.INTRO .CENTER ********************** .CENTER InvisiClues(tm) .CENTER The Hint Booklet for .CENTER ZORK(R) III .CENTER ********************** [Copyright by Infocom, Inc. Provided for non-commercial use only, with the sole intent of making information available that would otherwise be lost. To whoever presently holds the copyright to the information contained in this file: if you think the existence of this file violates your copyright, please complain and the file will be removed. Typed in from the original hintbook by Paul David Doherty.] Sample Question^ ---------------^ Why did Lord Dimwit Flathead throw his grandfather clock out the window?^ A. Have you studied the trajectory from several angles?^ B. Why does he always use the second-story window?^ C. Excessive as always, he wanted to see time fly.^ .ENDINTRO .MENU Zork III Invisiclues .LINK Central Area .LINK More Central Area .LINK The Land of Shadow and the Cliff Area .LINK The Royal Museum .LINK Beyond the Secret Door .LINK The Rectangular Box .LINK The Guardians of Zork .LINK The Dungeon .LINK General Questions .LINK How Points Are Earned .LINK For Your Amusement .MENU Central Area .LINK How do I climb the endless stair? .LINK How do I get the sword in the stone? .LINK How can the runes be translated? .LINK How do I climb the channel in the Damp Passage? .LINK What will increase traction? .LINK How can I clear the rubble in the Damp Passage? .LINK Where do I find the old and wizened man? .LINK How do I waken the old and wizened man? .LINK What do I do about the old and wizened man? .LINK Can the phosphorescent moss be kept alive for more than 10 moves? .LINK How can I open the Great Iron Door? .LINK How do I get the rust remover tube from the warlock? .LINK How do I get out of the chasm? .LINK I'm trapped on the Aqueduct. What do I do? .LINK Can the lake be crossed? .LINK What is required to walk on water? .LINK How do I catch the fish? .LINK What is a Roc? .LINK What can be done with the swamp gas? .LINK How do I transport the swamp gas? .MENU More Central Area .LINK How can I get the shiny object? .LINK What is the table with the "Scenic Vista" sign for? .LINK Is there anything under the manhole cover? .LINK How do I get a light source to the southern end of the lake? .LINK How can I get to the coal in the Dead End? .LINK What light source can I take to the west of the Timber Room? .HINT How do I climb the endless stair? .CLUE If you wish to go back to ZORK II, just switch diskettes! .HINT How do I get the sword in the stone? .CLUE "Who do you think you are? Arthur?" .CLUE "The sword is deeply imbedded within the rock. You can't even begin to budge it." .CLUE Be patient. You'll get it when the need for it arises. .HINT How can the runes be translated? .CLUE A Runish-to-English dictionary? .CLUE Have you examined them? .CLUE Beyond that, you'll get nothing more. .HINT How do I climb the channel in the Damp Passage? .CLUE "The channel climbs too rapidly and the moss is slippery." .HINT What will increase traction? .CLUE Studded snow tires work well on glare ice. .CLUE Some purists insist on chains. .CLUE If you were thinking of climbing the slippery moss, forget it. You really can't go that way. .HINT How can I clear the rubble in the Damp Passage? .CLUE "The channel opening is blocked by tons of debris." .CLUE You can't. .HINT Where do I find the old and wizened man? .CLUE The runes are a very subtle hint. .CLUE There is a chance he will appear when you enter (and only when you enter) the Engravings Room. .HINT How do I waken the old and wizened man? .CLUE He is sleeping very soundly. (Listen to that snore.) .CLUE Try saying WAKE MAN or SHAKE MAN. .HINT What do I do about the old and wizened man? .CLUE Attacking him would not be very sporting, but it might give you a clue. .CLUE He is described as "weak," "tired," and "frail." .CLUE Have you considered helping him? You might give him something he could use. .CLUE Try giving him the waybread. .HINT Can the phosphorescent moss be kept alive for more than 10 moves? .CLUE Certainly. It will live throughout the entire game. .CLUE But you will never be able to take it, move it, or use it as a light source anywhere else. .HINT How can I open the Great Iron Door? .CLUE You cannot open the door. .CLUE However, after the earthquake you will find a cleft in the rock that will allow you to pass. .HINT How do I get the rust remover tube from the warlock? .CLUE