Everything You Wanted To Know About Servants
(But Were Too Smart To Summon One)
Well, OK, not even close to everything. But it's a cute if
overused title, so I'm keeping it. I'm letting the story--with its
world and its inhabitants--stand mostly on its own. More is less, I
feel in this case. So I won't be presenting a "The Ecology of The
Chronicled Djinni" type article Dragon magazine made famous years ago.
But as is sometimes the case with interactive fiction (IF), the
interface may get in the way. By interface, I mean the conveyance of
my game world in a way you can understand and respond to accordingly.
You may, within that interface, miss (what I thought was) a
straightforward objective. Sometimes your response, while clever and
appropriately phrased, may be dismissed as incorrect or irrelevant
because the code or story didn't account for it.
What is easy to solve for one is impossibly frustrating for another.
However, even the level and extent of hints needed or wanted will vary
from one to another. One person may just want one answer to get on
track. Another person may be judging this game for the Comp, is on
game number 60 (I'm doing a little wishful thinking), and just wants
to get through it to see that it "works." Thus, I separated this
guide into three sections:
1. Answers to questions for each stage of the game. These aren't
encrypted or anything, so be careful when looking through them.
2. A walkthrough that does only that, but... bear in mind the impact
of the story depends on being involved with the game itself. I'd
warn you not to look at this at all until you've completed the game,
but I'd probably be wasting my Purpose. This game is not difficult
as these things go, so hang in there.
3. A walkthrough that simulates a session of someone playing the game
with the author looking over her shoulder. Complete with wise guy
comments. More for your own post-game amusement than anything else,
but it may cast a new light on a few aspects of the game. It's also a
reminder for me not to take all this too seriously even if the game
itself is supposed to be rather grim and that I want to place well in
the Comp.
This is not at all a primer for IF in general--E is east, and that
sort of thing. There are sources out there (some are listed at the
IF-Comp site) to get you started if you are a beginner.
Hoping the overall IF-Comp 2000 experience is an *implosion of
Satisfaction* for you,
Jim Berry
*******************************
1. Answers for each scenario:
*******************************
Scenario 1 - Seegan
Q: How do I grant her wish?
A: First you need to "talk to Seegan" to explain the rules. Then
after she wishes, "grant wish." Follow the steps from there.
Q: How do I gain Purpose?
A: You need only enough Purpose to grant your wish and return to
your container (assuming you can't break your dependence on
summonings (and you can't.)) You can gain some back before
you've granted the wish by being in the same room as Seegan (and
not channeling anything.)
Q: Where is my container?
A: Your container is the ring being worn by Seegan.
Q: How do I return to my container?
A: Type "enter ring".
Nothing else is really needed for this first scenario, but you
can look around with the limited Purpose you do have to shed more
light on the game.
Scenario 2 - Seegan
Q: I tried to grant the wish, but something is missing.
A: You need the Deed of Nobility found east then southeast from the
main vault.
Q: How come I can't return to my container?
A: Either you haven't fulfilled the wish OR you have too much
Purpose. As you will come to find out, there are other
containers that support more. If you have too much, you can
wander about outside until you get down to the container's
maximum (be careful not to stray too far.)
Scenario 3 - Seegan
Q: I don't have enough Purpose!
A: Make sure you grant the wish. You should have over 6000 if you
do.
Q: What container will I use if my summoner won't accompany me?
A: What container do you normally associate with djinnis? It even
has your name on it.
Q: I'm not sure what I need to do.
A: The necklace will give you a clue.
Q: I'm still not sure.
A: Go down several times from that room.
Scenario 4 - Labiiq
Q: I'm not sure what I need to do.
A: Follow the nature of these kinds of servants--destroy, attack,
burn.
Q: Where's my container this time?
A: Labiiq has your bottle.
Scenario 5 - Labiiq
Q: What now?
A: The first thing to do is head for the excavation site.
Q: I don't have a lot of Purpose to do what I need to do.
A: Destroy the site and you will have enough to get you to the
ruined vaults.
Q: Purpose runs out quickly. What do I need to do?
A: You should get a message of the sense of urgency involved and a
solution. Go east and open the box.
Q: How do I finish this scenario?
