Zork Nemesis Design Document: Section 15

ZORK NEMESIS DESIGN DOCUMENT: Part 6 - Essential Elements of the Temple

VERION 2.5/3.0 (1995/08/17)	VERSION 4.1 (1995/09/27)	LIST OF TEXT	RUFFINI'S NOTES ON VER 2.5/3.0
The player will now begin her quest for the requested elements. They are located in the temple, but the player does not know where. This section describes the parts of the temple that are not directly related to the element puzzle sets, but are encountered during the player's exploration.	The player will now begin her quest for the requested elements. They are located in the temple, but the player does not know where. This section describes the parts of the temple that are not directly related to the element puzzle sets, but are encountered during the player's exploration.
6.01 The Flute/Fountain Room A room at the top of a staircase on the W side of the Dome Room contains the flute statue, water fountain and Escher stairs.	6.01 The Flute/Fountain Room A room at the top of astaircase on the W side of the Dome Room contains the flute statue, water fountain and Escher stairs.
6.02 The Orrery Room Behind the altar is a large translucent glass dome. This contains the Orrery. The Orrery is used to access the portal worlds. The player may enter the Orrery and attempt to use the device but it will not function until the Alchemists give the player a gold sphere. (See Section "9.01 The Orrery Room", page 69)	6.02 The Orrery Room Behind the altar is a large translucent glass dome. This contains the Orrery. The Orrery is used to access the portal worlds. The player may enter the Orrery and attempt to use the device but it will not function until the Alchemists give the player a gold sphere. (See Section "9.01 The Orrery Room", page 54)
6.03.01 The Mezzanine At the south end of the dome, a staircase is visible. The player clicks on the stairway and climbs up to the second floor of the dome space [qt_actor]. The second floor is a walkway around the entire dome space. The stairway leads up to the southwest corner area of the walkway. The player can walk and stop in each of the corner areas. The player can look up and see the dome more clearly, and can look down to see the temple floor and its symbols. (See "5.05 The Dome Room Floor", page 35).	6.03.01 The Mezzanine At the south end of the dome, a staircase is visible. The player clicks on the stairway and climbs up to the ssecond floor of the dome space [qt_actor]. The second floor is a walkway around the entire dome space. The stairway leads up to the southwest corner area of the walkway. The player can walk andstop in each of the corner areas. The player can look up and see the dome more clearly, and can look down to see the temple floor and its symbols. (See "5.05 The Dome Room Floor", page 26).
6.03.02 The Rest of the Mezzanine The circular walk area (broken up into the NW, NE, SE and SW corners) contains paintings of different buildings and landscapes as well as striking, demented paintings. These paintings are all active. Many of these paintings are by Lucien. Lucien's range in painting skills will be apparent. The darker ones of lovers torn apart, buildings on fire and general destruction are all dark and somber in color. Earlier paintings showing pleasant scenes are in another section of the gallery.	6.03.02 The Rest of the Mezzanine The circular walk area (broken up into the NW, NE, SE and SW corners) contains paintings of different buildings and landscapes as well as striking, demented paintings. These paintings are all active. Many of these paintings are by Lucien. Lucien's range in painting skills will be apparent. The darker ones of lovers torn apart, buildings on fire and general destruction are all dark and somber in color. Earlier paintings showing pleasant scenes are in another section of the gallery.		A brief comment on some of the paintings. Several of them could portray very specific mythical or historical Zork events, and be given certain titles. For instance, if the image of lovers torn apart is other than Lucien and Alexandria, it could be "The Sorrow of Zilbeetha", in reference to one of the most famous Zork love-stories of all time. The image of buildings on fire could be of the Endless Fire in Mareilon in 773, and the scenes of destruction could perhaps be the damaging effects of the Inquisition in Port Foozle in 883. For more information on any of these, see my Encyclopedia Frobozzica.
6.04 The Nemesis' Alchemy Lab Descending from the gallery into the dome, the player turns left and enters the cloister area. Two doors, on either side of the main entrance, are in the south wall. The right door leads to the Alchemy Lab. Here, the player encounters a strange laboratory. It is in an extreme state of clutter and disarray. It appears to be a room devoted to scientific and magical experimentation. This is the player's hub to Alchemy, and the player can study the Alchemical engravings and writings to learn the secrets of Alchemy and the temple. Various pieces of glass, jars of minerals and portions of burners form a heap of garbage on the two long worktables . A few other tables line the sides of the room. They are littered with half finished experiments and tests. The player learns about Lucien in this space. From his recordings (see below), he confirms that he murdered the four people. He speaks of his desperation and quest. Under a pile of discarded sketches (at Node 9A), the player finds a picture of Alexandria face down. The player reveals the upside down picture by clicking on the pile of papers [animation_actor]. Clicking on the picture, causes it to flip over [animation_actor].	6.04 The Nemesis' Alchemy Lab Descending from the gallery into the dome, the player turns left and enters the cloister area. Two doors, on either side of the main entrance, are in the south wall. The right door leads to the Alchemy Lab. Here, the player encounters a strange laboratory. It is in an extreme state of clutter and disarray. It appears to be a room devoted to scientific and magical experimentation. This is the player's hub to Alchemy, and the player can study the Alchemical engravings and writings to learn the secrets of Alchemy and the temple. Various pieces of glass, jars of minerals and portions of burners form a heap of garbage on the two long worktables. A few other tables line the sides of the room. They are littered with half finished experiments and tests. The player learns about Lucien in this space. From his recordings (see below), he confirms that he murdered the four people. He speaks of his desperation and quest. Under a pile of discarded sketches (at Node 9A), the player finds a picture of Alexandria face down. The player reveals the upside down picture by clicking on the pile of papers [animation_actor]. Clicking on the picture, causes it to flip over [animation actor].		I assumed that the "Alchemical engravings and writings" are already elaborated elsewhere, but I could submit some of my own if needed.
6.04.01 Strange Paintings The player immediately notices the strange charcoal sketches on the wall (Node 8). They depict a hideous demon (monster) doing horrible things to four different people. The player may recognize the subjects of these paintings as the four trapped in the temple. In the first sketch, the demon is ripping out a flame of fire from the heart of a bishop and offering it to the sun. In the second sketch, the demon has the heart of a woman and is offering it to the rain. In the third sketch, the demon has the corpse of a general which he has buried under earth and, in the fourth, the demon stands before a dissolving body blowing into the wind. All of these sketches are hastily drawn with rough lines and violent strokes. In contrast, one drawing on the N wall seems out of place. It depicts a violin in the air and a young man looking lovingly up at it. Here the art work is carefully done and radiates good feelings.	6.04.01 Strange Paintings The player immediately notices the strange charcoal sketches on the wall (Node 8). They depict a hideous demon (monster) doing horrible things to four different people. The player may recognize the subjects of these paintings as the four trapped in the temple. In the first sketch, the demon is ripping out a flame of fire from the heartof a bishop and offering it to the sun. In the second sketch, the demon has the heart of a woman and is offering it to the rain. In the third sketch, the demon has the corpse of a general which he has buried under earth and, in the fourth, the demon stands before la dissolving body blowing into the wind. All of these sketches are hastily drawn with rough lines and violent strokes. In contrast, one drawing on the N wall seems out of place. It depicts a violin in the air and a young man looking lovingly up at it. Here the art work is carefully done and radiates good feelings.
