SteamHighwaymanDemo

====WORLD VARIABLES==== (set:$timesaved to -24)(should mean we start at 3 o'clock) (set:$clock to (history:)'s length-$timesaved) (set:$days to 1) (set:$lastdebrief to 0) (set:$weather to "rainy") (set:$weatherlog to (a:"rainy")) (set:$Greeting to "Good day") (set:$highlow to "low") (set:$night to false) ====CHARACTERS==== (DISPLAY:"SETUP - CHARACTERS") ====OBJECTS==== (display:"SETUP - OBJECTS") (set:$solditems to (a:)) (set:$allfood to (a:"elderberry wine","loaf of bread","rabbit pie")) (set:$climbinglist to (a:"grappling hook","rope","crampons")) ====PLACES==== (display:"SETUP - PLACES") ====TRAFFIC==== (display:"SETUP - TRAFFIC") ====MAIN CHARACTER==== ==HEALTH== =WOUNDS= (set:$openwounds to (a:)) (set:$bandagedwounds to (a:)) (set:$scars to (a:)) (set:$woundplaces to (a:" right arm"," left arm"," knee"," stomach"," shin"," shoulder"," calf"," thigh"," head"," hand"," cheek"," eye"," side"," chest"," nose"))(set:$visiblescars to (a:" head"," cheek"," eye"," nose"," hand")) (set:$lastdaydebrief to 0) (if:$sex is "m")[(set:$guvnor to "guvnor")(set:$mychild to "my son")(set:$mate to "mate")](else:)[(set:$guvnor to "mum")(set:$mychild to "my daughter")(set:$mate to "miss")] ==QUESTS== (display:"SETUP - QUESTS") =RUMOURS= (display:"SETUP - RUMOURS") ==STATS== (if:$sex is "m")[(set:$milord to "milord")] (if:$sex is "f")[(set:$milord to "ma'am")] (set:$sleep to 0) (set:$lastslept to 0) - Fatigue (set:$fatigue to 0) (set:$lastate to 0)- Hunger (set:$hunger to 0) (set:$pistolshot to 0) (set:$intimidation to 0) (set:$gallantry to 0) (set:$agility to 0) (set:$knowndances to (a:)) (set:$knowntunes to (a:)) (set:$musicianship to 0) ==INVENTORY== Inventory (set:$inv to (a:"cheap hankie","sabre","blunderpistol","crowbar","grappling iron")) (set:$money to 0) ==VELOSTEAM== (set:$coalgas to 100) (set:$water to 100) (set:$veldam to 0) ====FIGHTING==== (set: $round to 0) (set:$o to "your opponent") (set:$O to "Your opponent") (set: $oweapon to "weapon") (set: $gun to "blunderpistol") (set: $blade to "sabre") (set: $oaction to "stall") (set: $paction to "stall") (set: $owounds to 0) (set: $pwounds to 0) (set: $fightloc to "nowhere") (if:$startstory is "DoCC")[(goto:"West of Christmas Common")] (if:$startstory is "test")[(goto:"Aston Hill")]

{ }(if:$paction is "slash")[ (if:$oaction is "parry")[Your heavy slash knocks (print:$opponent's name)'s (print:$oweapon's name) out of the way, forcing (print:$him) backwards.] (if:$oaction is "thrust")[Your ill-timed slash allows (print:$opponent's name)'s quick thrust through your guard. (set:$pwounds to it+1)(set:$openwounds to it+(a:(either:...$woundplaces)))You are wounded in the (print:$openwounds's last)! (if:$oaction is "slash")[Your two weapons meet in a noisy clash of arms.]]]{ }(if:$paction is "parry")[ (if:$oaction is "parry")[You both pause, looking for an opportunity.] (if:$oaction is "thrust")[You knock (print:$opponent's name)'s quick thrust aside with a strong blocking movement.] (if:$oaction is "slash")[Suddenly (print:$opponent's name) knocks your weapon down and you are forced to step backwards.)]]{ }(if:$paction is "thrust")[ (if:$oaction is "parry")[But (print:$opponent's name) easily knocks your blade aside.] (if:$oaction is "thrust")[Your blades lock together in a test of strength, but you jump apart before either of you can gain an advantage.] (if:$oaction is "slash")[You quickly thrust above (print:$opponent's name)'s (print:$oweapon's name) and succeed in drawing blood.(set:$owounds to it+1)]] You have $pwounds wounds. Your opponent has $owounds. (if:$pwounds is 3)[You have been killed.](if:$owounds is 3)[You have killed your opponent.]

(if:$round is 0)[(display:"Opponent clue") (display:"Action choice")(set:$round to 1)] (else:)[(display:"Result")(if:$owounds<3 and $pwounds<3)[ (display:"Opponent clue") (display:"Action choice")(set:$round to it+1)](else:)[The fight is over. (link:"And so...")[(goto:"Victory")]]]

Will you: [slash]<1| [thrust]<2| [parry]<3| (click:?1)[(set:$paction to "slash")(goto:"Fight")] (click:?2)[(set:$paction to "thrust")(goto:"Fight")] (click:?3)[(set:$paction to "parry")(goto:"Fight")]

(set:$oaction to (either:"thrust","slash","parry"))(either:"It seems $o is about to $oaction.","$O looks like $he will $oaction with $his $oweap next.")

{ (set:$opponent to $ESdriver)(set:$oweapon to $coalshovel)(display:"Fightsetup")(display:"Loot") } $O slumps to the ground and you turn to the controls of the road engine. Stop the locomotive (Click:"Stop the locomotive")[Closing the regulator and easing on the brakes, you bring the engine to a stop. [Search $o]<search| (Click:?search)[A quick search of $o leaves you holding [(if:$lootcash <12)[(print:$lootcash)p](if:$lootcash >11 and <240)[(print:(($lootcash-($lootcash%12))/12))s (print:$lootcash%12)p](else:)[£(print:(($lootcash-$lootcash%240)/240)) (print:((($lootcash%240)-$lootcash%12)/12))s (print:$lootcash%12)p]]<lootcash|(if:$lootnumber is 3)[a [(print:$loot3's name)]<3|, a [(print:$loot2's name)]<2| and a [(print:$loot1's name)]<1|](if:$lootnumber is 2)[, a [(print:$loot2's name)]<2| and a [(print:$loot1's name)]<1|](if:$lootnumber is 1)[ and a [(print:$loot1's name)]<1|]. You can also take $his [$oweap]<weapon|. (click:?lootcash)[(set:$money to it+$lootcash)(set:$lootcash to 0)] (click:?1)[(if:$slot12's name is "nothing")[(set:$slot12 to $loot1)(display:"invshuffle")](else:)[You have no room for this. ]](click:?2)[(if:$slot12's name is "nothing")[(set:$slot12 to $loot2)(display:"invshuffle")](else:)[You have no room for this. ]](click:?3)[(if:$slot12's name is "nothing")[(set:$slot12 to $loot3)(display:"invshuffle")](else:)[You have no room for this. ]](click:?weapon)[(if:$slot12's name is "nothing")[(set:$slot12 to $oweapon)(display:"invshuffle")](else:)[You have no room for this. ]]{ }(if:$openwounds's length >0)[{ }You are wounded in the{ }(if: $openwounds's length is 1)[(print:$openwounds's 1st).]{ }(if: $openwounds's length is 2)[ the(print:$openwounds's 1st) and the(print:$openwounds's 2nd).]] (if:$RSCvsES>0)[[Look at the steam wagon]<look| (click:?look)[(set:$RSCvsES to 3)(goto:"Wagontrain")]]]{ }(else:)[|go>[Return to where you were...](click:?go)[(goto:$fightloc)]]]

You mount your velosteam and fasten your heavy weather cloak tight. The London road is hilly and passes through thick beech woods east of here. The perfect place for an ambush. [Open the regulator...]<1| (click:?1)[Steam rushes into the pistons and your vel begins to move out of the Spyglass's yard and onto the open road. No-one else is braving the wet night - for now. [Head up the London Road]<2| (click:?2)[Steaming East, you tear up the uneven road, catching glimpses of the full moon through broken cloud. The rain comes and goes, but the wind roars and whistles around you. Reaching the cover of the beech woods, you begin to look for an ambush point. A woodsman's track, largely masked by a bramble clump, seems a good place to lay in wait. [Wait here...]<3| (Click:?3)[With your burner down low, just enough to keep the pressure up, you wrap your cloak around yourself and settle down to wait. [Check your weapons...]<4| (click:?4)[Your sabre is loose in its sheath and sharpened only earlier today. Your blunderpistol with its wide muzzle and short stock is loaded and ready. A single shot is all it offers you and you must be close for it to hit, but you have seen its deadly effect before. [Check your grapple...]<5| (click:?5)[You take the time to lift your grapple and its strong cable from the mount on the steering column of your velosteam, recoil the cable carefully and look it over for weaknesses. Should you have to leap aboard a racing steamer, only the strength of the cable and your vel's low centre of gravity will keep your trusty steed alongside. [All is ready...]<6| (click:?6)[(goto:"Attack")]]]]]]

Hours have passed. The rain has begun to slacken, but you are soaked through despite your heavy cloak. Then, at last, you hear a the approach of a steam traction engine up the hill. It sounds as though the driver has full steam up to mount the slope. [Time your approach to match speed...]<1| (click:?1)[Opening the regulator once more, you urge your heavy velosteam forwards. The engine and its wagons appear on the road suddenly - closer that your thought. Perhaps another hiding place would have given you a better view - but it is too late for that. The glare of their lamps lights the road for a moment and then they charge past, the massive wheels churning the mud and gravel. [Come alongside...]<2| (click:?2)[There is just enough room to come alongside the footplate of the locomotive. The driver and fireman, focused on their engine and hurling coal into the firebox, haven't seen you yet. [Draw your blunderpistol...]<3| (click:?3)[Drawing the clumsy pistol, you ride one-handed and try to aim towards the crew. ["Loose steam or I fire!"]<4| (click:?4)[The fireman and driver turn at the sound of your challenge, see the dreaded highwayman at their side and open the regulator full. The powerful Massey engine lurches forward, wagons in tow. [Fire your blunderpistol!]<5| (click:?5)[The gun recoils heavily and you fight to keep your velosteam stable on the uneven road. Looking back at the footplate, you see the spread of shot has hit the fireman, who lies slumped against the coalbox. The driver is still at his station. [Grapple and board...]<6| (click:?6)[The grapple latches firmly onto the locomotive's ironwork and you winch the cable in until your vel is lashed to the engine's side. The driver has grasped the coal shovel and turns to fight as you mount the footplate. [Draw your sabre!]<7| (click:?7)[(set:$opponent to $ESdriver)(set:$oweapon to $coalshovel)(display:"Fightsetup") So now you are |8>[ready...] (click:?8)[(goto:"Fight")]]]]]]]]

{ (set:$oweap to $oweapon's name) (set:$oblade to $oweapon's blade) (set:$ohandle to $oweapon's handle) (set:$o to $opponent's name) (set:$O to $opponent's namecap) (if:$opponent's sex is "m")[ (set:$he to "he")(set:$his to "his")(set:$him to "him")(set:$He to "He")(set:$His to "His")](else:)[(set:$he to "she")(set:$his to "her")(set:$him to "her")(set:$He to "She")(set:$His to "Her")] }

{ (set:$lootnumber to (random:1,3))  (if:$opponent's class is 2)[ (set:$lootcash to (random:30, 180)) (set:$loot1 to (either:$pinkpills,$notebook,$cabbageleaf)) (set:$loot2 to (either:$wrench,$brassring,$watch)) (set:$loot3 to (either:$hankie,$wigpowder,$combinationknife))] }

(if:$inv's length is 0)[You have no possessions of any kind.]{ }(if:$inv's length >0)[ A (print:$inv's 1st)(click:$inv's 1st)[ (display:$inv's 1st)]]{ }(if:$inv's length >1)[ A (print:$inv's 2nd)(click:$inv's 2nd)[ (display:$inv's 2nd)]]{ }(if:$inv's length >2)[ A (print:$inv's 3rd)(click:$inv's 3rd)[ (display:$inv's 3rd)]]{ }(if:$inv's length >3)[ A (print:$inv's 4th)(click:$inv's 4th)[ (display:$inv's 4th)]]{ }(if:$inv's length >4)[ A (print:$inv's 5th)(click:$inv's 5th)[ (display:$inv's 5th)]]{ }(if:$inv's length >5)[ A (print:$inv's 6th)(click:$inv's 6th)[ (display:$inv's 6th)]]{ }(if:$inv's length >6)[ A (print:$inv's 7th)(click:$inv's 7th)[ (display:$inv's 7th)]]{ }(if:$inv's length >7)[ A (print:$inv's 8th)(click:$inv's 8th)[ (display:$inv's 8th)]]{ }(if:$inv's length >8)[ A (print:$inv's 9th)(click:$inv's 9th)[ (display:$inv's 9th)]]{ }(if:$inv's length >9)[ A (print:$inv's 10th)(click:$inv's 10th)[ (display:$inv's 10th)]]{ }(if:$inv's length >10)[ A (print:$inv's 11th)(click:$inv's 11th)[ (display:$inv's 11th)]]{ }(if:$inv's length >11)[ A (print:$inv's 12th)(click:$inv's 12th)[ (display:$inv's 12th)]]

You have now managed to halt the traction engine and its freight wagons, just as your anonymous friend bade you. But perhaps you can do more? [Set the boiler to explode]<1| (click:?1)[You shovel more into the firebox, then jam the door closed and smash the safety pressure valve. With any luck, the steam should blow the boiler once it passes the maximum pressure. [Investigate the wagons]<2| (click:?2)[The six wagons are all full of building supplies and raw goods. Bricks, barrel staves, scaffold poles, pig iron, pre-cast frames, canvas bales. The bulk cargo is all far too massive for you to steal. [Set fire to the wagons]<3| (Click:?3)[The tarpaulins over the wagons need little incentive to light and before long the road is lit by a line of roaring flames. (link-goto:"Ride off","Road 4")]]]

Leaving the roaring flames of the ruined wagon train behind, you head back towards the Sign of the Spyglass. You coast in beneath the mists of the early morning, park your velosteam in the stables and make your way up the backstairs. [Head to your room]<1| (click:?1)[It is time to rest and sleep in the haven of your private room here at the Sign of the Spyglass. [Sleep]<sleep|(click:?sleep)[(set:$sleeploc to "Spyglass morning")(goto:"sleep")]]

(if:$clock%96 > 72 and $lastdebrief<$days)[(display:"Daysdebrief") [Rest...]<r|(click:?r)[(goto:"sleep")]](else:)[You dream of (if: $sleep < 24)[(set:$d20 to (random:1,20))(if:$d20 >2)[(either:...$dreamlist)](else:)[when you (either:...$guilts)].(live:0.2s)[(set:$sleep to it +1)$sleep(goto:"sleep")]](if: $sleep > 23)[the road. You wake up.(set:$clock to ((history:)'s length - $timesaved))(set: $fatigue to 0)(Set:$lastslept to $clock)(set:$sleep to 0)(if:$bandagedwounds's length>0)[ After a deep sleep, the wound in your (print:$bandagedwounds's 1st) has healed.(set:$scars to it + (a:$bandagedwounds's 1st))(set:$bandagedwounds to it - (a:$bandagedwounds's 1st))(if:$visiblescars contains $scars's last)[ The scar in your (print:$scars's last) will make you more intimidating.(set:$intimation to it + 1)]] (if:$clock%96>72)[ (display:"Daysdebrief") ] [Return to where you were...]<go|(click:?go)[(goto:$loc)]]]

You return to spend the afternoon in the parlour of the Spyglass, and sure enough, your anonymous contact reappears, just as muffled. ["So, my reward?"]<1| (click:?1)["A reward well-earnt," says the muffled man with a wry chuckle. "I'm sure the Smythe boys will feel a little more cautious down this way." He drops a [bag of coins]<coins| onto the table in front of you.(click:?coins)[ Opening the bag, you find it contains ten golden guineas as promised. (set:$money to it+2600)] [Raise your glass]<2| (click:?2)["I may have more work for you," continues the man. "I presume I can find you here again?" ["You can find me here."]<3| (click:?3)[He leaves as quietly as he came. [Return to your table in the Spyglass...]<sp|(click:?spy)[(goto:"Spyglass Table")] (display:"Infofooter")]]]

(set:$timesaved to it+1)(if:$muffledman is 1.1)[The figure seats himself assuredly at your table in the alcove and speaks through the scarf over face, showing nothing but bright, black eyes. "The landlord tells me you're the sort of fellow I seek," he says. "The sort who'll sell me violence and cunning?" ["That I can sell you."]<2| (click:?2)["Good," comes the reply. "I work for a company of fellows. Our business has rivals in these parts. I'd commission you to disrupt those rivals. Kill, burn, steal. The less they feel like freighting down this way, the better." ["What exactly do you want?"]<3| (click:?3)["We want you to stop any of their road trains that are heading up the London Road. You can recognise them, I'm sure. The livery is scarlet, green and gold." ["What will you pay?"]<4| (Click:?4)["If the wagon train never reaches London, we'll pay you ten guineas. If you can just delay it, you'll get two." ["I'll do it."]<5|(click:?5)[(set:$muffledman to 1.2)(goto:"Muffledman")] ["Who would I be working for?"]<6|(click:?6)[(set:$muffledman to 1.3)(goto:"Muffledman")]]]]]{ }(if:$muffledman is 1.2)[(set:$RSCvsES to 2)(set:$quests to it+1)The figure hisses with delight. "Excellent. I'll meet you here with your reward once I have word." He gets up and slips out of the side door. [Finish your drink and set about the work...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"The Sign of the Spyglass")] [Stay and sit a while at your table...]<2|(click:?2)[(goto:"Spyglass Table")]]{ }(if:$muffledman is 1.3)["It's better you don't know," he replies sharply. "My name isn't important and we don't know you at all. But if you do good work for us, then we may have more work for you. So, are you interested? Provide you with a diversion other than sitting here in your cups, too." ["I'll do it."]<5|(click:?5)[(set:$muffledman to 1.2)(goto:"Muffledman")] ["I'm not interested in your petty rivalry."]<6|(click:?6)[(set:$muffledman to 1.4)(goto:"Muffledman")]]{ }(if:$muffledman is 1.4)[He snorts. "You're missing an opportunity" he says harshly. "Either from sloth or fear." He turns and leaves the parlour. [Stay and sit a while at your table...]<2|(click:?2)[(set:$RSCvsES to 0)(goto:"Spyglass Table")]]

(if:$spyglassrep is 1)[Barred from entering.]{ }(if:$spyglass is closed)[Go round the back to the yard or return the way you came.]{ }(display:"spyroomtab"){ }(if:($clock%96<74))[The Sign of the Spyglass is a merry place. The landlord moves from behind the bar to chat and drink with his regulars. The big door is left open as customers stream in and out, for this is a roadway inn catering to the freighters, the public locobuses, farmers heading to market, and everyone who can steam or ride. [[Go to the bar...|Spyglass Bar]] [[Sit with the locals...|Spyglass Locals]] [[Sit at a table and wait...|Spyglass Table]](if:$spyfencemet is "yes")[ [[Go through to Mrs Collins in the back room...|Spyglass Fence]]] [[Leave the Sign of the Spyglass...|Outside the Spyglass]] (if:$spyroom is "yes")[[[Head up to your private room...|Spyglass Room]]]](else:)[The parlour of the Sign of the Spyglass is quiet. Everyone has gone to bed and the flagstones are damp where the scullery maid mopped them before retiring herself. [[Leave the Sign of the Spyglass...|Outside the Spyglass]] (if:$spyroom is "yes")[[[Head up to your private room...|Spyglass Room]]]] [[Road 1]] (display:"Infofooter")

Chatting with the locals here at the Sign of the Spyglass, you glean a few rumours about the goings-on in the region. (if:$nospyrumoursuntil > $clock)[The news they are discussing is inconsequential stuff about (either:"school fairs, giant vegetables and outbreaks of the common cold.","missing fenceposts, rotten roadsigns and the need to prune the apple trees.","the relationship between the baker's daughter and the farmer's son.","the relative difficulty of life working in a factory in the city or on a farm here in the country.") [Go to the parlour...]<go|(click:?go)[(goto:"The Sign of the Spyglass")]](display:"spymisscheck"){ }(if:$spylocmiss is "notstarted")[{ }(if:$justiceforsquirelynch is 0)[{ }They are discussing the latest inquities of Squire Lynch, one of the landowners hereabouts. "Tain't right," says Jack-the-lad, "Plum against the way of things. A real Squire would be givin' at a wedding, not taking!" ["What did he do?"]<ask1|(click:?ask1)[ Meg pipes up angrily. "A wedding down in the village, a nice young couple, just starting out. He invites himself to the celebration, belittles the father of the bride, and claims repossession of the groom's family's cottage, right while he's a glass of wedding wine in his hand! It's only that the groom indentured his labour for three years when he backed off!" "He'll take whatever he can, that Squire Lynch," says Kevin. ["Sounds like a fellow riding for a fall."]<sou|(click:?sou)[ "And that's not all," continues Jack-the-lad hotly. "Last year he put up the rents on Beech row three times. Spring, when the lambs were born, summer, when they cut the corn up in the high field, and then fall when the apple harvest was so good. E's not content with enough, that wicked man." ["Enough is as good as a feast, rich or poor."]<nu|(click:?nu)[ "Well, if someone would teach him a lesson, no-one here would be sorry." Meg's hands are twisting her cloth cap into a knot. "It's been quiet of late," says Kevin, "With the Squire up in London. But our Judy's girl, works in the kitchen up at the big house, says 'e's coming back soon. Then we'll know it." ["When is he returning?"]<ask2|(click:?ask2)[ Kevin shakes his head. "Don't know exactly. He's an unpredictable one. Got a big fancy steam carriage - one of them chariaeolithingies. Tearing along the roads, knocking folks out of the way. Almost drove me sister down, you know?" ["Maybe I can burst his proud bubble for him."]<ma| ==Accept the Quest==(click:?ma)[(Set:$justiceforsquirelynch to 1)(set:$questlocs to it+$justiceforsquirelynchlocs)(goto:"The Sign of the Spyglass")] ["Interesting, but not my business."]<th|(click:?th)[(goto:"The Sign of the Spyglass")(Set:$justiceforsquirelynch to 11)(set:$nospyrumoursuntil to $clock + 96)]]]]]]]{ }(if:$spylocmiss is "finishedsquirelynch")["Did you hear about Squire Lynch?" Old Kevin looks at you slyly. "Seems like he got a shock in the night!" ["What do you mean?"]<w|(click:?w)[ "Someone robbed him on the road. See how he likes it!" Jack-the-lad gives a throaty chuckle into his beard. "Aww, it'll just make him meaner, you'll see," says Meg. "Wait and see. He'll take it out on his tenants, mark my words." [Go to the parlour...]<go|(click:?go)[(goto:"The Sign of the Spyglass")]]]{ }(if:$spylocmiss is "ongoing")[The news they are discussing is inconsequential stuff about (either:"school fairs, giant vegetables and outbreaks of the common cold.","missing fenceposts, rotten roadsigns and the need to prune the apple trees.","the relationship between the baker's daughter and the farmer's son.","the relative difficulty of life working in a factory in the city or on a farm here in the country.") [Go to the parlour...]<go|(click:?go)[(goto:"The Sign of the Spyglass")]]

(set:$timesaved to it+1){ }At the Spyglass there is always good cheer and good beer. (link:"Look at the taps...")[There are four taps mounted on the polished bar. =Rugeley Gold =Smart's Friend =Reading Bitter =Alma's Ale] (link:"Look behind the bar...")[On the shelves behind the bar you can see a selection of bottles.] [Talk to the barman...]<barman|(click:?barman)[(set:$Bertrand's timesmet to it+1)(goto:"Bertrand")] [[Return to the parlour...|The Sign of the Spyglass]]

(if:$RSCvsES is 0)[With no other offers of work you spend the remainder of the day drinking in the parlour. When you are done, the staff have to carry you up to bed. But this life of excess and sloth has gone too far. All you know is waking to a sharp pain in your chest, then sinking back into the dark night...]{ }(elseif:$RSCvsES is 1)[The parlour at the Sign of the Spyglass bustles with life and from your table in the corner you can survey the whole smokey room. The fire roars steadily, the company talk heartily, glad to be inside and out of the foul weather. Your tall boots are over by the door and a (either:("pint of Rugeley Gold", "tankard of hot wine", "glass of brandy", "glass of fizzing black liquor")) is in your hand. [A cloaked figure approaches...]<1|(click:?1)[(set:$muffledman to 1.1)(goto:"Muffledman")]]{ }(elseif:$RSCvsES is 3)[Sure enough, your anonymous contact reappears, just as muffled. ["So, my reward?"]<a1| (click:?a1)["A reward well-earnt," says the muffled man with a wry chuckle. "I'm sure the Smythe boys will feel a little more cautious down this way." He drops a [bag of coins]<coins| onto the table in front of you.(click:?coins)[ Opening the bag, you find it contains ten golden guineas as promised. (set:$money to it+2600)] [Raise your glass]<a2| (click:?a2)["I may have more work for you," continues the man. "I presume I can find you here again?" ["You can find me here."]<a3| (click:?a3)[He leaves as quietly as he came.]]]]{ }(else:)[Seated here at your table near the fire you can enjoy the warmth and comfort of country hospitality. But warmth and comfort never led to fame and fortune.] (unless:$RSCvsES is 0 or it is 1)[{}[Return to the parlour...]<b1|(click:?b1)[(goto:"The Sign of the Spyglass")]]

