Al-qadim - The Genie's Curse (Part 1)

                Walkthrough by Vic Horsley

@~Maps will be given in the screenshots section when appropriate

As this is a walkthrough I will not attempt to solve or answer any
of the puzzles which help make up this game, only to steer you on
a course to completing the tale.  It is an Arabian Nights type
story with you as a young Corsair just out of training, who has to
clear his name and save his family from death.

The opening screen shows the corsair (you), print a first name
(anything you like), mark the level from very easy through to very
hard, then click play.

Playing via the mouse
:- left button uses sword (sabre) when in action arena or to talk
with characters when not fighting you cannot attack a friendly
person so have no fears in pushing the button
:- right button moves yourself about the screen, just point arrow
in direction and press
:- spacebar (on keyboard) fires slings and magical weapons, these
are armed by clicking on the genie lamp in the top left hand
corner of screen and choosing ready weapon. From the genie lamp
you can reach three other screens all explanatory so I will not go
into detail here
:- Into the game.

THE MAZE. Not so much a maze, more an up and down winding passage,
from the start walk forward into the flames, they will part
letting you through, stop at the flames moving in a circle then
dodge through them, health points will be lost if hit by
flames (health bar is at top right of screen - red bar).  Speak
with Sinbar then move to escape challenge from maze.

Sinbar will move out of your way, when he does go with all speed
northwards because following you close behind (seen behind you at
the start of run) is a force field which will kill you the instant
it touches, do not worry unduly about this for if you keep moving
it will not catch you.  The passage has a couple of dead ends but
these will be no problem as said just keep moving, weave in and
out of most obstacles, next some floor tiles step on to lower
spikes run around next corner smash pots run over money then back
the way you came, go around the next corner, cross the stone tiled
bridge (tiles are invisible at first), after this it's moving
saws, run through, these damage will be taken but don't stop, it's
not enough to kill, now it's on to a choice of either pulling the
right levers or smashing pots to get through, I'll leave this up
to the player but do keep moving, dodge all other hazards. After
this the flames can be finished off with your sabre, a waste of
time and health though so just avoid, go over the wooden bridge
and you're safe, to the south here is a chest and to the north a
carpet, open the chest first then step on the magic carpet, health
points will be restored and you gain a level and are transported
to the new area.

ZARATAN. From the beach walk up, meet your sister, speak with her
and follow to your parents' house, talk with your father, then go
into your home (to your east) and talk with your mother, open the
drawer and read the scroll, leave house. Outside the door is a
large water butt, to the north of this is your brother's house, to
the north west of the butt and west of your brother's house is
Babazar the merchant's house, below Babazar and to the west of the
water butt is your aunt's home. After leaving your house go to
your brothers, read the scroll, then to Babazar's, accept his
challenge freely but do not leave town yet, to your aunt's talk
with her and open chest (goodies), leave and go to the S. E.
corner of town enter the Sorcerers' guild, talk, do challenges and
leave, go north along east wall to N. E. corner, here stands the
Inn, enter, talk to all and leave.  As you walk around these
buildings you may meet other people, do not miss talking to them,
from the Inn and next door to the west is the Weapons Master,
train with him to gain advancement, that covers the east side of
the town, now to the west side.

To the west of the weapons trainer's house is the Qadi's Hall,
however don't go in there yet, instead follow the road between the
two buildings South, you come to a man selling chickens. Talk to
him, the store south of him is your next call, buy potions, exit,
come a little south turn west, now you're going S.W. along the
inside of the town wall, pass the next property past the store
(it's being renovated) and you come to your sister's house, it's
right in the S.W. corner, go and talk with her, she has an item
of great use for you.

From your sister go to the N.W. corner, here is the Town Temple,
talk, give donation, south of temple is Qadi's House, tell the
guard you have permission and read scroll then leave, to the
southeast are the Wassab family houses, do not enter these (at
least not yet).

From the Qadi's house go in a northeast direction and you are back
at the Qadi Hall, enter accept challenge but do not fulfill just
yet, leave hall, the house south of the hall needs donation, go on
help him out, leave, go south and leave town to sort Babazar's
problem out.

