AURASCOPE
by Square Peg
(Zenobi Software 1992)
This is one of the longest games I have ever played. While the premise is
clear (you are to find 12 tokens to rebuild the Zodiac) the game is by no
means straightforward. There are locations only available by boat or ship, and
these provide shortcuts to some locations as well as being the only way to
access other locations. Some locations are not available at the beginning of
the game but emerge only later, so you often need to revisit places where
certain exits were barred. Almost all objects (with the exception of the
antidote) are necessary. There are some riddles to solve. Knowledge of
mythology and the Zodiac (which objects could be tokens and which have other
functions) is helpful. Much retracing of steps is necessary. One token (the
horn) has another use. To solve some of the puzzles, you will need to look at
people or objects in a different light and associate from there. All of the
fox's hints are false, but they do tell you where you need to go.
These objects for each of the signs of the Zodiac are: (some of these may be
incorrect)
Sagittarius - arrow
Libra - scales
Virgo - gown
Leo - dandelion
Cancer - claw
Gemini - ring
Taurus - sting
Aries - goatskin
Pisces - fish
Aquarius - pitcher
Capricorn - horn
Typing HELP gives you some very general hints.
The order you get the tokens is not prescribed and this walkthrough describes
only one way. Maybe you can find a shorter way.
Find a central location to drop objects. I used the ruins, se of the gates,
hence this walkthrough frequently returns there. If you choose another
location, your steps may vary.
In this walkthrough, the first token is deposited in the hall (where you
began). After that, deposits are made after several tokens are acquired. You
may choose to do otherwise.
INVENTORY (nothing), UP, EXAMINE TAPESTRY, TAKE IRON, IRON TAPESTRY (you get a
needle), EXAMINE NEEDLE (magnetic), UP, HELP, ZODIAC, CONSTELLATION, DOWN,
DOWN, EXAMINE PARAPHERNALIA, TAKE COMPASS, EXAMINE COMPASS (it hangs on a
chain), PUT NEEDLE IN COMPASS, WEAR COMPASS, DROP IRON, GO OUT, E, LOOK IN
CHEST (full of coins), TAKE COIN, W, N, N, N (the taxi driver wants cheering
up - you will need a joke), S, S, E (you see Mercury sneezing - associate from
his name - what do you think a person in his condition would need?), E, SE,
SE. You meet a fox who, for a morsel, will give you hints. These are not true,
but they tell you where you need to go.
Go E, NE, N, N, E (you see a garden which will be useful later on), E (Venus
sings s love song - what would a goddess of love appreciate?), W, NW, W, GO
IN, S, EXAMINE BED, TAKE BOTTLE, N. Berenice wants a musical instrument to
replace her keyboard for your having taken her water bottle. GO OUT, E, SE, S,
GO IN, LOOK IN FREEZER, TAKE MORSEL, EXAMINE MORSEL, GO OUT, N, W, S, S, SW,
W, NW, NW, W, W, W, NW (Perseus is supposed to rescue Andromeda. He has
trouble opening the chest). Go NW, NE, N (Bootes needs protection from the
Dragon's fire), S, SW, NW, NW, E, EXAMINE WINDOW, CLOSE SHUTTERS, LOOK, TAKE
CROSS, EXAMINE CROSS (St. George's cross - it is a talisman against dragon
fire), WEAR CROSS, W, NW, NE, UP, UP. Pluto tells you to pick a card. PICK
CARD, PICK CARD, PICK CARD. These appear to be randomly determined. You may
need to >save and restore' following each card you pick, or add another
command. Otherwise Pluto will be busy and eventually leave. Go W, TAKE WAND,
EXAMINE WAND (useful for opening magic locks).