6.04.02 Mandala of Alchemical correspondences At Node 7B the player finds a Mandala, depicting the Alchemical relationships (planets, elements, metals) of the game, which lays open on the worktable. This illustrates the different levels of information the player needs to know to complete the game. In the center is the quintessence symbol. The chart is in black writing on a yellowing parchment. The quintessence symbol, however, is drawn with a line of gold and one of silver.	6.04.02 Mandala of Alchemical correspondences At Node 7B the player finds a Mandala, depicting the Alchemical relationships (planets, elements, metals) of the game, which lays open on the worktable. This illustrates the different levels of information the player needs to know to complete the game. In the center is the quintessence symbol. The chart is in black writing on a yellowing parchment. The quintessence symbol, however, is drawn with a line of gold and one of silver.		In reference to the mandala, and several sections of this game, I am a little concerned about the usage of real-life planetary names in conjunction with Quendoran alchemical sciences. It is possible to strongly imply or convey visually the sense of the planets in this solar system without naming them, and I would urge you to do so, as the effect of using words like Saturn and Uranus would likely be somewhat jarring.
6.04.03 Spinning Medallions Audio Device On a table in a small niche in the rear of the lab are a set of heavy brass medallions, strewn across the surface. Also on the table is a board, decorated with various Alchemical symbols which surround a single large circle. If the player clicks on any of the six medallions it will spin [animation_actor] like a globe. As the medallion spins, an [audio_actor] plays back the voice of the Nemesis. The medallion quickly spins down and the last words play back slowed down (like a tape player with dying batteries) as the medallion stops. The medallion will move back to its original location when playback is completed [animation_actor]. Desperate for answers - talking to all who will help him, but answers are few. LUCIEN "Frowardly 3, I tried to contact Dr. Vexing about the meaning of the Alchemy plate symbols. He told me that all symbols have meanings in Alchemy, and that everyone is controlled by the orientation of these symbols. He could not, however, tell me more of use. The man is nearly deaf and blind, a condition that I feel describes perfectly my search for answers." A bitter murderer and feeling guilty about torture. LUCIEN "I live every day with the reminder of the horror I have inflicted on the others. Their crimes were great, and I had to be judge, jury and executioner. Yet, they do not succumb to my torture. Malveaux seems the weakest, but even that bastard will not break his silence." Hid power elements where Alchemists couldn't find them. LUCIEN "Last day of the Year of the Misuse. I've hidden the sources of their powers away from their control. Without them, they are unable to hold back the very elements they used to keep dominion over." Learned something of use — sublimation, distillation, calcification, coagulation; something still missing. LUCIEN "I've learned of four key steps used in Alchemy: Sublimation, distillation, calcification and coagulation. Still I know there is more to be found. Something is missing, some vital step." Searching the world over, money running out. LUCIEN "The fortune is nearly gone. I am going in search of answers elsewhere. Rumors speak of riches beyond the hills." Zork I allusion and adventurers. LUCIEN "I have discovered a vast subterranean land filled with magic and mysteries. I have yet to find any creature knowledgeable in the black arts. A wizard may be somewhere underground, but I have yet to find him. Other treasure hunters have discovered the ruins, and I have killed them to protect my belongings and search."	6.04.03 Spinning Medallions Audio Device On a table in a small niche in the rear of the lab are a set of heavy brass medallions, strewn across the surface. Also on the table is a board decorated with various Alchemical symbols which surround a single large circle. If the player clicks on any of the six medallions it will spin [animation_actor] like a globe. As the medallion spins, an [audio_actor] plays back the voice of the Nemesis. The medallion quickly spins down and the last words play back slowed down (like a tape player with dying batteries) as the medallion stops. The medallion will move back to its original location when playback is completed [animation actor]. Desperate for answers - talking to all who will help him, but answers are few. LUCIEN "Frowardly 3, I tried to contact Dr. Vexing about the meaning of the Alchemy plate symbols. He told me that all symbols have meanings in Alchemy, and that everyone is controlled by the orientation of these symbols. He could not, however, tell me more of use. The man is nearly deaf and blind, a condition that I feel describes perfectly my search for answers." A bitter murderer and feeling guilty about torture. LUCIEN "I live every day with the reminder of the horror I have inflicted on the others. Their crimes were great, and I had to be judge, jury and executioner. Yet, they do not succumb to my torture. Malveaux seems the weakest, but even that bastard will not break his silence." Hid power elements where Alchemists couldn't find them. LUCIEN "Last day of the Year of the Misuse. I've hidden the sources of their powers away from their control. Without them, they are unable to hold back the very elements they used to keep dominion over." Learned something of use — sublimation, distillation, calcification, coagulation; something still missing. LUCIEN "I've learned of four key steps used in Alchemy: Sublimation, distillation, calcification and coagulation. Still I know there is more to be found. Something is missing, some vital step." Searching the world over, money running out. LUCIEN "The fortune is nearly gone. I am going in search of answers elsewhere. Rumors speak of riches beyond the hills." Zork I allusion and adventurers. LUCIEN "I have discovered a vast subterranean land filled with magic and mysteries. I have yet to find any creature knowledgeable in the black arts. A wizard may be somewhere underground, but I have yet to find him. Other treasure hunters have discovered the ruins, and I have killed them to protect my belongings and search."		Is the phrase "Last day of the Year of the Misuse" supposed to mean anything in particular? If so, perhaps it should be clarified somewhat, as it seems relatively meaningless in this context. If it IS in fact meaningless, or simply poetic, perhaps it could be replaced with either "On the 3rd day of Estuary, 948", or "In the 67th year from the accession of Wurb, on the night of the empty moon." Lucien's speeches: "Rumors speak of riches beyond the hills" should perhaps be replaced with "Rumors speak of riches in the abandoned caverns to the north." In the section of Zork I allusions, the first sentence should perhaps become "I have found my way back into the underground domains of the fallen empire" while the first clause of the third sentence should probably be more specifics, namely "The exiled wizard is said to live in the area..."
6.04.04 The Remains of the Ceremony On one table, the player finds the remains of the device that the four characters used during the ceremony and which the Nemesis destroyed. Various different colored fragments of metals lie arranged in a pattern on a table. The pieces lie near each other, but do not touch. They are laid out like a paleontologist's method for arranging dinosaur bones. Parts of Alchemical symbols are visible on each fragment except the center one. The device is roughly the size of the compass table in the altar. The broken fragments which glow with a strange light until the player returns from the portal worlds with the correct elements [animation_actors and game_state_actors]. It is effectively a broken version of the final Altar arrangement. (See "4.10 Description of the Alchemical Altar", page 30). Drawn on the table, charcoal sketches depict circles of symbols. The center of each picture is blank.	6.04.04 The Remains of the Ceremony On one table, the player finds the remains of the device that the four characters used during the ceremony and which the Nemesis destroyed. Various different colored fragments of metals lie arranged in a pattern on a table. The pieces lie near each other, but do not touch. They are laid out like a paleontologist's method for arranging dinosaur bones. Parts of Alchemical symbols are visible on each fragment except the center one. The device is roughly the size of the compass table in the altar. The broken fragments which glow with a strange light until the player returns from the portal worlds with the correct elements [animation_actors and game state actors]. It is effectively a broken version of the final Altar arrangement. (See "4.10 Description of the Alchemical Altar", page 21). Drawn on the table, charcoal sketches depict circles of symbols. The center of each picture is blank.