DESERT AND OASIS. From the town go west, you come to a new screen
but it's still the same area, although it's also a action
area (fighting), it's a good idea to save here if you haven't
already done so. Hugging the outside of the town wall go north to
the palm tree, three or four paces north of the palm turn west and
head over to the Oasis, the bush you want is the one tucked up in
the little inlet, the berries are bright purple (left button),
press hard into the inlet and if she has not already done so, the
mermaid will appear, speak and make promise, leave the same way
you came, if you are attacked at this point either fight or run
for town. Should you choose to fight, watch your heath and if
needed take potion (click on genie's lamp, choose inventory,
choose heart).

As you near town gate Sinbar your teacher appears (talk), then
into town, enter merchant's house and speak with him to complete
his challenge. Now go to your father near water butt, speak of
treaty, get him to sign, then west to Wassab's house, talk of
treaty, after this go to your sister's house in the S.W.  talk to
her then go to Qadi's Hall, Wassab is outside, talk with him, then
enter the hall and speak to the Qadi, another challenge completed,
when you finish talking click on him again or walk away then turn
back and click on him talk some more, then leave town to revisit
the Mermaid. On the way call into the store should you need more
health potions and save before entering the action area.  As you
walk up towards the palm tree and before you cross over to the
mermaid, this time you surely will be attacked, fight them off,
you need the points, then proceed to the mermaid, if she does not
appear push up into the inlet and wait a little, she will show,
talk, the healing pool is to the west, fight your way there but
keep moving, then return to town.

At the gate your sister is waiting with bad news, listen then
follow her to your father and listen again. The Qadi arrives,
follow him to his hall and pay attention to the conversations, you
are sent to look for survivors, as you leave town on this mission
and if you have any money left buy some health potions from the
store, it's your last chance for a while (save). Make your way
along southern shore line then north as before but this time
you're going higher up, watch out for attackers and top up at the
oasis if needed.

N.W. of the oasis or above the palm tree where you crossed over,
is another palm, going in circles by it is the Caliph along with
wreckage, click on him when you catch him and talk, there is a
Boar around here. Kill with sling and sabre, go slightly N.W.
close to beach, more wreckage with chest behind it, open chest,
now take Caliph back to town, you can go east and down (be
prepared to meet enemies), or retrace your steps.

The Qadi meets you at the town gate, listen, then he takes you to
his hall, listen and follow what you think are the right answers,
you will be banished from the town either way, you cannot now or
in the near future get back into town. Return to the mermaid
(click left button), first warn her of the danger then the news of
your family, ask her about swim then go to the S. W. corner of
beach (the little cape). I'll say this before you leave here, to
the center north of this screen is The Great Sorcerers Temple,
however you can't get in yet, so back at the S. W. corner as you
push south, words are spoken and a turtle arrives, walk onto him
and you travel to next area.

THE REEF AND SHIP. Search this small island thoroughly, it is
scattered with money and gems, the best way to do this is to criss
cross from one side to the other but be careful, there are some
surprises, when you've finished this board the ship, kill the
attacker, look around then go down ladder. Open door, kill the
ghouls, open next door, kill adversary, read scroll, open chest
and take items lying around. After this go through wall, click on
large green orb, click on orb again, health is fully restored,
then go back the way you came, through the portal.  The ship has
now changed and is sailing, look around then go to Genie at rear
of ship and click on him. Talk with him, he will now take you
wherever you wish to go, subject to completing quests, this is now
your main way of getting about in the game so if you get stuck
just sail somewhere else, you can always come back. As the ship
moves from island to island, it may sometimes be attacked, just
stand your ground and fight them off, at a distance is best though
you will eventually need to move forward so as to retrieve their
gold, from the other ship, a few bodies may still be around so
keeping your eye on the health bar, finish these also.

The first place you need to sail to is your own island (Zaratan),
so choose that, get into the small boat and sail off, at the beach
go due north, as far as you can go.

