THE FIRE RUBY Laurence Creighton Spectrum 128 Like all of his games, THE FIRE RUBY is interesting, tidy, and challenging. The location and object descriptions are good, providing clues about what to do where, though one or two are red herrings. At times you need to move quickly, at other times you need to wait. While some retracing of steps is needed, many objects are used near to where they are found. Hints: HELP is available once you are well into the game. To avoid replaying, here they are: 1. Need cash? Sell something. 2. Need a key? Make a good impression. 3. More strength? Use pep pill. 4. Get to ledge? Wet yourself. 5. Hot gem? Protect hands. WAIT when in the boat. The cutters do not help at the spikes – you need another solution. One red herring: sponge. LOOK UP at the pit area. PUT and DROP are not the same. Don't always believe it when you get the message "NOTHING THERE". Don't panic if the torch flickers. CLIMB <object> to go up; DOWN <object> to go down. Several objects are needed more than once: the torch, the branch, and the tin, so don't drop or give them away too soon. The tin of food cannot be opened, but it's useful in another way. Even if you have no implement, DIG where it's sandy. Do something first before you chop the stump. Sometimes you SHOW <object>, sometimes you GIVE <object>. Solution: You are in a boat. INVENTORY (nothing), LUND SEAT (you see a 10pcoin), TAKE COIN, EXAMINE BOAT, WAIT, WAIT (you see a bottle floating by), TAKE BOTTLE, EXAMINE BOTTLE (there is a map in it which may fall apart soon after it's removed), ROW TO SHORE, S, SEARCH LIBRARY (you see a photocopier), EXAMINE PHOTOCOPIER (there is a slot for a 10p coin and the plug needs fixing), LIND SIGN (you see a screwdriver), TAKE SCREWDRIVER, FIX PLUG, DROP SCREWDRIVER, N, SE, EXAMINE COUNTER (you see tweezers), BORROW TWEEZERS (you can only use them in the store), INSERT TWEEZERS (you pull out the map and it begins to disintegrate), DROP TWEEZERS, NW, S, EXAMINE MAP (whoever finds this map, find the fire ruby and return it to its rightful heir – T.J. 1783), COPY MAP, EXAMINE MAP. Go N, E, TALK TO MAN, SHOW BOTTLE (you get a 5 quid note), W, N, EXAMINE SIGN (a kit consists of a rope and a knife – 5 pounds), TALK YOUTH (it's the last kit), BUY KIT, TAKE ROPE, TAKE KNIFE, EXAMINE KNIFE (blunt), S, NE, E, ENTER, TALK TO LADY, EXAMINE CABINET (it has pull-out drawers), SHOW MAP (she becomes engrossed in it), OPEN CABINET, LIN CABINET (you see a torch), TAKE TORCH (the woman tells you the map is of the island of Dorka where the Fire Ruby is hidden; you get a ticket and find yourself on a jetty with a blazing sun), E (you trip over a tripwire), EXAMINE TRIPWIRE (you can't crawl or jump; you remember that wire lengthens when it heats up),SEARCH BRUSH, SEARCH BRUSH, SEARCH BRUSH (you see a lens), TAKE LENS, EXAMINE LENS (thick and powerful), FOCUS SUN (the tripwire burns through), PUT LENS, E (at the pit). EXAMINE TREES (you see branches), BREAK BRANCH, TAKE BRANCH, EXAMINE BRANCH ( like an inverted L; you see one leaf), EXAMINE LEAF (will cause psychedelic visual disturbances), DOWN, SEARCH WALL (you see a red button), DIG (you find a pair of boltcutters), TAKE