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You are Falling Asleep... You drift along the sublime, and slightly terrifying border between this world and another...perhaps you should GO TO SLEEP. Where did you fall asleep? (This choice will make certain types of encounters more common, and give you a bonus on those encounters) * On a BOAT, rocking peacefully in the waves (~) * In a TENT, surrounded by the sounds of the wilderness (^) * Somewhere dark and slightly SPOOKY (#) * The night before a very important INTERVIEW (&) * Safe and warm beside the person you LOVE (=) * On a cold WINTER's night (*) * In CLASS (%) * While watching a MOVIE (!)

Drifting off... As is customary, you are permitted to bring one thing into the dream with you, from the waking world. What shall it be? * A deck of tarot CARDS * An old-fashioned sleeping BAG * A TELESCOPE that has been in your closet for years * A stuffed ANIMAL that protects you from nightmares * A MASK that has caused more than a few nightmares * A LOCKET from a lover lost long ago * A BOOK you read in childhood * Your lucky rabbit's FOOT * Your father's TIE * Your mother's Pocket KNIFE * Your grandfather's walking STICK * Your grandmother's stamp COLLECTION * A vague feeling of DREAD and unease * A RING from your husband * A PEN from your wife * A pair of good SOCKS

Dreaming... "I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by; And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sails shaking, And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking." - John Masefield These lines occupy your mind as you drift off to sleep. You are dreaming now. At any time, absolutely any time, you can end the dream by typing WAKE UP.

You drift through a sparkling void, a realm of formless light and shadow. It will take shape soon, before it does, it's worth asking... ...who were you, in the other world? (Type the capitalized word to make a choice). * A FIGHTER for justice, and lost causes * An INTELLECTUAL, with a nimble mind and many talents * An EXPLORER, a lover of nature, and the outdoors * A SCOUNDREL, who cannot be trusted * A DREAMER, always distracted by idle thoughts and fancies

The more interesting question is, of course, what role you will play within the dream. Who do you want to be? * A PIRATE, who hunts the sea-lanes for treasure and adventure * A HERO, destined for mighty deeds and glorious triumphs * A MAGNATE, who pursues schemes for power and profit * A THIEF, who pursues a life of crime and crooked dealings * A SCIENTIST, who studies facts and philosophy * A MYSTIC, who practices secret and forbidden arts

Floating... For a long time...a very long time...you float on tumbling seas of slumber, utter darkness surrounds you. ...and then, a shaft of light. ...and then, another. You are underwater. Rising fast. There is no hurry. This a dream. You will not drown. When you are ready you can break the surface and LET THE DREAM BEGIN (this action may take some time, as it will create a whole world)

The Sea You bob on the surface of the sea, somewhere out past the breakers. Water is cool on your naked skin. The sun is warm upon your face. This place is real...so very real...for now anyway. You are now dreaming. You can end the dream at any time by typing WAKE UP. When you do that, this world will end. But why do that now, when there is so much to see and do?

You climb the rickety steps from the beach to the bar. It's a cozy sort of place, with one wall open to the ocean breezes, the whole place smells faintly of sea grass and pipe smoke. A bartender sits behind the bar, shaking up a cocktail for the bar's only patron: a dour old priestess who gazes serenely out on the sea. You notice, also, that the bartender is Hugh Jackman, an arguably-famous individual you recognize from life. Why are you dreaming of them?

As you survey the scene, the screen door at the far end of the bar opens with a BANG, so loud it nearly stirs you from slumber. A mysterious fellow, clad all in black, enters, and takes up a seat at the far corner of the bar, where shadows and spiderwebs have gathered. His face is wreathed in a cloud of aromatic pipe-tobacco, and he blows another puff of the sticky-sweet substance into the air as he flips three coins to the bartender from a hand far more like a ragged claw than anything human. They plink, one...after...another...into a cup near a sink below the bar. "My friend deserves a drink." He says to the bartender. "Dreamer, Come and talk with me." He says to you. There are three people you can speak to here, and the order is up to you. You can SPEAK TO THE BARTENDER SPEAK TO THE CLERIC Or SPEAK TO THE MAN IN THE SHADOWS

You sidle up to the bar. The bartender smiles as only Hugh Jackman can, and makes you a drink. "Courtesy of the fellow in the shadows." The bartender says, pouring out your drink. "It would be rude not to accept, and those that are rude to the man in the shadows come to a bad end...you owe him a lot." You take a sip of your drink, a dark and stormy made by a clearly gifted individual. "Let's talk about happier things." The bartender says. "I'm Hugh Jackman. I've been a bartender, right here, on this beach, for a decade or more. Where's here? You're in ZAPIRTAZ, my friend, the second-largest known city, after ZULTUSK. I've been all over the MAP: I've sailed the sea lanes between ST. COSMO and ST. BELCHIOR, I've seen the mighty temples of the PORT OF THRONES and the even mightier whaling yards of DAEN. I've crossed the TROPIC OF ZIMBARDEE more times than I can count, even seen the islands along the TROPIC OF ZAEL on one occasion. I've fought alongside the men of SCANT, the women of THE CONDIGN ARCHIPELAGO and the gnomes of HEYURUNDESIFROUD...it's been quite a life. Now I just mix drinks for a living. I'm happy to tell you about any of these places. What I can't tell you, though, is what lies beyond them...this is your dream, after all, and much of the world is unknown.