{ }(if:$MrsCollinscon is 0)[Entering a dingy backroom, you find a short woman with a grey bun and greasy spectacles sat behind a long pine table. She is sorting through a pile of handkerchiefs and doesn't look up. ["Are you Mrs Collins?"]<q|(click:?q)[ "Who wants to know?" snaps the old lady, without looking up. ["I want to sell some things."]<r|(click:?r)[ At last she stops what she is going and looks directly into your eyes. "Oh, you do, do you? Some, 'things', is it? Well, lessee if I feel like buying 'some things'..." [Show her your possessions...]<s|(click:?s)[(display:"fencecheck")(if:$cheapfence>0)[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1.1)](elseif:$midfence>0)[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1.2)](elseif:$exfence>0)[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1.3)](else:)[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1.4)](goto:"Spyglass Fence")]]]]{ }(if:$MrsCollinscon is 1)[You return to Mrs Collins' room and find her sat exactly as before, this time sorting through (either:"a pile of pocket knives","a collection of eyeglasses and monocles","an assortment of candlesticks and mantelpiecaria","a selection of pocket watches","a box of what sounds like coins"). "Hello again, dearie," she says. "What have you got for Mother Collins today?" [Show her your possessions...]<s|(click:?s)[(display:"fencecheck")(if:$cheapfence>0)[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1.1)](elseif:$midfence>0)[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1.2)](elseif:$exfence>0)[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1.3)](else:)[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1.4)](goto:"Spyglass Fence")]]{ }(if:$MrsCollinscon is 1.1)[(set:$timesaved to it+1)Mrs Collins sorts through your belongings and{ }(if:$cheapfence is 1)[ picks out (if:$slot1match is 1)[(print:$slot1's name)](if:$slot2match is 1)[(print:$slot2's name)](if:$slo31match is 1)[(print:$slot3's name)](if:$slot4match is 1)[(print:$slot4's name)](if:$slot5match is 1)[(print:$slot5's name)](if:$slot6match is 1)[(print:$slot6's name)](if:$slot7match is 1)[(print:$slot7's name)](if:$slot8match is 1)[(print:$slot8's name)](if:$slot9match is 1)[(print:$slot9's name)](if:$slot10match is 1)[(print:$slot10's name)](if:$slot11match is 1)[(print:$slot11's name)](if:$slot12match is 1)[(print:$slot12's name)].]{ }(else:)[ collects a variety of the cheaper oddments on one side of her long table; (if:$slot1match is 1)[(print:$slot1's name), ](if:$slot2match is 1)[(print:$slot2's name), ](if:$slot3match is 1)[(print:$slot3's name), ](if:$slot4match is 1)[(print:$slot4's name), ](if:$slot5match is 1)[(print:$slot5's name), ](if:$slot6match is 1)[(print:$slot6's name), ](if:$slot7match is 1)[(print:$slot7's name), ](if:$slot8match is 1)[(print:$slot8's name), ](if:$slot9match is 1)[(print:$slot9's name), ](if:$slot10match is 1)[(print:$slot10's name), ](if:$slot11match is 1)[(print:$slot11's name), ](if:$slot12match is 1)[(print:$slot12's name)] piled together.] "I'll give you (set:$fenceoffer to (ceil:($purchasetotal*($spyfencemod))))£(print:(($fenceoffer-$fenceoffer%240)/240)) (print:((($fenceoffer%240)-$fenceoffer%12)/12))s (print:$fenceoffer%12)p for (if:$cheapfence is 1)[this](else:)[these]," she says. ["That'll do."]<3|(click:?3)[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1.5)(goto:"Spyglass Fence")] ["I'm not interested."]<4|(click:?4)[(set:$cheapfence to 0)(if:$midfence>0)[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1.2)(goto:"Spyglass Fence")](elseif:$exfence>0)[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1.3)(goto:"Spyglass Fence")](else:)[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1.6)(goto:"Spyglass Fence")]]]{ }(if:$MrsCollinscon is 1.2)[(set:$timesaved to it+1)Something else has caught Mrs Collins' eye.{ }{ }(if:$midmatch1 is 1)[(set:$item to $slot1)](elseif:$midmatch2 is 1)[(set:$item to $slot2)](elseif:$midmatch3 is 1)[(set:$item to $slot3)](elseif:$midmatch4 is 1)[(set:$item to $slot4)](elseif:$midmatch5 is 1)[(set:$item to $slot5)](elseif:$midmatch6 is 1)[(set:$item to $slot6)](elseif:$midmatch7 is 1)[(set:$item to $slot7)](elseif:$midmatch8 is 1)[(set:$item to $slot8)](elseif:$midmatch9 is 1)[(set:$item to $slot9)](elseif:$midmatch10 is 1)[(set:$item to $slot10)](elseif:$midmatch11 is 1)[(set:$item to $slot11)](elseif:$midmatch12 is 1)[(set:$item to $slot12)](set:$fenceoffer to $item's value){ }"Now, (print:$item's name) like that...", she says. "I'll give you a good price for that. Say, £(print:(($fenceoffer-$fenceoffer%240)/240)) (print:((($fenceoffer%240)-$fenceoffer%12)/12))s (print:$fenceoffer%12)d?" (link:"That'll do.")[{ }(set:$money to it+$fenceoffer){ }(if: $item is $slot1)[(set:$midmatch1 to 0)(set:$slot1 to $nothing)]{ }(if: $item is $slot2)[(set:$midmatch2 to 0)(set:$slot2 to $nothing)]{ }(if: $item is $slot3)[(set:$midmatch3 to 0)(set:$slot3 to $nothing)]{ }(if: $item is $slot4)[(set:$midmatch4 to 0)(set:$slot4 to $nothing)]{ }(if: $item is $slot5)[(set:$midmatch5 to 0)(set:$slot5 to $nothing)]{ }(if: $item is $slot6)[(set:$midmatch6 to 0)(set:$slot6 to $nothing)]{ }(if: $item is $slot7)[(set:$midmatch7 to 0)(set:$slot7 to $nothing)]{ }(if: $item is $slot8)[(set:$midmatch8 to 0)(set:$slot8 to $nothing)]{ }(if: $item is $slot9)[(set:$midmatch9 to 0)(set:$slot9 to $nothing)]{ }(if: $item is $slot10)[(set:$midmatch10 to 0)(set:$slot10 to $nothing)]{ }(if: $item is $slot11)[(set:$midmatch11 to 0)(set:$slot11 to $nothing)]{ }(if: $item is $slot12)[(set:$midmatch12 to 0)(set:$slot12 to $nothing)]{ }(set:$midfence to it-1)(set:$item to $nothing){ }(if:$midfence >0)[(link:"go")[(goto:"Spyglass Fence")]](elseif:$exfence >0)[(link:"go")[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1.3)(goto:"Spyglass Fence")]]{ }(set:$money to it+$fenceoffer)(set:$midfence to it-1)(set:$fenceoffer to 0)(if:$midfence>0)[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1.2)(goto:"Spyglass Fence")](elseif:$exfence>0)[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1.3)(goto:"Spyglass Fence")](else:)[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1)(display:"invshuffle")(goto:"The Sign of the Spyglass")](elseif: $midfence is 0)[(link:"go")[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1.3)(goto:"Spyglass Fence")]]]{ }["I'm not interested, Mrs Collins."]<u|(click:?u)[(if:$midmatch1 is 1)[(set:$midmatch1 to 0)](elseif:$midmatch2 is 1)[(set:$midmatch2 to 0)](elseif:$midmatch3 is 1)[(set:$midmatch3 to 0)](elseif:$midmatch4 is 1)[(set:$midmatch4 to 0)](elseif:$midmatch5 is 1)[(set:$midmatch5 to 0)](elseif:$midmatch6 is 1)[(set:$midmatch6 to 0)](elseif:$midmatch7 is 1)[(set:$midmatch7 to 0)](elseif:$midmatch8 is 1)[(set:$midmatch8 to 0)](elseif:$midmatch9 is 1)[(set:$midmatch9 to 0)](elseif:$midmatch10 is 1)[(set:$midmatch10 to 0)](elseif:$midmatch11 is 1)[(set:$midmatch11 to 0)](elseif:$midmatch12 is 1)[(set:$midmatch12 to 0)](set:$midfence to it-1)(if:$midfence is 0 and $exfence is 0)[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1)(display:"invshuffle")(goto:"The Sign of the Spyglass")](elseif: $midfence is 0)[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1.3)](link:"go")[(goto:"Spyglass Fence")]]]{ }(if:$MrsCollinscon is 1.3)[(set:$timesaved to it+1)(if:$exfence>1)["You got some nice stuff here," she says. "But it's too precious for me to take off your hands. I don't want any constables asking around after this sort of thing." (link:"Return to the parlour...")[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1)(set:$exfence to 0)(display:"invshuffle")(goto:"The Sign of the Spyglass")]]]{ }(if:$MrsCollinscon is 1.4)[(set:$timesaved to it+1)Mrs Collins looks through what you are carrying and sneers dismissively. "You ain't got nothing of value to me, dearie." [Repack your belongings and leave...]<1|(click:?1)[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1)(display:"invshuffle")(goto:"TheSignoftheSpyglass")] ["So what do you want?"]<2|(click:?2)[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 2)(goto:"Spyglass Fence")]]{ }(if:$MrsCollinscon is 1.5)[(set:$timesaved to it+1)Mrs Collins chuckles greedily to herself, sweeps your (if:$cheapfence is 1)[{ }(if:$slot1match is 1)[(print:$slot1's name)](if:$slot2match is 1)[(print:$slot2's name)](if:$slo31match is 1)[(print:$slot3's name)](if:$slot4match is 1)[(print:$slot4's name)](if:$slot5match is 1)[(print:$slot5's name)](if:$slot6match is 1)[(print:$slot6's name)](if:$slot7match is 1)[(print:$slot7's name)](if:$slot8match is 1)[(print:$slot8's name)](if:$slot9match is 1)[(print:$slot9's name)](if:$slot10match is 1)[(print:$slot10's name)](if:$slot11match is 1)[(print:$slot11's name)](if:$slot12match is 1)[(print:$slot12's name)]]{ }(else:)[possessions] off the table and goes to the corner of the ill-lit room, where she delves in a filthy leather bag before returning with a few coins. "There you are," she says.(display:"resolvefencesale")(if:$midfence>0)[ She seems interested in [something else...]<t|(click:?t)[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1.2)(goto:"Spyglass Fence")]](elseif:$exfence>0)[ She seems interested in [something else...]<t|(click:?t)[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1.3)(goto:"Spyglass Fence")]](else:)[ (link:"Return to the parlour...")[(display:"invshuffle")(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1)(goto:"The Sign of the Spyglass")]]]{ }(if:$MrsCollinscon is 1.6)[(set:$timesaved to it+1)"Well, you ain't got anything else I'm interested in, so why don't you just buzz off elsehere, dearie, and let busy mother Collins get on with this?"(link:"Return to the parlour...")[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 1)(display:"invshuffle")(goto:"The Sign of the Spyglass")]]{ }(if:$MrsCollinscon is 2)[(set:$timesaved to it+1){ }The old lady licks her lips greedily. "Watches, $matey! I'll buy any watch you bring me. And jools - but watch out for stuff with a trail. I ain't interested in any constables coming round asking about things. Bracelets, bangles, earring, rings, anythink you can melt into a lovely little bar." (link:"Return to the parlour...")[(set:$MrsCollinscon to 0)(goto:"The Sign of the Spyglass")]]

The back yard of the Spyglass Inn. (if:$spyroom is "yes")[[[Go up the back stairs to your room|Spyglass Room]] ](if:$spymechmet is "yes")[[[Enter the garage|Spyglass Mechanic]]]

Here you can refuel, water and mend your beloved Ferguson velosteam. (display:"Coalgas") [Refill]<c|(click:?c)[(set:$coalgas to 100)] (display:"Water") [Refill]<w|(click:?r)[(set:$water to 100)] (display:"Damage") [Mend]<m|(click:?w)[(set:$damage to 0)] [[Return to the Yard...|Spyglass Yard]]

(display:"spyroomtab")(display:"invshuffle")(display:"spycupshuffle")You have returned to your private room at the Sign of the Spyglass. (if:$openwounds's length >0)[ [Bandage your wounds...]<ba|(click:?ba)[You take the time to bandage{ }(if: $openwounds's length is 1)[ the bleeding wound in your (print:$openwounds's 1st).]{ }(if: $openwounds's length is 2)[ the wounds in your (print:$openwounds's 1st) and (print:$openwounds's 2nd).]{ }(set:$bandagedwounds to it + $openwounds)(set:$openwounds to (a:))]] You currently owe £(print:((($spytab+$spyroomtab)-($spytab+$spyroomtab)%240)/240)) (print:(((($spytab+$spyroomtab)%240)-($spytab+$spyroomtab)%12)/12))s (print:($spytab+$spyroomtab)%12)d for the room, together with your food and drink. [Rest here]<1|(click:?1)[(set:$sleeploc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"sleep")] [[Go to your cupboard|Spyglass Cupboard]] [[Return to the parlour|The Sign of the Spyglass]] [[Leave by the back stairs|Spyglass Yard]] (set:$spyroomtab to ((ceil:(($spyroomsince-$clock)/96))*60)) (display:"Infofooter")

(set:$timesaved to it+1){}In your cupboard you have: [(print: $spycup1's name)]<1|(click:?1)[(unless:$slot12's name is "nothing")[ You don't have room to carry this!](else:)[(set:$slot12 to $spycup1)(set:$spycup1 to $nothing)(display:"invshuffle") You add this to what you are carrying.]] [(print: $spycup2's name)]<2|(click:?2)[(unless:$slot12's name is "nothing")[ You don't have room to carry this!](else:)[(set:$slot12 to $spycup2)(set:$spycup2 to $nothing)(display:"invshuffle") You add this to what you are carrying.]] [(print: $spycup3's name)]<3|(click:?3)[(unless:$slot12's name is "nothing")[ You don't have room to carry this!](else:)[(set:$slot12 to $spycup3)(set:$spycup3 to $nothing)(display:"invshuffle") You add this to what you are carrying.]] [(print: $spycup4's name)]<4|(click:?4)[(unless:$slot12's name is "nothing")[ You don't have room to carry this!](else:)[(set:$slot12 to $spycup4)(set:$spycup4 to $nothing)(display:"invshuffle") You add this to what you are carrying.]] [(print: $spycup5's name)]<5|(click:?5)[(unless:$slot12's name is "nothing")[ You don't have room to carry this!](else:)[(set:$slot12 to $spycup5)(set:$spycup5 to $nothing)(display:"invshuffle") You add this to what you are carrying.]] [(print: $spycup6's name)]<6|(click:?6)[(unless:$slot12's name is "nothing")[ You don't have room to carry this!](else:)[(set:$slot12 to $spycup6)(set:$spycup6 to $nothing)(display:"invshuffle") You add this to what you are carrying.]] [(print: $spycup7's name)]<7|(click:?7)[(unless:$slot12's name is "nothing")[ You don't have room to carry this!](else:)[(set:$slot12 to $spycup7)(set:$spycup7 to $nothing)(display:"invshuffle") You add this to what you are carrying.]] [(print: $spycup8's name)]<8|(click:?8)[(unless:$slot12's name is "nothing")[ You don't have room to carry this!](else:)[(set:$slot12 to $spycup8)(set:$spycup8 to $nothing)(display:"invshuffle") You add this to what you are carrying.]] [(print: $spycup9's name)]<9|(click:?9)[(unless:$slot12's name is "nothing")[ You don't have room to carry this!](else:)[(set:$slot12 to $spycup9)(set:$spycup9 to $nothing)(display:"invshuffle") You add this to what you are carrying.]] [(print: $spycup10's name)]<10|(click:?10)[(unless:$slot12's name is "nothing")[ You don't have room to carry this!](else:)[(set:$slot12 to $spycup10)(set:$spycup10 to $nothing)(display:"invshuffle") You add this to what you are carrying.]] [(print: $spycup11's name)]<11|(click:?11)[(unless:$slot12's name is "nothing")[ You don't have room to carry this!](else:)[(set:$slot12 to $spycup11)(set:$spycup11 to $nothing)(display:"invshuffle") You add this to what you are carrying.]] [(print: $spycup12's name)]<12|(click:?12)[(unless:$slot12's name is "nothing")[ You don't have room to carry this!](else:)[(set:$slot12 to $spycup12)(set:$spycup12 to $nothing)(display:"invshuffle") You add this to what you are carrying.]] [(print: $spycup13's name)]<13|(click:?13)[(unless:$slot12's name is "nothing")[ You don't have room to carry this!](else:)[(set:$slot12 to $spycup13)(set:$spycup13 to $nothing)(display:"invshuffle") You add this to what you are carrying.]] [(print: $spycup14's name)]<14|(click:?14)[(unless:$slot12's name is "nothing")[ You don't have room to carry this!](else:)[(set:$slot12 to $spycup14)(set:$spycup14 to $nothing)(display:"invshuffle") You add this to what you are carrying.]] [(print: $spycup15's name)]<15|(click:?15)[(unless:$slot12's name is "nothing")[ You don't have room to carry this!](else:)[(set:$slot12 to $spycup15)(set:$spycup15 to $nothing)(display:"invshuffle") You add this to what you are carrying.]] [(print: $spycup16's name)]<16|(click:?16)[(unless:$slot12's name is "nothing")[ You don't have room to carry this!](else:)[(set:$slot12 to $spycup16)(set:$spycup16 to $nothing)(display:"invshuffle") You add this to what you are carrying.]] [(print: $spycup17's name)]<17|(click:?17)[(unless:$slot12's name is "nothing")[ You don't have room to carry this!](else:)[(set:$slot12 to $spycup17)(set:$spycup17 to $nothing)(display:"invshuffle") You add this to what you are carrying.]] [(print: $spycup18's name)]<18|(click:?18)[(unless:$slot12's name is "nothing")[ You don't have room to carry this!](else:)[(set:$slot12 to $spycup18)(set:$spycup18 to $nothing)(display:"invshuffle") You add this to what you are carrying.]] [(print: $spycup19's name)]<19|(click:?19)[(unless:$slot12's name is "nothing")[ You don't have room to carry this!](else:)[(set:$slot12 to $spycup19)(set:$spycup19 to $nothing)(display:"invshuffle") You add this to what you are carrying.]] [(print: $spycup20's name)]<20|(click:?20)[(unless:$slot12's name is "nothing")[ You don't have room to carry this!](else:)[(set:$slot12 to $spycup20)(set:$spycup20 to $nothing)(display:"invshuffle") You add this to what you are carrying.]] [[Look at your inventory|Spyroominv]] [[Return to your room|Spyglass Room]]

(set:$timesaved to it+1){}[(print:$slot1's name)]<1|(click:?1)[(if:$spycup20's name is "nothing")[(set:$spycup20 to $slot1)(display:"spycupshuffle") (set:($slot1 to $nothing)) You place this in your cupboard.](else:)[ Your cupboard doesn't have enough room for this!]] [(print:$slot2's name)]<2|(click:?2)[(if:$spycup20's name is "nothing")[(set:$spycup20 to $slot2)(display:"spycupshuffle") (set:($slot2 to $nothing)) You place this in your cupboard.](else:)[ Your cupboard doesn't have enough room for this!]] [(print:$slot3's name)]<3|(click:?3)[(if:$spycup20's name is "nothing")[(set:$spycup20 to $slot3)(display:"spycupshuffle") (set:($slot3 to $nothing)) You place this in your cupboard.](else:)[ Your cupboard doesn't have enough room for this!]] [(print:$slot4's name)]<4|(click:?4)[(if:$spycup20's name is "nothing")[(set:$spycup20 to $slot4)(display:"spycupshuffle") (set:($slot4 to $nothing)) You place this in your cupboard.](else:)[ Your cupboard doesn't have enough room for this!]] [(print:$slot5's name)]<5|(click:?5)[(if:$spycup20's name is "nothing")[(set:$spycup20 to $slot5)(display:"spycupshuffle") (set:($slot5 to $nothing)) You place this in your cupboard.](else:)[ Your cupboard doesn't have enough room for this!]] [(print:$slot6's name)]<6|(click:?6)[(if:$spycup20's name is "nothing")[(set:$spycup20 to $slot6)(display:"spycupshuffle") (set:($slot6 to $nothing)) You place this in your cupboard.](else:)[ Your cupboard doesn't have enough room for this!]] [(print:$slot7's name)]<7|(click:?7)[(if:$spycup20's name is "nothing")[(set:$spycup20 to $slot7)(display:"spycupshuffle") (set:($slot7 to $nothing)) You place this in your cupboard.](else:)[ Your cupboard doesn't have enough room for this!]] [(print:$slot8's name)]<8|(click:?8)[(if:$spycup20's name is "nothing")[(set:$spycup20 to $slot8)(display:"spycupshuffle") (set:($slot8 to $nothing)) You place this in your cupboard.](else:)[ Your cupboard doesn't have enough room for this!]] [(print:$slot9's name)]<9|(click:?9)[(if:$spycup20's name is "nothing")[(set:$spycup20 to $slot9)(display:"spycupshuffle") (set:($slot9 to $nothing)) You place this in your cupboard.](else:)[ Your cupboard doesn't have enough room for this!]] [(print:$slot10's name)]<10|(click:?10)[(if:$spycup20's name is "nothing")[(set:$spycup20 to $slot10)(display:"spycupshuffle") (set:($slot10 to $nothing)) You place this in your cupboard.](else:)[ Your cupboard doesn't have enough room for this!]] [(print:$slot11's name)]<11|(click:?11)[(if:$spycup20's name is "nothing")[(set:$spycup20 to $slot11)(display:"spycupshuffle") (set:($slot11 to $nothing)) You place this in your cupboard.](else:)[ Your cupboard doesn't have enough room for this!]] [(print:$slot12's name)]<12|(click:?12)[(if:$spycup20's name is "nothing")[(set:$spycup20 to $slot12)(display:"spycupshuffle") (set:($slot12 to $nothing)) You place this in your cupboard.](else:)[ Your cupboard doesn't have enough room for this!]] You have £(print:(($money-$money%240)/240)) (print:((($money%240)-$money%12)/12))s (print:$money%12)p [[Look at the contents of your cupboard|Spyglass Cupboard]] [[Return to your room|Spyglass Room]]

{(if:$spycup1's name is "nothing")[(move:$spycup2 into $spycup1)(move:$spycup3 into $spycup2)(move:$spycup4 into $spycup3)(move:$spycup5 into $spycup4)(move:$spycup6 into $spycup5)(move:$spycup7 into $spycup6)(move:$spycup8 into $spycup7)(move:$spycup9 into $spycup8)(move:$spycup10 into $spycup9)(move:$spycup11 into $spycup10)(move:$spycup12 into $spycup11)(move:$spycup13 into $spycup12)(move:$spycup14 into $spycup13)(move:$spycup15 into $spycup14)(move:$spycup16 into $spycup15)(move:$spycup17 into $spycup16)(move:$spycup18 into $spycup17)(move:$spycup19 into $spycup18)(move:$spycup20 into $spycup19)(set:$spycup20 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$spycup2's name is "nothing")[(move:$spycup3 into $spycup2)(move:$spycup4 into $spycup3)(move:$spycup5 into $spycup4)(move:$spycup6 into $spycup5)(move:$spycup7 into $spycup6)(move:$spycup8 into $spycup7)(move:$spycup9 into $spycup8)(move:$spycup10 into $spycup9)(move:$spycup11 into $spycup10)(move:$spycup12 into $spycup11)(move:$spycup13 into $spycup12)(move:$spycup14 into $spycup13)(move:$spycup15 into $spycup14)(move:$spycup16 into $spycup15)(move:$spycup17 into $spycup16)(move:$spycup18 into $spycup17)(move:$spycup19 into $spycup18)(move:$spycup20 into $spycup19)(set:$spycup20 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$spycup3's name is "nothing")[(move:$spycup4 into $spycup3)(move:$spycup5 into $spycup4)(move:$spycup6 into $spycup5)(move:$spycup7 into $spycup6)(move:$spycup8 into $spycup7)(move:$spycup9 into $spycup8)(move:$spycup10 into $spycup9)(move:$spycup11 into $spycup10)(move:$spycup12 into $spycup11)(move:$spycup13 into $spycup12)(move:$spycup14 into $spycup13)(move:$spycup15 into $spycup14)(move:$spycup16 into $spycup15)(move:$spycup17 into $spycup16)(move:$spycup18 into $spycup17)(move:$spycup19 into $spycup18)(move:$spycup20 into $spycup19)(set:$spycup20 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$spycup4's name is "nothing")[(move:$spycup5 into $spycup4)(move:$spycup6 into $spycup5)(move:$spycup7 into $spycup6)(move:$spycup8 into $spycup7)(move:$spycup9 into $spycup8)(move:$spycup10 into $spycup9)(move:$spycup11 into $spycup10)(move:$spycup12 into $spycup11)(move:$spycup13 into $spycup12)(move:$spycup14 into $spycup13)(move:$spycup15 into $spycup14)(move:$spycup16 into $spycup15)(move:$spycup17 into $spycup16)(move:$spycup18 into $spycup17)(move:$spycup19 into $spycup18)(move:$spycup20 into $spycup19)(set:$spycup20 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$spycup5's name is "nothing")[(move:$spycup6 into $spycup5)(move:$spycup7 into $spycup6)(move:$spycup8 into $spycup7)(move:$spycup9 into $spycup8)(move:$spycup10 into $spycup9)(move:$spycup11 into $spycup10)(move:$spycup12 into $spycup11)(move:$spycup13 into $spycup12)(move:$spycup14 into $spycup13)(move:$spycup15 into $spycup14)(move:$spycup16 into $spycup15)(move:$spycup17 into $spycup16)(move:$spycup18 into $spycup17)(move:$spycup19 into $spycup18)(move:$spycup20 into $spycup19)(set:$spycup20 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$spycup6's name is "nothing")[(move:$spycup7 into $spycup6)(move:$spycup8 into $spycup7)(move:$spycup9 into $spycup8)(move:$spycup10 into $spycup9)(move:$spycup11 into $spycup10)(move:$spycup12 into $spycup11)(move:$spycup13 into $spycup12)(move:$spycup14 into $spycup13)(move:$spycup15 into $spycup14)(move:$spycup16 into $spycup15)(move:$spycup17 into $spycup16)(move:$spycup18 into $spycup17)(move:$spycup19 into $spycup18)(move:$spycup20 into $spycup19)(set:$spycup20 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$spycup7's name is "nothing")[(move:$spycup8 into $spycup7)(move:$spycup9 into $spycup8)(move:$spycup10 into $spycup9)(move:$spycup11 into $spycup10)(move:$spycup12 into $spycup11)(move:$spycup13 into $spycup12)(move:$spycup14 into $spycup13)(move:$spycup15 into $spycup14)(move:$spycup16 into $spycup15)(move:$spycup17 into $spycup16)(move:$spycup18 into $spycup17)(move:$spycup19 into $spycup18)(move:$spycup20 into $spycup19)(set:$spycup20 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$spycup8's name is "nothing")[(move:$spycup9 into $spycup8)(move:$spycup10 into $spycup9)(move:$spycup11 into $spycup10)(move:$spycup12 into $spycup11)(move:$spycup13 into $spycup12)(move:$spycup14 into $spycup13)(move:$spycup15 into $spycup14)(move:$spycup16 into $spycup15)(move:$spycup17 into $spycup16)(move:$spycup18 into $spycup17)(move:$spycup19 into $spycup18)(move:$spycup20 into $spycup19)(set:$spycup20 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$spycup9's name is "nothing")[(move:$spycup10 into $spycup9)(move:$spycup11 into $spycup10)(move:$spycup12 into $spycup11)(move:$spycup13 into $spycup12)(move:$spycup14 into $spycup13)(move:$spycup15 into $spycup14)(move:$spycup16 into $spycup15)(move:$spycup17 into $spycup16)(move:$spycup18 into $spycup17)(move:$spycup19 into $spycup18)(move:$spycup20 into $spycup19)(set:$spycup20 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$spycup10's name is "nothing")[(move:$spycup11 into $spycup10)(move:$spycup12 into $spycup11)(move:$spycup13 into $spycup12)(move:$spycup14 into $spycup13)(move:$spycup15 into $spycup14)(move:$spycup16 into $spycup15)(move:$spycup17 into $spycup16)(move:$spycup18 into $spycup17)(move:$spycup19 into $spycup18)(move:$spycup20 into $spycup19)(set:$spycup20 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$spycup11's name is "nothing")[(move:$spycup12 into $spycup11)(move:$spycup13 into $spycup12)(move:$spycup14 into $spycup13)(move:$spycup15 into $spycup14)(move:$spycup16 into $spycup15)(move:$spycup17 into $spycup16)(move:$spycup18 into $spycup17)(move:$spycup19 into $spycup18)(move:$spycup20 into $spycup19)(set:$spycup20 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$spycup12's name is "nothing")[(move:$spycup13 into $spycup12)(move:$spycup14 into $spycup13)(move:$spycup15 into $spycup14)(move:$spycup16 into $spycup15)(move:$spycup17 into $spycup16)(move:$spycup18 into $spycup17)(move:$spycup19 into $spycup18)(move:$spycup20 into $spycup19)(set:$spycup20 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$spycup13's name is "nothing")[(move:$spycup14 into $spycup13)(move:$spycup15 into $spycup14)(move:$spycup16 into $spycup15)(move:$spycup17 into $spycup16)(move:$spycup18 into $spycup17)(move:$spycup19 into $spycup18)(move:$spycup20 into $spycup19)(set:$spycup20 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$spycup14's name is "nothing")[(move:$spycup15 into $spycup14)(move:$spycup16 into $spycup15)(move:$spycup17 into $spycup16)(move:$spycup18 into $spycup17)(move:$spycup19 into $spycup18)(move:$spycup20 into $spycup19)(set:$spycup20 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$spycup15's name is "nothing")[(move:$spycup16 into $spycup15)(move:$spycup17 into $spycup16)(move:$spycup18 into $spycup17)(move:$spycup19 into $spycup18)(move:$spycup20 into $spycup19)(set:$spycup20 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$spycup16's name is "nothing")[(move:$spycup17 into $spycup16)(move:$spycup18 into $spycup17)(move:$spycup19 into $spycup18)(move:$spycup20 into $spycup19)(set:$spycup20 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$spycup17's name is "nothing")[(move:$spycup18 into $spycup17)(move:$spycup19 into $spycup18)(move:$spycup20 into $spycup19)(set:$spycup20 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$spycup18's name is "nothing")[(move:$spycup19 into $spycup18)(move:$spycup20 into $spycup19)(set:$spycup20 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$spycup19's name is "nothing")[(move:$spycup20 into $spycup19)(set:$spycup20 to $nothing)]}

(set:$timesaved to it+1){}(if:(history:)'s last is "The Sign of the Spyglass")[You mount your velosteam and prepare to set off. [[Road 1]]]{ }(if:(history:)'s last is "Road 1")[You park your velosteam at the front of the Sign of the Spyglass. [[The Sign of the Spyglass]]]

(display:"Status") [[Road 2]] [[Head towards the pub|Outside Spyglass]] (display:"Infofooter")

(display:"Status") [[West to Road 1|Road 1]] [[East to Road 3|Road 3]] (display:"Infofooter")

(display:"Status") [[East to Road 4|Road 4]] [[West to Road 2|Road 2]] (display:"Infofooter")

(display:"Status") [[West to Road 3|Road 3]] [[Ambush]] (display:"Infofooter")

(if:$traffictype is "ped" or it is "veh")[(set:$traffictype to "")]{ }(display:"timepage"){ }(if:$clock%96 is 0)[(display:"dawn")]{ }(if:$openwounds's length is 3)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"stop")](if:$lastdebrief <($days-1))[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"stop")]

(display:"timepage"){ }Your watch tells you (either:"the time is","the hour is", "that it is")(If:$clock%4 is 0)[ exactly](if:$clock%4 is 1)[ a quarter past](if:$clock%4 is 2)[ half past](if:$clock%4 is 3)[ three quarters past] { }(if:$clock%96 <4)[six in the morning.]{ }(if:$clock%96 >3 and $clock%96 <8)[seven in the morning.]{ }(if:$clock%96 >7 and $clock%96 <12)[eight in the morning.]{ }(if:$clock%96 >11 and $clock%96 <16)[nine in the morning.]{ }(if:$clock%96 >15 and $clock%96 <20)[ten in the morning.]{ }(if:$clock%96 >19 and $clock%96 <24)[eleven in the morning.]{ }(if:$clock%96 >23 and $clock%96 <28)[(either:"midday","noon").]{ }(if:$clock%96 >27 and $clock%96 <32)[one in the afternoon.]{ }(if:$clock%96 >31 and $clock%96 <36)[two in the afternoon.]{ }(if:$clock%96 >35 and $clock%96 <40)[three in the afternoon.]{ }(if:$clock%96 >39 and $clock%96 <44)[four in the afternoon.]{ }(if:$clock%96 >43 and $clock%96 <48)[five in the afternoon.]{ }(if:$clock%96 >47 and $clock%96 <52)[six in the evening.]{ }(if:$clock%96 >51 and $clock%96 <56)[seven in the evening.]{ }(if:$clock%96 >55 and $clock%96 <60)[eight in the evening.]{ }(if:$clock%96 >59 and $clock%96 <64)[nine at night.]{ }(if:$clock%96 >63 and $clock%96 <68)[ten at night.]{ }(if:$clock%96 >67 and $clock%96 <72)[eleven at night.]{ }(if:$clock%96 >71 and $clock%96 <76)[midnight.]{ }(if:$clock%96 >75 and $clock%96 <80)[one at night.]{ }(if:$clock%96 >79 and $clock%96 <84)[two at night.]{ }(if:$clock%96 >83 and $clock%96 <88)[three at night.]{ }(if:$clock%96 >87 and $clock%96 <92)[four in the early morning.]{ }(if:$clock%96 >91 and $clock%96 <96)[five at night.]{ }

(link-reveal:"====Information====")[ (link-reveal:"===Possessions===")[ (link:"Map")[(display:"map")] (link:"Pocket Watch")[(display:"Pocket watch")] (link-reveal:"Inventory")[(display:"Inventory")] (link:"Wallet")[(display:"Wallet")]] (link-reveal:"===Health===")[ (link:"Wounds")[(display:"Wounds")] (link:"Hunger")[(display:"Hunger")]] (link-reveal:"===Legend===")[ (link-reveal:"==Skills==")[(display:"Skills")] (link:"Reputation")[(display:"Reputation")] (link:"Quests-to-do")[(display:"Quests-to-do")] (link:"Completed quests")[(display:"Completed quests")]] (link:"Print History")[(print:(history:),join(", "))] (link:"Save Game")[(savegame:"A")]]

You have £(print:(($money-$money%240)/240)) (print:((($money%240)-$money%12)/12))s (print:$money%12)d in your wallet.