Go E, DOWN, DOWN, SW, SE, SE, SE, SE, SE, E, N, N, N, N (you are now protected
from the Dragon's fire), NW (the hot water bottle protects you from the cold),
NW, NE, SE, WAKE BEAR. He gives you three clues. You can answer anything for
the first two. SATURN, TEMPERATURE, THERMOMETER (which you get). Go NW, SW,
SE, SE, NE, EXAMINE CORPSE, MOVE CORPSE, TAKE SHIELD, EXAMINE SHIELD (fire
resistant), SW, S, S, S, S, W, NW, (Perseus gives you the chest), OPEN CHEST
(it's locked with a magic spell), WAVE WAND (the chest is unlocked), DROP
WAND, NW, NE, N, GIVE SHIELD. Bootes tells you to call him if you have trouble
with the Great Bear.
Go S, SW, N, N, NE, CALL BOOTES (he dispatches the bear), NE, TAKE HONEY, SW,
S, S, SE, TAKE CHEST, SE, E, E, GIVE THERMOMETER. He gives you a flask of
Mercury's potion (remember that Mercury was a messenger and ran swiftly),
EXAMINE FLASK (fast forward; max 20 doses), E, NE, TAKE PUPPY (he scampers
away), SW, TAKE PUPPY, SE, TAKE PUPPY, NW, W, W, W, NW, NW, NE, NE, GO IN. The
puppy rejoins his family and gives you a flea. It will make you itch and
periodically you will need to SCRATCH or just ignore the itch. GO OUT, SW, SW,
SE, SE, W, N (you see a lizard), NE, TAKE CAKE, EXAMINE CAKE, EAT CAKE. You
now have muscles like rocks - this is a hint), SW, UP, UP, PUSH ROCK, LOOK IN
HOLE (you see a spider's web), DOWN, DOWN, NE, TAKE WEB CAREFULLY, SW, UP,
THROW WEB (the lizard offers you a juicy bug for his freedom). Go DOWN, S, E,
E, E, DROP BOTTLE, E, NE, NE, E, E, SE, W, S, W, EXAMINE REEDS, TAKE CATGUT,
S, STEAL LYRE, N, MEND LYRE.
Go E, S, SW, W, NW, NW, W, W, W, W, NW (music soothes the savage beast?), PLAY
LYRE (the lion falls asleep), DROP LYRE, NW, NE. You meet Mother Earth who
asks you to rearrange "an odd line". This is an anagram: DANDELION. She gives
it to you. EXAMINE DANDELION (it is a token), SW, SE, SE, E, SW, SW, DROP
CHEST, SW, READ SIGN (no trespassing), W, TAKE WOOD, W (you see a Phoenix
waiting), PUT WOOD ON PYRE, E, E, S, GO IN (a snake antidote is available for
1 Eon - if you wish to buy the antidote, make sure you get another coin from
the bank), BUY ANTIDOTE, TAKE TUMS, EXAMINE TUMS (for an upset stomach), GO
OUT, N, NE, TAKE CHEST, SE, SE, DROP ALL, E, SE, EXAMINE ARMOUR, LOOK THROUGH
WINDOW, (tools), TAKE ARMOUR, THROW SUIT THROUGH WINDOW, NW, W, S, SE, EXAMINE
TOOLS, TAKE ALL (the armour is too heavy), NW, N, DROP ALL, S, S, S, NW, SIT
AT BAR, EXAMINE SPECTRUM (you aren't going anywhere - you see champagne, rum
and a glass), POUR RUM (the spectre falls on the floor), TAKE CHAMPAGNE, SE,
N, N, N, DROP CHAMPAGNE.
Go S, SE, TAKE ARMOUR, NW, N, DROP ARMOUR, TAKE TUMS, SW, S, S, W, EXAMINE
BUNDLE, UNTIE BUNDLE, EXAMINE SAIL (from the Argo), TAKE ROPE, E, S, W (you
see a swordfish in agony), GIVE TUMS, TAKE KEY, EXAMINE KEY (for a large
machine), E, N, W, TAKE CANVAS, E, N, N, NE, DROP ALL, TAKE ARMOUR, WEAR
ARMOUR, SW, S, S, E, PULL PLANK, PULL PLANK (you are protected by the armour -
you see a deck), EXAMINE DECK (it is the Argo), REMOVE ARMOUR, DROP ARMOUR, W,
N, N, E, S, LOOK IN CANAL (you see a ladder), N, N, TAKE KEY, S, SE, E,
EXAMINE CRANE.