> zapirtaz Hugh Jackman cleans a glass and explains: "Zapirtaz is a city of a million souls, set within a large natural harbor, on the largest island in THE CONDIGN ARCHIPELAGO. It serves as a major trading hub in the southern seas of the dream, its chief exports are diamonds, its chief import is diamonds too, this being the only place in the south you can buy and sell 'em. You can deal in diamonds, of course, but only with the Condign Diamond Cartel. Folks are afraid of them, and rightly so. They've got their greedy little hands into more than diamonds, I can tell you that." > zultusk Hugh Jackman munches on a cocktail onion and explains: "That's a goblin city, way north, across the tropics of ZIMBARDEE and ZAEL. It's tough place to get to, you understand, lots of ocean in the way for one thing, lots of pirates for another...and of course the city itself is surrounded by leagues and leagues of jungle full of vicious monsters. Still, it's a nice enough place to visit. I went there on my honeymoon, oh so many years ago..."

> zimbardee Hugh Jackman polishes a tumbler and explains: "Most folks around here don't go farther north than the Tropic of Zimbardee. The tropic of Zimbardee demarcates the Southern oceans of the dream from the wilder, unexplored tropics, and the even wilder, more unexplored north. Most of the dream is tropical waters, you understand. Couldn't tell you why. It's your dream after all." > port of thrones Hugh Jackman mixes up another drink and explains: "The Port of Thrones is the home of the gods. A mighty city, ringed with four mountain-sized thrones. The dream-gods actually sat on them in ancienter days, but they've all gone their separate ways now. The Port of Thrones is the center of dream-religion, and its citizens stand opposed to the nightmares and other dark forces that plague the dream. Entham lives there too, for what it's worth. Now *there* is a man you should definitely meet!" > daen Hugh Jackman munches on a cocktail onion and explains: "Daen is a rock in the freezing southern seas, wracked by storms and menaced by floating chunks of ice. No one would live there, but for the abundance of whales. The Daenish Main is full of them, such that Daen has practically no other industry...I do say 'practically,' for there are also pirates and smugglers that run out of Daen. Daen is also the home of a tavern far better than this one. Daen is the site of the Gap of Gew Genning, the only break in the ice and rocks to the seas of the utter South..." > scant Hugh Jackman mixes up another drink and explains: "The home of heroes and bold sailors, Scant is a society controlled by an admiralty, which is itself controlled by a naval commission. The Scantlings took it upon themselves about a century back to clean up all the pirate trouble in the Southern seas of the dream. I can't say they've done a perfect job, but we still owe them a great deal. It's a good destination if you're looking for work. Also a good place to trade: that navy's pricey, and they finance it with a pretty sizable merchant-fleet."

> heyurundesifroud Hugh Jackman cleans a glass and explains: "That's where the gnomes come from. Strange folk to be sure. They've had other cities in their history: Fenyarnunhesmoundesrenarnzannister, of course, before it fell to the Nightmares. Shalmanyundarlazarnot as well, before it was lost due to a mysterious accident. Now the only great gnomic city is the oldest. Heyurundesifroud lies on a frozen lake that opens to the seas south of DAEN, along the Gap of Gew Genning. It is a place full of ancient mystery, wonder and terror: the largest library in the world, for example, and ruins that long predate any civilization I've heard of. Definitely somewhere you should check out. Bundle up!"

