Two words: why me? New support clerk arrives tomorrow. Must train
before (after) breaking Sorkin's time loop. Assuming
counterspell
exists, if not... Helistar.
30/5   GUE Tech Vault jammed. Took time to open it. Krosk lord of blood.
human
You touch the cube
gpt
As you touch the cube, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

The six interior walls of this perfectly cubical room are perfectly white and featureless. A single silver compass rose, balancing a delicate crystal sphere on its bloom, floats like a pedestal above the floor.

An animated burin hovers over your head.

The burin traces an intricate Double Fanucci figure in midair.
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are plunging over a cliff, and suddenly halt in midair. Letters written in fire beneath you spell out, "No more messages."

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.
human
You go north
gpt
As you move in that direction, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

The road bends here, running northwest to a distant tower and south to the mountains. Across a barren plain to the east, a wide rutted cart track bears the scars of recent heavy troop movements.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.

"This reminds me of Old Quendor," muses the burin to itself. "Or was it Kroz? Anyways, thems were the days, they had real adventurers back then, yessiree."
human
Go northwest
gpt
You are standing beneath a menacing black stone tower. The only entrance at ground level seems to be a sturdy oak door which is shut and bolted fast. However, rough stone steps wind up around the outside and vanish somewhere near the top. The road leads back across a barren plain to the southeast.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
Up
gpt
(climbing the steps)
Atop the Tower
You are crouched on a minnaret at the top of a menacing stone tower. Rough stone steps lead down around the outside and vanish somewhere near the ground. A dark chimney opening to the northwest seems the only way in - but once inside, you could not climb back out.

An animated burin hovers over your head.

"Come on! Let's go exploring!" chirps the burin excitedly.
human
Yes
gpt
Very well. You scramble into the chimney, sliding down and landing heavily...

This circular room at the base of the tower is surprisingly small for its size. An unlit fireplace to the northwest, and a sturdy oak door to the southeast, (which is shut and bolted), are its only points of interest.

A captive princess paces around the room impatiently.

A white cotton blindfold, apparently flung off by the princess after she arrived here, lies crumpled in a corner.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.

The princess jumps as you stumble clumsily out of the fireplace. "With an entrance like that, you've got to be Frobozz Magic Support," she laughs. "Hope you brought that rezrov scroll. We don't have any time to waste."
human
You get the blindfold
gpt
Taken.

"Hurry up!" says the princess. "The Dark Lord will be coming soon."
human
You examine princess
gpt
The princess has the kind of fragile, ethereal beauty normally associated with diamonds, scimitars, and hellhound puppies.

You hear the distant sound of marching boots.
human
You get the scroll
gpt
Taken.

"Solved it yet?" chirps the burin cheerfully.

The sounds outside grow louder and closer. The princess shudders, and looks for a weapon.
human
You give it to the princess
gpt
The princess takes the scroll, reads it, and flashes you a beaming smile. "That's just what I wanted," she says, and begins reading it aloud.

The door explodes outwards in a blast of luminous energy. Waving a hasty goodbye, the princess runs outside and vanishes down the road to the southeast.
human
You leave
gpt
You are standing beneath a menacing black stone tower. The only entrance at ground level seems to be a sturdy oak door which is standing wide open. However, rough stone steps wind up around the outside and vanish somewhere near the top. The road leads back across a barren plain to the southeast.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
You go southeast
gpt
The road bends here, running northwest to a distant tower and south to the mountains. Across a barren plain to the east, a wide rutted cart track bears the scars of recent heavy troop movements.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.

The burin preens itself, licking traces of ink from its nib.
human
Go east
gpt
You have stumbled into the middle of a pitched battle, with enchanters, trolls, elves and the occasional cyclops swapping sword blows and warrior's incantations. The battle appears to be going badly for a princess, whose forces are having difficulty getting their spells to work against an onslaught of highly trained, black-armoured knights.

Deciding that discretion is the better part of valour, you beat a tactical withdrawal to the west.

The road bends here, running northwest to a distant tower and south to the mountains. Across a barren plain to the east, a wide rutted cart track bears the scars of recent heavy troop movements.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin hovers over your head.
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are plunging over a cliff, and suddenly halt in midair. Letters written in fire beneath you spell out, "No more messages."

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are standing on a barren, windswept plain. A knight in black armour clatters past toward a foreboding stone tower, and from the distance, a beautiful maiden's voice calls out. "Help me! My rezrov scroll is gone and I must flee before the Dark Lord comes!"

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.
human
You read Log
gpt
As you move in that direction, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

The road bends here, running northwest to a distant tower and south to the mountains. Across a barren plain to the east, a wide rutted cart track bears the scars of recent heavy troop movements.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin hovers over your head.

"Come on! Let's go exploring!" chirps the burin excitedly.

The opened log book contains a list of previous magic support problems and solutions, signed and dated by the clerk on duty at the time.

24/4   Malyon spell backfired; burin accidentally animated. Oops. Zuzvuz.
27/4   Adventurer eaten by stray grues. Resurrected with gaspar. Zuzvuz.
32/4   Trolls ravaging village. Applied two-handed axe; resolved. Felenar.
6/5    Some trouble communicating with cyclops. See legend 2001. Zuzvuz.
13/5   Adventurer llepsed gaspar. Summoned Implementors. Zuzvuz.
17/5   Implementors de-implemented Zuzvuz. Attempted blorple to Old Quendor. Felenar.
20/5   Felenar and Zuzvuz missing. Sent replacement job application to GUE Tech. Sorkin.
23/5   GUE Tech gated to Old Quendor. Llepsed golmac might work. Sorkin.
29/5   Two words: why me? New support clerk arrives tomorrow. Must train
before (after) breaking Sorkin's time loop. Assuming
counterspell
exists, if not... Helistar.
30/5   GUE Tech Vault jammed. Took time to open it. Krosk lord of blood.
human
You go east
gpt
You have stumbled into the camp of some invading army. Tents, battering rams and hand weapons are stacked neatly all around, awaiting the coming attack. Nobody appears to have noticed you yet, but you have the distinct feeling that novice magic support clerks are not highly regarded around here. The plain opens to the west.

You see a black cube here.

An animated burin is perched on your head.

The burin gives a screech of agony and dives back into the log book, which snaps closed after it.
human
You get rezrov
gpt
The finer points of spellcasting are, at present, beyond your grasp.
human
You put the cube in Envelope
gpt
Done.
human
You close Envelope
gpt
Closed.
human
You open Book
gpt
Opened. The burin flutters out again.
human
Go west
gpt
The road bends here, running northwest to a distant tower and south to the mountains. Across a barren plain to the east, a wide rutted cart track bears the scars of recent heavy troop movements.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
You go to the northwest
gpt
You are standing beneath a menacing black stone tower. The only entrance at ground level seems to be a sturdy oak door which is shut and bolted fast. However, rough stone steps wind up around the outside and vanish somewhere near the top. The road leads back across a barren plain to the southeast.

An animated burin hovers over your head.
human
You go up
gpt
(climbing the steps)
Atop the Tower
You are crouched on a minnaret at the top of a menacing stone tower. Rough stone steps lead down around the outside and vanish somewhere near the ground. A dark chimney opening to the northwest seems the only way in - but once inside, you could not climb back out.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.