(display:"Status"){ }(if:$beenherebefore is false:)[ ](elseif:$beenherebefore is true)[{ }(if:$dawnhere is true)[(display:"dawn")]{ }(elseif:$duskhere is true)[(display:"dusk")]{ }(elseif:$weatherchange is true)[(display:"weatherchange")]{ }(else:)[]]{ }(if: $wreckhere is true)[(display:"wreckhere")](if:$traffichere is true)[(display:"traffic")] (if:$questhere is true)[All the options that go with starting a quest at this location ](if:$traffichere is true)[(display:"trafficoptions")] { }  (display:"Infofooter")

Your tank shows $coalgas/100 units.

Your watertank shows $water/100 units.{ }

(if:$queststodo's length >0)[You still need to (print:$queststodo).](else:)[You have no missions to complete.]

(if:$openwounds's length is 0 and $bandagedwounds's length is 0 and $scars's length is 0)[You(either:" have no wounds of any kind."," are still unhurt."," have skin untouched like fresh snow in the morning."," have never been hurt or bruised in your life.")]{ }(if:$openwounds's length > 0)[You{ }(if:$openwounds's length is 1)[ have an open wound in your (print: $openwounds's 1st)(either:".",", bleeding steadily.",", causing you significant pain.") ]{ }(if:$openwounds's length is 2)[ have bleeding wounds in your (print: $openwounds's 1st) and (print: $openwounds's 2nd)(either:".",", bleeding steadily.",", causing you significant pain.") ]]{ }(if:$bandagedwounds's length >0)[You{ }(if:$bandagedwounds's length is 1)[ have a bandaged wound in your (print: $bandagedwounds's 1st)(either:".",", still hurting but no longer dangerous.") ]{ }(if:$bandagedwounds's length > 1)[ have bandaged wounds on your (print:($bandagedwounds -(a:$bandagedwounds's last))) and your (print:$bandagedwounds's last). ]]{ }(if:$scars's length > 0)[You{ }(if:$scars's length is 1)[ bear a single scar on your (print:$scars's 1st). ]{ }(if:$scars's length > 1)[ bear scars on your (print:($scars - (a:$scars's last))) and (print:$scars's last). ]{ }(if:$scars's length > 12)[ are covered in scars on your (print:($scars - (a:$scars's last))) and (print:$scars's last). ]{ }]

(unless:$CWEAll is 0)[The Compact for Workers' Emancipation considers you (if:$CWEAll is >=1 and it is <4)[helpful]. ]{ }(else:)[So far you are unknown to the people of this region.]

(if:$deeds's length is 0)[There are no quests associated with your legend.](else:)[You have (print:$deeds).]{ }(if:$daysdeeds's length >0)[ Today you(if:$daysdeeds's length > 1)[(print:$daysdeeds-(a:$daysdeeds's last)) and (print:$daysdeeds's last).](else:)[(print:$daysdeeds).]]

(if:$veldam is 0)[Your velosteam is undamaged.]

(if:$weatherlog's length < $days)[(set:$weatherlog to it +(a:(print:$weather)))(set:$weather to (either:"rainy","stormy","cloudy","clear"))] It is now $weather.

(if:$fatigue >1)[Your recent sleep has left you refreshed and sharp of focus.](if: $fatigue >0 and $fatigue < 2)[You are very tired. (either: "Some of your decisions may not have the effect you desire! ","","Not sleeping last night has certainly affected you. ","Pain in your eyes means you must continually blink them to focus. ","Sleep continually stretches out its tendrils around your conscsiousness. ","Perhaps finding somewhere to rest safely will help you regain your focus. ")](if: $fatigue >1 and $fatigue < 3)[((either:"Now you are truly exhausted. ","Beware that your lack of sleep will certainly affect your judgement. ","You can barely keep your eyes open. ")]

(if:$lastslept<($clock - 96) and $lastslept > ($clock - 192))[(set:$fatigue to 1)](if:$lastslept<($clock - 192))[(set:$fatigue to 2)]{ }(if:$lastate<($clock - 48) and $lastsate > ($clock - 192))[(set:$hunger to 1)](if:$lastate<($clock - 96))[(set:$hunger to 2)]{ }(if:$openwounds's length >2)[(set:$stop to true)]

(set:$clock to (history:)'s length - $timesaved)(if:$clock%96 >= 56 and $night is false)[(set:$night to true)](if:$clock%96 >= 0 and $night is true)[(set:$night to false)](set:$days to (ceil:$clock/96))(if:$clock%96 is 0)[(set:$days to it+1)]

(if:$hunger is 0)[You aren't at all hungry right now.]{ }(if:$hunger is 1)[(either:"It has been a while since you last ate. A nourishing meal would be welcome.","That gnawing sensation in your stomach is growing stronger.","A gurgle of hunger escapes from your gut.")]{ }(if:$hunger is 2)[(either:"Hungry isn't the word for this deep, consuming absense in your belly. The sooner you can find something to eat, the better.","This degree of hunger will surely affect your concentration - and possibly your driving too.","Didn't someone once say that you're not yourself when you're hungry? Well, if you treat your body like this you may well experience some unpredicatable emotions and difficulties controlling yourself.")]{ }

(if:$clock%2688 < 193)[(set:$fullmoon to "full moon")]{ }(if:$clock%2688 > 192 and $clock%2688 < 673)[(set:$fullmoon to "waning moon")]{ }(if:$clock%2688 > 672 and $clock%2688 < 865)[(set:$fullmoon to "half moon")]{ }(if:$clock%2688 > 864 and $clock%2688 < 1345)[(set:$fullmoon to "crescent moon")]{ }(if:$clock%2688 > 1344 and $clock%2688 < 1537)[(set:$fullmoon to "new moon")]{ }(if:$clock%2688 > 1535 and $clock%2688 < 2017)[(set:$fullmoon to "waxing moon")]{ }(if:$clock%2688 > 2016 and $clock%2688 < 2209)[(set:$fullmoon to "half moon")]{ }(if:$clock%2688 > 2208 and $clock%2688 <= 22688)[(set:$fullmoon to "gibbous moon")]

(set:$timesaved to it+1)(display:"spyroomtab"){ }(if:$Bertrand's timesmet is 0)[(set:$Bertrand's timesmet to 1)The man behind the bar looks up from the glasses he is wiping. "$Greeting, $milord," he says cheerily. "Always pleased to meet a new face. My name's Bertrand Steele, proprietor and guvnor of the Spyglass Inn. What can I do for you?"]{ }(if:$Bertrandcon is 0)[{ }(if:$Bertrand's friend is true)["Good to see you, $milord," says Bertrand with a smile. "What would you like?"](else:)["$Greeting, $milord," says Bertrand, turning to you. "How can I help?"] ["I'll have a drink."]<drink| ["Some food."]<food|(if:$Bertrand's friend is true)[ ["I'm looking to sell some... items."]<fence|(if:$spyroom is "no")[ ["Do you have somewhere I can stay?"]<room|] ["Can I get my velosteam refueled here?"]<vel| ["See a lot of traffic on this road, Bertrand?"]<ask|](if:$spytab > 0)[ ["What do I owe you, Bertrand?"]<tab| ](click:?drink)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 1)(goto:"Bertrand")](click:?food)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 2)(goto:"Bertrand")](click:?fence)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 3)(goto:"Bertrand")](click:?room)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 4)(goto:"Bertrand")](click:?tab)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 5)(goto:"Bertrand")](click:?vel)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 6)(goto:"Bertrand")](click:?ask)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 7)(goto:"Bertrand")]]{ }(if:$Bertrandcon is 1)[{ }He waves at the [taps]<taps|. "Take your pick. Or I can pour you [something else]<something|."(Click:?taps)[ =[Rugeley Gold]<rug| =[Smart's Friend]<sma| =[Reading Bitter]<rea| =[Alma's Ale]<alm| ](click:?something)[ [A glass of brandy]<bra| [A midnight special]<moo| [A tankard of mulled wine]<mul|](click:?rug)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 1.1)(goto:"Bertrand")](click:?sma)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 1.2)(goto:"Bertrand")](click:?rea)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 1.3)(goto:"Bertrand")](click:?alm)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 1.4)(goto:"Bertrand")](click:?bra)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 1.5)(goto:"Bertrand")](click:?moo)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 1.6)(goto:"Bertrand")](click:?mul)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 1.7)(goto:"Bertrand")]]{ }(if:$Bertrandcon is 1.1)[Bertrand pours a pint of golden beer. It has a short, crisp head and well-hopped aroma. "Sixpence," says Bertrand. (if:$spytab > 0)["I'll put it on your tab, $milord."(set:$spytab to it+6)](if:$spytab is 0)["I'll start you a tab, $milord."(set:$spytab to it+6)] [Enjoy your drink...]<enj|(click:?enj)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 1.8)(goto:"Bertrand")] ["Have one yourself, Bertrand."]<treat|(click:?treat)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 1.9)(goto:"Bertrand")]]{ }(if:$Bertrandcon is 1.2)[Bertrand pours a pint of dark porter with a rich aroma and a silky texture. "Eightpence," says Bertrand. (if:$spytab > 0)["I'll put it on your tab, $milord."(set:$spytab to it+8)](if:$spytab is 0)["I'll start you a tab, $milord."(set:$spytab to it+8)] [Enjoy your drink...]<enj|(click:?enj)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 1.8)(goto:"Bertrand")] ["Have one yourself, Bertrand."]<treat|(click:?treat)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 1.9)(goto:"Bertrand")]]{ }(if:$Bertrandcon is 1.3)[Bertrand pours a pint of red-brown bitter, slightly opaque and cloudy, supporting a frothy head and releasing a bright, grassy scent. "Sixpence," says Bertrand. (if:$spytab > 0)["I'll put it on your tab, $milord."(set:$spytab to it+6)](if:$spytab is 0)["I'll start you a tab, $milord."(set:$spytab to it+6)] [Enjoy your drink...]<enj|(click:?enj)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 1.8)(goto:"Bertrand")] ["Have one yourself, Bertrand."]<treat|(click:?treat)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 1.9)(goto:"Bertrand")]]{ }(if:$Bertrandcon is 1.4)[Bertrand fills a stoneware jar with cloudy ale. "Strong stuff, this," he says, "And raw too. But 'tis to the locals' taste. Only threepence the jar." He sets it on the bar. (if:$spytab > 0)["I'll put it on your tab, $milord."(set:$spytab to it+6)](if:$spytab is 0)["I'll start you a tab, $milord."(set:$spytab to it+6)] [Enjoy your drink...]<enj|(click:?enj)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 1.8)(goto:"Bertrand")] ["Have one yourself, Bertrand."]<treat|(click:?treat)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 1.9)(goto:"Bertrand")]]{ }(if:$Bertrandcon is 1.5)["I 'as this brandy here for the gentry," says Bertrand, "Who do come by occasional. It's a shilling a glass." He find a stemmed glass from below the bar and pours you a drink to the brim. (if:$spytab > 0)["I'll put it on your tab, $milord."(set:$spytab to it+6)](if:$spytab is 0)["I'll start you a tab, $milord."(set:$spytab to it+6)] [Enjoy your drink...]<enj|(click:?enj)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 1.8)(goto:"Bertrand")] ["Have one yourself, Bertrand."]<treat|(click:?treat)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 1.9)(goto:"Bertrand")]]{ }(if:$Bertrandcon is 1.6)["Aah. Don't have much call for that no more. But I'm right glad to find someone enjoys it still." Bertrand takes a silver goblet from below the bar and pours in a shot of blackcurrant liqueur, a healthy slug from a bottle marked 'liquorice gin' and then tops it up with sparkling cider. "That'll wake you up. (if:$spytab > 0)[I'll put a shilling on you tab, $milord."(set:$spytab to it+12)](if:$spytab is 0)[I'll start you a tab for a shilling, $milord."(set:$spytab to it+12)] [Enjoy your drink...]<enj|(click:?enj)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 1.8)(goto:"Bertrand")] ["Have one yourself, Bertrand."]<treat|(click:?treat)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 1.9)(goto:"Bertrand")]]{ }(if:$Bertrandcon is 1.7)[The barman fils a pewter tankard with mulled wine. "Watch out," he warns you. "Much stonger than it tastes. Don't drink and drive... unless you know what you're doing. (if:$spytab > 0)[I'll put it on your tab, $milord."(set:$spytab to it+6)](if:$spytab is 0)[I'll start you a tab, $milord."(set:$spytab to it+6)] [Enjoy your drink...]<enj|(click:?enj)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 1.8)(goto:"Bertrand")] ["Have one yourself, Bertrand."]<treat|(click:?treat)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 1.9)(goto:"Bertrand")]]{ }(if:$Bertrandcon is 1.8)[You enjoy your refreshing drink and [return to the parlour...]<parlour|(click:?parlour)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 0)(goto:"The Sign of the Spyglass")]]{ }(if:$Bertrandcon is 1.9)["Very handsome of you," says Bertrand, pouring himself a drink. (set:$spytab to it+6)(set:$Bertrand's friend to true)"Was there anything else you wanted?" ["Some food."]<food|(if:$Bertrand's friend is true)[ ["I'm looking to sell some... items."]<fence|(if:$spyroom is "no")[ ["Do you have somewhere I can stay?"]<room|] ["Can I get my velosteam refueled here?"]<vel| ["See a lot of traffic on this road, Bertrand?"]<ask|](if:$spytab > 0)[ ["What do I owe you, Bertrand?"]<tab|](click:?food)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 2)(goto:"Bertrand")](click:?fence)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 3)(goto:"Bertrand")](click:?room)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 4)(goto:"Bertrand")](click:?tab)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 5)(goto:"Bertrand")](click:?vel)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 6)(goto:"Bertrand")](click:?ask)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 7)(goto:"Bertrand")]]{ }(if:$Bertrandcon is 2)[(if:$clock%96<21)["You'll be wanting breakfast, then? Got some lovely [(either:...$spybrek)]<breakfast| if you'd like. Only two shillings." ["Not to my taste."]<parlour|](if:$clock%96>20 and $clock%96<36)["Well, you can have [(either:$spylunch's 1st ,$WTlunch's 2nd)]<lunch| or [(either:$spylunch's 3rd,$WTlunch's 4th)]<lunch| for a shilling lunch." ["Not to my taste."]<parlour|](if:$clock%96>35 and $clock%96<65)["Now the cook's just prepared some [(either:...$spydinner)]<dinner| or you can satisfy yourself with [a pheasant]<dinner| for two shillings." ["Not to my taste."]<parlour|]](if:$clock%96>64)["There ain't no more food now," says Bertrand. Kitchen staff have packed up. But there'll be hearty breakfast in the morning, if you can wait for it." [Return to the parlour...]<parlour|](click:?breakfast)[You enjoy a hearty meal.(set:$spytab to it+24)(set:$lastate to $clock) [Return to the parlour...]<parlour|]{ }(click:?lunch)[ You enjoy a hearty meal...(set:$spytab to it+12)(set:$lastate to $clock) [Return to the parlour...]<parlour|]{ }(click:?dinner)[ You enjoy a hearty meal.(set:$spytab to it+24)(set:$lastate to $clock) [Return to the parlour...]<parlour|]{ }(if:$Bertrandcon is 3)["Speak to Mrs Collins in the back room if you've things to sell," says Bertrand. "She won't ask where you got'em. Though she won't give you much, either."(set:$spyfencemet to "yes") [Return to the parlour...]<parlour|]{ }(if:$Bertrandcon is 4)["I've a room you can take," says," Bertrand. "Upstairs at the back. Got a nice cupboard for keeping things in and door to the back stairs, leads down to the yard. Fire every evening, that's a crown a night. Do you want it?" ["I'll take it."]<takeroom| ["No."]<parlour|(click:?takeroom)[(set:$spyroomsince to $clock)(set:$spyroom to "yes")(goto:"The Sign of the Spyglass")(set:$Bertrandcon to 0)]]{ }(if:$Bertrandcon is 5)[(display:"spyroomtab")Bertrand looks at a tallystick hung over the bar. "Lessee," he says and mutters under his breath. "You owe me £(print:((($spytab+$spyroomtab)-($spytab+$spyroomtab)%240)/240)) (print:(((($spytab+$spyroomtab)%240)-($spytab+$spyroomtab)%12)/12))s (print:($spytab+$spyroomtab)%12)d. Going to pay now?" [Settle up...]<settle| ["I'll pay you later."]<parlour| (if:$spyroom is "yes")[[Settle up and cancel your room.]<settlecancel|](click:?settle)[(if:$money >=($spytab+$spyroomtab))[(set:$money to it-($spytab+$spyroomtab))(set:$spytab to 0)(set:$spyroomtab to 0)(set:$spyroomsince to $clock)(goto:"The Sign of the Spyglass")](else:)[ You can't afford to pay your tab at the moment.]{ }(click:?settlecancel)[(if:$money >=($spytab+$spyroomtab))[(set:$money to it-($spytab+$spyroomtab))(set:$spytab to 0)(set:$spyroomtab to 0)(set:$spyroom to "no")(goto:"The Sign of the Spyglass")](else:)[ You can't afford to pay your tab at the moment.]]]]{ }(if:$Bertrandcon is 6)["My pal Dickin works in the shed behind the yard," says Bertrand. "He may be able to help you."(set:$spymechmet to "yes") [Return to the parlour...]<parlour|]{ }(if:$Bertrandcon is 7)["Well, since you ask, we are of the better-known hostelries on this road. Always busy with steam wagons, the freight companies and the like. The locobus routes come through here too, so we get a lot of common folk on their way somewhere else. Even the occasional private steam carriage." ["Tell me about the freight companies."]<ask2|(click:?ask2)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 7.1)(goto: "Bertrand") [Return to the parlour...]<parlour|]]{ }(if:$Bertrandcon is 7.1)["At each other's throats, they are. Ever since the airships got the license for long-distance freight, margins have been getting tighter and tighter. At least, that's what they all say when they're sat in here. So competition is fiercer and plenty of the companies will stop at nothing to get one over their rivals." (link-reveal:"Like who?")[ "Well, the Reading Steam Carriers have always had it in for Elizabeth Smythe, for example. Both run west of here, and the RSC boys used to have rights on this road. But it's a free market, and Smythe undercut them. So there's no love lost there." [Return to the parlour...]<parlour|]]{ }(click:?parlour)[(set:$Bertrandcon to 0)(goto:"The Sign of the Spyglass")]

(if:(((ceil:(($clock-$spyroomsince)/96))*60)>$spyroomtab))[(set:$spyroomtab to it + (((ceil:(($clock-$spyroomsince)/96))*60)-$spyroomtab))]

==FENCES== (set:$cheapfence to 0) (set:$midfence to 0) (set:$exfence to 0) Spyglass Inn - Mrs Collins (set:$MrsCollinscon to 0) (set:$fencematch to 0) (set:$slot1match to 0) (set:$slot2match to 0) (set:$slot3match to 0) (set:$slot4match to 0) (set:$slot5match to 0) (set:$slot6match to 0) (set:$slot7match to 0) (set:$slot8match to 0) (set:$slot9match to 0) (set:$slot10match to 0) (set:$slot11match to 0) (set:$slot12match to 0) Mrs Collin's prices - she'll buy anything equal or lower than the 1st price (at her modifier of 0.4) in a bundle and consider one-offs up to the value of the 2nd at full price, but more than that she won't buy. (set:$spyfenceprices to (a:72,480)) (set:$spyfencemod to 0.4) The list of things she won't buy because they are too expensive! Anything not on these three lists will just get ignored. Perhaps also she can respond to documents - ie "Can't read this," she mutters. "Can't read anything much." ==CONVERSATION TRACKERS== (set:$muffledman to 0) (set:$opponent to(datamap:"name","opponent","namecap","Opponent","sex","m","class",0,"HP",20,"speed",10,"barge",40,"lunge",40,"swing",40,"dodge",30,"parry",20,"grapple",25,"slash",10,"disarm",10,"kick",0,"punch",0,"righthook",0,"lefthook",0,"jab",0,"headbutt",15,"stab",20,"timesmet",0,"aff",0,"anger",0,"favour",0,"debt",0,"friend",false,"wounds",0,"woundlimit",2)) (set:$ESdriver to(datamap:"name","the driver","namecap","The driver","sex","m","class",2,"HP",20,"speed",10,"barge",40,"lunge",40,"swing",40,"dodge",30,"parry",20,"grapple",25,"slash",10,"disarm",10,"kick",0,"punch",0,"righthook",0,"lefthook",0,"jab",0,"headbutt",15,"stab",20,"timesmet",0,"aff",0,"anger",0,"favour",0,"debt",0,"friend",false,"wounds",0,"woundlimit",2)) (set:$Bertrand to(datamap:"name","Bertrand","namecap","Bertrand","sex","m","class",3,"HP",20,"speed",10,"barge",40,"lunge",40,"swing",40,"dodge",30,"parry",20,"grapple",25,"slash",10,"disarm",10,"kick",0,"punch",0,"righthook",0,"lefthook",0,"jab",0,"headbutt",15,"stab",20,"timesmet",0,"aff",0,"anger",0,"favour",0,"debt",0,"friend",false,"wounds",0,"woundlimit",2)) (set:$Bertrandcon to 0) (set:$Gavin to(datamap:"name","Gavin","namecap","Gavin","sex","m","class",3,"HP",20,"speed",10,"barge",40,"lunge",40,"swing",40,"dodge",30,"parry",20,"grapple",25,"slash",10,"disarm",10,"kick",0,"punch",0,"righthook",0,"lefthook",0,"jab",0,"headbutt",15,"stab",20,"timesmet",0,"aff",0,"anger",0,"favour",0,"debt",0,"friend",false,"wounds",0,"woundlimit",2)) (set:$AlanCherry to(datamap:"name","Alan","namecap","Alan Cherry","sex","m","class",3,"HP",20,"speed",10,"barge",40,"lunge",40,"swing",40,"dodge",30,"parry",20,"grapple",25,"slash",10,"disarm",10,"kick",0,"punch",0,"righthook",0,"lefthook",0,"jab",0,"headbutt",15,"stab",20,"timesmet",0,"aff",0,"anger",0,"favour",0,"debt",0,"friend",false,"wounds",0,"woundlimit",2)) (set:$GregCherry to(datamap:"name","Greg","namecap","Greg Cherry","sex","m","class",3,"HP",20,"speed",10,"barge",40,"lunge",40,"swing",40,"dodge",30,"parry",20,"grapple",25,"slash",10,"disarm",10,"kick",0,"punch",0,"righthook",0,"lefthook",0,"jab",0,"headbutt",15,"stab",20,"timesmet",0,"aff",0,"anger",0,"favour",0,"debt",0,"friend",false,"wounds",0,"woundlimit",2)) (set:$vGussie to(datamap:"name","Gussie","namecap","The Wise Man of the West","sex","m","class",3,"HP",20,"speed",10,"barge",40,"lunge",40,"swing",40,"dodge",30,"parry",20,"grapple",25,"slash",10,"disarm",10,"kick",0,"punch",0,"righthook",0,"lefthook",0,"jab",0,"headbutt",15,"stab",20,"timesmet",0,"aff",0,"anger",0,"favour",0,"debt",0,"friend",false,"wounds",0,"woundlimit",2)) CWE characters (set:$ComradeBert to (datamap:"name","Comrade Bert", "timesmet",0))

{ }(if:$slot1's value >0 and $slot1's value <= $spyfenceprices's 1st and $slot1's value >0)[The fence will buy your (print:$slot1's name). (set:$slot1match to 1)(set:$cheapfence to it+1)(set:$purchasetotal to it+$slot1's value)]{ }(if:$slot2's value >0 and $slot2's value <= $spyfenceprices's 1st)[The fence will buy your (print:$slot2's name). (set:$slot2match to 1)(set:$cheapfence to it+1)(set:$purchasetotal to it+$slot2's value)]{ }(if:$slot3's value >0 and $slot3's value <= $spyfenceprices's 1st)[The fence will buy your (print:$slot3's name). (set:$slot3match to 1)(set:$cheapfence to it+1)(set:$purchasetotal to it+$slot3's value)]{ }(if:$slot4's value >0 and $slot4's value <= $spyfenceprices's 1st)[The fence will buy your (print:$slot4's name). (set:$slot4match to 1)(set:$cheapfence to it+1)(set:$purchasetotal to it+$slot4's value)]{ }(if:$slot5's value >0 and $slot5's value <= $spyfenceprices's 1st)[The fence will buy your (print:$slot5's name). (set:$slot5match to 1)(set:$cheapfence to it+1)(set:$purchasetotal to it+$slot5's value)]{ }(if:$slot6's value >0 and $slot6's value <= $spyfenceprices's 1st)[The fence will buy your (print:$slot6's name). (set:$slot6match to 1)(set:$cheapfence to it+1)(set:$purchasetotal to it+$slot6's value)]{ }(if:$slot7's value >0 and $slot7's value <= $spyfenceprices's 1st)[The fence will buy your (print:$slot7's name). (set:$slot7match to 1)(set:$cheapfence to it+1)(set:$purchasetotal to it+$slot7's value)]{ }(if:$slot8's value >0 and $slot8's value <= $spyfenceprices's 1st)[The fence will buy your (print:$slot8's name). (set:$slot8match to 1)(set:$cheapfence to it+1)(set:$purchasetotal to it+$slot8's value)]{ }(if:$slot9's value >0 and $slot9's value <= $spyfenceprices's 1st)[The fence will buy your (print:$slot9's name). (set:$slot9match to 1)(set:$cheapfence to it+1)(set:$purchasetotal to it+$slot9's value)]{ }(if:$slot10's value >0 and $slot10's value <= $spyfenceprices's 1st)[The fence will buy your (print:$slot10's name). (set:$slot10match to 1)(set:$cheapfence to it+1)(set:$purchasetotal to it+$slot10's value)]{ }(if:$slot11's value >0 and $slot11's value <= $spyfenceprices's 1st)[The fence will buy your (print:$slot11's name). (set:$slot11match to 1)(set:$cheapfence to it+1)(set:$purchasetotal to it+$slot11's value)]{ }(if:$slot12's value >0 and $slot12's value <= $spyfenceprices's 1st)[The fence will buy your (print:$slot12's name). (set:$slot12match to 1)(set:$cheapfence to it+1)(set:$purchasetotal to it+$slot12's value)]{  }(if:$slot1's value >$spyfenceprices's 1st and $slot1's value <=$spyfenceprices's 2nd)[(set:$midmatch1 to 1)(set:$midfence to it+1)]{ }(if:$slot2's value >$spyfenceprices's 1st and $slot2's value <=$spyfenceprices's 2nd)[(set:$midmatch2 to 1)(set:$midfence to it+1)]{ }(if:$slot3's value >$spyfenceprices's 1st and $slot3's value <=$spyfenceprices's 2nd)[(set:$midmatch3 to 1)(set:$midfence to it+1)]{ }(if:$slot4's value >$spyfenceprices's 1st and $slot4's value <=$spyfenceprices's 2nd)[(set:$midmatch4 to 1)(set:$midfence to it+1)]{ }(if:$slot5's value >$spyfenceprices's 1st and $slot5's value <=$spyfenceprices's 2nd)[(set:$midmatch5 to 1)(set:$midfence to it+1)]{ }(if:$slot6's value >$spyfenceprices's 1st and $slot6's value <=$spyfenceprices's 2nd)[(set:$midmatch6 to 1)(set:$midfence to it+1)]{ }(if:$slot7's value >$spyfenceprices's 1st and $slot7's value <=$spyfenceprices's 2nd)[(set:$midmatch7 to 1)(set:$midfence to it+1)]{ }(if:$slot8's value >$spyfenceprices's 1st and $slot8's value <=$spyfenceprices's 2nd)[(set:$midmatch8 to 1)(set:$midfence to it+1)]{ }(if:$slot9's value >$spyfenceprices's 1st and $slot9's value <=$spyfenceprices's 2nd)[(set:$midmatch9 to 1)(set:$midfence to it+1)]{ }(if:$slot10's value >$spyfenceprices's 1st and $slot10's value <=$spyfenceprice's 2nd)[(set:$midmatch10 to 1)(set:$midfence to it+1)]{ }(if:$slot11's value >$spyfenceprices's 1st and $slot11's value <=$spyfenceprices's 2nd)[(set:$midmatch11 to 1)(set:$midfence to it+1)]{ }(if:$slot12's value >$spyfenceprices's 1st and $slot12's value <=$spyfenceprices's 2nd)[(set:$midmatch12 to 1)(set:$midfence to it+1)]{  }(if:$slot1's value >$spyfenceprices's 2nd)[(set:$exmatch1 to 1)(set:$exfence to it+1)]{ }(if:$slot2's value >$spyfenceprices's 2nd)[(set:$exmatch2 to 1)(set:$exfence to it+1)]{ }(if:$slot3's value >$spyfenceprices's 2nd)[(set:$exmatch3 to 1)(set:$exfence to it+1)]{ }(if:$slot4's value >$spyfenceprices's 2nd)[(set:$exmatch4 to 1)(set:$exfence to it+1)]{ }(if:$slot5's value >$spyfenceprices's 2nd)[(set:$exmatch5 to 1)(set:$exfence to it+1)]{ }(if:$slot6's value >$spyfenceprices's 2nd)[(set:$exmatch6 to 1)(set:$exfence to it+1)]{ }(if:$slot7's value >$spyfenceprices's 2nd)[(set:$exmatch7 to 1)(set:$exfence to it+1)]{ }(if:$slot8's value >$spyfenceprices's 2nd)[(set:$exmatch8 to 1)(set:$exfence to it+1)]{ }(if:$slot9's value >$spyfenceprices's 2nd)[(set:$exmatch9 to 1)(set:$exfence to it+1)]{ }(if:$slot10's value >$spyfenceprices's 2nd)[(set:$exmatch10 to 1)(set:$exfence to it+1)]{ }(if:$slot11's value >$spyfenceprices's 2nd)[(set:$exmatch11 to 1)(set:$exfence to it+1)]{ }(if:$slot12's value >$spyfenceprice's 2nd)[(set:$exmatch12 to 1)(set:$exfence to it+1)]{ }

