AURASCOPE by Square Peg (Zenobi Software 1992) This is one of the longest games I have ever played. While the premise is clear (you are to find 12 tokens to rebuild the Zodiac) the game is by no means straightforward. There are locations only available by boat or ship, and these provide shortcuts to some locations as well as being the only way to access other locations. Some locations are not available at the beginning of the game but emerge only later, so you often need to revisit places where certain exits were barred. Almost all objects (with the exception of the antidote) are necessary. There are some riddles to solve. Knowledge of mythology and the Zodiac (which objects could be tokens and which have other functions) is helpful. Much retracing of steps is necessary. One token (the horn) has another use. To solve some of the puzzles, you will need to look at people or objects in a different light and associate from there. All of the fox's hints are false, but they do tell you where you need to go. These objects for each of the signs of the Zodiac are: (some of these may be incorrect) Sagittarius - arrow Libra - scales Virgo - gown Leo - dandelion Cancer - claw Gemini - ring Taurus - sting Aries - goatskin Pisces - fish Aquarius - pitcher Capricorn - horn Typing HELP gives you some very general hints. The order you get the tokens is not prescribed and this walkthrough describes only one way. Maybe you can find a shorter way. Find a central location to drop objects. I used the ruins, se of the gates, hence this walkthrough frequently returns there. If you choose another location, your steps may vary. In this walkthrough, the first token is deposited in the hall (where you began). After that, deposits are made after several tokens are acquired. You may choose to do otherwise. INVENTORY (nothing), UP, EXAMINE TAPESTRY, TAKE IRON, IRON TAPESTRY (you get a needle), EXAMINE NEEDLE (magnetic), UP, HELP, ZODIAC, CONSTELLATION, DOWN, DOWN, EXAMINE PARAPHERNALIA, TAKE COMPASS, EXAMINE COMPASS (it hangs on a chain), PUT NEEDLE IN COMPASS, WEAR COMPASS, DROP IRON, GO OUT, E, LOOK IN CHEST (full of coins), TAKE COIN, W, N, N, N (the taxi driver wants cheering up - you will need a joke), S, S, E (you see Mercury sneezing - associate from his name - what do you think a person in his condition would need?), E, SE, SE. You meet a fox who, for a morsel, will give you hints. These are not true, but they tell you where you need to go. Go E, NE, N, N, E (you see a garden which will be useful later on), E (Venus sings s love song - what would a goddess of love appreciate?), W, NW, W, GO IN, S, EXAMINE BED, TAKE BOTTLE, N. Berenice wants a musical instrument to replace her keyboard for your having taken her water bottle. GO OUT, E, SE, S, GO IN, LOOK IN FREEZER, TAKE MORSEL, EXAMINE MORSEL, GO OUT, N, W, S, S, SW, W, NW, NW, W, W, W, NW (Perseus is supposed to rescue Andromeda. He has trouble opening the chest). Go NW, NE, N (Bootes