EARTH AND SKY is the first episode in an interactive fiction series that
will continue with its second episode in Fall 2002.

The game behaves like most interactive fiction, with the exception of
its conversation system. This system is a mad scientist's hybrid of
various techniques from other games:

    * ASK <character> ABOUT <topic> and TELL <character> ABOUT <topic>
      are enabled, and can be used to interact with any non-player
      character (NPC).

    * However, when an NPC addresses the player character (PC), EARTH AND
      SKY will present a list of possible replies, and ask the player to
      select one of these. (Remaining silent is always an option as
      well.)

    * Finally, if the player would rather move along with the story than
      grill NPCs, the verb TALK TO <npc> is also available. Selecting
      this verb will prompt EARTH AND SKY to launch an entire dialogue
      between the PC and the NPC, each of whom will choose their words
      and topics based on what's currently happening in the game.

EARTH AND SKY is designed so that it cannot be put into an unwinnable
state.

Note to PalmPilot users: For best results, play this game with a
40-column-width screen. To set this under Frobnitz, access the menus (by
tapping the menu button in the bottom left corner of the green lower
window) then tap Options, Configure Display, and set Columns to 40. Then
restart the game.

I love getting feedback. What you liked, what you didn't like, what
horrible bugs you've found -- send it all to me at obrian@colorado.edu. 

***

Release 1 of EARTH AND SKY was on October 1, 2001 for the 2001
Interactive Fiction Competition, in which it earned 8th place. You are
playing Release 2, which is intended to fix bugs and incorporate a few
suggestions I received after that initial release. 

EARTH AND SKY is freeware, meaning that it may be freely distributed as
long as it is unaltered and no profit is made from its distribution.

***

As always, grateful acknowledgement is due to Graham Nelson for creating
Inform and its excellent documentation, notably the fourth edition of
the Inform Designers Manual. Thanks as well to Adam Cadre for his
flags.h library extension.

I'd also like to extend my appreciation and apologies to Richard
Monastersky -- he wrote an article in the Oct. 19, 2000 edition of the
Chronicle of Higher Education about West Chester University's research
into isolating ancient bacteria, and that piece directly inspired much
of part two. Apologies and thanks as well to Drs. Vreeland et. al. for
the liberties I've taken with their work.

Without the support of my family, this work would probably never have
been started, let alone finished. A thousand thanks to them.

EARTH AND SKY is an affectionate tribute to the creators of Marvel
Comics, whose dazzling imaginations have illuminated my childhood and
adulthood.

The following people provided feedback on the first release of Earth And
Sky, in the form of reviews, bug reports, private email, or some
combination thereof: Admiral Jota, Akilesh Ayyar, Sean T. Barrett,
Jonathan Blask, Stephen Bond, Suzanne Britton, Adam Cadre, Matthew
Clemson, Craxton, Dave, Demian Katz, Cedric Knight, Maureen Mason, Eric
Mayer, Jason Melancon, Nathan, Marnie Parker, Andrew Plotkin,
PolloDiablo, Timofei Shatrov, Dan Shiovitz, Emily Short, Tom Smith,
Scott Starkey, Stas Starkov, Duncan Stevens, Jonathan Theo, David
Thornley, Valentine, and D. Jacob Wildstrom. I greatly appreciate the
time they took to articulate their responses to the game.

And saving the best for last: extra-special thanks to Stephen Granade,
Jon Ingold, David Samuel Myers, and Jenny O'Brian, my outstanding cadre
of betatesters. Way to save my skin a hundred times over, crew.