----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beyond Zork: - Manual - Hints - Manual: The Lore and Legends of Quendor - Solve ---------------------------------------------------------------<< EMPIRE >>-- ______________ USAlliance presents... ______________ | | | | | USAlliance | Beyond Zork Instruction Manual | USAlliance | |______________| |______________| Typed by: Z-Man - Preface to the Story Dark times have fallen upon the Southlands of Quendor. All the enchanters have disappeared without a trace. Monsters roam the countryside. The taverns are filled with disturbing rumors and unsavory characters. A simple peasent like yourself knows better than to get involved in the affairs of wizards. But everyone you meet seems intent on testing your abilities to the utmost. You find yourself drawn into a web of fantasy and magic, solving puzzles, seeking treasure, avoiding traps, and fighting monsters. Your strength and power grow with every encounter, until the most fabulous treasure of all--the fabled Coconut of Quendor--lies within your grasp. If only you can survive long enough to claim it! Unlike other Infocom stories in which your character is "set" from the start, Beyond Zork lets you create your own character with six attributes: endurance, strength, dexterity, intelligence, compassion, and luck. Some situations in the story require dexterity, some require a combination of these attributes. You can choose your attributes yourself, or you can use a character already set up by the computer. You must fight monsters and solve puzzles to succeed in your quest. Since your success will often depend on your attributes, mindful players will try to improve their attributes as they venture onward. The story is presented in a new and flexible way. A map in the upper-right portion of yur screen shows the immediate area and the directions you can move. You can use the on-screen map and your mouse to move to adjacent rooms if you have an Apple IIgs or Macintosh. If your computer has a numeric keypad, you can use it to move around as well. Experienced Infocom players may recognize references to other Infocom games. However, there are many new commands in Beyond Zork, and character development adds a new degree of challenge. - The On-Screen Map The on-screen map shows only a small part of the entire geography, so it's a good idea to draw a separate map as you play. Some notes about the on-screen map: o A question mark on the map indicates a dark room (a room in which you need a light source to see). o Room exits are displayed on the map only if you've seen them. o A room with an UP exit shows an up arow on the map. o A room with a DOWN exit shows a down arrow on the map. o A room with both an UP exit and a DOWN exit shows both an up arrow and a down arrow. o You can click on the up or down arrows to move UP or DOWN (if you have an Apple IIgs or Macintosh). - Function Keys As described elsewhere in this documentation, many commands have abbreviations: you can type N instead of NORTH, for instance, or I instead of INVENTORY. With function keys, you can use a single keystroke as an abbreviation for whatever you choose. You can use a function key to abbreviate a long word that you don't like to type (like HIPPOPOTAMUS), or to abbreviate a commonly used command (like RESTORE), or even to abbreviate a whole sentence (like ATTACK THE MONSTER WITH THE SWORD). You start the story with the function keys already set to commonly used commands. To see what the function keys are set to, or to change the settings of the function keys, type DEFINE at the prompt (>) and press the RETURN key. Then use your up or down arrow keys to highlight the setting(s) you want to change. The vertical bar (|) or exclamation point (!) is used as an abbreviation for the RETURN key; so changing LOOK to LOOK| means you want the RETURN key automatically pressed when you use that function key. You can restore all the original settings of the function keys by highlighting the RESTORE DEFAULTS command and pressing the RETURN key. To leave the DEFINE screen, highlight the EXIT command and press the RETURN key. The chart below shows where the function keys are on your machine. Apple IIe and IIc; Apple-1 through Apple-0 Apple IIgs; Command-1 through Command-0 Apple Macintosh; Command-1 through Command-0 - Special Commands COLOR - If you are playing Beyond Zork on a computer with a color monitor, you can type COLOR to change the colors on your screen. This command works only on computers which support a color display. DEFINE - This command allows you to change the settings of the function keys. For example, if pressing function key 2 is like typing INVENTORY, you can change this to DROP ALL, or DROP ALL followed by RETURN, or anything else, by using the DEFINE command. MODE - If you find the maps and other screen features of Beyond Zork undesirable, you can use the MODE command. This will make the screen look "standard," like every other Infocom game. The status line will list your name, attributes, location, and available exits. Typing MODE a second time will cause the "enhanced" screen features to return. NAME - In Beyond Zork, you have the power to name weapons and living things. For instance, you can NAME THE DOG "ROVER" or NAME THE SWORD "EXCALIBUR" or NAME THE HIPPOPOTAMUS "FRED". Beyond Zork will then use the name in its descriptions, and you can use the name as a synonym for the object. This feature is particularly convenient when an unnamed object is long or hard to spell. NOTIFY - Normally in Beyond Zork, the game will notify you whenever any of your attributes change (for example, when your luck goes up or when your dexterity goes down) or when any attribute returns to normal (such as when you build your endurance back afer being wounded in battle). You can turn off this notification feature by using the NOTIFY command. Typing NOTIFY a second time turns the feature back on. PRIORITY - As you play Beyond Zork, most information is displayed in a box at the top half of your screen. For instance, when you enter a new room, the room's description will appear in the box; when you then type INVENTORY, your inventory will appear in the box. If you want to specify what kind of information will appear in the box, you can use the PRIORITY command. For example, if you want the box to show you your inventory at all times, type INVENTORY (and press the RETURN key) and then type PRIORITY (and press the RETURN key); thereafter the box will always show your inventory, updating it when you pick up new items or drop or lose others. (Room descriptions will thereafter appear in the bottom half of the screen.) Similarly, if you want the box to show room descriptions at all times, type LOOK (and press the RETURN key) and then type PRIORITY (and press the RETURN key). You can turn this feature off by typing PRIORITY OFF. REFRESH - This command clears your screen and redraws the display. SETTINGS - This command allows you to view and change many of the settings dealing with screen display and output. (You can turn SCRIPTing on or off, you can change descriptions from BRIEF to VERBOSE, you can change the setting of PRIORITY, and so on.) Use the up and down arrow keys to select a setting, and use the left and right arrow keys to change a setting. You can restore all of the default settings by highlighting RESTORE DEFAULT and pressing the RETURN key. STATUS - This command displays your attributes, telling you your strength, luck, endurance, compassion, dexterity, intelligence, and armor class. This command is synonymous with SCORE. UNDO - You can use this command to "back-up" one move. Supose, for example, that you found a package but didn't know what was in it. You might type OPEN THE PACKAGE and be told "The package explodes as you open it, damaging your weapons and destroying all your other possessions." You could then type UNDO, and you would "back up" one move. Your weapons and other possessions would be intact, and you could try giving the package to an enemy, or leaving it alone, or something else. The UNDO command does not work during combat (when you're fight a monster, for instance). ZOOM - As long as you are playing Beyond Zork in "enhanced" mode rather than in "standard" mode, a partial map of the game will automatically appear on your screen. By using the ZOOM command, you can see more rooms on your screen, but in less detail (e.g., UP and DOWN exits will not be shown); typing ZOOM a second time returns the map size to normal. - Hints for Better Playing 1. If you are creating your own character, remember that all of the attributes are important. Don't be tempted to put all your eggs in one basket (by giving yourself lots of endurance, for instance, but very little luck or dexterity); otherwise you may not be able to solve a puzzle or defeat certain monsters. The attributes of the "default" characters are all sufficient to complete the story. 