# Hercules! — 4 of 16

## Leo Weinreb

Release 1

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Chapter 3 - The Lernean Hydra

Lerna is south of Tiryns. "You are in the land of marshes and wildflowers, commonly known by residents as Lerna. [paragraph break]To the east is the famous lake of the same name, and residence of the fabled Lernean Hydra, the monster that can't be spliced! You can also go back north to Tiryns or to the [shorelines] to the west and southeast." The box of matches is a tool in Lerna. "Hey your box of matches is here! You were wondering where you left them. [2 as a footnote]"

The shorelines are a backdrop. The shorelines are in Lerna and the Peloponnesian Shore and the Western Shore and Amazonia and the Garden of the Hesperides. Understand "shoreline" and "shore" as the shorelines.

Instead of examining the shorelines:

if the player is in the Peloponnesian Shore or the player is in the Western Shore:

try looking instead;

else:

say "You can't see the shoreline from here. You'll have to go [if the player is in the Lerna]west or southeast[else if the player is in Amazonia]west[else]east[end if] to see it."

The description of the box of matches is "It's just a small red matchbook with some matches inside. Small writing on the box says 'made with love and care by the Cyclopes of [italic type]Hephaestus, Inc[Roman type].'"

Understand "match" and "matchbook" and "matchbox" and "match box" and "match book" as the box of matches.

Burning it with is an action applying to two things. Understand "burn [something] with [something]" as burning it with.

Does the player mean burning something with the box of matches:

it is very likely.

Check burning it with:

if the second noun is the box of matches:

try attacking the noun with the box of matches instead;

else:

say "You can't burn something with that." instead.

Understand the command "light" as something new.

Lighting is an action applying to one thing. Understand "light [something]" and "strike [something]" as lighting.

Check lighting:

If the noun is not the box of matches:

say "You can't light that." instead;

else:

say "No, you can see pretty well thanks to your spectacles and the bright sun of Greece. IF you were to try anything with the box of matches right now (and that's a big if), you'd try to burn things with it." instead.

Carry out lighting:

say "You light [the noun]."

Check attacking something with the box of matches:

if the noun is the box of matches:

continue the action;

else if the noun is yourself:

try dying instead;

else if the noun is a person:

say "No... you're afraid of fire, so you like to avoid it if at all possible. Besides, you're definitely clumsy enough to miss [the noun] and burn yourself instead!" instead;

else:

say "No... you're afraid of fire, so you like to avoid it if at all possible." instead.

Instead of attacking the flag with the box of matches:

say "No... but maybe if it was an American flag. Your fear of fire is no match for the fire in the hearts of all people who wish to see the workers of the world rise up and seize the means of production from their oppressors."

Lake Lerna is east of Lerna. "This is a beautiful, clear, [expansive lake] in the middle of the marshes, quite the scenic overlook. The only way from here is back west to Lerna proper." Iolaus is a person in Lake Lerna. Understand "blonde dreadlocks" and "dreadlocks" and "tattoos" and "tattoo" and "leaf" and "marijuana leaf" and "marijuana" as Iolaus. "You can see your troublemaking, skater nephew Iolaus here, grinning stupidly." The hydra is a neuter person in Lake Lerna. "This stunning view is only slightly marred by the largest, most terrifying monster you've ever seen in your life, the Lernean Hydra, emerging from the center of the lake."

The knit cap is an undescribed wearable thing. Iolaus wears the knit cap. The description of the knit cap is "You shudder to think what devices of destruction might be lying underneath that knit cap."

The toxic-looking purple goo is a thing. The indefinite article is "some". The toxic-looking purple goo is nowhere.

The marshes are a backdrop. The marshes are in Lerna and Lake Lerna and Tiryns. The description of the marshes is "Pretty wildflowers and swampy, mossy algae [if the player is in Tiryns]can be seen just on the edge of the southern horizon.[else]dot these marshy lands.[end if]". Understand "wildflowers" and "algae" and "flowers" and "flower" and "marsh" and "swamp" and "moss" and "Lerna" as the marshes.

Instead of taking the marshes:

say "No, you don't want any marshy plant-life, it would soak your trousers and you'd probably be allergic to it anyways."

Understand "monster" and "lizard" and "heads" and "necks" as the hydra.

The expansive lake is scenery in Lake Lerna. Understand "water" and "Lake Lerna" as the expansive lake.

Instead of entering the expansive lake:

try swimming instead.

Instead of drinking the expansive lake:

say "It tastes all right, actually, but has a slightly gooey consistency that puts you off."

Instead of tasting the expansive lake:

try drinking the expansive lake instead.

The description of the expansive lake is "The bluest water you've ever seen."

The description of Iolaus is "Your slacker nephew. He perfectly fits the stereotype of a skater dude, complete with blonde dreadlocks, knit cap, several tattoos (one of a marijuana leaf), and the inability to perform tricks on his skateboard. His two true passions that you've surmised are blowing things up and lighting things on fire.[if Iolaus carries something][paragraph break]Iolaus is carrying [a list of things carried by Iolaus].[end if]"

Understand "nephew" and "skater" and "slacker" as Iolaus.

Does the player mean giving something to Iolaus:

it is very likely.

Does the player mean showing something to Iolaus:

it is very likely.

Does the player mean asking Iolaus about something:

it is very likely.

Does the player mean asking Iolaus for something:

it is very likely.

Does the player mean telling Iolaus about something:

it is very likely.

The description of the hydra is "It's almost impossible to describe. A nightmarish, gooey purple lizard with 5ft fangs and a swirling mass of multiple heads and necks. Larger than physics would think possible. And it's staring right at you.[paragraph break]Seven of the monster's heads notice you ogling it and let out a chorus of tortured, screeching cries. You nearly pass out from fear.".

