text: [Themes: Fantasy, magic, gender choice, fantasy]
  
  > Look around
  Glorious. If only you could build something this grand in Newtown; but there's little need to mete out the King's justice there. Since it's the off-season, the throne, altar, iron maiden, and other implements of justice have been removed for maintainence, but the majesty of the vaulted ceiling still shines through nearly as well.
  
  Against the back wall of the temple is a glowing magic field.
  
  In the magic field is a pair of wooden hooks (on which is a copper pole).
  
  You can also see Knight Hedarg Dwelubi, a temple guard, a royal guard, and a royal guard here.
  
  > give the talisman to the temple guard
  Knight Dwelubi gives the crystal ball to the temple guard.
  
  > ask the temple guard about the talisman
  The temple guard says, "I'll return in a moment."
  
  The temple guard leaves west.
  
  Several long moments pass. You're about to send a royal guard to see what the delay is when, with a flicker and a horrible sucking sound, the magic field disappears.
  
  Moments later the guard reappears. "Ah, it worked, even after so long."
  
  > go west
  Lovely, just lovely. The corridor leading into the temple seems nearly infinitely long, owing to a little tricky architecture you invented. As the corridor slowly shrinks, sloping upwards, even the ornamentation on the walls gets smaller and spaced more closely together. But you know the tiny doorway is really only a few steps to the east. The entry from the north is normally sized, to give the guards rapid access should any malign persons intrude.
  
  You can see Peeress Thiyess Dwojadsa and Knight Gessann Fleghannolfimm here.
  
  Knight Dwelubi arrives.
  
  Peeress Dwojadsa says to Knight Dwelubi, "I saw it with my own eyes! Lady Pishel was with Peer Kloppom near Westfall, and they were having an argument!"
  
  Knight Dwelubi replies, "Outrageous!"
  
  Knight Fleghannolfimm says to Peeress Dwojadsa, "I overheard someone say Baronet Juffannazlo was with Princess Gubi in the guest room at the embassy, and they were planning on snuggling."
  
  Several guards arrive.
  
  > go to the north
  This is the place where guards stand on duty protecting the Temple and its occupants. A metal door fills the doorway to the east.
  
  In a corner of the room is a panel with two levers and two knobs.
  
  You can also see six temple guards here.
  
  Several guards arrive.
  
  > turn off field
  The temple guard looks confused. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I'm not sure how to do that."
  
  > ask the temple guard about the talisman
  The temple guard fits the the crystal ball into a slight depression in the floor, then wiggles and rotates strangely. "There, it should be removed. Let's go see."
  
  A guard arrives.
  
  > go to the south
  Lovely, just lovely. The corridor leading into the temple seems nearly infinitely long, owing to a little tricky architecture you invented. As the corridor slowly shrinks, sloping upwards, even the ornamentation on the walls gets smaller and spaced more closely together. But you know the tiny doorway is really only a few steps to the east. The entry from the north is normally sized, to give the guards rapid access should any malign persons intrude.
  
  You can see Knight Hedarg Dwelubi, Peeress Thiyess Dwojadsa, and Knight Gessann Fleghannolfimm here.
  
  Knight Dwelubi says to Knight Fleghannolfimm, "I heard that Lady Pishel was in Westfall having a disagreement with Peer Kloppom."
  
  Peeress Dwojadsa says to Knight Dwelubi, "I've heard that Baronet Juffannazlo was with Princess Gubi in a guest room in the palace, and they were discussing struggling."
  
  Several guards arrive.
  
  > Go east
  Glorious. If only you could build something this grand in Newtown; but there's little need to mete out the King's justice there. Since it's the off-season, the throne, altar, iron maiden, and other implements of justice have been removed for maintainence, but the majesty of the vaulted ceiling still shines through nearly as well.
  
  You can see a pair of wooden hooks (on which is a copper pole) here.
  
  Several guards arrive.
  
  > get the pole
  The royal guard picks up the copper pole.
  
  > go west
  Lovely, just lovely. The corridor leading into the temple seems nearly infinitely long, owing to a little tricky architecture you invented. As the corridor slowly shrinks, sloping upwards, even the ornamentation on the walls gets smaller and spaced more closely together. But you know the tiny doorway is really only a few steps to the east. The entry from the north is normally sized, to give the guards rapid access should any malign persons intrude.
  
  You can see Knight Hedarg Dwelubi, Peeress Thiyess Dwojadsa, and Knight Gessann Fleghannolfimm here.
  
  Knight Fleghannolfimm says to Peeress Dwojadsa, "I personally saw Lady Pishel was near Westfall having a blow-out with Peer Kloppom."
  
  Several guards arrive.
  
  > Go west
  This forecourt offers a spectacular view of the Temple of Justice, central tower rising above in strength and might. A small barred window lets guards look out.
  
  An open gate allows access into the Temple.
  
  You can also see a royal guard and a window here.
  
  Several guards arrive.
  
  > Go west
  The gorgeous Temple of Justice towers to the east over this square, which despite your luscious flower garden, is still as much a wreck as Oldtown proper to the west. A disreputable tavern lies southwest. Roads lead south to shops and north by Ventillado's house to Newtown.
  
  You can see three royal guards and Baroness Holfoy Woya here.
  
  Several guards arrive.
  
  > Go north
  This north-south road winds up the hill to Newtown through burnt-out warehouses and poorly-maintained homes. You've never understood why Baron Ventillado chose to place his house here, on the east side of the road, unless perhaps for the view.
  