CLIMB LADDER, PUT KEY IN MACHINE (it works), W, NW, W, S (the crane knocks
down a wall), S, W, TAKE SAIL, E, S, DROP SAIL, N, E, TAKE DECK, W, S, DROP
DECK, N, E, STOP CRANE, CLIMB DOWN, W, N, N, NE, TAKE ROPE, S, S, LOOK IN
CANAL, CLIMB DOWN, E (sharp object), DIG (you get a rusty scythe), W, CLIMB
LADDER (you can't), TIE ROPE TO SCYTHE, CLIMB LADDER, PULL ROPE, TAKE SCYTHE,
TAKE ROPE, N, W, S, S, E, E, E, CUT WEEDS (you uncover a structure and the
scythe is changed), EXAMINE SCYTHE (property of Grim Reaper; if it roams,
smack it hard and send it home), LOOK (you see a keel of a ship), SMACK SCYTHE
(otherwise you cannot leave - it flies to its owner), W, W, DROP ROPE, CLIMB
LADDER, PUT KEY IN MACHINE, E, E, E, TAKE KEEL, W, W, W, S, DROP KEEL (you
have rebuilt the Argo), N, E, STOP CRANE, CLIMB DOWN, DROP KEY, TAKE ROPE, W,
N.
Go W, EXAMINE LEVER (air-pump), PULL LEVER (the wolf won't let you), E, N, NE,
TAKE TONGS, TAKE BUCKET, SW, W, TAKE EMBER, PUT EMBER IN BUCKET, E, NE, NW,
NW, SW, W, W, TAKE EMBER FROM BUCKET, LIGHT PYRE (the Phoenix is reduced to
ashes and you are granted the temporary gift of Immortality), E, E, N (you get
lightning), S, NE, SE, SE, SW, W (the furnace is now lit), E, NE, DROP BUCKET,
DROP TONGS, TAKE DANDELION, NW, NW, NE, NE, E, S, E, TAKE COIN, W, GO IN, DROP
DANDELION, GO OUT, N, W, SW, E, E, S, SW, SW, SE, CHASE VANDAL, TAKE CHISEL, E
(you see Saturn's clock), E, N, GO IN (Uranus' crystal ball is cloudy), GO
OUT, S, W, S, SW, HOLD NOSE, SE (the flies go off to the university), NW, QUIT
HOLDING NOSE.
Go NE, N, STOP CLOCK, W, NW, S, SW, E (you can get a free gift if you sort out
"comic prose". This is another anagram), MICROSCOPE (you get it), W, N, SWOT
FLIES (note the spelling - it is not swat), TAKE FLIES, S, NE, N, SE, E, S, S,
GO IN (the flies stir), DROP FLIES (Saturn runs off), TAKE BEAKER, EXAMINE
BEAKER (the elixir of life - someone who is close to the end of life might
benefit from it), GO OUT, N, N, W, NW, NE, NE, N, W, W, SE, SE, DROP ALL, TAKE
POTION. Go NW, NW, E, E, NE, N, N, N, NE, NE, NE, NE, E, S, S, S, W, W, SIT ON
BENCH (you are offered a cup of Weasel's pee), TAKE CUP, E, S, S, SW, TURN
HANDLE, TURN HANDLE, DRINK PEE, FILL CUP, NE, N, SE, E (you meet a hare who
tells you there is something to the east, but you need to outrun him), DRINK
POTION (the hare goes home, having lost - you see an oil drum), TAKE DRUM, W,
W, NE, E (Mars gives you a chocolate bar), TAKE BAR, W (you get the Nobel
Peace Prize), SW, NW, N, E, N, N, N, W, SW, SW, SW, SW, SW, S, S, S, SW, W, W,
SE, SE, DROP DRUM, DROP ALL (you cannot drop the Peace Prize).