> speak to the cleric The cleric shifts their robes as you approach. "Take a seat." The cleric says, assuming a slightly (oh, so slightly) reverential attitude. "Let's start with the formalities: yes, you are dreaming, and this whole world is the product of your fitful imagination. We are all very grateful you've dreamed the place up. Now, onto the specifics...it's been perhaps twenty thousand years, all told, that dream-history has been unfolding without you. A rather long absence. We were worried...but I knew you'd show up. The dream-gods VATAYA, BAJBUK, COSIA, and MOSLIMBO have cared for the world in your absence. They have a message for you." The cleric removes a shining white scroll from their bag, and reads: "It is said that long ago, there was another dreamer...THE FIRST DREAMER. The first dreamer crossed over every inch of the dream, seeing great sights and doing great deeds, amassing wealth and power, turning back dark forces, taking what they wished, conquering whatever dared stand in their way...and when they had mastered the dream, in its entirety, and all the MAGIC it contained, is said that the first dreamer renounced all their POSSESSIONS. This brought them some measure of peace...but it was not enough, so they sought wisdom and enlightenment, enough to answer all their QUESTIONS. Still, they felt something was lacking, some hole in their soul, and so they traveled the dream once over again, and told all their STORIES, and shared all their SECRETS, and at last they were at peace. There, in a garden on some remote beach, the first dreamer WOKE UP." The cleric rolls up the scroll, and continues. "The dream-gods think it best if you...um...do all that again. Not necessarily in that order. I'm happy to help in any way I can, but the best advice I can give is not to trust the man in the shadows. (Your goal in the dream is simply to wake up, whenever you want. You will receive a score based on the amount of Pleasance you have obtained, minus the amount of each form of Unpleasance. The Cleric has told you about several ways to gain lots of Pleasance at once. You can ask the cleric about any word in all-caps. When you are finished you can SPEAK TO THE BARTENDER or SPEAK TO THE MAN IN THE SHADOWS). > first dreamer The Cleric leans back and explains: "She...or He...is the central figure of our religion, the only being mightier than the dream-gods. It is said they were here at the inception of the dream, and dwelt within it for perhaps five thousand years, before they WOKE UP. The First Dreamer's true nature is unknown and perhaps unknowable: it's distinctly possible that others have dreamed this dream before, and they were simply the first. It's also possible that you are the First Dreamer, or that you are simply something the first dreamer dreamed up. What you choose to believe is largely up to you." > woke up The Cleric mutters a prayer and explains: "You can wake up at almost any time, simply by typing WAKE UP. When you do that, it is very likely the dream and everything end it will simply end...perhaps things will keep going in your absence, but I doubt it. At any rate, in this portentous instant, the dream-gods will award you a final score based on the amount of Pleasance you have accrued, minus the amount of each form of unpleasance. As you explore the dream, you may find wondrous places that will modify this final reckoning. You cannot WAKE UP in the middle of encounters, or in this room." > magic The Cleric eyes the man in the shadows with suspicion and explains: "Magic is the most important resource in the dream. You will find it, in raw form, from time to time, but most dreamers harvest it by cracking open diamonds using the specialized equipment found by exploring academies. Now, finding diamonds isn't easy either...but it's far easier than finding magic. You can buy diamonds at Zapirtaz, for example, if you're willing to spend a bit of coin..."

You are a Pirate Your special ability is: SCOWL (bypass all travel obstacles, such as storms and sea monsters, in exchange for a small amount of fury)

The man shifts in his seat as you approach. "Schneckloth." He coughs dryly, and gestures for you to sit. "Schneckloth. Schneckloth. Schneckloth. That is my name. That is my nature...unknowable to you, yes, but knowable in time. I am that little nodule of noctochemicals lodged deep in your neuroanatomy...the source of your darkest thoughts. I evolved alongside your miserable species. I wait in the deepest parts of your collective unconscious..." The smoke around his face is clearing. You can see, through the haze, tiny pinpoints of light that just might be eyes...but then he exhales again, and is surrounded by a shifting, reeking cloud. "...I am the master of NIGHTMARES. The ultimate menace of the edge of SLEEP. There are so many surprises in store for you, this slumber. The TENTACLE TREES! The MIND-MAGGOTS! The one where your BRAIN falls out the back of your head!" He claps gloved hands together in perverse joy. A dull roar fills the shadows. "Oh, and of course we can't forget SCALPEL-HANDS MAN. Are all his fingers little knives, or does he just have one enormous scalpel where each of his hands should be? You'll have to find out!" The man wreathed in smoke and shadow gives a wet little chuckle. "It's going to be a fun evening, full of SADNESS, MADNESS, FURY, and WORRY. We'll start with something easy. You owe three coins to Schneckloth, the master of nightmares....and I shall be very, very upset if you do not pay me back. (You have gained 1 Worry) (Nightmares will be your most persistent opponents within the dream. Once activated, they will recur at points of interest all over the dream, effectively blocking your more pleasant adventures there. All nightmares can be resolved through some deed or task of high renown or incredible difficulty. You've just activated one that will resolve when you can pay Schneckloth the three coins you owe him.)