(set:$money to it+$fenceoffer)(set:$cheapfence to 0){ }(if:$slot1match is 1)[(set:$slot1 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$slot2match is 1)[(set:$slot2 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$slot3match is 1)[(set:$slot3 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$slot4match is 1)[(set:$slot4 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$slot5match is 1)[(set:$slot5 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$slot6match is 1)[(set:$slot6 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$slot7match is 1)[(set:$slot7 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$slot8match is 1)[(set:$slot8 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$slot9match is 1)[(set:$slot9 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$slot10match is 1)[(set:$slot10 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$slot11match is 1)[(set:$slot11 to $nothing)]{ }(if:$slot12match is 1)[(set:$slot12 to $nothing)]

(if:$slot1's value < $purchaserlow)[(set:$slot1match to 1)(set:$purchasevalue to it+$slot1's value)]

(set: $MrsCollinscon to 1) (set:$spyfencemet to "yes") (set:$slot12 to $coalshovel)(display:"invshuffle")(set:$slot12 to $wrench)(display:"invshuffle")(set:$slot12 to $brassring)(display:"invshuffle")(set:$slot12 to $wigpowder)(display:"invshuffle")(set:$slot12 to $notebook)(display:"invshuffle")(set:$slot12 to $silvernecklace)(display:"invshuffle")(set:$slot12 to $silverring)(display:"invshuffle")(set:$slot12 to $watch)(display:"invshuffle")

You are wounded in a fight. (set:$woundno to (random:1,2)) (if:$woundno is 1)[(set:$openwounds to it + (a:(either:...$woundplaces)))] (else:)[(set:$openwounds to it + (a:(either:...$woundplaces))+ (a:(either:...$woundplaces)))] (if:$openwounds's length >0)[{ }You are wounded in the{ }(if: $openwounds's length is 1)[(print:$openwounds's 1st).]{ }(if: $openwounds's length is 2)[ the(print:$openwounds's 1st) and the(print:$openwounds's 2nd).]]{ } [[bandaging wounds]] (display:"Infofooter")

(if: $openwounds's length > 0)[You take the time to bandage{ }(if: $openwounds's length is 1)[ the bleeding wound in your (print:$openwounds's 1st).]]{ }(if: $openwounds's length is 2)[ the wounds in your (print:$openwounds's 1st) and (print:$openwounds's 2nd).]{ }(set:$bandagedwounds to it + $openwounds)(set:$openwounds to (a:)) [Return to where you were...]<r|(click:?r)[(goto:$loc)] (display:"Infofooter") (set:$sleep to 0)

You dream of (if: $sleep < 24)[(either:"steam","the woods","wagons","rescues","women","men with moustaches","oil","coal","blue-tits","roast chicken","bridges","water","barges","potted shrimp","a brindled cat","a man with a white beard","flying","riding","swimming","climbing","fleeing","catching","change","time","sand","mud","dreams","guineas","the dead highwayman","the gibbet","the gaol","judges","dinner","breakfast","tea","bad brakes","grass","the fair","a dark lady","an engineer","an engine-driver","your mother").(live:0.2s)[(set:$sleep to it +1)$sleep(goto:"healingsleep")]](if: $sleep > 23)[the road. You wake up.(display:"time")(set: $fatigue to 0)(Set:$lastslept to $clock)(set:$sleep to 0)(if:$bandagedwounds's length>0)[ After a deep sleep, the wound in your (print:$bandagedwounds's 1st) has healed.(set:$scars to it + (a:$bandagedwounds's 1st))(set:$bandagedwounds to it - (a:$bandagedwounds's 1st))] [Return to where you were...]<go|(click:?go)[(goto:$sleeploc)] (display:"Infofooter")]

[[Woundsprocess]] (display:"Infofooter")

(set:$openwounds to (a:)) (set:$bandagedwounds to (a:)) (set:$scars to (a:)) (set:$woundplaces to (a:" right arm"," left arm"," knee"," stomach"," shin"," shoulder"," calf"," thigh"," head"," hand"," cheek"," eye"," side"," chest"," nose")) [[Woundsprocess]]

(display:"Status"){ }(if:$beenherebefore is false)[The road brings you through lush farmland. Signs propped against the hedges read 'Property of Lynch Manor - Poachers prosecuted and persecuted'. (if:$night is true)[For now, the fields of grain and grass are quiet, apart from the occasonal sleepy moo of a cow.](else:)[Labourers are hard at work in the fields(if:$weather is "rainy")[ despite the rain](if: $weather is "clear")[ despite the sun].]](elseif:$beenherebefore is true)[{ }(if:$dawnhere is true)[(display:"dawn")]{ }(elseif:$duskhere is true)[(display:"dusk")]{ }(elseif:$weatherchange is true)[(display:"weatherchange")]{ }(else:)[On the road through the Lynch Estate, you pass the busy fields and the signs that warn poachers away.]]{ }(if: $wreckhere is true)[ (display:"wreckhere")](if:$traffichere is true)[ (display:"traffic")] (if:$questhere is true)[(if:$justiceforsquirelynch>0 and it <10)[(either:"Squire Lynch is likely to pass this way, returning from London in his fast chariaeoli.","You may find Squire Lynch here if you are patient enough to wait for him.","This is the road that Squire Lynch must travel to return to Lynch Manor from London.","Lynch Manor is not far from here.","This is Squire Lynch's estate.")(set:$justiceforsquirelynch to 1.1)](if:$justiceforsquirelynch is 1.1)[ [Await Squire Lynch here...]<aw|(click:?aw)[(set:$fightloc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"Ambushing Squire Lynch")]]] ](if:$traffichere is true)[(display:"trafficoptions")] [[Travel East towards the Sign of the Spyglass...|Outside the Spyglass]] [[Travel West towards the river...|Bridge]] (display:"Infofooter")

(display:"Status"){ }(if:$beenherebefore is false)[A brick bridge crosses a small river here, narrowing the roadway for a single vehicle at a time. The river flows North and must meet the Thames near the bridge at Benley.](elseif:$beenherebefore is true)[{ }(if:$dawnhere is true)[(display:"dawn")]{ }(elseif:$duskhere is true)[(display:"dusk")]{ }(elseif:$weatherchange is true)[(display:"weatherchange")]{ }(else:)[The brick bridge stands here at the border of Squire Lynch's farmland. To the west stand rows and rows of beech and hornbeam - valuable plantation.]]{ }(if: $wreckhere is true)[ (display:"wreckhere")](if:$traffichere is true)[ (display:"traffic")] (if:$questhere is true)[(if:$justiceforsquirelynch>0 and it <10)[(either:"Squire Lynch is likely to pass this way, returning from London in his fast chariaeoli.","You may find Squire Lynch here if you are patient enough to wait for him.","This is the road that Squire Lynch must travel to return to Lynch Manor from London.","Lynch Manor is not far from here.","This is Squire Lynch's estate.")(set:$justiceforsquirelynch to 1.1)](if:$justiceforsquirelynch is 1.1)[ [Await Squire Lynch here...]<aw|(click:?aw)[(set:$fightloc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"Ambushing Squire Lynch")]]] ](if:$traffichere is true)[(display:"trafficoptions")] [[Travel East into the farmland...|Farmland]] [[Travel West towards the woods...|Wood]] (display:"Infofooter")

(display:"Status"){ }(if:$beenherebefore is false)[These thick woods are full with the heavy silence of trees. However, despite their peaceful appearance you know that these trees are valuable industrial assets and that you are likely to find loggers and foresters nearby in this mature woodland. The road you have approached by meets another here: the local road running East to West meets the much busier highway, covered in patent tarmacadam and running from Benley Bridge north of here towards the escarpment to the South, and thence to London. ](elseif:$beenherebefore is true)[{ }(if:$dawnhere is true)[(display:"dawn")]{ }(elseif:$duskhere is true)[(display:"dusk")]{ }(elseif:$weatherchange is true)[(display:"weatherchange")]{ }(else:)[The woods stand silently and shade the crossroads with their boughs.]]{ }(if: $wreckhere is true)[ (display:"wreckhere")](if:$traffichere is true)[ (display:"traffic")] (if:$questhere is true)[(if:$justiceforsquirelynch>0 and it <10)[(either:"Squire Lynch is likely to pass this way, returning from London in his fast chariaeoli.","You may find Squire Lynch here if you are patient enough to wait for him.","This is the road that Squire Lynch must travel to return to Lynch Manor from London.","Lynch Manor is not far from here.","This is Squire Lynch's estate.")(set:$justiceforsquirelynch to 1.1)](if:$justiceforsquirelynch is 1.1)[ [Await Squire Lynch here...]<aw|(click:?aw)[(set:$fightloc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"Ambushing Squire Lynch")]] ]{ }(if:$traffichere is true)[ (display:"trafficoptions")]{ }[[Travel East towards the river...|Bridge]] [[Travel West deeper into the wood...|Wood and Gatehouse]] [[Ride North towards the Thames...|Road to the River]] [[Travel South and Uphill...|Road to Pockendon]] (display:"Infofooter")

(display:"Status"){ }(if:$beenherebefore is false)[The road through the wood here is bordered by a line of dark yew trees. A low brick gatehouse stands beneath them, guarding a gate marked 'Lynch Manor'. ](elseif:$beenherebefore is true)[{ }(if:$dawnhere is true)[(display:"dawn")]{ }(elseif:$duskhere is true)[(display:"dusk")]{ }(elseif:$weatherchange is true)[(display:"weatherchange")]{ }(else:)[The road through the wood here is bordered by a line of dark yew trees. A low brick gatehouse stands beneath them, guarding a gate marked 'Lynch Manor'(unless:$stolenshovel is 0)[.](if:$stolenshovel is 0)[ and a [shovel]<shov| stands in the ditch where workmen have been clearing brambles.(click:?shov)[(if:$slot12's name is "nothing")[ You take the shovel. (set:$slot12 to $shovel)(display:"invshuffle")(set:$stolenshovel to 1)(set:$guilts to it + (a:"stole a shovel that workmen had left in a ditch"))](else:)[ You haven't the space for a shovel.]]]{ }(elseif:$stolenshovel >0)[(if:$stolenshovel < 5)[This is where you took the shovel. (set:$stolenshovel to it+1)(if: $inv contains "a shovel")[{ }(link-replace:"Return the shovel...")[ You replace the shovel from the ditch where you found it.(set:$item to $shovel)(display:"dropitem")(set:$stolenshovel to 6)(set:$guilts to it - (a:"stole a shovel that workmen had left in a ditch"))]]]]{ }(elseif:$stolenshovel is 5 and $clock%96<48)[An angry workman is looking through the undergrowth here. "I know I left it here," he says. "I was just coming back for it and it was gone." "Well, foreman'll have you," says his mate. "Take it out of your pay." "Danged thing," says the frustrated ditch-clearer. "That's all I need."(set:$stolenshovel to 7)]{ }(elseif:$stolenshovel is 6 and $clock%96<48)[ Two men are struggling with brambles and overgrown hedges, doing their best to clear the ditches beside the road. One of them chops into the soil with a hefty shovel...(set:$stolenshovel to 7)]]]{ }{ }(if: $wreckhere is true)[ (display:"wreckhere")](if:$traffichere is true)[ (display:"traffic")] (if:$questhere is true)[All the options that go with starting a quest at this location ](if:$traffichere is true)[(display:"trafficoptions")] [[Travel East through the wood...|Wood]] (display:"Infofooter")

(display:"Status"){ }(if:$beenherebefore is false)[You are on the highroad where it passes Varsey Common. To the South, just beyond some scrubby trees, the Sign of the Spyglass can be seen. The main road runs uphill onto the moors to the East, down towards the woods and bridge at Mill Bridge to the West, and a small lane leads between the hedges north towards Varsey Village.](elseif:$beenherebefore is true)[{ }(if:$dawnhere is true)[(display:"dawn")]{ }(elseif:$duskhere is true)[(display:"dusk")]{ }(elseif:$weatherchange is true)[(display:"weatherchange")]{ }(else:)[You are on the highroad where it passes Varsey Common. To the South, just beyond some scrubby trees, the Sign of the Spyglass can be seen. The main road runs uphill onto the moors to the East, down towards the woods and bridge at Mill Bridge to the West, and a small lane leads between the hedges north towards Varsey Village.]]{ }(if: $wreckhere is true)[ (display:"wreckhere")](if:$traffichere is true)[ (display:"traffic")] (if:$questhere is true)[All the options that go with starting a quest at this location ](if:$traffichere is true)[(display:"trafficoptions") ][Enter The Sign of the Spyglass]<spy|(click:?spy)[(goto:"The Sign of the Spyglass")] [[Climb the road onto the moor...|Moor]] [[Travel West through the farmland...|Farmland]] [[Take the lane North towards the river...|Lane to Varsey]] (if:$clock%96>55)[|night>[Wait here until dawn...](click:?night)[(set:$timesaved to it - (96-($clock%96)))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]]{ }(else:)[|day>[Wait here until dusk...](click:?day)[(set:$timesaved to (it - (55-($clock%96))))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]] (display:"Infofooter")

(display:"Status"){ }(if:$beenherebefore is false)[fIRST TIME ](elseif:$beenherebefore is true)[{ }(if:$dawnhere is true)[(display:"dawn")]{ }(elseif:$duskhere is true)[(display:"dusk")]{ }(elseif:$weatherchange is true)[(display:"weatherchange")]{ }(else:)[Not first time]]{ }(if: $wreckhere is true)[ (display:"wreckhere")](if:$traffichere is true)[ (display:"traffic")] (if:$questhere is true)[(if:$justiceforsquirelynch>0 and it <10)[(either:"Squire Lynch is likely to pass this way, returning from London in his fast chariaeoli.","You may find Squire Lynch here if you are patient enough to wait for him.","This is the road that Squire Lynch must travel to return to Lynch Manor from London.","Lynch Manor is not far from here.","This is Squire Lynch's estate.")(set:$justiceforsquirelynch to 1.1)](if:$justiceforsquirelynch is 1.1)[ [Await Squire Lynch here...]<aw|(click:?aw)[(set:$fightloc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"Ambushing Squire Lynch")]]] (if:$traffichere is true)[(display:"trafficoptions")] [[Travel West towards the Sign of the Spyglass...|Outside the Spyglass]] (display:"Infofooter")

(if:$justiceforsquirelynch >0 and it <10)[(set:$spylocmiss to "ongoing")]{ }(if:$justiceforsquirelynch is 10)[(set:$spylocmiss to "finishedsquirelynch")]{ }(if:$justiceforsquirelynch is 11)[(set:$spylocmiss to "notstarted")]{ }

(set:$timesaved to it +1)

{ }(if:$coalgas is 0)[]{ }(if:$water is 0)[]{ }(if:$fatigue is 3)[]{ }(if:$hunger is 3)[]{ }(if:$openwounds is 3)[]{ }(if:$clock%96 >0 and $lastdebrief < ($days-1))[The hour is late. (display:"YesterdaysDebrief")]{ }[Return to where you were...]<r|(click:?r)[(goto:$loc)]

(set:$daysdeeds to (a:)) (set:$deeds to (a:)) (set:$guilts to (a:)) (set:$dreamlist to (a:"steam","the woods","wagons","rescues","women","men with moustaches","oil","coal","blue-tits","roast chicken","bridges","water","barges","potted shrimp","a brindled cat","a man with a white beard","flying","riding","swimming","climbing","fleeing","catching","change","time","sand","mud","dreams","guineas","the dead highwayman","the gibbet","the gaol","judges","dinner","breakfast","tea","bad brakes","grass","the fair","a dark lady","an engineer","an engine-driver","your mother")) (set:$queststodo to(a:)) (set:$questlocs to (a:)) (set:$RSCvsES to 1) - Reading Steam Carriers' vendetta vs Elizabeth Smythe 1 - Set to start, 2 - Accepted (set:$spylocmiss to "notstarted") (set:$justiceforsquirelynch to 0) (set:$justiceforsquirelynchlocs to (a:"Moor","Farmland","Bridge","Wood")) (set:$Barsaliscaravan to 0) (set:$RC to 0) - Ruined Cottage (set:$tC to 0) - The Cause (Compact for Workers' Emancipation) Allegiances: 0 is neutral, -1 to -3 disliked, -4 to -8, notorious, -9 and -10 hunted; 1 to 3 is favoured, 4 to 8 sponsored, 9 to 10 championed (set:$CoalBoardAll to 0) (set:$CWEAll to 0) Cherry's Steam Fair (set:$beentothefair to false) (set:$riddendivebomber to false) (set:$riddengallopers to false) (set:$riddenferris to false) (set:$riddensteamyachts to false)

(if:$justiceforsquirelynch <2)[{ }(if:$fightloc is "Wood")[Ambushing Squire Lynch should be a simple matter here. If you merely wait for dark, you can drop onto his chariaeoli from an overhanging branch, overcome the driver and have the wicked victim at your mercy. [Prepare for an ambush!]<pre|(click:?pre)[(goto:"SquireLynch2")]]]{ }(if:$fightloc is "Bridge")[The road crosses a small river here and the narrow bridge is a natural choke-point. ]{ }(if:$fightloc is "Farmland")[]{ }(if:$fightloc is "Moor")[(if:$weather is "rainy" or it is "stormy" or it is "rainstopping" or it is "rainbeginning")[The road here is rutted and covered with puddles. (if:$inv contains "a shovel")[With your shovel you deepen one of the potholes, until any steam carriage coming this way will break its axle. A short sharp shock is in order for Squire Lynch.(set:$justiceforsquirelynch to 2.1)](else:)[If you had a shovel, you could deepen the ruts to damage Squire Lynch's carriage's wheels. Without one, there is little you could do here.]]{ }(else:)[There is little cover up here on the moor and you would be seen from far off. You might try to stop Squire Lynch's fast steam carriage, but in this dry weather any traps dug in the road surface would be immediately obvious.]] (if:$justiceforsquirelynch<2)[{ }[Return to where you where...]<ret|(click:?ret)[(goto:$fightloc)]]{ }(else:)[Prepare for an ambush!]<pre|(click:?pre)[(goto:"SquireLynch2")]]{ }]{ }(if:$justiceforsquirelynch is 2.1)[]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

A steamer appears through the gloom, towing three heavily-laden wagons up the hill. Its smokestack is banded with red, gold and green - the colours of the Elizabeth Smythe Haulage Company. A steamer appears { }(if:$night is true or $weather is "rainy" or it is "cloudy" or it is "stormy")[through the gloom]{ }(else:)[on the distant road], towing { }(if:$trailers is 1)[ a single wagon]{ }(elseif:$trailers is 2)[a pair of wagons]{ }(elseif:$trailers is 3)[three heavily-laden wagons]{ }(if:$uphill is true or $downhill is true)[up the hill]{ }(else:)[over the uneven tarmacadam]. Its smokestack is banded with $livery - $wagonallegiance.

A pillar of smoke and a shrieking whistle announces the approach of a high-powered traction engine. As it rounds the edge of the wood it proves to be a Telegraph Guild transport, delivering mail and supplies.

Double-click this passage to edit it.

(set:$days to (ceil:$clock/96))(set:$weatherlog to it +(a:(print:$weather)))(set:$weather to (either:"rainy","stormy","cloudy","clear"))(if:$lastdebrief < ($days-2))[(display:"YesterdayDebrief")]

(if:(passage:)'s tags contains "urban")[The pale sun is dragged inexorably into the smog and smoke of the town.](elseif:(passage:)'s tags contains "hills")[(if:$weather's type is "rainy" or it is "stormy" or it is "cloudy")[Darkness rushes across the lad beneath you, intensified by the shadow of the clouds. Night falls.](else:)[The sun finally slips below the horizon and, to the East, you can make out the first stars of night.]](elseif:(passage:)'s tags contains "woods")[The sun sets and plunges the wood around you into darkness.](elseif:(passage:)'s tags contains "city")[The (either:"pale","weak","yellow-ish","barely-discernable") sun is dragged inexorably into the smog and smoke of the town. Lamps are being lit and buildings glow with gaslight.](elseif:(passage:)'s tags contains "town")[The town's lamps are lit as the sun sets in the West.](elseif:(passage:)'s tags contains "village")[The sun sets and the village falls quiet.](elseif:(passage:)'s tags contains "common")[The grassland of the common falls quiet: only a horse, champing on grass, breaks the silence as the sun drops from the sky.](elseif:(passage:)'s tags contains "bridge")[From the bridge you can see the sun sink into a haze of orange, purple and pink.](elseif:(passage:)'s tags contains "river")[Streaks of reflected colour on the river tell you that the sun is setting.]

(set:$wrecklocs to it +(a:$fightloc))(if:$traffic is "a goods vehicle")[(set:$lootcash to (random:30, 180)) The driver pulls over immediately and offers you the contents of his wallet: a meagre]{ }(if:$traffic is "a farm vehicle")[(set:$lootcash to (random:6, 45)) The farmer shakes his fist but surrenders the little money he has:]{ }(if:$traffic is "a locobus")[(set:$lootcash to (random:73, 501)) The passengers of the locobus are poor but numerous. You can have no qualms about robbing poor people. Together they muster ]{ }(if:$traffic is "a guild vehicle")[(set:$lootcash to (random:73, 501))(set:$opponent to $ESdriver)(set:$oweapon to $coalshovel)(display:"Fightsetup")(goto:"Fight")]{ }(if:$traffic is "a private steam carriage")[Private steam vehicle robbery.]{ }[(if:$lootcash <12)[(print:$lootcash)d.](elseif:$lootcash >11 and <240)[(print:(($lootcash-($lootcash%12))/12))s (print:$lootcash%12)d.](elseif:$lootcash >=240)[£(print:(($lootcash-$lootcash%240)/240)) (print:((($lootcash%240)-$lootcash%12)/12))s (print:$lootcash%12)d.]]<lootcash| [Return to where you were...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:$fightloc)](click:?lootcash)[(set:$money to it+$lootcash)(set:$lootcash to 0)]

(if: $weatherlog's last is "rainbeginning")[{ }{ }(if:$weather is "stormy")[The rain has begun to pour down all around you. Thunder rolls in the distance and the few people you pass are all dashing for cover.]{ }(if:$weather is "rainy")[The rain is falling steadily now, pooling on the road and filling the ditches.]{ }]{ }(if: $weatherlog's last is "rainstopping")[{ }{ }(if:$weather is "cloudy")[The rain dies way but the clouds linger ominously.]{ }(if:$weather is "clear")[The rain stops at last.(if:$night is true)[ The $fullmoon shines down upon the open road.](else:)[ Sunshine warms the tarmac.]]{ }]{ }(if: $weatherlog's last is "rainy")[{ }(if:$night is false)[{ }(if:$weather is "stormy")[The rain becomes even stronger and distant thunder rolls in the West.]{ }(if:$weather is "rainstopping")[It seems like the rain is beginning to ease.]{ }]{ }(if:$night is true)[{ }(if:$weather is "stormy")[The driving rain pours even more strongly and a flash of lightning illuminates the road.]{ }(if:$weather is "rainstopping")[At last the rain begins to ease and the night falls quiet.]{ }]{ }]{ }(if: $weatherlog's last is "clear")[{ }(if:$night is false)[{ }(if:$weather is "cloudy")[The sun disappears behind a bank of cloud.]{ }(if:$weather is "rainbeginning")[Clouds cover the sky and rain begins to fall.]{ }(if:$weather is "clear")[The sun shines even more brightly. There is not a cloud in the sky.]{ }]{ }(if:$night is true)[{ }(if:$weather is "cloudy")[The clouds above part for a while to give you a glimpse of the $fullmoon shining over the road, before heaven closes once more.]{ }(if:$weather is "rainbeginning")[The long-awaited rain begins, lightly at first, pattering on the ground as you drive by through the night.]{ }(if:$weather is "clear")[At last the clouds begin to fade away and you are left to ride the road beneath a glorious blanket of stars and a $fullmoon.]{ }]{ }]{ }(if: $weatherlog's last is "cloudy")[{ }(if:$night is false)[{ }(if:$weather is "cloudy")[The sun seems about to break through the clouds, but only manages a momentary gleam.]{ }(if:$weather is "rainbeginning")[It begins to rain.]{ }(if:$weather is "clear")[The clouds depart and the sun shines warmly down on the open road.]{ }]{ }(if:$night is true)[{ }(if:$weather is "cloudy")[The clouds above part for a while to give you a glimpse of the $fullmoon shining over the road, before heaven closes once more.]{ }(if:$weather is "rainbeginning")[The long-awaited rain begins, lightly at first, pattering on the ground as you drive by through the night.]{ }(if:$weather is "clear")[At last the clouds begin to fade away and you are left to ride the road beneath a glorious blanket of stars and a $moonphase moon.]{ }]{ }]{ }(if: $weatherlog's last is "stormy")[At last the rain dies away{ }(if:$night is true)[, leaving the night cool and quiet.](else:)[ and leaves the faintest glimmer of a rainbow overhead.]{ }]{ }

A (either:"recovery","salvage") team is labouring to remove the burnt and mangled wreckage of a crashed steamer from the roadway.

