text: > look around
  There lots of shelfs in this room. Them on every wall. This room probably have lots and lots of thing in it before. But shelfs all empty now. Grunk not see any thing there at all. Maybe Grunk see more if Grunk have torch that on fire. But probably not, because lots of light come from northwest doorway. There doorway to west too.
  
  There stone chest at back of room.
  
  > go west
  It dark. Grunk see lots of shadow. Grunk see doorway to east and west, too. But mostly shadow.
  
  Gkrktkgkx! What that strange noise?
  
  > listen
  Sound like snoring.
  
  Gkrktkgkx!
  
  > Shout
  RAAARRRR!
  
  Strange noise stop. Then voice shout, "Ztorf!"
  
  Room light up! Grunk see little bed and trunk and desk and little man in bed. Light come from blue ball that sit on desk. Little man climb out of bed and put on pair of pointy slipper. Him walk over and squint at Grunk. "Huh," him say. "An orc."
  
  Grunk say that Grunk orc. Then little man (Grunk think him called "gnome") pull out little stool from desk and sit down.
  
  "Well, Grunk," him say, "What do you want?"
  
  > stick out the tongue at the man
  HAW HAW HAW! Stupid gnome.
  
  Gnome search around inside desk drawer for little bit, until him give up.
  
  > Smell Gnome
  Gnome look at Grunk. Him ask, "Do you mind?"
  
  Gnome go over to trunk and open it up. Him start searching in there.
  
  > Poke gnome
  "Ow!" Gnome look hurt. "What was that for?"
  
  Gnome shake head and close trunk. Then him look under bed.
  
  > ask Gnome about Gnome
  Grunk ask gnome about gnome.
  
  Gnome look away. "Me? I'm nobody special. I just take care of the shrine, now that no one else does."
  
  Gnome peek up on shelf. Then him look under desk. Then him look around at room.
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE or ASK GNOME ABOUT THIS PLACE. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > look under the bed
  There nothing at all under bed. Not even book.
  
  Gnome ask, "Find anything new?"
  
  > ask Gnome about the shrine
  Grunk ask gnome about this place.
  
  Gnome say, "This is a shrine dedicated to a gnomish alchemist who became slightly famous a number of years ago for coming up with a few random inventions."
  
  Gnome sigh. "Well, it's gone. I can't find my copy of Mogglev's The Shocking Force anywhere."
  
  Gnome go back to desk and sit down.
  
  "I don't even know how long it's been missing," him say. "It's probably in the hands of that last band of looters now."
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT INVENTION or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > tell Gnome about PIG
  Grunk tell gnome about how pig get lost.
  
  "I can see why your boss would be mad at you," Gnome say, "if you did indeed leave the gate open."
  
  Gnome open up desk drawer and take out tray with lots of different cup and tube and jar and bottle and thing on it.
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT INVENTION or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask Gnome about the looters
  Grunk ask gnome about looting.
  
  Gnome say, "Every few years, this place is discovered by another band of passing adventurers. They come in, search for any treasures they can swipe as souvenirs, do a little vandalism, and then get bored as soon as they realize there are no monsters around to kill." Him shrug. "It's deplorable, but what can you do?"
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT INVENTION or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask Gnome about the invention
  Grunk ask gnome about alchemist invention.
  
  "Oh, he had a few new ideas, I suppose." Gnome look up at wall. Grunk think that mean him thinking. Or maybe him see word on wall. "There was the color magnet. Proof paper." Gnome add, "And of course, there's his work on the principles of mossfuressence."
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask Gnome about the inventions
  Grunk ask gnome about alchemist invention.
  
  "Oh, he had a few new ideas, I suppose." Gnome look up at wall. Grunk think that mean him thinking. Or maybe him see word on wall. "There was the color magnet. Proof paper." Gnome add, "And of course, there's his work on the principles of thermomechanics."
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask Gnome about Jota
  Grunk tell gnome all about Jota.
  
  Gnome say, "It sounds like he's given you quite a bit of help with this project. Although I admit I don't quite understand how you happen to know him."
  
