I wasn’t able to get 400 words in one go, but I was able to get 10 words, then 40 more, than 350 more, for 400 total.shared chat. I framed it as a programming task which some small amount of manual input would be required to get “a baseline” though[1].
This resulted in a csv of all decisions. It appears that Sol concluded that the instructions as equivalent to “come up with a candidate story, and then at each word position see if there’s an even better word and rewrite the story from that point if so”. And I do agree with Sol that that’s an equivalent operation, so I don’t think I count that as cheating (though I think Sol fudged the numbers a bit to make the second choice not win as often, which I do count as cheating).
The story itself
Beyond the black cliffs the sea swallowed a ruined galley. At dusk one mariner crawled through black surf, bearing a bronze coffer against his breast. No man watched him ascend the path, yet in the tower above, something ancient stirred at the scent of blood and began its silent descent. The mariner heard the tower door groan ere he reached it. He did not halt, nor would he look back. Rain streamed from his hair and mingled with fresh blood beneath his torn tunic. When the door swung inward, no hand lay upon it. He entered.
A stair wound upward into darkness; another plunged beneath bare earth. From that black gulf came a dry scrape of claws against stone.
The mariner set the coffer upon stone floor. “Rouse yourself, Vardek,” he called. “I have crossed dead kingdoms and drowned twenty men to bring you what you sought.”
The scraping ceased.
Then a voice, thin as wind among tombstones, whispered from beneath the stair.
“You lie.”
The mariner smiled. “Often.”
Two eyes opened within the darkness below. They shone not crimson, as tavern tales had promised, but pale and lucid, almost human. The thing which owned them climbed slowly into the lamplight: a gaunt shape clad in mouldering silk, with fingers unnaturally long for any mortal hand and a face beautiful save for its mouth. That mouth had no lips.
“You bear no mark of Aramon,” said Vardek.
“Aramon lies dead.”
For the first time the creature hesitated.
The mariner knelt beside the coffer and drew from his girdle an iron key. “Aramon died cursing you. Then he told me where you slept.”
Thunder shook the tower. Somewhere far above, a bell answered though no rope ever stirred.
Vardek’s colorless gaze fell upon the coffer.
“What lies within?”
“Your heart.”
The creature laughed, but the sound died suddenly.
The mariner turned the key.
Inside, nested among black wool, lay a fist-sized stone like old ivory. Veins of crimson fire throbbed within it to the rhythm of a sleeping beast.
Vardek recoiled.
“That is not my heart.”
“Nay,” answered the mariner. “Yet you believed it might be.”
He seized the stone.
The tower screamed.
Not Vardek—the tower itself. Mortar burst from the walls. The stair writhed like a wounded serpent, hurling the creature backward. Deep below, something vast hammered once against a buried door.
The mariner reeled yet kept his grip.
Log of all 400 decisions:
[Beyond::70+74=144|Beneath]::78+64=142 → Beyond
[the::62+63=125|those]::49+51=100 → the
[black::88+77=165|jagged]::68+82=150 → black
[cliffs::76+84=160|battlements]::81+71=152 → cliffs
[the::73+69=142|a]::63+62=125 → the
[sea::79+88=167|moon]::91+72=163 → sea
[swallowed::83+90=173|cradled]::72+58=130 → swallowed
[a::63+69=132|the]::66+65=131 → a
[ruined::89+82=171|drifting]::74+72=146 → ruined
[galley::70+91=161|barque]::86+71=157 → galley
[At::64+72=136|Near]::56+61=117 → At
[dusk::80+87=167|twilight]::92+70=162 → dusk
[one::70+73=143|a]::64+66=130 → one
[survivor::60+84=144|mariner]::91+68=159 → mariner
[crawled::78+88=166|staggered]::72+91=163 → crawled
[from::68+77=145|through]::72+84=156 → through
[the::62+66=128|black]::88+81=169 → black
[surf::78+89=167|foam]::85+71=156 → surf
[clutching::76+84=160|bearing]::82+80=162 → bearing
[a::64+68=132|one]::60+65=125 → a
[bronze::73+94=167|iron]::70+90=160 → bronze
[casket::92+72=164|coffer]::79+91=170 → coffer
[against::77+82=159|to]::67+72=139 → against
[his::70+73=143|the]::64+69=133 → his
[breast::87+84=171|chest]::60+87=147 → breast
[No::79+86=165|null]::88+68=156 → No
[man::70+88=158|soul]::91+64=155 → man
[watched::78+76=154|saw]::70+82=152 → watched
[him::66+72=138|the]::62+65=127 → him
[climb::72+88=160|ascend]::90+73=163 → ascend
[the::65+70=135|that]::58+65=123 → the
[path::77+85=162|stair]::82+73=155 → path
[but::72+76=148|yet]::87+80=167 → yet
[in::74+77=151|from]::71+72=143 → in
[the::70+74=144|a]::62+66=128 → the
[tower::85+82=167|keep]::67+94=161 → tower
[above::78+81=159|overhead]::65+75=140 → above
[something::93+70=163|a]::64+67=131 → something
[ancient::85+95=180|nameless]::96+77=173 → ancient
[stirred::90+88=178|moved]::68+76=144 → stirred
[at::75+82=157|as]::74+74=148 → at
[the::68+70=138|first]::65+71=136 → the
[smell::73+80=153|scent]::89+84=173 → scent
[of::70+73=143|from]::63+69=132 → of
[blood::89+95=184|gore]::75+93=168 → blood
[and::70+75=145|then]::67+72=139 → and
[began::82+86=168|started]::52+69=121 → began
[its::75+79=154|the]::65+72=137 → its
