#(align:"=><=")[(t8n-depart:"dissolve")+(t8n-arrive:"dissolve")[[THE WRITER AND THE RAVEN->trigger]]]
(align:"=><=")[(text-colour:grey)[(click the title)
Playable on phone or desktop
Created for Royal Holloway, University of London
En3215 Literature, the Digital and Creative Industries
Created by candidate number 2102621]]''Welcome to //The Writer and the Raven// ''
This is an interactive journey through the poem, 'The Raven' by Edgar Allen Poe.
If you change your mind with any choice, you can use the arrow on the left to go back.
''[[BEGIN THE JOURNEY->journey]]''
Alternatively, read the full (link:"poem")[(gotoURL:"https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48860/the-raven")]
Or test your knowledge of the poem with a [[quiz->poem]]
<img src="https://thewriterandtheraven.neocities.org/ravenw.png" alt="raven" width="186" height="167">December 1845.
It is a dreary midnight.
(set: $choice to "raven")
(text-style:"sway")[[You fly through the cold air.]]Are you sure you want to enter this story?
[[Yes->name choice]]
[[No]]Here, you can test your knowledge of Edgar Allen Poe's //(link:"The Raven")[(gotoURL:"https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48860/the-raven")]//.
There are two quiz modes:
[[A. Select the correct quote!->Select the correct quote]]
[[B. Select the wrong word!->Select the wrong word]]Why not?
(set: $secret to "false")
[[It's a scary poem.->wrongchoice]]
[[I'm confused.->wrongchoice]]
[[I don't want to.->wrongchoice]]
[[I want to do a quiz on the poem instead.->poem]]
[[I just wanted to test out all the options.->wrongchoice2]]Get a grip.
[[Okay->name choice]]December 1845.
It is a dreary midnight.
(set: $choice to "edgar")
[[You sit alone in your chambers.]]Congratulations, you found a secret extra passage.
(set: $secret to "true")
But please, get on with the [[story->name choice]].Choose your perspective.
(if: $pronouns is "They/them")[(set: $pronouns to "They/their")]
Are you (link-goto: $name, "Edgar") or the [[Raven]]?
[(set: $name to (prompt: "Enter name", ""))]
(if: $name is "")[[[You must have a name. Everyone has a name.->name choice]]]
(else:)[Welcome to //The Writer and the Raven//, $name.
[[Continue->pronouns]]]In the distance, you make out a vague shape. Strange.
Is it a (cycling-link:"cloud","mountain","lake","tree")?
[[Fly closer->strange]]Do you approach the blurry shape?
(set: $feathers to "dry")
[[Yes->closer1]]
[[No->faraway1]]You ponder over some (text-colour:black)+(background:white)[(dropdown: 2bind $chosenbook,"forgotten lore","bygone text","ancient book","antiquated literature")]
You read in your tall crimson armchair. You thought reading might distract you from $love. It hasn't been working, so far.
[[Wait, what's that noise?]]As you fly, you see it is a (text-style:"blurrier")[house].(if: $feathers is "wet")[ You shake the rain from your wings.]
[[Fly closer]]As you get closer, you see more detail.
The (text-style:"blur")[house] is big.
[[Fly closer->Get closer]]Circling above the house, you see the house is more than just big. It is gigantic. Spires, walkways, balconies, doorways. The house towers over the surrounding landscape.
You spot a brightly-lit window on the north wall.
[[Fly closer->tothewindow]]
[[Stay away]]You can't see much from this distance, and your feathers are getting wet.
(set: $feathers to "wet")
[[Get closer->closer1]](align:"<==")+(box:"X=")[''[[TAP]]'']
(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[''[[TAP->TAP2]]'']
(align:"==>")+(box:"=X")[''[[TAP->TAP3]]'']What was that?
(set: $investigate to "false")(set:$sleepy to "false")(set: $dream to "false")(set: $wakeup to "none")(set: $heartattack to "false")(set: $lovename to "false")(set: $birdinside to "false")(set: $goodorbad to "bad")(set: $attack to "none")
[[Ignore it]]
[[Investigate]]
“’Tis some visitor,” you mutter, “tapping at my chamber door - only this and nothing more.”
You ignore the taps, and continue reading your $chosenbook.
The fire crackles, and each separate dying ember works its ghost upon the floor.
You think about $love.
The words on the pages pass by under your gaze, unread.
[[More tapping]]You creep over to the door.
(set: $heartattack to "false")
[[Open the door]]
[[Wait->heartattack]]You fly down to the window. You perch under the eaves. (if:$feathers is "wet")[You shake off your wet feathers.](if:$feathers is "verywet")[You shake off your wet feathers. You're freezing.](if:$feathers is "dry")[You're glad you flew straight here. The rain grows stronger and thunder rumbles in the distance.]
[[You peer into the brightly-lit room.]](if: $feathers is "wet")[(goto: "VERYCOLD")] (else:)[(set: $feathers to "wet")] It's getting quite cold.