What a looney! .HINT How do I get out of the chasm? .CLUE How did you get down to the chasm? .CLUE The folks at Infocom would be very interested. .HINT I'm trapped on the Aqueduct. What do I do? .CLUE If you can't proceed to the north due to a collapsed segment, you're stuck. .CLUE What might have caused this segment to collapse? .CLUE The secret is to traverse this area before it is destroyed by the earthquake. .HINT Can the lake be crossed? .CLUE "Go jump in a lake!" .CLUE Seriously! Jump in and swim to one of the other shores. .HINT What is required to walk on water? .CLUE A messianic complex? .CLUE Do you also want to move mountains? .HINT How do I catch the fish? .CLUE Just be careful that it doesn't catch _you_! .HINT What is a Roc? .CLUE It is a legendary bird of prey of tremendous size and strength. Your probability of seeing it is low, but if you do, watch out! .HINT What can be done with the swamp gas? .CLUE Swamp gas burns... .CLUE If you could transport it across the lake, it might make a good light source. .HINT How do I transport the swamp gas? .CLUE A bottle would be useful. .CLUE Unfortunately, there are no bottles. By the way, where did you find swamp gas? .CLUE Remember the introduction? If every question in this book were pertinent to the game, the questions themselves would give far too much away. Do not use the presence or absence of a question on a certain topic as an indication of what is important, and don't assume that long answers are associated with important questions. .HINT How can I get the shiny object? .CLUE Try to take it until you eventually succeed. (There is a 50% probability that you will get it on any move. Although there is less than one chance in a thousand that you wouldn't get it within 10 tries, it could conceivably take zillions of tries.) .HINT What is the table with the "Scenic Vista" sign for? .CLUE Have you ever examined it? .CLUE Have you ever touched or rubbed it? .CLUE You can look at or go to sections of ZORK I, ZORK II, ZORK III, and ENCHANTER(tm). .HINT Is there anything under the manhole cover? .CLUE Try raising or moving it. .HINT How do I get a light source to the southern end of the lake? .CLUE The light sources cannot be relit once they've gotten wet. .CLUE They can't be taken across the lake without getting wet. .CLUE There is no way to get a working light source to the south shore of the lake. .CLUE There is another way! .CLUE Have you seen the grue repellent? .CLUE Figure out how to use the viewing table. .CLUE Use the grue repellent to get to the Key Room and Aqueduct. The viewing table is also useful for pre-positioning the light source you will eventually need. .HINT How can I get to the coal in the Dead End? .CLUE You can't. .CLUE You are limited to three moves in the areas visited with the viewing table. There is no way for you to increase this. Obviously, if you could stay as long as you wanted, there would have to be four games on the diskette. .HINT What light source can I take to the west of the Timber Room? .CLUE None. .CLUE See question above. .MENU The Land of Shadow and the Cliff Area .LINK What do I do about the hooded figure? .LINK Why do I see myself? .LINK How do I freeze the quicksand? .LINK How do I get to the ship? .LINK How do I open the chest? .LINK Can the man at the cliff be trusted? .LINK What is in the tree house? .LINK I have the treasure, but how do I mend the staff? .LINK I have the staff; how do I get the treasure? .LINK What is the significance of Smokey the Bear? .LINK What is in the vial? .HINT What do I do about the hooded figure? .CLUE Have you noticed anything you do which increases your score? .CLUE You must fight the figure. .CLUE Have you ever looked at the figure or looked under the hood? .CLUE When badly injured, the figure is defenseless. .CLUE Does killing the figure leave you feeling satisfied? .CLUE While the figure is badly injured, try taking the hood. .HINT Why do I see myself? .CLUE Very good question. .CLUE This is actually a hint. .HINT How do I freeze the quicksand? .CLUE A blast of supercold air might do the trick. .CLUE The Great Underground Empire is far from polar regions. .CLUE The quicksand can't be crossed. It is one of the many borders which keep the Underground Empire small enough to fit on a diskette. .HINT How do I get to the ship? .CLUE Congratulations. Seeing the ship is rather rare. .CLUE Have you tried walking on water? .CLUE