TAKE BUG, TAKE MORSEL, TAKE HONEYPOT, TAKE CHEST, NW, NW, E, E, NE, N, N, N,
NE, NE, NE, NE, NE (you see Andromeda but cannot reach her), W, W (you see a
crow who wants a bug), GIVE BUG, HOP ON CROW (you see Cetus), CLOSE EYES, OPEN
CHEST, TAKE HEAD FROM CHEST (Cetus is turned to stone), PUT HEAD IN CHEST,
CLOSE CHEST, DROP CHEST, OPEN EYES (Andromeda is there. She tells you her
father will give you a reward), W, SW, SW, SW, SW, SW, SW, W, W, NW, NW,, NW,
NW, NW (the King gives you birdseed), EXAMINE BIRDSEED, N (the Toucan takes
the bag and you pick up the cracked pitcher), S, EXAMINE PITCHER (it is a
token), NE, UP, NE (Cassiopeia gives you a love poem), SW, SE, PULL ROPE, NW,
DOWN, DOWN, TAKE TRIANGLE, EXAMINE TRIANGLE (it is a musical instrument).
Go UP, SW, SE, SE, SE, SE, SE, E, E, E, NE, NE, E, E, SE, E, GIVE POEM. Venus
reads it to you. Two words are missing. YOUR MUM. She gives you a white gown.
EXAMINE GOWN (it is a token), W, W, S, S, SW, W, GIVE MORSEL. You get another
hint. Keep returning to the freezer (E, NE, N, N, E, S, GO IN) and getting
another morsel, until you get all the hints ("you will never survive the
desert; Pegasus will never fly again; the Dragon is afraid of nothing; don't
believe anything Uranus says". When you get a lettuce and tomato roll, don't
return to the fox as you will need it for someone else).
GO OUT (from the Freezer), N, NW, W, GO IN, GIVE TRIANGLE (Berenice drops a
comb), TAKE COMB, COMB. HAIR (you now have the flea and can stop scratching),
DROP COMB, GO OUT, W, SW, SW, W, W, S, GO IN, DROP GOWN, DROP PITCHER, GO OUT,
N, E, S, S, S, SW, W, W, SE, SE, TAKE MICROSCOPE, PUT FLEA UNDER MICROSCOPE,
TAKE STING, EXAMINE STING (it is a token), DROP MICROSCOPE, TAKE CUP, NW, NW,
E, E, NE, N, N, N, E, SE, SE, E, E, GO IN (Jupiter needs mead), MIX WATER WITH
HONEY, GIVE MEAD (you get a paper), EXAMINE PAPER (you have a joke), GO OUT,
W, W, NW, NW, W, W, N, N, READ JOKE (you land on the Road to Desolation), NE,
EXAMINE TREE, SAY ASUDE, PULL ARROW, EXAMINE ARROW (it is a token).
Go SW, SW, S, S, S, GO IN, DROP ARROW, DROP STING, GO OUT, N, E, S, S, S, SW,
W, W, SE, SE, DROP PAPER, TAKE CANVAS, TAKE CHISEL, TAKE CHAMPAGNE, TAKE OIL,
SW, S, S, S, DOWN, GO ON SHIP, S (you can't), SMASH CHAMPAGNE, S, E, S, GET
OFF, SHIP, S, W, GIVE CHISEL (he finishes the figurehead for the Argo), UP,
GIVE CANVAS (you get paint and a brush), DOWN, E, N, GET ON SHIP, PAINT SHIP
(the painter returns for his tools), N, E, SE, S, GET OFF SHIP, S, TAKE
FLEECE, N, GET ON SHIP.
