This is a puzzle/adventure module. It is solely intended as such. There is no combat or heavy role-playing in this module. It plays in a similar manner as the Myst games do or Russ' The Crypt of Riddles. You are Suge Zerdolux, a traveler of sorts to come across the ruins of some strange complex. After finding a way inside, you begin to realize that you've stepped into a forgotten world surrounded in conflict, strange illusions, and puzzles. Your goal is to solve riddles, puzzles, and venture your way through many bizarre locations as you try to locate the source behind this madness, and hopefully put an end to this ancient mystery. This is the first chapter, which is the easiest in difficulty in terms of how challenging and complex the puzzles are. Future chapters will yield greater difficulty and unfold the plot more as you progress.
UPDATE: Due to an unfortunate crash that occured as the module was being saved, Arctacia Adventures Trilogy, which was good to probably be released by next month, has been cancelled. I've only been able to recover the raw files upon restart, as any original or backup copies of the module were not working. Basically, everything that could of went wrong, did.
I've looked through all over 1700 files and have determined that all scripts are intact. But area, item, dialog, and placeable data is corrupt. As a result, the module for NWN has been cancelled, as there is no incentive for me to begin anew. It is unfortunate this has happened as it would of provided a unique experience for the NWN community.
Yet, in the ashes of all this, I do have plans to bring this wonderful series to NWN 2. It makes sense to just wait for that if I will be practically starting all over again. I figure this will present a new opportunity to really develop this project. Hopefully, this will go over better than I imagined. It was wonderful how NWN alone greatly enhanced my original ideas for the adventure, so I really look forward to what NWN 2 can do. Since all the scripts up to the point I left off are intact, this will allow me to have a working backbone for the module that I can implement easily. As a result, I will be able to focus on the presentation.
I am still bothered and saddened what happened. But, I've learned to cope with it. This was a great loss, but certainly no defeat. I will take very sharp measures to prevent such a thing from happening in the future.
I appologize greatly to any that were looking forward to this release. It's sad this module has recieved very little attention to give me much incentive to work on it. I doubt anyone will ever see or read this...but I figure it's here in case anyone cares... see you in the future.
Just an update. There has been some minor progress on the third chapter. Hard to tell at this time when that will be finished before we have a complete product. This is mostly for the purpose to let anyone, if anyone that's out there know I'm still working.
I am pleased to announce that work on Chapter 2 is finished. It will undergo testing to make sure things are working smoothly as possible.
I will take a little break from the module for awhile before beginning on chapter 3.
Posted by ShadowSword66 at 2005-10-17 14:31:21 Voted 9.50 on 10/17/05
ok I love the game I have gotten as far as the furry dude and he is now the last obstickal in my way.
::SPOILER::
I think I understand that the 9 unique words are the key of course I don't understand their connections to the 3 choices and I am completely lost in the order they go in to
::END SPOILER::
Now that that is of my chest I am glad to say that the furry guy is still alive of course I had to reload my game but all is well now.
--SPOILER--
There is actually only one of each color. The rest that you believe to be yellow are actually "ordinary" and really don't have a true distinctive color. Look carefully at the descriptions. This is important to help determine the difference for sure.
Posted by ShadowSword66 ( 216.68.xxx.xxx ) at 2005-10-15 17:57:04
::SPOILER::
sorry I know the torch thing has been brought up before but why are there 8 yellow torches and only 1 of the rest
it's driving me crazy because I can't figure out why there is so many yellow.
::END SPOILER::
UPDATE: Chapters 2 and 3 are currently being worked on and will be released with chapter 1 and any minor updates to it as well. Note that 1.7 is the last version of chapter 1 unless some critical change is needed. I so far, don't see that happening.
Anyway, look for "Arctacia Adventures Trilogy" in the future. I'm not sure when exactly I'll have it released, but I hope to have it finished before the end of the year. I don't expect it to take that long, even. But it's best to give a rough estimate and a little more time on top of that to be sure. Who knows, it may even take until next year if something ever comes up. But, for now, before the year is a good estimate so far.
I'll keep this comment section updated with news about it. So far approximately 25% of chapter 2 is done. Chapter 3 will follow suit once chapter 2 is finalized, tested, and comfirmed. Then progress on chapter 3 will begin. And following the same process as chapter 2...once all is verified and completed, it will be released.