needs protection from the Dragon's fire), S, SW, NW, NW, E, EXAMINE WINDOW, CLOSE SHUTTERS, LOOK, TAKE CROSS, EXAMINE CROSS (St. George's cross - it is a talisman against dragon fire), WEAR CROSS, W, NW, NE, UP, UP. Pluto tells you to pick a card. PICK CARD, PICK CARD, PICK CARD. These appear to be randomly determined. You may need to >save and restore' following each card you pick, or add another command. Otherwise Pluto will be busy and eventually leave. Go W, TAKE WAND, EXAMINE WAND (useful for opening magic locks). Go E, DOWN, DOWN, SW, SE, SE, SE, SE, SE, E, N, N, N, N (you are now protected from the Dragon's fire), NW (the hot water bottle protects you from the cold), NW, NE, SE, WAKE BEAR. He gives you three clues. You can answer anything for the first two. SATURN, TEMPERATURE, THERMOMETER (which you get). Go NW, SW, SE, SE, NE, EXAMINE CORPSE, MOVE CORPSE, TAKE SHIELD, EXAMINE SHIELD (fire resistant), SW, S, S, S, S, W, NW, (Perseus gives you the chest), OPEN CHEST (it's locked with a magic spell), WAVE WAND (the chest is unlocked), DROP WAND, NW, NE, N, GIVE SHIELD. Bootes tells you to call him if you have trouble with the Great Bear. Go S, SW, N, N, NE, CALL BOOTES (he dispatches the bear), NE, TAKE HONEY, SW, S, S, SE, TAKE CHEST, SE, E, E, GIVE THERMOMETER. He gives you a flask of Mercury's potion (remember that Mercury was a messenger and ran swiftly), EXAMINE FLASK (fast forward; max 20 doses), E, NE, TAKE PUPPY (he scampers away), SW, TAKE PUPPY, SE, TAKE PUPPY, NW, W, W, W, NW, NW, NE, NE, GO IN. The puppy rejoins his family and gives you a flea. It will make you itch and periodically you will need to SCRATCH or just ignore the itch. GO OUT, SW, SW, SE, SE, W, N (you see a lizard), NE, TAKE CAKE, EXAMINE CAKE, EAT CAKE. You now have muscles like rocks - this is a hint), SW, UP, UP, PUSH ROCK, LOOK IN HOLE (you see a spider's web), DOWN, DOWN, NE, TAKE WEB CAREFULLY, SW, UP, THROW WEB (the lizard offers you a juicy bug for his freedom). Go DOWN, S, E, E, E, DROP BOTTLE, E, NE, NE, E, E, SE, W, S, W, EXAMINE REEDS, TAKE CATGUT, S, STEAL LYRE, N, MEND LYRE. Go E, S, SW, W, NW, NW, W, W, W, W, NW (music soothes the savage beast?), PLAY LYRE (the lion falls asleep), DROP LYRE, NW, NE. You meet Mother Earth who asks you to rearrange "an odd line". This is an anagram: DANDELION. She gives it to you. EXAMINE DANDELION (it is a token), SW, SE, SE, E, SW, SW, DROP CHEST, SW, READ SIGN (no trespassing), W, TAKE WOOD, W (you see a Phoenix waiting), PUT WOOD ON PYRE, E, E, S, GO IN (a snake antidote is available for 1 Eon - if you wish to buy the antidote, make sure you get another coin from the bank), BUY ANTIDOTE, TAKE TUMS, EXAMINE TUMS (for an upset stomach), GO OUT, N, NE, TAKE CHEST, SE, SE, DROP ALL, E, SE, EXAMINE ARMOUR, LOOK THROUGH WINDOW, (tools), TAKE ARMOUR, THROW SUIT THROUGH WINDOW, NW, W, S, SE, EXAMINE TOOLS, TAKE ALL (the armour is too heavy), NW, N, DROP ALL, S, S, S, NW, SIT AT BAR, EXAMINE