Triptych on Infinity, Act I:
Heist at Hilbert's Highrise Hotel

A mission by trefoilknot (Matthew J. Bloomfield)

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2020May09
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Title : Heist at Hilbert's Highrise Hotel
Directory Name : HHHH_v1.05_2020May10.zip
Mission Name : miss22.mis
Author : trefoilknot (Matthew Bloomfield)
Contact Info : trefoilknot.taffer@gmail.com
Date of Release : May 9th, 2020
Date of Update : May 10th, 2020
Version : 1.05
Description : A puzzle-oriented mission
Additional Info : This is the first mission of a trilogy entitled: Triptych on Infinity

Difficulty Levels : Yes
- Bachelors : Many hints, more equipment, lower [optional] loot goal
- Masters : Some hints, moderate equipment, moderate [optional] loot goal
- Doctorate : Few hints, less equipment, higher [optional] loot goal

Briefing : Yes
Automap : No
Notes Page : Yes


== TECHNICAL DETAILS ==

- Requires Thief 2 v1.26 or higher
- Requires NewDark mantling to be turned on
- The mission is intended to be played with fogging and weather effects turned ON
- The mission is intended to be played with bloom effects turned OFF
- The mission is intended to be played with the carry body mod turned ON


== KNOWN ISSUES ==

- Picking up a key does not always auto-select the key ring in inventory.
- It is possible to render the mission unbeatable if you waste your rope arrows.


== BRIEFING ==

A while back, I was contacted by an old associate, Keeper Zermelo; he had a job for me.
He wanted me to steal a magical gem known as the Aleph Stone, which is currently on display in the
Omega Gallery, atop Hilbert's Highrise Hotel. I'm not usually eager to run errands for the Keepers,
so I just said I'd "take it under advisement." Keepers rarely offer to pay, and The Omega Gallery
is well known for its state-of-the art security system. In short, it didn't seem worth the risk.

But word on the street is that the Hotel's alarm system is currently down. This might be a once in
a lifetime opportunity. They'll surely get it fixed soon, and I don't want to miss my window.
After all, it can't hurt to have a Keeper who owes you a favor...

While I'm there, I should be able to steal more than just the Aleph Stone and some assorted
trinkets. The Omega Gallery also hosts additional treasures: The Builder's original Hammer and
Chisel, and a rare collection of gems known as the Platonic Crystals. In the right hands, they
could fetch quite the price...

The alarm system is down, but tonight's heist will still prove quite a challenge. The Gallery's
most precious artifacts are no doubt protected most securely. Not to mention, the Hotel has
shuttered its usual operations so posing as a guest is out of the question. But since when do I
need a warm welcome to pull off a job?

No point in waiting; it's time to begin...


== GAMEPLAY NOTES ==

1. The mission is predominantly puzzle-based. Pay attention to your surroundings and read clues
carefully. Sometimes a clue won't make sense when the player first finds it, but will come into
focus as the mission progresses. If the puzzles are too difficult, consider lowering the
difficulty to get less subtle clues.

2. Related to the above, There are many readables in the game, and not all are progression-relevant.
Progression-relevant readables tend to be either: (1) items which go into inventory; or (2) stone
plaques. Other readables (e.g., golden plaques, chalkboards, scrolls which do not get picked up
books, etc...) are typically just for the environment/backstory, but may help with bonus
objectives.

3. The mission is inspired by my favorite mathematicians, and their lives/contributions. That said,
the mission does not require the player to do any math. If you think you need to do a math
problem to solve a puzzle, you're not approaching it correctly.

4. The mission includes several hidden "bonus" objectives. Try to accomplish all four for an extra
challenge!

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* Special Thanks *

This mission would not have been possible without the assistance and guidance of the helpful folks
on the TTLG forums. I would specifically like to thank:

- My alpha testers (Mom, Dad and Aaron)
- My beta testers (Cardia, Gloria Creep, Mat99, Squadafroinx, and urgrue) for their playtesting
and bug-checking efforts.
- Yandros for the four Talisman objects he made for this mission.
- Gamophyte for the four stone dial objects he made for this mission.
- RandomTaffer for extended DromEd tech support.
- vfig for the two custom squirrel scripts he wrote for this mission.
- SlyFoxx for his briefing video voice work.

Lastly, I want to thank my wonderful wife, Erica, who supported me despite all of my obsessive late
nights and DromEd talk! Without all of these people, this mission would not have been possible.

== Custom Content ==

This mission uses custom objects/textures by:

- Cardia
- Christine
- Dale
- Daraan
- DC project
- Elvis
- Eshaktaar
- Gamophyte
- LarryG
- Nameless Voice
- Nicked
- Ottoj55
- PinkDot
- Schwaa
- Soul Tear
- TDBonko
- Team CoSaS
- Team Rose Cottage
- Team T2X
- Yandros

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* Copyright Information *

This Fan Mission is (c) by trefoilknot (Matthew Bloomfield) 2020

Distribution of this level is allowed as long as it is free and the package is kept intact. You
may not include this level in any map pack without my permission.

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