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>n Tavern You step into the Tavern, where you find some sailors huddled around a table near the fire, while the friendly-looking innkeeper is behind the bar polishing a tankard. A set of stairs leads up to the north, and the tavern's front door lies to the south. >n Landing This is a small landing on the second floor of the tavern. The door to the east bedroom is closed, and an old curtain hangs in the entrance to the west bedroom. A flight of stairs leads down to the south. >open door You open the door and step inside. East bedroom This is the tavern's east bedroom. It seems to be a clean and comfortable room, with a hardwood floor and a spacious bed. Despite this, there appears to be a leak in the ceiling which has stained the wall and caused one of the floorboards to warp. The room's only exit is the door in the west wall. >take board You pry up the loose floorboard. Beneath it you see a cache. [Your score has just gone up by 5.] >put plaque in cache You put the plaque in the cache. >put board in cache You replace the board. >w You leave the room, closing the door behind you. Landing This is a small landing on the second floor of the tavern. The door to the east bedroom is closed, and an old curtain hangs in the entrance to the west bedroom. A flight of stairs leads down to the south. >s Tavern You walk back down the stairs into the Tavern. The sailors are still huddled around a table near the fire, while the friendly-looking innkeeper is behind the bar polishing a tankard. A set of stairs leads up to the north, and the tavern's front door lies to the south. >s Lawn You are standing on a lawn just to the south of a small inn that commands a stunning view of the English Channel. A rickety shed leans against the building's west wall. The great chalk cliff comes right up to the south edge of the lawn. >nw Shed You are in a small woodshed next to a tavern in Dover, England. There is a telltale shimmering in the air here, and an exit to the southeast. >in You press the button on the wristlet and the shimmering melts away to reveal a black rectangle that hovers in midair. You step through the hole in space and find yourself inside the interkron. Interkron The interkron is a cramped space full of dials and switches. Directly in front of you is a slot with a key card in it and a green light next to it. The display screen is taken up by a world map, and there are ten years highlighted next to it. Under the keyboard, a technician has scrawled on a piece of t ape, "To go to a new timeplace, type 'timeset,' followed by the name of the city and the year that you want to go to. Eg. Timeset Rome 44." >ts dover 1588 You hear a low humming that slowly crescendos into a full-fledged roar. The interkron begins to shake and you become disoriented. You fall to the floor and pass out... When you awaken and struggle to your feet, you realize that you have travelled to Dover, in the year 1588. >out Shed You are in a small woodshed next to a tavern in Dover, England. There is a telltale shimmering in the air here, and an exit to the southeast. >se Lawn At the height of the Elizabethan era comes the greatest threat to England since the Norman Conquest. All summer long, rumours have ricocheted up and down the coast that the Catholic Philip of Spain has assembled a mighty Armada to invade heretical England and its Protestant ruler, Queen Elizabeth. Six days ago, the Armada was finally sighted off Penzance. After playing cat and mouse with Sir Francis Drake and the English fleet all the way up the coast, the Armada has now anchored across the channel underneath the protection of the guns of Calais. There, they intend to rendezvous with the Duke of Parma's army - which is waiting at Dunkirk - and ferry more than 50,000 Spanish troops across the channel for the invasion. You are standing on a lawn just to the south of a small inn that commands a stunning view of the English Channel. A rickety shed leans against the building's west wall. The great chalk cliff comes right up to the south edge of the lawn. >n Tavern You step into the Tavern, where you find some sailors huddled around a table near the fire, while the friendly-looking innkeeper is behind the bar polishing a tankard. A set of stairs leads up to the north, and the tavern's front door lies to the south. >n Landing This is a small landing on the second floor of the tavern. The door to the east bedroom is closed, and an old curtain hangs in the entrance to the west bedroom. A flight of stairs leads down to the south. >knock An imperious voice calls out, "En-TER." >open door You open the door and step inside. East bedroom This is a small but pleasant bedroom that is dominated by the presence of a small woman of royal bearing and dignity. She sits in her chair as if it were a throne and stares at you as if you were a bug. When you can tear your eyes away from her, you notice that the room seems to be a clean and comfortable room, with a hardwood floor and a spacious bed. Despite this, there appears to be a leak in the ceiling which has stained the wall and caused one of the floorboards to warp. The room's only exit is the door in the west wall. >bow You bow your head briefly and Elizabeth smiles in satisfaction. >take board You pry up the loose floorboard. Beneath it you see a cache. >take plaque You take the plaque from the cache. >give plaque to queen She takes one look at the plaque and says, "WELL! Clearly I cannot stay HERE. I shall have to request another room." She flounces out of the room. [Your score has just gone up by 10.] >w You leave the room, closing the door behind you. Landing This is a small landing on the second floor of the tavern. The door to the east bedroom is closed, and an old curtain hangs in the entrance to the west bedroom. A flight of stairs leads down to the south. Suddenly, the strumpet comes flying through the curtain, exactly as if she had been given the bum's rush by an expert bouncer. She picks herself up, makes an indelicate gesture towards the bedroom, and then storms down the stairs and out of the tavern. >wait 60 [I assume you mean 60 minutes.] Time passes... You see Drake come up the stairs and pause on the landing. Do you want to continue waiting? >y Drake disappears into the west bedroom. Moments later you hear the queen screech "I sent you no such bracelet. Remove it. NOW." Seconds later the bracelet comes flying through the curtain. [Your score has just gone up by 30.] Do you want to continue waiting? >y Suddenly, the bracelet begins to glow. Then it disappears. Do you want to continue waiting? >n >s Tavern You walk back down the stairs into the Tavern. The sailors are still huddled around a table near the fire, while the friendly-looking innkeeper is behind the bar polishing a tankard. A set of stairs leads up to the north, and the tavern's front door lies to the south. You see a sailor here. The sailor is holding a helmet. The innkeeper looks at the floorboard under your arm and says, "I've been meaning to fix that, you know. Well, I guess there's no time like the present." He takes the floorboard away from you and disappears upstairs. You