This is a Viking sailor. .CLUE You've been waiting three games for this! .CLUE Something happens here! .CLUE Say HELLO SAILOR!! .HINT How do I open the chest? .CLUE You can't open it. .CLUE The man at the cliff has the only key. .CLUE You'll have to wait for him to open it. .CLUE Wait on the ledge for him to appear and follow his directions. .HINT Can the man at the cliff be trusted? .CLUE He certainly seems like a practical joker. .CLUE But he has the only key to the chest. .CLUE Do exactly what he says -- and be patient. .HINT What is in the tree house? .CLUE This could be the man's living quarters. .CLUE The inflatable raft in the back room might be useful elsewhere. .CLUE It is amazing that you got this far when there is no tree house. .HINT I have the treasure, but how do I mend the staff? .CLUE It cannot be fixed. .CLUE Have you tried protecting the staff (for example, throwing it off the cliff) before taking the treasure? .CLUE You'll have to decide which you prefer, the treasure or the staff. .HINT I have the staff; how do I get the treasure? .CLUE You might try killing the man before he walks away with it. .CLUE You'll have to decide which you prefer, the treasure or the staff. .HINT What is the significance of Smokey the Bear? .CLUE "Only you can prevent forest fires." .CLUE Maybe you thought this was one of the nonsense questions. Try burning the trees. .HINT What is in the vial? .CLUE "It feels as though there is something inside, but you can't see anything even though the vial is transparent." .CLUE Have you tried drinking the contents? .CLUE Look into the mirror immediately after drinking it. .CLUE The invisible liquid is an invisibility potion. It will last only two moves and will not be effective against the more powerful denizens of the Great Underground Empire. .MENU The Royal Museum .LINK When are the museum personnel on duty? .LINK Is there anything I can do when I'm trapped in the small square room? .LINK Where do I find dynamite? .LINK What are the ladders for? .LINK What is the slot for? .LINK I'm lost in the puzzle. How do I get out? .LINK What was the "snap" I heard? .LINK What does the gray machine do? .LINK What does pushing the button on the gold machine do? .LINK What does the black machine do? .LINK How can I read the plaque in the Technology Museum? .LINK How do I unlock the cage? .LINK How do I take the royal jewels? .LINK What do I do about the robot? .HINT When are the museum personnel on duty? .CLUE Intrepid adventurers do not fear mere warning notes. .CLUE They all died years ago. You'll have to risk it on your own. .HINT Is there anything I can do when I'm trapped in the small square room? .CLUE There is a way out. .CLUE Sandstone is a very light rock. .CLUE Try pushing one of the sandstone walls (PUSH EAST WALL or PUSH SOUTH WALL). .HINT Where do I find dynamite? .CLUE What a strange concept. .CLUE >>This space intentionally left blank<< .HINT What are the ladders for? .CLUE Remember the hole through which you entered the puzzle? .CLUE It is possible to maneuver one of the ladders into a position allowing you to climb out. .HINT What is the slot for? .CLUE Have you tried putting anything in it? .CLUE Try the lore book. .CLUE This is one (although not the best) way out of the puzzle. .HINT I'm lost in the puzzle. How do I get out? .CLUE There _are_ ways out. .CLUE Try mapping (movable pieces to represent walls may help). Push as few walls as possible. .CLUE You might make use of the slot (not recommended). .CLUE Walls can only be pushed, never pulled. .CLUE Starting from the Royal Puzzle entrance, the following moves will solve the puzzle. D. PUSH EAST WALL. S. S. SE. PUSH SOUTH WALL. N. NE. PUSH SOUTH WALL. TAKE BOOK. PUSH SOUTH WALL. E. NE. PUSH WEST WALL. SW. NW. NE. PUSH SOUTH WALL. SW. PUSH EAST WALL. NE. PUSH SOUTH WALL. NW. N. N. N. PUSH EAST WALL. SW. S. SE. NE. N. PUSH WEST WALL. NW. PUSH SOUTH WALL. AGAIN. W. NW. NW. PUSH SOUTH WALL. SE. SE. SE. NE. PUSH WEST WALL. AGAIN. SW. PUSH NORTH WALL. AGAIN. AGAIN. NW. UP. YELL. (Note: Innumerable other sequences will reach the same result.) .HINT What was the "snap" I heard? .CLUE You ran into something with the wall. Movable objects are transported to the side room when hit by the wall. .HINT What does the gray machine do? .CLUE This is a pressurizer. .CLUE It is like the machine used in ZORK I to make diamonds. .CLUE Unfortunately, it is not a working model. .HINT