2. There are two ways to buy things in a store. You can simply trade items in your inventory for merchandise you want, or you can offer valuables to the shopkeeper and establish a personal line of credit. If you're not sure what an item is worth, ask the shopkeeper. 3. Weapons are more effective if you WIELD them first. You can SET ASIDE or UNWIELD a weapon when you're done with it. 4. Certain magic items (such as wands and scrolls) can only be used a few times before they lose their potency. Conserve your magic! 5. It's a good idea to bring any items you find (or steal) to a specialist for identification. This will alert you to any special properties they may possess. 6. Don't be surprised if parts of the geography seem to change from time to time, or if treasures appear in different guises and locations. No two games of Beyond Zork are exactly alike! - Numeric Keypad commands _________________ _________________ | 7 | 8 | 9 | | NW | N | NE | |_____|_____|_____| |_____|_____|_____| | 4 | 5 | 6 | Becomes | W | U/D | E | |_____|_____|_____| |_____|_____|_____| | 1 | 2 | 3 | | SW | S | SE | |_____|_____|_____| |_____|_____|_____| Typed: 10/29/87 A USAlliance Publication ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dread times have befallen the Kingdom of Quendor. The wizards have mysteriously disappeared. The Enchanter's Guild Hall lies in ruins. Villages are abandoned, drunken men mutter strange tales, and vicious monsters haunt the streets and wastelands. Now it falls on you, a lowly peasant, to unravel the meaning behind these ominous events. Will you accept the challenge? Of course you will. For your're a hardy adventurer, ready to confront t he most fearsome foe. And in BEYOND ZORK, you have an arsenal of new weapons and abilities at your disposal. You start by designing your own character. Choose from such diverse attributes as strength, endurance, compassion, and luck, or let the computer select for you. As you venture onward, your character will evolve, reflecting your success in your quest. select for you. As you venture onward, your character will evolve, reflecting than ever. In the heat of battle, the special function keys let you strike the decisive blow with a single keystroke. There's even an on-screen map to chart your progress! As you grow in experience and abilities, you realize that you're being prepared for a great task, a task of which you know nothing... as yet. Your search for the answer will lead you deep underground, where unspeakable monsters guard the fabled Coconut of Quendor. Within these pages is recorded certain knowledge regarding the flora, fauna, and locales of the kingdom. Although this wisdom has well stood the test of time, I would not wish to see it lost forever in the uncertain mists of the ancestors, I have writ into permanence the lore and legends of Quendor. GRUE: The grue is a sinister, lurking presence in the dark places of the earth. Its favorite diet is adventurers, but its insatiable appetite is tempered by its fear of light. No grue has ever been seen by the light of day; few have survived its fearsome jaws to tell the tale. DISCIPLINE CRAB: Discipline crabs are small moral crustaceans found in cellars, fallout shelters and other subterranean lairs. These brooding curmudgeons are deeply offended by the slightest intrusion; if cornered, they employ their razor-edged pincers with righteous efficiency. ELDRITCH VAPOR: Eldritch vapors dwell in cemeteries, moors and other locales where fog will hide their evershifting forms. Gleeful and mischievous, they enjoy snatching away the posessions of those foolish enough to wander into their realm. Visitors without possessions are themselves snatched away. DORNBEAST: Smart adventurers run the other way when they hear "Hurumph," the battle cry of with a single glare. Captured victims are plastered with round, sticky secretions that never come off. MONKEY GRINDER: Avoid this nightmare at any cost! Spawn of a carnival necromancer, the monkey grinder can blast minds to jelly with its powerful Sense Organ. Deceptively eloquent in both manner and speech, these loathsome creatures actually possess little intelligence, and suffer an illiteracy rate of 103%. IMPLEMENTOR: The Implementors are a race of minor deities who dwell on the Ethereal Plane of sweet nectars flow freely. Implementors do not discourage rumors that the world was created by them as a plaything. GIANT CORBIE: Corbies are carrion birds with sharp eyesight and sharper beaks. Their color 200 bloits away. Corbies prefer the taste of dead, rotting flesh, but have been known to feast on live, running adventurers. CHRISTMAS TREE MONSTER: Vast herds of these luminous vegetables roam freely amid the glacial valleys of trample everything in their path. Christmas tree monsters are repelled by caterpillars, but nobody can explain why. MINX: Irresistably cuddly, the minx shares all the most ingratiating characteristics of kittens, koala bears and piglets. Minxes are highly prized for their ability to find and root out chocolate truffles from the ground, and will eagerly devour them if given the opportunity. UNICORN: Most unicorns have fled to the Plane of TransInfinite Splendor, where they enjoy a carefree existence free from the cruelty of man. The unhappy few left behind are eagerly sought by zoos and private collectors. It is good luck to kiss a unicorn's horn; but woe to any fool who harms one. FROON: Legends of this magical kingdom date back before the reign of Entharion the Wise (0-41 GUE). Said to lie somewhere beyond the clouds, Froon was the setting for a series of beloved children's books by L. Frank Fzort, and later became a successful movie musical starring Judy Garlic. HUNGUS: Part sheep, part hippopotamus, the hungus builds its nest in jungle swamps and other hot, squishy places. Normally docile and eager to avoid conflict or at anything that dares to threaten its kin. SPENSEWEED: The healing virtues of this common roadside plant are well documented. Although as a salve. Avoid the cheap commercial preparations, which may contain artificial coloring and preservatives. CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE: Chocolate truffles grow only between the roots of oak trees. Dark brown when fresh, they decompose rapidly once exposed to air. Truffles were a favorite of entire forests to indulge his bottomless appetite. MOSS OF MAREILON: First classified in 843 GUE by Thwack of Mareilon, this soft, pale fungus thrives in underground tunnels and public toilets. When squeezed, the moss COMPASS ROSE: The stem of this rare annual always droops in the direction of the