FA+
Shop
673
Views
Views
2
Favorites
Favorites
Category
Story / Tutorials
Species Red Fox
Size 1280 x 640
File Size 229.6 kB
Report this content
More from ZoomXof
Listed in Folders
TUNIC Narrative Guide - Part 4: Into the Dark and the Dar...
Summary: Join the Ruin Seeker (that's our protagonist fox!) on his journey through a strange and vaguely familiar land. His inner thoughts are laid bare as we explore the unknown. Each step brings new mysteries to solve, new challenges to face. - This story is intended as a companion piece to the video game TUNIC, but can also function as a guide if you are stuck or a teaser to get you interested.
Once beneath the surface, I meet my first Slorm. It spins into me and oww, but I slash it and kill it. The darned thing then decides it's also going to explode in my face. Why does everything explode now?? I open the map for the well and read a bit more about the Slorms. "A type of slime who just wants to be close to you. Stun it by blocking."
Right.
Following the dimly lit pathways before me, I descend a slimy staircase and try not to slip. At the bottom, I find a chest in plain sight. Inside, another pouch of powder. Just beyond it, I spot some flowing water. Behind the waterfall, a health fruit. I'm wise to your tricks, waterfalls!
Progressing onwards, I quickly learn that water is not mobility friendly. No rolling or running. I should be careful when in water, then, and take care to utilize my new shield at every opportunity.
Discovery: I cannot roll or run in water.
I find another statue, inviting me to take a rest. While there, I offer the potion upgrade. Or rather, I would, if I had more treasure. Above me I see another chest, but after looking around, there's no obvious way to reach it. Rounding the corner, I find another page for the booklet.
Another map. This one looks like a beach area. In the corner appears to be a compass, accompanied by some hand-drawn scribbles. Looking carefully, the symbols there match with the symbols in the corners of the map. Somehow or another, the symbols must indicate north, south, east, and west. That means this area is south of the Overworld.
Thinking back to the weathervane, I realize those symbols are also the same. It would make sense. Of course, what possible use is there for a collection of sixteen directions? Perhaps there's a maze somewhere.
I also learn the names of a few more of my foes, including the tall guys in green with the intimidating shields. More questions than answers. I can relate, at the moment. The last thing to note is a strange mound labeled Frog's Domain.
...Which seems to be this. There's so much to be explored! There's even another golden door here? Behind it, a green hexagon that stands out to me. What is this "Magic Orb" supposed to be? Overall, neither half of this page is of use right now.
Before putting the booklet away again, I turn to page 29 to look at the map. Catching sight of my current location, I trace the longest path possible. At the end, the large black skull. There doesn't seem to be any real way to get lost along the way, so I pocket the map and resume my exploration of the Flooded Well.
Two enemies, quickly dispatched. Another waterfall, another chest hiding behind it. My confidence grows as I find proficiency with my shield.
In the next room, past another pair of easily vanquished Slorms, I find an Autobolt guarding the area. Before it even has a chance to fully raise from the ground, I bring it close to the point of breaking. Backing away, I bring up my shield, and then finish it off. As it falls, I back away. At this point, it's almost instinct to do so. With no treasure to find, I drop the shortcut bridge and make a late note to prioritize these.
Discovery: Activate shortcuts whenever possible to save time.
I turn the corner and find the glowing purple again, as well as three Slorms. I slay the first one, and back away from its corpse, and the other two chasing after me push it right into me, causing me to get caught in the explosion! On the bright side, the explosion also hurt them, so I can't claim their actions were all that intelligent. Still, the way is now clear. I drink a potion and push forward.
Ahead of me, the purple pathway heads off through a corridor of darkness, and is opposed by a doorway of light. In the corner of my eye, another Slorm stirs and reaches out for a hug. I dispatch it and as I am contemplating my exit through the door, I check my map. I feel like I saw something earlier... There, in the back, what looks like it's supposed to be a passageway. Fumbling around the darkness, I trace my paw along the wall, and it gives way, leading me into a room with a red glow.
