A Flea's Tale: A Medieval Adventure

Welcome to the World of Chaucer-the Medieval Ages. As you play through the game you may reconigize names and certain historical events. You are not mistaken. The world has been modeled after Medieval Europe during the 14th century as the Black Death is ravaging the land. It is my hope that through this game play players are more aware of the events that took place during the Black Death. Please choose which playing style you wish to continue. [[Tutorial]] (recommended for new players) [[Easy]]

//"Hello there! Welcome to A Flea's Tale: A Medeavil Adventure. I'm Tooie, your guide. Before I set you out on your Adventure through the Middle Ages allow me to equip you with a few helpful tips! The world of Cantauce can be dangerous and unforgiving no matter how small or quick one is, so be careful. Choose your path carefully for there is unfortunately no way to undo a path once you have started (that is unless you wish to restart the game). In order to progress through the story and your qdventure simply click the links below the text. Please click the link titled Ready."// [[Ready]] [[Not Ready]]

//"Perfect! I am so proud of you! I really think you are ready to set off now! Please be careful my friend! Trust me you will be in good hands!"// [[Start]]

//"Well that is not good... If you fail to follow directions you won't get very far... Here! Let us try this once more! Click on the link that says Ready!"// [[Ready]] [[Still not ready]]

//"Perfect! I am so proud of you! I really think you are ready to set off now! Please be careful my friend! Trust me you will be in good hands!"// [[Wake up!]]

''"Hey! Ye wake up already! Ye snooring is too loud! Ye have been doing so for the past hour! I cannot take this much longer! WAKE UP!"'' [[Sleep]] [[Wake up]]

//"Oh dear...this ready is not good... Am I not a good tutorial? I must try harder then! Once more! I believe in you! Choose the link that says Ready!"// [[Ready]] [[Make Tooie Sad]]

//"Oh my! You are a cruel one! Why must you do this to poor Tooie! I shall make this simple for you! Click the link below."// [[Ready]]

''"Prithee I cannot take this much longer! Wake up!"'' //A quick shaking jerks you awake.// [[Wake up]]

''"Hey! Ye wake up already! Ye snooring is much too loud! Ye have been doing that for the past hour! I cannot take this anymore! WAKE UP!"'' //A loud sharp voice urges you to wake up. Slowly you become aware of the world around you. Lazy and groogy, you adjust to your surrounding. Becoming aware of what is happening you decide...// [[to question]] [[to complain]]

[[Huh? Wait what is going on? Where am I? Wait...who am..what..am I? Why do I not know anything?! Who are you!?]] [[Why am I awake?]]

''"How dare thee! You've seen asleep far too long! Wake up!''" [[Why am I awake?]]

''"Well, goodmorrow to ye! Ay! So many a question are ye for such a wee being. One query at a time prithee. Now once more."'' [[What is going on here?]]

''"Well I never! Thou art a rude one! Goodmorrow to ye! If ye must know it was I that awoke ye. Ye've been stirring for the past month. Just within the last hour ye snooring has become all too much for one to stand. I suppose ye would have woken up on your own like ye kin. I am, grammarcy for questioning, Fayre! Ye've been living in my body for as long as I recall."'' [[I apologize]] [[Huh? Wait what is going on? Where am I? Wait...who am..what..am I? Why do I not know anything?! Who are you!?]]

''"I am not all aware of it myself. From what I do know even that is limited. Your kin and you have suddenly awaken after being dormant for so many centuries. As to why now you've all decided to awake is beyond my knowledge. What I do know is that you are apart of me."'' [[Where am I?]] [[Who am I?]] [[What am I?]] [[Why can I not answer these queries myself?]] [[And who might you be?]]

''"Tis more difficult to answer, truly. As you see...well you are within me. I shall serve as your vessel! You seem to live within my gut. Here you have always been as far as I have been aware. As for where we reside, is a simple matter. Currently we are in an know to the locals as //Hubei, China//. We have come such a long way from my birth land. I am from England but I suppose that you thus would be from here. Tis the land, afterall, that you came alive."'' [[And who might you be?]]

''"That seems to be a fair query. You are known as //Yersinia Pestis//. Yet all of you are known as that. Accoridng to what strenth you kin have I would state that you as well hold such power. Rumours have it that you are called the //The Black Death//. So seems it that if you using me as a vessel infect a human they are dead in a matter of hours. I am bless to be the guide and vessel of one so strong."'' [[Where am I?]]

''"Aye, I have come to think you of a god, myself. Humans call you the end of times. For me you have always been, just slumbering. This cannot hold true fact I am sure, for I am only 30 nights olds. To my elders you are, as they understand you, a bacteria which has been carried by my kind for hundreds of years. I do not know as to how or why."'' [[Why can I not answer these queries myself?]]

''"I suppose it is what happens if one slumbers for a few hundred years. The mind must be fogged. No frets! I shall be the guide to the World."'' [[Where am I?]]

''"You may call me Fayre. For I am but a wise and simple flea. I am your vessel and your guide in the World. Be a pleasure to aid you back to Europe if you so wish, I am headed that way myself. If you do not mind that we that rest every now and then. It is critical that I eat once every week to be sound. As I am aware, you must feed off the humans as well as I-I, their blood and you, their life."'' [[Call me Yersi]]

You quickly apologize to Fayre. The voice you hear about you is warm yet stern. Everything about you is dark and warm. This feels safe. It is not as if you have any it seems to defend yourself if it was not safe. You decide to inquire... [[Huh? Wait what is going on? Where am I? Wait...who am..what..am I? Why do I not know anything?! Who are you!?]] [[What is going on here?]]

''"Tis a wonderful name. I shall call ye Yersi as of now on."'' // The warmth around you is growing intensly. Having laid dormant for centuries likely translate to not having had a meal in centuries. About you there are signs of light that draw you near. You are able to see what Fayre sees. Around there are shops opening for the morning. Traders selling silks and food for the day are out early. It would seem that Fayre is latched on a furry being that seems to virbrate in patterns. Fayre gives you the name cat for the creature.// [[I am hungry]] [[Set off.]]

