Typed in by Dave Rees (
[email protected]) from the instruction manual
accompanying the Infocom game "Shogun".
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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.