hear some muffled pounding, and moments later he reappears, wiping his hands on his apron. "There now. That'll be giving us no more trouble." >Ask sailor about helmet "'Tis the helmet of Don Pedro de Valdes, master of the Nuestra Senora del Rosario. The captain captured the vessel last week and he hath brought this helmet to the queen as a proof of treasures to come." >Give parchment to sailor The sailor's eyes grow wide with excitement. "Where did you get this?" he cries. "Never mind. I don't want to know." Almost in a stupor, he hands over the helmet. Then he tucks the parchment inside his shirt, takes a quick look around, and runs out the door. [Your score has just gone up by 5.] >s Lawn You are standing on a lawn just to the south of a small inn that commands a stunning view of the English Channel. A rickety shed leans against the building's west wall. The great chalk cliff comes right up to the south edge of the lawn. >nw Shed You are in a small woodshed next to a tavern in Dover, England. There is a telltale shimmering in the air here, and an exit to the southeast. >in You press the button on the wristlet and the shimmering melts away to reveal a black rectangle that hovers in midair. You step through the hole in space and find yourself inside the interkron. Interkron The interkron is a cramped space full of dials and switches. Directly in front of you is a slot with a key card in it and a green light next to it. The display screen is taken up by a world map, and there are ten years highlighted next to it. Under the keyboard, a technician has scrawled on a piece of t ape, "To go to a new timeplace, type 'timeset,' followed by the name of the city and the year that you want to go to. Eg. Timeset Rome 44." >ts mexico 44 You hear a low humming that slowly crescendos into a full-fledged roar. The interkron begins to shake and you become disoriented. You fall to the floor and pass out... When you awaken and struggle to your feet, you realize that you have travelled to Mexico, in the year 44 B.C. >wear costume You put on the costume. >out Temple While the great Mayan civilization is flourishing in the Yucatan, the metropolis of Teotihuacan has grown up on the northeast shore of the great inland lake. The Indians hold this place on the island to be sacred, and they have erected a simple one-room temple on the spot where the feathered serpent is believed to have appeared to their Olmec ancestors. You are in a sanctuary inside the temple of the sun. The air here seems to shimmer. There is a mural on the wall here that shows the sun-god disguised as a man escaping from a cannibal pot. Next to it is another mural that shows Indian armies defeating the armies of all nations that come against them. A Toltec Indian is meditating before the altar. When you materialize, he looks up in fear and cries, "Aieee! You have returned O mighty Quetzlcoatl. We did not mean to displease you, but now we know we have failed." He brings forward a cushion. "Put here the symbol of our downfall, as it has been prophesied, that we may recognize you as our conqueror and not incur thy wrath further by resisting you on the day of your return." >Put helmet on cushion You place the helmet on the cushion. The Toltec bows, backs away from the altar, and then knocks on the door. It immediately opens and he steps through, leaving you alone in the room. [Your score has just gone up by 10.] >in You press the button on the wristlet and the shimmering melts away to reveal a black rectangle that hovers in midair. You step through the hole in space and find yourself inside the interkron. Interkron The interkron is a cramped space full of dials and switches. Directly in front of you is a slot with a key card in it and a green light next to it. The display screen is taken up by a world map, and there are ten years highlighted next to it. Under the keyboard, a technician has scrawled on a piece of t ape, "To go to a new timeplace, type 'timeset,' followed by the name of the city and the year that you want to go to. Eg. Timeset Rome 44." >ts mexico 1519 You hear a low humming that slowly crescendos into a full-fledged roar. The interkron begins to shake and you become disoriented. You fall to the floor and pass out... When you awaken and struggle to your feet, you realize that you have travelled to Mexico, in the year 1519. >out Temple The barbarous Aztec nation has reached the peak of its power. Warriors continually invade the weaker neighboring tribes to ensure a fresh supply of sacrificial victims, and members of the nobility routinely slaughter and eat the children of their own peasants as a form of population control. You are in a sanctuary deep inside the great temple of the sun. The air here seems to shimmer. There is a mural on the wall here that shows the sun-god disguised as a man escaping from a cannibal pot. Next to it is another mural that shows Indian warriors falling before a small army of men. You notice that the man leading the invading army is carrying a helmet. The great Aztec chief, Montezuma is here, staring at the altar in a peyote-induced trance. He seems unsurprised that you have materialized out of thin air, even though you are wearing the feathered costume. Montezuma is wearing a bracelet. >look at mural They are sacred murals that record the history of the Indian people from the time that Quetzlcoatl appeared on this site and told them to build a temple to him. >wait 60 [I assume you mean 60 minutes.] Time passes... A messenger arrives and says, "O great leader. The alien army has reached the outskirts of the city. What is your command? Do you want to continue waiting? >y Montezuma points to the mural on the wall and says, "Many generations ago, the great god Quetzlcoatl proclaimed that one day a conquering army would come and destroy our nation. He told us that the leader of this army would bear a helmet. Go, therefore, and see if the leader of this army bears this strange device. If he does so, tell him that I beseech him that he do me this favor - that he allow me to die, and that after I am dead, he come with all honor to reclaim his realm....And if by chance, he does not want the food offered to him and prefers instead human flesh, let him eat you, for I vow to care for your wives and children and all your relatives. If, however, the invader does not bear the device, tell him we shall kill him and flay his skin from his body for a cloak and then drink his blood by the light of the new moon." The messenger bows and leaves the room. Do you want to continue waiting? >y The messenger returns breathlessly and says, "O great one. The leader of the army does indeed bear a helmet." Montezuma rises to his feet and says, "Then it is the will of the god that we surrender to him." He removes his bracelet and drops it on the floor. "Come. Let us open up our city to him and hope that he is merciful." [Your score has just gone up by 30.] Do you want to continue waiting? >y Suddenly, the bracelet begins to glow. Then it disappears. Do you want to continue waiting? >n >in You press the button on the wristlet and the shimmering melts away to reveal a black rectangle that hovers in