Chapter 34: Questions and Answers (Biffy Clyro, 2003)

>exit

Missing (again!) is "As you leave, the door swings shut." No going back that way.

[Dungeon Entrance] This is a north-south hallway which ends in a large wooden door. The south side of the room is divided by a wooden wall into small hallways to the southeast and southwest.

You can't move along the small hallways. Missing (again!) is "The wooden door has a barred panel in it at about head height. The panel is closed, and the door is closed."

Well, another closed door and we're out of keys or other burglary tools. Might as well try the direct approach.

>knock on door

The knock reverberates along the hall. For a time it seems there will be no answer. Then you hear someone unlatching the small wooden panel. Through the bars of the great door, the wrinkled face of an old man appears. He gazes down at you and intones as follows:

"I am the Master of the dungeon, whose task it is to insure that none but the most scholarly and masterful adventurers are admitted into the secret realms of the dungeon. To ascertain whether you meet the stringent requirements laid down by the Great Implementers, I will ask three questions which should be easy for one of your reputed excellence to answer. You have undoubtedly discovered the answers during your travels through the dungeon. Should you answer each of these questions correctly within five attempts, then I am obliged to acknowledge your skill and daring and admit you to these regions.

"All answers should be in the form 'ANSWER "answer"'."

If you can’t answer the questions, the dungeon master, obviously disappointed in your lack of knowledge, shakes his head and mumbles "I guess they'll let anyone in the Dungeon these days". With that, he departs. He won’t be back, so don’t bother trying. Fortunately I have the questions and answers you will need:

1. "The taking of which object offends the ghosts?" Skeleton.
2. "From which room can one enter the robber's hideaway without passing through the Cyclops room?" Temple.
3. "What object is of use in determining the function of the iced cakes?" Flask.
4. "What object in the dungeon is haunted?" Rusty knife.
5. "Besides the temple, to which room is it possible to go from the altar?" Forest.
6. "What can be done to the mirror that is useful?" Touch.
7. "In which room is the phrase 'Hello sailor' useful?" None.
8. "What is the absolute minimum specified value of the Zorkmid treasures, in zorkmids?" 30003.

The dungeon master, obviously pleased, says, "You are indeed a master of lore. I am proud to be at your service." The massive wooden door swings open, and the master motions for you to enter.