What does pushing the button on the gold machine do? .CLUE Nothing if you aren't sitting on the seat when you push it. .CLUE Nothing if you haven't changed the setting of the dial before pushing the button. .CLUE This is a time machine. Pushing the button transports the person sitting in the chair (and only that person -- the time machine itself doesn't move) to the same spot in the year indicated on the dial (where you may find the time machine in the same position). The effect is not permanent -- in 40 moves you will snap back. The present year is 948. .HINT What does the black machine do? .CLUE This is a room spinner. .CLUE Presumably it is a model of the machine which spins the Carousel Room in ZORK II. .CLUE Fortunately, it is not a working model. .HINT How can I read the plaque in the Technology Museum? .CLUE It has faded with age and can no longer be read. .HINT How do I unlock the cage? .CLUE That cage will protect the royal jewels until the end of time. .CLUE It is, however, possible to get your hands on the jewels. .CLUE You should learn the use of each machine in the Technology Museum. .HINT How do I take the royal jewels? .CLUE The cage is impregnable, but you can't let small details like that stop you. Read the hints to unlocking the cage before going to B. .CLUE By now you know that the gold machine is a time machine which can be used to go to the Jewel Room before the cage is installed. (Push the machine to the Jewel Room in the present and go back to the year 776.) .CLUE Unfortunately, you can't carry anything with you through time. .CLUE You must find a very good hiding place. Lord Dimwit Flathead's men will no doubt launch an extensive search for the missing jewels. They must remain hidden for 200 years. .CLUE You might check the machines for a good place. (Wait for the guards to leave.) .CLUE Have you looked under the seat in the time machine? .CLUE Excessive greed in an adventurer of your status is unbecoming. .CLUE Only the ring can be successfully hidden. .CLUE If you succeed in getting the ring, Flathead has the other jewels moved. If you botch the burglary, two things can happen: 1) They realize the time machine works and remove it; or 2) They find the jewels displaced and simply put them back (but a different plaque is installed). .HINT What do I do about the robot? .CLUE Congratulations. It is a very rare treat to see the robot. Just try again. .MENU Beyond the Secret Door .LINK What does the red button do? .LINK What do I do about the red beam of light? .LINK What is the wet suit for? .LINK Is the mirror important? .LINK How do I break the panel? .HINT What does the red button do? .CLUE Pushing the button alone is not notably helpful. .CLUE Pushing the button is helpful if another action precedes it. .CLUE Haven't you been curious about the red beam of light? .CLUE Block the beam with an object, then push the button. .CLUE You will find that the mirror is a doorway. .HINT What do I do about the red beam of light? .CLUE You can jump over it, but it won't do you much good. .CLUE Trying to take it is similarly useless. .CLUE Does the fact that it is only an inch above the floor suggest anything? .CLUE Have you tried blocking it with your hand? .CLUE Try blocking it with an object. You will now find that the button is useful. .HINT What is the wet suit for? .CLUE What wet suit? .HINT Is the mirror important? .CLUE Presumably you have already tried touching it, looking into it, pushing it, breaking it. .CLUE It is important, but you will have no direct interaction with it. .HINT How do I break the panel? .CLUE "The panel is not that easily destroyed." .CLUE You don't. .MENU The Rectangular Box .LINK What is the significance of the different colored walls? .LINK What is the significance of the pine wall? .LINK What is the significance of the mahogany wall? .LINK What is the long pole for? .LINK What is the short pole for? .LINK What is the T-bar for? .LINK What is the significance of the direction the arrow is pointing? .LINK Is the wobble significant? .LINK How can I undress the stone? .LINK Why am I being killed while inside the box? .HINT What is the significance of the different colored walls? .CLUE By making them different colors, you can refer to them separately. .CLUE Pushing on the red or yellow walls can cause the box to rotate on the central pivot pole in a clockwise direction. Pushing the black or white walls can cause the