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The Dark Crystal (Apple II) (1982), Gelfling Adventure (Apple II) (1984)
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The Dark Crystal Copyright 1982 Henson Associates and Sierra On-Line
Gelfling Adventure Copyright 1984 Henson Associates and Sierra On-Line
This document is created by Faididi and Co. (faididi@yahoo.com)
Copying or distributing this, in whole or in part, for profit
without the explicit permission of the author is prohibited.
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[-] Document Version History
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Version 2001 (2001-12-31 Monday)
- Initial release.
Version 2002 (2002-12-31 Tuesday)
- Corrections made.
Version 2003 (2003-07-19 Saturday)
- Corrections made.
Version 2004 (2004-07-19 Monday)
- Corrections made.
Version 2005 (2005-07-19 Tuesday)
- Document streamlined.
Version 2006 (2006-07-19 Wednesday)
- Document streamlined.
Version 2007 (2007-07-19 Thursday)
- Corrections made.
Version 2008 (2008-07-19 Saturday)
- Corrections made.
Version 2010 (2010-07-19 Monday)
- Corrections made.
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[0] Contents
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[1] Overview
[1.0] Game Version Differences
[1.1] Story
[1.2] Characters
[1.3] Controls
[1.4] Items
[1.5] General Tips
[2] Strategies - The Dark Crystal
[2.0] Prologue
[2.1] Valley of Stones
[2.2] Forests
[2.3] Swamps
[2.4] Forests Revisited
[2.5] Wastelands
[2.6] Castle
[2.7] Epilogue
[3] Strategies - Gelfling Adventure
[3.0] Prologue
[3.1] Valley of Stones
[3.2] Forests
[3.3] Plains
[3.4] Mountains
[3.5] Forests Revisited
[3.6] Castle
[3.7] Epilogue
[4] Miscellaneous Information
[4.1] TDC Quick Reference
[4.1.1] Item Locations
[4.1.2] Commands
[4.1.3] Map
[4.2] GA Quick Reference
[4.2.1] Item Locations
[4.2.2] Quick Moves List
[4.3] urru-skeksis Parallels
[5] Reference
[5.1] Game Source Information
[5.2] Additional Reference
[5.3] Really Small Details
[5.4] Document Credits
[6] Contact Information
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[1] Overview
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Henson Associates and Sierra's The Dark Crystal and Gelfling Adventure
are both text adventures. They share the same graphics, but they are
very different games.
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[1.0] Game Version Differences
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- The Dark Crystal (TDC) uses a parser. It also contains several additional
events and challenges that are not found in the film.
- Gelfling Adventure (GA) uses multiple-choice menus. Its story is more
faithful to that of the film, and it does not contain the extra puzzles
that TDC has. To accommodate younger Players, GA is also far more linear
and easier to finish.
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[1.1] Story
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Long ago, the world was peaceful. The land grew under the power of the
Crystal, and it flourished even more so when the urskeks came and built
the brilliant Castle around the heart of the world. The pure light that
shone forth from the Crystal was a testament to the harmony within it.
However, the Great Conjunction came, and a piece of the Crystal was lost.
Incomplete and ill, the Crystal became warped. A new darkness replaced the
light, and its tainted energy corrupted the land. Balance fell in the wake
of this chaos, and the life around the Castle withered away into a barren
wasteland. Lying at the world's center was now the Dark Crystal.
Shortly before the moment when the Crystal became broken, the urskeks also
separated into two groups of beings: the urru and the skeksis. While the
urru sought peace, the skeksis warred for power. Eventually, the urru were
driven away, allowing the skeksis free reign over the Castle. Harnessing
the might of the Dark Crystal, the skeksis ruled the land without mercy.
Then came the Prophecy, declaring that a Gelfling would restore the
Crystal to its original state and end the age of the dark lords. Upon
learning of this, the skeksis sent forth their warriors, the terrifying
Garthim, to eradicate the Gelfling. Their murderous goal seemingly achieved,
the skeksis slept securely in the Castle, knowing that there was nothing
left that could stop them.
They were mistaken.
Unknown to the skeksis, not every Gelfling was captured and killed.
Within the Valley of Stones, a young, blue-haired child now sits alone
by his favorite lake, quietly playing his pipe....
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[1.2] Characters
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The urru and the skeksis are manifestations of the opposite aspects of the
urskeks, and for every urru there is a corresponding skeksis. If one of
the pair dies, the other also perishes. By the beginning of the story,
there are ten urru and ten skeksis left.
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[1.2.1] urru: The Mystics
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When the skeksis took control of the Castle, the urru were forced to flee,
settling in the Valley of Stones, which resembled the home world of the
urskeks. Practicing their ancient ceremonies, they now patiently wait for
the next Great Conjunction and the day when the Prophecy will be fulfilled.
Following the ways of the natural wizards, the kind and benevolent urru
embody the gentle and harmonious side of the urskeks. They live off the
land, and they treat living creatures as sacred. The Tree of Life is a
central concept within their philosophy. urru patterns of thought, like
those of the urskeks, are heavily influenced by the ideas of triangular
relationships and the allegories of knotted spirals. Simplistic, overt
dualities are alien to their ways of thinking.
urSu, the Master
(operated by Brian Muehl, voiced by Brian Muehl)
The eldest and the wisest of the remaining urru, who have raised Jen so
the boy will be ready to undertake the quest. With the help of the other
urru, urSu has tutored Jen in language and numbers, and he has taught Jen
"all the shapes of kindness." urSu does not reveal the young Gelfling's
destiny to him until the last few days before the Great Conjunction. urSu
also chooses to die during this crucial moment to upset the balance of power
among the skeksis, understanding that the death of the Emperor, even if it
means his own, will afford Jen valuable time.
urZah, the Ritual Guardian
(operated by Brian Muehl, voiced by Sean Barrett)
The urru who has found Jen and taken him into the safety of the Valley
of Stones. urZah preserves the ancient traditions of the urru, performing
many arcane ceremonies and serving as a prophet. urZah speaks more than
the others, but he often does so in riddles. Perhaps to reflect his deeply
philosophical mind, thought spirals are found all over his body, not just
on his head as with the other urru. While the urru carry prayer sticks
and walking staves that incorporate skeksis symbols of aggression, urZah
is also the only one who carries staves that do not have the points of
those symbols bound.
urSol, the Chanter
(operated by Simon Williamson)
The one who records the stories of the urru in the songs he composes with
his harp. This instrument, as well as the three-stringed lyre, are tuned
by adjusting the number of weights that are attached to the cords. When
the urru sing, their voices carry magical properties. urSol has two voices:
one for speech, and a deeper one for song. According to urSol, music is
the most powerful form of sculpture. So learned is he in the ways of the
art that he can sing a single note that will cause all the stones in the
Valley to resonate.
urIm, the Healer
(operated by Dave Greenaway and Richard Slaughter)
The caretaker of the group. urIm's knowledge of various medicines, ranging
from herbs to acupuncture, is vast indeed, although the only music to which
he pays attention is the art of the death trance. urIm's amulets serve as
weights to prevent the urru from floating away as they sleep in the water
of the hot mineral springs that abound in the Valley.
urTih, the Alchemist
(operated by Toby Philpott)
Believing that what is natural cannot be created or destroyed, urTih
creates the potions and other chemicals used by his companions, and he
also experiments much with changing the forms of substances. urTih is the
one who has arranged the Standing Stones that establish a net of protective
energy around the entire region, preventing the forces of the skeksis
from intruding. The principles behind the workings of the Standing Stones
actually parallel those of skekTek's light-trapping mirrors.
urYod (a.k.a. urRod), the Numerologist
(operated by Robbie Barnett)
An observer of the stars who keeps an accurate track of time with a highly
effective system of strings and stones. According to urYod, the urru die if
they cannot join their future with their past.
urAmaj, the Cook
(operated by Hugh Spight)
urNol's best friend. urAmaj prepares the simple, fresh meals for the group
by stirring and simmering fruits and spices together.
urNol, the Herbalist
(operated by Swee Lim)
urAmaj's best friend. urNol's medicines are formed by the grinding of
ingredients in large bowls. These ingredients range from bird feathers
to the mosses and lichens taken from his favorite gardens near the
Standing Stones.
urAc, the Scribe
(operated by Hus Levant)
The group's archivist. urAc transcribes the important thoughts of his fellow
urru and composes their prayers on paper. His cryptic notes are full of
great wisdom. urAc is also the one who makes the urru's prayer sticks.
urUtt, the Weaver
(operated by Jean-Pierre Amiel)
urUtt's elegant handicraft details the lives of his companions in beautiful
designs and patterns. Each urru's blanket coat depicts his personal fate,
as foretold by urZah.
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[1.2.2] skeksis: The Lords of the Crystal
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These "Masters of the Dark Crystal" chose to rule the world when the
Crystal was corrupted, slaying many of their opponents and forcing others
into slavery or flight. Artificially extending their life spans by drawing
energy from the Dark Crystal, the skeksis wait restlessly for the next
Great Conjunction, hoping to see their power made eternal.
In stark contrast to the friendly urru, the skeksis are malicious beings
who are not afraid to employ any means to achieve their ends. Under their
decadent garb, the skeksis are vile creatures with bodies as twisted as
their minds. Even their behavior constantly reeks of hatred and contempt.
The Fountain of Destruction is a central concept within their philosophy.
skekSo, The Emperor
(voiced by Jerry Nelson)
The supreme commander of the skeksis. skekSo promotes others only to take
pleasure in seeing them fall when he withdraws his favors. The symbol on
his scepter is rumored to invoke aggression in those who view it. This
symbol represents the essence of the Garthim, resembling an outward-reaching
abiranariba serpent, with an enlarged mouth that seeks to swallow the whole
world, not its own tail. (The name, abiranariba, is a palindrome in English.)
skekZok, the Ritual Master
(operated by Jim Henson, voiced by Jerry Nelson)
The high priest. skekZok conjures false prophecies to further his own
agenda. Interestingly enough, he seems content to remain in a position
that is subservient to the Emperor (whoever it happens to be at the moment),
gaining power by functioning as the sole channel between the other skeksis
and their ruler.
skekSil, The Chamberlain
(operated by Frank Oz, voiced by Barry Dennen)
The whimpering skeksis who also happens to be skekUnz's most hated rival.
In contrast to the Garthim Master, skekSil prefers more subtle and insidious
methods of achieving his goals. He is quite ambitious, never hesitating to
exploit any opportunity he sees. Even when he is later disgraced and cast
out by the rest of the skeksis, he doesn't stop scheming. His treachery
knows no bounds.
skekUnz (a.k.a. skekUng), the Garthim Master
(operated by Dave Goelz, voiced by Michael Kilgarrif)
The physically strongest of the skeksis. Whatever mercy and technique he
lacks is made up for by brute force, as reflected by the necklace of bones
that dangles around his neck. skekUnz commands the vicious Garthim, who
form the core of the skeksis' forces. In the past, he gained satisfaction
from literally tearing apart the bodies of the Gelfling. skekUnz carries
a staff of power that expresses his might, much of which may be attributed
to his surprising ability at assuming positions of geometric harmony.
skekTek, the Scientist
(operated by Steve Whitmire, voiced by Steve Whitmire)
The coldest and the most calculating of the skeksis who does not allow
anything to obstruct his work. Perhaps skekTek's proudest achievement
is the discovery of the method of focusing the Dark Crystal's light to
suck the life essence out of any organism, rendering them mindless slaves
in the process. This precious essence is then reserved for the Emperor,
who consumes it to cheat the effects of age. skekTek also wears a monocle
over his right eye. His missing left eye symbolizes his blindness toward
the feelings of others.
skekShod, the Treasurer
(operated by Tim Rose, voiced by Charles Collingwood)
The keeper of the skeksis' ledgers. Not as skilled in speech as the others,
skekShod is the least outspoken in the group. His avarice is unmatched, and,
not surprisingly, bribery is his weapon of choice. skekShod's ruby-centered
staff has once belonged to the Ritual Master.
skekAquk (a.k.a. skekAyuk), the Gourmand
(operated by Louise Gold, voiced by Thick Wilson)
The guy who fits the classic "evil fat bastard" role. skekAquk runs the
kitchens, where he orders the slaves to create lavish feasts for himself
and the other skeksis. He enjoys hot spices, sweet wine, and creamy sauces,
and he likes boasting that his menu is different for every dinner.
skekNa, the Slave Master
(operated by Mike Quinn, voiced by David Buck)
The one who forces the victims of skekTek's life-draining process to care
for the neverending demands of the skeksis. Most of the slaves are now
Podlings, and skekNa has no qualms about torturing, maiming, or outright
killing them. Unlike the others, skekNa does not bother to conceal his
incredibly twisted intentions and is known to feed scraps of flesh to
his fellow skeksis in between meals to suppress their perpetual hunger.
skekOk, the Scroll Keeper
(operated by Bob Payne, voiced by John Baddeley)
The spectacle-wearing historian and the smallest among the skeksis. With
skekOk altering his text so the "past" better suits his changing allies,
history is constantly lost in his hands.
skekEkt, the Ornamentalist
(operated by Brian Muehl, voiced by Brian Muehl)
The stereotypical pansy with the high-pitched voice, if you know what we
mean and we think you do. skekEkt develops the cosmetics, consisting of
dried blood and diamond powder, that are used by the group to hide the
death showing under their skin. His talent as a decorator has some merit,
even though each of his beautiful fabrics exacts the deaths of hundreds
of creatures.
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[1.2.3] Gelfling
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The name, Gelfling, is derived from ghel-lflainngk, which roughly translates
to "those who live without knowledge of the future." Once forming a happy
civilization, the Gelfling have been purged by the Garthim when the skeksis
learnt of the Prophecy. Their home currently lies in ruins near the Podling
village, and no one dares to go there anymore.
The story centers around two Gelfling who have escaped the skeksis' wrath.