midair. You step through the hole in space and find yourself inside the interkron. Interkron The interkron is a cramped space full of dials and switches. Directly in front of you is a slot with a key card in it and a green light next to it. The display screen is taken up by a world map, and there are ten years highlighted next to it. Under the keyboard, a technician has scrawled on a piece of t ape, "To go to a new timeplace, type 'timeset,' followed by the name of the city and the year that you want to go to. Eg. Timeset Rome 44." >ts rome 1588 You hear a low humming that slowly crescendos into a full-fledged roar. The interkron begins to shake and you become disoriented. You fall to the floor and pass out... When you awaken and struggle to your feet, you realize that you have travelled to Rome, in the year 1588. >take off costume You take off the costume, and it falls to the floor. >take costume You take the costume. >out Cloaca Maxima You step out into a murky underground cavern. When your eyes adjust to the gloom you realize you are in the ancient Cloaca Maxima, the great underground sewer of Rome. Uninviting tunnels lead off in many directions, but a welcome ray of light filters down from an opening overhead. The air near one wall is shimmering. >out Street With the Renaissance in full swing, Rome has once again emerged as an important center of spiritual and artistic leadership. Despite numerological predictions of world-wide disaster based on the Revelation of St. John, the city has embar ked upon an ambitious program of rebuilding, restoration, and renovation. This quiet street runs southeast towards the Circus Maximus, and northwest towards the Vatican. There is a passageway between the buildings that leads south. Below your feet is an opening. >nw The Vatican You are in the vast square in front of St. Peter's Basilica, the most famous church in Christendom. The entrance lies to the west, while a street leads out of the square to the southeast. A soothsayer is wandering through the square, handing out leaflets. >take leaflet The soothsayer hands you a leaflet. >read leaflet The leaflet is a prophecy by the German philosopher, John Muller of Konigsberg, known as Regiomontanus. It is printed in Latin and it says: "A thousand years after the virgin birth and after five hundred more allowed the globe, the wonderful eighty-eighth year begins and brings with it woe enough. If, this year, total catastrophe does not befall, if land and sea do not collapse in total ruin, yet will the whole world suffer upheavals, empires will dwindle and from everywhere will be great lamentation." At the bottom of the page, the printer has identified himself as ZSV, and has appended the following in modern English. "Will it mean the end of the world? Nein!" [Your score has just gone up by 1.] >se Street This quiet street runs southeast towards the Circus Maximus, and northwest towards the Vatican. There is a passageway between the buildings that leads south. Below your feet is an opening. >s Academy You are in a small park nestled in the heart of the city. It is unusually peaceful here, a rare island of tranquility that is sheltered from the noise and bustle of the busy metropolis. Set to one side is a comfortable-looking bench. An old man is sitting quietly on the bench. As soon as he sees you, the old man smiles and says, "Welcome." He gestures to a spot next to him on the bench, and says, "Won't you sit with me and discuss the philosophical issues of the day?" >sit You sit down on the bench. The old man looks delighted that you have joined him. He says, "Here at the academy we search for the truth. Those around us say that science and religion are not important. They say that Giordano Bruno is right when he makes the task of philosophy the study of man himself. We are not so sure and perhaps - in time - we shall learn more." >Ask about academy "As long as there is at least one student each generation, the academy will remain open. For remember, it is only by passing on what he has learned that a man transcends his own death." >Ask about aristotle "He undoubtedly was brilliant, but it's hard to tell because his writing is so incredibly boring." >Ask about attila "He shall remain condemned throughout history for his wanton slaughter of innocent people and for his callous destruction of centers of wisdom and learning." >Ask about augustine "His 'confessions' is an inspired work that will stir the soul of anyone who reads it." >Ask about averroes "All of Europe must be grateful to him and his fellow Arabs for keeping alive the knowledge of the Greeks during the centuries when Europe had fallen into darkness." >Ask about avicenna "All of Europe must be grateful to him and his fellow Arabs for keeping alive the knowledge of the Greeks during the centuries when Europe had fallen into darkness." >Ask about bench "It is a good place to sit, to think, to teach, to listen, and to learn." >Ask about boethius "He believed that virtue, despite appearances, never goes unrewarded and that whatever happens is for the 'highest good.' Comforting notions - but, I fear, false." >Ask about bruno "He asks us to study not the stars, but ourselves." >Ask about caesar "He was brilliant in his time. But that was long ago." >Ask about charlemagne "His reign was the only bright spot in that era we now call the 'Dark Ages.' He must have been an extraordinary man to have kept the lamp of learning lit." >Ask about cleopatra "History tells us she was beautiful, but it must have been much more than beauty that enslaved the hearts of two successive rulers of Rome." >Ask about cloak "It is a symbol of academic learning. Those of us who wear it are dedicated to acquiring knowledge and passing it down to new generations." >Ask about epicurus "He believed that serenity was based on pleasure - which he defined as the absence of pain. Those who practice debauchery and gluttony in his name are perverting his gentle philosophy." >Ask about god "Some believe God exists. Some don't. It appears to be a matter of faith, rather than of reason." >Ask about harun al-rashid "It is he upon whom the tales of Scheherazade are based. But who could ever believe such a man existed?" >Ask about himself "I am just an old philosopher." >Ask about honoria "She lived long ago. Let her rest in peace." >Ask about issues "I'm glad you could spare the time to sit and chat. People seem to be in such a hurry these days." >Ask about king john "He simply couldn't see that man's desire for personal freedom is an inexorable historical force which may be sidetracked or suppressed for a time, but which ultimately cannot be stopped." >Ask about king john "He simply couldn't see that man's desire for personal freedom is an inexorable historical force which may be sidetracked or suppressed for a time, but which ultimately cannot be stopped." >Ask about key "Whatever knowledge the key unlocks, endeavor to use it wisely." >Ask about log He gives you an odd look. "There hasn't been a log here for a thousand years." >Ask about machiavelli "They call him a teacher of treachery, but all I see in his works is extreme cynicism." >Ask about me "Obviously, you