A: Even if you hadn't played the first section, the necklace heading
down is a clue. Go down several times and enter the necklace.
Scenario 6 -- Sela
Q: Was I missing anything?
A: No. You're just supposed to get introduced to the new section.
Scenario 7 -- Sela
Q: What do I need to do?
A: You can now move things in your reflected world that have an
impact on the human world. Some things won't have an impact on
your goal. Other things will prevent Sela from reaching her (and
your) destination. Move them.
*************************
2. The quick walkthrough
*************************
> talk to Seegan
> wait
(until Seegan specifies her wish-should be usually only a turn or two)
> grant wish
> 2
> enter ring
-------end scenario 1
> talk to Seegan
> e
> se
> get deed
> n
> n
> get lamp
> sw
> w
> grant wish
> enter lamp
-------end scenario 2
> grant wish
> ne
> d
> d
> d
> d
> enter lamp
-------end scenario 3
> e
> destroy logs
> sw
> destroy supplies
> n
> enter bottle
-------end scenario 4
> sw
> w
> destroy site
> d
> d
> get necklace
> e
> open box
> w
> d
> d
> d
> d
> enter necklace
-------end scenario 5
> x mirror
> x sela
> x reflection
-------end scenario 6
> look
> x apple
> move it
> x closet door
> move it
> wait
> wait
> move bearded guard
> move guard
-------end game
****************************
3. A wise guy walkthrough:
****************************
> x summoner
Comment: Hey, are you trying to say she's ugly?
Reply: If the horseshoe fits...
> x physical
Comment: So, I can see the undercurrents of the world?
Reply: Your previous summoner was Lorraine, but you can see
clearly now that she's gone.
> x emotional
Comment: She's troubled!
Reply: Very insightful, Doctor Watson.
Comment: Hey, my Purpose runs down quickly when I stray too far
from my summoner!
Reply: Uh, yeah, you think?
> e
> e
Comment: Hey, I can gain some back if I stay close.
Reply: Uh, yeah. For awhile anyway.
> get emerald
Comment: What's this channeling stuff all about?
Reply: You aren't actually taking the object. Kind of like a
pointer in programming languages except not as geeky.
> eat emerald
Reply: When you consume, you make a con out of Sue and me.
Comment: That barely makes sense.
Reply: I know, but I wanted to fit my wife's name in here
somewhere.
> n
Comment: Why for I go where I no want go?
Reply: As a learning exercise. But hey, you went through a
wall. There's something to be said for that isn't there?
> drop emerald
Comment: How come you made me sound stupid in the last comment?
Reply: Never mind that, what's your next comment?
Comment: Oh... when I drop stuff, that stuff is not always where I
dropped it. I thought that was a bug.
Reply: The only bug is the Volkswagen eight souths from here.
(I'll wait for you to 'restore' your lost existence...)
You linked the object when you "took" it. Thus only your
link is dropped when you "drop" it. The object
didn't move in that case.
Comment: Then how is the lamp on the pedestal for the boy to
choose if you're only linking it?
Reply: Reading ahead, eh? It's a fantastic reality, this world,
the twilight zone between cleverly warped perspectives
and lame excuses. You replace the point of origin of
the object, in this case.
> s
> talk to Seegan
Comment: Oh, I see, I'm getting some idea how Purpose works.
There might even be some rules involved!
Reply: You're a smart one, I can tell.
> wait
Comment: <sarcastically> Yeah, waiting is always fun.
Reply: Well if you were playing this game and not walking
through it, you would have found something to do instead.
And it would have seemed at least somewhat more
interesting.
Comment: Beautiful? She's stuck here in the middle of nowhere and
that's what she wishes for?
Reply: Cool your wings, grasshopper. You will see the reasoning
in time. For now, let's say she's got a way about her.
You don't know what it is, but you know you can't live
without her. Almost literally.
> grant her wish
Comment: I hope to foster a kinder, gentler human/servant
relationship by doing this.
Reply: So it's *you* who is behind those foster grants.
> 1
Comment: Nothing quite says werefox like typing in the number one.
Reply: "With abstractions like that, who needs enemas?" is what
you're saying?
> x her
Comment: She got a purdy mouth, now.