SPECTRUM (you aren't going anywhere - you see champagne, rum and a glass), POUR RUM (the spectre falls on the floor), TAKE CHAMPAGNE, SE, N, N, N, DROP CHAMPAGNE. Go S, SE, TAKE ARMOUR, NW, N, DROP ARMOUR, TAKE TUMS, SW, S, S, W, EXAMINE BUNDLE, UNTIE BUNDLE, EXAMINE SAIL (from the Argo), TAKE ROPE, E, S, W (you see a swordfish in agony), GIVE TUMS, TAKE KEY, EXAMINE KEY (for a large machine), E, N, W, TAKE CANVAS, E, N, N, NE, DROP ALL, TAKE ARMOUR, WEAR ARMOUR, SW, S, S, E, PULL PLANK, PULL PLANK (you are protected by the armour - you see a deck), EXAMINE DECK (it is the Argo), REMOVE ARMOUR, DROP ARMOUR, W, N, N, E, S, LOOK IN CANAL (you see a ladder), N, N, TAKE KEY, S, SE, E, EXAMINE CRANE. CLIMB LADDER, PUT KEY IN MACHINE (it works), W, NW, W, S (the crane knocks down a wall), S, W, TAKE SAIL, E, S, DROP SAIL, N, E, TAKE DECK, W, S, DROP DECK, N, E, STOP CRANE, CLIMB DOWN, W, N, N, NE, TAKE ROPE, S, S, LOOK IN CANAL, CLIMB DOWN, E (sharp object), DIG (you get a rusty scythe), W, CLIMB LADDER (you can't), TIE ROPE TO SCYTHE, CLIMB LADDER, PULL ROPE, TAKE SCYTHE, TAKE ROPE, N, W, S, S, E, E, E, CUT WEEDS (you uncover a structure and the scythe is changed), EXAMINE SCYTHE (property of Grim Reaper; if it roams, smack it hard and send it home), LOOK (you see a keel of a ship), SMACK SCYTHE (otherwise you cannot leave - it flies to its owner), W, W, DROP ROPE, CLIMB LADDER, PUT KEY IN MACHINE, E, E, E, TAKE KEEL, W, W, W, S, DROP KEEL (you have rebuilt the Argo), N, E, STOP CRANE, CLIMB DOWN, DROP KEY, TAKE ROPE, W, N. Go W, EXAMINE LEVER (air-pump), PULL LEVER (the wolf won't let you), E, N, NE, TAKE TONGS, TAKE BUCKET, SW, W, TAKE EMBER, PUT EMBER IN BUCKET, E, NE, NW, NW, SW, W, W, TAKE EMBER FROM BUCKET, LIGHT PYRE (the Phoenix is reduced to ashes and you are granted the temporary gift of Immortality), E, E, N (you get lightning), S, NE, SE, SE, SW, W (the furnace is now lit), E, NE, DROP BUCKET, DROP TONGS, TAKE DANDELION, NW, NW, NE, NE, E, S, E, TAKE COIN, W, GO IN, DROP DANDELION, GO OUT, N, W, SW, E, E, S, SW, SW, SE, CHASE VANDAL, TAKE CHISEL, E (you see Saturn's clock), E, N, GO IN (Uranus' crystal ball is cloudy), GO OUT, S, W, S, SW, HOLD NOSE, SE (the flies go off to the university), NW, QUIT HOLDING NOSE. Go NE, N, STOP CLOCK, W, NW, S, SW, E (you can get a free gift if you sort out "comic prose". This is another anagram), MICROSCOPE (you get it), W, N, SWOT FLIES (note the spelling - it is not swat), TAKE FLIES, S, NE, N, SE, E, S, S, GO IN (the flies stir), DROP FLIES (Saturn runs off), TAKE BEAKER, EXAMINE BEAKER (the elixir of life - someone who is close to the end of life might benefit from it), GO OUT, N, N, W, NW, NE, NE, N, W, W, SE, SE, DROP ALL, TAKE POTION. Go NW, NW, E, E, NE, N, N, N, NE, NE, NE, NE, E, S, S, S, W, W, SIT ON BENCH (you are offered a cup of Weasel's pee), TAKE CUP, E, S, S, SW, TURN HANDLE, TURN HANDLE, DRINK PEE, FILL CUP, NE, N, SE, E (you meet a hare who tells you there is