[[Fly down to the window->tothewindow]]
[[Stay away->VERYCOLD]]You see a (if:$pronouns is "He/him")[man](if:$pronouns is "She/her")[woman](if:$pronouns is "They/their")[person] in a large crimson armchair, pondering over a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore. It's $name.
$name softly says something. "$love."
(set: $asleep to "false")
[[Tap window->windowtap]]
[[Keep watching]]It's getting extremely cold.(set:$feathers to "verywet")(live:2s)[ Dangerously cold.](live:6s)[ Your wings shiver.] |clue)[(set: $time to 11)(live: 1s)[(set: $time to it -1)$time(if: $time <= 0)[(goto: "stayaway2")]]]{(live: 9s)[
(show: ?clue)
(stop:)
]}
[[Fly down to the window->tothewindow]]
[[Stay away->stayaway2]]You spent too long in the cold air.
You try to fly, but the dark is biting.
You fall to the ground, (text-style:"expand","shudder")[dead].
(link-undo:"Back")
Or [[start game over->opening]]You calm yourself, as much as possible, and turn the door handle.
Only darkness there, and nothing more.
(set: $lovename to "true")
[[Stay silent]]
[[Say the name]]$name's head nods as (if:$pronouns is "He/him")[he reads](if:$pronouns is "She/her")[she reads](if:$pronouns is "They/their")[they read], nearly napping.
[[Keep watching->keepwatching2]]
[[Tap window->windowtap]]The (if:$pronouns is "He/him")[man](if:$pronouns is "She/her")[woman](if:$pronouns is "They/their")[person] jolts up, alert, and looks around.
“’Tis some visitor,” $name mutters, “tapping at my chamber door - only this and nothing more.”
$name goes back to reading the book.
[[Tap again]]$name's head drops. (if:$pronouns is "He/him")[He](if:$pronouns is "She/her")[She](if:$pronouns is "They/their")[They] begins snoring. (if:$pronouns is "He/him")[His](if:$pronouns is "She/her")[Her](if:$pronouns is "They/their")[Their] arms go limp and the book drops into (if:$pronouns is "He/him")[his](if:$pronouns is "She/her")[her](if:$pronouns is "They/their")[their] lap.
(set: $asleep to "true")
[[Tap window->windowtap2]]
[[Wait]]$name's head lifts as (if:$pronouns is "He/him")[he is](if:$pronouns is "She/her")[she is](if:$pronouns is "They/their")[they are] awoken from (if:$pronouns is "He/him")[his](if:$pronouns is "She/her")[her](if:$pronouns is "They/their")[their] slumber.
"What is it, $love?", mumbles $name. (if:$pronouns is "He/him")[His](if:$pronouns is "She/her")[Her](if:$pronouns is "They/their")[Their] forehead furrows before turning to sadness.
[[Continue tapping->windowtap]]$name snores loudly.(if:$pronouns is "He/him")[(either: " He stays sleeping", " He's fast asleep", " The fire crackles")](if:$pronouns is "She/her")[(either: " She stays sleeping", " She's fast asleep", " The fire crackles")](if:$pronouns is "They/their")[(either: " They stay sleeping", " They're fast asleep", " The fire crackles")].
[[Tap the window->windowtap2]]
[[Wait]]Enter your pronouns
(text-colour:black)+(background:white)[(dropdown: 2bind $pronouns,"He/him","She/her","They/them")]
[[Continue->namechoice2]][(set: $love to (prompt: "Enter the name of someone you love
(be warned, this person will be described as dead)", ""))]
(if: $name is "")[[[You must enter a name.->namechoice2]]]
(goto: "Continue")$name stands up from (if:$pronouns is "He/him")[his](if:$pronouns is "She/her")[her](if:$pronouns is "They/their")[their] armchair and places down the book.
“’Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door—
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;—
This it is and nothing more.”
[[Tap again->Continue tapping]]“Sir,” says $name, “or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you.”
$name slowly walks to a tall oak door at the far side of the room. (if:$pronouns is "He/him")[He opens](if:$pronouns is "She/her")[She opens](if:$pronouns is "They/their")[They open] it to find darkness and nothing more.
[[Wait->doorwait]]$name stands, peering into that darkness. Wondering. Fearing.
"$love?" (if:$pronouns is "He/him")[he](if:$pronouns is "She/her")[she](if:$pronouns is "They/their")[they] whispers.
(set: $timetake to "false")
[[Respond]]
[[Wait->Wait3]]"$love," you murmur back.
$name turns and shuts the door. (if:$pronouns is "He/him")[He scurries](if:$pronouns is "She/her")[She scurries](if:$pronouns is "They/their")[They scurry] back to the armchair, eyes fixed on the door handle.
[[Tap again->scaredtap]]$name stands still by the doorway. (either: "The fire crackles", "The wind howls", "Dead still").
(set: $timetake to "true")
[[Respond]]
[[Wait->Wait3]]$name turns.
“Surely,” says $name, ““surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore—
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—
’Tis the wind and nothing more!”
