


PART 1

Wellspring


Brantevik, Sweden

Jetlag is in full force. Your driver who does not speak English, exclaims something about your itinerary, but you are eager. You'll make sure to OPEN NOTEBOOK later.


You are along a narrow roadside. A quaint Brantevik home is enclosed here by a low wall. Goat willow frames the entrance northeast to the front patio.

Exits: Northeast.

>TSTART

OK

>X WILLOW

This tree has a low dense habit and is bush-like. There is a sturdy branch for the taking.

>GET BRANCH

You take the branch.

>NE


You are standing at the front patio of a home. There is a large sign on the door.

You see a planter.

Exits: Southwest.

>X DOOR

The door has a sign with large printed type.

>KNOCK DOOR

There is no answer. Your bleary senses scramble to recall the itinerary confusion with the driver. You might need to devise a Plan B. 

>GET PLANTER

You take the planter.

>SW


You are along a narrow roadside. A quaint Brantevik home is enclosed here by a low wall. Goat willow frames the entrance northeast to the front patio.

Exits: Northeast.

>CLIMB WALL

You quickly climb over the wall to the backyard.


You are in the west half of the backyard. You can climb the wall back to the roadside.

You see a historical marker, an old well and a boy.

Exits: East.

>MOVE LID

You manage to push the lid to reveal the opening and rest it next to the well.


You are in the west half of the backyard. You can climb the wall back to the roadside.

You see a historical marker, an old well and a boy.

Exits: East.

>E


You are in the east half of the backyard. Several clumps of lyme grass cluster along the edge of the yard. 

You see a hose and spigot.

Exits: West.

>X GRASS

This bluish, green-grey grass is very long, narrow, pliable and spiky.

>GET GRASS

You take lyme grass.

>GET HOSE

You take the hose.

>OPEN SPIGOT

You open the spigot and turn the hose on.


You are in the east half of the backyard. Several clumps of lyme grass cluster along the edge of the yard. 

You see spigot.

Exits: West.

You see and hear water running from the hose onto the ground. To put water in the well type FILL WELL.

>W


You are in the west half of the backyard. You can climb the wall back to the roadside.

You see a historical marker, an old well and a boy.

Exits: East.

>FILL WELL

Water streams into the well ... keep filling!

You see and hear water running from the hose.

>FILL WELL

The water level fills nearly 1/3 of the well.

Water streams into the well ... keep filling!

You see and hear water running from the hose.

>FILL WELL

Water streams into the well ... keep filling!

You see and hear water running from the hose.

>FILL WELL

Water streams into the well ... keep filling!

The water suddenly and unexpectedly shuts off!

>FILL WELL

You can't do that.

>L


You are in the west half of the backyard. You can climb the wall back to the roadside.

You see a historical marker, an old well and an interested boy.

Exits: East.

>TALK BOY

He doesn't speak English. He mimics a fishing rod and points in the well. You may do well to employ him, he seems of sturdy seafaring stock. Try SHOWing him some supplies.

>SHOW GRASS

The boy takes the lyme grass. He stretches it out and tests its durability.

He gestures for a sturdy rod like thing to support the grass.

>SHOW BRANCH

The boy takes the branch. He holds it out and tests its sturdiness.

The boy possesses the necessary verbs to fashion a fishing rod using the grass and the branch! He ties a bit of his tinned fish to the grass and lowers the branch into the well.

Åle solidly clutches the tasty treat. The boy slowly raises the branch just enough for you to trap the eel with the planter!


You are in the west half of the backyard. You can climb the wall back to the roadside.

You see a historical marker, an old well and an interested boy.

Exits: East.

>SQUEEZE EEL


As you tighten your hold, Åle instantly slips out of your grasp.

and begins to hover mid-air. 


In splendid algae-covered iridescent drippy beauty, it speaks, 'My name is Anguila, and you have freed me from my depths! I am here to reveal truth to you!

You look to see the boy's reaction, and he doesn't appear to be witnessing what you are. He's snacking on tin fish and looking in your notebook.


'What truth do you seek?'



PART 2

Signal


Bermuda

A long restless flight doesn't do much for your jetlag or state of mind.

Each time yesterday's events resurface, you double-down with a resolve for tomorrow's tasks.



Bright decor makes up for the fact there is no window in this spartan, interior room. There is only a twin bed, a nightstand, and an answering machine. You feel like you just can't get a good rest without reviewing your materials and having everything in the right place.

You see a telemetry receiver.

>GET RECEIVER

You take the telemetry receiver.

>PRESS BUTTON

A solid green light appears. The unit is in working condition!