Jen
(operated by Jim Henson, voiced by Stephen Garlick)
The blue-haired kid protagonist of the story. Raised by urSu (whom he
calls Master), Jen has been told that the skeksis killed his parents,
his clan, and the rest of his race when he was an infant. Growing up
under the teachings of the urru, he leads a simple life and enjoys playing
his pipe by his favorite lake. Now, confronted with the Prophecy, Jen must
leave what he has considered his home for nearly his entire life and journey
into the unknown, braving unimaginable dangers to save the world.
Let's face it. Jen's inexperience ought to get him killed many times,
and he isn't much of a fighter. Fortunately, Jen has some brains, and his
literacy will come in especially handy.
Kira
(operated by Kathryn Mullen, voiced by Lisa Maxwell)
Like Jen, this silver-haired child has lost her family to the skeksis when
she was very young, but she has been raised instead by Podlings. Thus, she
has learnt to speak with the flora and fauna around her. She easily gets
along with others, and she has many friends in the forests where she is
growing up.
Unlike Jen, Kira is sure of herself, knows how to fight off bad guys
(she always carries a sling or two), and has an acute sense of danger.
Jen is practically dead meat without Kira, and he will really come to
appreciate her when she joins up with him.
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[1.2.4] Other Good Guys
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Fizzgig, the Friendly Monster
(operated by Dave Goelz, voiced by Percy Edwards)
Kira's strange pet. Appearing to be a white, furry ball with a tail, two
paws, and a mouth lined with double rows of sharp teeth, Fizzgig likes to
follow her everywhere.
Aughra, the Keeper of Secrets and the Watcher of the Heavens
(operated by Frank Oz, voiced by Billie Whitelaw)
The first and only member of her race, born from the rocks and trees long
before memory. Well over two thousand trine old, she has witnessed two
Great Conjunctions. During the first, she lost an eye. During the second,
she personally saw the breaking of the Crystal. Although Aughra maintained
contact with both the urru and the skeksis for a period of time, she
eventually secluded herself in her observatory, where she remains at
the present. From there, she studies the stars and the planets, waiting
for the Chosen One who is destined to seek out the Shard in her possession.
Aughra has been betrayed by skekTek in the past, and she continues
to harbor an intense hatred against him and the other skeksis. Although
her age has made her wary and untrusting of everyone (except the urru,
whom she still respects), Aughra hopes too that the Prophecy will be
fulfilled.
In the future, Aughra will record her vast and ancient learnings in
the Book of Aughra. Her seal is a schematized version of the symbol
of the Great Conjunction.
Podlings, the Master Gardeners
(voiced by Mike Iveria, Patrick Monckton, Sue Wetherby, and Barry Dennen)
The name, Podling, is a convenient term for apopiapoipidiappididiapipoh,
which translates to the "master gardeners who live in bulging plants."
The Podlings are stout forest folk who live in harmony with the earth,
farming their food and building their villages in seed pods.
Landstriders, the Forest Runners
(operated by Robbie Barnett, Swee Lim, and Hugh Spight)
Being large quadrupeds covered in white hair, Landstriders can move swiftly
and deliver crushing blows with their long, powerful legs. They tend to
wander through the forests in packs, feeding on vegetation. Although they
are peaceful by nature, they are very capable of defending themselves should
the need ever arise.
urskeks
(voiced by Joseph O'Coner)
The great beings that now exist separately as the urru and the skeksis.
The urskeks are not native to this world, having arrived through the
Crystal during the first Great Conjunction that Aughra has observed.
The eighteen urskeks who came are heretics from their own world, being
cast out for their desire to burn away the impurities within themselves.
Not able to use the Crystal at their home world, they have come to use
the one here, building the Castle around the Great Shaft so they can
better study the Crystal, along with the effects of the triple suns.
Unfortunately, even the urskeks' divine-like powers are not infinite,
and they have failed to foresee how their experiment would unexpectedly
divide them and lead to the corruption of the Crystal.
Of all the urskeks, TekTih was the closest to Aughra, teaching her most
of what she learnt from them. TekTih also designed the Great Observatory
for her, so Aughra could study the stars on her own.
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[1.2.5] Other Bad Guys
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Garthim, the Dread Servants of Destruction
Resembling gigantic crustaceans, these monsters terrify their enemies with
their size, their menacing claws, and, of course, their eerie little eyes.
For creatures that large, the Garthim can move surprisingly fast with their
tentacle-like feet, and their black carapaces offer durable protection
against all but the strongest of blows.
The Garthim are created from the skeksis' memories of the sea creatures on
the urskeks' home world. Within the hollow shells of the Garthim are gaseous
manifestations of the Dark Crystal's powers, as these warriors only "live"
to serve their lords.
Crystal Bats, the Eyes of the Dark Crystal
The name, Crystal Bats, is a convenient term for xahgniathanor, which
translates into "skin-winged night-fliers." Named so for the spheres of
black artificial crystal at where their heads should be, the Crystal Bats
serve as the scouts for the skeksis. While they don't actually fight,
anything they view through their spying crystals is magically displayed
in the Dark Crystal, allowing their masters to see what they see. These
winged nightmares have also been selectively bred, becoming able to fly
during the day as well as during the night.
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[1.2.6] Others
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The Crystal
The heart of the world. Said to be a source of balance, its power affects
the land and the life around it. When the Crystal was broken, it turned
into the Dark Crystal. Jen's goal is to restore the Crystal before the
next Great Conjunction occurs.
The Triple Suns
The Great Sun is the largest and the brightest. The Rose Sun resembles a
pale (if still very intense) flame. The Dying Sun shines with a light that
appears darkened relative to those of the other two. The term, trine, is
a translation of antep, which means one cycle of the Great Sun.
Lesser Conjunction
An event where two of the suns, but not all three, line up in the sky.
The Dying Sun is usually one of the pair.
Great Conjunction
An event where the three suns line up in the sky, which will always be
over the Crystal, overlapping one another and forming an intense beam of
light that shines directly onto the Crystal. A Great Conjunction occurs
every one thousand trine. The burning light from the very first one has
been responsible for creating the Great Shaft and revealing the Crystal.
The Prophecy
Seen by seven Gelfling sages, the Prophecy states that a Gelfling will heal
the Dark Crystal and end skeksis rule. It is recorded on the Wall of Destiny,
a stone carving that lies within what is now the Gelfling ruins. Careful
observation will reveal that the carving has been created by a process
involving intense heat, not the blunt force of physical tools.
The Castle
A magnificent building with walls formed of crystal that grows naturally out
from the ground. The state of the Castle and its surroundings mirrors that
of the Crystal floating inside, above the Great Shaft. By the beginning of
the story, the once-shining crystalline surfaces of the Castle are crusted
over with a black mineral, a symbol of the Crystal's corruption.
The Valley of Stones
A quiet location where the urru have found refuge. The caves along the sides
of the Valley's walls now serve as their homes. The urru believe that the
rocks here have special, magical properties, and they perform their rituals
over the many formations seen in the area.
Dreamfasting
A process of communicating thoughts and feelings through making direct
physical contact. The most common method of achieving dreamfasting is
to hold hands, but it supposedly can also be performed with things that
are normally considered inanimate.
Trial of Stone
A skeksis contest of power where the participants attempt to break a
Haakskeekah Stone with swords. Whoever lops off the largest piece is
the victor.
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[1.3] Controls
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[1.3.1] TDC Controls
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TDC is played with a parser interface. Compared to several other
text adventures, TDC contains many more keywords that can be used.
[1.3.1.1] General Movement
NORTH, SOUTH, WEST, EAST, UP, DOWN (N, S, W, E, U, D)
These are Kira and Jen's basic movement commands. As a shortcut, just
enter the first letter of the direction toward which they should go.
Most of the time they will only be moving in the four cardinal points,
but in certain situations they will also be able to climb UP or DOWN.
CLIMB UP / CLIMB DOWN
Jen can scale a few structures here and there. Simply entering UP or DOWN
does the same thing, so the CLIMB keyword by itself is kind of useless.
CLIMB [object]
Jen can haul his ass up onto certain things with this.
GO [structure]
This is often too vague for the game to understand, but it can come
in handy during certain events. Use this command to get Kira and
Jen to head toward something very specific (for example, GO DOOR).
RUN
Like GO, this is not used a lot, but it is sometimes required when the game
doesn't offer a clear direction of escape for Jen. (There is at least one
scene where Jen must simply RUN to survive.)
JUMP ON
Kira and Jen can jump onto mounts with this.
JUMP OFF
Kira and Jen can leap off from places with this.
JUMP [object]
Some things are pretty big, especially for a Gelfling, but Jen can leap
onto them from an adjacent ledge.
RIDE [thing]
Kira and Jen will have to RIDE various things during their adventure,
and not all of them are necessarily animals.
SIT [structure]
Kira and Jen can rest on certain objects.
STAND UP / GET UP
Use this to get our heroes back on their feet after having them sit.
FLY
This command is totally useless for Jen. It will only remind you that
hanging around with Kira is a lot more fun.
DANCE
Jen doesn't know kung fu, and he doesn't know how to dance that well,
either. Still, he can always try. This command can be used only during
a certain scene.
SING
Kira has a lovely voice, and she sounds like an angel when she sings.
The same does not hold true for Jen, and that is why he should stick
with his pipe. This command can be used only during a certain scene.
YES, NO
Pick one of these choices when Jen is prompted to make a decision.
You can piss off the game by entering something else, but then
the game will start to insult your intelligence.
[1.3.1.2] Senses
LOOK
Entering LOOK without any other keyword gives a general description of the
area. The first time Jen walks into a new location, he will automatically
do this. Afterward, the description will not be given again unless this
command is entered.
LOOK [object]
Sometimes Jen can observe more closely an item he is carrying or an item
located next to him. This is very helpful when he wants to check an object
for any special features.
HEAR/LISTEN [object]
Put those ears to good use with this command. Jen can pay better attention
to his surroundings and other characters by carefully listening.
SMELL/SNIFF [object]
Jen can practice his olfactory skills for fun. Using his nose is not
required to finish the game, but doing so may reveal extra details.
TASTE [object]
Even funnier than the SMELL command, this one lets Jen run his tongue over
anything he finds during his adventure.
[1.3.1.3] Character Interaction
TALK/SPEAK [character]
Jen should take the opportunity to talk to friendly people he encounters. He
can also try talking to objects, but he usually won't get much of a response.
KISS [character]
Is Jen a good kisser? Find out with this command.
SAVE/HELP
Jen can't fight, but he is pretty good at screaming. Make him call for
help with these variations of the same command. (Entering SAVE by itself
makes Jen request assistance, not record his progress.)
[1.3.1.4] Object Interaction
INV
Jen can see what he is carrying with this command. (Strangely enough,
entering INVENTORY does nothing.) If the list continues past the
text display area, press Return to keep scrolling down.
TAKE/GET/GRAB [object]
Jen reaches out and picks up stuff with this command. Usually he can carry
only small items. (His tunic doesn't have big pockets.) He must be able to
see an item before he can attempt to grab it.
DROP [object]
Conversely, Jen can leave behind goods he is carrying. This command probably
won't be used at all, because there is never any time in the game when Jen
must ditch something.
USE [object]
This generic command is too vague to be of much use, but in some cases Jen
can simply USE an object and he will perform the appropriate task with it.
OPEN [object]
Jen opens up doors, bags, and other things with this. Certain objects
cannot be opened until they are unlocked.
TURN [object]
If Kira and Jen can't push a heavy object, they can at least try turning it.
CUT/SCRATCH [object]
Doing this shouldn't be too hard... with the right tools. If he has the
proper equipment, Jen can cut off things that may come in handy later.
DIG [target]
Jen can dig up stuff, providing he has the means. If the object for Jen
to dig isn't specified, he will tear up the ground by default.
SEND [object/target]
This is a complicated command. Kira and Jen can send something toward
certain structures, but this takes two lines of input to work. The
first time SEND is entered, pair the command with the thing to deliver
(the direct object). The second time, enter SEND again but pair it
with the target where the thing is to be delivered (the indirect object).
EAT/CHEW [object]
Jen doesn't need to feed to survive in the game, but having extra commands
never hurts.
PLAY FLUTE
Jen knows how to play his pipe well. Although his musical instrument
is called a pipe in the film, the game recognizes it only as a FLUTE.
[1.3.1.5] Game System
SAVE GAME
Enter this to record Kira and Jen's progress. A total of 15 Save Files
(A to O) can be created on the Save Disk.
RESTORE GAME
Enter this to resume Kira and Jen's progress, using data from a Save File.
(View Text)
Press Return without entering a command to remove the graphics panel, so
a short history of the previously displayed text can be viewed. This is
useful for going over recent details that may have been skipped by mistake.
Press Return again without entering a command to bring back up the graphics
panel. (The graphics panel is automatically redrawn whenever Kira and Jen do
something to alter it, such as moving an object or going to another area.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[1.3.2] GA Controls
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GA is played with a multiple-choice interface.
Cycle Key (Space) - Cycle downward through the available choices.
Confirm Key (Return) - Press this to select the currently highlighted choice.
View Text Key (Left Arrow) - Review the description of the scene.
Press any Key to return to the Choice Menu.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1.4] Items
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These are only the objects that Kira and Jen can bring along with them.
"Required" refers to whether the listed item is necessary to finish
the game.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[1.4.1] TDC Items
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Item: Jen's Pipe
Keyword: FLUTE
Function: PLAY
Location: Old Tree North of the Standing Stones
Required: no
Notes:
Jen's unique musical instrument. Branching into two parts, this simple,
well-crafted pipe can be used to play a wide range of notes. Although this
is called a pipe in the film, the game recognizes it only as a FLUTE.
Item: Hook
Keyword: HOOK
Function: USE
Location: On the Scepter
Required: yes
Notes:
Jen can use this to activate special switches.
