###################################### Hints for The Cave by Neil Aitken hint file version 1.0 (2020-09-28) ###################################### The Cave is a messy network of 10 cavern rooms which are randomly linked. Despite it only being 10 rooms, due to various random factors determined pre-game and mid-game, there are a lot of things to do and a wide variety of possible interactions. No two playthroughs will be the same. Hopefully this Q&A format helps clarify any points of confusion you may run into. If you have any questions or suggestions, send an email to Enjoy! Question List ============= It's dark! What can I do to find light? - Try looking for something that's already glowing. - Sometimes the answer can be found in a book. - Sometimes it shows up after you've exhausted all hope. - Light tends to reveal things you might otherwise miss. What's an unknown book? And what do I do with it? - You should probably bring a little more light to the matter. - Reading is good for the mind. What can I do with the spells I learn? - Some spaces reveal new option when you've learned a spell that suits that situation. - Regular use of spells makes you smarter. - You can use some spells to fix things. - Sometimes magic isn't the answer. Or it reveals something we didn't want to know about ourselves. What do I do with the weapon I found? - You can use it to fight things. - Some weapons have other uses. - Some weapons are "heavier" than others. - Violence may not always be the answer. Why are there so many pebbles? - You can use them for many things. - Sometimes a stone can be seed. What should I do with the pile of dirt? - You might want to see if there's anything buried there. - Even if it's empty, there still might be something you can do with the hole. Is it my imagination, or is something following me? - It's a dark place. You might not be alone. - Maybe you did something bad and it's your guilty conscience? Can I die in this game? - No. The goal is to build a sense of who you are by making choices and dealing with different situations that come up. - There are consequences for your actions. What's the goal? How do I "win"? - You "win" by escaping. - In order to escape, you need to make enough defining choices. - Under the hood, this game is an alternative way to generate the basic character ability scores for your favorite roleplaying game. Your choices purchase increases in those scores according to a point buy system. In this case, it builds a character according to your preferred actions and reactions to situations. Once you've expended your pool of points, you'll find your way out. I played through the game and escaped. Is that it? - Yes and no. - You might have missed a room or two. - You'll likely turn out to be a different person in terms of ability scores. - Different playthroughs will have different creatures, corpses, buried treasures, equipment, books, spells, and graffiti. - Some scenes or options are only available with a particular combination of items, spells, and/or chosen actions. Some actions will close the door to certain options in that playthrough.