The Temple of the Tides
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15th of September, 2006
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Author			: 
Contact info		: 
Date of release		: 15th of September, 2006

Requirements		: THIS FAN MISSION USES OGG/VORBIS FORMAT AUDIO. YOU *MUST* BE USING DARKLOADER 4.2 OR LATER
				   OR GARRETTLOADER 1.4 OR YOU WILL NOT HEAR THE CUSTOM SOUND EFFECTS

Important Note		: In order to use some objects in this mission, you will need to hold down the use button, rather
				  than merely pressing it once, quickly. This applies mostly to objects that can be turned, allowing
				  you to turn them to precise angles.
				  Basically, if something doesn't seem to do anything when you try to use it, you need to hold down
				  the use button.


Description			:

It was on a stormy night nearly a month ago, as I was nursing a pint of ale near the roaring hearth of the
The Traveller's Inn, that the stranger first approached me. I had not noticed him sitting in the deep
shadows that enshrouded the far corner of the room until he got to his feet, his dark cloak billowing out
behind him. He stopped his approach when he noticed that I had seen him, and his eyes studied me from within
his deep cowl. Finally, he tilted his head towards a table in the gloom, in a subtle gesture with which he
indicated his wish to speak with me privately. I picked up my tankard and followed him to the table, where
we sat down opposite each other.
"What is it that you want?" I asked.
"You are a man who can... acquire things," he said. It was a statement, not a question.
"And if I am?"
"Then you may be intersted to hear the proposition I am about to make you..."
I was about to tell him to take his 'proposition' to someone else when he managed to... divert my attention.
Upon seeing the purse he had placed on the table, I merely nodded for him to continue.

He proceeded to tell me of an ancient temple that is rumoured to lie on an island about two weeks' sail from
Westmoor.
Its exact location was unknown to him, but he seemed quite convinced that the tales of an ancient treasure
being hidden away there are true. The task, for which he is willing to pay a considerable sum, is to travel
to this island, seek out the ruins of the temple, find this so-called "Tear of the Tides", and return it to
him. A small sea-going vessel had been hired, and was even then being made ready to ferry me to the island
the following afternoon. He even offered me a small amount of gold up-front with which to equip myself for
the journey. I didn't see how I could refuse such an offer.

Before I set out, I made certain... inquiries about this temple for which I was hunting. From what I gathered,
I am only one of many who have sought the treasures burried there. Of those who have ventured before me, many
returned believing the temple to be but a myth; some had told tales of discovering the ruins of an entranceway
but being unable to find a way inside; and others still had never been seen or heard from again.
The latest to set out in search of that place was the noted archeologist Alexander Frost, who set out a few
days before my meeting with the hooded stranger. If he ever made it to the island, I have found no sign of him.
Perhaps he succumbed to the dangers of the sea, or maybe he reached the island, found nothing, and set sail back
to the mainland before I arrived.
I also made some enquires about "The Tear of the Tides", but was unable to turn up anything concrete.
I heard tales and rumours that attributed to it some type power of command over the waves and the sea, but more
likely than not these are merely superstitious fantasies.

The journey by sea took sixteen days, after which I was more than glad to be on firm ground once more.
After we landed on the island, it took me a week of searching before I finally found the entranceway to the
temple, which seems almost to be built into the very waters that lie to the north of the island. I was dreading
that the place might be flooded and inaccessible, but as I descend into the depths, I see that this upper level
at least is relatively dry. There is a large stone doorway ahead of me that appears to lead deeper into the
temple.

It's time to see what mysteries this ancient building holds...





Hints					
					* This primary focus of this mission is exploration and puzzles.
					  Make sure to make good use of your brain.
					  
					* Not everything is always as it first appears.
					
					* Make sure to read anything you find, it might have important clues in it.
					
					* Sunlight cannot hurt you, but beware of others who might if they see you in it
					
					* If a place looks like you've been there before, you probably have.

			  
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* Play Information *

Game				: Thief 2: The Metal Age
Mission Title		: The Temple of the Tides
File name(s)		: Miss23.mis
Difficulty Settings	: Yes (Easier skills have more equipment, Normal bypasses some puzzles)
Equipment store		: No
Map / automap		: No (blank)
New objects			: Yes
New graphics		: Yes
New motions			: Yes
New sounds			: Yes
New scripts			: Yes (included)
Multi language support	: No

Briefing			: No

Known bugs			: None

Difficulty Level Info	: 
								Normal :	More starting equipment, some puzzles have easier solutions or can be bypassed.
								Hard :	More starting equipment and purchase options.
								Expert :	Little starting equipment, all puzzles must be solved normally.

* Construction *

Base				: None
Build Time			: Over 192 hours. (8 solid days)

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* Loading information *

Put the .ZIP in \thief\missions directory. DO NOT UNZIP.
Run the mission using DarkLoader.


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I would like to thank the following people:
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Spitter
TF
Nameless Voice
ajare
Redface
Eshaktaar
MortalMonkey
Vigil
R Soul
Kolya
Assassin Ravenlord
TheNightTerror
Digital Nightfall
Schattentänzer
Hemebond

and Telliamed, without whom this never would have been possible!


* Textures *
David Gurrea ( http://www.davegh.com/blade/davegh.htm )

* Sound effects *
Scraping metal by Halleck (http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/usersViewSingle.php?id=6281)
Splashing by AGFX (http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/usersViewSingle.php?id=50975)
Cracking sounds by DalomarGrimm (http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/usersViewSingle.php?id=15055)


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* Copyright *

Distribution of this level is allowed as long as it is free and the package is kept intact. You may not include this level to any map pack without my permission. No one may edit and re-distribute this mission without my express permission.
Fan Mission Authors: please ask before using any of the custom elements of this mission in your own work.

This level was not made and is not supported by Looking Glass Studios or Eidos Interactive.