#5300 The Great Eastern Desert~ A vast desert stretches for miles, the sands constantly shifting around you. Rising out of the sand to the north you see a mighty pyramid. ~ 53 0 2 D0 The sands of the desert continue onward towards the pyramid. ~ ~ 0 -1 5301 D1 Sand as far as the eye can see. ~ ~ 0 -1 5040 D2 Sand as far as the eye can see. ~ ~ 0 -1 5050 D3 Sand as far as the eye can see. ~ ~ 0 -1 5035 E pyramid~ The massive pyramid rises out of the sand, a monument to long-dead pharoahs. ~ S #5301 At The Base Of The Pyramid~ The mighty pyramid towers above you out of the hot desert sands, made from huge blocks of stone that have been coated over with a rough sandy plaster-like substance. The face of the pyramid is steep, but you think you might be able to climb it. ~ 53 0 2 D2 Sand as far as the eye can see. ~ ~ 0 -1 5300 D4 The steep slope of the pyramid rises up before you. ~ ~ 0 -1 5302 E pyramid~ You wonder how anyone could have built such a massive thing out in this heat. ~ S #5302 Climbing The Great Pyramid~ Hot air rises off the sides of the pyramid, and the wind chokes you with a flurry of sand and dust. So far you have made it halfway up the side. The walls of the pyramid are quite steep. ~ 53 0 5 D0 If you are daring you could try to skirt around to the northern side. ~ ~ 0 -1 5303 D2 If you are daring you could try to skirt around to the southern side. ~ ~ 0 -1 5304 D4 It looks too dangerous to try to climb any higher. ~ ~ 0 -1 5307 D5 Far below you are the burning sands of the desert. ~ ~ 0 -1 5301 E pyramid~ You wonder how anyone could have built such a massive thing out in this heat. ~ S #5303 Climbing The Great Pyramid~ Hot air rises off the sides of the pyramid, and the wind chokes you with a flurry of sand and dust. The walls of the pyramid are quite steep, and you are having trouble keeping from sliding down into the sands below. ~ 53 0 5 D1 If you are daring you could try to skirt around to the eastern side. ~ ~ 0 -1 5305 D3 If you are daring you could try to skirt around to the western side. ~ ~ 0 -1 5302 D4 It looks too dangerous to try to climb any higher. ~ ~ 0 -1 5307 D5 This side of the pyramid has a dangerous drop before the sandy floor. ~ ~ 0 -1 5307 E pyramid~ You wonder how anyone could have built such a massive thing out in this heat. ~ S #5304 Climbing The Great Pyramid~ Hot air rises off the sides of the pyramid, and the wind chokes you with a flurry of sand and dust. The walls of the pyramid are quite steep, and you are having trouble keeping from sliding down into the sands below. ~ 53 0 5 D1 If you are daring you could try to skirt around to the eastern side. ~ ~ 0 -1 5305 D3 If you are daring you could try to skirt around to the western side. ~ ~ 0 -1 5302 D4 It looks too dangerous to try to climb any higher. ~ ~ 0 -1 5307 D5 This side of the pyramid has a dangerous drop before the sandy floor. ~ ~ 0 -1 5307 E pyramid~ You wonder how anyone could have built such a massive thing out in this heat. ~ S #5305 Climbing The Great Pyramid~ Here on the eastern side of the pyramid there is a little more shelter from the heat and wind. The stone side is not nearly so slippery smooth from the ravages of time, and you think you may be able to even reach the top from here. ~ 53 0 5 D0 If you are daring you could try to skirt around to the northern side. ~ ~ 0 -1 5303 D2 If you are daring you could try to skirt around to the southern side. ~ ~ 0 -1 5304 D4 You see the apex of the pyramid many yards above you. ~ ~ 0 -1 5306 D5 This side of the pyramid has a dangerous drop before the sandy floor. ~ ~ 0 -1 5307 E pyramid~ You wonder how anyone could have built such a massive thing out in this heat. ~ S #5306 The Apex Of The Great Pyramid~ Bathed in sweat, you have managed to reach the summit of the great pyramid. The four sides of