Crystal and stone, beetle and bone

An interactive not quite fantasy.

Updated! Play this game in your browser! (Opens in new window.)

Note: If you use a screenreader, allow a couple of seconds after pushing enter on your command. It seems as if being too fast on the cursor keys moves focus away from where you ultimately want it; starting at the beginning of the new text. It’s not a biggie, but can be a bit annoying.

Of course you can always download the game, and check out the Crystal and Stone Game map

The editing

I believe I am done. It will have to be done as I can’t dedicate the rest of my life to this game. I did some rewrites and lot’s of error checking. Spelling, yes, spelling errors a plenty. I’m always in a hurry it seems and i always pay for it in the end. But this should be the last and final version of this game. Considering I started writing it in 2006 or thereabouts, it has taken far too long. But here it is. Crystal and stone, beetle and bone Version 4.

Enjoy!

From the game

The beetle airs out its wings in an attempt to look bigger and the spider stands up to its maximum height. After a moment of this comparison of strength, the spider backs off, scrambles away from the beetle and up on Lornedei where it curls up and acts as if nothing at all has taken place.

…

Deini sniffs around. After a while she comes back, carrying an old torch. She drops it at Lornedei’s feet.


…


In the southeast corner of the big desolate field the ground slopes down and turns into a ragged hole in the ground. Heat ripples the air around it. A large fire burns within a ring of stones.



She circles the fire. She is in a hurry, searching for the thing that should be but is no longer. She returns to the ruin. There is a high wall east of the castle and she stops to rest on top of it.




The world wavers its way back to reality and Lornedei looks pale and a bit unsteady on her feet. “Too high! Master? If I die and must come back, please do not make me a bird!”


…


Lornedei watches the amulet for a short while. Then she tries to stab herself in the face with it. Fortunately it’s not sharp enough to draw blood.


…

The beetle clings to Lornedei’s finger while shaking its antennae. After a moment of fruitless coaxing Lornedei gives up with a sigh. “Never mind then.”




. Her legs betray her. They are all over her now, reaching for her, grabbing, ripping. Their hatred and need has given them substance, temporary bodies, and the strength to take what they need. Lornedei does not stop screaming until her throat is ripped open. The black bird watches in silence and the forbidden forest shudders in delight.


…


Lornedei glares at the bird. The bird stares at Lornedei. Lornedei crosses her arms. The bird shuffles uneasily. Lornedei shuts her eyes. The bird croaks. Lornedei opens her eyes, pulling up her upper lip in a grimace. The silent exchange is over. “This bird would be of better use to me in a stew. It’s thinking of bugs. It’s probably hungry.”

Check this game on the Interactive fiction database (IFDB).