In this large alchemical mystery game, you play as Ensign Forsyth of His Majesty's Marcher The Unanswerable Retort.
This solution is by David Welbourn, and is based on Release 4 of the work.
SPOILERS AHEAD. Reading a walkthrough prematurely can sometimes diminish one's enjoyment of a work of interactive fiction. Please make an honest effort to play the work before reading this walkthrough.
RECALL = Lists all facts, formulae, and rituals you've learned.
RECALL concept = Recalls the details about that fact, formula, or ritual.
RECALL object = Remember where that thing is.
CREATE object = Perform the rituals needed to create a previously created object.
DOORS = Lists all unopened and blocked doors.
EXITS = Lists all known exits from the current location.
FACTS = Lists all known facts.
FORMULAE = Lists all known formulae.
GO BACK / RETURN = Go back to your previous location.
GO TO object = Go to any known object or room.
PERFORM ritual = Perform a ritual the same way you did it before.
PLACES = Lists all interesting visited places.
RESET = Resets the game world without forgetting anything.
RITUALS = Lists all known rituals.
SAY formula = Recite an alchemical formula.
THINGS = Lists all known possible inventory items.
CREDITS = Lists the credits.
BACKERS = Lists the backers who funded this game.
You are Ensign Forsyth.
> x me. i.(nothing)
> x crystal. touch it.
> x door. open it. x land. close door.
> x hatch.(rusty)
> x bench.(see steel bolt under it)
> take bolt. x it.
> x supplies.
> x sheet. x rosemary. x ginger. x peppermint.
> x calipers. x pin.
> think.
> recall aromas.
> recall binding.
> recall essential nature.
> recall sealing.
> recall unsealing.
Perform your first ritual:
> take pin, ginger, and rosemary.
> open ginger. put pin in bound.
> say sealing. say nature. wave rosemary.
> intone lesser.
> take pin. put pin on calipers.(They're cleansed.)
To leave the lab, you must first remove the rust from the panel, and to do that, you must perform a variant of the cleansing ritual to remove rust instead of tarnish. This is accomplished by using a steel token instead of a brass one:
Assuming the ginger impet is still open:
> put bolt in bound.
> say sealing. say nature. wave rosemary.
> intone lesser.
> close ginger. take bolt. put bolt on panel.
> open panel. d.
Secondary Lab Crawlspace
> x Anderes. x jar. x fracture. x flask.
> w.
Mech Lab Crawlspace
This hatch is too rusty for basic cleansing.
> x hatch. d.
Void
*** You awaken again ***
Secondary Alchemy Lab
The world has been reset, but you remember everything you've learned so far.
> rooms. go to crawlspace.
Mech Lab Crawlspace
> w.
Crawlspace Bend
> d.
Herbarium Nook
> x seed. x cone. x mushroom.
> x honeysuckle. smell it.(sweet aroma)
> x orange.(zafranum)
> smell it.(pungent)
> x fracture.
> take cone. go to lab.
Secondary Alchemy Lab
> take ginger. open it. put bolt in bound.
> say sealing. say nature. crush cone.
> intone lesser. close ginger. take bolt.
> go to crawlspace.
Mech Lab Crawlspace
> put bolt on hatch. open hatch. u.
Mechanica Lab
> x door —or— x mold.
> x drawer.(has groove and crank)
> x splicer.(blends two wires together)
> x corrosion.
> x platinum. x nickel. x bead. x salt. x glass.
> w.
Materials Store
> x table.(wire can be inserted in its groove)
> x cabinet.(locked with Alchemy File lock)
> x recipe.(You learn the universal tarnish cleansing and the categorical imperative.)
> x obsidian. x granite. x sandstone.
> x broad quartz. x long quartz. x fluorspar.
> x chime.
Keep exploring since you need to find Java spirit for the universal cleansing.
> e. d. w. n.
Chem Lab Crawlspace
> x lock.(planetary combo)
> x flask.(Lubanja is Java spirit.)
> take it.
> go to platinum.
Mechanica Lab
> take platinum. put it in drawer.
> turn crank. take wire.
> w.
Materials
Perform the universal cleansing ritual:
> close ginger.(just in case it's still open)
> put wire in groove.
> put bolt in bound.
> say sealing.
> say categorical.
> pour Java on bolt.
> say lesser.
> take bolt. e.
Mechanica Lab
> put bolt on cabinet. open cabinet.
> read torn sheet.(You learn the crawlway access combination fact).
> read rust-stained.(You learn The Binding of Antipathy formula and the fungicide synthesis ritual).
> d. w. n.
Chem Lab Crawlspace.
> recall combo.
> set lock to Mars. set lock to Luna.
> set lock to Jupiter.
> open hatch. u.
Chymic Lab
> x retort.(has burner, tap, and dump valve)
> x sign.(You learn the Hermetic Sealing formula.)
