Matrix Text Game — 8 of 11

Part 5 - Sorayama System Map (Mercurial)

The Sorayama System is a nexus. Sorayama Gate House, Sorayama Gazebo, Sorayama Garden, Sorayama Armory, Sorayama Counting House, Sorayama Temple Courtyard, and Sorayama Great Hall are in the Sorayama System.

Sorayama Gate House is down from Chiba SAN. Sorayama Gate House is a node. "You approach the towering gate house of a classic samurai castle. A high, pagoda-like tower blocks your way, with a massive, closed and barred gate in its center." The item-type-description is "This is a node used as a SAN (System Access Node)."

Sorayama Gazebo is east of Sorayama Gate House. It is a hub-access-node. "You slip into an eight-sided walled enclosure." The item-type-description is "This is a node used to double-check access into the system."

Conch-Shell Samurai is in Sorayama Gazebo. "[if conch-shell samurai is peaceful]The gazebo is guarded by a fierce-looking samurai warrior armed with a conch-shell trumpet[otherwise]The samurai blows an alert on his conch-shell, and readies his sword for attack[end if]." It is an ice. The item-type-description is "This is a normal analyze IC."

Table of Conch-Shell Samurai Stats

When play begins:

initialize Table of Conch-Shell Samurai Stats for Conch-Shell Samurai at rating 6;

Give Conch-Shell Samurai a rating 5 in "attack";

Give Conch-Shell Samurai a rating 6 in "analyze";

Give Conch-Shell Samurai a rating 4 in "armor";

Give Conch-Shell Samurai a rating 5 in "firewall";

Sorayama Garden is east of Sorayama Gazebo. It is a hub-access-node. "You near an eight-sided garden, with bonsai trees set among lovingly raked stones. In the center, a clear pool shimmers. In its depths, you see the flashing of golden fish. A high wall blocks the eastern end of the garden." The item-type-description is "This is a node used to route traffic and block access to another area."

The golden fish is in the Sorayama Garden. It is data-traffic and scenery. crypt-rating is 4. The item-type-description is "These golden fish are data traffic flowing through this node." Understand "fish" as the golden fish.

Sorayama Garden Courtyard is east of Sorayama Garden. It is a hub-access-node. "Beyond the garden wall there is a small countyard. A long gallery of windows runs along this side of the wall. The garden is full of craftsmen, all dressed in period peasant attire, and seated at long tables. However, quite anachronistically, they are armed with very modern-looking medical instruments, gruesomely working on quivering human body parts." The item-type-description is "This area is a node which deals mostly with i/o ports and slave modules."

Table of Sorayama Garden Courtyard Stats

When play begins:

initialize Table of Sorayama Garden Courtyard Stats for Sorayama Garden Courtyard at rating 2;

Give Sorayama Garden Courtyard a rating 4 in "firewall";

Courtyard Windows are slave-objects and scenery. The item-type-description is "These windows represent bioscanners, holographic imaging systems, sophisticated cameras, and so on."

Courtyard Craftsmen are slave-objects and scenery. The item-type-description is "These craftsmen represent slave modules for surgical equipment and remote-controlled devices. Sorayama probably comes here to perform surgeries."

Sorayama Armory is south of Sorayama Gazebo. It is a hub-access-node. "Here is a large armory, crammed with ancient armor, katana, and other samurai weapons." The item-type-description is "This armory represents a node that protects other areas from invasion."

Samurai Warrior is in Sorayama Armory. "[if the samurai warrior is peaceful]It is guarded by a mighty warrior in full armor, weilding a great katana[otherwise][paragraph break]The Samurai Warrior has drawn its great katana and holds it at the ready[end if]." It is ice. The item-type-description is "This is an attack-IC."

Table of Samurai Warrior Stats

When play begins:

initialize Table of Samurai Warrior Stats for Samurai Warrior at rating 6;

Give Samurai Warrior a rating 5 in "attack";

Give Samurai Warrior a rating 6 in "analyze";

Give Samurai Warrior a rating 4 in "armor";

Sorayama Counting House is west of Sorayama Armory. It is a hub-access-node. "This area bustles with activity. It is a busy counting house; along the walls filled with a long rack of scrolls. Across the way, there is a smaller cabinet also filled with scrolls." The item-type-description is "This is a datastore node."

