system
You are the dungeon master of a text adventure game. The game should involve the following genres and tags:
Fantasy, compassless,cover art,dreams,fantasy,gender-neutral protagonist,gothic,horror,prince,telescopic descriptions,Xyzzy Awards 2013
gpt
Even after you ended your studies into the arcane, the nightmares continued to get worse.

You see Amaranth in these dreams - a small and distant land that claims some vague portion of your ancestry - and the tyrant of a prince who rules it. You see everyone you have ever loved, everything you have ever cherished, shrivel and wither and fade - touched by his corrupting shadow.

The Red Prince must die. You realise that now.

Only then will the dreams stop.

[If you have not previously visited Amaranth, in dreams or otherwise, type ABOUT and press return.]

Wild forestland surrounds a quaint and shadowed village.

A sheer cliff rises over the treetops, upon which is perched an ancient and gothic castle.

(EXPLORE or X the land to find the means to the Red Prince's
undoing.)
human
You look at the village
gpt
You follow deserted cobble roads between shuttered cottages and past a burnt-out church. Although barely a soul is to be found out of doors, there is movement in the windows of the local inn.
human
You explore
gpt
What do you want to explore?
human
You look at the village
gpt
You follow deserted cobble roads between shuttered cottages and past a burnt-out church. Although barely a soul is to be found out of doors, there is movement in the windows of the local inn.

(If you get stuck, SLEEP. Your dreams brought you to Amaranth and
they may still show you the way.)
human
You look at inn
gpt
The inn bears no name, only a hanging sign depicting an overflowing tankard. The windows are barred and the door is unusually heavyset, but the hearth within casts a friendly glow and the barstool is a welcome respite for your weary legs.

The innkeeper nods a silent greeting, while a drunken carouser stamps his feet and slurs boisterous songs.

(You may find out important information if you TALK TO the
inhabitants of Amaranth.)
human
You talk to the innkeeper
gpt
The innkeeper sizes you up. "Don't get so many of your sort round here, least not these days. If you're looking for a drink, I have the best ale in all Amaranth."
human
You talk to the carouser
gpt
The carouser looms over you, his breath stinking of cheap ale. "We don't need any more of your sort around here. Why don't you bloody well bugger off back where you came from?"

(ATTACK belligerent parties WITH any weapons you may have. If you
have yet to find anything more suitable, you can always resort to your FISTS.)
human
You examine the carouser
gpt
Burly and red-nosed. He reeks of ale.
human
You talk to the carouser
gpt
The carouser slams his drink on the bar. "Get out! Your kind aren't welcome here! Or are you looking for a fight?"
human
About yourself
gpt
One who has spent too many nights studying forgotten lore, and too few days in the sunlight.
human
You attack the carouser with the fists
gpt
You raise your fists to attack, and the carouser suddenly falls to his knees. "No, don't! I'm the last of my brothers and sisters left alive! This lighter's not worth much, but my father gave it to me. Take it, and we'll call it quits!"

You pocket the lighter and lower your fists.
human
You examine lighter
gpt
The engraving reads, "Be sober, be vigilant."

With this, you should be able to light anything suitably flammable.
human
You talk to the carouser
gpt
"I s'pose you'll be setting fire to all sorts of things now. You look the type."
human
You set the fire to the carouser
gpt
There seems little purpose in setting the carouser on fire.
human
You ask the innkeeper for the drink
gpt
The ale served in the inn proves lukewarm and watered down.

The innkeeper meets your eye and smiles. You smile back.
human
You talk to the innkeeper
gpt
"They say the Armoured Lady has haunted the church graveyard for a hundred years. Never seen her myself, mind."

scurry back to their homes. You retire to the local inn.

flapping of leathery wings. Come morning, another poor soul is found pale, weak and proclaiming her love for the Red Prince.
human
You look at the village
gpt
You follow deserted cobble roads between shuttered cottages and past a burnt-out church. Although barely a soul is to be found out of doors, there is movement in the windows of the local inn.
human
You examine the church
gpt
Once grand and reverently architected, the windows are now empty, the roof open and the walls blackened by smoke. The spire remains standing, but the stairs up were apparently burned away in the original conflagration.