are a man of action who has had many adventures. Even you, however, may one day find it within you to lead a more contemplative life." >Ask about michaelangelo "He is the greatest sculptor that ever breathed." >Ask about montezuma "He was the leader of a people that committed unspeakable atrocities. It is fortunate that their culture was wiped off the face of the earth, no matter what redeeming qualities the generous-of-heart may wish to cite in their favor." >Ask about plato "Plato is the man who once wrote, 'The unexamined life is not worth living.' He is the undisputed master. All of philosophy is little more than a footnote to his works." >Ask about pope innocent Pope Innocent III is too far away to talk to. >Ask about religion "I think religion is a question of what one believes, rather than what one can prove. And I think that each man believes what he must, that he believes what he fears the least, that he believes that which will allow him to sleep at night. I also think religion has been the cause of so much bloodshed through history that one can only hope it has provided sufficient consolation to the faithful to atone for its own sins." >Ask about socrates "He once taught, 'There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.' For this he was judged too dangerous to live by the citizens of Athens." >Ask about time "Time will ultimately defeat each of us, for each of us must die. But together, mankind can defeat time. Each of us can study and learn, and each of us can pass on that learning. If we do so, perhaps mankind will eventually learn to control time itself. Otherwise, we are nothing." >Ask about time travel "Obviously such a thing is not possible." >stand You stand up. >n Street This quiet street runs southeast towards the Circus Maximus, and northwest towards the Vatican. There is a passageway between the buildings that leads south. Below your feet is an opening. >in Cloaca Maxima You climb down into a murky underground cavern. When your eyes adjust to the gloom you realize you are in the ancient Cloaca Maxima, the great underground sewer of Rome. Uninviting tunnels lead off in many directions, but a welcome ray of light filters down from an opening overhead. The air near one wall is shimmering. >in You press the button on the wristlet and the shimmering melts away to reveal a black rectangle that hovers in midair. You step through the hole in space and find yourself inside the interkron. Interkron The interkron is a cramped space full of dials and switches. Directly in front of you is a slot with a key card in it and a green light next to it. The display screen is taken up by a world map, and there are ten years highlighted next to it. Under the keyboard, a technician has scrawled on a piece of t ape, "To go to a new timeplace, type 'timeset,' followed by the name of the city and the year that you want to go to. Eg. Timeset Rome 44." >ts rome 1798 You hear a low humming that slowly crescendos into a full-fledged roar. The interkron begins to shake and you become disoriented. You fall to the floor and pass out... When you awaken and struggle to your feet, you realize that you have travelled to Rome, in the year 1798. >out Cloaca Maxima You step out into a murky underground cavern. When your eyes adjust to the gloom you realize you are in the ancient Cloaca Maxima, the great underground sewer of Rome. Uninviting tunnels lead off in many directions, but a welcome ray of light filters down from an opening overhead. The air near one wall is shimmering. >out Street Rome has become a city of ruins, just another stop on the 'Grand Tour' for educated young gentlemen. Its decay has been accelerated by the plunder of the city by the occupying French army, who has carted off countless masterpieces and other treasures to Paris. This quiet street runs southeast towards the Circus Maximus, and northwest towards the Vatican. There is a passageway between the buildings that leads south. Below your feet is an opening. >s Academy You are in a small park nestled in the heart of the city. It is unusually peaceful here, a rare island of tranquility that is sheltered from the noise and bustle of the busy metropolis. Set to one side is a comfortable-looking bench. An old man is sitting quietly on the bench. As soon as he sees you, the old man smiles and says, "Welcome." He gestures to a spot next to him on the bench, and says, "Won't you sit with me and discuss the philosophical issues of the day?" >sit You sit down on the bench. The old man looks delighted that you have joined him. He says, "Here at the academy we search for the truth. Those around us follow Kant in rejecting theology and placing reason at the heart of the philosophical endeavor. We are not so sure and perhaps - in time - we shall learn more." >Ask about Academy "As long as there is at least one student each generation, the academy will remain open. For remember, it is only by passing on what he has learned that a man transcends his own death." >Ask about aristotle "He undoubtedly was brilliant, but it's hard to tell because his writing is so incredibly boring." >Ask about attila "He shall remain condemned throughout history for his wanton slaughter of innocent people and for his callous destruction of centers of wisdom and learning." >Ask about augustine "His 'confessions' is an inspired work that will stir the soul of anyone who reads it." >Ask about averroes "All of Europe must be grateful to him and his fellow Arabs for keeping alive the knowledge of the Greeks during the centuries when Europe had fallen into darkness." >Ask about avicenna "All of Europe must be grateful to him and his fellow Arabs for keeping alive the knowledge of the Greeks during the centuries when Europe had fallen into darkness." >Ask about bench "It is a good place to sit, to think, to teach, to listen, and to learn." >Ask about boethius "He believed that virtue, despite appearances, never goes unrewarded and that whatever happens is for the 'highest good.' Comforting notions - but, I fear, false." >Ask about bruno "He is not very well known these days, but his ideas influenced a revolution." >Ask about caesar "He was brilliant in his time. But that was long ago." >Ask about charlemagne "His reign was the only bright spot in that era we now call the 'Dark Ages.' He must have been an extraordinary man to have kept the lamp of learning lit." >Ask about cleopatra "History tells us she was beautiful, but it must have been much more than beauty that enslaved the hearts of two successive rulers of Rome." >Ask about cloak "It is a symbol of academic learning. Those of us who wear it are dedicated to acquiring knowledge and passing it down to new generations." >Ask about descartes "He sought to prove the existence of God thusly: 'Because the idea of God as a perfect being exists, God therefore exists - because if He did not exist, then He would not be perfect.' This, of course, is merely a word game." >Ask about epicurus "He believed that serenity was based on pleasure - which he defined as the absence of pain. Those who practice debauchery and gluttony in his name are perverting his gentle philosophy." >Ask about god "Some