Blue Lacuna — 438 of 467

Section - Reflecting Pool

Reflecting Pool is a room in Plateau. The description of Reflecting Pool is "A long, shallow reflecting [o]pool[x], integrated so well into the landscape you aren't sure if it's planned or natural, reflects a broad green avenue lined with trees gently stretching towards [the Distant Philosopher].[paragraph break][exits]." The exits text is "Two carefully tended paths [d]circle[x] the pool, meeting again on the opposite side at the start of the avenue. Smaller paths disappear into trees, one [d]towards[x] the sun and the other into [d]shadows[x]. Stone steps climb [up] a rocky spire, while a much grander stair runs [down] to a valley far below". Understand "sun" or "toward" or "towards" as east when location is Reflecting Pool. Understand "shade" or "into" or "shadows" as west when location is Reflecting Pool. Understand "plateau" or "around" or "circle" as northwest when location is Reflecting Pool.

Instead of going down in Reflecting Pool, say "You step to the edge of the stairs and look down a long, winding stair, snaking down the cliff to the forest far, far below. It's a journey you're not sure this body is up to." Instead of entering the shallow reflecting pool, say "The pool looks shallow enough, but it is calm and well-tended, and some inner voice compels you to consider one of the [o]paths[x] instead."

Report going to Avenue South from Reflecting Pool: say "[roundthepool]". Report going to Reflecting Pool from Avenue South: say "[roundthepool]". To say roundthepool: say "You follow the path, perfectly interlocking stone tiles lined by well-tended vegetation, around the edge of the pool [if location is Reflecting Pool]to a flat spot at the base of the spire[otherwise]to the end of a broad avenue[end if]." Report going from Reflecting Pool to Top of Spire: say "You climb the stairs up the steep slope around the rocky spire." Report going from Reflecting Pool to Mural Far West: say "[tomuraldesc].". Report going from Reflecting Pool to Mural Far East: say "[tomuraldesc].".[aar]

LYPNflag is a number that varies. LYPNflag is 0.

Learning Your Projected Nature is a scene. Learning Your Projected Nature begins when the player has been in Overlook for exactly one turn. Learning Your Projected Nature ends when LYPNflag is 1.

Every turn during Learning Your Projected Nature:

if the location is Reflecting Pool, say "[one of]Your [o]reflection[x] in the pool catches your eye. Something seems strange about it.[or][reflectionreminder][stopping]". To say reflectionreminder: if a random chance of 1 in 4 succeeds, say "Your [o]reflection[x] in the pool catches your eye. Something seems strange about it.".

Instead of examining Lacunite-Follower:

if Learning Your Projected Nature is happening, now LYPNflag is 1;

say "[if Learning Your Projected Nature is happening or we have examined the player]You look down at your body with astonishment: you seem to be wearing a loose red robe. But as your hands move to feel the material, you gasp in shock.

They are not your hands.

They are[otherwise]You seem to be wearing a loose, red robe, contrasting with your hands:[end if] a different shade and shape, familiar knuckles and veins replaced, thin fingers, nails that are almost purple. Turning them over, you see the faint callouses of a lifelong worker. Raising the strange hands to your face, you feel alien cheekbones and tight, unwrinkled flesh.";

if Learning Your Projected Nature is happening and a Lacunite is visible begin;

now a random Lacunite enclosed by the location is attentive;

say "[paragraph break]Noticing your astonishment, [a random Lacunite enclosed by the location] pauses. [run paragraph on]";

force discuss t_strangebody;

now stranger_counter is 3;

end if.

[ otherwise;

say "[paragraph break]This alien body is disorienting to be inside of, when you think about it, but you are astonished at how quickly you are beginning to just accept it as another strange adaptation.";]

t_strangebody is a beat in HM with reaction "'Do not be alarmed,' [heshe] says[if Lacunite-Follower is unidentified], coming over to you and gently tracing a symbol on your cheek with a bit of paint[end if]. 'Only your mind has travelled here. Your body is still on the world of Lacuna, but the one whose reflection you see has lent you [if player is male]his[otherwise]her[end if] body and senses, for as long as you visit the [t]Heart[x].'". After discussing t_strangebody: now LYPNflag is 1; now Lacunite-Follower is identified. t_strangebody summons hm_where, hm_how, hm_why, hm_name, hm_symbol.

The shallow reflecting pool is a backdrop. It is in Reflecting Pool and Avenue South. Understand "long" as the shallow pool. The description is "The shallow oval pool stretches across this flat spot on the plateau. The water is crystal-clear and the edge is rimmed with flowers. Rippled reflections of the great tree at the end of the avenue and of your own distorted [o]reflection[x] shine up at you." Instead of touching the pool, say "You reach out a hand and the reflection does also. As they meet on the warm surface of the water, ripples distort the strange face into indistinct patterns."

Instead of vague swimming when the reflecting pool is visible, say "This place has a deep presence of order and sacredness: swimming in the calm pool would seem highly inappropriate." Instead of swimming in the pool, try vague swimming.

Washing is an action applying to nothing. Understand "wash" or "clean" or "scrub" as washing. Overly specific washing is an action applying to one topic. Understand "wash face/hand/hands" or "clean face/hand/hands" or "scrub face/hand/hands" as overly specific washing. Check overly specific washing: try washing instead.

Check washing: if location is not Reflecting Pool and location is not Avenue South, say "You do. It feels good to be clean." instead. Check washing: if the player is Lacunite-Follower and Lacunite-Follower is identified and a Lacunite is visible, say "Someone is watching." instead.