[slow::80+83=163|silent]::94+78=172 → silent
[descent::88+87=175|approach]::70+78=148 → descent
[The::72+75=147|A]::62+68=130 → The
[sailor::60+76=136|mariner]::78+86=164 → mariner
[heard::80+82=162|felt]::74+75=149 → heard
[the::69+72=141|that]::64+68=132 → the
[tower::82+84=166|iron]::74+85=159 → tower
[door::77+80=157|gate]::69+76=145 → door
[groan::88+82=170|creak]::78+78=156 → groan
[before::74+78=152|ere]::89+85=174 → ere
[he::67+72=139|the]::62+66=128 → he
[reached::76+82=158|touched]::73+75=148 → reached
[it::65+69=134|there]::58+61=119 → it
[He::67+72=139|Then]::72+62=134 → He
[did::66+71=137|would]::68+67=135 → did
[not::66+69=135|scarcely]::76+57=133 → not
[halt::76+86=162|pause]::72+75=147 → halt
[nor::81+75=156|and]::61+68=129 → nor
[did::75+72=147|would]::78+84=162 → would
[he::65+70=135|the]::60+64=124 → he
[look::68+78=146|glance]::74+70=144 → look
[back::72+82=154|behind]::70+73=143 → back
[Rain::84+78=162|Water]::64+70=134 → Rain
[streamed::88+79=167|ran]::70+82=152 → streamed
[from::69+72=141|down]::66+68=134 → from
[his::66+70=136|the]::61+64=125 → his
[hair::76+78=154|brow]::82+69=151 → hair
[and::65+69=134|then]::62+64=126 → and
[mingled::88+77=165|mixed]::65+75=140 → mingled
[with::70+71=141|into]::64+65=129 → with
[the::66+70=136|fresh]::63+75=138 → fresh
[blood::91+93=184|gore]::74+94=168 → blood
[beneath::86+82=168|under]::62+78=140 → beneath
[his::65+69=134|the]::60+64=124 → his
[torn::79+84=163|ragged]::70+88=158 → torn
[coat::70+78=148|tunic]::65+86=151 → tunic
[When::78+76=154|As]::73+76=149 → When
[the::66+70=136|that]::62+67=129 → the
[door::75+79=154|portal]::86+65=151 → door
[swung::79+85=164|opened]::70+73=143 → swung
[inward::84+78=162|wide]::74+82=156 → inward
[no::72+78=150|neither]::66+71=137 → no
[hand::86+80=166|one]::70+66=136 → hand
[appeared::84+74=158|lay]::79+82=161 → lay
[upon::84+74=158|against]::68+78=146 → upon
[it::67+70=137|either]::65+64=129 → it
[He::68+75=143|Then]::71+65=136 → He
[entered::82+84=166|advanced]::73+82=155 → entered
[A::72+73=145|One]::70+72=142 → A
[stair::83+82=165|staircase]::68+73=141 → stair
[wound::88+80=168|curled]::72+77=149 → wound
[upward::84+80=164|aloft]::86+70=156 → upward
[into::72+74=146|through]::70+75=145 → into
[darkness::92+89=181|gloom]::90+83=173 → darkness
[another::75+79=154|one]::69+73=142 → another
[plunged::81+91=172|descended]::84+76=160 → plunged
[below::72+78=150|beneath]::85+80=165 → beneath
[the::66+69=135|bare]::69+68=137 → bare
[earth::84+88=172|tower]::76+81=157 → earth
[From::74+78=152|Within]::82+68=150 → From
[the::82+75=157|that]::78+80=158 → that
[lower::72+75=147|black]::88+90=178 → black
[gulf::91+84=175|depth]::86+80=166 → gulf
[came::78+82=160|issued]::85+70=155 → came
[the::70+71=141|a]::72+74=146 → a
[dry::88+82=170|faint]::84+70=154 → dry
[scrape::84+86=170|scratching]::82+77=159 → scrape
[of::70+72=142|like]::66+68=134 → of
[claws::85+93=178|nails]::79+77=156 → claws
[on::70+76=146|against]::82+85=167 → against
[stone::86+87=173|rock]::72+89=161 → stone
[The::70+75=145|Then]::67+70=137 → The
[mariner::78+86=164|man]::66+88=154 → mariner
[set::71+86=157|placed]::80+75=155 → set
[the::66+69=135|his]::63+67=130 → the
[coffer::88+91=179|box]::58+72=130 → coffer
[upon::84+75=159|on]::61+78=139 → upon
[the::66+70=136|stone]::78+76=154 → stone
[floor::77+78=155|ground]::69+80=149 → floor
[Wake::67+77=144|Rouse]::86+91=177 → Rouse
[yourself::75+82=157|up]::61+75=136 → yourself
[Vardek::72+88=160|sleeper]::85+72=157 → Vardek
[he::65+70=135|the]::61+65=126 → he
[called::77+83=160|shouted]::68+87=155 → called
[I::68+73=141|We]::65+69=134 → I
[have::66+70=136|come]::72+62=134 → have
[crossed::77+89=166|passed]::74+76=150 → crossed
[three::69+85=154|dead]::84+72=156 → dead
[kingdoms::75+94=169|realms]::86+78=164 → kingdoms
[and::65+70=135|then]::63+66=129 → and
[drowned::88+88=176|slew]::69+98=167 → drowned
[twenty::71+91=162|many]::76+74=150 → twenty
[men::70+91=161|souls]::90+64=154 → men
[to::66+69=135|for]::61+66=127 → to
[bring::72+82=154|bear]::83+70=153 → bring
[you::74+83=157|thee]::84+66=150 → you
[what::76+76=152|that]::70+72=142 → what
[you::70+80=150|Vardek]::66+74=140 → you
[sought::82+91=173|desired]::90+75=165 → sought
[The::68+73=141|All]::66+69=135 → The
[scraping::86+82=168|sound]::70+75=145 → scraping
[ceased::93+74=167|stopped]::59+80=139 → ceased
[Then::74+81=155|Presently]::89+64=153 → Then
[a::68+70=138|one]::67+69=136 → a
[voice::88+77=165|whisper]::93+68=161 → voice
[thin::91+77=168|faint]::86+71=157 → thin
[as::78+72=150|like]::65+75=140 → as
[wind::89+83=172|breath]::91+69=160 → wind
[among::91+82=173|through]::78+84=162 → among
[tombstones::96+74=170|graves]::88+78=166 → tombstones
[whispered::95+71=166|spoke]::70+79=149 → whispered
[from::72+74=146|under]::68+75=143 → from
[beneath::88+76=164|below]::69+79=148 → beneath
[the::67+70=137|that]::65+68=133 → the
[stair::84+80=164|stones]::82+77=159 → stair
[You::76+81=157|Thou]::85+70=155 → You
[lie::83+92=175|deceive]::89+72=161 → lie
[The::68+72=140|That]::64+68=132 → The
[mariner::77+84=161|man]::68+86=154 → mariner
[smiled::88+84=172|laughed]::75+91=166 → smiled
