• Welcome to Talking Time's third iteration! If you would like to register for an account, or have already registered but have not yet been confirmed, please read the following:

    1. The CAPTCHA key's answer is "Percy"
    2. Once you've completed the registration process please email us from the email you used for registration at percyreghelper@gmail.com and include the username you used for registration

    Once you have completed these steps, Moderation Staff will be able to get your account approved.

Airspeed of Various Fowls Not Necessary - Let's Play Conquests of Camelot: the Search for the Grail

Falselogic

Lapsed Threadcromancer
(they/them)
Welcome to yet another Let's Play from myself and Sierra On-line. This time I'll be playing Conquests of Camelot: The Search for the Grail. While still a Sierra adventure game (with lots of deaths and dead ends that the game is known for) this one is not a mash-up of fairy tales like the King's Quest series nor a spoof like the Space Quests. This game takes as its focus from the collection of stories that surround the King Arthur Legend, centering on those pertaining to the holy grail. The game was the designed by Christy Marx who also worked on such cartoons as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Jem, Conan the Barbarian, GIJOE, etc. If you're familiar w/ a cartoon property from the 80s or 90s she probably worked on it at some point.

From Mobygames:

It is the ninth century, and Camelot, the legendary castle ruled by King Arthur, has fallen under a curse. Famine and drought plague the kingdom because of the love triangle between the king, his wife Gwenhyver, and the knight Launcelot. It appears that only the mysterious Holy Grail can restore Camelot, and three knights - Launcelot, Gawaine, and Galahad - embark on a journey to find it, and soon disappear without trace. King Arthur leaves his castle in search of the missing knights, hoping to locate the Grail as well. His quest takes him to real and mythical locations in England, and later to Jerusalem and other areas of the Holy Land.

Here is the box (my copy):
Box%20front.jpg


box%20back.jpg



Aside from the manual (seen in the first picture above), which serves as the copy protection, the box contains an map as well:

Map.jpg


Unlike the other Sierra games I've LPed I have never completed Conquests of Camelot. It has been so long since I played that I don't recall how far I ever got in the game.

For this playthrough I'll be making my best stab at the game, with your help if I'm lucky, and seeing how far I can get. If I complete it on the first run and there is interest I'll go through the game again with a guide and get aim for perfect scores.

No, point in waiting any longer! Let's get Playing!

image001.png


image002.png
image003.png

image004.png
image005.png


image006.png
image007.png
image008.png
image009.png
image010.png
image011.png

image012.png
image015.png
image016.png
image017.png
image018.png
image019.png

image020.png
image021.png
image022.png


With that the game begins w/ us taking on the role of King Arthur in his castle, Camelot. We've got a couple of options here:

image023.png


Visit Queen Gwenhyver in her Bower (room below the northeastern tower)
Visit the Treasury (The southeastern tower)
Visit Merlin (Southeastern tower annex)
Visit the Chapel (Northwestern tower)
Leave the castle

Looking forward to playing this with you all!
 

Falselogic

Lapsed Threadcromancer
(they/them)
Technical note: Interesting even though the preview pane showed the pictures being two per line. Once posted they're only a single picture. I'll try and shrink them a little bit for the next entry so the posts aren't so long. And the window title will also be gone.

It's been awhile since I did one of these...
 

Mogri

Round and round I go
(he)
Staff member
Moderator
Visit the treasury. You can't go questing without a solid financial backing!
 

Falselogic

Lapsed Threadcromancer
(they/them)
Welcome back! I'll get to Mogri's suggestion right away but it turns out I forgot a location. Or maybe, I didn't even know it existed until this last session: Arthur's Room:

image001.png
image002.png
image003.png


I pick up the purse on the table and then try a number of commands to look at the items on the wall. Which I can only assume the game wants me to have. But 'looking' seems impossible. So I try to take them:

image004.png
image005.png


Okay, Arthur will take his sword:

image006.png
image007.png


Okay. Armor first it is.

image008.png
image009.png


Of course. I should have expected that at this point. And of course it's not a corner I can see. I try "look clothes."

image010.png


Arthur puts his clothes on.

image011.png


Once you do Arthur gets all the other gear automatically.

image012.png
image013.png

image014.png
image016.png


Now appropriately attired for adventure, Arthur heads to the treasury.

image017.png
image018.png


Arthur hands over his purse to the man:

image020.png
image021.png

image022.png


With that Arthur takes back his purse. I decide to try and talk to Gwenhyver. I seemed to have miss taking a picture of her appearance.

image023.png


Arthur talks to his wife:

image024.png
image025.png


Arthur asks about Launcelot:

image026.png
image027.png

image028.png


(That's the first Monty Python reference. I wonder how many there are?)

Seeing it is so prominant. Arthur aks about the rose:

image029.png


I try to have Arthur bow, hug and kiss Gwenhyver. Only the last works. Then Arthur grabs the rose.

image030.png
image031.png


I try "recite message of the rose."

image032.png


Next, Arthur visits Merlin. The text gets a little weird here:

image033.png
image034.png


Arthur looks at the table, the map, the wizard, the book shelf

image035.png
image036.png

image037.png
image039.png

image084.png


Arthur tries to talk to him:

image041.png


If you try "talk man" Merlin gets testy with you.

image040.png


I suppose before we get anything else out of Merlin we have to visit the chapel.

image061.png
image062.png


I tried to look closer at the alters and the symbols but nothing I tried seemed to work. It was pretty frustrating. So, I just tried kneeling at one:

image063.png


That's supposed to be Mithras? Why does it have the ChiRho symbol then? That's another symbol for Jesus Christ? Anyway:

image065.png
image066.png


Oh, okay. Arthur drops a gold coin on the alter:

image067.png
image068.png

image069.png
image070.png

image071.png
image072.png


Arthur repeats the process at the other alter:

image073.png
image074.png

image075.png


With the blessings of the gods secured Arthur returns to Merlin:

image076.png
image077.png


Arthur asks Merlin about his missing knights. He tells us that Gwenhyver might know about Launcelot, our treasurer about Gawaine, and one of our soldiers about Galahad.