something to the east, but you need to outrun him), DRINK POTION (the hare goes home, having lost - you see an oil drum), TAKE DRUM, W, W, NE, E (Mars gives you a chocolate bar), TAKE BAR, W (you get the Nobel Peace Prize), SW, NW, N, E, N, N, N, W, SW, SW, SW, SW, SW, S, S, S, SW, W, W, SE, SE, DROP DRUM, DROP ALL (you cannot drop the Peace Prize). TAKE BUG, TAKE MORSEL, TAKE HONEYPOT, TAKE CHEST, NW, NW, E, E, NE, N, N, N, NE, NE, NE, NE, NE (you see Andromeda but cannot reach her), W, W (you see a crow who wants a bug), GIVE BUG, HOP ON CROW (you see Cetus), CLOSE EYES, OPEN CHEST, TAKE HEAD FROM CHEST (Cetus is turned to stone), PUT HEAD IN CHEST, CLOSE CHEST, DROP CHEST, OPEN EYES (Andromeda is there. She tells you her father will give you a reward), W, SW, SW, SW, SW, SW, SW, W, W, NW, NW,, NW, NW, NW (the King gives you birdseed), EXAMINE BIRDSEED, N (the Toucan takes the bag and you pick up the cracked pitcher), S, EXAMINE PITCHER (it is a token), NE, UP, NE (Cassiopeia gives you a love poem), SW, SE, PULL ROPE, NW, DOWN, DOWN, TAKE TRIANGLE, EXAMINE TRIANGLE (it is a musical instrument). Go UP, SW, SE, SE, SE, SE, SE, E, E, E, NE, NE, E, E, SE, E, GIVE POEM. Venus reads it to you. Two words are missing. YOUR MUM. She gives you a white gown. EXAMINE GOWN (it is a token), W, W, S, S, SW, W, GIVE MORSEL. You get another hint. Keep returning to the freezer (E, NE, N, N, E, S, GO IN) and getting another morsel, until you get all the hints ("you will never survive the desert; Pegasus will never fly again; the Dragon is afraid of nothing; don't believe anything Uranus says". When you get a lettuce and tomato roll, don't return to the fox as you will need it for someone else). GO OUT (from the Freezer), N, NW, W, GO IN, GIVE TRIANGLE (Berenice drops a comb), TAKE COMB, COMB. HAIR (you now have the flea and can stop scratching), DROP COMB, GO OUT, W, SW, SW, W, W, S, GO IN, DROP GOWN, DROP PITCHER, GO OUT, N, E, S, S, S, SW, W, W, SE, SE, TAKE MICROSCOPE, PUT FLEA UNDER MICROSCOPE, TAKE STING, EXAMINE STING (it is a token), DROP MICROSCOPE, TAKE CUP, NW, NW, E, E, NE, N, N, N, E, SE, SE, E, E, GO IN (Jupiter needs mead), MIX WATER WITH HONEY, GIVE MEAD (you get a paper), EXAMINE PAPER (you have a joke), GO OUT, W, W, NW, NW, W, W, N, N, READ JOKE (you land on the Road to Desolation), NE, EXAMINE TREE, SAY ASUDE, PULL ARROW, EXAMINE ARROW (it is a token). Go SW, SW, S, S, S, GO IN, DROP ARROW, DROP STING, GO OUT, N, E, S, S, S, SW, W, W, SE, SE, DROP PAPER, TAKE CANVAS, TAKE CHISEL, TAKE CHAMPAGNE, TAKE OIL, SW, S, S, S, DOWN, GO ON SHIP, S (you can't), SMASH CHAMPAGNE, S, E, S, GET OFF, SHIP, S, W, GIVE CHISEL (he finishes the figurehead for the Argo), UP, GIVE CANVAS (you get paint and a brush), DOWN, E, N, GET ON SHIP, PAINT SHIP (the painter returns for his tools), N, E, SE, S, GET OFF SHIP, S, TAKE FLEECE, N, GET ON SHIP. Go N, E, NE, NE, N, NE, N, E. You see Neptune who tells you the waters are troubled. (Remember