(set: $window to "false")
$name walks closer to the window and opens it.
[[Fly in]]
[[Wait->wait4]]You fly in and perch on
(text-colour:black)+(background:white)[(dropdown: 2bind $landing, "a bust of Pallas","a stag's head","a ticking clock")] above the door.
You caw loudly.
(set: $namewait to "nowait")
The man's weary expression lifts. He smiles. "“Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,” says $name, “art sure no craven, ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore— Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!”
[[Respond->respond2]]
[[Wait->wait5]]$name shoos you away into the darkness.
(set: $window to "true1")
[[Fly back]]
[[Fly off]]$name is still at the window, and swings at you with a cane.
[[Fly past->Fly in]]
[[Fly off]]The night is cold. Even colder than before.
(set: $window to "true2")
[[Fly back]]
[[Fly on into the night]]Your wings freeze. Unable to raise yourself, you crash to the ground, (text-style:"expand","shudder")[dead].
(link-undo:"Back")
Or [[start game over->opening]]You think. "Nevermore," you state.
“Other friends have flown before—
On the morrow he will leave me, as my Hopes have flown before.”
(set: $sad to "false")
[[Respond->respond3]]
[[Wait->wait7]]$name waits for a response. "What is thy lordly name?" $name grows angry.
(set: $namewait to "wait")
[[Respond->respond2]]
[[Wait->wait6]]Frustrated, $name raises (if:$pronouns is "He/him")[his](if:$pronouns is "She/her")[her](if:$pronouns is "They/their")[their] cane. They swing it wildly at you. It strikes.
You fall to the floor, (text-style:"expand","shudder")[dead].
(link-undo:"Back")
Or [[Start game over->opening]]"Nevermore," you say again.
“Doubtless,” says $name, “what it utters is its only stock and store
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore—
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
Of ‘Never—nevermore’.”
(set: $noisy to "false")
$name drags the large armchair in front of you and sits down, sinking into the velvet.
[[Wait->wait8]]
[[Caw]]$name looks at the floor. Tears roll down (if:$pronouns is "He/him")[his](if:$pronouns is "She/her")[her](if:$pronouns is "They/their")[their] cheeks. (either: "The fire crackles", "The wind howls outside"). $love, $name softly whispers.
(set: $sad to "true")
[[Respond->respond3]]
[[Wait->wait7]]The (if:$pronouns is "He/him")[man](if:$pronouns is "She/her")[woman](if:$pronouns is "They/their")[person]'s eyes flicker through an array of expressions.
Confusion. Sadness. Hope.
Anger.
[[Fly away->flyaway2]]
[[Caw->caw2]]
[[Wait->wait9]]
"Hush," says $name. "Let me think a moment."
(set: $noisy to "true")
[[Wait->wait8]]
[[Caw again]]You leave the (if:$landing is "a bust of Pallas")[bust of Pallas](if:$pronouns is "a stag's head")[stag's head](if:$pronouns is "a ticking clock")[clock] and fly out through the window. he night is cold. Even colder than before. Behind you, $name slams the window closed, eyes full of fire.
Your wings begin to freeze. Unable to raise yourself, you crash to the ground, (text-style:"expand","shudder")[dead].
(link-undo:"Back")
Or [[start game over->opening]]"Caw! Caw! Nevemore!" you cry in delight. The sounds echo through the room.
$name rises up, furious.
(set: $noisy2 to "true")
“Wretch,” $name cries, “thy God hath lent thee—by these angels he hath sent thee
Respite—respite and nepenthe from thy memories of $love;
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost $love!”
[[Respond->respond4]]The anger boils over in (if:$pronouns is "He/him")[his](if:$pronouns is "She/her")[her](if:$pronouns is "They/their")[their] eyes.
$name rises up, furious.
(set: $noisy2 to "false")
“Wretch,” $name cries, “thy God hath lent thee—by these angels he hath sent thee
Respite—respite and nepenthe from thy memories of $love;
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost $love!”
[[Respond->respond4]]"Nevermore!" You cry again.
“Prophet!” says $name, “thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!—
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted—
On this home by Horror haunted—tell me truly, I implore—
Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I implore!”
[[Respond->respond5]] "Nevermore!" you cry yet again.
"By that Heaven that bends above us—by that God we both adore—
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name $love—
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name $love.”
[[Respond->respond6]](align:"=><=")+(box:"X")+(text-style:"bold","expand","blink")[''"NEVERMORE"'']
You cry the word again and again.
“Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!” shrieks $name. (if:$pronouns is "He/him")[He moves](if:$pronouns is "She/her")[She moves](if:$pronouns is "They/their")[They move] towards the (if:$landing is "a bust of Pallas")[bust of Pallas](if:$pronouns is "a stag's head")[stag's head](if:$pronouns is "a ticking clock")[clock] aggressively, but fear is in (if:$pronouns is "He/him")[his](if:$pronouns is "She/her")[her](if:$pronouns is "They/their")[their] eyes.