  Gnome blow on stuff in bottle. But nothing special happen.
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > Kiss Gnome
  Gnome push Grunk away. "I really don't think I'm your type, Grunk." Then him get pale. "At least... I dearly hope I'm not."
  
  Gnome stare into swirly stuff in bottle. Mmm, swirly.
  
  > ask Gnome about the xyzzy
  Grunk ask gnome about magic word.
  
  Gnome say, "Magic words usually serve to activate some already prepared magical effects in the local area, such as teleportation. They can be quite useful, and I admit I've used them myself -- but only as a trigger for alchemy, of course."
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMY or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE or ASK GNOME ABOUT MAGIC. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask Gnome about if
  Grunk tell gnome all about story contest and about story that Grunk telling.
  
  "And you say that I'm just a character in your story?" Gnome shake head and smile. "You will forgive me if I find that a little difficult to swallow."
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMY or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE or ASK GNOME ABOUT MAGIC. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask gnome about pole
  Grunk tell gnome about long pole.
  
  "That would probably be the color magnet," say gnome. "Unfortunately, after all the looters there've been here, I think that green-painted one is the only one we have left."
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT COLOR MAGNET or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMY or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE or ASK GNOME ABOUT MAGIC. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask Gnome about the ifmud
  Grunk tell gnome all about ifMUD.
  
  Gnome just shake head. Grunk think gnome maybe not believe Grunk. But it all true!
  
  Gnome put little bit of gunk from one tube into other tube. But gunk not mix. Just make two gunk.
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT COLOR MAGNET or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMY or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE or ASK GNOME ABOUT MAGIC. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask Gnome about the inky
  Grunk tell gnome all about inky.
  
  Gnome say, "Well, as long as he's a friendly ghost, I suppose that's alright."
  
  Gnome stare into swirly stuff in bottle. Mmm, swirly.
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT COLOR MAGNET or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMY or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE or ASK GNOME ABOUT MAGIC. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask Gnome about the comp
  Grunk tell gnome all about story contest and about story that Grunk telling.
  
  "And you say that I'm just a character in your story?" Gnome shake head and smile. "You will forgive me if I find that a little difficult to swallow."
  
  Gnome pick up cup of brown water and sip from it. Then him smile.
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT COLOR MAGNET or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMY or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE or ASK GNOME ABOUT MAGIC. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask Gnome about the maga
  Grunk tell gnome about maga.
  
  Gnome nod. "Ah," him say, "Philosophy."
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT PHILOSOPHY or ASK GNOME ABOUT COLOR MAGNET or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMY or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE or ASK GNOME ABOUT MAGIC. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask Gnome about Jacqueline
  Grunk tell gnome all about Jacqueline.
  
  Gnome say, "A ranger, huh? I bet she has a pet bear."
  
  Gnome drink brown water. Him smile at Grunk. Maybe brown water tasty.
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT PHILOSOPHY or ASK GNOME ABOUT COLOR MAGNET or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMY or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE or ASK GNOME ABOUT MAGIC. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask Gnome about Jacqueline
  Grunk tell gnome all about Jacqueline.
  
  Gnome say, "A ranger, huh? I bet she has a pet bear."
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT PHILOSOPHY or ASK GNOME ABOUT COLOR MAGNET or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMY or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE or ASK GNOME ABOUT MAGIC. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask Gnome about the ifmud
  Grunk tell gnome all about ifMUD.
  
  Gnome just shake head. Grunk think gnome maybe not believe Grunk. But it all true!
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT PHILOSOPHY or ASK GNOME ABOUT COLOR MAGNET or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMY or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE or ASK GNOME ABOUT MAGIC. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask Gnome about philosophy
  What that mean, ASK GNOME ABOUT PHILOSOPHY or ASK GNOME ABOUT PHILOSOPHER'S STONE?
  
  > hug Gnome
  Gnome push Grunk away. "I really don't think I'm your type, Grunk." Then him get pale. "At least... I dearly hope I'm not."
  
  Gnome swirl brown water around. Then him sip some more.
  
