*** A R C A N U M ***

A Quake Episode by Tronyn, Pulsar and distrans (maps) and PM (mod)


These metaphysics of magicians
And necromantic books are heavenly, 
Lines, circles, schemes, letters, and characters - 
O, what a world of profit and delight, 
Of power, of honour, of omnipotence 
Is promised to the studious artisan!

-Faustus


Installation:

This episode requires the Quake mod DRAKE. Available at http://www.quaddicted.com/filebase/drake290111.zip (17 MB)

Place all files in your DRAKE subdirectory in your Quake directory, ie c:\quake\drake290111.
Start the game (Quake engine of choice).exe -game (drake directory) +map arcstart. 
You probably want to use a larger heapsize. Custom engine required: FitzQuake, Quakespasm, RMQEngine, Darkplaces, etc. You know the drill.
For this file and support see www.quaddicted.com, www.celephais.net/board, or email djg164@mail.usask.ca


Story:

You have heard that an evil cult is entering into some sort of deal with a demonic presence that exists beneath the earth. The cult has
purchased an old mansion in the woods and are conducting horrible ceremonies there. Make your way through the woods and into the compound,
and discover what lies beyond or beneath... and assassinate the leaders of the cult, who are said to be wizards of great ability.


Description:

Long in development (more off than on), this 5-map episode is a bit unusual for me, in that the maps take place almost entirely indoors.
They are also, I think, more conventional and are better-balanced in terms of gameplay - so no hordes raelly, unlike my normal maps.
The end battle is tough as nails as usual, but with some strategic play and a bit of luck it should be completable.


Custom items and etc are included, the most important of which are:

Crossbow: Uses ice bolts, which are very rare. Functions like a railgun, the projectile goes right through enemies.

Amulet of Reflection: Defensive artifact that reflects projectiles away from you.

Magic Wand: Infinite ammo, this weapon charges up. When the ammo bar is at four you get a more powerful shot which knocks monsters back.

Chainsaw: Useful for killing zombies and in general.

Regeneration: You slowly regain health, up to 100 health.


Maps:

arcstart.bsp  - "Arcanum"                             -by distrans  - 0   /  0  / 0   monsters  - 1 secret (nightmare)
arcanum1.bsp  - "Oderint Dun Metuat"                  -by Tronyn    - 57  / 67  / 79  monsters  - 1 secret
arcanum2.bsp  - "Clandestinus Odium"                  -by Pulsar    - 122 / 196 / 222 monsters  - 8 secrets
arcanum3.bsp  - "Dis Aliter Visum I"                  -by Tronyn    - 101 / 182 / 228 monsters  - 7 secrets
arcanum4.bsp  - "Dis Aliter Visum II"                 -by Tronyn    - 119 / 175 / 201 monsters  - 10 secrets
arcanum5.bsp  - "Dei Iudicium"                        -by Tronyn    - ? monsters?               - no secrets


Credits:

THANKS TO MY TESTERS: ORL, STEVEN, SPY and ZWIFFLE.

Thanks of course to Pulsar and distrans for their maps.

Thanks to Zwiffle for vising several maps!!

Thanks to all those who continue to develop Quake engines and Quake tools, and of course Quake-related web sites.

Textures: IkBlue, Kell, Rogue (Dissolution of Eternity), id Software (Quake, Doom)

Music: arcanum1 music from "Dark Ages," other music from Warp Spasm (thanks ijed!).

Mod stuff: PM's mod DRAKE is a large and ever-growing collection of custom content for Quake. See http://qexpo.tastyspleen.net/booth.php?id=198



Great holes secretly are digged where earth's pores ought to suffice, and things have learnt to walk that ought to crawl...