CUTTERS, EXAMINE CUTTERS (strong enough to cut through anything metallic), PUSH BUTTON (you create a passage west), W, LIGHT TORCH (you see spikes), EXAMINE SPIKES (lethal), E, LOOK UP (you see an extendable ladder beyond your reach), HOOK LADDER, EXAMINE LADDER (bottom rung is loose), TAKE RUNG (you can't), CLIMB LADDER, S (you see stumps), EXTINGUISH TORCH, SEARCH FOREST (you see an axe and a pep tab), EXAMINE STUMPS (one is loose and wood could make good firewood. TURN STUMP (you hear linkages engage as you drop everything), TAKE AXE, CHOP STUMP (you make logs), DROP AXE, TAKE TAB, EXAMINE TAB (gives super performance for a few moments), S, W, TALK TO COBBLER (he can repair shoes and boots), E, E, TALK TO LOCKSMITH (his leg is lame; he could help if you find him a walking stick), W, S (you see a lever), PULL LEVER (you hear linkages being activated), W (by a brook; you see a seed), SEARCH PATH (you see soap and a seed), TAKE SOAP, EXAMINE SOAP (soft and creamy), TAKE SEED, EXAMINE SEED (when planed in the right location it will grow to a full size tree instantly), CROSS BROOK, EXAMINE TIMBER (heavy), LIFT TIMBER (more strength needed), SWALLOW TAB (you feel strong), LIFT TIMBER (you see gloves), TAKE GLOVES, EXAMINE GLOVES (they protect your hands from heat), WEAR GLOVES. CROSS BROOK, E, LIND STORE (you see a wheelbarrow), TAKE WHEELBARROW (it's chained to a wall), EXAMINE CHAINS (can be cut with the right implement), N, N, TAKE CUTTERS, S, S, CUT CHAINS, DROP CUTTERS, TAKE WHEELBARROW, ENTER DOOR (you see dynamite), TAKE DYNAMITE, EXAMINE DYNAMITE (can be exploded by using a remote detonator), OUT, N, N, PUT DYNAMITE, PUT LOGS IN WHEELBARROW, TAKE ROPE, N, N, MAKE RAFT (Karen takes your wheelbarrow), S, S, TAKE BRANCH, TAKE KNIFE, TAKE BRANCH, TAKE TORCH, TAKE MAP, TAKE DYNAMITE, N, N, DROP BRANCH, DROP SEED, S, DOWN LADDER (you see a rung), W (it's dark). LIGHT TORCH, W, TAKE DETONATOR, EXAMINE DETONATOR (press the plunger), E, E, TAKE RUNG, EXAMINE RUNG (looks like a paddle), CLIMB LADDER, EXTINGUISH TORCH, DROP TORCH, PUSH RAFT, BOARD RAFT, EXAMINE RAFT, PADDLE N, DROP RUNG, EXAMINE BANK (you see stones), EXAMINE STONES (one is a whetting stone), SHARPEN KNIFE, N, EXAMINE WALL (built across the path), PUT DYNAMITE, PRESS PLUNGER (you run south and the dynamite explodes), SEARCH RUBBLE, SEARCH RUBBLE, SEARCH RUBBLE (you see a tin of beans), TAKE TIN, EXAMINE TIN (metal and full of baked beans), N (you see two pillars and a plate with sparks arcing across the path), EXAMINE PLATE (there is a pole with a slot), EXAMINE SLOT (for a card), ROLL TIN (the metal shorts the arcing). Go W, TAKE CARD, EXAMINE CARD (has a magnetic strip), E, INSERT CARD (you are at the top of the cliff), DROP CARD, E, E (you see a locked door), W, S (you see a man), EXAMINE MAN (he has a key), TALK TO MAN (he wants drugs), PICK LEAF, TAKE LEAF, GIVE LEAF (man is stoned), MAKE COPY (you get an impression of a key), S, S, E (you see a guard), EXAMINE GUARD (he can be bought), TALK TO GUARD (he wants gold), W, N, N, N, W, TAKE CARD, DOWN, DROP CARD, HOOK TIN (you take the tin and drop the branch), TAKE BRANCH, S, S, TAKE RUNG, BOARD RAFT, PADDLE S, DROP TIN, DROP