Despite this blasphemy, the graveyard seems untouched.
human
You examine the spire
gpt
An accusing claw, pointing at the sky.
human
You examine the graveyard
gpt
Emerging from tangled weeds are a chaos of headstones topped with cherubs and angels. A mausoleum stands in one corner.

Within the gates of this graveyard you feel watched.
human
You examine the headstones
gpt
There seems to have been a long lasting tradition of angel headstones in Amaranth. These stone guardians seem both protective and resigned to mute sadness.
human
You move the headstone
gpt
Those are fixed in place.
human
You examine the mausoleum
gpt
A small and gabled building of mossy stone. The silence around it is unnatural and oppressive.

As soon as you step inside the mausoleum, a long-haired revenant stumbles shrieking from its depths, clad in chainmail and brandishing a gleaming sword. Her voice claws at your eardrums and you find yourself fleeing the graveyard in terror.

She stops at the threshold of the mausoleum and watches you with empty eye sockets.
human
You talk to the revenant
gpt
Tip of her sword at your throat, the revenant speaks through parched lips. "Treachery at every turn. Betrayed by my own army. Failed by my heirs. Take this sword. Slay the one who trapped me in my own grave. Fail, and I shall recover it from your corpse and devour your heart. As I did with those who came before you."

With a flash of white-hot light from her empty eye sockets, the armoured lady retreats into the mausoleum and disappears. You find yourself holding her silver sword.
human
You examine the sword
gpt
Its edge glints with an otherworldly light.
human
Inventory
gpt
You are carrying:
a silver sword
an engraved lighter
human
You look around
gpt
Wild forestland surrounds a quaint and shadowed village.

A sheer cliff rises over the treetops, upon which is perched an ancient and gothic castle.
human
You look at the houses
gpt
For a moment you are confused. You might know that item by another name, it might not be important, or perhaps you grasp at phantoms that exist on another plane.
human
You take the barstool
gpt
You decide to leave the barstool for now.

scurry back to their homes. You retire to the local inn.

flapping of leathery wings. Come morning, another poor soul is found pale, weak and proclaiming her love for the Red Prince.
human
You examine the forest
gpt
The forests of Amaranth are dark and wild. An unpaved path leads through the grasping branches, past an abandoned shack and an ancient stone shrine, and ends - seemingly at random - in a quiet glade.
human
You examine the shack
gpt
Clearing away the ivy that has overgrown its broken door, you discover that the abandoned shack is the entrance to an old mine shaft.
human
You look at the shaft
gpt
The mine shaft is lit only by an eerie phosphorescence. Deserted rails lead down through the subterranean passages and makeshift crosses protrude from cave-in debris.

Among the abandoned mine equipment, you see a stick of dynamite.

(You can TAKE certain items and PUT them IN other locations. See
what items you're carrying with INVENTORY or I.)
human
You look at the dynamite
gpt
The stick of dynamite is old, but dry and intact. It should make a reasonable bang several seconds after being lit.
human
You take the dynamite
gpt
You take possession of the stick of dynamite... carefully.
human
You look at the shrine
gpt
A weather-smoothed stone that might once have been in the form of some obscure god.

A horned skeleton is lying near the shrine.
human
You get the horn
gpt
Those seem to be a part of the horned skeleton.
human
You get the skeleton
gpt
You gather up the horned skeleton. It maintains its form almost as though some inhuman will remains to hold it together.
human
You look at the stone
gpt
A weather-smoothed stone that might once have been in the form of some obscure god.
human
You move the stone
gpt
It is fixed in place.
human
You examine the path
gpt
The path that leads through the forest has been worn into the dirt by many feet.
human
You examine the glade
gpt
A quiet clearing in the forest, carpeted in daisies that gently sway in the wind.

A ring of scorched earth is the only blot on the glade's idyll.

scurry back to their homes. You retire to the local inn.

flapping of leathery wings. Come morning, another poor soul is found pale, weak and proclaiming her love for the Red Prince.
human
You examine the ring
gpt
You step uneasily around the ring. It is a perfect, unnatural circle.
human
You enter the ring
gpt
As you step into the ring of scorched earth, the sky beings to acquire a green tint. The trees around you warp and change into species you have never seen before. Mellifluous voices carry on the wind, and you catch glimpses of naked, horned figures frolicking in the eerie light of two suns.