[["NEVERMORE!"]]“Get thee back into the tempest and the Night’s Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken!—quit the (if:$landing is "a bust of Pallas")[bust](if:$pronouns is "a stag's head")[stag](if:$pronouns is "a ticking clock")[clock] above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!”
[["NEVERMORE!"->nevermore2]]''(text-style:"buoy")[[["NEVERMORE!"->nevemore3]]]''The lamp light over you shines brightly, throwing your shadow further and further. The darkness below you grows.
Your shadow envelops the (if:$landing is "a bust of Pallas")[bust of Pallas](if:$pronouns is "a stag's head")[stag's head](if:$pronouns is "a ticking clock")[ticking clock]. The shadow grows, covering the whole door. The shadow spreads across the floor, until it covers $name from head to toe, and all lies in darkness.
And that shadow that lies floating on the floor, shall be lifted[[...]]
#(align:"=><=")+(text-style:"shudder")[''[[NEVERMORE!->nevemore4]]'']Thank you for playing //The Writer and The Raven//.
(if: $secret is "true")[Well done. you found the secret extra passage.
](if: $choice is "Edgar")[You played as $name.](if: $choice is "raven")[You played as the raven.
](if:$feathers is "wet")[You got your wings a bit wet.](if:$feathers is "verywet")[You got very cold and nearly died.](if:$feathers is "dry")[You got out of the cold very quickly.]
(if: $asleep is "true")[You let $name fall asleep.](if: $asleep is "false")[You didn't let $name fall asleep.]
(if: $namewait is "wait")[You got $name angry by being quiet.](if: $namewait is "nowait")[You said "nevermore" as soon as possible.]
(if: $timetake is "true")[You took your time when $name was at the door.](if: $timetake is "false")[You didn't take your time when $name was at the door.]
(If: $window is "false")[You stayed inside.](If: $window is "true1")[You flew off for a moment.](If: $window is "true2")[You nearly flew off for good.]
(if: $sad is "false")[You didn't make $namesad.](if: $sad is "true")[You made $name cry.]
(if: $noisy is "true")[You were as noisy as possible.](if: $noisy is "false")[You could have been noisier.](if: $noisy is "true2")[You got $name angry by cawing too much.]
(if: $noisy2 is "true")[Caw! Caw!](if: $noisy2 is "true")[You made $name angry by not responding.]
[[Start game over->opening]]The following passages contain descriptions of violence, mild threat, death, and horror.
Continue?
[[Yes->opening]]
[[No->Title]](align:"<==")+(box:"X=")[''[[TAP->tap3]]'']
(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[''[[TAP->tap4]]'']
(align:"==>")+(box:"=X")[''[[TAP->tap5]]'']There's the tapping again. Strange.
(set:$sleepy to "false")
[[Investigate]]
[[Ignore it->ignore2]]Your head begins to nod. You can feel yourself getting sleepy.
(set: $sleepy to "true")(set:$dream to "false")
[[Stay awake->wake up]]
[[Fall asleep->wait10]]Your head falls. You drift into a deep sleep.
Thoughts of $love drift through your mind.
She's lost now. Gone far away.
In your dream, $love calls to you. "$name!"
You try to walk closer, but darkness grips your limbs. You're stuck.
"Help!" you cry. But $love is nowhere to be seen.
(set: $dream to "true")
[[Wake up->wake up]]
[[Try and dream of something else]]
[[Keep dreaming]]You've got to do something to wake yourself up. You could smack yourself in the head with the $chosenbook? Or shake yourself awake?
[[Close reading->bookhit]]
[[Shake yourself]]Ow. What was that tapping noise again?
(set: $wakeup to "book")
[[Investigate]]That did the job. What was that tapping again?
(set: $wakeup to "shake")
[[Investigate]]You're petrified. It was just some tapping, what could go wrong?
You can feel your heart pounding in your chest.(live:4s)[
The sound of your heart grows louder.](live:9s)[
The beating of your heart becomes unbearable.](live:13s)[
Are you sure you're in the right Edgar Allen Poe story?]|clue1)[(set: $time1 to 11)(live: 1s)[(set: $time1 to it -1)
$time1(if: $time1 <= 0)[(goto: "Stay still")]]]{(live: 17s)[
(show: ?clue1)
(stop:)
]}
(set: $heartattack to "true")
[[Open the door]]
[[Stay still]]Your heart pounds in your ribcage, louder and louder.
You can't open the door. You can't move a muscle.
A fleeting thought of $love goes through your mind before you feel a sharp pain in the left side of your chest. The pain is unbearable. Your heart!
You collapse to the ground, (text-style:"expand","shudder")[dead].
(link-undo:"Back")
Or [[start game over->opening]]You peer deep into that darkness. Wondering. Fearing.
(set: $lovename to "false")
[[Say the name]]
[[Say something else]]"$love?" you whisper.
An echo murmurs back, "$love!"
[[Flee]]
[[Stay still->darkness]] You run from the doorway, slamming it behind you.