  You can see Ventillado's servant, Lord Prazed Pojadubiur, and a royal guard here.
  
  Peeress Dwojadsa arrives.
  
  Lord Pojadubiur says to Peeress Dwojadsa, "I heard that Lord Jolfad is under arrest for carrying on an assignation in the royal treehouse."
  
  Several guards arrive.
  
  > give the pole to the servant
  The royal guard gives the copper pole to Ventillado's servant.
  
  Peeress Dwojadsa says to Lord Pojadubiur, "Rumor has it that Lady Pishel was in Westfall having a big party with Peer Kloppom."
  
  > go east
  Sedmon displays his prized possessions in this shabby two-story chamber. Paintings and torches alternate randomly around the walls at various heights. A doorway leads west.
  
  In the center of the room a platform rises high up, out of reach.
  
  On the platform is the Dragon Gem.
  
  You can also see Baron Ventillado and Baronet Klojsa Soatannishoy here.
  
  Ventillado's servant arrives.
  
  Several guards arrive.
  
  > get Gem with pole
  Who do you mean, the temple guard or a royal guard?
  
  > Royal
  The royal guard looks confused. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I'm not sure how to do that."
  
  > get Gem
  Ventillado's servant says, "I'm afraid we can't get it without the Baron's crank, and it appears he's misplaced it. If we had a pole we could probably knock it down."
  
  Peeress Dwojadsa arrives.
  
  > give Gem to you
  Who do you mean, Ventillado's servant or Baron Ventillado?
  
  > give Gem to you
  Baron Ventillado says, "I'm afraid I'm a bit light-headed today, Your Highness. Perhaps my servant can help you."
  
  Peeress Dwojadsa says to Baronet Soatannishoy, "A friend told me that Lady Pishel was in Westfall having a big party with Peer Kloppom!"
  
  Baronet Soatannishoy replies, "Who would have thought it!"
  
  > give Gem to you
  Ventillado's servant says, "I'm afraid we can't get it without the Baron's crank, and it appears he's misplaced it. If we had a pole we could probably knock it down."
  
  Peeress Dwojadsa says to Baronet Soatannishoy, "A friend told me that Lord Jolfad is under arrest for attempting an assassination from the royal treehouse!"
  
  > give the pole to the servant
  The royal guard gives the copper pole to Ventillado's servant.
  
  > give Gem to you
  Ventillado's servant nods to you, then turns to face the platform. He jumps and thrusts the pole, just missing the Dragon Gem. He waits a moment, then tries again. As he thrusts the pole at the gem, his hand twists the dial, and moments later he is back on the ground, the claw at the end of the pole clutching the Dragon Gem. He holds the claw out towards you and releases the Gem into your hands.
  
  You clutch it tightly to your chest. Another of Blackhelm's attempts on your life successfully foiled.
  
  "Baron Ventillado, this is a wonderful present you have given me. Many thanks."
  
  The Baron's brow contracts, but he stops just short of a frown. "You are welcome, Your Majesty."
  
  Ignoring the prattling of your entourage, you step back out to the darkening sky.
  
  "Not this time!" you cry out. So much for that crone's dire prophecy. No doubt Blackhelm will try again--such a bother, just because you refrained from giving Blackhelm's lover a helping hand that one time. That one time when he was hanging desperately on the edge of a cliff. What else could you have done? If you had helped him, he would have claimed the crown you'd found together. He would be the king. He'd have the Dragon Gem.
  
  And that would be most unsatisfactory.
  
  You have finished this story. But one more remains.
  
  In this story you will play as a dragon.
  
  > F.
  Do you want this character to be [m]ale or [f]emale?
  
  Dragon:
  
  Baron Sedmon Ventillado. Sedmon Dragonslayer, then. We laughed, for we seemed alive, still.
  
  We had been twenty years younger, then we would have been the name on the man-things' lips. We would have been the visage on their paintings. And we would still have the Kthyress Crystal with which we would bring covetousness into man-things' hearts. But we were too young for detection of certain trickery; we were too old for resistance to certain magics. We had failed.
  
  We had felt no regrets twenty years before. We had ceased our toils at heroism when we saw the end of Thorn's Companions; but we had lived still, we had begun a new life. We paid the price for our youthful indiscretion; we were made small by Sethidrac's assignment. We, guardian. We, to guard one-ninth of the Legacy.
  
  Then we heard rumor on the winds. We heard of a transfer of the Crystal from Sedmon to Blackhelm. Blackhelm. A guileful creature amongst creatures of guile. We had our suspicions about the theft. And we knew of the powers of the Crystal. We wondered at Blackhelm's knowledge. We wondered at the anger in Blackhelm towards those who were amongst Thorn's companions.
  
  We had been too long letting Sedmon hold the Crystal. We risked emnity from Sethidrac and Passidrac for too long. We could not yield the possession of the Crystal to Blackhelm. We had to make it ours.
  
  We were surrounded by the man-things' structures, structures of dead trees and rock and distortions of iron. Beneath us we felt the arrangements of stone into a path for man-things' mobile receptacles. We could smell hints of the Crystal along the path to the east.
  
  We could see a receptacle here.
  
  [Type 'ABOUT' for important commands we could use.]
  
  > examine the receptacle
  We sensed the emptiness of the immobile receptacle.
  
  > Smell
  We smelled the faint trace of Kythress from the east.
  
  > destroy it
  We smashed the receptacle to pieces.