In Progress Let's weave the Loom! [Revived by kazgar]

[Berekän]

'It was long after the passing of the second shadow, when dragons ruled the twilight sky, and the stars were bright and numerous...'

I was dissapointed to see that amongst the LP's produced by the Codex there wasn't one about this great adventure, back from the days of Lucasart's Golden Age. I decided to save the Codex from the Wrath of the Gods turning back such heresy by making it's LP myself. I'll be doing it at the same time as the Alien Assault LP because that one is harder to do and I want to make something easier meanwhile.

2013 EDIT: Resurrected by kazgar

Chapters:

• Prologue
• Chapter 1: Transcendence
• Chapter 2: Escape
• Chapter 3: In Search of Clarity
• Chapter 4: Over hill and dale

Patterns:

• Open [ECED] This fundamental draft is traditionally the first one taught to novice spellweavers. Once mastered, it may be spun into tarpaulins, theatre curtains, or any covering that must be whisked aside on command.
• Dyeing [CCCD] This draft was prefected by the dye chemists of the Woonsocket Chapter, who slaved for hours over steaming pots to satisfy the Clerics' appetite for colorful vestures. Originally woven into all types of fabric, the applicability of the Dyeing craft has diminished over the course of centuries. Now it works only on wool.
• Emptying [GEED] The contents of almost any filled container may be instantly unravelled with this handy draft. Before its development c. 4200, the streams of Woonsocket ran green with the discarded dyes of the chemists. Avoid the temptation to spin Emptying upon lakes or clouds; its range is deliberately limited to prevent catastrophes such as the Double Deluge of 4202 (for which the Guild admits no responsibility).
• Night Vision [CDDC] The threads of this distinctive and beautiful draft are extrapolated from the song of nocturnal birds. At one time, Night Vision was prized by the Guild of Miners, whose legendary underground realm was chiefly illuminated by luminous tapestries bearing our Seal. Tragically demand fell off after the Great Earthquake of 7331.
• Straw Into Gold [CCCE] When times are lean, the Elders may invoke this draft to generate extra revenue. Its use is strictly regulated by the Treasurer of the Guild to prevent inflaction. Other guilds ingnorant of the ways of spell-weaving, have concocted a variety of outlandish fairy tales involving this rather elementary weave.
• Twisting [FDDE] The origins of this ancient draft are lost in history. The earliest references to it are woven into the foremost hem of the Long Tapestry, besides threads depicting the manipulation of flax by yarn by hand. Tradition has it that the four notes were derived from the rhythmic squeak of First Elder Swellflax's own spindle.
• Invisibility [GCCD] When spun upon a person or group, Invisibility frays the focus of their vision, rendering the spellweaver quite difficult to see. The provenance of this draft is uncertain. It seems to have been acquired (under questionable circumstances) from the Guild of Shepherds, whose genius in this art of stealth is probably unrivalled.
• Sharpening [DFAF] Scissors, pins and knitting needles are the usual benefactors of this simple draft. In ancient times, however, warriors often submitted their blades to our Guildmembers for treatment. A formal protest by the Blacksmiths resulted in the Whetstone Bridge Treaty of 7550, which specifically prohibits the use of the Sharpening draft on weapons of war.
• Terror [EFFE] This draft reweaves the spellweaver's appearance into a form drawn from the deepest anxieties of the being the threads are spun upon. In effect, it turns you into the the thing the recipient fears most. Terror works only oon sentient beings, but its potency more than makes up for this limitation. It is approved for limited therapeutic use by the Guild of Psychotherapists.
• Sleep [AFED] It would be difficult to find a pillow, baby bonnet or sleeping bag that has not been imbued with the soothing properties of this popular draft. The Guild of Nannies requires its use in all household fabrics, and the Anesthesiologists have approved an industrial-strength version as an alternative to chloroform.
• Healing [AGGA] In Volume 19 of her Brief History of the Guild of Weavers (Guild Press, 5620), Third Elder Lazykate documents the way bandages were treated with Healing as early as 1716. The four threads have evolved far beyond their original form. They can now be spun into virtually anything which needs rejuvenation, with the notable exception of the spellweaver's own body.
• Reflection [ADDA] This draft was commissioned by the Guild of Dancers to expedite costume changes for their 500th anniversary performance of the classic ballet Olema. When properly invoked, the spellweaver immediately assumes the appearance of the being the draft is spun upon, and vice versa. The four threads are based on the mating grunt of the slit-throated chameleon.

Extras:

• Soundtrack
• Book of Patterns
• Audio Drama

 

[Berekän]

Prologue

"It was long after the passing of the second shadow when dragons ruled the twilight sky and the stars were bright and numerous, that humankind began to thirst again for dominion over nature. Their weapon was industry and they wielded it with confidence. One by one the mysteries of light and darkness fell before the engines of progress as whole nations came to believe that nothing lay beyond the power of their own arrogance.

Competition was fierce in those productive days and skilled labour became a valuable commodity and so the trades people of the land banded themselves together to promote their common interests and to protect their secrets. These professional societies swelled in power as their membership grew a few such as the blacksmiths and the clerics acquired vast territories with private armies to defend them. Thus began the age of the great guilds vast city states devoted to the absolute control of knowledge held together by stern traditions of pride and of fear. Within the span of a few life times the commerce of the world was in their hands, but not all of the guilds were equally ambitious.

The spinners of thread and weavers of fabric wished only to pursue their labour without interference they did not involve themselves in the politics of the day and left the administration of taxes and wars to others. So the guild of weavers never attained the prominence of the shepherds or the glassmakers their number was small for their strict rules forbade membership to any but the child of a member. Marriage outside the guild was discouraged and eventually outlawed. Outsiders regarded the weavers in grown society with distaste, yet their customs were not without benefit. The natural talents of their membership was nurtured and purified generation after generation until the greatest among them wove fabrics of such extraordinary beauty, that the whole world wondered at their achievements. Goods bearing the seal of the guild commanded a premium price and the weavers amassed considerable wealth in this period, which they quietly hoarded.

