Zork Nemesis Design Document: Section 05

ZORK NEMESIS DESIGN DOCUMENT: Part 5 - The Four Sarcophagi

VERION 2.5/3.0 (1995/08/17)	VERSION 4.1 (1995/09/27)	RUFFINI'S NOTES ON VER 2.5/3.0
The player will be motivated to investigate the four sarcophagi visible from Nodes 2, 4, B and D. Each sarcophagus consists of a large medallion-like stone circle rising above a glass coffin. The coffins contain figures shrouded in white linen. Visions of the alchemist inside each sarcophagus appear in the circular center of the stone medallions. The sarcophagi were created the moment Lucien murdered them. In the midst of a powerful Alchemical ritual, when Lucien plunged the knife into their hearts, their elements (fire, water, earth, air) consumed them. Later, Lucien stored the bodies in glass sarcophagi. The first time the player clicks on a sarcophagus, she is rewarded with a short audio clip the soul [audio_actor] requesting his/her particular element to help free him/her from his/her suffering. After each interaction, clicking on the sarcophagi again results in a shorter request [audio_actor]. If the player brings the correct element to the altar without first awakening that spirit, this initial interaction is skipped and the second level is presented [game_state_actor].	The player will be motivated to investigate the four sarcophagi visible from Nodes 2, 4, B and D. Each sarcophagus consists of a large medallion-like stone circle rising above a glass coffin. The coffins contain figures shrouded in white linen. Visions of the alchemist inside each sarcophagus appear in the circular center of the stone medallions. The sarcophagi were created the moment Lucien murdered them. In the midst of a powerful Alchemical ritual, when Lucien plunged the knife into their hearts, their elements (fire, water, earth, air) consumed them. Later, Lucien stored the bodies in glass sarcophagi. The first time the player clicks on a sarcophagus, she is rewarded with a short audio clip the soul [audio_actor] requesting his/her particular element to help free him/her from his/her suffering. After each interaction, clicking on the sarcophagi again results in a shorter request [audio_actor]. If the player brings the correct element to the altar without first awakening that spirit, this initial interaction is skipped and the second level is presented [game_state_actor].
5.01 Sophia's Sarcophagus & First Element Request At the NW corner of the Dome Room Area 1, near the altar, is Sophia's crypt. When the player enters the space near the coffin, an [audio_actor] plays the faint sound of someone weeping. The crying is heartbreaking to hear and gives the player the impression of an absolutely hopeless and endless existence in the crypt space. If the player clicks on the shrouded figure from Node BE, the music and crying will stop suddenly, and the player sees a woman covered in an elaborate shroud. She moves but cannot dislodge the shroud. SOPHIA (rasping whisper) Is someone there? Kaine -- is it you? (noticing the player) Whoever it is, please help me. Trapped here for so long... You may be too. Need water... my element At this point the player may search for Sophia's water element or investigate the other sarcophagi. The player is free to complete any of the tasks to retrieve the elements in any order. It will not be necessary for the player to even hear the four requests for the elements prior to solving these puzzles, but most likely the player will have found the sarcophagi first.	5.01 Sophia's Sarcophaagus & First Element Request At NW corner of the Dome Room Area 1. near the altar, is Sophia's crypt. When the player enters the space near the coffin, an [audio_actor] plays the faint sound of someone weeping. The crying is heartbreaking to hear and gives the player the impression of an absolutely hopeless and endless existence in the crypt space. If the player clicks on the shrouded figure from Node BE, the music and crying will stop suddenly, and the player sees a woman covered in an elaborate shroud. She moves but cannot dislodge the shroud. SOPHIA (rasping whisper) Is someone there? Kaine -- is it you? (noticing the player) Whoever it is, please help me. Trapped here for so long... You may be too. Need water... my element At this point the player may search for Sophia's water element or investigate the other sarcophagi. The player is free to complete any of the tasks to retrieve the elements in any order. It will not be necessary for the player to even hear the four requests for the elements prior to solving these puzzles, but most likely the player will have found the sarcophagi first.