box to rotate counterclockwise. .HINT What is the significance of the pine wall? .CLUE If nothing is blocking it on the other side, pushing on it will cause it to swing out so that you can leave the box. .HINT What is the significance of the mahogany wall? .CLUE If the box is aligned properly, pushing on it will cause the entire box to move. .HINT What is the long pole for? .CLUE The long pole is at the center of the box and extends from the ceiling to the floor. .CLUE It is a pivot around which the box can be turned. .HINT What is the short pole for? .CLUE Doesn't the hand grip suggest anything? .CLUE "The pole has been dropped into a hole in the stone floor." .CLUE Try raising the short pole. .CLUE The short pole anchors the box in position. .CLUE It can also be used to steady it when it is moved. .HINT What is the T-bar for? .CLUE It has an arrow carved on it. .HINT What is the significance of the direction the arrow is pointing? .CLUE That is the direction the mahogany wall faces. .HINT Is the wobble significant? .CLUE It can be avoided. .CLUE It can also have negative consequences. .CLUE If you drop the short pole into the channel, it will steady the movement of the box. .HINT How can I undress the stone? .CLUE Pervert! .CLUE Look up "dressed" (as it applies to stone) in the dictionary. .HINT Why am I being killed while inside the box? .CLUE Once you have rotated the box 90 [degrees] from its original position, you may want to leave it to scout the area beyond. .CLUE Learn all you can about the Guardians of Zork. .CLUE If the Guardians notice the box due to a broken mirror, open door, or a wobble, they will kill you. .MENU The Guardians of Zork .LINK How can I pass the Guardians of Zork? .LINK How is the scuba tank attached to the wet suit? .LINK I seem to have gotten past the Guardians, but I'm still being killed. .LINK How do I open the large wooden door with the barred panel? .LINK What must I do to satisfy the old man at the large door? .HINT How can I pass the Guardians of Zork? .CLUE The Guardians strike anything which they see between them. .CLUE The Guardians are described as "identical" and "perfectly symmetrical." If you walk in front of them or throw something in front of them, they destroy "in perfect unison." .CLUE Do you think a Guardian could distinguish between the sight of the other and the sight of himself in a mirror? .CLUE You can travel past them inside the mirror box. ("It's all done with mirrors.") .CLUE An alternate solution is to walk past while invisible. .HINT How is the scuba tank attached to the wet suit? .CLUE What scuba tank and wet suit? .CLUE >>This space intentionally left blank<< .HINT I seem to have gotten past the Guardians, but I'm still being killed. .CLUE Rotate the structure so that the door doesn't open into their field of view. .HINT How do I open the large wooden door with the barred panel? .CLUE _You_ can't open it. .CLUE Have you tried knocking? .HINT What must I do to satisfy the old man at the large door? .CLUE "He looks you over with his keen, piercing gaze and then speaks gravely..." .CLUE This is the Dungeon Master. .CLUE He is looking for something. What you think might be valuable may have nothing to do with it. .CLUE Most of the problems in the game are tests by the Dungeon Master to see whether you are ready. .CLUE You have met him before when you have died. .CLUE Does nothing about his description strike you as odd? .CLUE "He is dressed simply in a hood and cloak, wearing a few simple jewels, carrying something under one arm, and leaning on a wooden staff. A single key, as if to a massive prison cell, hangs from his belt." .CLUE You can acquire his entire costume by solving the problems in the game. .CLUE Your goal is to _become_ the Dungeon Master. You will need the hood and cloak, the amulet and ring, the key, the wooden staff, and the lore book. .MENU The Dungeon .LINK Why won't the Dungeon Master follow me? .LINK What should be thrown into the flaming pit? .LINK What will scratch the marble? .LINK What are the sundial and button for? .LINK How do I unlock the bronze door? .LINK How do I get out of the cell? .HINT Why won't the Dungeon Master follow me? .CLUE Have you asked him to? .CLUE Say DUNGEON MASTER, FOLLOW ME. (See your game manual.) .HINT What should be thrown into the flaming pit? .CLUE The end had come, and this was it;^ He dropped her in the flaming pit.