AL-QADIM - THE GENIE'S CURSE - Part 1 HINTS AND TIPS by VIC HORSLEY 1. THE MAZE:- When you come to the three square floor tiles with spikes protruding beyond, step on them in the order Right, Center, Left, this will lower the spikes enabling you to cross, do not waste time with this as the force field is closing behind. Smash the two pots with your sabre (left mouse button) and run over all the money to pick it up, don't miss any you need the lot to buy extra health potions at the first opportunity, swiftness is a priority, do not linger. You come to a wide gap with one floor tile showing, step on this and move forward, weave about a bit, it will reveal other tiles, the idea is to get to the left center of this opening (as you look at it), step off the tiles at this point and move one pace towards yourself (south), another tile will reveal itself if you turn to face the gap, step on it and you're on your way over as the other tiles appear. The moving saws are no problem just line yourself up in the middle and run right through, a portion of health will be lost but it is a very small amount as long as you don't stop. At the three floor levers followed by a large amount of vases, it is possible to smash all the vases (picking up a few goodies) and still get through but by far the quickest and best way to go is to push the middle lever (left mouse button), this will fly you across the vases and save time. Dodge the small moving flames, it's possible to finish these off with your sabre but at this stage is too time consuming and could kill you. Across the wooden bridge you are safe, nothing will harm you here, open the chest to the south first, then step on the carpet, your health will be topped up, a level will be gained and you will be spirited away to your next section of the game. REMEMBER TO SAVE OFTEN AND ALWAYS AT THE START OF A LEVEL. 2.ZARATAN:- This a three area section, from the beach where you begin, first go north into town later go to the west (along the sand), it leads to a new screen, it's the action screen but the same area (here you do the fighting, watch your health bar and if needed take a potion by clicking on the lamp, selecting inventory and potion), north of this is a temple. The sorcerers guild in the S.E. corner of town has false walls to the north and east, just bump into them, to the west a doorway leads to the sorcerer room, break all the vases three times, it increases your points. In the N.E. is the weapons trainer, go to him as often as possible for advancement, when training with him push him against a wall and pin him there (right mouse button), then keep striking with sabre. This will be your first training and must be done before attempting the desert action area. Buy as many potions as you can afford from the shop (at least four), they will surely be needed, make certain you keep at least fifty coins in your possession, you will need them soon. Your sister gives you a sling, arm it right away, it never runs out of ammo (click on lamp, click on ready weapon, click on sling, or any other choices you want to use, when you obtain them. But for now the sling is most important), to use the sling after arming it just press the space bar on the keyboard and yes you can fire the sling and use the sabre at the same time. Give the resident the donation he asks for, it gives you points towards your advancement. As before give a donation, this time to the temple and as high as you can afford the more you give the quicker you advance. When you return to Babazar the merchant with the berries more advancement points are awarded but say no to his enquiry regarding the mermaid. In the desert (action area) you will be attacked by animals, these can be killed by the sling if seen at a distance, also small whirlwinds can be dispatched in the same way or with the sword, the winds can be seen in the sand as small circles before they whip themselves up, they can be finished off at this stage but before you get too near, another is bees or wasps, they have nests hanging from trees and bushes, best avoided by running away, they swarm and can cause a lot of damage, as you get further away from their nest they leave you. The healing pool is at the far western side of the oasis, initially best reached by going along the southern beach (hug the coast) as far west as you can go then north (come about 3 or 4 steps inland from the west beach), as you go north you'll see a palm tree with a stone to its N.W. Higher up to the N.E. is another stone, go around this, the oasis is now to your right and a colourful bush beside it, above the bush are two trees, go between these (keeping near to the top one), you will see a light area in the water, it's the healing area, push down into it, the colour will change and your health bar will fill up (sometimes you need to wriggle about a bit to get into the right position). When you return to the mermaid with the Qadi's answer more points are awarded. When fighting and running out of health, press the genie lamp (top left of screen), then inventory, followed by a heart now exit, some health will have been restored. The game is paused when the genie lamp is clicked on, also if in the action scene, this is frozen, so you can't be killed off. It's a good idea when moving about the action areas to periodically stop and fire off your sling, its surprising what you will hit, remember you cannot harm friends only foes. Find the Caliph in the top N.W. corner after the shipwreck and you will be awarded more points. 