|
H.P. Lovecraft posted:The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown. Anchorhead posted:November, 1997. Anchorhead is an interactive fiction game released in 1998 by Michael Gentry. It is gothic horror in the style of Poe and Lovecraft, set in the coastal town of Anchorhead, Massachusetts. That is all the information you are required to know. In-game passages will appear in quote boxes. Some editing for readability will be be made to the passages, however the text is presented unadulterated. Player actions and commentary are written outside of quote boxes. Player input is encouraged. For example >inventory quote:You are wearing your wedding ring, your trenchcoat and your clothes; in addition, you have in your hands a Because October is known among the art community as "Inktober" and I desire an excuse to dust off my pens, illustrations will be provided for key scenes. Table of Contents The First Day - Outside the Real Estate Office al-azad fucked around with this message at 04:42 on Oct 25, 2017 |
# ? Oct 24, 2017 21:39 |
|
|
# ? May 5, 2024 06:52 |
|
The First DayH.P. Lovecraft posted:I was far from home, and the spell of the eastern sea was upon me. quote:
al-azad fucked around with this message at 21:41 on Oct 24, 2017 |
# ? Oct 24, 2017 21:39 |
|
Examine the rain.
|
# ? Oct 25, 2017 00:19 |
|
>examine rainquote:It's coming down in uneven spatters, broken by intermittent gusts. Most of the time you enjoy such weather, but this has to be the most thoroughly depressing rain you've ever experienced in your life. It's cold. It's getting dark. You don't want to be any more miserable than you already are. >examine office quote:The door has a glass front with the name of the real estate company -- Benson & Brackhurst -- stenciled across it. The blinds are drawn, the lights are off inside, and no one appears to be home. Odd, since the agent knew you were coming today. >knock on door quote:You rap on the glass sharply, peering through it into the dark room inside. Nobody answers. Strange; you just talked to the real estate agent -- Miss Benson, you think it was -- yesterday. She was going to meet you here.
|
# ? Oct 25, 2017 03:43 |
|
We've already got the keys. I'm sure local law enforcement will understand us spending the night in a place we only technically don't own. > REMEMBER MICHAEL > REMEMBER MANSION > W
|
# ? Oct 25, 2017 04:07 |
|
>Remember Michael >Remember mansion quote:You pause momentarily, lost in thought. Something's not right. Your pockets feel lighter. You reach for your keys to no avail. But you could've sworn you had them on you! Maybe this is a horrible trick, or a cosmic mistake. Perhaps this is proof of an imperfect God. If such a being exists in the wide universe, it apologizes profusely for any confusion. No, no. The real estate agent definitely has the keys.
|
# ? Oct 25, 2017 04:42 |
|
Miserable. These New England row houses often have back doors. Maybe Miss Benson is smoking. >southeast Alley posted:This narrow aperture between two buildings is nearly blocked with piles of rotting cardboard boxes and overstuffed garbage cans. Ugly, half-crumbling brick walls to either side totter oppressively over you. The alley ends here at a tall, wooden fence.
|
# ? Oct 25, 2017 07:35 |
|
Examine can Examine window
|
# ? Oct 25, 2017 08:45 |
|
>examine canquote:The metal garbage cans are stuffed to overflowing with slowly decomposing refuse. >examine window quote:It's about eighteen inches wide and a foot tall, with hinges along the top that allow it to swing out. It's currently closed. No backdoor, no service entry, not even a drat fire escape. You entertain thoughts of swinging the window open and yelling inside but-- >open window quote:The window is too high.