You flee to the armchair. Did the doorknob just move? You wait, perfectly still, eyes fixed on the door.
Then you hear the tapping again, somewhat louder than before.
“Surely,” you say, “surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore—
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—
’Tis the wind and nothing more!”
[[Go to the window]]You don't move a muscle. Slowly, the darkness envelops you. You find your body being dragged through the doorway.
You can't do a thing.
(text-style:"expand","shudder")[The darkness takes you].
(link-undo:"Back")
Or [[start game over->opening]]You open up the window, and see a stately raven staring back at you. It must have been the cause of the tapping.
(set: $birdinside to "false")
[[Wait->raveninside]]
[[Lean in->eyespeck]]
[[Shoo it off]]You move closer to the bird.
And closer.
Suddenly, the raven strikes forward and pecks at your eyes.
"Ahh!" You stumble through the room in pain, blinded by the raven's beak.
As the bird flies over you, it cries "Nevermore! Nevermore! Nevermore!"
You tumble into the fireplace, and (text-style:"expand","shudder")[burn].
(link-undo:"Back")
Or [[start game over->opening]]The bird flies off. You go back to your armchair and sit down.
Damn. You left the window open.
The raven flies straight in and up to a bust of Pallas over the door, where it perches contentedly.
“Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,” I said, “art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!”
(set: $birdinside to "false")
[[Wait->ravenwait]]The raven flies straight through the window and up to a bust of Pallas over the door, where it perches contentedly.
“Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,” I said, “art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!”
(set: $birdinside to "true")
[[Wait->ravenwait]]The raven opens its dark beak and lets out a single noise.
"Nevermore."
You think.
(set: $goodorbad to "bad")
[[The raven is good.]]
[[The raven is bad.]]The bird beguies your sad fancy into smiling. It's good to see a new face, even if it is just a raven.
Your mind drifts to $love.
“Other friends have flown before—
On the morrow he will leave me, as my Hopes have flown before.”
(set: $goodorbad to "good")
[[Wait for the bird to leave, as all others have left before.->nevemore5]]The raven stares at you with beady eyes.
It stares into your soul.
Your mind drifts to $love.
“Other friends have flown before—
On the morrow he will leave me, as my Hopes have flown before.”
(set: $goodorbad to "bad")
[[Wait for the bird to leave, as all others have left before.->nevemore5]]"Nevermore," the bird says again.
“Doubtless,” you say, “what it utters is its only stock and store
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore—
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
Of ‘Never—nevermore’.”
[[Bring your chair over->nevermore6]]
[[Approach the bird->eyespeck]]You bring your chair over.
You sit and ponder, sinking into the velvet.
Thoughts of $love fill your mind.
Why is $love not here!?
Why!?
(set: $attack to "none")
You grow angry.
[[Confront the raven]]
[[Attack the raven]]“Wretch,” you cry, “thy God hath lent thee—by these angels he hath sent thee
Respite—respite and nepenthe from thy memories of $love;
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost $love!”
(text-style:"blink")["Nevermore! Nevermore! Nevermore!"]
[[Continue->nevermore7]]You grab your cane and rise up from the armchair.
You step forwards to the raven. You swing your cane, but it smacks against the doorframe and splinters into pieces.
The raven caws, almost laughing.
(set: $attack to "cane")
[[Shout at the raven->Confront the raven]]
[[Throw your book]]“Prophet!” you say, “thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!—
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted—
On this home by Horror haunted—tell me truly, I implore—
Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I implore!”
"Nevermore!" it cries yet again.
[[Continue->nevermore8]]" “Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us—by that God we both adore—
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name $love—
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name $love.”
(align:"<==")+(box:"X")+(text-style:"bold","expand","blink")[''"NEVERMORE!"''] the raven cries once more.
[[Continue->nevermore9]]“Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!” you shriek, upstarting—
“Get thee back into the tempest and the Night’s Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken!—quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!”
(text-style:"blurrier")[NEVERMORE!]
(text-style:"blur")[NEVERMORE!]
NEVERMORE!
(text-style:"blur")[NEVERMORE!]
(text-style:"blurrier")[NEVERMORE!]
[[Continue->nevermore11]]You lift up the $chosenbook and throw it towards the bird. The book, heavy, falls short and slams into the door.
The book crashes to the ground in a plume of dust and pages.
(set: $attack to "book")
[[Shout at the raven->Confront the raven]]''(text-style:"buoy")["NEVERMORE!"]''
The lamp light over the raven shines brightly, throwing its shadow further and further. The darkness below grows.
The shadow envelops the bust of Pallas. The shadow grows, covering the whole door. (if: $attack is "book")[The shadow engulfs the shattered cane and $chosenbook at the base of the door. ](if: $attack is "cane")[The shadow engulfs the $chosenbook at the base of the door. ]The shadow spreads across the floor, until it covers you from head to toe, and all lies in darkness.