Go N, E, NE, NE, N, NE, N, E. You see Neptune who tells you the waters are
troubled. (Remember the phrase - pour oil over troubled waters?) POUR OIL (you
get a net), N, E, S, GET OFF SHIP, S. Orion takes the fleece and gives you a
goatskin. EXAMINE GOATSKIN (it is a token), N, GET ON SHIP, N, W, S, W, S, SW,
N, GET OFF SHIP, N, NW, E, S, S, SW, FILL CUP, DROP CUP (you don't really need
it unless you wish to explore the desert in detail), NE, N, N, W, SE, S, GET
ON SHIP, S, S, SW, SW, W, NW, W, W, N, GET OFF SHIP, UP, N, N, N, NE, DROP
GOATSKIN.
Go NW, NW, SW, S, S, S (you hear about the Centaur), E (you see Hercules
holding up Atlas' globe. He asks that you scratch his bum), SCRATCH BUM,
SCRATCH BUM, SCRATCH BUM (he gives you his sword), W, N, N, N, NE, SE, SE, SW,
W (the heat of the furnace has transformed the sword), EXAMINE SWORD (as good
as new), E, NE, NW, NW, SW, S, S, S (by now you have gotten several messages
about the Centaur), W, W (you see a swan in chains - I think in mythology, her
name was Leda), CUT CHAINS, TAKE EGG, EXAMINE EGG (it is a token), E, E (the
Centaur needs a roll), GIVE ROLL, N, N, N, NE, E, E, NE, E, E, NE (you see a
Unicorn who needs his horn trimmed), TRIM HORN (there is powder), TAKE POWDER,
EXAMINE POWDER (startling effect on the opposite sex).
Go SW, W, W, SW, W, W, SE, SE, DROP SWORD, TAKE GOATSKIN, NW, NW, E, E, NE, N,
N, N, W, S, GO IN, DROP EGG, DROP GOATSKIN, GO OUT, N, W, SW, W, NW, GO IN
(you see a lovesick lynx), GIVE POWDER. He tells you a chameleon hides in a
tree near an oasis. Examine the lowest branch for assistance. GO OUT, SE, E,
SW, SE, SE, TAKE BEAKER, TAKE COIN, NW, NW, NE, W, SW, SW, W, W (you see a
tired Pegasus), GIVE BEAKER (he is rejuvenated and will help you), E, S, S
(you see a ferryman), PAY FERRYMAN (you are allowed on the boat), W, W, W (you
see a dolphin who will only speak to beautiful people), W, W, GET OFF BOAT.
Go S (you see a bucket), GO IN, TAKE SHOVEL, CLEAN STABLE, GO OUT, FILL
BUCKET, DROP SHOVEL, TAKE BUCKET, N, GET ON BOAT, E, E, E, E, E, GET OFF BOAT,
N, N, E, NE, NE, E, NE, SW, SW, SE, SE, DROP BUCKET, NW, NW, E, E, NE, SE, SE,
SE, E, S, S, SW (you can take the cup and fill it if you wish to explore the
desert), W, W, W, W, S, S, S (you see a corpse pointing west), W, W, W,
EXAMINE LOWEST BRANCH, TAKE COCONUT, THROW COCONUT (you may need to do this
more than once). The chameleon turns you into a mongoose.
Go E, E, N, N, N, E, E, E, E, E, NE, N, N, W, NW, NW, NW, SW, W, W, SW, S, SW,
W, SW, TAKE FLEDGLING, NE (you are changed back to your normal form), E, NE,
N, NE, NE, NW (you see an eagle who needs a cosmic antidote), UP, PUT
FLEDGLING IN NEST (she gives you the antidote), DOWN, GIVE COSMIC ANTIDOTE
(the eagle is cured and will now help you), UP, UP, TAKE HORN, EXAMINE HORN
(it is a token), BLOW HORN (the eagles carries you down).