6.04.05 Finding the Magic Book The magic book described by the Venus establishes the system of correspondences for the characters and describes the procedures to locate and retrieve the earth, air, fire, and water elements. The book [text_actor] is located on a ledge accessible by climbing a small ladder near the back of the lab. The magic book_1 contains four Alchemical emblems that depict each of the elemental quests as allegories. The book is initially closed. When the player clicks on the book's cover, the book opens [animation_actor] and [audio_actor]. Each illustration is represented on two facing pages. Clicking on the left page turns back one page; clicking on the right page turns forward one page. If the player clicks on the left hand of the first scene, the book closes. If the player clicks on the right side of the last scene, the book also closes. Page turning is heard when moving from one page to another [audio_actor]. The book will also close if the player clicks on the stand surrounding the book. Each of the illustrations is shown in sepia tones and faded colors, as though from an ancient manuscript. The diagrams are as follows: Fire A Grecian-style pedestal about 4' high stands in the center of a beautiful lush garden. Atop the pedestal is a five-sided sundial. A bright sun fills the far corner of the page, its rays beaming down into the garden. The sundial reflects 4 rays of light, dazzling in their brilliance. Next to the garden, we see a tonsured monk in a sackcloth robe kneeling at a pew in a dark austere room. Behind him is a rack of lit holy candles giving off a soft glow. In his hands the monk holds a small mirror and we see a candle reflected in this mirror. The monk reaches one hand behind him while gazing at the mirror, as if trying to grab a candle without looking at it directly. Water A woman dressed in black veil gazes into a mirrored sphere that seems to float in front of her at eye level. The woman stands in a simple stone courtyard whose major feature is a modest water single-tiered fountain. The reflection in the water contains an image of a glacier. We are close enough to the sphere to see that it reflects the woman, the courtyard and the fountain. But the reflection also contains something that the "real" landscape does not — a water vessel and a flute resting against it at the base of the fountain. Air A spectacled scientist sits at a cluttered workbench on which stands a complex apparatus of glassware and clamps. Five sealed glass beakers are connected to a large central jar by thin glass tubing. Though the beakers and the tubing are filled with gasses of different colors, the central jar is clear. We see the scientist's smiling face behind the glass jar enlarged by the curve of the clear jar. Behind him shines a field of bright stars. Earth The rotting body of a soldier lies on a rain-soaked battlefield. The wooden shaft of the spear that killed him still protrudes through his cavernous wreckage. The body's outstretched arm grasps at a strange glowing rock about the size of an orange. Towering hourglasses reach to the heavens behind the soldier, making him appear extremely small. The player will determine from her previous encounters with each of the four characters that an association exists between these elemental symbols and the four trapped souls, but she does not yet know what the associations mean.	6.04.05 Finding the Magic Book The magic book described by the Venus establishes the system of correspondences for the characters and describes the procedures to locate and retrieve the earth, air, fire, and water elements. The book [text_actor] is located on a ledge accessible by climbing a small ladder near the ack of the lab. The magic book_1 contains four Alchemical emblems that depict each of the elemental quests as allegories. The book is initially closed. When the player clicks on the book's cover, the book opens [animation_actor] and [audio_actor]. Each illustration is represented on two facing pages. Clicking on the left page turns back one page; clicking on the right page turns forward one page. If the player clicks on the left hand of the first scene, the book closes. If the player clicks on the right side of the last scene, the book also closes. Page turning is heard when moving from one page to another [audio_actor]. The book will also close if the player clicks on the stand surrounding the book. Each of the illustrations is shown in sepia tones and faded colors, as though from an ancient manuscript. The diagrams are as follows: Fire A Grecian-style pedestal about 4' high stands in the center of a beautiful lush garden. Atop the pedestal is a five-sided sundial. A bright sun fills the far corner of the page, its rays beaming down into the garden. The sundial reflects 4 rays of light, dazzling in their brilliance. Next to the garden, we see a tonsured monk in a sackcloth robe kneeling at a pew in a dark austere room. Behind him is a rack of lit holy candles giving off a soft glow. In his hands the monk holds a small mirror and we see a candle reflected in this mirror. The monk reaches one hand behind him while gazing at the mirror, as if trying to grab a candle without looking at it directly. Water A woman dressed in black veil gazes into a mirrored sphere that seems to float in front of her at eye level. The woman stands in a simple stone courtyard whose major feature is a modest water single-tiered fountain. The reflection in the water contains an image of a glacier. We are close enough to the sphere to see that it reflects the woman, the courtyard and the fountain. But the reflection also contains something that the "real" landscape does not — a water vessel and a flute resting against it at the base of the fountain. Air A spectacled scientist sits at a cluttered workbench on which stands a complex apparatus of glassware and clamps. Five sealed glass beakers are connected to a large central jar by thin glass tubing. Though the beakers and the tubing are filled with gasses of different colors, the central jar is clear. We see the scientist's smiling face behind the glass jar enlarged by the curve of the clear jar. Behind him shines a field of bright stars. Earth The rotting body of a soldier lies on a rain-soaked battlefield. The wooden shaft of the spear that killed him still protrudes through his cavernous wreckage. The body's outstretched arm grasps at a strange glowing rock about the size of an orange. Towering hourglasses reach to the heavens behind the soldier, making him appear extremely small. The player will determine from her previous encounters with each of the four characters that an association exists between these elemental symbols and the four trapped souls, but she does not yet know what the associations mean.	TEMPLE ALCHEMY LAB - ILLUSTRATED BOOK OF ELEMENTS - ASSET IS IN TEXT ART FOLDER FOR TEMPLE - PUT SIGN FOR ELEMENT AND PLANET NEXT TO EACH WHERE I LEAVE A SPACE. SCRIBBLE IN THE NEMESIS HANDWRITING (WHAT WAS IT, TREEFROG?) ON PAGE OPPOSITE FIRE SKETCH - SAME DEAL The Bishop is ruled by Saturn. His alchemical essence is fire. The fires of this lab, though, do nothing for my quest. Where is his fire? [text below from some alternate draft] The Bishop's alchemical essence is fire. He is ruled by Saturn. ON PAGE OPPOSITE WATER SKETCH - SAME DEAL S. is ruled by Venus. I should have known. Her essence is water but no water I can find. [text below from some alternate draft] S. is water. Ruled by Venus. I should have known. ON PAGE OPPOSITE ILLUSTRATION OF SCIENTEST CREATING AIR IN A GLASS BUBBLE. I believe the Doctor is aligned with Jupiter and controls the element of air. But which air? My experiments with common air are useless. [text below from some alternate draft] ...search is over. I believe the Doctor controls the element of air, and is aligned with Jupiter. ON PAGE OPPOSITE EARTH SKETCH - I THINK ITS A MINING EXCAVATION - SAME FONT The General corresponds with the planet Mars and his essence is earth. Again, which earth will unlock his powers? My trials with the mud of this temple have come to nothing. [text below from some alternate draft] The General's essence is earth. He corresponds with the planet Mars.	You do not say anything in particular about this magic book. Do you intend to use one of the real-world magical/alchemical books as the prototype, or do you need me to supply a Zork date, author, publisher, etc.?