And this time in the room I noticed the chest. I missed it the first time.

image081.png
image082.png

image083.png


If that had been the case it would have been nice if you mentioned it before I asked about the chest! If we try to look or take anything else Merlin warns:

image085.png
image086.png


Taking the advice Merlin gave us during our first visit Arthur examines the map on the wall:

image043.png
image044.png

image045.png
image046.png

image047.png
image048.png

image049.png
image050.png

image051.png
image052.png

image053.png
image054.png

image055.png
image056.png

image057.png
image058.png

image059.png
image060.png


I have no idea if we're going to be visiting all these places in this game or not. It seems like a lot though.

Next, I have Arhtur follow up on the clues that Merlin provided about the friends of the missing knights:

image087.png
image088.png

image095.png
image096.png


With that I think Arthur, and I, are done with Camelot.

image090.png
image091.png


Time to leave!

image097.png


of course...

image098.png
image099.png


image100.png


So where to Talking Time? From what we've learned from questioning people Launcelot was last seen at Ot Moor, Gawaine at Glastonbury Tor, and Galahad at Southampton. Though, I don't know what we'll find except for a ship at Southampton. If you have an opinion let me know.
 

Mogri

Round and round I go
(he)
Staff member
Moderator
Merlin was being awfully cagey. I think you should've raided his chest.
 

Falselogic

Lapsed Threadcromancer
(they/them)
Last time, I had left Arthur just outside Camelot. We take things up there:

image001.png


Without any direction, I simply randomly clicked on one of the locations to see what happened:

image003.png
image004.png


I see...

image006.png
image007.png


I try a few more but I suspect my options are pretty limited, this map is a lie:

image008.png
image009.png

image010.png
image011.png


I'm guessing we can only visit the locations that we're mentioned by Gwenhyver, the treasurer, and that solder. With that being the case I point Arthur towards Glastonbury Tor

Wikiped... I mean Merlin said:
The Tor seems to have been called Ynys yr Afalon (meaning "The Isle of Avalon") by the Britons and is believed by some, including the 12th and 13th century writer Gerald of Wales, to be the Avalon of Arthurian legend. The Tor has been associated with the name Avalon, and identified with King Arthur, since the alleged discovery of his and Queen Guinevere's neatly labelled coffins in 1191, recounted by Gerald of Wales. Author Christopher L. Hodapp asserts in his book The Templar Code for Dummies that Glastonbury Tor is one of the possible locations of the Holy Grail, because it is close to the monastery that housed the Nanteos Cup.

image012.png


This time when I click on the location again:

image013.png
image014.png

image015.png


With only a moment of sitting in the clearing:

image016.png
image017.png

image018.png


Merlin said:
Cernunnos is the conventional epithet given in Celtic studies to depictions of the "horned god" of Celtic polytheism. Over 50 examples of horned-god imagery have been found from the Gallo-Roman period, mostly in north-eastern Gaul as well as among the Celtiberians. The deity is depicted with antlers, seated cross-legged, and is associated with stags, horned serpents, dogs, bulls, and rats. He is usually holding or wearing a torc.

Due to the lack of surviving literature, details about the identity of the deity; his name, his followers, or his significance in Celtic religion are unknown. Interpretations of his role vary from seeing him as a god of animals, nature and fertility to a god of travel, commerce and bi-directionality

The sprite's request seems easy enough and Arthur pays him a single copper:

image019.png
image020.png


And with that the little imp disappears. I tried the other edges of the screen but the only way out is to the left:

image022.png
image023.png

image024.png
image025.png

image026.png


Arthur talks to the man:

image027.png
[

If you ask him any questions about the forest or the Tor:

image028.png


And so he pays a copper:

image029.png


image030.png


Arthur follows up on the mention of the monk:

image031.png


The pelts:

image032.png


The spear:

image033.png


Arthur offers to buy the spear:

image034.png


(You have to do this. If you walk forward without buying the spear. You got gored by boars (as you will soon see.))

Arthur pays and the spear is handed over:

image036.png
image037.png

image038.png
image039.png


The game really wants you to know that if you leave this forest you will lose the spear. As Arthur spurs his horse forward:

image047.png
image042.png

image043.png
image044.png

image045.png
image046.png


Arthur is gored several more times before I get the hang of the action sequence.

image050.png
image055.png

image057.png
image058.png


Eventually, though I navigate Arthur successfully through the boar guantlet - boarlet. The game does not let you take any of the meat...

Arthur moves on:

image061.png
image062.png

image063.png
image065.png


Merlin said:
The Black Knight is a frequently seen stock character across all manner of Arthurian and medieval tales. Sometimes he is an evil antagonist, and other times he is a hero. Often he is in disguise.

Arthur accepts the challenge.

image066.png


And with that ominous epithet the crow flies away.

With the crow goes Arthur takes in the scene around him, mostly the skeleton:

image067.png
image068.png


Arthur takes the silk from the body:

image069.png


Again, the path is limited to the right, where the crow flew off to:

image071.png
image072.png

image073.png
image074.png

image076.png
image077.png


If the King allowed Sir Gawaine to die so that he might continue his quest for the Grail, if he ever found it the vessel of Christ would surely reject him. Nor, could he simply leave his vassel to die. The King accepts the challenge.

image078.png
image079.png

image082.png


(I saw this screen a lot.) Eventually though with mostly a great deal of luck:

image084.png
image086.png

image089.png


(This was especially lucky because the Black Knight had knocked me off the horse twice.)

image090.png
image091.png

image092.png
image093.png


Arthur breaks the shackles that bind Sir Gawaine up:

image097.png
image100.png

image101.png


Everyone keeps saying that but we've yet to see hide or hair of this monk... or Glastonbury.