> nightmares Schneckloth flickers briefly out of existence, then reappears and explains: "We are the very substance of fear. The essence of despair. You know, I'm quite certain, that the 'real world' is as transient and frail as the dream. At any moment, it may give way to yawning night. In that black infinity, you would have nothing at all...except us. We are the ultimate truth. The little black shard of reality that you carry with you always. We are within you, and if we appear mysterious and unknowable, know this: you will understand our designs in time." > tentacle trees Schneckloth emits a low, hissing gurgle you find most unsettling and explains: "They are among my least loyal minions. They claim dominion over vast swathes of the dream, but do not pay me the tribute in sanity and souls that I am owed. Chop them down. It makes little difference to me..." > mind maggots Schneckloth flickers briefly out of existence, then reappears and explains: "A lord of NIGHTMARES such as myself should not play favorites, but I will confess that I do have a favorite. The mind-maggots are elegant in purpose, delightful in their simplicity. You will find them in certain far-away ruins...or perhaps, more appropriately, they will find you!" > scalpel hands man Schneckloth briefly assumes the form of something hideous and explains: "The other NIGHTMARES consider him a cheap charlatan. I do agree his methods are a bit...direct, but he has been in the game quite a while, and he has my respect." > brain Schneckloth emits a low, hissing gurgle you find most unsettling and explains: "All of this is, of course, a neurochemical illusion, created by you with only a little help from myself. In fact, you wouldn't be far-off in simply suggesting that I am part of you. As the dream wears on, you will realize how truly terrible that makes you. Revel in your darkness, my friend. It will be a comfort."

> sadness Schneckloth flickers briefly out of existence, then reappears and explains: "Sadness is the most subtle form of Unpleasance...and the strongest. You will have a very hard time getting rid of it." > madness Schneckloth briefly assumes the form of something hideous and explains: "Madness is my favorite form of Unpleasance. You will find yourself exposed to mind-rending terror on a few occasions this evening. Madness is hard, indeed, to shake. Your only respite will be the temples of the hated dream-gods." > fury Schneckloth briefly assumes the form of something hideous and explains: "You will accrue Fury when your dream-form is injured or tormented, or when you are frustrated in your attempts to achieve greatness. It will happen...often. You will find two ways to rid yourself of Fury: certain encounters may provide you with healing, and certain nefarious elements in the dream, most notably pirates, will use it as a form of currency." > worry Schneckloth giggles madly and explains: "Worry is the most common form of Unpleasance. It will follow from your myriad failures and anxiety, most importantly your inability to care for your dream-form or feed your crew. Worry is easy to accrue, but easy to lose again. Many encounters will provide you with a means of being rid of it."

> leave (You leave the bar, and enter the bustling port city of Zapirtaz. Your ship is docked in the harbor, which abuts a truly massive marketplace. When you SET SAIL from Zapirtaz, this tutorial will cease, and you will be truly on your own. Your ship currently carries a cargo of 2 figment fruits, 2 crates of goods, and 10 pleasance. Sailing from one location to another will have a chance of consuming 1 unit of food or one crate of goods. Your crew will first eat all your figment fruits, then all your fish, then all your smoked meats, then all your sugar, then all your spices. If there's no remaining food, you will begin gaining Worry in ever-increasing amounts. Thus, it makes sense to keep your ship well-provisioned. Zapirtaz is a good-enough place to do that, but you'll need to purchase it with Pleasance, and you already owe three coins to Schneckloth. It's time to make some money...)

Pleasance:11| Sadness:0| Madness:0| Fury:4| Worry:1| ............Might:10 ...........Talent:0 .........Seacraft:30 ......Shadowcraft:10 .......Dreamcraft:5 ======================= Situational Advantages: ======================= [~]: 15 [^]: 0 [=]: 0 [!]: 0 [%]: 0 [#]: 5 [&]: 0 [*]: 0

Zapirtaz Your ship bobs in the harbor. You can SET SAIL at any time... There is a dense knot of dark buildings here, whose only purpose seems to be to horde shadow and filth. Alleys. Poorly maintained. You can LOOK FOR TROUBLE in the alleys, but why would you want to? The market district of Zapirtaz is one of the largest in the world. Languages of all nations echo among the close, red-brick buildings. Beautiful women, and swarthy men, tempt strangers with their wares. Enormous, sweet-scented caravans load and unload exotic cargo. You can VISIT THE MARKET. There is a harbor here, a place where ships can be mended and goods and figments may be traded. You can VISIT THE HARBOR if you wish.

[&] ENCOUNTER: THE HEIST A group of your friends, from the waking world, have seen fit to pass you a message: they know of a secret cave nearby, where Bernie Madoff stored his ill-gotten gains. If you wish, you could carry out a heist... Success would mean considerable wealth. Failure, of course, would make you a powerful enemy. You can STEAL the treasure (Shadowcraft)(IMPOSSIBLE) Or find some subtler way to FOOL the guards (Talent)(IMPOSSIBLE) It would be safer to simply LEAVE

The Port of Thrones There is one building, at the end of a long pier, that all explorers know. This is Entham's, a market for particularly discriminating customers, ladies and gentlemen interested in only the finest things the dream can provide...and the strangest. Entham deals in things no one else has the genius, and the courage, to buy and sell. You can VISIT ENTHAM'S. The Port of Thrones is a peaceful and glorious city. Old, and respectable...but boring. Perhaps you could use a little boredom. Perhaps there are adventures, mundane and domestic, that are worth having. You can choose to REMAIN HERE if you like, and temporarily forsake life upon the sea. The cliffs swarm with monks and nuns in white and gray, robes aflutter. Occasionally, you see the golden robes of a bishop or high dreamer. The four godheads reside here, in the mighty cathedrals that ring the cliffs. There are four cathedrals: one to Bajbuk, the widest-awake. One to Cosia, the happiest dreamer. One to Moslimbo, the deepest-sleeper. One to the great goddest Vatiya, the slayer of nightmares. You can ENTER THE SHRINE that connects each cathedral. Dozens of sails in the distance. Strangely-colored. Exotic. A sea lane, and it looks to be a well-traveled one. You can PLUNDER THE SEA LANE.

