The Obelisk of Ashkar — walkthrough
Each entry is one command, in order, separated by slashes.
Directions are abbreviated (n, se, u, d). This is
the exact sequence the game's own test suite runs, so it is always current.
Act I — The Bazaar of Tangier
take newspaper / n / e / talk to faroukh / w / w examine wall / pull brick / search refuse / u / take cup / d e / n / fill cup at fountain / buy oil / s / w give water to nasrin / e / n / n / take matches / show newspaper to hollis s / w / show fragment to youssef / e / e / show armband to idris move carpet / unlock trapdoor with key / light lamp / d / open crate / take rope take whip / take pouch / take orders / u / w / s s / e / board plane
Tangier is a favour economy and nothing in it is bought with money. Faroukh names what he wants, Youssef will not move until you show him the thing he is afraid of, Hollis wants proof that is printed, and Nasrin wants water. The order below is the one that costs the fewest walks.
Act II — The Temple of Xu'kal
e / fill pouch with sand / w / n / cut vines with machete / n read lintel / light lamp / n / w / examine floor / search skeleton w / take mirror / e / e / e / tie rope to pillar e / examine pedestal / use pouch on pedestal / take idol / w / w n / turn jaguar / use mirror on sunbeam / n / take jade / s s / s / s / s
The lintel over the temple door states all three of this act's puzzles, one line each. Read it with the primer before you go in.
Act III — The Drowned Cathedral
n / u / use oil on lamp / d / n / read board light lamp / d / n / d / take handle / u s / w / take bar / take rosary / e / e take tube / read letter / open door / w / n / use handle on capstan turn capstan / pry sea gate / n / take leaf / s / u s / s
The mask, the prop and the asp are the three things this act will not let you leave without, and the tide is the clock. say ashkar at the hands is the act.
Act IV — The Necropolis of Sekh-Ra
ask salima about water / drink well / ne / ne / s / light lamp e / read writing / take mask / w / w / take prop use prop on slab / w / read wall / e / e / se examine niche / cut asp / read sign / nw / n / read hands say ashkar / n / d / take ivory / u / s s / ne / sw / sw
The six signs on the door spell RAKHSA read left to right. Read them the way the dead read — right to left — and they spell ASHKAR.
Act V — The Vault of the Obelisk
n / ask bruckner about floor / ask bruckner about balance / ask bruckner about doors / give water to bruckner / use paraffin on lamp n / n / light lamp / n / e / take astrolabe w / n / read sign / n / on / put ring on pan n / read sign / extinguish lamp / n / read obelisk
The last command is the choice. read obelisk tells Krauss the truth; lie to krauss sends him to a salt pan; break obelisk destroys it. Three different endings.
Still stuck, or found something that looks like a bug? Write to hello@freetextadventures.com — every message gets read, and it is also where to send an idea for a future adventure.