Ashes to Ashes - Questions

[Peter Smith]

For those who don't know, this is the last in the current Mines of Morgroth series. It is a good one, although the museum maze gets just a wee bit tedious after a while....:)

I have been playing for over five hours game time (Expert skill). I have been in all the exhibit areas, got all the gems, and now I am running around repeating my paths and not finding certain things. Help please.

1. First builder's remains. I am guessing they are in the First Temple (Mexican pyramid) area, where the first builders once resided. There are two places I can't find entry to: a pair of large wooden doors on the ground, and a pair of stone doors at the top of the pyramid. I've tried exploding the doors and all the heads and using obsidian arrows, but to no avail.

2. A way to destroy the book. I see no likely candidates other than at the top of the above pyramid. Unless it is the crater of the volcano, but I haven't found my way up there.

3. Stop the alien orb. I have presumably released it by going into the Museum Demise area, but I can't find the orb anywhere or see any evidence of its evil doing.

4. There is a double-doored vault in the back of the Mines of Montserrat, which I fought long and hard to gain access to, but I cannot open the inner door.

I did water all the roses and I am 100 short of max loot. That rose sink hole is terrific.:)

It may be a while before I get back to this, so don't take any lack of response on my part as lack of appreciation. I shall return....

[Sneak]

Peter,
I understand about the museum. Was a bit tied up in there myself. My biggest trouble was in the clue department. I think Ycatx is gonna add some more eventually. Here is some help.

Originally posted by Peter Smith
1. First builder's remains. I am guessing they are in the First Temple (Mexican pyramid) area, where the first builders once resided. There are two places I can't find entry to: a pair of large wooden doors on the ground, and a pair of stone doors at the top of the pyramid. I've tried exploding the doors and all the heads and using obsidian arrows, but to no avail.

I tried to get in the panels at the top of the temple also. They don't open. Go around to the back side of those panels which is the back side of the Temple and bang on the stone blocks with your sword.



2. A way to destroy the book. I see no likely candidates other than at the top of the above pyramid. Unless it is the crater of the volcano, but I haven't found my way up there.

3. Stop the alien orb. I have presumably released it by going into the Museum Demise area, but I can't find the orb anywhere or see any evidence of its evil doing.

The Book and the Alien Orb are essentially connected. Basically just leave the whole Museum area and go back to the Volcano. There is a tunnel opened that you could not get in before. Might all make sense once you get there.

4. There is a double-doored vault in the back of the Mines of Montserrat, which I fought long and hard to gain access to, but I cannot open the inner door.

Has, well we sure played that area the same way. I spent considerable time on a Mech Assault with Mines and Fire Arrows. Had piles of them. And I could not get into thesecond vault door either. Seems Ycatx said there is nothing in there. I guess all there is to get in the mines is gold in various nooks and the ancient bucket.

I did water all the roses and I am 100 short of max loot. That rose sink hole is terrific.:)

It may be a while before I get back to this, so don't take any lack of response on my part as lack of appreciation. I shall return....

[YcatX]

Originally posted by Peter Smith
For those who don't know, this is the last in the current Mines of Morgroth series. It is a good one, although the museum maze gets just a wee bit tedious after a while....:)

Sorry... I wasn't monitoring this Forum in a while...

I have been playing for over five hours game time (Expert skill). I have been in all the exhibit areas, got all the gems, and now I am running around repeating my paths and not finding certain things. Help please.

1. First builder's remains. I am guessing they are in the First Temple (Mexican pyramid) area, where the first builders once resided. There are two places I can't find entry to: a pair of large wooden doors on the ground, and a pair of stone doors at the top of the pyramid. I've tried exploding the doors and all the heads and using obsidian arrows, but to no avail.

I was rather abstract with everything on this mission. Its one of those missions where Garrett doesn't know what to expect. But yea... I though people would think that tombs are inside the step-pyramid. Banging around seemed like a logical idea.. Since I seldom find secret door triggers, and open wooden secretdoors by wacking them..

2. A way to destroy the book. I see no likely candidates other than at the top of the above pyramid. Unless it is the crater of the volcano, but I haven't found my way up there.

Learning about the Orb and the Dark one remove those boulders...

3. Stop the alien orb. I have presumably released it by going into the Museum Demise area, but I can't find the orb anywhere or see any evidence of its evil doing.