6.04.06 The Scroll of Enlightenment Across from the Magic Book is a double scroll on a stand (like a Torah). The player clicks on either side, and the scroll rolls [animation_actor] to reveal passages of text written with a strange and magical flair [text_actors]. [CB TO SELECT BEST QUOTES] There is a thing confusedly formed, Born before heaven and earth. Silent and void, It stands alone and does not change, Goes round and does not weary. It is capable of being the mother of the world. Thus thou wilt possess the glory of the brightness of all things, and all obscurity will fly away from thee. Therefore for it is necessary... if thou intends to acquire the knowledge of the realities of all beings, that thou shouldst begin with the knowledge of thine own soul as it is the thing nearest to thyself. Then thou shouldst try to know other things. It is true without lie, certain and without doubt, that what is below is like what is above, and what is above is like what is below, to accomplish the miracles of the One thing. So, beginning from the first, or the all-comprehending sphere, to the last sphere which is the sphere of the fixed stars, then follow the spheres of the planets: Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, the sphere of the moon and then the sphere of the four elements. So the earth is the center of all the spheres, and it is the coarsest of all bodies in essence and thickest and most solid of them in substance. Man is the noblest of all animals, in construction and the preponderating element in his is fire. In the composition of man there are united all the essences of creation--- whether elemental or composite, because man is composed of body which is coarse an material, and of the soul which is a pure, heavenly and spiritual essence. The inner stars of man are in their properties, kind and mature, by their course and position, like his outer stars and different only in form and in material. For as regards their nature, it is the same in the ether and in the microcosm man... Just as the sun shines through glass — as through divested of body and substance — so the stars penetrate one another in the body... For the sun and moon and all planets, as well as all the stars and the whole cosmos, are in man... the body attracts heaven... and this takes place in accordance with the great divine order. ...before entering the Bath or Fountain of the Philosophers, the King and Queen divest themselves of their garments. In a like manner, gold and silver are divested of their impurities in the preparation of sophic sulfur and sophic mercury. The Bath of the Philosophers... is this a symbol of the purification of gold and silver, for the purposes of the Great Work. The sun and moon are two Magicall Principles, the one active, the other passive, this Masculine, that Feminine. As they move, so move the wheeles of Corruption and Generation: they mutually dissolve and compound, but properly the moon is Organum transmutationis inferioris materiae. These Two Luminaries are multiplied and fructifie in every one particular generation. There is not a compound in all nature but hath in it a little Sun, and a little Moon. The little Sun is Filius solis coelestis. The Little Moon is Filia lung coelestis. What offices so ever the two great luminaries perform for the conservation of the great world in general, these two little luminaries perform the like for the Conservation of their small Cask, or Microcosm in Particular. Immediately before the albedo or rubedo all colors appear, as if the peacock were spreading his shimmering fan. The basis for this phenomenon may be the iridescent skin that often forms on the surface of molten metal (e.g. lead). These omnes colores are frequently mentioned in the texts as indicating something like totality. They all unite in the albedo, which for many alchemists was the climax of the work. The caudia pavonis announces the end of the work, just as Iris, its synonym, is the messenger of God. The exquisite display of colours in the peacock's fan heralds the imminent synthesis of qualities and elements, which are united in the 'rotundity' of the Philosophical Stone. Nature cloth, first, beget th' imperfect; then Proceeds she to the perfect. Of that airy, And oily water mercury is engender'd; Sulfur o' the fat and earthy part: the one, (Which is last) supplying the place of the male, The other of female, in all metals. Some do believe hermaphrodeity, That both do act, and suffer. But these two Make the rest ductile, malleable, extensive. And, even in gold, they are; for we do find Seeds to them, by our fire, and gold in them: And can produce the species of each metal More perfect thence, than nature doth in earth. Thirdly, and lastly, that the philosophers have their peculiar secret metals, quite different from the metals of the vulgar, for where they name Mercury they mind not quicksilver; where Saturn, not lead, where Venus and Mars, not Copper and Iron. Of all created things the condition whereof is transitory and frail, there is only one single principle. Included herein were latent all created things which the aether embraces in its scope. This is as much as to say that all created things proceeded from one matter, not each separately from its own peculiar matter. This common matter of all things is the Great Mystery (Mysterium Magnum). Its comprehension could not be prefigured or shaped by any certain essence or idea, neither could it incline to any properties, seeing that it was free at once from colour and from elementary nature... This Great Mystery is the mother of all the elements. It is wrought up to the degree onely that hath the Power of transmuting any Imperfect Earthy Matter into its utmost degree of Perfection; that is to convert the basest of Metals into perfect Gold and Silver; Flints into all manner of Precious Stones ... and many other Experiments of the like manner.	6.04.06 The Scroll of Enlightenment Across from the Magic Book is a double scroll on a stand (like a vertical Torah). The player clicks on either side, and the scroll rolls [animation_actor] to reveal passages of text written with a strange and magical flair [text_actors]. [CB TO SELECT BEST QUOTES] There is a thing confusedly formed, Born before heaven and earth. Silent and void, It stands alone and does not change, Goes round and does not weary. It is capable of being the mother of the world. Thus thou wilt possess the glory of the brightness of all things, and all obscurity will fly away from thee. Therefore for it is necessary... if thou intends to acquire the knowledge of the realities of all beings, that thou shouldst begin with the knowledge of thine own soul as it is the thing nearest to thyself. Then thou shouldst try to know other things. It is true without lie, certain and without doubt, that what is below is like what is above, and what is above is like what is below, to accomplish the miracles of the One thing. So, beginning from the first, or the all-comprehending sphere, to the last sphere which is the sphere of the fixed stars, then follow the spheres of the planets: Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, the sphere of the moon and then the sphere of the four elements. So the earth is the center of all the spheres, and it is the coarsest of all bodies in essence and thickest and most solid of them in substance. Man is the noblest of all animals, in construction and the preponderating element in his is fire. In the composition of man there are united all the essences of creation--- whether elemental or composite, because man is composed of body which is coarse an material, and of the soul which is a pure, heavenly and spiritual essence. The inner stars of man are in their properties, kind and mature, by their course and position, like his outer stars and different only in form and in material. For as regards their nature, it is the same in the ether and in the microcosm man... Just as the sun shines through glass — as through divested of body and substance — so the stars penetrate one another in the body... For the sun and moon and all planets, as well as all the stars and the whole cosmos, are in man... the body attracts heaven... and this takes place in accordance with the great divine order. ...before entering the Bath or Fountain of the Philosophers, the King and Queen divest themselves of their garments. In a like manner, gold and silver are divested of their impurities in the preparation of sophic sulfur and sophic mercury. The Bath of the Philosophers... is this a symbol of the purification of gold and silver, for the purposes of the Great Work. The sun and moon are two Magicall Principles, the one active, the other passive, this Masculine, that Feminine. As they move, so move the wheeles of Corruption and Generation: they mutually dissolve and compound, but properly the moon is Organum transmutationis inferioris materiae. These Two Luminaries are multiplied and fructifie in every one particular generation. There is not a compound in all nature but hath in it a little Sun, and a little Moon. The little Sun is Filius solis coelestis. The Little Moon is Filia lung coelestis. What offices so ever the two great luminaries perform for the conservation of the great world in general, these two little luminaries perform the like for the Conservation of their small Cask, or Microcosm in Particular. Immediately before the albedo or rubedo all colors appear, as if the peacock were spreading his shimmering fan. The basis for this phenomenon may be the iridescent skin that often forms on the