(set:$wanderingminstrel to (datamap:"name","wandering minstrel","number",1,"a","a","A","A","rainaction","strumming his autoharp regardless of the rain","action","singing a raucous song","shortname","minstrel","sex","m")){ }(set:$pedlar to (datamap:"name","wandering pedlar with pots on his back","number",1,"a","a","A","A","rainaction","dashing for cover with a clatter","action","calling the quality of his wares","shortname","pedlar","sex","m")){ }(set:$strayhorse to (datamap:"name","stray horse","number",1,"a","a","A","A","rainaction","shaking its wet mane in pleasure","action","browsing the roadside grass","shortname","animal","sex","f")){ }(set:$tramp to (datamap:"name","dirty tramp","number",1,"a","a","A","A","rainaction","huddled in his ragged coat, desperately trying to stay dry","action","peering around with sharp and hungry eyes","shortname","tramp","sex","m")){ }(set:$woundedsoldier to (datamap:"name","wounded soldier with a crutch","number",1,"a","a","A","A","rainaction","hobbling along painfully","action","momentarily resting on a treestump","shortname","soldier","sex","m")){ }(set:$soldier to (datamap:"name","soldier","number",1,"a","a","A","A","rainaction","marching rapidly home to his family, as careless of the rain as Crimean shells","action","whistling as he marches","shortname","soldier","sex","m")){ }(set:$destitutefamily to (datamap:"name","destitute family","number",4,"a","a","A","A","rainaction","carrying their meagre belongings on their back as they look for a place to shelter","action","traipsing along, no doubt thrown off their land by mechanised labour-machinery","shortname","father","sex","m")){ }(set:$badger to (datamap:"name","badger","number",1,"a","a","A","A","rainaction","hunting for frogs in the damp night air","action","snuffling along amiably","shortname","animal","sex","m")){ }(set:$drunktelegrapher to (datamap:"name","drunk telegrapher","number",1,"a","a","A","A","rainaction","squelching desperately along","action","singing to the stars","shortname","telegrapher","sex","m")){ }(set:$doe to (datamap:"name","doe","number",1,"a","a","A","A","rainaction","running through the rain","action","cautiously trotting along the roadside","shortname","animal","sex","f")){ }(set:$parson to (datamap:"name","parson","number",1,"a","a","A","A","rainaction","squelching along, rain dripping from his wide-brimmed hat","action","walking thoughtfully down the road","shortname","parson","sex","m")){ }]{-->

(if:$night is true)[{ }(set:$pedestrian to (either:$pedlar,$strayhorse,$badger,$tramp,$soldier,$drunktelegrapher,$wanderingminstrel,$doe))]{ }(else:)[(set:$pedestrian to (either:$wanderingminstrel,$pedlar,$woundedsoldier,$soldier,$tramp,$destitutefamily,$parson))]{ }(if:$pedestrian's name is "parson" and $weather is "rainy" or it is "stormy")[(goto:"LC1")]{ }(if:$pedestrian's number > 1)[(set:$is to "are")(set:$comes to "come")](else:)[(set:$is to "is")(set:$comes to "comes")](set:$a to $pedestrian's a)(set:$A to $pedestrian's A)(set:$action to $pedestrian's action)(set:$rainaction to $pedestrian's rainaction)(set:$ped to $pedestrian's name){ }(if:$uphill is true)[Up the hill $comes (print:$pedestrian's name)(if:$weather is "rainy" or it is "stormy" or it is "rainbeginning" or it is "rainstopping")[, (print:$pedestrian's rainaction)](else:)[(either:"",(print:$pedestrian's action))].]{ }(elseif:(passage:)'s tags contains "river")[On the bank of the river you find $a $ped (either:"beneath a willow tree",$action).]{  }(else:)[$A $ped $is (either:"approaching","travelling this way","coming along the road") $action.](set:$o to $pedestrian)

(either:"A farmer is herding his cows slowly up to the slaughterhouse.","A collective's agricultural engine trundles past, dropping loaves of compacted mud from its spudded wheels.","An open-sided dairy lorry trundles by on its route, collecting milk from the local farms.","A herd of sheep almost blocks the highway, driven by a tiny girl with a pout and a crook taller than she is.","A train of pack-llamas is being driven along the road.","An agricultural engine tugs a broad plough along the road.","Steam and smoke billow across the road as a mobile slaughterhouses trundles by.","A brightly-painted butchers van rings a bell and passes by.","An agricultural engine tows a long trailer piled with bales of hay.")(set:$driver to (datamap:"shortname","driver"))

(either:"A brewer's dray, fully laden and pulled by six heavy shires, is coming this way.","A steam-powered bricklayers van lurches across the road.","A self-propelled crane on the back of a lorry is grinding past.","A road locomotive pulling six wagons of freight trundles past, bound for a depot somewhere.","A gold-and-green steam engine pulls four slab-sided wagons marked 'Jas.Smith'","The road shudders as a six-wheeled dairy wagon belching steam makes its way along.","A flatbed trailer loaded with telegraph poles and drums of wire is shunted past by its steam tractor, prominently marked 'Telegraph Guild'.","A grocer's steam van whistles and roars by.","A road engine with vast, fifteen foot wheels slowly trails a collection of tree-trunks on a long, long limber.","A military supplies wagon hurtles past.","A glamorous showman's engine whistles as it passes, a canvas-covered wagon train behind it.","A sturdily built tractor marked 'City of Maidenhead' steams by with an iron-framed wagon in tow.")(set:$driver to (datamap:"shortname","driver"))

The locobus steams along steadily, its roof laden with goods for market, packages and small children.(set:$driver to (datamap:"shortname","driver"))

(display:"Status")(if:$beenherebefore is false)[The lane winds between hedges and overhanging trees, farmland on either hand, and brings you down to the riverside where someone has placed a bench. (if:$night is true)[The stars look down on this spot. ]There is a gate part-open at one side, the ground around it heavily rutted as if heavy wagons have gone that way. The lane also continues along the riverbank towards the peaceful village of Varsey and leads back uphill the way you came.] (elseif:$beenherebefore is true)[{ }(if:$dawnhere is true)[(display:"dawn")]{ }(elseif:$duskhere is true)[(display:"dusk")]{ }(elseif:$weatherchange is true)[(display:"weatherchange")]{ }(else:)[Beside the river here the lane leads uphill towards the Spyglass, along the riverside towards Varsey, and through the gate to the meadow.]]{ }(if: $wreckhere is true)[ (display:"wreckhere")](if:$traffichere is true)[ (display:"traffic")] (if:$questhere is true)[All the options that go with starting a quest at this location ](if:$traffichere is true)[(display:"trafficoptions")] { }[[Ride along the river to the meadows...|VarseyMeadow]] [[Ride into Varsey village|Varsey]] [[Travel South towards the Spyglass Inn..|Outside the Spyglass]]  (display:"Infofooter")

(display:"Status"){ }(if:$beenherebefore is false)[Varsey village is a poor place. Only a few cottages beside a jetty where watermen make what they can.] (elseif:$beenherebefore is true)[{ }(if:$dawnhere is true)[(display:"dawn")]{ }(elseif:$duskhere is true)[(display:"dusk")]{ }(elseif:$weatherchange is true)[(display:"weatherchange")]{ }(else:)[The village of Varsey has little to offer you at the moment.]]{ }(if: $wreckhere is true)[ (display:"wreckhere")](if:$traffichere is true)[ (display:"traffic")] (if:$questhere is true)[All the options that go with starting a quest at this location ](if:$traffichere is true)[(display:"trafficoptions")] { }[[Leave the village|Lane to Varsey]]  (display:"Infofooter")

(set:$timesaved to it+1){ }{ }(if:$clock%96 <13 or $clock%96 >72)[The wagons and stalls of Cherry's Steam Fair are silent, their red and gold splendour dulled by the (if:$clock%96>0)[morning](else:)[night] mist. Several sleeping collies lie on guard between the axles and a gaggle of geese hustle around the edge of one pitch. Perhaps you should return later when the fairmen are awake. |ap>[Approach the wagons...](click:?ap)[(goto:"Closedfairapproach")] [[Leave the meadow...|Lane to Varsey]]]{ }{ }(if:$clock%96 >12 and it <48)[The fair isn't yet open, but the showpeople are about their business, prettying the rides for their evening's trading. A small girl is herding geese, a boy carrying lumber and two heavily built men are arguing over the pitching of a new refreshment stall. A sign reads 'Cherry's Steam Fair - Open tonight from 6 of the clock!!' |en>[Enter the fairground...](click:?en)[(goto:"Dayfair")] [[Leave the meadow...|Lane to Varsey]]]{ }{ }(if:$clock%96 >47 and it <73)[(if:$beentothefair is false)[(set:$beentothefair to true){ }(if: $weather is "rainy" or it is "stormy" or it is "rainbeginning" or it is "rainstopping")[(set:$weather to "clear")(set:$weatherlength to (random:2,30))As you ride over the crest of the meadow the rain stops and the mist withdraws, revealing a bucolic scene. ]{ }The sound of a steam-organ drifts through the evening air, clearly piping above the heavier sounds of whirring flywheels and churning pistons. Beneath lantern-dripping branches of the riverside trees stand the tents, stalls and booths of Cherry's Steam Fair. In the centre a majestic Ferris wheel turns ponderously, glowing with gold and red light. The wall of sound becomes more distinct: the shudder and wail of the steam yachts hurtling backwards and forwards, the shriek of children riding the Dive Bomber, the chatter and laughter of visitors, the crackle of gunfire at the sharpshooter stand and the ring of the bell at the strength-tester. |ef>[Enter the fair...](click:?ef)[(goto:"Cherry'sSteamFair")]]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

(display:"Status"){ }(if:$beenherebefore is false)[The road continues North towards the Thames through the thick woods.] (elseif:$beenherebefore is true)[{ }(if:$dawnhere is true)[(display:"dawn")]{ }(elseif:$duskhere is true)[(display:"dusk")]{ }(elseif:$weatherchange is true)[(display:"weatherchange")]{ }(else:)[The road continues North towards the Thames through the thick woods.]]{ }(if: $wreckhere is true)[ (display:"wreckhere")](if:$traffichere is true)[ (display:"traffic")] (if:$questhere is true)[All the options that go with starting a quest at this location ](if:$traffichere is true)[(display:"trafficoptions")] { }[[Travel South towards the crossroads...|Wood]] [[Travel North towards the river...|Bridge over the Thames]]  (display:"Infofooter")

(display:"Status"){ }(if:$beenherebefore is false)[Benley Bridge is a masterpiece of modern design, spanning the Thames in a single suspended roadway, easily capable of bearing the strain of the heaviest road trains. The river below runs slowly.] (elseif:$beenherebefore is true)[{ }(if:$dawnhere is true)[(display:"dawn")]{ }(elseif:$duskhere is true)[(display:"dusk")]{ }(elseif:$weatherchange is true)[(display:"weatherchange")]{ }(else:)[Benley bridge crosses the Thames here.]]{ }(if: $wreckhere is true)[ (display:"wreckhere")](if:$traffichere is true)[ (display:"traffic")] (if:$questhere is true)[All the options that go with starting a quest at this location ](if:$traffichere is true)[(display:"trafficoptions")] { }[[Ride North into Benley...|Benley]] [[Travel South into the woods...|Road to the River]]  (display:"Infofooter")

(display:"Status"){ }(if:$beenherebefore is false)[UNIQUE, FIRST-TIME DESCRIPTIONS WITH MOVEMENT, WITH SOME DETAILS ON TIME/WEATHER] (elseif:$beenherebefore is true)[{ }(if:$dawnhere is true)[(display:"dawn")]{ }(elseif:$duskhere is true)[(display:"dusk")]{ }(elseif:$weatherchange is true)[(display:"weatherchange")]{ }(else:)[YOU'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE DESCRIPTION WITH SOME TIME/WEATHER DETAILS]]{ }(if: $wreckhere is true)[ (display:"wreckhere")](if:$traffichere is true)[ (display:"traffic")] (if:$questhere is true)[All the options that go with starting a quest at this location ](if:$traffichere is true)[(display:"trafficoptions")] { }[[Leave Benley and ride South...|Bridge over the Thames]]  (display:"Infofooter")

(display:"Status")(display:"Pocket watch"){ }(if:$beenherebefore is false)[This road leads uphill through the woods towards Pockenden, and then on towards London. The steep slope as the road tackles the escarpment causes you to slow your velosteam.] (elseif:$beenherebefore is true)[{ }(if:$dawnhere is true)[(display:"dawn")]{ }(elseif:$duskhere is true)[(display:"dusk")]{ }(elseif:$weatherchange is true)[(display:"weatherchange")]{ }(else:)[The steep slope here leads towards Pockenden.]]{ }(if: $wreckhere is true)[ (display:"wreckhere")](if:$traffichere is true)[ (display:"traffic")] (if:$questhere is true)[All the options that go with starting a quest at this location ](if:$traffichere is true)[(display:"trafficoptions")] { }[[Ride North, down the hill and into the wood...|Wood]]  (display:"Infofooter")

(Quest vehicle placeholder)

(either:"The fair is full of noise and laughter.","Crowds surge through the fair, families, couples, men staring at the engines, busy fair-folk.","The Gallopers' steam organ plays a jolly march.") [Visit the Dive Bomber...]<db| [Visit the Ferris Wheel...]<fw| [Visit the Steam Yachts...]<st| [Visit the Gallopers...]<ga| [Visit the Refreshment Tent...]<re| [Visit the Strength Tester...]<sr| (if:$AlanCherry's timesmet is 1 and $GregCherry's timesmet is 1 and $Gussie's timesmet is 0)[ There is also a small caravan tucked away behind the foodstall, decorated with a large sign reading [The Wise Man of the West...]<gu|]{ }(if:$Gussie's timesmet >0)[ [Visit the Wise Man of the West...]<gu|]{ }(link:"Leave the fair...")[(goto:"Lane to Varsey...")]{ }(click:?db)[(goto:"Dive Bomber")](click:?fw)[(goto:"Ferris Wheel")](click:?st)[(goto:"Steam Yachts")](click:?ga)[(goto:"Gallopers")](click:?re)[(goto:"Refreshment Tent")](click:?sr)[(goto:"Strength Tester")](click:?gu)[(goto:"The Wise Man of the West")] (display:"Infofooter")

(if:$AlanCherry's timesmet > 1 or $GregCherry's timesmet >1 or $Gussie's timesmet >1)[You leave your velosteam under a canvas awning and look around. (if:$AlanCherry's timesmet >1)[(link:"Knock on Alan Cherry's wagon...")[(goto:"Alan'sWagon")] ](if:$GregCherry's timesmet >1)[(link:"Knock on Greg Cherry's wagon...")[(goto:"Greg'sWagon")] ](if:$Gussie's timesmet >1)[(link:"Find Gussie's caravan...")[(goto:"Gussie's Caravan")] ](link:"Return to Varsey Lane...")[(goto:"Varsey Lane")]]{ }(else:)[As you get closer to the show wagons and shut-up amusements a skinny man in oil-stained canvas dungarees stumps out, holding a shotgun. "Clear off," he says. "Not interested. Fair opens at six." (link:"Return to Varsey Lane...")[(goto:"Lane to Varsey")]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

(if:$Gavin's timesmet >0)[Gavin gives you a wave as you ride into the fairground.]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

(if:$riddendivebomber is true)[(set:$timesaved to it-1)(goto:"DiveBomber1")](else:)[The Dive Bomber is a long, vertically swinging arm with a stylised attack-glider gondola at either end. Painted in the patriotic colours of His Imperial Majesty's Aeronautic Corps, they plummet down towards the ground in repeated arcs, spinning on their axes while they do. Boys and young men line up staunchly at one side, jeering at those who stagger off, sure they will perform more courageously. It is not a ride for the fainthearted. (link:"Pay sixpence for a ride on the Dive Bomber...")[(goto:"DiveBomber3")] (link:"Return to the fair...")[(goto:"Cherry’sSteamFair")]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

The operator of the dive bomber isn’t willing to talk any more, due to the long queue building up at the ride. His face looks like he wouldn’t be in the mood to talk even if there were no queue. You can ride the Dive Bomber again if you want, though. (link:"Pay sixpence for a ride on the Dive Bomber…")[(goto:"DiveBomber2")] (link:"Return to the fair…")[(goto:"Cherry’sSteamFair")]

(if:$money<6)[You don’t have sixpence for the ride, so you’ll have to just stand and watch. (link:"Return to the fair…")[(goto:"Cherry’sSteamFair")]](else:)[(set:$money to it-6)You have another go on the Dive Bomber. (link:"Return to the fair…")[(goto:"Cherry’sSteamFair")]]

(if:$money<6)[You don’t have sixpence for the ride, so you’ll have to just stand and watch. (link:"Return to the fair...")[(goto:"Cherry’sSteamFair")]](else:)[(set:$money to it-6) The queue has shortened and you do not have long to wait. At the last moment, the clerk in front of you in the line thinks the better of his bravado and scurries aside, leaving you the place in the gondola. The grizzled operator nods as you strap yourself in, then [releases the brake...]<rel|(click:?rel)[ First you find yourself moving slowly forwards and up in an arc as the operator positions the lower gondola for its own passengers. As you find yourself on your back, staring up into the night sky, the gondola swings sharply and loosely left. Before you know it, you are upside down, and then the counterweights pull you back upright. For a moment you can see far beyond the fair's lights. The gas-lamps of nearby villages glow, the headlamps of passing road trains on the hill hudder and flash through the lines of trees. Distant furnaces light the night and the $moonphase shines in the mirror of the river. (link-replace:"Then..."”)[Then the gondola moves and, with a sickening lurch, you find yourself spinning towards the ground. The Gallopers’ organ is playing a fast waltz and the lights of countless coalgas lanterns, the rushing blackness of the night and the chipped paint of the iron bar under your grip each take on a wondrous significance. The grass of the meadow, trampled by countless hopeful feet, approaches, before the black undercarriage of the ride’s trailer threatens to blind you, then, with a twist like the shuffle of a bat handle in the hand of a giant, you can see the stars again as you climb upwards, almost unstoppably, except for the force that holds you back on the hard wooden bench, stuck at a fixed distance from the hub of the spinner, yet constantly at risk that something will fail and your gondola will [dive to the ground for real…]<di|(click:?di)[ The ride ends with your gondola jerkily locking to the base of the tower. The operator steps out from his booth and looks at you quizzically. His face has been sour all the way through the ride.| ["What’s wrong with you?"]<ww| |Th>[“Thanks for the ride."](click:?ww)[(goto:"DiveBomber4")](click:?Th)[(goto:"Divebomber5")]]]]]

The operator nods grimly and spits. “You paid. Wasn’t exactly a present. Nobody gets nothing for free round here.” (link:"Return to the fair...")[(goto:"Cherry’sSteamFair")]

"None of your bleedin’ business," snaps the operator. But, as there is no-one else waiting for a ride at the moment, he remains where he is, leaning on the booth door and fumbling at his pipe. [Offer him a light...]<o| (click:?o)[He grunts, takes the quickflame and lights a hooked meerschaum pipe. “Things are bad when I start gettin’ snappy at the punters,” he says to the stars. “Guess I owe you an apology.” [“Yes, you do.”]<ye| [“Don’t worry about it.”]<do|(click:?ye)[(set:$db to "ye")(goto:"DiveBomber6")](click:?do)[(set:$db to "do")(goto:"DiveBomber6")]]

(set:$Gavin's timesmet to it+1)(if:$db is "ye")[He snorts with laughter. “Thin-skinned,eh? Well, I’m sorry for being grumpy. ]{ }(if:$db is "do")[“I don’t generally,” he says. “Must be feeling sympathetic. ]{ }It’s all that soot-smucked Gregory’s doing. Trying to diddle his elder brother from his birthright. Jacob and Esau ain’t in it, I can tell you.” ["Something’s wrong?"]<so| (click:?so)["No, pal. Everything everywhere is just fine and dandy. Apart from the fact that this old ride is a death-trap and you just escaped an untimely end, heaven knows how. What with not having any break for maintenance for six weeks." He gives a sarcastic leer. "Push off." ["What do you mean, no maintenance?"]<wa| (click:?wa)["Lucky it didn’t fall apart while youse was on it. When that beggar,"(he jerks a thumb towards the Ferris Wheel)"Stops hustling to take half the fair with him, Alan might be more likely to spend some cash on some of this machinery." ["So who's arguing?"]<so| (click:?so)["Only the ruddy owners, aren’t they? Alan and Gregory Cherry, as in Cherry’s Steam Fair?" [“Why isn’t it called Cherry Brothers’ Steam Fair, then?”]<wh| (click:?wh)["What a question. ‘Cause it was Old Man Cherry’s, until lately. He up and died some eighteen months ago. And the two brothers, inheriting the business, have been fighting ever since." ["I was told that Gregory was after Alan’s birthright."]<Iw|(click:?Iw)[(goto:"DiveBomber7")] ["Isn’t Alan keeping it from his brother?"]<Is|(click:?Is)[(goto:"DiveBomber8")] (link:"Return to the fair...")[(goto:"Cherry’sSteamFair")]]]]

(set:$clock to (history:)'s length - $timesaved){ }(if:$questlocs contains (passage:)'s name)[{ }]{ }(else:)[{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 <= 20)[{ } ]{ }(if:$d100 > 20 and it <=40)[{ }]{ }(if:$d100 > 40 and it <=100)[{ }]  ]

Welcome to Steam Highwayman. [[Begin anew...|Pre-Setup]] (link:"Continue a tale of old...")[(loadgame:"A")]

Your past is best left behind, but there are a few details that will continue to effect your future... (set:$startstory to (either:"DoCC")) Are you [male]<m| or [female]<f|?{ }(click:?m)[(set:$sex to "m")(goto:"backstorychoice")](click:?f)[(set:$sex to "f")(goto:"backstorychoice")]

==PUBS== =THE SIGN OF THE SPYGLASS= (set: $spyglassrep to 0) - not barred from the Sign of the Spyglass (set:$spyroom to "yes") (set:$spymechmet to "no") (set:$spyfencemet to "no") (set:$spycup1 to (datamap:"name","nothing")) (set:$spycup2 to (datamap:"name","nothing")) (set:$spycup3 to (datamap:"name","nothing")) (set:$spycup4 to (datamap:"name","nothing")) (set:$spycup5 to (datamap:"name","nothing")) (set:$spycup6 to (datamap:"name","nothing")) (set:$spycup7 to (datamap:"name","nothing")) (set:$spycup8 to (datamap:"name","nothing")) (set:$spycup9 to (datamap:"name","nothing")) (set:$spycup10 to (datamap:"name","nothing")) (set:$spycup11 to (datamap:"name","nothing")) (set:$spycup12 to (datamap:"name","nothing")) (set:$spycup13 to (datamap:"name","nothing")) (set:$spycup14 to (datamap:"name","nothing")) (set:$spycup15 to (datamap:"name","nothing")) (set:$spycup16 to (datamap:"name","nothing")) (set:$spycup17 to (datamap:"name","nothing")) (set:$spycup18 to (datamap:"name","nothing")) (set:$spycup19 to (datamap:"name","nothing")) (set:$spycup20 to (datamap:"name","nothing")) -MENU- (set:$spybrek to (a:"devilled kidneys","grilled mackerel","sprats with toast","bacon and eggs","black pudding"))(set:$spylunch to (a:"bread and cheese","mushroom soup and fresh bread","hare stew","leftover roast"))(set:$spydinner to (a:"roast chicken here on the spit","lamb chops","pork clanger with taters"))

(if:$startstory is "DoCC")[(goto:"DoCC 1")]

(Display:"Status"){ }{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(if:(history:) contains "Christmas Common")[The road brings you back to]{ }(else:)[The lane has brought you to]{ } the village of Christmas Common.]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","veh"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[ {}[Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)...]<talk|]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]](if:$traffictype is "veh")[ (display:"vehchooser")]{ } [[Ride up the lane to the North...|Portways Lane]] [[Head East...|Northend]] (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(96-$clock%96))(goto:"Christmas Common")]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(56-$clock%96))(goto:"Christmas Common")]] (display:"Infofooter")

(Display:"Status"){ }{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(if:(history:) contains "Portways Lane")[You are on the lane running from Christmas Common to the crossroads above Stokenchurch.]{ }(else:)[You have reached a lane that runs in a North-South direction along the crest of the Chilterns. Glimpses through the trees to the West reveal the Oxford plain far below.]{ } (either:"It is not a busy place and the views are largely shrouded by trees.","Little is to be seen here other than trees, fields and smoke rising from distant workshops and factories.")]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","veh"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[ [Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)...]<talk|]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]](if:$traffictype is "veh")[ (display:"vehchooser")]{ }{ }[[Travel North...|Hill Farm Crossroads]] [[Travel South...|Christmas Common]] (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(96-$clock%96))(goto:"Portways Lane")]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(56-$clock%96))(goto:"Portways Lane")]] (display:"Infofooter")

(Display:"Status"){ }{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(if:(history:) contains "Hill Farm Crossroads")[You have returned to ]{ }(else:)[The road has brought you to ]{ }crossroads high in the woods West of Stokenchurch.]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","veh"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[{}[Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)...]<talk|]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]](if:$traffictype is "veh")[ (display:"vehchooser")]{ } [[Ride West to Aston Hill...|Aston Hill]] [[Follow the Oxford Road East towards Stokenchurch...|Stokenchurch]] [[Take the lane that winds South...|Portways Lane]] (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(96-$clock%96))(goto:"Hill Farm Crossroads")]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(56-$clock%96))(goto:"Hill Farm Crossroads")]] (display:"Infofooter")

(Display:"Status"){ }{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(if:(history:) contains "Aston Hill")[You have returned to ]{ }(else:)[The road has brought you to ]{ }the woods at Aston Hill where the Oxford Road climbs steeply into the Chilterns.]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","veh"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[{}[Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)...]<talk|]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]](if:$traffictype is "veh")[ (display:"vehchooser")]{ } [[Travel uphill to the crossroads on the Oxford Road...|Hill Farm Crossroads]] (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(96-$clock%96)-1)(goto:"Aston Hill")]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(56-$clock%96)-1)(goto:"Aston Hill")]] (display:"Infofooter")

(Display:"Status"){ }{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(if:(history:) contains (passage:)'s name)[You have returned to ]{ }(else:)[The road has brought you to ]{ }Stokenchurch.]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","veh"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[{}[Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)...]<talk|]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]](if:$traffictype is "veh")[ (display:"vehchooser")]{ } [[The Hardware Shop...|Stokenchurch Shop]] [[Beacon's Bottom]] [[Oxford Road]] [[Hill Farm Crossroads]] [[Ibstone]] (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(96-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(56-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]] (display:"Infofooter")

(Display:"Status"){ }(if:$Barsaliscaravan is 0)[(if:$night is true)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"B1")]]{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(if:(history:) contains (passage:)'s name)[You have returned to ]{ }(else:)[The road has brought you to ]{ }Beacon's Bottom.]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","veh"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[{}[Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)...]<talk|]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]](if:$traffictype is "veh")[ (display:"vehchooser")]{ } [[Studley Green]] [[Stokenchurch]] (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(96-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(56-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]] (display:"Infofooter")

(Display:"Status"){ }{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(if:(history:) contains (passage:)'s name)[You have returned to ]{ }(else:)[The road has brought you to ]{ }Studley Green.]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","veh"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[{}[Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)...]<talk|]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]](if:$traffictype is "veh")[ (display:"vehchooser")]{ } [[Piddington]] [[Beacon's Bottom]] (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(96-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(56-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]] (display:"Infofooter")

(Display:"Status"){ }{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(if:(history:) contains (passage:)'s name)[You have returned to ]{ }(else:)[The road has brought you to ]{ }Piddington.]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","veh"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[{}[Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)...]<talk|]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]](if:$traffictype is "veh")[ (display:"vehchooser")]{ } [[Wheeler End]] [[Studley Green]] [[The Dashwood Arms]] (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(96-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(56-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]] (display:"Infofooter")

(Display:"Status"){ }{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(if:(history:) contains (passage:)'s name)[You have returned to ]{ }(else:)[The road has brought you to ]{ }the Oxford Road between Stokenchurch and Cadmore End.]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","veh"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[{}[Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)...]<talk|]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]](if:$traffictype is "veh")[ (display:"vehchooser")]{ } [[Stokenchurch]] [[Cadmore End]] (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(96-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(56-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]] (display:"Infofooter")

(Display:"Status"){ }(if:$RuinedCottage is 0)[(set:$d100 to (random:1,100))(if:$d100 >80)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"RC1")]]{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(if:(history:) contains (passage:)'s name)[You have returned to ]{ }(else:)[The road has brought you to ]{ }Cadmore End.]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","ped"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[{}[Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)]<talk|...]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]]{ } [[Bolter End]] [[Oxford Road]] [[Wheeler End]] (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(96-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(56-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]] (display:"Infofooter")

(Display:"Status"){ }{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(if:(history:) contains (passage:)'s name)[You have returned to ]{ }(else:)[The road has brought you to ]{ }Wheeler End.]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","veh"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[{}[Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)...]<talk|]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]](if:$traffictype is "veh")[ (display:"vehchooser")]{ } [[Cadmore End]] [[Bolter End]] [[Piddington]] (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(96-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(56-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]] (display:"Infofooter")

(Display:"Status"){ }{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(if:(history:) contains (passage:)'s name)[You have returned to ]{ }(else:)[The road has brought you to ]{ }Bolter End.]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","veh"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[{}[Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)...]<talk|]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]](if:$traffictype is "veh")[ (display:"vehchooser")]{ } [[Hanover Hill]] [[Cadmore End]] [[Wheeler End]] (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(96-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(56-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]] (display:"Infofooter")

(Display:"Status"){ }(if:$Barsaliscaravan is 0)[(set:$d100 to (random:1,100))(if:$d100 >80)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"B1")]]{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(if:(history:) contains (passage:)'s name)[You have returned to ]{ }(else:)[The road has brought you to ]{ }Hanover Hill.]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","veh"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[{}[Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)...]<talk|]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]](if:$traffictype is "veh")[ (display:"vehchooser")]{ } [[Fingest]] [[Bolter End]] (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(96-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(56-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]] (display:"Infofooter")

(Display:"Status"){ }{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(if:(history:) contains (passage:)'s name)[You have returned to ]{ }(else:)[The road has brought you to ]{ }Fingest.]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","veh"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[{}[Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)...]<talk|]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]](if:$traffictype is "veh")[ (display:"vehchooser")]{ } [[Turville]] [[Hanover Hill]] (link-goto:"The Sign of the Spyglass","The Sign of the Spyglass") (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(96-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(56-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]] (display:"Infofooter")

(Display:"Status"){ }{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(if:(history:) contains (passage:)'s name)[You have returned to ]{ }(else:)[The road has brought you to Turville. A tall semaphore tower looms over the village from its position high on the hill.]{ }]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","veh"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[{}[Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)...]<talk|]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]](if:$traffictype is "veh")[ (display:"vehchooser")]{ } [[Fingest]] [[Turville Heath]] [[Holloway]] [[Ibstone]] (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(96-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(56-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]] (display:"Infofooter")

(Display:"Status"){ }(if:$ComradeBert's timesmet is 0)[(goto:"Pboy0")]{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(unless:(history:) contains (passage:)'s name)[You have returned to ]{ }(else:)[The road has brought you to ]{ }a narrow road that runs between the beeches of a wooded valley.]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","veh"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[{}[Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)...]<talk|]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]](if:$traffictype is "veh")[ (display:"vehchooser")]{ } [[Northend]] [[Turville]] [[Wormsley Park]] (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(96-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(56-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]] (display:"Infofooter")

(Display:"Status"){ }{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(if:(history:) contains "Northend")[You have found your way back to Northend. Little more than a cluster of cottages with a forge by the green, this hamlet barely even knows it is the nineteenth century.]{ }(else:)[The twisting lane rises through the Chilterns and broadens out around a rough common. This is Northend.]]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","veh"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[{}[Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)...]<talk|]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]](if:$traffictype is "veh")[ (display:"vehchooser")]{ } [[Head North-West...|Christmas Common]] [[Travel South-East...|Turville Heath]] [[Take the lane beside the wood...|Holloway]] (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(96-$clock%96))(goto:"Northend")]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(56-$clock%96))(goto:"Northend")]] (display:"Infofooter")

(Display:"Status"){ }(if: $queststodo contains " deliver a roll of posters to Stonor Park for the Compact for Workers' Emancipation")[(goto:"Pboy6")]{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(if:(history:) contains "Turville Heath")[Here is the common of Turville Heath. The hill beyond the Grange is marked with the gashes of fallen trees.]{ }(else:)[You are deep in the woods of the Chilterns when you come across the hamlet of Turville Heath, set around a rough common.]]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","veh"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[{}[Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)...]<talk|]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]](if:$traffictype is "veh")[ (display:"vehchooser")]{ } [[Ride down Balhams Lane...|Stonor]] [[Take the lane East...|Turville]] [[Travel further into the Chilterns...|Northend]] (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(96-$clock%96))(goto:"Turville Heath")]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(56-$clock%96))(goto:"Turville Heath")]] (display:"Infofooter")

(Display:"Status"){ }(if: $queststodo contains " deliver a roll of posters to Stonor Park for the Compact for Workers' Emancipation")[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)|sp>[Try to deliver the posters to Stonor Park...](click:?sp)[(goto:"Pboy5")]]{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(if:(history:) contains "Stonor")[You have returned to the poverty-stricken village of Stonor.]{ }(else:)[Your journeying has brought you to the village of Stonor. The grand house of Stonor Park is just beyond here.]]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","veh"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[{}[Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)...]<talk|]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]](if:$traffictype is "veh")[ (display:"vehchooser")]{ } [[Pishill]] [[Turville Heath]] (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(96-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(56-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]] (display:"Infofooter")

Double-click this passage to edit it.