//The market place is sparce as far as food options are concerned. It is clear to you and it seem to only be you that it seems so clear to that many of those at the market have already been fed on by your kin. Thus being so they are of no value to you. It seems as through you have woken up all to late. You must feed soon or you will not last much longer.// ''"Ye are truly in best of fates! Glance up! We are such a meal for the both of us! I shall feed and so shall you!"'' //Fayre bites onto the man that you have been riding upon. A sweet tangy blood oozes into Fayre's stomach. You've noticed along with Fayre you too gain energy and strength. However while blood rushes into Fayre, it seems that you've slipt off into two parts. This second you is injected into this man.// [[Wait! What just happened!?]] [[I feel much better now. Shall we head out?]]

''"Ay! Ye prove to be as wise as thee! We shall take the rat! Timid of humans are they surely not. Ah look! What wonderous luck has befallen unto us! Thither is a rat that will take us to our journey's end"'' //Quickly Fayre hopes off of what is only clear to you know a male human to the back of a rather large black rat rooting through some market goods. Fayre gracefully chimes to the rodent some noise you are unable to understand.// ''"Ay! He shall allow passage on his back! He too is heading toward Europe. Supposedly traveling along side the humans on their trade routes shall be benfitical to us. He wishes to partake in the riches of goods that are carried along the route. Though we are not concerned with human food, this means us well if we wish to have a meal from time to time."'' [[You understood that?]] [[Where to now?]] [[I do not feel so well, I should have eaten right away]]

''"Nay! For I am a wise flea! Pray thee trust me! We shall take the rat! Timid of humans are they surely not. Ah look! What wonderous luck has befallen unto us! Thither is a rat that will take us to our journey's end"'' //Quickly Fayre hopes off of what is only clear to you know a male human to the back of a rather large black rat rooting through some market goods. Fayre gracefully chimes to the rodent some noise you are unable to understand.// ''"Ay! He shall allow passage on his back! He too is heading toward Europe. Supposedly traveling along side the humans on their trade routes shall be benfitical to us. He wishes to partake in the riches of goods that are carried along the route. Though we are not concerned with human food, this means us well if we wish to have a meal from time to time."'' [[You understood that?]] [[Where to now?]] [[I do not feel so well, I should have eaten right away]]

''"Ay! I tell thee, I am a wise flea! I have traveled across many lands thus I have learned many toungues. Tis thither that shall prove to be most useful I garneentee!"'' [[I do not feel so well, I should have eaten right away]]

''"We shall set off toward Europe! Our next stop shall be Great Tartary. This land is home of the most forbiddable Tartars! Our rodent friend hither believes to cut through the land after leavng the //silk road//. We shall reach my homeland soon. Prithee! Ye sure you are fine? I sense you are not well Yersi!"'' [[Silk Road?]] [[I do not feel so well, I should have eaten right away]]

''"Tis an issue...Ye should have eaten when we were in Hubei. Most of the population has hence been infected. You will not be able to split off to regain ye strength for quite some time. We will need to meet another human that has yet to be infected. Thus we must keep moving before your kin burn through the local populations. Supposing ye do have two options..."'' [[You feed on the rat that carries you toward the Great Tartary.]] [[You wait to see if you come across an uninfected human.]]

''"Many pathogens such as yeself as ye recall need a host. In return for gaining blood from an organism ye along with other pathogens divide and multiple. I am infected though I had rather say that I am ye carrier. Mark thee now, a smaller ye has now infected this man hither. Tis the progress of life for ye and ye kin. I suggest though Yersi,ye kind must not be adjusted to humans. Yet have I seen a pathogen burn through populations such as ye kind. Thus does point more often to the suggestion that ye kind have come from a similar pathogen that must have jumped from beast to human. Tis nothing of concern for ye! Tis common enough since humans spend such time in close apprroximancey with animals."'' [[What do you mean burn through so quickly?]]

''"Ay! We must be careful! Ye will not be able to feed off anyone that is already infected. Many pathogens such as yeself as ye recall need a host. In return for gaining blood from an organism ye along with other pathogens divide and multiple. I am infected though I had rather say that I am ye carrier. Mark thee now, a smaller ye has now infected this man hither. Tis the progress of life for ye and ye kin. I suggest though Yersi,ye kind must not be adjusted to humans. Yet have I seen a pathogen burn through populations such as ye kind. Thus does point more often to the suggestion that ye kind have come from a similar pathogen that must have jumped from beast to human. Tis nothing of concern for ye! Tis common enough since humans spend such time in close apprroximancey with animals."'' [[What do you mean burn through so quickly?]]

//The Silk Road is an ancient trading route. The route spanning from the ports of Italy to China is most known for bringing silk made in China to Europe. Spices and tea were often other goods carried along the silk road. Although traveled on numerous times the route is not free from dangers of attacks.// [[I do not feel so well, I should have eaten right away]]

''"If ye wish it to be so.."'' //Hesitantly Fayre bites into the rat drinking its warm blood. Its sticky blood fills the flea's stomach and your absorb the nutrients from the rats blood. It does not seem to mind or it simple has not noticed. As you feel strength returning to you notice that you divide into two parts. This second half flows into the rat as Fayre drinks.// [[What happened?]] [[What has happened to the rat?]]