And that shadow that lies floating on the floor, shall be lifted[[...->finale2]]
#(align:"=><=")+(text-style:"shudder")[''[[NEVERMORE!->finale3]]'']Thank you for playing //The Writer and The Raven//.
(if: $secret is "true")[Well done. you found the secret extra passage.
](if: $choice is "Edgar")[You played as $name.](if: $choice is "raven")[You played as the raven.]
(if: $investigate is "true")[You were a keen invetsigator.
](if: $investigate is "false")[You were too scared to investigate.
](if: $sleepy is "true")[You got quite sleepy.
](if: $dream is "true")[You had a bad dream.
](if: $dream is "true1")[You had a bad dream.
You couldn't think of anything else but $love.
](if: $dream is "false")[You avoided a nightmare.
](if: $wakeup is "book")[You smacked yourself upside the head with a big ol' book.
](if: $wakeup is "shake")[You shook yourself awake.
](if: $heartattack is "true")[You nearly had a heart attack.
](if: $heartattack is "false")[You had nerves of steel.
](if: $lovename is "true")[You had $love on your mind.
](if: $lovename is "false")[You waited a moment to say $love's name.
](if: $lovename is "false2")[You wanted to say something else, but only $love came to mind.
](if: $birdinside is "true")[You let a bird in!
](if: $birdinside is "false")[You got outsmarted by a glorified pigeon.
](if: $goodorbad is "good")[You liked having the raven around.
](if: $goodorbad is "false")[You hated that raven.
](if: $attack is "none")[You avoided violence, where possible.
](if: $attack is "cane")[You broke your cane!
](if: $attack is "book")[You didn't care too much for your $chosenbook. ]
[[Start game over->opening]]$love drifts out of sight. You try to move but you can't.
The darkness surrounds you.
No! You're stuck!
The darkness creeps up over you as you struggle to breathe.
(text-style:"shudder")[HELP!]
But there is no help. You're gone, just like $love.
(link-undo:"Back")
Or [[start game over->opening]]1/10
(set: $correcta to 0)
Select the correct quote:
(link: "\"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,\"")[(set: $correcta to it + 1)(goto: "qa2")]
(link: "\"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weird and whirly,\"")[(goto: "qa2")]
(link: "\"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, wistful and wild,\"")[(goto: "qa2")]1/10
(set: $correctb to 0)
Select the (text-style:"underline")[wrong] word:
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak (link: "December")[(goto: "qb2")];
And each separate dying (link: "ember")[(goto: "qb2")] wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow;—vainly I had sought to borrow
From my (link: "tomes")[(set: $correctb to it + 1)(goto: "qb2")] surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore—
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore—
Nameless here for evermore.Double-click this passage to edit it.2/10
Select the correct quote:
(link: "\"I had sought to borrow / From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Comfort\"")[(goto: "qa3")]
(link: "\"I had sought to borrow / From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore\"")[(set: $correcta to it + 1)(goto: "qa3")]
(link: "\"I had sought to borrow / From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Fairy\"")[(goto: "qa3")]3/10
Select the correct quote:
(link: "\"’Tis some visitor seeking entrance at my bedroom door—\"")[(goto: "qa4")]
(link: "\"’Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door—\"")[(set: $correcta to it + 1)(goto: "qa4")]
(link: "\"’Tis some visitor calling for entrance at my oaken door—\"")[(goto: "qa4")]
You got $correcta/10
(if: $correcta >= 8)[Well done! That's excellent!](if: $correcta >= 5 and $correcta <= 7)[Well done! That's pretty good!](if: $correcta >= 3 and $correcta <= 4)[Eh. Better luck next time!](if: $correcta <= 2)[What. You're kidding, right? Do some revision.]
