The Witch's Apprentice by Craig Dutton

You are Esme Friggleswick, a would-be-witch, who wishes to become Madam Ingra's new apprentice. However, to achieve this honour you will need to pass a test by stealing Zandor the Sorcerer's magical staff.

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Review archerqueen08

25 Feb 2018

I like it! Very hard though, I still haven't finished it.

Review Slayer78

23 Feb 2018

I liked it, but I wish there was a map or somekind of directions so I could know were I am going. My problem with text adventure games is that I just walk around lost. I think you should add some directions to tell me were to go.

Review GameofChocolate

10 Sep 2017

I wish you'd put a walkthrough somewhere. I finally gave up. I was stuck in a place and couldn't seem to leave or do anything else, and couldn't mix spells. I had a hard time without the walkthrough.

This game is really fun and amazing, but hard. You really have to try to know the right words to use, and there are some things you need to assume are in places, because it won't be told to you. In this manner, a walkthrough would have helped immensely.

Comment Wolfheart101

29 Jun 2016

Hi, can someone help me? I'm not sure what to do next. I have Ingra's book, cotton wool, the dragon's tooth, a mouthorgan, a spoon, and a handkerchief. I don't know what to do now!

Comment hsuyesther

21 Apr 2016

hi, I have no idea how to remove the warts on the toad. I have the bezoar, but I've tried throwing it, drinking it myself, drinking the orange potion, using it on the toad, and nothing is working. Help?

Comment maeukemi

12 Mar 2016

Okay, I swear I am almost finished. Very fun so far! what do I do with the hole in the tower roof, and how do I charge the gem if I've made the sceptre already?

Comment maeukemi

12 Mar 2016

This is probably going to sound really stupid, I'm sorry in advance. How do I reload or restore a game I have saved? I've tried 'load', 'restore' 'restart' and whether I am logged in or not, it does not seem to work!

Comment cempedak

20 Oct 2015

HI! How do I find the gold key.. Help.. I'm lost here... :(

Comment Craig Dutton

11 Sep 2015

Ibat,

Well in the cottage is the potion BOOK. Upon READing it you'll need three items to PUT <object> IN CAULDRON. If the 3 correct combo of ingredients are placed in there, a potion will be automatically created. I also made sure that only correct ingredients from the book can be PUT in the cauldron.

Comment Ibat

10 Sep 2015

what are you supposed to do with everything i can't make any potions i am completely stuck

Comment Snoogins

11 Aug 2015

How do I get into the shop? What do I do with the crystal, metal rod, metal sphere and metal holder?

Comment nuxvomica

16 Jul 2015

I feel like I've done almost everything... I just can't figure out what to do with the sceptre, holder, and crystal. Can someone help me out?

Comment TextBasedDog

22 Jun 2015

OK, hoping someone can give me a clue....how do I get into the shop? I've done most of the other things. I just need to get into the shop to get the key for the door in the castle. Everyone in the comments says it is obvious but I've tried knocking on it, opening it, using the shrinking potion again, all sorts.

Comment TextBasedDog

20 Jun 2015

ignore that - i stared again and got the unicorn and figure out the eagle thing.

Comment TextBasedDog

20 Jun 2015

I hope someone can help. I got a lot of things out of the barrel but the unicorn was not one of them and now it says the barrel is empty.

Also, I've returned the eagle's egg to her but when I 'speak to' her the only option is '1. Nice eerie' which doesn't get me anywhere. Is there a command to get her to take me to the castle?

Review DaNiX88

21 May 2015

This is one of my most favourite games yet! I have had minimal help from the comments this time around and am happy to see many more descriptions and hints. As others have said, it would be interesting to have more interactivity with the characters involving more than the basic quest. All in all, this is a well-written, fun game and I look forward to Craig's next work!

Comment sangeeta07

15 Apr 2015

hey.. opened the shop.. ! brilliantly simple! hah.. even saw the wicked sorcerer.. but dnt hv the crystal charged.. hv nt figured out how to use the scepter after putting it in the holder... i hope i can use it on the sorcerer,,

Comment sangeeta07

14 Apr 2015

hey.. thnk u ! i m almost there,.. and this is fun.. :) had a lot of help frm the comments too..
but i m yet to get the golden key that people keep tlkng abt .. so i m stuck at the door in the castle.. and the only place that i hv nt been able to venture into is the locked shop which cant be unlocked... :| any nudge forward ?? i cud nt even locate the clue towards it..

and ya .. i m glad i found this game :)

Comment Craig Dutton

12 Apr 2015

sangeeta07,

To get the spider's web, you'll need to drink the stealth potion. Reading the spell book tells you that you'll need to PUT in the cauldron:

1) Worm fruit (dig roots of oak tree (you have the shovel), push chest and dig the soft ground.)
2) Cotton wool (Use the toy unicorn on the iron railings - Examine Willow Tree.)
3) Eye of Newt (Throwing pepper at Eft the Fool. An Eft is a type of Newt.)

However, to get the pepper, it's a reasonably convoluted affair:

Visit the Goblin and be violent to the beam above him. Return the egg to the Eagle. She'll help you if you need something. Can't get past the Hydra at the castle? Speak to Yanda (if you literally tried to get past the Hydra.) Fly did he say? Now you can talk to the eagle about getting in the castle and for subsequent times. Inside the castle go to the kitchen. Inside the cupboard is the pepper. To escape the castle, ENTER CHUTE. Throw the pepper in Eft's face and out 'it' pops!

Comment sangeeta07

11 Apr 2015

i m stuck in the game.. :( this is my first game...like it.. :) but dunno how to get the spiderweb... i think i m using the wrong verbs..
i already have feather, book, dragon's tooth, toy unicorn, mouthorgan, spoon,handkerchief, horseshoe and shovel...
i dunno what to do next.. plz help..
also the sand does not give anything else? where do we get the fishing net etc?

Comment Spedzer

08 Apr 2015

Hey it would be nice if there was a map of some sort but the game is really cool! :)

Review Ranique

08 Aug 2014

I have barly started and I love it. I think I might borrow your way of moving and so.
The only thing I don't really get is how to help the ghost-prince, I kind of just walked off on him.

Comment Craig Dutton

15 Jul 2014

jupiter1430, SEARCH SAND until you get the stuffed toy unicorn then use it on something sharp outside (i.e. RIP UNICORN) to get the cotton wool. There are no gems in the barrel. The gem for Rumpel can be found in the Ant Hill. You will need the orange stink potion (found with the ruby) but you need to make a stealth potion using worm fruit, eye of newt and the cotton wool. The emerald is heavy so give it a PUSH to get it outside.

Comment jupiter1430

14 Jul 2014

Brilliant game. I'm having some trouble toward the end (I think?). I need to locate the cotton wool, and I can't figure out where it is. I also can't figure out what to do with the barrel of sand in the tavern. I'm trying to locate the final gem for Rumpel (I've gotten the ruby and the sapphire), and I think it's in the barrel, but I can't come up with the command to access it. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Comment karjah

13 Jul 2014

dont worry got it now

Comment karjah

13 Jul 2014

hi all, desperately trying to finish this game. i think a bezoar is the last thing i must locate. any help would be appreciated

Comment Craig Dutton

13 Jul 2014

karjah, go to the Temple of the Dragon, EXAMINE BAS-RELIEF, PUSH EYE and EXAMINE RECESS.

Comment karjah

13 Jul 2014

enjoying this game thoroughly yet a little stuck. Trying to find the dragons tooth so any help would be appreciated. i have so far a shovel, copper key, salmon, pepper, candlestick, candle, casket, energy crystal, fishing rod, feather, small key, metal sphere, iron key, book, dewberry, eyeball, worm fruit, orange potion, diamond. cheers

Comment BloodyRoseMeister

02 Jul 2014

Hi Craig,

Thank you so much for the help! I may need the solution later on, but I'll run with what you said.

Thanks again,

Briana

Comment Craig Dutton

01 Jul 2014

BloodyRoseMeister (aka Briana),

Thanks for the compliment. I was thinking of publishing the full solution to my games on the Forum section if anyone asks. But if you just want a 'as and when I need it' solution then that's fine, but I not around all the time to answer these questions. Perhaps those who have already solved the game can help you.

Anyway, you used the phrase 'put boat in the water' and the PUT command won't work for this situation. USE BOAT ON LAKE should work. If you used the boat elsewhere you will have to start the game again. On the island is the Dewberry used to make a potion (along with 2 other ingredients) that will help you with the sapphire on the pedestal.

*SPOILER* Three potions are only needed in this game. The Shrinking potion, the Anti-freeze potion and the Stealth potion. Now you'll know which ingredients to focus on from the lists in the book.

Comment BloodyRoseMeister

30 Jun 2014

Hello,
This is the first game that I've played by Craig. I have to say that is a wonderful game as well as challenging at times.
However, I'm stuck. I have a toy sail boat, a orange potion, a book, a shovel, a feather, a toad, a iron key, a worm fruit, a copper key, a fishing rod, a candlestick, a candle, a salmon, pepper, a eyeball, a small key, a casket, a energy crystal, and a diamond. I don't know to how to proceed. I believe to have to get to the island with the boat, but it won't let me put the boat in the water. Can anyone give me a hint as to what to do? I would really appreciate it.
Thank you,
Briana (my real name)

Comment Marj

22 May 2014

ok it is on the main page I found it.. I dont see a way to delete my comment.

Comment Marj

22 May 2014

I saved along on my gameplay. My dog jumped up in my lap and hit my refresh for page .. How does one resume ? I cant seem to type anything that will make it load the game I was playing.. It did say "save' when I typed save.

Comment The Good Dog

19 May 2014

Hello!
This is a truly great game. Wonderful job.
However, I'm at a bit of a dead end right now. I need to find the dragon's tooth and the cotton wool, and I don't have the slightest idea of where to find them! I tried tearing the toy unicorn, in the hopes that the stuffing inside would be the "cotton wool", but it didn't help. It would be much appreciated if someone could help me out here!
Also, Eva, to go down the chute just type "down". Also, you may not necessarily have anything in your inventory that can interact with the mirror as of yet.
--Max (my name)

Comment Eva Clark

25 Apr 2014

Hi! Fantastic game, but I'm completely stuck... How do I get out of the castle? Can I somehow call the eagle back? I even tried the chute.... And what am I supposed to do with the mirror? I tried to lift it, move it etc., yet nothing seems to work....
Please help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Review Father Thyme

06 Mar 2014

Brilliant.

Comment Mischa Jones

05 Mar 2014

Thank You!! Onward.

Comment sarah4

05 Mar 2014

Hi Mischa, the eagle may be willing to help you enter the castle if you reunite her with her missing egg which has been stolen by a very grumpy individual who resides somewhere in the caves. Unfortunately, he is not very communicative and so asking nicely will not work, if you want him to return the egg you will have to resort to vandalism and literally 'bring the house down'. Looking at your inventory, you already have the tool you need to achieve this. Sorry for being kryptic but I don't want to spoil your puzzle solving fun, please ask again if you are still stuck!

Comment Mischa Jones

04 Mar 2014

found the gold key and the dragon's tooth, but still can't figure out how to get into the castle.

Comment Mischa Jones

26 Feb 2014

I feel so dumb. I need to get into the castle and I think I need to find the eagle's egg, but I am stuck. Also, if I can get a nudge in the right direction to find the dragon's tooth. I am carrying book, feather, iron key, dewberry, worm fruit, toad, orange potion and shovel. Any help appreciated.

Comment Elf

04 Jan 2014

Thanks! I fell stupid now. For some reason I had tried "cross river", but not "cross bridge".

Comment Ereth

04 Jan 2014

Uh . . . it's been ages since I played this, but I think the tool you require is somewhere on the other side of the bridge (if you haven't realized yet, you can cross it).

Comment Elf

04 Jan 2014

None of the items needed to make potions, no. Not yet, at least. I think I know which tool you are refering to and where to use it, but not where to find it.

Comment Ereth

03 Jan 2014

Have you found any other items yet? You'll need them to make potions and find gems. (One of the gems requires no potions to obtain---just a certain tool and some hard labor.)

Comment Elf

03 Jan 2014

I love the game so far, but I'm kind of stuck. I've only found the gold key and the iron key, but no gems. May I get a hint on how to move on from here? I would really appreciate it.

Review Sue

18 Nov 2013

Absolutely wonderful!

Having read through what others say, I find I've got very little to add: fantastic settings, interesting characters, and a genuine reason for questing make this an intriguing storyline. As always, Craig's puzzles are challenging (Thanks, Sarah4 for setting me straight!) but once you get your head around it, the game's a lot of fun.

There are a few minor typos and plot bugs (like Madam Ingra being able to converse when she's supposed to be unconscious), but otherwise excellent, as usual. :)

I look forward to the next game, Craig!

Comment Sue

18 Nov 2013

Thanks for the verb, Sarah! I had the right idea but couldn't get it to work with "take feather."

Comment sarah4

17 Nov 2013

Hi Sue, the diamond is not one of the gems you can use to barter with Rumpole, it will be used elsewhere later on in the game for something entirely different. I would advise working on getting hold of the ruby first, this can be found in the chest in the secret room under the tree, if you pluck a feather from the eagle and use it to annoy one of the other animals in the game, you will eventually be led to the key for the chest. Giving the ruby to Rumpole will give you an item which will lead you straight to the location of the second gem, though you'll have to figure out how to take it when you get there! Hope this helps you get a bit further on, please ask again if you're still stuck.

Comment Sue

16 Nov 2013

Hi all, I've been away from the site for a while, and, with a fresh look, was able to get a little deeper into this game. I've made and used the blue potion, and I have the green potion (and know where to use it), but now I'm stuck.

I can't seem to find the right phrase to purchase anything from Rumpel (or he just really doesn't want the diamond!), and I can't figure out how to get something off the eagle, as Craig suggested in an earlier post. Any tips on how to move forward would be great. :)

Thanks!

Comment Craig Dutton

05 Nov 2013

Jack Webster, thanks.

To answer your questions. There are only one of the ingredients in the game. By eating them you will have to start again. The boat grows in any body of large water (unless I forgot to program it in, sorry) and can't be reduced in size. Now that is also a penalty.

In all my games (I think - I've done quite a few now!) there are times when you make a mistake and you have to start again. That's deliberate on my part because things like that, I feel, are also puzzles that need solving and you shouldn't be complacent about it. Cruel, I know, but sadistic on my part (LOL maniacally!)

Comment text2

03 Nov 2013

I posted my first comment too early; I thought I was done but turns out I wasn't! I'm stuck on the part I just pasted so if anyone has an idea that'd be appreciated. More amusing parts of the game:

Charred ruins
The remains of Madam Ingra's cottage.
You can see Madam Ingra, a magical staff and Zandor the Sorcerer.

> speak to ingra
'What is it, Esme?' Ingra asks.
1: 'What's my mission again?'
2: 'Are you sure you can't help with some magic?'
3: 'Do you have any bezoars?'
'You know the rules, Esme.' she scolds.

Zandor picks up his staff and points it towards you. The last thing you remember is the searing pain of the fire ball blasting you into thousands of pieces.

You have failed your adventure!

Comment text2

03 Nov 2013

Wow, learn something new. Thanks, Ereth!

Also, I'd like to point out this funny bit of play-by-play:

Charred ruins
The remains of Madam Ingra's cottage.
You can see Madam Ingra, a magical staff and Zandor the Sorcerer.

> hit zandor
You're not a violent person.

Zandor picks up his staff and points it towards you. The last thing you remember is the searing pain of the fire ball blasting you into thousands of pieces.

You have failed your adventure!

Comment Ereth

03 Nov 2013

Eft's name is a clue to what you need for a potion.

You need an eye of newt. An eft is an immature newt!

Comment text2

03 Nov 2013

Fun game! Only two issues I had.

The first time I gave the eye back to Eft and couldn't get it back. I restarted and tried the game over using his eye as a guess and was successful. But I don't understand the relationship between his eye and the potion ingredient?

Also, a bug: the first time I got the cotton wool a certain way; the second time I tried to but the wool didn't appear in my inventory and seemed to have disappeared.

Overall great game!

Review Jack Webster

02 Nov 2013

Sprawling and realistic world. On par with all of Craig's games, and similar to my personal favorite "A Pirate's Quest for Treasure."

Comment Jack Webster

02 Nov 2013

To add onto my comment: what if you use up your ingredients to make the wrong potion? Or what if, instead of putting the boat in the lake, I tried to put it in the river (would I have to shrink it?) Just curious as to all the possibilities I didn't explore!

Comment Jack Webster

02 Nov 2013

Craig, I usually don't comment but just want to say how much I appreciate your games! I especially like large, sprawling worlds like this! Quick question: what happens if you eat the worm fruit or the dewberry? I tried this (saving beforehand) and more doesn't spawn...so do you lose the game if this happens?

Review Charles Scott

27 Oct 2013

An engrossing story with some fiendish (not to say sadistic -- see comments) puzzles and twists, including a nasty little sting in the tail just when you're starting to pat yourself on the back. I liked Esme Friggleswick very much -- she must surely be a friend of Tiffany Aching -- and it's interesting how playing as a female character subtly changes your approach (I won't say I never tried bashing people, but at least I tried other things first). It's amazing how much plot and puzzle Craig manages to cram into relatively few locations. I've very much enjoyed exploring the vast landscapes in some of his other games, but this one covers such a limited territory that I didn't even need to map it. This does not, emphatically, make the game any easier, however, and I'm sure I'd have failed without the help of expert adventurers Sarah and Ereth -- thank you both again, and thank you, Craig, for another brilliantly-conceived and executed quest. I look forward to the next one.

Comment Charles Scott

27 Oct 2013

Thank you, Ereth, that's a comfort. I finally completed the game last night.

Comment Ereth

25 Oct 2013

Don't worry! (While I played, it took me a while to find the worm fruit too. I reacted the same way.)

Comment Charles Scott

25 Oct 2013

Sarah, the distant thudding noise you may be able to hear is me kicking myself. I was so sure that the pepper was a spell ingredient that I didn't think of using it another way. As for the worm fruit -- that's just sadistic, Craig! Anyway, thank you very much, I have my blue potion, now I just need to work out where to use it (I've got some ideas...).

Comment sarah4

25 Oct 2013

Charles, have you found the pepper in the castle? It was in the cupboard if you haven't found it yet. If you have this, use some of it on an uncommunicative character who is hanging about in the village, hope this helps! As for the wormfruit, you need to have a closer look at the chest in the underground chamber (if you have two of the gems then you must already have found this), try moving it and you should be able to find your final ingredient! Hope this helps! Once you have made the stealth potion and used it appropriately, you should have all the ingredients you require to make the potion which will lead you to the third gem, I don't want to give any more away as you're doing so well, but please ask again if you need any more hints!

Comment Charles Scott

25 Oct 2013

I knew I'd need more help. I've got a lot further, but I think that now I need a stealth potion. Cotton wool, eye of newt and worm fruit. I've got the cotton wool. I know where the eye of newt is (I think) but I can't get it, despite offering the owner everything in my inventory. And I've no idea about the worm fruit, I've looked everywhere. Of course, I may be barking up the wrong tree -- I still haven't got the third gem to offer Rumpel. Any hints would be most gratefully received!

Comment sarah4

22 Oct 2013

Thanks Craig (and Alex!), that's a relief!

The skeleton puzzles in this game and Blight of Alantria are actually very different, it was just the leg-pulling aspect that took me back to the first Craig Dutton masterpiece! If I remember rightly, the skeleton in that game was primarily used for dog food!

Comment Craig Dutton

22 Oct 2013

Sarah4, I asked Alex to fix the rating. As for 'skeleton' puzzle reminding you of a puzzle in Blight of Elantria - I just don't remember that at all! I guess I'm starting to repeat myself subconsciously!

Comment Charles Scott

21 Oct 2013

Many thanks, Sarah and Ereth: I'll go and try a few things straight away -- but I bet I'll have more questions before I'm finished. Sarah, I sympathise over the mis-rating: a while ago I managed to post my review for one of Craig's games in a completely different game. I just hope it didn't confuse any questers who came after me.

Comment sarah4

21 Oct 2013

Hi Charles, thanks, that's very kind, if undeserved, especially as I have somehow messed up the rating system and given this amazing game a 3 instead of the 5 it deserves! I think I've just played so many of Craig's games that I've got better at solving fiendish puzzles, it took me weeks to finish his first few games, and I had to ask for help repeatedly (even though I always kicked myself when the solution was revealed!) Given how many games Craig has written now I find it surprising how he is able to come up with new and baffling puzzles for every new game without resorting to recycling old puzzles every time! Although, the skeleton puzzle in this game was reminiscent of the similar puzzle in Blight of Alantria, which was a nice nostalgic touch!

Hope you're getting on ok now, just one tip, not all of the potions will be any use to you so don't worry about searching for ingredients for them all! Also, the smelly potion will be useful for dealing with an insect at some point in the game, but it needs to be used in conjunction with another potion.

Please just ask again if you need any help, hope you're enjoying the game as much as I did!

Also, while I'm here, does anyone know how to change my review rating? It's really bothering me!

Comment Ereth

20 Oct 2013

Genius? I'm flattered, but I end up solving some puzzles largely just because I'm willing to try anything!