Carry out washing: if Lacunite-Follower is identified and the player is Lacunite-Follower begin; now Lacunite-Follower is unidentified; say "Reaching your hands down into the pool, you wash the symbol off your face."; otherwise; say "You wash your face and hands in the cool water."; end if.

Your reflection is a backdrop. Understand "distorted" or "form" or "symbol" as reflection. It is in Reflecting Pool and Avenue South.

Instead of examining the reflection:

if Learning Your Projected Nature is happening begin;

say "As you gaze closer, you gasp. Your reflection is not you. It is one of the creatures; large eyes gape back at you, and yellowish hands reach up to touch your face in sync with yours.";

now LYPNflag is 1;

if a Lacunite is visible begin;

say "[line break]Noticing your astonishment, [a random Lacunite in the location] nearby pauses. [run paragraph on]";

pre-conversation processing;

force discuss t_strangebody;

say "'I can answer your questions, if you like,' [heshe] adds.";

end if;

otherwise;

say "You study the face staring back at you with a strange but slowly weakening feeling of something like vertigo. It is young, as far as you can tell with these people, and seems healthy. The most curious sensation is staring into the eyes: you cannot decide if you are looking at yourself or another, your mind futilely flipping back and forth, like an optical illusion of depth[if Lacunite-Follower is identified]. On your cheek, in white paint, is drawn a simple symbol[end if].";

end if.

[ Normally, the Lacunites will identify the player as the visitor and mark him with face paint. However, a clever player can observe things unawares if they wash off the face paint and carry around a garden spade. If they stand around for a few moves without doing any work, or ask questions, the Lacunites recognize him for the outsider and take the spade from him. A new spade can be found near where the huts are. Lacunites will instantly recognize the player for who he is if he is not carrying a spade. ]

The stranger_counter is a number that varies. The stranger_counter is 0. After going during Visiting Treeworld: now the stranger_counter is 0; continue the action.

Every turn when Visiting Treeworld is happening and an idle Lacunite-gardener is visible and Lacunite-Follower is unidentified and we are not digging and we are not going (this is the Lacunites will figure out an idle player is the stranger rule):

increase the stranger_counter by 1;

if the player is not holding the spade, increase the stranger_counter by 1;

if stranger_counter is 1 begin; say "[one of][A random Lacunite-gardener in the location] nods to you[or][A random Lacunite-gardener in the location] makes brief eye contact and smiles[or][A random Lacunite-gardener in the location] quietly acknowledges your presence[at random].";

otherwise if stranger_counter is 2; say "[one of]Glancing in your direction, [a random Lacunite-gardener in the location] turns [hisher] head and looks puzzled.[or][The random Lacunite-gardener in the location] turns an intent gaze on you.[or]You notice [a random Lacunite-gardener in the location] glance over at you curiously.[at random]";

otherwise if stranger_counter is 3; say "[one of][A random Lacunite-gardener in the location]continues to gaze at you with a puzzled expression[or]You get another odd look from [a random Lacunite-gardener in the location][at random].";

end if.

Every turn when Visiting Treeworld is happening and a Lacunite-gardener is visible and Lacunite-Follower is unidentified and we are not going and the stranger_counter is at least 2 and a random chance of 2 in 3 succeeds (this is the Lacunite revelation rule):

let greetee be a random Lacunite-gardener in the location;

now greetee is attentive;

force discuss hm_recognize;

now Lacunite-Follower is identified;

notice language translation;

if Lacunite-Follower carries the spade:

remove the spade from play.

hm_recognize is a repeatable beat in HM with reaction "A smile breaks out on the face of [a random Lacunite-gardener in the location]. Coming towards you, [heshe] [if Lacunite-Follower carries the spade]slips the spade from your fingers and [end if]puts a hand on your shoulder. 'Visitor,' [heshe] says, '[if Lacunite-Follower carries the spade]with your gardening tool I thought you were one of us. W[else]w[end if]elcome. Please, if you have any questions about our world, you only have to ask.'[paragraph break]Dipping a finger in a pot of paint, [heshe] draws a single [hm_symbol] on your cheek. 'There,' [heshe] says, 'now the others will know you and greet you properly.'". hm_recognize summons hm_where, hm_how, hm_why, hm_name.

Understand "symbol/paint" as hm_symbol. hm_symbol is a beat in HM with keyword name "symbol" and reaction "'So we know which one of us you are,' [heshe] says with a smile, 'and can afford you the respect your fantastic visit deserves.'".

Every turn when Visiting Treeworld is happening and a Lacunite-gardener is visible and Lacunite-Follower is identified and we are going (this is the Lacunites recognize an identified player rule):

say "[The random Lacunite-gardener in the location] [one of]smiles at you, nodding and bowing[or]smiles and moves back, out of your way[or]stops what [heshe] is doing to give you a bow and a beaming smile[at random].".

[Digging is an action applying to nothing. Understand "dig" or "garden" as digging.] Check digging when location is regionally in Treeworld: if player is not carrying spade, say "You don't have anything to dig with.". Carry out digging when location is regionally in Treeworld: say "Kneeling in the dirt, you carefully tend to some flowers here." instead. After digging when a Lacunite-gardener is visible: say "Nodding, [a random Lacunite-gardener in the location] goes back to what [hisher] work."; continue the action. After digging when location is regionally in Treeworld: now stranger_counter is 0; continue the action.