Like the other guilds the weavers had evolved a philosophy of living based on the tools and technology of their handiwork. They beheld in their great frames of wood and metal a symbol of universal truth and found ways to work subtle patterns of influence into the fabrics they wove. The cloth of the guild soon became known for virtues other than mere beauty. Certain weaves seemed to posses remarkable powers of healing, others held a charm against ill fortune. In the fullness of time the art of the weavers transcended the limits the of physical cloth. They abandoned the flax and dyes of their ancestors to wield the very stuff of light and music and spun new patterns directly in the fabric of reality. The ignorant looked upon these works with fear and called them witchcraft. Many of the guild were persecuted a few were hanged.

To protect their heritage the weavers extended a small fraction of their wealth to purchase a rocky island off the mainland coast. They packed up their spindles and scanes and shuttles and retreated from the company of men to refine their arts in solitude. Many wars and plagues followed. Mighty guilds fell into ruin, others rose to superiority. The exhausted world all but forgot the humble guild of weavers and few found reason to visit their home. An island of mystery, shrouded in perpetual mist, shunned by sailors, which ancient maps called: Loom."

Scene I Act I - In the presence of the Loom

HETCHEL
*hums to herself while sweeping the floor of the ante chamber of the elders. The door opens and Lady Cygna enters*

CYGNA
Hetchel

HETCHEL
Lady Cygna, bless you child. Out of bed so soon. What brings you?

CYGNA
I wish an audience with the elders

HETCHEL
Look at you pale as lace and your hands trembling. Sit down. What an idea of coming this way alone. You would not be up and about if I was still midwifeing you could be sure of that. Now what is this you say? An audience?

CYGNA
I must speak to them, the elders, at once

HETCHEL
The elders? um oh I see concerning?

CYGNA
A matter of importance. Please Hetchel.

HETCHEL
An audience um um oh my um wait here old Hetchel will get you in.

HETCHEL
*mumbles to herself* oh dear oh dear um the elders

ELDER ATROPOS (male)
I do not remember summoning you Hetchel

HETCHEL
Oh um forgive me elder atropos. Lady Cygna is in the ante chamber. She desires an audience.

ELDER LACHESIS (female)
Now? so late in the afternoon?

HETCHEL
Um the girl is not yet recovered your reverency. Yet, she comes alone.

CYGNA
I will speak

HETCHEL
Cygna!

CYGNA
Elders hear me! I cannot remain silent

ELDER LACHESIS (female)
That much is obvious

ELDER ATROPOS (male)
Lady Cygna we are grieved to hear of your loss

CYGNA
Do not grieve on my account elder. Save your sympathy for the rest of the guild.

ELDER ATROPOS (male)
I am not aware that our guild is in need of sympathy

CYGNA
How many more babies must die before the guild will earn your condolences?

ELDER LACHESIS (female)
That is no way to address an elder young woman

CYGNA
Is it not! Then give me the words elder Lachesis. Tell me how express my anger.

ELDER CLETHO (female)
Anger does not become you. Calm yourself child. Tell us what it is that troubles you so.

CYGNA
Our seed is barren elder Cletho. We have lived under the rules of membership too long. Most of our children are born dead, many that survive are monsters beyond hope. Our numbers are failing. Less than a score of us remain and all in the name of rules written in ignorance obsolete a thousands years

ELDER LACHESIS (female)
The same rules that distilled our not inconsiderable talent

CYGNA
What purpose will our talent serve when there is no one left to practice it?

ELDER ATROPOS (male)
The same purpose it serves now Cygna. The fulfillment of the pattern. That is our only purpose

CYGNA
You speak of the pattern as if it were our master, but the long tapestry speak of a time when we were the masters, please elders there is power in the loom.

ELDER CLETHO (female)
So it is power you seek. What would you have us do with this power?

CYGNA
Use it! I beg you elder Cletho. Use the loom to end our suffering and bring life and health to our children. The changes in the pattern would be trivial. Anyone of us could work the thread. All we lack is courage.

ELDER CLETHO (female)
Do you make this request on behalf of the guild or on your own behalf?

CYGNA
I... Both

ELDER ATROPOS (male)
Cygna. It is true the great loom holds the power you seek. It is also true that our ancestors wielded its power freely. It may be that they understood the pattern better than we or perhaps the threads were easier to grasp in those simpler times. It does not matter. We dare not tamper with the pattern now. It subtleties have passed beyond our understanding. It is all we can do to observe our destiny in its fulfillment

ELDER LACHESIS (female)
You ask for a miracle Cygna, but we are not Gods. We are interpreters

CYGNA
Interpreters! You are nothing but caretakers. How can you squander the heritage your ancestors gave their lives to preserve. Your pious handringing mocks their devotion. Who are the weavers now and who are the woven!

ELDER ATROPOS (male)
Enough! I have tolerated your hysteria out of sympathy for your bereavement, but I cannot allow you to utter blasphemy in the presence of the Loom itself. You will return to your tent and forget that this conversation ever occurred! If I hear of it again outside this chamber you will suffer the penalty prescribed to all who defy the will of the elders. Must I specify that penalty?

CYGNA
No elder Atropos...

ELDER ATROPOS (male)
Then go and do not judge us, Cygna. Only the pattern may judge.

Scene I Act II - In the presence of the Loom

*Rain and thunder is heard. The door to the room where the Loom is kept opens and Lady Cygna enters the now empty room*

CYGNA
Deserted. No one will hear me. No one will know. Oh the Loom. Power. The elders are afraid to use it. I am not afraid. Oh the colours of the pattern. Dancing. The shadow of rainbows! Oh... one grey thread... grey goes with every colour. Invisible. No one will notice one grey thread. To work. Here is the trick. Tied to the end of the shuttle. Let the harness do the work. Throw, beat, tread, rest. Throw, beat, tread, rest. Back, forth, cross the web. You taught me well poor Hetchel. Rest, throw, beat. Rest, in and under. Throw, back, throw, beat, tread, rest, throw, beat, tread, rest, throw, beat.

*Elder Cletho, Lachesis and Atropos suddenly enter the room together with Hetchel*

ELDER ATROPOS (male)
Lady Cygna!

*Barely has Elder Atropos uttered his words before the crying of a baby child is heard*

ELDER CLETHO (female)
Too late! Poor child.

ELDER ATROPOS (male)
You understand the gravity of what your have done!

CYGNA
Only the pattern may judge elder Atropos

ELDER LACHESIS (female)
We cannot allow this outrage to go unpunished!

CYGNA
Do what you must. This baby is alive. I am content

ELDER CLETHO (female)
Surrender the child to dame Hetchel

CYGNA
Care for him the way you did for me, old friend

HETCHEL
*answers through tears* It is the only way I know. *receives the child* There there...

