text: > Look around
  You are in a room-sized vault, with a shelf along one wall. The shelf has nothing on it at the moment.
  
  There are some crystal fragments scattered around.
  
  The ceiling is glowing.
  
  The west wall is hot.
  
  The door is shadowy and cold.
  
  You feel kind and caring towards the scroll.
  
  The room feels hot.
  
  The room is very bright.
  
  > examine the fragments
  Some fragments left over from the shattered crystal.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > examine the fragments
  Some fragments left over from the shattered crystal.
  
  > get fragments
  The fragments of crystal aren't important.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > point at the east wall
  You point your finger at the east wall.
  
  > give up
  Just as you are about to give up in despair, a thought occurs to you: Someone, somewhere in world, has probably just eaten a cucumber.
  
  It doesn't make any sense really, but it keeps your mind occupied for a while, and you forget your dark thoughts of despair.
  
  > Pet creature
  The bars of the cage are too close together for you to reach inside without opening it.
  
  > Kiss creature
  That's a bit difficult while the creature is in the cage.
  
  > give the egg to the creature
  You poke the Easter egg through the bars of the cage, and it disappears in a single bite.
  
  The creature makes some snuffling sounds.
  
  > open the cage
  You open the brass cage. It feels cold.
  
  The creature sniffs your hand, but doesn't try to escape.
  
  > get the creature
  It lets you pick it up out of the cage.
  
  > lick it
  That could be bad for your health.
  
  > smell it
  The creature smells faintly like a wet dog.
  
  > search the creature
  The creature seems willing to let you pat it now that you have fed it. It feels matted and hairy. It twitters in appreciation.
  
  > point at the creature
  You point your finger at the creature in your arms.
  
  The creature twitters quietly to itself.
  
  > Inv
  You are carrying:
  an invisible creature
  an open brass cage (cold)
  a piece of parchment
  a leather bound book
  a vial of liquid (shadowy) with a cork stopper
  a scroll
  
  The creature licks your face.
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying:
  an invisible creature
  an open brass cage (cold)
  a piece of parchment
  a leather bound book
  a vial of liquid (shadowy) with a cork stopper
  a scroll
  
  The creature twitters quietly to itself.
  
  > check what you're carrying
  You are carrying:
  an open brass cage (cold) with an invisible creature inside it
  a piece of parchment
  a leather bound book
  a vial of liquid (shadowy) with a cork stopper
  a scroll
  
  > check what you're carrying
  You are carrying:
  a brass cage (cold) with an invisible creature inside it
  a piece of parchment
  a leather bound book
  a vial of liquid (shadowy) with a cork stopper
  a scroll
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > think about the easter eggs
  Mmm. Chocolate. You wonder where you can get some more.
  
  Your thoughts wander to the numbering system in the book. Odd.
  
  > Page six
  The sixth page says:
  
  value of pi, the square root of two, and other
  esoteric numbers; calculus and trigonometry; and
  how to prove things in a rigorous, logical fashion.
  Numbers in the Laodian culture were formed
  using admirably simple rules (historian
  x's claims to the contrary notwithstanding):
  A value is doubled by prefixing it with "ma";
  no value but zero ends with this syllable. If
  it is prefixed with "to", double and add one.
  "Matoto", for example, represents the number six,
  as this is twice "toto", the number three; and
  "to" alone is of course unity. It seems that no
  other culture used this kind of representation.
  
  The first letter in each line is written in silver, spelling "Aveh Nux Ani Mato".
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > think about the cucumber
  Hmm ... cucumber.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > think about the chocolate
  Mmm. Chocolate. You wonder where you can get some more.
  
  Your thoughts wander to the numbering system in the book. Odd.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > think about X
  Hmm ... x.
  
  > Page one
  The first page says:
  
  various sciences of the natural world,
  entirely in disagreement with certain
  historical surveyors who shall remain
  Nameless in the present work, but shall be
  understood by the algebraic designation
  x.
  
  The first letter in each line is written in silver, spelling "Suveh Nux".
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > think about the david fisher
  Hmm ... david fisher.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > Page two
  The second page says:
  
  Ancient races such as the Meohan, a
  very sophisticated and reasonable
  ethnic group indeed, possessed
  horological devices of such accurate
  Timing that they could predict
  imminent eclipses, conjunctions
  and other such astronomical phenomena.
  
  The first letter in each line is written in silver, spelling "Aveh Tia".
  
  > Page three
  The third page says:
  
  Another highly developed race of antiquity,
  vanquished by the Meohan, were the Sundar --
  exquisite workers in metal, gemstones and
  heated glass. Their susceptibility to the
  Meohan's warlike methods was only due to
  a civil war between rival noble families,
  devastating the nation's standing army
  at a very inopportune time; their enemies
  had a distinct numerical advantage as a result.
  