prevailing wind. Rumors that the compass rose can actually control the wind are hotly denied by the Guild of Meteorologists, who harvested the species to the brink of extinction in the Rose Riots of 811 GUE. MORGIA ROOT: It is a rare enchanter who does not carry morgia root to gnaw on during a long journey. The mint-flavored juice improves stamina, slakes thirst and conceals bad breath. In domestic applications, morgia root is often baked into pies, and makes an excellent platypus stuffing. CRUEL PUPPET: itself into unflattering caricatures of its opponent, accompanied by jeers, rude noises and shocking accusations. Staunch monarchs have been reduced to tears by these merciless shapeshifters. DUST BUNNY: Dust bunnies burrow in obscure corners and under furniture, and defend their territory by multiplying. They can clog a passageway in seconds, filling the air with dark, suffocating particles. Static electricity and lemon-scented sprays are their only natural enemies. PHEEBOR: Ruins of this ancient city are still visible at the confluence of the rivers Phee and Bor. The reason for its downfall (circa 400 BE) is unclear, but minstrels sing of a feud between Pheebor and its sister city Borphee over the naming of what is now called the Borphee River. RED HERRING: These common fish patrol the dark recesses of freshwater pools and streams. But a handful of granola brings them racing to the surface, a fact known by every rural schoolboy. The old adage about red herrings being "good brain food" has no scientific basis. LUCKSUCKER: Lucksuckers feed on good fortune. Part physical entity, part mental phenomenon, the sucker's appearance is based on the laws of probability, and may change without warning. Good luck charms provide only a temporary shield against attack. The best strategy is to run! UR-GRUE: Ur-grues are thought to be the shades of fallen Implementors. Skilled in black sorcery, the ur-grue can envelop itself in a personal zone of darkness which neither lamp nor flame can penetrate. Sunlight is the only thing it fears. It is unwise even to speak of this utterly evil entity. THE COCONUT OF QUENDOR: Through reluctant to dismiss the Coconut outright, most historians regard its historical existence as dubious at best. Orkan of Thriff has suggested that if all the "Shards of The One True Coconut" and "Vials of The Blessed Milk" were gathered in one place, they would form a stack nine bloits high. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ___________________________________________________________________________ | | | Beyond Zork: The Lore and Legends of Quendor | | | | A USAlliance Release | | | | Typed By: Z-Man | |___________________________________________________________________________| Within these pages is recorded certain knowledge regarding the flora, fauna, and locales of the kingdom. Although this wisdom has well stood the test of time, I would not wish to see it lost forever in the uncertain mists of the future. Therefore, for the enrichment of our heirs and with homage to our ancestors, I have writ into permanence the lore and legends of Quendor. -MNG GRUE: The grue is a sinister, lurking presence in the dark places of the earth. Its favorite diet is adventurers, but its insatiable appetite is tempered by its fear of light. No grue has ever been seen by the light of day; few have survived its fearsome jaws to tell the tale. DISCIPLINE CRAB: Discipline crabs are small moral crustaceans found in cellars, fallout shelters and other subterranean lairs. These brooding curmudgeons are deeply offended by the slightest intrusion; if cornered, they employ their razor-edged pincers with righteous efficiency. ELDRITCH VAPOR: Eldritch vapors dwell in cemeteries, moors and other locales where fog will hide their evershifting forms. Gleeful and mischievous, they enjoy snatching away the posessions of those foolish enough to wander into their realm. Visitors without possessions are themselves snatched away. DORNBEAST: Smart adventurers run the other way when they hear "Hurumph," the battle cry of the deadly dornbeast. Its 69 sensitive eyes can paralyze an unwary explorer with a single glare. Captured victims are plastered with round, sticky secretions that never come off. MONKEY GRINDER: Avoid this nightmare at any cost! Spawn of a carnival necromancer, the monkey grinder can blast minds to jelly with its powerful Sense Organ. Deceptively eloquent in both manner and speech, these loathsome creatures actually possess little intelligence, and suffer an illiteracy rate of 103%. IMPLEMENTOR: The Implementors are a race of minor deities who dwell on the Ethereal Plane of Atrii. Their ample free time is spent on costly luncheons where gossip and sweet nectars flow freely. Implementors do not discourage rumors that the world was created by them as a plaything. GIANT CORBIE: Corbies are carrion birds with sharp eyesight and sharper beaks. Their color vision is so well developed, they can spot a yellow grotch in a hayfield from 200 bloits away. Corbies prefer the taste of dead, rotting flesh, but have been known to feast on live, running adventurers. CHRISTMAS TREE MONSTER: Vast herds of these luminous vegetables roam freely amid the glacial valleys of the south. Residents fear the autumn migrations, in which the trees cheerfully trample everything in their path. Christmas tree monsters are repelled by caterpillars, but nobody can explain why. MINX: Irresistably cuddly, the minx shares all the most ingratiating characteristics of kittens, koala bears and piglets. Minxes are highly prized for their ability to find and root out chocolate truffles from the ground, and will eagerly devour them if given the opportunity. UNICORN: Most unicorns have fled to the Plane of TransInfinite Splendor, where they enjoy a carefree existence free from the cruelty of man. The unhappy few left behind are eagerly sought by zoos and private collectors. It is good luck to kiss a unicorn's horn; but woe to any fool who harms one. FROON: Legends of this magical kingdom date back before the reign of Entharion the Wise (0-41 GUE). Said to lie somewhere beyond the clouds, Froon was the setting for a series of beloved children's books by L. Frank Fzort, and later became a successful movie musical starring Judy Garlic. HUNGUS: Part sheep, part hippopotamus, the hungus builds its nest in jungle swamps and other hot, squishy places. Normally docile and eager to avoid conflict or activity of any kind, the hungus is fiercely clannish, and will instantly charge at anything that dares to threaten its kin. SPENSEWEED: The healing virtues of this common roadside plant are well documented. Although it is safe to eat, spensweed is most effective when applied directly to wounds as a salve. Avoid the cheap commercial preparations, which may contain artificial coloring and preservatives. CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE: Chocolate truffles grow only between the roots of oak trees. Dark brown when fresh, they decompose rapidly once exposed to air. Truffles were a favorite of Lord Dimwit Flathead the Excessive (770-789 GUE), who ordered the excavation of entire forests to indulge his bottomless appetite. MOSS OF MAREILON: First classified in 843 GUE by Thwack of Mareilon, this soft, pale fungus thrives in underground tunnels and public toilets. When squeezed, the moss releases an invisible cloud of spores which improves the dexterity of laboratory rat-ants. Its effect on other species is uncertain. COMPASS ROSE: The stem of this rare annual always droops in the direction of the prevailing wind. Rumors that the compass rose can actually control the wind are hotly denied by the Guild of Meteorologists, who harvested the species to the brink of extinction in the Rose Riots of 811 GUE. MORGIA