CYGNA
I am ready

ELDER ATROPOS (male)
Lady Cygna you are guilty of treason against the guild. You have breached the sanctity of the loom and compromised the fulfillment of the pattern to indulge your own selfish desires in direct defiance of the elders! You are henceforth and forever outcast from the guild of weavers. You shall neither behold this child nor set foot upon this island again. From now and till the end of your days you shall wander the skies in perpetual solitude. Your mournful cry shall be a lesson to all who would defy their destiny.

*The spell is cast and Lady Cygna transformed into a swan*

HETCHEL
A swan... Still beautiful *cries*

*The swan crashes through a window and flies away*

Interlogue

"Few in the weavers' village saw the great swan disappear across the sea that night. But it did not take long for them to hear of Lady Cygna's defiance in the sanctuary and the elders' terrible vengeance. All were curious to behold the new infant, a child born not of woman, but out of the loom itself and whose creation was unforeseen. It was decreed that the child be raised outside the ways of the guild until his coming of age seventeen years hence when his future would be decided by a high council. The old serving woman agreed to raise the loom child as her own. She named the little boy: Bobbin."

Scene II Act I - In the house of Dame Hetchel

HETCHEL
Bobbin, Bobbin. Wake up child

BOBBIN
Hetchel?

HETCHEL
That is right dear. Out of bed

BOBBIN
Still dark

HETCHEL
I know little one. Now quickly get dressed

BOBBIN
Why... Sleepy...

HETCHEL
There is something outside I want you to see. Quickly now before the sun raises

Scene III Act I - On the cliff

BOBBIN
It is cold up here

HETCHEL
I told you to bring your quilt didn't I? Here, my shawl is warm

BOBBIN
I don't see anything

HETCHEL
Be patient. She will come. She has come every year ever since you were born

BOBBIN
What does she look like?

HETCHEL
She looks like... wait there. Between the trees. No, no only an owl

BOBBIN
The village look small from up here. Which star is that?

HETCHEL
The bright one? That is the morning star. You can even see it in the daytime if then sun is right. Oh look! Down there flying low across the water. Do you see

BOBBIN
It is just a seagull

HETCHEL
Look again

BOBBIN
ooooh

HETCHEL
A swan Bobbin. A white swan. Happy birthday poor boy

BOBBIN
Here she comes. Look! She is flying over. She is beautiful

HETCHEL
Yes. Still beautiful

BOBBIN
Why does she sound so sad?

HETCHEL
Because she is alone. Proud and alone

BOBBIN
She is flying away. Where is she going Hetchel?

HETCHEL
Out beyond the pattern I expect

BOBBIN
Can't we go visit?

HETCHEL
Stand away from the edge! No little Bobbin. Those who are born of the pattern are hemmed into its web forever. Where that swan goes we cannot follow

BOBBIN
The sun is in my eyes

HETCHEL
Your are yawning. Back to home and bed for you

Interlogue II

"The years were kind to Bobbin Threadbare. The boy grew tall and slender with wide blue eyes, that sparkled with mystery and intelligence, yet Bobbin never went to school. The elders of the guild would not permit it. The other children was told he was a half-wit and they taunted him with terrible cruelty throwing stones if he came too near and so the friendless boy spent his days in solitude combing the beaches for sticks of firewood and exploring the hills and forests of the weavers little island until no one knew them better than he. Old Hetchel cared for Bobbin like her own son she saw his growing bitterness and begged the elders to end this cruel exile, but the elders were afraid of Bobbin and not without reason. His unexpected birth had thrown the pattern into chaos.

Year after year they watched with growing apprehension. A shadow of apocalypse spread across the web in the loom. Bobbin's thread was weaving it's way towards a destiny of overwhelming consequence. The pattern was disintegrating. No one knew how to stop it. The elders never told Bobbin who he was or how he came to be. They prayed that Bobbin would be unable to fulfill his destiny so long as he never left the island and never learnt the ways of spell weaving. They did not suspect, that Bobbin's education had already begun."

Scene IV Act I - Back in the house of Dame Hetchel

BOBBIN
Not tonight mother Hetchel!

HETCHEL
Especially tonight. Draw the curtains boy, sit here by the fire. Now tell me how many threads are there in a draft?

BOBBIN
Four...

HETCHEL
Their names?

BOBBIN
The throw

HETCHEL
That is one

BOBBIN
The beat

HETCHEL
Two

BOBBIN
The treadle and the rest

HETCHEL
Good. See if you remember the draft I taught you. Spin it for me

BOBBIN
*sings the four notes*

HETCHEL
Listen to me *Hetchel hums the four notes* Now you know what the other boys do in school all day

BOBBIN
I guess I will never learn to weave

HETCHEL
Rubbish! Do you suppose that every weaver starts out with a golden throat? It takes years of practice, years. How long do you suppose the elders have been weaving? Nearly as long as I have and that is a very long time indeed

BOBBIN
But where do I begin?

HETCHEL
You will begin with this *Hetchel takes out a distaff, which gives off a faint sort of metallic humming sound* do you know what it is?

BOBBIN
No

HETCHEL
This is called a distaff. Our ancestors used it to start to spin flax into thread. We use it to spin music and light into threads of influence

BOBBIN
Show me!

HETCHEL
Hold the distaff in your hands like this. Don't be afraid. Now spin that draft I taught again. Just the first thread

BOBBIN
*Bobbin tries to hum the first note*

HETCHEL
Flat. Spin it again dear. This time slide the thread high in your throat like this *Hetchel hums the first note of the draft starting low and ending high* Can you do that?

BOBBIN
I think so. *Bobbin repeats the note the way Hetchel did showed him and suddenly the distaff responds by humming the same note while glowing* Oh! it is glowing!

HETCHEL
It is telling you when your pitch is correct Try the beat and treadle threads

BOBBIN
*Bobbin obeys*

HETCHEL
You learn quickly

BOBBIN
What happens if I spin all four?

HETCHEL
Let us find out shall we? Let me shut this first. *shuts her knitting basket* Alright listen carefully. I want you to spin those four threads again. Wait for the distaff to glow before you go on to the next. As you spin the last thread point the distaff at the ball of yarn inside my knitting basket

BOBBIN
But you just closed it

HETCHEL
Indeed. Those four threads form a pattern of opening. You are going to lift up the top of that basket without even touching it. Whenever you are ready

BOBBIN
Does it hurt?