the pyramid slope sharply down into the hot sands in all four cardinal directions. A plaque has been set into the sandy stones beneath your feet. ~ 53 0 1 D0 The north side of the pyramid slopes down into the sands. It looks really dangerous. I wouldn't go that way. ~ ~ 0 -1 5307 D1 The east side of the pyramid slopes down into the sands. ~ ~ 0 -1 5305 D2 The south side of the pyramid slopes down into the sands. It looks really dangerous. I wouldn't go that way. ~ ~ 0 -1 5307 D3 The west side of the pyramid slopes down into the sands. It looks really dangerous. I wouldn't go that way. ~ ~ 0 -1 5307 D5 You see some sandy stones pressed closely together to form a hard surface. ~ stones~ 1 -1 5308 E stones~ As you look closer you can make out a crack in the center of the stones beneath your feet. With some effort you might be able to lift that section up and get inside! ~ E plaque~ The plaque reads: The Great Pyramid Created by the Andersen work crew. ~ S #5307 On The Dangerous Stones~ Here the elements have carved away at the sides of the pyramid quite a bit. You aren't so sure of your footing anymore... Suddenly the wind picks up, and you lose your balance! You tumble down the side of the pyramid, and fall to your death! SPLAT. Ouch. ~ 53 bd 0 S #5308 A Ladder~ You are climbing an ancient ladder that leads down into the depths of the pyramid. The air around is thick with layers of dust and a strange musty smell. Above you you see tiny beams of light coming through the stones of the ceiling. ~ 53 cd 0 D4 You see the sandy stones of the ceiling. ~ stones~ 1 -1 5306 D5 You see a small dusty chamber. ~ ~ 0 -1 5309 E stones~ As you look closer you can make out a crack in the center of the stones above your head. With some effort you might be able to lift that section up and get outside! ~ S #5309 A Musty Chamber~ You are standing in a dank, musty chamber just inside the pyramid. Footprints and other strange marks are set into the dusty floor here. It would seem that some of the tenants of this monument are still alive. Exits lead in all directions. The door to the west is covered with inscriptions. ~ 53 d 0 D0 You see a tiny crawlway raised about three feet off the ground. ~ ~ 0 -1 5312 D1 A dust-covered hallway leads off to the east. ~ ~ 0 -1 5339 D2 You see a small crack in the wall through which you might be able to slide. ~ ~ 0 -1 5324 D3 You see a large stone door, covered in sigils and hieroglyphs. ~ door stone~ 1 -1 5310 D4 A small rickety ladder leads up. ~ ~ 0 -1 5308 E door stone~ The stone door is covered in strange inscriptions and hieroglyphs that warn you not to proceed any further. ~ E sigils hieroglyphs inscriptions writing~ You cannot understand the strange glyphs that cover the door, but most of them seem to depict scenes of fire and massive creatures of apparently tremendous strength. You have a feeling that the glyphs are serving as a warning. ~ S #5310 The Fire Pool~ This room is dominated by a massive raised pool that is filled with not water but flames of intense heat. The multicoloured flames lick out at you, searching for things to burn. The pool proceeds to the east into a small chamber. ~ 53 cd 0 D1 You see a large stone door. ~ door stone~ 1 -1 5309 D3 You see a small chamber filled with fire. ~ ~ 0 -1 5311 S #5311 The Chamber Of The Efreet~ You make your way across the fire pool, and into a small stone chamber. Here the flames are nearly as high as your head, singeing your face and evaporating your sweat instantaneously. ~ 53 d 7 D1 The pool of fire ends to the east. ~ ~ 0 -1 5310 S #5312 A Tiny Crawlway~ You have to go down onto your hands and knees to fit inside this tiny space. The crawlway is thick with sand and dust, and markings of the passage of other creatures. ~ 53 ad 0 D0 The crawlway continues to the north. ~ ~ 0 -1 