"You aren't lost, are you?" quips the burin worriedly.
human
Yes
gpt
Very well. You scramble into the chimney, sliding down and landing heavily...

This circular room at the base of the tower is surprisingly small for its size. An unlit fireplace to the northwest, and a sturdy oak door to the southeast, (which is shut and bolted), are its only points of interest.

A captive princess paces around the room impatiently.

A white cotton blindfold, apparently flung off by the princess after she arrived here, lies crumpled in a corner.

An animated burin is perched on your head.

The princess jumps as you stumble clumsily out of the fireplace. "With an entrance like that, you've got to be Frobozz Magic Support," she laughs. "Hope you brought that rezrov scroll. We don't have any time to waste."
human
You give the scroll to the princess
gpt
The princess takes the scroll, reads it, and flashes you a beaming smile. "That's just what I wanted," she says, and begins reading it aloud.

The door explodes outwards in a blast of luminous energy. Waving a hasty goodbye, the princess runs outside and vanishes down the road to the southeast.
human
You go south
gpt
It appears the southeast door is the only way out.
human
You leave
gpt
You are standing beneath a menacing black stone tower. The only entrance at ground level seems to be a sturdy oak door which is standing wide open. However, rough stone steps wind up around the outside and vanish somewhere near the top. The road leads back across a barren plain to the southeast.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.
human
You go to the southeast
gpt
The road bends here, running northwest to a distant tower and south to the mountains. Across a barren plain to the east, a wide rutted cart track bears the scars of recent heavy troop movements.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin hovers over your head.

"Isn't this fun?" giggles the burin. "By the Quill, 'twill make a tall tale to tell thy tykes."
human
You go east
gpt
You have stumbled into the middle of a pitched battle, with enchanters, trolls, elves and the occasional cyclops swapping sword blows and warrior's incantations. The battle appears to be going well for a princess, whose forces are using the latest Frobozz Magic Defence Research Company spells to turn an onslaught of black-armoured knights into small amphibians.

Deciding that discretion is the better part of valour, you beat a tactical withdrawal to the west.

The road bends here, running northwest to a distant tower and south to the mountains. Across a barren plain to the east, a wide rutted cart track bears the scars of recent heavy troop movements.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
Go northwest
gpt
You are standing beneath a menacing black stone tower. The only entrance at ground level seems to be a sturdy oak door which is standing wide open. However, rough stone steps wind up around the outside and vanish somewhere near the top. The road leads back across a barren plain to the southeast.

An animated burin hovers over your head.
human
Log task
gpt
The burin scribbles something into the logbook.

The burin practises its penthingship.
human
You read logbook
gpt
The opened log book contains a list of previous magic support problems and solutions, signed and dated by the clerk on duty at the time.

24/4   Malyon spell backfired; burin accidentally animated. Oops. Zuzvuz.
27/4   Adventurer eaten by stray grues. Resurrected with gaspar. Zuzvuz.
32/4   Trolls ravaging village. Applied two-handed axe; resolved. Felenar.
6/5    Some trouble communicating with cyclops. See legend 2001. Zuzvuz.
13/5   Adventurer llepsed gaspar. Summoned Implementors. Zuzvuz.
17/5   Implementors de-implemented Zuzvuz. Attempted blorple to Old Quendor. Felenar.
20/5   Felenar and Zuzvuz missing. Sent replacement job application to GUE Tech. Sorkin.
23/5   GUE Tech gated to Old Quendor. Llepsed golmac might work. Sorkin.
29/5   Two words: why me? New support clerk arrives tomorrow. Must train
before (after) breaking Sorkin's time loop. Assuming
counterspell
exists, if not... Helistar.
30/5   GUE Tech Vault jammed. Took time to open it. Krosk lord of blood.
30/5   Princess imprisoned without rezrov scroll. Delivered.
Krosk lord of blood.
human
Go southeast
gpt
The road bends here, running northwest to a distant tower and south to the mountains. Across a barren plain to the east, a wide rutted cart track bears the scars of recent heavy troop movements.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin hovers over your head.
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are standing on the peak of a mountain reaching high above the rim of the world. Dazzling light fills your eyes, and a hollow voice booms down:
"Don't try to match wits with us, Zuzvuz. We'll consider your request for reimplementation in the next beta release, not a single compile before."

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.

"Isn't this fun?" giggles the burin. "By the Quill, 'twill make a tall tale to tell thy tykes."
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are clinging to the edge of a bridge above a vast chasm. A thundering waterfall cascades through a rainbow below, while from behind a bored voice yawns, "So tell me then, how do I get that pot of gold?"

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.
human
Go north
gpt
The forest seems to change subtly as you enter it.

You are deep in the forest, surrounded by towering trees and sticky clinging vines. A trail winds through the trees at this point, but then seems to fade into the undergrowth without a trace. Your sense of direction feels strangely altered.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
You go south
gpt
The forest seems to change subtly as you move to the south.

You are deep in the forest, surrounded by towering trees and sticky clinging vines. A trail winds through the trees at this point, but then seems to fade into the undergrowth without a trace. Your sense of direction feels strangely altered.

An animated burin hovers over your head.

The burin flies a slow loop around your shoulder.
human
You go to the south
gpt
Chasm, on the bridge
You are standing on a wooden bridge, which stretches halfway across a vast chasm to the south. Beyond the bridge, a rainbow arcs across the chasm through clouds of mist from a spectacular waterfall.

A bored tourist stares greedily across the chasm.

The tourist wanders off to the north.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
Go north
gpt
You are standing at the end of a path running north into dense forest. A small sign casts a shadow beside the path, while just to the south, a wooden bridge leads across a massive chasm.

You see a white cube here.

A bored tourist wanders around looking lost.

An animated burin hovers over your head.

"This reminds me of Old Quendor," muses the burin to itself. "Or was it Kroz? Anyways, thems were the days, they had real adventurers back then, yessiree."
human
You give the blindfold to the tourist
gpt
The tourist takes the blindfold.
human
You wear the blindfold
gpt
The tourist gives you a strange look, but puts the blindfold on.
human
You go south
gpt
Chasm, on the bridge
You are standing on a wooden bridge, which stretches halfway across a vast chasm to the south. Beyond the bridge, a rainbow arcs across the chasm through clouds of mist from a spectacular waterfall.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
You go to the north
gpt
You are standing at the end of a path running north into dense forest. A small sign casts a shadow beside the path, while just to the south, a wooden bridge leads across a massive chasm.

You see a white cube here.

A blindfolded tourist wanders around looking lost.

An animated burin hovers over your head.

"If you can pick it up, it's yours," the burin sniggers sagely.
human
You remove the blindfold
gpt
The tourist takes the blindfold off.
human
You ask Tourist,  to go south
gpt
The tourist heads off to the south.
human
Go south
gpt
Chasm, on the bridge
You are standing on a wooden bridge, which stretches halfway across a vast chasm to the south. Beyond the bridge, a rainbow arcs across the chasm through clouds of mist from a spectacular waterfall.

A bored tourist stares greedily across the chasm.