surface of molten metal (e.g. lead). These omnes colores are frequently mentioned in the texts as indicating something like totality. They all unite in the albedo, which for many alchemists was the climax of the work. The caudia pavonis announces the end of the work, just as Iris, its synonym, is the messenger of God. The exquisite display of colours in the peacock's fan heralds the imminent synthesis of qualities and elements, which are united in the 'rotundity' of the Philosophical Stone. Nature cloth, first, beget th' imperfect; then Proceeds she to the perfect. Of that airy, And oily water mercury is engender'd; Sulfur o' the fat and earthy part: the one, (Which is last) supplying the place of the male, The other of female, in all metals. Some do believe hermaphrodeity, That both do act, and suffer. But these two Make the rest ductile, malleable, extensive. And, even in gold, they are; for we do find Seeds to them, by our fire, and gold in them: And can produce the species of each metal More perfect thence, than nature doth in earth. Thirdly, and lastly, that the philosophers have their peculiar secret metals, quite different from the metals of the vulgar, for where they name Mercury they mind not quicksilver; where Saturn, not lead, where Venus and Mars, not Copper and Iron. Of all created things the condition whereof is transitory and frail, there is only one single principle. Included herein were latent all created things which the aether embraces in its scope. This is as much as to say that all created things proceeded from one matter, not each separately from its own peculiar matter. This common matter of all things is the Great Mystery (Mysterium Magnum). Its comprehension could not be prefigured or shaped by any certain essence or idea, neither could it incline to any properties, seeing that it was free at once from colour and from elementary nature... This Great Mystery is the mother of all the elements. It is wrought up to the degree onely that hath the Power of transmuting any Imperfect Earthy Matter into its utmost degree of Perfection; that is to convert the basest of Metals into perfect Gold and Silver; Flints into all manner of Precious Stones ... and many other Experiments of the like manner.	TEMPLE ALCHEMY LAB - SCROLL OF E - SEE TEXT ART TEMPLE FOLDER FOR ASSET NOTE: IF YOU CAN’T MAKE THE SIGNS FOR THE PLANETS AND THE ELEMENTS FIT INTO THE LINE, YOU CAN MAKE THEM INTO SOME KIND OF MANDALA OR TABLE BELOW. ASK ME OR WILL WESTW. OR LAIRD, BOTH OF WHOM HAVE ALREADY DRAWN ONE ONCE. SCOTT HAS THE CHART OF THE SYMBOLS. It is true without lie, certain and without doubt, that what is below is like what is above, and what is above is like what is below, to accomplish the miracles of the One Thing. So it is written in the Emerald Table of Hermes. This is the first Principall of our Great Work: the One Thing. Of all created things the condition whereof is transitory and frail, there is only one single Principall. All created things proceeded from one matter, not each separately from its own peculiar matter. Any Imperfect Earthly Matter can be transmuted into its utmost degree of Perfection. From the Basest of Metals can Perfect Gold and Silver be distilled. From the Basest of Mortal Flesh can Eternal Life bbe wrought. This Great Mystery lies in the elusive Power of the quint essentia - the transformative Fifth Element - the element of the Spirit - the Quintessence. Whoever possesses its secret can unlock the Great Mystery of the Cosmos. You will come to see the One thing in its four physical elements: earth, air, fire, and water. You will understand the Magicall Harmony of the Spheres. For the sun and moon, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, and Venus, as well as all the Stars and the whole Cosmos, are in man. The body attracts Heaven, and this takes place in accordance with the great Divine Order. So it hath been, and so it always must be, from Alpha to Omega, from the Begynning of Zork to the End of Tyme.	It would be nice to head each of these passage with a suitable caption from a Zorkish language, like the following examples: [presumably there was supposed to be something here] I would repeat my comments about the usage of real-world planetary names, but I am at a loss as to how to replace them, particularly in this context. Further, since the phrase "the earth is the center of all the spheres" seems to imply that the earth is round, which in the Zork world is false, it might make sense to replace it with the more neutral "the earth is at the center of all the spheres". The first full paragraph on this page is an excellent place to begin inserting various key phrases to highlight the doctrinal differences between alchemy and thaumaturgy. After the first sentence in this paragraph, consider inserting: "Others have called them the Glorious Presence and the Unusual Effect, and have said that only the first can bring the last. Verily, they deny the endless cycle of motion within which Presence and Effect flow." Also, I would suggest replacing the phrase in the third paragraph concerning the "messenger of God" with "the messenger of the Implementors." Again, if there is any alternative to the use of planetary names, I would urge you to use it. Lab comments in general: You asked for particular spells, or magical objects, particularly anything that references death, time, or hourglasses. The 'girgol' spell stops time altogether, while the 'golmac' spell allows temporal travel back and forth to the future and past. The 'vezza' spell is an interesting if somewhat unpredictable method for viewing the future. Beyond that, although it is highly unlikely that the Beyond Zork magical hourglass would be in this place at this time, it is entirely possible that they have heard legends of this sort of device, and thus have images of it, or attempted equivalents of their own. It is known also that among the legendary Cubes of Foundation that are discovered in Spellbreaker, one in particular is tied to temporal travel; the original would not be here, but mystical charts of it and its relation to the world would be interesting. As far as death and related magic, the 'gaspar' spell is an effective resurrection device, but the 'ozmoo' spell is considered somewhat less risky, as it circumvents death altogether. All of these spells could be shown on individual scrolls, labeled I would assume in intricate calligraphic script, with foreign or illegible text in the spell itself; few of them are simple enough to be captured in a spell book, but magical reference books of the sort that would be found in this lab would contain references to all of these.
6.05 A Note on the Venus and Magic Book Both the Rokeby and the Magic Book are help guides. Their discovery order and use are not crucial to solving any of the game puzzles. They will, however, help newer or confused adventurers establish themselves and move forward in the ZORK: NEMESIS World.	6.05 A Note on the Venus and Magic Book Both the Rokeby and the Magic Book are help guides. Their discovery order and use are not crucial to solving any of the game puzzles. They will, however, help newer or confused adventurers establish themselves and move forward in the ZORK: NEMESIS World.
6.06 The Library The Library is located through a doorway on the same wall in the Cloister area as that of the lab. Shelves of deep brown wood house the greatest Zork works of fiction and nonfiction alike. A writing desk is also here, as well as a staircase against the far wall leading up to the vault. A large globe representing the Great Underground Empire stands just inside the doorway. The room is the tribute to the Zork universe. Hanging from tracks near the S wall are a variety of star charts from the Zork universe. The player must click on each map to move it aside and gain access to the small torch-lit passageway beyond. Clicking the first map moves it toward the left, the second to the right, the third to the left and the fourth and final map to the right. On a long table filled with books, there is a grid painting in a gold frame which is a map of the royal puzzle from Zork III where various blocks had to be pushed around to form an escape route from the grid. Each time the player clicks on the diagram, one block will move until the entire solution to that puzzle is played out [animation actor]. Once the puzzle is solved, the next click will reset the puzzle to the beginning as the blocks scurry back to their original positions [animation actor]. [LM TO REFINE PUZZLE; PUZZLE WILL PROVIDE CLUE TO MINE CAR PUZZLE.] The player can open four books on the front portion of the long table [animation_actor and text_actor]: Dimwit Flathead: My Best Excesses Wizard of Frobozz: Float, Fluoresce and Freeze; My Life in Magic Interview with A Grue by Andrew Zilber The Best of the New Zorker The above books are marked with a bookmark, paper clip, ribbon and elastic band to prevent the player from searching further through the book. Four additional books lay on the back portion of the long table and cannot be opened. Booze Miller: Great Underground Empire Toasts Homer: The Odyssey Marc Blank: History of the World Dave Lebling: The True History of the World One book, hand written, is on the long table. It is the Thief's diary from Zork I. [CB TO INSERT TEXT FROM DIARY	6.06 The Library The Library is located through a doorway on the same wall in the Cloister area as that of the lab. Shelves of deep brown wood house the greatest Zork works of fiction and non-fiction alike. A writing desk is also here, as