//It seems as though you've waited too long. Without feeding and getting nutrients from a new host you die. Unforuntately pathogens such as Yersinia pestis or the Bubonic plague burn through hosts rather quickly. Better luck next time// [[Welcome! ]]

''"Oh no.."''//All movement as stopped. It seems as though you have killed the rat that was carrying you before you could make contact with another mode of movement. Without a source of transportation or food this is your stopping place. Better luck next time// [[Welcome! ]]

''"Many pathogens such as yeself as ye recall need a host. In return for gaining blood from an organism ye along with other pathogens divide and multiple. I am infected though I had rather say that I am ye carrier. Mark thee now, a smaller you has now infected thy rodent friend hither. Tis the progress of life for ye and ye kin. I suggest though Yersi,ye kind must not be adjusted to humans. Yet have I seen a pathogen burn through populations such as ye kind. Thus does point more often to the suggestion that ye kind have come from a similar pathogen that must have jumped from beast to human. Tis nothing of concern for ye! Tis common enough since humans spend such time in close apprroximancey with animals."'' [[What happened?]]

''"Shall we wait and watch? Yes I believe we shall then. This man whose blood has given us life shall be dead by morning. Tis always the same. I have seen such happens more than once. Have ye noticed how sparce the market place is this time of day? With the sun high over head it should be crowded. The population has since declined ever since the awakening. Yersi, tis always the same. I myself find the symptoms gruesome. The Chinese are more susceptible due to several epidemics that have hit this land. Famines allow ye kin to burn through even quicker as the human body cannot fight off that which they have no strength to do so."'' [[What will follow?]] [[Dead by morning? We should move on.]]

''"A terrible death as ever one I have seen. Tis no concern to I nor ye! If ye must query so I shall tell ye of what ye is called, //Black Death//. Those so misforunate to come across ye die within hours to days. Soon an intense fever shall rush over such a poor wretch. Said fever seems to cause the glades of the neck, //lymph nodes//, to swell until they burst! Ny not a pretty sight included with such prolonged vomiting of the victim. Blisters, //boboes//, black as night appear on the skin before death. Many have I seen spill their own blood by coughing. As I have seen so it does not seem to be just you and I that are able to spread this death to the populations of the land but once infected humans are able to pass it along to other humans."'' [[Dead by morning? We should move on.]]

//You suggest that waiting any longer you waste time you could spend traveling. Your point has been made with Fayre, you both have had a meal and should be able to last the journey to the next stop.//''"Very well! Prithee then how might we continue our travels?"'' [[Cat]] [[Mule]] [[Rat]]

''"Hey! Ye wake up already! Ye snooring is getting much too loud! Ye have been doing that for the past hour! I cannot take this anymore! WAKE UP!"'' [[Sleep]] [[Wake up]]

''"Ay! I tell thee, I am a wise flea! I have traveled across many lands thus I have learned many toungues. Tis thither that shall prove to be most useful I guarantee!"'' [[Carry on]]

//Your group settles into a nest created within a container of spices bein carried from Hubei to the Mediterranean. As promised, Fayre feeds atleast once a week on the blood of those traveling along the Silk Road. It is just as Fayre had informed you, those bitten died within hours. Those few lucky to make it past the the first 24 hours were dead within the next three days. A few even luckier traders finding themselves pulling out of Death's grip though they were heavy disfigured by the symptoms caused by you. Of the 30 or so member caravan that had embarked on the route to the Mediterraean nearly a third have perished. Each new settlement you and Fayre reach seems to be devasted more and more by your presecence. Villiages deserted, inhabitants fleeing the Death that follows your arrival.// ''"The remaining party of traders wants to spilt into two parties. One will go North toward the Great Tartary and the second will move toward the coast of the great trading waters of the Mediterranean.''"//Fayre translates the chiming of the traders to each other.// [[Suggest that you remain with the group to the South]] [[Suggest that you remain with the group to the North.]]

//You suggest that you remain with the traders that wish to pull South. Fayre had stated earlier in the pilgramage that the southern route might prove to be slowler than going to the North. It is decided that as the two groups part their ways you remain on the path that heads South. Five nights in the caravan reaches the trading post of Kaffa. A dense city crowded with people. The last survivers in the caravan reach the gates of the city by dawn. You can feel the the sun warming the hair on the rat that Fayre returns to after feeding. The rats coat warms Fayre's blood thus warming you. There is an odd oder in the air. The stench of Death, which as long become the norm during your travels does not seem to reached this trading post...yet. You wonder how long this may last.// ''"Yersi! Prithee, thy carvan has been but all exhausted. Shall we move on? I sugguest we leave our rodent here for he seems all too willing and contend to stay hither in the warmth of the post."'' [[Find another rat]] [[Find another human]]

//You suggest that you remain with the traders that wish to pull North. Fayre had stated earlier in the pilgramage that the land route might prove to be quickier than going to the South and traveling on a merchant ship to Italy. It is decided that as the two groups part their ways you remain on the path that heads North. Three nights in the caravan is attacked by nearby Tartars, the Mongels. The slaughter remains you of the Death that you yourself bring to those unlucky enough to cross your path. Quickly Fayre snaps you out of your deep thought.// ''"Yersi! Prithee, shall we stay with the corpses of the traders or do ye wish to join the ranks of the Tartars? Need we make quick action less we be left behind with no choice."'' [[Stay]] [[Join the Tartars]]

//Without fresh blood, you and Fayre are unable to last longer than a week at best. Unfortuantely, your journey ends the lands of the Tartars. Best of luck next time.// [[Welcome! ]]

//You've decided to join the Tartars. Unfortunately in the chaos of the attack you have lost your rodent as travel companion. Fayre reassures you that there are as many rats in the world as there are humans, you are bound to cross paths with more. For the time being one of the Tartars shall serve as your ride across the landscape. Their numbers are large. It would appear that few of their ranks have been infected. It is concerning to you knowing how quickly you ran through the population of a larger caravan. Surely this army will last longer?// ''"Shall we feed again? Tis due time."'' [[Feed]] [[Wait a while longer]]