the phrase - pour oil over troubled waters?) POUR OIL (you get a net), N, E, S, GET OFF SHIP, S. Orion takes the fleece and gives you a goatskin. EXAMINE GOATSKIN (it is a token), N, GET ON SHIP, N, W, S, W, S, SW, N, GET OFF SHIP, N, NW, E, S, S, SW, FILL CUP, DROP CUP (you don't really need it unless you wish to explore the desert in detail), NE, N, N, W, SE, S, GET ON SHIP, S, S, SW, SW, W, NW, W, W, N, GET OFF SHIP, UP, N, N, N, NE, DROP GOATSKIN. Go NW, NW, SW, S, S, S (you hear about the Centaur), E (you see Hercules holding up Atlas' globe. He asks that you scratch his bum), SCRATCH BUM, SCRATCH BUM, SCRATCH BUM (he gives you his sword), W, N, N, N, NE, SE, SE, SW, W (the heat of the furnace has transformed the sword), EXAMINE SWORD (as good as new), E, NE, NW, NW, SW, S, S, S (by now you have gotten several messages about the Centaur), W, W (you see a swan in chains - I think in mythology, her name was Leda), CUT CHAINS, TAKE EGG, EXAMINE EGG (it is a token), E, E (the Centaur needs a roll), GIVE ROLL, N, N, N, NE, E, E, NE, E, E, NE (you see a Unicorn who needs his horn trimmed), TRIM HORN (there is powder), TAKE POWDER, EXAMINE POWDER (startling effect on the opposite sex). Go SW, W, W, SW, W, W, SE, SE, DROP SWORD, TAKE GOATSKIN, NW, NW, E, E, NE, N, N, N, W, S, GO IN, DROP EGG, DROP GOATSKIN, GO OUT, N, W, SW, W, NW, GO IN (you see a lovesick lynx), GIVE POWDER. He tells you a chameleon hides in a tree near an oasis. Examine the lowest branch for assistance. GO OUT, SE, E, SW, SE, SE, TAKE BEAKER, TAKE COIN, NW, NW, NE, W, SW, SW, W, W (you see a tired Pegasus), GIVE BEAKER (he is rejuvenated and will help you), E, S, S (you see a ferryman), PAY FERRYMAN (you are allowed on the boat), W, W, W (you see a dolphin who will only speak to beautiful people), W, W, GET OFF BOAT. Go S (you see a bucket), GO IN, TAKE SHOVEL, CLEAN STABLE, GO OUT, FILL BUCKET, DROP SHOVEL, TAKE BUCKET, N, GET ON BOAT, E, E, E, E, E, GET OFF BOAT, N, N, E, NE, NE, E, NE, SW, SW, SE, SE, DROP BUCKET, NW, NW, E, E, NE, SE, SE, SE, E, S, S, SW (you can take the cup and fill it if you wish to explore the desert), W, W, W, W, S, S, S (you see a corpse pointing west), W, W, W, EXAMINE LOWEST BRANCH, TAKE COCONUT, THROW COCONUT (you may need to do this more than once). The chameleon turns you into a mongoose. Go E, E, N, N, N, E, E, E, E, E, NE, N, N, W, NW, NW, NW, SW, W, W, SW, S, SW, W, SW, TAKE FLEDGLING, NE (you are changed back to your normal form), E, NE, N, NE, NE, NW (you see an eagle who needs a cosmic antidote), UP, PUT FLEDGLING IN NEST (she gives you the antidote), DOWN, GIVE COSMIC ANTIDOTE (the eagle is cured and will now help you), UP, UP, TAKE HORN, EXAMINE HORN (it is a token), BLOW HORN (the eagles carries you down). Go DOWN, SE, SW, SE, SE, SW, S, S, S, DOWN, GET ON SHIP, S, E, E, THROW NET, EXAMINE FISH (a token), W, W, N, GET OFF SHIP, UP, N, N, N, NE, NW, NW, E, E, NE, N, N, N, W, S, E, TAKE COIN, W, GO IN, DROP