well as maps hanging on the wall. A large globe representing the Great Underground Empire stands just inside the doorway. The room is the tribute to the Zork universe. Hanging from tracks near the N wall are a variety of star charts from the Zork universe. The player must click on each map to move it aside and gain access to the small passageway beyond. The player can slide the maps left or right. However, each map must be slid in a particular direction to reveal the passage beyond. The correct order is: Left, Right, Right, Left. On a long table filled with books, there is a grid painting in a gold frame which is a map of the royal puzzle from Zork III where various blocks had to be pushed around to form an escape route from the grid. Each time the player clicks on the diagram, one block will move until the entire solution to that puzzle is played out [animation_actor]. Once the puzzle is solved, the next click will reset the puzzle to the beginning as the blocks scurry back to their original positions [animation_actor]. [LM TO REFINE PUZZLE; PUZZLE WILL PROVIDE CLUE TO MINE CAR PUZZLE.] The player can open four books on the front portion of the long table [animation_actor and text_actor]: Dimwit Flathead: My Best Excesses Wizard of Frobozz: Float, Fluoresce and Freeze; My Life in Magic Interview with A Grue by Andrew Zilber The Best of the New Zorker The above books are marked with a bookmark, paper clip, ribbon and elastic band to prevent the player from searching further through the book. Four additional books lay on the back portion of the long table and cannot be opened. Booze Miller: Great Underground Empire Toasts Homer: The Odyssey Marc Blank: History of the World Dave Lebling: The True History of the World One book, hand written, is on the long table. It is the Thief's diary from Zork I. [CB TO INSERT TEXT FROM DIARY]	TEMPLE LIBRARY BOOK Excerpt from My Best Excesses -- By Lord Dimwit Flathead (DIVIDE INTO TWO PAGES AT WILL) I remain convinced that the ninety-eight per cent tax rate is a mere pittance, and that nothing worth doing in this empire can be done for any less than a full hundred per cent! My next two or three thousand Tax Bills should further illumine my so immensely keen feelings on this subject; suffice it to say that the forward-thinking legislation of the Analecta Loowitica XXII, xvi, shall stand: Analecta Loowitica XXII, xvi, 4 Dismembur 788 The Lord Dimwit Flathead to the People of Quendor: Anyone witholding payment of all taxes decreed before this date shall be killed along with everyone they have ever met. [unfortunately, the designers of Zork Nemesis had not clue what they were doing -- this excerpt from the Analecta Loowitica, which was borrowed from Ruffini's unpublished "History of Quendor", was a book written after the death of Dimwit Flathead which was an attempt to ammend all the outrageous laws that Dimwit made. Because of this error, this makes this book Pseudopigrapha by an author imitating Dimwit who lived after the reign ofLoowit Flathead] I have known my share of detractors. A ruler so excessively wise, so excessively handsome, so excessively flat as myself will always find himself the subject of pernicious slander. There always will be some who lack the vision. Some who think we cannot afford (plebeian concept!) to erect a new continent in my own excellent image. ome who doubt we require (as if that were the issue!) an underground Flood Control Dam, where there is no rain. As if the inspired work of a philosopher king was to be governed by the vicissitudes of the weather! I am convinced however, that the statue of my royal selfness that I am erecting in the Fublio Valley, will be my most excellent excess -- my haute excess, my opus excess magnus flatus! Nine bloits high and counting, the sheer impact of the visage, of my regal nez, when the sun is setting just behind this generous protuberance -- leaves nothing to the imagination... (CUT FROM THE BOTTOM) TEMPLE LIBRARY BOOK TM2HB1 Excerpt from Float, Fluoresce and Freeze: My Life in Magic -- by the Wizard of Frobozz The work of a Wizard is not as easy as commonly thought. You must understand, as I'm sure you do or soon will in the event that you refuse to now, which is not, as it were, a judgment on my part, insomuch as it is a kind of paranoia on yours, which is not to say that you are, I believe, in possession of a suspicious nature, of which you may or may not be, in either case, and needless to say, that is your affair, rather than mine, but I digress from the original point, being, and I mean, at this juncture, "original" in the sense of "original to my thesis," a disclaimer that I hasten to add in the slight yet problematic possibility that one would mistruefully and woefully assume that I understood the original point of this whole business, this whole affair, this whole empire, you know, since the dawning of man, the threshold of time, the creation of Zork, etc. etc. and so forth and so you see, there are, in actuality, Rigors. Well, I use the term loosely. There are, of course, the old stand-bys -- the general education, the stuff of freshman year coursework at any accredited Thaumaturgical College. Speaking of which, you must have a care never to employ the Fifmia -- or was it Zifmia? -- spells, unless you are attempting to, or are just ambivalent in the event that you would indeed, halt time, or was it magically summon a being? -- on which occasion you would also want to invoke the whole group of Firgol Fumzo incantations -- or was it Girgol Mumzo? -- which will in any case accomplish either of the above and quite possibly also destroy a mongoose. Now that you've mentioned mongoose, or perhaps, mongeese, I am recalling an incident in my early apprenticeship that involves a wizard, a platypus, and too much Accardian cordial. And, I suppose a mongoose, which is why I am recalling it, but I cannot for all Zork remember what that poor creature has to do with the unraveling of my tale, except for that it is at once very witty and also very informative. Which is why I am called Wizard, meaning at its root, "one who is wise," or perhaps "wiz," I forget now, but in either case, that is what I am called. (CUT FROM THE TOP BUT READ IT FIRST OR IT MIGHT MAKE EVEN LESS OR NO SENSE AT ALL) TEMPLE LIBRARY BOOK TM2GB1 Excerpt from Interview with a Grue -- by Andrew Zilber. LEFT SIDE: Black Box with the inscription "A Grue." Excerpt from Interview with a Grue -- by Andrew Zilber. could make out just his profile in the darkness, the barest glint of his razor claws, the faintest gurgle of his fetid breath. The air in the room lay deadly still, thick with the stench of a Grue in confinement. I took a step closer, and was about to introduce myself, when suddenly the gurgling grew louder -- and then a sort of gnashing of great teeth -- and lo! -- the hulking bully drew a gleaming bone from his jaws, and tossed it to the floor with a grunt. It clattered at my feet, and as I looked down, I saw that it still bore a delicate silver bracelet, wrapped around what once was a slender arm. At that moment, I prayed to the Implementors that of all my assignments as a journalist, this would be only my most repugnant, or perhaps my most difficult -- but, please Yoruk, make it not my last. TEMPLE LIBRARY BOOK TM2JB1 Excerpt from The Best of The New Zorker: (INCLUDE COLUMN TITLE "GOINGS ON..." ON LEFT PAGE. DIVIDE THE RIGHT PAGE WHEREVER YOU WANT.) Goings On About the Empire Are the recently evacuated "Forbidden Lands" really cursed? Or is Regent Syovar simply becoming paranoid, now that the Enchanters' Guild composes the first substantial challenge to his political supremacy? The theory of the curse seems legitimated by the dark series of earthquakes, draughts, missing persons, and general ill-humor of the inhabitants of the region following the Great Eclipse. Though the Guild denies responsibility for any black magic in the region, the disappearance of General Kaine from Irondune suggests political conspiracy. And since we all know the trolls, orcs and gnomes of the Flathead Mountains are only waiting for the slightest hint of civil strife to stake their own claim to that corner of the Empire, the clock is ticking on the Forbidden Lands. I made a small journey to the desolate region south of Aragain, venturing southwest of the Frigid River, to find out for myself. By the time I had travelled three days south of the Frigid River, the changes that the so-called "curse" has wreaked upon the land in the last five years were immediately apparent. Immense scars and patches of burnt land surrounded me on all sides, as if the Implementors had tormented the province with an unceasing series of lightning and firestorms. Giant Corbies circled overhead, menacingly, already waiting for me to collapse in exhaustion. The few chance encounters I had with local inhabitants of the region seemed to support Vice Regent Syovar's claim of a spreading plague of madness -- yet all with whom I spoke seemed to blame not Ellron, and not the Enchanter's guild, but some dark figure of evil they would only refer to as "the Nemesis." Excerpt from The Best of The New Zorker: Goings On About the Empire Leeza Flathead, daughter of the late Elvis Flathead and heir to a fortune in zorkmids, announced this week that she is separating from her husband of seventeen months, Michael Saxon. Married last Dismembur at Aragain Falls, Saxon disappeared during their honeymoon at the labyrinthine Tunnels of Love, and has never been found. Granola prices skyrocketed as mining production slows to an