3.THE REEF AND SHIP:-This small island is covered with money and gems but when you approach it skeletons and ghouls appear (be ready with sling and sword). There are 2 chests partly hidden in the sand, find them, they contain the keys you will need shortly. As you move about you will be attacked from the ship by arrows, just avoid until you have completed the island, then board the ship and kill what was attacking you. It's a pirate, you will need to use the sling, as he keeps backing off. After killing all and before going down ship's ladder, check your health, make sure you are at least half full, if below half take potion, it is not necessary at this stage to top right up. Open first door below stairs and kill ghouls, after opening second door and before moving into room you can fire your sling, this will kill the adversary inside, or just walk in and use your sword. THE GREAT SORCERERS TEMPLE:-At the main door, in answer to its question say AZULLA BATAN, entry is yours. On first face after being teleported, ask to see AL-FARID. At spike maze, just run through, then top up your health points and open the chest, it's not worth hanging around to see if you can dodge through. At the five by four maze, step on the blue tile and follow them as they change to blue, when you get to the top they stop, get off at the side and walk down (south), another tile will show up blue, get on this and proceed, when they stop again get off and pull the button on the east wall, all the tiles will turn blue, maze completed. The puzzle to the east of the first Acid Pool, again step on the blue tiles, then on the face and answer question as:-1.NORTH, 2.SOUTH, 3.DO NOT KNOW. To the west from the first acid pool, levers with spikes behind them, how to get through them. Looking at the levers from the south to the north and counting the south one as number one and the north as number five, go this way:-1. towards acid pool, 2. towards spikes, 3. towards acid pool, 4. and 5. towards spikes. Now go between spikes until stopped and listen, you need to answer the same answer 3 times, it is the first answer in the block, now this area is finished, go back to center of pool and push up, you get 1000 points and are transported forward, carry on east then south, come to next acid pool. Here you need to walk from one tile to the next but don't be too hasty before you make your move (the tile will always return), step on the first tile and go like this west-south-south- west-north and open chest, then go south-east-east-north and open chest, then go south-south-west-south-east-east-north-east- north-west, stay on this tile until it reaches the lever platform, pull lever, go back to tile, go east-north-east-south- south-south-open last chest, then back to tile and go north- north-north-west-south-south-south-west, wait while tile moves - you reach the other side., sometimes the tiles will go the wrong way at first so just wait on it until it gets to the right place (save). Move to the face after the acid maze, step on, answer questions as-1. give first answer, 2. give first answer, go west to maze, step on blue tile, (tiles will light up as you move) so moving slowly (blue tiles only), try to make your way to the N.W. area, you'll be transported to the south, open the chests on the walkways (2), from S.W.chest go north-west-north-west then all the way north, break the pot and pull the lever, then follow the blue tiles to the S.W.corner (this may take a few tries, just keep going back to the blue tiles and trying another way), this leads you out of the maze and gives more points. After the small pool, to the face and listen, when asked give the first answer to both questions. At the double row of spikes going south, line up one side, then as the nearest spike to you goes down, run through to the other side (south), very little damage, if any, is taken. Next acid pool puzzle, go through spikes and save, (you can't fall in acid), go north on tiles pull first button (stand slightly to the S.E. of tile, if you have any trouble pulling the button), then come south to lever number 2, pull, go back north and pull next lever then around corner, to fourth lever, do same, now south to fifth lever, then go back to number 2 lever (which is next north) and push it in, now south again then east and north, step on the tile to the east, when it moves over go north, pull the lever and come south as far as you can go (try to be quick), then east and south (don't be afraid of the sinking tiles, just run through), then west push lever, go far east, pull button, then north all the way, go east to moving tile and travel to button south, pull, then step on next tile south, this will take you to the other side. After the pool step onto the face and listen, make the promise. Pool where Sorcerers face appears, you can make one request, the answers are below but you can choose any, 1.Those you seek are nameless, 2.I see her face in a mirror - fog swirls around her, 3.A voice, a jewelled sword, a stone and courage, strength, patience. Given 1200 points and transported forward. In the Great Sorcerers room, take all questions and answers in the order they come but make sure you ask, Can I get you anything?, promise you will. BANDAR AL-SA'ADAT:- The garden in front of Caliph's Palace, hides money in the N.W. and S.W. corners, also go to the N.E.corner, and listen at the small grill. In your dealings with the Vizier and in answering his questions, be polite, it saves a lot of hassle. Be sure to state you will save your family, ask to see your family, to see the Caliph and thank the Vizier, you are escorted to chamber to await call. Ask your father about his health, give him a potion and get some extra points. Talking fully with your father should give you a new level, then you will need to train up, go to the trainer in the city. Don't go near or attempt to open the purple chest (outside the nearest palace gates and to the east), it will cost you at least your money but could be your life. Buy a Dove from the shop you will need to take it back to the Mermaid, in the Sorcerers Tower. @~To be Continued next issue - o -