THE TALES OF MATHEMATICA
Karl Bunyan
Zenobi
Spectrum 48
Apparently this game came with cryptic clues which would help you
solve the puzzles and riddles. Needless to say, without this, the
use of highly specific verbs would likely prevent you from finishing
the game on your own. Other than that, it is pretty straightforward.
In many ways it seems like a game for children to help with math
skills.
You get to pick your gender. Since the solution was written by a
female, male players should choose "female" to benefit from this
solution. Otherwise write your own.
Part 1:
INVENTORY (you have two flasks of oil and a tinderbox), N, W, STEP
ON SQUARE, N, N, SUN (you are given a scroll of Dispel Magic), W,
LAY ON BED, GET PLANKS, EXAMINE PLANKS, E, S, S, E, E (you see a
bear), PLAY DEAD (you get an Illusion spell), N, EXAMINE POOL (you
get a staff), EXAMINE STAFF (of no practical use unless with three
objects. This may refer to triangles, especially right-angled
triangles), N, E (you see a rope), CAST DISPEL MAGIC, GET ROPE,
EXAMINE ROPE (Ekimar), W, W (you see number 13), E, S, S, W, N, CAST
ILLUSION (the knight runs off), NE, N (you see number 7), TIE ROPE
TO BRACKET, DOWN, GET MIRROR, GET ROPE, SAY EKIMAR (you escape the
well), EXAMINE MIRROR, UP, N, REFLECT LIGHTNING, EXAMINE CREATURE,
TAKE CROOK, EXAMINE CROOK.
Go S, S, SW, S, E, N, CATCH CREATURE WITH CROOK (you get earplugs),
S, W, N, WEAR EARPLUGS, NW, EXAMINE SKELETON, GET JAR, EXAMINE JAR
(seven dead beetles), SE, SE, S, W, N, N, N, EXAMINE FOSSIL (you see
number 17), N, PLACE PLANKS ON SPIKES (you get the Thunderstorm
spell), N (you see rats to the east), E, LIGHT FLASK, THROW FLASK,
E, E (you can't get past the Portal of Despair), FELL DESPAIR, E,
LIGHT OIL, THROW FLASK THROUGH SLIT. You've finished Part 1. Save
game.
Part 2:
You do not have to reload a game from Part 1 – simply choose your
gender again. INVENTORY (you have all you had with you with the
exception of the staff). NW, W, GET KNIFE, GET GOLD COIN, EXAMINE
KNIFE, EXAMINE COIN, E, LASSO STATUE, W, GIVE JAR TO COOK (you get a
key), EXAMINE KEY, NE, TAKE WINE, EXAMINE WINE, SW, E, E, E, GIVE
COIN TO GUARD, GIVE WINE TO GUARD, E, PICK LOCK, N, OPEN SESAME, N,
SEDUCE GUARD, N. You see a floor comprised of odd numbers, even
numbers, triangle numbers, and prime numbers. CHOOSE PRIME NUMBERS
(you see a fire demon), CAST THUNDERSTORM, S, 1547 (multiplying the
three numbers from part 1). You see three treasures.
Presumably this is the end, though it may not be. You can play Part
2 again. Though this may just be an example of an endless loop, as
happens in some areas of math.
Terri Sheehan
(with help from Amby and a great deal of assistance from Doreen)
2005-01-02