Arthur asks Gawaine for details about the monk:

image102.png


Asked of the other missing knights, Gawaine states he knows nothing. If asked about his own quest:

image104.png


Arthur attempts to pick his friend up:

image105.png


Eventually, I figure out the command that will get Arthur to help the knight: "Take Gawaine to horse."

image108.png
image109.png

image110.png


And with that Gawaine, and Arthur's horse is gone. The King moves deeper into the forest:

image112.png
image113.png

image114.png
image116.png

image119.png
image120.png


When Arthur asks her what she wants:

image118.png


He tries to pay for passage:

image121.png


That can't be it.

The only other items Arthur has are the silk and the rose. He offers the rose:

image122.png


That must also not be it. (reload)

The only thing Arthur has left is the silk he took from the dead knight:

image123.png
image124.png

image125.png
image126.png

image127.png
image128.png
92

Poor lass...

image129.png
image130.png

image131.png
image132.png

image134.png


With nothing else to see here, Arthur moves on:

image135.png
image136.png

image137.png


Finally, at the Tor. We'll find out what Arthur found there next update!
 

Mogri

Round and round I go
(he)
Staff member
Moderator
You must ask for clay? For whey?

I never knew of this game. Thank you for this LP!
 

Falselogic

Lapsed Threadcromancer
(they/them)
Welcome back to Conquests of Camelot! Last time we left off with King Arthur having recently defeated the Black Knight and freeing a woman from a spell. We left him at the base of what I most assume is Glastonbury Tor.

When he tries to walk up the hill (that's what a tor is.) though:

image138.png


More magic. Merry old England just seems to be chock-a-block full of the stuff!

The stone a screen back mentioned somethin about five stones and there are five of them here. We trying talking to one of them:

image139.png


Oh, riddles. I'm going to assume that I was not a completely odd child and that everyone went through a phase around seven to nine years of age where they checked out all the riddle and jokes books at their school libraries and read them repeatedly. Which means I have a pretty good grasp of the riddle game.

Guess, I better start at the bottom:

image141.png


This is an easy one!

image142.png
image143.png

image144.png
image145.png


I'm also familiar with this one! (Though I tried colander first.)

image146.png
image147.png

image140.png


I know this one too. At least, I thought I did. I thought it was hilarious when I was a kid. But the game refused to accept my answer:

image148.png


I try a couple other ways of saying it before just moving on to the next rock:

image149.png
image150.png

image151.png
image152.png

image153.png
image154.png


Back to the middle rock. I tried a couple of other answers and then turned to the internet for an answer. Much to my chagrin though most of the answers I found on-line were just my original one. Finally though I found an answer that the game would accept:

image155.png


All five of the rocks are glowing and King Arthur again tries to walk between them and up the hill:

image156.png
image158.png


(it seems the programmers and artists didn't want to bother with any more transition screens and just went with "magic did it."

Not quite sure what he is doing up here or what he is looking for Arthur pokes around:

image160.png
image161.png

image166.png
image167.png


The location seems to wrap back around itself. Trying south this time:

image169.png


Oh is that the mad monk we were warned about? No one else seems to be here.

image170.png
image171.png


Looking at the only other object of interest on the screen (the well)

image172.png


Arthur tries to talk to the 'monk.'

image173.png
image174.png

image175.png


He doesn't really have much to say. Arthur asks him about the tor:

image176.png


He also really doesn't seem to want Arthur here. Arthur asks him about the five stones:

image177.png


Arthur asks him about the well:

image178.png
image179.png


Oh, that's why he's mad. Doesn't want people poking around his well. After yelling at the King the monk flees into the ruins. Arthur tries the well:

image180.png


He tries to break into it:

image181.png


Place seems pretty well locked down. Don't know what the guy was worried about. Arthur continues his explorations this time north. But, on the way back:

image182.png
image183.png


The music got all tense here and I suppose the monk could have killed me but it only happened once. Drawing your sword seems enough to deter the real monk from interacting with you.

image184.png
image185.png


Eventually the King determines which of the three monks is the real one and skewers him:

image190.png
image191.png

image192.png
image193.png

image194.png
image195.png

image196.png


Not cool. I don't know why they had the monk saying "in vino veritas" as he dies. My Grail knowledge is pretty incomplete but I don't recall it having any connections to wine and this saying is a Latin version of an old Greek truism. I'm not sure who the "Old Ones" here are supposed to be either. Except for perhaps nameless deities of the indigenous people of England? Anyway. no way Arthur can just sty here forever. They glowy, floating, jellyfish went up screen so that's where Arthur goes:

image197.png
image198.png


Hey! There were three of those Old Ones! The beings appear when Arthur approaches the alter:

image199.png


They are not particularly subtle deities.

image201.png


Arthur asks them about silver:

image202.png


So we ask about the Moon's children:

image203.png


And we hand over the silver:

image204.png
image205.png

image206.png
image207.png


That was easier than I thought it was going to be. I'm going to guess this key will be used on the well.

image208.png
image209.png


I am going to say I am appreciating this game so far, in that it seems that most of the puzzles I've face the requisite solution items are only a screen or two away.

Of course King Arthur is going into the well! If the grail is here this is the only place left for it to be!

image210.png
image211.png


Oh, I guess it isn't that kind of well. Best to search it anyway:

image213.png
image214.png

image216.png


We all saw that coming, right?

image217.png


With nothing else to do here Arthur leaves. On the way down he tries to grab his mule:

image219.png
image220.png


okay.

image221.png


And we're returned to the map screen. The two actual locations left to visit are Lake Ot Moor and Southampton. I'm leaning Lake Ot Moor because Southampton is a port city and I already know from the back of the box that we'll be sailing to the Holy Land and I dont wan't to end up heading there before I can check out all of England.