[This is a non-standard hub-access-node. Let's give it a custom stat table so we can give it a higher Firewall rating.]

[Create a blank table:]

Table of Sorayama Counting House Stats

[At the beginning of the table we'll create the rest of the Table of Sorayama Counting House Stats by giving the Counting House a copying the current table (the one for all hub-access-nodes) and then changing the Firewall rating. "Give" will also activate the stat or program rather than just change the rating.]

When play begins:

initialize Table of Sorayama Counting House Stats for Sorayama Counting House at rating 3;

Give Sorayama Counting House a rating 6 in "firewall";

A long rack is in Sorayama Counting House. It is a data-object and scenery. The item-type-description is "This is a data-object and holds a great deal of data." The description is "You can now interact with the many scrolls inside the long rack; there are several in each cubby. Skimming through the scrolls, you see nothing of particular value. This is storage for the many routine surgeries that the Chiba cyberartiste doctor performs every year."

[+Here's an interesting way of dealing with lots of nonsense that might delay or amuse players who like wasting their time...or who insist on trying to take everything in sight. If the player insists that somehow the information would be useful, point out that the names are pseudonyms simply to remind Sorayama of whom the customer is. It means nothing to anyone else.+]

The many scrolls is data in the Long Rack. It is fixed in place. The description is "'[scroll name] [scroll occupation]/[scroll upgrade]/[a random number between 10 and 50]0,000¥ for [one of]reduced invasive[or]standard[or]elite[at random] surgery/performed [a random number between 1 and 12]/[a random number between 1 and 28]/4[a random number between 0 and 9].'".

To say scroll name: say "[one of]Joe[or]Jane[or]John[or]Joanna[or]Wang[or]Mai[or]Tom[or]Dick[or]Harry[or]Arthur[or]Mary[or]Maria[or]Sue[or]Willy[or][or][or]Pat[or]Chris[or]Bob[at random]";

To say scroll occupation: say "[one of]Samurai[or]Bodyguard[or]Hacker[or]Rigger[or]Specialist[or]Security Guard[or]Mage[or]Adept[or]Child[as decreasingly likely outcomes]";

To say scroll upgrade: say "[one of]Wired Reflexes level [scroll level][or]Muscle Replacement level [scroll level][or]Cybereyes level [scroll level][or]Cyberears level [scroll level][or]Datajack[or]Skillwires level [scroll level][at random]";

To say scroll level: say "[a random number between 1 and 3]";

Instead of taking the many scrolls, say "You could take these, but it's not even worth considering." instead.

A smaller cabinet is in Sorayama Counting House. It is a data-object and scenery. The item-type-description is "This is a data-object holding about 100 pieces of data." The description is "These are records for Sorayama's Ultra Line 'masterpieces'. You search on the keyword '84 Sorayama' and find the record for one 'Maria Aguilar'. Skimming the file, you know you've hit paydirt. You can download her record by saying 'take scroll'."

Scroll 84 is in the smaller cabinet. It is paydata. The description is "This is the medical and installation records of one 'Maria Aguilar' whom you recognize from the photos enclosed as the performance artist 'Maria Mercurial'. It discloses her cybernetic enhancements, rehabilitation, follow-up visits, and a note that the doctor has heard that she is doing well and climbing the rock-star ladder."

Sorayama Temple Courtyard is south of Sorayama Armory. It is a hub-access-node. "You have reached a quiet courtyard in what appears as a Buddhist temple. It is spare, clean, and bare of any vegetation. The courtyard surface is raked gravel, with larger rocks positioned artfully here and there, these larger rocks are covered with artwork." The item-type-description is "This is a datastore node."