Anyway, the key for the casket is closer than you think! Examining a certain item once you've separated it from its waxy friend will give you your key (this was one puzzle I solved just because I have a compulsion to look at EVERYTHING).

Another note: you won't need to use all the items you find. Some of them are red herrings. But it's pretty easy to figure out which ones are useless if you consider how much or how little utility they'll probably have in your quest. (I remember trying to use the spoon to open another lock. But that was a silly idea born of desperation. Heheh.)

Comment Charles Scott

20 Oct 2013

Thanks, Ereth -- I see you are another genius who can finish one of Craig's games in just a few days! Thank you for the tips -- but yes, I'm in the castle and I guess the crystal must be in the casket, but where's the key? (I've tried opening it with the spoon but no luck).

Review Ereth

20 Oct 2013

I'm new to this site and to games made in the Quest format, but The Witch's Apprentice is the third game I've completed (the first one was Alice and the Wishing Tree, followed by The Legend of Robin Hood, and both were played prior to registering).

I love big, sweeping IF with deep emotional reach, but it's always great to take breaks from those kinds of games by playing simpler works designed with amusement as their primary goal. The Witch's Apprentice is such a piece. All of the puzzles were logical, requiring only creative thinking, and the characters were colorful and diverse.

I only wish that it were possible to interact with them in ways that weren't just related to the main objective. I understand, however, that this might be a limitation of the engine (and as I said, I'm unfamiliar with Quest).

I also noticed a few typos here and there, but they're not so frequent that they would ruin the game for anyone. In the future, though, I recommend checking the prose for errors. It's always a good idea to make sure your writing is as polished as possible.

Congratulations on a job well done!

Comment Ereth

20 Oct 2013

Hi Charles!

You're clever to think of attracting flies with the stink potion, but that particular potion has to be used elsewhere and in another way. You'll need a different potion to get past the spider.

As for the crystal . . . have you infiltrated a certain castle yet?

Good luck!

Comment Charles Scott

20 Oct 2013

It's great to be in at the launch of a game -- but Sarah, I can't believe that you managed to finish it so quickly. You're amazing, and I'm sure I'll still be struggling with it for weeks. So, just to help me on my way -- can you (or Craig) tell me how do I deal with the spider (I've tried attracting flies with the orange potion, but can't find any). And where is this crystal that you and Ereth talked about?

Comment Ereth

17 Oct 2013

Well, I'm officially an idiot. I can't believe I didn't figure out how to get into the antiques place sooner! (I blame stress and my recent chest cold. Bleh.)

I'm done now, so you can expect a review soon! Thanks for the entertainment!

Comment Ereth

16 Oct 2013

Apparently the parser decided to be nitpicky when I was trying to figure out how to put the sceptre where I KNEW it was supposed to go. Fie on you, parser!

Now to get into that antiques shop . . .

Comment Ereth

16 Oct 2013

Goodness, thank you, Sarah! I KNEW I needed to get into that shop. But I don't have a key for that either. Drat.

And I know I need to charge the crystal, but it's not working in the holder either. I must be missing something really obvious. Double drat!

Well, time to faff about until I solve these problems!

Comment sarah4

16 Oct 2013

Ereth, as you have already worked out, you are very close to the thrilling deneument (may I recommend saving after you've finally retrieved your prize and before you do anything else!). It looks like you've already figured out how to charge the energy crystal (since you mention it in the same breath as the sceptre) which is good as you will need it very soon. If you've charged the crystal then the holder has served its purpose, it has nothing to do with the mystery door which has to be unlocked the old-fashioned way! The key you need is in the antique shop, make sure you examine the cabinet you find there thoroughly, hope this helps!

Comment sarah4

16 Oct 2013

I am so sorry Craig, but my review seems to have posted with a 3 rating, I obviously intended to give it a 5 and had changed the rating in the drop down box before posting to reflect this, I don't know how it has reset itself. If Alex is reading, do you think he would be able to fix this? I have never had this problem when posting a review before.

Review sarah4

16 Oct 2013

So Lovely to find a new game from you Craig and this was a particular treat, I think it may be one of my favourite of your games yet, and, given how much I have adored every single one of your games so far, that is definitely saying something!

The setting was lovely, plenty of magical and intriguing areas to explore in a large and diverse landscape. I particularly enjoy your epic games where the player is able to roam around and take time to explore and am deeply impress by the way you are able to conjure up large and vivid worlds with your words! The village was a particular delight and I had great fun sifting through the 'lucky dip' tub in the 'Owl and the Pussycat' and bartering with Rumpole in his shop!

The puzzles in this game were particularly challenging and satisfying (even by your own very high standards!), finding the ingredients for the potions was an inspired idea and led to a great deal of fascinating challenges! As always, all of the puzzles, while very tricky, were completely intuitive. There were so many classic puzzles in this game that it is very hard to choose a few highlights, however, figuring out how to get cotton wool, to enter the antique shop, to find dinner for the python, to get a better look at the anthill and to make the staff safe to take were all particularly excellent!

The characters in this game were particularly well-drawn. It was nice to play a character with personality and a genuine motivation (rather than an anonymous adventurer), I genuinely wanted to help Esme in her mission! Also, on a personal note, it's always nice to have a female protagonist! The two witches, shopkeepers, village idiot and eagle were also all great fun too! Zander was also a suitably stagy panto villain and turned out to be far more formidable than I had anticipated!

The whole story was extremely engaging and a delight to play from beginning to end, an absolute tour de force of text adventure making. As always I am deeply impressed by your ability to create such wond

Comment Ereth

16 Oct 2013

Hi! I'm new, and stuck . . . towards the end, I think.

I've made all the potions and used them, bought all the items in Rumpel's shop and used them, and accessed a certain door within Zandor's castle. But no matter what I do, I can't unlock this blasted door because I don't have the proper key! I think it might have something to do with the energy crystal and/or the sceptre, but I've no clue. The door must be related to the metal holder somehow, but nothing I do with it seems to work. I assume several of the items are red herrings, as is the case with some of the potion recipes. None of the characters is telling me how I can find the key because I've used their advice already!

Help is greatly appreciated! (I actually signed up mostly to ask for help on this one game. Heh. But maybe I'll get more use out of this account in the future than I think.)

GreyOwl: No spells are cast in this game as one would with a wand. You have to rely on the items you find to progress, and as Craig said, you need to find ingredients to make potions. I hope that helps. If you're still stuck, don't be afraid to try everything on everything else, especially if something stands out in an area's description. Talk to characters as well!

Sue:

1. Look in your book of potions and think about the anthill. Which one (that isn't a false lead) will help you?

2. Following Craig's hint, you'll need a certain key obtained from feeding a certain animal. That key will help you deal with the anthill and obtaining another item that you'll need for Rumpel.

3. The skeleton might think you're PULLING HIS LEG *wink wink* if you mention the Ghost-Prince's coronet.

4. Go talk to Elsa if you haven't already. You'll need something to use on the mirror to "look beyond its reflection" as per her advice.

Happy puzzle-solving!

Comment GreyOwl

12 Oct 2013

How do you cast spells?

Comment Craig Dutton

11 Oct 2013

Sue, Glad you like it so far.

The main part of the game is finding the right ingredients for creating potions in the cauldron. So far it looks like you don't have any complete ingredients to make any potions.

Speaking to characters about obstacles will help you. Take a good look at the characters and think of what they have that you could 'take' from them. Keep reading the book and think outside the box to find the ingredients (most are red herrings and are there to confuse.)

Purchasing all the items from the magic shop are important so finding the right 'currencies' are a priority.

To help you now, you need to find the iron key. So 'take' something off the eagle and use it on another animal to get food for another animal to get the key?!

I don't want to be too specific at this early stage before anyone else has had a go.

Comment Sue

10 Oct 2013

Hi Craig,

I was so excited to see you'd posted a new game today, and this one is proving incredibly entertaining! I especially love the goblin puzzle, and the waste-disposal. However, I seem to be a bit stuck, and was wondering if you could point me in the right direction.

I can't seem to find anything to do with/to the ant hill, the hole in the roof, the metal holder (the button doesn't seem to do anything?), the mirror, or the skeleton. I assume I need to get past one of these puzzles to continue, and would appreciate a gentle nudge in the right direction! I'm carrying: a book, a shovel, a dragon's tooth, a toy unicorn, a spoon, a horseshoe, a handkerchief, a mouthorgan, a copper key, a fishing rod, a candle, a candlestick, a salmon, some pepper, a metal sphere, a casket, a small key, an energy crystal and a worm fruit.

Cheers,

Sue.