Scroll Thief — 78 of 138

Section C - The Window and the Dome

The circular window is part of the domed ceiling. Understand "oculus" or "compluvium" as the circular window.

Instead of examining or searching the circular window when the player is not flying: say "It's too far away to really see anything through it. You'd need to be higher up."

The description of the window is "If you position yourself just right, it frames the moon perfectly. The word 'MAGIC' is carved around the edge."

Instead of an actor searching the circular window, try the actor entering the window.

Instead of an actor going up in the Antechamber, try the actor entering the window.

Instead of entering the circular window when the player is not flying, say "That is difficult without the ability to fly.".

Instead of someone entering the circular window:

if the player can see the actor, say "[The actor] doesn't seem to have [if the actor is flying]enough control of [their] flight to go straight up[else]the ability to fly[end if].";

if the actor is the Adventurer, record the Adventurer's attempt as successful.

Instead of entering the circular window:

take full time;

say "You brace against the floor and push off with as much force as you can. You drift upwards towards the window...closer...closer...then right at the apex you manage to grip the edge of the window and pull yourself through.";

award points for "getting on top of the dome";

move the player to Atop the Dome.

Atop the Dome is a lighted room in the Library. "You are sitting at the very top of the dome, looking out over the landscape. Low hills stretch toward the horizon, interrupted by the meandering ribbon of the Borphee River flowing out toward the Great Sea.[if it is nighttime] The moon is rising over the sea now, its light painting the water in shining silver.[else if it is sunrise] The sun is just beginning to rise over the sea, turning the water to shining gold.[else if it is sunset] The last rays of the setting sun send long shadows across the land and paint the sea a deep red.[end if] [if it is nighttime or it is crepuscular]At this time of night the entire world seems asleep; w[else]W[end if]hatever has happened at the meeting of the Guildmasters, whatever the problems with magic, nothing now breaks the serene calmness of this [if it is nighttime or it is sunrise]early-morning [else if it is sunset]late evening [end if]scene."

Instead of facing a direction in Atop the Dome: say "The view is beautiful at this time of [if it is nighttime or it is sunset]night[else]day[end if]."; take full time.

The hole in the dome is scenery in Atop the Dome. Understand "circular" or "window" or "impluvium" or "compluvium" as the hole in the dome.

Instead of an actor entering the hole: try the actor going down.

The moon is lit distant scenery in Atop the Dome. The description of the moon is "The moon is full tonight, and seems to shine golden over the Great Sea."

The stars are lit distant insubstantial scenery in Atop the Dome. The description of the stars is "Somehow they seem especially bright tonight."

The sun is lit distant scenery. The description of the sun is "You glance at the sun for a moment, then turn away, eyes stinging."

When sunrise begins:

remove the stars from play;

move the sun to Atop the Dome;

if the location is Atop the Dome, say "The sky brightens as the sun begins to show above the eastern horizon."

When day begins:

remove the moon from play.

When sunset begins:

move the moon to Atop the Dome;

if the location is Atop the Dome, say "The edge of the sun touches the horizon, beginning to sink behind the hills."

When night begins:

remove the sun from play;

move the stars to Atop the Dome;

if the location is Atop the Dome, say "The last traces of sunlight disappear."

Some low hills are distant scenery in Atop the Dome. The description of the hills is "[if it is nighttime]The moonlight tints them silvery-gray.[else]From this distance they are visible only as greenish ripples in the landscape."

The Borphee River is distant scenery in Atop the Dome. The description of the river is "The water reflects the [if it is nighttime]moon[else]sun[end if]light, seeming to glow."

The Great Sea is distant scenery in Atop the Dome. Understand "horizon" or "eastern" as the sea. The description of the sea is "The sea stretches out endlessly toward the eastern horizon."

Instead of an actor going nowhere in Atop the Dome:

if the actor is the Adventurer, record the Adventurer's attempt as successful;

if the player can see the actor:

if the actor is flying, say "[The actor] [let] [themselves] drift off to the side for a moment before pulling [themselves] back to the dome.";

otherwise say "There is nowhere to go[--]the dome slants down sharply at the edges and [regarding the actor][they] would be likely to fall.";

take full time.

Before an actor going down from Atop the Dome:

if the actor is flying:

if the player can see the actor or the player can see the Antechamber, say "[The actor] [drift] gently back down into the Antechamber[if the actor is the player]..[/br][end if].";

otherwise:

if the actor is the Adventurer, record the Adventurer's attempt as successful;

if the actor is the player, say "That would likely prove fatal.";

stop the action.

Instead of an actor jumping in Atop the Dome: try the actor going down.

Below Atop the Dome is the Antechamber. Above the Antechamber is nothing.

Empowered effect of casting lesoch at when the location is Atop the Dome and the second noun is Atop the Dome or the location of the second noun is Atop the Dome: [The player is casting lesoch while standing there in person.]

say "The air all around the dome seems to quiet for a moment. But only for a moment. Then suddenly a wind picks up, blowing faster and faster as your spell whips it into a frenzy. At the center of the tempest stand you, perched atop the dome, and your balance is more and more precarious...[p]";

if there is an other substantial person (called the victim) in Atop the Dome:

say "Out of the corner of your eye, you see [the victim] losing [their] grip on the edge of the balcony. But now you have more pressing concerns.[p]";

now every other substantial thing in Atop the Dome is nowhere;

if the player is flying:

say "You control your flight as well as you can, flapping your arms frantically to remain right above the center. It isn't enough. A sudden gust catches you off-guard, and before you realize what is happening you've been flung directly into the gale. In a whirl of motion you are soaring uncontrollably away from the library...[p]";

otherwise:

say "You hold your arms out and try to remain steady, but it isn't enough. A sudden gust catches you by surprise and you are falling from the dome...and then the wind catches in your robes, and you are once again flying, riding the furious winds...[p]";

say "It is an exhilirating experience, which is all too soon cut short as your body collides with the ground.";

record "Riding the winds" as an ending;

end the story saying "You have died".

Effect of casting lesoch at Atop the Dome:

say "The air swirls around the perimeter of the dome, focusing for a moment above the window before dispersing.";

if there is a light substantial thing in Atop the Dome:

say "[br][The list of light substantial things in Atop the Dome] [are] swept away before you can react.";

now every light substantial thing in Atop the Dome is nowhere.

Empowered effect of casting lesoch at when the location is not Atop the Dome and the second noun is Atop the Dome or the location of the second noun is Atop the Dome: [The player is casting lesoch through a scrying device to create wind from a distance.]

say "The air all around the dome seems to quiet for a moment. Then suddenly a wind picks up, blowing faster and faster as your spell whips it into a frenzy.[p]";

if there is a substantial person in Atop the Dome:

say "[The list of substantial people in Atop the Dome] [are] caught by surprise, trying unsuccessfully to keep [their] balance. But the winds are too strong, and in a moment [they] [are] gone.";

if the Adventurer is in Atop the Dome:

award the "You Monster" achievement;

else if there is a substantial thing in Atop the Dome:

say "[The list of substantial things in Atop the Dome] [are] swept up in the tempest and [are] quickly lost from view.";

otherwise:

say "A few seconds later it subsides ineffectually.";

now every substantial thing in Atop the Dome is nowhere.

Effect of casting vezza at Atop the Dome: say "The sun is [if it is daytime or sunrise is happening]setting over the hills[else]rising over the sea[end if]."

Empowered effect of casting vezza at Atop the Dome: say "A number of ships are sailing east across the Great Sea, tacking into the wind."

Inverse effect of casting vezza at Atop the Dome: say "A young man sits at the top of the dome, looking down into the Antechamber below. He seems to be contemplating something."