  The first letter in each line is written in silver, spelling "Aveh Madah".
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > Page 4
  The fourth page says:
  
  underestimated. They were experts in shaping
  very large blocks of marble or granite, which the
  evidence suggests were used for constructing
  huge, elaborate tombs for their deceased rulers.
  Sundar stone shaping involved making the stone
  extremely cold with buckets of ice imported from
  nearby Aoeteria, and then rapidly heating the
  stone with an intense blaze, which would split
  it along the desired fault line.
  
  The first letter in each line is written in silver, spelling "Suveh Sensi".
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > Page 5
  The fifth page says:
  
  Anatomy, Physiology and Biology were among the
  various subjects studied and perfected by the
  ethnic group known jointly as the Andira, who
  had more than a passing understanding of the
  Holistic nature of such endeavours. Medical
  advances of various and sundry kinds were
  invented by this group, and it must certainly be
  acknowledged that much of their skill and the
  knowledge they possessed far exceeds our own.
  
  The first letter in each line is written in silver, spelling "Aveh Haiak".
  
  > Page 88
  All the pages after page six are blank. You turn back to page six.
  
  The sixth page says:
  
  value of pi, the square root of two, and other
  esoteric numbers; calculus and trigonometry; and
  how to prove things in a rigorous, logical fashion.
  Numbers in the Laodian culture were formed
  using admirably simple rules (historian
  x's claims to the contrary notwithstanding):
  A value is doubled by prefixing it with "ma";
  no value but zero ends with this syllable. If
  it is prefixed with "to", double and add one.
  "Matoto", for example, represents the number six,
  as this is twice "toto", the number three; and
  "to" alone is of course unity. It seems that no
  other culture used this kind of representation.
  
  The first letter in each line is written in silver, spelling "Aveh Nux Ani Mato".
  
  > point to the page six
  You point your finger at the leather bound book.
  
  > Page 69105
  All the pages after page six are blank. You turn back to page six.
  
  The sixth page says:
  
  value of pi, the square root of two, and other
  esoteric numbers; calculus and trigonometry; and
  how to prove things in a rigorous, logical fashion.
  Numbers in the Laodian culture were formed
  using admirably simple rules (historian
  x's claims to the contrary notwithstanding):
  A value is doubled by prefixing it with "ma";
  no value but zero ends with this syllable. If
  it is prefixed with "to", double and add one.
  "Matoto", for example, represents the number six,
  as this is twice "toto", the number three; and
  "to" alone is of course unity. It seems that no
  other culture used this kind of representation.
  
  The first letter in each line is written in silver, spelling "Aveh Nux Ani Mato".
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > Suveh sensi tomato
  You say "Suveh sensi tomato", but it feels wrong somehow.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > examine the egg
  It looks like a chocolate Easter egg.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > think about the game
  If only this were a game -- then there would certainly be some kind of solution. But as it is, you can only hope.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > think about the thinking
  Hmm ... thinking.
  
  > Lick heels
  You doubt if your heels have a very nice flavour.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > Aveh tia amunisu
  I don't know how to . things.
  
  You say "Suveh tia amunisu ani toto", and you feel the tingling sensation again.
  
  You say "Suveh tia amunisu ani mato", and you feel the tingling sensation again.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  You say "Suveh tia amunisu ani to", and you feel the tingling sensation again.
  
  You say "Suveh tia amunisu".
  
  The ceiling becomes extremely cold.
  
  You say "Aveh tia amunisu ani mamato", and you feel the tingling sensation again.
  
  You say "Aveh tia amunisu ani toto", and you feel the tingling sensation again.
  
  You say "Aveh tia amunisu ani mato", and you feel the tingling sensation again.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  You say "Aveh tia amunisu ani to", and you feel the tingling sensation again.
  
  You say "Aveh tia amunisu".
  
  The ceiling stops being cold, and becomes extremely hot instead.
  
  Some more cracks appear on the surface of the ceiling.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > Suvex nux ani tomamamamatotomatototototomamamato
  You say "Suveh nux ani tomamamamatotomatototototomamamato", and you feel the tingling sensation again.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > Aveh sensi egg
  You say "Aveh sensi egg", but it feels wrong somehow.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > Aveh sensi ani to
  You say "Aveh sensi ani to", and you feel the tingling sensation again.
  
  > Aveh sensi
  You say "Aveh sensi".
  
  Your emotions feel very confused.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > Suveh sensi
  You say "Suveh sensi".
  
  Your emotions feel a bit less confused.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > Continue
  You say "Suveh sensi".
  
