iverson@xstor.com (Tim Iverson) (06/11/91)
A week ago I posted request for help on EOB's first level bonus quest. I
received so many replies that my mailbox practically exploded :-). Thank
you to everyone who responded - Hubert Yamada (yamada@uhunix.bitnet)
especially for the good hints instead of a plain spoiler.
I also got numerous request to explain how I possibly could have solved
the level X quest and not solved level 1 (8 - 12 are favorites for X),
as well as a few requests for party composition and other minor details.
Anyone else seriously disappointed in the ending? They could at least have
let the game continue so you could explore the rest of the sewers. Even
better, they could have let you 'return' to the city only to discover you've
been used in some local power-play. Something like the opening scene would
have been nice, too. Mouse interface is slick, but I could have played
*alot* faster with a good keyboard interface.
Anyway, following this line are two spoiler sections - a minor spoiler on
how to build a winning party and a major one on bonus quests:
SPOILER (minor - party composition)!
The best party (open to debate of course):
1. Dwarf/Fighter 2. Elf/Ranger
3. Elf(19 dex)/Fighter-Thief 4. H-Elf/Cleric-Mage
1. Paladin would be better (for evil protection), but need a dwarf in order
to read the writing on 4 - 6. Use a Paladin if you have the clue book.
2. Elfs get +1 on long/short swords and rangers can wield one in each hand
without penalties.
3. Elfs get +1 on bows and 19 dex gives +1 over 18 dex on missile weapon.
Doesn't have to be a thief (lock picking ability is not required).
Could be Fighter-Mage instead and let 4. be a straight Cleric (offensive
magic isn't real important). Too bad elfs can't be Fighter-Clerics.
4. Gotta have a cleric for healing. Gotta have a mage to use wands and
defensive spells (the mechanics of spell casting make spells useful only
as a first strike attack - level 4 stoneskin is the most helpful spell).
If you put spellbook or wand in the top belt pouch, your mage can throw
knives/darts and when out of ammo the book/wand will get loaded.
5. & 6. Drop all NPCs! Adding one NPC reduces exp/player by 5%. Adding
two NPCs reduces exp/player by 8%. Experience is hard to come by (e.g.
my fighters never got beyond level 8 even w/o NPCs dragging 'em down).
MAJOR SPOILER (bonus quests)!
Are you sure you want to read on? These are NOT hints!
1. Knife on shelf -> +4 dagger named GUINSOO
I got this from a net hint.
2. Knife in ea. dagger rune -> +experience (also opens one door)
'Dagger' runes are only oddity on level - played with them until
a dagger disappeared.
3. Gems from eyes -> new items on shelves (wands? - I can't recall)
Deliberate accident - I wanted the gems back, but didn't realize it
would complete a 'quest'. This was the first quest I discovered.
4. Pickup key, pull chain -> +experience
Pure Accident. I wandered the loop, got the key, looped again, turned
and found the chain. Pulled, and voila!
5. Food in pantry -> +experience
This one was obvious.
6. Eggs in nest -> +5 'cheiftain' halberd
This one was obvious.
7. Portal keys in niches -> 3 clue scrolls.
This one was about as hard as 2. [one of the clues is useless]
8. Darts in traps -> 12 +5 adamantine darts
Found this via simple curiosity - "Gee, the traps didn't go off; maybe
they're not loaded ...".
9. Throw dart at 'other side' inscription -> 4 orbs of power.
9. has several 'throwing' tricks, so I started a policy of throwing
darts at likely targets. Didn't expect a bonus quest here, though.
10. Eggs on shelves -> more mantis monsters carrying nice rings
Pure Luck. First trip down, all I got was 3. and 4. I ran out of
space and had all these extra eggs (more worried about the game than
the quests - I thought the eggs would hatch if I put them in the
nest :-), so to make room I put eggs on shelves.
11. Some combination of levers -> +experience
I got this by accident on the first trip down, but haven't been able to
duplicate it (even w/ the cluebook hint). Well, I'll get it soon -
I've figured out how the levers work, it's just a matter of choosing
the right set of masks. Please, no hints or spoilers on this one! (I
got once, I should be able to do it again).
12. You've got to do something by yourself! - life's a bitch, ain't it :->.
A little hint - there are explicit instructions in the game itself.
- Tim Iverson
iverson@xstor.com -/- uunet!xstor!iverson