Go DOWN, SE, SW, SE, SE, SW, S, S, S, DOWN, GET ON SHIP, S, E, E, THROW NET,
EXAMINE FISH (a token), W, W, N, GET OFF SHIP, UP, N, N, N, NE, NW, NW, E, E,
NE, N, N, N, W, S, E, TAKE COIN, W, GO IN, DROP HORN, DROP FISH, GO OUT, N, E,
S, S, S, SW, W, W, SE, SE, TAKE ROPE, TAKE BAR, NW, NW, SW, S, S, S, S, S, S,
LOOK THROUGH TELESCOPE (you see a passage in the mountains), N, N, N, N, N, N,
NE, E, E, NE, N, N, N, W, N, N, N, N, NE, N, W, DOWN, TAKE CLAW, EXAMINE CLAW
(it is a token), UP (Pegasus saves you), S, GO IN, DROP CLAW, GO OUT, N.
Go E, S, S, S, SE, SE, SE, E, S, S, SW, W, S, S, S, S, S, E (the Indian needs
a feather), W, S. You are in the jungle. Go SE, W (you see a giraffe by a tree
but cannot hear what he says), CLIMB TREE (he tells you he has a corn on his
foot), CLIMB DOWN, TAKE CORN, EXAMINE CORN (it is an acorn), E, SE (you see a
peacock, with a dangling feather, dreaming of good things), GIVE BAR, TAKE
FEATHER, NW, NW, S, SW, W (you see a dove), GIVE PRIZE (she is not ready), E,
NE, N, N, E, GIVE FEATHER, TAKE TOMAHAWK, EXAMINE TOMAHAWK (symbol of war), W,
S, S, SW, W, GIVE PRIZE (you get and wear the Crown of olive leaves which you
cannot take off), EXAMINE CROWN (too brilliant).
Go E, NE (the peacock snatches the crown away), N, N, N, N, N, N, N, E, NE, N,
N, W, NW, NW,,NW, SW, W, W, SW, S, S, S (the Centaur is ready to help you but
he needs a lasso to catch the peacock), GIVE ROPE (he makes a lasso and
gallops off with you to the peacock), THROW ROPE (you replace the crown), N,
W, NW, NW, N, N, N, N, N, N, E, NE, N, N, W, NW, NW, NW, SW, W, W, NE, W, SW,
SW, W, S, S, PAY FERRYMAN, W, W, W (when the Dolphin sees you are beautiful,
she suggests you follow her), JUMP.
You find yourself in a cavern where you see scales - this is a hint. TAKE
STICKS, PLAY XYLOPHONE (you are told to play the basics), PLAY SCALES (nice
pun). The flying fish takes the crown and gives you the scales and takes the
crown away. EXAMINE SCALES (a token), SIT IN CHAIR (you find yourself back in
the boathouse), N, N, E, NE, NE, E, SW, SE, SE, DROP ROPE, DROP NET, DROP
STICKS, TAKE BUCKET, NW, NW, E, E, NE, N, N, N, E, NE, NE, E, E, SE, PUT HEAP
ON GARDEN, PLANT ACORN. Venus arrives with the dog who will come when you
whistle.
Go NW, W, W, SW, SW, W, S, S, S, SW, W, W, SE, SE, SW, S, W, WHISTLE (the
wolf runs away), PULL LEVER (you hear mists clear someplace), E, N, NE,
NW, NW, E, E, S, SE, SE, GO IN (Uranus tells you he sees something beneath
the altar in the cathedral), GO OUT, NW, W, GO IN, W, LOOK BENEATH ALTAR,
SLIDE PANEL, TAKE RING, EXAMINE RING (a token). You now have collected all
twelve tokens. DROP BUCKET, E, GO OUT, N, N, NE, N, N, N, W, S, GO IN,
TAKE ALL. Go UP, UP, PUT EGG ON PLINTH, PUT ARROW ON PLINTH, PUT GOATSKIN
ON PLINTH, PUT STING ON PLINTH, PUT DANDELION ON PLINTH PUT SCALES ON
PLINTH, PUT RING ON PLINTH, DOWN, DOWN, TAKE ALL, UP, UP PUT CLAW ON
PLINTH, PUT FISH ON PLINTH, PUT PITCHER ON PLINTH, PUT HORN ON PLINTH, PUT
GOWN ON PLINTH. You are finished.
Terri Sheehan
2004-05-30
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