|
# ? Oct 25, 2017 14:41 |
|
I'm feeling deja vu, wasn't there another thread of this game with a similar gimmick? Well, maybe we can make a way up? 》stack boxes 》climb wall
|
# ? Oct 25, 2017 17:27 |
|
Search can
|
# ? Oct 25, 2017 21:46 |
|
> consider eldritch geometries no wait > file for divorce and leave ex
|
# ? Oct 25, 2017 23:02 |
|
Deceitful Penguin posted:> consider eldritch geometries You consider eldritch geometries. What would that be, exactly? Not measurable 2D planes. Surely not a 3D object we can weigh. What about negative space? Most intelligent creatures can perceive depth, but we are trained at birth not see what lies inbetween. You imagine yourself as a black silhouette cutting through the light, but what if you could see the opposite? If everything you couldn't see was tangible and your mass, your form, your very being like the air you breath. You, a conduit for what lurks in the veil between time and space. Crawling. Creeping. AGONIZING as it claws through the vast space between our stars!!! The moment passes. You really need those keys. >Search can quote:You are not about to go digging through garbage. 》stack boxes 》climb wall In Texas, breaking in entering would get you shot. Wasting your client's time would result in the same. Thankfully you're not in Texas. For Miss Benson's sake. quote:Grunting and holding your breath, you manhandle one of the filthy cans under the window. You clamber onto the wobbling garbage can, precariously balanced. You can just reach the lower edge of the window from here. Glazius posted:We've already got the keys. I'm sure local law enforcement will understand us spending the night in a place we only technically don't own. We have established that you're not afraid to... interpret the law liberally. We can look around and feign ignorance if caught. quote:File Room You're more worried about making your presence known than snooping through personal files. >w quote:Office Well, drat. Nobody home. You really, really need those keys. Really.
|
# ? Oct 26, 2017 05:39 |
|
Clearly we need to play the answering machine and drink the coffee. Waste not want not.
|
# ? Oct 26, 2017 12:31 |
|
>examine coffeequote:Muddy-looking and unappetizing. Who knows how long it's been sitting out? >drink coffee quote:(first taking the styrofoam cup) Funny thing about coffee: delicious hot, arguably better cold, loving unpalatable at room temperature. >examine answering machine quote:A simple answering machine, with a small display indicating messages received, a button labeled "PLAY", and a button labeled "DELETE". Reflexively you swat at the unseen fly quote:You can't see where the fly is. You're not even sure where the buzzing is coming from. Wait, flies? In chilly November in New England?? You can't think about that now. >press play quote:For a while there is nothing but a quiet hiss, followed by intermittent skirls of strange-sounding static. It sounds like one of those annoying glitches where the caller hangs up but the machine keeps recording anyway. Then, barely audible through the static, you detect what sounds like a human voice whispering a single word:
|
# ? Oct 26, 2017 15:01 |
|
Examine desk Search papers
|
# ? Oct 26, 2017 15:46 |
|
> Find basement > Find body drat that is a great pic btw, this some rock solid art up in here
|
# ? Oct 26, 2017 16:29 |
|
>find basement >find body quote:You'll have to specify where you want to look. Wait, no, why are you letting these thoughts creep into your mind? >examine desk quote:The top of the desk is littered with paperwork -- notes, messages, files, etc.; the way most desks tend to get at the end of a busy day. A telephone sits on one corner, next to a digital answering machine. There is a small drawer to one side. >open drawer quote:It seems to be locked. >search papers quote:Sifting through the paperwork, you find nothing that catches your attention. But you're on the right track. Maybe back in the file room? >look up verlac quote:(in the filing cabinets) Well, you got what you came for. Checking your watch you see it's been... thirty minutes. Peering out the window you don't see Michael with the car. He'd say he'd only be a few minutes at the library. Where could he be?
|
# ? Oct 26, 2017 16:38 |
|
> Examine room for foul play > Call the library
|
# ? Oct 26, 2017 16:47 |
|
>examine room for foul playquote:You needn't worry about that. Yes, you think to yourself wiping the lip smudge from the cup of coffee with your black gloved finger. No need to worry about that. >call michael quote:(on the telephone) It's not like Michael to be late. The university library is a five minute walk from here.
|
# ? Oct 26, 2017 16:54 |
|
Take the coffee. Michael might be tired.
|
# ? Oct 26, 2017 19:30 |
|
Well now. I think we may just have won The Lottery. We probably should not go out the front door in case they locked it behind them. Let's head back out the back way and try to find where Michael was.