//Fayre bites into the Tartar solider. Warm blood rushes into the fleas stomach giving you strength. As you have become use to, you divide and infect the Tartar solider. Within hours this man too will be dead. If he is lucky enough to live through the fever and the blisters, he will live this rest of his lived scarred by the visit. Within a day the man is dead. The Tartars however do not seem to discard the bodies as people did in the last land. Instead the man that you've ridden is loaded up onto a cart with serveral other dead men. Though this behavior seems odd Fayre reassures you that you should wait it out. She hints at more that she is not telling you yet. By night fall the Tartar camp starts moving South. THe sound of horses trotting is nearly covered up by the noise of the dead..or soon to be dead. The coughing of those infected drown out any other sound. Three days into the march southward the dwindling army reaches a the trading post of Kaffa. The Tartar army is too weak and small to defeat the walls of Kaffa. With your presence it would seem as if the Tartar army will die out before taking the city. Cheers ring out over the walls. The people must be over joined that this enemy is defeated so easily.// ''"They thank their god for sending ye. They believe ye to be an angel sent to destory the Tartars."''//Fayre translates to you. Little do they understand that you kill indiscriminately. The Tartars that are still strong enough load the dead men onto machines and launch them over the walls of Kaffa. Quickly the cheers turn into crys and screams.// [[Stay on the dead man]] [[Jump onto a heathly Tartar solider]]

//Oh no! It seems you have waited too long. Without feeding Fayre is unable to go on. Better luck next time// [[Welcome! ]]

//Fayre jumps onto the back of another rat. There is a loud roar of noise coming from the crowd. You question it.// ''"Ay! They are cheering. It would seem as if an army from the North has become infected by ye. Oh! How they prais thee as an angel sent by their god to defeat this army now too weak to overcome the gates and walls of Kaffa. I suggest they know not they are too in danger of the same fate which for now they praise."'' //By days end the cheering have turned to crys. The army, you now know to be the Tartars, have started to launch their dead over the walls. Quickly the horrified public of Kaffa result to burning the dead or submerging them in water. This attempt is all but in vain. The stench of Death has already consumed the city. By the end of week more than a third of the city is dead in the street covered in black buboes or blisters. You watch on as the city is sacked by Death. The Tartar army forced to retreat, too weak to take the city. Families abondon each other as soon as symptoms become apparent. Time is running out for you as well. You must feed soon.// [[Stay and watch the city fall]] [[Leave with the humans that are fleeing the city]]

//Fayre jumps onto the head of a young female from what you are able to make out. There is a loud roar of noise coming from the crowd. You question it.// ''"Ay! They are cheering. It would seem as if an army from the North has become infected by ye. Oh! How they prais thee as an angel sent by their god to defeat this army now too weak to overcome the gates and walls of Kaffa. I suggest they know not they are too in danger of the same fate which for now they praise."'' //By days end the cheering have turned to crys. The army, you now know to be the Tartars, have started to launch their dead over the walls. Quickly the horrified public of Kaffa result to burning the dead or submerging them in water. This attempt is all but in vain. The stench of Death has already consumed the city. By the end of week more than a third of the city is dead in the street covered in black buboes or blisters. You watch on as the city is sacked by Death. The Tartar army forced to retreat, too weak to take the city. Families abondon each other as soon as symptoms become apparent. Time is running out for you as well. You must feed soon.// [[Stay and watch the city fall]] [[Leave with the humans that are fleeing the city]]

//Deciding to stay on the dead man means you must wait your turn to be catapulted over the wall. Soon enough you soar through the air and land on the otherside of the wall.// ''"Quickly! Prithee decide quickly!"'' [[Stay on the body]] [[Find another human]]

//Unable to take the city due to the illness that they all soon gain from each other, the Tartar army is forced to retreat. Unforunately you are unable to feed from those already infected. Fayre is not able to last the trip back. Better luck next time!// [[Welcome! ]]

//The city is in ruin and soon deserted. The remaining population fleeing to the sea you are left without a source of food. Better luck next time.// [[Welcome! ]]

//You quickly jump to a fleeing girl. Those fleeing load themselves onto ships sailing to Sicily, and island off the southern coast of Italy. Death will not be so easily evaded.// ''"Persi, I suggest we go ahead and feed once more. My appetite has only increases as our pilgramage continues."'' [[Bite the crying baby in the girls arms]] [[Bite the strong man near the girl you ride upon]] [[Bite the elderly person to the backside of the girl]] [[Bite the young girl you already rest on]]

//The people of Kaffa result to burning the bodies of the dead that are thrown over the walls. Unforuntately Fayre is not fire proof. Better luck next time.// [[Welcome! ]]

//Soon once more warm blood flows into the belly of the flea that has carried you from Asia to the Southern tip of Europe. As Fayre bites into the human, she infects them with you. By the time the ship lands in Italy most of the Kaffas are showing signs of the plague. The ship docks in Sicily and the population of Kaffa dispersives throughout Italy. Within a month Italy too has become infected. Fayre has no issue jumping from person to person in the crowded cities of Italy. Slowly you make your way towards Northern Italy. The trader Fayre has just feed on has stopped to watch a group of people in hoods march by whipping themselves with cattails, long whips with spikes or thorns at the end. You question what is going on// ''"Ay! They are what the humans call Flaggents. They believe that ye have been sent to them by their god to punish them for the sins of man. Maybe they are correct or maybe they are not. What they do does not concen us. The behavior of such people may only increase their risk. Look how they open their flesh with the whips. Tis too easy to feed from them.''" //Soon the cities will be burned through as well. Fayre suggests that you take ride with another group North. It is clear she is ready to return home.// [[Ride on a rat with a group]] [[Ride on a human in a group]]

//It seems that luck is on your side. The small traveling group is on its way to London, England. However it seems that this meeting may prove to be unlucky for the small group of ten. Among them are five cooks and five bakers. So it seems that you have stummbled upon a guild moving to England in hopes of finding better work and pay. With many people falling ill and the increase rate of deaths per day. Many noblemen have a hard time filling old stations while offering the same price for work as was offered before the plague. As the demand for work increase, peasants are able to ask for better wages. Guilds are as common as you are these days. Guilds will often travel together in search of work elsewhere. This group shall last you until you reach England.// [[To England]]