Item: Castle Key
Keyword: KEY
Function: USE
Location: Behind the Gate Bars (Triangle Door)
Required: yes
Notes:
This opens the bars blocking off a door to the Labyrinth.
Item: Lily Pad
Keyword: PAD
Function: RIDE, USE
Location: Pond in the West Forests
Required: yes
Notes:
Jen can use this to float across certain rivers or streams.
Item: Pouch
Keyword: POUCH
Function: OPEN
Location: Under the Shell by the River
Required: no
Notes:
This contains Smoke Seeds.
Item: skeksis Scepter
Keyword: SCEPTER
Function: LOOK
Location: Throne Chamber in the North Castle Halls
Required: yes
Notes:
Jen can use the Hook at the end of this item to do something else.
Item: Smoke Seeds
Keyword: SEEDS
Function: THROW
Location: Inside the Pouch
Required: no
Notes:
These can blind the Garthim, making escape easier. For gameplay purposes,
the Pouch contains infinite Seeds. However, they cannot be used during
certain encounters with the Garthim.
Item: Sharp Shale
Keyword: SHALE
Function: DIG, CUT
Location: Shale Cliff East of Jen's Lake
Required: yes
Notes:
This comes in handy when Jen needs to get down and dirty. It can be used
to dig up or cut free other items.
Item: Crystal Shard
Keyword: SHARD
Function: USE
Location: Great Observatory
Required: yes
Notes:
The missing piece of the Crystal.
Item: Kira's Sling
Keyword: SLING
Function: HURL
Location: Old Tree in the Central Forests
Required: no
Notes:
One of Kira's slings may be acquired by Jen in the game. This is supposedly
indispensable for keeping Crystal Bats out of the heroes' way, but in the
game they don't seem to serve any purpose. If Jen tries hurling it, he will
always miss because he sucks. Leave the slinging to Kira and have Jen stick
with running.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[1.4.2] GA Items
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Item: Crystal Shard
Location: Great Observatory
Required: yes
Notes:
The missing piece of the Crystal.
Item: Gold Key
Location: Old Tree North of the Standing Stones
Required: yes
Notes:
This is an old key used to unlock certain doors in the Castle.
Item: Jen's Pipe
Location: Jen begins with this
Required: no
Notes:
Jen's unique musical instrument. Branching into two parts, this simple,
well-crafted pipe can be used to play a wide range of notes.
Item: Kira's Sling
Location: Kira begins with this
Required: no
Notes:
Jen doesn't actually pick this up himself, but he can see Kira use it
during one scene.
Item: Storm Stones
Location: Dry Spot in the Forests
Required: no
Notes:
These mysterious pebbles appear to summon storms, but Jen never seems
to get a chance to use these.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1.5] General Tips
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Check out the film on which these games are based. While TDC has some
extra puzzles where no amount of movie-watching can really help, seeing
the flick at least once will make the rest of the obstacles easier to beat.
GA can be finished with far greater ease, but viewing the film can still
cut down on the pain and agony Jen will face.
- Jen should never attempt to fight enemies. When he meets Garthim without
any serious means of defense, he should run like hell. If possible, he
should also use special items and exploit his surroundings to aid his escape.
- The forests make up much of the world. While strolling amid the trees,
Kira and Jen may be spotted by a Crystal Bat on patrol. When that happens
and they don't lose the Bat, Garthim will swarm in after our heroes move
across a few more areas. (This applies only to TDC. GA's Crystal Bat
encounters are scripted to match those of the movie.)
- Successfully evading Garthim is random if Kira and Jen simply run (either
with the N, S, W, E, or RUN command). The lesson here? Save. Save frequently.
Back up every two Saves with another Save. (This applies only to TDC.
GA's Garthim encounters are scripted to match those of the movie.)
- Unless doing so is dangerous, Jen should explore his surroundings as much
as possible before moving ahead. Many important items take some searching
to uncover, and Kira and Jen can't always backtrack to old areas.
- TDC's parser handles up to only two words at a time. The first is often
a verb, and the second is often a direct object (but there are exceptions).
Treating direct objects as singular is usually fine. For instance, entering
CLIMB ROCK will work, even if there are many rocks onto which Jen can climb.
- In TDC, do not save if the heroes are in danger. Saving while, say, Jen is
facing some Garthim is not a good idea.
- If it's Game Over, the game can return to the beginning or end itself.
==============================================================================
[2] Strategies - The Dark Crystal
==============================================================================
"Another world, another time, in an age of wonder...."
-- the opening lines to The Dark Crystal
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2.0] Prologue
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unknown to Jen at the moment, the skeksis are preparing to see their
reign forever established. Although the Great Conjunction is only a
matter of days away, they aren't taking any chances and have boosted
their Crystal Bat patrols. The failing health of their Emperor isn't
making any of them feeling less edgy, either.
Our hero, saddened over his Master's ailing condition, sits by his favorite
spot, gazing toward the horizon. For some reason, he has lost his pipe.
Oh well. At least he isn't nekkid.
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After Disk 1 Side A is loaded, instructions shall be given to switch to the
other side of the disk.
Load Disk 1 Side B to begin the game.
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2.1] Valley of Stones
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2.1.1] Jen's Lake
As soon as Jen tries to do anything, urZah, the Ritual Guardian, appears
to tell him that his Master, urSu, is dying and wishes to speak with him.
Naturally, Jen will want to go WEST toward the caves where his Master is,
but first he should take a short trip to the EAST.
[2.1.2] Shale Cliff
Jen can't climb the loose rocks to the east (the shale comes apart pretty
easily), but he can pick up a piece of that sharp rock with the command
TAKE SHALE. Jagged, nasty rock in hand, Jen should now return WEST.
Continue WEST, past the Lake, past the circle of the Standing Stones, onto
the cliff overlooking the Valley, and into the cave. Inside the dark tunnel,
the path continues NORTH into the wise urru's room.
[2.1.3] urSu's Cave
Here, Jen finds his Master, straining to get up to talk to him. Obviously,
Jen should TALK URSU. With his last breath, urSu goes into a long story made
short, telling Jen to find Aughra so he can get the Crystal Shard and heal
the Dark Crystal with it. He also mentions a riddle, about something over
which the Sun Brothers are quarreling, that Jen must solve before he can
enter the Great Observatory, where Aughra resides. After that, he dies.
Jen can LOOK BOWL to see an image of the Shard before leaving to the SOUTH.
(If Jen screws around too much before visiting his Master, urSu will die.
However, Jen can still finish the quest.)
[2.1.4] Back Outside - Old Tree
Now is a good time to save.
Jen should head EAST until he reaches the Standing Stones, where he can LOOK
to see that the shadows are pointing northward. He can follow them and go
NORTH, where he will stand before an Old Tree. Here, Jen should DIG at the
ground with his Shale. He must have dropped his pipe here, because he will
uncover his instrument. TAKE FLUTE to pick up the pipe.
Jen has done all he can at his home. He should leave to the NORTH, moving
past the Old Tree, where he makes like a fool and falls down into the
dangerous forest.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2.2] Forests
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2.2.1] Forests
Jen's life is in constant peril now, and it is not from the chattering
fauna and flora. The Crystal Bats are on patrol, and encountering one
will definitely result in some unwanted Garthim death squads.
Going here from the Old Tree, Jen should find himself in the southwest
corner of the forest. He should find a small pond just to the NORTH.
[2.2.2] Small Lily Pad Pond
Here, Jen meets a frog-like creature sitting on one of the many large
lily pads floating on the peaceful water. If he tries to take a pad, he
will whine about the pad having a thick stem he can't tear off. Instead,
he should whip out that dirty Shale and CUT PAD. As soon as he does, he
automatically takes it with him. (Maybe he folds it up and stuffs it in
his body cavity.) Don't bother coming back for more pads, because the
rest have stems that are too tough for the Shale to slice apart.
TALK FLOWER here for a tip regarding the next part. Then, from this pond,
go EAST.
[2.2.3] Whispering Brook
Jen will now stop by a small brook, where he can take a drink and wash
his face. Noticing how the stream seems to be "talking," he should
LISTEN BROOK or LISTEN WATER. The water will "stutter," rattling off
a series of Es and Ns (E-E-E-EN, N-N-NEN). These are actually directions
Jen can take to reach Aughra (if he moves in the directions indicated by
the letters, starting from here). Go EAST again.
[2.2.4] Forest Wall
Normally, thick plant growth at this location prevents Jen from continuing
to the EAST, but if he has bothered to hear out the waters of the brook
to the west, the growth will part and reveal a new path. Before he goes,
Jen should take a quick detour to the NORTH if he wants a pleasant surprise.
[2.2.5] Central Forests - Another Old Tree
Jen wanders up to this old tree. The flora here isn't too different from
the rest, but a Sling is lying here for some strange reason. After Jen
TAKE SLING, he can LOOK SLING and see that it must be made by hands
similar to his. Unknown to him at this moment, this is a sample of
Kira's handiwork. Unfortunately, Jen sucks at using slings, so even
if he HURL SLING or THROW SLING, he won't hit any Crystal Bats.
[2.2.6] Spiral Rock
If Jen hasn't figured out the answer to the Sun Brothers riddle yet, he
should explore the northern parts of the forest to find a rock covered
with Gilyak Moss. (It is NORTH of the Gelfling Ruins, between the Podling
Village and the pack of Landstriders. Load Disk 2 Side A to get there.)
Jen can CUT MOSS, scratching away the patch of plant life with his jagged
Shale. (After he removes the Gilyak Moss, Jen can see the nearby creature
feeding on it if he LOOK CREATURE.) Hidden underneath the moss is a spiral
carved onto the rock. If Jen merely LOOK SPIRAL, he will not find anything
special. However, if he STARE SPIRAL, he falls into a trance, experiencing
a vision that reveals the answer to the Sun Brothers riddle.
Before any Crystal Bats can come, hurry back to the SOUTH, returning to the
forest wall and then moving EAST into new territory.
[2.2.7] Dark Forests
Jen may have been spotted by Crystal Bats, and if that is the case, he
has no choice but to sprint toward the EAST. If he runs into the Garthim,
he should continue EAST without stopping or simply try to RUN.
Eventually, Jen should hit a corner and be forced to turn NORTH. He should
continue NORTH until he stops in front of a muddy river.
[2.2.8] Mud River
Lugging that Lily Pad around isn't such a bad idea now, is it? Jen
can RIDE PAD or USE PAD to float across the mud on his makeshift raft.
Unfortunately, before he can catch the Pad when he leaves it, it will
float away. Nuts.
A Crystal Bat will always be waiting at the other side to sight Jen,
and Jen has no choice but to continue NORTH.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2.3] Swamps
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2.3.1] Murky Swamps
Now is a good time to save.
Jen will get knee-deep in the muck soon enough. He should head EAST from
here, toward some suspicious-looking vines. (Going west will cause him
to get stuck and die, so he should avoid that path for now.)
[2.3.2] Mountains - Vines
The vines are actually a part of Aughra's security system. Wrapping
themselves around him, the vines leave Jen dangling about helplessly.
Jen should struggle by trying to move around (just enter various commands),
until Aughra's hand juts forward, holding her single eye toward him.
(Jen can try biting into the plants with the command EAT VINE for fun.)
When the arm and the eye appear, Jen should TALK BEING. (He can TALK EYE
first, but eventually he will have to TALK BEING.) Aughra will ask Jen if
he knows the answer to the Sun Brothers riddle (the one about over what the
Sun Brothers are fighting). Say YES. (Saying NO will lead to death.) Next,
she will ask him to solve it. The answer is MOON DAUGHTER. (This answer can
be learnt by staring at the rock with the spiral in the northern parts of
the forest.)
Aughra will cackle and order the vines to drop Jen. Before Jen can do
anything, she goes, and Jen is automatically compelled to follow her.
[2.3.3] Great Observatory
Jen enters the Keeper of Secrets' home, where she asks him what he wants.
He should answer with SHARD or CRYSTAL SHARD. Then, she will show him
four different crystal shards, all similar in appearance except color.
The trick here is to remember the power of the urru's songs and
to PLAY FLUTE. The magical music will resonate with the BLUE SHARD,
indicating that it is indeed the missing piece of the Dark Crystal.
TAKE BLUE to obtain it.
After Jen picks up the Shard, he has a little time left before some fun
begins. He can TALK AUGHRA and watch her reactions. Soon enough, the mighty
Garthim will break into the dome, grabbing Aughra. Jen should immediately
GO WINDOW. (Forget Aughra. Jen doesn't stand a chance against the bad guys.)
He will wind up in the swamps below again, with the Great Observatory behind
him in flames.
[2.3.4] Swamp of the Black River - Swamp Pit
From the swamp at where he lands, Jen should head SOUTH once, back to where
he has been earlier. This time, turn WEST. (If he goes EAST back to the
vines, he won't escape a second time and dies.)
Taking that step west, Jen sinks into a deep pit. With nothing he can use
to pull out himself, Jen is pretty much stuck. However, he sees a slender
figure accompanied by something else, hiding in the bushes. With a command
of HELP or SAVE, Jen should cry out for aid.
[2.3.5] Kira
The partially hidden person steps forth and helps Jen out from certain death.
Jen finally meets Kira, his better half, and her weird little pet, Fizzgig.
After introducing themselves, Kira and Fizzgig will join Jen on his quest.
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Load Disk 2 Side A to continue while Jen keeps staring at hot Kira.
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2.4] Forests Revisited
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2.4.1] Black River
Now is a good time to save.
With the swamps behind them, Kira and Jen stumble onto a large beetle-like
shell lying next to a river. Not being able to swim across the strong
currents, they should figure out how to use the shell. Nope, MOVE SHELL
won't accomplish anything, but trying so yields a hint. Got it yet?
Try TURN SHELL. Kira and Jen can flip the damn thing over with their
combined efforts.