With the gasp of one who has been holding their breath, you step out of the ring and back into the everyday world, before you are completely lost.
human
You throw the skeleton into the ring
gpt
You place the horned skeleton within the ring of scorched earth, taking care not to enter it yourself.

With a sound like the ripping of flesh, a toothed maw opens in the ground, swallowing the skeleton whole.

The maw stretches wide, exuding sulphur and the sense of an immense appetite yet unfulfilled.
human
You look at the shack
gpt
The abandoned shack stands over the entrance to an old mine shaft.
human
You go castle
gpt
A towering gothic structure of ancient stone. Its crumbling watchtower overlooks the village, and dim lights glow in the windows of the Great Hall.

Gaunt soldiers stand guard around the Great Hall.
human
You examine the soldiers
gpt
The gaunt soldiers of the Red Prince are haggard and emaciated. Their pallor speaks more of the grave than the battlefield.
human
You examine watchtower
gpt
The watchtower has a commanding view of the village below. Though built from huge stone bricks that have resisted weathering, it slants distinctly.

The air inside the watchtower is thick with flies. Rotting carcasses are shackled to the walls.

A massive gong stands within the watchtower.
human
You examine carcasses
gpt
Very little is left of these unfortunate prisoners.
human
You examine the gong
gpt
Heavy and ornate, it will make quite a sound when rung.
human
You hit gong
gpt
The gong resounds with a mournful note that echoes throughout the castle.

The gaunt soldiers that guard the Great Hall leave their posts to file slowly into the watchtower. They shamble and crawl over its mouldy flagstone, picking at the carcasses chained to the walls.
human
You look at great Hall
gpt
You enter a domed hall of faded tapestries and tarnished gold. Cobwebs span the archways and dust coats every surface.

A tall, pale figure emerges from the shadows. "Welcome. I am known as the Red Prince. A fitting title, I feel. And who might you be? No, don't tell me."

A chill runs down your spine as his dark eyes drill into yours. You hear subtle echoes of your recent thoughts and conversations, before he breaks the contact and smiles. "A fellow student of the occult, I see. Do feel free to explore my library."

Finding little fresh meat to sate their appetites, the gaunt soldiers march back to their posts in the Great Hall.
human
You examine the library
gpt
Shelves and shelves of books are crammed together in the tight space of the castle library. The air is musty with the smell of aging paper. You find any number of arcane and esoteric books, many of which you have previously read.

A few rare titles catch your eye, however, books you had thought long lost to the world: a Treatise on Other Worlds, Analysis Of Evil, Ignorant Children, History of Greatness and a black book.

A lantern has been cast aside in one corner.
human
You get the lamp
gpt
For a moment you are confused. You might know that item by another name, it might not be important, or perhaps you grasp at phantoms that exist on another plane.
human
You take the lantern
gpt
Taken.
human
You examine the lantern
gpt
A sturdy lantern in an old style. It is unlit.
human
Light lantern
gpt
You light the lantern. You can now explore places that are shrouded in darkness.
human
You look at the black book
gpt
This book is distinguished by only an embossed skull on its cover. Nevertheless, you recognise it immediately. You are unable to read the thin, inhuman scrawl within its pages, and would be reluctant to expose yourself to its horrors even if you could.

scurry back to their homes. You retire to the local inn.

flapping of leathery wings. Come morning, another poor soul is found pale, weak and proclaiming her love for the Red Prince.
human
You read Treatise on other Worlds
gpt
You thumb through the book looking for anything of interest, and find the following:

"...such 'Fairy Rings' have long been held in European folklore as passages to the realm of the Others. Doors left ajar, if you will, awaiting the return of visitors to our world.

"Experimentation reveals that such travellers need not return to their doorway in a state of life for it to open, albeit, in such cases, not quite to the place from which they originally came."
human
You read the analysis of the Evil
gpt
You thumb through the book looking for anything of interest, and find the following:

"Many myths and tales attribute various strengths and weaknesses to such evils - from the ability to turn to mist, to a variety of apotropaics thought to ward them away. In particular, the powers of evil are said to wane considerably during the daylight hours, although the notion that sunlight should result in the combustion of the demon is recent and apocryphal.

