Multiplayer Zork, Anyone?

[Okapi]

This is a concept a friend and I had a couple of years back, but I figure, the more, the merrier. It works like this: I, starting the game, will state the starting condition, and another person will decide a simple action (i.e. go east, this game is how I got the only nickname I've ever had, goeast), and another player will redefine the environment from where the action has taken them.
The rules:
1: No sudden deaths, as result of unforseeable consequence; if you might be eaten by a grue, for example, state, "It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue. There is a bright opening to the south."
2: In keeping with tradition, vivid description is prefered for the environment, and simple instructions for movement
3: Not really a rule, but remember, most anything in the described world is interactable (i.e. climb tree, steal coin. Steal tree or climb coin, in most contexts, won't be accepted; keep it reasonable)
Some background: Zork is a text-based game, with i believe around ten games currently released, with one of which, Grand Inquisitor, graphics-based. A very popular series, even today, Zork famously described environments in stellar detail, but would only recognize simple instructions like "go east" or "cut dragon". While storylines were connected, and slowly progressed, and featured the same character, amnesia was experienced between each, so things like, "You see a lamp lying on the ground near you. It is made of a dented bronze and is oddly familiar" were quite common after the first.

Okay. Whew. Now, to start.

You are in an open field west of a big white house with a boarded
front door.
There is a small mailbox here.
To the west is a forest. You can hear birds chirping from there.
To the south is a stream, barely visible.

[cowmoo83]

Is go south to catch fish accepted in this case or would I usually post more?

[Okapi]

Somewhat acceptable, but it would be two moves, and you would need to catch fish with hands... Not likely. You would go "south", then "catch fish" (with hands).

You head south. The stream slowly burbles by. The water is crystal-clear, and you can see many fish beneath the surface.
You hear a low, quiet swishing sound downstream.

You attempt to catch a fish with your hands, but the water is too cold.

[cowmoo83]

so then why can you post all that if I can't post go south and eat fish? I dont get it?

[Okapi]

Well, I assumed you meant both actions, just for future reference... Also, if you are unable to do something, then I must reply as to why. Also, anyone can post on either turn: Move or Describe. You know, if they'd come. Anyway, it is usually best to learn by doing, so you might try another move. Also, for more detailed descriptions, "look" for environment, "look at (***)" for objects.

Google search for Zork Online or Infocom Online allows you to play the game online, to get a feel for it.

[cowmoo83]

okay! Ill start one online now! Then ill be a master!!!

[Okapi]

Good luck. Also, in the actual game, try "kill me" (with hands), and when you get the sword, "kill me with sword". The second one is dangerous, but fun. Try "jump," and also try swearing at Zork. "Xyzzy" or "plugh" is interesting, as is smelling various objects (self, ground, mailbox, hands, etc.)

EDIT: "kill me with water" after you get the bottle is also fun.

[cowmoo83]

are there certain commands you must know to be able to play like kill, walk, run, etc. What does the comp. understand, its not working for me!!!

[Okapi]

North, south, east, west (or n, s, e, w) for directions to walk, or ne, nw, se, sw, and kill with ___ to kill, etc. No big commands, just extremely obvious ones. "Open mailbox" is a good place to start, then take leaflet, then read leaflet, then go around house, then go around house again. Figure it out from there, and no punctuation. I'm sure you can also look up a list of commands. In the meantime, can we get back to the game?

[cowmoo83]

yeah, after I play through 1 zork!!!

[Okapi]

:o Will take long. How about until you die once in Zork? It's not hard... Seppuku, getting eaten by a grue, the troll...

[cowmoo83]

okay... I dont get the game.!!!! Its way too anoying... but the one in this thread'll be fine because there's not a word to worry about the comp not knowing...XP

[Okapi]

I don't understand the word "game".

[cowmoo83]

rofl XP, okay lets begin, wanna start with a new area or wanna repost original area?

[Okapi]

You are standing on a large plain. Insects buzz in the grass. It is late at night, but the moon is full, so you are not likely to be eaten by a grue. Far to the southwest you can see mountains. The ground here seems to be soft, and a bird flies overhead every so often. A brass lantern lies on the ground next to you, beside a crowbar.

[cowmoo83]

take brass lanturn

[Okapi]

Taken.
As you hold the brass lantern, you feel a small jolt of power through your arm. This lantern seems older than is possible, somehow...
It is battery-powered.