  Your emotions feel back to normal again.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > think about the easter eggs
  Mmm. Chocolate. You wonder where you can get some more.
  
  Your thoughts wander to the numbering system in the book. Odd.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > search the egg
  You find nothing of interest.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > shake the egg
  There doesn't seem to be much point in shaking the Easter egg.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > take the shelf
  It's attached to the wall.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > search the floor
  There are no objects on the floor.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > search the walls
  You'll have to say which wall.
  
  > search the west wall
  You find no secret catches in the west wall.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > search the east wall
  You find no secret catches in the east wall.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > Aveh sensi ami
  You say "Aveh sensi ami".
  
  Your emotions feel confused again.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > Aveh sensi imoentar
  You say "Aveh sensi imoentar".
  
  You feel unsympathetic towards the brass cage. You don't particularly care that it is cold. It's just a cage.
  
  > Suveh sensi imoentar
  You say "Suveh sensi imoentar".
  
  You feel neutral towards the brass cage again.
  
  > Aveh sensi imoentar ani to
  You say "Aveh sensi imoentar ani to", and you feel the tingling sensation again.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > Aveh sensi imoentar
  You say "Aveh sensi imoentar".
  
  You feel highly unsympathetic towards the brass cage. It doesn't matter to you in the slightest that it is cold. It's only a cage.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > Shake cage
  You shake the brass cage and it rattles a little.
  
  The creature twitters noisily.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > Suveh sensi imoentar
  You say "Suveh sensi imoentar".
  
  You feel unsympathetic towards the brass cage. You don't particularly care that it is cold. It's just a cage.
  
  > Suveh sensi imoentar
  You say "Suveh sensi imoentar".
  
  You feel kind and caring towards the brass cage. You feel a little concerned about it being cold, the poor thing.
  
  > Aveh sensi imoentar
  You say "Aveh sensi imoentar".
  
  You feel neutral towards the brass cage again.
  
  > Suveh sensi imoentar ani to
  You say "Suveh sensi imoentar ani to", and you feel the tingling sensation again.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > Suveh sensi imoentar
  You say "Suveh sensi imoentar".
  
  You feel extremely compassionate towards the brass cage. You feel worried about it being cold, the poor thing.
  
  There is a faint twittering sound from the cage.
  
  > Aveh tia imoentar
  You say "Aveh tia imoentar".
  
  The brass cage you are carrying stops being cold.
  
  You are relieved that the brass cage is no longer cold.
  
  The twittering stops.
  
  > Drink vial
  You remove the stopper from the vial, and an overpowering smell washes over you. Doing your best to ignore it, you take a small sip.
  
  You immediately collapse unconscious on the floor.
  
  > give the vial to the creature
  You open the vial to feed the liquid to the creature, but the vapours make you feel quite dizzy, so you put the stopper back in again.
  
  > break the egg
  The Easter egg seems to be extraordinarily resilient, even though it is just made of chocolate.
  
  > hold the nose
  (first taking your nose)
  Your nose is already about as close to you as it can be.
  
  > sit on egg
  You're fine standing up.
  
  > hold the breath
  You stamp your foot on the floor.
  
  You can't see any such thing.
  
  > Stomp
  You stamp your foot on the floor.
  
  > examine the neck
  Your neck is difficult to see without a mirror.
  
  > examine the hair
  Which do you mean, the creature's hair or your hair?
  
  > examine the eyes
  Your eyes are difficult to see without a mirror.
  
  > Damn
  Such language from someone stuck in a vault!
  
  > Darn
  Indeed.
  
  > Zizee
  You already tried that pronunciation.
  
  > think about xyzzy
  Maybe ... "ecksyuzzy"?
  
  > Plugh
  I only understood you as far as wanting to eat some delicious roast plover with plum sauce, and that lovely stuffing, you know, the kind they put in the turkey at Christmas time.
  
  What do you want to plugh?
  
  > Plugh beastie
  Plughed.
  
  > examine door
  There is a large crack in the door, from the top right corner to half way up the left side, forming a triangular block separate from the rest of the door. The main section of the door is on the bottom right.
  
  It is covered in shadows, and it is radiating cold.
  
  The triangular block is covered in shadows, and it is giving off heat.
  
  > rub the egg
  It feels like you would expect a chocolate Easter egg to feel.
  
  > taste the egg
  You swallow the Easter egg in a single bite. Delicious!
  
  > Sleep
  You don't know how long your air will last inside this vault ... better to work on the problem at hand.
  
  > Wave vial
  You wave the vial of liquid around in the air.
  
  > pinch yourself
  Self destructive thoughts flit through your mind, but you resist the urge. You are not completely without hope of escaping from this vault.