//It is late Spring when a lone member of the guild reaches a tavern. Outside there is a small gathering of children that chime together. Fayre translates for you.// ''"Ring-a-round the rosies/ Pocket full of posies/ Ashes, ashes, we all fall down. Ay! They sing about us...well ye! They fear ye so much they sing to warn their children of ye!"'' //The lowly cook which you have already feed on makes his way into the tavern. There he asks when the next group shall leave toward Canterbury. The inn keeper states that he is in luck. For within in the next hour a group of travelers shall set forth toward Canterbury. The inn keeper informs the cook that those with the best stories shall walk away with quiet a prize. Your cook agrees to join them.// [[Towards Canterbury]]

^^Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote The droghte of March hath perced to the roote, And bathed every veyne in swich licour Of which vertu engendred is the flour, Whan Zephirus eek with his sweete breeth Inspired hath in every holt and heeth The tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne Hath in the Ram his halve cours yronne, And smale foweles maken melodye, That slepen al the nyght with open ye (so priketh hem Nature in hir corages), Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages, And palmeres for to seken straunge strondes, To ferne halwes, kowthe in sondry londes; And specially from every shires ende Of Engelond to Caunterbury they wende, The hooly blisful martir for to seke, That hem hath holpen whan that they were seeke. Bifil that in that seson on a day, In Southwerk at the Tabard as I lay Redy to wenden on my pilgrymage To Caunterbury with ful devout corage, At nyght was come into that hostelrye Wel nyne and twenty in a compaignye, Of sondry folk, by aventure yfalle In felaweshipe, and pilgrimes were they alle, That toward Caunterbury wolden ryde. The chambres and the stables weren wyde, And wel we weren esed atte beste. And shortly, whan the sonne was to reste, So hadde I spoken with hem everichon That I was of hir felaweshipe anon, And made forward erly for to ryse, To take oure wey ther as I yow devyse. But nathelees, whil I have tyme and space, Er that I ferther in this tale pace, Me thynketh it acordaunt to resoun To telle yow al the condicioun Of ech of hem, so as it semed me, And whiche they weren, and of what degree, And eek in what array that they were inne; And at a knyght than wol I first bigynne.^^ [[Onwards]]

//The group leaves the tavern with a promise made to them. Whoever can tell the best story is able to win. Two stories there and two stories back.// ''"Ay! There are so many different estates hither!"'' [[estates?]] [[I see]]

''"Ay! yes! Thee land is controlled into three estates or groups of the population. The first estates is the church! The church from my knowing has the most power over all. The second estate belongs to the nobles. Hither be ye kings and queens. This people fall belong the first estate. Ay! Finally the third estate belongs to everyone else. Tis their role to provide for the other estates"'' [[I see]]

//You see that there are all three estates among your group. The Church, Nobles, and Peasantry. How unlucky for them that they are crossed your path.// ''"Thither be a Knight, Miller, Reeve, our Cook, a Man of Law, a Wife who claims from Bath, Friar, Summoner, Clerk, Merchant, Squire, Frankin, Physician, Shipman, Prioress, Monk, Priest, a Yeoman, and a Parson among us. Shall we read what this gentleman writes about them as they speak before they fall?"'' [[The Cook]]

//You suggest that there is no need to listen to the tales. The cook is already showing signs that he is infected. Soon the rest will be infected, it seems as though none of them will finish the contest// [[ Towards canterbury]]

^^ And at a knyght than wol I first bigynne. A knyght ther was, and that a worthy man, That fro the tyme that he first bigan To riden out, he loved chivalrie, Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisie. Ful worthy was he in his lordes werre, And therto hadde he riden, no man ferre, As wel in cristendom as in hethenesse, And evere honoured for his worthynesse. At Alisaundre he was whan it was wonne. Ful ofte tyme he hadde the bord bigonne Aboven alle nacions in Pruce; In Lettow hadde he reysed and in Ruce, No cristen man so ofte of his degree. In Gernade at the seege eek hadde he be Of Algezir, and riden in Belmarye. At Lyeys was he and at Satalye, Whan they were wonne; and in the Grete See At many a noble armee hadde he be. At mortal batailles hadde he been fiftene, And foughten for oure feith at Tramyssene In lystes thries, and ay slayn his foo. This ilke worthy knyght hadde been also Somtyme with the lord of Palatye Agayn another hethen in Turkye. And everemoore he hadde a sovereyn prys; And though that he were worthy, he was wys, And of his port as meeke as is a mayde. He nevere yet no vileynye ne sayde In al his lyf unto no maner wight. He was a verray, parfit gentil knyght. But, for to tellen yow of his array, His hors were goode, but he was nat gay. Of fustian he wered a gypon Al bismotered with his habergeon, For he was late ycome from his viage, And wente for to doon his pilgrymage. With hym ther was his sone, a yong squier, A lovyere and a lusty bacheler, With lokkes crulle as they were leyd in presse. Of twenty yeer of age he was, I gesse. Of his stature he was of evene lengthe, And wonderly delyvere, and of greet strengthe. And he hadde been somtyme in chyvachie In Flaundres, in Artoys, and Pycardie, And born hym weel, as of so litel space, In hope to stonden in his lady grace. Embrouded was he, as it were a meede Al ful of fresshe floures, whyte and reede. Syngynge he was, or floytynge, al the day; He was as fressh as is the month of May. Short was his gowne, with sleves longe and wyde. Wel koude he sitte on hors and faire ryde. He koude songes make and wel endite, Juste and eek daunce, and weel purtreye and write. So hoote he lovede that by nyghtertale. He sleep namoore than dooth a nyghtyngale. Curteis he was, lowely, and servysable, And carf biforn his fader at the table. A yeman hadde he and servantz namo At that tyme, for hym liste ride so, And he was clad in cote and hood of grene. A sheef of pecok arwes, bright and kene, Under his belt he bar ful thriftily, (wel koude he dresse his takel yemanly: His arwes drouped noght with fetheres lowe) And in his hand he baar a myghty bowe. A not heed hadde he, with a broun visage. Of wodecraft wel koude he al the usage. Upon his arm he baar a gay bracer, And by his syde a swerd and a bokeler, And on that oother syde a gay daggere Harneised wel and sharp as point of spere; A Cristopher on his brest of silver sheene. An horn he bar, the bawdryk was of grene; A forster was he, soothly, as I gesse. ^^ [[ Towards canterbury]]