believe God exists. Some don't. It appears to be a matter of faith, rather than of reason." >Ask about harun al-rashid "It is he upon whom the tales of Scheherazade are based. But who could ever believe such a man existed?" >Ask about himself "I am just an old philosopher." >Ask about honoria "She lived long ago. Let her rest in peace." >Ask about issues "I'm glad you could spare the time to sit and chat. People seem to be in such a hurry these days." >Ask about king john "He simply couldn't see that man's desire for personal freedom is an inexorable historical force which may be sidetracked or suppressed for a time, but which ultimately cannot be stopped." >Ask about kant "Difficult to read, easy to believe." >Ask about key "Whatever knowledge the key unlocks, endeavor to use it wisely." >Ask about log He gives you an odd look. "There hasn't been a log here for a thousand years." >Ask about machiavelli "They call him a teacher of treachery, but all I see in his works is extreme cynicism." >Ask about me "Obviously, you are a man of action who has had many adventures. Even you, however, may one day find it within you to lead a more contemplative life." >Ask about michaelangelo "He is the greatest sculptor that ever breathed." >Ask about montezuma "He was the leader of a people that committed unspeakable atrocities. It is fortunate that their culture was wiped off the face of the earth, no matter what redeeming qualities the generous-of-heart may wish to cite in their favor." >Ask about napoleon "Clearly a military genius. The world may never see another like him." >Ask about plato "Plato is the man who once wrote, 'The unexamined life is not worth living.' He is the undisputed master. All of philosophy is little more than a footnote to his works." >Ask about pope innocent Pope Innocent III is too far away to talk to. >Ask about religion "I think religion is a question of what one believes, rather than what one can prove. And I think that each man believes what he must, that he believes what he fears the least, that he believes that which will allow him to sleep at night. I also think religion has been the cause of so much bloodshed through history that one can only hope it has provided sufficient consolation to the faithful to atone for its own sins." >Ask about socrates "He once taught, 'There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.' For this he was judged too dangerous to live by the citizens of Athens." >Ask about time "Time will ultimately defeat each of us, for each of us must die. But together, mankind can defeat time. Each of us can study and learn, and each of us can pass on that learning. If we do so, perhaps mankind will eventually learn to control time itself. Otherwise, we are nothing." >Ask about time travel "Obviously such a thing is not possible." >stand You stand up. >n Street This quiet street runs southeast towards the Circus Maximus, and northwest towards the Vatican. There is a passageway between the buildings that leads south. Below your feet is an opening. >in Cloaca Maxima You climb down into a murky underground cavern. When your eyes adjust to the gloom you realize you are in the ancient Cloaca Maxima, the great underground sewer of Rome. Uninviting tunnels lead off in many directions, but a welcome ray of light filters down from an opening overhead. The air near one wall is shimmering. >in You press the button on the wristlet and the shimmering melts away to reveal a black rectangle that hovers in midair. You step through the hole in space and find yourself inside the interkron. Interkron The interkron is a cramped space full of dials and switches. Directly in front of you is a slot with a key card in it and a green light next to it. The display screen is taken up by a world map, and there are ten years highlighted next to it. Under the keyboard, a technician has scrawled on a piece of t ape, "To go to a new timeplace, type 'timeset,' followed by the name of the city and the year that you want to go to. Eg. Timeset Rome 44." >ts rome 1940 You hear a low humming that slowly crescendos into a full-fledged roar. The interkron begins to shake and you become disoriented. You fall to the floor and pass out... When you awaken and struggle to your feet, you realize that you have travelled to Rome, in the year 1940. >out Cloaca Maxima You step out into a murky underground cavern. When your eyes adjust to the gloom you realize you are in the ancient Cloaca Maxima, the great underground sewer of Rome. Uninviting tunnels lead off in many directions, but a welcome ray of light filters down from an opening overhead. The air near one wall is shimmering. >out Street After 28 years under Benito Mussolini, much of ancient Rome has disappeared, replaced by huge, faceless monuments of Fascist Architecture. This part of the city, however, remains relatively unchanged. This quiet street runs southeast towards the Circus Maximus, and northwest towards the Vatican. There is a passageway between the buildings that leads south. Below your feet is an opening. >s Academy You are in a small park nestled in the heart of the city. It is unusually peaceful here, a rare island of tranquility that is sheltered from the noise and bustle of the busy metropolis. Set to one side is a comfortable-looking bench. An old man is sitting quietly on the bench. The old man is wearing a key. As soon as he sees you, the old man smiles and says, "Welcome." He gestures to a spot next to him on the bench, and says, "Won't you sit with me and discuss the philosophical issues of the day?" >sit You sit down on the bench. The old man looks delighted that you have joined him. He says, "Here at the academy we search for the truth. Those around us follow Camus and Sartre down their path of absurdism. They believe that humanity has no purpose and consequently are left feeling hopeless, bewildered, and an xious. We are not so sure and perhaps - in time - we shall learn more." >Ask about academy "As long as there is at least one student each generation, the academy will remain open. For remember, it is only by passing on what he has learned that a man transcends his own death." >Ask about aristotle "He undoubtedly was brilliant, but it's hard to tell because his writing is so incredibly boring." >Ask about attila "He shall remain condemned throughout history for his wanton slaughter of innocent people and for his callous destruction of centers of wisdom and learning." >Ask about augustine "His 'confessions' is an inspired work that will stir the soul of anyone who reads it." >Ask about averroes "All of Europe must be grateful to him and his fellow Arabs for keeping alive the knowledge of the Greeks during the centuries when Europe had fallen into darkness." >Ask about avicenna "All of Europe must be grateful to him and his fellow Arabs for keeping alive the knowledge of the Greeks during the centuries when Europe had fallen into darkness." >Ask about bench "It is a good place to sit, to think, to teach, to listen, and to learn." >Ask about boethius "He believed that virtue, despite appearances, never goes unrewarded and that whatever happens is for the 'highest good.' Comforting