The orb is eating the world, and the book can not be destroyed by anything from THIS world...

4. There is a double-doored vault in the back of the Mines of Montserrat, which I fought long and hard to gain access to, but I cannot open the inner door.

I couldn't make the other 4 level ABOVE that level (NO ROOM), so I "locked it away from the player"... Kinda like the front door to Cragscleft... WHERE IS IT? :)

I did water all the roses and I am 100 short of max loot. That rose sink hole is terrific.:)

Did you get the gem on top of the pillar at the fountain?
Did you get the gem in the ruins above the museum?
Was getting the crown jewels too easy?

It may be a while before I get back to this, so don't take any lack of response on my part as lack of appreciation. I shall return....

[Peter Smith]

Thanks, Sneak and YcatX. I have almost finished it now. I have destroyed the book and the alien orb. All that remains is to climb out. I thought I had found the route out when I first came into the pit, but I can't find it now!

I do see a tower with what looks like blue icicles hanging off the sides, but I cannot quite reach it.

YCatX, I got the gem on the tall pedestal by the fountain, but I have not seen a ruin above the museum.

I need to look around a little more....

[YcatX]

Originally posted by Peter Smith
Thanks, Sneak and YcatX. I have almost finished it now. I have destroyed the book and the alien orb. All that remains is to climb out. I thought I had found the route out when I first came into the pit, but I can't find it now!

I do see a tower with what looks like blue icicles hanging off the sides, but I cannot quite reach it.

YCatX, I got the gem on the tall pedestal by the fountain, but I have not seen a ruin above the museum.

I need to look around a little more....

In the myst there is a small opening at the start of the small cave system. Normally it is obsured by the myst...

[Peter Smith]

Thanks again, YcatX. Got the cave to the ruin, got all the loot (9207). Found the way out. All I can say is wow:D, what a campaign. I feel like I have really accomplished something and had a lot of fun doing it. Great job! There were some frustrations, however, and I would second Sneak's opinion that the player needs many more clues throughout, unless of course you will always be there for guidance.:)

I didn't consult the walkthrough at all. I don't like them. I would prefer that the mission be solvable with "reasonable" effort.

[YcatX]

Originally posted by Peter Smith
Thanks again, YcatX. Got the cave to the ruin, got all the loot (9207). Found the way out. All I can say is wow:D, what a campaign. I feel like I have really accomplished something and had a lot of fun doing it. Great job! There were some frustrations, however, and I would second Sneak's opinion that the player needs many more clues throughout, unless of course you will always be there for guidance.:)

I didn't consult the walkthrough at all. I don't like them. I would prefer that the mission be solvable with "reasonable" effort.

Way to go! So ya think I should finish the series?

Two questions:

1) Did you get the Clear Orb? Or did you make trips back and forth to the power station?

2) Did you understand the cut scene?

[yubetcha]

,Originally posted by YcatX
Way to go! So ya think I should finish the series?

Two questions:

1) Did you get the Clear Orb? Or did you make trips back and forth to the power station?

2) Did you understand the cut scene?

I think you should finish the series, but please include more helpful text, such as scrolls.
My guess is that Peter probably didn't get the clear orb. Right, Peter? Unless he consulted a source. I had to consult other sources for many things, including finding the invisible key for the clear orb. BTW, I don't understand why the invisible key has to be invisible. That probably made it impossible to find. However, a scroll of some kind would have helped. :)

EDIT: I finished the mission a few days ago, and that says something about it. I have unfinished missions on my hard drive that I got stuck in, and gave up because I lost interest. I finished this one :). It's a very good mission that only needed some scrolls, etc. I liked it a lot, FWIW.

[YcatX]

Originally posted by yubetcha
,

I think you should finish the series, but please include more helpful text, such as scrolls.
My guess is that Peter probably didn't get the clear orb. Right, Peter? Unless he consulted a source. I had to consult other sources for many things, including finding the invisible key for the clear orb. BTW, I don't understand why the invisible key has to be invisible. That probably made it impossible to find. However, a scroll of some kind would have helped. :)

The Clear Orb is an "easter egg".... Like the Mana Seed...

Just extra stuff for the mad-thinkers...

[yubetcha]

Originally posted by YcatX
The Clear Orb is an "easter egg".... Like the Mana Seed...