> x sand. x vinegar. x muriatic.
> x mineral oil. x saline.
> x coin.(has sun symbol)
> x citronelle.
> x folded.(You learn the word of entension formula and the word of culmination formula.)
> x wrinkled.(You learn the copper calcination demonstration fact.)
Fetch the fungicide ingredients.
> go to mushroom. take it. take seed.
> go to retort.
> take saline.
Make the fungicide.
> recall fungicide.
> put seed, mushroom, saline in retort.
> say hermetic sealing.
> turn on burner. z. z.(The saline bubbles.)
> say antipathy.
> x fungicide. go to Mech.
Mechanica Lab
> pour fungicide on door.
> open door. n.
Lab Hall Southwest
> read paper.(You learn the resonant oculus creation ritual and belatedly remember a lecture on gestalt shelves fact.)
> recall gestalt.(Environment control can be done with items on a gestalt shelf instead of with aromas.)
> x wallpaper.(boring blue stripes)
> open Chymic door.(won't open)
> e.
Lab Hall Southeast
> open Secondary door.(won't open)
> e.
Opticks Lab
> x glass. search glass.(find nothing)
> x bench. x sheet.(You learn the only sample of elemental earth is or was here.)
> e.(An Erebian land is where the closet should be.)
> x land. x stars. close closet.
> s.
Opticks Annex
> x table. x shelf. x bin.
> x scribbled.(You learn about percalcination and the Anodyne Evocation.)
> x flint. x concave. x convex. x feather.
> n. w. n.
Lab Hall Northeast
> e.(Tertiary door is locked.)
> n.
Pyrics Lab
> x kiln. turn off kiln.(can't: gas valve stuck)
> x key. x paten. x table. x crock.
> x cedar. x pith. x linden. x blackwood.
> x oak. x maple. x elemental wood.
> e.
Pyrics Store
> x camphrost. x coin.(with moon and fish faces)
> x lead. x bound. x shelf.
> w. s. w.
Lab Hall Northwest
> x marks. touch marks.
> n.
Main Store
> x Ctesc. x hand.(can't make the symbols out)
> x safe. x shelves.
> x diamond. x cord. x chain.
> w.
Storage Nook
> x hatch. open it.(can't: too heavy)
> x seal. take it.
> go to Materials.
Materials Store
> unlock cabinet with seal. open it. x gold.
> go to main store.
> s. w.
Lab Wind Hallway
> x fire door. x chime.
> s.
Library
> x neat.(You learn a resonant tone formula.)
> x untidy.(You learn the fire-resistance synthesis ritual and the syllable of counterbalance formula.)
> x rotor. take it. turn it. g. g. g. g.
> x tomes. g. g. g. g.(They're all unreadable?)
Let's make the potion.
> go to saline.
Chymic Lab
> take it. go to mint.
Secondary Alchemy Lab
> take it. recall fire-resistance.
> put saline in bound. say simple.
> open ginger. say counterbalance.
> close ginger. open mint.
> say word of binding. close mint. x potion.
> go to kiln.
Pyrics Lab
> drink potion. take key. take paten.
> go to library. n.
Lab Wing Hallway
> unlock fire door with key. w.
East Side Hallway
> x airlock.(inner door is open)
> w.
Nave
> x mural. x marks. x seats. x bound. x shelf.
> x mesh. look through mesh.(Chancel and its bound on that side.)
> w.
West Side Hallway
> w.
Scaphe Arcade
> x columns. x portal.
> x wheel.("Emergency Bay Pressurization"; has symbol of Pneuma)
> x hatch. x cube.("27")
> w.
Exoscaphe
> x compartment.(very very dark)
> x hatch. open hatch.(can't: pressure differential)
> x cabinet. x cord. untie cord.(can't)
> x sheet.(You learn the Binding of the Celestial Sphere formula.)
> x bench. x horn coin.(has anchor symbol)
> x lever.("Emergency Exoscaphe Pressure Equalization")
> e. n.
North Arcade
> x window.(Roof cracked; bit of paper on far side of bay.)
> x scaphe.(Its dome is cracked.)
> x door. open it.(locked)
> x marble chip.
> s. e. n.
Quarters Access
> x fragment.(You learn about the recursive metaphor technique fact.)
> w.
Scrubs Country
> s.
Under Ward
> x sheet.(You learn the word of anaphylaxis formula.)
> x lighter. x vitriolic. x alum.
> n. n.
Study Room
> x books. g. g. g. g.(all unreadable)
> x torn.(You learn the breath-holding synthesis ritual and the exhilarant environment fact.)
> x filthy.(You learn the planetary lens creation ritual.)
> x ribbon.(It's a Chinese amulet.)
> s. e. n.
Officer Country
> x Captain.
> w.