See you next post!
 

Falselogic

Lapsed Threadcromancer
(they/them)
Last episode Arthur had completed the trials at Gastonbury Tor - solving riddles to gain entry to the tor, defeating the mad monk, conversing with elder gods, and finally unlocking a holy well and finding a crystal heart. All worthy tasks but none were retrieving the his aim, the Holy Grail.

With tasks completed there he makes his way to Lake Ot Moor the home of the mysterious Lady of the Lake.

image001.png
image002.png


If only it was as easy as going 'up' from this screen. But no, the game says the snow is too think. Arthur continues right:

image003.png
image004.png

image005.png


As Arthur begins walking across the ice cracks start to appear.

image006.png
image007.png

image009.png
image010.png

image008.png


I try to navigate Arthur through the ice maze a few more times before thinking that there has to be an easier way. Combing through our meager interview we do have that crystal heart that was in a frigid cold well... With no other guesses I try using it:

image011.png


Aha! Something is working. Arthur once again steps out onto the ice-covered lake:

image012.png


The Heart turns a purple color when he begins heading the wrong way. A quick walk back is necessary or Arthur will plunge again into the water. Through lots of trial and error and saving and reloading he makes his way to the castle at the center of the lake:

image013.png
image014.png

image015.png
image016.png

image017.png
image019.png

image020.png
image021.png


And Arthur just walks right in like he owns the place:

image022.png
image023.png

image024.png
image024.png

image025.png


Do any of Arthur's knights know how to avoid getting ensnared by magical entities? Arthur tries talking to the Lady:

image026.png
image027.png


But, what if Arthur doesn't want to be helpful? He draws his sword on the Lady:

image028.png


And then ignores her warning:

image030.png
image031.png

image032.png


That wasn't his brightest idea. Instead Arthur hands over the heart:

image034.png
image035.png

image036.png
image037.png

image037.png


God damn it Lancelot! Bad enough that you spend all your time pining after another man's wife. But, you have a magical lady waiting for you in the wings?! Get your head in the game man!

Arthur is nothing if not noble though and tells the Lady he must free his knight.

image039.png
image040.png

image041.png
image042.png

image043.png
image044.png

image045.png
image046.png


This is another bit of copy protection. The manual of the game has an unlabeled picture of the Bush of Flowers, as well as a list of what various flowers mean. It also has the message of the rose which is "Love is my Shield."

Time to save Lancelot!

image047.png
image048.png


This puzzle is made easier by the fact that there are many less flowers on the bush than there are entries in the manual for flowers. So I just looked over all the flowers on the bush and crossed out any on the list that were not present. The answer to this first one is "Almond Blossom" which stands for hope.

image049.png
image050.png

image051.png


The answer to this is "Buttercup - memories of childhood" You won't see the buttercup in the images though as it is in the bottom right and covered by the text box.

image053.png
image054.png


This last one is "White Chrysanthemum" a symbol of truth.

image055.png
image057.png

image058.png
image060.png

image061.png
image063.png

image065.png
image068.png


Arthur doesn't get a chance to question his knight or the Lady of the Lake. As soon as the knight is freed she transports him to Camelot and Arthur to the lakeshore.

And with that there is only one place left to go, Southampton

image069.png
image070.png

image071.png
image073.png

image074.png


Arthur talks to the Harbormaster:

image075.png
image076.png


How much is the fare?

image077.png
image078.png


Arthur asks about the various trips and on a whim decides that it might be nice to go to Rome instead of where the Lady directed us to go. He pays the man and embarks:

image081.png
image087.png

image088.png
image089.png

image092.png
image093.png

image094.png
image095.png

image097.png


Sightseeing not allowed on a quest for the Holy Grail.

Reload. Arthur pays the three gold to the Harbormaster and sets sail for Gaza this time:

image098.png
image101.png

image102.png
image103.png

image104.png
image105.png

image107.png
image108.png

image109.png
image110.png

image111.png


Way to kick a king when he is down Merlin.

image113.png
image114.png


As soon as Arthur steps off the boat these two people accost him:

image115.png
image116.png

image117.png
image118.png

image119.png
image120.png

image121.png
image122.png

image123.png
image124.png

image125.png
image126.png


Who is Arthur to trust? Who should he follow? Should he just set out on his own? We'll find out next update! Thank you again for following along.
 

Mogri

Round and round I go
(he)
Staff member
Moderator
The answer is either Hazm, neither, or both. If the answer is just Jabir, I'll eat my hat.
 

Falselogic

Lapsed Threadcromancer
(they/them)
We last left the good king Arthur at the docks of Gaza, where two people were trying to get his attention. One, Hazm a very nice boy:

image002.png


The other, Jabir, who seems not so nice:

image003.png


Arthur decides to trust the boy:

image004.png
image005.png


I don't know how Arthur is feeling but I think he made the right choice!

image006.png
image007.png

image008.png
image009.png

image010.png
image012.png

image013.png
image014.png

image015.png


Arthur gratefully accepts Al-Sirat's hospitality. Drinking the qahwah (Arabic coffee) and eat the figs.

image018.png


image020.png


Arthur asks about the guardians:

image021.png
image022.png

image023.png


Next, he inquires about the Goddess:

image024.png
image025.png


Then about the Goddesses' manifestations:

image026.png
image027.png

image028.png
image029.png

image030.png
image031.png

image032.png
image033.png


Ask about Gaza:

image034.png


Ask about Jerusalem:

image035.png


The Desert?

image038.png


Arthur stands to leave and thanks Al-Sirat:

image039.png


When next we see the King he is on the outskirts of Gaza. And he finds an old friend there as well...

image043.png
image044.png


Despite his misgivings it seems Arthur has no choice but to hire Jabir:

image045.png
image046.png

image047.png
image048.png

image049.png
image050.png

image052.png
image054.png

image055.png
image056.png

image057.png
image058.png

image059.png


Arthur is thirsty. He drinks from the pool:

image062.png
image063.png

image064.png
image066.png

image067.png


To add insult to injury Jabir strips Arthur's corpse down of all his valuables. He should have seen that coming!