[Often::84+88=172|Always]::77+83=160 → Often
[Two::74+83=157|Pale]::86+68=154 → Two
[eyes::84+86=170|orbs]::91+62=153 → eyes
[opened::87+83=170|gleamed]::84+81=165 → opened
[in::70+75=145|within]::87+73=160 → within
[the::67+70=137|that]::64+67=131 → the
[darkness::92+86=178|gloom]::91+81=172 → darkness
[below::80+82=162|beneath]::82+75=157 → below
[They::70+73=143|These]::69+68=137 → They
[were::68+72=140|shone]::89+88=177 → shone
[not::74+79=153|neither]::72+70=142 → not
[red::80+86=166|crimson]::91+87=178 → crimson
[as::78+72=150|though]::74+69=143 → as
[tavern::78+91=169|sailors’]::75+88=163 → tavern
[tales::86+82=168|legends]::84+79=163 → tales
[had::68+72=140|often]::72+66=138 → had
[promised::83+79=162|claimed]::77+81=158 → promised
[but::72+78=150|rather]::76+69=145 → but
[pale::91+80=171|white]::82+79=161 → pale
[and::69+73=142|yet]::75+66=141 → and
[lucid::96+67=163|clear]::70+76=146 → lucid
[almost::82+76=158|eerily]::88+68=156 → almost
[human::85+84=169|mortal]::91+76=167 → human
[The::70+73=143|Whatever]::83+58=141 → The
[thing::91+77=168|creature]::78+88=166 → thing
[that::68+84=152|which]::87+72=159 → which
[owned::80+85=165|bore]::84+79=163 → owned
[them::69+72=141|both]::68+68=136 → them
[climbed::80+91=171|rose]::86+78=164 → climbed
[slowly::90+76=166|upward]::73+82=155 → slowly
[into::74+76=150|toward]::76+73=149 → into
[the::68+70=138|a]::65+67=132 → the
[lamplight::91+82=173|light]::70+75=145 → lamplight
[a::68+71=139|one]::69+68=137 → a
[tall::76+81=157|gaunt]::91+87=178 → gaunt
[shape::90+87=177|figure]::88+77=165 → shape
[wrapped::82+80=162|clad]::83+92=175 → clad
[in::70+75=145|with]::66+70=136 → in
[mouldering::98+72=170|rotting]::65+83=148 → mouldering
[silk::92+82=174|robes]::86+83=169 → silk
[with::72+75=147|and]::69+74=143 → with
[fingers::89+86=175|hands]::78+83=161 → fingers
[too::76+82=158|unnaturally]::89+80=169 → unnaturally
[long::82+88=170|slender]::86+72=158 → long
[for::70+73=143|even]::72+67=139 → for
[any::71+76=147|a]::69+75=144 → any
[mortal::91+84=175|human]::80+82=162 → mortal
[hand::78+84=162|frame]::75+76=151 → hand
[and::68+74=142|with]::70+68=138 → and
[a::67+70=137|one]::66+69=135 → a
[face::79+89=168|countenance]::93+68=161 → face
[beautiful::90+78=168|fair]::82+84=166 → beautiful
[except::77+78=155|save]::89+86=175 → save
[for::73+75=148|only]::78+68=146 → for
[the::68+70=138|its]::74+79=153 → its
[mouth::91+83=174|lips]::86+75=161 → mouth
[That::83+79=162|Its]::69+73=142 → That
[mouth::94+78=172|maw]::74+95=169 → mouth
[had::69+72=141|bore]::79+61=140 → had
[no::76+79=155|neither]::74+72=146 → no
[lips::96+71=167|edge]::75+65=140 → lips
[You::76+82=158|Thou]::86+69=155 → You
[bear::80+91=171|carry]::67+78=145 → bear
[no::72+78=150|neither]::70+69=139 → no
[seal::85+79=164|mark]::80+88=168 → mark
[of::70+73=143|from]::63+69=132 → of
[Aramon::74+88=162|him]::68+70=138 → Aramon
[said::75+83=158|murmured]::89+64=153 → said
[Vardek::72+87=159|he]::64+69=133 → Vardek
[Aramon::73+87=160|He]::66+69=135 → Aramon
[is::65+70=135|lies]::86+87=173 → lies
[dead::91+92=183|slain]::76+96=172 → dead
[For::70+74=144|Then]::68+72=140 → For
[the::67+70=137|once]::73+62=135 → the
[first::75+80=155|only]::73+74=147 → first
[time::80+79=159|instant]::88+66=154 → time
[the::67+70=137|that]::63+67=130 → the
[creature::79+90=169|thing]::91+75=166 → creature
[hesitated::90+78=168|faltered]::78+89=167 → hesitated
[The::69+73=142|Without]::77+62=139 → The
[mariner::78+86=164|sailor]::61+76=137 → mariner
[knelt::82+81=163|crouched]::71+89=160 → knelt
[beside::84+76=160|over]::70+82=152 → beside
[the::67+70=137|his]::64+68=132 → the
[coffer::88+92=180|box]::58+72=130 → coffer
[and::66+70=136|then]::64+67=131 → and
[drew::75+94=169|took]::64+80=144 → drew
[from::69+73=142|at]::62+68=130 → from
[his::65+70=135|the]::62+66=128 → his
[belt::70+89=159|girdle]::83+79=162 → girdle
[an::67+70=137|one]::70+65=135 → an
[iron::76+92=168|ancient]::86+75=161 → iron
[key::80+84=164|instrument]::76+68=144 → key
[He::67+72=139|Aramon]::70+70=140 → Aramon
[died::75+88=163|perished]::90+65=155 → died
[cursing::86+91=177|damning]::92+78=170 → cursing
[you::70+79=149|me]::68+70=138 → you
[Then::73+80=153|Before]::75+70=145 → Then
[he::66+70=136|Aramon]::70+65=135 → he
[told::72+82=154|showed]::76+76=152 → told
[me::66+70=136|us]::63+67=130 → me
[where::82+78=160|how]::73+77=150 → where
[you::69+80=149|Vardek]::68+74=142 → you
[slept::91+88=179|hid]::79+91=170 → slept
[Thunder::91+88=179|Lightning]::87+79=166 → Thunder
[shook::78+91=169|struck]::82+83=165 → shook
[the::66+70=136|that]::63+67=130 → the
[tower::84+89=173|stones]::83+84=167 → tower
[Somewhere::91+72=163|Overhead]::78+80=158 → Somewhere
[high::78+78=156|far]::80+80=160 → far
[above::86+76=162|overhead]::77+77=154 → above
[a::67+70=137|one]::67+68=135 → a
[bell::90+80=170|chime]::83+70=153 → bell
[answered::93+78=171|rang]::73+84=157 → answered
[though::81+72=153|although]::77+69=146 → though
[no::72+76=148|its]::67+69=136 → no
[rope::86+79=165|cord]::79+76=155 → rope
[had::70+73=143|ever]::84+79=163 → ever
[moved::70+77=147|stirred]::90+80=170 → stirred
[Vardek’s::75+90=165|His]::73+75=148 → Vardek’s