Under the shell is a mysterious, tiny pouch. If Kira and Jen TAKE POUCH,
OPEN POUCH, and then LOOK POUCH, they will discover that it contains some
Smoke Seeds. The kids can use these against the Garthim later.
The next thing to do is RIDE SHELL. The heroes will ride happily
along with the flow, down south toward Kira's home.
[2.4.2] Podling Village
After the pleasant river excursion, Jen follows Kira to her home
among the Podlings. The people are nice, the food is great, and
the music ain't bad. Jen can TALK PODLING to learn more about his
hosts. If he hasn't already, Jen should TALK KIRA and TALK FIZZGIG.
He can also try to SING or DANCE for fun. Hey, is that a Crystal Bat
up there?
Damn right. After a while, the Garthim will pour in and wreak havoc. If the
heroes have the Smoke Seeds, they should THROW SEEDS. The ensuing clouds
of smoke will blind the bad guys, allowing Kira, Jen, and Fizzgig to run
away to the east. (If they don't have the Seeds, they will simply have
to try running to the WEST or EAST, but there is a much higher chance
of getting caught.)
[2.4.3] Forests
After our heroes escape, they can wander the forest a bit. (This is the
best time to explore the game world and to check out all the different
graphics of Kira, Jen, and Fizzgig travelling together. On an additional
note, if the kids go to the spiral rock, it won't be covered with moss,
even if Jen hasn't visited it earlier.) When they are ready, the kids
should go southwest of the Podling Village, toward the Ruins.
[2.4.4] Gelfling Ruins - Wall of Destiny
This part goes really out of whack with the film, but bear with it. See
those two nice, flat stones? Get Kira and Jen to SIT ROCK or JUMP ROCK.
Their weight will cause something to happen to the wall. (Actually, Jen
can trigger this switch by himself if he visits this place before meeting
Kira.) Jen can put his few skills to good use if he READ SYMBOL or
READ HIEROGLYPHIC.
Our heroes supposedly figure out from the inscriptions on the wall that the
Shard must be joined back with the Dark Crystal, but seeing how Master urSu
has already told Jen about the Prophecy near the beginning of the game,
visiting the Ruins for that purpose is kind of pointless. However, they
can find an extra clue here that will help later for an added puzzle.
One of the symbols is a triangle inscribed within a circle. Remember that.
When the kids try to leave, they will meet skekSil, the Chamberlain, who
sneaks out from the shadows. He beckons for the kids to follow him to
the south, but that is obviously a trap. What they should do is run away
to the NORTH and WEST, where they will stumble into more of Kira's friends.
[2.4.5] Landstriders
Accompanied by Kira, Jen can now climb onto these creatures with the
command RIDE LANDSTRIDER or JUMP ON. Hanging on tightly, the heroes
should head for the Castle. Ride WEST toward the dry brushlands.
(If they head back into the forests, the heroes will dismount.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2.5] Wastelands
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2.5.1] Brushland
The arid, dry landscapes here offer little of interest. The kids should
continue WEST.
[2.5.2] Chasm
Now is a good time to save.
The chasm stretches north and south, preventing Gelfling from strolling
right over onto the wastelands. Because Kira and Jen are on Landstriders
now, that won't be a problem. Simply go WEST, and the mounts shall leap
gracefully over to the other side.
[2.5.3] Desert Wastelands
There is nothing to see in the dead heat here, so the kids should
keep moving WEST and a bit to the SOUTH. After a while, the dreaded
Castle will loom into view. Go there.
[2.5.4] Castle Exterior - Main Entrance
The Garthim intercept the Landstriders, and a bloody battle ensues. The
heroes will get knocked off and scramble to the cliff edge. The Garthim
will eventually beat the crap out of the Landstriders, and then they will
corner the kids. To escape, Kira and Jen should JUMP OFF the cliff.
Kira pops out her little wings and floats down. Unlike in the film,
unfortunately, she forgets to tell Jen to hold onto her. Jen can keep
himself from turning into butt sauce if he GRAB KIRA or HOLD KIRA.
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Load Disk 2 Side B to continue while the Garthim above raise their claws
in anger.
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2.6] Castle
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2.6.1] Dry Moat - Teeth of Skreesh
The two will land within a small, barren trench that rings around the
Castle. There are two entrances into the interior: one at the south end
(where Kira and Jen land), and one at the north end. Each door is framed
by a monster-shaped head with a symbol at the top. The south entrance has
a Y-shaped icon, while the north entrance has a triangular icon. Recognize
the latter icon from the inscriptions back at the Ruins? Move WEST or EAST
to loop around to the north side. This is the only door the kids can open
here, after a little work.
A gate consisting of sturdy metal bars blocks off each door (with the bars
resembling the teeth of the stone heads). The south entrance is bolted shut
for good, but there is a small opening in the north gate. Enter the command
SEND FIZZGIG, and then enter SEND BARS. Fizzgig will scurry through the gate.
Enter any other command, and the fuzzy guy will come back with the Castle Key
in his mouth. Now, the kids can USE KEY, OPEN BARS, and then GO DOOR.
[2.6.2] Labyrinth
Now is a good time to save.
The heroes will enter the tunnels below the Castle from the north door.
To the east is a dead end, and the door at the south will still be locked,
even from the inside. The heroes should move WEST and SOUTH, where they
will find an old acquaintance.
skekSil dashes in, grabs Kira and Fizzgig, and then drops a ton of rocks
onto Jen. Crap. With no other way to go, Jen should move SOUTH. (He will
automatically dig his way out from the rocks.)
[2.6.3] Garthim Pit
After taking a few steps away from the rocks, Jen falls into the home of
the Garthim. He should simply RUN to survive. By sheer chance, a Garthim
misses and strikes the rock wall behind Jen. Fortune smiles upon him, for
the blow has busted open a hole. Without question, Jen should GO HOLE.
[2.6.4] Great Shaft - Lake of Fire and skekTek's Laboratory
Jen is now clinging onto the sides of the Great Shaft, the large vertical pit
below the Dark Crystal. Jen should go UP or CLIMB UP. He should not GO HOLE,
or else the Garthim will kill him as soon as he returns to their pit.
Up at the top will be skekTek's lab, or what's left of it. Jen will
find Aughra tied up. He can HELP AUGHRA to set her free, and he can
TALK AUGHRA to have her yell at him. (She yells at Jen some more
if he tries to HELP AUGHRA again.) Jen should go EAST to enter
the Main Hall of the Castle.
[2.6.5] Main Hall
Before Jen can stroll right up to the Dark Crystal, he hears footsteps
coming from the north. He'd better go SOUTH. Now the footsteps are catching
up, but the Hall has ended. Two doors branch off to the sides. He should
escape to the WEST. (Going east now is not good for his health.)
[2.6.6] Closet
Jen dashes into a dark closet just in time. This small room is used to store
the skeksis' heavy, elaborate garb, and the shadows do well to conceal our
terrified hero. The skeksis outside turn east into the other room. Jen can't
accomplish anything else in here, so he should exit EAST, back out into the
Main Hall. The Hall is empty now, so he can take his time to explore it.
[2.6.7] Dining Hall
Now is a good time to save.
From the Main Hall's south end, Jen should carefully sneak EAST, checking
out where the bad guys have gone. It turns out they've entered the Dining
Hall, where they are holding their last feast before the Great Conjunction.
At least Kira isn't hacked up and being served here.
If Jen GO CURTAIN, he will manage to hide behind the heavy drapery and
eavesdrop on the skeksis. He eventually hears one of them mentioning some
sort of secret panel in a tower. With this important knowledge in mind, Jen
will automatically slip back out (but he can return to hear the clue again).
[2.6.8] Throne Chamber
The Main Hall is still empty, so Jen should head NORTH, turning WEST
at the north end to enter the Throne Chamber. He should find the skeksis
Scepter just lying around for the grabbing. TAKE SCEPTER, and then
LOOK SCEPTER to notice that there is a Hook on it.
[2.6.9] Tower
From the Throne Chamber, Jen should go EAST until he enters the base of a
tower. If he has overheard the information from the skeksis at the Dining
Hall, he will find a switch somewhere along the wall. If he has the Scepter,
he can USE HOOK to pull it, revealing a secret door. Go EAST through it.
[2.6.A] Crystal Chamber - Balcony
Now is a good time to save.
Jen finds himself at the foot of some stairs leading up to the center
of the Castle. Hurry and go UP. After pouncing up the steps, Jen finally
sees the Crystal up close for the first time. The skeksis have gathered
there, holding Kira and Fizzgig captive. (Whoa, this part is definitely
not from the film.) The bad guys get pissed when they spot him, and the
Garthim are coming, so Jen should JUMP CRYSTAL and land on the damn gem.
[2.6.B] Crystal Chamber - Dark Crystal
Jen escapes the Garthim, but the force from the landing knocks the Shard
out of his hands, and now he has nowhere else to go. Luckily for him,
Kira dashes over and scoops up the Shard. At the same time, skekZok,
the Ritual Master, nears her with his big, dull knife.
At this point, Jen will be faced with a dilemma. Should he try to rescue
his girlfriend, risking death, or should he not, staying firm on the
Crystal? Well, seeing how Kira is trusting him to restore the Crystal,
he should say NO to saving her, letting her throw the Shard up to him.
He isn't completely incompetent and manages to catch the precious item,
but doing so allows skekZok to "knock out" Kira. (All of a sudden, this
game has gone Sesame Street.)
With nothing else he can do, Jen should HEAL CRYSTAL or USE SHARD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2.7] Epilogue
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2.7.1] Despair, Doom, Death, and Defeat... or Not
Jen jams the Shard into the hole on the Dark Crystal just as the Great
Conjunction takes place. The combined light of the three aligned suns
above shoots into the restored Crystal, which pours forth energy that
is pure again. The skeksis and the urru (who just happen to come in
from the back) are merged once more into the urskeks, but is all well?
[2.7.2] Jen Finally Makes His Move
Time to make the poor bastard happy. Jen should KISS KIRA, and the urskeks
will do their magic, completely healing her. With Kira back to full health,
she and Jen can now live together in true peace and happiness.
==============================================================================
[3] Strategies - Gelfling Adventure
==============================================================================
"A blessed haze lies upon all this region, wherein is held a little
more of the sunlight than other places hold, and a little more of the
summer's humming music of birds and bees; so that men walk through it
as through a faery place, and feel greater joy and wonder than they
ever afterward remember."
-- from Howard Phillips Lovecraft's The Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath
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[3.0] Prologue
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* * *
In the depths of the Castle, nine skeksis gather around the Dark Crystal,
receiving eerie streams of corrupt life force. The Emperor is not present,
for today he is too weak to rise from his bed.
. . .
At the bottom of the Valley of Stones, urZah, the Ritual Guardian,
gracefully pours fine sand over inscriptions on the floor between
the Standing Stones, performing the Ceremony of the Sun alone.
The past few days have been solemn ones, for urSu, the oldest
and the wisest among the urru, lies dying on his sleepframe.
* * *
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After Side A is loaded, the game asks if you have played it before.
If the answer is no, it begins the Tutorial.
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[3.1] Valley of Stones
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[3.1.1] Jen's Lake
Jen can keep playing his pipe, but to begin the quest, he should take a nap
or walk to the east. Either way, urZah will appear before him. Say hello
or go to sleep. If Jen says hello, urZah tells him that he should get
his ass in gear and head for his Master. (Jen should say goodbye to urZah
afterward.) If Jen rudely ignores the Ritual Guardian and keeps napping,
urZah will give him the message in his dreams.
Jen should visit urSu. Go west along the Valley's floor.
* * *
Jen sits by his favorite spot at a nearby lake, playing his pipe.
The gentle sounds of a small cascade accompanies his music, the only
thing keeping his mind away from worrying about his Master's failing
health. Suddenly, a familiar echo interrupts him. It is a song of
the urru, summoning Jen back to the Valley. After quickly dressing
himself, Jen hurries through the high bushes.
* * *
[3.1.2] Standing Stones
Jen has fond memories of playing around this place when he was
younger (possibly when the urru didn't mind wiener Jen messing
up their sacred grounds as much). He should continue running west.
Up at the cliffs, Jen should forget the nap and run straight into
the cave, where his Master resides.
[3.1.3] urSu's Cave
When Jen listens to urSu, the Master tells him to look at the bowl before
both of them. Jen should stare at the bowl and its magical hologram of
a small piece of crystal. urSu now assigns Jen the task of restoring
the Dark Crystal with the Shard that can be found at the Great Observatory.
If Jen stays to hear more from urSu, he will get a tip about Crystal Bats.
If Jen goes out to get help for his poor old Master, urSu will say that it
is too late and will tell Jen with his final breath that Aughra may be found
at the top of a mountain.
* * *
Jen sprints up the stone ledges circling above the open space where the
Standing Stones lie. The urru pack up their work as a strong wind picks
up, blowing sand across the Valley. Shivering, Jen huddles up, gripping
the collar of his light tunic as he steps into the warm light of his
Master's cave.
The old urru's calm demeanor belies his true condition, but time is
short, and Jen patiently listens. The boy learns that the story behind
his past runs deeper than what he has been told, and he now carries the
task of following the Great Sun for a day so he may recover a Crystal Shard
from one named Aughra.
urSu's last words are about the two meeting again someday in another life,
but not in this one. With that, Jen's Master stops his strained breathing and
fades away, bit by bit, his death blanket drooping down onto the sleepframe.
. . .
Meanwhile, skekSo, the Emperor, weakly gasps, "Mine! Mine!," as he
clings onto his royal scepter. However, he too ends his struggle with
a final breath, his withered corpse slowly crumbling apart, his remains
giving way to the weight of his heavily embroidered robes. The rest of
the skeksis, especially skekSil, the Chamberlain, eye the scepter hungrily
as they manage weak smiles upon one another.