Placed carefully in the middle is a chest. Inside, I discover something new and strange. It is a flat square with a piece of art on it, pierced by a hole. Checking my inventory, I notice that the weird dotted square no longer has a question mark inside of it. With a bit of fumbling, I seem to have augmented myself with... something.
Discovery: I can equip these "cards," but the effects are unknown.
Returning and passing through the door, I see another chest buried in the dirt. As I step through the water to reach it, a giant tentacle appears from within and tries to smack me or pull me under. Then another one appears and I begin to panic. Rather than fight them, I opt to simply run to the chest. More shinies are always nice. Crossing back, I notice there's even more in hiding, pushing me to immediately try to climb out. I think I'd rather face this Autobolt.
Clearing the grunts, I claim the chest under the stairs. Then, further on, I open up another shortcut before returning to rest where I check my map again. I'm almost to the big skull, but along the way there's something interesting. I glance up at the unreachable chest, and look back to my map.
Making it to a new room, I climb the ladder, where I collect what seems to be another upgrade item. The booklet says it's for DEF, so it will increase my defense when offered.
I open my map once again, and stare at the wall in front of me. It does look a little unusual, but despite standing directly next to it, there's no immediate sign something is amiss. I try a Boom Bomb and only manage to hurt myself. I look around the room a bit further and after only finding a chest with a few Ice Bombs in it, I return to the suspicious wall. Running my hand along it, I notice a focused pattern, and press into the center of it.
Discovery: Some walls hold unprompted secrets. Pressing A next to the wall can sometimes press hidden switches.
A panel in the wall rescinds with a click, and the wall slides away to reveal a secret passageway. I knew there had to be something here! Inside, I find not one, but two treasures. The first holds another potion fragment, completing my next potion. The second holds another fox-emblazoned coin.
Discovery: Collecting three potion fragments will complete a new Magic Potion.
Returning again to the statue, I find myself with just enough treasure to offer and claim the defense upgrade and the second potion upgrade. Then, pressing forward, following the lightless pattern on the ground, I cross a room of darkness and end up back outside. The trail continues, leading me directly underneath the Western Belltower.
Inside, a startling and eerie sight presents itself. A tall obelisk stands before me, and the entire room is bathed in a purple light, bright enough I have to shield my eyes. At the base of the obelisk, I spot my goal - the lantern. I find its haphazard placement a little unusual, but with it, I should be able to conquer the darkness of the Tomb.
I hang it from my belt and take the time to look at the strange obelisk up close. It's identical to the one I saw in the forest, by the Eastern Belltower. For now, however, it doesn't seem I can do anything with it. The lantern didn't grant me any abilities, and I can't even equip it the way I can other items.
Checking in with page 10, my next goal is to make it back to the Dark Tomb, which will take me to the West Garden. After that, it seems I'm on my own, but the ultimate goal will be to reach the Western Belltower and strike it. That should hopefully open the golden door.
New Goal: Explore the Dark Tomb and reach the West Garden.
Revised Goal: Pass through the West Garden and reach the Western Belltower. Ring it and open the Golden Door.
As I cross back, my path is pleasantly illuminated. The lantern is functioning brilliantly, chasing away the shadows. Back in the room of darkness, I see there's another way that I can progress. Sneaky.
Inside seems to be another guard captain, or something like him. He must be the reason for the skull mark. Of course, they're facing away and making themselves easy targets. Tossing a Boom Bomb underneath their table, they are easily dispatched. Fools, always watch your entrances. I throw the lever. Past the portcullis I find a goddess statue and another page.
Another map page. It seems to be a map of the Dark Tomb, and of some other area. I recognize the obelisk alongside those spiders. On the Dark Tomb map there are many handwritten notes. X's and O's and little scribbles. I should definitely take the time to consult this map once I'm there.
There doesn't seem to be much to this page, aside from a very menacing foe. I see myself depicted there, cast in the construct's glow. What could it be foreshadowing? On the left, I see a pattern set in a ruined column.
With nothing left to find, I climb the ladder and ascend... directly into the entrance of the Dark Tomb. This is convenient, at the very least. The lantern is working wonderfully and I can see well enough to navigate without issues. Inside I face animated skeletons and spike traps amidst the dimly lit hall.