  > Inventory
  Grunk have:
  pole
  coin
  tube
  pants (black and sooty and wet)
  torch (black and sooty)
  
  Gnome gulp down last of brown water. Put cup back on tray.
  
  > ask Gnome about fountain
  Grunk tell gnome about how fountain not working.
  
  Gnome sigh. "Yes, It's been that way for quite some time. The plumbing contractor said he would be here to look at it some time between ten o'clock and the vernal equinox." Then gnome say, "Unfortunately, he never said which vernal equinox."
  
  Gnome put tray back away inside desk.
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT PHILOSOPHY or ASK GNOME ABOUT EQUINOX or ASK GNOME ABOUT PLUMBER or ASK GNOME ABOUT COLOR MAGNET or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMY or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE or ASK GNOME ABOUT MAGIC. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > show the pants to Gnome
  Grunk tell gnome all about Grunk favorite pants.
  
  Gnome say, "It sounds as though those pants have had nearly as much of an adventure as you have. But I do wish you would put them back on."
  
  Gnome open up drawer and take out pile of different paper. Him take out pen and little bottle, too.
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT PHILOSOPHY or ASK GNOME ABOUT EQUINOX or ASK GNOME ABOUT PLUMBER or ASK GNOME ABOUT ADVENTURE or ASK GNOME ABOUT COLOR MAGNET or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMY or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE or ASK GNOME ABOUT MAGIC. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask Gnome about the zarf
  Grunk tell gnome all about Zarf.
  
  Gnome ask, "Are you sure that's actually a person, and not some kind of magic word?"
  
  Gnome put pile of paper on desk. Then gnome put little bottle on desk. Then gnome open up little bottle. Then gnome stick pen in little bottle.
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT PHILOSOPHY or ASK GNOME ABOUT EQUINOX or ASK GNOME ABOUT PLUMBER or ASK GNOME ABOUT ADVENTURE or ASK GNOME ABOUT COLOR MAGNET or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMY or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE or ASK GNOME ABOUT MAGIC. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > wear the pants
  OK, Grunk put on pants.
  
  Gnome turn to Grunk and say, "Thank you. I do appreciate that."
  
  > eat Gnome
  Mmm, gnome...
  
  Gnome turn and look at Grunk. Him ask, "Are you drooling on me?"
  
  Grunk not say anything. Just wipe mouth off.
  
  "Well, stop it." Then him go back to doing other thing.
  
  > ask Gnome about the pole
  Grunk tell gnome about long pole.
  
  "That would probably be the color magnet," say gnome. "Unfortunately, after all the looters there've been here, I think that green-painted one is the only one we have left."
  
  Gnome draw picture of little man wearing funny hat. Gnome grin. Then him hide that paper under bottom of pile.
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT PHILOSOPHY or ASK GNOME ABOUT EQUINOX or ASK GNOME ABOUT PLUMBER or ASK GNOME ABOUT ADVENTURE or ASK GNOME ABOUT COLOR MAGNET or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMY or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE or ASK GNOME ABOUT MAGIC. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > show the coin to gnome
  Grunk tell gnome about coin that Grunk find.
  
  Gnome laugh. "So you're a rich man now, Grunk. Don't spend it all in one go."
  
  Gnome try drawing thing, but it not make any mark. So gnome poke pen into bottle again.
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT PHILOSOPHY or ASK GNOME ABOUT EQUINOX or ASK GNOME ABOUT PLUMBER or ASK GNOME ABOUT ADVENTURE or ASK GNOME ABOUT COLOR MAGNET or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMY or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE or ASK GNOME ABOUT MAGIC. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask Gnome about the color magnet
  Grunk ask gnome about color magnet.
  
  Gnome say, "The basic principle of chromatic magnetism is the same as that of traditional polar magnetism: opposites attract."
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT PHILOSOPHY or ASK GNOME ABOUT EQUINOX or ASK GNOME ABOUT PLUMBER or ASK GNOME ABOUT ADVENTURE or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMY or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE or ASK GNOME ABOUT MAGIC. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask Gnome about the plumber
  Grunk ask gnome about "plumbing contractor" thing.
  