(Display:"Status"){ }{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(if:(history:) contains (passage:)'s name)[You have returned to ]{ }(else:)[The road has brought you to ]{ }Pishill.]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","veh"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[{}[Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)...]<talk|]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]](if:$traffictype is "veh")[ (display:"vehchooser")]{ } (link:"The Crown Inn...")[(goto:"The Crown 01")] [[Stonor]] [[Maidensgrove]] (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(95-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(55-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]] (display:"Infofooter")

(Display:"Status"){ }{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(if:(history:) contains (passage:)'s name)[You have returned to ]{ }(else:)[The road has brought you to ]{ }Maidensgrove.]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","veh"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[{}[Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)...]<talk|]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]](if:$traffictype is "veh")[ (display:"vehchooser")]{ } [[Pishill]] (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(96-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(56-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]] (display:"Infofooter")

(Display:"Status"){ }{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(if:(history:) contains (passage:)'s name)[You have returned to ]{ }(else:)[The road has brought you to ]{ }Wormsley Park.]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","veh"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[{}[Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)...]<talk|]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]](if:$traffictype is "veh")[ (display:"vehchooser")]{ } [[Holloway]] (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(96-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(56-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]] (display:"Infofooter")

(Display:"Status"){ }{ }(set:$d100 to (random:1,100)){ }(if:$d100 < 101)[{ }(if:(history:) contains (passage:)'s name)[You have returned to ]{ }(else:)[The road has brought you to ]{ }Ibstone.]{ }(if:$d100 <=100 and it >80)[(display:"weather")]{ }(if:$d100 <=60 and it >30)[(set:$traffictype to (either:"ped","veh"))(if:$traffictype is "ped")[ (display:"pedchooser") (unless:$pedestrian's shortname is "animal")[{}[Talk to the (print:$pedestrian's shortname)...]<talk|]](click:?talk)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"rumourchat")]](if:$traffictype is "veh")[ (display:"vehchooser")]{ } [[Stokenchurch]] [[Turville]] (if:$night is true)[(link:"Wait here until dawn...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(96-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]]{ }(if:$night is false)[(link:"Wait here until dusk...")[(display:"timepage")(set:$timesaved to it -(56-$clock%96))(goto:(passage:)'s name)]] (display:"Infofooter")

The powerful Ferguson velosteam is a beautiful machine. Its controls will take some time to master, but you are more than familiar with the essentials of steam mechanics after four years of indebted labour in the workshop. Your impulsive decision was made as much out of delight at the beauty and freedom that the two-wheeled road engine represented as out of your dire need to get away. That theft has given you wings. Together with the sword and the blunderpistol you found strapped to the saddle-mounted water tank, you have everything you need to carve our a new life. (link:"Ride on...")[(goto:"DoCC2")]

The road out of Wallingford led up into the Chilterns, a country of steep, wooded hills and hidden villages - a perfect place to stay low. But it is also highwayman country - a place where powerful companies and rich individuals fear the common road-thief. It is the seat of nobles, some decayed in the changes of the machine age and some making more profit than ever. It is a land of inventors and entrepreneurs and dreamers. It is a region of poor farming people, as dependent on the whims of their betters as they always have been. Unless things are finally starting to change. (link:"Ride on...")[(goto:"DoCC3")]

The lane leads you to a village with the bucolic name of Christmas Common. However, the age of the machine is arriving here. To the West of the the few cottages is a picture of despolation. Levelled woods, soil stripped off the hillside in vast mounds, pits belching smoke and the rock laid bare across at least an acre. You are brought to a stand by a crowd in the road massed around a large, black and yellow traction engine equipped with a crane, winch and wrecking ball. A man's voice cries in desperation from a semi-demolished cottage: "You can't tear down my home," he shrieks, tearfully. "Where my own babies were born! You can't just turn us out on the road!" (link:"Press closer...")[(goto:"DoCC4")]

You manouevre your velosteam between the cowed villagers. They seem unable to act, dominated by the figure of a tough-looking woman standing on the foreplate of the engine, handling the winch. "We can turn you out and we must," she says dispassionately. "This is Coal Board land now. You were sent a notice of eviction - you all was - and someone to read it to you!" She spits scornfully. "Now get out of the way or there's going to be blood in this rubble!" (link:"Fire your pistol into the air...")[(goto:"DoCC5")] ["There's no need for blood."]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC6")]

The shock of your blunderpistol's retort first causes the wrecking crew to dive for cover behind the ironwork of their engine, then gaze in bewilderment at your shrouded figure aside the powerful velosteam. ["I'll shoot half an ounce of lead through the next person to touch that winch!"]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC10")]

The forewoman turns from her vantage point to look at you. "Who the 'eck are you? Tell these peasants that there'll be no blood as soon as they get out - of their houses and out of this backwater." ["It's not their blood at stake."]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC7")]

She laughs scornfully. "Are you threatening me? You wouldn't have the nerve to hurt me. I work for the Coal Board. The Coal Board. We own half the country and three quarters of the House of Commons." (link:"Dismount and draw your blunderpistol...")[(goto:"DoCC8")]

Several of the villagers shriek as you draw your gun, and the remainder back away. She looks at the gun. "You don't dare," she says. "Engineer? Stoke that engine. We're going to need a full head of steam." [Shoot her...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC9")] [Back down...]<2|(click:?2)[(goto:"DoCC12")]

The charge in your blunderpistol explodes noisily, casting a cloud of smoke from the cheap powder. You see the forewoman caught by the swarm of shot, twist and fall backwards from her stand. Her crew catch her up from the ground and hurry her to their trailer. One stands and shakes his fist. "You'll be sorry for this," he says. "Don't think you can stand up to the Coal Board! We'll grind this place into powder and strip-mine the hill beneath it." But their bravado is gone, and with the foreman their desire for violence. They turn the traction engine through the increasingly surly villagers and head off down the hill. "We'll be back!" yells one. "Don't think you can stop progress!" ===You have now become Wanted by the Coal Board!=== ===You have now become become more Intimidating! Intimidation + 2=== (set:$guilts to it +(a:"shot a Coal Board forewoman at Christmas Common"))(set:$daysdeeds to it+(a:"shot a Coal Board forewoman at Christmas Common")) (link:"Talk to the villagers...")[(goto:"DoCC11")]{ }(set:$CoalBoardAll to -1)(set:$intimidation to it+2)

The forewoman pokes up her head from behind the cylindrical boiler, only to find your blunderpistol levelled directly at her. "No need for that," she replies anxiously. "What do you want?" ["I want you and your crew to leave. Now."]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC13")]

The villagers cheer raggedly and mock the fleeing crew. However, their village is already half-eaten up by the strip-mining. Cranes and hoists stand over the great depression that has been chewed into their common grazing land. The village matriarch, Ma Gammage, shakes her head. "They will be back indeed," she says. "Unless someone can convince the director that there isn't any coal here." ["I could."]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC22")]

"Yahhh," she cries scornfully. "I could see you weren't going to. All that getup and no guts to go with it!" A stone flies from somewhere behind you and strikes her on the forehead, hard. She falls down with a shriek. The villagers have armed themselves with mattocks, wood-axes and hedging billhooks, and are advancing on the wrecking crew. Her crew catch her up from the ground and hurry her to their trailer. One stands and shakes his fist. "You'll be sorry for this," he says. "Don't think you can stand up to the Coal Board! We'll grind this place into powder and strip-mine the hill beneath it." But their bravado is gone, and with the foreman their desire for violence. They turn the traction engine through the increasingly surly villagers and head off down the hill. "We'll be back!" yells one. "Don't think you can stop progress!" (link:"Talk to the villagers...")[(goto:"DoCC14")]

She eyes your weapon. "We'll be back. We've got orders to clear all these cottages. The Coal Board are going to have this land. So don't think this is the end!" Looking around, you can see that the villagers have armed themselves with mattocks, wood-axes and hedging billhooks. The crew turn the engine and trailer around as quickly as possible and head off down the hill. "We'll be back!" yells one. "Don't think you can stop progress!" (link:"Talk to the villagers...")[(goto:"DoCC11")](set:$daysdeeds to it+(a:"scared off a Coal Board wrecking crew from Christmas Common"))

"Why didn't you fire?" asks one of the women hefting a dangerously-sharp billhook. "If I carried that pistol, she'd have fallen dead." There is nothing you can say. Your inaction, however, distracted the forewoman long enough for someone else to take the initiative. The village matriach, Ma Gammage, seems unhappy still. She pats the crying man on the shoulder and turns to you. "All very well for now, but someone's got to stop those beggars from the bleedin' Coal Board. They've already taken half the village, and more than half of the common. " ["How can I help?"]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC15")]

"There's a Regional Director of some sort who is meant to be overseeing things here. He's been here every week since they began work on Lamb's field over there." She nods towards the bleak opencast beyond the green. "Called Mr Dutch. He gives the say-so on all of this. At first he seemed all polite and talked about relocating us all, but it was just sweet-talk." ["Perhaps I can convince him that the Coal Board should back off..."]<1|(click:1)[(Goto:"DoCC16")]

She looks at you sceptically. "Oh yes? How are you going to do that?" ["Kill him."]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC17")] ["Threaten him."]<2|(click:?2)[(goto:"DoCC18")] ["Kidnap him."]<3|(click:?3)[(goto:"DoCC19")]

===You have a new quest: The Despolation of Christmas Common=== (set:$queststodo to it+(a:" kill Director Dutch and to protect Christmas Common")) Ma Gammage raises her eyebrows. "As a warning to them all? I don't know if we need that kind of notoriety. But maybe it's the only thing to do."(set:$DoCC to 1) ["Where can I find him?"]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC20")]

===You have a new quest: The Despolation of Christmas Common=== (set:$queststodo to it+(a:" threaten Director Dutch and force him to reverse his plan to strip-mine Christmas Common")) "Have to be a very persuasive threat," she says, (if:$CoalBoardAll is -1)["But I see you're the type to go through with things."](else:)["And you don't seem the sort to press a point to violence."](set:$DoCC to 2) (if:$CoalBoardAll is -1)[{}["A pistol or a knifepoint will make my argument more persuasive."]<1|](else:)[|2>["A momentary hesitation. I can convince him I mean what I say."]](click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC20")](click:?2)[(goto:"DoCC20")]

===You have a new quest: The Despolation of Christmas Common=== (set:$queststodo to it+(a:" kidnap Director Dutch to protect Christmas Common")) She smiles grimly. "I like that," she says. "If you get hold of the fat beggar, bring him to the old windmill on Martha's Mound. We'll look after him for you. Sure we can persuade him to change his plans."(set:$DoCC to 3) ["Where can I find him?"]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC20")]

"Well he don't come down here to the wilds to get his hands dirty. But I knows he travels on the Oxford Flyer, between Oxford and London." ["How will I know him?"]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC21")]

"A great fat man," replies Ma Gammage, "With a pipe. Always reading - always got his hands full with one scheme or another. The pillage of another poor locality, no doubt. Wouldn't give a second thought to see us all wandering the countryside, penniless and roofless." [Head off to find Director Dutch...]<1|(click:?1)[{ }(if:$DoCC is 1)[(goto:"DoCC23")](if:$DoCC is 2)[(goto:"DoCC24")](if:$DoCC is 3)[(goto:"DoCC32")]]

She looks you up and down scornfully. "You don't look like much of a geologist. What do you want to do?" ["Kill him."]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC17")] ["Threaten him."]<2|(click:?2)[(goto:"DoCC18")] ["Kidnap him."]<3|(click:?3)[(goto:"DoCC19")]

The most straightforward way of killing Director Dutch will surely be to ambush the Oxford Flyer in an isolated location, shoot the man and possibly rob the passengers too. (link:"Find a good site for an ambush...")[(goto:"DoCC25")]

To give Director Dutch an ultimatum, you will need to find the Oxford Flyer and ambush it on the road. Of course, you would then have the opportunity to rob the passengers at the same time. [Find a good site for an ambush...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC25")]

(set:$rumour to (either:...$activerumours))(set:$activerumours to it -(a:$rumour))(set:$spokenrumours to it+(a:$rumour))(if:$activerumours's length is 0)[(set:$activerumours to $spokenrumours)]{ }You and the (print: $o's shortname) (either:"chat about","talk about","pass the time of day and discuss") |r>[$rumour].(click:?r)[(goto:$rumour)]{ }(if:$o's shortname is "tramp")[(if:$inv contains ...$allfood)[(link-goto:"Give the tramp some food...","feedtheneedypedestrian")]] [Return to where you were...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:$loc)]

(set:$activerumours to (a:"a ghost seen at the old mill on Martha's Mound","the ever-busier airship station at Highmoor Cross","the growing unhappiness in the Wycombe Mills","the West Wycombe mausoleum","the steam launch races at Henley","the Polo champion Frank Wellin","the increasingly militant group who call themselves the Compact for Workers' Emancipation","the fine deer at Stonor Park House","the lonely parson of Northend")) (set:$spokenrumours to (a:))

A mile or so West of Stokenchurch, the Oxford Road passes a small reservoir and the lane to Christmas Common. Just beyond there, in Aston Wood, the road has to climb the steep slope up into the Chilterns. It is heavily wooded and has good getaway routes and if the Flyer keeps to schedule, it should be passing through just as night is falling before the scheduled stop at the Stokenchurch Four Horseshoes. [Set up your ambush...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC26")]

You conceal your velosteam in the coppicing at the crest of the hill and claim a vantage point overlooking the Oxford plain. It is a busy road, but the Flyer, with its distinctive double chimneys, will be easy to spot. It isn't due for several hours, so you get to watch the sun sinking into the plain through the factory smoke of Wallingford, Watlington and distant Oxford. Farm vehicles, several Freight Guild wagons and even an articulated steamer of the Coal Board each pass beneath the branch, before, just as night is falling, you catch sight of the Flyer. Your blunderpistol is loaded and ready, your sabre loose in its sheath. All you need to decide is the degree of ruthlessness with which you will proceed. (link:"Stop the coach with a warning shot...")[(goto:"DoCC27")] (link:"Shoot to kill the driver...")[(goto:"DoCC28")]

(set:$success to $intimidation+30)(set:$driverbravado to (random:20,75)){ } As the Steamer approaches, fast, you step into the roadway and loose off a shot, which scatters roosting crows and echoes through the woods. Intimidation $intimidation% Armed + 20% Weather + 0% Dusk + 5% Hillside + 5% Success: $success% Driver bravado (print:$driverbravado)% (if:$success >=$driverbravado)[|1>[Success!](click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC30")]](else:)[|2>[Failure!](click:?2)[(goto:"DoCC31")]]

(set:$daysdeeds to it+(a:"shot the driver of the Oxford Flyer on Aston Hill"))(set:$guilts to it+(a:"shot the driver of the Oxford Flyer on Aston Hill")){ } The shot wings the driver, who desperately hauls on the brake lever, sending the massive steam carriage into a dangerous skid. One giant roadwheel slides into the ditch and the Oxford Flyer comes to an uneven halt.(set:$shotdriver to true) [Approach the carriage...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC34")]

The driver hauls on the brakes immediately and the Oxford Flyer bumps to a stop. Luckily, there is no guard to return fire. [Approach the carriage...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC34")]

The driver of the Flyer is entirely unintimidated by your threat and accelerates towards you! (link:"Stand your ground...")[(goto:"DoCC44")]

To kidnap Director Dutch you will have to find the Oxford Flyer and ambush it on the road. Of course, you would then have the opportunity to rob the passengers at the same time. (link:"Find a good site for an ambush...")[(goto:"DoCC25")]

(set:$d100 to (random:1,100))(set:$success to $pistolshot+40){ } The blunderpistol is not the ideal weapon for this, being short and innaccurate, and in the failing light you will have to be lucky indeed to hit the driver. Blunderpistol accuracy 50% Pistolshot skill + $pistolshot% Failing light - 10% Success: $success% (if:$success>=$d100)[|1>[Success!](click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC29")]](else:)[|2>[Failure!](click:?2)[(goto:"DoCC33")]]

(if:$shotdriver is true)[Ignoring the driver slumped in his seat](else:)[Ordering the driver and fireman to step down from the carriage], you fling open the door. Inside are three passengers - a lady in a travelling cloak and two men - one of whom is monstrously fat. (link:"Order them all out...")[(goto:"DoCC35")] (link:"Order the men out...")[(goto:"DoCC36")] (link:"Order Director Dutch out...")[(goto:"DoCC37")]

Your shot misses the driver, who simply accelerates towards you! (link:"Stand your ground...")[(goto:"DoCC44")]

(set:$cash1 to (random:96,504))(set:$cash2 to (random:96,504))(set:$cash3 to (random:96,504))(set:$daysdeeds to it+(a:"robbed a steam-coach on Aston Hill"))(set:$guilts to it+(a:"robbed a steam-coach on Aston Hill")){ } After ordering them to surrender their valuables, you gather [£(print:(($cash1-$cash1%240)/240)) (print:((($cash1%240)-$cash1%12)/12))s (print:$cash1%12)d]<cash1| from Director Dutch, [£(print:(($cash2-$cash2%240)/240)) (print:((($cash2%240)-$cash2%12)/12))s (print:$cash2%12)d]<cash2| from the other traveller and [£(print:(($cash3-$cash3%240)/240)) (print:((($cash3%240)-$cash3%12)/12))s (print:$cash3%12)d]<cash3| from the lady, together with a [silver bracelet]<sb| and a [silver necklace]<sn|. "You blackguard," says Director Dutch. "A dishonourable rogue, sir. Will you have no mercy upon the lady?" [Rob the carriagemen as well...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC42")] [Deal with Director Dutch...]<2|(click:?2)[(goto:"DoCC43")]{ }(if:$inv's length <12)[(click:?sb)[(set:$inv to it +(a:"silver bracelet"))](click:?sn)[(set:$inv to it +(a:"silver necklace"))]](click:?cash1)[(set:$money to it + $cash1)](click:?cash2)[(set:$money to it + $cash2)](click:?cash3)[(set:$money to it + $cash3)]

(set:$guilts to it+(a:"robbed a steam-coach on Aston Hill"))(set:$daysdeeds to it+(a:"robbed a steam-coach on Aston Hill"))(set:$cash1 to (random:96,504))(set:$cash2 to (random:96,504)){ } Gallantly bowing to the lady, you order the two gentlemen out of the carriage and proceed to gather their valuables. From Director Dutch you take [£(print:(($cash1-$cash1%240)/240)) (print:((($cash1%240)-$cash1%12)/12))s (print:$cash1%12)d]<cash1| and from the other traveller [£(print:(($cash2-$cash2%240)/240)) (print:((($cash2%240)-$cash2%12)/12))s (print:$cash2%12)d]<cash2|. "How dare you"" splutters the Director. "Don't you know who I am?" ===Your Gallantry has increased! +2=== [Deal with Director Dutch...]<2|(click:?2)[(goto:"DoCC43")]{ }(click:?cash1)[(set:$money to it + $cash1)](click:?cash2)[(set:$money to it + $cash2)](click:?cash3)[(set:$money to it + $cash3)]

He wobbles his way unevenly out of the tilted carriage. "What do you want with me?" ["Only a brief conversation..."]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC38")]

The fat man quivers and puts his hands in his pockets, drawing out a fat purse. "Do you want my money?" [Take the money...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC39")]

(set:$cash1 to (random:96,504)){ } Still holding your blunderpistol to his face, you take the proffered purse and then motion for Director Dutch to step away from the carriage. His purse contains [£(print:(($cash1-$cash1%240)/240)) (print:((($cash1%240)-$cash1%12)/12))s (print:$cash1%12)d]<cash1|... . This man has been the cause of suffering and horror - the prison of poverty for dispossessed families, wives seeing their husbands falling into desperation, unable to care for their own. He has destroyed communities in the vilest way, tearing up their land in the pursuit of wealth. His face is aghast. "You will not shoot me in cold blood?" (if:$DoCC is 1)[{}[Shoot him now...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC40")]]{ }(if:$DoCC is 2)[{}[Threaten him with death...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC47")]]{ }(if:$DoCC is 3)[{}[Knock him down, gag and tie him...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC52")]]{ }(click:?cash1)[(set:$money to it + $cash1)]

His fat body falls to the ground with a thump. This time, the echoes of your shot worry no roosting birds. The lady screams and the engineer shouts in horror. [Make your getaway...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC41")]

Now that Dutch is dead, perhaps the Coal Board will back off from Christmas Common. You return to your velosteam and ride into the dark night. ===You have proceeded in a Quest: The Despolation of Christmas Common===(set:$queststodo to it-(a:" kill Director Dutch and to protect Christmas Common")) [Return to tell Ma Gammage...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC59")](set:$guilts to it + (a:" murdered Director Dutch"))(set:$daysdeeds to it + (a:" murdered Director Dutch"))

(set:$robbeddriver to true){ } The carriage-men have little. One turns out his pockets and produces [2s 4d]<cash1|, the other only [6d]<cash2|. The engineer spits as you turn away. (link:"Deal with Director Dutch...")[(goto:"DoCC43")]{ }(click:?cash1)[(set:$money to it + 28)](click:?cash2)[(set:$money to it+6)]

You motion for Director Dutch to step away from the carriage. This man has been the cause of suffering and horror - the prison of poverty for dispossessed families, wives seeing their husbands falling into desperation, unable to care for their own. He has destroyed communities in the vilest way, tearing up their land in the pursuit of wealth. His face is aghast. "You will not shoot me in cold blood?" (if:$DoCC is 1)[{}[Shoot him now...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC40")]]{ }(if:$DoCC is 2)[{}[Threaten him with death...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC47")]]{ }(if:$DoCC is 3)[{}[Knock him down, gag and tie him...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC52")]]

(set:$target to (random:20,60))(set:$success to $agility) As the massive steam carriage approaches, you mean to step aside coolly, grab a bracket and haul yourself onto the driver's platform. However, it is trickier than it sounds. Agility $agility% Equipment + 0% Success $success% Target $target% (if:$success>=$target)[|1>[Success!](click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC45")]](else:)[|2>[Failure!](click:?2)[(goto:"DoCC46")]]

Timing your leap to perfection, you swing onto the driver's carriage still brandishing your pistol. ["Stand and deliver!"]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC34")]

(set:$woundno to 2)(set:$openwounds to it + (a:(either:...$woundplaces))+ (a:(either:...$woundplaces))){ } You manage to grab the bracket you are aiming for, but the moving carriage strikes you heavily, wounding you on the(print:$openwounds's 1st) and the(print:$openwounds's 2nd). Thankfully, you are still able to climb aboard. The driver, with a blunderpistol at his temple, has no other option than to stop. (link:"Proceed to hold up the carriage...")[(goto:"DoCC34")]

You explain that his orders to strip-mine Christmas Common will cause poverty and suffering. He seems confused in his terror. "Where?" ["Christmas Common."]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC48")] [Gain his attention with a bullet to the hand...]<2|(click:?2)[(goto:"DoCC49")]

"Oh," he replies. "And what do you want?" ["Stop the strip-mining or I will find you and kill you."]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC50")]

Your shot shatters the bones in his left hand. He screams in agony, but seems to take you more seriously. ["Stop the strip-mining or I will find you and kill you."]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC50")]

"Whatever you say," he sobs. "Only, spare my life." [Leave him...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC51")]

With that encounter in his memory, perhaps Director Dutch will back off from Christmas Common. You return to your velosteam and ride into the dark night. ===You have proceeded in a Quest: The Despolation of Christmas Common===(set:$queststodo to it-(a:" threaten Director Dutch and force him to reverse his plan to strip-mine Christmas Common")) [Return to tell Ma Gammage...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC59")](set:$guilts to it + (a:" intimidated Director Dutch"))(set:$daysdeeds to it + (a:" intimidated Director Dutch"))

You knock the fat man down with a blow from the butt of your blunderpistol, then tie him with strips cut from his own travelling cloak. You force the other passenger and the engineer to carry him to your velosteam, where you strap him onto the pillion and prepare to ride away. (unless:$robbeddriver is true)["What do you want with the fat gentleman?" asks the engineer. ["He's one of those profitting from the poverty of the working class."]<1| ["Never you mind. You'll hear of his end, no doubt."]<1|] (else:)[{}[Proceed to the old windmill...]<1|]{ }(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC53")]

(set:$loc to (history:)'s last){ } As you ride over a blind crest you are forced to brake sharply. A small steamer of strange appearance is hissing and smoking by the side of the lane. Its driver is standing morosely beside it, until he sees your approach and quickly flags you down. ["What's wrong?"]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"Pboy1")]

"Overheating," says the driver. "Just need to stop awhile. Thing is, I'm behind schedule anyway. Comrade Feaver'll kill me." He eyes your velosteam greedily. "'Ere, you don't think you could help a member of the Cause out, do you?" ["What cause?"]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"Pboy2")]

(set:$ComradeBert's timesmet to 1){ } "Why, the Compact for Workers' Emancipation, that's what cause. I'm Comrade Bert and I got to deliver these posters - smuggling them North in some fine Lord's carriage. But only if we can get them to our dropoff in time. And as you see, my dear old Betsy isn't going anywhere." The steamer is indeed overheated. It has six low wheels and a canvas roof over a driving platform crenellated with boxes and cupboards. Buckets of glue and extendable rollers are jammed into spaces that don't fit them and rolls and rolls of paper are tied under tarpaulins. "Could you take these posters - not all of them, just this roll - down to Stonor Park for me? I'll in ever so much trouble if they're not there tonight. The Compact in Manchester need them direct." (if:$inv's length<12)[{}["Alright, I'll take them."]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"Pboy3")]](else:)[Unfortunately you can't take the posters for now as your inventory is full. Consider dropping something. (display:"Inventory") [Done?]<d|(click:?d)[(goto:(passage:))]] ["I'm not going that way, mate."]<2|(click:?2)[(goto:"Pboy4")]

(set:$tC to 1){ }===You have a new Quest: Posterboy===(set: $queststodo to it +(a:" deliver a roll of posters to Stonor Park for the Compact for Workers' Emancipation"))(set:$inv to it +(a:"roll of posters")) "It's the big house beneath the wood, just outside Stonor. Now, don't go straight on in the front. It's Engineer Anderson you want, in the carriage sheds. Stay out of sight." He hands you the heavy roll. "Oh, and watch out for the deer." [Continue on your way...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:$loc)]

He shakes his head. "Always the same. No help for a comrade on the road." [Ride on...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"$loc")]

Just outside Stonor are a pair of low gatehouses either side of a fine drive. It would be much to conspicuous to ride straight in and deliver the posters. You will have to find another way. [Return to Stonor village...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"$loc")]

(set:$loc to "Turville Heath"){ } The steep lane running down from Turville Heath towards Stonor winds past a small farmhouse opposite a gate into the wood. Surely through the gate you can reach Stonor Park in a more discreet manner and deliver the posters for Comrade Bert. [Hide your velosteam beside the gate...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"Pboy7")]

You park your velosteam just inside the gate and cover it with tree branches. Heading through the little wood with the roll of posters under your arm, you emerge at the edge of a pasture looking down at the outhouses behind Stonor Park. There, beneath the towering chimney of the house furnace, are the carriage sheds, and you can see a blue-capped figure hard at work on an up-to-date road engine. In the pasture you can see several deer browsing at the grass. Suddenly there is a crackling of bracken and undergrowth. It is a large stag, bearded, horned and territorial. He charges straight towards you. [Run towards the other deer...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"Pboy8")] [Climb a tree...]<2|(click:?2)[(goto:"Pboy10")] [Run towards the outhouses...]<3|(click:?3)[(goto:"Pboy9")]

Running straight into the pasture, you cause the deer herd to scatter. Thankfully the stag is distracted and turns his attention to one of the does. [Now head to the carriage shed...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"Pboy11")]

(set:$luck to (random:1,20))(set:$success to $agility+$luck){ } You run straight down the slope towards the outhouses. Once at the bottom, you must see if you can jump the gate into the yard. [Jump the gate...]<gate|(click:?gate)[ Agility $agility% Luck $luck% Success chance $success% Gate 50% (if:$success >=50)[|s>[Success!]](else:)[|f>[Failure!]](click:?s)[(goto:"Pboy11")] (click:?f)[(goto:"Pboy12")]]

(set:$openwounds to it + (a:(either:...$woundplaces)))(set:$daysdeeds to it+ (a:" were wounded by a stag")){ } The first tree you try is a beech with a smooth lower trunk. The second is a coppiced hazel with multiple, thin poles that won't hold you. You dodge around the branches, but the stag catches you and butts you hard, knocking you to the ground. He loses interest when you are lying prone and wanders off. You rise with a bleeding (print:$openwounds's last). [Find Engineer Anderson and get rid of these posters...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"Pboy13")]