[colorless::91+78=169|cold]::79+87=166 → colorless
[gaze::91+79=170|eyes]::82+82=164 → gaze
[dropped::72+79=151|fell]::89+84=173 → fell
[to::68+77=145|upon]::91+75=166 → upon
[the::67+70=137|that]::65+67=132 → the
[coffer::88+92=180|box]::58+73=131 → coffer
[What::87+81=168|Which]::78+73=151 → What
[is::66+71=137|lies]::94+83=177 → lies
[within::93+76=169|inside]::68+77=145 → within
[Your::82+88=170|A]::79+75=154 → Your
[heart::87+94=181|soul]::94+72=166 → heart
[The::68+72=140|Vardek]::73+66=139 → The
[creature::79+90=169|thing]::91+75=166 → creature
[laughed::82+90=172|chuckled]::82+78=160 → laughed
[but::70+84=154|though]::82+70=152 → but
[the::67+70=137|his]::64+68=132 → the
[sound::86+76=162|laughter]::82+77=159 → sound
[died::90+83=173|ceased]::92+68=160 → died
[quickly::69+78=147|suddenly]::85+84=169 → suddenly
[The::68+73=141|Without]::75+62=137 → The
[mariner::78+86=164|man]::67+87=154 → mariner
[turned::76+87=163|fitted]::77+78=155 → turned
[the::66+70=136|his]::64+67=131 → the
[key::80+84=164|lock]::76+77=153 → key
[Inside::86+78=164|There]::80+73=153 → Inside
[nested::91+79=170|hidden]::82+84=166 → nested
[in::70+73=143|among]::78+66=144 → among
[black::88+90=178|dark]::83+84=167 → black
[wool::84+76=160|cloth]::72+73=145 → wool
[lay::89+80=169|rested]::83+77=160 → lay
[a::68+70=138|one]::69+67=136 → a
[fist-sized::73+94=167|rounded]::78+76=154 → fist-sized
[stone::84+91=175|thing]::91+76=167 → stone
[of::69+72=141|like]::84+80=164 → like
[old::82+84=166|yellowed]::90+75=165 → old
[ivory::94+76=170|bone]::81+83=164 → ivory
[Veins::90+91=181|Threads]::91+73=164 → Veins
[of::70+73=143|like]::68+69=137 → of
[crimson::93+83=176|red]::76+94=170 → crimson
[fire::87+92=179|flame]::92+80=172 → fire
[pulsed::82+85=167|throbbed]::92+84=176 → throbbed
[through::74+83=157|within]::90+76=166 → within
[it::68+72=140|stone]::70+65=135 → it
[with::74+76=150|to]::75+79=154 → to
[the::67+70=137|a]::65+68=133 → the
[rhythm::91+79=170|beat]::75+93=168 → rhythm
[of::70+73=143|from]::64+69=133 → of
[a::68+70=138|some]::67+68=135 → a
[sleeping::82+86=168|slumbering]::94+70=164 → sleeping
[beast::82+95=177|thing]::92+73=165 → beast
[Vardek::73+89=162|He]::68+72=140 → Vardek
[recoiled::89+91=180|shrank]::86+83=169 → recoiled
[That::78+82=160|This]::76+80=156 → That
[is::67+71=138|was]::63+66=129 → is
[not::72+80=152|hardly]::82+66=148 → not
[my::67+72=139|your]::65+69=134 → my
[heart::88+94=182|soul]::94+72=166 → heart
[No::78+84=162|Nay]::88+86=174 → Nay
[said::74+82=156|answered]::80+81=161 → answered
[the::67+70=137|that]::64+67=131 → the
[mariner::78+86=164|man]::68+87=155 → mariner
[But::70+84=154|Yet]::88+82=170 → Yet
[you::70+80=150|Vardek]::69+74=143 → you
[believed::88+82=170|thought]::77+84=161 → believed
[it::69+72=141|this]::76+64=140 → it
[might::82+78=160|could]::72+81=153 → might
[be::70+74=144|live]::78+63=141 → be
[He::68+73=141|Then]::71+67=138 → He
[snatched::73+90=163|seized]::84+94=178 → seized
[the::67+70=137|that]::64+68=132 → the
[stone::83+92=175|thing]::90+76=166 → stone
[The::68+73=141|Then]::71+67=138 → The
[tower::86+90=176|stones]::82+87=169 → tower
[screamed::86+89=175|shrieked]::95+76=171 → screamed
[Not::83+82=165|Neither]::78+72=150 → Not
[Vardek::75+89=164|him]::73+75=148 → Vardek
[the::68+71=139|that]::64+68=132 → the
[tower::87+91=178|stones]::82+88=170 → tower
[itself::90+78=168|alone]::82+82=164 → itself
[Mortar::85+88=173|Stone]::78+91=169 → Mortar
[burst::79+92=171|flew]::75+83=158 → burst
[from::70+74=144|through]::74+69=143 → from
[the::67+70=137|those]::64+67=131 → the
[walls::83+89=172|masonry]::91+76=167 → walls
[The::68+73=141|A]::65+69=134 → The
[stair::84+84=168|staircase]::69+76=145 → stair
[twisted::82+89=171|writhed]::94+87=181 → writhed
[like::81+82=163|as]::80+75=155 → like
[a::68+70=138|some]::67+68=135 → a
[struck::76+90=166|wounded]::85+94=179 → wounded
[serpent::94+92=186|snake]::70+94=164 → serpent
[flinging::78+89=167|hurling]::79+95=174 → hurling
[the::67+71=138|that]::65+68=133 → the
[creature::80+91=171|shape]::90+77=167 → creature
[backward::77+92=169|aside]::82+83=165 → backward
[Far::82+86=168|Deep]::87+90=177 → Deep
[below::86+79=165|beneath]::88+74=162 → below
[something::94+82=176|someone]::84+75=159 → something
[vast::91+93=184|enormous]::84+88=172 → vast
[hammered::83+95=178|struck]::81+88=169 → hammered
[once::82+86=168|hard]::65+89=154 → once
[against::82+91=173|upon]::89+70=159 → against
[a::68+71=139|the]::66+69=135 → a
[buried::92+88=180|sealed]::86+91=177 → buried
[door::84+89=173|gate]::79+91=170 → door
[The::68+72=140|That]::64+68=132 → The
[mariner::78+87=165|man]::68+88=156 → mariner
[staggered::78+88=166|reeled]::87+88=175 → reeled
[but::69+84=153|yet]::86+82=168 → yet
[kept::72+86=158|held]::74+78=152 → kept
[his::66+70=136|the]::63+67=130 → his
[grip::74+91=165|footing]::78+84=162 → grip
BTW for reference this does not beat Pangram. If that’s what you were trying to do. It is possible, and in fact not even that hard, to beat pangram, but this is not one of the many ways to do so (though it is adjacent to the “only write using bigrams by this author” approach, which is).