historic low. Not since Megaboz destroyed the house of Flathead has such a pernicious curse fallen over the land. On the subject, J. Lemmo has been headlining with his act – “Curse of the Forbidden Lands” -- at the Bozbarland and Port Foozles Casinos: The Forbidden Lands are so cursed -- How cursed are they? They're so cursed they'd go to bed with a brogmoid and consider themselves lucky. Actors from the hit show Frobozz Friends will be signing manuscripts at the Aragain [an alternate draft (not sure if an earlier or later one) of this letter instead has "They're so cursed that they'd sit down to a plate of grouperfish casserole with a brogmoid and a grue and consider themselves lucky."] NEW BOOK (CUT AND PASTE FROM ELSEWHERE) IN LIBRARY WITH MARGINALIA CLUE entitled: The Alchemy of Pure Love (LEFT PAGE) There is a thing confusedly formed, Born before heaven and earth. Silent and void, It stands alone and does not change, Goes round and does not weary. It is capable of being the mother of the world. Pure Love, the willing and eternal Joining of two Souls, is the fifth element -- the Quintessence, or the Philosopher's Stone. The Sun and Moon are two Magicall Principles, one active, the other passive, this Masculine, that Femenine. There is not a compound in all Nature but hath in it these Two Luminaries -- a little Sun, and a little Moon. NEW BOOK FOR TEMPLE LIBRARY - THIS IS ONE OF TWO BOOKS THAT JACK AND I TALKED ABOUT NEEDING A CLOSED BOOK ESTABLISHING SHOT. THE OTHER IS THE ALCHEMY OF PURE LOVE WHICH YOU ALREADY DID THE INSIDE. OUTSIDE TITLE: Astrology for a New Age, or ASTROLOGY, or nothing. It doesn’t matter. TITLE PAGE: Astrology for a New Age: the Brogmoid Fallacy, or Why the Earth is not Flat After All. By Dr. Curl Zaygan, PhZ. Chaos House Press LEFT PAGE: We need to somehow lift a picture of each of the planets from the Orrery Room and cut and paste the pictures of the various planets into this book because nobody can solve that puzzle because nobody knows what planet looks like what. The planets should be labeled SUN MOON EARTH (Maybe with a note and arrow “You are Here” which would be like a joke. VENUS JUPITER MARS SATURN And next to Mars should be scribbled, in “TREEFROG” (Nemesis handwriting), the name “Kaine.” (Only not in quotes.) Next to Venus, “Sophia.” Next to Saturn, “Malveaux.” Next to Jupiter, “Sartorius.” RIGHT PAGE: AN INVITATION: We invite all the citizens of the Empire to read this book, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask the Implementors, in the name of Yoruk himself, if it is not undeniably, irrefutably and without doubtably True. Those who pursue this course, the right and proper course of Science and Progress, rather than clinging to the older tenets of the fearful and folkish Brogmoidism, will find Witness that the Earth is indeed not supported on the shoulders of a Great Brogmoid, and that it is not simply the good nature of this one Fellow that keeps it and us from falling into the Great Void. How any portion of this otherwise enlightened Empire has thought this generous fellow - a Zillion times larger than the usual Brogmoid - to be of such universal purport, is beyond contemplation by the Writer of this text. Brogmoids are, as you know, squat and hairy, with the intelligence of an above-average hungus, or a slow child. While they are certainly handy in the event of moving a sofa or plowing NEMESIS JOURNAL - TO BE CREATED - IN THE ALCHEMY LAB [although apparently intended, close to the final game, to make an appearance in the alchemy lab, the final version kept true to the original design documents and remained in the library] 6 Mumberbur From their sarcophagi, they will tell me nothing: I have all but ripped their throats out, so that is to be expected. How many threats can you can use upon the dead? It sickens me to live here, a Daemon trapped in a temple. But I must finish their work, and fuel my hate with the power of the Quintessence. 22 Frobuary This much I have learned: when I possess the four elements, I can begin to create the fifth - the Quintessence - of which little is certain, except that it requires the purification of certain alchemical metals. Its power knows no bounds. When it is finally brought to the Empire, there will be a sign in the heavens - the union of light and shadow, sun and moon - the Great Eclipse. Then I will rule all Zork in darkness 15 Mage The earth beneath my feet does nothing. The air I breath does nothing. The fire I make at the hearth does nothing. The water I bathe in does nothing. Perhaps there is but one air, but one fire, but one water, and one earth, that constitutes the quint essentia. I will go drag a burning poker up and down Malveaux's rotting back, and see if he won't scream out something helpful. 25 Augur I ransacked the Doctor's Asylum today, and while I was letting the blood flow in his halls, I found a revealing notebook. Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Tin, Lead, Copper and Iron. Four are hidden in the Temple. Four are not. If I can recover them all, I can summons the Quintessence. But finally, it will be wasted effort if I cannot discover the transformative element, the fifth element. I have searched many books - but Philosophers disagree as to the nature of that element. The strongest power in my universe is hatred and wrath. There is nothing that cannot be tortured into existence, of that I am certain. MARGINALIA CLUE (RIGHT PAGE) scribbled on the back of an overturned page "Note: explore this further in lab."	Although the world is in fact flat, and brogmoidism true, this is no longer commonly believed. In keeping with this fact, the following would be an ironic inaccuracy to put on a label or plaque at the base of the globe: Since Zorbius Blattus and his brilliant refutation of the ancient superstitions concerning the flatness of the world, our minds have been liberated to view our world in the light of the glory of the sphere. Frobozz Magic Globe Company This is of course provided that you do not change the orrery to look like the more realistic astronomical model you mention later. The following are Zorkian constellations mentioned in Robin Bailey's Lost City of Zork that could be included in the star charts, although what they look like and how many stars they contain is largely at your discretion: The Jester, Entharion's Hair, and The Great Wheel, with the hub-star known as Bobol. Something like the following would be a reasonable label for the Royal Puzzle replication: The Magnificent Royal Puzzle, commissioned by His Royal Highness Lord Dimwit Flathead in 776 GUE for Our Royal Museum. The four books that the player can open could cause a few problems. It is not known whether or not Dimwit Flathead wrote an autobiography, but it would certainly be in keeping with his personality. Rather then tarnish the player's expectations with actual excerpts of his writing, it would be more amusing I think to be able to see only the table of contents, or one section of it. It would of course be very long and involved, detailing one stupendous feat after another in chapter after painful chapter, thousands of pages long. The Wizard of Frobozz book should be handled with care; it seems to me that the poor wizard must have had a real name, and would probably not go by what I would assume to be only a nickname. To avoid confusion, then, do not show the name of the author on the outside portion of the book, but reveal his identity instead in a senile and confused passage that mentions the inadvertant destruction of Dimwit's castle by turning it all into a pile of fudge. The Interview with a Grue in particular strikes me as HIGHLY unlikely. Although the author's name seems reasonable and could be kept, the book itself should probably be replaced with something more realistic, like An Interview with a Brogmoid, or 1001 Case Studies of Brogmoids in the Wild, and would be replete with references to the amazing stupidity of the average brogmoid, its attempts to eat rocks for food, and its general inability to fend for itself in the wild. In the listing of the four additional books, the last two are -great-. The first one actually would not yet have been written, and should be replaced with something like: Gustar Woomax, A Brief History of Magic, OR Froboz Mumbar, The Great Underground Empire: A History. The second book stands out as a little random and a little too much like the real world. A possible replacement, still containing a reference to classical literature, could be: Froblivius, The Life of Thaddium Fzort. As far as the thief's diary, the most important thing to be careful with are dates. I will comment later in this report on my feeling that the conflict between Lucien and the four alchemists cannot have happened that far in the past, and certainly not as long ago as the fall of the empire. In fact, I'd be hesitant to say that any of the final bloody showdown happened any farther in the past than 946 or 947. At any rate, anything having to do with the thief's encounters with the Zork I player, the Zork I troll, or even the Dungeon Master would have to be in 948. Earlier, I suggested replacing the Year of the Misuse with something like 3 Estuary 948. If you use this, then any date in the diary would have to be after this point, but far before 949. It would be nice to see references to the secret tunnels that the thief obviously had mastery of, as well as brief comments at the end of his diary, right before his death, mentioning his feelings and impressions of the Zork I player that will eventually kill him.