|
# ? Oct 27, 2017 02:00 |
|
> Search for weapon > Look for books
|
# ? Oct 27, 2017 03:10 |
|
You guys asked to consider eldritch geometry? This is loving eldritch geometry. >take coffee quote:You pick up the styrofoam cup. In the styrofoam cup is some cold, murky coffee. You'll share this with Michael. For making you wait so long. >go through window quote:It's a tight squeeze, but you just manage to wriggle through, dropping gracelessly into the alley outside. You mentally pat yourself on the back for pulling off the perfect crime. No detective can solve the case of the missing gas station coffee, the greatest locked room mystery there ever was! It's a five minute walk straight west to the Miskaton University. The sun has kissed the horizon casting long shadows on the narrow street. Time to get moving. >nw (Outside the Real Estate Office) >w quote:Narrow Street You briefly consider a drink but reconsider when a patron visibly spits on the floor. You recall the bar scene from Desperado. The bathroom. Cheech Marin's leathery mug. The $300 bet. Mmmmyeah, maybe later. >w quote:Junction >nw quote:University Court >w quote:Library
|
# ? Oct 27, 2017 06:42 |
|
This is good art! I look forward to seeing how this LP goes. >poke husband
|
# ? Oct 27, 2017 08:15 |
|
No poking in this game. What about a playful punch? You know, for making you wait. >punch Michael quote:You would never do anything to hurt your husband. Yet. >touch Michael quote:Michael looks up, startled, then realizes it's you and smiles. "Hi, hon," he says, closing the book and stretching. Then he glances at his watch. "Good grief, what happened to the time? I'm so sorry -- I just lost track." He smiles sheepishly. Oh right, we have some coffee for Michael. >give coffee to Michael quote:"Yuck," Michael says, not taking it. "What are you carrying around a cup of cold, murky coffee for?" The greatest crimes go unappreciated. Now what the heck is he reading? >read book quote:Michael jerks the book away from you. "Excuse me," he says, a bit more sharply than you had expected, "I'll be done with it in a minute." ... >ask Michael about book quote:Michael casually places his hand on the book, obscuring its title. "Oh, just doing a bit of research. Musty old stuff." >take book quote:It's obvious Michael is trying to hide something from you, and while you very much want to know what in the world it is, it would be best not to make a scene about it here. Fine! >give keys to Michael quote:"Great!" says Michael. "You hang on to that. Just a second, I'll put this back." He takes the book up to the circulation desk and hands it to the librarian. "Okay then," he says, returning, "let's go." Great, the car broke down. Barely two years old. Maybe there is something to these Firestone/Ford defects. al-azad fucked around with this message at 14:30 on Oct 27, 2017 |
# ? Oct 27, 2017 14:27 |
|
> Throw Coffee at Book > File for divorce failing that > walk "home"
|
# ? Oct 27, 2017 18:26 |
|
Hoo boy, he's started getting into the things man was not meant to know. I hope we can remember that book by its cover for later! Anyway, let's go home.
|
# ? Oct 28, 2017 01:36 |
|
Going to fast forward to Day 2. The rest of Day 1 is linear and uneventful. But hey, let's get a tour of the town. To the north is the paper mill and lighthouse. Heading south down Narrow Street quote:Whateley Bridge >kiss Michael quote:Michael smiles and kisses you back. Heading south from here quote:Town Square What's an Egyptian style obelisk doing in the middle of a New England town? quote:The obelisk measures about two feet square at its base, narrowing slightly as it rises a good fifteen feet to a bluntly pointed tip. An iron ring is embedded in the stone high up on one side, about two feet from the top. Dense, twisting hieroglyphs cover all four sides of the obelisk, although they are too worn to be read clearly. >x hieroglyphs quote:They are not Egyptian, which is what you first assumed from the general shape and design of the obelisk. In fact, though you're no archaeologist, these carvings don't look like any sort of ancient writing you've ever seen. The characters, which must have been carved very deeply in order to survive this much erosion, twist and squirm in disturbing ways, flowing into and through each other and almost seeming to shift slightly as you try to follow their lines. The effect is deeply unsettling, and you have to suppress an urge to take a step or two back away from the monument. Weird. Anyway the path to the house winds to the east, south, then south west. quote:Riverwalk quote:Chilly Avenue quote:As you walk through, the mists part before your husband almost deferentially, quickly dissolving away into nothing. quote:Outside the House >examine note quote:It's a letter from the Arkham Regional Utilities Company, explaining that, due to wiring difficulties, the electricity will not be installed until next week. No phone service, either. Oh, Michael doesn't mind reading over your shoulder. quote:You unlock the front door. quote:Foyer Unfortunately with no electricity it's too dark to explore. Hopefully the water at least works. You could use a bath. Heading upstairs and into the Master Bedroom quote:Upstairs Landing Time to inspect the bath. quote:Bathroom >x self quote:You look good, and being naked doesn't hurt, either. A bit rattled by recent events, perhaps, but well-poised and collected, all the same. I'm glad we managed to settle in with our sanity intact, trying as today was. Time for bed. >kiss michael quote:Gently, you kiss your husband's forehead. His skin feels dry and feverish. >lie in bed quote:Gratefully, you crawl into bed and pull the covers up to your chin. >think quote:You pause momentarily, lost in thought. >pray quote:Your prayers are not answered. >sleep quote:Almost immediately you fall asleep, and as the wind slithers around the eaves and the house creaks furtive secrets to itself, you drift into troubling dreams… THE SECOND DAY H.P. Lovecraft posted:It is hard to prevent the impression of a faint, malign odour about the village street, as of the massed mould and decay of centuries. It is always a relief to get clear of the place. quote:You wake up. Steam billows gently by, and you can hear the sound of running water coming from the bathroom. >get wallet quote:With a nervous glance toward the bathroom, you slip the wallet from Michael's pants. First thing on your mind: explore this estate. From what little you heard from the real estate agent this is a stately colonial manor. You have kitchen and living facilities on the first floor, a library on the second, an attic, a large cellar, and a family crypt which doesn't sound too appealing right now. You have the keys for the doors and cellar. Where to first?