ROOT: It is a rare enchanter who does not carry morgia root to gnaw on during a long journey. The mint-flavored juice improves stamina, slakes thirst and conceals bad breath. In domestic applications, morgia root is often baked into pies, and makes an excellent platypus stuffing. CRUEL PUPPET: Few creatures are more dispised than the cruel puppet. It attacks by twisting itself into unflattering caricatures of its opponent, accompanied by jeers, rude noises and shocking accusations. Staunch monarchs have been reduced to tears by these merciless shapeshifters. DUST BUNNY: Dust bunnies burrow in obscure corners and under furniture, and defend their territory by multiplying. They can clog a passageway in seconds, filling the air with dark, suffocating particles. Static electricity and lemon-scented sprays are their only natural enemies. PHEEBOR: Ruins of this ancient city are still visible at the confluence of the rivers Phee and Bor. The reason for its downfall (circa 400 BE) is unclear, but minstrels sing of a feud between Pheebor and its sister city Borphee over the naming of what is now called the Borphee River. RED HERRING: These common fish patrol the dark recesses of freshwater pools and streams. But a handful of granola brings them racing to the surface, a fact known by every rural schoolboy. The old adage about red herrings being "good brain food" has no scientific basis. LUCKSUCKER: Lucksuckers feed on good fortune. Part physical entity, part mental phenomenon, the sucker's appearance is based on the laws of probability, and may change without warning. Good luck charms provide only a temporary shield against attack. The best strategy is to run! UR-GRUE: Ur-grues are thought to be the shades of fallen Implementors. Skilled in black sorcery, the ur-grue can envelop itself in a personal zone of darkness which neither lamp nor flame can penetrate. Sunlight is the only thing it fears. It is unwise even to speak of this utterly evil entity. THE COCONUT OF QUENDOR: Through reluctant to dismiss the Coconut outright, most historians regard its historical existence as dubious at best. Orkan of Thriff has suggested that if all the "Shards of The One True Coconut" and "Vials of The Blessed Milk" were gathered in one place, they would form a stack nine bloits highery, the ur-grue can envelop itself in a personal zone of darkness ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beyond Zork solution This is one of Infocom's more difficult games, and not simply because of the puzzles, some of which are very tough. What makes things hard for the player is the fact that much of the game is random in nature: objects and places are never quite the same from one game to the next. A staff of Levitation this time might be a staff of Sayonara the next. The arrangement of rooms in the cellar is never the same twice. Magic words on scrolls are different each time you play. Added to this confusion is a multiplicity of solutions to many of the problems in the game. For example, there are at least five ways of getting off Zeno's Bridge, and at least two for getting the Unicorn out of the stall. Sometimes, the difficulty is deciding which method to use to solve a puzzle: you can't always be sure that the way you're doing it won't put you in a hole later on, when a magic item is used up (and most magic items have few charges). Yet, some order can be made out of the chaos. While room arrangements change, the rooms themselves stay the same in type and number. Wands, sticks, staves, etc. may have different properties, but they will always do one of the same six things: Annihilate, Levitate, Evert, Dispel, Anesthetize, or Vanish a creature. Ditto for potions: their effects and colors may change, but only to a limited degree. Also, items will be found in roughly the same places. For example, a stick or cane or rod or somesuch will always be found somewhere in the spooky area where the Eldritch Vapor hangs out, and a potion will always come to light somewhere in the Ruins. So once you've played the game for awhile, you'll get to know where to look for various objects. It might not do quite the same thing as the last time, but eventually you'll be able to collect everything in the game, once you know where to look for it. Always take new-found items to the Magic Shoppe and have them identified. It costs nothing, and the only other way to find out what they do is to try them out, which wastes charges on the rods, and may kill you if it's a potion. Once an item has been identified, it will not change properties during the game. Also, there is no way to go through the curtains from this side, but later on you'll be able to come through from the other side, which is in the astral plane of Atrii. And you can't steal anything from the shop, either; the old woman watches you like a hawk (it's probably the same old woman in all three shops). Several items in the game are there just for the purpose of trading for cash. These include the bubble gum card, the platinum sextant, the silver ornament, the gold crown, the gold doubloon, and the diamond snowflake. Exchange them for zorkmids (or an item of similar value in the shops), so that you don't end up carrying around excess items in your inventory. Almost anything you buy can be sold back in the shops, but you will get only half price for them. For instance, the axe costs 40 zorkmids, but if you sell it back to the old woman, you will get only 20 for it. Character creation does not seem to be as important as one might first expect. You definitely need a good Stamina score; the more you have, the more damage you can take and the better your chances of defeating the various monsters you have to face in the game (although not all monsters are bested with weapons). Remember that if your Stamina is dropping rapidly in an encounter, you can always run off and come back another time; there is no difficulty in escaping, except for those unfortunate times when you're caught in a dead end, and you have no helpful spells to get you out of trouble. Intelligence, while important, is very easy to increase, so you needn't start out with too high a score in this attribute. Compassion will also increase during the game when you help out some of the creatures in difficulty, so a high starting score here is also not necessary (but do put a few points into it, anyway). Strength is helpful in several instances, so have a good starting score here. Luck is harder to gauge; I suspect it helps a bit in combats (which, from my observations, are not handled in typical RPG style), so you might want to put a few extra points into this one (the "lucky charms" that you find in the game will not increase your luck; they have another purpose entirely). Good dexterity is also useful, primarily again for combat. The actual number of points you put into any attribute is up to you; a difference of a point or two in any attribute usually won't make that much difference, expecially as most of your attributes will increase during the game anyway. Armor and weapons are variable things. I went through almost the entire game with no armor at all, and with the battle axe as my weapon. For the end game, I sold back the hourglass, and used the money to buy the plate armor and the sword, which I found not necessary at all. Armor, in my experience, was not very helpful; I seemed to take as much damage with it as without it. One more thing to note is that you must defeat, not simply evade, EVERY monster in the game to complete the adventure with the highest score. While it's possible to finish without having fought (one way or another) all the monsters, you won't get to the highest level unless you actually do that. As you read through this walkthru, keep in mind that it will often show only