Junior Quarters
> x locker. x cord. x sheet.(You learn the white-fuse challenge fact and the gold ignition ritual.)
> x tile.(has labyrinth on it)
> x bunks.
> e. e.
Deck Suite
> x cabinet.(locked with Aithery File lock)
> x kelp impet. open it. smell it.(sea)close it.
> n.(Hadean land on other side)
> x dust. x sun. close venture.
> e.
High Tower
> x bunk. x Venture. x Alchemy. x Medical.
> x cabinet.(has symbol for attraction on it)
> open cabinet.(can't: symbol holding it closed)
> x shiny.(You learn the electrum phlogistication ritual and the electrum substitution fact.)
> w. s.
Master Rector's Quarters
> x bunk. x desk. look under desk.
> x rough.(You learn the aura impermeability inscription ritual and the spiritual environment fact.)
> x fine.(You learn the isomorphic group formula and the idempotent group formula.)
> n. w. s. s. s.
Paper Garden
> x flowers. x trees. x paths. x ceiling.
> x pool.(can't see the bottom)
> x arch.(or maze)
> x door.(locked)
> s.
Grand Stair, Top
> x Powes. x birdhouse.
> w.(the door rejects you)
> e.
Burning Hall West
You cannot see what's on fire and it's too hot to go further east.
> x fire.(It's not spreading, at least.)
> w. d.
Grand Stair, Bottom
> x tile. x gate. look through gate.
> x stairs. x marks. x bead. x gap.
> s.
Edge of Chasm
> x canyon. x passage.
> s.
Chasm Rubble
> x rubble. x slab. x chime.(bronze F-sharp)
> s.
Chasm, at Bridge
> x library.(locked with Venture File padlock)
> x span.
> w.(no: vertigo is too much; unstable gravity)
save point: cfhadean2
Extras
Characters
Lieutenant Anderes is frozen in a fracture in the Secondary Lab Crawlspace.
Ensign Ctesc is frozen in a fracture in the Main Store.
Captain Hart is frozen in a fracture in Officer Country.
Lieutenant Michael Powes is frozen at Grand Stair, Top.
Mentioned:
Sergeant Brooks left the sheet of instructions for you.
The Master-at-Arms and the Master Reactor have their own quarters next to the Captain's.
"His Majesty" as in His Majesty's Marcher The Unanswerable Retort. Since the marcher belongs to an Empire, it's likely "His Majesty" is an emperor.
Other rectors and marchmen are mentioned in general terms.
Brodzik created the aura impermeability inscription ritual.
Facts
Use FACTS to list known facts, and RECALL fact-name to recall its details.
a lecture on aromas. You know this from the start.
the crawlway access combination. Source: torn sheet in the corroded cabinet in the Mechanica Lab; touch the cabinet with a token bearing the universal tarnish cleansing inscription to make the cabinet openable.
The combo is Mars, Luna, Jupiter. In the Chem Lab Crawlspace, set the lock to those three symbols in that order to unlock it.
the copper calcination demonstration. Source: wrinkled sheet in Chymic Lab.
a lecture on gestalt shelves. Source: sheet of paper in Lab Hall Southwest.
the elemental earth loan. Source: scrawled sheet in Opticks Lab.
the percalcination procedure. Source: scribbled paper in bin in Opticks Annex.
a lecture on potions. Source: untidy sheet in Library.
a recursive metaphor technique. Source: fragment of paper in Quarters Access.
the exhilarant environment. Source: torn sheet in Study Room.
the white-fuse challenge. Source: broad sheet in the Junior Quarters.
the electrum substitution. Source: shiny sheet in the High Tower.
the spiritual environment. Source: rough sheet on the desk in the Master Rector's Quarters.
Formulae
Use FORMULAE to list known formulae, and RECALL formula-name to recall its details.
an elementary word of binding. You know this from the start.
a word of essential nature. You know this from the start.
a simple sealing word. You know this from the start.
a flask of sand. It's in the supply rack in the Chymic Lab.
See TODO.
a flask of vitriolic acid. It's in the Under Ward.
See TODO.
a flask of alum. It's in the Under Ward.
See TODO.
Documents
a bundle of paper. You always have this after you pick up your first document.
This bundle represents all your collected documents. You're not really concerned with the actual papers after you've read them; instead, use FACTS, FORMULAE, RITUALS, and RECALL something to remind yourself of everything you've learned.
a sheet of instructions. It's on the flimsy table in the Secondary Alchemy Lab.
a torn sheet. It's in the corroded cabinet in the Mechanica Lab; put a token with a universal cleansing inscription on the cabinet to remove the corrosion.
a rust-stained sheet. It's in the corroded cabinet in the Mechanica Lab; put a token with a universal cleansing inscription on the cabinet to remove the corrosion.
a pair of tarnished calipers. It's on the flimsy table in the Secondary Alchemy Lab.
