ASTROLOGER’S CROWN Astrcalc Spectrum 48 This is a unique, unusual, and highly challenging game for many reasons. The first challenge is mapping. Rather than the 8 possible directional exits (N, S, E, W, etc.) you must use two clockface maps with their 12 positions. Thus, you move from the centre/hub of Earth to a ring of 12 locations around it, and then to another ring of 12 locations. Thus the need for the specific instructions given: O (for Outward), I (for Inward), C (for Clockwise) and A (for Anticlockwise – counter clockwise would be too confusing). So, for example, beginning at Earth, typing 1 to 12 takes you to the various houses in the “inner” ring and then typing “O” takes you to the “outer” ring. To return to Earth from the second ring, type “I” and “I” again. Typing “C” and “A” when you are in either ring moves you in that direction. Your objective is to get 7 badges. That happens when you drop the necessary objects (two for each badge) in the Earth location. Finding those objects requires ASKing the people you meet to sell you what they have. The second challenge is that many of those objects are red herrings, and even though you have plenty of money, you will run out before you have the correct and necessary objects. Typing HELP in many of the outer ring locations will give you clues about what objects you need and where to use them. Not only is the 4-object carrying limit a challenge, but you cannot perform the necessary actions in the outer ring locations when you are carrying a particular object. While there may be a logical reason why a particular object prevents you from performing an action, I, who have no knowledge of astrology and the tools needed for that trade, have not figured it out. On the other hand, it just may be the perverseness of the author to make the game more difficult. It does not matter which of the “houses” you visit first, so it’s easiest to type “1” which will take you to the 1st house, and then go in anticlockwise order to the 2nd and so on. Make a note of all the things you can buy. Then go to the outer ring, and visit all those locations in an anticlockwise manner as well, read the descriptions, and type HELP. This will give you clues about what object is needed. The puzzles themselves are not all that difficult, and once you familiarize yourself with the process, it is repetitive. For example, in one of the outer ring locations, you see a chest which will lead you to believe that a key would be helpful, and you would be right. You cannot EXAMINE the offerings for sale until you buy them. EXAMINing some of them will give you additional clues. Additional hint – buy objects which can open things and those that usually convey information of some kind, though don’t buy the books. Though you may have enough money for some of those mistakes. For example, you may think that Sagittarius would want or need an arrow, but that is not the case. If you do not wish to do all this preliminary work at the beginning, the following will get you started: buy two objects in the inner ring – the plaque and the key, and EXAMINE them both. Once you have been to all the outer ring locations, you should be able to find the correct location to perform an action with one of those two objects. And likely buy another object there which will point you to another location in the outer ring where it will be used. And from there it is less complicated. You will have to return frequently to Earth and drop things there. The verbs are common ones. Terri Sheehan 2010-07-09 *********************************************************************** Displayed on the Classic Adventures Solution Archive: http://solutionarchive.com