An animated burin hovers over your head.
human
You ask Tourist,  to go southeast
gpt
The tourist takes a step off the bridge to the southeast, guided across the rainbow by your voice. Reaching the other side, he tears the blindfold off and grabs the pot of gold. You see him stop dancing around for a few moments to throw something in your direction, then he runs off into the mist. Half a minute later you hear a distant squeal followed by a splash, then silence.

"Make sure you get a good look at everything," cheeps the burin helpfully.
human
You look
gpt
Chasm, on the bridge
You are standing on a wooden bridge, which stretches halfway across a vast chasm to the south. Beyond the bridge, a rainbow arcs across the chasm through clouds of mist from a spectacular waterfall.

An animated burin hovers over your head.

A gold zorkmid coin lands at your feet, head side up.
human
You get coin
gpt
Taken.

The burin preens itself, licking traces of ink from its nib.
human
Log task
gpt
The burin scribbles something into the logbook.
human
Go north
gpt
You are standing at the end of a path running north into dense forest. A small sign casts a shadow beside the path, while just to the south, a wooden bridge leads across a massive chasm.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.
human
You get the cube
gpt
As you touch the cube, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

The six interior walls of this perfectly cubical room are perfectly white and featureless. A single silver compass rose, balancing a delicate crystal sphere on its bloom, floats like a pedestal above the floor.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.

"Isn't this fun?" giggles the burin. "By the Quill, 'twill make a tall tale to tell thy tykes."
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are at the bottom of an immense smouldering crater gashed out of bare rock. Stars flicker slowly in a midnight sky, and through the eerie silence a single voice wails over and over again, "Yek wen eht ton! Yek dlo eht esu!"

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are standing on a barren, windswept plain. A knight in black armour clatters past toward a foreboding stone tower, and from the distance, a beautiful maiden's voice calls out. "Help me! My rezrov scroll is gone and I must flee before the Dark Lord comes!"

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.

The burin flutters around your head.
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are swimming in the depths of an unfathomable ocean. A dark shape with sleek fins and hundreds of shiny white teeth looms toward you and thinks, "Eat eat hungry eat, er, this is most embarrassing, but my snavig spell appears to have jammed on. Could you possibly help?"

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are in pitch darkness. From all around you can hear horrible lurking droolings, and a single sudden metallic clatter. A nervous voice says, "Hello? Can you bring a new battery? I don't know for sure, but I think these might be gr - "

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.
human
You go downwards
gpt
As you move in that direction, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

You are in a gently sloping underground passage which curves upwards to the west, and down into darkness to the south. A dim light filters in through cracked timbers overhead.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.

"If you can pick it up, it's yours," the burin sniggers sagely.
human
Go west
gpt
The eastern passage ends here in a sizeable chamber carved out of solid bedrock. A dull orange glow (probably the natural phosphorescence of rich granola seams nearby) fills the room with memories of sulphur and smelting flames, long consigned to history.

A dented vending machine still sits proudly against one wall.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.

"Oooh!" squeals the burin, darting toward the vending machine. "A genuine Frotzen Vend-O-Magic! I've always wanted to play with one of these vintage originals. They really push my buttons, y'know?"
human
You examine the machine
gpt
The machine is about twice your height, dull metallic gold in tone, crusted with years of neglect. It seems to have a slot, a red button, a black button, a plaque, and two chutes near its base.
human
You examine the plaque
gpt
"Frobozz Magic Vending Machine Company 'Frotzen' Vend-O-Magic

This state of the ar. automagi. .endi.. machi.e is .ua.a.tee. n...r to j.m, fau.. or mi.fee. duri.. a fu.l min..g sea.on, .r .o...l. .ou. .or....d. .a..!"

(The rest of the plaque is obscured by claw marks.)
human
You look in the chute
gpt
Which chute do you mean, the left chute, or the right chute?
human
Left
gpt
The left chute contains a complex mechanism.
human
You examine the mechanism
gpt
Inside each chute is a fantastically complex mechanism, presumably for delivering vended goods. You have no idea how it works, but you can tell that it was designed to look very impressive.
human
You look in the right chute
gpt
The right chute contains a complex mechanism.

The burin practises its penthingship.
human
You push blakc
gpt
"Sure!" squeaks the burin, hurling itself at the black button. There's a soft click as the button depresses, but nothing else happens.

"Come on! Let's go exploring!" chirps the burin excitedly.

I don't know the word "blakc".
human
You put the coin in the slot
gpt
The gold zorkmid vanishes into the slot with a metallic rattle.
human
You push black
gpt
"Sure!" squeaks the burin, hurling itself at the black button. There's a soft click as the button depresses, but nothing else happens.
human
You look in the right chute
gpt
The right chute contains a complex mechanism, and a battery.

"This reminds me of Old Quendor," muses the burin to itself. "Or was it Kroz? Anyways, thems were the days, they had real adventurers back then, yessiree."
human
You hit the machine
gpt
(with your bare hands)
Attacking the vending machine doesn't appear productive.
human
Look around
gpt
The eastern passage ends here in a sizeable chamber carved out of solid bedrock. A dull orange glow (probably the natural phosphorescence of rich granola seams nearby) fills the room with memories of sulphur and smelting flames, long consigned to history.

A dented vending machine still sits proudly against one wall.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.
human
Go east
gpt
You are in a gently sloping underground passage which curves upwards to the west, and down into darkness to the south. A dim light filters in through cracked timbers overhead.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin hovers over your head.
human
You go south
gpt
It's pitch black.

A sudden clattering echoes through the corridor.
human
Yell
gpt
It's pitch black.

A dank, rancid breeze wafts up the corridor.
human
You listen
gpt
It's pitch black.

You hear a muffled scream from below.
human
Go downward
gpt
Oh no! Something lurked into the room and horribly devoured you!

Nothing happens. It would seem that you are dead.
human
You examine the timbers
gpt
The timbers are stamped with the words "Frobozz Magic Granola Mining Company."

"Come on! Let's go exploring!" chirps the burin excitedly.
human
Go west
gpt
The eastern passage ends here in a sizeable chamber carved out of solid bedrock. A dull orange glow (probably the natural phosphorescence of rich granola seams nearby) fills the room with memories of sulphur and smelting flames, long consigned to history.

A dented vending machine still sits proudly against one wall.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
You take the glow
gpt
The orange glow isn't important.

The burin practises its penthingship.
human
You read the plaque
gpt
"Frobozz Magic Vending Machine Company 'Frotzen' Vend-O-Magic

This state of the ar. automagi. .endi.. machi.e is .ua.a.tee. n...r to j.m, fau.. or mi.fee. duri.. a fu.l min..g sea.on, .r .o...l. .ou. .or....d. .a..!"

(The rest of the plaque is obscured by claw marks.)
human
You look in the left chute
gpt
The left chute contains a complex mechanism.
human
Go north
gpt
You are standing at the end of a path running north into dense forest. A small sign casts a shadow beside the path, while just to the south, a wooden bridge leads across a massive chasm.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.