5313 D2 The crawlway ends to the south in a musty chamber. ~ ~ 0 -1 5309 D4 A small hole above your head leads into a dank chamber. ~ ~ 0 -1 5337 S #5313 A Tiny Crawlway~ You are on your hands and knees, inside a small crawlway that winds through the inside of the pyramid. The crawlway is thick with sand, dust, and markings of the passage of other creatures. ~ 53 ad 0 D2 The crawlway continues to the south. ~ ~ 0 -1 5312 D3 The crawlway continues to the west. ~ ~ 0 -1 5314 S #5314 A Tiny Crawlway~ You are on your hands and knees, inside a small crawlway that winds through the inside of the pyramid. The crawlway is thick with sand, dust, and markings of the passage of other creatures. ~ 53 ad 0 D1 The crawlway continues to the east. ~ ~ 0 -1 5313 D3 The crawlway gets a little tighter to the west. ~ ~ 0 -1 5315 S #5315 A Tightening In The Crawlway~ Here you are forced to slide on your belly through a particularly tight section of the crawlway, as the stones of the pyramid close together about you. Below you is a small, slippery-looking hole that plummets into blackness. ~ 53 ad 0 D1 The crawlway gets a little larger to the east. ~ ~ 0 -1 5314 D2 The crawlway continues to diminish in size to the south. ~ ~ 0 -1 5316 D5 The hole looks very slippery and very dark. ~ ~ 0 -1 5317 S #5316 The Crawlway's End~ The crawlway shrinks away to nothing as the sandy stones of the pyramid close together into a space through which only a snake could fit. There is barely enough space to turn around and make your way back through the tiny crawlway to the north. ~ 53 ad 0 D0 The crawlway gets a little larger to the north. ~ ~ 0 -1 5315 S #5317 A Slippery Hole~ The sides of this hole are slippery-smooth. You lower yourself in, and proceed to move downward... when suddenly you lose your purchase! You fall for what seems like an eternity, and smash into the stones below... Under The Hole You are in a small chamber underneath the slippery hole, far below the pyramid now. The floor is strewn with bones. To the south is a small rocky crevasse. ~ 53 acd 0 D2 You see a rocky crevasse that proceeds deep under the pyramid. ~ ~ 0 -1 5319 D4 The hole looks far too slippery to climb back up. ~ ~ 0 -1 -1 E bones~ The bones have whitened and cracked in the dry air, apparently the remains of adventurers, thieves, and creatures that did not survive the fall. ~ S #5318 Under The Hole~ You are in a small chamber underneath the slippery hole, far below the pyramid now. The floor is strewn with bones. To the south is a small rocky crevasse. ~ 53 ad 0 D2 You see a rocky crevasse that proceeds deep under the pyramid. ~ ~ 0 -1 5319 D4 The hole looks far too slippery to climb back up. ~ ~ 0 -1 -1 E bones~ The bones have whitened and cracked in the dry air, apparently the remains of adventurers, thieves, and creatures that did not survive the fall. ~ S #5319 A Rough Crevasse~ You are now exploring deep within a strange rocky crevasse that plunges down into the rock on which the pyramid was constructed. To the south you see the flickering light of a fire, and the crevasse proceeds downward. ~ 53 d 0 D0 You see a small stone chamber littered with bones. ~ ~ 0 -1 5318 D2 You see the flickering light of a small fire. ~ ~ 0 -1 5320 D5 The crevasse continues downward into total darkness. ~ ~ 0 -1 5321 E rough~ As you look through the rough terrain, your eyes catch a small glint of light! ~ S #5320 A Small Fire~ Here a small fire burns in a nook in the rocks, providing some warmth and comforting light in the cold, dark, dry air. Standing here is a strange-looking old man, who stares at you balefully. ~ 53 d 0 D0 You see a massive crevasse that plunges into darkness. ~ ~ 0 -1 5319 E man old~ The old man looks like he has been trapped down here far too long, and has begun to lose his mind. He moves about slowly, cackling to himself. He turns to you and shouts, 'nope measse! nope measse!', then turns back and stares into the fire. 