The greatest transport are the hidden Moon Gates. Passing through a Moon Gate when it is active will teleport your Party to another location. Access to many glens of the old knowledge are restricted by the Moon Gates. No creature of the Dark can ever break through the wards that protect them. The coming and going of the Moon Gates is somehow related to the twin Moons, Trammel and Felucca, that grace the sky. The success of your quest may well hinge on you solving the ancient mystery of the Moon Gates.
The greatest transport are the hidden Moon Gates. Passing through a Moon Gate when it is active will teleport your Party to another location. Access to many glens of the old knowledge are restricted by the Moon Gates. No creature of the Dark can ever break through the wards that protect them. The coming and going of the Moon Gates is somehow related to the twin Moons, Trammel and Felucca, that grace the sky. The success of your quest may well hinge on you solving the ancient mystery of the Moon Gates.
{{-}}
== Understanding Moon Gates ==
== Understanding Moon Gates ==
At the top of the screen, the phases of the twin moons, Trammel and Felucca, are represented by numerals as follows:
At the top of the screen, the phases of the twin moons, Trammel and Felucca, are represented by numerals as follows:
Line 13:
Line 15:
The phase of the left moon dictates the location where you may find a Moon Gate currently open and awaiting utilization by your party. The phase of the right moon dictates the destination that you will end up in when you pass through the Moon Gate. The right moon changes phases three times for every one phase change of the left moon. This means every Moon Gate will lead to three particular destinations. In a few select cases, it is possible for the phases of the moons to be identical (New Moon, Gibbous waxing, Full Moon, and Crescent waning). During those moments, stepping into a Moon Gate will not transport you anywhere.
The phase of the left moon dictates the location where you may find a Moon Gate currently open and awaiting utilization by your party. The phase of the right moon dictates the destination that you will end up in when you pass through the Moon Gate. The right moon changes phases three times for every one phase change of the left moon. This means every Moon Gate will lead to three particular destinations. In a few select cases, it is possible for the phases of the moons to be identical (New Moon, Gibbous waxing, Full Moon, and Crescent waning). During those moments, stepping into a Moon Gate will not transport you anywhere.
| South-East of Montors <br /> ''(Northwest corner of map, North of Moon)''
| South-East of Montor East <br /> ''(Northwest corner of map, North of Moon)''
| 0. New moon
| New Moon
| (0), 1, 2
| (0), 1, 2
|-
|-
| 1
| Island of dungeon of Snake <small>(east)</small> <br /> (''Cave of Sol'' in the NES)
| Eastern Island, Dungeon of the Snake <br /> (''Cave of Sol'' in the NES)
| 1. Crescent waxing
| Crescent Waxing
| 3, 4, 5
| 3, 4, 5
|-
|-
| 2
| Landlocked valley <small>(Sosaria center)</small>
| Locked in by mountains, center of the map
| 2. First quarter
| First Quarter
| 6, 7, 0
| 6, 7, 0
|-
|-
| 3
| West of Montors
| Just West of Montor West
| 3. Gibbous waxing
| Gibbous Waxing
| 1, 2, (3)
| 1, 2, (3)
|-
|-
| 4
| Landlocked valley <small>(Sosaria center)</small>
| Locked in by mountains, center of the map
| 4. Full moon
| Full Moon
| (4), 5, 6
| (4), 5, 6
|-
|-
| 5
| Fire Island <small>(near Castle Exodus)</small>
| Isle with Castle Exodus
| 5. Gibbous waning
| Gibbous Waning
| 7, 0, 1
| 7, 0, 1
|-
|-
| 6
| Devil Guard valley <small>(Sosaria center)</small>
| Devilguard access, East of Devilguard
| 6. Last quarter
| Last Quarter
| 2, 3, 4
| 2, 3, 4
|-
|-
| 7
| Valley of dungeon of Time <br /> (''Cave of Moon'' in the NES)
| Eastern Island with Dungeon of Time <br /> (''Cave of Moon'' in the NES)
| 7. Crescent waning
| Crescent Waning
| 5, 6, (7)
| 5, 6, (7)
|}
|}
Line 62:
Line 56:
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== Moongate travel ==
There are two Moongate locations that can be easily accessed from '''Sosaria mainland'''; they connect to the same two locations: the island of [[../Dungeon of the Snake|Dungeon of the Snake]] and the landlocked valley.