//Unforuntately for the group of pilgrams on their way towards Canterbury, it seems as though one one will walk away with the prize. It would seem as though this tale too for this poor writer will go unfinished. As you and Fayre watch as the last of the travers take their final breaths it seems as though you and your kin are meant to petter out here// [[the end]]

^^A good wif was ther of biside Bathe, But she was somdel deef, and that was scathe. Of clooth-makyng she hadde swich an haunt, She passed hem of Ypres and of Gaunt. In al the parisshe wif ne was ther noon That to the offrynge bifore hire sholde goon; And if ther dide, certeyn so wrooth was she, That she was out of alle charitee. Hir coverchiefs ful fyne weren of ground; I dorste swere they weyeden ten pound That on a Sonday weren upon hir heed. Hir hosen weren of fyn scarlet reed, Ful streite yteyd, and shoes ful moyste and newe. Boold was hir face, and fair, and reed of hewe. She was a worthy womman al hir lyve: Housbondes at chirche dore she hadde fyve, Withouten oother compaignye in youthe, -- But therof nedeth nat to speke as nowthe. And thries hadde she been at Jerusalem; She hadde passed many a straunge strem; At Rome she hadde been, and at Boloigne, In Galice at Seint-Jame, and at Coloigne. She koude muchel of wandrynge by the weye. Gat-tothed was she, soothly for to seye. Upon an amblere esily she sat, Ywympled wel, and on hir heed an hat As brood as is a bokeler or a targe; A foot-mantel aboute hir hipes large, And on hir feet a paire of spores sharpe. In felaweshipe wel koude she laughe and carpe. Of remedies of love she knew per chaunce, For she koude of that art the olde daunce. A good man was ther of religioun, And was a povre persoun of a toun, But riche he was of hooly thoght and werk. He was also a lerned man, a clerk, That cristes gospel trewely wolde preche; His parisshens devoutly wolde he teche. Benygne he was, and wonder diligent, And in adversitee ful pacient, And swich he was ypreved ofte sithes. Ful looth were hym to cursen for his tithes, But rather wolde he yeven, out of doute, Unto his povre parisshens aboute Of his offryng and eek of his substaunce. He koude in litel thyng have suffisaunce. Wyd was his parisshe, and houses fer asonder, But he ne lefte nat, for reyn ne thonder, In siknesse nor in meschief to visite The ferreste in his parisshe, muche and lite, Upon his feet, and in his hand a staf. This noble ensample to his sheep he yaf, That first he wroghte, and afterward he taughte. Out of the gospel he tho wordes caughte, And this figure he added eek therto, That if gold ruste, what shal iren do? For if a preest be foul, on whom we truste, No wonder is a lewed man to ruste; And shame it is, if a prest take keep, A shiten shepherde and a clene sheep. Wel oghte a preest ensample for to yive, By his clennesse, how that his sheep sholde lyve. He sette nat his benefice to hyre And leet his sheep encombred in the myre And ran to Londoun unto Seinte Poules To seken hym a chaunterie for soules, Or with a bretherhed to been withholde; But dwelte at hoom, and kepte wel his folde, So that the wolf ne made it nat myscarie; He was a shepherde and noght a mercenarie. And though he hooly were and vertuous, He was to synful men nat despitous, Ne of his speche daungerous ne digne, But in his techyng discreet and benygne. To drawen folk to hevene by fairnesse, By good ensample, this was his bisynesse. But it were any persone obstinat, What so he were, of heigh or lough estat, Hym wolde he snybben sharply for the nonys. A bettre preest I trowe that nowher noon ys. He waited after no pompe and reverence, Ne maked him a spiced conscience, But Cristes loore and his apostles twelve He taughte, but first he folwed it hymselve.^^ [[ Towards canterbury]]