one or two solutions to a particular puzzle; there may be other ways of getting something done that aren't mentioned. Remember that if I call something a stick or wand or rod, that is just for convenience; when you play, these items may not be the same or do the same thing. Save the game frequently while playing. In the Apple version, the save disk allows for only three positions (down from the usual four for 128K games), so have several save disks handy before you start. So you begin on top of a hill, with nothing but a single zorkmid to your name. The first thing you want is a weapon, so head on down to the Wharf, where a familiar old sailor is painting a magical ship on his canvas. You can say "Hello sailor", but nothing happens here. The sailor is not important until the very end, so just ignore him and grab the shillelagh that's floating around in the scummy water. Fortunately, you can refer to the shillelagh as a "club" (no renaming needed); it's a lot easier to type! At this point, you have several options: you can roam around the countryside for awhile, trying to pick up as many magical items as you can while avoiding most of the monsters (known as running away), or you can explore the cellar of the Rusty Lantern. Remember to take the lantern off the hook before you go inside. The bandits by the fireplace are useful only for mentioning a mysterious "helmet" north of the River Phee. This is in the Ruins, and you aren't quite ready for those yet. As the bandits can't be fought or driven away, just ignore them (the dagger makes a second weapon for you, if you want to take it). In the kitchen you find an ominous locked door and a giant onion. Many people have been puzzled by its use in the game, but we will come to that eventually. Talk to the cook about the onion, and sooner or later, he'll offer you the onion if you'll go down into the wine cellar and retrieve a bottle of rare wine. Of course, this is not as easy as it sounds, and I ssuggest saving the game either just before or just after you go down the stairs. The first thing you find down there is a crinkly scroll (one of the few fixed items in the game). This renews items, such as your lantern (very handy). However, soon after you pick up the scroll, a rat-ant will scurry into the room. This is your first encounter. After you've bashed it enough and sent it scurrying back into the darkness, it's time to look around for the wine. There is one other nasty critter down here, a discipline crab. However, it doesn't roam around, you'll only find it in its lair. Naturally, there is no way of knowing where that lair is, and you may walk into it without realizing it. Let's hope you've found the mold that increases dexterity first (just squeeze the mold and wait awhile; when your finger itches, look at it...and you must look at it to get the increase). When the crab has been defeated, it leaves behind its gold crown. If you then search the nest, you will also find a gold doubloon. Both these items have only one use: to trade for cash or other objects. Therefore, don't be afraid to sell them. Also in the cellar is a skeleton with an amulet around its neck. Of course the moment you reach down to get the amulet, the skeleton comes to life and begins to strangle you. Fortunately, one good smack with the club should take care of this bony nuisance. Once the amulet is yours, examine it carefully. There seem to be a lot of red and green squiggles on it, so if there's anything to read, it's quite illegible. But we'll be taking care of that shortly. In one room is a stack of crates that is almost a staircase. Now that your Dexterity has been increased by the mold, you'll be able to climb it quite easily, and obtain the wine bottle at the top (by the way, in one of the other rooms you should find a stick or stave or whatnot). Hmm, maybe this wasn't so hard, after all. So you climb back down and return to the stairs, only to have the door slammed shut in your face! Shades of Zork I! Now what are you going to do? Well, there aren't any secret ways out, I can tell you that. If you traipsed around the countryside beforehand, you could use the word of recall to get yourself out (if you found the scroll with it). Or, if you have the stave of Sayonara, you could point it at yourself, and get out that way. But, if you don't happen to have anything like that, don't despair! The answer is right there in your hot little hands! Look at that wine closely: it's RED! AHA!!! Read the amulet through the wine bottle! Lo and behold, you can see a magic word (does this remind anyone of Zork II?). Say the secret (err, magic) word, and your strength is temporarily (1 move) increased to 99! Now you're strong enough to smash open the door: WHAM! And the amulet is good for two more uses, even. Not a bad little bauble to have, eh? But anyway, you give the wine to the cook (you can't open it, and it has no other purpose in the game), and you are now the proud owner of a giant onion. Doesn't that just make your day? So now you have this giant onion (you'll have to roll it to take it with you; this is a good time to define a function key for ROLL ONION). However, you can leave it where it is for now; you have to go out into the world and look around until you find the wand of Annihilation, because your next stop is a certain nasty lighthouse (and while you're at it, help yourself to some of the brine drying in the sun...it will make your life easier soon). Once you have the wand (remember it might in fact be a cane or staff or something else), return to the tavern and get (roll?) your onion. On the way out, make sure to pick up the scruffy rug on the floor; it will come in handy later on. Roll the onion to the Ledge, where there a riddle is inscribed. Actually, this one is pretty easy. Tines suggest forks, but forks don't have much to do with reports. But, there are other things that have tines. For instance: Lightning. CRAAACK! You say it, and a bolt shoots down out of nowhere, opening a hole in the cliffside. Now you can get into the lighthouse. Of course, there are a few nasty things lurking around inside it. The first one is a spider. Bash the critter to make it go away (oh, I would recommend cleaning the place out before you start rolling the onion up and around). Then comes the giant slug. For this, you don't have to fight at all. Just put the salt on it (as anyone who lives in the country knows), and that will get rid of the repellant creature. Now it's dust bunny time. It will be found lurking in the corner of one of the rooms. If an item happens to be in that same room, don't worry; you can pick it up safely. Still, you must get rid of the bunny. A quick perusal of the booklet tells you that only static electricity and lemon-scented sprays have any effect on it. Well, you don't have a spray can of lemon Pledge handy, but you do have that scruffy rug. Drop the rug then rub your feet on it a few times. Dust bunny is getting nervous, isn't he? Poor thing. Touch the bunny, and ZAAAP! The bunny collapses and coalesces into a strange ring. Get that ring, you'll need it later. Ok, there is only one more creature to deal with, the dornbeast at the very top of the lighthouse. Roll your onion all the way up and into the room. You see a chest with a large plaque on it, with a warning in many languages: "Do not open this chest!". Of course, your first instinct, in the grand tradition of all adventurers, is to open the chest. Don't do it....yet. First, make sure that you aren't carrying too many items; that chest is pretty heavy. Then see to it that you have a sharp item (dagger or axe) in hand, and that your staff of Annihilation is ready. Ok, now try to get or open the chest. Whoops! The dornbeast appears, and is starting to turn all 69 (interesting