Escapade!
An interactive fiction by Juhana Leinonen (2008) - the Inform 7 source text
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The trebuchet is a conversable thing. It is fixed in place, middle, and bulky. The description is "[The trebuchet] is a huge wooden structure on four cracked and worn wheels. There's a lever on the side and a mechanism that is apparently meant to throw objects at a great distance.".
To decide whether the trebuchet is broken:
if the dinner plate is part of the catapult-arm:
decide no;
decide yes.
Understand "trebuchets" and "catapult" and "wallbreaker" as the trebuchet.
Understand "mechanism" and "siege" and "weapon" and "wood" and "metal" as the trebuchet.
The creature response of the trebuchet is "[if the trebuchet is in the cell]'It's a nice [trebuchet].'[paragraph break]'The finest,' [the creature] assures.[otherwise if the catapult-arm is tensioned]'[The trebuchet] was a bad idea,' you say. 'It did get you out the cell, didn't it?' the creature says.[otherwise]'Ok, I want the trebuchet.'[paragraph break]'Uh, well... actually, the trebuchet part was just marketing speech,' [the creature] stammers. 'But you wouldn't want one all the same. You'd just hurt yourself, I'm sure.'[end if]". [note that if the trebuchet is not in the cell but the arm is tensioned, it means it has been in the cell... very hacky, never do things like this.]
The guard response of the trebuchet is "[if the trebuchet is in the cell]'I have [a trebuchet].'[paragraph break]'YEAH RIGHT GOOD LUCK WITH THAT,' the guard yells.[otherwise if the catapult-arm is tensioned]'I had [a trebuchet],' you say and smile from ear to ear.[paragraph break]There's a long pause. 'UH... You CAN'T SEE IT but I'm HOLDING MY THUMBS UP SARCASTICALLY HERE,' the guard shouts.[otherwise]'Man I wish I had a trebuchet,' you say.[paragraph break]'HUHWHAT?' the guard shouts."
Instead of discussing with the creature about the trebuchet when the printed name of the trebuchet is "catapult" and the trebuchet is in the cell for the first time:
say "'That's not a trebuchet actually. It's a catapult,' you comment. [c]What, are you suddenly an expert on medieval siege weaponry? All right, it's a catapult, sheesh!'".
Instead of discussing with the creature about the trebuchet when the manual is not handled and the trebuchet is in the cell:
say "'What is that and how am I supposed to use it?'[paragraph break]'It's a [italic type]tre-bu-chet[roman type]. You use it to storm castles.' It sees the empty look in your face and sighs. 'Ok, I think I have a manual here somewhere.' It puts its hand in the sack and pulls out a leaflet which it hands to you.";
now the player carries the manual.
Test trebuchet with "test flux/get flux/touch flux with wire/push sticker/pull switch/d/trade flux".
Check taking the trebuchet:
say "It's way too big to move, even with the wheels." instead.
Instead of pushing or pulling or turning the trebuchet:
try taking the trebuchet.
Instead of inserting something into the trebuchet:
try putting the noun on the catapult-arm.
Instead of putting something on the trebuchet:
try putting the noun on the catapult-arm.
Should the game choose when comparing the trebuchet against the catapult-arm:
it is a good choice.