'What a strange person,' you think to yourself. ~ S #5321 Down The Crevasse~ The crevasse proceeds downward into the dark depths of the earth. The air about you is now cold and quite dry, and your light source gutters in a cool breeze that wafts up from below. ~ 53 ad 0 D4 It is too dark for you to see any further along the crevasse. ~ ~ 0 -1 5319 D5 It is too dark for you to see any further along the crevasse. ~ ~ 0 -1 5322 S #5322 At The Crevasse's End~ Here the crevasse comes to an abrupt end. A chilling wind howls at your face from a black shape to the south, but the light from your source is too dim to see exactly what it is. ~ 53 ad 0 D2 You see a strange-looking black shape. ~ sesame~ 2 5323 5323 D4 It is too dark for you to see anything along the crevasse. ~ ~ 0 -1 5321 E black shape~ Wind howls about your ears like the roar of a tiger. As your eyes adjust to the light the shape to the south almost seems to take the form of a massive animal head. ~ E tiger head animal sesame~ You are now certain that the wind is the cold breath of some unearthly giant animal, whose voice rumbles lowly on the breeze, and whose massive jaws could easily swallow you whole. You move closer for a better look, when suddenly a pair of eyes flashes. A cold voice echoes: 'SEEK YE THE DIAMOND... IN THE ROUGH...' ... Then all is silent. ~ S #5323 The Vault Of The Lamp~ The jaws of the massive stone tiger part wide to reveal a great vault. An arched ceiling lies far above your head... and all about you is a low guttural rumbling noise and a chill wind. Giant heaps of ancient treasure, gold coins, and valuables surround you on all sides. ~ 53 ad 0 D0 Through the jaws of the tiger you see the blackness of the crevasse. ~ ~ 2 5323 5322 E treasure gold coins valuables~ You reach for some of the tasty goodies, when you hear a loud rumbling sound and see a bright flash of light... Then the words: 'TAKE ONLY THE LAMP... TOUCH NOTHING ELSE.' ... All is silent once again. ~ S #5324 A Crack In The Wall~ You exhale, and squeeze yourself into the narrow crack in the wall. Dust fills your eyes as you disturb it, and chunks of mortar and stone mixed with a touch of sand fall on you as you scrape your way through. ~ 53 ad 0 D0 You see a musty chamber. ~ ~ 0 -1 5309 D2 You see a tomb. ~ ~ 0 -1 5325 S #5325 A Looted Tomb~ The floor of this small tomb is littered with the lids of smashed sarcophagi, bits of treasure dropped by thieves and looters, and corpses pulled from their resting places. ~ 53 d 0 D0 You see a small crack in the wall through which you might be able to slide. ~ ~ 0 -1 5324 D1 To the east is another tomb. ~ ~ 0 -1 5333 D3 To the west is another tomb. ~ ~ 0 -1 5326 S #5326 A Demolished Tomb~ This tomb has been utterly destroyed by thieves and looters in search of the treasures of the pharoahs. Nothing of interest remains in this room, except a large stone coffin that leans against the western wall. ~ 53 d 0 D1 To the east is another tomb. ~ ~ 0 -1 5325 D3 You see a large stone coffin. ~ coffin lid~ 2 5312 5327 E coffin lid~ The coffin is sculpted into the form of a man, standing several heads above you, and clad in the garments of pharoahs. It has apparently been untouched by the ravages of time and the activities of looters. Several markings on the side indicate spots where unsuccessful attempts were made to open the coffin. You can't see any way to open it. ~ E man garments pharoah~ As you look closer at the figure sculpted into the stone coffin you notice a small marking carved into its chest. It looks like a scarab or small beetle would fit into the small space, if properly sized. Hmmm. ~ S #5327 A Stairway~ You stand now at the head of a