>X NIGHTSTAND

You find a tidal map.


Bright decor makes up for the fact there is no window in this spartan, interior room. There is only a twin bed, a nightstand, and an answering machine. You feel like you just can't get a good rest without reviewing your materials and having everything in the right place.

You see the tidal map.

>GET MAP

You take the tidal map.

>READ MAP


│ 0 │ 1 │ 2 │ 3 │ 4→ Nautical Miles (NM)  

┌──X──┬────┬────┬───┐

│  ░░ │ ~ │ →  │ » │

│  ░░ │ ~ │ ○  │ ░░│

│  ░░ │  → │ ~ │ » │

└─────┴────┴────┴───┘

-------+-----+-----+-----+-----+--

LEGEND:

X  = Boat Launch

~  = Slower drift (0.5-1 knots)

○  = Calm zone (0.2 knots) 

░░ = Stable currents (1-2 knots) 

→  = Unstable currents (3-4 knots)(eddies)

»  = Unstable currents (5-6 knots)(turbulence)

_____ ZONES _________

0 NM = Gulf Stream 

1 NM = Sargasso Drift 

2 -3 NM = Deep Waters

4 NM = Bermuda Triangle

-------+-----+-----+-----+-----+--



Bright decor makes up for the fact there is no window in this spartan, interior room. There is only a twin bed, a nightstand, and an answering machine. You feel like you just can't get a good rest without reviewing your materials and having everything in the right place.

>X ANSWERING MACHINE

You can PLAY MESSAGES.

>PLAY MESSAGES


You play the messages waiting for you ...


MESSAGE 1: FROM DR. ZOD, SENIOR SCIENTIST

'tstop, 

I reviewed the ordeal in Brantevik. Oh Dear!? The University has sent out a Public Relations expert and a lawyer to address the damage. You seem like you might need some rest. Especially for what I am about to share.

On top of all that madness, while you were on a plane yesterday, someone else trespassed onto Tomas's property and removed the head of the eel! Can you believe that!? Poor Åle. They suspect someone is after the ear stones or otoliths. Some demented poacher or worse, another researcher. How enormously bizarre!

Anyway, please be cautious as you conduct research.'  


MESSAGE 2, BERMUDA CHARTERS

'Hello tstop, this confirms your chartered boat leaving dock tomorrow at 6 am for a maximum of 30 nautical miles from launch.

I regret to inform you, your captain, Captain Stubb is hesitant to linger in the Triangle. He can only DROP ANCHOR in one location before returning to launch, and has asked you to review the TIDAL MAP we gave you to spend too long in turbulent waters. Shipwrecks have been occurring every 10 years for 100 years. He thinks we're due for one. Ha! He's a little superstitious, but really one of our best seafarers in those waters. No worries though, the weather will be sunny and clear. 

As a bonus however, I'm able to reduce your Hungry Bay low tide visit costs by splitting fare with a small bridal party who wishes to snorkel. I assure you, they will not bother your operations.' 



Bright decor makes up for the fact there is no window in this spartan, interior room. There is only a twin bed, a nightstand, and an answering machine. You feel like you just can't get a good rest without reviewing your materials and having everything in the right place.

>OPEN NOTEBOOK



You can hardly hold your eyes open any longer.


QUESTION -> Pick a topic to review from your notes. You'll need to OPEN NOTEBOOK to see each additional topic.

Pick a topic to review from your notes. You'll need to OPEN NOTEBOOK to see each additional topic.

>?4

ANSWER -> 3

THURSDAY, 5 pm: 

Arrival in Bermuda. PLAY messages. X MAP, X ITINERARY. Review NOTEBOOK. Test unit: PRESS BUTTON

FRIDAY, 6am: 

Sargasso Sea (HIGH TIDE) Bermuda Charters launch at 0NM. Supplies: acoustic telemetry receiver.

FRIDAY, 11am: 

Hungry Bay Cove (LOW TIDE) X SAND and H20 to find ideal samples. Supplies: water vial, glass jar.

>L

You can hardly hold your eyes open any longer.

>SLEEP

You can hardly hold your eyes open any longer.

you fall into a deep, deep, sleep.


You find yourself standing 10 feet below the surface of shimmering blue green waters.

An iridescent eel emerges from the distance.

Blue and green scales shimmer and pulse in rhythm with the movement of the water.

'I am Anguila.' A voice whispers across the water itself.

'I will bring you truth.'

Before you can speak, Anguila silently explodes into millions of minute particles that sail off toward the surface of light.



If you have made it this far in the game, great work! The forgiveness rating is nasty ahead. You may want to save.