The man is still working at the carriage. You approach him cautiously. ["Comrade Anderson?"]<1|(click:?1)[ He spins around. "Don't call me that here! Who are you? What do you want?" He hefts the wrench he is working with threateningly. ["I have some posters for you from Comrade Bert."]<2|(click:?2)[ He takes the posters and puts them away quickly. "Well, I never fancied to see someone like you helping the cause. Bert's probably got his feet up at home. But we're grateful." He looks around furtively. "I 'aven't anything to give you, but if you head up to the Dashwood Arms at Piddington, you may well find more work for the Cause. Onward to Equality!" ===You have completed a quest: Posterboy=== ===Your standing with the Compact for Workers' Emancipation has improved somewhat=== [Return to your velosteam...]<3|(click:?3)[(goto:"Turville Heath")] (set:$queststodo to it-(a:" deliver a roll of posters to Stonor Park for the Compact for Workers' Emancipation"))(set:$daysdeeds to it+(a:" delivered a roll of posters to Stonor Park for the Compact for Workers' Emancipation"))(set:$inv to it - (a:"roll of posters"))(set:$CWEAll to it+1)]]

You talk with the (print:$o's shortname) about the champion. "That Frank Wellin, he's amazing!" ["I'm sure you're right."]<1|(click:?1)[ "I am right! Did you know he's left-handed? Still the highest scorer in the season." The (print:$o's shortname) points a finger enthusiastically. "It's all because of his kwanjy." ["His what?"]<2|(click:?2)[ "Kwanjy! It's a spirit that follows a polo player. You don't know anything about polo, do you?" (link-goto:(either:"Bid the (print:$o's shortname) farewell...","Say goodbye to the (print:$o's shortname)...","Take your leave..."),$loc)]]

(set:$openwounds to it + (a:(either:...$woundplaces)))(set:$daysdeeds to it +(a:" were wounded by a stag")){ } The stag catches you and butts you, hard, with its antlers. You scramble over the gate but realise that you have a bleeding (print:$openwounds's last). [Find Engineer Anderson and get rid of these posters...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"Pboy13")]

The man is still working at the carriage. You approach him cautiously. ["Comrade Anderson?"]<1|(click:?1)[ He spins around. "Who are you? What's all this blood?" ["A deer horned me."]<2|(click:?2)[ "Well," he replies, "That's what trespassing on private property will get you, see?" ["I have some posters for you from Comrade Bert."]<3|(click:?3)[ He takes the posters and puts them away quickly. "Well, I never fancied to see someone like you helping the cause. Bert's probably got his feet up at home. But we're grateful." He looks around furtively. "I 'aven't anything to give you, but if you head up to the Dashwood Arms at Piddington, you may well find more work for the Cause. Onward to Equality!" ===You have completed a quest: Posterboy=== ===Your standing with the Compact for Workers' Emancipation has improved somewhat=== [Return to your velosteam...]<4|(click:?4)[(goto:$loc)] (set:$queststodo to it -(a:" deliver a roll of posters to Stonor Park for the Compact for Workers' Emancipation"))(set:$daysdeeds to it+(a:" delivered a roll of posters to Stonor Park for the Compact for Workers' Emancipation"))(set:$inv to it - (a:"roll of posters"))(set:$CWEAll to it+1)]]]

(if:$tC is 2)[(if:$deeds contains " delivered a roll of posters to Stonor Park for the Compact for Workers' Emancipation")[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"PD0")]]{ }{ }[[Piddington]]

As you enter the saloon of the Dashwood Arms, you are recognised by Comrade Bert who is drinking at the bar. He comes over and claps you on the shoulder. "Hello Comrade," he says quietly. "Good to see you again. Are you interested in helping the cause further?" ["I'm not really a political sort of person."]<1| ["Does it pay?"]<2| ["I'll do anything I can to support the Compact for Workers' Emancipation!"]<3|{ }(click:?1)[(goto:"PD01")](click:?2)[(goto:"PD02")](click:?3)[(goto:"PD03")]

Comrade Bert shakes his head. "You don't have a choice about that," he says. "We's all political, like or not. Doing nothing is political. Ignoring the plight of the hinnocent mother and the starving child is political. So I'm told. But between me and you, no problem. You did me a favour, and I'm very grateful." [Look around the bar...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"The Dashwood Arms")]

"Does it pay?" echoes Comrade Bert. "Well, that's difficult kind of question. It may pay, monetarily speaking, perhaps with gold or silver or such worldly trash. It will certainly pay the overlord classes back, when our endeavours come to an head. I'm not promising, but I fancy Comrade Feaver may be able to renumerate you in case of good efforts." ["Then lead on, Comrade Bert."]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"PD1")]

"Hush, Comrade!" Bert seems a little embarrassed at your fervour. "Very good, very good. Just, hush a little! We're not officially licensed nor entirely supported, even here. So, hush!" He leads you behind the bar and towards a low door. [Follow Comrade Bert...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"PD1")]

You are led to a basement filled with printing machinery. The brick walls are pasted thick with posters and closely-written political bulletins. "Look," says Comrade Feaver, "We need someone to plant documents. Baroness Trappingham is staying at Wormlsey Park. She's an implacable enemy to the cause and we're trying to get her out of the way." Comrade Feaver flourishes a packet of papers, her eyes shining with excitement. "If you can get these planted in her personal belongings - I mean close to her - on her dressing table or such - then bring us word. We've friends in the Security Bureau. Will you do it?" ["I'll do it."]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"PD2")] ["Does she deserve this?"]<2|(click:?2)[(goto:"PD3")]

(set:$tC to 3){ } "Good." Comrade Feaver hands you the documents. "When you've planted them, go to the Fox at Ibstone and ask for Jerry. He'll tell you what to do next." ===You have a new quest: Lady Trappingham's Table===(set:$queststodo to it +(a:" plant a packet of papers on Lady Trappingham's dressing table at Wormsley Park"))(set:$daysdeeds to it + (a:" met Comrade Feaver of the Compact for Workers' Emancipation"))(if:$inv's length is 12)[You haven't enough space for the documents. Drop something and reload this passage. (display:"Inventory")|r>[Reload...](click:?r)[(goto:(passage:))]](else:)[(set:$inv to it + "incriminating documents") [Leave the cellar...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"The Dashwood Arms")]]

Comrade Feaver looks sharply at you. "That doesn't concern you. Will you support the cause?" ["Not unquestioningly."]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"PD4")] ["I'll support the cause."]<2|(click:?2)[(goto:"PD2")]

Comrade Feaver looks at you with scorn. "You haven't the strength of character to make choices like this. A petty robber, that's all you are. It's inaction that keeps ninety-nine percent in bondage." She takes a knife from the paper table and shows you the blade. "The cause demands commitment, friend." With a sharp gesture, she draws the knife across her hand. "Someone always has to pay." ===Your standing with the Compact for Workers' Emancipation has fallen somewhat===(set:$CWEAll to it -1) [Leave the cellar...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"The Dashwood Arms")]

"Did you hear about the ghostly figure that haunts Martha's mound, up by Christmas Common?" asks the (print:$o's shortname). ["Tell me the tale."]<1|(click:?1)[ "The miller had a daughter and she had a lover in the village. But one night, returning from their meeting place, he fell in the river and drowned. She pined away at her window, never moving from where she sat with a lit candle, looking out for her lover who never returned. The light shines there still, on moonlit nights." (link-goto:(either:"Bid the (print:$o's shortname) farewell...","Say goodbye to the (print:$o's shortname)...","Take your leave..."),$loc)]

(link-goto:"Done...",$loc)

"It's a creepy old place," says the (print:$o's name). "Old Lord Dashwood built it to bury his family in, on the site of an ancient pagan temple. A ring of stones. But there's a curse on the place for sure. I wouldn't go up there at night..." (link-goto:"Done...",$loc)

(link-goto:"Done...",$loc)

Apparently the Compact for Workers' Emancipation is one of the many groups inspired by the talks of Josephine Sinclair and her book, the Power of Capital. People say that they are preparing to revolt and overthrow the aristocratic-led government. "What do you think?" asks the (print:$o's name). "Are you for the aristos, or against them?" ["Against."]<1| ["For."]<1| ["Why should I care?"]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:$loc)]

(if:$daysdeeds contains " were wounded by a stag" or $deeds contains " were wounded by a stag")[The (print:$o's name) begins to tell you about the deer kept by the Lord of Stonor Park, but you interupt him. ["I know more than enough about those ruddy deer, thankyou."]<1|(click:?1)[ "What's your problem? I was just making conversation."] (link-goto:"Done...",$loc)](else:)["Some fine deer down at Stonor Park. I was walking past there and saw the stags fighting," says the (print:$o's name). "Better than guard dogs, if you ask me." (link-goto:"Done...",$loc)]

Day (print:$days) Today you (if:$daysdeeds's length is 0)[did nothing of any note]{ }(elseif:$daysdeeds's length is 1)[(either:"simply","","")(print:$daysdeeds)]{ }(else:)[(print:($daysdeeds-(a:$daysdeeds's last))) and (either:"finally","lastly","then","","")(print:$daysdeeds's last)].{ }(set:$deeds to it +$daysdeeds)(set:$daysdeeds to (a:))(set:$lastdebrief to $days)

Double-click this passage to edit it.

(link-goto:"Find Hector the Gamekeeper...","Hector the Gamekeeper") (link-goto:"Your room...","CrownRoom") (link-goto:"Leave the pub...","Pishill")

Double-click this passage to edit it.

===You have proceeded in a Quest: The Despoilation of Christmas Common===(set:$queststodo to it-(a:" kidnap Director Dutch to protect Christmas Common")) Your velosteam is sturdy but the weight of the massive director manages to effect the handling rather badly. Nonetheless, you quickly reach the old windmill on the ridge near Christmas Common and find Ma Gammage and a posse of villagers waiting for you there. "Good," says Ma Gammage. "Hand him over and we'll see if we can't convince him to let us be." |1>["What will you do?"](click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC54")]

"Haven't decided yet," she replies shortly. "So many options..." ["Imprison him here."]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC56")] ["Ransom him for the village."]<2|(click:?2)[(goto:"DoCC55")]

She looks at you thoughtfully. "Doesn't he deserve a little... treatment? After all he's done?" ["It will effect you more than him."]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"DoCC57")] ["I suppose it's only fair."]<2|(click:?2)[(goto:"DoCC58")]

"We could," she says. "But then we have to feed the fat creature. Don't you trouble yourself about what happens to him. You've helped us enough already. Now, life is hard for such as you, outside the law, just as it is for those of us living under it. The keeper of the Crown at Pishill is a friend of mine. She may be able to get you a place to stay(if:$inv contains "silver bracelet" or it contains "silver necklace")[ - maybe even help you get rid of some of those spanglies]. Tell her I sent you." [Head on down to Pishill...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"The Crown A1")]

(display:"Status"){ } You ride the short distance to the village of Pishill and arrive at the Crown as night is falling. A large woman is just lighting the lamps at the door as you pull up. "Good evening to you, $mate," she says. "What can I do for you?" [Tell her about your encounter at Christmas Common...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"The Crown A2")] (display:"Infofooter")

After you've regaled her with the story of Director Dutch's (if:$daysdeeds contains"")[kidnap](elseif:$daysdeeds contains"")[murder](if:$daysdeeds contains"")[intimidation], the landlady is more welcoming. She introduces herself as Prudence, or Pru to her friends. "Sounds like a good day's work," she says. "Here - you'll be wanting a room to stay the night, no doubt. And if there's anything else, just ask." [Head to your room...]<1|(click:?1)[(goto:"CrownRoom")]

(if:$startstory is "DoCC")[(set:$startstory to "Complete")(if:$openwounds's length>0)[In the safety of the room at the pub you may [bandage your wounds...]<bw|(click:?bw)[(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name)(goto:"bandaging wounds")]](else:)[As soon as you take your boots off and sit on the bed, fatigue grips you. (link:"Go to sleep...")[(set:$loc to "CrownRoom")(goto:"sleep")]]]{ }(else:)[You are in your room above the parlour of the Crown at Pishill. (link:"Go to sleep...")[(set:$loc to "CrownRoom")(goto:"sleep")] [[Go down to the parlour...|The Crown 01]]]

She narrows her eyes. "He's already done evil to us. My old soul can carries more than you know, youngster. Don't you trouble yourself about what happens to him. You've helped us enough already. Now, life is hard for such as you, outside the law, just as it is for those of us living under it. The keeper of the Crown at Pishill is a friend of mine. She may be able to get you a place to stay(if:$inv contains "silver bracelet" or it contains "silver necklace")[ - maybe even help you get rid of some of those spanglies]. Tell her I sent you." (link-goto:"Head on down to Pishill...","The Crown A1")

You can't trouble yourself too much with other people's choices. If they torture him, what is it to you? You've simply been able to help make the playing field a little more level for the poor folk of Christmas Common. Ma Gammage has a final word. "You'll always have friends here. Life is hard for such as you, outside the law, just as it is for those of us living under it. The keeper of the Crown at Pishill is a friend of mine. She may be able to get you a place to stay(if:$inv contains "silver bracelet" or it contains "silver necklace")[ - maybe even help you get rid of some of those spanglies]. Tell her I sent you." (link-goto:"Head on down to Pishill...","The Crown A1")

You return to Christmas Common and tell Ma Gammage all about it. "Well," she says, perhaps less than pleased, "We'll see if that's the answer after all. But you'll always have friends here. Life is hard for such as you, outside the law, just as it is for those of us living under it. The keeper of the Crown at Pishill is a friend of mine. She may be able to get you a place to stay(if:$inv contains "silver bracelet" or it contains "silver necklace")[ - maybe even help you get rid of some of those spanglies]. Tell her I sent you." (link-goto:"Head on down to Pishill...","The Crown A1")

The sound of music drifts from between the trees. A hurdy-gurdy's rhythmic drone and the whistle of flutes rise over the noise of (if:$weathertype is "rainy" or it is "stormy" or it is "rainbeginning" or it is "rainstopping")[the falling rain](else:)[your own velosteam's engine.] [[Approach the sound of the music...|B2]]

An old man churns a hurdy-gurdy on his shoulder as he sits on the steps of his bright caravan. Two boys are playing flutes and a girl beats a drum while a couple dance around a fire on the turf. A traveller family are relaxing after their day's work. (if:$inv contains ...$instrument)[[[Join in with your (print:$instrument's name)...|B3]] ][[Join the dance...|B4]] [[Stand and watch...|B5]]

Drawing out your mandolin, you quickly check your tuning and then (if:$musicianship >50)[join the tune. The old man nods appreciatively and picks up the pace with a whoop. His grandsons blow quicker and quicker and the dancers heels kick up sparks from the edge of the fire. Whirling and dancing, faster and faster, the dance goes on until the flutes give a shrill shriek and the entire family shout for pleasure. ===You have learnt a new tune! 'Gipsy fire dance'===(set:$knowntunes to it +(a:"Gipsy fire dance"))] (else:)[try your best to join the tune. The melody is difficult and it keeps changing time, first three steps, then four, then three - or five! Nonetheless, the old man keeps eye contact and helps you find the pulse. Then, before you know it, you are playing along with him! Whirling and dancing, faster and faster, the dance goes on until the flutes give a shrill shriek and the entire family shout for pleasure. ===You have improved your musical ability! Musicianship +20===(set:$musicianship to it+20)] [[Continue...|B6]]

(if:$agility >20)[ The dance is a challenge, but you keep up, circling the fire and kicking up the embers with the couple. The musicians begin to play faster, and you have to breathe quickly to keep going. Whirling and dancing, faster and faster, the dance goes on until the flutes give a shrill shriek and the entire family shout for pleasure. ===You have learnt a new dance! 'Gipsy fire dance'===(set:$knowndances to it+(a:"Gipsy fire dance"))] (else:)[ The changing patterns of the dance are complex and you bump into the couple once or twice as they abruptly change direction around the open fire. But they laugh and take your hands, one either side, guiding your feet until you are more confident. ===You have improved your dancing ability! Dance +10===(set:$danceskill to it+10)] [[Continue...|B6]]

Even though you simply stand and watch, the rhythm is infectious and you find yourself clapping along, watching as the man plays with his tall hat, the woman flaps her skirts daringly over the flames and the pair switch, change direction, stamp and laugh. Whirling and dancing, faster and faster, the dance goes on until the flutes give a shrill shriek and the entire family shout for pleasure. [[Continue...|B6]]

The dancing man steps over to you, his hand outstretched. "We are celebrating our daughter's nameday," he says, motioning towards the girl with the drum. "Join us, stranger! More music, more celebration!" [["I will gladly join you."|B7]] [["I must continue on my way."|B8]]

(set: $lastate to $clock)(set:$hunger to 0) You stay with the gipsy family late into the night, dancing, eating their delicious hedgehog cobbler and drinking small glasses of fiery liquor. Barsali, the dancing man, introduces you to the whole family and shows your their quaint steam-caravan. [[Offer the daughter a gift...|B9]] (if:($knowndances)'s length >1)[[[Offer to teach them a dance...|B11]] ][[Tell a story...|B12]]

(set:$daysdeeds to it + (a:"met a family of gypsies")){ } He shakes his head. "What a shame! You have yet to learn to take time for simple pleasures. Perhap we will meet you again. If you cannot find us here, we may be burning wood for charcoal over in the Hedsor woods." [[Travel on...|B10]]

(if:$inv contains "brass bracelet" or it contains "silver bracelet" or it contains "gold bracelet")[Looking through your possessions, you find a bracelet that might suit the girl. Otherwise, there is money in your pocket.](else:)[Perhaps the girl would appreciate some somey.] (if: $inv contains "brass bracelet")[[[Give the girl the brass bracelet...|B13]] ](if: $inv contains "silver bracelet")[[[Give the girl the siver bracelet...|B13]] ](if: $inv contains "gold bracelet")[[[Give the girl the brass bracelet...|B13]] ](if:$money>240)[[[Give her a guinea ...|B18]]]

(set:$daysdeeds to it + (a:"met a family of gypsies and taught them a dance")){ } Whistling the tune to a dance you enjoyed, you begin to walk Barsali and his wife through the steps of the dance. His daughter Cojini soon joins you and grandpa picks up the pulse with his hurdy-gurdy. They laugh as you play the part of a dance-master, but seem genuinely keen to learn from you. Cojini gives you a big smile as you conclude the lesson. "Thankyou," she says. "That was a beautiful nameday gift." Barsali clasps your hand. "You have a gift, to teach like this. Although you are a wanderer in your heart, you are a (if:$sex if "m")[man](else:)[lady] of many talents. Should our paths cross again, teach us another dance!" [[Leave the family...|B10]]

(set:$daysdeeds to it + (a:"met a family of gypsies and told them your story")){ } You share the tale of some of your past exploits. The two boys listen with rapt amazement and the old man nods. Barsali smiles. "Adventure," he says. "You have a wandering heart. We will meet you again, my spirit tells me." [[Leave the family and travel on...|B10]]

(set:$Barsaliscaravan to 1)(set:$daysdeeds to it +(a:"met a family of gypsies")){ } You remount your velosteam and wave to Barsali and his family still standing by the fire. [Return to where you were...]<r|(click:?r)[(goto:$loc)]

Cojini graciously takes the bracelet and slips it onto her wrist. She smiles brightly. "Thankyou," she says. "What a precious nameday gift." Cojini's mother comes over and speaks to you directly for the first time. She takes your hand in hers and looks deep into your eyes. "You have far still to travel," she begins. "I see you will gain much, lose much, and give much away." She hesitates. (if:$scars's length >0)["There is blood on you. You have been wounded, haven't you? Here," and she points towards your (print:$scars's 1st).] [[Nod...|B14]] [[Keep quiet...|B15]]

(set:$daysdeeds to it + (a:"met a family of gypsies"))(set:$money to it-240){ } You press a guinea into the girl's hand. She beams with delight. "Thankyou, kind stranger," she says. "Gold is for gentleness. This will buy my father new boots and a shawl for my mother." Barsali smiles. "Come and see us again - if you can find us! You are assured of our friendship now." It is time to depart. [[Travel on...|B10]]

"Your path is leading you into conflict," she continues. "When you see holly growing in oak, you will suffer a great loss." [["Thank you."|B16]] [["What do you mean?"|B17]]

The woman can plainly see beyond the average observer. Is she simply reading you, or does she have some spiritual gift of insight? Either way, knowing your future is a dangerous burden. "I am making you uncomfortable," she says. "But I have a burden to explain to you. Do not fear the reaper with the scythe. That is not your end." [[Let her go...|B16]]

(set:$daysdeeds to it + (a:"met a family of gypsies and had your future told")){ } She lets your hand fall and returns to her children. Barsali approaches. "I did not hear what my wife said, but know this. She has eyes to see and often sees what will come to pass. But fear nothing. You are assured of our friendship now." It is time to depart. [[Travel on...|B10]]

(set:$daysdeeds to it + (a:"met a family of gypsies and had your future told")){ } "I simply see an holly tree growing from the inside of a hollow oak, and when I consider it, my heart is cold with fear. Perhaps that is the shadow of your loss." ["What will I lose?"]<1|(click:?1)[ "I don't see anything else - simply feel that cold. I cannot tell you what I do not see." ["When will this happen?"]<2|(click:?2)[ "I do not know. Sooner, if you seek it, as is the way with all our fates." She lets your hand fall and returns to her children. Barsali approaches. "I did not hear what my wife said, but know this. She has eyes to see and often sees what will come to pass. But fear nothing. You are assured of our friendship now." It is time to depart. [[Travel on...|B10]]]]

Glimpsing stonework through the woods, you will your velosteam along a tiny path and reach an ivy-covered ruin. The stones are rounded by the weather, an ash tree has erupted from one wall, but there is roof over part of it still and a mouldering door hanging from a single iron hinge. [[Investigate the ruin...|RC2]] [Return to where you were...]<r|(click:?r)[(goto:$loc)]

Pushing back the door, you are met by the unmistakable reek of charred wood. It seems that this cottage was abandoned after a fire. The downstairs room is a mass of ivy, ashes and fallen beams, but a cupboard-stair still leads upwards beside the hearth and you can make out a trapdoor beneath a heap of rubble. [[Cut away the ivy (if you have a large knife or axe)...|RC3]] [[Clear the rubble and open the trapdoor...|RC4]] [[Climb up to the loft...|RC5]]

You chop and tear at the ivy, letting in light and air, but unwittingly bringing down part of the wall as well. Several large stones hit you and leave you bleeding, cut nastily on the (set:$openwounds to it + (either:...$woundplaces))(print:$openwounds's last). However, in the space behind the stones you find a small box, and in that several illegible letters and a few coins totalling |cash>[£3 2s 8d](click:?cash)[(set:$money to it +752)]. The building has been weakened by your rummaging and as soon as you step back through the door, the whole ruin slumps noisily into a precarious heap. ===You have a new quest: Who was the Cottager in the Wood?=== (set:$daysdeeds to it + (a:"discovered a ruined cottage"))(set:$queststodo to it +(a:"find out who lived in the ruined cottage in the wood"))(set:$RuinedCottage to 1.1) [Return to the road...]<r|(click:?r)[(goto:$loc)]

The trapdoor is kept closed by a single fallen beam, badly charred by the fire, and several large stones that seem to have collapsed from the wall more recently. Rolling them aside, you are able to grasp the trapdoor's handle and jerk it upright. A dreadful smell arises and the dim (if:$night is true)[star](else:)[sun]light reveals the bones and stretched skin of a human hand still reaching upwards. A skeletal body, the remains of the desperate inhabitant of this sad place, lies on the steps leading downwards. Careful exploration of the little cellar reveals a few simple possessions which you can take if you wish: a [bottle of elderberry wine]<elwi|, a [rabbit snare]<rs| and a [hammer]<h|. What next? [[Leave the body and close the trapdoor...|RC6]] [[Give the pour soul a decent burial...|RC7]] (click:?elwi)[(set:$inv to it +(a:"bottle of elderberry wine"))](click:?rs)[(set:$inv to it +(a:"rabbit snare"))](click:?h)[(set:$inv to it +(a:"hammer"))]

The cupboard stairs are almost vertical - little more than sturdy shelves set behind a door - but with a lowered head you can make it up into the loft. (Star/Dusty sun)light breaks through a few missing tiles and illuminates the small room where the inhabitants of this place would have slept. There is some ruined bedding, charred, smoked, water-stained and insect-eaten. A bird's nest pokes out from beneath a rafter and a little lacquered box sits on a low shelf. [Open the box...]<o|(click:?o)[ The box contains a |sp>[small paintbrush], a [box of watercolour paints]<wp|, and a small [sketchbook of paintings]<sk| of woodlands bird. Flicking through, you can see immaculate chiff-chaffs, tits, sparrows, kites, owls, wagtails, larks and many more. Whoever lived here was plainly a skilled artist. The real state of the ruined cottage is now clear: it is only just still standing. Even a careful climb back down the stair sends several steps down ahead of you and only a moment after you leave by the door, the whole ruin slumps noisily into a precarious heap. ===You have a new quest: Who was the Cottager in the Wood?=== (set:$daysdeeds to it + (a:"discovered a ruined cottage"))(set:$queststodo to it +(a:"find out who lived in the ruined cottage in the wood"))(set:$RuinedCottage to 1.1) [Return to the road...]<r|(click:?r)[(goto:$loc)] (click:?sp)[(set: $inv to it + (a:"small paintbrush"))](click:?wp)[(set: $inv to it + (a:"box of watercolour paints"))](click:?sp)[(set: $inv to it + (a:"sketchbook of bird paintings"))]{ }]

Despite your effort to close the trapdoor slowly, it slips from your grasp and slams down. The reverberation brings down more of the wall, and a moment after you clamber past the ash tree into the (if:$night is true)[night](else:)[fresh] air, the entire ruin slumps noisily into a precarious heap. ===You have a new quest: Who was the Cottager in the Wood?=== (set:$daysdeeds to it + (a:"discovered a ruined cottage and the body of an inhabitant"))(set:$queststodo to it +(a:"find out who lived in the ruined cottage in the wood"))(set:$RuinedCottage to 1.1) [Return to the road...]<r|(click:?r)[(goto:$loc)]

(If:$inv contains "shovel")[With your shovel it takes you little more than an hour to clear and dig a grave in the surprisingly soft soil - the cottager's vegetable patch, perhaps?] (else:)The job of digging a grave without a proper tool is quite exhausting. Broken pieces of wood from the cottage help you scratch and scrape and eventually you have a hole just about deep enough for decency. After laying the body on a floorboard and gingerly lowering it into the grave, you begin the slow job of replacing the earth. [Dust to dust...]<d|(click:?d)[ Ashes to ashes. The cottager is buried and a whim inspires you to mark the grave with part of the board you carried the body on. [[Say a short prayer...|RC8]] [[Keep silence...|RC9]] (if:$inv contains "bcp")[[[Recite the service for the burial of the dead...|RC10]]]{ }]

[O God...]<1|(click:?1)[ [I don't know who this person was...]<2|(click:?2)[ [Whether they did good or bad...]<3|(click:?3)[ [Believed in you or didn't...]<4|(click:?4)[ [But I pray for their peace now they are dead...]<5|(click:?5)[ [And the peace of their family they leave behind...]<6|(click:?6)[ [Amen...]<1|(click:?7)[ Perhaps the dead cottager was known near here? Someone may be glad to know that their relative is buried decently. As you remount your velosteam a rumble escapes from the ruin, which slumps noisily into a precarious heap. ===You have a new quest: Who was the Cottager in the Wood?=== (set:$daysdeeds to it + (a:"discovered a ruined cottage and buried the body of an inhabitant"))(set:$queststodo to it +(a:"find out who lived in the ruined cottage in the wood"))(set:$RuinedCottage to 1.1) [Return to the road...]<r|(click:?r)[(goto:$loc)]]]]]]]]

There is little to say. Death by fire, or suffocation, or starvation are each dreadful. To die suddenly and leave so much undone, to have no chance of saying goodbye... Perhaps the dead cottager was known near here? Someone may be glad to know that their relative is buried decently. The road beckons you and the entire ruin behind you slumps noisily into a precarious heap. ===You have a new quest: Who was the Cottager in the Wood?=== (set:$daysdeeds to it + (a:"discovered a ruined cottage and the buried the body of an inhabitant"))(set:$queststodo to it +(a:"find out who lived in the ruined cottage in the wood"))(set:$RuinedCottage to 1.1) [Return to the road...]<r|(click:?r)[(goto:$loc)]

You pull out the small Book of Common Prayer and note that above the Order for the Burial is written 'Here is to be noted, that the Office ensuing is not to be used for any that die unbaptised, or excommunicate, or have laid hands upon themselves.' You are pretty sure that the dead body is not the result of a suicide, but have no way of knowing their position of faith prior to death. [[Read the Office anyway...|RC11]] [[Remain silent...|RC9]]

First come several scriptures: 'I am the Resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.' ['I know that my Redeemer liveth...]<1|(click:?1)[ and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.' The office continues with a psalm, then a prayer, including the words 'O teach us to number our days: that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom'. Then the little book contains a long passage from the First Letter to the Corinthians and then the words 'I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, From henceforth blessed are the dead which die in the Lord: even so saith the Spirit; for they rest from their labours.' How do the prayers leave you feeling? [[Sceptical...|RC12]] [[At peace...|RC13]] [[Hopeful...|RC14]]{ }]

It is hard to believe in any live beyond the grave, for this poor wretch or for yourself. What good will these words do anyone? What prompted you to read them anyway? [[There was no point reading the words...|RC15]] [[Some of it felt significant...|RC16]]