stairway that goes down into darkness. The steps and walls are smooth sandy stone, covered with a thick layer of dust. Some inscriptions are carved into the wall here. ~ 53 ad 0 D1 You see the backside of the coffin lid, featureless stone. ~ coffin lid~ 2 -1 5326 D5 It is too dark to see down the stairway. ~ ~ 0 -1 5328 E inscriptions~ You blow dust away from the inscriptions to read: Beware the curse of the mummy. ~ E coffin lid~ On this side the coffin lid is smooth featureless stone. ~ S #5328 A Stairway~ You are on a stairway that disappears into darkness in both directions. The smooth, uneven steps of the stairway have not been travelled in what appears to be centuries. ~ 53 ad 0 D4 It is too dark to see up the stairway. ~ ~ 0 -1 5327 D5 It is too dark to see down the stairway. ~ ~ 0 -1 5329 S #5329 A Stairway~ You stand now at the base of the uneven stairway. The walls, floor, and ceiling of this small landing are covered with strange hieroglyphics. ~ 53 ad 0 D2 You see a seam in the stone wall. ~ stone~ 1 -1 5330 D4 It is too dark to see up the stairway. ~ ~ 0 -1 5328 E walls floor ceiling hieroglyphics~ The hieroglyphics are covered with a thick layer of dust. You clear the dust away with your hand, and find that you cannot comprehend them. ~ S #5330 The Ancient Hall~ Here the air is deathly still, motes of dust thickly obscuring your vision. Several stone statues line the walls of the hall, depicting the gods of an ancient society. Strange glyphs and sigils cover the walls, a peculiar pictorial form of written language that you don't understand. Some steps lead to a raised dais to the south. ~ 53 ad 0 D0 You see a seam in the stone wall. ~ stone~ 1 -1 5329 D2 You see a small raised dais. ~ ~ 0 -1 5331 E writings glyphs sigils hieroglyphics symbols~ You don't understand the meaning of these symbols. ~ S #5331 A Raised Dais~ You are at the southern end of the ancient hall, the dust and darkness absorbing your light so that you cannot see past the steps of the dais. A low pedestal rests here. You see something written into the face of it. ~ 53 ad 0 D0 You cannot see past the steps of the dais. ~ ~ 0 -1 5330 D5 You see a seam in the stone floor. ~ tomb~ 1 -1 5332 E pedestal writings~ The writings are covered in sand and worn nearly away by the passage of time: 'I am Ramses the Damned, once counselor and aide to the mightiest of pharoahs and queens of this land. Much time has passed since I last walked the earth. Disturb my rest at your peril.' ~ S #5332 The Tomb Of Ramses~ You stand in an empty tomb, a cubicle no more then ten feet to a side. ~ 53 ad 0 D4 That leads back the way you came. ~ tomb~ 1 -1 5331 S #5333 A Ransacked Tomb~ This tomb has been completely ransacked and destroyed by the actions of pyramid thieves and looters. The floor is littered with junk. ~ 53 d 0 D1 To the east is a low-ceilinged tunnel. ~ ~ 0 -1 5334 D3 To the west is another tomb. ~ ~ 0 -1 5325 S #5334 A Tunnel~ The low-ceilinged tunnel runs east-west. ~ 53 ad 0 D1 You cannot see into the darkness of the low tunnel. ~ ~ 0 -1 5335 D3 You see a tomb. ~ ~ 0 -1 5333 S #5335 A Fork In The Tunnel~ Here the tunnel forks off through a gaping hole down in the southern wall, continuing onward to the east and west as well. ~ 53 ad 0 D1 You cannot see into the darkness of the low tunnel. ~ ~ 0 -1 5336 D2 The hole is low, at the floor of the southern wall. ~ ~ 0 -1 -1 D3 You cannot see into the darkness of the low tunnel. ~ ~ 0 -1 5334 D5 Through the hole you see rubble and sand. ~ ~ 0 -1 5346 E hole~ The hole is low, at the floor of the southern wall. ~ S #5336 A Tunnel~ The low-ceilinged tunnel makes a turn to the west and ends to the north as it spills out into a dusty hallway. ~ 53 ad 0 D0 The mouth of the tunnel is stone that has been torn away by looters. ~ ~ 0 -1 5342 D3 You