* * *
urSu ain't coming back, so Jen may as well quit calling out his Master's
name and get moving again. There is no map or anything else here other than
urSu's words to aid Jen, so he should leave the cave and go back out toward
the east.
[3.1.4] Standing Stones Revisited
When Jen takes a look at the ground here, he sees that the shadows point
toward a single spot to the north. He should follow them to the old tree.
If he looks at the base of that tree, he will detect something buried there.
Whether he bothers to look or not, he should dig at the base to uncover a
Gold Key. (This goes out of whack with the film, but what the hell.) Little
kids like shiny things, so Jen will automatically pocket the Key.
Proceed northward to start saving the world.
* * *
The skeksis bring the remnants of their former ruler into a ceremonial
chamber, where they dispose the coarse ashes and other broken pieces
in an ornate funeral casket carried in by the slaves. They finally
end their ancient rite by tossing strange objects into the vessel,
burning the contents under a small cloud of smoke.
. . .
The urru group around the Master's personal items bundled neatly between
the Standing Stones. "Gather your belongings, gather them serenely," urZah
chants as he and the others invoke their magic. Each package fades away in
a cool, blue, sparkling light.
Standing on top of a ridge overlooking the ritual, Jen glances backward
one last time. Only moments ago, the Ritual Guardian had given him some
final words of guidance and then sent him off on his journey.
* * *
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[3.2] Forests
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * *
Jen steps up over the threshold of the Valley, gazing across the vast
plains that stretch before him into the distant horizon, as far as he
can see. Despite the sunny weather and the clear blue skies, his heart
feels heavy. "I'm not ready to go alone yet," he thinks to himself, but
he knows he has no other choice. "All right, alone then." He gathers his
spirits and walks down the slope.
* * *
[3.2.1] Forests
This part isn't from the film, because the terrain immediately outside the
Valley is supposed to be plains, not forests, but what the hell.
First, head north to a small pond. Then, go north again to a nice dry area.
(There are a few different ponds here, but they all look alike.)
[3.2.2] Dry Spot
There are Storm Stones lying here. If Jen picks up the pebbles, he can feel
them rumbling in his palms. Jen can keep some for fun, or he can run from
the thunder (possibly screaming). Either way, Jen should leave and wander
into the swamps.
[3.2.3] Swamp Maze
There are many paths Jen can take here, but most of them lead back to one
another, creating a confusing maze. Our hapless hero can quickly get out
if he chases the bird first, follows the croaking sound or the wind that
sings a song next, and then heads for the tall grass last. The grass is
always the exit, but Jen can scream for a while to relieve his stress, too.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[3.3] Plains
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[3.3.1] Ridge
Finally out of the swamps, Jen is now at where he is supposed to be in
the film. He should climb up over the hill.
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Load Side B to continue while Jen scurries up those rocks.
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Our hero should hurry north to the mountains.
[3.3.2] Up the Mountains
Keep heading northward. Walk past the tree. Jen should now be very close to
Aughra's home. Just keep walking forward. If Jen shouts out of loneliness
at one of the scenes here, a flower will respond to him.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[3.4] Mountains
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * *
The skeksis whisper among themselves quietly, wondering who will
be the new Emperor. skekSil decides that he should make his move now,
and he proceeds to the throne to snatch the scepter. skekUnz, however,
interferes and demands that the Chamberlain stop. A fight ensues, and
the skeksis settle to resolve the matter through the Trial of Stone.
The Chamberlain and the Garthim Master initiate the Trial by clashing
their heavy scimitars beside the Haakskeekah Stone while the others
gather around them in a circle. skekUnz starts first, striking the
tall piece of rock squarely. The skeksis behind him cheer. When his
turn comes, skekSil lands his blow just as well, drawing more shouting
and encouragement. With the Chamberlain weakening the stone for him,
skekUnz grins as he attacks it again, this time cleanly lopping off
its head. The Garthim Master is victorious.
The jeering audience now closes in on the Chamberlain, cornering him
before stripping away all of his richly adorned garments. skekUnz watches
the spectacle from behind gleefully, knowing that he is now the supreme
ruler of the land. However, no sooner than he tells the group to send
his defeated rival away, they hear an alarm ringing from the Great Shaft.
The skeksis hurry to the Dark Crystal, wondering what one of their Crystal
Bats has found. Peering into the eerie purple surface of the gem, they see
a blue-haired youth struggling up some steep rocks. Realizing the lad is
of the Gelfling race, the skeksis immediately grow horrified. One of them
even comments on how disgusting the child looks. skekUnz, not forgetting the
Prophecy, wastes no time in calling his minions, the Garthim, and ordering
them to bring the boy to him.
Outside in the hallway, skekSil, clad in the tattered remains of his
robes, sees the scrambling Garthim and then smiles as an idea enters his
ever-scheming mind.
* * *
[3.4.1] Crags
Jen can look up at the suns, realizing he should hurry. There should now
be a Crystal Bat eyeing him, but he can't do anything about it, so he should
just walk between the vines.
* * *
Jen slowly climbs rock after rock as he inches his way up the jagged
mountain. At one point, he sneaks a glance behind him, noticing how
a strange, glossy, black sphere with wings is hanging from a branch.
The thing appears to be only observing him, and with so many fantastic
creatures he has seen lately, Jen figures it is merely another harmless
being that inhabits the world. Jen ignores it and resumes his ascent.
He now finds himself on a roughly flat ridge. As he walks cautiously
along it, his mind starts to wander. "Follow the greater sun for a day,"
he remembers his Master telling him. Only then will he find the Dome of
Aughra. Hmph, he doesn't see any observatory at all! Who is this Aughra
anyway, he also wonders? "Maybe she murders Gelflings--"
Suddenly, the thick, orange, bushy plants around him rattle and
then scurry off into the all-concealing clefts. "What in the world?
This place is weird!" Jen notices a silence that hasn't been there
before. "I don't like this," he thinks to himself as he steps between
some dried vines, only to be caught and dragged up by them!
Strain and fight as much as he can, Jen is no match against the steely
strength of the seemingly dead plants. Then, an arm reaches up from below
him, holding an eye! Jen twists a bit to get a better look at the owner
of the eye as he hears a strange tongue being spoken.
* * *
[3.4.2] Vines
Jen should stay still, and when the mysterious person asks him what he
wants, he should just answer the question directly. It turns out he has
found Aughra, or more rather, she has found him. When Jen is let down,
he should follow Aughra.
[3.4.3] Great Observatory
* * *
After a while, the speech becomes comprehensible to Jen when the strange
hag changes to a language with which he is familiar. She examines him,
commenting on how he looks, sounds, and smells like a Gelfling, even though
his race is supposedly extinct. Eventually, she introduces herself as the
Keeper of Secrets, and knowing Jen has been sent by the urru, she sets him
free. The iron-like grip of the vines becomes lazy again, sending Jen down
to a rough landing.
Jen picks himself up after Aughra, following her into a dark tunnel.
With the vines over the entrance hanging back down and concealing it,
Jen finds himself almost blind inside the narrow cave. "Ouch!," he
mutters when he bumps into an unseen rock. Cursing himself, Jen wonders
how someone as old and bad-tempered as Aughra can move so quickly
through the near-blackness. Then, at last, he reaches the interior
of the Great Observatory, his awe-struck eyes filling with wonder
as the stone door slides down and reveals all before him.
Dwarfing Jen is a gigantic orrery, a twisting model consisting of
countless motors, rotating rails, and floating brass spheres that represent
the various celestial bodies orbiting one another in the heavens. Jen knows
of the system of stars in which the world is said to belong, but he has
never seen it depicted on such a magnificent scale before.
Aughra almost scares Jen by jumping up to his left, asking him all these
questions... and then answering them herself. Her myriad years of solitude
may have left her excessively talkative, but Jen can detect more than
mere excitement behind the fervor in her mind. She speaks of how the
Great Conjunction is the end of the world... or its beginning.
Jen, baffled enough by her riddles, tells Aughra that he is searching
for a Crystal Shard. The Keeper clearly remembers it now. Long ago, the
skeksis first attempted to foil the Prophecy by creating five fake shards
of artificial crystal and then scattering them near where the true Shard
fell. The Gelfling of that forgotten age had collected all the shards
and given them to Aughra, but even she could not succeed in distinguishing
the true piece from the rest.
Now a Gelfling once more walks within the Observatory, this time to
retrieve the Shard, not to leave it. Aughra pulls out the box filled with
the crystals and dumps them in front of Jen's feet. He kneels down, staring
at the contents scattered about, and then looks up, asking her which one
it is. She stares at him sternly, saying, "There is much to be learned,
and you have no time."
* * *
Inside the Great Observatory, Jen is faced with the choice of picking one
of three shards that possibly belong to the Dark Crystal. (In the film,
there are actually six shards.) Play the pipe for a while to discover
which shard is the real one.
The true Crystal Shard is the blue one, so Jen should pick the Blue Shard.
(If he chooses the other shards, he will wind up breaking them outside the
Observatory and then return here to grab another one. Yeah, Aughra is real
nice deep down.) Jen can't get anything else much out of Aughra, so he
should try to leave afterward.
* * *
Jen has tossed aside all but three crystals. The remaining triplets
appear alike, but Jen is sure one of them is the Shard he seeks. Aughra
sits by as night falls, waiting impatiently for this "Chosen One" to
fulfill the Prophecy.
An idea comes to Jen's mind as he remembers the magical chorus of his
ancient caregivers. He eagerly takes out his pipe and blows a note that
matches the tone of the urru's voice. Slowly, but surely, one of the
crystal pieces begins to resonate, glowing a deep violet hue!
Holding what his dear Master has instructed him to find, Jen prepares
to leave when a black mass crashes through the dome walls! "GARTHIM!,"
screeches Aughra, and looking behind his shoulder, Jen now sees huge,
monstrous beasts smashing tables and throwing aside precious implements
as though they are worthless toys. The frightful creatures grab Aughra,
and Jen is backed up against the orrery.
* * *
Do not bother fighting the Garthim or trying to rescue Aughra. Jen is
not Conan the Cimmerian, so he must flee and jump out through the window.
* * *
Jen, desperate to escape, notices the sturdy build of the orrery. Taking a
chance, he clings onto one of its massive revolving globes. The black-shelled
terrors, seeing their prey climbing onto the machine, run their sharp claws
against its surfaces. The motors forced to a stop, the orrery breaks down.
Jen immediately leaps onto a high balcony that leads to a window.
Panicking, Jen practically stumbles, back first, onto the glass, and
the smooth, thin pane gives way under his light build. Luckily, the walls
outside are sloped, and Jen falls past the shattered glass and onto the
hill, tumbling down amidst clouds of dirt and mud.
After what seems like an eternity to him, Jen stops at the foot of the
mountain, where he glances upward to see the Great Observatory, perched
atop the cliff, bursting into flames. He turns and continues running.
* * *
[3.4.4] Mud Slide
After Jen escapes through the window, he must keep moving. He cannot simply
hide from the Garthim by staying stationary now, or else they will pick up
on his trail and waste his ass.
Only after going further down the hill should Jen head back toward Aughra's
place to find some clues as to where the Dark Crystal is located. (Jen can
meet the Podlings by wandering deeper into the forest, but they won't help
him out yet.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[3.5] Forests Revisited
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * *
Jen has seen much in the previous two days. Plants he has never even
imagined carpet the forests he currently traverses. Flowers fly. Grass
chatters. Trees walk. Parts of the ground actually open up to swallow
tiny reptiles. This certainly is a strange world.
Resting from last night's encounter, Jen sits down among some soft
and bright flora, the solid weight of the Shard in hand. Its transparent
yet indescribably odd surfaces seem to capture his gaze as he views an
image, perhaps a lost memory, of a vulture-like silhouette bringing a
hammer down onto a large gem. Upon the blow landing, the Shard's side
suddenly cracks, the impact thrusting Jen's mind back to the present.
Snap.
Jen's ears pick up instinctively. What was that? He places the
Shard back inside his pocket and stands up, eyeing his surroundings,
wondering if that sound has only been his imagination.
* * *
[3.5.1] Swamp of the Black River
Jen will find that Aughra's home is destroyed for good, so what
should he do next? Why not head south right into some nasty swamps?
Doing so gets him stuck in the muck. He can try grabbing for some
overhead vines or he can try praying, but none of that will do
any good. Without any other options, he should call for help.
* * *
Jen keeps his ears perked as he wanders between the trees. If his
suspicions are correct, someone or something is sneaking behind the
dense foliage. He pauses when his attention is drawn toward the ground.
Planted into the soft mud is a footprint. It looks similar to his, but it
cannot possibly belong to him, for he has not approached from that direction.
Zip.
Jen is distracted again as he catches something white flying past
the corner of his eye. He pursues it cautiously, eventually finding
a hollow log stuck out at an angle. He slowly approaches it, his
face getting closer and closer--
"GGGGRRRROOWWLL!"
"AAAAGH!," screams Jen as something furry launches out from the log!
The thing does not pounce onto him, but the fright knocks him backward,
miring him waist-deep in a small puddle of muck.
* * *
[3.5.2] Kira
Jen's plea is answered by a lass who happens to pop out from some bushes
on the side facing Jen. With her is some fuzzy animal. If Jen gawks at her,
she will also stare back. Just for fun, Jen can also get ready to fight the
animal. Despite being bogged down in the pool, Jen will brace himself enough
for the girl to let him know that "Fizzgig" is not dangerous.
The obvious choice is for Jen to reach for her hand. Kira will pull him up,
saving him from certain death. Our most curious hero can dreamfast with his
savior to learn more about her. Otherwise he should go with Kira to continue.
* * *
Jen is correct about someone spying on him, at least. A hooded figure
steps up toward him from behind the trees. Slender fingers emerge from
the gray robes and pull the hood back, revealing... a Gelfling?
