SLACK BLADDER 1987 Moonchild Software [unissued] This is a solution with a final score of 240 out of 255 points, though the task is completed. I couldn't figure out how to gain the missing points; possibly it's a bug in the final part of the game, when you are in the Abbot's office and have to choose either to become Archbishop (+15 pts) or King (+45 pts), but you can't be both King and Archbishop, so 15 pts are missing. Obviously unnecessary objects are: iron maiden, thumb screws, skeleton, silk knickers, credit card, bow & arrows. The crocodile dung, lemon juice and knotted intestine (to be found in Rik's parents' bedroom) you will need if you want to sleep with the maiden who is lying in your bed at the beginning of the game (it's just for fun, you won't get points for this) PART 1 You start in your private apartment in your father's castle. N, D, S, OPEN CHEST [2 pts], GET BAG, W, EXAMINE PILE [+5 pts], GET COIN, E, N, N, N, E, N, N, GET CAKE, S, S, W, S, S, W, EXAMINE MIRROR, D, N, TALK TO TRIFFIDS ["Go west, young man!"], W, N, E, E [the Cheshire Cat stops you and asks for an edible donation, +2 pts], GIVE CAKE [+10 pts], E, WAIT, WAIT [a massacre takes place, +10 pts], W, GET GUN, W, S, W, S, U, EXAMINE MIRROR, E, N, N, N, W, S, READ NOTICE [Let it be hereby known that the eldest male heir of the royal family is the one who inherits the throne...], W, EXAMINE BOX, BREAK GLASS [+5 pts], GET BIBLE, EXAMINE BIBLE [needed for the appointment of the topmost church hierarchy], E, N, E, S, E, E, D, E, GIVE BAG [+20 pts], IN, GET REGALIA, EXAMINE REGALIA [worn by the King on state occasions - a coronation, for instance], OUT, W, U, W, W, S, W, EXAMINE GUARD [you take his key - +20 pts], E, N, E, E, D, E, N, N, W, READ SIGN [Throw in thy coin and thy wish will be granted], THROW COIN [+10 pts], GET COIN, W, W, READ POSTER [*HERE LIE THE REAL CROWN JEWELS* ... BEWARE OF FAKES!], GET JEWELS, EXAMINE JEWELS, E, E, U, E, S, S, W, U, W, S, D, E, GET WINE, EXAMINE WINE [Chateau Grenouille 1270], W, U, N, W, S, S, U, E, N, W, W, OPEN DRAWER [+2 pts], E, E, S, W, D, N, N, E, E, D, E, N, N, UNLOCK DOOR [+10 pts], DROP KEY, N, E, U [Mincewind says that he's missing the NRI and must find it to complete his master plan; when he noticed you he leaves to Carillis; +5 pts], D, W, W, N, N, E, TURN HANDLE, W, S, S, E, D, N, READ NOTICE [*Regicide is good for you*], N, Y [now save data for Part 2; you scored 101 out of 255 pts]. PART 2 (1st visit) (outside the portcullis) DROP GUN, DROP BIBLE, DROP WINE, DROP REGALIA, N, N, N, N, N, E, N, READ NOTICE [Drop the goods you want to pawn on the counter], DROP JEWELS [+10 pts], GET GOLD, EXAMINE GOLD [A colossal bribe for one corrupt], S, E, N [+ 6 pts], GET ROCKET, EXAMINE ROCKET [ensure rocket is securely attached before pressing switch], S, E, E, E, E, N, N, N, N, N, W, W, READ SIGN ["It prophet you to noisome be!"], SHOUT [+10 pts], GET NRI, EXAM NRI, E, E, S, S, S, S, S, E, E, READ SIGN [*Carillis Towers* Another Project of Mincewind Enterprises PLC Entrance fee: most currencies *Major credit cards welcome*], INSERT COIN [+4 pts; though recommended, you don't need the credit card you find in the large chest of drawers in the gallery of the Great hall - if you use it, no points are given], W, S, PRESS BUTTON, PRESS BLUE BUTTON, READ BOOK [Ring Abbot N Costello for help and guidance. To secure an appointment, telephone 638810 now!], DIAL 638810 [your appointment had been clarified], W, PRESS RED BUTTON, E, E, E, [+10 pts, Mincewind handed you the actual Crown Jewels: "Here! Murder the King and Prince Henry and go to the Abbot to become King!"], GET CROWN, EXAMINE CROWN [used for coronations], GET SCEPTRE, EXAMINE SCEPTRE [gold staff with an amethyst and a symbol of Royal power], GET ORB, EXAMINE ORB [emblem of sovereignty, carried by the monarch at a coronation], W, W, W, W, PRESS YELLOW BUTTON, N, E, N, W, W, S, S, E, E [+5 pts], W, W, N, N, 10 x W, S, W, DROP ORB, IN, EXAMINE ORB [a multi-coloured "4" was visible], TALK TO MADAME (repeat if necessary) ["To stop this marriage, you must either become King or Archbishop. The King controls foreign policy and the Archbishop cannot marry!"], OUT, GET ORB, E, N, E, E, E, E, S, S, S, S, S, DROP CROWN, DROP SCEPTRE, DROP ORB, GET GUN, S, Y [now save data for Part 1; you scored 146 out of 255 pts]. PART 1 (2nd visit) LOAD (you start under the great archway), S, U, W, U, D, E, S, S, S, W, U, W, W, N, SHOOT KING [+6 pts], N, SHOOT QUEEN, EXAMINE QUEEN [you take her crucifix, +6 pts], W, SHOOT HENRY [+6 pts], SHOOT JESTER [+1 pt], E, S, S, E, E, D, E, N, N, N, E, U, IN, EXAMINE CONSOLE, INSERT NRI [+10 pts], PULL LEVER, OUT, Y [now save data for Part 2; you scored 175 out of 255 pts]. PART 2 (2nd visit) (on the village green at the centre of Canterbury) N, SHOOT THOMAS, EXAMINE THOMAS [+10 pts], GET ROBES, OUT, S, S, PULL LEVER, OUT, WEAR ROCKET, PRESS SWITCH, GET BOX, EXAMINE BOX ["Just open the box to astound your friends and granny!"], D, E, PULL LEVER, OUT, Y [now save data for Part 1; you scored 185 out of 255 pts]. PART 1 (3rd visit) LOAD (you start in Mincewind's strange room), D, W, D, N, DROP ROCKET, DROP GUN, N, Y [now save data for Part 2] PART 2 (3rd visit) (outside the portcullis) GET ALL [two items you can't carry for the moment], 13 x N, READ PLAQUE [The Monastery of Defence], N, READ DECREE [*New Archbishop required* Apply within], N, E, N, W, DROP ALL, E, S, W, 15 x S, GET ALL, 15 x N, W, N, E, DROP ALL, N [+5 pts] [you are thrown out of the office], N [+5 pts], PRESS 1, S, GET ROBES, WEAR ROBES, GET CRUCIFIX, GET BIBLE, GET BOX, GET WINE, GET GOLD, N, OPEN BOX, S, N [the Abbot gets a phone call and tells you that you can't become Archbishop because of doing murder], PRES 2, S, DROP ROBES, GET REGALIA, WEAR REGALIA, GET CROWN, GET SCEPTRE, GET ORB, N [the Abbot crowns you King Richard II., +20 pts], S, E, S, W, S, S [Mincewind appears and wants you to declare war on Spain], Y ["That's it! You've solved the game! ...". By declaring war on Spain, the marriage to the Enfanta became impossible. On hearing the news, she lumbered off back home (+25 pts). You scored 240 points out of a possible 255.] Solution by boldir, February 2021