number) eyes in your direction. Now is the time to move fast. Chop the onion! Sniff..sniff...whew! The onion's strong scent pervades the room, and if you think you have it bad, just pity the poor dornbeast with all those eyes watering. Put the critter out of its misery with the staff. Now you can safely pick up the chest (you can also search the debris for a platinum sextant that's buried there; it's another item for trading or selling). You really don't want to open it, but (if you're just dying to know what happens) you can do so safely once. Opening the chest transports you to the Plane of Transinfinite Spledor, where most of the Unicorns are now living. They resent any intrusions by humans, no matter how comapssionate (even if you've already freed the Unicorn in the stall), and will tell you so, in no uncertain terms. If you ever go back, you will suffer a most ignominious fate. After you have been unceremoniously returned to the lighthouse (or wherever it is you opened the chest), you can look inside the chest (it's safe for now). There are two things inside: a scroll and a vague outline. Don't try to look at the outline, just get all from the chest. Now, close the chest and take it, because you're about to play a nasty trick on a really nasty critter. Head along to Accardi-By-The-Sea and the Guildhall. Loafing in the area is a monkey grinder, equipped with the dreaded Sense Organ. He can do some pretty unpleasant things to you with that, and you'll have to suffer some first. You need to wait until the grinder has crushed the warning nymph at the entrance to the Guildhall (that's really nasty; I wish they had come up with something else for this). Once he's done that, present him with the chest. Remember the booklet: monkey grinders are illiterate. He can't read the warning plaque, so naturally, he opens the chest. POOF! Goodbye monkey grinder, and it couldn't have happened to a nicer (?) person. Once he's gone, you can nip into the Guildhall and get the wand that's there (you'll also notice that the hall has been abandoned long ago). It's about time now to pay a visit to those almost-mythical beings, the Implementors. Take the organ (examine it and play around with it for a while if you like) and leave it at the edge of the Fields of Frotzen where the billboard is. Read the scroll from the chest, and say the magic word. Whoosh! You are now in the plane of Atrii! As you walk around, you'll find yourself above a number of familiar places, including three that have curtains. These are, of course, the three shops. If you walk through a curtain, you'll be back in Quendor, and you don't want to do that right now. Instead, move around until you find a vague outline blocking your path. Does that remind you of anything...like maybe the outline you found in the chest? Why not check your inventory? Well, look at that! The vague outline from the chest has now been transformed into a force blade! Use the blade to cut the outline in your way, and before you know it, you'll be attending (in a manner of speaking) the eternal banquet (luncheon?) of the Implementors. This, however, does not mean that they are especially pleased to see you, although they are not quite as reclusive as the unicorns. Just hang around, and soon they'll be playing catch with the fabulous Coconut of Quendor. Wow! You mean it's gonna be this easy? Hah! Don't you believe it! The Coconut hits the floor, and before anyone can get to it, a nasty black spot appears out of nowhere, sucks up the Coconut, and vanishes. The Coconut of Quendor is now in the hands of the diabolical Ur-Grue! Uh-oh. The Implementors are not happy about this. They unanimously volunteer you to bring it back (this is about the time you start wishing you'd stayed home on the farm). To help you along, one of the Implementors hands you a golden goblet, then kicks you out to the Fields of Frotzen. Pick up the organ, and set the dial to the eye symbol. With goblet in hand, walk into the Fields. The magical chalice will keep the lightning away, and you'll be able to explore this rather drab and dismal area, inhabited only by three scarecrows, a flock of corbies, a butterfly, and a four-leaf clover. Take the clover when you come to it. The butterfly will eventually come to you and rest on the rim of the goblet, so there's no need to try and catch it. But it's the scarecrows that are the really important things here. You'll notice that only one of them has any growing corn. For some reason, the corbies don't like this particular scarecrow. Of course, to you, it looks just like the other two, but then, as noted in the booklet, corbies can see color, even in this drab land, far better than you can. So, play the organ, and for a little while, color spruces up the area. Check out the color of the scarecrow's rags, and remember it. Also, you must make sure you have seen all three scarecrows, or nothing else will happen. What you're waiting for is a farmhouse to fall. As soon as you hear it hit earth, start searching, and get inside immediately. Wait out the storm, which will transport you to the Land of Oz (err, Froon). Thud! Exit the house. You'll notice a large boot underneath. There is no way to get the boot (really! you don't need any ruby slippers to get back home). Examine the flowers, and before long, the happy inhabitants of Froon will be making a big fuss over you for delivering them from a big heel (grin). The mayor will offer you the key to the city. Actually, there are three keys, each a different color (they are all cheap styrofoam imitations, too). In fact, they are the same three colors as the scarecrows. What a coincidence! All you have to do is take the key that's the same color as the scarecrow the corbies don't like, after which you are once again unceremoniously booted out (have you tried mouthwash? maybe some deoderant...). With key in hand, you are now able to pass the flock of corbies, and reach the one other growing thing: a rose bush, with a single compass rose on its branches. So you're back from Froon, and you have the compass rose and the clover and the butterfly. Of course, most people know that butterflies are just grown-up caterpillars, so there must be some way of changing that pretty insect back into its larval form. Some folks try the pool of eternal youth in the forest, but that doesn't work. The pool only KEEPS things young, it doesn't MAKE them young. A fine distinction, but a necessary one. No, there is another way to get what you want. Open the lid of the organ, and put the cup inside (the butterfly will stay on it). Close the lid, and set the dial to the clock. Now, turn the crank *backwards*! Pretty horrible stuff, to be sure, but you can live through it. When you open the lid again, instead of a butterfly, you'll have a creepy caterpillar crawling on the cup. Get it quickly, before it decides to crawl off somewhere (in which case, you'll never see it again). Now let's see what we can do about a certain injured pterodactyl (whom most people like to rename to Terry) in the spooky areas. First you'll have to get rid of the Eldritch Vapor; I know for certain that the club will do the job. However, don't relax just yet; as soon as the Vapor fades away, a vicious Guttersnipe will come charging in! You'll have to fight him, too, before you can do anything else here. With both monsters removed from the scene (there are only two total here), you can go hunting for Terry. Poor critter, he has an arrow through his wing. And even though your intentions are only helpful, in his pain he won't let you near him. This is where you need the rod of Anesthesia. Point the rod at Terry to send him into dreamland. Once he's safely asleep, pull out the arrow (rip!), and place the limp weed on his wound (it's a