Magocracy

An unusually MUD-like entry in the 2004 IF Compo (placing 18th), this game pits the player against an array of stronger opponents in an enclosed castle complex, all interacted with through a robust TADS text adventure interface. Since the emphasis is on survival, not storytelling, descriptions and character interactions are terse and to-the-point -- more Colossal Cave than Zork, with a generous helping of Legend of the Red Dragon mellowing the difference.