Reloading on the outskirts of Gaza, Arthur decides to make his way through the desert by himself this time. I take him along the same route that Jabir showed us (turns out going straight out into the desert leads to endless random screens until you die out there.)
When Arthur gets to the poison watering spot:

image069.png
image070.png

image071.png


Arthur just can't shake this guy! Ignoring him he continues east past Jabir.

image073.png


And then North, as there isn't any other place to go:

image075.png
image076.png

image077.png
image078.png

image079.png
image080.png

image081.png
image082.png

image083.png


(The animation of Arthur's mule delicately making its way down the stairs is really cute.)

image084.png


If the mule is drinking it must be safe!

image086.png
image087.png


With their thirst slackened. Arthur and his mule follow in the footsteps of the watercarrier they chased off.

image090.png
image091.png

image092.png


That wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. I half expected Jabir to be waiting here for Arthur!

image093.png


Oh! I spoke too soon. There he is.

image094.png
image095.png

image099.png


Mary preserve us! Arthur cut the man in half?! What was Jabir thinking going after a full armored and armed warrior?

Arthur pokes over the body but there is nothing worth taking with him.

image101.png


image102.png
image103.png

image104.png


Of course there is. The Holy Land seems to be teeming with people looking to kill and/or rob King Arthur. We'll try and deal with this lot next update!
 

Cadenza

Mellotron enthusiast
(She/they)
My apologies for not saying much - adventure games are far outside my wheelhouse - but I am enjoying this thread!
 

Mogri

Round and round I go
(he)
Staff member
Moderator
I like how the little pictures in the corners change from scene to scene.
 

Falselogic

Lapsed Threadcromancer
(they/them)
King Arthur had made his way from Gaza to the gates of Jerusalem last time, only to find the gate gaurded by a large group of well armed men

image105.png
image106.png


And, of course there is a cost for even getting to the other gate...

image108.png
image110.png


Even the thickest player should know that fighting is not an option in this situation. Arthur knowing that discretion is the better part of valor, hands over what he hopes is enough money to the men, five coppers.

image111.png


With his money in their hands, Arthur is allowed to pass:

image112.png
image117.png

image119.png


I really hope there is a gate somewhere along here...

image120.png
image121.png


Ah finally, the Jaffa Gate. Arthur comes upon the gate right as a shepard takes her flock out beyond the walls. As he moves to enter Jerusalem the man loitering by it speaks to him:

image122.png
image124.png

image125.png


Arthur toys with the idea of giving the vagrant money but in the end decides not to and draws his sword:

image126.png
image127.png

image128.png


(I don't know if that was a good idea or not. I suppose we'll find out when we reach the end of the game and see the final score)

With the way clear Arthur enters the Holy City:

image129.png
image130.png

image131.png
image132.png


As Arthur entered the city he was distracted by a well-muscled man closing the windows of his shop. So much so that he failed to notice the vagrant who came upon him asudden and robbed him of his purse.

image133.png
image134.png



Following up on the hint his new friend mentioned Arthur talks to the man about his mule

image136.png


Arthur, realizing that he is near his goal, hopefully, of finding the Grail. And, in desperate need funds. Makes the decision to sell his companion, the mule, to Mohammad.

image137.png
image139.png

image141.png


Arthur asks about the money:

image142.png
image144.png

image146.png


With the street empty Arthur continues into Jersulem. This part of the game is laid out so that you can explore both sides of the street. For the sake of this LP we're going to call this side the North Side and go up it first, before returning to the gate and then exploring the South Side of the street.

image148.png
image150.png

image151.png
image152.png

image153.png
image155.png

image154.png
image156.png

image203.png


Arthur moves further down the street:

image194.png
image196.png


Having reached the end of the North Side Arthur returns to the gate and explores the South Side:

image158.png
image159.png

image160.png
image161.png

image162.png
image163.png

image164.png


Moving on:

image165.png
image166.png

image167.png
image168.png

image170.png
image171.png

image172.png
image173.png


Translation: 1 copper = an apple, 1 silver = healing apple, and 1 gold = People will tell you the truth

And, if you think you can beat this game by paying a copper or a silver than I've got a bridge to sell you. Arthur hands over one gold coin:

image174.png
image176.png

image178.png
image179.png



That's right folks! It's time for a chain quest! And, because this quest is so long we're going to save it for next episode! Thank you for reading!
 

Mogri

Round and round I go
(he)
Staff member
Moderator
Hmm, I'll bet the beggar is lying, and you'll need to feed the urchin.

I don't care for falafel, but that description makes it sound very tasty.
 

Falselogic

Lapsed Threadcromancer
(they/them)
This update is quite a bit longer than usual. Thanks for your patience. I hope you enjoy!

We last left King Arthur at the beginning of a chain quest! The King had just paid a gold piece for a magic apple that would make the people in the market tell him the truth. Let's see where that gets us with the man in the stall right next to the apple seller:

image181.png


That very well may be the beginning of chain quest. But, before we start on it Arthur should check out the rest of this street. (I wish I had done this before buying the apple so we could get their unbewitched responses but I was not thinking that far ahead. Apologies.)
Continuing to the left:

image182.png
image183.png

image184.png


You can pet the dog in Conquest of Camelot:

image185.png


Now the antique shop:

image186.png


Ha, at least this guy knows what he wants and embraces it fully!

image187.png


Arthur asks him about the Grail:

image188.png
image189.png

image190.png
image191.png


Do you know that to this day idiots in Jerusalem are buying slivers of the true cross, and thorns from the crown that Jesus wore? Also, I have some oceanfront property in Arizona you might be interested in...