Spenceweed, of course). The injury heals rapidly, and before long Terry is his old self again. Take the whistle from around his neck, and put it around your own. You'll be able to call Terry with it for a total of three rides. However, before you can go riding Terry, you'll need a saddle. The only one available is in the stall with the Unicorn by the Private Way. Head along there to get the saddle and help out a creature in need. The Unicorn doesn't look too happy, and I suppose you can't really blame her. However, before giving in to your good impulses, make sure you kiss her horn to increase your luck. Now, you can either use the amulet and then smash open the stall, or, if you have used up the amulet by now, you can use the wand of Levitation to raise both the Unicorn and the saddle (one at a time) out of the stall. Make sure you take the horseshoe in the corner (a lucky charm). After leaving the stable, use your whistle and summon Terry. Put the saddle on his back, then get up on him and start flying. The place you want is the castle (look at the map that comes with the game to see where that is). Use the compass rose to give you a good tail wind. Remember to point the rose in the opposite direction from the one in which you're going (for instance, you want an east wind to fly west). Also, there are some directions in which you can never go; these are the ones with the clouds in the way. Terry will land you in the castle garden. This is the castle of the Platypus Queen, who would not be happy to see you. Unfortunately, it sounds like she's on her way to the garden right now. You'd better find a place to hide real fast. I wouldn't recommend the statue, but the Morgia bush is bigger than you think. Squeeze behind it (oof! ouch) and wait. Terry (a coward at heart) will take off when Queenie appears. Don't worry, you will be able to call him back again. Thinking she's alone, the Platypus opens a secret compartment in the statue and removes a strange jar (there's no other way for you to find this, even if you tried examining or searching the statue). From the jar Queenie takes a hoop, and blows through...not a soap bubble, but a silvery mirror! Too bad the mirror's answer to her question isn't the one she wanted. After destroying it in a fit of temper, she huffs off, leaving you alone in the garden. Now you can see the secret compartment and get the jar, which will be needed for the end game. While you're at it, help yourself to a little Morgia root; it's good for you. Call Terry again, and fly off to Mizniaport; it's time to go hunting for the legendary Crocodile's Tear, the only object in the game worth enough for you to obtain the hourglass in the Magic Shoppe. You'll also be able to save the good people of Thriff from the depredations (or rather, stompings) of the fearsome Christmas Tree Monsters (but, one thing at a time here). After reaching Mizniaport, take a ride on the Jungle Skyway (free!). Climb off at the first support tower, and you're in the jungle, with crocodiles and giant bloddworms and even hungses (hungi?). The first thing to do is eliminate both the croc and the bloodworm. This will take some doing, but it's quite possible to beat them enough to send them away (unless, of course, you prefer to use other methods). If you need a safe place to heal up inbetween, go to any of the support towers; the monsters won't follow you there. Once they're both gone, map out the area, locating both the idol and the mother hungus and baby. The idol mouth, as you know if you've stepped on it before, is a seesaw arrangement. Whenever you try reaching up for the jewel, the seesaw overblanaces and dumps you into the bowels of the idol. You need enough weight on your end to keep the tongue stable so you can grab the jewel. And the only thing weighty enough is a full-grown hungus. So, once you've located the idol, return to the quicksand patch, and take a swipe at junior (just make sure you aren't wearing the cloak from the Armor Shoppe at this point). Oooo....mama didn't like that at all!! Looks like she's coming for you, so start hustling toward the idol. If mama doesn't show up right behind you, just wait awhile, she won't be far behind. Keep on going, right up into the idol's maw. Mama will follow right after you. With her poundage on the tongue, you can reach up and get the Tear. OOps! It fell down, and mama ate it! Well, at least that seemed to satisfy her for some reason or other, and she ambles down off the idol. Uh-oh. Swoosh! You're neatly deposited inside the idol's belly. Gee, it's dark down here; I hope you brought a lantern with you. Of course, you could probably use a magical spell or somesuch to get out before the grues get to you, but light is much better at the moment; there's another colony of mold growing on the walls. Once you've squeezed this mold, you can leave (the word of recall will do nicely), and then make another trip back to Mizniaport's Skycars. After all, you still have to get that jewel. The baby hungus and mama will be at the quicksand patch. First, point your rod of Eversion at mama and give her an unsettling experience. Horrible thing, the insides of a hungus! However, the jewel hasn't been digested yet, and it pops out! Now, you can use your rod of levitation to free junior from the quicksand, thereby adding to your compassion score. Whew! And it's off through the jungle to the quaint town of Thriff. Actually, there isn't much to see here except the chapel, where Cardinal Toolbox is moaning and whining about the imminent destruction of the town. Take a seat in the pew and search it. You find a vial, which the old woman in the Magic Shoppe will tell you is holy water. Hang on to it, as you'll need it later. I know you want to get your hands on that reliquary on the altar, but you're gonna have to work for it first. Leave the chapel, and take the road into the mountains, which is just packed with Christmas Tree Monsters, singing their fiendish holiday songs. However, since you have that caterpillar with you, they won't give you any trouble; in fact, they edge nervously aside as you pass by. Of course, one lone caterpillar isn't really enough to stop the trees; something more permanent is needed. Beyond the trees is a small hut. Inside you find a burin (useful for inscribing glyphs of warding), a diary (useful for historical reading and not much else), and a black hemisphere. Get the hemisphere and the burin, then leave. Hmmm..there seems to be a snowdrift blocking the way further up the mountain. Then again, maybe it isn't a drift...it's Snow Wight! (What, no dwarves?). Yes, another monster to do battle with. Just bop on him (it?), and after he's gone, the way to the top of the volcano will be clear. The dome across the mouth of the volcano looks like pretty heavy-duty magic. Only what you'd expect, to keep the volcano from erupting. But that's what we want right now...a nice hot flood of lava to go roaring down the mountainside. So, point your wand of Dispel Magic at the dome. That certainly did the trick, and if I were you, I'd be running like heck down the mountainside and all the way back to Thriff. Whew! Don't worry, the lava won't quite reach the town. And you can bet it sure did a number on those Christmas Tree Monsters! But there's still the problem of keeping them away permanently. Lava, when it dries (?), is pretty permanent stuff. I'll bet if you could inscribe the glyph of warding before the lava becomes to hard, the good people of Thriff would be very grateful. Of course, the lava is pretty hot right now, so put on your dust bunny ring before you go back to what used to be the snowy clearing. Yep, that lava is still pretty torrid, but it's cooling fast. At the right time, inscribe the glyph of warning into the