cannot see into the darkness of the low tunnel. ~ ~ 0 -1 5335 S #5337 A Dank Chamber~ This chamber has a dank, dusty, musty smell to it. Small footprints in the dust betray the recent passage of some sort of creatures. A hole in the floor lies to the west and a stairway is to the east. ~ 53 d 0 D1 You see a spiral stone stairway. ~ ~ 0 -1 5338 D3 You see only blackness through the hole in the floor. ~ ~ 0 -1 5312 S #5338 A Spiral Stairway~ Some dusty, broken stone stairs here spiral slowly in a constricted space down towards a dusty hallway. ~ 53 d 0 D4 The stairs spiral up into a dank chamber. ~ ~ 0 -1 5337 D5 The stairs spiral down into a dusty hallway. ~ ~ 0 -1 5341 S #5339 A Dust-Covered Hallway~ This hallway is covered with dust that has accumulated over the centuries that the pyramid has stood. Small markings and footprints in the dust betray the recent passage of others -- perhaps thieves? ~ 53 d 0 D1 The hallway proceeds to the east towards a strange smell. ~ ~ 0 -1 5340 D3 The hallway proceeds towards the west towards a musty smell. ~ ~ 0 -1 5309 S #5340 A Smelly Chamber~ This small chamber has a sickly putrescent smell to it, the smell of formaldehyde and other ointments used to preserve the corpses of those who died ages ago. ~ 53 d 0 D1 You see a dusty hallway. ~ ~ 0 -1 5341 D3 You a dusty hallway. ~ ~ 0 -1 5339 S #5341 A Dust-Covered Hallway~ This hallway is covered with a thick, choking dust that rises up to obscure your light source and sting your eyes. Small marks and footprints in the dust betray the recent passage of others. ~ 53 d 0 D1 The hallway turns to the north. ~ ~ 0 -1 5342 D3 You smell something peculiar over there. ~ ~ 0 -1 5340 D4 A tightly spiralling stone stairway leads up. ~ ~ 0 -1 5338 S #5342 A Turn In The Hallway~ You are standing in an elbow turn in a dust-covered stone hallway, that dead ends to the north and continues on to the west. To the south the stones of the pyramid have been torn asunder by thieves, making a low-ceilinged tunnel. ~ 53 d 0 D0 The hallway ends to the north. ~ ~ 0 -1 5343 D2 The tunnel is dark. ~ ~ 0 -1 5336 D3 The dust-covered hallway continues to the west. ~ ~ 0 -1 5341 S #5343 A Dead End~ The dust-covered hallway has come to an abrupt end at a stony, featureless wall. Here and there are signs of the recent passage of others in the dust. ~ 53 d 0 D2 The dusty hall continues to the south. ~ ~ 0 -1 5342 D5 The floor is quite dusty, and made of stone. You see some cracks. ~ floor~ 1 -1 5344 E cracks~ The cracks look like you might be able to pull away some pieces of the floor, perhaps even fit your body through the space you make. ~ S #5344 The Tomb Entrance~ You are in a small, dark chamber that has stood undisturbed for many years. To the north stands a massive stone tomb, which is covered in hieroglyphics and gold-lined carvings that mark it as the final resting place of the mighty pharoahs of this land. ~ 53 acd 0 D0 You see the tomb of the pharoahs. ~ tomb~ 1 -1 5345 D4 The stone ceiling has some cracks in it, through which a dim light streams. ~ ceiling~ 1 -1 5343 E tomb~ The tomb looks like it has stood for many years, much like the pyramid which encloses it. It is covered in small hieroglyphics. ~ E hieroglyphics carvings~ The markings indicate that this tomb is indeed the tomb of the greatest pharoahs of the ancient civilization that built this massive pyramid. ~ S #5345 The Tomb Of The Pharoahs~ Great golden sarcophogai line the walls of this massive tomb. It has withstood the passage of time intact, untouched by the hands of thieves and looters. The treasures taken by the pharoahs to their graves still lie before your feet. ~ 53 ad 0 D2 That way leads back out of the tomb. ~ tomb~ 1 -1 5344 E treasures~ The treasures are dusty and fragile, but still seem quite valuable. You decide