I see a chest atop a coffin, with no way to climb up. Circling the room, I fight off some floating skulls, and several more skeletons. A small stairway can be found in the back, but is leads nowhere. Having reached an apparent dead end, I open my map to see what can be gleaned.
Somewhere there is a secret passage to go further down. There are arrows pointing to pedestals on each side. With a little bit of searching, I locate the hidden switches inside some important looking skulls, and the center tomb slides back to reveal a ladder. Before going down, I grab the contents of the chest, which can now be reached via the staircase. Inside of it is another card. A ring is depicted alongside a sword.
Once below, I clear away the jars, rewarded only with tiny bits of treasure. A chest below catches my eye, with weird red beams pointing at it. Behind the statues generating them, I see a skeleton. For my amusement, I throw a Boom Bomb off the ledge. It exploded, destroying the statues, but failed to turn the skeleton back to dust. It wanders forward to try to seek me out. It crosses in front of one of the remaining red beams and suddenly the statue emitting it opens fire, obliterating the weakened skeleton.
I should probably avoid stepping in front of those statues... That looked like it hurt.
My path forward is dotted with treasure chests amidst the sea of spike traps and animated skeletons angry at me for still having a pulse and breath. Moving slowly and carefully, I search the extremities of the tomb. Fire Bombs, a potion fragment, several chests of shinies.
Smashing the beam traps, I enter the area I threw the bomb into. Two large fox statues in robes, priestly looking, watching over the crypt. A large sum of shinies hide in the chest. Around the back, a suspicious nook. Fondling my way down the tiny pathway, I lay claim to another coin. Still unsure of their purpose, I pocket it among the others and continue.
The path opens up to a room with a huge amount of statues, focusing their red beams in all sorts of directions. Very carefully, I work to destroy them, one after another. With no other enemies inside, I take my time and safely diffuse the danger, claiming a prize of an "effigy" in the chest. Whatever those are supposed to do. Cute, though.
After checking the map, I don't see any indicator of what I'm supposed to do next, so I slowly walk around the room and keep an eye open for anything interesting. There, a lever to the north. It drops into place and the room rumbles, dust falling from the ceiling. The room is flooded with light, and the sudden brightness, combined with the dust, causes my snout to crinkle and sneeze.
With an exit now blindingly obvious, I head through it and find myself directly below where I claimed the lantern. The path continues to the side, with a chest along the way. Inside is another charming idol that I can offer to boost my defense.
At last, I am again outside. Three times now, my path has taken me so close to my goal, but left me with no way to reach it. Checking the nearby spyglass, I find it pointed at the West Belltower as if to tease this fact. The nearby sign says something about West Garden, pointing me down the stairs, so I guess I'm still on the right track.
Before I head down, I peer over the edge and admire the broken piece of gold wedged into the corner. The lines on it remind me of the decoration I saw on those mysterious doors. Or whatever they were.
Mysteries are fun. So are ruins.
Current Goals
✔Locate a Lantern, try searching the Flooded Well.
✔Explore the Dark Tomb and reach the West Garden.
★ Pass through the West Garden and reach the Western Belltower. Ring it and open the Golden Door.
★ Obtain the great treasure and/or rescue the goddess.
★ Explore the beach (when convenient.)
Author's Notes: My polish pass for this section likely changed a solid 60-70% of what was written. The original words came as I played through the game, making them rushed and without flavor. I tried to make up for that stale tone and expand on the things that I see, and even the things that aren't actually seen but could likely have happened.
Some of the later content is going to challenge me, because this game has such delightful moments and I want to be sure I capture those intense feelings in the narrative.
Thumbnail created using the press kit's wallpaper and logo. The custom text contains a secret.
Search Tags: Zelda Link mystery mysteries explore exploring exploration gameguide walkthrough help steam psychology psychological island ruin ruins "the heir" vixen foxy foxes offering offerings secret secrets quest adventure
|| >> Start Here << || <<< Previous Part | Next Part >>> ||
TUNIC: A Narrative Guide
Part 4 - Into the Dark and the Darker
Once beneath the surface, I meet my first Slorm. It spins into me and oww, but I slash it and kill it. The darned thing then decides it's also going to explode in my face. Why does everything explode now?? I open the map for the well and read a bit more about the Slorms. "A type of slime who just wants to be close to you. Stun it by blocking."
Right.
Following the dimly lit pathways before me, I descend a slimy staircase and try not to slip. At the bottom, I find a chest in plain sight. Inside, another pouch of powder. Just beyond it, I spot some flowing water. Behind the waterfall, a health fruit. I'm wise to your tricks, waterfalls!
New Item: Potion Upgrade #2Progressing onwards, I quickly learn that water is not mobility friendly. No rolling or running. I should be careful when in water, then, and take care to utilize my new shield at every opportunity.
Discovery: I cannot roll or run in water.
I find another statue, inviting me to take a rest. While there, I offer the potion upgrade. Or rather, I would, if I had more treasure. Above me I see another chest, but after looking around, there's no obvious way to reach it. Rounding the corner, I find another page for the booklet.
New Item: Page 34/35Page Analysis: #34 - "Beach(?) Map"
Another map. This one looks like a beach area. In the corner appears to be a compass, accompanied by some hand-drawn scribbles. Looking carefully, the symbols there match with the symbols in the corners of the map. Somehow or another, the symbols must indicate north, south, east, and west. That means this area is south of the Overworld.
Thinking back to the weathervane, I realize those symbols are also the same. It would make sense. Of course, what possible use is there for a collection of sixteen directions? Perhaps there's a maze somewhere.
I also learn the names of a few more of my foes, including the tall guys in green with the intimidating shields. More questions than answers. I can relate, at the moment. The last thing to note is a strange mound labeled Frog's Domain.
Page Analysis: #35 - "The Frog's Domain"
...Which seems to be this. There's so much to be explored! There's even another golden door here? Behind it, a green hexagon that stands out to me. What is this "Magic Orb" supposed to be? Overall, neither half of this page is of use right now.
Before putting the booklet away again, I turn to page 29 to look at the map. Catching sight of my current location, I trace the longest path possible. At the end, the large black skull. There doesn't seem to be any real way to get lost along the way, so I pocket the map and resume my exploration of the Flooded Well.
Two enemies, quickly dispatched. Another waterfall, another chest hiding behind it. My confidence grows as I find proficiency with my shield.
In the next room, past another pair of easily vanquished Slorms, I find an Autobolt guarding the area. Before it even has a chance to fully raise from the ground, I bring it close to the point of breaking. Backing away, I bring up my shield, and then finish it off. As it falls, I back away. At this point, it's almost instinct to do so. With no treasure to find, I drop the shortcut bridge and make a late note to prioritize these.
Discovery: Activate shortcuts whenever possible to save time.
I turn the corner and find the glowing purple again, as well as three Slorms. I slay the first one, and back away from its corpse, and the other two chasing after me push it right into me, causing me to get caught in the explosion! On the bright side, the explosion also hurt them, so I can't claim their actions were all that intelligent. Still, the way is now clear. I drink a potion and push forward.
Ahead of me, the purple pathway heads off through a corridor of darkness, and is opposed by a doorway of light. In the corner of my eye, another Slorm stirs and reaches out for a hug. I dispatch it and as I am contemplating my exit through the door, I check my map. I feel like I saw something earlier... There, in the back, what looks like it's supposed to be a passageway. Fumbling around the darkness, I trace my paw along the wall, and it gives way, leading me into a room with a red glow.
Placed carefully in the middle is a chest. Inside, I discover something new and strange. It is a flat square with a piece of art on it, pierced by a hole. Checking my inventory, I notice that the weird dotted square no longer has a question mark inside of it. With a bit of fumbling, I seem to have augmented myself with... something.
New Item: Card #1 - "Halo Fox"Discovery: I can equip these "cards," but the effects are unknown.