lava. Thriff has been saved! The happy residents come out to greet you, with Toolbox leading them. The sneak tries to hide the reliquary behind his back (not as generous as the mayor of Froon, is he?), but if you ask him for it, he'll give the reliquary to you. You're almost done here, all you need to do now is get yourself a minx. Trek off to the northwest, where hunters are combing the area for something or other. In fact, it's a poor little Minx they're looking for. Just wait where you are, and the Minx will come bounding along to hide behind a tree. You can't get the Minx just yet, but you do have to protect her from her cruel owner. Notice the tracks in the snow? They lead right to the Minx's hiding place. All you need to do is "hide footprints" (nothing fancy, and don't say "hide footprints with snow" or anything similar). A nasty-looking young man will come along, and ask if you've seen the Minx. Lie and say no, then just wait until he leaves. Give the Minx a rub on the head, and you have a friend for life. If you wait some more, she'll dig up a truffle. There are three in the game, and since you need only one, it's ok to let her eat it. With the Minx in tow (she'll follow you anywhere), make your way back to Gurth City and the Magic Shoppe, where you can trade the Tear for the hourglass, if you haven't already. Then hike off to the Forest area. You'll have to dispose of the cruel puppet and the hellhound, if you didn't do that earlier in the game (the hellhound is tough, and a good candidate for the rod of Annihilation). When they're both removed from the scene, go to the oak tree in the Twilight area, and wait until the Minx digs up a truffle. This time, don't let the Minx eat it. Take the truffle, and walk over to the Clearing, where a second riddle awaits you. The answer to this one is as simple as the first: Youth. When you say that, a pool of eternal youth appears! It won't do you much good, but it will do wonders for the truffle, namely keep it preserved for all time. Step into the pool with the truffle. Now call Terry for the last time, and have him fly you over to the Ruins across the river (make sure you have the Minx in your arms before boarding Terry!). You can't cross by Zeno's Bridge, which is just a trap. When you arrive, a ghoul is sure to pop up from somewhere, and Terry, as usual, won't hang around. No sooner have you dealt with the ghoul, then an Undead Warrior appears. He's tough, but easy to get rid of: just hit him with the holy water, and that will be the end of him. You'll find a potion somewhere in the ruins, but what you really want is the archway in the plaza. Its most obvious feature is an hour-glass shape, a sure tipoff that the hourglass you have is needed here (this is a good time to define a macro for TURN HOURGLASS). Stand under the arch and turn the hourglass. ZOOM! You've created a magical timeline, that allows you to move forward and backward in time, and see the events, past and future, that occured or will occur in the plaza area. Of these, only two are of interest to you. The first is in the past, where a prince wearing a remarkably gaudy helmet has his head cut off. The helmet rolls into a trench, but before you can do anything, the prince's horse is killed and falls partway into the ditch. There is no way to stop this, or enter the trench beforehand, or move the horse (in fact, a bug in the game causes the program not to recognize the horse after it's dead). However...you CAN still throw things into the trench! So, pop the truffle into it. Because it's been in the pool of eternal youth, it will not decay, but stay fresh and palatable through all the eons to come. Now, move forward in time, noting how the plaza area becomes covered with rubble, a new ice age sets in, a new race emerges, and finally, all things end in Desolation, where the work of time, having first covered all, now reverses itself, and uncovers. Not enough for you to find anything, but the instincts of the Minx are something else. Sure enough, she sniffs out the presence of the truffle, and digs it up from the loose earth. And in the hole...the helmet! Whew! It's that time: time to pay a visit to your friendly neighborhood Ur-Grue. First, of course, return to the present and step out from the arch. Gather up the Minx (it really wouldn't be nice to leave her behind in a place like this) and leave the Ruins (with the word of Recall or through the plane of Atrii). Now, put on the helmet (which gives your Intelligence a boost), and join the black hemisphere and the white one. Together, they spin rapidly and become a gray sphere, which gives you a vision of a secret door in a wall, and the magic word needed to open the door. Now you know where the Ur-Grue is and how to get there, so hop along, Cassidy, because there isn't much more left to do in the game. Of course, you're wondering how to deal with the Ur-Grue, since it isn't afraid of any kind of light except sunlight, and the sword Grueslayer doesn't happen to be available in the game (make sure you have the rabbit's foot, clover, and horseshoe before entering the lair). Don't worry; you'll be able to get along quite nicely, thanks to the jar you lifted back in Queenie's garden. Once inside the secret door (DO NOT turn on your lantern here!), open the jar and blow a mirror. Now, position the mirror so that the light will reflect off it from this room to the next (Physics students will easily recognize the principle involved here). Walk into the next room, and do the same thing. In essence, you are setting up a chain of reflected sunlight through the caves (as you may have guessed, the position of the caves is random). Try not to waste any moves as you go through the rooms; the mirrors have only limited lifespans, after which they will pop and disappear. If the mirror in the first one pops out before you're through, you'll be in BIG trouble. Somewhere about now, the Lucksucker will show up. It has various appearances: a black cat, an umbrella, a ladder, a number 13, etc. This is where your lucky charms come into their own. Use one (any one) and hit the sucker (grin). It will run off...for awhile. Then it comes back again, so use another of your charms. All told, the Lucksucker will make three tries at you, so you do need all three lucky charms to get past it. Eventually you will come to a junction of rooms, and there is no way of knowing for sure which one the Ur-Grue is in. Explore each of them, and hope you're lucky. You'll know you've found the right one, as it will have a mound of treasure in it, and a creepy shadow in one corner. You have no time to waste here; create another mirror, and angle the shaft of light at the shadow in the corner. THAT did the trick! Or did it? As you approach the Ur-Grue, it grabs you tight! Oh-oh! After all this work, are you going to fail in the end? Well, maybe not! As you strangle in the Grue's grip, it begins to absorb all that compassion you've built up through the game! Filled with remorse, the Ur-Grue releases you, and goes off to who knows where. But he does allow you to take whatever you want from his treasure horde. As you might expect, the only thing you can really take is the Coconut of Quendor. So grab that and start making tracks (if the mirrors have popped by now, it's ok to use your lantern...there are regular grues lurking here), because an earthquake is about to commence. Ooops! You didn't quite make it out, but you're saved anyway! (Although being buried under fettucini is still not the most fun experience in the world). The old woman from the shop (see? it really was one old woman after all) and the sailor rescue you, and take you for a voyage on board the magical ship. Where to? Who knows? We'll have to wait for Beyond Beyond Zork for that! (grin)..