6.06.01 The Zork I Secret Level A painting of the White House of Zork is on the large globe. Clicking on the house (which will be a very, very small part of the globe) causes the globe to spin. A black screen bordered by grass is revealed followed by the opening words to Zork I. From here, the entire Zork I game can be played, complete with Saved Games. The player can even play part of the game, work on Nemesis and return to Zork I.	6.06.01 The Zork I Secret Level A painting of the White House of Zork is on the large globe. Clicking on the house (which will be a Very, very small part of the globe) causes the globe to spin. A black screen bordered by grass is revealed followed by the opening words to Zork I. From here, the entire Zork I game can be played, complete with Saved Games. The player can even play part of the game, work on Nemesis and return to Zork I.
6.06.02 The Orb of the Future & The Dagger A red orb rests on a black pedestal labeled "Orb of the Future." If the player clicks on the orb, she is presented with a close up view of the orb. A clip from Return to Zork plays back within the orb [video_actor]. When it finishes, or the player cancels playback, the player's view is returned to the room view. Next to it stands a dagger which animates and glows when the player clicks on it. the unique design of the blade indicates to the player that this is the same dagger that the dark figure pulled out of his stomach in the opening sequence of the game.	6.06.02 The Orb of the Future & The Dagger On a shelf stands a dagger which animates and glows when the player clicks on it. the unique design of the blade indicates to the player that this is the same dagger that the dark figure pulled out of his stomach in the opening sequence of the game.
6.07 The Remainder of the Temple Space There are a few other areas in the temple: Two minarets, the garden and the vault. These will be described in detail in the Element Puzzle Sets, beginning on page 46.	6.07 The Remainder of the Temple Space There are a few other areas in the temple: Two minarets, the garden and the vault. These will be described in detail in the Element Puzzle Sets, beginning on page 35.
6.08 Subsequent Element Requests We can return to each sarcophagus after visiting other areas of the temple. But now if the player clicks on the sarcophagi without having recovered the element for that character, the shrouds fall away, revealing the faces of the Alchemists. They speak in the strained voices of the dying.	16.08 Subsequent Element Requests We can return to each sarcophagus after visiting other areas of the temple. If the player clicks on the sarcophagi without having recovered the element for that character, the Alchemists speak in the strained voices of the dying.
6.08.01 Sophia's Subsequent Element Request ON SOPHIA'S SARCOPHAGUS -- Her eyes flutter open -- she is in great distress. SOPHIA Good -- you're still alive. Please, you must hurry. He knows you are here. He wants our knowledge -- the quintessence. Alchemy and the science of the correspondences -- it is your only hope.	6.08.01 Sophia's Subsequent Element Request ON SOPHIA'S SARCOPHAGUS -- Her eyes flutter open -- she is in great distress. SOPHIA Good -- you're still alive. Please, you must hurry. He knows you are here. He wants our knowledge -- the quintessence. Alchemy and the science of the correspondences -- it is your only hope.
6.08.02 Malveaux's Subsequent Element Request ON MALVEAUX'S SARCOPHAGUS -- Malveaux covers his eyes with his hands, frightened, as the shroud falls from his face. Peers out from between his fingers, then smiles at us, relieved, squinting in the light. He lowers his hands. MALVEAUX Say pilgrim, good friend -- stop creeping up on me like a grue in the dark. The Evil One... stole the essences... the secret to our alchemy. Now he tortures our spirits. I am getting weaker but I am not ready to die. Earth, air, water and fire. My fire. Find them all -and you'll see. Go quickly.	6.08.02 Malveaux's Subsequent Element Request ON MALVEAUX'S SARCOPHAGUS -- Malveaux covers his eyes with his hands, frightened, as the shroud falls from his face. Peers out from between his fingers, then smiles at us, relieved, squinting in the light. He lowers his hands. MALVEAUX Say pilgrim, good friend -- stop creeping up on me like a grue in the dark. The Evil One... stole the essences... the secret to our alchemy. Now he tortures our spirits. I am getting weaker but I am not ready to die. Earth, air, water and fire. My fire. Find them all -and you'll see. Go quickly.		Would Malveaux and Sartorius be refering to their good friend's son as The Evil One and the Nemesis? This seems to be a consistent quirk in the continuity of this document.
6.08.03 Sartorius' Subsequent Element Request ON SARTORIUS' SARCOPHAGUS -- His eyes pop open with a mad gleam. One hand clutches his neck, he struggles to breathe. SARTORIUS (opens eyes - gasping) The philosopher's stone. The Nemesis will kill for it. Stop him and you will see what has never been seen -- the great lost secrets of the Empire. Bring the elements -- my air.	6.08.03 Sartorius' Subsequent Element Request ON SARTORIUS' SARCOPHAGUS -- His eyes pop open with a mad gleam. One hand clutches his neck, he struggles to breathe. SARTORIUS (opens eyes - gasping) The philosopher's stone. The Nemesis will kill for it. Stop him and you will see what has never been seen -- the great lost secrets of the Empire. Bring the elements -- my air.
6.08.04 Kaine's Subsequent Element Request ON KAINE'S SARCOPHAGUS -- Kaine bursts his shroud open with his fists, opens his eyes. Stares at the player -- looking us up and down. Then, he rolls his eyes. Disgusted. KAINE Merciful God! I struggle here for aeons... and who do you send me? (wincing, then hopefully) Do you have any magic about you? Are you an alchemist? He stares at us for a beat. Then closes his eyes, pained. KAINE I thought as much. My earth element will remain lost. And my son, Lucien unavenged.	6.08.04 Kaine's Subsequent Element Request ON KAINE'S SARCOPHAGUS -- Kaine bursts his shroud open with his fists, opens his eyes. Stares at the player -- looking us up and down. Then, he rolls his eyes. Disgusted. KAINE Merciful God! I struggle here for aeons... and who do you send me? (wincing, then hopefully) Do you have any magic about you? Are you an alchemist? He stares at us for a beat. Then closes his eyes, pained. KAINE I thought as much. My earth element will remain lost. And my son, Lucien unavenged.		I would suggest replacing Kaine's exclamation of "Merciful God!" with "Merciful Implementors!"