text: [Themes: Horror, Surreal, Egypt]
  
  > describe your surroundings
  You stand near the centre of a faceted, hemispherical crystal dome as large as a stadium. Unusual rock formations protrude from the rocky floor, which is streaked with mysteriously luminescent veins of quartz. Beyond the dome nothing can be made out but distorted reflections.
  
  Thrusting out of the floor before you is a many-pointed stalagmite that holds in its clawed grip an immense, eye-like red crystal.
  
  Hovering here is a sphere composed of swirling mist.
  
  > touch the eye with the shard
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a low D sharp.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  > Continue
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which seems momentarily muffled as it is suffused with the light of the rod.
  
  The sphere drifts closer to you, lightly touching you with soothing tendrils of mist.
  
  > Continue
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which is momentarily muffled as light shines from the rod. But the crystal seems to reject the light, which dissipates in a scintillating spiral.
  
  > touch the eye with the shard
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a very high, piercing C sharp.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  The sphere drifts closer to you, lightly touching you with soothing tendrils of mist.
  
  > go east
  You are near the edge of the strange dome, where the walls plunge vertically into the solid stone of the floor.
  
  A star of black onyx floats at head height here without visible means of support, its irregular geometrical spikes vaguely disturbing.
  
  > Go west
  You stand near the centre of a faceted, hemispherical crystal dome as large as a stadium. Unusual rock formations protrude from the rocky floor, which is streaked with mysteriously luminescent veins of quartz. Beyond the dome nothing can be made out but distorted reflections.
  
  Thrusting out of the floor before you is a many-pointed stalagmite that holds in its clawed grip an immense, eye-like red crystal.
  
  Hovering here is a sphere composed of swirling mist.
  
  The sphere drifts closer to you, lightly touching you with soothing tendrils of mist.
  
  > touch eye with the smoky
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which seems momentarily muffled as it is shrouded in the smoke of the rod.
  
  The sphere floats up and down in time to your breathing.
  
  > keep going
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which seems momentarily muffled as it is shrouded in the smoke of the rod.
  
  > continue
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which is momentarily muffled as smoke pours from the rod. But the crystal seems to reject the smoke, which dissipates in an ascending ring.
  
  The sphere orbits mournfully around the glowing red crystal.
  
  > Continue
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which is momentarily muffled as smoke pours from the rod. But the crystal seems to reject the smoke, which dissipates in an ascending ring.
  
  > touch the eye with the shard
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a very low, rumbling E. Nearby, a second crystal responds with the same note, one octave higher, and the surrounding dome slowly begins to vibrate.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  The sphere drifts closer to you, lightly touching you with soothing tendrils of mist.
  
  > touch star with shard
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a low E. Nearby, a second crystal responds with the same note, one octave lower, and the surrounding dome slowly begins to vibrate.
  
  From somewhere nearby, another crystal responds with the exact same note. Instead of dying away, the sound rapidly builds into an excruciating crescendo that fills the dome as the crystals scream their pain. As the dome itself cracks in sympathy, the crystals can finally take no more, and explode violently, piercing you with a thousand shards...
  
  You were found near the skeleton of a window, neck impaled on an edge of blood-stained glass.
  
  > touch star with shard
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a high G sharp.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  > touch star with shard
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a very high, piercing E. Nearby, a second crystal responds with the same note, three octaves lower, and the surrounding dome slowly begins to vibrate.
  
  Then, a third crystal comes into resonance, and the chord swells to frightening volume, a desperate cry for release, as the speed of the dome's trembling increases.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  > touch ocean with the shard
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a low B.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  > touch the ocean with the shard
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a low E. Nearby, a second crystal responds with the same note, one octave lower, and the surrounding dome slowly begins to vibrate.
  
  From somewhere nearby, another crystal responds with the exact same note. Instead of dying away, the sound rapidly builds into an excruciating crescendo that fills the dome as the crystals scream their pain. As the dome itself cracks in sympathy, the crystals can finally take no more, and explode violently, piercing you with a thousand shards...
  
  You were found near the skeleton of a window, neck impaled on an edge of blood-stained glass.
  
  > touch the ocean with the shard
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a very high, piercing C sharp.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  > touch the ocean with the shard
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a very high, piercing G sharp.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  > touch the ocean with the shard
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which seems momentarily muffled as it is shrouded in the smoke of the rod.
  
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a high F sharp.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  > touch the ocean with the shard
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which seems momentarily muffled as it is shrouded in the smoke of the rod.
  
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a low B.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  > touch the ocean with the shard
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which seems momentarily muffled as it is shrouded in the smoke of the rod.
  
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a low E. Nearby, a second crystal responds with the same note, one octave lower, and the surrounding dome slowly begins to vibrate.
  