Returning and passing through the door, I see another chest buried in the dirt. As I step through the water to reach it, a giant tentacle appears from within and tries to smack me or pull me under. Then another one appears and I begin to panic. Rather than fight them, I opt to simply run to the chest. More shinies are always nice. Crossing back, I notice there's even more in hiding, pushing me to immediately try to climb out. I think I'd rather face this Autobolt.
Clearing the grunts, I claim the chest under the stairs. Then, further on, I open up another shortcut before returning to rest where I check my map again. I'm almost to the big skull, but along the way there's something interesting. I glance up at the unreachable chest, and look back to my map.
Making it to a new room, I climb the ladder, where I collect what seems to be another upgrade item. The booklet says it's for DEF, so it will increase my defense when offered.
New Item: Defense Upgrade #1I open my map once again, and stare at the wall in front of me. It does look a little unusual, but despite standing directly next to it, there's no immediate sign something is amiss. I try a Boom Bomb and only manage to hurt myself. I look around the room a bit further and after only finding a chest with a few Ice Bombs in it, I return to the suspicious wall. Running my hand along it, I notice a focused pattern, and press into the center of it.
Discovery: Some walls hold unprompted secrets. Pressing A next to the wall can sometimes press hidden switches.
A panel in the wall rescinds with a click, and the wall slides away to reveal a secret passageway. I knew there had to be something here! Inside, I find not one, but two treasures. The first holds another potion fragment, completing my next potion. The second holds another fox-emblazoned coin.
New Item: Potion Fragment #3Discovery: Collecting three potion fragments will complete a new Magic Potion.
New Item: Golden Coin #2Returning again to the statue, I find myself with just enough treasure to offer and claim the defense upgrade and the second potion upgrade. Then, pressing forward, following the lightless pattern on the ground, I cross a room of darkness and end up back outside. The trail continues, leading me directly underneath the Western Belltower.
Inside, a startling and eerie sight presents itself. A tall obelisk stands before me, and the entire room is bathed in a purple light, bright enough I have to shield my eyes. At the base of the obelisk, I spot my goal - the lantern. I find its haphazard placement a little unusual, but with it, I should be able to conquer the darkness of the Tomb.
New Item: LanternI hang it from my belt and take the time to look at the strange obelisk up close. It's identical to the one I saw in the forest, by the Eastern Belltower. For now, however, it doesn't seem I can do anything with it. The lantern didn't grant me any abilities, and I can't even equip it the way I can other items.
Checking in with page 10, my next goal is to make it back to the Dark Tomb, which will take me to the West Garden. After that, it seems I'm on my own, but the ultimate goal will be to reach the Western Belltower and strike it. That should hopefully open the golden door.
New Goal: Explore the Dark Tomb and reach the West Garden.
Revised Goal: Pass through the West Garden and reach the Western Belltower. Ring it and open the Golden Door.
As I cross back, my path is pleasantly illuminated. The lantern is functioning brilliantly, chasing away the shadows. Back in the room of darkness, I see there's another way that I can progress. Sneaky.
Inside seems to be another guard captain, or something like him. He must be the reason for the skull mark. Of course, they're facing away and making themselves easy targets. Tossing a Boom Bomb underneath their table, they are easily dispatched. Fools, always watch your entrances. I throw the lever. Past the portcullis I find a goddess statue and another page.
New Item: Page 30/31Page Analysis: #30 - "& Beneath the Earth"
Another map page. It seems to be a map of the Dark Tomb, and of some other area. I recognize the obelisk alongside those spiders. On the Dark Tomb map there are many handwritten notes. X's and O's and little scribbles. I should definitely take the time to consult this map once I'm there.
Page Analysis: #31 - "Fortress of the Eastern Vault"
There doesn't seem to be much to this page, aside from a very menacing foe. I see myself depicted there, cast in the construct's glow. What could it be foreshadowing? On the left, I see a pattern set in a ruined column.
With nothing left to find, I climb the ladder and ascend... directly into the entrance of the Dark Tomb. This is convenient, at the very least. The lantern is working wonderfully and I can see well enough to navigate without issues. Inside I face animated skeletons and spike traps amidst the dimly lit hall.