HETCHEL
Tingles a bit. Remember concentrate on the ball of yarn inside the basket. Spin

BOBBIN
*Bobbin begins to sing the notes*

HETCHEL
Concentrate

BOBBIN
*Continues*

HETCHEL
Now

BOBBIN
*Bobbin continues*

HETCHEL
Point! Not at the window!

*The window is shattered*

BOBBIN
WOW!

HETCHEL
Schsssss! Blow out that light! *A dog begins to bark somewhere in the night* Sit still for minute! Good... I don't think anybody heard us

BOBBIN
What other drafts do you know?

HETCHEL
Give me that! *takes the distaff from Bobbins' hands* You have done enough weaving for one night! Off to bed with you. You have a big day ahead and we both have to get up very early

BOBBIN
Let me go alone this year mother Hetchel

HETCHEL
Alone? Well I suppose you are old enough. Go alone Bobbin. I don't mind staying in bed late this time

"It was still dark when Bobbin awoke quietly so as not to disturb old Hetchel he slipped into his warm gray rope and stepped outside into the chill before dawn. The climb up the cliff path was steep and dangerous in the darkness. Only the waves crashing against the rocks below broke the stillness. Bright stars twinkled overhead. It was still half an hour before sunrise, when Bobbin reached the top of the cliff. He sat down beneath a crooked old tree and leaned back to wait for the seventeenth visit of the great swan. In less than a minute he was fast asleep."

 

[juggernaut]

Oh man, I loved this game. The CD version has excellent voice acting.
Hope you do a good job dude, looking forward to this LP!

 

[ScottishMartialArts]

Screenshots needed to attract the attention of ADD brains accustomed to staring at flashing, luminescent rectangles.

 

[Berekän]

Well the game hasn't even started yet, that's just a transcription of the Prologue that came in an audio tape with the original game. If you're too lazy to read, just follow the link of the Audio Drama.

Oh man, I loved this game. The CD version has excellent voice acting.
Hope you do a good job dude, looking forward to this LP!

But it also cut down some conversations to make it fit in a single Audio CD. I will be using the FM-Towns version for this LP, it has the best of both worlds. (Except voice acting but you wouldn't notice it anyway)

 

[Berekän]

Chapter 1: Transcendence

Here's the intro of the game, a few swans flying in the beautiful night in front of some giant Loom letters.

The red lights are from the Weaver's Guild village, and we can see a little blue light flying to the mountains.

The light stops in front of our character, Bobbin Threadbare, who is taking a nap.

It is the dawn of your seventeenth year.

I am sent by the Elders to summon you.

The High Council awaits your presence in the Sanctuary.

Never seen one so bright before.

One of the Elders must've woven it.

Better get down to the village.

And that's the Weaver's Guild village. Quite small.

Here's the Sanctuary. Don't be fooled by it, it's cathedral-sized.

And dark too. We proceed to the right, where the Elders await our arrival.

Wouldn't want to interrupt...

You have heard the findings of the High Council, Dame Hetchel.

What have you to say in your defense?

I have no defenses or excuses, Elder Atropos.

My actions speak for themselves.

This reckless defiance is intolerable.

Why do you disobey us, Hetchel?

You have always upheld the Rules of Membership to the letter.

Tell us what is in your hearth.

The boy must be told the truth about his birth, Elder Clothos.

His talent awakens!

Soon he will wield the power of Weaving, whether we choose to guide him or not.

We dare not desert Bobbin now.

Stubborn old fool!

The secrets you reveal about Cygna's son may be turned against us.

That is why his training was forbidden by the Council!

We need not explain our decisions.

It grieves me to see your many years of faithful service end in this disgrace.

But the wisdom of the Elders may not be questioned. That is the final Rule of Membership.

Another one of your students, Lady Cygna, learned the terrible price of defiance in this very chamber seventeen years ago. Better that you had heeded that lesson.

My destiny is in your hands, Elders.

Gaze once more upon the Great Loom if you would know your destiny.

For behold! That destiny is upon you.

The Elder Atropos weaves a spell with his staff upon old Hetchel.

What the...?

That draft has never failed before.

Hark! I heard a cry. Outside!

A swan crashes throught the window!

The Guild is under attack!

A spell is reflected in the Loom and Cletho is transformed in a swan!

This is the work of the demon boy.

Soon all the village is transformed into swans and they fly throught a rift in the threads of existence.

Everyone's flown away!

No explanations. No goodbyes.

Why do they always leave me behind?

Anyway, remember when Elder Atropos got transformed into a swan? He dropped his staff, so it may be a good time to recover it.

We look at the egg and we can see a draft reflecting in the Loom. We cast the Open draft.

Mother Hetchel? Is that you?

You know perfectly well it's me. I saw you watching us.

What's been happening here, Hetchel? The whole village has flown away!

I'd hoped the swan might come to save you.

But I never expected her to weave as much mischief as this!

Save me? From what?

From the Elders. They were going to turn you into a swan, as they tried to do with me.

Looks as if a cygnet was the best they could manage with these old bones.

Why do the Elders want to get rid of me? I haven't broken any Rules.

They fear you, Bobbin.

But why should anyone be afraid of me?

Ever since you came into our world, the Elders have watched chaos spread across the Pattern in the Loom.

They believed, hoped, that your birth was the cause of this chaos, and that order might return if you were banished.

The Pattern is failing on its own accord. Soon it will come to an end... and with it, all that is hemmed into its threads.

A Third Shadow is nigh!

Is there any way to stop it?

Stop chaos? The Elders thought they could.

Now they know better. So should you.

If we can't stop the Chaos, what can we do?

We can embrace it. Or... escape!

The swan has rescued the rest of our Guild from the coming time of darkness. The way before us now is clear. We must find out where our flock has flown, and join them if we can!

You've already found the Elder's distaff. Good. Never let it out your grasp!

You won't be able to weave very much with it at first, I expect. But as you gain practice, more and more of its power will reveal itself to you.

As long as the distaff remains in your hands, I'll know you are safe. If you ever lose it, take hearth! I'll come to help you if I can.

Leave this island Loom-Child. It's too small for you now.

Your destiny lies beyond the sea!