After performing the basic tarnish cleansing inscription ritual on the brass pin, put the pin on the calipers to cleanse them; they are now styled as a pair of gleaming calipers.
a brass pin. It's on the flimsy table in the Secondary Alchemy Lab.
a silver coin. It's on a rack in the Pyrics Store.
Note that is has a moon face on one side and a fish on the other.
See TODO.
a rough diamond. It's on a shelf in the Main Store.
See TODO.
a length of silk cord. It's on a shelf in the Main Store.
See TODO.
a length of silver chain. It's on a shelf in the Main Store.
See TODO.
a rutilum Alchemy File seal. It's in the Storage Nook.
It unlocks the cabinet in Materials Store.
a rotor card. It's in the Library.
The rotor can be turned or set to one of five settings: snowy day, windy day, sunny day, rainbow, or moonlit night. Put the rotor card onto a gestalt shelf to add the environment associated with the rotor's current setting.
Seal the crock, then wait for the pressure and heat to ignite the gold.
This results in the creation of elemental fire, held by the now burning gold rod.
Use cases: burn the cord (white-fuse) in Junior Quarters with elemental fire; light a phlogisticated electrum regium rod with elemental fire (resulting in two instances of e-fire).
This inscribes the quartz. Touch the quartz to someone. Their aura is now invulnerable for a few turns; the symbol is discharged.
Use case: TODO.
Lexicon
This game uses several terms that you may be unfamiliar with, including several invented just for this game.
aithery = The study of aether, the sub-quantum alchemical medium that fills the cosmos.
alum = An astringent chemical used in water purification, tanning leather, dyeing textiles, and pickling vegetables. It can also be used to stop bleeding from small shallow cuts.
anaphylaxis = A severe allergic reaction.
anodyne = Something that soothes or relieves pain.
antipathy = Strong dislike, aversion, or hostility.
ba = Egyptian concept of someone's personality or soul, what makes that person uniquely them. Contrast with ka.
Barosy = The home of the dragon Baros.
birdhouse = *** to be determined ***
calcination = The process of burning or roasting ore or other materials to remove impurities.
camphrost = A blue variant of camphor, which itself is a flammable waxy crystalline solid extracted from camphor laurel trees. It smells like mothballs.
Celestial Sphere = The sphere of the heavens surrounding the Earth, where the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars are projected.
citronelle = An essential oil distilled from certain leaves and grasses. It smells strongly of lemons.
conjunction = The alchemical process of uniting two opposing substances in one new substance.
copal = A hardened tree resin used for incense. It is not as hard as amber.
dissolution = The alchemical process of dissolving an substance in a liquid medium like water or acid.
electrum = An alloy of gold and silver.
electrum regium = A "royal" version of electrum with unique properties.
Erebian land = A cold frozen world, perhaps in its ice age.
exoscaphe = A tank-like vehicle used to explore hostile lands in.
fluorspar = Calcium fluoride, also known as fluorite.
Hadean land = A Hell-like, volatile landscape with heavy volcanic activity and a toxic atmosphere.
idempotent = A type of mathematical function that returns the same result no matter how often it is applied.
isomorphic = Refers to two things having the same basic form or structure.
ka = Egyptian concept of one's life spark, what makes someone alive instead of dead. Contrast with ba.
lexicon = A list of words and phrases for a language or specialized domain.
lubanja = Also known as Java spirit, this is a binding agent. "Lubanja" means "skull".
marcher = A large inhabitable mobile construct consisting of a patchwork of locations that are not necessarily adjacent to each other in real space, typically not even from the same planet. The medium that the marcher normally marches through is called the aither.
moiré = The shimmering pattern produced by two overlapping misaligned regular patterns. It's named after rippled silk fabric.
moon-metal = A metal similar to silver. (It might even be an alloy that's mostly silver, but that's not stated anywhere.)
muriatic acid = Another name for hydrochloric acid. "Muriatic" by itself means briny or salty.
orichalcum = A metal native to Atlantis, nearly as valuable as gold. Plato wrote about it.
paten = A shallow plate with symbolic or religious associations.
phlogisticated = Oxygen-enriched or made burnable. "Phlogiston" was the theoretical element in flammable objects that made it possible to burn them.
Pneuma = The name of the life-support dragon. In ancient Greek, pneuma means breath, spirit, or soul, and is also more generally associated with air and wind.
rector = A high-ranking official in some universities and churches. A rector's duties vary in context, but are often of a governing or administrative nature.
retort = A specialized vessel used in chemistry. It typically has a bulbous body and a bent long neck. Agents are boiled inside it, and vapors condense and drip down out of the neck.
rutilum = A plate metal similar to lead, but with a reddish-brown color. It has a low melting point.