The burin makes a lunge at its shadow, and misses.
human
You get the cube
gpt
As you touch the cube, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

The six interior walls of this perfectly cubical room are perfectly white and featureless. A single silver compass rose, balancing a delicate crystal sphere on its bloom, floats like a pedestal above the floor.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are plunging over a cliff, and suddenly halt in midair. Letters written in fire beneath you spell out, "No more messages."

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.

"Come on! Let's go exploring!" chirps the burin excitedly.
human
You touch sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are in pitch darkness. From all around you can hear horrible lurking droolings, and a single sudden metallic clatter. A nervous voice says, "Hello? Can you bring a new battery? I don't know for sure, but I think these might be gr - "

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.

The burin flutters around your head.
human
Go downwards
gpt
As you move in that direction, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

You are in a gently sloping underground passage which curves upwards to the west, and down into darkness to the south. A dim light filters in through cracked timbers overhead.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
Go west
gpt
The eastern passage ends here in a sizeable chamber carved out of solid bedrock. A dull orange glow (probably the natural phosphorescence of rich granola seams nearby) fills the room with memories of sulphur and smelting flames, long consigned to history.

A dented vending machine still sits proudly against one wall.

An animated burin is perched on your head.

"Oooh!" squeals the burin, darting toward the vending machine. "A genuine Frotzen Vend-O-Magic! I've always wanted to play with one of these vintage originals. They really push my buttons, y'know?"
human
You put the coin in the slot
gpt
The gold zorkmid vanishes into the slot with a metallic rattle.

"Come on! Let's go exploring!" chirps the burin excitedly.
human
You push black
gpt
"Sure!" squeaks the burin, hurling itself at the black button. There's a soft click as the button depresses, followed by a whirr, then something clatters into the left chute.
human
You examine the granola bar
gpt
It's a bar of everyone's favourite snack food, granola. Stamped into its side are the words "Product of the Frobozz Magic Granola Mining Company Antharia."
human
You read the plaque
gpt
"Frobozz Magic Vending Machine Company 'Frotzen' Vend-O-Magic

This state of the ar. automagi. .endi.. machi.e is .ua.a.tee. n...r to j.m, fau.. or mi.fee. duri.. a fu.l min..g sea.on, .r .o...l. .ou. .or....d. .a..!"

(The rest of the plaque is obscured by claw marks.)
human
You check what you're carrying
gpt
You have two granola bars, a log book, a red envelope, a syllabus, a note, a rusty iron key, and a silver slide rule.

The burin flutters around your head.
human
Inventory
gpt
You have a granola bar, a log book, a red envelope, a syllabus, a note, a rusty iron key, a silver slide rule, and a gold zorkmid.

The burin nibbles softly at your ear.
human
You look at the black button
gpt
The black button is on the left side of the machine and labelled "Granola". It appears to have jammed while being pressed, and is now recessed a good two inches deeper than your finger can reach.
human
You look at the red button
gpt
The red button is on the right side of the machine and labelled "Batteries".

The burin traces an intricate Double Fanucci figure in midair.
human
You put Granola in the left
gpt
As you attempt to put the granola bar into the left chute, the chute's complex mechanism pushes back creakily, crumbling the bar into thick unpleasant globs of granola which smear it to a halt. Guess it wasn't designed to cope with dissatisfied customers.
human
You put the coin in the slot
gpt
The gold zorkmid vanishes into the slot with a metallic rattle.
human
You push the black button
gpt
"Sure!" squeaks the burin, hurling itself at the black button. There's a soft click as the button depresses, followed by a whirr and a loud thumping from the left chute, then something clatters into the right chute.

The burin traces an intricate Double Fanucci figure in midair.
human
You look in the right chute
gpt
The right chute contains a complex mechanism, a gold zorkmid and an iron disk.
human
You get all from right chute
gpt
gold zorkmid: Taken.
iron disk: Taken.
human
You look at the disk
gpt
It's a thin disk of iron about the size of a zorkmid coin, stamped with the words "zm1 Credit Refund, Not Exchangeable for Cash".

The burin traces an intricate Double Fanucci figure in midair.
human
You put the disk in the slot
gpt
The iron disk vanishes into the slot with a metallic rattle.
human
Go east
gpt
You are in a gently sloping underground passage which curves upwards to the west, and down into darkness to the south. A dim light filters in through cracked timbers overhead.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.
human
You get the cube
gpt
As you touch the cube, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

The six interior walls of this perfectly cubical room are perfectly white and featureless. A single silver compass rose, balancing a delicate crystal sphere on its bloom, floats like a pedestal above the floor.

An animated burin hovers over your head.
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are clinging to the edge of a bridge above a vast chasm. A thundering waterfall cascades through a rainbow below, while from behind a bored voice yawns, "So tell me then, how do I get that pot of gold?"

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.
human
You go east
gpt
As you move in that direction, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

You are standing on a tiny rock islet, barely more than a few feet across, in the middle of a vast ocean. No land is visible in any direction, and the water swirls threateningly about your feet.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin hovers over your head.

The burin flies a slow loop around your shoulder.
human
You look at the islet
gpt
It looks like an ordinary rock islet to me.
human
You examine the ocean
gpt
You see a circling fin far below.
human
You examine the fin
gpt
It has a fishy kind of look to it.

The burin makes a lunge at its shadow, and misses.
human
Yes
gpt
Very well. You splash out and take a dive..

You are swimming, or to be more precise, sinking, in a vast ocean. The water is icy cold on your skin, and your breath quickly bubbles out through your nose.

A blue shark glides past.

Unfortunately, you have no time to enjoy the experience, as a misplaced gulp of seawater finds its way to your lungs.

Nothing happens. It would seem that you are dead.
human
You hold the breath
gpt
I don't know the word "hold".

I don't know the word "hold".
human
You get the cube
gpt
As you touch the cube, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

The six interior walls of this perfectly cubical room are perfectly white and featureless. A single silver compass rose, balancing a delicate crystal sphere on its bloom, floats like a pedestal above the floor.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are clinging to the edge of a bridge above a vast chasm. A thundering waterfall cascades through a rainbow below, while from behind a bored voice yawns, "So tell me then, how do I get that pot of gold?"

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.

The burin nibbles softly at your ear.
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are at the bottom of an immense smouldering crater gashed out of bare rock. Stars flicker slowly in a midnight sky, and through the eerie silence a single voice wails over and over again, "Yek wen eht ton! Yek dlo eht esu!"

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.
human
You go to the west
gpt
As you move in that direction, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

You are standing at the entrance to a large, familiar college campus. At least, it would be large and familiar if it existed, which it apparently doesn't anymore. The only solid things remaining are a white mailbox and two paths leading west and southwest. Everything else seems to be swallowed by a black, swirling void.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
You go to the southwest
gpt
The path ends here at a newly formed cliff face, looking down over a strangely distorted crater to the north. Inky black void shivers around your feet, and trickles in small eddies from the crater's rim, nearly obscuring the single crumbling line of reality that leads northeast.

A yellow signpost balances on the crater's edge.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
You open Envelope
gpt
Opening the red envelope reveals a packing slip and a black cube.