 

[SCO]

Using the vga version is fail.

Good choice though, for an adventure, as it is very short.

 

[BirdsCanFly]

Proceed.

 

[Angthoron]

Oooh, looks interesting.

 

[ghostdog]

I had forgotten how awesome is this game. Do proceed.

EDIT : Loom audio drama with video and subtitles : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkI5Ua__ ... re=related

 

[kazgar]

I was considering lp'ing this but saw this is here, is it abandoned? Or should I continue in my blind playthrough, bumbling through puzzles everyone else will think are obvious.

Paging @Berekän

 

[tuluse]

Using the vga version is fail.

Good choice though, for an adventure, as it is very short.

The FM Towns version is VGA graphics, but otherwise the same as the EGA version. It's the talkie cd version that has stuff cut out.

Edit:I just noticed this is an old thread, fuck. Loom was my absolute favorite game as a kid.

 

[Berekän]

I was considering lp'ing this but saw this is here, is it abandoned? Or should I continue in my blind playthrough, bumbling through puzzles everyone else will think are obvious.

Paging @Berekän

Yeah, go ahead, I abandoned this a long time ago. From time to time I consider resurrecting it but I'm severely lacking time lately and don't think I could keep with it without abandoning it another time.

Good luck with your LP!

 

[EruDaan]

I once owned the not-VGA (EGA?) version fo this game as a teenager. I loved it, especially the music. Too bad the other two parts of it got canceled.

 

[kazgar]

The great draft of necromancy is woven. I've played the section above and the section below previously, but I started again and went with the route followed above for these shots.
(I dicked around more in my game)

Thanks to Berekän for updating the first post for me.

Chapters:

• Chapter 2: Escape
• Chapter 3: In Search of Clarity
• Chapter 4: Over hill and dale

Patterns:

• Open [ECED] This fundamental draft is traditionally the first one taught to novice spellweavers. Once mastered, it may be spun into tarpaulins, theatre curtains, or any covering that must be whisked aside on command.
• Dyeing [CCCD] This draft was prefected by the dye chemists of the Woonsocket Chapter, who slaved for hours over steaming pots to satisfy the Clerics' appetite for colorful vestures. Originally woven into all types of fabric, the applicability of the Dyeing craft has diminished over the course of centuries. Now it works only on wool.
• Emptying [GEED] The contents of almost any filled container may be instantly unravelled with this handy draft. Before its development c. 4200, the streams of Woonsocket ran green with the discarded dyes of the chemists. Avoid the temptation to spin Emptying upon lakes or clouds; its range is deliberately limited to prevent catastrophes such as the Double Deluge of 4202 (for which the Guild admits no responsibility).
• Night Vision [CDDC] The threads of this distinctive and beautiful draft are extrapolated from the song of nocturnal birds. At one time, Night Vision was prized by the Guild of Miners, whose legendary underground realm was chiefly illuminated by luminous tapestries bearing our Seal. Tragically demand fell off after the Great Earthquake of 7331.
• Straw Into Gold [CCCE] When times are lean, the Elders may invoke this draft to generate extra revenue. Its use is strictly regulated by the Treasurer of the Guild to prevent inflaction. Other guilds ingnorant of the ways of spell-weaving, have concocted a variety of outlandish fairy tales involving this rather elementary weave.
• Twisting [FDDE] The origins of this ancient draft are lost in history. The earliest references to it are woven into the foremost hem of the Long Tapestry, besides threads depicting the manipulation of flax by yarn by hand. Tradition has it that the four notes were derived from the rhythmic squeak of First Elder Swellflax's own spindle.
• Invisibility [GCCD] When spun upon a person or group, Invisibility frays the focus of their vision, rendering the spellweaver quite difficult to see. The provenance of this draft is uncertain. It seems to have been acquired (under questionable circumstances) from the Guild of Shepherds, whose genius in this art of stealth is probably unrivalled.
• Sharpening [DFAF] Scissors, pins and knitting needles are the usual benefactors of this simple draft. In ancient times, however, warriors often submitted their blades to our Guildmembers for treatment. A formal protest by the Blacksmiths resulted in the Whetstone Bridge Treaty of 7550, which specifically prohibits the use of the Sharpening draft on weapons of war.
• Terror [EFFE] This draft reweaves the spellweaver's appearance into a form drawn from the deepest anxieties of the being the threads are spun upon. In effect, it turns you into the the thing the recipient fears most. Terror works only oon sentient beings, but its potency more than makes up for this limitation. It is approved for limited therapeutic use by the Guild of Psychotherapists.
• Sleep [AFED] It would be difficult to find a pillow, baby bonnet or sleeping bag that has not been imbued with the soothing properties of this popular draft. The Guild of Nannies requires its use in all household fabrics, and the Anesthesiologists have approved an industrial-strength version as an alternative to chloroform.
• Healing [AGGA] In Volume 19 of her Brief History of the Guild of Weavers (Guild Press, 5620), Third Elder Lazykate documents the way bandages were treated with Healing as early as 1716. The four threads have evolved far beyond their original form. They can now be spun into virtually anything which needs rejuvenation, with the notable exception of the spellweaver's own body.
• Reflection [ADDA] This draft was commissioned by the Guild of Dancers to expedite costume changes for their 500th anniversary performance of the classic ballet Olema. When properly invoked, the spellweaver immediately assumes the appearance of the being the draft is spun upon, and vice versa. The four threads are based on the mating grunt of the slit-throated chameleon.

 

[kazgar]

Chapter 2: Escape

Spoiler

So, we're last on the island, and the games afoot Now what?

We've got to save ourself and get off the island. As its a adventure game, the way to do that is look around.

First, the loom

That's pretty neat.

Now, we're heading back out, but we'll take a look at the tapestries that we saw on the way in.

Not sure what to make of that right now, so outside the cathedral we go, and into the next building. Currently not much in here.

Looks like that's it for now, lets try the last open hut on the right

Checking out various things around the place

Really doesn't like green.

That last one's given us a new draft, and it says dye pot, lets try it on the pile

DYEING: [CCCD] This draft was prefected by the dye chemists of the Woonsocket Chapter, who slaved for hours over steaming pots to satisfy the Clerics' appetite for colorful vestures. Originally woven into all types of fabric, the applicability of the Dyeing craft has diminished over the course of centuries. Now it works only on wool.