> visit the thief [&] ENCOUNTER: THE CONDIGN KEY The thief holds court in some shady dive by the warfs, where drunken scum drink bilgey grog from chipped glasses. She is old, with hands worn rough and nobbly from too much pickpocketing. They say she was the most gifted thief in the Thieves' Guild, until they kicked her out. There are nasty rumors about competition with the portly guildmaster himself. ...at any rate, she now has grander plans, and you can help. "In the lava tubes below the city of Zapirtaz are treasures beyond belief." She whispers. "Diamonds in great abundance, kept safe by the Condign cartel. We're going to steal them...one last job before I retire. A capstone to a glorious career. This will be a complicated operation, but with the dreamer on my side, how could I fail?" She describes the first step of a twisty plot. "The cartel's vault-locks cannot be picked. Each ten-ton door can only be opened by a small silver key, kept in the possession of a courier. I'll need you to steal that, while I make other arrangements." She direct you to a small sea road, by the wharfs, where the courier will travel this very night. You dutifully lie in wait, and sure enough, the courier appears...a sallow, sunken-eyed, spidery man who travels under heavy guard of course. They cluster about him in dark armor that does not clank in the deep night. You can see the silver key sparkling on a golden keyring at the courier's hip... You can STEAL the key (Shadowcraft)(CHANCEY) ...or you can MAGIC it right into your hands (Dreamcraft)(DAUNTING) > steal You lie in wait by the roadside until the courier's keyring is within your grasp. Then, you snake your hand forward and attempt to obtain the key. You lift it lightly from his belt. It might be hours before he even realizes it is gone. A few hours later, you present the key to the thief. She rewards you with a small fee for your troubles. "There will be much more later." She promises with a wink. You have gained 10 pleasance. She also teaches you a few thieving-tricks. "I need you at your best for the heist ahead." She says. Your Shadowcraft skill has increased by 2!

> remain here [=] ENCOUNTER: THE DREAM WITHIN THE DREAM During your time here, you fall asleep, of course. ...this is, of course, confusing, as you were already asleep to begin with. You are now in a dream within the dream, and you have considerable control over how that dream will go... 1) Dream up a dream that's better 2) Dream up a dream that's far, far worse

You awaken in a dream far worse than the previous one. In this dream, you shall play the villain, perhaps... (Your Shadowcraft skill has increased by 9)

Sails in the distance. Two directions. A sea lane. You can PLUNDER THE SEA LANE. Routes are north and northeast. > plunder [~] ENCOUNTER: RED SAILS "Red sails!" comes a call from the crow's nest. "Red sails on the horizon!" The decision falls to you, now... Do you INTERCEPT the ship (Seacraft)(DIFFICULT) Or do you RETREAT (Seacraft)(DIFFICULT) > intercept Curses! The ship evades you, and slips away by night. (You have gained 3 Fury)

[~] ENCOUNTER: WHITE SAILS "White sails!" comes a call from the crow's nest. "White sails on the horizon!" The decision falls to you, now... Do you INTERCEPT the ship (Seacraft)(EASY) Or do you RETREAT (Seacraft)(EASY)