The burin gives a screech of agony and dives back into the log book, which snaps closed after it.
human
You drop it
gpt
The black cube distorts weirdly as the void swallows it. You see it slowly fall toward the distant vault, then vanish.
human
You go to the northeast
gpt
You are standing at the entrance to a large, familiar college campus. At least, it would be large and familiar if it existed, which it apparently doesn't anymore. The only solid things remaining are a white mailbox and two paths leading west and southwest. Everything else seems to be swallowed by a black, swirling void.

You see a white cube here.
human
Go west
gpt
Here, in what was once the centre of campus, what little reality is left has condensed into a grue-black, rock-blasted crater hammered out of existence by some unimaginable power. The stars distort overhead in a strange demented dance; you can barely remember seeing a white mailbox to the east.

An iron vault floats calmly in the void, apparently unscathed.

Out of the corner of your eye, you see a black cube fall from above.
human
You examine cube
gpt
The cube is about an inch on a side, and is featureless black, apart from a tiny legend embossed on one face.
human
You open Envelope
gpt
Opening the red envelope reveals a packing slip and a black cube.

The burin gives a screech of agony and dives back into the log book, which snaps closed after it.
human
You put it in the water
gpt
The black cube falls into the water, and drifts out of sight.
human
Wait
gpt
Time passes...
human
Inventory
gpt
You have a log book, a red envelope, a syllabus, a note, a rusty iron key, a silver slide rule, a gold zorkmid, and a battery. The red envelope seems to contain a packing slip.
human
You open Envelope
gpt
Opening the red envelope reveals a packing slip and a black cube.

The burin gives a screech of agony and dives back into the log book, which snaps closed after it.
human
You get the cube
gpt
Which cube do you mean, the black cube, or the white cube?
human
You get the cube
gpt
As you touch the cube, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

The six interior walls of this perfectly cubical room are perfectly white and featureless. A single silver compass rose, balancing a delicate crystal sphere on its bloom, floats like a pedestal above the floor.

An animated burin hovers over your head.
human
You listen
gpt
It's pitch black.
human
Wait
gpt
Time passes...

A dank, rancid breeze wafts up the corridor.
human
You drop the battery
gpt
Dropped.

You hear a low growl, followed by silence.
human
Go north
gpt
You are in a gently sloping underground passage which curves upwards to the west, and down into darkness to the south. A dim light filters in through cracked timbers overhead.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
You get the cube
gpt
As you touch the cube, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

The six interior walls of this perfectly cubical room are perfectly white and featureless. A single silver compass rose, balancing a delicate crystal sphere on its bloom, floats like a pedestal above the floor.

An animated burin hovers over your head.

The burin whistles a few bars of the national anthem.
human
You open Envelope
gpt
Opening the red envelope reveals a packing slip and a black cube.

The burin gives a screech of agony and dives back into the log book, which snaps closed after it.

The black cube trembles briefly inside the unsealed envelope, then vaporises!
The crystal sphere tumbles to the floor!
The compass rose bursts into a flower of flame!
human
Look around
gpt
The six interior walls of this white cubical room are shaking and disintegrating as you watch.

You see a crystal ball and a flaming compass rose (providing light) here.

The room shudders violently, rocked by explosions all around.
The crystal sphere vibrates ominously.
human
You examine the sphere
gpt
You see an image of a novice glyph support clerk peering into the future.

The compass rose continues to burn.

The walls sway with terrifying disregard for physics.
The sphere spits out several tiny shards with a crystalline -ping-.
human
You get rose
gpt
Taken.

The compass rose continues to burn.

The walls sway with terrifying disregard for physics.
The sphere spits out several tiny shards with a crystalline -ping-.
human
Go downwards
gpt
As you move in that direction, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

You are in a gently sloping underground passage which curves upwards to the west, and down into darkness to the south. A dim light filters in through cracked timbers overhead.

You see a white cube here.

The compass rose continues to burn.

The white cube trembles softly.
human
You go to the south
gpt
The flickering light of the compass rose picks out the curve of this grimy corridor as it twists from north to southeast.

The compass rose continues to burn.
human
You go southeast
gpt
A narrow crawl to the northwest opens here into a wide natural chamber, showing signs of later excavation and even later collapse. Tortured fragments of rock and rusted equipment lie scattered among piles of human-looking bones that crunch horribly underfoot.

A terrified adventurer crouches among the rubble, frantically waving a pair of unlit brass lanterns.

The compass rose continues to burn.
human
You give the battery to the adventurer
gpt
The adventurer takes the battery with trembling hands, and fumbles it into the shiny new lantern. As the lamp switches on, he wipes the sweat from his brow and relaxes visibly. Tossing the battered old lantern aside, he starts walking around the chamber examining objects.

The compass rose continues to burn.

The adventurer tries to push the battered old brass lantern.
human
You examine the equipment
gpt
The equipment is battered and rusty, but appears to have been used for mining in the distant past. It is of little use now, although the scrawled lettters scratched into some of the pieces might prove interesting to a historian.

The compass rose continues to burn.

The adventurer licks the battered old brass lantern.
human
You get the lantern
gpt
Taken.

The compass rose continues to burn.

The adventurer looks hopefully at the equipment.
human
You examine it
gpt
The battered brass lantern looks old enough to have survived the rise and fall of the entire Great Underground Empire, but it's certainly quite useless now.

The compass rose sputters urgently.

The adventurer tries to break the equipment.
human
You read the equipment
gpt
Ancient scratches among the wreckage spell out: "Frobozz Magic GRUE GRUE GRUE ing Com FLEE FOR YOUR LIFE ny."

The compass rose sputters urgently.
human
Go northwest
gpt
The flickering light of the compass rose picks out the curve of this grimy corridor as it twists from north to southeast.

The compass rose blows apart in a soft shower of petals.

A dank, rancid breeze wafts up the corridor.
human
Go north
gpt
You are in a gently sloping underground passage which curves upwards to the west, and down into darkness to the south. A dim light filters in through cracked timbers overhead.

You see a white cube here.

The white cube trembles softly.
human
You open Book
gpt
Opened. The burin flutters out again.

The white cube trembles softly.
human
Log task
gpt
The burin scribbles something into the logbook.

The white cube trembles softly.
human
You touch the cube
gpt
As you touch the cube, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

The six interior walls of this white cubical room are shaking and disintegrating as you watch.

You see a crystal ball here.

Black writhing cracks appear in the walls, with endless night beyond. The crystal sphere explodes into a thousand splinters!

An animated burin hovers over your head.

"Come on! Let's go exploring!" chirps the burin excitedly.
human
You read Log
gpt
The opened log book contains a list of previous magic support problems and solutions, signed and dated by the clerk on duty at the time.