not to take them out of respect for the ancient dead. ~ S #5346 A Rubble-Strewn Hallway~ This hallway formerly had a beautiful arch to the ceiling, now collapsed under the weight of the slowly settling stones of the pyramid. Now, a massive pile of rubble leads up into a hole high in the northern portion of the hallway. To the south, through the rubble and fallen stones you see a sandstone crypt. ~ 53 acd 0 D2 You see a sandstone crypt. ~ ~ 0 -1 5347 D4 From here you see only darkness. ~ ~ 0 -1 5335 S #5347 A Sandstone Crypt~ This small crypt is lit by a hole in the wall to the south, through which sand pours from the desert outside. A hot wind blows in from the desert, drying your skin instantly. To the east and north the arched hallway continues. ~ 53 d 0 D0 The arched hallway collapses into rubble shortly to the north. ~ ~ 0 -1 5346 D1 You see a beautifully arched hallway. ~ ~ 0 -1 5348 D2 You see a lot of sand. ~ ~ 0 -1 5353 S #5348 An Arched Hall~ This hallway has a beautiful arch to it, formed painstakingly and exquisitely out of the sandy stones of the pyramid. The dust that covers most of the rest of the pyramid interior is not present here, scoured away by the blowing of the desert winds that howl about your ears. ~ 53 d 0 D1 The arched hall proceeds to the east, making a sharp southward turn. ~ ~ 0 -1 5349 D3 The arched hall proceeds into a sandstone crypt. ~ ~ 0 -1 5347 S #5349 An Arched Hall~ This hallway has a beautiful arch to it, formed painstakingly and exquisitely out of the sandy stones of the pyramid. To the east is a small, golden-coloured crypt, and the hall proceeds to the south and north. ~ 53 d 0 D0 The arched hall proceeds to the north, making a sharp westward turn. ~ ~ 0 -1 5348 D1 A small golden crypt lies to the east. ~ ~ 0 -1 5350 D2 The arched hall proceeds to the south. ~ ~ 0 -1 5351 S #5350 A Golden Crypt~ You stand inside a small crypt with walls and ceiling made of golden bricks that obscure the large sandy stones of the pyramid. Small rugs and tapestries are scattered about the floor here, and they appear to have been used recently. ~ 53 d 0 D3 You see an arched hall. ~ ~ 0 -1 5349 E rug rugs tapestry tapestries~ The rugs and tapestries are very fine and worn with age, their colors now faded. They depict scenes of life in an ancient desert city. ~ E bricks~ The small golden bricks are very smooth and also quite soft. ~ S #5351 An Arched Hall~ This hallway has a beautiful arch to it, formed painstakingly and exquisitely out of the sandy stones of the pyramid. The arched hall proceeds to the north and ends to the south in a small vault. ~ 53 d 0 D0 The arched hall continues to the north. ~ ~ 0 -1 5349 D2 You see a small vault from which a shining light issues. ~ ~ 0 -1 5352 S #5352 A Shining Vault~ The stones of the pyramid here take on a strange, twinkling quality, almost seeming to shine with an internal light. As you look closer you see tiny glass-like glittery particles within the stones, that reflect the light from your light source so perfectly that they seem to shine. ~ 53 d 0 D0 You see a hall with a beautifully arched ceiling. ~ ~ 0 -1 5351 E particles glass~ The glassy particles reflect and refract your light source in a myriad of dazzling colours that dance across your eyes and make you giggle. ~ S #5353 A Massive Sand Dune~ You stand now on a massive sand dune on the southern side of the pyramid. At the foot of the sand dune to the north you see a small hole where the stones of the pyramid have collapsed. Not far to the south is a massive roiling sandstorm; the wind from the storm howls and bites at your face even here. ~ 53 c 2 D0 You see a small hole leading back into the pyramid. ~ ~ 0 -1 5347 D2 You see only a wall of whirling, blowing, dry sand. ~ ~ 0 -1 5354 E sand dune sandstorm~ The sand is very