  From somewhere nearby, another crystal responds with the exact same note. Instead of dying away, the sound rapidly builds into an excruciating crescendo that fills the dome as the crystals scream their pain. As the dome itself cracks in sympathy, the crystals can finally take no more, and explode violently, piercing you with a thousand shards...
  
  You were found near the skeleton of a window, neck impaled on an edge of blood-stained glass.
  
  > touch the ocean with the shard
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which seems momentarily muffled as it is shrouded in the smoke of the rod.
  
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a very low, rumbling A.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  > touch the ocean with the shard
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which seems momentarily muffled as it is shrouded in the smoke of the rod.
  
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a very low, rumbling D.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  > touch the ocean with the shard
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which is momentarily muffled as smoke pours from the rod. But the crystal seems to reject the smoke, which dissipates in an ascending ring.
  
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a very low, rumbling D.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  > touch the eye with the glowing
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which is momentarily muffled as light shines from the rod. But the crystal seems to reject the light, which dissipates in a scintillating spiral.
  
  The sphere floats up and down in time to your breathing.
  
  > touch the eye with the glowing
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which is momentarily muffled as light shines from the rod. But the crystal seems to reject the light, which dissipates in a scintillating spiral.
  
  The sphere drifts closer to you, lightly touching you with soothing tendrils of mist.
  
  > touch the eye with the glowing
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which is momentarily muffled as light shines from the rod. But the crystal seems to reject the light, which dissipates in a scintillating spiral.
  
  The sphere drifts closer to you, lightly touching you with soothing tendrils of mist.
  
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which is momentarily muffled as light shines from the rod. But the crystal seems to reject the light, which dissipates in a scintillating spiral.
  
  > touch eye with the glowing
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which is momentarily muffled as light shines from the rod. But the crystal seems to reject the light, which dissipates in a scintillating spiral.
  
  > touch the eye with the shard
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a very high, piercing C sharp.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  The sphere orbits mournfully around the glowing red crystal.
  
  > touch the eye with the shard
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which seems momentarily muffled as it is shrouded in the smoke of the rod.
  
  The sphere floats up and down in time to your breathing.
  
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a high D. Nearby, a second crystal responds with the same note, two octaves lower, and the surrounding dome slowly begins to vibrate.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  > touch the eye with the shard
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which seems momentarily muffled as it is shrouded in the smoke of the rod.
  
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a low D sharp.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  The sphere drifts closer to you, lightly touching you with soothing tendrils of mist.
  
  > touch the eye with the shard
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which seems momentarily muffled as it is shrouded in the smoke of the rod.
  
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a very low, rumbling E. Nearby, a second crystal responds with the same note, one octave higher, and the surrounding dome slowly begins to vibrate.
  
  Then, a third crystal comes into resonance, and the chord swells to frightening volume, a desperate cry for release, as the speed of the dome's trembling increases.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  > touch the eye with the shard
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which is momentarily muffled as smoke pours from the rod. But the crystal seems to reject the smoke, which dissipates in an ascending ring.
  
  The sphere floats up and down in time to your breathing.
  
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a very low, rumbling E. Nearby, a second crystal responds with the same note, one octave higher, and the surrounding dome slowly begins to vibrate.
  
  Then, a third crystal comes into resonance, and the chord swells to frightening volume, a desperate cry for release, as the speed of the dome's trembling increases.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  The sphere orbits mournfully around the glowing red crystal.
  
  > touch the quartz with the glowing
  (the finger crystal with the glowing glass rod)
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which is momentarily muffled as light shines from the rod. But the crystal seems to reject the light, which dissipates in a scintillating spiral.
  
  > touch the quartz with shard
  (the finger crystal with the quartz shard)
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a very high, piercing A sharp.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  > touch the quartz with the shard
  (the finger crystal with the smoky glass rod)
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which seems momentarily muffled as it is shrouded in the smoke of the rod.
  
  (the finger crystal with the quartz shard)
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a very high, piercing E. Nearby, a second crystal responds with the same note, three octaves lower, and the surrounding dome slowly begins to vibrate.
  
  From somewhere nearby, another crystal responds with the exact same note. Instead of dying away, the sound rapidly builds into an excruciating crescendo that fills the dome as the crystals scream their pain. As the dome itself cracks in sympathy, the crystals can finally take no more, and explode violently, piercing you with a thousand shards...
  
  You were found near the skeleton of a window, neck impaled on an edge of blood-stained glass.
  
  > touch the quartz with smoky
  (the finger crystal with the smoky glass rod)
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which seems momentarily muffled as it is shrouded in the smoke of the rod.
  