The millere was a stout carl for the nones; Ful byg he was of brawn, and eek of bones. That proved wel, for over al ther he cam, At wrastlynge he wolde have alwey the ram. He was short-sholdred, brood, a thikke knarre; Ther was no dore that he nolde heve of harre, Or breke it at a rennyng with his heed. His berd as any sowe or fox was reed, And therto brood, as though it were a spade. Upon the cop right of his nose he hade A werte, and theron stood a toft of herys, Reed as the brustles of a sowes erys; His nosethirles blake were and wyde. A swerd and bokeler bar he by his syde. His mouth as greet was as a greet forneys. He was a janglere and a goliardeys, And that was moost of synne and harlotries. Wel koude he stelen corn and tollen thries; And yet he hadde a thombe of gold, pardee. A whit cote and a blew hood wered he. A baggepipe wel koude he blowe and sowne, And therwithal he broghte us out of towne. A gentil maunciple was ther of a temple, Of which achatours myghte take exemple For to be wise in byynge of vitaille; For wheither that he payde or took by taille, Algate he wayted so in his achaat That he was ay biforn and in good staat. Now is nat that of God a ful fair grace That swich a lewed mannes wit shal pace The wisdom of an heep of lerned men? Of maistres hadde he mo than thries ten, That weren of lawe expert and curious, Of which ther were a duszeyne in that hous Worthy to been stywardes of rente and lond Of any lord that is in engelond, To make hym lyve by his propre good In honour dettelees (but if he were wood), Or lyve as scarsly as hym list desire; And able for to helpen al a shire In any caas that myghte falle or happe; And yet this manciple sette hir aller cappe. The reve was a sclendre colerik man. His berd was shave as ny as ever he kan; ^^His heer was by his erys ful round yshorn; His top was dokked lyk a preest biforn Ful longe were his legges and ful lene, Ylyk a staf, ther was no calf ysene. Wel koude he kepe a gerner and a bynne; Ther was noon auditour koude on him wynne. Wel wiste he by the droghte and by the reyn The yeldynge of his seed and of his greyn. His lordes sheep, his neet, his dayerye, His swyn, his hors, his stoor, and his pultrye Was hoolly in this reves governynge, And by his covenant yaf the rekenynge, Syn that his lord was twenty yeer of age. Ther koude no man brynge hym in arrerage. Ther nas baillif, ne hierde, nor oother hyne, That he ne knew his sleighte and his covyne; They were adrad of hym as of the deeth. His wonyng was ful faire upon an heeth; With grene trees yshadwed was his place. He koude bettre than his lord purchace. Ful riche he was astored pryvely: His lord wel koude he plesen subtilly, To yeve and lene hym of his owene good, And have a thank, and yet a cote and hood. In youthe he hadde lerned a good myster; He was a wel good wrighte, a carpenter. This reve sat upon a ful good stot, That was al pomely grey and highte scot. A long surcote of pers upon he hade, And by his syde he baar a rusty blade. Of Northfolk was this reve of which I telle, Biside a toun men clepen Baldeswelle. Tukked he was as is a frere aboute, And evere he rood the hyndreste of oure route.^^ [[ Towards canterbury]]

^^The reve was a sclendre colerik man. His berd was shave as ny as ever he kan; His heer was by his erys ful round yshorn; His top was dokked lyk a preest biforn Ful longe were his legges and ful lene, Ylyk a staf, ther was no calf ysene. Wel koude he kepe a gerner and a bynne; Ther was noon auditour koude on him wynne. Wel wiste he by the droghte and by the reyn The yeldynge of his seed and of his greyn. His lordes sheep, his neet, his dayerye, His swyn, his hors, his stoor, and his pultrye Was hoolly in this reves governynge, And by his covenant yaf the rekenynge, Syn that his lord was twenty yeer of age. Ther koude no man brynge hym in arrerage. Ther nas baillif, ne hierde, nor oother hyne, That he ne knew his sleighte and his covyne; They were adrad of hym as of the deeth. His wonyng was ful faire upon an heeth; With grene trees yshadwed was his place. He koude bettre than his lord purchace. Ful riche he was astored pryvely: His lord wel koude he plesen subtilly, To yeve and lene hym of his owene good, And have a thank, and yet a cote and hood. In youthe he hadde lerned a good myster; He was a wel good wrighte, a carpenter. This reve sat upon a ful good stot, That was al pomely grey and highte scot. A long surcote of pers upon he hade, And by his syde he baar a rusty blade. Of Northfolk was this reve of which I telle, Biside a toun men clepen Baldeswelle. Tukked he was as is a frere aboute, And evere he rood the hyndreste of oure route. ^^ [[ Towards canterbury]]

^^Ther was also a nonne, a prioresse, That of hir smylyng was ful symple and coy; Hire gretteste ooth was but by Seinte Loy; And she was cleped Madame Eglentyne. Ful weel she soong the service dyvyne, Entuned in hir nose ful semely, And frenssh she spak ful faire and fetisly, After the scole of Stratford atte Bowe, For Frenssh of Parys was to hire unknowe. At mete wel ytaught was she with alle: She leet no morsel from hir lippes falle, Ne wette hir fyngres in hir sauce depe; Wel koude she carie a morsel and wel kepe That no drope ne fille upon hire brest. In curteisie was set ful muchel hir lest. Hir over-lippe wyped she so clene That in hir coppe ther was no ferthyng sene Of grece, whan she dronken hadde hir draughte. Ful semely after hir mete she raughte. And sikerly she was of greet desport, And ful plesaunt, and amyable of port, And peyned hire to countrefete cheere Of court, and to been estatlich of manere, And to ben holden digne of reverence. But, for to speken of hire conscience, She was so charitable and so pitous She wolde wepe, if that she saugh a mous Kaught in a trappe, if it were deed or bledde. Of smale houndes hadde she that she fedde With rosted flessh, or milk and wastel-breed. But soore wepte she if oon of hem were deed, Or if men smoot it with a yerde smerte; And al was conscience and tendre herte. Ful semyly hir wympul pynched was, Hir nose tretys, hir eyen greye as glas, Hir mouth ful smal, and therto softe and reed; But sikerly she hadde a fair forheed; It was almoost a spanne brood, I trowe; For, hardily, she was nat undergrowe. Ful fetys was hir cloke, as I was war. Of smal coral aboute hire arm she bar A peire of bedes, gauded al with grene, And theron heng a brooch of gold ful sheene, On which ther was first write a crowned A, And after Amor Vincit Omnia. Another nonne with hire hadde she, That was hir chapeleyne, and preestes thre. A monk ther was, a fair for the maistrie, An outridere, that lovede venerie, A manly man, to been an abbot able. Ful many a deyntee hors hadde he in stable, And whan he rood, men myghte his brydel heere Gynglen in a whistlynge wynd als cleere And eek as loude as dooth the chapel belle. Ther as this lord was kepere of the celle, The reule of Seint Maure or of Seint Beneit, By cause that it was old and somdel streit This ilke monk leet olde thynges pace, And heeld after the newe world the space. He yaf nat of that text a pulled hen, That seith that hunters ben nat hooly men, Ne that a monk, whan he is recchelees, Is likned til a fissh that is waterlees, -- This is to seyn, a monk out of his cloystre. But thilke text heeld he nat worth an oystre; And I seyde his opinion was good. What sholde he studie and make hymselven wood, Upon a book in cloystre alwey to poure, Or swynken with his handes, and laboure, As Austyn bit? how shal the world be served? Lat Austyn have his swynk to hym reserved! Therfore he was a prikasour aright: Grehoundes he hadde as swift as fowel in flight; Of prikyng and of huntyng for the hare Was al his lust, for no cost wolde he spare. I seigh his sleves purfiled at the hond With grys, and that the fyneste of a lond; And, for to festne his hood under his chyn, He hadde of gold ywroght a ful curious pyn; A love-knotte in the gretter ende ther was. His heed was balled, that shoon as any glas, And eek his face, as he hadde been enoynt. He was a lord ful fat and in good poynt; His eyen stepe, and rollynge in his heed, That stemed as a forneys of a leed; His bootes souple, his hors in greet estaat. Now certeinly he was a fair prelaat; He was nat pale as a forpyned goost. A fat swan loved he best of any roost. His palfrey was as broun as is a berye. ^^ [[ Towards canterbury]]