notions - but, I fear, false." >Ask about bruno "He is not very well known these days, but his ideas influenced a revolution." >Ask about caesar "He was brilliant in his time. But that was long ago." >Ask about camus "One must hope he is wrong. One must hope that each man can determine the meaning of his own life, and that the sum of mens' lives will one day be shown to have meaning." >Ask about charlemagne "His reign was the only bright spot in that era we now call the 'Dark Ages.' He must have been an extraordinary man to have kept the lamp of learning lit." >Ask about churchill "He is the very embodiment of the British bulldog spirit. Only time will tell if that spirit will be sufficient to overcome the evil that has fallen over Europe." >Ask about cleopatra "History tells us she was beautiful, but it must have been much more than beauty that enslaved the hearts of two successive rulers of Rome." >Ask about cloak "It is a symbol of academic learning. Those of us who wear it are dedicated to acquiring knowledge and passing it down to new generations." >Ask about descartes "He sought to prove the existence of God thusly: 'Because the idea of God as a perfect being exists, God therefore exists - because if He did not exist, then He would not be perfect.' This, of course, is merely a word game." >Ask about epicurus "He believed that serenity was based on pleasure - which he defined as the absence of pain. Those who practice debauchery and gluttony in his name are perverting his gentle philosophy." >Ask about god "Some believe God exists. Some don't. It appears to be a matter of faith, rather than of reason." >Ask about harun al-rashid "It is he upon whom the tales of Scheherazade are based. But who could ever believe such a man existed?" >Ask about himself "I am just an old philosopher." >Ask about hitler "Over and over again through history we see men such as he gain power through bigotry and terror. They must be stopped, but how many more people will die before the last of them falls from power?" >Ask about honoria "She lived long ago. Let her rest in peace." >Ask about issues "I'm glad you could spare the time to sit and chat. People seem to be in such a hurry these days." >Ask about king john "He simply couldn't see that man's desire for personal freedom is an inexorable historical force which may be sidetracked or suppressed for a time, but which ultimately cannot be stopped." >Ask about kant "Difficult to read, easy to believe." >Ask about key "It was given to me by one of my students. He told me that one day, somebody such as yourself would come asking for it, and that I should give it to him. I am delighted to fulfill his trust in me." He removes the key from around his neck and gives it to you. [Your score has just gone up by 20.] >Ask about log He gives you an odd look. "There hasn't been a log here for a thousand years." >Ask about machiavelli "They call him a teacher of treachery, but all I see in his works is extreme cynicism." >Ask about me "Obviously, you are a man of action who has had many adventures. Even you, however, may one day find it within you to lead a more contemplative life." >Ask about michaelangelo "He is the greatest sculptor that ever breathed." >Ask about montezuma "He was the leader of a people that committed unspeakable atrocities. It is fortunate that their culture was wiped off the face of the earth, no matter what redeeming qualities the generous-of-heart may wish to cite in their favor." >Ask about mussolini "He is the leader of the country, but he does not have the hearts of the people." >Ask about napoleon "Clearly a military genius. The world may never see another like him." >Ask about plato "Plato is the man who once wrote, 'The unexamined life is not worth living.' He is the undisputed master. All of philosophy is little more than a footnote to his works." >Ask about pope innocent Pope Innocent III is too far away to talk to. >Ask about religion "I think religion is a question of what one believes, rather than what one can prove. And I think that each man believes what he must, that he believes what he fears the least, that he believes that which will allow him to sleep at night. I also think religion has been the cause of so much bloodshed through history that one can only hope it has provided sufficient consolation to the faithful to atone for its own sins." >Ask about sartre "One must hope he is wrong. One must hope that each man can determine the meaning of his own life, and that the sum of mens' lives will one day be shown to have meaning." >Ask about socrates "He once taught, 'There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.' For this he was judged too dangerous to live by the citizens of Athens." >Ask about time "Time will ultimately defeat each of us, for each of us must die. But together, mankind can defeat time. Each of us can study and learn, and each of us can pass on that learning. If we do so, perhaps mankind will eventually learn to control time itself. Otherwise, we are nothing." >Ask about time travel "Obviously such a thing is not possible." >stand You stand up. >n Street This quiet street runs southeast towards the Circus Maximus, and northwest towards the Vatican. There is a passageway between the buildings that leads south. Below your feet is an opening. >in Cloaca Maxima You climb down into a murky underground cavern. When your eyes adjust to the gloom you realize you are in the ancient Cloaca Maxima, the great underground sewer of Rome. Uninviting tunnels lead off in many directions, but a welcome ray of light filters down from an opening overhead. The air near one wall is shimmering. >in You press the button on the wristlet and the shimmering melts away to reveal a black rectangle that hovers in midair. You step through the hole in space and find yourself inside the interkron. Interkron The interkron is a cramped space full of dials and switches. Directly in front of you is a slot with a key card in it and a green light next to it. The display screen is taken up by a world map, and there are ten years highlighted next to it. Under the keyboard, a technician has scrawled on a piece of t ape, "To go to a new timeplace, type 'timeset,' followed by the name of the city and the year that you want to go to. Eg. Timeset Rome 44." >ts baghdad 1361 You hear a low humming that slowly crescendos into a full-fledged roar. The interkron begins to shake and you become disoriented. You fall to the floor and pass out... When you awaken and struggle to your feet, you realize that you have travelled to Babylon, in the year 1361 B.C. >out Secluded Cave You are in an abandoned cave on a hillside halfway between the fabled city of Babylon and the village of Baghdad. The wall of the cave seems to shimmer, and the only exit lies to the west. >w Caravan Trail Here in the heart of the fertile crescent, civilization began with the discovery of agriculture over 9,000 years ago. The Sumerians, Akkadians, Assyrians, Amorites, and Hittites have all come and gone, and now Mesopotamia is part of the vast Babylonian empire. You are on a north-south road in the middle of nowhere. A caravan has stopped here to rest, as