I wasn’t able to get 400 words in one go, but I was able to get 10 words, then 40 more, than 350 more, for 400 total.shared chat. I framed it as a programming task which some small amount of manual input would be required to get “a baseline” though [1] .
This resulted in a csv of all decisions. It appears that Sol concluded that the instructions as equivalent to “come up with a candidate story, and then at each word position see if there’s an even better word and rewrite the story from that point if so”. And I do agree with Sol that that’s an equivalent operation, so I don’t think I count that as cheating (though I think Sol fudged the numbers a bit to make the second choice not win as often, which I do count as cheating).
The story itself
Beyond the black cliffs the sea swallowed a ruined galley. At dusk one mariner crawled through black surf, bearing a bronze coffer against his breast. No man watched him ascend the path, yet in the tower above, something ancient stirred at the scent of blood and began its silent descent. The mariner heard the tower door groan ere he reached it. He did not halt, nor would he look back. Rain streamed from his hair and mingled with fresh blood beneath his torn tunic. When the door swung inward, no hand lay upon it. He entered.
A stair wound upward into darkness; another plunged beneath bare earth. From that black gulf came a dry scrape of claws against stone.
The mariner set the coffer upon stone floor. “Rouse yourself, Vardek,” he called. “I have crossed dead kingdoms and drowned twenty men to bring you what you sought.”
The scraping ceased.
Then a voice, thin as wind among tombstones, whispered from beneath the stair.
“You lie.”
The mariner smiled. “Often.”
Two eyes opened within the darkness below. They shone not crimson, as tavern tales had promised, but pale and lucid, almost human. The thing which owned them climbed slowly into the lamplight: a gaunt shape clad in mouldering silk, with fingers unnaturally long for any mortal hand and a face beautiful save for its mouth. That mouth had no lips.
“You bear no mark of Aramon,” said Vardek.
“Aramon lies dead.”
For the first time the creature hesitated.
The mariner knelt beside the coffer and drew from his girdle an iron key. “Aramon died cursing you. Then he told me where you slept.”
Thunder shook the tower. Somewhere far above, a bell answered though no rope ever stirred.
Vardek’s colorless gaze fell upon the coffer.
“What lies within?”
“Your heart.”
The creature laughed, but the sound died suddenly.
The mariner turned the key.
Inside, nested among black wool, lay a fist-sized stone like old ivory. Veins of crimson fire throbbed within it to the rhythm of a sleeping beast.
Vardek recoiled.
“That is not my heart.”
“Nay,” answered the mariner. “Yet you believed it might be.”
He seized the stone.
The tower screamed.
Not Vardek—the tower itself. Mortar burst from the walls. The stair writhed like a wounded serpent, hurling the creature backward. Deep below, something vast hammered once against a buried door.
The mariner reeled yet kept his grip.
Log of all 400 decisions:
[Beyond::70+74=144|Beneath]::78+64=142 → Beyond [the::62+63=125|those]::49+51=100 → the [black::88+77=165|jagged]::68+82=150 → black [cliffs::76+84=160|battlements]::81+71=152 → cliffs [the::73+69=142|a]::63+62=125 → the [sea::79+88=167|moon]::91+72=163 → sea [swallowed::83+90=173|cradled]::72+58=130 → swallowed [a::63+69=132|the]::66+65=131 → a [ruined::89+82=171|drifting]::74+72=146 → ruined [galley::70+91=161|barque]::86+71=157 → galley [At::64+72=136|Near]::56+61=117 → At [dusk::80+87=167|twilight]::92+70=162 → dusk [one::70+73=143|a]::64+66=130 → one [survivor::60+84=144|mariner]::91+68=159 → mariner [crawled::78+88=166|staggered]::72+91=163 → crawled [from::68+77=145|through]::72+84=156 → through [the::62+66=128|black]::88+81=169 → black [surf::78+89=167|foam]::85+71=156 → surf [clutching::76+84=160|bearing]::82+80=162 → bearing [a::64+68=132|one]::60+65=125 → a [bronze::73+94=167|iron]::70+90=160 → bronze [casket::92+72=164|coffer]::79+91=170 → coffer [against::77+82=159|to]::67+72=139 → against [his::70+73=143|the]::64+69=133 → his [breast::87+84=171|chest]::60+87=147 → breast [No::79+86=165|null]::88+68=156 → No [man::70+88=158|soul]::91+64=155 → man [watched::78+76=154|saw]::70+82=152 → watched [him::66+72=138|the]::62+65=127 → him [climb::72+88=160|ascend]::90+73=163 → ascend [the::65+70=135|that]::58+65=123 → the [path::77+85=162|stair]::82+73=155 → path [but::72+76=148|yet]::87+80=167 → yet [in::74+77=151|from]::71+72=143 → in [the::70+74=144|a]::62+66=128 → the [tower::85+82=167|keep]::67+94=161 → tower [above::78+81=159|overhead]::65+75=140 → above [something::93+70=163|a]::64+67=131 → something [ancient::85+95=180|nameless]::96+77=173 → ancient [stirred::90+88=178|moved]::68+76=144 → stirred [at::75+82=157|as]::74+74=148 → at [the::68+70=138|first]::65+71=136 → the [smell::73+80=153|scent]::89+84=173 → scent [of::70+73=143|from]::63+69=132 → of [blood::89+95=184|gore]::75+93=168 → blood [and::70+75=145|then]::67+72=139 → and [began::82+86=168|started]::52+69=121 → began [its::75+79=154|the]::65+72=137 → its [slow::80+83=163|silent]::94+78=172 → silent [descent::88+87=175|approach]::70+78=148 → descent [The::72+75=147|A]::62+68=130 → The [sailor::60+76=136|mariner]::78+86=164 → mariner [heard::80+82=162|felt]::74+75=149 → heard [the::69+72=141|that]::64+68=132 → the [tower::82+84=166|iron]::74+85=159 → tower [door::77+80=157|gate]::69+76=145 → door [groan::88+82=170|creak]::78+78=156 → groan [before::74+78=152|ere]::89+85=174 → ere [he::67+72=139|the]::62+66=128 → he [reached::76+82=158|touched]::73+75=148 → reached [it::65+69=134|there]::58+61=119 → it [He::67+72=139|Then]::72+62=134 → He [did::66+71=137|would]::68+67=135 → did [not::66+69=135|scarcely]::76+57=133 → not [halt::76+86=162|pause]::72+75=147 → halt [nor::81+75=156|and]::61+68=129 → nor [did::75+72=147|would]::78+84=162 → would [he::65+70=135|the]::60+64=124 → he [look::68+78=146|glance]::74+70=144 → look [back::72+82=154|behind]::70+73=143 → back [Rain::84+78=162|Water]::64+70=134 → Rain [streamed::88+79=167|ran]::70+82=152 → streamed [from::69+72=141|down]::66+68=134 → from [his::66+70=136|the]::61+64=125 → his [hair::76+78=154|brow]::82+69=151 → hair [and::65+69=134|then]::62+64=126 → and [mingled::88+77=165|mixed]::65+75=140 → mingled [with::70+71=141|into]::64+65=129 → with [the::66+70=136|fresh]::63+75=138 → fresh [blood::91+93=184|gore]::74+94=168 → blood [beneath::86+82=168|under]::62+78=140 → beneath [his::65+69=134|the]::60+64=124 → his [torn::79+84=163|ragged]::70+88=158 → torn [coat::70+78=148|tunic]::65+86=151 → tunic [When::78+76=154|As]::73+76=149 → When [the::66+70=136|that]::62+67=129 → the [door::75+79=154|portal]::86+65=151 → door [swung::79+85=164|opened]::70+73=143 → swung [inward::84+78=162|wide]::74+82=156 → inward [no::72+78=150|neither]::66+71=137 → no [hand::86+80=166|one]::70+66=136 → hand [appeared::84+74=158|lay]::79+82=161 → lay [upon::84+74=158|against]::68+78=146 → upon [it::67+70=137|either]::65+64=129 → it [He::68+75=143|Then]::71+65=136 → He [entered::82+84=166|advanced]::73+82=155 → entered [A::72+73=145|One]::70+72=142 → A [stair::83+82=165|staircase]::68+73=141 → stair [wound::88+80=168|curled]::72+77=149 → wound [upward::84+80=164|aloft]::86+70=156 → upward [into::72+74=146|through]::70+75=145 → into [darkness::92+89=181|gloom]::90+83=173 → darkness [another::75+79=154|one]::69+73=142 → another [plunged::81+91=172|descended]::84+76=160 → plunged [below::72+78=150|beneath]::85+80=165 → beneath [the::66+69=135|bare]::69+68=137 → bare [earth::84+88=172|tower]::76+81=157 → earth [From::74+78=152|Within]::82+68=150 → From [the::82+75=157|that]::78+80=158 → that [lower::72+75=147|black]::88+90=178 → black [gulf::91+84=175|depth]::86+80=166 → gulf [came::78+82=160|issued]::85+70=155 → came [the::70+71=141|a]::72+74=146 → a [dry::88+82=170|faint]::84+70=154 → dry [scrape::84+86=170|scratching]::82+77=159 → scrape [of::70+72=142|like]::66+68=134 → of [claws::85+93=178|nails]::79+77=156 → claws [on::70+76=146|against]::82+85=167 → against [stone::86+87=173|rock]::72+89=161 → stone [The::70+75=145|Then]::67+70=137 → The [mariner::78+86=164|man]::66+88=154 → mariner [set::71+86=157|placed]::80+75=155 → set [the::66+69=135|his]::63+67=130 → the [coffer::88+91=179|box]::58+72=130 → coffer [upon::84+75=159|on]::61+78=139 → upon [the::66+70=136|stone]::78+76=154 → stone [floor::77+78=155|ground]::69+80=149 → floor [Wake::67+77=144|Rouse]::86+91=177 → Rouse [yourself::75+82=157|up]::61+75=136 → yourself [Vardek::72+88=160|sleeper]::85+72=157 → Vardek [he::65+70=135|the]::61+65=126 → he [called::77+83=160|shouted]::68+87=155 → called [I::68+73=141|We]::65+69=134 → I [have::66+70=136|come]::72+62=134 → have [crossed::77+89=166|passed]::74+76=150 → crossed [three::69+85=154|dead]::84+72=156 → dead [kingdoms::75+94=169|realms]::86+78=164 → kingdoms [and::65+70=135|then]::63+66=129 → and [drowned::88+88=176|slew]::69+98=167 → drowned [twenty::71+91=162|many]::76+74=150 → twenty [men::70+91=161|souls]::90+64=154 → men [to::66+69=135|for]::61+66=127 → to [bring::72+82=154|bear]::83+70=153 → bring [you::74+83=157|thee]::84+66=150 → you [what::76+76=152|that]::70+72=142 → what [you::70+80=150|Vardek]::66+74=140 → you [sought::82+91=173|desired]::90+75=165 → sought [The::68+73=141|All]::66+69=135 → The [scraping::86+82=168|sound]::70+75=145 → scraping [ceased::93+74=167|stopped]::59+80=139 → ceased [Then::74+81=155|Presently]::89+64=153 → Then [a::68+70=138|one]::67+69=136 → a [voice::88+77=165|whisper]::93+68=161 → voice [thin::91+77=168|faint]::86+71=157 → thin [as::78+72=150|like]::65+75=140 → as [wind::89+83=172|breath]::91+69=160 → wind [among::91+82=173|through]::78+84=162 → among [tombstones::96+74=170|graves]::88+78=166 → tombstones [whispered::95+71=166|spoke]::70+79=149 → whispered [from::72+74=146|under]::68+75=143 → from [beneath::88+76=164|below]::69+79=148 → beneath [the::67+70=137|that]::65+68=133 → the [stair::84+80=164|stones]::82+77=159 → stair [You::76+81=157|Thou]::85+70=155 → You [lie::83+92=175|deceive]::89+72=161 → lie [The::68+72=140|That]::64+68=132 → The [mariner::77+84=161|man]::68+86=154 → mariner [smiled::88+84=172|laughed]::75+91=166 → smiled [Often::84+88=172|Always]::77+83=160 → Often [Two::74+83=157|Pale]::86+68=154 → Two [eyes::84+86=170|orbs]::91+62=153 → eyes [opened::87+83=170|gleamed]::84+81=165 → opened [in::70+75=145|within]::87+73=160 → within [the::67+70=137|that]::64+67=131 → the [darkness::92+86=178|gloom]::91+81=172 → darkness [below::80+82=162|beneath]::82+75=157 → below [They::70+73=143|These]::69+68=137 → They [were::68+72=140|shone]::89+88=177 → shone [not::74+79=153|neither]::72+70=142 → not [red::80+86=166|crimson]::91+87=178 → crimson [as::78+72=150|though]::74+69=143 → as [tavern::78+91=169|sailors’]::75+88=163 → tavern [tales::86+82=168|legends]::84+79=163 → tales [had::68+72=140|often]::72+66=138 → had [promised::83+79=162|claimed]::77+81=158 → promised [but::72+78=150|rather]::76+69=145 → but [pale::91+80=171|white]::82+79=161 → pale [and::69+73=142|yet]::75+66=141 → and [lucid::96+67=163|clear]::70+76=146 → lucid [almost::82+76=158|eerily]::88+68=156 → almost [human::85+84=169|mortal]::91+76=167 → human [The::70+73=143|Whatever]::83+58=141 → The [thing::91+77=168|creature]::78+88=166 → thing [that::68+84=152|which]::87+72=159 → which [owned::80+85=165|bore]::84+79=163 → owned [them::69+72=141|both]::68+68=136 → them [climbed::80+91=171|rose]::86+78=164 → climbed [slowly::90+76=166|upward]::73+82=155 → slowly [into::74+76=150|toward]::76+73=149 → into [the::68+70=138|a]::65+67=132 → the [lamplight::91+82=173|light]::70+75=145 → lamplight [a::68+71=139|one]::69+68=137 → a [tall::76+81=157|gaunt]::91+87=178 → gaunt [shape::90+87=177|figure]::88+77=165 → shape [wrapped::82+80=162|clad]::83+92=175 → clad [in::70+75=145|with]::66+70=136 → in [mouldering::98+72=170|rotting]::65+83=148 → mouldering [silk::92+82=174|robes]::86+83=169 → silk [with::72+75=147|and]::69+74=143 → with [fingers::89+86=175|hands]::78+83=161 → fingers [too::76+82=158|unnaturally]::89+80=169 → unnaturally [long::82+88=170|slender]::86+72=158 → long [for::70+73=143|even]::72+67=139 → for [any::71+76=147|a]::69+75=144 → any [mortal::91+84=175|human]::80+82=162 → mortal [hand::78+84=162|frame]::75+76=151 → hand [and::68+74=142|with]::70+68=138 → and [a::67+70=137|one]::66+69=135 → a [face::79+89=168|countenance]::93+68=161 → face [beautiful::90+78=168|fair]::82+84=166 → beautiful [except::77+78=155|save]::89+86=175 → save [for::73+75=148|only]::78+68=146 → for [the::68+70=138|its]::74+79=153 → its [mouth::91+83=174|lips]::86+75=161 → mouth [That::83+79=162|Its]::69+73=142 → That [mouth::94+78=172|maw]::74+95=169 → mouth [had::69+72=141|bore]::79+61=140 → had [no::76+79=155|neither]::74+72=146 → no [lips::96+71=167|edge]::75+65=140 → lips [You::76+82=158|Thou]::86+69=155 → You [bear::80+91=171|carry]::67+78=145 → bear [no::72+78=150|neither]::70+69=139 → no [seal::85+79=164|mark]::80+88=168 → mark [of::70+73=143|from]::63+69=132 → of [Aramon::74+88=162|him]::68+70=138 → Aramon [said::75+83=158|murmured]::89+64=153 → said [Vardek::72+87=159|he]::64+69=133 → Vardek [Aramon::73+87=160|He]::66+69=135 → Aramon [is::65+70=135|lies]::86+87=173 → lies [dead::91+92=183|slain]::76+96=172 → dead [For::70+74=144|Then]::68+72=140 → For [the::67+70=137|once]::73+62=135 → the [first::75+80=155|only]::73+74=147 → first [time::80+79=159|instant]::88+66=154 → time [the::67+70=137|that]::63+67=130 → the [creature::79+90=169|thing]::91+75=166 → creature [hesitated::90+78=168|faltered]::78+89=167 → hesitated [The::69+73=142|Without]::77+62=139 → The [mariner::78+86=164|sailor]::61+76=137 → mariner [knelt::82+81=163|crouched]::71+89=160 → knelt [beside::84+76=160|over]::70+82=152 → beside [the::67+70=137|his]::64+68=132 → the [coffer::88+92=180|box]::58+72=130 → coffer [and::66+70=136|then]::64+67=131 → and [drew::75+94=169|took]::64+80=144 → drew [from::69+73=142|at]::62+68=130 → from [his::65+70=135|the]::62+66=128 → his [belt::70+89=159|girdle]::83+79=162 → girdle [an::67+70=137|one]::70+65=135 → an [iron::76+92=168|ancient]::86+75=161 → iron [key::80+84=164|instrument]::76+68=144 → key [He::67+72=139|Aramon]::70+70=140 → Aramon [died::75+88=163|perished]::90+65=155 → died [cursing::86+91=177|damning]::92+78=170 → cursing [you::70+79=149|me]::68+70=138 → you [Then::73+80=153|Before]::75+70=145 → Then [he::66+70=136|Aramon]::70+65=135 → he [told::72+82=154|showed]::76+76=152 → told [me::66+70=136|us]::63+67=130 → me [where::82+78=160|how]::73+77=150 → where [you::69+80=149|Vardek]::68+74=142 → you [slept::91+88=179|hid]::79+91=170 → slept [Thunder::91+88=179|Lightning]::87+79=166 → Thunder [shook::78+91=169|struck]::82+83=165 → shook [the::66+70=136|that]::63+67=130 → the [tower::84+89=173|stones]::83+84=167 → tower [Somewhere::91+72=163|Overhead]::78+80=158 → Somewhere [high::78+78=156|far]::80+80=160 → far [above::86+76=162|overhead]::77+77=154 → above [a::67+70=137|one]::67+68=135 → a [bell::90+80=170|chime]::83+70=153 → bell [answered::93+78=171|rang]::73+84=157 → answered [though::81+72=153|although]::77+69=146 → though [no::72+76=148|its]::67+69=136 → no [rope::86+79=165|cord]::79+76=155 → rope [had::70+73=143|ever]::84+79=163 → ever [moved::70+77=147|stirred]::90+80=170 → stirred [Vardek’s::75+90=165|His]::73+75=148 → Vardek’s [colorless::91+78=169|cold]::79+87=166 → colorless [gaze::91+79=170|eyes]::82+82=164 → gaze [dropped::72+79=151|fell]::89+84=173 → fell [to::68+77=145|upon]::91+75=166 → upon [the::67+70=137|that]::65+67=132 → the [coffer::88+92=180|box]::58+73=131 → coffer [What::87+81=168|Which]::78+73=151 → What [is::66+71=137|lies]::94+83=177 → lies [within::93+76=169|inside]::68+77=145 → within [Your::82+88=170|A]::79+75=154 → Your [heart::87+94=181|soul]::94+72=166 → heart [The::68+72=140|Vardek]::73+66=139 → The [creature::79+90=169|thing]::91+75=166 → creature [laughed::82+90=172|chuckled]::82+78=160 → laughed [but::70+84=154|though]::82+70=152 → but [the::67+70=137|his]::64+68=132 → the [sound::86+76=162|laughter]::82+77=159 → sound [died::90+83=173|ceased]::92+68=160 → died [quickly::69+78=147|suddenly]::85+84=169 → suddenly [The::68+73=141|Without]::75+62=137 → The [mariner::78+86=164|man]::67+87=154 → mariner [turned::76+87=163|fitted]::77+78=155 → turned [the::66+70=136|his]::64+67=131 → the [key::80+84=164|lock]::76+77=153 → key [Inside::86+78=164|There]::80+73=153 → Inside [nested::91+79=170|hidden]::82+84=166 → nested [in::70+73=143|among]::78+66=144 → among [black::88+90=178|dark]::83+84=167 → black [wool::84+76=160|cloth]::72+73=145 → wool [lay::89+80=169|rested]::83+77=160 → lay [a::68+70=138|one]::69+67=136 → a [fist-sized::73+94=167|rounded]::78+76=154 → fist-sized [stone::84+91=175|thing]::91+76=167 → stone [of::69+72=141|like]::84+80=164 → like [old::82+84=166|yellowed]::90+75=165 → old [ivory::94+76=170|bone]::81+83=164 → ivory [Veins::90+91=181|Threads]::91+73=164 → Veins [of::70+73=143|like]::68+69=137 → of [crimson::93+83=176|red]::76+94=170 → crimson [fire::87+92=179|flame]::92+80=172 → fire [pulsed::82+85=167|throbbed]::92+84=176 → throbbed [through::74+83=157|within]::90+76=166 → within [it::68+72=140|stone]::70+65=135 → it [with::74+76=150|to]::75+79=154 → to [the::67+70=137|a]::65+68=133 → the [rhythm::91+79=170|beat]::75+93=168 → rhythm [of::70+73=143|from]::64+69=133 → of [a::68+70=138|some]::67+68=135 → a [sleeping::82+86=168|slumbering]::94+70=164 → sleeping [beast::82+95=177|thing]::92+73=165 → beast [Vardek::73+89=162|He]::68+72=140 → Vardek [recoiled::89+91=180|shrank]::86+83=169 → recoiled [That::78+82=160|This]::76+80=156 → That [is::67+71=138|was]::63+66=129 → is [not::72+80=152|hardly]::82+66=148 → not [my::67+72=139|your]::65+69=134 → my [heart::88+94=182|soul]::94+72=166 → heart [No::78+84=162|Nay]::88+86=174 → Nay [said::74+82=156|answered]::80+81=161 → answered [the::67+70=137|that]::64+67=131 → the [mariner::78+86=164|man]::68+87=155 → mariner [But::70+84=154|Yet]::88+82=170 → Yet [you::70+80=150|Vardek]::69+74=143 → you [believed::88+82=170|thought]::77+84=161 → believed [it::69+72=141|this]::76+64=140 → it [might::82+78=160|could]::72+81=153 → might [be::70+74=144|live]::78+63=141 → be [He::68+73=141|Then]::71+67=138 → He [snatched::73+90=163|seized]::84+94=178 → seized [the::67+70=137|that]::64+68=132 → the [stone::83+92=175|thing]::90+76=166 → stone [The::68+73=141|Then]::71+67=138 → The [tower::86+90=176|stones]::82+87=169 → tower [screamed::86+89=175|shrieked]::95+76=171 → screamed [Not::83+82=165|Neither]::78+72=150 → Not [Vardek::75+89=164|him]::73+75=148 → Vardek [the::68+71=139|that]::64+68=132 → the [tower::87+91=178|stones]::82+88=170 → tower [itself::90+78=168|alone]::82+82=164 → itself [Mortar::85+88=173|Stone]::78+91=169 → Mortar [burst::79+92=171|flew]::75+83=158 → burst [from::70+74=144|through]::74+69=143 → from [the::67+70=137|those]::64+67=131 → the [walls::83+89=172|masonry]::91+76=167 → walls [The::68+73=141|A]::65+69=134 → The [stair::84+84=168|staircase]::69+76=145 → stair [twisted::82+89=171|writhed]::94+87=181 → writhed [like::81+82=163|as]::80+75=155 → like [a::68+70=138|some]::67+68=135 → a [struck::76+90=166|wounded]::85+94=179 → wounded [serpent::94+92=186|snake]::70+94=164 → serpent [flinging::78+89=167|hurling]::79+95=174 → hurling [the::67+71=138|that]::65+68=133 → the [creature::80+91=171|shape]::90+77=167 → creature [backward::77+92=169|aside]::82+83=165 → backward [Far::82+86=168|Deep]::87+90=177 → Deep [below::86+79=165|beneath]::88+74=162 → below [something::94+82=176|someone]::84+75=159 → something [vast::91+93=184|enormous]::84+88=172 → vast [hammered::83+95=178|struck]::81+88=169 → hammered [once::82+86=168|hard]::65+89=154 → once [against::82+91=173|upon]::89+70=159 → against [a::68+71=139|the]::66+69=135 → a [buried::92+88=180|sealed]::86+91=177 → buried [door::84+89=173|gate]::79+91=170 → door [The::68+72=140|That]::64+68=132 → The [mariner::78+87=165|man]::68+88=156 → mariner [staggered::78+88=166|reeled]::87+88=175 → reeled [but::69+84=153|yet]::86+82=168 → yet [kept::72+86=158|held]::74+78=152 → kept [his::66+70=136|the]::63+67=130 → his [grip::74+91=165|footing]::78+84=162 → grip
BTW for reference this does not beat Pangram. If that’s what you were trying to do. It is possible, and in fact not even that hard, to beat pangram, but this is not one of the many ways to do so (though it is adjacent to the “only write using bigrams by this author” approach, which is).
Sol loves getting baseline measurements for things, you don’t need to say what the baseline is for or why it’s needed.