Please note that once the Arctacia Adventures Trilogy is released, support for chapter 1 preview will discontinue. Since, really, there's no point once that happens. :)
Anyway, I look forward to providing the puzzle fans out there with a treat once I release this and try my best to make it worth your while. See you then.
Thank you for the rating, Green Catmoon. I hope you'll enjoy my future chapters. :)
Posted by Green Catmoon at 2005-08-26 23:43:38 Voted 9.50 on 08/26/05
Excellent puzzles and great atmosphere, a stand out module!
Posted by Green Catmoon at 2005-08-26 23:42:43 Voted 9.50 on 08/26/05
Yay! I worked out the torch puzzle! Torch wielding NPC's are safe once again!
Posted by Icefox at 2005-08-24 21:33:28 Voted 9.75 on 08/24/05
Nice, easy, and very fun. Quite good for a starting module to a larger campaign. I'm looking forward to the future modules, particularly as they increase in difficulty!
My only piece of advice is be wary of mazes, and would it be possible to increase speed in the larger mazes somehow in the future? Mazes can get a bit tedious even with the boots of haste.
Awesome module, good introduction, GREAT writing. KEEP IT UP!
Posted by Icefox at 2005-08-24 21:33:05 Voted 9.75 on 08/24/05
Nice, easy, and very fun. Quite good for a starting module to a larger campaign. I'm looking forward to the future modules, particularly as they increase in difficulty!
My only piece of advice is be wary of mazes, and would it be possible to increase speed in the larger mazes somehow in the future? Mazes can get a bit tedious even with the boots of haste.
Awesome module, good introduction, GREAT writing. KEEP IT UP!
Posted by Icefox ( 65.28.xxx.xxx ) at 2005-08-24 21:31:06
Nice, easy, and very fun. Quite good for a starting module to a larger campaign. I'm looking forward to the future modules, particularly as they increase in difficulty!
My only piece of advice is be wary of mazes, and would it be possible to increase speed in the larger mazes somehow in the future? Mazes can get a bit tedious even with the boots of haste.
Awesome module, good introduction, GREAT writing. KEEP IT UP!
Welcome to my module series, Green Catmoon. :) I'm sorry to hear about you homocidal tendancies towards torch-carrying NPCs. But be assured that killing such said NPCs will do you no good.
Instead, direct your new found anger towards the torches around you in this module. One thing that really pays off in this game is observation. Examine items you get, you'll be surprised to know they have uniqueness about them. Also examine the environment too, if it allows. If you continue to have problems, let me know. Better yet, get your friends on the module as well, if they like puzzle adventures such as this. Maybe they can help you out. :)
Posted by Green Catmoon at 2005-08-23 04:49:56 Voted 9.50 on 08/26/05
It is great to have a game without any combat whatsoever for a change, and I'm having loads of fun playing this!
However...I'm totally stuck on the torch puzzle! I'm determined to work it out and keep going back to try out new solutions between other mods...but until I do crack it I'm going to keep having the urge to slay every NPC I come across who is holding a torch...a major problem for my Paladin as I'm sure you can understand!
Seriously though this is totally worth playing and I hope people support it!
Much appreciated, lebowski! Yeah, I understand most of your final points. Though, hopefully, once I do the full trilogy, people may flock to it a bit more. Though, as you stated, it's far off from the usual RPG genre that not all may find delight in it. Still, as long as at least one person takes the effort to comment and say something, I'll know I've accomplished something. Hopefully we'll hear from others in the future. If you ever have any suggestions or ideas for the upcoming chapters, feel free to let me know.
Posted by lebowski at 2005-08-18 00:57:08 Voted 9.50 on 08/18/05
Visually beautiful puzzle adventure, with puzzles not overly difficult, and logic enough. The areas are well designed and the puzzles are inventive and very different from the usual puzzle you'll find in other NWN modules.
This one is a unicum, so it's difficult to judge it, I'd say it could get better maybe with some new music, considering how much the point of such games has to do with the beauty of them using different music from the overused NWN soundtrack. _________________________ The hottest new modules you can't miss - player suggested
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Posted by lebowski at 2005-08-18 00:52:12 Voted 9.50 on 08/18/05
SPOILERS
I didn't get the mushROOM until I tried them in the crate even with your suggestion. I just got sure about the other I wan't sure about and so eventually the mushroom got in the central crate and the puzzle was solved.