Reply: Deliver me from this player!
> enter ring
Comment: Contain *THIS*, little old lady who should go *&^%$!
herself.
Reply: I didn't know you could yodel.
-------end scenario 1
Comment: I'll spare you the Rolling Stones song.
Reply: You are most kind.
> talk to her
Comment: Sheesh, is that ALL she wants?
Reply: You're just mad she phrased it accurately.
Comment: But not in the form of a question, Alex.
Reply: I'll take annoying players for $200.
> grant wish
Comment: Back to the game at hand, I see I can't always fulfill
the wish right away.
Reply: Correct. One theory of the goings-on might be that the
djinni worked out of this vault for awhile or was somehow
tied to it. Greed dominating most wishes, it was a safe
bet he didn't have to expend much Purpose manipulating
the undercurrents-he could just get whatever treasure
was needed. Just one theory, mind you.
> e
> se
Comment: I love knowing exactly where to go.
Reply: Didja notice you avoid damage from traps too? Didja huh?
Comment: I make it a point never to read the initial text before
a room. It makes for more challenging gameplay.
> get paper
Comment: I'm glad that's not my container and that I don't have
to enter it.
Reply: Indeed.
> n
> n
> get lamp
Comment: Will I need this as a light source?
Reply: You don't light to see by, and you CREATE grues. You da
djinni.
> sw
Comment: Hey, I circumvent a lot of Purpose lost by these
shortcuts...
Reply: Yes, but... ?
Comment: Why then can't I go UNE for up northeast, or DN for
down north?
Reply: Design considerations for a two-hour game. Too
complicated to learn in that period of time.
Comment: Mimesis, thy name is not Abstraction.
> w
Comment: Is she still here?
> give her the deed
Comment: On the premise no good deed goes unpunished?
Reply: No, Comment.
> enter lamp
Comment: What's in a name?
Reply: You.
-------end scenario 2
> x her
Comment: This is an EX summoner.
Reply: I'd better replace her then.
> grant wish
Comment: I know I'm not little, but she could have wished
for me, her djinni, to be her acrobat and/or her lover.
I'm mean I've got so much love.
Reply: But, Rocketman, look at all your Purpose.
Comment: Hey, you're right. Maybe I can learn a word in Spanish,
now. Or two.
Reply: Don't go breakin' anyone's heart, if you do.
Comment: I couldn't if I tried.
Reply: Don't go out and destroy the world
Comment: Baby, I'm not that kind.
Reply: Oh, oh... well, nobody knows it.
> ne
Comment: Or maybe I'll just head northeast.
> get necklace
Comment: A clue, a clue!
Reply: What, you see a grue?!
Comment: No! There's a clawprint pointing DOWN on that necklace!
Reply: Oh... you see a CLUE. Well, we need our handy-dandy
<ting> script buffer. And now we have all three clues!
We need our <blam> thinking throne. What could this
djinni want to do with a lamp, a clawprint pointing
down and a chance at freedom?
Comment: Descend to the Room of Choices as Destiny would appear
to ordain, thus keeping with the spirit of the story!!!
Reply: Kid, you just figured out Grue's clues, cuz you're
really smart. Yeah. Now let's go to that room that
just might give us our freedom.
> d (x4)
Comment: Under the necklace. Nowhere to flee. Got no Purpose,
just my lamp now. So that's where I'll be.
> enter lamp
-------end scenario 3
Comment: I'm not the same type of servant, am I?
Reply: And this isn't Aksarben anymore, Toto.
> crush, crumble, chomp
Reply: This ain't no dino-comp.
> destroy tent
Comment: What the...
Reply: Unlike the others, that tent actually WAS inspected
by number 12.
> w
Comment: Well, I might as well as get this over with...
Reply: I know, I know, it's midnight here, isn't it?
> destroy water
Comment: If H2O is water, what's H2O4?
Reply: Drinking. <rim shot>
> e
Comment: He looked into a hand mirror. Hmmm... where did I see
that before?
Reply: Very observant, Miss Marple.
> e
Comment: Bulwark? That sounds like a bad punchline to a Lone
Ranger joke.
> burn logs
Comment: What manner of man am I that can summon up fire without
flint or tinder?