THE GREAT SORCERERS TEMPLE. Left click on the door, it will speak
to you, give the bottom answer to the questions and you will get
in, just before the door you may wish to save game, walk up in
temple (north) and you will be transported. Walk onto the face,
listen and accept challenge, smash pots just north then west
through passage, follow the blue tiles and the door will open, go
on, pull lever, cross over acid and attack any acid blobs that
appear (or run), use your sword on them. At first junction go
south then west, pull lever, then go east, north, west and pull
that lever, then return to first lever, from here go west, north,
west, south and strike pot, stand on the face, listen and give
first answer to question. Then go north through doorway, pull
button.

It's not possible to cross spikes yet so come back through
doorway and to the near east, see throbbing wall, go through it,
open chest, pull button on wall, return to spikes you can now go
through, step on face, answer question, again with first answer,
walk onto tile, it will move across (watch out for more acid
blobs). Go north, through spike maze (just keep running), open up
chest, then top up your health, next pull button on wall, go
south, smash pots, then southeast, attack Giant Rat with sling if
you have the chance but do use the sword also, go east, there are
bats here they may be hard to see, if you fire your sling here and
do so every couple steps to end of passage, maybe you'll kill
them.  Complete the maze, pull the button, return westward, then
north, by the pot you last smashed, the wall will be moving, go
through, move north, more animals here (sling and sabre), go
around corner and south, then east, more attackers watch your
health closely here, you are moving into a large area with poison
spiders.

If they bite you your health bar turns green, it will return to
normal after a few seconds but do remember to top up, now stand on
face, listen, then pull buttons (save), walk onto tile and move to
center of acid pool, walk forward (listen), go to east on tile,
watch out for acid blobs, step onto puzzle area, go to blue tiles,
then stand on face, complete puzzle and return to center of pool
(listen to voice), now go to west on tile, walk on face (listen),
top up health if required and save, throw levers to get through,
complete puzzle return to center of pool (listen).  Get
transported, forward over acid, open the gold chest, then save,
move up, break pot, to the east giant rat, bats, same as before
use both weapons, going east, south, east, more bats and spiders,
keep health topped up (poison), there are many enemies here, it's
hard not to get hurt (so be alert), going east then south you come
to acid pool with tiles maze. Ride on tiles over acid stopping to
open chests and throw lever on the way, at other side walk onto
face (listen), answer the questions, the answers don't have to be
the right ones but of course it does help towards your points, now
go west to tiled maze and save game. Make your way (moving slowly
on to the changing tiles) to the top left-hand corner, get
transported to south, go down, open chests, now go north, westward
on tiles, to top, break pot, pull lever, follow blue tiles to S.W.
corner and out, you may get transported a few times here but just
press on and the maze will be conquered.

Move on tile across small pool (save), follow path to face, step
on and listen, then move to the south, there are poisonous spiders
here (you may need to take a potion), your health will return
normal after a short while. Moving south come to a double row of
spikes, run through and turn eastward, to next acid pool puzzle,
run through the spikes, you can't fall in the acid, (save), go up
and down pulling the buttons to work your way over the pool, on
the other side step on face and listen, now open chest (save),
move up to pool, a face will appear and give you one request, then
you are transported forward over acid pool.

Go north and up stairs, from the hall go to the N. E.  corner and
through the doorway, after taking the stairs come south down the
passage and in the door, it's the only one, go forward and listen,
(it's the Sorcerer and his wife - the mermaid), answer questions,
when done leave the room, go back down stairs and south out of
Sorcerers Tower, outside turn east and follow wall south to the
boat, you can if you wish go to the town gate and ask about your
family's trial, but you still can't get in, go to the ship (you
can go below and through the portal to top up your health, any
time), speak to the Genie and sail to the next island (save).