Excellent, a colour we hate. Lets move on, that book looks interesting

We take the book, and move on to the pot of liquid next to it

EMPTYING: [GEED] The contents of almost any filled container may be instantly unravelled with this handy draft. Before its development c. 4200, the streams of Woonsocket ran green with the discarded dyes of the chemists. Avoid the temptation to spin Emptying upon lakes or clouds; its range is deliberately limited to prevent catastrophes such as the Double Deluge of 4202 (for which the Guild admits no responsibility).

However, as we don't have note G yet, we don't have the ability to use it. We're done here, lets head out of the camp.

And to the Pier.

The birds like opening things, they'll remind/teach you the opening draft. The only other item of note is that clam.

We know what to do here!

Nothing else of note, lets try that final path.

Which leads us to these trees.

We can look in the holes here, 3 of them have owls, but the last is empty, looking in each one give us 3 notes of a draft, we need 4.

Heading left, we find the last owl on a gravestone.

Doesn't want to move, and none of the 3 drafts we know will work on him, but there's blinking in that thar briar patch, lets go have a look.

Poor little fella

Now he's left, we can look at the gravestone.

And a hint

Heading back, there's some blinking in the last hole, we have a look.

Looks like we have a new draft

NIGHT VISION: [CDDC] The threads of this distinctive and beautiful draft are extrapolated from the song of nocturnal birds. At one time, Night Vision was prized by the Guild of Miners, whose legendary underground realm was chiefly illuminated by luminous tapestries bearing our Seal. Tragically demand fell off after the Great Earthquake of 7331

There was somewhere dark back at camp, lets head there now, and try it.

Presto Chango! We can see. That's a lot of gold, shame its of no use to us.

Next to It is some Straw:

And a spinning wheel:

So squeaky, in fact, it gives us a new draft. Not sure what it does, we try it on the wheel, and get a fail (yellow sparkles means things didn't work)

Straw and a wheel and gold? Lets try it this way:

STRAW INTO GOLD: [CCCE] When times are lean, the Elders may invoke this draft to generate extra revenue. Its use is strictly regulated by the Treasurer of the Guild to prevent inflaction. Other guilds ingnorant of the ways of spell-weaving, have concocted a variety of outlandish fairy tales involving this rather elementary weave.

Success! More gold we can't use.

And after doing that we err, "level up" (See, its a rpg, it's got stats!) We get access to note F on the distaff

We've exhausted our options down here. The generous hint talked about the sky. You can see the sky the best from our starting point at the top of the mountain, so up we go!

Isn't it pretty?

The gravestone said about opening the sky. It doesn't make much sense, but its a adventure game, and its magic, so lets play the opening draft on the sky.

Hey, its working!

A lighting bolt hits the tree, which falls into the water.

It then starts floating past the camp

And ends up at rest at the pier, convenient. Meanwhile

Guess that looks like our ride, lets head that way.

And off we go!

The gull's following Bobbin is a great shot, all the animation is great.


I'm going to stop there for now. I've only played a little further, from here on in I'll be pretty much doing it blind.

 

[kazgar]

Episode 3: In search of Clarity

Spoiler

Our journey across the sea leads us and our escort here.

This is the problem with 2d adventuring, if we had a Z axis we could go around the waterspout, but not to be. Lets look and see what we can do. First lets click on the spout.

The wind itself is making a noise, look like we've got a new draft, with the unsubtle hint, pretty sure its this one.

Twisting [FDDE] The origins of this ancient draft are lost in history. The earliest references to it are woven into the foremost hem of the Long Tapestry, besides threads depicting the manipulation of flax by yarn by hand. Tradition has it that the four notes were derived from the rhythmic squeak of First Elder Swellflax's own spindle.

That's good and all, but doesn't help us get past. Lets try opening the waterspout, might get us in.

No go there, but I think that's another clue, lets try playing the Twisting draft backwards [EDDF]

That worked!

Onwards to shore. We level up and get the G note. There's nothing to do here except walk to that other building in the distance.

Wow, that was slightly unexpected, looks like the emerald city? Background music's changed here as well.

We walk into this dome, and everything's green and clear, we pathfind our way through, and look, another human! He heads towards us

Greetings Stranger

Welcome to Crystalgard

I am Master Goodmold, thirty-first in the Noble Guild of Glassmakers

Who Have I the honor of meeting?

My Names Bobbin. Bobbin Threadbare, of the, er, Noble Guild of Weavers.

Guild of Weavers?

I don't remember having a Weaver visit us before.

I see now why your fabrics are so prized.

The cloak you wear is unlike anything I have ever beheld

Remarkable Workmanship

Crystalgard's wisdom includes many legends concerning your Guild.

One is particularly strange and amusing.

They say it is death to peer beneath the hood of a Weaver.

Can this be true?

Don't know. Nobody ever tried it on me.

Ha! An Unclear reply if I ever heard one.

We value clarity here above all else.

But fear not! Your legend is safe with us.

Imagine me relief.

By the way Did you happen to notice a flock of swans passing this way?

Swans?

I've heard nothing of swan sightings

The city's been so busy of late, I doubt if anyone's had time for bird-watching

However, our guild catalog offers a fine selection of binoculars, telescopes and other precision optics that may help you in your search for swans.

Thanks. I'll browse through it later.

I'm sure you'll be delighted

Look around as much as you want, Weaver Threadbare.

So, another guild and with a whole city. He's offered us to walk around, and I don't really have a plan, so will just do that. I head into the tower itself, and see a bell on the wall, maybe it'll sing me a tune?

On my way there however, i'm stopped, I turn around and head under the bridge.

Wait a Minute!

I trust your Excellency is pleased with our progress?

That depends.

How far ahead will I be able to see?

At least four hours. With luck, maybe six.

Six hours? I thought we agreed to eight.

Each of the Spheres is unique, Bishop Mandible.

It is impossible to predict how deeply this particular Sphere will look.

I need to see at least eight hours ahead.

EIGHT hours. See to it, Master Crucible.

The customer is always right.

"See ahead?"

Hmm, something murky going on there, I'm sure that Bishop is up to no good! But anyhow, scrying into the future sounds cool.

We head back to the bell and give it a ring.

That also looked like a scythe, and not glass, guess we won't get in there for now.

Lets keep wandering, through this room with a goblet on a plinth?

Oh, we're back outside. Lets go around again back to the first room.