Her features resemble those of Jen, a small frame, the glossy hair
(hers is silver), the pointed ears, yet at the same time she seems
so different. The girl begins speaking in an alien tongue, and Jen,
confused at all of this and still frightened by the furry little thing,
sits there in the pool without saying a word.
After a while, as with Aughra, the girl changes her language, and Jen
can hear her introducing herself as Kira and asking him if he is also a
Gelfling. Both are shocked to learn they are not alone. When Jen reaches
out and grasps her hand, something strange washes over him. Thoughts and
emotions, some of them not his, clash inside his mind. He feels Kira's
presence closer than ever, her memories pouring into him just as his flowed
into her. Recollections of their homes being decimated by the Garthim...
their respective foster parents discovering and caring for them... and the
haunting fact that there are no others like them where they have been raised.
As this last thought passes, their hands separate, severing the link.
However, before Jen can gather himself, the muck below him rises! Kira
realizes he has been sitting on one of her friends, a bog creature, and
rattles forth something incomprehensible to Jen, calming it. The children
then leave, and Fizzgig does so too after the creature scares him off.
. . .
"More food! MORE FOOD!," demands skekAquk. The dining hall of the Castle
echoes with the sloppy noises of the Lords of the Crystal devouring their
meals. Deformed Podlings shuffle out from the adjacent hallway, hauling
a large plate of roast Nebrie toward the long table where their masters
await. skekUnz, noticing the piece of meat he is chewing is rotten, throws
it over to the starving slaves, ordering them to eat. Serving as dessert
today are Crawlies, one of which darts across the entire length of the
table before being caught by skekAquk at the other end.
Dinner is interrupted when the Garthim enter, flinging to the ground a
large bag holding a prisoner. The skeksis wait for the Gelfling to crawl
out before them, only to find the disgruntled Keeper of Secrets emerge.
Openly insulting the skeksis and calling them idiots, just like her Garthim
captors, Aughra casually sits down, confidently reminding the Lords how they
will receive what they deserve when the Prophecy is fulfilled. The skeksis
immediately send forth another wave of their winged scouts.
* * *
[3.5.3] Black River
While the kids are floating quietly down the river, Jen can play his pipe
in tune to Kira's singing. He can also simply talk with Kira. Too bad the
conversation gets cut short when she detects another of those creepy little
Crystal Bats flying uncomfortably close to them.
From here, Kira can either whack the Crystal Bat with her sling or throw Jen
a second oar and tell him to shut up and start rowing like crazy. Which of
these actions they take doesn't matter, because they will reach the shore
soon. When they do, Jen should follow Kira to her home.
* * *
Afternoon falls quiet as the forest slows to a soothing whisper under
the faint, orange glow of the setting suns. The now-empty shell of a
creature long gone carries the last of the Gelfling, gliding unhurried
down the small river. Guiding their vessel with a makeshift oar, Kira
passes the time by singing. Her gentle voice touching him, Jen draws
out his pipe and joins her song with his music. Even Fizzgig is still,
listening intently to this pleasant ballad.
Kira suddenly silences herself, and Jen also stops playing, puzzled.
The girl quickly points at a Crystal Bat flying across the skies near
them. Instructing Jen to stay down, she calmly pulls out her sling and
balances herself on the shell. The creature has not noticed them yet,
so Kira whips her weapon around in several circles and then lets it loose.
Whack!
Kira's aim true, Jen peers up just to see something small and black
crashing into the water. Relieved once more, the three resume their
course along the light current.
However, though it is crippled, the Crystal Bat is not dead. Lying
on its side and partially buried within a shallow part of the river,
it stares coldly and silently ahead, the image of the floating shell
and its passengers reflecting off the glossy, pitch-black eye.
* * *
[3.5.4] Podling Village
For once in two long days, Jen can finally sit back and relax. Have some
supper, supper being river roots and gourd soup. Talk with the Podlings
to learn the directions to the Castle. When Jen is really feeling at home,
he should dance to the music with Kira's folks.
* * *
The urru observe the heavens, knowing the time is coming. Silently
nodding to one another, they prepare to leave the Valley of Stones.
. . .
Quite some time has passed since he and his newfound friends left the shell
to continue again on foot, but Jen is enjoying every moment of it. Still,
night is approaching, and he hopes they will arrive at Kira's home soon.
Out pops a head, and then several more. Jen recognizes these people, the
Podlings, from Kira's memory during the dreamfast that morning, but the only
word he can make out from their speech is "Kira." After a brief exchange
between her and these kindly beings, they head to their village, where
festivities rage on within a storm of music, good food, and jolly laughter.
Several Podlings, thrilled to meet their new guest, accost him and push
food and drink onto his table. Jen asks Kira how to say "thank you" in
her language, and he repeats it awkwardly ("pha-davan") to his overly
happy hosts. Kira observes from her seat, smiling at the sight.
Despite the noisy merriment around them, Jen eventually manages to find
himself alone with Kira. He explains to her how his Master has directed him
to obtain the Shard and then died without saying anything more. Kira puzzles
over what purpose the Shard holds, too, now that they have it.
Tonight is not the time to worry about strange crystals, however. Jen is
interrupted by another Podling within moments. The small, energetic figure
almost yanks him by the arm onto the middle of the floor. Caught unexpected,
Jen nearly stumbles as his tiny dance partner quickly leaps about in circles.
Minutes later, Jen sits down to rest, deciding to take out his pipe. The
slow rhythm of his notes falls in uncanny harmony with the lively stringed
instruments and beating drums that line the walls.
All fun must end, as Jen knows, only he has never expected it to happen
this way. Laughter is replaced by screams of horror as black claws plow
through the walls, tearing down the place and seizing Podlings. The gentle
forest folk are no match against the fearsome Garthim, and they flee, saving
whatever children they can along the way.
* * *
To survive the Garthim raid, Kira and Jen should slip out through the window.
[3.5.5] Gelfling Ruins - Wall of Destiny
* * *
Jen, frozen with fear, regains his senses when Kira finds him and quickly
leads him out of the village, with Fizzgig following close behind them.
Along the way, a Garthim catches sight of Jen. A claw immediately darts
forward, cleaving into his right elbow. Yelping out in more shock than pain,
Jen reflexively strikes back with the Shard.
. . .
The urru, who have begun their final journey, look up into the skies
as a ringing sound echoes over them. It is so distant, yet so familiar.
. . .
Jen continues running beside Kira. The Garthim hunter has released
its sharp grip as soon as the Shard rang against its pincers, seemingly
disorienting it. Whatever has happened, Jen does not care now, because
more Garthim are gaining behind him.
. . .
The Garthim, tireless and relentless, chase their prey, their bodies
whipping through the bushes effortlessly. They have the two Gelfling
in their sights, and within moments their goal will be attained. But
suddenly skekSil steps in front of them. They do not understand the
Chamberlain is now an outcast, nor do they understand he is halting
their pursuit for his own plans.
. . .
Although they seem to have escaped, Jen does not stop until he trips over a
stump hidden in the darkness of the deep forests. Kira, who has observed the
skeksis' odd behavior but continued to run close behind Jen, helps her friend
up but takes care to keep themselves concealed behind the thick growths.
Jen, panting hard, forces together in his mind all that has occurred. The
Great Observatory.... The Podling Village.... Everything seems so obvious
to him now. Tired, scared, and angry at himself, he glares at the Shard
hatefully and then throws it into the dark, wishing he has never seen it.
Kira tries to stop him, and then she tells him he must not blame himself,
for "the Garthim have always come." Also noticing he is hurt, Kira dresses
his wound with a piece of soft moss, explaining how the plant will help
him heal.
The Garthim are gone now, but to stay safe, the two remain where they are
under the cover of darkness and sleep.
* * *
The kids will escape to what is left of their ancestors' home. At the ruins,
check out the symbols. Jen should read them, and then he should read them
some more. The pictures, especially the one of the triangle inscribed
within a circle, provide clues for challenges that have yet to come.
* * *
Jen opens his eyes to find his head resting on Kira's lap. He lies there
for a while, reminiscing of his earlier, simpler life and missing urSu and
the other urru's chants and ceremonies. Oh, his Master. "Out here in the
world, look at me. I'm not a hero, not the way you wanted me to be."
Kira wakes to see a worried Jen rising, taking off the moss. Despite
the red stain on his sleeve, the wound underneath has closed. She suggests
they go somewhere safer, only to hear him reply, "I don't think anywhere
is safe anymore."
The two, curious about the place to which they have escaped, survey
their surroundings. Kira finds the Shard, which has landed on an old plate
half-covered with overgrown grass, and returns it to Jen. Looking up, he asks
her about the ruins lying before them. She only knows that no one enters them
anymore because "bad things" have occurred there long ago. Jen, intrigued by
the crests on the walls, decides to open the gate and enter.
Past the portal remains what has once been a great civilization. Although
weeds and weather have worn down their surfaces, elegant decorations continue
to adorn the place. Kira sees an ancient chair resembling a throne in a
corner. A weird compulsion falls over her, and she sits down on it, viewing
the ruins again from this strange yet warmly comfortable perspective.
Jen interrupts her stupor when he calls her toward a wall inscribed with
mysterious shapes of a crystal, a castle, a figure with wings, and other
various objects. Excited, Jen explains how the minute symbols above the
pictures are writing. "What's 'writing?,'" asks Kira.
"Words that stay. My Master taught me so," answers Jen. He proceeds to
read the script, "When single shines the Triple Sun, what was sundered and
undone, shall be whole, the Two made One, by Gelfling hand or else by none."
Their eyes widen as they realize this wall depicts the Prophecy and they
are to restore the Crystal with the very Shard in Jen's hand.
* * *
Fizzgig will begin barking, and that means trouble. Get out while the
getting is good to take a shortcut, or else the kids will encounter skekSil.
If they do meet the sneaky Chamberlain, they should run like hell. Again,
escape through the small window. (Kira will plead with Jen to flee if he
tries to answer skekSil. Following the Chamberlain will lead to death.)
* * *
Fizzgig suddenly starts barking, and Kira and Jen turn to see a ragged
figure appear in front of them. Kira recognizes him as a skeksis and starts
to flee with Jen, but the Chamberlain cuts them off and speaks with them.
He claims he is the one who has stopped the Garthim from capturing them
and that he wants no more killing, hoping to make peace with the Gelfling.
Jen stands there, not knowing what he is prepared to do next. He stares
at the beaming but twisted visage just a few steps away, and skekSil smiles
back. Then Kira dashes in between the two, facing Jen. The apprehension
on her face shoots straight into him, and he realizes what they must do.
He grabs her and backs up in the blink of an eye, darting through a small
opening in the wall, with Fizzgig following close behind them.
The Chamberlain jumps after them, too, but the hole is not large enough
to allow him passage. He can only thrust in his beak, attempting to persuade
the children in vain. As the three run farther and farther away, his
whimpering "pleases" erupt into a mad cry.
* * *
[3.5.6] Landstriders
After leaving the ruins, Kira and Jen will find some Landstriders. Ride
them. Following the Podlings' directions, head west, and then head south.
* * *
The skeksis far behind them, the children end their flight. Jen, before
he can wonder how he will reach the Castle, sees furry, long-legged beings
lumber out from behind the dense trees several paces away.
Kira eases Jen's fears and tells him that the white-haired quadrupeds are
friendly Landstriders. Kira calls out to them, and the creatures settle down
beside her, whiskers bristling, ready to take anyone to the Castle.
When Jen sees Kira climb onto a Landstrider, he solemnly reminds her that
there is no need for her to accompany him on his dangerous quest, but she
merely replies by saying she knows. Jen pauses at this, but his pleading
eyes finally lighten up with understanding.
"All right, together then."
Jen mounts another of the creatures. Fizzgig, after a bit of growling
and whining, convinces Kira to let him come with them, too. Kira tells
Jen to hold on as the Landstriders pick up speed, gracefully charging
past the high foliage.
* * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[3.6] Castle
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * *
Various animals jitter inside their tight cages hanging about all over
skekTek's laboratory. The Scientist has a task to perform today, and he
does not hesitate to grab a terrified Podling from his prison and lock
him into a chair positioned in front of the Great Shaft. skekTek briskly
tells his soon-to-be victim not to worry, which is as sympathetic as the
Scientist will ever become.
His apparatus ready, skekTek can now proceed. Flipping a heavy lever,
an arm outside in the Shaft swings a large mirror under the Dark Crystal.
The purple light channeled through the corrupted Crystal reflects off the
mirror and into the eyes of the Podling. Drop by drop, the prisoner's life
essence is drained into a nearby vial. The Scientist watches with glee,
explaining to the Podling how his dreams and fears are robbed for the
benefit of the Emperor. The Podling, at least in skekTek's eye, should
be glad to partake in such an honor.
skekUnz finally enters, expecting his treat. skekTek brings the delicate
glass vessel to the Garthim Master and Emperor, who greedily downs its
clear contents. skekUnz watches his hand and feels his wrinkles magically
smoothing themselves. He's young, he's young again, he cries, but within
moments, the skin on his hand slackens back to its old state. The Emperor
immediately bears down on the Scientist, cursing his "wonderful" method.
skekTek can only beg for forgiveness, complaining how since the last of
the captured Gelfling he has not found a finer source of life essence.
* * *
[3.6.1] Castle Exterior - Main Entrance
* * *
Crossing the vast desert has been free of trouble with the aid of
the Landstriders. When Kira and Jen reach the top of a hill overlooking
the entrance to the Castle, they see the Garthim from the previous night
hauling a large net stuffed with Podlings. Kira charges into action,
commanding her mount to attack the monsters and to save her people.
* * *
Time to meet some old pals, the not-so-friendly Garthim. Kira and Jen should
ride into battle, or else the Garthim will swarm them and kick their asses.