5.02 Malveaux's Sarcophagus & First Element Request Malveaux's crypt is in the southwest corner of the dome. The shroud in the glass coffin covers the figure of a man clothed in religious vestments. If the player clicks on the shrouded figure at Node 2E the shroud twitches, the figure inside startled. MALVEAUX (terrified) Ah -- who comes? Is it you, Nemesis? (relaxing) No--ahoy, a friend. Come closer. (whispers) If you are kind, pilgrim, bring fire... my element. You are in danger--hurry.	5.02 Malveaux's Sarcophagus & First Element Request Malveaux's crypt is in the southwest corner of the dome. The shroud in the glass coffin covers the figure of a man clothed in religious vestments. If the player clicks on the shrouded figure at Node 2E the shroud twitches, the figure inside startled. MALVEAUX (terrified) Ah -- who comes? Is it you, Nemesis? (relaxing) No--ahoy, a friend. Come closer. (whispers) If you are kind, pilgrim, bring fire... my element. You are in danger--hurry.	In respect to Malveaux's religious vestments, if we are trying to establish continuity between their knowledge and faith, and the pre-Quendoran civilization that throve in the Eastlands long before Duncanthrax, it would be nice to use some of the symbols I described for you for the Relics Room to decorate his vestments, specifically a serpent swallowing its own tail, and the rodent, two or three times human size, perhaps being consumed in sacrifical flames. These images come from the ruined castle in Spellbreaker. On another note, why would Malveaux use the word 'Nemesis'? Wouldn't he simply call him Lucien? This seems strange to me.
5.03 Sartorius' Sarcophagus & First Element Request If the player enters Dr. Sartorius' sarcophagus area (NE corner), she discovers Dr. Sartorius' coffin. If the player clicks on the shrouded figure from Node DE, the player sees a thin man trapped beneath an elaborate shroud. We hear his labored breathing -- and the babble of his delirium. SARTORIUS Who's there? (sniffing) ...melancholy, blood, choler, phlegm... Four humors -- a man. (whispering) He did this to me. Spirit non corpus. (coughs nervously) He's mad. (coughing) Air -- I need air. The Master Work... must ... go on.	5.03 Sartorius' Sarcophagus & First Element Request If the player enters Dr. Sartorius' sarcophagus area (NE corner), she discovers Dr. Sartorius' coffin. If the player clicks on the shrouded figure from Node DE, the player sees a thin man trapped beneath an elaborate shroud. We hear his labored breathing -- and the babble of his delirium. SARTORIUS Who's there? (sniffing) ...melancholy, blood, choler, phlegm... Four humors -- a man. (whispering) He did this to me. Spirit non corpus. (coughs nervously) He's mad. (coughing) Air -- I need air. The Master Work... must ... go on.
5.04 Kaine's Sarcophagus & First Element Request When the player goes to the SE corner of the dome space, she will find a glass coffin. Inside the coffin a shroud covers a figure in full battle armor. If the player clicks on the shrouded figure, the player sees the man under the beat against the shroud with his fists, again and again. KAINE (rasping) Who goes there? Soldier? Are you one of my men? No. There's no one left. Everything... destroyed.. (struggling, coughing) Bring me -- earth -- that is my strength. I'll reward you -- a fortune in zorkmids -- half my kingdom -- anything. But beware ... the Nemesis.	5.04 Kaine's Sarcophagus & First Element Request When the player goes to the SE corner of the dome space, she will find a glass coffin. Inside the coffin a shroud covers a figure in full battle armor. If the player clicks on the shrouded figure, the player sees the man under the beat against the shroud with his fists, again and again. KAINE (rasping) Who goes there? Soldier? Are you one of my men? No. There's no one left. Everything... destroyed.. (struggling, coughing) Bring me -- earth -- that is my strength. I'll reward you -- a fortune in zorkmids -- half my kingdom -- anything. But beware ... the Nemesis.	I would make the same comment in relation to Kaine [regarding him using the name 'Nemesis'], except with added emphasis: Lucien to him should be "my son", not the Nemesis. Further, I suspect that he would offer half of his ancestral lands, rather than half of his kingdom. We haven't yet suggested him to be a king.
5.05 The Dome Room Floor The area under the dome, in front of the altar, is decorated with pieces of inlaid marble. There seems to be a pattern, but it cannot be understood at this close distance. From the gallery, the player will be far enough away to discern that the symbols in the floor represent the various pieces needed during the game. On the outer reaches of the design, symbols and pictures of the four basic elements are displayed forming a band of primary colored marble pieces. Moving towards the center, symbols seen are for the metals. The colors here are secondary. Finally, in the center, a small black unity symbol is overshadowed by one in gold and silver colors. The floor display also has various lines and curves weaving throughout the art work so it does not look completely like a series of concentric circles.	5.05 The Dome Room Floor The area under the dome, in front of the altar, is decorated with pieces of inlaid marble. There seems to be a pattern, but it cannot be understood at this close distance. From the gallery, the player will be far enough away to discern that the symbols in the floor represent the various pieces needed during the game. On the outer reaches of the design, symbols and pictures of the four basic elements are displayed forming a band of primary colored marble pieces. Moving towards the center, symbols seen are for the metals. The colors here are secondary. Finally, in the center, a small black unity symbol is overshadowed by one in gold and silver colors. The floor display also has various lines and curves weaving throughout the art work so it does not look completely like a series of concentric circles.