BADAR AL-SA`ADAT. From the beach go north to the City gates (you
can look around outside the gates but there's nothing there),
speak to the gate guard to get in, now there is a long road ahead
of you with shops and houses on either sides, all these shops can
be visited but be careful with the houses (you could be charged
with trespassing). Anyway until later leave all the buildings here
and go the way I suggest.  Keep to the middle of the road and go
north, go around the water container (with dolphin) and on to the
fish seller, then turn west past the melons to the nearest door
way (it is to your left), it is the trainer from your home town!

Speak with him and train (you will need to come back here now and
again to train up), now leave, go back to the center of the street
and go north, there are two gateways, go through both, do not get
tempted to go left or right between these gateways, it's not a
good idea at this stage, when you come to the Caliph's Palace,
look around the garden before going in, talk with the palace
guards, give them your name and as always be polite(that is unless
you want to go messing around), you will be allowed to enter. Walk
north in the palace until you come to the Vizier, listen, ask for
interview with Caliph, when you are taken to the waiting room to
await your calling, there is a little time to look around your
immediate area but when the gong goes you must proceed to the
throne room, too much lingering makes things a little
awkward (remember it's in real time), you may have to go back to
your saved game, so it's a good idea to save while in the waiting
room.

From the waiting room go, N. E. N. E and North, talk with the
Caliph, ask to visit your family (be careful what you say , the
wrong answers could mean being banished or killed), say -nothing
to fear from me-, when the Vizier comes in and you're asked about
further info, say -no I do not- (this is the truth you are
telling), now wait just a second (you will see the messenger go
off, you need to be behind him), then go South-First West-South-
Next West-Next South-Next West and through the doorway, now talk
with the Captain of the Guard, say you would like to enter, then
pay him, if you don't, you don't get in. Now follow the guard to
your father's cell, speak with your father (get points), do as
your father asks you and seek out your family members, these
passageways all link up so there are various ways to go, here's
one way, first cover the area near to your father, it is just a
square, wait till the guard passes you then follow behind, don`t
get caught at any of the cell doors (either go in empty cells as
he passes, or in between cells) but do talk with the prisoners.

Leaving your father's section go South-First West-South-East-
North-East, here is your Sister's cell, talk with her (get
points), be very careful at your Mother's and Sister's cells, if
caught by any kind of guard while you are close to these it will
end the game, move a little way back from your sister's cell and
save.  Now from your sister's cell, go East-First South-East-
North-East, then all the way South to the bottom and save, watch
out for the two robot guards crossing your Mother's cell, move in
quick, speak with her then get out fast (you get points), go back
to your father, talk to other prisoner on the way N. W. is a good
way to go, speak with your father then return to the palace, talk
again with the Captain of the Guard, get your father a better cell
(you get more points) now you can search all around the palace,
there's not a lot here but it lets you learn the layout of the
building.

Now leave the palace, where you can now look around the city (save
first), through first gate go west then east then back to center,
remember to talk with everyone, coming South criss cross the main
street (it's a lot easier this way), there are certain areas you
cant get into at present, but you'll be back, stay out of most of
the private houses, most shops and stores have boards up, so you
can tell the difference, check with the trainer, if you need to
train, enter all the shops, have a gamble, if you fancy it, buy at
least a couple of healing potions, to do this you will need to
leave the shop after each purchase then return, buy a sweet, buy a
Dove (most important) and a shard, if you have enough money give
the beggar 10 coins and you'll get points, the last shop on the
east side before leaving the city, is the money and gem changer
(worth remembering), now leave town, you'll be back this way,
return to the ship, talk to the genie and sail.

THE GREAT SORCERERS TEMPLE. Sail to your own island, then go north
to the tower, you should not meet any enemies if you stay close to
the wall but it's now time to fight for points so attack whenever
possible (remember to watch the health bar), go to the room in the
tower where you last saw the Sorcerer and the Mermaid, talk to
her, say you have the dove and listen to her, now speak with the
Sorcerer and leave the room.  Outside the door, click on the
genie's lamp, then on inventory and twice on the new scroll in
your possession, you can't do anything with it now but you'll
notice the words Jizala Mirizabin, put the scroll away, return to
the ship, go below if you need to top up health then go to genie
(save) and sail.

@~To be continued next issue




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