[cowmoo83]

take crowbar

[Okapi]

Taken.
You hear a distant howl.

[joinred1127]

climb up tree to get view of area

[Okapi]

What tree?!
A cricket chirps.

[joinred1127]

eat cricket

[Okapi]

You eat the cricket. It has an odd, bitter taste. You feel a bit sick.
Honestly, who told you to do that?


:lol:

[cowmoo83]

walk to the mountains

[Okapi]

After a long, strenuous walk, and several hours, you come to the foot of the mountains. A stream burbles nearby, cascading in small waterfalls nearby and draining into a pond. The mountains loom high, and there is a forest that I can 95.3% guarantee is obligatory, typical, and boring. I shouldn't tell you this, but it's necessary, too.

[joinred1127]

you seem dirty and take a bath in the pool

[Okapi]

You feel refreshed. As you sit beneath the waterfall, you spot something behind the waterfall.
The sun is rising in the east, as the moon sets.

[cowmoo83]

through crowbar at think moving behind waterfall

[Okapi]

After a few seconds, you hear a distant clatter as the crowbar fall to the ground. It sounds as if it hit a distant wall.

[cowmoo83]

retrieve the crowbar cautiously

[Okapi]

You find yourself in a dark, creepy cave. It is cold, wet, and pitch black. You kick the crow bar and pick it up. To the south you can make out an opening, where sunlight tries to pour in but is choked out.
It is pitch black. Without light, you are likely to be eaten by a grue.

[cowmoo83]

go south with crobar at the ready

[Okapi]

You are looking out from behind a waterfall at a small pond. Behind you to the north is a dark cave, where you are likely to be eaten by a grue.
Your lantern sits at your feet, turned off.

[cowmoo83]

turn on lanturn (thanks for the hint)

[Okapi]

Lantern is on.

[cowmoo83]

head north with light to illuminate cave

[Okapi]

You are in a beautiful cavern. It appears to be subterranean city gates; to the north is a magnificent crystal arch. You can hear shuffles, buzzes, voices, and general mayhem around what you estimate to be a mile into the cave to the north.
There is a pool of strange liquid here, and a sieve lies beside it.

[cowmoo83]

pick up sieve
Head through arch

[Okapi]

In spite of the beautiful gates, you soon find yourself in a decrepit ghetto filled with a strange breed of grue, which neither tries to eat you or shy away from the light. Streets lead north, east, and west.

[cowmoo83]

head north precautiously, crobar in hand

[Okapi]

You come to a shoddy building, with the rough letters "I-N-N" scratched on the front. There are streets to the south and the east.
As you watch, a grue is thrown from the door, landing with a thud several yards away. Odd.

[cowmoo83]

walk inside INN

[Okapi]

INN
You are in a shabby inn. There are grue-like creatures all around, and the aftermath of an apparent fight. A fireplace flickers in the corner, with a poker and a bucket of water next to it. In spite of the place's appearance, it smells deliciously of some kind of meat.

[joinred1127]

Ask for food.

[Okapi]

You are served a large plate of some delicious, moist red meat. "Compliments of the house," the serving grue says, in a low, crackling voice.
You begin to eat, but then you wonder what kind of meat it is. On inquiry, you find that it is rat meat. (It was, however, quite delicious...)

[joinred1127]

Go to the bathroom and vomit.

[Okapi]

I'll wait for someone else to reply to this one... I've been every other post, so far.

[cowmoo83]

you force yourself to vomit, but to your disguist, you cannot bring yourself to vommit the delicious rat meat. Suddenly, you hear a flushing sound from the stall over followed by heavy foot stomps.

((I thought you were supposed to narrate okapi, but this is okay tooXP))

[Okapi]

smell floor

[cowmoo83]

you smell the floor and the intoxicating scent of a grue wafts from the stall over. Unfortuantely, the smell of grue is deadly to your species and you may have been poisoned...

[Okapi]

xyzzy plugh

[cowmoo83]

I dont understand that word XP:)

[Okapi]

The correct answer:

"A hollow voice says 'Fool'."

Sorry. It's kind of an obscure reference. And sorry I haven't been on in a while. :rolleyes:

[cowmoo83]

cmon someone, enter something :mad: