Twisted Tales: The Crimson Path by Craig Dutton

Your brother was sacrificed to the creature in the Dark Forest. You will stop this slaughter once and for all and hunt down this Werewolf. Based (very loosely) on Little Red Riding Hood, you play Katherine Darkmoor and must avenge your brother's death. There is an 'Easter Egg' in the game ( type LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD to see the original story.)

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Comment RememberMeEliseMarie

08 Jan 2022

This is an amazing game!
I'm stuck on the panel, I have the metal sphere, the berries, the lit candle, the hairbrush, the book, the shoe and both keys. I have tried every verb (simple and complicated) I can think of to try and break, slide, or otherwise open or move the panel, with and without the objects. How do I get past?

Review SilverStone the dragon

21 Aug 2019

This was SUPER cool and exciting! Want to play it again and again! It's just sad when I died playing with the friendly dog and falling into the icy cold water! But still, give yourself a pat on your pat! Good job!

Comment fuzzybunny2203

25 Sep 2017

Ok, got it.

Comment fuzzybunny2203

25 Sep 2017

Also, how do you get the hairbrush from the Lich Queen?

Comment fuzzybunny2203

25 Sep 2017

Ok, not quite sure what to do now... Got the dog (though I'm not sure what you use him for) spoken to the gypsy, found dead grandma, taken the metal wolf head (same case as the dog) and have explored some of the caves I've encountered, but have given up on that as there is not that much I can seemingly do. Help! Great setting, though and I love the story so far. Would help if there was a map of some sort as I keep getting lost...

Comment BeautyvsAshes

03 Sep 2016

Craig Dutton,

Thank you so much. I am thoroughly enjoying all aspects of this adventure. Now...back to the game for me! :)

Comment Craig Dutton

02 Sep 2016

BeautyvsAshes,

At the Cluster of Pines give the Wintergreen shrub a good pull and you'll eventually find the key to the tower. When you unlock door/open door of tower, the Lich Queen's vanity is her downfall. Since this game was made back in 2013, synonyms were few and far between and my commands were rather specific. Rather than using MOVE as it would be most logical, try TURN instead.

Speaking to Grandmother first, then speaking to the Huntsman will lead to a horrible end for poor old Granny! The MOVE command will finally become (morbid and disrespectful, sorry!) useful regarding her.

Comment BeautyvsAshes

28 Aug 2016

I'm so stuck. How do I get into the tower? Or how do I get a key from grandma?

Review KYS

26 Jul 2016

I thought it was pretty immersive; definitely a good game, props to you!

Comment Livy1000

08 Jul 2016

I need help on the chest puzzle. I know the answer to open it, but I'm not sure which verb will prompt me to open it.

Comment wichita

08 Jan 2016

Hi Sue,
If you still need help on what tool to use on the panel, try looking around the Dark Tower, though you may have to try a few verbs to find what you need.

Comment Sue

16 Dec 2015

Cyllya, if you haven't figured it out yet ... that's an awfully nice shrub. Maybe you should try your hand at gardening? (I'm trying not to give it away completely, but if you're still stuck, let me know and I'll be plainer).

uiopfish, I'm still stuck at the panel, too. I have no idea how to get past it. If you've figured it out, can you let me know?

Cheers,

Sue.

Comment Cyllya

30 Nov 2015

Nice game. Playing it now.

Anyone give me a hint about what to do in the area that has the shrub (the one that had berries on in)? I feel like that's involved in getting in the tower, but I'm not figuring it out.

Comment uiopfish

29 Nov 2015

I'm sure I'm gonna hit myself after I know but what item do I use to break the panel??

Comment cyclopsck

13 Nov 2015

snoogins,
When you fell in the water, just "give rope to dog" and the dog will know what to do.
To dig the snow, use the hairbrush found in the tower

Review Rooting Story

03 Oct 2015

Wow.No way to explain how good it was.

Comment Snoogins

16 Sep 2015

Please help!

Comment Snoogins

13 Jul 2015

I can't work out how to get the dog without falling into the ice and dying. I've tried using the rope on/with the dog. Don't have anything to dig the snowdrift with yet. I've eaten the berries. I've found the wolf's head under grandmother, have obtained the book from the chest and have the wolfsbane. Have talked to the gypsy. I'm out of ideas!

Review DaNiX88

21 May 2015

Good game! I was able to solve most of the riddles myself and I was glad that despite there being an item limit, there were not many items needing to be held at the same time. I really liked this one and the story was great.

I like the winter setting. for some reason it adds more emotion to the already somber setting. Fantastic work!

Comment stella1

22 Feb 2014

Sarah, MOVE did the trick. I groaned so loudly and slid off my chair out of sheer frustration and a feeling of stupidity... It never occured to me to use that. Thanks! Well, on to the tumblers! For some reason, Craig, I can solve your crazy puzzles without hints, but I can never get the dang verb right :)

Comment sarah4

20 Feb 2014

Stella, as I said I can't remember the exact verb but, if none of the verbs you have listed have worked, it might be worth trying the generic 'move grandma'. Hope this solves the puzzle, please post again if you are still struggling and I will try and play through and see what I did to solve the problem first time round. Don't worry though, the solution has absolutely nothing to do with violence.

Comment stella1

20 Feb 2014

Thanks sarah! I have seen her, actually, and there are only so many verbs I can try that is short of abuse. I've actually been sitting here for hours trying "search, lift, pull, push, turn, flip..." And this is before I posted the first time :(

Comment sarah4

18 Feb 2014

Stella, have you returned to visit grandma since your meeting with the huntsman? If not you have a grizzly sight awaiting you. However, if you can overcome your natural squeamishness you should search grandma as she may have the key you seek. I can't remember the exact verb you need, but a bit of trial and error should see you right. Hope this helps.

Comment stella1

17 Feb 2014

Hi all, I've been playing Craig's games in the background for a while now and I really enjoy his deviously puzzling games. Because of that, I've been at this since December and can't figure out for the life of me how to obtain an animal shaped object to open that stone door. I feel imm overthinking this. Any suggestions anyone? I'd super appreciate it!

Comment Ereth

15 Jan 2014

That was an issue? I rather enjoyed that bit of realism (no central heating in this village!). Oh, well.

Sue:

If memory serves, you must either "USE" an object on the panel or "HIT" the panel with it. I believe one of those two commands solved the mystery of the panel for me.

If for some reason I'm mistaken, please let me know and I'll replay the game so I can give you accurate advice.

Comment Craig Dutton

14 Jan 2014

Fixed the CLOAK removing issue by not allowing it to be removed - full stop!

Comment Sue

14 Jan 2014

Crispin,

There's something in one of the houses that will help you, and someone in the village who can help you get it; you've got what ou need to convince him. I don't want to spoil it, so I'll leave it at that!

Anyone out there able to tell me how to get through the cracked panel? It's been driving me crazy for two weeks! I think I know what I'm supposed to do, but I can't find the right verb to do it.

Cheers,

Sue.

Comment McChunky Bananahead

12 Jan 2014

Warning: DO NOT EVER take off your cloak. I took off my cloak in a freaking <i>church</i> and when I tried to put it back on I had frozen to death. In a church.

Comment Crispin

12 Jan 2014

I have the shoe, wine, brooch, rope, and berries. I have unlocked the tower and met the queen, Grandma has met her untimely end, and I have met the Huntsman. I have tried using everything in my inventory on the snow and I can't figure out how to get the dog off the pond. Any help/suggestions/hints?

Comment Ereth

02 Jan 2014

You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs . . . or panels . . .

Comment Sue

02 Jan 2014

Okay, I'm going batty trying to sort out what to do with the cracked panel ... can anyone give me a hint without giving away the solution?

Cheers,

Sue.

Comment Ereth

02 Jan 2014

Have you investigated the mill thoroughly?

Comment GamerC

02 Jan 2014

We're a little stuck here and would appreciate a hint or two. :)

How do we lead the dog away from the pond? We keep dying a cold death in the water.

Comment Charles Scott

02 Jan 2014

Brilliant idea! Thank you.

Comment Craig Dutton

02 Jan 2014

The Easter Egg is typing in 'Little Red Riding Hood' and seeing the original story by Charles Perrault.

Review Charles Scott

02 Jan 2014

Hmm... "very loosely based" is right: I was waiting for the werewolf to dress up as grandma; but another great game with some tricky puzzles, a spooky atmosphere and a satisfying resolution which ties all the loose ends together (I'd been wondering about that huntsman). I didn't find the 'Easter Egg' -- or is that a piece of programming jargon I haven't understood? Anyway, thank you, Craig, for several interesting hours of gaming.

Comment nickelodeonmtv

01 Jan 2014

Done - thank you Craig.

Comment nickelodeonmtv

01 Jan 2014

Thanks Charles.

Comment Charles Scott

01 Jan 2014

nickelodeonmtv, have you found the object to use on the indent? If not, grandmamma will help (even if she's dead...)

Comment Charles Scott

31 Dec 2013

Of course you are right, Craig. If it had been hyperthermia I wouldn't have had a problem with the ice! Thank you for the correction.

Comment nickelodeonmtv

31 Dec 2013

Ugh stuck trying to figure out what to do with the animal head indent in the stone door that won't open.

Review sarah4

30 Dec 2013

Hi Craig, just finished the game, having finally realised that I was severely over-thinking the solution to the tumbler puzzle!

Congratulations on another fantastic game with a compelling and deeply creepy story, atmospheric and well-realised locations, mysterious and often menacing characters and the type of fiendish but very satisfying puzzles that always make playing your games such an enjoyable challenge! I also appreciated all of the well-executed and integrated red (or should I say 'crimson') herrings which added to the tension and complexity of the game without feeling out of place or like they'd been tacked on! I also enjoyed the trouble you'd gone to to create a back story for the main character and her family and the troubled history of their home village which really helped create a motivation for finishing the game and unravelling the satisfying deneument. Fairytales are a seemingly inexhaustable source of potential alternative interpretations in so many media, because they are both familiar yet often frightening, and I think you used the potential dark and sinister implications of the Little Red Riding Hood tale to excellent effect here!

Congratulations again on another wonderful game and I look forward to more of your marvellous creations in 2014! Happy new year to you and all the other Questers posting here!

Comment Ereth

30 Dec 2013

Thanks! I thought maybe it had something to do with what Klaus said, but I wasn't sure.

Comment Craig Dutton

30 Dec 2013

Ereth, "Use your wits and let fate decide." is what Klaus said. The clue is in one of those words and it's not 'wits'.

*HINT* You'll find more than one 7-letter synonym from the clue word that will fit. Time to get the Thesaurus out!

Comment Ereth

30 Dec 2013

Okay, so I don't need to forge a weapon. Heh. I figured that out once I found the columned hall---I assume the weapon I need is in there.

There are some grammatical errors I found, along with one general writing issue----"The cold air is bitterly cold."

Anyway, I've been banging my head against the tumbler puzzle for a while now. Is there some hint for it that I've missed? (Might it have anything to do with Mother's gravestone or the brooch? That's all I can think of.)

Thanks!

Comment Craig Dutton

30 Dec 2013

Ereth - fixed the northeast error in the game. Seems to be a bug in Quest. You can make the exit invisible and make it appear when needed. This makes the 'create exit' command (used initially) redundant in this case. And I laughed at the 'forging a weapon' idea. My plots might be convoluted sometimes, but not that much!

Sorry, Charles to be pedantic. it's hypothermia not hyperthermia that I refer to in my game.

Some of the objects are red (crimson) herrings and I thought from previous experience that if I didn't have the 'rope and well' aspect to the game then I'm not thinking hard enough to find ways to 'dispose' of you all (cue maniacal laugh.)

Any more errors, spelling or grammar issues found, please let me know. I want to make this game technically perfect as I can, thanks.

I'm glad you're all enjoying the game. I've only been a way a few days and you created your very own little help forum. I feel redundant!!!

Comment Charles Scott

30 Dec 2013

Thank you, Ereth. It was hyperthermia in the lake that kept getting me: but your hint about being "saved" has helped me to the answer. Stupid me!

Comment Ereth

30 Dec 2013

Charles, don't worry! The blacksmith doesn't want anything in the well. But the answer you're seeking does have to do with hypothermia in that a certain someone saved you from dying of it earlier . . . he's been a good friend to you, and should be a good friend to Tamris in his loneliness.