[[Try another quiz->poem]]
[[Try this quiz again->qa1]]
[[See the correct answers->correctanswersa]]
[[Go back to the start->Title]]4/10
Select the correct quote:
(link: "\"And so faintly you came rapping, rapping at my chamber door, / That I scarce was sure I heard you\"")[(goto: "qa5")]
(link: "\"And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door, / That I scarce was sure I heard you\"")[(set: $correcta to it + 1)(goto: "qa5")]
(link: "\"And so faintly you came clapping, clapping at my chamber door, / That I scarce was sure I heard you\"")[(goto: "qa5")]
5/10
Select the correct quote:
(link: "\"Doubting, fearing nighmares no mortal ever dared to fear before;\"")[(goto: "qa6")]
(link: "\"Doubting, thinking thoughts no mortal ever dared to think before;\"")[(goto: "qa6")]
(link: "\"Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;\"")[(set: $correcta to it + 1)(goto: "qa6")]
6/10
Select the correct quote:
(link: "\"Surely,\" said I, \"surely that is something at my window lattice;\"")[(set: $correcta to it + 1)(goto: "qa7")]
(link: "\"Surely,\" said I, \"surely that is something at my wide window;\"")[(goto: "qa7")]
(link: "\"Surely,\" said I, \"surely that is something at my stone-wrought window;\"")[(goto: "qa7")]
7/10
Select the correct quote:
(link: "\"In there stepped a stately Crow of the dusty days of old;\"")[(goto: "qa8")]
(link: "\"In there stepped a stately Corvid of the ancient days of the past;\"")[(goto: "qa8")]
(link: "\"In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore;\"")[(set: $correcta to it + 1)(goto: "qa8")]8/10
Select the correct quote:
(link: "\"Tell me what thy holy name is on the Night’s Saturnian shore!\"")[(goto: "qa9")]
(link: "\"Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!\"")[(set: $correcta to it + 1)(goto: "qa9")]
(link: "\"Tell me what thy godly name is on the Night’s Martian shore!\"")[(goto: "qa9")]
9/10
Select the correct quote:
(link: "\"Leave no black plume as a gift of that falsity thy heart hath said!\"")[(goto: "qa10")]
(link: "\"Leave no black plume as a symbol of that yarn thine eye hath spun!\"")[(goto: "qa10")]
(link: "\"Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!\"")[(set: $correcta to it + 1)(goto: "qa10")]
10/10
Select the correct quote:
(link: "\"his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming\"")[(set: $correcta to it + 1)(goto: "answersa")]
(link: "\"his eyes have all the like of a devil’s that is slumbering\"")[(goto: "answersa")]
(link: "\"his eyes have all the stuff of a satan’s that is snoring\"")[(goto: "answersa")]''1/10''
(text-colour:green)["Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,"]
"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weird and whirly,"
"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, wistful and wild,"
''2/10''
"I had sought to borrow / From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Comfort"
(text-colour:green)["I had sought to borrow / From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore"]
"I had sought to borrow / From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Fairy"
''3/10''
"’Tis some visitor seeking entrance at my bedroom door—"
(text-colour:green)["’Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door—"]
"’Tis some visitor calling for entrance at my oaken door—"
''4/10''
"And so faintly you came rapping, rapping at my chamber door, / That I scarce was sure I heard you"
(text-colour:green)["And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door, / That I scarce was sure I heard you"]
"And so faintly you came clapping, clapping at my chamber door, / That I scarce was sure I heard you"
''5/10''
"Doubting, fearing nighmares no mortal ever dared to fear before;"
"Doubting, thinking thoughts no mortal ever dared to think before;"
(text-colour:green)["Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;"]
''6/10''
(text-colour:green)["Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice;"]
"Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my wide window;"
"Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my stone-wrought window;"
''7/10''
""In there stepped a stately Crow of the dusty days of old;"
"In there stepped a stately Corvid of the ancient days of the past;"
(text-colour:green)["In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore;"]
''8/10''
"Tell me what thy holy name is on the Night’s Saturnian shore!"
(text-colour:green)["Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!"]
"Tell me what thy godly name is on the Night’s Martian shore!"
''9/10''
"Leave no black plume as a gift of that falsity thy heart hath said!"
"Leave no black plume as a symbol of that yarn thine eye hath spun!"
(text-colour:green)["Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!"]
''10/10''
(text-colour:green)["his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming"]
"his eyes have all the like of a devil’s that is slumbering"
"his eyes have all the stuff of a satan’s that is snoring"
[[Try the other quiz->poem]]
[[Try this quiz again->qa1]]
[[Go back to the start->Title]]2/10
Select the (text-style:"underline")[wrong] word:
And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple (link: "curtain")[(goto: "qb3")]
Thrilled me—filled me with (link: "groovy")[(set: $correctb to it + 1)(goto: "qb3")] terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my (link: "brain")[(goto: "qb3")], I stood repeating3/10
Select the (text-style:"underline")[wrong] word:
Presently my (link: "soul")[(goto: "qb4")] grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
“Sir,” said I, “or Madam, truly your (link: "forgiveness")[(goto: "qb4")] I implore;
But the fact is I was (link: "tapdancing")[(set: $correctb to it + 1)(goto: "qb4")], and so gently you came rapping,4/10
Select the (text-style:"underline")[wrong] word:
Let me see, then, what (link: "thereat")[(goto: "qb5")] is, and this (link: "mystery")[(goto: "qb5")] explore—
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—
’Tis the (link: "music")[(set: $correctb to it + 1)(goto: "qb5")] and nothing more!”5/10
Select the (text-style:"underline")[wrong] word:
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber (link: "door")[(goto: "qb6")]—
Perched upon a (link: "painting")[(set: $correctb to it + 1)(goto: "qb6")] of Pallas just above my chamber door—
Perched, and sat, and (link: "nothing")[(goto: "qb6")] more.6/10
Select the (text-style:"underline")[wrong] word:
But the Raven, sitting (link: "happy")[(set:$correctb to it + 1)(goto: "qb7")] on the placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did (link: "outpour")[(goto: "qb7")].
