Writings (Shadowgate 64)

The following passages are the books in Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers. They are written as they are seen in the game.

Journal (by Lucas)
"I am amazed at what I think we've found! Buried in the ground and unearthed after all this time! He said we should well it to the Sorcerer- said we'd be rich! I have a bad feeling about this!"

Of Riding Dragons
Page 1

"And who is wiser - the man or the dragon? Men fear. Dragons do not. As wise as the serpent, dragons discern if the rider is afraid. I tell you this, no coward has ever ridden one. Dragons respect only the brave."

Page 2

"It is unwise to mock a great dragon and to use them in an unworthy way is folly. Truly, there is no beast alive that is more gracious with man."

Page 3

"So they can be controlled you say? Nay, I say, never. Their ways are higher than our ways. Their thoughts are deeper than our thoughts. There are few things in this life to have more faith in than the dragon."

The Final Battle
Page 1

"The victory is won, but the war is not over. Our greatest foe has been vanquished but his minions still survive, ready to finish their evil master's plans. Brave young Jair, destined to confront the evil one, has triumphed, but at what cost?"

Page 2

"Exhausted after his final confrontation against the Warlock Lord's most powerful creation, the Behemoth, young Jair must take the mantle of hero and lead this ragtag group of defenders against the deadliest of the Warlock Lord's remaining army."

Page 3

"With the help of the wizard Lakmir, young Jair awaits the final battle with the Staff of Ages at his side. The Land of Kal Torlin moans and cries out against the bloodshed that it has seen. Soon it shall see victory and the land shall once again know peace."

Page 4



Memorandum
Page 1

"It happened moments before the Keeper disappeared. The official stared wide-eyed at the marvelous crystal. 'What is it?' he mouthed. The Dragonkeeper simply recited:..."

Page 2

"'The man's eye sees a tiny flame, the Dragon's eye, a consuming fire. The man's eye no one to blame, the Dragon's eye, creates the pyre.'

The official thought about these words. Could the eye turn even the faintest of lights into a reflected blaze?"

Page 3

"Surely, the Eye of the Dragon must be extremely dangerous. It was, after all, stored deep within the depository.

Unfortunately, the riddle did not answer his question: What exactly is the Eye of the Dragon?"

Artifacts of Power
Page 1

"I remain concerned that my task is the most difficult of all my brethren. I have been given the Pixie Flute, a powerful item created with Life Magic. Its magic is rumored to be powerful, yet I can not unlock it!"

Page 2

"The other acolytes have unlocked the magics of their devices- I remain stumped! I am convinced that the use of this device. My teachers have instructed us in the ways of the Four Orders, but I fail to discern the means to unlock the flute's power!"

Page 3

"But what is worse about my situation is that I have tried so hard and for so long to make the flute's magic manifest that its condition has worsened. I am afraid that if I continue, it will be forever broken. I even fear it won't work properly! Then I shall have truly failed!"

Laws of Magic
Page 1

"This book shall attempt to explain some of the simple principles behind the laws of magic. The first and most important precept is that although there are many types of magic, all laws apply universally. In this book we shall look at the magics of three of the Four Orders."

Page 2

"This book shall discuss the practice, strengths and differences of Chaos, Order and Life. Death shall be omitted from this discussion because of the recent forbidding of its usage. A warning needs to be inserted that the magic of Death irreversibly taints the soul."

Page 3

"Having said that, lets look at Magic in general. There are many ways to conjure magic. Each of the Orders have a definitive way to enact its magic. But remember that though different, each has similar results."

Page 4

"Order uses the precise enunciation of the written word learned from spell books. Life employs expansive gestures handed down by word of mouth from master to pupil. Chaos uses a combination of violent gestures and guttural words culled from all the Orders."

Page 5

"Death uses arcane rituals and force of mind. This is only mentioned to demonstrate the differences in conjuring. No more shall be said on Death.

The following section looks at some of the more common areas of magic amongst the Orders."

Page 6

"The creation of magical artifacts holds many common attributes. Typically an artifact is bestowed with its magical property so that all can use. This sometimes proves problematic because many novices can too easily manipulate too powerful a magic item."

Page 7

"So the function of personalizing an artifact came into being. This sometimes included a key word or phrase to activate the device. But Increasingly, the Orders would include a secret mechanism into each of their magics."

Page 8

"For example, The legendary Staff of Ages, a product of Order, was personalized for only Lord Jair's use. Another device that allows the manipulation of Order is the use of a key ring, like the Ring of the Kingdom that many attempt to win through the Trials."

Page 9

"The Order of Life typically employs the use of pure-hearted individuals as a means to unlock its power or other devices like sunlight.

However it's enacted a magical artifact must never be misused or the user will suffer dire consequences..."

Report
"Procedural Addendum:

It has come to the Good Master's attention that a number of acolytes are dabbling in Chaos Magic. While this isn't forbidden... it is required that you clean up any mess that may result from its chaotic effects."