Just extra stuff for the mad-thinkers...

Only an easter egg? But without it, the players have to run around more, don't they? Or is there something I'm not seeing? BTW, I don't know if you caught my edit on my previous post. It's a very good mission. I liked it a lot. :). It's obvious that you put a lot of effort and time into it. You're probably single :D. Thanks a lot.

[Peter Smith]

I did not find the clear orb. I had to run back and forth to the power station. I read Sneak's account of the key but I could not find it. I didn't realize it was invisible. .

Yes, please finish the series, but again I suggest that you go back to finished missions and make it easier to navigate and find some things. Review the common questions and then put in come clues or cues. I got stuck in many places, but the place that sticks out most in my mind was finding the intended "route" to the other side of the cells in the burrick hunting mission. Maybe that could be helped by some lighting, for example.

I don't remember the cut scene.:)

[YcatX]

Originally posted by Peter Smith
I did not find the clear orb. I had to run back and forth to the power station. I read Sneak's account of the key but I could not find it. I didn't realize it was invisible. .

Yes, please finish the series, but again I suggest that you go back to finished missions and make it easier to navigate and find some things. Review the common questions and then put in come clues or cues. I got stuck in many places, but the place that sticks out most in my mind was finding the intended "route" to the other side of the cells in the burrick hunting mission. Maybe that could be helped by some lighting, for example.

I don't remember the cut scene.:)

What? No cut scene? The one where the DarkOne is consumed by eternity and curses Garrett?


In the next one Garrett is surrounded by a cloud of black fog/gas... (That is if I can get the lighting fixed in the ONE BEFORE MINES of MARGROTH... FM0 )

[YcatX]

I'll make some custom "garrett" speechs..

"Hmmm.. Lovers leap, huh?" -Burrickslide

and similar comments... Just no time to use my mic...

I still got 4-7 conversations to write and some actors...

I wish I had more time, or a cloning machine so I can Multi-task

[Peter Smith]

If you are talking about something at the end, no, there was no cut scene. It just ended and took me back to the game screen. I don't remember the Dark One cursing Garrett anywhere. I can't check the beginning of the last mission without reloading it.

[YcatX]

Look for a CS28.avi in the movies directory...

That is so odd.. Why didn't it play?

[Peter Smith]

I dunno, YcatX. Probably some setup file - I have read someghing in the dromed area about getting cutscenes to play, but I don't remember.

I played it manually, though. Very creative, if a little morbid.:D Good job!

[yubetcha]

Originally posted by YcatX
Look for a CS28.avi in the movies directory...

That is so odd.. Why didn't it play?

It played for me, YcatX.

[YcatX]

Did it make any since?

Like many of my concepts, then idea is rather abstract...


I want to make sure that it isn't so esoteric...

[yubetcha]

Originally posted by YcatX
Did it make any since?

Like many of my concepts, then idea is rather abstract...


I want to make sure that it isn't so esoteric...

Well, it worked if I was supposed to get the idea that the guy was very pissed at Garret and wanted to kill him :). Yes, it made sense. Good job. Can't wait for the sequel if there is one.

[YcatX]

Originally posted by yubetcha
Well, it worked if I was supposed to get the idea that the guy was very pissed at Garret and wanted to kill him :). Yes, it made sense. Good job. Can't wait for the sequel if there is one.

That "guy" is the Dark One that was released during Guilded Rivalry. His connection to this reality was the book which couldn't be destroyed.

However, he didn't know about the powers of the Alien Orb, since it didn't exist/arrive until seven years before the arrival of Garrett.

When the book is consumed by the Orb the connection between the Dark One's Domain and Garrett's world was severed, and the Dark One was sent to the Neitherworld, but before he was consumed, the Dark One used what powers it had left and cursed Garrett to slowly die of starvation... The Wilting effect of the Dark One's affliction.... Where Garrett's own stomache will consume him...

FM5 : Thinner

[yubetcha]

Yes, I got all of that from the ending.

[YcatX]

I've finished two more missions, BTW...