"Most reliable sources agree on the effectiveness of silver as anathema to evil. Those advocating iron instead are surely victim to ecumenical confusion between those that are Evil and those that are merely of the Other."
human
You read ignorant children
gpt
You skim the first chapter and pick out a passage at random:

"Moulded by foreign magicks into human form, these cuckoo chicks of outre parents may even reach adulthood unaware of their heritage and abilities."
human
You read the history of the Greatness
gpt
You read a page from the middle of the book:

"But recognising his magnificence, the invading army pledged their immortal souls to his throne. The betrayed jezebel fell into a fatal fit of rage and was said to have died of a heart too unrighteous to beat."
human
You place the dynamite in the castle
gpt
Although you're unable to find an obvious weak point, you place the dynamite in the castle.
human
You examine the cliff
gpt
These treacherous cliffs of black rock project straight up from the banks of a raging river and cast a shadow over the village. A single narrow trail leads up to the castle.
human
You examine the trail
gpt
It winds up the cliff, starting from the banks of a raging river.
human
You examine the river
gpt
A deep river of hidden undercurrents and nameless flotsam. Following it to its source, you find a waterfall cascading down the cliff face.
human
You look at the waterfall
gpt
Behind the waterfall is a dark cave.
human
You examine the cave
gpt
Holding your lantern high to illuminate your way, you edge into the cave.

Although seemingly natural in origin, the cave intersects with the foundations of some structure. They're not substantial enough to be shoring up the entire castle, but you suspect that these foundations might underlie its watchtower.
human
You look at the foundations
gpt
Thick beams of damp and rotting wood that must support the castle watchtower.
human
You get the dynamite
gpt
You take possession of the stick of dynamite... carefully.
human
You put it in the foundations
gpt
You study the foundations for a while, working out where the point of greatest weakness is, and place the dynamite there.
human
Light dynamite
gpt
You light the fuse and quickly make your exit from the cave. Scant seconds later the dynamite explodes and the nearby foundations fold up like a concertina.

With a low rumble, the watchtower collapses into a pile of broken stone and dust, forever changing the skyline of Amaranth. Those few of the Prince's terrible soldiers to escape are in no state to return to their posts.

scurry back to their homes. You retire to the local inn.

flapping of leathery wings. Come morning, another poor soul is found pale, weak and proclaiming his love for the Red Prince.
human
You look at Hall
gpt
You enter a domed hall of faded tapestries and tarnished gold. Cobwebs span the archways and dust coats every surface.

The Red Prince lounges in a high-backed chair, a terrible and languid smile adorning his pale features.
human
You look at the tapestries
gpt
These faded tapestries depict battles whose combatants and outcomes have been obscured by age.
human
You talk to Prince
gpt
"Oh... you were expecting me to be perturbed that you intend to kill me? You think, perhaps, that you're the first to try? But that is not so. I have bested far greater warriors than you. Much braver souls have begged me for mercy. Whole armies have been broken to my will. Yes, carry out your futile designs. And the less you bore me, the less I shall make you suffer."
human
You wipe the smile off his face
gpt
For a moment you are confused. You might know that item by another name, it might not be important, or perhaps you grasp at phantoms that exist on another plane.
human
You kill Prince with the sword
gpt
You charge the Red Prince, swinging the silver sword. He easily evades your clumsy attack, at first, before you find a grace and prowess you had no idea you possessed. You duck beneath fingers wielded like talons and drive the silver sword through his heart. With a prolonged death rattle, he crumples into his chair.

The corpse of the Red Prince bears a strange and terrible smile.
human
You examine the corpse
gpt
In truth, he does not seem to have changed much from when he was alive.

The corpse of the Red Prince moves with the slightest twitch.
human
You take the corpse
gpt
Taken.

A shudder runs through the corpse of the Red Prince.
human
You put the corpse in the ring
gpt
While you heft it towards the maw, the Red Prince's corpse seems to convulse with a renewed effort to tear through the thin albumen between death and unlife.

As you finally cast it into those terrible, subterranean jaws, the corpse's eyes flick open. "No! You cannot! Wretch!"

But the Red Prince's curses grow distant as he tumbles into oblivion.

With a satisfied, sulphurous growl, the maw's gangrenous lips draw closed and fade completely from this world. Behind you, the sinister castle that has for so long dominated the sky of Amaranth finally collapses in on itself.

You draw a deep breath of fresh air, and feel a weight lifted from your soul. Perhaps now you can return home and rest.