BRANCH, DROP SOAP, DROP KNIFE (i.e. everything but the rung), BOARD RAFT, DIVE, TAKE CLEANER, UP, PADDLE S, EXAMINE CLEANER (good for unclogging), DROP CLEANER. BOARD RAFT, DIVE, NW, TAKE JETPACK, UP, PADDLE S, DROP RUNG, EXAMINE JETPACK (one go is all you'll get; it has a rip-cord), WEAR JETPACK, TAKE SOAP, TAKE BRANCH, S, S, S, E, GIVE BRANCH, MAKE KEY, TAKE KEY, EXAMINE KEY (it could unlock a door somewhere), W, N, N, N, TAKE KNIFE, TAKE CLEANER, TAKE SEED, TAKE MAP, TAKE TORCH,TAKE RUNG, BOARD RAFT, PADDLE N, DROP RUNG, N, N, TAKE CARD, INSERT CARD, DROP CARD, E, E, UNLOCK DOOR, ENTER, MOVE SETTEE (you see a biscuit), TAKE BISCUIT, EXAMINE BISCUIT (not for human consumption), LIND DOOR (you see a rope), TAKE ROPE, N, EXAMINE CLOSET (jammed), E (you see a sponge – ignore it), EXAMINE BATH, EXAMINE TAP (there is an obstruction inside). TURN TAP (you see a dribbling tap), INSERT CLEANER (a gold florin drops out), DROP CLEANER, TAKE FLORIN, EXAMINE FLORIN, W, S, OUT, W, S, S, S, E, GIVE FLORIN (the guard leaves), E, E (you are at the top of a cliff), PLANT SEED (a tree grows), TIE ROPE, DOWN ROPE (you are in a field), W (you see an elder), EXAMINE ELDER (the rightful heir of the Fire Ruby), TALK TO ELDER (he wants to see the map), SHOW MAP (he wants the ruby), DROP MAP, W, S (by a cave), IN, LIGHT TORCH, E (you see a stone door), PULL RIP (you fly up onto the ledge), SEARCH LEDGE (you see a disc), TAKE DISC (it's attached by a string), CUT STRING, DROP KNIFE, TAKE DISC, EXAMINE DISC (30 mm in diameter), EXAMINE WHEEL (you will need both hands), DROP ALL. TURN WHEEL (the door opens), TAKE TORCH, TAKE BISCUIT, TAKE DISC, JUMP DOWN, E, EXAMINE WALLS (you see a niche), LIN NICHE (you see a crowbar), TAKE CROWBAR, E (you see boiling water and mud), W, W, W, OUT, EXTINGUISH TORCH, N, E, E, CLIMB ROPE, W, W, W, N, N, N, E, ENTER, N, PRY CLOSET, LIN CLOSET (you see boots), DROP CROWBAR, TAKE BOOTS, EXAMINE BOOTS (one sole is loose), S, OUT, W, W, TAKE CARD, DOWN, DROP CARD, S, S, TAKE RUNG, BOARD RAFT, PADDLE S, DROP RUNG, TAKE GLOVES, WEAR GLOVES, TAKE TIN, S, S, S (you see a beggar) EXAMINE BEGGAR (he is blocking the doorway), TALK TO BEGGAR (he has his own opener), GIVE TIN (the beggar leaves), W, FIX BOOTS (the cobbler wants the date of the map), 1783 (he fixes the boots). Go E, N, N, N, TAKE RUNG, BOARD RAFT, PADDLE N, DROP RUNG, N, N, TAKE CARD, INSERT CARD, DROP CARD, E, S, S, S, E, E, E, DOWN ROPE, W, W, S, IN, LIGHT TORCH, E, E, E, WEAR BOOTS, S, S, DOWN, W (you see an Alsatian), EXAMINE ALSATIAN (it is guarding the western exit), GIVE BISCUIT, W (you see a chest), EXAMINE CHEST (has an indentation), EXAMINE INDENTATION (30 mm in diameter), PLACE DISC IN INDENTATION (the chest opens), LIN CHEST (you see the ruby), EXAMINE RUBY (it would burn your hand), TAKE RUBY, E, E, UP, N, N, W, W, OUT, N, EXTINGUISH TORCH, E, E, CLIMB ROPE, W, W, W, N, N, N, E, ENTER (the Elder is on the settee), TALK TO ELDER, GIVE RUBY (you are given a sapphire as a reward). You are finished. Score: 100%. Terri Sheehan 2007-03-01 ***************************************************** Displayed on the Classic Adventures Solution Archive: http://solutionarchive.com