white, and very sandy. There sure is a lot of it. ~ S #5354 A Swirling Sandstorm~ You are caught in the midst of a massive sandstorm. Howling winds buffet you from all sides, and the sand tears at your skin, blinding you and choking you. You have lost all sense of direction. ~ 53 0 2 D0 You see only a wall of whirling, blowing, dry sand. ~ ~ 0 -1 5353 D1 You see only a wall of whirling, blowing, dry sand. ~ ~ 0 -1 5354 D2 You see only a wall of whirling, blowing, dry sand. ~ ~ 0 -1 5355 D3 You see only a wall of whirling, blowing, dry sand. ~ ~ 0 -1 5354 E sand~ Sand is about all you CAN see right now. Unfortunately, it isn't very interesting sand, only white, dry, and blowing all over the place. ~ S #5355 A Swirling Sandstorm~ You are caught in the midst of a massive sandstorm. Howling winds buffet you from all sides, and the sand tears at your skin, blinding you and choking you. You have lost all sense of direction. ~ 53 0 2 D0 You see only a wall of whirling, blowing, dry sand. ~ ~ 0 -1 5354 D1 You see only a wall of whirling, blowing, dry sand. ~ ~ 0 -1 5355 D2 You see only a wall of whirling, blowing, dry sand. ~ ~ 0 -1 5356 D3 You see only a wall of whirling, blowing, dry sand. ~ ~ 0 -1 5355 E sand~ Sand is about all you CAN see right now. Unfortunately, it isn't very interesting sand, only white, dry, and blowing all over the place. ~ S #5356 A Swirling Sandstorm~ You are caught in the midst of a massive sandstorm. Howling winds buffet you from all sides, and the sand tears at your skin, blinding you and choking you. You have lost all sense of direction. ~ 53 0 2 D0 You see only a wall of whirling, blowing, dry sand. ~ ~ 0 -1 5355 D1 You see only a wall of whirling, blowing, dry sand. ~ ~ 0 -1 5356 D2 You see only a wall of whirling, blowing, dry sand. ~ ~ 0 -1 5357 D3 You see only a wall of whirling, blowing, dry sand. ~ ~ 0 -1 5356 E sand~ Sand is about all you CAN see right now. Unfortunately, it isn't very interesting sand, only white, dry, and blowing all over the place. ~ S #5357 A Swirling Sandstorm~ You are caught in the midst of a massive sandstorm. Howling winds buffet you from all sides, and the sand tears at your skin, blinding you and choking you. You have lost all sense of direction. ~ 53 0 2 D0 You see only a wall of whirling, blowing, dry sand. ~ ~ 0 -1 5356 D1 You see only a wall of whirling, blowing, dry sand. ~ ~ 0 -1 5357 D2 You see only a wall of whirling, blowing, dry sand. ~ ~ 0 -1 5358 D3 You see only a wall of whirling, blowing, dry sand. ~ ~ 0 -1 5357 E sand~ Sand is about all you CAN see right now. Unfortunately, it isn't very interesting sand, only white, dry, and blowing all over the place. ~ S #5358 A Massive Sand Dune~ Somehow you managed to make your way through the howling winds of the sandstorm, and clamber up on this sand dune. You can see the storm to the north of you, and presumably the pyramid is somewhere beyond it. Nothing but flat, featureless, open dunes of sand lie in every other direction. ~ 53 0 2 D0 You see only a wall of whirling, blowing, dry sand. ~ ~ 0 -1 5357 D2 On the southern side of the sand dune is a small hole in the sand. For some reason you seem unable to get to it. ~ riddle~ 2 5317 5359 E sand dune~ The sand is very white, and very sandy. There sure is a lot of it. ~ E riddle~ A vision forms before your eyes, in glowing hieroglyphic symbols. ~ E hieroglyphics symbols~ Like most of the ancient hieroglyphics of this land, the symbols are totally incomprehensible to you. Perhaps the Sphinx has the answer to this ancient riddle. ~ S #5359 Through The Hole In The Sand~ You squeeze through the small hole in the sand and land in a small white chamber. Above you is a small hole, reachable by climbing up the small sandy slope down which you slid. ~ 53 acd 0 D4 You see a sand dune. ~ ~ 0 -1 5358 S $