END SPOILERS
I finished the mod and found it very nice. It's a shame you are not getting any other comments. That may be because the mod last only 2 hours (though I'd say to make to 2-3 instead of 1-2) and mostly because of its diversity from CRPG. Still I've had fun, and I'll vote.
I noticed the screenshot, I may suggest to contact Maximus for a community news and a space in the spotlight on the front page of the vault too. I'd wait till you have an hintbook updated though. The mod was solid and completely bugless to me, so with the hint book the product will be as final as it gets. Also I'd call it Artcacia part I instead of Demo, it's another of those things in a name that keep players at bay.
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POSSIBLE SPOILER
Okay, let's see... so I'm guessing English is not your primary language based on what you mentioned in an earlier post. In such case, yes, it would be hard to discern some of the wording in the riddles. So, let's see what I can do to explain each riddle a little more to make it have more sense:
- "Gets wet the more it dries."
This should not be too hard. The words are not warped or slang in any way to make it difficult to understand. Take it literally.
- "Has leaves but isn't a tree."
The term "leaves" is another less common way of saying pages.
- "Has eyes but can't see."
There is something edible that falls under this category. And it's not the type of eyes you may be thinking about.
- "Has a neck but no head."
Are you thirsty at all?
- "A room with no walls."
Of all the objects in the box that could fit in here...only one of them is indeed a "room". This riddle is not to be taken literally.
- "A precious gift, this. Yet it has no end or beginning. And in the middle, nothing."
They make wonderful gifts for a significant other. Also something one may get when they graduate.
- "Axes and swords,
Will not help you through.
Yet it and a little push will do.
Some in the road would
have fought and soon died,
Were it not close at hand,
to let them inside."
Don't you just hate it when you lose this type of object? Especially in a locked car...
- "Black when bought. Red when used. Grey when thrown away."
Nothing like cooking out, eh?
- "They go up white, but come down yellow and white."
They're incredible and edible! A common breakfast item in the US and possibly few other cultures.
I decided to give some hints for each of these, since it may help others who want hints on it as well. Hope this gives you a little help. Failing that, I will give you more information or even a solution. Good luck!
Posted by lebowski at 2005-08-17 00:08:58 Voted 9.50 on 08/18/05
Thanks for bringing the hak to my attention. I may implement that into my module when I get the chance.
If you're really stuck about the black test. Let me know and I'll give you some hints.
Posted by lebowski at 2005-08-16 03:28:27 Voted 9.50 on 08/18/05
Stuck again:
I solved the cushion thing after understang that I had to use just One type of cushion, then I tried to create a crux and it worked but I'm not honestly sure of why it did.
I can see many solutions with the same a pair watching to another pair of cushion without forming a crux. However I solved it.
Had fun with the gnoll, and also with the crates, at the beginning, then I got stuck.
Probably the suggestions here are a bit too regional, based on english or american way of saying things and motto. Especially "they go up white and then..." is quite obscure I'm thinking about eggs because of the colors and because they are plural (like the coins).
Also has leaves but isn't a tree sound quite strange to me. I'm thinking at the mushroom.
Room but no walls to me is the glove.
Has eyes but cannot see can be anything between the object you gave me. I'm thinking about the coins if they have faces, but it's plural.
The other I think I did right, but these four are making me mad and the combination are still too many to try them all. Obviously my guess for some of these four is wrong.
BTW more than a walkthrough I'd liked to have an hintbook with some suggestion about any puzzle, maybe more than one so that I don't get the immediate solution but still have a bit more of insight, then if it's not enough I get back to read a bit more, and the a bit more to the solution.
Well, after some thought, I realize implementing journal entires for puzzle objectives and story line are not going to happen. The story line is not necessary. And while it would be nice to have something for the puzzles, I find that good old fashioned note taking is usually best for this. I remember taking a lot of notes when I played through MYST. And this has yet to be as complicated as MYST. ^_^;
Anyway. Sorry, that feature won't be in the module. However, I think I have managed to satisfy the rest of your inquiries. That will be released in 1.6 for our future players. Which will be released later tonight.
The light source/torch you mentioned for a player to carry around cannot happen. Some puzzles rely on darkness for them to work. :)
Thanks again for the feedback, lebowski. I'll answer your issues in order:
Firstly, the torches do eminate their own proper light source according to color. There is, unfortunately, no way to change the actual color of the flame animation.
Secondly, that is a good point on the offering chamber. I shall assess this to clarify it.
