NEW T2 fm: Darkstone gem chapter 2, part 2: Unexpected Detour. (20/03/2017)

JarlFrank on 22/3/2017 at 14:17

Huh. So I have the hint in my inventory and am pretty sure about what I have to do, yet the correct solution eludes me.

"When death and despair come, fear not,
for the Lady will always be watching with
vigilant eyes on your lost souls
before the demons feast on them.

The way I got it figured is:
I'll have to press these buttons in a certain sequence.
The likely sequence is:
- death and despair
- Lady
- vigilant eyes
- lost souls
- feasting demons

So there are 6 buttons, each with a different texture.
Top left: some bird-like figure that looks rather withered and despairing; got it figured as either "despair" or "lost souls"
Top right: this has to be "the Lady", as its a long-haired woman with royal insignia in her hands
Center left: looks very similar to the Trickster so I got this figured as the "demons"
Center right: a bunch of skulls, likely represents "death"
Bottom left: an eye, this represents the "vigilant eyes"
Bottom right: looks like a man carrying something like a whip or some kind of farming tool over his head? This has to be "lost souls", right?

So that's the way I got it figured, but no matter what sequence I push the buttons in, it's not doing anything. Huh.

marbleman on 22/3/2017 at 15:01

The code is actually only four buttons: death - lady - eye - demon

JarlFrank on 22/3/2017 at 15:05

Oooh. Guess that's why it's written in four seperate lines.

DarkMax on 22/3/2017 at 16:55

Originally, the puzzle had 4 buttons, but I realized it was way too easy to figure out by trial and error.

Spyrano on 22/3/2017 at 17:57

I overthought the puzzle as well, by trying to use all 6 buttons

Cool mission, definitely gave me Down in the Bonehoard flashbacks.

Swiz on 22/3/2017 at 23:54

This is a really good classic mission, but:

I think the readable with the numbered artifacts (the "1. a figure similar to the trickster" one, etc) is a mistake, as it looks like the key to the puzzle at first glance. Especially given the nice setpiece in the hut outside the mines, after which the corresponding numbered gravestone there seems important.

DarkMax on 22/3/2017 at 23:59

I know what you mean. However, I think the last diary found in the mission is more than enough to let the player know which readable is the key to the puzzle. The scroll with the numbers acts as a stronger clue, along with the tablets with the numbers.

baeuchlein on 23/3/2017 at 00:58

Quote Posted by DarkMax

I know what you mean. However, I think the last diary found in the mission is more than enough to let the player know which readable is the key to the puzzle.

The main problem might be that the player has to guess who Luke is. I didn't make that connection, although I was wondering why the correct sequence apparently was mentioned in the note assigning numbers to the pictures. Maybe there should be a hint on easiest difficulty level about where that mysterious Luke might be. On the other hand, he's the only person around who actually carried around one of the transcriptions mentioned, which one could count as another hint to the identity of the dead one.

DarkMax on 23/3/2017 at 01:25

Taken from the Chief's diary:

"A strange structure has been found in level 2 along with more caves. Adolpho's party was sent again. Awaiting report.

Month 5, day 14.

Adolpho returned again. Luke and Edward reported missing. Adolpho informed me that they stayed to translate ancient scriptures."

This implies that Luke was left behind in the Pit area, and so you find his corpse there.

Afterwards, a diary mentions:

"The only exit is locked by some kind of puzzle in the Tomb of Merchants. Only that bastard Luke has the key in one of his stupid transcriptions..."

vexd on 23/3/2017 at 23:49

This was a fine tribute to the Bonehoard and a great mission in its own right. Loved it! Thanks, DarkMax!