# Hercules! — 5 of 16

## Leo Weinreb

Release 1

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Chapter 4 - The Ceryneian Hind

Keryneia is northwest of Stymphalia. "Keryneia is a holy land, a peaceful [woodland] filled with fresh wild air. They say that the fabled Ceryneian golden hind, blessed by Artemis herself, wanders these parts from time to time. The cursed land of Stymphalia lies to the southeast and the tip of Mount Erymanthos is visible to the southwest."

The woodland is a backdrop. The woodland is in Keryneia and Keryneia?. The description of the woodland is "Green and sunny and tranquil."

The golden hind is in Keryneia. "A golden hind prances beautifully through the woodland here.[first time] [3 as a footnote][only]". The golden hind is a woman.

Instead of touching the golden hind:

try taking the golden hind instead.

Instead of attacking the golden hind with anything:

try punching the golden hind instead.

Instead of punching the golden hind:

if the golden hind is in Keryneia:

try taking the golden hind instead;

else:

continue the action.

Check asking the golden hind about anything:

say "The deer gives no reply but continues traipsing silently across the lovely woodland." instead.

Check telling the golden hind about anything:

say "The deer ignores you and continues traipsing silently across the lovely woodland." instead.

Check giving anything to the golden hind:

say "The deer ignores your gift and continues traipsing silently across the lovely woodland." instead.

Check showing anything to the golden hind:

say "The deer ignores you and continues traipsing silently across the lovely woodland." instead.

The description of the golden hind is "A silent, beautiful deer bathed in a calming golden light."

Understand "deer" and "light" and "stag" and "doe" and "golden deer" and "golden stag" and "golden doe" as the golden hind.

Keryneia? is a room. "Is this Keryneia?... well, anyway, it's a holy land, a peaceful woodland filled with fresh wild air. They say that the fabled Ceryneian golden hind, blessed by Artemis herself, wanders these parts from time to time. The cursed land of Stymphalia lies to the southeast and the tip of Mount Erymanthos is visible to the southwest."

Understand "pinch [something]" and "poke [something]" as waking.

Instead of waking up when the player is in Keryneia?:

say "You awake with a start. That was one of the strangest dreams you've ever had... if it really was a dream...";

now the golden hind is in Keryneia;

now the player is in Keryneia.

Instead of going in Keryneia?:

say "You run a little ways in that direction but somehow remain back in the same place.".

The golden pendant is a thing. The golden pendant is nowhere. The description of the golden pendant is "Where did you get this from? You have no memory of receiving it from anyone... you examine the front of the jewel and notice a small 'A' engraved in black lettering. Then you examine the back and notice a small sticker: 'CAUTION: Made with specially Hephaestusized gold. DO NOT place near campfires, metal will absorb flames.'"

Instead of wearing the golden pendant:

say "No, it's not your style. You're more into practical neckwear like flash drives and surgical braces."

Instead of taking the golden hind when the player is in Keryneia:

say "It slips just out of your reach, as uncatchable as a dream."

Instead of sleeping when the player is in Keryneia:

if the score is less than 2:

say "You begin to drift off, entranced by the dance of the golden hind, but your increased levels of anxiety keep you stubbornly awake. You have a gnawing feeling you should be doing something else for now....";

else if the score is greater than 2:

continue the action;

else:

say "You drift off, entranced by the dance of the golden hind, and lay down for a quick nap...";

now the golden hind is in Keryneia?;

now the player is in Keryneia?.

Instead of taking the golden hind when the player is in Keryneia?:

say "It slips just out of your reach at first. But then you speed up so that you are matching pace with the glorious beast, running faster than any human has gone before, without the slightest trace of asthma on your lips. And at long last you manage to lay a hand on a tuft of its golden fur. As you do, the beast is transformed, growing more and more humanoid until the goddess Artemis stands before you. 'You have done well, young hero,' she murmurs quietly, staring at your pimples with fascination as you gaze at her golden brilliance, agape. 'While you may not have the agility to catch my creature in reality, you may do so in the wild realm of your subconscious. Our reality is shaped by our dreams, our impossible ambitions. You'd do well to remember that, young hero. You have more power than you think.' And the next instant, you wake with a start. The golden hind is gone.";

now the player is in Keryneia;

now the golden hind is nowhere;

now the player carries the golden pendant;

now the feral pig is in Mount Erymanthos;

increase the score by 1;

follow the notify score changes rule;

try requesting the score.

Understand the command "catch" as "take".

test hind with "w/ n/ n/ nw/ nw/ take hind/ sleep/ take hind"

Chasing is an action applying to one thing. Understand "chase [something]" and "run after [something]" or "follow [something]" as chasing.

Check chasing:

if the noun is not a person:

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

else if the noun is not the golden hind:

say "You'd get too asthmatic to try something like that! Who do you think you are, some sort of track star?" instead;

else:

continue the action.

Report chasing:

say "You attempt to run after the golden hind but it slips just out of your reach, as uncatchable as a dream."

Instead of chasing the golden hind:

if the player is in Keryneia?:

try taking the golden hind instead;

else:

continue the action.