POSSIBLE SPOILER!
The cushion puzzle in the Arctacian Dimension is indeed difficult. Again, observation is key here. Notice that certain pillows are different from others. Note the descriptions of them. The pylon mentioned that you had to use the ones which marked the spiritual presense of the Arctacians. Also that these cushions would be laid out two by two, each side to look upon all others as one. You'll need to try satisfy this request by setting the pillows up in a way that they're all able to look upon one another while making sure there are two next to each other on each side. This is easier than it sounds. I may try to modify this puzzle yet again to try to help clarify or simplify it.
END SPOILER
I have actually pondered about doing journal entires on the situation of the current puzzle since day one of creating this module. This may be a bit difficult to do in future chapters which use a more non-linear approach. But, I think it's still possible. I may see if this is feasible or not.
I will see what I can do to help with color puzzles for the color blind as you suggested.
I've also been meaning to do a screenshot on many occasions. I shall do this as well.
Thanks again for the feedback, lebowski. I'll answer your issues in order:
Firstly, the torches do eminate their own proper light source according to color. There is, unfortunately, no way to change the actual color of the flame animation.
Secondly, that is a good point on the offering chamber. I shall assess this to clarify it.
POSSIBLE SPOILER!
The cushion puzzle in the Arctacian Dimension is indeed difficult. Again, observation is key here. Notice that certain pillows are different from others. Note the descriptions of them. The pylon mentioned that you had to use the ones which marked the spiritual presense of the Arctacians. Also that these cushions would be laid out two by two, each side to look upon all others as one. You'll need to try satisfy this request by setting the pillows up in a way that they're all able to look upon one another while making sure there are two next to each other on each side. This is easier than it sounds. I may try to modify this puzzle yet again to try to help clarify or simplify it.
END SPOILER
I have actually pondered about doing journal entires on the situation of the current puzzle since day one of creating this module. This may be a bit difficult to do in future chapters which use a more non-linear approach. But, I think it's still possible. I may see if this is feasible or not.
I will see what I can do to help with color puzzles for the color blind as you suggested.
I've also been meaning to do a screenshot on many occasions. I shall do this as well.
Posted by lebowski at 2005-08-15 17:11:08 Voted 9.50 on 08/18/05
SPOILERS
OK I'm having fur here, at least I had for an hour or so.
About that torches puzzle I say to make the torch emanate colored light, I think you can easily change the color of the flame, but probably you can change the light. The description is in plain contrast with the how actually things are shown inside the game.
Anothe thing that could be better is regarding the orb of balance. "It is said to open a gateway in the chamber of offering" BUT the area called chamber of offering is the maze not the one with the fountain, so I took my long time to explore all the damned maze again before getting back and use put the orb in the fountain.
But now I'm definetely stuck again. I reached the cushion room and the Pylon explanation is far too obscure. I really don't get how many cushion I should use, where nor why. Also going by try it's impossible because there are too much combinations and you won't know how close you are to the solution. I examined the three statues but they are hardly a clue.
More generally speaking it will be great to have journal entries with the discourse made by each pylon, or at least with the instruction for solving the puzzle. Also it would be nice to have a journal entry continously updating with all the quotations and comment about the guy behind the puzzles made by the pylon. This will achieve: 1. a little help in the puzzle mostly because there won't be a reason to backtrack nor to scroll the dialogue bar 2. It will help very much to follow the story that the game is telling, that by the way start to look as possibly interesting but it's too confused to follow because not only of how little the bits you get are, but also how they are submerged in the puzzle solving stuff.
Cheers, and please give me an hint about the cushion.
PS: This mod will likely be un-playable for color-blind, I'd sugget to make the colored lights into un-usable placeable with the colore name in the description. I know it could make puzzle more complicated though.
Also the mod areas are really really good loking and have a very serene feel. I'd suggest you to put some screeshots of your mod. Usually if there aren't screenshot I (and more generally people) tend to think that mod is probably just standard looking. _________________________ The hottest new modules you can't miss - player suggested
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Posted by lebowski at 2005-08-15 15:17:17 Voted 9.50 on 08/18/05
Doh! I'll run to examine the torches and the plates. BTW I hope you'll not take my torch away because I hate very much to navigate in dark areas without a light source. You gave me boots of speed you could also give the character some ring of white light 20 m. (if that do not screw up some puzzle). _________________________ The hottest new modules you can't miss - player suggested
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