(FM01: Fair Game)
(FM02: Hook Line and Sinker)

(FM03: Mines of Margroth has been bumped to FM03 and revamped with new areas and conversations)


I still have to finish remodeling:

FM04: Guilded Rivalry (more info)
FM05: Fire and Ice (minor changes)
FM06: Ashes to Ashes (more clues and explanations)

Then finish up two more partially completely missions:

FM07: Thinner
FM08: Rock and a Dark Place

Scheduled missions in planning and production:

FM09: Darkwood
FM10: Sacrifice
FM11: Eye for an Eye
FM12: Crossing Over
FM13: Deadmen Walking
FM14: ChimneyRock
FM15: Dead Asylum
FM16: Knock Knock


TTLG Screens (old and new):
http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=46377&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

[Peter Smith]

Great News, YcatX.:) Looking forward to playing the new editions. I have really enjoyed the Ruins of Origina series so far.

How are you going to distribute this puppy? Ruins of Origina was 208 MB long, and it may bring Jason's site to its knees (again). Maybe one at a time and then sell CD's at cost? It might be a good idea to send all the parts to Jason separately.

[YcatX]

I thought Jason got out of that...

I may have to host this one mission, or yes, distrubute/Ship it at CD and shipping costs...

When my site expires I'll renew and get 500 MB of space...

I hope it will fit... I redid Mines of Margroth and added more eye candy and two more conversations, as well as some problems people had with get stuck under bolders and such...

[epithumia]

No, I'm still hosting missions. However, I'm going to recommend BitTorrent for initial access to your next monster (and of course I'll run the tracker and at least one seed). I'll be happy to host the file normally once the download rush is over.

I imagine that the next incarnation of the pack will be on the order of 300MB and that's pretty much out of the realm of regular hosting. Yes, I did host Calendra's Legacy, but I ended up sending out hundreds of gigabytes just in the first few hours and don't think I could do that again. BitTorrent is designed for that kind of thing.

[YcatX]

Well what if we scatter the pieces on different servers?

This will be larger then the last, it will be 1-6 missions. I'm done making monster sized... I'm going to keep some of the a wee-bit shorter, and once I finished the new voice additions for the new series of AIs I'm introducing...

[epithumia]

Scattering the pieces is a very bad idea; if one site goes offline for whatever reason (probably by exceeding their bandwidth quota) then nobody can get the whole thing. If you refuse to use BitTorrent then it would be best for multiple sites to have complete copies.

Of course, there shouldn't be any reason not to use BitTorrent. Essentially, everyone helps to share the mission, and in the Thief community you can be guaranteed that many nice folks will keep the client running after they have the complete file, acting as seeds for everyone else.

[YcatX]

Could you enlighten me on BitTorrent

[epithumia]

It's a system for efficiently distributing content. Instead of every downloader getting all of the content from a central source, the downloaders themselves send the portion of the content they have already downloaded to other downloaders.

For example, I was able to download Red Hat 9 images (about 1.5GB worth) at line rate (and I have a very fast line) from the BitTorrent cloud while if you could get into Red Hat's servers you'd only get maybe 3KBps. It's used all over the 'net to share extremely large files or collections of files.

It was discussed extensively on TTLG a while back and there's plenty of info on the 'net about it so I suggest a search if you'd like more info.

[YcatX]

Cool...

I don't look up from Dromed unless I have a question or have a request from some talent.

I'll run a search @ TTLG forums on BitTorrent

[Haunt-of-Doom]

Peter: What you mean't you say is the rose sinkhole is horrific, all those nuclear fish hurt ...

[YcatX]

Originally posted by Haunt-of-Doom
Peter: What you mean't you say is the rose sinkhole is horrific, all those nuclear fish hurt ...

The blue ones heal you...

[Peter Smith]

Originally posted by Haunt-of-Doom
Peter: What you mean't you say is the rose sinkhole is horrific, all those nuclear fish hurt ...

No, I meant terrific. You can avoid them or shoot them with broadheads from the surface. It is a do or die situation. Pretty exciting in my opinion.:) The main point, though, is that the climb in and out was terriric.

[YcatX]

Yeah... Kind of a problem spot...

Many people would get stuck because they didn't leave a rope arrow to return, BEFORE droping down the sinkhole.

I'm going to add a comment saying,
"I better shoot a rope arrow into that post. I don't want to get stuck down there..."

and another when you reach the grotto:

"Something smells fishy..."


Thanks Peter... (If you loved that area, I'm sure you will love my sunken Burrick Graveyard in Sacrifice...)

I have some screens of the river channel leading to it somewhere @ TTLG