Arthur ignores the mans claims and continues past his shop:

image192.png
image198.png


With that the King has seen all of the street and interacted with all of it's denizens. At least, the ones who were willing to speak to him that is. But let's chat with some of them again to hear about their utmost desires:

image199.png
image200.png

image201.png
image202.png

image204.png
image206.png

image208.png
image210.png


Okay. So what can we start doing about this. The Antiques dealer mentioned relics, didn't they?

image213.png
image214.png

image217.png


With the relic in hand we take it back to Tariq:

image219.png
image220.png

image222.png


With the relic delivered we are given a broom, which we know the innkeeper, Achmed needs. Arthur heads there now:

image226.png
image227.png

image228.png


With that, Arthur solves one problem. Where he will be resting while in Jerusalem:

image230.png
image231.png

image232.png
image233.png


I'm not sure now if we were supposed to stay there or not... Will we lose points for being bug ridden? What other problems do we need to solve? The smell of the fish merchant. Arthur goes back to Tariq's and asks about his other wares:

image235.png
image236.png

image237.png
image238.png

image239.png


There are a number of useful things at Tariq's. I think the kind we'll be making multiple trips back here for. Arthur purchases the herbs first:

image241.png
image242.png


He takes the fragrant herbs over to Hayyam the fishmonger:

image244.png


Shocking that in a city of 1000s no one had thought to ever do this before...

image247.png
image248.png


Now, back to the butcher, Fawaz:

image249.png


I guess Arthur can buy meat now. But, he doesn't need it. Let's see who else we can help, the King heads back to the beginning of the street on this side:

image250.png
image251.png

image252.png
image253.png


Yes, Arthur does have to cover up for a philanderer in order to progress in this game. What does our Falafel lady need?

image254.png
image255.png


That seems like a doable task. Arthur purchases one of the lady's falafel's and gives it to the poor child cowering against the wall:

image256.png
image257.png

image258.png
image260.png


Now to help the falafel lady herself. back to the butcher to buy a cut of lamb meat:

image261.png
image263.png

image266.png
image268.png

image269.png
image271.png

image273.png


Here I suppose is one happy ending in this game!

Now to help the cheater, Arthur crosses the street:

image274.png


And yells for Mari up at the window:

image275.png
image276.png


He inquires about the veil the cloth merchant left behind:

image278.png
image277.png


Who was selling mirrors, again? Ah! The fellow next to the fishmonger:

image279.png
image281.png


With the mirror in hand he returns to Mari:

image283.png
image284.png


Arthur tosses it up to her:

image288.png
image290.png


Now he asks again for the veil:

image291.png
image294.png


Which he returns to Ibrahim:

image296.png
image298.png

image300.png
image301.png


Who else still needs help? Just the begger, right? And we know who sells charcoal. Arthur returns to Tariq:

image305.png
image309.png


That should be everyone. But:

image265.png


How did Arthur miss anyone? He walks both sides of the street again and when he comes to the last section:

image313.png
image314.png

image315.png


Now, dear Reader you would not know this because you haven't been walking up and down this street as Arthur has. But, if you had you would have surely noticed the birds that congregate around the grain seller's booth:

image316.png
image312.png


King Arthur approaches the merchant:

image303.png
image304.png

image317.png


He pays the man and takes the grain back with him to the poor girl and her empty cage. Where he scatters it around and in the cage:

image320.png
image322.png

image324.png
image326.png

image327.png
image329.png


And so he does:

image332.png
image333.png

image335.png
image336.png

image337.png


Arthur resists eating it right away.

There's only one location that Arthur hasn't entered. And it also happens to have the symbols the Seeress mentioned:

image338.png
image339.png

image340.png
image341.png



What does Fatima have in store for King Arthur? Is his search for the Grail near its end? Where the hell is Galahad? Answers to these questions and more next update!

Thank you for reading!
 

Falselogic

Lapsed Threadcromancer
(they/them)
We last left King Arthur in the home of Fatima. Let's see what she has to say to him, shall we?

image002.png


This speech is accompanied by quite the dance!

image003.png
image004.png

image005.png
image007.png

image002.png
image008.png


The King, caught up in all the hip swaying and chest thrusting, says "yes"

image002.png


They move towards each other:

image011.png
image012.png

image013.png
image014.png

image017.png
image018.png

image020.png
image021.png


I guess the Goddess doesn't want the King to embrace carnality. We reload our save and this time answer Fatima "no."

image023.png
image024.png

image025.png
image026.png

image027.png
image028.png

image029.png


"Smother me once shame on you, smother me twice shame on me!" That's what old King Uther Pendragon told me!"

Arthur refuses the woman again.

image030.png
image031.png


The King asks her about the grail:

image032.png
image033.png

image034.png


Next about Galahad:

image035.png
image036.png


The King nexts inquires about this hierophant that the woman has now mentioned twice:

image037.png
image038.png


That seems pretty clear. I think Arthur has already met someone like that. Lastly, he asks her about the test:

image039.png
image040.png

image041.png
image042.png

image043.png


Go big or go home right, King Arthur?

image045.png
image046.png


The King walks through the door:

image047.png
image048.png

image049.png
image050.png

image051.png


If you scroll back up to our last entry or the one before. You'll see that these are the symbols that our friend, Al-Sirat of Gaza, drew for us in the sand. Using that knowledge and the summaries of the Goddesses that can be found in the game's manual we should be able to help the King get through this puzzle. Let's see the statements:

image052.png


That's Venus, I didn't even have to check the book for that.

image058.png
image053.png


That one is going to be Astarte.

image059.png
image054.png


"Two of her titles were 'Giver of life' and 'The One Who Is All.'" This is Isis.

image060.png
image055.png


That would be the Roman goddess Vesta.

image061.png
image056.png


That one Ceres.

image062.png
image057.png


Well that would be the Parthenon, so Athene

image063.png


How did we do Fatima?

image064.png
image065.png

image066.png


Don't worry folks the Hierophant is real close. Just across the street.

image067.png
image068.png

image069.png
image071.png

image072.png
image073.png

image074.png
image075.png

image076.png
image077.png

image078.png
image079.png

image080.png


Arthur looks at the mural:

image081.png
image082.png

image083.png


Real pleasant imagery, that... I wonder if that tidbit will be important at all in the near future?