24/4   Malyon spell backfired; burin accidentally animated. Oops. Zuzvuz.
27/4   Adventurer eaten by stray grues. Resurrected with gaspar. Zuzvuz.
32/4   Trolls ravaging village. Applied two-handed axe; resolved. Felenar.
6/5    Some trouble communicating with cyclops. See legend 2001. Zuzvuz.
13/5   Adventurer llepsed gaspar. Summoned Implementors. Zuzvuz.
17/5   Implementors de-implemented Zuzvuz. Attempted blorple to Old Quendor. Felenar.
20/5   Felenar and Zuzvuz missing. Sent replacement job application to GUE Tech. Sorkin.
23/5   GUE Tech gated to Old Quendor. Llepsed golmac might work. Sorkin.
29/5   Two words: why me? New support clerk arrives tomorrow. Must train
before (after) breaking Sorkin's time loop. Assuming
counterspell
exists, if not... Helistar.
30/5   GUE Tech Vault jammed. Took time to open it. Krosk lord of blood.
30/5   Princess imprisoned without rezrov scroll. Delivered.
Krosk lord of blood.
30/5   Tourist lost at rainbow chasm. Pushed off cliff blindfold. Krosk lord of blood.
30/5   Adventurer low on batteries. Improvised with vending machine. Krosk lord of blood.

The room crumbles into nonexistence, and you with it.

Nothing happens. It would seem that you are dead.
human
Go north
gpt
Oddly enough, you find your way blocked by an invisible barrier.

The room crumbles into nonexistence, and you with it.

Nothing happens. It would seem that you are dead.
human
Go downward
gpt
As you move in that direction, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

You are in a gently sloping underground passage which curves upwards to the west, and down into darkness to the south. A dim light filters in through cracked timbers overhead.

You see a white cube here.

The white cube vaporises in a miniature thunderclap.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
You get rose
gpt
Taken.

The room shudders violently, rocked by explosions all around.
The crystal sphere vibrates ominously.
human
Go downwards
gpt
As you move in that direction, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

You are in a gently sloping underground passage which curves upwards to the west, and down into darkness to the south. A dim light filters in through cracked timbers overhead.

You see a white cube here.

The compass rose continues to burn.

The white cube trembles softly.
human
Go south
gpt
The flickering light of the compass rose picks out the curve of this grimy corridor as it twists from north to southeast.

The compass rose continues to burn.

You hear a low growl, followed by silence.
human
You give battery to the adventurer
gpt
The adventurer takes the battery with trembling hands, and fumbles it into the shiny new lantern. As the lamp switches on, he wipes the sweat from his brow and relaxes visibly. Tossing the battered old lantern aside, he starts walking around the chamber examining objects.

The compass rose continues to burn.

The adventurer mutters an incantation over the scrawled lettering.
human
You get the lantern
gpt
Taken.

The compass rose continues to burn.
human
You go to the north-west
gpt
The flickering light of the compass rose picks out the curve of this grimy corridor as it twists from north to southeast.

The compass rose continues to burn.
human
Go north
gpt
You are in a gently sloping underground passage which curves upwards to the west, and down into darkness to the south. A dim light filters in through cracked timbers overhead.

You see a white cube here.

The compass rose continues to burn.

The white cube trembles softly.
human
You get the cube
gpt
As you touch the cube, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

The six interior walls of this white cubical room are shaking and disintegrating as you watch.

You see a crystal ball here.

The compass rose sputters urgently.

The walls sway with terrifying disregard for physics.
The sphere spits out several tiny shards with a crystalline -ping-.
human
Drop rose
gpt
Dropped.

The compass rose sputters urgently.

Black writhing cracks appear in the walls, with endless night beyond. The crystal sphere explodes into a thousand splinters!
human
You turn off rose
gpt
I don't know how to turn the flaming compass rose off.

The compass rose sputters urgently.

The room crumbles into nonexistence, and you with it.

Nothing happens. It would seem that you are dead.
human
You look at rose
gpt
The compass rose is burning with a bluish-red flame.

The compass rose sputters urgently.

Black writhing cracks appear in the walls, with endless night beyond. The crystal sphere explodes into a thousand splinters!
human
You examine Syllabus
gpt
The Great Underground Empire (Memorial) Institute of Magickal Techknowledgies, Artes and Psiences, School of Remedial Magic Syllabus

On completing this course, the student shall be capable of defining the following terms and their usage in modern enchanting:

Antharia   island province famed for its granola mines, survive field trip
antimagic  theoretical opposite of magic, inhibits or annihilates spells
blorple    spell, opens a dimension gate
Borphee    industrial capital of modern Quendor, list leading spell merchants
burin      pen-like instrument needed for magical inscriptions, own and use
Flathead   Dimwit, worst ruler of the GUE, describe in excessive detail gaspar     spell, prepares caster for resurrection
golmac     spell, causes time travel
granola    tasty and highly nutritious food source, write poetic praise epic
grue       lurking menace in dark places, avoid getting eaten by
GUE        Great Underground Empire, describe history, fall and excavations
Infocom    aka Implementors, mythical godlike beings, dismiss as fallacy
lleps      spell, reverses effect of memorised spell
malyon     spell, brings inanimate objects to life
nymph      small magical fairy-like creatures often used as secretaries, hire
Quendor    our homeland, analyse socio-political ramifications of granola tax
qwerty     spell (mythical), student must logically refute its existence
raif       minor modern cult of Infocom, of no significance whatsoever rezrov     spell, opens closed or locked objects
rose       compass rose, oh sweet compass rose, etc, national anthem, sing
snavig     spell, causes caster to assume another shape at will timeloop   highly dangerous phenomenon, describe how to avoid creating vellum     leather-based scroll substrate, explain advantages over parchment
work       part-time jobs in magic support, readily available for students
Zork       common name for Quendor and the GUE, also an epic saga zorkmid    national unit of currency, pay all tuition fees promptly

The burin preens itself, licking traces of ink from its nib.
human
You read Book
gpt
The opened log book contains a list of previous magic support problems and solutions, signed and dated by the clerk on duty at the time.

24/4   Malyon spell backfired; burin accidentally animated. Oops. Zuzvuz.
27/4   Adventurer eaten by stray grues. Resurrected with gaspar. Zuzvuz.
32/4   Trolls ravaging village. Applied two-handed axe; resolved. Felenar.
6/5    Some trouble communicating with cyclops. See legend 2001. Zuzvuz.
13/5   Adventurer llepsed gaspar. Summoned Implementors. Zuzvuz.
17/5   Implementors de-implemented Zuzvuz. Attempted blorple to Old Quendor. Felenar.
20/5   Felenar and Zuzvuz missing. Sent replacement job application to GUE Tech. Sorkin.
23/5   GUE Tech gated to Old Quendor. Llepsed golmac might work. Sorkin.
29/5   Two words: why me? New support clerk arrives tomorrow. Must train
before (after) breaking Sorkin's time loop. Assuming
counterspell
exists, if not... Helistar.
30/5   GUE Tech Vault jammed. Took time to open it. Krosk lord of blood.
30/5   Princess imprisoned without rezrov scroll. Delivered.
Krosk lord of blood.
30/5   Tourist lost at rainbow chasm. Pushed off cliff blindfold. Krosk lord of blood.
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
The sphere vibrates in your hands, and an image takes form in your mind:

You are clinging to the edge of a bridge above a vast chasm. A thundering waterfall cascades through a rainbow below, while from behind a bored voice yawns, "So tell me then, how do I get that pot of gold?"

Slowly, the vision fades. You feel vaguely disoriented for a moment.

"If you can pick it up, it's yours," the burin sniggers sagely.
human
Go northwest
gpt
This circular room at the base of the tower is surprisingly small for its size. An unlit fireplace to the northwest, and a sturdy oak door to the southeast, (which is standing wide open), are its only points of interest.

