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Gold (Gold_Hilderbay_Solution.txt)

GOLD
Hilderbay, 1982
===============

Solution by Exemptus - December 2019


Overview and general hints:
---------------------------
The objective is to get the maximum number of points by returning to the initial location (Lost in
Fog) with the only three objects the game has: the keys, the sapphires and the gold. All are easy
enough to find, but the main difficulty is that taking the gold triggers a number of changes, making
it impossible to exit the caves by normal means. A time-based event has to be triggered (a wraith
appears and steals the gold back) and then we need to find the gold again. Once we do, one of the
moves that was previously impossible (we were sent automatically to another location) suddenly
becomes possible, although there is no explicit indication of this. Following this previously
unavailable route is the only way to exit the caves with all three objects.


Walkthrough with commentary:
---------------------------
N(orth)
N(orth)

[Note the strongbox and the absent spider.]

W(est)
N(orth
W(est
N(orth
G(et) K(eys)
S(outh)
E(ast)
S(outh)
E(ast)
O(pen) S(trongbox)
G(et) S(apphires)
W(est)
N(orth)
D(own)
W(est)
N(orth)
N(orth)
U(p)
N(orth)
O(pen) D(oor)
E(ast)
G(et) G(old)

[Once we have the gold, the normal exits are blocked, makit it impossible to exit the maze.]

S(outh)
S(outh)

[This does not work until later; we are sent to the bottom of the mineshaft.]

U(p)
S(outh)

[It is necessary to get back to this room once we have the gold, or else the wraith taking it back
is not triggered. Once we have visited the Cave with Several Exits with the gold, it does not matter
how we move; fifteen moves later the wraith appears and takes the gold back, provided we have not
dropped it. The moves given in the following section are therefore not unique]

E(ast) [does not work as the spider returns once we have the gold]
S(outh)
E(ast) [too narrow to carry the gold]
N(orth)
N(orth)
W(est)
W(est)
W(est)
D(own)
E(ast)
N(orth)
U(p)
E(ast)
W(est)

[At this point, the wraith should appear and take the gold from us, hiding it again in the caves. It
is in a different place than where we first found it, but always on the same spot since the game is
deterministic.]

D(own)
S(outh)
W(est)
U(p)
N(orth)
N(orth)

[Here is the gold again.]

G(et) G(old)

[Now the previously South route from South of the Icy River becomes available.]

S(outh)
E(ast)
E(ast)
E(ast)
D(own)
W(est)
N(orth)
N(orth)
U(p)
N(orth)
E(ast)
S(outh)
S(outh)

[This is new territory.]

W(est)
N(orth)
N(orth)
D(own)

[We fall down to the Long Cave.]

S(outh)

[The End. With this solution, 91 points are achieved as a score. Previous attempts resulted in 90
points, which makes me think that an additional point is scored if the game is completed within a
certain number of moves. I have not checked this.]