The sky is overcast.

The Captain gives you a firm handshake. 'Dr. tstop, I'm Captain Stubb. You like eels? I like music, ok? I'm going to be playing my jams, you just point directions and tell me when to DROP ANCHOR. I'm keeping my eye on these clouds. ok?


You are at launch.

Exits: South.

Captain Stubb commands the boat.

...Another year and then you'd be happy

 Just one more year and then you'd be happy But you're cryin', 

 you're cryin' now ...

>S


 Winds begin to kick up.

Exits: North, South, East.

Captain Stubb commands the boat.

... But what a fool believes, 

 he sees no wise man has the power to reason away ...

Sargassum is pooling here.

>S


 Winds begin to kick up.

Exits: North, South, East.

Captain Stubb commands the boat.

... So, I'll ride like the wind, ride like the wind

 gonna ride like the wind ...

Sargassum is pooling here.

Petrels squabble overhead.

>E


 The surface waves are choppy.

Exits: North, South, East, West.

Captain Stubb commands the boat.

... But what a fool believes, 

 he sees no wise man has the power to reason away ...

>E


 The surface waves are choppy.

Exits: North, South, East, West.

Captain Stubb commands the boat.

... But what a fool believes, 

 he sees no wise man has the power to reason away ...

>DROP ANCHOR

Stubb cuts the engine and lowers the anchor. You see gasoline discharge from the boat in a effluvious fog on the surface. You suddenly realize just how noisy the engine was as water playfully sloshes alongside the boat.


 The surface waves are choppy.

Exits: North, South, East, West.

Captain Stubb commands the boat.

... So, I'll ride like the wind, ride like the wind

 gonna ride like the wind ...

The anchor is stabilizing the boat.

>PRESS BUTTON

You press the button...

A green light flashes intermittently as data is received in the unit.

You breathe a sigh of relief that your grit paid off!

You allow yourself to momentarily workshop titles for your accolade-winning academic paper.

A giant shadow at the bow brings you back to the moment.

Stubb notices it too, and without consulting you, returns to the coast at top speed.



PART 3

Reciprocity



As promised, on the way to the inlet, the Charter scooped up another party to snorkel in the tide pools. 

The revelers are recounting what sounds like a raucous evening the night before. They reek of sour and fresh alcohol. A tide pool rendezvous was auspicious and impractical planning by this bridal brew crew.

They hardly acknowledge your presence as they exit the boat, making their way to the tide pool.


Boat access is limited here to ensure these calm and clean conditions.

You see the Charter boat is here.

Exits: West, Northeast.

>W


Looking westward, you see the shoreline becomes progressively more touristy. This space appears to be trafficked mostly by surfers and scientists from the Nature Bay Reserve. 

 To the north, a welcoming weather-beaten shack with the doors wide open is the only visible structure amid all the nature here. 

Exits: North, South, East.

>S


Coconut Palms line the elevated sandy coast here.

Exits: North, South.

>X SAND

The sand here is filled with rotting, fallen leaf debris and highly elevated off the coast.

You find some polarized sunglasses!


Coconut Palms line the elevated sandy coast here.

You see sunglasses.

Exits: North, South.

>GET SUNGLASSES

You take sunglasses.

>WEAR SUNGLASSES

You wear sunglasses.

>S


This stretch of sandy, rocky shore faces the mouth of the bay and the sea beyond the cove.  

Exits: North.

>X SAND

Sand here looks diverse in texture. The elevation is close to the mouth of the bay. To collect a sample, type COLLECT SEDIMENT

>COLLECT SEDIMENT

Sand here looks diverse in texture. The elevation is also close to the mouth of the bay.

QUESTION -> Are you sure you want to collect sediment here?

Are you sure you want to collect sediment here?

>?Y

ANSWER -> yes

Sample taken.


This stretch of sandy, rocky shore faces the mouth of the bay and the sea beyond the cove.  

Exits: North.

>N


Coconut Palms line the elevated sandy coast here.

Exits: North, South.

>N


Looking westward, you see the shoreline becomes progressively more touristy. This space appears to be trafficked mostly by surfers and scientists from the Nature Bay Reserve. 

 To the north, a welcoming weather-beaten shack with the doors wide open is the only visible structure amid all the nature here. 

Exits: North, South, East.

>E


Boat access is limited here to ensure these calm and clean conditions.

You see the Charter boat is here.

Exits: West, Northeast.

>NE


Flat, expansive sandy beach. To the Southeast, is a low tide pool.

You see a Conch.

Exits: Southeast, Southwest.