|
# ? Oct 28, 2017 20:00 |
|
I suppose waiting for the power to come on is far too much time. Hmm. Well, we should probably use the daylight while we can and explore the manor. Maybe we can find an old lantern or something?
|
# ? Oct 29, 2017 02:57 |
|
Maybe you packed a light or something in your luggage. The movers dumped it all in the foyer. Leaving bed and getting dressed, you head downstairs.quote:Foyer >x luggage quote:It's all a huge, hopeless mess. Just looking at it instantly drains you of any desire to unpack. Ugh, forget it. Maybe there's something in one of the storage areas of the house. Let's try the dining room. quote:Dining Room >x cabinet quote:It's a free-standing cabinet about as tall as you are, crafted of cherrywood. The double paneled doors are closed. Nothing in here. Although that velvet is curious. Kitchen maybe? quote:Kitchen >take flashlight quote:(slipping the faculty card into the pocket of your trenchcoat to get a hand free) Bingo. We feel a little safer with some light in hand. >open cabinet quote:The cabinets are not, after all, still stocked -- much to your relief. There's nothing in there but an old book of matches. >take matches quote:(slipping the umbrella into the pocket of your trenchcoat to get a hand free) Where to next. You have a key to the cellar. There's a gallery to the east. An attic and library where Michael has sequestered himself.
|
# ? Nov 1, 2017 11:27 |
|
Six matches. That portends. Oh well, time to get eaten by the darkness in the basement or whatever.
|
# ? Nov 2, 2017 14:46 |
|
Check gallery. Maybe we can find a painting with a hint to what cosmic evil we're dealing with here.
|
# ? Nov 3, 2017 15:25 |
|
The gods have returned from holiday. Back to torturing our poor protagonist. >east quote:Back Hall >east quote:Gallery >examine paintings quote:All of them are bizarre, and most of them border on the grotesque. Alien landscapes peopled by writhing, malformed creatures; ancient temples built in strange, eye-bending architectures; monstrous beasts crawling through shadows that cannot quite conceal their disturbingly human shapes -- these seem to make up the bulk of the paintings' subject matter. And yet, despite the fantastical nature of the images painted, the style is neither abstract nor surreal. In fact, the level of detail approaches the photorealistic. Excruciating attention has been paid to light, shadows, and textures; even the alien creatures are depicted with gruesome anatomical accuracy. It is as though the artist had worked from actual, living models rather than from what must have been a thoroughly deranged imagination, and the overall effect is rather chilling. >examine scene quote:A strange scene, showing only a clergyman staring down into the pages of a large, black-bound book. The point of view is that of someone standing beneath the pulpit, looking up -- so that the text of the book is hidden from the viewer, while the preacher's face is clearly visible. >examine scene quote:You search the paintings thoroughly, but cannot find the scene you saw earlier.
|
# ? Nov 11, 2017 20:23 |
|
Ah, the gallery was designed by one of those fans of the MAD Magazine fold-in. The secret of the creepy gallery is that the person who would judge us isn't actually there? That's comforting. Now let's walk south and NEVER COME BACK HERE.
|
# ? Nov 12, 2017 03:29 |
|
|
# ? May 5, 2024 06:52 |
|
That art is incredible!
|
# ? Nov 12, 2017 13:54 |