This time I notice a object I missed earlier, a grave.

Interesting, though doesn't add much. I wander through again looking for another clue. I end up back in the goblet room and notice a path I missed, I take it

It leads to another teleporter, which I trigger.

And I'm back to the front of screen (3 dimensions, what will they think of next?) I head to the goblet to have a look.

This chalice was carved from a single crystal of diamond.

Impressive

But I thought you were Glassmakers.

Indeed. Behold the Chromax Conundrum!

It was wroughtby the hand of our founding member, Luscent Bottleblow, whose works once filled a museum.

Three centuries ago, our fair city was plundered by a dragon.

The greedy beast emptied our museum and treasury.

Even Bottleblow's great masterpiece, the First Scrying Sphere was lost.

Fortunately, the Conundrum was on loan to the Guild of Vintners at the time.

It is our only remaining example of Bottleblow's transcendent genius.

But why is it made of diamond instead of glass?

We don't know

That's the Conundrum.

We leave via the right, and find another exit I missed, and the notice the workers with the scythe are visible from outside.

Wandering around the back, I notice a path in the cliff that I also missed (told you I was playing this blind) And follow it up.

End up in this forest, the music track goes back to the one on the Weaver's Island.

We head to the left of screen and then...

Nobody expects the spanish inquistion! While they were appearing, a draft played, one note for each man.

They speak in turn, Bobbin following them around

Who goes there?

This runt was trying to sneak into our realm!

Sneak? You call that sneaking?

I head him coming two hills away.

State your business with the Guild of Shepherds!

I'm looking for a flock of swans.

Swans.

Right.

Swans don't live in the woods, kid.

Say! You don't suppose this is the wizard Fleece told us about, do you?

Hmm. He's dressed kind of like a wizard.

Doesn't look very powerful to me.

C'mon wizard! Show us your stuff.

Prove you're a wizard or you're not getting any farther.

So now you can select the group, or leave. I go through all my drafts to no avail.

I leave, while being mocked. I'll show them.

I get a idea to try the draft I heard when they appeared [GCCD]

That didn't work either, but It does confirm for me that the draft is:

Invisibility [GCCD] When spun upon a person or group, Invisibility frays the focus of their vision, rendering the spellweaver quite difficult to see. The provenance of this draft is uncertain. It seems to have been acquired (under questionable circumstances) from the Guild of Shepherds, whose genius in this art of stealth is probably unrivalled.

I take the right hand path from the woods, and end up at the beach, looking out over the city gives me my next idea. Invisibility needs to cast on people, I can interact with people back at the tower, I head back that way.

The draft succeeds (blue sparkles!) And I head back to the bell-teleporter.

Success! I'm invisible, and they don't kick me out, they then start talking, so I wait and listen.

Swishin' 'round here like he owns the place!

What do the Clerics want with a Sphere of Scrying, anyway?

Thought they didn't believe in the future.

Your guess is as good as mine.

Crucible thinks they're up to no good again.

So why's he selling 'em one?

You know Crucible.

He'd sell his own mother's spectacles if the terms were cash up front.

Cash up front? Whew!

Spheres ain't what you call cheap.

Still, Crucible's not takin' any chances.

He figures if the Clerics are lookin' for trouble, we're gonna be ready.

That's why you and me's up here doin' major overtime.

Ouch! ... I see whatcha mean.

One look at THIS little baby'll make them Clerics think twice 'bout messin' with US.

They go back to work. It's a long way from Weaver island, so many plots. I sneak past them an try the bell on the other side.

It puts me next to the sphere the Bishop and the Master were talking about, I go and have a look, maybe it'll show me my future.

Its the shepherds! A draft plays and they all flee, it must be the answer.

On my way back go through the tower and look at the Scythe. A draft plays [DFAF]

I'm guessing it's:

Sharpening [DFAF] Scissors, pins and knitting needles are the usual benefactors of this simple draft. In ancient times, however, warriors often submitted their blades to our Guildmembers for treatment. A formal protest by the Blacksmiths resulted in the Whetstone Bridge Treaty of 7550, which specifically prohibits the use of the Sharpening draft on weapons of war.

But we'll wait and see.

Armed with my sphere-fed knowledge, I head back to the forest for a showdown with the Shepherds.

I play the draft I saw in the sphere [EFFE]

Woah! I guess I know what this one is now:

Terror [EFFE] This draft reweaves the spellweaver's appearance into a form drawn from the deepest anxieties of the being the threads are spun upon. In effect, it turns you into the the thing the recipient fears most. Terror works only oon sentient beings, but its potency more than makes up for this limitation. It is approved for limited therapeutic use by the Guild of Psychotherapists.

Having done that, we move through the forest, into the next update.

 

[CappenVarra]

Good stuff

 

[Crooked Bee]

This is a great game.

 

[kazgar]

Chapter 4: Over hill and dale

Spoiler

Here we are in the fields of the shepherds, and unsurprisingly, there's some sheep, lets have a look.

As they jump over the fence, they play a draft [DEFA] the shepherd wakes up.

As the last one jumps over, playing the draft in the reverse, the shepherd goes back to sleep. Looks like we just learnt:

Sleep [AFED] It would be difficult to find a pillow, baby bonnet or sleeping bag that has not been imbued with the soothing properties of this popular draft. The Guild of Nannies requires its use in all household fabrics, and the Anesthesiologists have approved an industrial-strength version as an alternative to chloroform.

Probably come in useful later. Can't play it now, haven't levelled up enough. Now we head left, through more great scenery.

We see a village, lets have a look around.

We Enter the hut, and the outline appears as we approach the lamb, nothing's said until we interact with it, but when we do:

Hubba Hubba, she enters.

Who are you?

I am she who sent for you.

Huh?

I am named Fleece, First Chosen of the Guild of Shepherds

And you are obviously the might wizard I hired from the Guild of Mages.

There must be some mistake.

Your modesty is very charming.

But there is no mistake.

My border guards were extremely impressed with your display of magic power.

They did not tell me that you are also young, and quite well-mannered.

Were our plight not so serious, it might amuse me to know you better.

Oh my!

Plight?

You stupid boy!

One of our clients placed an order for ten thousand fattened sheep.

That's enough to feed an army!

I fear that may be exactly what the Clerics have in mind.

Knew it was those clerics causing trouble!