  Gnome say, "Most dwarves I've met have been perfectly trustworthy. Plumbers, however, are a decided exception."
  
  Gnome mutter, "I could solve this, I think, if I could consult the right reference material..."
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT PHILOSOPHY or ASK GNOME ABOUT EQUINOX or ASK GNOME ABOUT ADVENTURE or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMY or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME HOW LONG GNOME HERE or ASK GNOME ABOUT MAGIC. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask Gnome how long gnome here
  Grunk ask gnome how long him here for.
  
  Gnome say, "I've been down here alone for at least--" Gnome look at Grunk and laugh. "Well, let's just say it's probably it's probably longer than you can count."
  
  Wow. Gnome here for more than seven!
  
  Gnome draw strange curly picture with lots of swoopy bits and little marks next to each bit.
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT PHILOSOPHY or ASK GNOME ABOUT EQUINOX or ASK GNOME ABOUT ADVENTURE or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMY or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST or ASK GNOME ABOUT MAGIC. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask Gnome about the magic
  Grunk ask gnome about magic.
  
  Gnome say, "I suppose magic has its purposes, but I've always found alchemy to be much more practical."
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT PHILOSOPHY or ASK GNOME ABOUT EQUINOX or ASK GNOME ABOUT ADVENTURE or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMY or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask Gnome about the alchemy
  Grunk ask gnome what "alchemy" mean.
  
  Gnome say, "Alchemy is the science of studying the principles at work in nature, dissecting them into their component aspects, and then recombining them in new and useful configurations."
  
  Gnome close up bottle. Then him pick up papers and bottle and put it all away.
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT PHILOSOPHY or ASK GNOME ABOUT EQUINOX or ASK GNOME ABOUT ADVENTURE or ASK GNOME ABOUT SCIENCE or ASK GNOME ABOUT NATURE or ASK GNOME ABOUT ALCHEMIST. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask Gnome about alchemist
  Grunk ask gnome about famous alchemist gnome.
  
  "His name was Zugilbor Galrogginpots sem Endali dec Frebensalbibit. Many people seemed to think his inventions made him something special." Gnome shrug. "Special enough to have this shrine built for him, anyway. But not enough to remember him a few years later."
  
  Gnome sigh. "I wish I knew where that Mogglev's ended up."
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT PHILOSOPHY or ASK GNOME ABOUT EQUINOX or ASK GNOME ABOUT ADVENTURE or ASK GNOME ABOUT SCIENCE or ASK GNOME ABOUT NATURE. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask GNOME about the science
  Grunk ask gnome what "science" mean.
  
  Gnome say, "Science is about the quest for knowledge."
  
  Gnome open up drawer and take out pile of different paper. Him take out pen and little bottle, too.
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT PHILOSOPHY or ASK GNOME ABOUT EQUINOX or ASK GNOME ABOUT ADVENTURE or ASK GNOME ABOUT NATURE. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask Gnome about the equinox
  Grunk ask gnome what "equinox" mean.
  
  Gnome say, "An equinox is when the day and the night are exactly the same length."
  
  Gnome put pile of paper on desk. Then gnome put little bottle on desk. Then gnome open up little bottle. Then gnome stick pen in little bottle.
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT PHILOSOPHY or ASK GNOME ABOUT ADVENTURE or ASK GNOME ABOUT NATURE or TELL GNOME WHAT GRUNK THINK ABOUT AT NIGHT or ASK GNOME ABOUT DAY. And probably other thing too.]
  
  > ask Gnome about the day
  Grunk ask what gnome think about daytime.
  
  "They say that the sun is just a giant ball of flaming magic that's orbiting the world." Gnome make odd little noise with teeth. "But just between you and me, I don't believe a word of it."
  
  [Grunk can try ASK GNOME ABOUT PHILOSOPHY or ASK GNOME ABOUT ADVENTURE or ASK GNOME ABOUT NATURE or TELL GNOME WHAT GRUNK THINK ABOUT AT NIGHT. And probably other thing too.]