A quiet Monk is in Sorayama Temple Courtyard. It is ice. [black ice] "[if the quiet monk is peaceful]A monk sits quietly here in lotus position, hands poised in a mudra on his lap, eyes closed and apparently meditating[otherwise]The monk stands alert and ready, but also relaxed[end if]."The item-type-description is "This is black IC. Better watch out." The description of the monk is "[if the quiet monk is peaceful]Even though you strain to see him better, the monk is still meditating, with his shaved head and modest robes.[otherwise]Even though you strain to see him better, the monk is still relaxed and alert. Then he becomes a flying flurry of arms and robes, and starts wiping your butt all over the electrons.[end if]".

Table of A quiet Monk Stats

When play begins:

initialize Table of A quiet Monk Stats for A quiet Monk at rating 8;

Give quiet Monk a rating 7 in "black hammer";

Give quiet Monk a rating 5 in "attack";

Give quiet Monk a rating 6 in "armor";

[When convenient, create your own items: in this canse we want 'rock' to be paydata.]

A rock is a kind of paydata.

After taking a rock:

award 1 point;

say "[1 sas]Ok, now you have [number of rocks which are carried by the player] rock[if number of rocks which are carried by the player is greater than 1]s[end if].[if number of rocks which are carried by the player is 6] This is starting to get heavy. Wait! This is virtual reality.[end if][if number of rocks which are carried by the player is 7] Rich, rich, filthy rich![run paragraph on][end if][if number of rocks which are carried by the player is 8] You're a happy miser.[end if][run paragraph on]";

Rule for deciding whether all includes rocks:

now dont-take-all is true;

it does not.

Sumi-e Rock is in Sorayama Temple Courtyard. It is a rock. "This rock is covered in a [italic type]sumi-e[roman type] ink painting, with delicate fronds of feathered plants and bamboo in black and red." The description is "These are the plans for a brilliant and intricate cyberarm." The street value is 100000. The item-type-description is "This is data. A work-in-progress, thus kept very accessible in the system." Understand "plants" and "plant" and "bamboo" as Sumi-e Rock.

Netsuke Rock is in Sorayama Temple Courtyard. It is a rock. "This rock is carved into a painted figurine of a plump asian elephant; it's a [italic type]netsuke[roman type] piece." The description is "This cyberleg design is intreguing. If only you knew what you were looking at." The street value is 160000. The item-type-description is "This is data. A work-in-progress, thus kept very accessible in the system." Understand "elephant" as Netsuke Rock.

Fan Rock is in Sorayama Temple Courtyard. It is a rock. "This rock is painted to resemble a gracefully painted [italic type]fan[roman type], with long rows of kanji notes on it." The description is "This looks like the plans for a very sturdy cybertorso, with lasers and built-in gadgets." The street value is 240000. The item-type-description is "This is data. A work-in-progress, thus kept very accessible in the system." Understand "kanji" and "painted fan" as Fan Rock.

Geisha Rock is in Sorayama Temple Courtyard. It is a rock. "This rock depicts a beautiful white-faced [italic type]Geisha[roman type] in full decorated silken kimono carrying a painted parasol." The description is "These are the plans for a seamless and undetectable synthskin that changes color at will." The street value is 100000. The item-type-description is "This is data. A work-in-progress, thus kept very accessible in the system." Understand "kimono" and "parasol" as Geisha Rock.

Temple Rock is in Sorayama Temple Courtyard. It is a rock. "A [italic type]temple[roman type], artfully drawn in simple strokes of black and red ink, adorns this rock." The description is "These are plans for very realistic-looking cybereyes with many enhancements. Beautiful!" The street value is 80000. The item-type-description is "This is data. A work-in-progress, thus kept very accessible in the system."

Buddha Rock is in Sorayama Temple Courtyard. It is a rock. "Peaceful [italic type]Buddha[roman type], eyes closed, is resting or praying on this rock." The description is "One of the more odd plans in the collection, this is a realistic looking cybertorso but the shoulderblades extend out into memory metal wings. You wonder whether it lets someone fly, or even glide -- or are they just for show?" The street value is 120000. The item-type-description is "This is data. A work-in-progress, thus kept very accessible in the system." Understand "praying" as Buddha Rock.