Two Moongate locations are in the same '''landlocked valley'''. Their work as a hub: there's nothing of interest in the vale, but it connects four different destinations.
== Moon gates timetables ==
Moon Gates are a from of transportation. You can think of them as similar to train stations or airports. As such, it can be easier to understand how to travel if the "timetable" of each "moon station" is displayed separately.
The remaining locations are the '''four destinations of interest''': the valley of Devil Guard, the island of the [[../Dungeon of the Snake|Dungeon of the Snake]], the valley of the [[../Dungeon of Time|Dungeon of Time]] and an (actually useless) inlet on the island of Exodus Castle.
In the NES port, the "numbers" representing moon phases are replaced by actual moon icons. Note that they are mirrored with respect to the Earth's Moon. This is one of many hints throughout the series that suggests that the kingdom of Lord British is in the Southern hemisphere of its planet.
=== Trip to Devil Guard ===
=== Mainland ===
; '''Outbound trip 1:'''
Three moon gates (out of eight) can be accessed from Sosaria mainland. The one on Snake dungeon island ("Sol" in the NES) can be easily reached with a ship.
* Go to the Moongate South-East of Montor East (NW corner of the map); at the New Moon the gate appears; when the other moon is at first quarter (half moon), step into the Moongate to get to the landlocked valley.
* Soon, the same Moongate where you arrive will re-appear. Step into it at once to get to Devil Guard.
; '''Outbound trip 2:'''
These three moongates send the party to two more destinations: the landlocked valley and Fire island. On a return trip, they can be reached from three origins: Devil Guard valley, as well as the aforementioned landlocked valley and Fire island.
* Go to the Moongate West of Montor West; at the gibbous waxing moon the gate appears; when the other moon is at first quarter (half moon), step into the Moongate to get to the landlocked valley.
* Soon, the other Moongate will appear (at full moon). Step into it when the other moon is at last quarter (half moon) to get to Devil Guard.
; '''Return trip:'''
{|{{prettytable|text center=1|notwide=1}}
* The Moongate appears at the last quarter (half moon). When the other moon is a gibbous waxing, step into the Moongate to get west of Montor West.
! Arrivals !! Moon gate !! Departures
|-
| [[File:U3_moon_NES5.png]] (5)<br> Fire island ||rowspan=2|''' SE of the Montors <br>[[File:U3_moon_NES0.png]] (0)<br> '''|| [[File:U3_moon_NES1.png]] (1)<br> Snake/Sol dungeon island
|-
| [[File:U3_moon_NES2.png]] (2)<br> Landlocked valley || {{yes|[[File:U3_moon_NES2.png]] (2)<br> Landlocked valley}}
|}
=== Trip to Dungeon of Time ===
''"Cave of Moon" in the NES version.''
; '''Outbound trip:'''
{|{{prettytable|text center=1|notwide=1}}
* Go to the Moongate South-East of Montor East (NW corner of the map); at the New Moon the gate appears; when the other moon is a quarter (half moon), step into the Moongate to get to the landlocked valley.
! Arrivals !! Moon gate !! Departures
* Soon, the same Moongate where you arrive will re-appear. Wait for the other moon to be crescent waning, the csep into the Gate to get to the Dungeon of Time.
|-
| [[File:U3_moon_NES1.png]] (1)<br> Snake/Sol dungeon island ||rowspan=2|''' W of the Montors <br>[[File:U3_moon_NES3.png]] (3)<br> '''|| [[File:U3_moon_NES1.png]] (1)<br> Snake/Sol dungeon island
* Step into the Moongate as soon as it appears at the crescent waning moon to get to the inlet of the Isle of Fire.