Comment Charles Scott

30 Dec 2013

Thank you, Sarah. But I'm afraid you are way ahead of me, as usual. I can't get what the blacksmith wants, I keep dying when I try to take it. What do I need to survive hyperthermia?

Comment Ereth

30 Dec 2013

Have you found the panel with runes on it? I won't tell you what to do with it, but the solution is easier than it might seem.

Once you figure out what to do with the rune panel, you should find the altar.

Good luck!

Comment Sue

30 Dec 2013

Hi Ereth,

Yep, I'm past the snow drift, and I've gotten into the tunnels, but can't find anything in them. Am I missing something really obvious?

I'm getting the feeling I'm really going to kick myself when I figure this out ...

Cheers,

Sue.

Comment Ereth

30 Dec 2013

Sue, have you gotten past the snowdrift yet?

The altar is somewhere beyond it. (Don't worry---it's not far.)

Comment Sue

30 Dec 2013

Okay, I'm totally wandering aimlessly around in the forest/tunnels/town! Can someone point me in the right direction to find this altar everyone's talking about?

Cheers,

Sue.

Comment Ereth

29 Dec 2013

You may ignore my last plea for help---I just found the columned hall. I can't believe I missed it before. But Craig, you'll want to make sure people can go in that direction from the cavern without having to use the arrow buttons. Typing the command and entering it didn't work for some reason.

Comment nickelodeonmtv

29 Dec 2013

thanks Ereth!

Comment Ereth

29 Dec 2013

I still don't know what the berries are for, but I'm holding on to them just in case. You can always use "undo" if you accidentally eat them.

As for the snowdrift, I'm assuming you're trying to use the verb "dig."

Try "use X on snowdrift" instead, with X being the item you want to try using.

Good luck!

Comment nickelodeonmtv

29 Dec 2013

Damn! Grandma got iced!!

Comment nickelodeonmtv

29 Dec 2013

Figuring out how to dig past the snowdrift. Can't dig with the candle or brush.

If you eat the berries... do you have to start over?

Comment Ereth

29 Dec 2013

I have now accessed the altar and summoned Klaus's spirit. He told me the weapon I need is available to me, but I can't think of what to do next. I assume I'll need to get the forge working in order to melt the silver sphere and make a blade for the brush handle (if that's not the hilt for a dagger or sword, I'll eat my shoe), but the forge is still cold.

Maybe the well ISN'T a red herring after all . . . but I still can't go down there safely! Hmm.

Comment sarah4

29 Dec 2013

Hi Charles, I exchanged something with the blacksmith in order to obtain the candle. Maybe he is lonely now he has lost his friend so finding him a new companion should do the trick. If you need any more help then please let me know, I don't want to give too much away and potentially spoil for your fun!

I've had the candle for a while now and have been trying to find out what it needs to be used for, but, unwittingly, I appear to have already found a use for it, because I already had it when I entered the cave, I had no idea that I couldn't access them without it. At least that's one puzzle solved, thanks for alerting me to that Charles!

Comment Charles Scott

29 Dec 2013

Hi, Sarah

Welcome to the party! Where did you find the candle? I've been searching for a light source to help me explore the tunnel beyond the snow drift.

Comment Ereth

28 Dec 2013

Thanks, Sarah! I knew it had something to do with the shrub . . . blast.

I can't answer any of your other questions yet, but so far it seems like the well might be a trap.

Comment sarah4

28 Dec 2013

Ereth, if you return to the area where you found the berries and do a bit of gardening you should find what you're looking for, hope this helps! I don't want to give too much away but if you need more help then please ask.

I've just started playing today and have got quite far I think, I've dealt with the queen in the tower, cleared the snow, summoned the ghost of my dead brother and retrieved the wolfsbane. I am currently working on the tumbler puzzle. I just wanted to ask, is the well a red herring? I've tied the rope to it but have not yet found a way of descending safely. Also, is the lighted candle going to be of any use to me? I'm worried I may be wasting time trying to solve these puzzles! Also, I put the pearl brooch on the altar, just to see what happened, and summoned an apparently malignant spectre who brought my Quest to an abrupt end. I thought the brooch had belonged to my mother so had expected her spirit to materialise and perhaps give some useful advice. Does this mean there is a macabre secret to the brooch that I should investigate or am I barking up the wrong tree? Thanks in advance for your help!