Play again? [[Welcome! ]]

^^A sergeant of the lawe, war and wys, That often hadde been at the parvys, Ther was also, ful riche of excellence. Discreet he was and of greet reverence -- He semed swich, his wordes weren so wise. Justice he was ful often in assise, By patente and by pleyn commissioun. For his science and for his heigh renoun, Of fees and robes hadde he many oon. So greet a purchasour was nowher noon: Al was fee symple to hym in effect; His purchasyng myghte nat been infect. Nowher so bisy a man as he ther nas, And yet he semed bisier than he was. In termes hadde he caas and doomes alle That from the tyme of Kyng William were falle. Therto he koude endite, and make a thyng, Ther koude no wight pynche at his writyng; And every statut koude he pleyn by rote. He rood but hoomly in a medlee cote. Girt with a ceint of silk, with barres smale; Of his array telle I no lenger tale. A frankeleyn was in his compaignye. Whit was his berd as is the dayesye; Of his complexioun he was sangwyn. Wel loved he by the morwe a sop in wyn; To lyven in delit was evere his wone, For he was Epicurus owene sone, That heeld opinioun that pleyn delit Was verray felicitee parfit. An housholdere, and that a greet, was he; Seint Julian he was in his contree. His breed, his ale, was alweys after oon; A bettre envyned man was nowher noon. Withoute bake mete was nevere his hous Of fissh and flessh, and that so plentevous, It snewed in his hous of mete and drynke, Of alle deyntees that men koude thynke. After the sondry sesons of the yeer, So chaunged he his mete and his soper. Ful many a fat partrich hadde he in muwe, And many a breem and many a luce in stuwe. Wo was his cook but if his sauce were Poynaunt and sharp, and redy al his geere. His table dormant in his halle alway Stood redy covered al the longe day. At sessiouns ther was he lord and sire; Ful ofte tyme he was knyght of the shire. An anlaas and a gipser al of silk Heeng at his girdel, whit as morne milk. A shirreve hadde he been, and a contour. Was nowher swich a worthy vavasour. An haberdasshere and a carpenter, A webbe, a dyere, and a tapycer, -- And they were clothed alle in o lyveree Of a solempne and a greet fraternitee. Ful fressh and newe hir geere apiked was; Hir knyves were chaped noght with bras But al with silver; wroght ful clene and weel Hire girdles and hir pouches everydeel. Wel semed ech of hem a fair burgeys To sitten in a yeldehalle on a deys. Everich, for the wisdom that he kan, Was shaply for to been an alderman. For catel hadde they ynogh and rente, And eek hir wyves wolde it wel assente; And elles certeyn were they to blame. It is ful fair to been ycleped Madame, And goon to vigilies al bifore, And have a mantel roialliche ybore. A cook they hadde with hem for the nones To boille the chiknes with the marybones, And poudre-marchant tart and galyngale. Wel koude he knowe a draughte of londoun ale. He koude rooste, and sethe, and broille, and frye, Maken mortreux, and wel bake a pye. But greet harm was it, as it thoughte me, That on his shyne a mormal hadde he. For blankmanger, that made he with the beste. A shipman was ther, wonynge fer by weste; For aught I woot, he was of Dertemouthe. He rood upon a rounce, as he kouthe, In a gowne of faldyng to the knee. A daggere hangynge on a laas hadde he Aboute his nekke, under his arm adoun. The hoote somer hadde maad his hewe al broun; And certeinly he was a good felawe. Ful many a draughte of wyn had he ydrawe Fro Burdeux-ward, whil that the chapmen sleep. Of nyce conscience took he no keep. If that he faught, and hadde the hyer hond, By water he sente hem hoom to every lond. But of his craft to rekene wel his tydes, His stremes, and his daungers hym bisides, His herberwe, and his moone, his lodemenage, Ther nas noon swich from hulle to cartage. Hardy he was and wys to undertake; With many a tempest hadde his berd been shake. He knew alle the havenes, as they were, Fro Gootlond to the Cape of Fynystere, And every cryke in Britaigne and in Spayne. His barge ycleped was the Maudelayne. ^^ ''"Most amazing! Shall we then read more? "'' [[The Prioress]] [[Wife of Bath]] [[Knight]] [[Reeve]] [[Miller]] [[No need]]

//Hubei is a small providence in China. You are currently closer to the Pacifica Ocean than to England. There is a long journey ahead of you.// ''"Very well! We shall set off! I pray thee to be prepared for a long journey! Mark it as well that we must stop every so often for a meal. As for travel how might ye wish to proceed?"'' [[A rat would be the fastest and easiest mode of pilgrimage.]] [[A cat seems to be the most covert mode of pilgrimage. I alone cannot nor do I suggest ye live off of it either]] [[A mule may I pray keep us within range of humans though it may reveal to be the slowest method for our pilgrimage to my home]]