^ -- Edward Gorey .CLUE Anything dropped into the pit is lost forever. .HINT What will scratch the marble? .CLUE Huh? .HINT What are the sundial and button for? .CLUE You can set the dial to any of the eight numbers. .CLUE Try spinning or setting it and then pushing the button. Did anything change? .CLUE You might try putting something in the cell first. .CLUE Reading the lore book now might help. .CLUE This is a magic dungeon (no doubt a product of Frobozzco). There are eight cells. Pushing the button causes the cell selected to appear, and the cell which was there to go back to its usual spot. .HINT How do I unlock the bronze door? .CLUE Have you tried the key? .CLUE This is the first lock it has fit. Why do you think it won't turn? .CLUE You must learn more about how this dungeon works. .CLUE It will unlock only if you are in cell 4 and in the cell's normal location. .HINT How do I get out of the cell? .CLUE Can't you open the door? .CLUE If the dial has been set to a new number and you have had the Dungeon Master push the button while you were in the cell, there is no way back. .MENU General Questions .LINK What is my goal? What am I supposed to be doing? .LINK How does the scoring in this game work? .LINK How do I relight the burned-out torch? .LINK How can I repair the lamp? .LINK Where do I use the timber? .LINK What do I do with the grue repellent? .LINK Where can I find the amulet? .HINT What is my goal? What am I supposed to be doing? .CLUE When you come to the entrance to the dungeon and meet the Dungeon Master, your purpose may become clearer. .HINT How does the scoring in this game work? .CLUE The scoring is a hint as to what is important. .CLUE The points are not "earned" by solving problems or acquiring items. You receive a point when you start on a path where you have a _potential_ for progress in the game. .CLUE It is possible to have all seven points without correctly solving any of the problems. .HINT How do I relight the burned-out torch? .CLUE I see no matches here. .CLUE There is no way to relight the torch. You'll have to find a way to avoid getting it wet. .HINT How can I repair the lamp? .CLUE If it has gotten wet or the battery has run out, the lamp is out for good. It is always best to conserve resources. You can prolong the life of the lamp by keeping it dry and turning it off whenever alternate light sources are available. .HINT Where do I use the timber? .CLUE It is as useful here as it was in ZORK I. .CLUE In other words, it isn't useful at all. .HINT What do I do with the grue repellent? .CLUE Read the label. .HINT Where can I find the amulet? .CLUE "Go jump in a lake!" .CLUE Have you ever tried diving to the bottom of the lake? .TEXT How Points Are Earned .CENTER How Points Are Earned .CENTER --------------------- .CENTER (Use only as a last resort.) You earn one point when you... ...encounter the hooded figure.^ ...attack the hooded figure.^ ...reach the Cliff Ledge.^ ...jump in the lake.^ ...touch the viewing table.^ ...push the button on the time machine while the dial is set to 776.^ ...push a sandstone wall in the Royal Puzzle.^ Of course, you can have all seven points and still be far from completing the game.^ .ENDTEXT .TEXT For Your Amusement .CENTER For Your Amusement .CENTER ------------------ .CENTER (after you've finished the game) Have you ever: ...said HELLO to the man at the cliff?^ ...tried to throw anything from the cliff at the man?^ ...been eaten by the Roc or swallowed by the fish in the lake?^ ...tried to eat the algae?^ ...tried to examine the key repeatedly?^ ...tried saying HELLO SAILOR at the ocean before the Viking boat arrives or after it leaves?^ ...been at the Aqueduct View, on the Aqueduct, at the Great Door, or visiting one of the other Zorks while the earthquake took place?^ ...seen the robot that tidies the Royal Museum (and no doubt closes doors it finds open)?^ ...walked into the grue convention in the dark rooms?^ ...gone to the Museum Entrance or Jewel Room in 777?^ ...moved the temporizer to one of the other rooms in 776 and left it there (and then read the plaque in 948)?^ ...listened to the guards or the dedication through the museum door?^ ...looked into the passageway alongside the mirror box while next to the Guardians?^ ...looked into the mirror or knocked on the dungeon door while invisible?^ ...tried to walk through the swamp or quicksand?^ ...burned the staff, book, tree, grue repellant can,...?^ .ENDTEXT