* * *
Jen, lost in thought for a few moments, finally realizes he should
help and rushes into the frenzy. Although outnumbered, the Landstriders'
powerful legs punch jagged holes in the shelled warriors' armor, releasing
the vaporous magic within. One of the luckier Garthim, however, takes a
clear shot at Kira's Landstrider. The force from the blow knocks her off,
but she quickly rises to her feet and rushes over to the net. Jen sees
this and leaps off, dashing to her side and helping her free the Podlings.
The Garthim eventually get the better of the Landstriders. One of the
forest creatures loses its balance and falls over into a pit, taking an
enemy with it. The other, simply overwhelmed, has slashing Garthim piling
onto it. The rest of the dark warriors force the children away from the
Podlings and press them against the edge of a cliff.
Jen, panicking, hears Kira telling him to hold onto her. He has no idea
what she is planning, unless if it is to....
* * *
With no other means of escape, the heroes must jump off the cliff.
[3.6.2] Dry Moat - Teeth of Skreesh
* * *
Jen's heart stops as Kira leaps off, with him holding onto her.
When he discovers he can breathe again, Jen looks around and notices
they are floating down! What the...? He turns his head as best as he can
and sees a fine pattern of skin emerging from beneath the rear folds of
Kira's robes.
"Wings!," gasps Jen upon landing, "I don't have wings...."
"Of course not. You're a boy!"
Jen gives off a perplexed look as his friend casually walks on ahead.
* * *
While the two are floating down, Jen can ask Kira about her wings and
learn something new that isn't from the film. He can also look back up
and see the Garthim getting angry. The kids should prepare to land on
the rocks below to continue.
After hitting the bottom, Kira and Jen must walk around a bit to find an
entrance. There are two doors here, the doors being carved out of rock
in the form of frightening demonic faces. The "teeth" are made out of
steel bars, serving as gates blocking off the maws, which are the actual
openings into the Castle.
There are a north door and a south door, and the trench rings around
the Castle, connecting the doors in a circular path. Walk left or right,
circling around to the north door (the one with the triangle-within-a-circle
symbol). Let Fizzgig run off there, so he can help the kids open the bars.
Follow Fizzgig into the opening. (Do not jump for joy, or else the Garthim
will catch up.)
* * *
Unseen from the top of some rocks, skekSil smiles as he watches
the blue-haired Gelfling crawl between the Teeth of Skreesh at the
side of the Castle's base, followed by his silver-haired companion
and that annoying ball of fuzz.
* * *
[3.6.3] Labyrinth (Underground Caves)
Inside the tunnels below the Castle, the kids should head left, and they
will hear something moving in the shadows. Go left again to meet skekSil.
The heroes should naturally refuse to go with him, but when they do so,
skekSil will capture Kira and Fizzgig and leave Jen under some very hard
rocks. Jen must wiggle free if he wants to live and to fulfill the Prophecy.
* * *
Jen reminds Kira to be careful after she nearly trips on the rocky, uneven
ground. The three have been wandering within the cold dankness for a while.
As they approach some dimly lit halls in front, Kira freezes. "I want to go
back. I smell death here." Jen understands her worry, but he knows he has
no choice.
Just a few more steps ahead, skekSil dashes out in front of them, this
time grabbing the children while Fizzgig barks at his feet. Kira and Jen
struggle to free themselves, but the Chamberlain's frail appearance hides
an incredible strength. Jen, with no weapon other than the Shard, strikes
skekSil with it, who reels his arm back in pain, screeching, "MY HAND!"
. . .
Glancing at his skin breaking open and bleeding, urSol realizes their
fate is indeed approaching. "So, my hand...."
. . .
Glaring at the deep red fluid flowing out from his wrist, the seething
Chamberlain throws hate-filled eyes upon Jen. "Gelfling, you DIE!" He
smashes his fist into a nearby wooden column, causing other supports and
the ceiling over Jen to collapse. Even as she is being dragged away, Kira
frantically calls out Jen's name and instructs Fizzgig to stay to help him.
. . .
skekEkt and skekAquk chat with each other as they walk down the hall, not
expecting their former comrade to appear without notice and definitely not
expecting him to be with a Gelfling. The two run screaming into the throne
chamber, where the rest of the skeksis are wondering what is all the
commotion, especially the Ornamentalist's high-pitched "GELFLING! GELFLING!"
skekSil enters, prize held in check, and confronts them. After he explains
how he has bled to capture the child alone, skekUnz reluctantly orders the
Chamberlain to be restored to his former status.
Not long afterward, Kira finds herself being placed into a chair by
skekTek. Aughra, from her cell, silently watches with her separated eye
as the purple beam shines into the girl's upper face.
* * *
[3.6.4] Garthim Pit - Lake of Fire and skekTek's Laboratory
This part is missing in this game, so Jen automatically enters the
Castle proper after digging himself free. That means Jen gets to avoid
the Garthim once for free, but just for fun, here are the missing scenes:
* * *
He cannot give up now, not like this. Jen finally gives a mighty push
and heaves himself partially out from the rocks. Hoping Kira is still alive,
he yells for her to fight back.
. . .
The light is like no other. It stabs her like a blade of ice, tearing out
her thoughts as she hears her own essence drip into the vial. Kira has almost
given in to this vile, depleting sensation when she hears Jen unmistakably
shouting from some distant part of the Castle. Aughra, understanding well
all the sides of the Prophecy, speaks and tells the girl to use her "gift."
Forcing the dark light out as best as she can, Kira caws out repeatedly,
calling the animals held in the laboratory to stop the Scientist.
skekTek, seeing the flow of essence slowing so soon and the creatures
raging, cannot believe his eye. He orders the pests to stop, but to no
avail. Finally, they break loose, flying out of their cages and jumping
onto him with unrestrained fury. skekTek attempts to fling them away, but
in struggling to regain his balance, he accidentally flips off the lever
and then sails down into the Shaft. "AAAAUUUUAAAAGGGGHHHH!--"
. . .
The urru turn their heads to see urTih flash away in a fiery, yellow haze.
They resume their journey with repose, knowing that what must be done shall
be done.
. . .
Kira exhales sharply as the horrible light vanishes. She is dazed and
slightly disoriented, but enough of her essence is left for her to remember
the Scientist's final cry of agony, the Prophecy, and... Jen! Her little
friends free her from the straps holding her down, and after some quick
words with Aughra about the imminent Great Conjunction, she runs into the
halls, looking for Jen and Fizzgig.
. . .
With the rocks blocking the path where Kira has been taken, Jen wanders
within another lower part of the Castle with Fizzgig... only to fall through
a pit and land inside a dark cave.
Fizzgig, unable to help Jen from above, sadly continues alone into the rest
of the Castle, rolling into a tumbling ball and seeking out his other friend.
. . .
Oh no. Jen staggers up, quickly taking in the blinding darkness enveloping
him. Two bright dots appear, and then more pairs of dots glow on every side,
resembling eerie red stars floating in an all-black sky. Jen has no time to
scream as the Garthim close in on him, their cold shells clattering inside
the void of the pit. Their home has been invaded, and they are not amused.
Jen feels something unbelievably heavy grasp his waist and haul him up.
Next, he feels his body sailing through the stale air, and then he feels
the solid ground digging into his joints. Scampering up madly, Jen barely
realizes a Garthim has just thrown him across the cave before more claws
swing at him, snapping like gigantic murderous scissors. Without thinking,
he ducks blow after blow, his mind exploding with fear and pain.
One claw barely misses him, instead smashing into the rock wall,
breaking open a small hole. Jen wants out of this place, and he wants
it now. Bounding up to the opening, he grits his teeth as he forces
himself through it before the Garthim can catch him again.
Bruised, battered, and deathly exhausted, Jen now feels a wave of heat
pounding against his face as he finds himself staring down into the molten
bottom of the Great Shaft. Looking up again, he begins scaling the blocky
sides of the Shaft, taking care not to slip.
Jen eventually crawls up a large, sloped panel, stepping into a completely
disarrayed room. The place is like nothing he has ever seen, filled with
cages, chains, and many unspeakable devices with purposes he would rather
not know. Time is growing short, so when Aughra points toward the direction
Kira has gone, Jen races into the halls.
* * *
[3.6.5] Castle Hall
Check out the door at the end of the hall to find Aughra. (This part is
kinda weird, because in the film Jen goes through the lab before he reaches
the hall.)
[3.6.6] Great Shaft - skekTek's Laboratory
Jen can try to untie Aughra, but she will tell him he shouldn't waste time
doing so. He should go up, toward another door.
The door is locked, but by good fortune it can be opened with the
Gold Key (the one Jen has picked up way back from the Valley of Stones).
[3.6.7] Crystal Chamber - Balcony
Jen should get up to the balcony.
* * *
Kira sneaks behind a pillar as she hears some skeksis walking past. There
is a darkness under her eyes, and she is not feeling that well in truth, but
she cannot stop now. Where is the Dark Crystal? Where are Jen and Fizzgig?
. . .
Jen wanders into a hallway that opens over the large chamber above the
Great Shaft. At last, he has reached the Dark Crystal. Failing to find any
other way down, he clambers over the edge and drops down onto a balcony...
and discovers Kira passing down the hall along the opposite side. He tries
to hide behind a short wall and call to her at the same time.
* * *
[3.6.8] Crystal Chamber - Dark Crystal
The skeksis get pretty pissed when they see Jen on the balcony, and
some Garthim are coming, so his only chance of escape is to jump onto
the Dark Crystal. (Just for fun, Jen can also try to blow a kiss to
Kira before jumping. Doing so won't hurt.)
* * *
Fizzgig bounces happily up to Kira. Before she can quiet him down, the
skeksis gathering around the Dark Crystal notice her and start shouting.
When they find a second Gelfling on another balcony, they become even more
shocked. The Garthim promptly arrive on the various floors that cut into
the chamber.
. . .
Jen sees another of the Garthim approaching behind him. With no other
path he can take, he leaps onto the Dark Crystal, but the Shard falls
out of his sweating hand as he lands. No!
. . .
skekUnz sees the little sliver of crystal and races over to it, kneeling
to claim it, only to feel something furry biting him. Irritated, the Emperor
drops the Shard and throws Fizzgig down the Great Shaft.
. . .
"Fizzgig!" Seeing everything happen so quickly, Kira unfurls her wings
and swoops down, grabbing the Shard before any of the skeksis can react.
She holds it before her, waving it around in a threatening manner as the
skeksis surround her. Like Jen, she too is trapped now.
* * *
Things aren't looking good, are they? Jen should tell Kira to throw the
Shard to him. She will bravely oblige, and by doing so she opens herself
up to a whacking by the Ritual Master.
* * *
Aughra, tossing aside useless trinkets in the traitorous Scientist's
laboratory, hears something yelping from the Great Shaft. Looking ahead,
she sees Fizzgig hanging onto the mirror's arm. Wondering why he is there,
she finds and holds out a stick, allowing the creature to scurry to safety.
. . .
Jen watches helplessly as Kira wards off the vicious skeksis from every
side. Desperate, he even attempts to bargain with them, offering to give
them the Shard if they leave her alone. Kira has another idea, though.
She turns and throws the Shard to him, shouting, "Heal the Crystal, Jen!"
. . .
skekZok has had enough at this point. Drawing out his ceremonial dagger,
he steps up behind the girl and plunges the blade into her back. No one,
not even the urru who have passed the sentries and entered the chamber,
will stop the skeksis from becoming the supreme overlords of the world,
and the Ritual Master is seeing to that.
* * *
Jen should put the Shard into the Dark Crystal.
* * *
Jen's world crashes to a halt as he sees Kira fall. Weakly crying out
his name one last time, she slowly slumps to the ground as the surrounding
skeksis sneer. No other sight, no other sound, not even his own breath or
the Shard in his numb hand registers in his mind.
However, the room now seems suddenly brighter than before, for the
Great Conjunction is occurring. Jen lets out a terrible, unworldly howl
of anguish and pain as he jams the Shard into the Dark Crystal. At the
same moment, the light from the triple suns above shoot right onto him.
The force blows him away from the restored Crystal as its tainted hue
changes to a clear, pure one.
Even as the Castle's blackened walls crumble and the urru and the skeksis
join together, Jen's focus lies solely upon one person. Cradling Kira's
limp form, he weeps uncontrollably as he pushes his face onto hers.
* * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[3.7] Epilogue
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[3.7.1] Sacrifice
It's not over yet. Listen to the urskeks to tie up things.
* * *
A new light shines now, and Jen peers up through blurry tears to find
eight urskeks floating magnificently around the Crystal. The ethereal beings
thank Jen for his brave deed, explaining how he has saved the world as well
as themselves. Jen can hardly pay attention as he gently lifts Kira up in
his arms and walks closer to them.
The urskeks, understanding the pain within him, grant him his wish before
departing through the light of the Crystal, remarking, "She is part of you,
as we are part of each other."
Jen feels the weight in his arms shifting. Looking down, his heart fills
with unbelievable joy as he sees Kira's health fully restored, her bright
eyes smiling back at his.
. . .
Aughra and Fizzgig arrive from an upper hallway, leaning against the
pure, crystalline whiteness of the wall as they observe the spectacle.
The lad has done it, after all.
. . .
The four now gaze upon the Crystal, its beautiful surface reflecting the
balance and the perfection of the world around it. The barren lands outside
are replaced by a lush green, and the waters are as blue as the happy skies
above them.
Kira and Jen hold each other closer as the urskeks' final words echo
through their minds:
"Now we leave the Crystal to you. Make your world in its light."
* * *
[3.7.2] Jen Scores and Gets Some
After Kira and Jen hear the urskeks rant off, the Score can be viewed.
The Score is equal to the number of choices the heroes have taken. The
lower the Score, the better it is.