An animated burin hovers over your head.

"Make sure you get a good look at everything," cheeps the burin helpfully.
human
You enter the fireplace
gpt
You poke your head into the fireplace, and discover that climbing back up that way is indeed impossible. As you wriggle back into the room, something crunches underfoot.
human
Look around
gpt
This circular room at the base of the tower is surprisingly small for its size. An unlit fireplace to the northwest, and a sturdy oak door to the southeast, (which is standing wide open), are its only points of interest.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.

"Come on! Let's go exploring!" chirps the burin excitedly.
human
You look in the fireplace
gpt
The grand fireplace, opening to the northwest, is large enough to walk into. In the fireplace you see a grey cube.
human
You examine the grey cube
gpt
The cube is about an inch on a side, and is featureless grey, apart from a tiny legend embossed on one face.

The cube is about an inch on a side, and is featureless grey, apart from a tiny legend embossed on one face.
human
You read it
gpt
"Frobozz Magic Bubble Bath Company."
human
You go to the southeast
gpt
You are standing beneath a menacing black stone tower. The only entrance at ground level seems to be a sturdy oak door which is standing wide open. However, rough stone steps wind up around the outside and vanish somewhere near the top. The road leads back across a barren plain to the southeast.

An animated burin hovers over your head.

The burin flutters around your head.
human
Go southeast
gpt
The road bends here, running northwest to a distant tower and south to the mountains. Across a barren plain to the east, a wide rutted cart track bears the scars of recent heavy troop movements.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin hovers over your head.
human
You get the cube
gpt
As you touch the cube, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

The six interior walls of this perfectly cubical room are perfectly white and featureless. A single silver compass rose, balancing a delicate crystal sphere on its bloom, floats like a pedestal above the floor.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.

The burin recites a few choice passages from the Rites of the Implementors, then laughs at them.
human
You go to the east
gpt
As you move in that direction, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

You are standing on a tiny rock islet, barely more than a few feet across, in the middle of a vast ocean. No land is visible in any direction, and the water swirls threateningly about your feet.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.
human
You put the grey cube in the water
gpt
The grey cube falls into the water, and immediately is engulfed in a mass of swirling foam, undulating higher and higher until it seems certain to smother you. But the foam storm eventually subsides, to reveal a single giant bubble.
human
You enter the bubble
gpt
The bubble rocks slightly as you squeeze inside, but remains intact.

Ocean, in the giant bubble
You are floating in a giant soap bubble, on the surface of a vast ocean. Apart from a tiny rock islet, barely more than a few feet across, no land is visible in any direction.

You see a white cube here.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
You go downwards
gpt
At your touch, the bubble glides gently downward.

Under the Ocean, in the giant bubble
You are floating in a vast ocean, surrounded by a giant soap bubble full of damp but breathable air. Faint light from the distant surface overhead refracts off the bubble's walls into the mysterious depths beyond.

A blue shark glides past.

An animated burin hovers over your head.
human
You examine the shark
gpt
The shark gives you a fishy, toothy, kind of stare which you somehow find vaguely disturbing.

The burin flutters around your head.
human
You open Envelope
gpt
Opening the red envelope reveals a packing slip and a black cube.

The burin gives a screech of agony and dives back into the log book, which snaps closed after it.

The bubble shimmers soapily.
human
You give the cube to the shark
gpt
The black cube slips through the bubble's wall and into the water. In a single smooth movement, the shark darts forward and swallows it.

A dull black glow shimmers over the shark's body for a moment, and in its place a surprised-looking enchanter appears. He waves at you briefly and swims up toward the light.

The bubble's walls tremble softly.
human
Up
gpt
At your touch, the bubble glides gently upward.

Ocean, in the giant bubble
You are floating in a giant soap bubble, on the surface of a vast ocean. Apart from a tiny rock islet, barely more than a few feet across, no land is visible in any direction.

You see a white cube here.

A man in enchanter's robes stands on the islet, drying himself off.

The bubble's walls tremble softly.
human
You examine man
gpt
The enchanter looks about as old as you are young, with the profession's typical air of lofty mystique, but he seems to be having a bad day so far.

With a liquid 'thwap', the bubble bursts, tossing you back onto the islet.

You are standing on a tiny rock islet, barely more than a few feet across, in the middle of a vast ocean. No land is visible in any direction, and the water swirls threateningly about your feet.

You see a white cube here.

A man in enchanter's robes stands on the islet, drying himself off.
human
You ask man about the shark
gpt
The enchanter, deep in thought, doesn't respond.

The enchanter raises a hand in greeting. "Well met, young clerk. I see you face a dangerous puzzle, and you must not do that unaided." He hands you back the black cube, which appears from thin air, and frowns in deep concentration.
human
You put the cube in Envelope
gpt
Done.

The enchanter stares into the distance, brow furrowed. "But no, that would be utter foolishness. Such an ancient power in the hands of..." he breaks off and studies you thoughtfully.
human
You close Envelope
gpt
Closed.

The enchanter shakes his head. "It is decided. What was, must be. Listen to me carefully. I shall grant you one spell, only one, the oldest and most sacred of all the lore of Quendor. I dare not speak its name or tell you its purpose. That, you alone must discover. Look at me now, and steel your heart with virtue."
human
You look at the enchanter
gpt
You feel the enchanter's eyes boring deep into your soul. A burst of power fills you, and a single spell leaps into existence at the back of your mind. The enchanter smiles, swirls his cloak, and is gone.

[You can now use the word SPELLS to check what spells you know.]
human
Spells
gpt
You have the qwerty spell (whatever that is), stamped indelibly on your mind.
human
You open Book
gpt
Opened. The burin flutters out again.
human
Log task
gpt
The burin scribbles something into the logbook.

"Isn't this fun?" giggles the burin. "By the Quill, 'twill make a tall tale to tell thy tykes."
human
You get the cube
gpt
As you touch the cube, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

The six interior walls of this perfectly cubical room are perfectly white and featureless. A single silver compass rose, balancing a delicate crystal sphere on its bloom, floats like a pedestal above the floor.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
You go south
gpt
The flickering light of the compass rose picks out the curve of this grimy corridor as it twists from north to southeast.

The compass rose continues to burn.

A dank, rancid breeze wafts up the corridor.
human
You go southeast
gpt
A narrow crawl to the northwest opens here into a wide natural chamber, showing signs of later excavation and even later collapse. Tortured fragments of rock and rusted equipment lie scattered among piles of human-looking bones that crunch horribly underfoot.

A terrified adventurer crouches among the rubble, frantically waving a pair of unlit brass lanterns.

The compass rose continues to burn.
human
You give the battery to the adventurer
gpt
The adventurer takes the battery with trembling hands, and fumbles it into the shiny new lantern. As the lamp switches on, he wipes the sweat from his brow and relaxes visibly. Tossing the battered old lantern aside, he starts walking around the chamber examining objects.

The compass rose continues to burn.

The adventurer tries to turn the collection of rocks.
human
You open Book
gpt
Opened. The burin flutters out again.