Comment Ereth

28 Dec 2013

Hey everybody! It's been a while since I last poked around here, but when I saw Craig released a new game, I had to play.

Unfortunately, I'm stuck. I've seen the disc in the cave, which is apparently a map to help me get into the tower, but I can't seem to find an alternate entrance or a key for the tower door.

I think that's my most immediate obstacle for now. I have the wolfsbane and the berries and some rope (which I may need again, apparently), and I've found the little dog.

Comment sarah4

28 Dec 2013

Hi Sue, glad you sorted it out! I had foolishly assumed you were playing the game off-line (with the Quest interpreter), so the advice I gave is irrelevant if playing online, though I think it's caused by the same quirk in Quest that sometimes tabs me out of the command box while playing off-line.

Comment Sue

28 Dec 2013

Ah-ha! Got it. I unchecked compatibility mode on my toolbar and that seems to have snapped everything into place. Thanks for your advice, Sarah. I'm excited to move on again!

Cheers,

Sue.

Comment Sue

28 Dec 2013

Thanks, Sarah,

Yes, I am using Jaws (version 13). Unfortunatly, alt tab jumps me out of IE and into other open applications on my computer (and to the desktop if there aren't any applications open). Jaws is registering the edit box, and things I've typed in it--I can arrow through recently tried commands--but for whatever reason the commands aren't appearing as part of the gameplay. Good to know it's Jaws and not the game, though! I'll keep trying.

Thanks again,

Sue.

Comment sarah4

28 Dec 2013

Just popped by after all the Christmas festivities to find a new game from you Craig, very exciting and have just downloaded it and look forward to playing it before new year if I hopefully get time, it looks fantastic! Thanks for the extra Christmas present and hope you had a great time!

Sue, I haven't played this game yet, but I have a problem similar to the one you describe in other Quest games, it's not a bug with the game but a quirk of the current version of Quest! I presume you're using Jaws like me, what seems to happen is that certain events in a game can cause the cursor to jump out of the command bar, if you press alt + tab, this should take you back into the command bar and you can start typing commands again, the game hasn't stopped or frozen. If this doesn't work first time try it again. Hope this helps and hope this is the problem you're having!

Hope everyone has a great Christmas and new year!

Comment Sue

27 Dec 2013

Hi all,

I'm totally hooked, but seem to be a little stuck--and I'm not entirely sure if it's the game, or my screen reader (software used to make computers accessible for blind/vision-impaired people).

I was trying to figure out how to get into the tower, and asked the gypsey about the pearl. I was told she didn't reply, then couldn't enter another command. I can type, but pressing enter (or clicking on the directions) doesn't register. I've tried restarting the game, but to no avail. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

I'd really like to know what happens next!

Cheers,

Sue.

Comment Charles Scott

27 Dec 2013

Thank you, Craig -- just what I needed. I'd tried to break the mirror, but hadn't thought of the correct action. A very happy New Year to you, too. Oh, and if you have time, could you drop in on "Carnival of Shadows"? I got stuck on that one, too, a while ago.

Comment Craig Dutton

27 Dec 2013

Charles,

Hope you had a nice Xmas and a happy new year. Since you entered the tower, the disc in the cave is now redundant - it was a map marker puzzle to help you get inside the tower. If you've heard the Gypsy's story then you need to break the Queen's curse somehow. What can stop her from being so vain? A specific command to move the mirror, of course! That in turn, will get you her brush: a tool, in this case, for NOT brushing your hair...

Review art3mis

27 Dec 2013

Nice story line and I really enjoyed playing it. A little cliche but that's it. If you could play my game and give me some feedback I'd appreciate it! It's called The End.

Comment Charles Scott

26 Dec 2013

A new Craig Dutton game for Christmas -- what a great present! But three days in and I'm already stuck. I've got the metal wolf's head but can't find a way to use it, and I can't get past the snowdrift, the queen in the tower or the disc in the cave. A hint would be very welcome...

Comment Craig Dutton

22 Dec 2013

medusacascade

It does have dates on it. I'm guessing you didn't READ GRAVESTONE instead of just examining it.

Comment medusacascade

21 Dec 2013

Ah, I see. I'd found everything i needed. The gravestone might be a little more helpful if it actually had a date on it. ;)