Typed in by Dave Rees (rees@cs.bu.edu) from the instruction manual accompanying the Infocom game "Shogun". ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sample Transcript This transcript is not from Shogun, but will give you a good feeling for how Infocom's interactive fiction works. It contains some simple puzzles and their solutions. The player's commands appear in capital letters after each prompt (>). >LOOK You are at the helm of the tradeship Dek Twintig, about to make port in Goro. >LOOK AT THE SEA The sea is as calm as the day is beautiful. The sails are full and the brisk wind moves the ship along at a quick and steady pace. Directly to port lies the barrier reef which makes Goro an ideal harbor, sheltered from the relentless battering of the sea and safe from easy enemy attack. >LOOK AT THE REEF The reef is to port, marked by a line of churning surf and broken two hundred yards ahead by the mouth of the winding channel that leads to the anchorage in Goro Harbor. The Dek Twintig is running before the wind parallel to the reef. >LOOK AT THE CHANNEL The channel is ahead and to port, marked by red and green buoys; red buoys mark the channel's left side and green buoys mark the right side. >WAIT Time passess... From atop the mainsail in the crow's nest you hear the lookout yell, "Coming up on the channel now." >TURN THE WHEEL TO PORT You turn the wheel to port and the Dek Twintig slips into the channel. >LOOK AT THE CHANNEL The channel surrounds you on both sides about twice as wide as your ship, with red and green buoys marking its boundaries. Beyond the buoys lie shallow water, rocks, and disaster. The channel bends to starboard about three hundred yards ahead. >WAIT Time passes... The ship moves deeper into the channel propelled by the stiff winds. >WAIT Time passes... The ship moves deeper into the channel propelled by the stiff winds. The ship seems to be moving away from the center towards the left side of the channel. You hear the lookout yell excitedly, "Approaching red buoy dead ahead!" Startled, you look to the left for the buoy but it's too late because you've just left the channel and run aground. Luckily, you're on a sand bar and not the rocks. >UNDO [UNDO done.] >TURN WHEEL TO STARBOARD You quickly turn the helm to starboard just avoiding the red buoy. The Dek Twintig responds, veering back towards the center of the channel. >LOOK AT THE CHANNEL The channel surrounds you on both sides about twice as wide as your ship. The ship seems to be veering off to the right side of the channel. You remember your recent close call as you hear the lookout yell, "Green buoy sighted, Captain!" >STRAIGHTEN WHEEL You quickly straighten the wheel and the ship immediately centers herself in the channel. >LOOK AT THE CHANNEL The channel surrounds you on both sides, about twice as wide as your ship. The lookout yells, "Channel turning starboard, Captain." >TURN THE WHEEL STARBOARD You turn the wheel to starboard, expertly following the center of the channel. >STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL You straighten the wheel holding the Dek Twintig to the center of the channel. The lookout yells, "Anchorage dead ahead, Captain." >LOOK AT THE CHANNEL The channel surrounds you, about twice as wide as your ship. The channel opens up into Goro bay about two hundred yards ahead. >WAIT Time passes... You enter the harbor under full sail, a tribute to English seamanship. The anchorage is just a hundred yards away now. >CREW, LOWER THE SAILS The crewmen, who had been taking in the first sight of Goro, snap to and scurry up the riggings and smartly lower the sails and the Dek Twintig coasts majestically to the anchorage. You notice a small boat being launched from the shore and heading your way. >TELL THE FIRST MATE TO LOWER THE ANCHOR Seersucker orders three men forward to lower the anchor. Presently, you hear a splash and the first part of your voyage is complete. The small boat is getting closer. >LOOK AT THE BOAT The small boat, now coming up beside the Dek Twintig, is manned by a crew of twelve. They are dressed in strange but beautifully wrought clothing. Some of the men look like warriors. >SEERSUCKER, LOWER THE LADDER With the help of Hornung and Shalle, Seersucker lowers the ladder over the side. >WAIT Time passes... Four heavily armed men board the ship and position themselves around the top of the ladder. After a few moments a fifth man climbs the ladder. His manner and dress set him apart from the others; he is obviously their superior. >INVENTORY You are carrying official letters of introduction from the Dutch government, a sword, and a box containing a present to the people of Goro from Prince William of Orange. You step forward to address the leader. Immediately the four armed men jump forward, drawing their swords. You quickly step back. >BOW TO THE LEADER The leader takes a much more relaxed stance. His guards relax but eye you warily. >GIVE THE LETTERS TO THE LEADER You hand the letters of introduction to the leader. He looks at them but doesn't comprehend their meaning. >GIVE THE BOX TO THE LEADER The leader takes the box and opens it. Inside is a globe with Europe and Japan outlined in precious stones. The leader runs his hand over the European portion of the globe letting it come to rest on the purposely unadorned county of Spain. You feel uncomfortable his choice of resting place. >WAIT Time passes... The leader closes the box and speaks to one of the guards. The guard goes to the side of the ship and yells down to the men remaining in the small boat. Another man, obviously of Spanish descent, climbs the ladder and boards the ship. Eyeing you suspiciously, he approaches and introduces himself. "I am Dario Glaz. This man," he points to the leader, "is Admiral Sukata, commmander of the port of Goro. He wishes to know who you are?" >I AM CAPTAIN WICKS Upon hearing your name, Glaz becomes livid with rage, turns to Admiral Sukata and anxiously says something to Sukata. Instantly, Sukata yells something to his men and then to Glaz. The guards on deck come to a fighting posture while those remaining in the small boat begin to scurry up the ladder. Glaz faces you and says, "Captain Jeremiah Wicks, I hereby place you under arrest in the name of Admiral Sukata for the crime of piracy." As he speaks the guards move towards you. >I AM NOT A PIRATE The guards continue their advance. Your crew is not sure what to do. >I AM CAPTAIN ALEXANDER WICKS You hurriedly explain to Glaz that Jeremiah Wicks is your half-brother, a scourge to your family and an enemy of England and all nations. Glaz looks at you, now unsure of his charge. He turns an speaks once more to Sukata. Sukata listens intently then orders his men to stop.