* From there, wait for the Moongate at the gibbous waning moon and step into it when the other moon is new (black). You'll emerge South-East of Montor East.
; '''Return trip 2:'''
{|{{prettytable|text center=1|notwide=1}}
* Step into the Moongate at the crescent waning moon when the second moon is last quarter to get to the valley of Devil Guard.
! Arrivals !! Moon gate !! Departures
* The Moongate appears at the last quarter (half moon). When the other moon is a gibbous waxing, step into the Moongate to get west of Montor West.
|-
| [[File:U3_moon_NES3.png]] (3)<br> W of the Montors ||rowspan=3|''' Snake/Sol dungeon island <br>[[File:U3_moon_NES1.png]] (1)<br> '''|| [[File:U3_moon_NES3.png]] (3)<br> W of the Montors
|-
| [[File:U3_moon_NES0.png]] (0)<br> SE of the Montors || {{yes|[[File:U3_moon_NES4.png]] (4)<br> Landlocked valley}}
|-
| [[File:U3_moon_NES5.png]] (5)<br> Fire island || {{yes|[[File:U3_moon_NES5.png]] (5)<br> Fire island}}
|}
=== Trip to Dungeon of the Snake ===
=== Landlocked valley & Fire island ===
''"Cave of Sol" in the NES version.''
The landlocked valley and the Isle of Fire can be considered as hubs: there is nothing of interest, but the moon gates there allow to reach other areas. Most notably, the landlocked vally is linked to and from the valley of Devil Guard, and Fire Island is linked to and from the valley of the dungeon of Time.
The island of the Dungeon of Snake can be accessed far more easily by ship.
The moon gate on Fire Island allows to ''see'' Exodus Castle, but the party cannot reach it (unless you cheat using a glitch).
{|{{prettytable|text center=1|notwide=1}}
! Arrivals !! Moon gate !! Departures
|-
| [[File:U3_moon_NES6.png]] (6)<br> Devil Guard valley ||rowspan=3|''' Landlocked valley (N) <br>[[File:U3_moon_NES2.png]] (2)<br> '''|| {{yes|[[File:U3_moon_NES6.png]] (6)<br> Devil Guard valley}}
|-
| {{yes|[[File:U3_moon_NES3.png]] (3)<br> W of the Montors}} || [[File:U3_moon_NES7.png]] (7)<br> Time/Moon dungeon valley
|-
| {{yes|[[File:U3_moon_NES0.png]] (0)<br> SE of the Montors}} || [[File:U3_moon_NES0.png]] (0)<br> SE of the Montors
|}
; '''Outbound trip 1:'''
* At the Moongate South-East of Montor East, step into it as soon as the moons are different.
; '''Outbound trip 2:'''
{|{{prettytable|text center=1|notwide=1}}
* At the Moongate West of Montor West, step into it as soon as it appears.
! Arrivals !! Moon gate !! Departures
|-
| [[File:U3_moon_NES1.png]] (1)<br> Snake/Sol dungeon island ||rowspan=2|''' Landlocked valley (S) <br>[[File:U3_moon_NES4.png]] (4)<br> '''|| [[File:U3_moon_NES5.png]] (5)<br> Fire island
The party's quest to explore the dungeon of Time ("cave of Moon" in the NES) can start from the island of Dungeon Snake ("cave of Sol" in the NES). The moon phases of interest are all odd numbers: 1, 5, 7.
* Step into the Moongate as soon as it appears. You'll get back West of Montor West.
=== Trip to the Isle of Fire ===
{|{{prettytable|text center=1|notwide=1}}
The Isle of Fire is where Exodus Castle is located. The Moongate is located on an inlet from which you can see the Castle, but you cannot reach it. It is therefore unimportant to get here.