>SE


This low tide pool hosts saltmarsh-like habitat amidst an ocean environment. To the west is Trunk Island. To the east, is the Nature Bay Reserve with towering, impenetrable gnarled Red Mangrove roots.

You see A Party of Partiers.

Exits: Northwest.

>X TIDE POOL

You notice nothing special.

>`EXAMINE A FEW THINGS...

Unknown verb - "`examine".

>X ROOTS

The tangled red mangrove roots reach into the tide pool like grasping fingers, sheltering darting fish and casting rippling shadows across the seafloor.

>X ISLAND

Suddenly, the sullen snorkelers shift to panic mode.

'The ring! Oh my god -- I didn't mean to drop it!'


The 'I Do Crew' huddle nearby the shore of Trunk Island where the ring presumably went flying after it was admired. Some climb the banks digging through the fingerlike roots of the mangrove trees with little success.

'I see it!' someone says. 'It's trapped in this root thing. I'm having a hard time seeing it now and I can't reach it.'

'Let's cut it open', says another.

You secure the sunglasses and offer help. You wedge the water vial through the mangrove roots and plunge the ring back out.

As you try to empty the ring out of the vial amidst cheering and sighs of relief, you see the diamond is lodged tightly against the glass. It is not going anywhere.

You'll need to relinquish the water vial. You are crestfallen.

The bridal party realize their folly. They reconcile their presence here was on the back of your scientific work. They gently step off the shore, thank you apologetically and collect all their debris. They make their way back to the boat.



This low tide pool hosts saltmarsh-like habitat amidst an ocean environment. To the west is Trunk Island. To the east, is the Nature Bay Reserve with towering, impenetrable gnarled Red Mangrove roots.

Exits: Northwest.

>NW


Flat, expansive sandy beach. To the Southeast, is a low tide pool.

You see a Conch.

Exits: Southeast, Southwest.

>SW


Boat access is limited here to ensure these calm and clean conditions.

You see the Charter boat has left the bay.

Exits: West, Northeast.

>W


Looking westward, you see the shoreline becomes progressively more touristy. This space appears to be trafficked mostly by surfers and scientists from the Nature Bay Reserve. 

 To the north, a welcoming weather-beaten shack with the doors wide open is the only visible structure amid all the nature here. 

Exits: North, South, East.

>N


Painted shells and eco-friendly surfwax posters adorn the walls of the shack.

You see Sherri.

Exits: South.

>TALK SHERRI

QUESTION -> What would you like to talk to Sherri about:

What would you like to talk to Sherri about:

>?4

ANSWER -> 3

'I saw what you did out there, tstop. Did you say that was your name?'

 'Here is a surfwax tub -- no trade necessary. It pretty well cleaned.'

'When you're done collecting samples, come back here and Stubb will pick you up.

>S


Looking westward, you see the shoreline becomes progressively more touristy. This space appears to be trafficked mostly by surfers and scientists from the Nature Bay Reserve. 

 To the north, a welcoming weather-beaten shack with the doors wide open is the only visible structure amid all the nature here. 

Exits: North, South, East.

>E


Boat access is limited here to ensure these calm and clean conditions.

You see the Charter boat has left the bay.

Exits: West, Northeast.

>NE


Flat, expansive sandy beach. To the Southeast, is a low tide pool.

You see a Conch.

Exits: Southeast, Southwest.

>SE


This low tide pool hosts saltmarsh-like habitat amidst an ocean environment. To the west is Trunk Island. To the east, is the Nature Bay Reserve with towering, impenetrable gnarled Red Mangrove roots.

Exits: Northwest.

>COLLECT WATER

The waters shimmer as you scoop it into the surfwax tub.



This low tide pool hosts saltmarsh-like habitat amidst an ocean environment. To the west is Trunk Island. To the east, is the Nature Bay Reserve with towering, impenetrable gnarled Red Mangrove roots.

You see giant landcrabs.

Exits: Northwest.

>NW


Flat, expansive sandy beach. To the Southeast, is a low tide pool.

You see a Conch.

Exits: Southeast, Southwest.

>SW


Boat access is limited here to ensure these calm and clean conditions.

You see the Charter boat has left the bay.

Exits: West, Northeast.

>W


Looking westward, you see the shoreline becomes progressively more touristy. This space appears to be trafficked mostly by surfers and scientists from the Nature Bay Reserve. 

 To the north, a welcoming weather-beaten shack with the doors wide open is the only visible structure amid all the nature here. 

Exits: North, South, East.

>`GO NORTH FOR WIN CONDITION. STAY FOR MUSIC!

Unknown verb - "`go".

Unknown verb - "stay".

>TSTOP