> intercept The ship flees, but you outmaneuver her. Battle is joined! The ship is a Merchant: The Dokbuk Your Ship: Shipshape Your Crew: Ready for Action [!] ENCOUNTER: INCOMING! The enemy's cannons flash and thunder. Cannonballs incoming! Will your ship ENDURE the onslaught? (Seacraft)(EASY) > endure Cannonballs clatter against the mighty hull of your ship. It will take more than that to sink you! Your Ship: Shipshape Your Crew: Ready for Action [!] ENCOUNTER: THE ESCORT The enemy is not equipped for combat, but they do have an escort, a small gunnery-sloop that you did not catch sight of before. It swings deftly between you and your target, its crew are ready and willing to give their lives to defend the larger vessel... ...who are you to deny them their wish? FIRE! (Seacraft)(EASY) > fire The escort withstands your withering barrage of shot and powder. Damn! (You have gained 3 Fury) (Your ship has been damaged) Your Ship: Damaged Your Crew: Ready for Action [!] ENCOUNTER: INCOMING! The enemy's cannons flash and thunder. Cannonballs incoming! Will your ship ENDURE the onslaught? (Seacraft)(EASY) > endure Cannonballs clatter against the mighty hull of your ship. It will take more than that to sink you! Your Ship: Damaged Your Crew: Ready for Action [!] ENCOUNTER: THE ESCORT That blasted escort is back! You must swamp it, before it swamps you! FIRE! (Seacraft)(EASY) > fire Your cannons fire, and blast the tiny ship into flotsam. Your Ship: Damaged Your Crew: Ready for Action [!] ENCOUNTER: INCOMING! The enemy's cannons flash and thunder. Cannonballs incoming! Will your ship ENDURE the onslaught? (Seacraft)(EASY) > endure Cannonballs clatter against the mighty hull of your ship. It will take more than that to sink you! Your Ship: Damaged Your Crew: Ready for Action [!] ENCOUNTER: RAKE 'EM! You have pivoted your ship perpendicular to the enemy. Your cannons are now poised to deliver a single devastating shot...perhaps a lethal one. You're going to enjoy this... FIRE! (Seacraft)(EASY) > fire Cannonballs crash through the enemy ship. The deck is awash with blood and fire! Your Ship: Damaged Your Crew: Ready for Action [~] ENCOUNTER: THE SINKING SHIP The enemy ship is sinking! On one hand, this is ideal. On another, slightly more pressing hand, this is disasterous. After all, when that ship goes down, its cargo will go with it. Can you SALVAGE the cargo in time? (Seacraft)(EASY)

You have found the Tea Kettle!

Full of hot tea. A weapon, if you define the term broadly enough. The lid is made from leather. The spout is embellished with a complete history of the Gnomic city of Heyurundesifroud, etched in tiny script. It is perhaps twenty years old. It was clearly made with tender, loving care. It still has some sand in its cracks and crevices. Value: 29 Bonuses: +5 Might, +5 [*] Additional Bonus: +5 [^]

There is land ahead: black and barren and distinctly uninviting. These shores are cursed, and no dreamer has dared to land here. You shall be the first...it falls to you to name this blasted and forsaken place. TYPE THE NAME OF THIS LOCATION BELOW

You refuse to sail to the light. Whatever lit that baleful lantern will surely be displeased... (You have gained 15 Worry)

This place exists on the shimmering border between the dream and somewhere even stranger. Elves have made camp here...they gambol and play in the surf, giggling and speaking to the empty air in strange tongues. You can VISIT THE ELVES if you wish. Routes are north, west and southeast. > elves [#] ENCOUNTER: THE ELFIN COURT In the brooding boughs of the trees above dwell the elves, creatures of the fen and forest, who rarely walk the earth below in sunlight. Their tree forts are filled with ghoulish giggles and shouts of glee and horror, sonormous chants and the electric hum of raw magic...mortals are rarely invited to ascend to their secret cities...but every so often, when the stars and the spirits are right, they invite one or two to pass the time with them. That time is now. You have been invited to an elfin court. You must respond. To decline would be dangerous indeed. How will you comport yourself? You can try to IMPRESS them (Talent)(CHANCEY) Or you can try to TRICK them (Talent)(IMPOSSIBLE) > impress You approach the elves, and boast of your accomplishments. Something in your words moves them, and they gather around, stroking your face and inspecting your eyes with curiosity. Eventually, one of them speaks, and tells a tale that chills you to your bones... (You have gained 7 Madness and 14 Fragments of Knowledge)

[~] ENCOUNTER: WHALERS The Whalers of Daen spend their lives butchering whales, and rendering their blubber. From dawn to dusk, most days, they are caked in blood and oil, and smell of burnt grease and vomitous decay. ...but Whalers are royalty the world over. It is past dusk now, and they sit richly attired, perfumed, with combed beards and stylish blue suits, around a nearby table. The oil trade is prosperous, and they flaunt their prosperity. Perhaps you can play a part in the oil trade... 1) Buy a cask of whale oil (8 Pleasance) (You have 32 Pleasance) 2) Buy five casks of whale oil (40 Pleasance) (You have 32 Pleasance) 3) Buy ten casks of whale oil (80 Pleasance) (You have 32 Pleasance)

The crowded streets of the city give way to a small stone courtyard full of weeds and drifting garbage. Spray-painted on the far wall, on some crumbling building that has not been inhabited in years, is an enormous red rune, the dreadful and ancient sign of Schneckloth, the Lord of Nightmares. Below the graffito, a cluster of black-robed cultists whisper to one another. They turn as you approach, and their leader speaks out. "Know this: You owe a dreadful debt to Schneckloth: three glittering coins. He eagerly awaits your payment. He is patient, to be sure...but some distant day, the debt shall come due. His fury will be terrible indeed." Trashbags billow past. A second cultist speaks up, slightly less sure. "...or you could just pay now, I guess." You may LEAVE or PAY back your debt (requires 3 pleasance) (you have 24 pleasance) > leave You leave without a word, but one of the cultists bellows, as you depart: "Your debt will come due someday! Some dark and dreadful day!" You have no idea when this debt will come due, if ever, but it does make you vaguely worried. (You have gained 1 worry)

Entham's Antiquities A shop for the discerning collector, Entham's Antiquities is open at all hours. Outrageously expensive items from across the world sit under glass, on sumptuous pillowcases of green and purple velvet. "Only the best here at Entham's!" the fastidious shopkeeper says. "Feel free to browse but don't touch anything." You can BUY any item here for twice its listed value. You can also SELL any item in your inventory here for its listed value. You can LEAVE at any time. Currently, the shop contains The King's Ring, The Ring of Three Wishes, The Inventor's Goggles, The Outrageous Chapeau, The Atlas and The Expensive Watch.

> x ring A Ring, fit for a king. Its band is forged from whalebone. It is an antique, perhaps eighty years old. Value: 34 Bonuses: +5 [=] > x ring of three wishes A very special ring indeed. Its band is forged from starmetal (whatever that is). Value: 2 Bonuses: +9 Dreamcraft, +9 Talent, +9 [=] > x goggles Smoked goggles, for more optimal invention. It is covered with snakeskin. It is perhaps twenty years old. It has been known to turn into an octopus, on occasion. It simply chooses not to do so now. Its construction includes a small folding set of survival tools. Value: 9 Bonuses: +5 [%] Additional Bonus: +5 [^] > x chapeau A stylish black cap with several outrageous feathers and bangles. It is lined with fine Daenish tweed. It is embellished with bits of blue glass. It is an heirloom, perhaps ninety years old. It is covered with postage stamps from all over the world. It is strangely cold to the touch. Value: 21 Bonuses: +10 [=] Additional Bonus: +5 [*] > x atlas A heavy volume that purports to contain maps of every nation in the dream. You doubt that such a thing is possible. It is bound with cheap plastic. The cover is embellished with complex geometric designs. It is old indeed, fashioned by human craftsmen several centuries ago. Value: 30 Bonuses: +5 [^], +5 [&] You can READ THE ATLAS > x watch A watch, the most accurate model on the market. Jewel-bearings are visible within. The face is made from dragon's bone. The edges are embellished with an illustration of a crocodile. It is almost a century old. Value: 43 Bonuses: +5 [=], +5 [%]

> status You are a Pirate Your special ability is: SCOWL (bypass all travel obstacles, such as storms and sea monsters, in exchange for a small amount of fury) Pleasance:20| Sadness:0| Madness:7| Fury:9| Worry:32| ............Might:15 ...........Talent:9 .........Seacraft:30 ......Shadowcraft:21 .......Dreamcraft:14 ======================= Situational Advantages: ======================= [~]: 15 [^]: 5 [=]: 9 [!]: 0 [%]: 0 [#]: 5 [&]: 0 [*]: 5

> cargo Your hold contains all of the following: * 14 Fragments of knowledge * 0 Red Fish * 0 Blue Fish * 0 Green Fish * 3 Bowls of Figment Fruits * 0 Sides of Smoked Meat * 1 Crates of Goods * 1 Casks of Whale Oil * 0 Pelts of Fur * 0 Pounds of Sugar * 0 Ounces of Spice * 0 Flasks of Liquor * 0 Spools of Silk * 0 Diamonds * 0 Rubies * 0 Sapphires * 0 Pearls * 0 Barrels of Nightmare Fuel * 0 Ingots of Dream-Iron * 0 Ingots of Dream-Silver * 0 bags of Magic

Your inventory is as follows: Head: Neck: Hands: the Ring of Three Wishes Weapon: the Tea Kettle Body: the Swimsuit Shoes: Socks: Other: the Stuffed Animal

> x ring of three wishes A very special ring indeed. Its band is forged from starmetal (whatever that is). Value: 2 Bonuses: +9 Dreamcraft, +9 Talent, +9 [=]

> x tea kettle Full of hot tea. A weapon, if you define the term broadly enough. The lid is made from leather. The spout is embellished with a complete history of the Gnomic city of Heyurundesifroud, etched in tiny script. It is perhaps twenty years old. It was clearly made with tender, loving care. It still has some sand in its cracks and crevices. Value: 29 Bonuses: +5 Might, +5 [*] Additional Bonus: +5 [^] > x swimsuit A red swimsuit. Value: 3 Bonuses: +5 [~] > x stuffed animal A stuffed animal, so stuffy and stylized that it's hard to tell what kind of animal it is. A bear? A puppy? A raccoon? Who can say. What matters is that it is a comfort in the darkest of times. Value: 3 Bonuses: +5 Dreamcraft, +5 [#]

The Daenish Main Here the warm winds and currents from the North mix with the freezing cold winds of the South. The Gap of Gew Genning is close, jealously guarding the mysteries of the far Southern climbs. Many ships come here. You can PLUNDER THE SEA LANE if you choose. The Daenish main is a great whale-road, used by the creatures on their migrations from the utter south to the utter north. You can FISH here.