> w
Comment: Wait, shouldn't that be Major NELSON?
Reply: We voted on that. The name Labiiq won because the I's
had it.
Comment: I guess I should be thankful Baboo isn't here.
> enter bottle
Comment: If I could save myself in a bottle. The first thing
that I'd like to do? Is to save every game until a
software glitch makes the Purpose drain go away, just
to gain my own freedom. There never seems to be
enough Purpose to do the things you want to do once
you've been integrated.
Reply: You're a bad, bad player. Baddest player in the whole
damn town. Couldn't guess a verb that gonged.
Sadder than a naked clown.
-------end scenario 4
> sw
Comment: What? No teleport?
> w
> destroy site
Comment: Pick up the oasis and die?
> d
> d
> buy necklace
Reply: If you have to ask how much that necklace costs to
channel, you probably can't afford it.
> get necklace
Comment: I've figured it out. The butler did it. Servant,
butler... I mean, c'mon!
> e
Comment: Again with the e.
Reply: Most of the great games have an east in them somewhere.
Comment: Very insightful, Sid Meier.
> open box
Comment: Getting a bit linear now are we?
Reply: It's called pace, picante sauce.
Comment: In that case, your game is from New York City.
> w
Comment: I wanted one of those!
Reply: Cut and paste this then: *magic carpet*
> d
> d
> d
Comment: I went down, down, down... to that ring of Destiny.
That ring of Destiny.
> d
Comment: And one more for good luck.
> enter necklace
Reply: And dontcha come back no more no more no more no more...
Comment: I can't BREATHE in this thing.
Reply: Luckily you don't have to.
Comment: Good authors don't end their sentences with a preposition.
Reply: Luckily you don't have to, buttwipe.
-------end scenario 5
Comment: Anyone got some Windex to clean up this act?
Reply: It's a reflection of the way life used to be.
Comment: I don't DO windows.
Reply: Well, you're gonna...
> x her
Comment: As good-looking as ever.
Reply: When you think about her you touch yourself. You
actually do.
> x mirror
Comment: Somebody get me some Camus to cheer me up from this
place.
> x reflection
Reply: You are about to be witness to an examination. Several
of you have decided to test your skill against this game.
But be you active player or passive walkthrough wuss, be
prepared. For you have just been invited... to an
abstracted fantasy tale.
Comment: <bows> Thank you, inquizitor.
-------end scenario 6
> x apple
Comment: I said poisson not poison.
Reply: But sir, fish doesn't GO with apples. Might I recommend
a light yet brisk Arsenic?
> move apple
Comment: Oooh. Ahhhhh.
Reply: It would be if you used your imagination. Tone is the
key here. The scene wouldn't have a lot of bells and
whistles. Understatement and all that. Build-up, baby,
build-up.
Comment: I loved it. I hated it. It was the best of shows, it
was the worst of shows. I didn't notice the slight lack
of interactivity because the wonderfully gray story
entertained in a refreshingly new way, but the major lack
of interactivity really bothered me in yet another
fantasy borefest. It was bug free, yet contained bugs
out the wazoo. J.D. Berry needs to keep writing and also
hang it up.
Reply: Thank you, Comp judge collective. I love you all and
one.
> x closet door
Comment: There is an outside and an inside and in between you have
the Doors.
Reply: What kind of apples have YOU been eating, Mister
Morrison?
> move closet door
Comment: Say, a reflective servant can't be a transvestite can he?
Reply: Well, you're neither a he nor a she. You're as sexless as
a married guy.
> exit
Reply: Can't do that... yet.
Comment: <huffy> Oh this mission's just IMPOSSIBLE.
> kiss her
Comment: In the history of kisses, there were five that stood out
as being the best. This one was not even anywhere
remotely close to any of those.
Reply: No huggy, no kissy, 'til she gets a djinni ring?
> move first guard
Comment: <Groucho voice> I knew when the guards were pulled, you
were running a sweep... but this is ridiculous.
Reply: It smells in here. Where's the Right Guard?
Comment: It might help her cause if she were on guard.
> move guard
Comment: I can't say the ending wasn't moving.
Reply: <rim shot>