Instead of giving the box of matches to Iolaus:

say "Iolaus takes them eagerly, a manic glint in his eyes.";

now Iolaus carries the box of matches.

Check asking Iolaus about anything:

say "Iolaus grins at you stupidly and says 'Whatever, man. Got anything I can blow up?'" instead.

Check telling Iolaus about anything:

say "Iolaus nods at you as you tell your tale but you can soon start to see his eyes glazing over. His fingers twitch as if searching for the trigger of a bomb." instead.

Check showing anything to Iolaus:

say "'Huh, does it blow anything up?'" instead.

Check giving anything to Iolaus:

if the noun is the box of matches:

continue the action;

else:

say "'Nah, thanks but no thanks Uncle Herc. Not dangerous enough for me.' And he gives you a sly smile." instead.

Instead of asking Iolaus about "the hydra":

if the hydra is nowhere:

say "'Man, that was siiiick, right Uncle Herc? Too bad it's dead though, would love to see what would happen if we stuck some dynamite in it.'";

else:

say "'Pretty gnarly, right Uncle Herc? It'd be so sick to see that thing blown up.'".

Instead of asking Iolaus about "hydra":

if the hydra is nowhere:

say "'Man, that was siiiick, right Uncle Herc? Too bad it's dead though, would love to see what would happen if we stuck some dynamite in it.'";

else:

say "'Pretty gnarly, right Uncle Herc? It'd be so sick to see that thing blown up.'".

Instead of asking Iolaus about "monster":

if the hydra is nowhere:

say "'Man, that was siiiick, right Uncle Herc? Too bad it's dead though, would love to see what would happen if we stuck some dynamite in it.'";

else:

say "'Pretty gnarly, right Uncle Herc? It'd be so sick to see that thing blown up.'".

Check asking the hydra about anything:

say "Five different heads let out a screeching cry and you wet yourself. Talking will get you nowhere." instead.

Check telling the hydra about anything:

say "Five different heads let out a screeching cry and you wet yourself. Talking will get you nowhere." instead.

Check showing anything to the hydra:

say "Five different heads let out a screeching cry and you wet yourself. Talking will get you nowhere." instead.

Check giving anything to the hydra:

say "Five different heads let out a screeching cry and you wet yourself. Bartering will get you nowhere." instead.

Check attacking the hydra with a tool:

say "With these muscles? The hydra is just squishy enough that you MIGHT be able to do it with the right weapon. But [the second noun] isn't one of those weapons. That would just make you asthmatic." instead.

Understand "puddle" and "ball" and "silly putty" and "poisonous" and "toxic" and "poison" and "slime" and "liquid" and "poisonous liquid" as the toxic-looking purple goo.

Instead of attacking the hydra with the lion pelt:

If Iolaus carries the box of matches:

say "You slash off the soft, gelatinous heads of the hydra with the claws on your lion pelt. Meanwhile, your crazy nephew bounces across to each head as soon as you sever it and burns the stumps so they can't grow back. [paragraph break]Soon all that remains of the hydra is a puddle of some toxic-looking purple goo.";

now the hydra is nowhere;

now the toxic-looking purple goo is in Lake Lerna;

increase the score by 1;

follow the notify score changes rule;

try requesting the score;

else if the player wears the lion pelt:

say "Thankfully, the hydra's form is soft and gooey, so the sharp claws of your lion pelt are juuust strong enough to slash off a nearby head, despite your lack of muscles. After about 30 seconds, three more heads sprout from the stump and let out a screeching cry. Your knees turn to jelly.";

else:

continue the action.

Instead of taking the toxic-looking purple goo:

If the player is wearing the lion pelt:

say "You gingerly pick up the poisonous liquid in your pelt-covered arms. It sticks together like silly putty and is easy to carry around, but you'd better not get any of this on your skin.";

continue the action;

else:

say "No way are you picking that up without wearing some kind of protective gear!".

test hydra with "s/ s/ take box/ e/ give box to Iolaus/ kill hydra with lion pelt/ take goo"

Instead of asking Iolaus about "[the box of matches]":

if the hydra is nowhere and Iolaus carries the box of matches:

say "Iolaus hesitates and then shrugs. 'I guess I don't need them anymore... take good care of them for me, Uncle Herc,' and with a slightly wistful look in his eyes, he hands back the matches.";

now the player carries the box of matches;

else if Iolaus carries the box of matches:

say "He grins wickedly at you. 'I'm not giving them back yet. We got work to do, Uncle Herc.' He eyes the hydra hungrily.";

else:

say "Iolaus's eyes move longingly over to the box of matches. 'I know they're yours, but do you mind if I borrow them? You know how I love starting fires.'".

Instead of asking Iolaus for the box of matches:

try asking Iolaus about "[the box of matches]" instead.

Instead of taking the box of matches:

if Iolaus carries the box of matches:

say "The box of matches appears to be loaned to Iolaus for now. You'll have to ask him for it if you want it back.";

else:

continue the action.

Instead of telling Iolaus about "[the box of matches]":

say "'I know man, they're wicked cool. Do you know how many fires I could start with these?' His eyes glint with excitement.".

Instead of showing the box of matches to Iolaus:

say "Iolaus's eyes move longingly over to the box of matches. 'I know they're yours, but do you mind if I borrow them? You know how I love starting fires.'".

The description of the toxic-looking purple goo is "[if the player carries the toxic-looking purple goo]A ball of poisonous purple goo, held together like silly putty. You're very careful not to get any of the goo on your bare skin.[else]Just a puddle of toxic-looking purple goo.[end if]"

Check touching the toxic-looking purple goo:

if the player is not wearing the lion pelt:

say "Not without some kind of protective covering." instead;

else:

continue the action.