The Speeches of Lord Jair
Page 1

"People of Kal Torlin, the evil which has threatened our land is sealed away forever. We are indeed safe.

However, I ask you to look around. The ravages of war are all about you. All the evil that has been done needs to be set right."

Page 2

"Look at the land: the trees and the plants have all withered. The ground is scorched beneath our feet. For us, who have survived, a new battle now begins- to secure our future.

We have to restore our beloved country. We need to rebuild from the ashes."

Page 3

"Since magic has caused much of the blight on the land, it is only right that magic be part of its cleansing.

Therefore, I ask that Lakmir open Shadowgate to those that will learn his ways with guidance, these sorcerers will be called on to rebuild and defenc Kal Torlin."

Page 4

"Editor's note: Lakmir the Timeless agreed and dedicated the four towers of Shadowgate to the cause. One for the use of training young sorcerers. One as his personal quarters. And one as a testing place for those sorcerers who would serve the royal family."

Page 5



The Book of Orders
Page 1

"The One created the heavens and the earth. Giving birth to the Four Orders which govern in His stead. They are: Chaos, Life, Order, and Death. All hang in the balance and none hold sway over any other. For if one of the Orders holds sway- the world ends and begins anew."

Page 2

"The Quo'thra, or fairies, were first born. Heedless, carefree and possessing no worries. They were weak- minded and sought only their own pleasures. The Four Orders easily manipulated them- threatening the balance. The One was greatly displeased."

Page 3

"The One decreed that the Four could make war through the Quo'thra. And thus the world ended. And from the ashes evolved the Jo'Hira, more commonly known as elves. The Jo'Hira became the chosen people. And the One was pleased."

Page 4

"Seasons passed upon the new paradise and the Jo'Hira joyfully ministered to the One. Then the Great Turning began- the collective mind of the Jo'Hira was subverted by the Order of Chaos who sought to gain power over saw his people corrupted..."

Page 5

"With much dipleased, He magnified the power of Chaos over the Jo'Hira and the world ended once more! In the madness that followed, the Jo'Hira that survived sought protection in all manner of place. The madness subsided and Chaos rejoined his brothers."

Page 6

"The Jo'Hira emerged from hiding- and they were changed... Those who hid on the plains became man. Those from caves became barbarians. Those from swamps became Fenlings... Thus the races were formed and the One was pleased..."

Lecture Notes
"The lecture was very interesting- to control the flood levels. Now if only I can remember the sequence...

Right, right, left?

Left, right, right? Or

right, left, right?"

Student's Diary
Page 1

"Month of Aries: SW Day

It was merely a matter of time before the Watchman discovered our folly. Our nighttime pleasure jaunts were no doubt ill advised."

Page 2

"I always suspected he knew of our excursions but a man can only turn a deaf ear so long. Perhaps they will be gracious with us. After all, the trips were merely an occasional diversion! Will they confiscate the key and tell Good Master Lakmir?"

Page 3

"Month of Aries: W Day

The Good Master was gracious. A week of shameful labor could be worse, much worse. I have heard that future transgressors will be made to wear the blue ring. It is said, that this ring will drive a man insane."

Page 4

"Month of Aries: NW Day

It happened on this day that I beheld a darker side of Lakmir. He appeared from nowhere and yelled at me as I went to clean the fireplace. I quickly forgot my chored as I slinked away."

Page 5

"That night I started to think: Isn't ir strange that a tower with no chimney should have a fireplace. I realized that such thoughts were dangerous but I could not help but think them as the moon rose over the third tower."

Page 6

"And I dreamt of a grinning skull wearing a ring of blue that cried out for it's brothers of red and green. And in it, I saw the answers and a voice told me that once you're through with one world, there's another waiting there."

Personal Letter
"My dear Friend,

There is nothing I can do for you now. Your pain and suffering I can do little for. But I will seek out wiser counsel and find a cure for you ailments.

Mark my words- I will cure you!"

The House of Dreslin
Page 1

"After the death of the great King Aronde, the succession did not proceed well.

With failing health and without an heir, the great King had the presence of mind to appoint a successor: Lord Jair of the Westland."

Page 2

"This turned into a favorable decision by commoner and nobleman alike. Jair's leadership and courage, tempered with his upbrining and compassion for the people, rivaled even King Aronde's.

However, one family opposed the choice - the Dreslin family."

Page 3

"The Dreslins were an illustrious family of old lineage that served as chief vassals for generations.

Supported by other conservatives who relied more on tradition than the welfare of the kingdom, the Dreslin's mounted a political campaign against Jair."

Page 4

"More renowned as castle builders than as statesmen, the Dreslin's political gambit failed.

In the end, the more extreme factions of the family planned to assassinate the newly crowned Jair. Their plan was thwarted.

Jair, out of mercy, and because of his short..."

Page 5

"...tenure on the throne decided to spare them.

Thus, the Dreslin family holdings and lands were confiscated but they still retained their duties to the royal throne of Kal Torlin. Bereft of power, they were still a proud family."

Page 6