The king looks at the mummies (a practice I don't think semitic people used?):

image084.png


I'll spare you the wondering I did in the catacombs. Just know that this does that annoying thing where you exit the screen from one side but you come in from a non corresponding side in the next screen. It makes mapping a real pain in the ass. From the entrance Arthur went up and looked around:

image085.png
image086.png

image087.png
image088.png


He went right through the mushroom marked door and looks all around:

image089.png
image090.png

image091.png
image090.png

image093.png
image094.png


The King reaches for the necklace:

image095.png
image096.png

image097.png
image098.png


I think that was a mistake. Let's reload and try something else.

image099.png
image100.png

image101.png
image102.png


Only one place to go from this room, to the right:

image104.png
image106.png

image107.png
image108.png


Yup, as soon as you walk you in get attacked by a rat. And Merlin is correct you can't avoid the bite, I looked it up. Mandatory poisonous nibblings! So, why did I bother to reload last room with the bite? Because the game will just kill you off when you leave the room you got bit in otherwise.

Next update we'll see what happened to brave Galahad, and what will ultimately happen to King Arthur! See you then!
 

MetManMas

Me and My Bestie
(He, him)
Immediately on reading about the rat poison cure I knew we were gonna find Galahad taken out of commission by the venomous POISONOUS rats and Arthur put in a position where he has to decide between selflessness or selfishness.

Wonder if this rat poison's gonna be on a timer.
 

Falselogic

Lapsed Threadcromancer
(they/them)
Last time the wayward King of England was tempted with sexual pleasure, passed an exam about female deities, wandered the catacombs, was attacked by a plague rat, and finally located the last of his lost knights, Galahad.
And, things don't look good for Galahad:

image109.png
image110.png


Arthur doesn't hesitate to give his fallen knight the elixir that was gifted him by the hierophant:

image111.png
image112.png

image113.png


Before Galahad can tell us what the gift is we need to give to Aphrodite he passes out.

image114.png
image115.png

image116.png


There doesn't appear to be anything else to do here with Galahad so the King leaves and resumes his exploration of the Catacombs. A couple rooms north of the chamber where we found Galahad he locates a large stone tomb that has a pentagram etched into it. The room also has the symbol emblazoned above a door:

image117.png
image118.png


The necklace the King took from that mummy also has a pentagram upon it. Maybe that means something? Arthur explores the sarcophagus:

image120.png
image121.png


This seems totally safe...

image122.png
image123.png

image124.png


Arthur looks into the sacrophagus:

image125.png
image128.png


Well, this must be the apple Galahad mentioned? Now Arthur need only find the Goddess. So he goes looking.

Turns out she's not that far from this room just to the right and down, these rooms were also directed with a mural telling the story of Pygmalion:

image130.png
image131.png

image132.png


The King places the gold apple into the statute's hand:

image133.png
image134.png

image135.png
image136.png


I think that a player might have been able to determine the answers to these questions by locating and looking at all the murals in the catacombs. But, if you have the manual to the game all the answers are located in there as well.

Question 1:

image138.png
image139.png


Question 2:

image140.png


Question 3:

image142.png


Question 4:

image143.png


Question 5:

image144.png


Question 6:

image145.png


image146.png
image147.png

image148.png
image149.png

image150.png
image151.png

image152.png
image153.png


And now Arthur must navigate his way back through the catacombs he just travelled through but he must use the lodestone he picked up all the way back in Camelot to determine which direction is which. Or that's what he's supposed to do. It appears at some point in saving and loading and capturing images for this Let's Play I loaded a game wherein I never picked up the lodestone in Merlin's room.

Uh oh!

Thankfully, the instructions that Aphrodite gives and path through the catacomb is always the same, so I did end up using a walkthrough for this part of the game.

If we take the wrong door though:

image155.png
image156.png


The correct path from the Statue room is 'up':

image158.png
image159.png

image160.png
image161.png


Then 'up', 'left', 'right', 'left':

image166.png
image167.png

image168.png
image169.png

image170.png
image171.png


And here we are, as you might recognize, the entrance to the catacombs. We came in through the door on the right there. But if I had a lodestone it would be telling me that that door is toward the south and the Goddess has instructed us to go 'north'.

Despite some misgivings Arthur takes the door to the left:

image172.png
image173.png

image174.png
image175.png

image176.png
image178.png

image179.png
image180.png


The King looks at the ruins around him and then explores them a bit:

image181.png
image182.png

image185.png
image186.png

image188.png


Arthur takes the stairs down:

image189.png
image190.png

image191.png
image192.png

image194.png
image195.png


With nothing more to explore the King returns to the ruined temple:

image196.png
image197.png

image198.png


Before he fights Arthur looks at his items and sees the apple given to him by the apple seller so long ago! The one she promised would "end hunger, slake thirst, and ease weariness." Now seems like the appropriate time to eat it:

image200.png
image201.png

image202.png


With that Arthur takes the helmet and draws his sword:

image203.png
image204.png


What ensues is an action sequence where using the numeric pad I need to strong strike, strike, or block high, medium, or low. I am not very good at it and I see this screen a lot:

image205.png


Arthur is dismembered many times by the Saracen. The fight is complicated by Arthur weakening with every stroke he makes:

image208.png


Eventually, the King is unable to strike at all. Needing to rest before being able to fight again. He can still block. And the rest seems to occur through blocking the Saracen's strikes:

image210.png


When you have hit the Saracen a number of times you get a message like this:

image206.png


Will the King be successful? If so, will he spares the Saracen's life? Will the magical fighter reveal to the King the location of the Grail? Find out next weekend!
.
.
.
.
.
.
(I need a lot more practice with this combat...)
 