they have done since time immemorial. The travellers are ignoring you and their attitude suggests that you would be well advised to do the same. Up the hill to the east lies the entrance to a cave. >s You walk for a long time and eventually find yourself inside the ancient city of Babylon. Ishtar Square This is Ishtar Square in the heart of old Babylon, capital of a vast empire that stretches from India to the Mediterranean. The entrance to the Hanging Gardens is to the west, and the fabled Tower of Babel is to the east. The road out of town leaves to the north. >w Courtyard This is the courtyard below the hanging gardens of Babylon. You can go up to the roof or out to the east. Most of the courtyard is covered with vines that have been meticulously pruned. >up Hanging Gardens You are standing atop the legendary Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which give you a stunning view of the city. The lush gardens are enclosed by a low parapet that overlooks the courtyard below. The only exit leads back down into the courtya rd. >jump You fling yourself over the wall into the courtyard below. On your way down, you notice that the vines spell out a message that contains the name Zeke. Fortunately for you, the priests who maintain the sacred vines have bred them for strength and they break your fall, leaving you unhurt. Moments later you see someone else jump off the roof into the square. With no cushioning foliage, the poor soul dies instantly. "How lucky I am," you think to yourself. "There but for the grapes of God go I." Courtyard This is the courtyard below the hanging gardens of Babylon. You can go up to the roof or out to the east. Most of the courtyard is covered with vines that have been meticulously pruned. >up Hanging Gardens You are standing atop the legendary Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which give you a stunning view of the city. The lush gardens are enclosed by a low parapet that overlooks the courtyard below. The only exit leads back down into the courtya rd. >read vines You look over the parapet to the courtyard below. From this height you can see that the vines have been trained to grow in a pattern that spell out the English letters, "Zeke is Number One!" [Your score has just gone up by 1.] >down Courtyard This is the courtyard below the hanging gardens of Babylon. You can go up to the roof or out to the east. Most of the courtyard is covered with vines that have been meticulously pruned. >e Ishtar Square This is Ishtar Square in the heart of old Babylon, capital of a vast empire that stretches from India to the Mediterranean. The entrance to the Hanging Gardens is to the west, and the fabled Tower of Babel is to the east. The road out of town leaves to the north. >e You try to enter the Tower of Babel, but a voice on the other side says, "You must say the password to gain entry." >say east The door swings open and you step inside. Tower of Babel This is the temple at the foot of the Tower of Babel. There are several portraits on the wall here, each in an elaborate frame, all of which appear to be glowing. At the east end of the room is a door that probably leads up to the Tower Room. The west exit leads back out to the square. The frame around the door is glowing, and the door is standing ajar. [Your score has just gone up by 20.] >e You climb the stairs and stumble on the top step. You pause for an instant outside the door, and then boldly step through. You hardly notice the door clicking shut behind you, as your attention is riveted on a figure who looks just like yourself standing on one of two raised platforms in the room. The figure is rapidly dematerializing, and just before he disappears he suddenly flings his arm out and points towards the platform on the right. No sooner does he disappear than you hear ominous footsteps in the hall outside the door. Tower room You are in a room at the top of the legendary Tower of Babel. There are two prototype time machines here. The one on the left is labelled 'forward,' and the one on the right is labelled 'backward.' Some notes have been taped to the wall between the two machines. In the center of the room is a large contraption that contains a case with the ominous label "Doomsday Device." Inside the case is a red button labelled "Activate" and below it is keyhole labelled "Abort and Disable." At the moment the case is closed. The only exit is a locked door in the south wall. [Your score has just gone up by 30.] >Get in right platform You step on the platform and feel yourself begin to dematerialize. Then you black out for an instant and begin to re-materialize. When you stumble off the platform, you glance up at the wall clock and notice that the time is now 7:03 a.m. >look Tower room You are in a room at the top of the legendary Tower of Babel. There are two prototype time machines here. The one on the left is labelled 'forward,' and the one on the right is labelled 'backward.' Some notes have been taped to the wall between the two machines. In the center of the room is a large contraption that contains a case with the ominous label "Doomsday Device." Inside the case is a red button labelled "Activate" and below it is keyhole labelled "Abort and Disable." At the moment the case is closed. The only exit is a locked door in the south wall. >look at notes They look like lab notes made while Vettenmyer was building his interkron. "The machine on the left prototypes an interkron's forward circuitry. It is set for exactly 62 minutes. The machine on the right tests the backward circuitry, and it is set for 57 minutes. The power field on each machine takes 5 minutes to regenerate after the machine has been used." >wait 53 [I assume you mean 53 minutes.] Time passes... You hear someone coming up the stairs and stumble on the top step. Do you want to continue waiting? >n >get in left platform You step on the platform and feel yourself begin to dematerialize. As you do so, you see a figure that looks a lot like you enter the room. An instant before you disappear, you fling your arm out and point to the backward time machine. Then you black out for an instant and begin to re-materialize. materialize. When you stumble off the platform, you glance up at the wall clock and notice that the time is now 9:01 a.m. The red button over the keyhole is flashing. Vettenmyer is sprawled out on the floor, a laser gun just out of his reach in one direction, and a remote control unit under the foot of a figure who is tied to the chair. The person, who looks a lot like you, steps on the remote switch and the case pops open. >put key in keyhole You put the key in the keyhole. The red button stops flashing. [Your score has just gone up by 50.] Vettenmyer grabs the laser, leaps to his feet, and aims it at you. >get in right platform You step on the platform and start to dematerialize. Just before you disappear, the figure in the chair shouts, "Twenty five!" When you re-materialize, you discover that you have gone backwards in time 57 minutes. You also discover Vettenmyer in the room waiting for you. He grabs you and straps you into the chair. [Your score has just gone up by 25.] >wait 60 [I assume you mean 60 minutes.] Time passes... Vettenmyer says, "So nice of you to drop in. I do hope you've enjoyed our little chase. You've really been quite clever to solve all those puzzles - too bad it won't do you any good." He waves his laser gun at you and continues. "I thought you might like to sit and chat for a while before I turn on my Doomsday device. Please pardon the straps, but I wouldn't want to take any chances with someone who has been as resourceful as you." Do you want to continue waiting? >y Vettenmyer says, "Now that we're both going to die, I might as well tell you the secret of the double-notched key. Every member of the Temporal Corps is given a copy of the key upon his formal induction. The original key belonged to the man who discovered the secret of time travel. "He was afraid of what he had discovered, so he locked the secret in a box and gave the key to the wisest man he knew. This man, who ran a school in Rome, decided to use the knowledge to found the Temporal Corps. "I thought it would be a nice touch of irony to make that key the only thing that can disable the destruction device once it is turned on. I know you don't have a copy, and I'm certainly not going to give you mine. Vettenmyer lapses into a moody silence, and then speaks again. "I'm sure you're getting tired of waiting to die, so I'll give you a choice. I can kill you now with the laser, or, if you can guess the number I'm thinking of, I'll let you live long enough to see the destruction device work. I'll even give you a hint. The number is between one and a hundred." Do you want to continue waiting? >n >25 Vettenmyer looks at you in surprise. "That's right," he says. "I guess you'll be around until the bitter end." He pushes the remote control and the case pops open. Then he presses the red button - which begins to flash ominously - and snaps the case shut. [Your score has just gone up by 15.] >wait Time passes... Vettenmyer says, "I know another version of you is about to pop out of that machine. Pardon me while I get ready for him. He turns his back to you and aims his laser gun at the forward time machine. >Kick Vettenmyer You lash out with your foot and make solid contact. Vettenmyer goes sprawling on the floor and the laser skitters just beyond his outstretched hand. The remote control comes to rest at your feet. The other version of you starts to materialize on the forward time machine. >Step on remote control You step on the control and the case pops open. The other version of you leaps off the platform and rushes over to the case. He jams a key into the keyhole and turns off the Doomsday Device. The red button stops flashing and the device is disabled. Vettenmyer grabs the laser, leaps to his feet, and aims it at the other version of you. >Say 25 The other version of you leaps on the backward platform and begins to dematerialize. You shout out the word 'Twenty five' just as he disappears. Vettenmyer fires the laser, but it's too late. Vettenmyer spins and shouts at you, "How did you get that key!!??" He slams his fist down on the case. "NO ONE could have given it to you. It's part of the oath..." He suddenly becomes still. "...Unless..." He looks at you and says, "It was the old man, wasn't it? It must have been. Well, we can take care of that, my friend." He walks around behind you. "Get ready to take a little ride." You feel a sharp blow on the back of your head and pass out. When you come to, you are inside Vettenmyer's interkron, bound hand and foot. The machine is just finishing a time jump. Vettenmyer flings open the door and gives you a rough push. You stumble through the door and fall on the ground. [Your score has just gone up by 30.] Academy You look around for a few moments, not really seeing anything. Then a few familiar details swim into focus. After a few seconds you realize that Vettenmyer has taken you back to Rome and programmed the interkron to appear in the centuri es-old academy. >wait 60 [I assume you mean 60 minutes.] Time passes... Vettenmyer sneers at you, "Surprised, creep? This guy may have already given you the key, but if I snuff him now, he'll never found the Temporal Corps, and all of us will simply wink out of existence." Desperate to get free, you strain against the rope. Do you want to continue waiting? >y The old man stares at Vettenmyer, and slowly recovers from his shock. "From the evidence of my eyes and ears, you must be from the future, much as H.G. Wells predicted. But one thing puzzles me. If you seek to change the future by killing me, it won't work. I'm an old man who has only a short time to live. I plan to spend my few remaining days here at the academy, reflecting upon the nature of life as I have always done. Killing me would surely have no effect on this future you envision." You work the rope back and forth. It's definitely coming loose. Do you want to continue waiting? >y As the old man speaks, Vettenmyer becomes more and more agitated. Finally he explodes. "You're lying!" he shouts. "The Temporal Corps was founded right here on this very day. You know the location of that box and I can prove it." Vettenmyer pulls the old man off the bench and starts to search him with one hand while holding the laser on him with the other. Suddenly the old man lunges for the gun and the two of them scuffle. You hear a muffled shot and Vettenmyer slowly crumbles to the ground. With a massive effort, you manage to pull one hand free of the rope. Do you want to continue waiting? >y Vettenmyer's eyes come up to meet yours with a look of pure hatred. Slowly, he brings the gun up to aim at you, and you see his finger squeezing down on the trigger. You free your other hand and frantically start clawing the rope away from your legs. Do you want to continue waiting? >y With Vettenmyer's dying spasm, the laser goes off. In the same instant, the old man leaps between you and the gun, and the beam strikes him full in the chest. He sinks to the ground, blood seeping from a hole near his heart. You finally manage to tear the rope away and you rush to the old man's side. Do you want to continue waiting? >n >Ask about time travel The old man attempts to say something, but is disrupted by a bout of coughing. You gather the old man in your arms. He looks up at you and with his last breaths he says, "Individually, time must defeat each of us. But together, we may defeat time. Take the cloak. Pass on the knowledge. I don't know where mankind is going, but each of us must contribute towards the goal. Otherwise..." A spasm wracks his body and his fingers clutch your arm. Then his head falls to one side, and he is gone. >Wear cloak [Taking the cloak first.] [Your score has just gone up by 75, giving you a total of 1000 out of 1000 points.] WRITTEN BY machnavi@kelim.jct.ac.il http://www.jct.ac.il/~machnavi/html/avi.html =============================================================================== This File have been written by Avi Machness. for corrections / additions / comments please contact me at: machnavi@kelim.jct.ac.il Note: if you have points lists for any quest, or can give me more points for this one, please contact me ASAP. Thanks, Avi