> plunder [~] ENCOUNTER: WHITE SAILS "White sails!" comes a call from the crow's nest. "White sails on the horizon!" The decision falls to you, now... Do you INTERCEPT the ship (Seacraft)(EASY) Or do you RETREAT (Seacraft)(EASY) > intercept The ship flees, but you outmaneuver her. Battle is joined! The ship is a Merchant: The Ever Goods Your Ship: Shipshape Your Crew: Ready for Action [~] ENCOUNTER: WHO HOLDS THE GAGE? Winds are high today, white foam appears on the tops of the wave. Whoever holds the weather gage, upwind of the enemy craft, will have an advantage in the battle to come...that advantage could even be decisive. You must POSITION your ship accordingly (Seacraft)(TRIVIAL) > position You hold the gage! For the remainder of this battle, rolls against the enemy will be easier. Your Ship: Shipshape Your Crew: Ready for Action [!] ENCOUNTER: INCOMING! The enemy's cannons flash and thunder. Cannonballs incoming! Will your ship ENDURE the onslaught? (Seacraft)(TRIVIAL) > endure Cannonballs clatter against the mighty hull of your ship. It will take more than that to sink you! Your Ship: Shipshape Your Crew: Ready for Action [~] ENCOUNTER: GIVING CHASE The enemy ship suddenly breaks combat, and swings wide out onto the open ocean. They're running! You will have to RUN them down...(Seacraft)(TRIVIAL) > run You've caught the bastards! There's no running now. It's time to commence boarding! Your Ship: Shipshape Your Crew: Ready for Action [!] ENCOUNTER: THE MELEE The fight spills over onto the deck of the enemy craft. A great melee ensues: sparks and limbs fly, blood spurts, powder burns. There is nothing to do but FIGHT on, and hope your crew prevails... (Might)(TRIVIAL) > fight Out of the morass of carnage, your crew emerges victorious. You fight on, and you prevail! Surely victory is close! (You have gained 5 fury) Your Ship: Shipshape Your Crew: Ready for Action [~] ENCOUNTER: THE SHARKS There is blood in the water, and the sharks are drawn to it. These fearsome fish have opened up a third front in the battle, attacking sailors from both sides with indiscriminate abandon. Some of your crew struggle up the side of the ship, while sharks leap from the water, jaws open wide with primal hunger. You will have to drop down there and FIGHT a few, if you want to save your crew (Might)(EASY) > fight A few quick kicks to the snout will dissaude even the hungries shark. You turn the chomping creatures away, and haul your crew back to the deck to resume the battle. The enemy is routed! What few crew remain throw down their weapons. The ship is yours! You pick its cargo clean...

You plunder the hold of the merchant ship You have gained 4 goods. You have gained 1 Silks. You have found the lute!

A lute, for strumming and romancing and generally making a fool of yourself. It is made of materials of extraordinary craftsmanship. It is decorated with bits of blue glass. It is an antique, perhaps eighty years old. Value: 9 Bonuses: +5 Talent, +5 [=]

--THE LAKES OF SHRED Bones stick out of the sand here, the remains of some gargantuan monster, larger than an island. You can STUDY THE BONES or PLUNDER THE BONES. --THE SCANTISH MAIN The Scantish Main is a complicated place, sea breezes from the tropics mix with coldwater currents flowing from the Southern oceans. The wide open ocean is close, many ships come here, and depart to strange shores beyond. Some are lucky enough to return. You can PLUNDER THE SEA LANE if you choose. --DAEN The Northman's Hand is a bar, famous the world over. The drink is strong and wild. The company, far stronger and wilder. You will have to keep your wits about you, but it might be worth a visit. You can VISIT THE TAVERN. Another bar, set right on the harbor, has an evil reputation among the locals...a smuggler's den. You can VISIT THE DEN The Gap of Gew-Genning is a narrow strip of sea between the great freezing rocks of the utter south. Ships occasionally sail the gap of Gew-Genning, in an attempt to reach the Gnomic lands beyond. You can SAIL THE GAP. --SAINT COSMO Where the water kisses the waves, a shrine to Cosia stands. A statue of the goddess holds forth her hands to the sea, embracing the wind and water as though it is a long-lost lover. You can ENTER THE SHRINE. The Academy of St. Cosmo is staffed by eccentrics who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of rational studies. Their efforts within the dream are probably futile, but they may be worth a visit. You can VISIT THE ACADEMY. On a lush green hill, a caste of merchants has built an opulent village. You can VISIT THE VILLAGE if you would like. --NACRE LAKE The beasts of this land have furs that are prized the world over. You might try to HUNT FOR FURS, but it will be difficult indeed...