First of all, hello and welcome to Empiriana!

You might like to know that this document, with the map, can be downloaded. Access the download directly by clicking the crossed swords at the bottom of this page, or go to the Tavern and click on the far right shield to find the complete download page. The file for this document is a self-extracting archive. Execute it in an empty folder to extract the map and this text.

Before I proceed with the quest, allow me to guide you first to other informative areas. If you need to know the basic mechanics of movement and battle used in this game, such instructions can be obtained in the Tavern. For general advice on character selection, weapons, armor and battle tactics, have a look at Rasputan’s Quest Manual, which can be found in the Castle. If you simply wish to get started playing, you might like to know that although the first quest is in the Western Cavern, other regions are also open to you at the start of the game. These are the Eastern Cavern and the Deserted Caves. The entire rooms in these areas will not be accessible to you at first, but you will be able to do enough to gain some valuable exploration and battle experience. And now, on to the quest.

The first quest in this game is the Gold Leaf Quest. As is generally the case, this quest item (the gold leaf) will be used later to fulfill another quest. This first quest includes most of the elements common to all quests in Empiriana, (i.e. use of teleports, floor plate switches, wall lever switches, touch-walls and the dreaded pit-walk). Have a look at the map and legend included with this file. You will note that all these areas and items are marked. Teleports and their landings are marked in green and yellow marks secret doors, while switches and items are marked in orange.

Your first step is to open the teleport across the chasm. As you explore this room, you may wish to investigate the secret door on the east wall. Notice the audio clue as you face the door. This and other sound effects clues are used throughout the game.

When you reach the area marked on the map as #1 switch, "bump" the wall (attempt to move forward one square) and then enter the room. Once inside the room, turn around until you see the switch. Bump it---this is how all switches and touch-walls are activated or turned "ON." Bump the wall a second time and notice the switch can be turned "OFF," as well. But don’t forget to leave it in the "ON" position before exiting. What you have done here is to unlock the door to a teleport south of this location. You may now go there.

Continue south to the hallway running west and follow it until you are in front of two doors. The east door is not open to anyone yet, but the south door was unlocked when you activated the #1 switch. Work through this small room to the secret door to teleport #3, and step into the teleport.

Now you have crossed the chasm. The only direction you can move is south to hit another teleport. As you are now suspended in air you should get a screen message about your situation. DO NOT turn! Your only move is to step onto the platform north of you. Once on the platform, marked on the map here as #4 Plate, you will receive an audio effect and a message about a floor plate switch. This has unlocked doors to the south and east of you.

Face west and walk across the pit. Note any clues you receive. Work your way to the northwest corner of the room and move into teleport #2. Return to the area near the #1 switch and from there, continue south past The Winds until you reach the passage going west to the pit. Explore this area moving east and north to the orange square marked #6, where you will find a new weapon. (If you are still using the equipment you were given at the start of the game, change now to the long sword you find here. It is a better weapon than the short sword you have).

Retrace your path and work toward the #2 orange square on the map. This is the first of 2 Tree Switches in this quest. It is a touch-wall, activated as all other touch-walls---by bumping. Now return south and move to the #7 orange square. Here you will find a short bow. This weapon is of little use, but you may wish to experiment with it. Continue to the #3 orange square, where the second Tree Switch is found. Once again, bump the wall.

The path to the Gold Leaf is now open to you. Return to the #3 teleport and again cross the chasm. Move south along the west wall to the corner, then east until you encounter a door on the north wall. Move into this area and explore north to the secret door. Pass through it and the one-way door east of it. Now go south beside the pit, through another one-way door to the place marked on the map here with a white line across the pit. Notice the sound effect you hear when you face east. This is another audio clue, telling you that you can cross here. If the four switches have all been set, you may now cross over the pit and into the secret room where you will find the Gold Leaf.

After finding the leaf, return across the pit by the same path and exit this area through the one-way door south and west of where you crossed the pit. Now move first west and then north to the door that leads to the Northwest Cavern.

Congratulations! You have finished your first quest.

NOTE: Most switches and items are guarded by what are called "set fights."  In set fights, you will hear a change in the music and encounter a much larger group of monsters than those found in random encounters. Set fights must be completed before proceeding in an important segment of the game.  I have not indicated where you will find these fights, but it is a safe bet that they will be near your goal.