==============================================================================
[4] Miscellaneous Information
==============================================================================
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[4.1] TDC Quick Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[4.1.1] Item Locations
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shale - Shale Cliff East of Jen's Lake
Jen's Pipe - Old Tree North of the Standing Stones
Kira's Sling - Old Tree in the Central Forests
Lily Pad - Pond in the West Forests
Crystal Shard - Great Observatory
Pouch - Under the Shell by the River
Castle Key - Behind the Gate Bars (Triangle Door)
Scepter - Throne Chamber in the North Castle Halls
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[4.1.2] Commands
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+--------------------------------------+
N,S,W,E,U,D NO
CLIMB [object] OPEN [object]
CUT [object] PLAY FLUTE
DIG [target] RESTORE GAME
DROP [object] RIDE [thing]
GET [object] RUN
GO [structure] SAVE
GRAB [object] SAVE GAME
HEAR [object] SCRATCH [object]
HELP SEND [object/target]
HOLD [object] SIT [structure]
INV SPEAK [character]
JUMP OFF STARE [object]
JUMP ON TALK [character]
KISS [character] TURN [object]
LISTEN [object] USE [object]
LOOK [object] YES
+--------------------------------------+
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[4.1.3] Map
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Item Locations:
+------------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| Overworld: Labyrinth: |
| (08,03) - Jen's Pipe (03,04) - Castle Key |
| (10,06) - Kira's Sling |
| (13,10) - Crystal Shard Castle: |
| (10,02) - Shale (02,03) - Scepter |
| (08,05) - Lily Pad |
| (10,09) - Pouch |
| |
+------------------------------------------------------------------+
Overworld:
.......................................................|----|----|
10 .......................................................| |Augh|
...............|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|
09 ...............| | | | | | |Rive|Pit | |Vine|
..........|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|
08 ..........| | | | |Land|Rock|Podl| | | |.....
|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|.....
07 | | | | | | | |Ruin| | |....|Mud |.....
|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|....|----|.....
06 | |Cast| |...................| | |Tree|....| |.....
|----|----|----|..............|----|----|----|----|----|----|.....
05 | | | |..............| |Pads| |Wall| | |.....
|----|----|----|..............|----|----|----|----|----|----|.....
04 ...................................| | | |...............
.........................|----|....|----|----|----|...............
03 .........................|urSu|....|Tree| | |...............
.........................|----|----|----|----|----|...............
02 .........................| | | |Lake|Clif|...............
.........................|----|----|----|----|----|...............
01 ...................................| | | |...............
...................................|----|----|----|...............
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13
Labyrinth: Castle:
..........|----|.......... .........................|----|----|
04 ..........|Door|.......... 04 .........................| |Crys|
.....|----|----|----|----| .....|----|----|----|----|----|----|
03 .....| | | | | 03 .....|Thro| | | | |.....
|----|----|----|----|----| |----|----|----|----|----|----|.....
02 | | | | |..... 02 |Pit |Shaf| |....................
|----|----|----|----|..... |----|----|----|----|...............
01 |Pit |....|Door|.......... 01 .....| | |Dine|...............
|----|....|----|.......... .....|----|----|----|...............
01 02 03 04 05 01 02 03 04 05 06 07
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[4.2] GA Quick Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[4.2.1] Item Locations
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jen's Pipe - Jen begins with this
Gold Key - Old Tree North of the Standing Stones
Storm Stones - Dry Spot in the Forests
Crystal Shard - Great Observatory
Kira's Sling - Kira begins with this
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[4.2.2] Quick Moves List
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
#01 - Take a nap.
#02 - Go back to sleep.
#03 - Go west, along the Valley floor.
#04 - Go west, through the Valley.
#05 - Run into the cave.
#06 - Look into urSu's bowl.
#07 - Get help for urSu.
#08 - Leave the cave.
#09 - Go to the east.
#10 - Follow the shadows north.
#11 - Dig under the tree.
#12 - Head north.
#13 - Head north.
#14 - Wade north past the creature.
#15 - Run from the thunder.
#16 - Go toward the cry of the bird.
#17 - Go toward the croaking sound.
#18 - Go towards the tall grass.
#19 - Climb over the hill.
#20 - Hurry north, toward the mountains.
#21 - Hurry north.
#22 - Walk past the tree.
#23 - Keep walking forward.
#24 - Jump down from the tree.
#25 - Walk between the vines.
#26 - Stay very still.
#27 - Answer the question.
#28 - Follow Aughra.
#29 - Choose a crystal shard.
#30 - Take the Blue Shard.
#31 - Leave Aughra's dome.
#32 - Jump out the window.
#33 - Head down the hill.
#34 - Go back to Aughra's hill.
#35 - Go south into the swamp.
#36 - Call for help.
#37 - Reach for the girl's hand.
#38 - Go with Kira.
#39 - Look at the sky.
#40 - Head for shore and row like crazy.
#41 - Follow Kira.
#42 - Dance to the music.
#43 - Slip out the window.
#44 - Read some more.
#45 - Get out while the getting is good.
#46 - Climb on the animals.
#47 - Hold tight and go west.
#48 - Go south.
#49 - Ride the Landstriders into battle.
#50 - Jump off the cliff.
#51 - Prepare to land in the rocks.
#52 - Walk around the wall to the left.
#53 - Fizzgig wants to run away. Let him.
#54 - Follow Fizzgig into the opening.
#55 - Go toward the left of the screen.
#56 - Go toward the left of the screen.
#57 - Refuse to go with the skeksis.
#58 - Try to wiggle free.
#59 - Use the door at the end of the hall.
#60 - Go up the stairs to the right.
#61 - Take the Gold Key and open the door.
#62 - Jump to the top of the Dark Crystal.
#63 - Shout: 'Kira, throw me the Shard.'
#64 - Put the Shard into the Dark Crystal.
#65 - Listen to the new creatures.
#66 - Hear the rest of the urskeks' words.
#67 - See your Score for the game.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[4.3] urru-skeksis Parallels
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+----------------------------------------------------+
urru skeksis
+----------------------------------------------------+
urSu (Master) skekSo (Emperor)
urZah (Ritual Guardian) skekZok (Ritual Master)
urSol (Chanter) skekSil (Chamberlain)
urIm (Healer) skekUnz (Garthim Master)
urTih (Alchemist) skekTek (Scientist)
urYod (Numerologist) skekShod (Treasurer)
urAmaj (Cook) skekAquk (Gourmand)
urNol (Hunter) skekNa (Slave Master)
urAc (Scribe) skekOk (Scroll Keeper)
urUtt (Weaver) skekEkt (Ornamentalist)
+----------------------------------------------------+
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[5] Reference
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[5.1] Game Source Information
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[5.1.1] TDC Version
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Name: Sierra On-Line Hi-Res Adventure #6: The Dark Crystal (TDC)
Name: Gelfling Adventure (GA)
Developer: Henson Associates and Sierra On-Line (TDC)
Developer: Henson Associates, Al Lowe Associates, and Sierra On-Line (GA)
Producer: Sierra On-Line
Genre: text adventure
Players: 1
Save: Disk (227 KB) (TDC)
Save: none (GA)
Disks: 3 (TDC)
Size:
Disk 1 - Side A: 140 KB
Disk 1 - Side B: 227 KB
Disk 2 - Side A: 227 KB
Disk 2 - Side B: 227 KB
Disk 3 - Side A: 227 KB (Save Disk)
Disks: 1 (GA)
Size:
Disk 1, Side A: 140 KB
Disk 1, Side B: 140 KB
Publisher: Sierra On-Line
Release Date: 1982 (TDC)
Release Date: 1984 (GA)
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[5.2] Additional Reference
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[5.2.1] The Dark Crystal (Film)
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The Dark Crystal Copyright 1982 The Jim Henson Company
Name: Dark Crystal, The
Directors: Jim Henson and Frank Oz
Producers: Jim Henson and Gary Kurtz
Screenplay Writer: David Odell
Story Writer: Jim Henson
Conceptual Designer: Brian Froud
Music Composer: Trevor Jones
Release Date: 1982-12-17
Running Time: 94 minutes
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[5.2.2] The Crystal (Booklet)
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Name: Crystal, The
Writer: Jim Henson
Designer: Brian Froud
Date: 1978
The Crystal (a.k.a. the "Froud Project") is the early version
of The Dark Crystal. Here are some differences found within it:
- Kira was originally named Dee.
- The urru were originally named the oo-ur.
- The Gelfling were originally named the Gelflin.
- The Podlings were originally named the earth people.
- The Garthim were originally named the Garthem.
- The skeksis had enslaved members of a burrowing race who were forced
to dig for precious metals and minerals in the Labyrinth.
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[5.2.3] The World of the Dark Crystal (Book)
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The World of the Dark Crystal Copyright 1982 2003 The Jim Henson Company
Name: World of the Dark Crystal, The
Illustrator: Brian Froud
Author: J. J. Llewellyn
Designer: Rupert Brown
Editor: Rupert Brown
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. (Original Edition)
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. (Collector's Edition)
Date: 1982 (Original Edition)
Date: 2003 (Collector's Edition)
The Collector's Edition includes a new foreword by Froud, fifteen
additional illustrations (which have not been published earlier),
and a facsimile of the promotional booklet for The Crystal.
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[5.3] Really Small Details With Which Garthim Wipe Their Asses
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Confusing Critters
The World of the Dark Crystal lists the names of the following animals:
golarch, hsilin, yoket khria, vereina, gilyak, cherfas (the deceiver),
pbyx, storax, garodemana, khaipokhiu, and iosis. Ever figure out which
names refer to exactly which animals?
Evil Life
If the skeksis prolong their life with the powers of the Dark Crystal,
and if the urru's life forces are linked to theirs, then doesn't that
mean the urru are indirectly feeding off from the skeksis' corrupt energy?
So what exactly does urIm's medicines do? Prevent the urru from turning
homicidal? What also happens if one of the urru or skeksis doesn't eat?
Does his counterpart starve to death with him, or will both of them continue
to live as long as one of them feeds?
Lost Life
What happens to the life essence that has been sucked out of Kira? After
the urskeks heal her, does the stuff magically beam back into her? If not,
Aughra can probably pump it back into her with one of skekTek's nasty tools.
Maybe Kira can also simply drink it. That should be far less painful.
Inconsistent Jens
Jen's physical appearance has changed a lot. In the game, he appears
a lot buffer in some scenes. The Sierra guys have also messed up his
clothing. Sure, the Gelfling crest is still on his collar, but there
are other important details that are wrong. His short cloak is missing,
and he isn't supposed to wear boots.
The Chamberlain on Speed
skekSil must be pretty fast if he can travel across the deserts and
the forests to catch up with Kira and Jen so many times. Considering
how the kids have boats and Landstriders, the Chamberlain must have
a rocket booster stuffed up his ass to keep up with them.
Real Adventurers Don't Need Water
Except during the festival scene at the Podlings' village, we never see
Kira and Jen near any food or drink. Come to think of it, we never see
Jen drink anything at all during his three-day journey. Considering how
he has been walking across vast plains and scaling steep mountains under
multiple suns, Jen is one tough sucker if he can avoid turning into a
shrivelled corpse.
Super Slide
How high is that Great Observatory? We see Jen spending what seem to be
hours to climb the mountain, but we see him take seconds to fall back down
during his escape from the Garthim. Take a close look. Jen breaks through
the window, tumbles down the slope for a few moments, and then gets up and
sees the dome about a kilometer away. Yeah, that makes sense.
Death Drop
When skekTek flies off into the Great Shaft, what about those cute little
forest critters clinging onto him? We don't see them jumping or climbing back
to safety. (Aughra is alone in the laboratory.) Mmmm, assorted fried meat.
True Prophecy
In TDC, if Jen tries to talk with animals, he will get a message saying,
"This is 'The Dark Crystal' ... not 'Dr. Doolittle.'" The funny thing is
The Jim Henson Company eventually winding up to help create the special
animal effects in a remake of the movie about that doctor. Scary.
Krezzy Comparisons - Jen Is Actually Luke Skywalker
The similarities between these two heroes can be disturbing:
- Both are "orphans."
- Both have been raised on a planet with multiple suns.
- Both are destined to save the world from a corrupt empire.
- Both have their origins initially hidden from them.
- Both make friends with people who have furry companions.
- Both travel through weird forests or jungles.
- Both meet wise elders who speak bad English.
- Both avoid falling to their deaths inside a large shaft.
- Both have a mentor who dies by fading away while resting on a bed.
- Both are willing to surrender to the bad guys to rescue their friends.
- Both injure the hand of a hated enemy.
Krezzy Contrasts - Jen Is Nothing Like Luke Skywalker
Fortunately, these guys are different enough so we won't get any lawsuits:
- Jen plays music by the lake. Nekkid.
- Jen does not get his ass kicked at a bar. He gets it kicked inside a cave.
- Jen does not dress up like a Garthim to rescue a princess.
- Jen does not pilot a Landstrider down the Death Star trench.
- Jen wields a crappy broken Shard instead of a bitchin' lightsaber.
- Jen can walk away unscathed after being smashed by multiple heavy objects.
- Jen does not get his arm hacked off by a Garthim.
- Jen does not hear skekUnz say, "LUKE, I AM YOUR FATHER."
- Jen does not let Kira strangle skekAquk to death in a sexy slave outfit.
- Jen has an underage girlfriend who also doesn't have funny-looking hair.
- Jen does not kiss his sister. Twice.
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[5.4] Document Credits
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Henson Associates and The Jim Henson Company (www.henson.com)
For creating The Dark Crystal.
Sierra On-Line (www.sierra.com)
For creating both The Dark Crystal game and Gelfling Adventure.
As for Gelfling Adventure, the people at Al Lowe Associates have
done the programming, and Rae Lynn Macchesney and Michael Macchesney
have done the text and the "educational concepts," whatever those are.
Spherelanders
For playing through the game and figuring out the best tactics.
Extra thanks to Alex Round for actually authoring this document.
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[6] Contact Information
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mail: faididi@yahoo.com
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