Nothing farther then he uttered—not a (link: "feather")[(goto: "qb7")] then he fluttered—7/10
Select the (text-style:"underline")[wrong] word:
Followed fast and followed (link: "faster")[(goto: "qb8")] till his songs one burden bore—
Till the (link: "dirges")[(goto: "qb8")] of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
Of ‘(link: "gosh darn")[(set:$correctb to it + 1)(goto: "qb8")]’.”8/10
Select the (text-style:"underline")[wrong] word:
“(link: "Prophet")[(goto: "qb9")]!” said I, “thing of (link: "good")[(goto: "qb9")]!—prophet still, if bird or devil!—
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land (link: "enchanted")[(set:$correctb to it + 1)(goto: "qb9")]—9/10
Select the (text-style:"underline")[wrong] word:
Leave my (link: "happiness")[(set:$correctb to it + 1)(goto: "qb10")] unbroken!—quit the bust above my door!
Take thy (link: "beak")[(goto: "qb10")] from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!”
Quoth the (link: "Crow")[(goto: "qb10")] “Nevermore.”10/10
Select the (text-style:"underline")[wrong] word:
And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his (link: "shadow")[(goto: "answersb")] on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies (link: "swimming")[(set:$correctb to it + 1)(goto: "answersb")] on the floor
Shall be lifted—(link: "nevermore!")[(goto: "answersb")]You found $correctb/10 of the correct answers
(if: $correctb >= 8)[Well done! That's excellent!](if: $correctb >= 5 and $correctb <= 7)[Well done! That's pretty good!](if: $correctb >= 3 and $correctb <= 4)[Eh. Better luck next time!](if: $correctb <= 2)[What. You're kidding, right? Do some revision.]
[[Try another quiz->poem]]
[[Try this quiz again->qb1]]
[[See the correct answers->correctanswersb]]
[[Go back to the start->Title]]''1/10''
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December;
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow;—vainly I had sought to borrow
From my (text-style:"strike")[tomes] (text-colour:green)[books] surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore—
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore—
Nameless here for evermore.
''2/10''
And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me—filled me with (text-style:"strike")[groovy] (text-colour:green)[fantastic] terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
''3/10''
Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
“Sir,” said I, “or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was (text-style:"strike")[tapdancing] (text-colour:green)[napping], and so gently you came rapping,
''4/10''
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore—
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—
’Tis the (text-style:"strike")[music] (text-colour:green)[wind] and nothing more!”
''5/10''
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door—
Perched upon a (text-style:"strike")[painting] (text-colour:green)[bust] of Pallas just above my chamber door—
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
''6/10''
But the Raven, sitting (text-style:"strike")[happy] (text-colour:green)[lonely] on the placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing farther then he uttered—not a feather then he fluttered—
''7/10''
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore—
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
Of ‘(text-style:"strike")[gosh darn] (text-colour:green)[Never—nevermore]’.”
''8/10''
“Prophet!” said I, “thing of (text-style:"strike")[good] (text-colour:green)[evil]!—prophet still, if bird or devil!—
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted—
''9/10''
Leave my (text-style:"strike")[happiness] (text-colour:green)[loneliness] unbroken!—quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!”
Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
''10/10''
And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies (text-style:"strike")[swimming] (text-colour:green)[floating] on the floor
Shall be lifted—nevermore!
[[Try the other quiz->poem]]
[[Try this quiz again->qb1]]
[[Go back to the start->Title]]"Still thine beak, incessant bird," says $name, "my thoughts are aflutter and amess."
$name, full of anger lifts (if:$pronouns is "He/him")[his](if:$pronouns is "She/her")[her](if:$pronouns is "They/their")[their] cane above their head and says:
"Wretch! You will rue your tapping and talking - 'tis only holy to redress."
(set: $noisy to "true2")
[[Wait->wait8]]
[[Caw againn->caw3]]$name raises the cane and swings it. You flap your wings, but it's too late.
In a mess of (if:$feathers is "wet")[wet ](if:$feathers is "wet")[soggy ]feathers, you plummet from the (if:$landing is "a bust of Pallas")[bust of Pallas](if:$pronouns is "a stag's head")[stag's head](if:$pronouns is "a ticking clock")[clock], (text-style:"expand","shudder")[dead].
(link-undo:"Back")
Or [[start game over->opening]]''Select the correct quote!''
There will be ten questions
[[BEGIN->qa1]]''Select the wrong word!''
There will be ten questions
[[BEGIN->qb1]]Enter below what you want to dream about instead (if:$love is 0)[(set: $love to "Lenore")]
(force-input-box:"<==", $love)(set:$dream to "true1")
(cycling-link:"Enter","You","Can't","Think","Of","Anything","Else","But",$love,"It's", "Overwhelming")
[[Wake up->wake up]]
[[Keep dreaming]]You open your mouth to speak. To say anything to break the unbearable silence. You think...
(Enter what you wish to say)(if:$love is 0)[(set: $love to "Lenore")]
(force-input-box:"<==", $love)(set:$lovename to "false2")
(cycling-link:"Enter","Enter", "Can't","Say","Anything","Else","But",$love)
[[Say the name]]