! Arrivals !! Moon gate !! Departures
|-
| {{yes|[[File:U3_moon_NES7.png]] (7)<br> Time/Moon dungeon valley}} ||rowspan=3|''' Fire island <br>[[File:U3_moon_NES5.png]] (5)<br> '''|| {{yes|[[File:U3_moon_NES7.png]] (7)<br> Time/Moon dungeon valley}}
|-
| [[File:U3_moon_NES4.png]] (4)<br> Landlocked valley || [[File:U3_moon_NES0.png]] (0)<br> SE of the Montors
| [[File:U3_moon_NES5.png]] (5)<br> Fire island ||rowspan=2|''' Time/Moon dungeon valley <br>[[File:U3_moon_NES7.png]] (7)<br> '''|| [[File:U3_moon_NES5.png]] (5)<br> Fire island
|-
| [[File:U3_moon_NES2.png]] (2)<br> Landlocked valley || [[File:U3_moon_NES6.png]] (6)<br> Devil Guard valley
The greatest transport are the hidden Moon Gates. Passing through a Moon Gate when it is active will teleport your Party to another location. Access to many glens of the old knowledge are restricted by the Moon Gates. No creature of the Dark can ever break through the wards that protect them. The coming and going of the Moon Gates is somehow related to the twin Moons, Trammel and Felucca, that grace the sky. The success of your quest may well hinge on you solving the ancient mystery of the Moon Gates.
At the top of the screen, the phases of the twin moons, Trammel and Felucca, are represented by numerals as follows:
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
New Moon
Crescent waxing
First Quarter
Gibbous waxing
Full Moon
Gibbous waning
Last Quarter
Crescent waning
The phase of the left moon dictates the location where you may find a Moon Gate currently open and awaiting utilization by your party. The phase of the right moon dictates the destination that you will end up in when you pass through the Moon Gate. The right moon changes phases three times for every one phase change of the left moon. This means every Moon Gate will lead to three particular destinations. In a few select cases, it is possible for the phases of the moons to be identical (New Moon, Gibbous waxing, Full Moon, and Crescent waning). During those moments, stepping into a Moon Gate will not transport you anywhere.
Moon Gates are a from of transportation. You can think of them as similar to train stations or airports. As such, it can be easier to understand how to travel if the "timetable" of each "moon station" is displayed separately.
In the NES port, the "numbers" representing moon phases are replaced by actual moon icons. Note that they are mirrored with respect to the Earth's Moon. This is one of many hints throughout the series that suggests that the kingdom of Lord British is in the Southern hemisphere of its planet.
Three moon gates (out of eight) can be accessed from Sosaria mainland. The one on Snake dungeon island ("Sol" in the NES) can be easily reached with a ship.
These three moongates send the party to two more destinations: the landlocked valley and Fire island. On a return trip, they can be reached from three origins: Devil Guard valley, as well as the aforementioned landlocked valley and Fire island.
The landlocked valley and the Isle of Fire can be considered as hubs: there is nothing of interest, but the moon gates there allow to reach other areas. Most notably, the landlocked vally is linked to and from the valley of Devil Guard, and Fire Island is linked to and from the valley of the dungeon of Time.
The moon gate on Fire Island allows to see Exodus Castle, but the party cannot reach it (unless you cheat using a glitch).
Arrivals
Moon gate
Departures
(6) Devil Guard valley
Landlocked valley (N) (2)
(6) Devil Guard valley
(3) W of the Montors
(7) Time/Moon dungeon valley
(0) SE of the Montors
(0) SE of the Montors
Arrivals
Moon gate
Departures
(1) Snake/Sol dungeon island
Landlocked valley (S) (4)
(5) Fire island
(6) Devil Guard valley
(6) Devil Guard valley
The party's quest to explore the dungeon of Time ("cave of Moon" in the NES) can start from the island of Dungeon Snake ("cave of Sol" in the NES). The moon phases of interest are all odd numbers: 1, 5, 7.
(5)
(0)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(6)
(4)
(7)