  > touch the quartz with the shard
  (the finger crystal with the smoky glass rod)
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which seems momentarily muffled as it is shrouded in the smoke of the rod.
  
  (the finger crystal with the quartz shard)
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a high A sharp.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  > touch the quartz with the shard
  (the finger crystal with the smoky glass rod)
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which seems momentarily muffled as it is shrouded in the smoke of the rod.
  
  (the finger crystal with the quartz shard)
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a high E. Nearby, a second crystal responds with the same note, two octaves lower, and the surrounding dome slowly begins to vibrate.
  
  Then, a third crystal comes into resonance, and the chord swells to frightening volume, a desperate cry for release, as the speed of the dome's trembling increases.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  > touch the quartz with the shard
  (the finger crystal with the smoky glass rod)
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which seems momentarily muffled as it is shrouded in the smoke of the rod.
  
  (the finger crystal with the quartz shard)
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a low A sharp.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  > touch the quartz with the shard
  (the finger crystal with the smoky glass rod)
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which seems momentarily muffled as it is shrouded in the smoke of the rod.
  
  (the finger crystal with the quartz shard)
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a low E. Nearby, a second crystal responds with the same note, one octave lower, and the surrounding dome slowly begins to vibrate.
  
  Then, a third crystal comes into resonance, and the chord swells to frightening volume, a desperate cry for release, as the speed of the dome's trembling increases.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  > touch the quartz with the shard
  (the finger crystal with the quartz shard)
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a high E. Nearby, a second crystal responds with the same note, two octaves lower, and the surrounding dome slowly begins to vibrate.
  
  Then, a third crystal comes into resonance, and the chord swells to frightening volume, a desperate cry for release, as the speed of the dome's trembling increases.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  > Go northeast
  You stand near the centre of a faceted, hemispherical crystal dome as large as a stadium. Unusual rock formations protrude from the rocky floor, which is streaked with mysteriously luminescent veins of quartz. Beyond the dome nothing can be made out but distorted reflections.
  
  Thrusting out of the floor before you is a many-pointed stalagmite that holds in its clawed grip an immense, eye-like red crystal.
  
  Hovering here is a sphere composed of swirling mist.
  
  The sphere floats up and down in time to your breathing.
  
  > touch the eye with the shard
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a high D. Nearby, a second crystal responds with the same note, two octaves lower, and the surrounding dome slowly begins to vibrate.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  The sphere orbits mournfully around the glowing red crystal.
  
  > touch the eye with the smoky
  You strike the rod against the crystal, which seems momentarily muffled as it is shrouded in the smoke of the rod.
  
  The sphere drifts closer to you, lightly touching you with soothing tendrils of mist.
  
  > touch the eye with the shard
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a very low, rumbling E. Nearby, a second crystal responds with the same note, two octaves higher, and the surrounding dome slowly begins to vibrate.
  
  Then, a third crystal comes into resonance, and the chord swells to frightening volume, a desperate cry for release, as the speed of the dome's trembling increases.
  
  But the sound gradually dies away, and all is still again.
  
  > touch the ocean with the shard
  You strike it against the crystal. The crystal resonates powerfully with a low E. Nearby, a second crystal responds with the same note, one octave lower, and the surrounding dome slowly begins to vibrate.
  
  Then, a third crystal comes into resonance, and the chord swells to frightening volume, a desperate cry for release, as the speed of the dome's trembling increases.
  
  As the last crystal joins the chorus, the floor itself trembles with a sound that is nearly deafening even with your fingers tightly in your ears. The dome can take no more, and shatters with a sound that would once have been terrifying, but is now almost a gentle tinkle, as the chord of octaves transforms into an exultant song of freedom. Beyond the dome lies a strange sky, and the misty sphere whispers its thanks to you as it swirls away into the flaming red heavens. You raise your arm to protect your face from the rain of fragments from the falling dome...
  
  And hit the mantelpiece, for you are suddenly awake in your living room, lying by the fire, feeling relieved and somewhat more secure about yourself.
  
  [You are no longer afraid of sounds.]
  
  This spacious room is comfortably if sparsely furnished. A plush sofa and two matching armchairs are arranged around a low wooden tea-table. Curtains hang over the long windows on the south wall, keeping the warmth from the old electric fireplace in; a clock hangs over the mantelpiece. The overall effect might even be cosy, were it not for the stark white glare of the unshielded bulb dangling from the ceiling.
  
  A simple wooden staircase on the west wall leads up to the first floor; underneath the stairs is an utility closet. The kitchen can be seen through the empty doorway to the east.
  
  The front door is reassuringly and securely locked.
  
  On the kitchen doorway is a can of white paint.
  
  You can also see a pair of gloves and an ornamental plate here.