I see a chest atop a coffin, with no way to climb up. Circling the room, I fight off some floating skulls, and several more skeletons. A small stairway can be found in the back, but is leads nowhere. Having reached an apparent dead end, I open my map to see what can be gleaned.
Somewhere there is a secret passage to go further down. There are arrows pointing to pedestals on each side. With a little bit of searching, I locate the hidden switches inside some important looking skulls, and the center tomb slides back to reveal a ladder. Before going down, I grab the contents of the chest, which can now be reached via the staircase. Inside of it is another card. A ring is depicted alongside a sword.
New Item: Card #2 - "Sword, Ring"Once below, I clear away the jars, rewarded only with tiny bits of treasure. A chest below catches my eye, with weird red beams pointing at it. Behind the statues generating them, I see a skeleton. For my amusement, I throw a Boom Bomb off the ledge. It exploded, destroying the statues, but failed to turn the skeleton back to dust. It wanders forward to try to seek me out. It crosses in front of one of the remaining red beams and suddenly the statue emitting it opens fire, obliterating the weakened skeleton.
I should probably avoid stepping in front of those statues... That looked like it hurt.
My path forward is dotted with treasure chests amidst the sea of spike traps and animated skeletons angry at me for still having a pulse and breath. Moving slowly and carefully, I search the extremities of the tomb. Fire Bombs, a potion fragment, several chests of shinies.
New Item: Potion Fragment #4Smashing the beam traps, I enter the area I threw the bomb into. Two large fox statues in robes, priestly looking, watching over the crypt. A large sum of shinies hide in the chest. Around the back, a suspicious nook. Fondling my way down the tiny pathway, I lay claim to another coin. Still unsure of their purpose, I pocket it among the others and continue.
New Item: Golden Coin #3The path opens up to a room with a huge amount of statues, focusing their red beams in all sorts of directions. Very carefully, I work to destroy them, one after another. With no other enemies inside, I take my time and safely diffuse the danger, claiming a prize of an "effigy" in the chest. Whatever those are supposed to do. Cute, though.
After checking the map, I don't see any indicator of what I'm supposed to do next, so I slowly walk around the room and keep an eye open for anything interesting. There, a lever to the north. It drops into place and the room rumbles, dust falling from the ceiling. The room is flooded with light, and the sudden brightness, combined with the dust, causes my snout to crinkle and sneeze.
With an exit now blindingly obvious, I head through it and find myself directly below where I claimed the lantern. The path continues to the side, with a chest along the way. Inside is another charming idol that I can offer to boost my defense.
New Item: Defense Upgrade #2At last, I am again outside. Three times now, my path has taken me so close to my goal, but left me with no way to reach it. Checking the nearby spyglass, I find it pointed at the West Belltower as if to tease this fact. The nearby sign says something about West Garden, pointing me down the stairs, so I guess I'm still on the right track.
Before I head down, I peer over the edge and admire the broken piece of gold wedged into the corner. The lines on it remind me of the decoration I saw on those mysterious doors. Or whatever they were.
Mysteries are fun. So are ruins.
Current Goals
✔
✔
★ Pass through the West Garden and reach the Western Belltower. Ring it and open the Golden Door.
★ Obtain the great treasure and/or rescue the goddess.
★ Explore the beach (when convenient.)
|| >> Start Here << || <<< Previous Part | Next Part >>> ||
Author's Notes: My polish pass for this section likely changed a solid 60-70% of what was written. The original words came as I played through the game, making them rushed and without flavor. I tried to make up for that stale tone and expand on the things that I see, and even the things that aren't actually seen but could likely have happened.
Some of the later content is going to challenge me, because this game has such delightful moments and I want to be sure I capture those intense feelings in the narrative.
Thumbnail created using the press kit's wallpaper and logo. The custom text contains a secret.
Search Tags: Zelda Link mystery mysteries explore exploring exploration gameguide walkthrough help steam psychology psychological island ruin ruins "the heir" vixen foxy foxes offering offerings secret secrets quest adventure
Category Story / Tutorials
Species Red Fox
Size 1280 x 640px
File Size 229.6 kB
Comments