text: [Themes: Surreal, Fantasy]
  
  > Go downwards
  In contrast to the Baron's opulence lurks here the spartan Cell of his corrupt Priest. The only furnishing is a straw Mat, the only concession to Luxury a tapestry which hangs near the upward-climbing stair.
  
  'Tis odd... you cannot but think this Place has changed since last you did look upon it. Nay, it cannot be.
  
  The Priest sits on his mat, eyes downturned in submission.
  
  You can also see a wooden Lance here.
  
  The Priest, noticing the dented Box in your hand, shies away from you. Yet he says nothing.
  
  > show spices to Priest
  (first taking the handful of spice)
  Your hands are full.
  
  > Drop box
  Dropped.
  
  > show the spices to Priest
  [Author's Note: As I said...], says the Priest.
  
  > give the spices to Priest
  [Author's Note: Keep it,] says the Priest.
  
  > put the spices in Box
  You put the handful of spice into the dented Box.
  
  > ask Priest about Box
  The Priest treats your act as an accusation, and quails. [Author's Note: The box? It contains naught but Spices! Here, I have the key...] Reaching into his Robes, he withdraws a small silver Key, which he hurriedly hands to you.
  
  > show Box to Priest
  (first taking the dented Box)
  Your hands are full.
  
  > check what you're carrying
  You are carrying:
  a silver key
  a fine Axe
  a holy symbol (glowing with a sacred light & being worn)
  a suit of Chain-Mail (being worn)
  a leather sheath (being worn)
  a sacred blade
  a wooden Scroll-Case (being worn & open)
  a vellum Scroll
  
  > put silver Key in Box
  You put the silver key into the dented Box.
  
  > put Axe in Box
  You put the fine Axe into the dented Box.
  
  > check what you're carrying
  You are carrying:
  a silver key
  a dented Box (which is open)
  a handful of spice
  a fine Axe
  a golden key
  a holy symbol (glowing with a sacred light & being worn)
  a suit of Chain-Mail (being worn)
  a leather sheath (being worn)
  a sacred blade
  a wooden Scroll-Case (being worn & open)
  a vellum Scroll
  
  > put Key in Box
  (the silver key in the dented Box)
  You put the silver key into the dented Box.
  
  > get Lance
  To hold that you must have both hands free.
  
  That is too large to fit into the Box.
  
  > examine Axe
  A sturdy & well-fashioned Axe. Its rim is crusted with blood.
  
  > examine the symbol
  (the holy symbol)
  A perfect Circle, symbolizing the creation: Heaven above, Earth here & now, the pits below. The unbroken continuity of God, of which Man partakes. The symbol hangs by a light Chain from your neck.
  
  > Clean Blade
  Only the abbot can cleanse your blade once it has drunk.
  
  > show Axe to Priest
  (first taking the fine Axe)
  The corrupt Priest is unimpressed.
  
  > examine the lock
  Battered, dented, the stoic and iron Resistor of an attack on its contents. Yet how easily it has opened to your more gentle persuasion. Surely a parable of Patience.
  
  > unlock it
  (with the silver key)
  That is unlocked at the moment.
  
  > examine Key
  Tho very small, with but two teeth, the silver key glitters a sterling pedigree.
  
  > Go upwards
  O foul Hypocrite! O whited Sepulchure! In the midst of his debauchery the Baron does see fit to erect himself a Chapel of the faith! Mayhap he thought to take sanctuary here at your approach. 'Tis more likely the lighted Candles & marble Altar did bear witness to blasphemous & terrible Rites in the Baron's lifetime.
  
  A stair in the corner leads down into darkness, an archway northeast. A solid oak door prevents your going east.
  
  > go to the northeast
  A richly attired Wait Chamber, walls covered with pagan frescoes which beckon you to unpure thoughts. Chairs arranged near the circular perimeter mingle with tables for gaming. The chamber becomes the reception chamber to the west, the dining hall to the north. A small tiled archway leads southwest, & to the east is the grand Entry Hall.
  
  > Go east
  In this grand Hall do heraldry & great pomp greet the visitor to this castle. Yet a visitor, betrayed, can quickly become a prisoner--a metal portcullis to the east now separates you from the castle threshold. You must take your leave instead to the round Chamber that lies westward, or else attend one of the two archways to the north & south.
  
  A wooden Wheel is mounted on the wall, near the Portcullis.
  
  > go south
  If only the Baron had set his soul in the same order he kept his study! Had he lined his heart with good works the way he lined his walls with books, kept his spiritual affairs as tidy as he kept his Writing-Desk, then your grim task need never have been assigned you. But the leather Arm-Chair now awaits a master who will never again occupy it. A solid oak door blocks your way to the west & an archway leads north.
  
  > look at the books
  The Baron's library is full of heretical Ideas & Assertions most blasphemous. Yet here are also books of Metallurgy, of Alchymy and other useful Arts. A monk from Dol Nesta will need to be sent here to separate Wheat from Chaff, to save that which might be usefully Consulted and to destroy the Dross.
  
  > get the books
  There are far too many Books to carry, although you may consult the Library while standing before it.
  
  > look up Key
  What do you want to look up in?
  
  > look at Door
  The door is made of fine oak, with a copper lock. It stands forbodingly closed.
  
  > look at the lock
  (the dented Box)
  Battered, dented, the stoic and iron Resistor of an attack on its contents. Yet how easily it has opened to your more gentle persuasion. Surely a parable of Patience.
  
  > unlock Door
  What do you want to unlock the oaken door to the west with?
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying:
  a fine Axe
  a holy symbol (glowing with a sacred light & being worn)
  a suit of Chain-Mail (being worn)
  a leather sheath (being worn)
  a sacred blade
  a wooden Scroll-Case (being worn & open)
  a vellum Scroll
  
  > Go north
  In this grand Hall do heraldry &great pomp greet the visitor to this castle. Yet a visitor, betrayed, can quickly become a prisoner--a metal portcullis to the east now separates you from the castle threshold. You must take your leave instead to the round Chamber that lies westward, or else attend one of the two archways to the north & south.
  
  A wooden Wheel is mounted on the wall, near the Portcullis.
  
  > go west
  A richly attired Wait Chamber, walls covered with pagan frescoes which beckon you to unpure thoughts. Chairs arranged near the circular perimeter mingle with tables for gaming. The chamber becomes the reception chamber to the west, the dining hall to the north. A small tiled archway leads southwest, & to the east is the grand Entry Hall.
  
  Has this Place changed since last you were here? The work of some mischevious Spirit, or deceiving Daemon? It is but a slight tugging in your Marrow, yet a worrisome one.
  
  > go southwest
  O foul Hypocrite! O whited Sepulchure! In the midst of his debauchery the Baron does see fit to erect himself a Chapel of the faith! Mayhap he thought to take sanctuary here at your approach. 'Tis more likely the lighted candles and marble altar did bear witness to blasphemous and terrible Rites in the Baron's lifetime.
  
  A stair in the corner leads down into darkness, an archway northeast. A solid oak door prevents your going east.