But we do not concern ourselves with how our customers use our products.

The probably won't get their sheep anyway.

No? Why not?

Only a mage can save us from this winged pestilence.

Thank you for answering my summons so quickly.

A quest! For a fair maiden! We shall slay the dragon with our umm..err song!

Fleece is still around, we can't "talk" to her, but if we interact with the lamb (err) we get more dialogue.

Patient? Is she sick?

Very. I don't think she's going to make it.

Her mother was carried off by the dragon the day after she gave birth.

My Songs of Healing don't seem to be doing enough good.

Songs?

We Shepherds are known for them. At least, I thought we were.

My grandsire taught me the magic notes.

He said we got them from some other Guild in exchange for the secret of stealth.

Hmmm

I think she opened her eyes a little

You're right!

I'll try it again.

Looks like we've learnt

Healing [AGGA] In Volume 19 of her Brief History of the Guild of Weavers (Guild Press, 5620), Third Elder Lazykate documents the way bandages were treated with Healing as early as 1716. The four threads have evolved far beyond their original form. They can now be spun into virtually anything which needs rejuvenation, with the notable exception of the spellweaver's own body.

We make our way out

The flock has been led to pasture, Wizard. Good luck with the dragon!

There's the flock. Luckily I've already got a idea for this one, we turned white things grass green at the very start of the adventure, we cast Dye. They all turn green...

..except for us, oops. Guess we're dragon food now?

Nope, still alive currently. And kept our staff

Thought you felt a little scrawny.

Lets have a look around, first the gold.

This pile is so SAD compared to what I USED to have lying around here.

I picked up a load of crystal once that was to DIE for. Honestly!

Then wouldn't you know?

This third-rate wizard tries to rip apart my volcano. We're talking MAJOR earthquake here.

Ruined ALL my fancy glassware. I made that boy very, VERY sorry, let me tell you.

Did manage to save one little knickknack.

The loveliest glass ball. Is was SO precious.

So what did I do? Ha! Lost it in the caves under the mountain. Rolled away before I could grab it.

Never did find that puppet. C'est la vie.

We then look at the dragon itself.

Was I staring? Sorry.

Aw, forget it. Don't pay any more attention to me.

I get crabby on a empty stomach.

Oh.

Are you gonna incinerate me now?

Incinerate you? My! Aren't you the foxy one!

You've come to the wrong lair if THAT's what you're after.

Listen, Sweetie. I haven't done FIRE since my last mating season.

And you don't WANT to know how long ago THAT was.

Those little tongues of flame running up and down my nostrils? Please!

Too much heat for this old reptile.

Emo dragon.

You mean you can't breathe fire?

WON'T, honey. Doesn't fit my lifestyle.

Just between you and me, the stuff gives me the willies.

With that, we're left in the cave. The problem being there doesn't seem to be a exit. The dragon's happy to leave us alone though.

I have an idea, maybe I can reverse straw into gold and get something to happen.

Well that worked, and as a bonus, I've learnt the 'a' note! Dragon doesn't seem to mind, so I switch it back.

Might have to play this again in the CD version, I'm hoping the dragons voice matches the tone.

That didn't work. Maybe I need to sneak past the dragon, so I attempt to put him to sleep.

That worked! Still can't get around. However, the dragon seems to be exhaling flame from a nostril while snoring. Gold won't be affected by that, but how about dried grass?

Success! And there's the exit behind the ashes. I take it

Ooo dark in here, but know what to do with this.

Like so! Unfortunately it doesn't reveal the whole map, and we're in a maze, so we wander through tunnels and along paths for a while. I come to this room.

Don't notice anything, so I keep going down (during this writeup, realise this may be a issue, we shall see)

Partway along, I fall, and slide down a hole ending here. This room has a pool of water, I have a look at it. I see myself, and learn a draft

Reflection [ADDA] This draft was commissioned by the Guild of Dancers to expedite costume changes for their 500th anniversary performance of the classic ballet Olema. When properly invoked, the spellweaver immediately assumes the appearance of the being the draft is spun upon, and vice versa. The four threads are based on the mating grunt of the slit-throated chameleon.

Now that's done, I couldn't see a exit, so I was wondering if there was something under the water. I use the emptying draft on the pool.

No, no exit, but here's a sphere that looks a lot like the one back at the glassmakers guild. Probably the one the dragon stole from the glassmakers and then lost? (was genuinely surprised, thought it might be a item to find later, but didn't expect it to work like that)

I have a look at the sphere.

A Volcano, hmm Lets look again

A swan, and it plays the transcendence draft [C'FGC].

And one more time, this dude. Wondering if its the Bishop from the last update, he looks like trouble, and he needs to floss.

Those 3 just repeat. I find a exit finally, and make it through the maze.

Freedom! Fresh Air! No path!

I go back and look at the apex of the path, It mentions that it twists. If it works on water spouts, why not stone? I reverse the twisting draft [EDDF] and see what happens.

Well that was pretty neat. I assume I'll come back out on the plains with the shepherds to finish up some stuf..

Oh, this doesn't look like meadow.

Let wake the boy up, reversing the sleeping draft (as used by sheep) [DEFA]

What's your name?

Bobbin Threadbare, of the Weavers.

Weavers, huh?

No wonder your cloak is so nice.

My real name is Wellwrought, but everyone calls me Rusty.

Rusty Nailbender

I'm supposed to be gathering firewood.

But this plateau's been picked clean.

What's your Guild, Rusty?

Follow me. I'll show you.

Never would have guessed.

Our city's been here since before the Shadow.

We call it the Forge.

So. What brings a Weaver to these parts?

I'm looking for a flock of swans. Did you see any pass this way?

Sorry. No swans around here. Plenty of vultures, though.

Yawn! All this talk makes me sleepy.

Wake me if you find your swans. Never seen one before.

Zzzzzz ...

We wander down the steps.

Lets leave it there for now. Feels like we're going really quickly and I'm missing puzzles? Not sure. Till next time.

 

[abnaxus]

I think you can already turn the sheep of the sleeping sheperd green.

 

[kazgar]

I think you can already turn the sheep of the sleeping sheperd green.

You can, just tried it in a savegame, only seems to change the message the shepherd says, everything else is the same.

 

[Donaroriak]

Nice resurrection! Now Tell me about Loom (TM)

 

[abnaxus]

kazgar please continue