HORN, DROP FISH, GO OUT, N, E, S, S, S, SW, W, W, SE, SE, TAKE ROPE, TAKE BAR, NW, NW, SW, S, S, S, S, S, S, LOOK THROUGH TELESCOPE (you see a passage in the mountains), N, N, N, N, N, N, NE, E, E, NE, N, N, N, W, N, N, N, N, NE, N, W, DOWN, TAKE CLAW, EXAMINE CLAW (it is a token), UP (Pegasus saves you), S, GO IN, DROP CLAW, GO OUT, N. Go E, S, S, S, SE, SE, SE, E, S, S, SW, W, S, S, S, S, S, E (the Indian needs a feather), W, S. You are in the jungle. Go SE, W (you see a giraffe by a tree but cannot hear what he says), CLIMB TREE (he tells you he has a corn on his foot), CLIMB DOWN, TAKE CORN, EXAMINE CORN (it is an acorn), E, SE (you see a peacock, with a dangling feather, dreaming of good things), GIVE BAR, TAKE FEATHER, NW, NW, S, SW, W (you see a dove), GIVE PRIZE (she is not ready), E, NE, N, N, E, GIVE FEATHER, TAKE TOMAHAWK, EXAMINE TOMAHAWK (symbol of war), W, S, S, SW, W, GIVE PRIZE (you get and wear the Crown of olive leaves which you cannot take off), EXAMINE CROWN (too brilliant). Go E, NE (the peacock snatches the crown away), N, N, N, N, N, N, N, E, NE, N, N, W, NW, NW,,NW, SW, W, W, SW, S, S, S (the Centaur is ready to help you but he needs a lasso to catch the peacock), GIVE ROPE (he makes a lasso and gallops off with you to the peacock), THROW ROPE (you replace the crown), N, W, NW, NW, N, N, N, N, N, N, E, NE, N, N, W, NW, NW, NW, SW, W, W, NE, W, SW, SW, W, S, S, PAY FERRYMAN, W, W, W (when the Dolphin sees you are beautiful, she suggests you follow her), JUMP. You find yourself in a cavern where you see scales - this is a hint. TAKE STICKS, PLAY XYLOPHONE (you are told to play the basics), PLAY SCALES (nice pun). The flying fish takes the crown and gives you the scales and takes the crown away. EXAMINE SCALES (a token), SIT IN CHAIR (you find yourself back in the boathouse), N, N, E, NE, NE, E, SW, SE, SE, DROP ROPE, DROP NET, DROP STICKS, TAKE BUCKET, NW, NW, E, E, NE, N, N, N, E, NE, NE, E, E, SE, PUT HEAP ON GARDEN, PLANT ACORN. Venus arrives with the dog who will come when you whistle. Go NW, W, W, SW, SW, W, S, S, S, SW, W, W, SE, SE, SW, S, W, WHISTLE (the wolf runs away), PULL LEVER (you hear mists clear someplace), E, N, NE, NW, NW, E, E, S, SE, SE, GO IN (Uranus tells you he sees something beneath the altar in the cathedral), GO OUT, NW, W, GO IN, W, LOOK BENEATH ALTAR, SLIDE PANEL, TAKE RING, EXAMINE RING (a token). You now have collected all twelve tokens. DROP BUCKET, E, GO OUT, N, N, NE, N, N, N, W, S, GO IN, TAKE ALL. Go UP, UP, PUT EGG ON PLINTH, PUT ARROW ON PLINTH, PUT GOATSKIN ON PLINTH, PUT STING ON PLINTH, PUT DANDELION ON PLINTH PUT SCALES ON PLINTH, PUT RING ON PLINTH, DOWN, DOWN, TAKE ALL, UP, UP PUT CLAW ON PLINTH, PUT FISH ON PLINTH, PUT PITCHER ON PLINTH, PUT HORN ON PLINTH, PUT GOWN ON PLINTH. You are finished. Terri Sheehan 2004-05-30 ***************************************************** Displayed on the Classic Adventures Solution Archive: http://solutionarchive.com