Mogri

Round and round I go
(he)
Staff member
Moderator
Reminds me of the combat in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, which was also very difficult. At least in that game, you could skip almost all the combat if you were clever.
 

Falselogic

Lapsed Threadcromancer
(they/them)
Reminds me of the combat in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, which was also very difficult. At least in that game, you could skip almost all the combat if you were clever.
I looked for an option to reduce the difficulty or skip this arcade sequence but there doesn't seem to be one. So back to practicing and save scumming! (Typical Sierra game strategy.)
 

Falselogic

Lapsed Threadcromancer
(they/them)
Last weekend we left the LP with me getting Arthur killed repeatedly at the hands of a Saracen in Jerusalem's ruined temple of Aphrodite. It took an hour or so and multiple deaths but eventually the King prevailed.

image006.png
image007.png

image008.png
image009.png

image011.png


How convenient. What was it the statue said to us down in the Catacombs?

image147.png


I think we can safely say that Arthur has proven himself by sword and shield! He uses the dove but nothing happens. Maybe in a different location?

image012.png
image014.png


Arthur releases the dove here this time:

image015.png
image016.png

image017.png


(It is a little hard to see here but there is a dove doing a leftward turn around the King.)

image018.png
image019.png

image020.png
image021.png

image022.png
image023.png

image024.png
image025.png

image027.png


The first two parts of that seem easy enough. Start where you should start means this entry way, turn as you should turn probably means to follow the counterclose wise spiral as we see in the stone, and according to the game's manual her sacred number is six. (According to the internet her sacred number is nine or she didn't have one.)

Arthur starts counting pillars:

image028.png
image029.png

image030.png
image031.png

image032.png
image033.png

image035.png
image038.png

image039.png
image040.png

image041.png
image042.png

image043.png
image044.png


Wait, can we just stop here a second (and I'm not in control anyway, this is a cutscene.) Where did that thief come from?! Was he hiding behind that pillar the entire time? This is a completely walled off section of the city! Arthur scouted out the entire place before the duel with the Saracen. A lot of this game doesn't make sense but I think this part was the most glaring example. But, back to the chase:

image045.png
image046.png

image047.png
image048.png

image049.png


That rope wasn't there before! And now it makes even less sense. Thieves generally don't hang out in spots where literally no one will be. They go to crowded places with lots of distracted people!

image051.png
image052.png

image053.png
image054.png

image055.png
image057.png


If the King hadn't shown mercy the Grail would have blasted him into atoms. Grail: Harsh but Harsh?

And that's it. Everything beyond this is the ending. Enjoy!

image058.png
image059.png

image060.png
image061.png

image062.png
image063.png

image066.png
image067.png

image068.png
image069.png

image070.png
image071.png

image072.png
image073.png

image074.png
image075.png

image076.png
image078.png

image080.png
image081.png

image082.png
image083.png

image084.png
image085.png


(Should have left Lancelot where I found him... The no good, dirty-down, rotten....)

image086.png
image092.png


Huh, I'm sort of at a loss as to what I missed. The skill points are so low because I sucked at the arcade sequences and I wasn't about to go back and try and perfect them. The Wisdom points I feel should be a little higher? I looked at a few walkthroughs after the completing the game and the only things that stand out were the lodestone and using it in the catcombs. I'm also stumped as to what I could have done to get those last eight soul points... Not enough to go back and try again but maybe I'll watch a perfect score video let's play, if one exists.

This is a pretty good game! It's not as good as Quest for Glory 2 or Space Quest 3. But, nostalgia could be tinting my opinions. Only one friend had this game when I was young and I don't think we ever got past the Black Knight back then. I don't think the puzzles are too obtuse and the gotcha kills, while still there are mostly telegraphed, and not nearly as prevalant as they are in KQ. If you were used to playing Sierra games I could see how you might think you've made a mistake when you get bit by the rat and restart, not realizing that it is part of the story that you have to play through. The manual for this is excellent, it provides almost all the information you need to get through the tests. I can't accept that it was all there for copyright protection I think Christy Marx really loved Arthurian Romance and Grail Legend and was trying to share it with the player.

Thank you for reading along. I hope you enjoyed it! Don't forget to like and subscri... Oh wait, that's something else. Hopefully, you'll join me for my next LP as well!
 

Mogri

Round and round I go
(he)
Staff member
Moderator
This makes me wonder how much of the Sierra back catalog I'm unaware of. (And how much of it I'd have the patience for.) Thanks for the LP!
 

Mightyblue

aggro table, shmaggro table
(He/Him/His)
Yeah, thanks for the LP! Making the grail some kind of religious icon for a separate set of divinities that's then used to kick out a brother mystery cult from that related expanded pantheon is a bit...odd? narratively speaking (but also totally fits in with Christian lit taking all the cool bits from other religions and awkwardly shoving them in wherever).
 

Falselogic

Lapsed Threadcromancer
(they/them)
I found it sort of surprising how much the reference material, and the game really, have the Divine Feminine in them but then don't ever mention Mary. It's jarring how the Grail is shoehorned into representing a male deity when there is so much of the feminine about it.
 

Falselogic

Lapsed Threadcromancer
(they/them)
This makes me wonder how much of the Sierra back catalog I'm unaware of. (And how much of it I'd have the patience for.) Thanks for the LP!
You need a lot of nostalgia to go through a lot of it! I tried to play Codename: Iceman recently and stalled out at the very same place as I did as a kid. Piloting the sub is just impossible for me.
 
Top