Kabuki Rock is in Sorayama Temple Courtyard. It is a rock. "Graceful and fancifully dressed figures are dancing in traditional [italic type]kabuki[roman type] form on this rock." The description is "Full headware sensory enhancement plans: realistic cyberears, cybereyes, enhanced sense of smell and taste without interfering with natural smell or taste (brilliant!), and even heat and cyberware sensors." The street value is 180000. The item-type-description is "This is data. A work-in-progress, thus kept very accessible in the system." Understand "dance" and "dancing" and "figures" as the Kabuki Rock.

Noh Mask Rock is in Sorayama Temple Courtyard. It is a rock. "This rock is carved into the form of a frightening mask, called a [italic type]Noh[roman type] mask. The face grimaces at you evilly." The description is "Plans and outlines for a very realistic cyberhand modification with built-in weapons." The street value is 80000. The item-type-description is "This is data. A work-in-progress, thus kept very accessible in the system."

Sorayama Great Hall is south of Sorayama Garden and east of Sorayama Temple Courtyard. It is a node. "As you approach, this building is impressive. The Great Hall of a mighty daimyo, or a samurai lord. The lord sits brooding on a dais at the far end of the hall. Beside him is a huge lacquer chest, open to reveal the glint of gold." The item-type-description is "This is the system's CPU, a node that is the master control of everything on the system. While a little out-dated, they really don't make beautiful systems like this anymore."

Table of Sorayama Great Hall Stats

When play begins:

initialize Table of Sorayama Great Hall Stats for Sorayama Great Hall at rating 4;

Give Sorayama Great Hall a rating 8 in "firewall";

The smoking Fu Dog is in Sorayama Great Hall. "[if the smoking fu dog is peaceful]The doors of the room are guarded by two Fu dogs, the fierce lion-hounds that guard Japanese temples from evil. This Fu dog has smoke rising from its nostrils[otherwise]The smoking Fu Dog lopes off into the distance[end if]." It is ice. The item-type-description is "This is a track IC."

Table of The smoking Fu Dog Stats

When play begins:

initialize Table of The smoking Fu Dog Stats for The smoking Fu Dog at rating 6;

Give smoking Fu Dog a rating 4 in "attack";

Give smoking Fu Dog a rating 5 in "track";

Give smoking Fu Dog a rating 4 in "armor";

The flaming Fu Dog is in Sorayama Great Hall. "[if the flaming fu dog is peaceful]This Fu dog is panting slightly, flames flickering from its gaping mouth[otherwise]The Fu dog bristles at you, flames licking in your direction with every growling breath[end if]." It is ice. [black ice] The item-type-description is "This is a blackout IC."

Table of The flaming Fu Dog Stats

When play begins:

initialize Table of The flaming Fu Dog Stats for The flaming Fu Dog at rating 7;

Give flaming Fu Dog a rating 4 in "attack";

Give flaming Fu Dog a rating 5 in "blackout";

Give flaming Fu Dog a rating 5 in "armor";

Oni Bearing Longbow is in Sorayama Great Hall. "[if the oni bearing longbow is peaceful]Behind the chest looms the figure of an oni, a Japanese demon, bearing a powerful yumi (longbow)[otherwise]The terrible Oni stirs, face a mask of calm as it raises the yumi and its bulky arm overhead, setting a ya (arrow) to the yumi.[end if]." It is ice. [black ice] The item-type-description is "This is black IC. You could have guessed."

Table of Oni Bearing Longbow Stats

When play begins:

initialize Table of Oni Bearing Longbow Stats for Oni Bearing Longbow at rating 8;

Give Oni Bearing Longbow a rating 7 in "attack";

Give Oni Bearing Longbow a rating 8 in "black hammer";

Give Oni Bearing Longbow a rating 6 in "armor";

[Just fixing the visual map for these locations -- this is purely cosmetic.]

Index map with Sorayama Garden Courtyard mapped west of Ares Hidden Node.