===================================================================================
Whispers in the Desert
From Beneath the Sands 2
===================================================================================

Author : Nick Dablin
Contact Info : nickdablin@googlemail.com
Homepage : N/A
Date of Release : 25th May 2009

Description : This mission is a sequel/complete remake of my earlier mission From Beneath the Sands. The basic plot is essentially the same, but it's a whole new level with a totally new layout, new puzzles etc.


Story :

I recently became acquainted with an antiques dealer called Khamed through a fence of mine, and he told me an interesting tale about the Empire of the Southlands.

Khamed's homeland is an arid, desert country far to the south. In the past, their kings were worshipped as gods, and when they died they were entombed within huge vaults, mummified to preserve their body for eternal life, and protected by all manner of traps. It's these traps, and the rumours of the undead, that have kept most of these tombs untouched, meaning lots of treasure is still buried out there.

Khamed has come into possession of a map showing the way to one of these temples of the dead. His research indicates that it is the last resting place of Emperor Daihotep, a powerful Mage-king. If it is indeed his tomb, then an ancient tome known as the Book of the Dead can be found within. Khamed is offering me a fortune to retrieve it for him. Of course, the reward may be due to the risk, as he also wants me to try and find out what happened to a business associate of his, Golik, who went after the treasure and never returned.

I've booked passage on the next ship heading south. It's a risky job, but I've always wanted to visit other cultures... and rob them.

Bonus: Khamed has given you commissions for some ancient relics which may or may not be concealed within the tomb. If you find any of them, he'll surely reward you handsomely!

Briefing : No

===================================================================================
* Playing Information *

Game : Thief II: The Metal Age
Mission Title : Whispers in the Desert: From Beneath the Sands 2
File Name : miss23.mis
Difficulty Settings : Yes
Equipment Store : Yes
Map : Yes
Auto Map : No
New Graphics : Yes
New Sounds : Yes
Multi-Language Support : Not yet, but volunteers are welcome!
Briefing : No
Length : N/A
Size : N/A
Installation : Download Darkloader/Garrettloader (search www.ttlg.com for link!), use Darkloader/Garrettloader to install the mission (Do not unzip!), ensure you have tnhscript installed (included in the zip), PLAY!
Difficulty Level Info : The same except for loot objective - you won't miss any of the plot on any difficulty.

* Construction *

Base : nothing
Build Time : About 5 days 14 hours according to info_window
Known bugs : Sometimes it may be possible to get a mummy to float at chest height, but I can't pin this down to a cause. Blame it on evil magic...

===================================================================================
* Credits *

Sorry if I've missed anyone - give me an email or PM and I'll update the readme!

Big thanks to Dussander for the use of his testing forum at http://shalebridgecradle.co.uk/testing/index.php - it's an invaluable resource for mission authors!

Many thanks to all my Beta Testers for unending patience and enthusiasm, and for making some fantastic suggestions for improvements:
- Tannar
- nickie
- pavlovscat
- LarryG
- Elentarien

Special thanks to Tannar for putting together the lootlist (see WITDLootlist.xls in zip - open with Microsoft Excel or OpenOffice Calc)

Textures:
- Egyptian textures: Sock (http://simland.planetquake.gamespy.com/pages/tpegypt/egypt.htm)
- Some new textures: created from Filter Forge images (http://www.filterforge.com)
- Wood textures + clouds: Vigil (http://thief.washboardabs.net/news/)
- New water texture: Eshaktaar
- New flame/smoke bitmaps: Nameless Voice

Objects:
- Many thanks to kfort and LarryG for the custom mummy parts, and helping me set them up
- Plant objects and palm trees: Greenhorn
- Lily Pads: Ottoj55
- Lost City buttons and levers: Eshaktaar
- Jackal statues: Eshaktaar
- Gold and Silver Ankhs: Nameless Voice
- Beetle: Schwaa2
- Mummy: Eshaktaar
- Sarcophagus: Eshaktaar
- Skeletons: Schwaa2
- Some loot objects: from Mission X loot release pack from Digital Nightfall
- Isis Statue: Naks/TDBonko
- Scimitar: TDBonko
- Shield: Nielson74
- Light Shafts: Vigil (http://thief.washboardabs.net/news/)

Sounds:
- Mummy vocals: Random_Taffer
- Daihotep vocals: Saturnine
- Music: ERH (freesound.org)
- Music: Unreal Tournament 2004
- Main menu music: from Tomb Raider Anniversary soundtrack
- Fire sound effect: scarbelly25 (freesound.org)
- Sand sound effect: acclivity (freesound.org)
- Music clip: from Aliens versus Predator (the game) soundtrack
- Stone ladder sounds: Erdie (freesound.org)
- Mummy splatter sounds: Buzzbox (freesound.org), hazure (freesound.org), FreqMan (freesound.org), Stephan Matson (freesound.org)

Any custom stuff not in the credits (assuming I haven't missed anyone!) was made by me. Feel free to use any of it in your own mission if you really want - all I ask is to include my name in the credits.

===================================================================================
* Special Thanks *

Looking Glass for Thief
Louise, for everything
Everyone who contributes to the TTLG forums and has helped me with my various crazy ideas... especially NamelessVoice, RSoul and LarryG who helped out with a few tricky problems and bugs!

===================================================================================
* Loading Information *

Darkloader compatible. Plays best with the Object Enhancement Pack installed (not required).

===================================================================================
* Copyright Information *

This level is (c)2009 Nick Dablin

Distribution of this level is allowed as long as it is free and the package
is kept intact. You may not include this level to any map pack without my
permission. No one may edit and re-distribute this mission without my express
permission.

This level was not made and is not supported by Looking Glass Studios or Eidos
Interactive.