The Temple of the Tides
VERSION 1.2
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15th of September, 2006
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Author : Nameless Voice
Contact info : namelessvoice@gmail.com
Date of update : 30th of August, 2020
Original release : 15th of September, 2006

Requirements : THIS FAN MISSION requires NewDark v1.27 or higher.
It also uses OGG/Vorbis format audio, so you must install it with a modern mission loader,
such as FMSel or AngelLoader.

Important Note : In order to use some objects in this mission, you will need to hold down the use button, rather
than merely pressing it once, quickly. This applies mostly to objects that can be turned, allowing
you to turn them to precise angles.
Basically, if something doesn't seem to do anything when you try to use it, you need to hold down
the use button.


Description :

It was on a stormy night nearly a month ago, as I was nursing a pint of ale near the roaring hearth of the
The Traveller's Inn, that the stranger first approached me. I had not noticed him sitting in the deep
shadows that enshrouded the far corner of the room until he got to his feet, his dark cloak billowing out
behind him. He stopped his approach when he noticed that I had seen him, and his eyes studied me from within
his deep cowl. Finally, he tilted his head towards a table in the gloom, in a subtle gesture with which he
indicated his wish to speak with me privately. I picked up my tankard and followed him to the table, where
we sat down opposite each other.
"What is it that you want?" I asked.
"You are a man who can... acquire things," he said. It was a statement, not a question.
"And if I am?"
"Then you may be interested to hear the proposition I am about to make you..."
I was about to tell him to take his 'proposition' to someone else when he managed to... divert my attention.
Upon seeing the purse he had placed on the table, I merely nodded for him to continue.

He proceeded to tell me of an ancient temple that is rumoured to lie on an island about two weeks' sail from
Westmoor.
Its exact location was unknown to him, but he seemed quite convinced that the tales of an ancient treasure
being hidden away there are true. The task, for which he is willing to pay a considerable sum, is to travel
to this island, seek out the ruins of the temple, find this so-called "Tear of the Tides", and return it to
him. A small sea-going vessel had been hired, and was even then being made ready to ferry me to the island
the following afternoon. He even offered me a small amount of gold up-front with which to equip myself for
the journey. I didn't see how I could refuse such an offer.

Before I set out, I made certain... inquiries about this temple for which I was hunting. From what I gathered,
I am only one of many who have sought the treasures buried there. Of those who have ventured before me, many
returned believing the temple to be but a myth; some had told tales of discovering the ruins of an entranceway
but being unable to find a way inside; and others still had never been seen or heard from again.
The latest to set out in search of that place was the noted archaeologist Alexander Frost, who set out a few
days before my meeting with the hooded stranger. If he ever made it to the island, I have found no sign of him.
Perhaps he succumbed to the dangers of the sea, or maybe he reached the island, found nothing, and set sail back
to the mainland before I arrived.
I also made some enquires about "The Tear of the Tides", but was unable to turn up anything concrete.
I heard tales and rumours that attributed to it some type of power of command over the waves and the sea, but more
likely than not these are merely superstitious fantasies.

The journey by sea took sixteen days, after which I was more than glad to be on firm ground once more.
After we landed on the island, it took me a week of searching before I finally found the entranceway to the
temple, which seems almost to be built into the very waters that lie to the north of the island. I was dreading
that the place might be flooded and inaccessible, but as I descend into the depths, I see that this upper level
at least is relatively dry. There is a large stone doorway ahead of me that appears to lead deeper into the
temple.

It's time to see what mysteries this ancient building holds...





Hints :
* This primary focus of this mission is exploration and puzzles.
Make sure to make good use of your brain.

* Not everything is always as it first appears.

* Make sure to read anything you find, it might have important clues in it.

* Sunlight cannot hurt you, but beware of others who might if they see you in it

* If a place looks like you've been there before, you probably have.


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* Play Information *

Game : Thief 2: The Metal Age
Mission Title : The Temple of the Tides
File name(s) : Miss23.mis
Difficulty Settings : Yes (Easier skills have more equipment, Normal bypasses some puzzles)
Equipment store : Yes
Map / automap : No (blank)
New objects : Yes
New graphics : Yes
New motions : Yes
New sounds : Yes
New scripts : Yes (included)
Multi language support : No

Briefing : No

Known bugs : None

Difficulty Level Info :
Normal : More starting equipment, some puzzles have easier solutions or can be bypassed.
Hard : More starting equipment and purchase options.
Expert : Little starting equipment, all puzzles must be solved normally.

* Construction *

Base : None
Build Time : Over 6 solid days

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* Loading information *

Put the .ZIP in \thief\missions directory. DO NOT UNZIP.
Run the mission using FMSel or similar loader.


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Credits
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* Original concept *
Nameless Voice
Spitter

* Additional counsel *
Spitter
TF
ajare

* Architecture and Design *
Nameless Voice

* Custom scripts *
Nameless Voice

* Objects *
Nameless Voice

* Textures *
Nameless Voice
David Gurrea ( http://www.davegh.com/blade/davegh.htm )

* Music *
Kerri Lake (http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/usersViewSingle.php?id=50371)

* Sound effects *
Scraping metal by Halleck (http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/usersViewSingle.php?id=6281)
Splashing by AGFX (http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/usersViewSingle.php?id=50975)
Cracking sounds by DalomarGrimm (http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/usersViewSingle.php?id=15055)

* Beta Testers *
Spitter
TF
Redface
TheNightTerror
MortalMonkey

* Special thanks to *
Spitter
TF
ajare
Eshaktaar
Vigil
R Soul
Kolya
Assassin Ravenlord
TheNightTerror
Digital Nightfall
Schattent?nzer
Hemebond

and Telliamed, without whom this never would have been possible!

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* Update 1.2 fixes *

- Replaced old, outdated NVScript module that sometimes did not load on modern PCs
- Added warning if NVScript does not load for some reason
- Tweaked floor flame spout puzzle to be less unreliable, and also added a hidden way to bypass it
- Re-lit the level with NewDark 32-bit lighting
- Upgraded the resolution of some of the textures
- Tweaked evil ladder to make it much harder to fall off and get hurt
- Fixed bug where fire elementals would shrug off any damage which wasn't instantly lethal
- Added sound effect to sliding tile puzzle
- Added some water crystal pickups to the level
- Adjusted pre-game shop to sell water arrows
- Compass no longer needs to be purchased on higher difficulty levels
- Fixed splashing footsteps in some dry areas
- Some very minor tweaks to architecture


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* Copyright *

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.
Fan Mission Authors: please ask before using any of the custom elements of this mission in your own work.

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