The compass rose continues to burn.

The adventurer listens to the collection of rocks.
human
Log task
gpt
The burin scribbles something into the logbook.

The compass rose continues to burn.

The adventurer mutters an incantation over the collection of rocks.
human
You get the lantern
gpt
Taken.

The compass rose continues to burn.

The adventurer tries to turn the scrawled lettering.

The burin practises its penthingship.
human
You go northwest
gpt
The flickering light of the compass rose picks out the curve of this grimy corridor as it twists from north to southeast.

The compass rose sputters urgently.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.
human
Go north
gpt
You are in a gently sloping underground passage which curves upwards to the west, and down into darkness to the south. A dim light filters in through cracked timbers overhead.

You see a white cube here.

The compass rose sputters urgently.

The white cube trembles softly.

An animated burin flies in small circles around your head.
human
You touch the cube
gpt
As you touch the cube, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

The six interior walls of this white cubical room are shaking and disintegrating as you watch.

You see a crystal ball here.

The compass rose blows apart in a soft shower of petals.

The walls sway with terrifying disregard for physics.
The sphere spits out several tiny shards with a crystalline -ping-.

An animated burin is perched on your head.
human
You touch the sphere
gpt
As you touch the sphere, a faint, flickering image forms in your mind:

You are standing on the peak of a mountain reaching high above the rim of the world. Dazzling light fills your eyes, and a hollow voice booms down:
"Don't try to match wits with us, Zuzvuz. We'll consider your request for reimplementation in the next beta release, not a single compile before."

The vision abruptly cuts to black, as the crystal sphere explodes into a thousand splinters!

Black writhing cracks appear in the walls, with endless night beyond.
human
Up
gpt
As you move in that direction, the universe abruptly turns itself inside out.

You are standing on the apex of a towering rock pinnacle high in the southern mountains. Before you, to the northeast, stands the unfinished shell of a building, presumably a temple of some kind.

You see a white cube here.

The white cube vaporises in a miniature thunderclap.

An animated burin hovers over your head.
human
You read the logbook
gpt
The opened log book contains a list of previous magic support problems and solutions, signed and dated by the clerk on duty at the time.

24/4   Malyon spell backfired; burin accidentally animated. Oops. Zuzvuz.
27/4   Adventurer eaten by stray grues. Resurrected with gaspar. Zuzvuz.
32/4   Trolls ravaging village. Applied two-handed axe; resolved. Felenar.
6/5    Some trouble communicating with cyclops. See legend 2001. Zuzvuz.
13/5   Adventurer llepsed gaspar. Summoned Implementors. Zuzvuz.
17/5   Implementors de-implemented Zuzvuz. Attempted blorple to Old Quendor. Felenar.
20/5   Felenar and Zuzvuz missing. Sent replacement job application to GUE Tech. Sorkin.
23/5   GUE Tech gated to Old Quendor. Llepsed golmac might work. Sorkin.
29/5   Two words: why me? New support clerk arrives tomorrow. Must train
before (after) breaking Sorkin's time loop. Assuming
counterspell
exists, if not... Helistar.
30/5   GUE Tech Vault jammed. Took time to open it. Krosk lord of blood.
30/5   Princess imprisoned without rezrov scroll. Delivered.
Krosk lord of blood.
30/5   Enchanter permanently snaviged. Broke spell with antimagic. Krosk lord of blood.
30/5   Tourist lost at rainbow chasm. Pushed off cliff blindfold. Krosk lord of blood.
30/5   Adventurer low on batteries. Improvised with vending machine. Krosk lord of blood.

The burin recites a few choice passages from the Rites of the Implementors, then laughs at them.
human
You enter the temple
gpt
You are inside the temple, which seems to be built roughly in a square; the roof, still unfinished, is open to the sky. In the centre of the room stands a transparent crystalline cube, about a metre a side. A doorless archway leads out to the southwest.

An animated burin hovers over your head.
human
You put the lamp on cube
gpt
As you put the battered old brass lantern on the crystal cube, it glows white and vanishes.
human
You put the ruler on the cube
gpt
As you put the silver slide rule on the crystal cube, it glows white and vanishes.
human
You put the coin on the cube
gpt
As you put the gold zorkmid on the crystal cube, it glows white and vanishes.

The burin makes a lunge at its shadow, and misses.
human
You put Book on the cube
gpt
As you put the log book on the crystal cube, it glows white and vanishes.

The burin vanishes in a flurry of white sparkles.
human
Qwerty
gpt
A bolt of thunder rumbles overhead.
human
Qwerty
gpt
The sky darkens, and thunder rolls again.
human
Qwerty
gpt
Jagged forks of lightning crackle through the swollen sky.
human
Qwerty
gpt
A single lurid sheet of blue lightning arcs through the roof and strikes the crystal cube. The universe turns white.

You are standing inside a very strangely dimensioned room, which appears to be composed of the plane surfaces between sixteen white cubes arranged at right angles to each other. It's the sort of thing you've had nightmares about while sleeping through Elementary Hyperspatial Topology 101. There are no visible exits.
human
You check your inventory
gpt
You are empty-handed.

A white-shadowed figure walks through a wall that isn't there, looks you up and down absently, and speaks to someone who patently doesn't exist.

"Dave? Looks like one of the NPCs has gone and tripped the invocation subroutine again. I'd better comment it out before... No, it can't be a player, we haven't had anyone get to the temple since we added the forest puzzle in the last beta. Maybe we should put in some more... okay, okay, I'll check. I'm telling you, though, there's not the slightest chance..."
human
You examine the figure
gpt
The Implementor looks vaguely author-shaped.

The Implementor continues talking to his unseen partner.

"Hey, what do you know? It's got the whole invocation right, and even logged all the support jobs! That's one smart NPC. Maybe we should take a copy of the object code and... yeah, okay, so it might be a player after all. Sure, hang on, I'll just check the trace file."
human
Qwerty
gpt
A bolt of thunder rumbles overhead.

"Oops. Looks like deleting Zuzvuz broke the whole GUE Tech timewarp simulation. It's running in an endless loop now. No, there's no way I'm coding that up again, there's some really hairy hacks in there. Easiest thing's just to put Zuzvuz back in and recompile from the last source backup. That should fix... oh, yeah, sure, I think I can reward the player somehow. Just give me a moment..."

Abruptly, the universe goes dark.

Nothing happens. It would seem that you are dead.
human
Wait
gpt
Abruptly, the universe returns.

GUE Tech, Modern Quendor
You are walking through a familiar college campus. Enchanters and students mingle around the ancient moss-covered buildings, and every few minutes you hear the thumps and yelps of spells misfiring in the labs. Bright sunlight shines down from a cloudless blue sky.
human
Go west
gpt
You enter the Interactive Mythology lab.

A woman in senior Enchanter's robes runs up to you, gives you an informal hug, and grins. "Well done, Krosk lord of blood. You've saved the entire known universe with a single spell. That's a tale which will be long remembered in the Encyclopedia Frobozzica. Oh, but before I forget, this just came for you."

Helistar hands you an envelope marked "Hero, Inc. Special Introductory Offer." With trembling hands, you eagerly tear it open...

But that's another story.