What was it about the service that touched you most? [[The sense of closure for this person...|RC17]] [[The promise of eternal life for yourself...|RC18]] [[Something else...|RC16]]

Why does hope spring up in such a tragic moment? [[The promise of rest from our labours...|RC19]] [[Jesus' promise of everlasting life...|RC18]]

Words are but breath, gone in the wind. As you remount your velosteam a rumble escapes from the ruin, which slumps noisily into a precarious heap. ===You have a new quest: Who was the Cottager in the Wood?=== (set:$daysdeeds to it + (a:"discovered a ruined cottage and the buried the body of an inhabitant"))(set:$queststodo to it +(a:"find out who lived in the ruined cottage in the wood"))(set:$RuinedCottage to 1.1) [Return to the road...]<r|(click:?r)[(goto:$loc)]

It is not easy to give reasons for feelings, thoughts and choices. Perhaps your introspection is a new response to such a situation. Maybe the dead cottager was known near here? Someone may be glad to know that their relative is buried decently. The road beckons you and the entire ruin behind you slumps noisily into a precarious heap. ===You have a new quest: Who was the Cottager in the Wood?=== (set:$daysdeeds to it + (a:"discovered a ruined cottage and the buried the body of an inhabitant"))(set:$queststodo to it +(a:"find out who lived in the ruined cottage in the wood"))(set:$RuinedCottage to 1.1) [Return to the road...]<r|(click:?r)[(goto:$loc)]

If this person's spirit or soul is in some way still effected by what you have done for their body, perhaps the burial is significant, and maybe too the words you have said. A priest or another wise believer might help you. The dead cottager may have been known locally. Someone may be glad to know that their relative is buried decently. The road beckons you and the entire ruin behind you slumps noisily into a precarious heap. ===You have a new quest: Who was the Cottager in the Wood?=== (set:$daysdeeds to it + (a:"discovered a ruined cottage and the buried the body of an inhabitant"))(set:$queststodo to it +(a:"find out who lived in the ruined cottage in the wood"))(set:$RuinedCottage to 1.1) [Return to the road...]<r|(click:?r)[(goto:$loc)]

What incredible words, spoken by Jesus to Mary at the entrance of her brother's tomb: 'I am the Resurrection and the Life'! If it is true, it changes the whole world. How could you ever reconcile believing such a thing with the way you choose to live? The dead cottager may have been known locally and someone may be glad to know that their relative is buried decently. The road beckons you and the entire ruin behind you slumps noisily into a precarious heap. ===You have a new quest: Who was the Cottager in the Wood?=== (set:$daysdeeds to it + (a:"discovered a ruined cottage and the buried the body of an inhabitant"))(set:$queststodo to it +(a:"find out who lived in the ruined cottage in the wood"))(set:$RuinedCottage to 1.1) [Return to the road...]<r|(click:?r)[(goto:$loc)]

Your road has been hard, long and unfair, just as this poor person's death was unfair. Oh, if it were true that at the end of everything, you could see justice done and rest, knowing that you had no more to achieve and nothing to prove. The prospect is too good to be true. The dead cottager may have been known locally and someone may be glad to know that their relative is buried decently. The road beckons you and the entire ruin behind you slumps noisily into a precarious heap. ===You have a new quest: Who was the Cottager in the Wood?=== (set:$daysdeeds to it + (a:"discovered a ruined cottage and the buried the body of an inhabitant"))(set:$queststodo to it +(a:"find out who lived in the ruined cottage in the wood"))(set:$RuinedCottage to 1.1) [Return to the road...]<r|(click:?r)[(goto:$loc)]

[(print:$pgun's name)]<pg| [(print:$invweapons's first)]<w1|(click:?w1)[ Details: Type: Gun Actions: Fire Accuracy: 40]

(if:$gun is "blunderpistol")[This is your main gun. ]The blunderpistol is a short, ugly gun with a flared muzzle. It is ineffective at any distance, but deadly at close range, firing a cartridge of shot that fans rapidly outwards. Accuracy: 40 Range: Short Damage: 1-3 Value: £2 0s 0d  (unless:$gun is "blunderpistol")[|bpmain>[Make this your main gun...](click:?bpmain)[ The blunderpistol is now your main gun.(set:$gun to "blunderpistol")] ](if:(passage:)'s tags contains "shop")[(set:$bpprice to (ceil:480*$weaponpricemodifier)){}[Sell the blunderpistol for £(print:(($bpprice-$bpprice%240)/240)) (print:((($bpprice%240)-$bpprice%12)/12))s (print:$bpprice%12)d...]<sellbp|(click:?sellbp)[(set:$money to it + $bpprice)(set:$solditems to it + (a:"blunderpistol"))(if:$gun is "blunderpistol")[(set:$gun to "None") You take the cash for the gun.]]](else:)[{}[(either:"Drop the blunderpistol...","Throw the blunderpistol away...","Discard the blunderpistol...")]<dropbp|(click:?dropbp)[(set:$inv to it - (a:"blunderpistol"))(if:$gun is "blunderpistol")[(set:$gun to "None")]]]

(if:$blade is "sabre")[This is your prefered blade. ]The sabre is a noble's sword. It has a long, straight blade with a deep fuller, perfect for cutting deep and true, and a basket-style hilt. Damage: 1 Actions: - Slash - Parry - Thurst - Disarm{ }(if:$fencingskill > 5)[] Value: £2 2s 0d  (unless:$blade is "sabre")[|sbmain>[Make this your main blade...](click:?sbmain)[ The sabre is now your main blade.] ](if:(passage:)'s tags contains "shop")[(set:$sbprice to (ceil:504*$weaponpricemodifier)){}[Sell the sabre for £(print:(($sbprice-$sbprice%240)/240)) (print:((($sbprice%240)-$sbprice%12)/12))s (print:$sbprice%12)d...]<sellsb|(click:?sellsb)[(set:$money to it + $sbprice)(set:$solditems to it + (a:"sabre"))(if:$blade is "sabre")[(set:$blade to "None") You hand the sabre over reluctantly.]]](else:)[{}[(either:"Drop the sabre...","Throw the sabre away...","Discard the sabre...")]<dropsb|(click:?dropsb)[(set:$inv to it - (a:"sabre"))(if:$blade is "sabre")[(set:$blade to "None")]]]

A white cotton hankerchief, ideal for binding wounds, mopping brows and blowing noses. Value: 2d (if:(passage:)'s tags contains "shop")[{}[Sell the hankie for 2d...]<sellhk|(click:?sellhk)[(set:$money to it + 2)(set:$solditems to it + (a:"cheap hankie")) You exchange the hankie for a shiny tuppence. Just think what you could do with that tuppence!(click:"tuppence")[ With tuppence for paper and string, You can have your own set of wings! With your feet on the ground, you're a bird in flight, With your fist holding tight to the string of your kite!]]] (else:)[{}[(either:"Drop the handkerchief...","Throw the handkerchief away...","Discard the hankie...")]<drophk|(click:?drophk)[(set:$inv to it - (a:"cheap hankie"))]]

A fine silver necklace, made for the neck of a beautiful lady. Value: 8s (if:(passage:)'s tags contains "shop")[(set:$snkprice to (ceil:96*$joolspricemodifier)){}[Sell for £(print:(($snkprice-$snkprice%240)/240)) (print:((($snkprice%240)-$snkprice%12)/12))s (print:$snkprice%12)d...]<sellsnk|(click:?sellsnk)[(set:$money to it + $snkprice)(set:$solditems to it + (a:"silver necklace")) You hand over the necklace and take the proffered coins.]](else:)[{}[(either:"Drop the necklace...","Throw the necklace away...","Discard the necklace...")]<dropsnk|(click:?dropsnk)[(set:$inv to it - (a:"silver necklace"))]]

A slender silver bracelet, graceful and made to complement a lady's natural beauty. Value: 5s (if:(passage:)'s tags contains "shop")[(set:$sbrprice to (ceil:60*$joolspricemodifier)){}[Sell for £(print:(($sbrprice-$sbrprice%240)/240)) (print:((($sbrprice%240)-$sbrprice%12)/12))s (print:$sbrprice%12)d...]<sellsbr|(click:?sellsbr)[(set:$money to it + $sbrprice)(set:$solditems to it + (a:"silver bracelet")) You hand over the bracelet and take the money.]](else:)[{}[(either:"Drop the bracelet...","Throw the bracelet away...","Discard the bracelet...")]<dropsbr|(click:?dropsbr)[(set:$inv to it - (a:"silver bracelet"))]]

Three strong iron hooks fixed together with a light rope knotted tightly to an iron eye, perfect for throwing, climbing, tripping and hauling. Climbing: 15 Value: 4s  (if:(passage:)'s tags contains "shop")[(set:$griprice to (ceil:48*$toolspricemodifier)){}[Sell for £(print:(($griprice-$griprice%240)/240)) (print:((($griprice%240)-$griprice%12)/12))s (print:$griprice%12)d...]<sellgri|(click:?sellgri)[(set:$money to it + $griprice)(set:$solditems to it + (a:"grappling iron")) You hand over the grappling iron and take the proffered coins.]](else:)[{}[(either:"Drop the","Throw away the","Discard the") grappling iron...]<dropgri|(click:?dropgri)[(set:$inv to it - (a:"grappling iron"))]]

An iron bar made for opening crates, windows, doors and anything else that needs prying open. Opening: 10 Value: 3s  (if:(passage:)'s tags contains "shop")[(set:$crbprice to (ceil:36*$toolspricemodifier)){}[Sell for £(print:(($crbprice-$crbprice%240)/240)) (print:((($crbprice%240)-$crbprice%12)/12))s (print:$crbprice%12)d...]<sellcrb|(click:?sellcrb)[(set:$money to it + $crbprice)(set:$solditems to it + (a:"crowbar")) You hand over the crowbar and take the proffered coins.]](else:)[{}[(either:"Drop the","Throw away the","Discard the") crowbar...]<dropcrb|(click:?dropcrb)[(set:$inv to it - (a:"crowbar"))]]

(set:$weaponpricemodifier to 0)(set:$joolspricemodifier to 0.7)(set:$toolspricemodifier to 1)(set:$paperspricemodifier to 0.1)(set:$keyspricemodifier to 0)(set:$foodpricemodifier to 0)(set:$otherpricemodifier to 0.2){ }Hector won't buy any weapons from you, but he'll buy any jewellery or tools. (display:"Inventory") (link:"Return to the parlour of the Crown...")[(set:$inv to it - $solditems)(goto:"The Crown 01")]

You were given this roll of posters by Comrade Bert to deliver to an engineer at Stonor Park. Unrolling them, you find they are densely-printed denunciations of the landed classes and corporate interests. [(either:"Drop the","Throw away the","Discard the") posters...]<droprpo|(click:?droprpo)[(set:$inv to it - (a:"roll of posters"))]

(set:$loc to (passage:)'s name){ }(set:$traffic to (either:"locobus","goods vehicle","farm vehicle")) (display:$traffic){ }(unless:$driver is "no")[ [Talk to the (print:$driver's shortname)...]<talk|(click:?talk)[(set:$o to $driver)(goto:"rumourchat")]](unless:(passage:)'s tags contains "village" or it contains "town" or it contains "urban")[(if:$night is true)[ [Ambush the $traffic...]<at|(click:?at)[(goto:"Ambush")]]]

A handy hammer with a wooden haft and an iron head. Smashing: 5 Value: 1s  (if:(passage:)'s tags contains "shop")[(set:$hamprice to (ceil:12*$toolspricemodifier)){}[Sell for £(print:(($hamprice-$hamprice%240)/240)) (print:((($hamprice%240)-$hamprice%12)/12))s (print:$hamprice%12)d...]<sellham|(click:?sellham)[(set:$money to it + $hamprice)(set:$solditems to it + (a:"hammer")) You hand over the hammer and take the proffered coins.]](else:)[{}[(either:"Drop the","Throw away the","Discard the") hammer...]<dropham|(click:?dropham)[(set:$inv to it - (a:"hammer"))]]

A bottle of home-brewed elderberry wine. Value: 2s  (if:(passage:)'s tags contains "shop")[(set:$elwprice to (ceil:24*$foodpricemodifier)){}[Sell for £(print:(($elwprice-$elwprice%240)/240)) (print:((($elwprice%240)-$elwprice%12)/12))s (print:$elwprice%12)d...]<sellelw|(click:?sellelw)[(set:$money to it + $elwprice)(set:$solditems to it + (a:"bottle of elderberry wine")) You hand over the bottle and take the proffered coins.]](else:)[{}[(either:"Drop the","Throw away the","Discard the") bottle...]<dropelw|(click:?dropelw)[(set:$inv to it - (a:"bottle of elderberry wine"))]]

A wire rabbit snare for catching the little, hoppy, tasty vermin. Value: 3d (if:(passage:)'s tags contains "shop")[{}[Sell the snare for 3d...]<sellrsn|(click:?sellrsn)[(set:$money to it + 3)(set:$solditems to it + (a:"rabbit snare")) You exchange the hankie for threepence.]](else:)[{}[(either:"Drop the snare...","Throw the snare away...","Discard the snare...")]<droprsn|(click:?droprsn)[(set:$inv to it - (a:"rabbit snare"))]]

A small sable brush for painting fine watercolours. Value: 6d (if:(passage:)'s tags contains "shop")[{}[Sell the brush for 6d...]<sellspb|(click:?sellspb)[(set:$money to it + 6)(set:$solditems to it + (a:"small paintbrush")) You exchange the paintbrush for sizpence.]] (else:)[{}[(either:"Drop the brush...","Throw the brush away...","Discard the brush...")]<drospb|(click:?dropspb)[(set:$inv to it - (a:"small paintbrush"))]]

A small wooden box of watercolour paints. Value: 4s (if:(passage:)'s tags contains "shop")[(set:$wcpprice to (ceil:48*$otherpricemodifier)){}[Sell for £(print:(($wcpprice-$wcpprice%240)/240)) (print:((($wcpprice%240)-$wcpprice%12)/12))s (print:$wcpprice%12)d...]<sellwcp|(click:?sellwcp)[(set:$money to it + $wcpprice)(set:$solditems to it + (a:"box of watercolour paints")) You hand over the box and take the proffered coins.]](else:)[{}[(either:"Drop the","Throw away the","Discard the") bottle...]<dropwcp|(click:?dropwcp)[(set:$inv to it - (a:"box of watercolour paints"))]]

A hard-backed notebook full of carefully observed paintings and notes on woodland birds. Value: - [(either:"Drop the book...","Throw the book away...","Discard the book...")]<dropsbp|(click:?dropsbp)[(set:$inv to it - (a:"sketchbook of bird paintings"))]

(link-reveal:"Open the book")[THE Preface. Concerning the Service of the Church. Concerning Ceremonies, why some be abolished, and some remain. The Order how the Psalter is appointed to be read. The Order how the rest of the holy Scripture is appointed to be read. A Table of Proper Lessons and Psalms. The Calendar, with the Table of Lessons. Tables and Rules for the Feasts and Fasts through the whole Year. The Order for Morning Prayer. The Order for Evening Prayer. The Creed of St. Athanasius. The Litany. Prayers and Thanksgivings upon several occasions. Collects, Epistles, and Gospels, to be used at holy Communion. Holy Communion. Publick Baptism of Infants. Private Baptism of Children. Baptism of those of Riper Years. A Catechism. The Order of Confirmation. The Solemnization of Matrimony. The Visitation of the Sick. The Communion of the Sick. The Burial of the Dead. The Thanksgiving of Women after Child-bearing. A Commination. The Psalter. Forms of Prayer to be used at Sea.] [(either:"Drop the book...","Throw the book away...","Discard the book...")]<dropsbp|(click:?dropsbp)[(set:$inv to it - (a:"Book of Common Prayer"))]

A shovel with a flat iron head and a straight handle. Value: 3s  (if:(passage:)'s tags contains "shop")[(set:$shovprice to (ceil:36*$toolspricemodifier)){}[Sell for £(print:(($shovprice-$shovprice%240)/240)) (print:((($shovprice%240)-$shovprice%12)/12))s (print:$shovprice%12)d...]<sellshov|(click:?sellshov)[(set:$money to it + $shovprice)(set:$solditems to it + (a:"shovel")) You hand over the shovel and take the proffered coins.]](else:)[{}[(either:"Drop the","Throw away the","Discard the") shovel...]<dropshov|(click:?dropshov)[(set:$inv to it - (a:"shovel"))]]

These papers were given you by Comrade Feaver of the Compact Workers' Emancipation, for you to plant on Lady Trappingham's dressing table at Wormsley Park. Looking at them more closely, they appear to be forged letters between Lady Trappingham and her husband connecting them to an assassination attempt on one of the royal family. Completing this quest could have mortal consequences for Lady Trappingham and her husband. (set:$deedsdone to it + (a:" read Comrade Feaver's incriminating documents"))(link:"Burn the documents...")[ You light the edge of the packet of papers and watch them turn into ash. They can incriminate nobody now.(set:$inv to it - (a:"incriminating documents"))]

(set:$toolspricemodifier to 0.7)(set:$joolspricemodifier to 0)(set:$otherpricemodifier to 0.9)(set:$paperspricemodifier to 0.2)(set:$foodpricemodifier to 0.3)(set:$keyspricemodifier to 0){ }Perhaps you want to buy something. [Shovel]<sh| 4s(click:?sh)[(if:($money >=48)and($inv's length <12))[ You hand over 4s and purchase a nice new shovel. (set:$inv to it +(a:"shovel"))(set:$money to it-48)]] [Crowbar]<cr| 3s(click:?cr)[(if:($money >=36)and($inv's length <12))[ You hand over 3s and purchase a nice new crowbar. (set:$inv to it +(a:"crowbar"))(set:$money to it -36)]] [If you want to sell something...]<sell|(click:?sell)[(set:$loc to (passage:))(goto:"Stokenchurch Shop Sell")] [[Leave the shop...|Stokenchurch]]

(display:"Inventory") [[Return to the shop...|Stokenchurch Shop]] [[Leave the shop...|Stokenchurch]]

(if:$knowndances's length >1)[You can dance the (print:$knowndances-$knowndances's last.join(", ")) and the (print:$knowndances's last).](elseif:$knowndances's length is 1)[You have learned to dance the $knowndances.](else:)[You haven't learned any dances yet.]

Day (print:$days-1) Yesterday you (if:$daysdeeds's length is 0)[did nothing of any note]{ }(elseif:$daysdeeds's length is 1)[(either:"simply","","")(print:$daysdeeds)]{ }(else:)[(print:$daysdeeds - (a:$daysdeeds's last)) and (either:"finally","lastly","then","","")(print:$daysdeeds's last)].{ }(set:$deeds to it +$daysdeeds)(set:$daysdeeds to (a:))(set:$lastdebrief to $days-1)

How did you come to this? (link-goto:"I was born into a wealthy family, but squandered my inheritance...","Cad") (link-goto:"I was an orphan in the London slums and took any opportunity to escape...","Slumchild") (link-goto:"I was an acrobat in a circus family, indentured to the circus owner...","Acrobat") (link-goto:"I was the apprentice of an inventor, who was arrested on a false charge...","Inventor") (link-goto:"I was raised on a freight wagon, destined to work the roads until my early death...","Driver") (link-goto:"I was a factory-hand, bruised by labour, abused by the power and radicalised by Sinclairists...","Tradeunionist")

Quest: Gain a new fortune and a new family seat. (link-reveal:"==Skills and Statistics==")[ [Gallantry]<ga|: 36(click:?ga)[ Your talent of flattery, knowledge of protocol and life in high society.] [Machinery]<ma|: 24(click:?ma)[ Your ability to engineer, invent, use tools and understand steam systems.] [Nimbleness]<ni|: 33(click:?ni)[ Your quickness, balance, fitness and physical condition.] [Criminality]<cr|: 25(click:?cr)[ Your knowledge of thievery, technique of forgery and robbery and your acceptance by lawbreakers.] [Spin]<sp|: 35(click:?sp)[ Your ability to convince, lie, turn words to your will - and tell when others are doing the same.] [Roadsense]<ro|: 30(click:?ro)[ Your knowledge of the ways of the highway and your ability to control your velosteam.] (link-reveal:"=Bonus Stats=")[ Cards: 40]] (link-reveal:"==Reputation==")[ Fame: 0 - Unknown Ruthlessness: 0 - Ineffective Mercy: 0 - Uncaring Bias: None Aliases: None Friendships: None Money: None] (link-goto:"Accept this role...","Setup") (link-goto:"Reconsider...","backstorychoice"){ }(set:$background to "Cad")(set:$gal to 36)(set:$mac to 24)(set:$nim to 33)(set:$cri to 25)(set:$spi to 35)(set:$roa to 30)(set:$fame to 0)(set:$famename to "Unknown")(set:$ruthlessness to 0)(set:$ruthname to "Ineffective")(set:$mercy to 0)(set:$mercyname to "Uncaring")(set:$bias to 0)(set:$biasname to "None")(set:$cards to 40)

Quest: Make enough money to buy your sister out of slavery. (link-reveal:"==Skills and Statistics==")[ [Gallantry]<ga|: 22(click:?ga)[ Your talent of flattery, knowledge of protocol and life in high society.] [Machinery]<ma|: 34(click:?ma)[ Your ability to engineer, invent, use tools and understand steam systems.] [Nimbleness]<ni|: 36(click:?ni)[ Your quickness, balance, fitness and physical condition.] [Criminality]<cr|: 37(click:?cr)[ Your knowledge of thievery, technique of forgery and robbery and your acceptance by lawbreakers.] [Spin]<sp|: 21(click:?sp)[ Your ability to convince, lie, turn words to your will - and tell when others are doing the same.] [Roadsense]<ro|: 33(click:?ro)[ Your knowledge of the ways of the highway and your ability to control your velosteam.] (link-reveal:"=Bonus Stats=")[ Trapping: 25]] (link-reveal:"==Reputation==")[ Fame: 0 - Unknown Ruthlessness: 0 - Ineffective Mercy: 0 - Uncaring Bias: None Aliases: None Friendships: None Money: None] (link-goto:"Accept this role...","Setup") (link-goto:"Reconsider...","backstorychoice"){ }(set:$background to "Slumchild")(set:$gal to 22)(set:$mac to 34)(set:$nim to 36)(set:$cri to 36)(set:$spi to 21)(set:$roa to 33)(set:$fame to 0)(set:$famename to "Unknown")(set:$ruthlessness to 0)(set:$ruthname to "Ineffective")(set:$mercy to 0)(set:$mercyname to "Uncaring")(set:$bias to 0)(set:$biasname to "None")(set:$trapping to 25)

Quest: (link-reveal:"==Skills and Statistics==")[ [Gallantry]<ga|: 25(click:?ga)[ Your talent of flattery, knowledge of protocol and life in high society.] [Machinery]<ma|: 37(click:?ma)[ Your ability to engineer, invent, use tools and understand steam systems.] [Nimbleness]<ni|: 31(click:?ni)[ Your quickness, balance, fitness and physical condition.] [Criminality]<cr|: 28(click:?cr)[ Your knowledge of thievery, technique of forgery and robbery and your acceptance by lawbreakers.] [Spin]<sp|: 28(click:?sp)[ Your ability to convince, lie, turn words to your will - and tell when others are doing the same.] [Roadsense]<ro|: 34(click:?ro)[ Your knowledge of the ways of the highway and your ability to control your velosteam.] (link-reveal:"=Bonus Stats=")[ Cookery: 27]] (link-reveal:"==Reputation==")[ Fame: 0 - Unknown Ruthlessness: 0 - Ineffective Mercy: 0 - Uncaring Bias: None Aliases: None Friendships: None Money: None] (link-goto:"Accept this role...","Setup") (link-goto:"Reconsider...","backstorychoice"){ }(set:$background to "Inventor")(set:$gal to 25)(set:$mac to 37)(set:$nim to 31)(set:$cri to 28)(set:$spi to 28)(set:$roa to 34)(set:$fame to 0)(set:$famename to "Unknown")(set:$ruthlessness to 0)(set:$ruthname to "Ineffective")(set:$mercy to 0)(set:$mercyname to "Uncaring")(set:$bias to 0)(set:$biasname to "None")(set:$cookery to 27)

Quest: (link-repeat:"==Skills and Statistics==")[ [Gallantry]<ga|: 34(click:?ga)[ Your talent of flattery, knowledge of protocol and life in high society.] [Machinery]<ma|: 23(click:?ma)[ Your ability to engineer, invent, use tools and understand steam systems.] [Nimbleness]<ni|: 38(click:?ni)[ Your quickness, balance, fitness and physical condition.] [Criminality]<cr|: 32(click:?cr)[ Your knowledge of thievery, technique of forgery and robbery and your acceptance by lawbreakers.] [Spin]<sp|: 28(click:?sp)[ Your ability to convince, lie, turn words to your will - and tell when others are doing the same.] [Roadsense]<ro|: 28(click:?ro)[ Your knowledge of the ways of the highway and your ability to control your velosteam.] (link-repeat:"=Bonus Stats=")[ Animal friendship: 30]] (link-repeat:"==Reputation==")[ Fame: 0 - Unknown Ruthlessness: 0 - Ineffective Mercy: 0 - Uncaring Bias: None Aliases: None Friendships: None Money: None] (link-goto:"Accept this role...","Setup") (link-goto:"Reconsider...","backstorychoice"){ }(set:$background to "Acrobat")(set:$gal to 34)(set:$mac to 23)(set:$nim to 38)(set:$cri to 32)(set:$spi to 28)(set:$roa to 28)(set:$fame to 0)(set:$famename to "Unknown")(set:$ruthlessness to 0)(set:$ruthname to "Ineffective")(set:$mercy to 0)(set:$mercyname to "Uncaring")(set:$bias to 0)(set:$biasname to "None")(set:$animalfriendship to 30)

Quest: Revolution! See the lower classes unite and overthrow the domination of the aristocrats and the corporate classes! (link-reveal:"==Skills and Statistics==")[ [Gallantry]<ga|: 30(click:?ga)[ Your talent of flattery, knowledge of protocol and life in high society.] [Machinery]<ma|: 35(click:?ma)[ Your ability to engineer, invent, use tools and understand steam systems.] [Nimbleness]<ni|: 26(click:?ni)[ Your quickness, balance, fitness and physical condition.] [Criminality]<cr|: 29(click:?cr)[ Your knowledge of thievery, technique of forgery and robbery and your acceptance by lawbreakers.] [Spin]<sp|: 36(click:?sp)[ Your ability to convince, lie, turn words to your will - and tell when others are doing the same.] [Roadsense]<ro|: 27(click:?ro)[ Your knowledge of the ways of the highway and your ability to control your velosteam.] (link-reveal:"=Bonus Stats=")[ Printing: 40]] (link-reveal:"==Reputation==")[ Fame: 0 - Unknown Ruthlessness: 0 - Ineffective Mercy: 0 - Uncaring Bias: None Aliases: None Friendships: None Money: None] (link-goto:"Accept this role...","Setup") (link-goto:"Reconsider...","backstorychoice"){ }(set:$background to "Tradeunionist")(set:$gal to 30)(set:$mac to 35)(set:$nim to 26)(set:$cri to 29)(set:$spi to 36)(set:$roa to 27)(set:$fame to 0)(set:$famename to "Unknown")(set:$ruthlessness to 0)(set:$ruthname to "Ineffective")(set:$mercy to 0)(set:$mercyname to "Uncaring")(set:$bias to 0)(set:$biasname to "None")(set:$printing to 40)

Quest: Set the land speed record. (link-reveal:"==Skills and Statistics==")[ [Gallantry]<ga|: 26(click:?ga)[ Your talent of flattery, knowledge of protocol and life in high society.] [Machinery]<ma|: 34(click:?ma)[ Your ability to engineer, invent, use tools and understand steam systems.] [Nimbleness]<ni|: 33(click:?ni)[ Your quickness, balance, fitness and physical condition.] [Criminality]<cr|: 28(click:?cr)[ Your knowledge of thievery, technique of forgery and robbery and your acceptance by lawbreakers.] [Spin]<sp|: 25(click:?sp)[ Your ability to convince, lie, turn words to your will - and tell when others are doing the same.] [Roadsense]<ro|: 36(click:?ro)[ Your knowledge of the ways of the highway and your ability to control your velosteam.] (link-reveal:"=Bonus Stats=")[ Mapskill: 40]] (link-reveal:"==Reputation==")[ Fame: 0 - Unknown Ruthlessness: 0 - Ineffective Mercy: 0 - Uncaring Bias: None Aliases: None Friendships: None Money: None] (link-goto:"Accept this role...","Setup") (link-goto:"Reconsider...","backstorychoice"){ }(set:$background to "Driver")(set:$gal to 26)(set:$mac to 34)(set:$nim to 33)(set:$cri to 28)(set:$spi to 25)(set:$roa to 36)(set:$fame to 0)(set:$famename to "Unknown")(set:$ruthlessness to 0)(set:$ruthname to "Ineffective")(set:$mercy to 0)(set:$mercyname to "Uncaring")(set:$bias to 0)(set:$biasname to "None")(set:$mapskill to 40)

"He's a poetic parson, is Parson Howard," says (print:$o's "shortname"). "Perhaps somewhat shy. But he lights up when Miss Mould from the big house is in church." (link:"`"Who is Miss Mould?"`")[ "Miss Mould is the niece of Lord Erms who lives at Worsmley Park. She lives there, companion to his elderly wife. A beautiful lady, she is, far beyond a poor parson's prospects. That's why Parson Howard loves to take a melancholy walk in the rain." (link-goto:"Return to where you were...",$loc)]