CODEBOOK CAPER
Scorpio Gamesworld, 1984
========================
Hints by Exemptus - December 2022
Overview and general hints:
---------------------------
This is a very simple game where all we have to do is find Lord Posh and make
him give us a codebook we need to decode a secret message. The way to do this is
to give him a vintage bottle of wine. At the beginning of the game, Lord Posh,
as well as the rest of the NPC cast (12 of them in total) will be placed in
random positions in the map. Along with them, 15 objects will also be placed at
random, as well as a number of food packets.
The idea is simply to find what object each NPC wants and exchange it for the
next object, in a linear chain that ends up with the bottle of wine. So all the
game requires is to find the first object, locate the character that wants it,
trade it for the next one, and so on.
Inventory is limited to a single object, but we can GET and DROP it anywhere.
Commands are single-key and limited to a list which is obtained by pressing O
for Options. We have the classic NESW directions, plus G(et), D(rop), T(rade),
I(nventory), F(ood), H(yperspace) and X to see our energy. We begin with 1000
units of energy and moving spends it. Hyperspace sends us to a random position
in the map, but uses a lot of energy. Energy is also wasted if we try to do
things we can't, such as get an object that isn't there. The F command will use
a food packet if there's one in the room: we can't take them as objects.
Since objects and NPCs are placed totally at random in the map, a walkthrough is
not possible, but the game is easy enough. The following table shows what the
chain of objects is:
TABLE 1
Object Who wants it Traded for
---------------------------------------------------------
SMELLY KIPPER FELIX THE CAT -> SWEEPING BRUSH
SWEEPING BRUSH MRS MOPP -> WEDDING CAKE
WEDDING CAKE FATTY -> VICIOUS CATAPULT
VICIOUS CATAPULT DENNIS THE PEST -> HAIRY WIG
HAIRY WIG BALDY JOE -> DOGS BONE
DOGS BONE SPOT THE DOG -> EXPENSIVE EARRING
EXPENSIVE EARRING LADY POSH -> BOTTLE OF WINE
BOTTLE OF WINE LORD POSH -> (wins game)
In addition to the above, two additional exchanges are possible:
TABLE 2
Object Who wants it Traded for
---------------------------------------------------------
DIRTY SHIRT TOMMY TRAMP -> ACCRINGTON BRICK
ACCRINGTON BRICK ODD JOB BOB -> A WINE GLASS
But these latter two are red herrings, as they are not part of the right trade
chain. Dealing with these is totally unnecessary. In addition, there are some
other objects that may or may not appear on the map, which are red herrings as
well. These are: an ancient book, a hot teapot, a light feather, and a clock.
There are also some additional characters which may or not show up, but all the
ones in Table 1 will.
How to finish the game:
1. Start by using the reference map and go room by room marking where all the
NPCs and objects are, as well as the food packets. You may only care about
characters and objects on Table 1; the others are not needed.
2. Look for the first object in the Table 1 chain (the smelly kipper), take it,
and find the NPC to trade it with.
3. Repeat for each of the lines on the table. Watch your energy from time to
time and consume food as necessary. There is more than enough of it, but do
not waste it just in case, and care to use first the packets that are out of
the way.
4. Do not use Hyperspace - it is seldom worth it. Just patiently walk from one
place to the next.
