Chapter 6 Walkthrough: Aasim Ahlaam's Store, the Well and the Priest

What happens in chapter 6?

The next morning you visit Aasim Ahlaam’s shop in West Branch Alley to ask for Africa’s Dark Sects. The shop is a trap. A man named Silas is guarding it, and the book is hidden deep in a cult’s lair beneath the building. The chapter contains the game’s first real deadly moments, so it is worth reading all the way through.

How do I get to the shop?

From your apartment, a line made only of directions means a run of moves.

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Before you step through the door, type cast mend wound if you are hurt. The survival tips explain why you should not cast it at full health.

How do I beat Silas?

talk to silas
topics
ask silas about africa's dark sects
cast shrivel on silas
take key

Silas fetches the book from behind the counter, then blows a hallucinogenic dust in your face. He acts straight away. If his attack misses, your next action is cast shrivel on silas, which dries him to dust. Take the store key he leaves behind. If his attack hits you, you wake up in the Well Chamber on a different route, so use undo right away to stay on the normal one.

To avoid hitting the carrying limit, drop the club (drop club) and put the letter opener in the satchel.

How do I find the mask?

unlock backroom door
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search shadows
wear mask

The backroom door needs the store key you just took. The stairs beyond lead west to the Dark Alcove, where search shadows finds a skull mask. Wear it before you go further.

How do I close the well?

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take drum
wait
cast shrivel on man
play drum
close well

North of the alcove is the Well Chamber, with a lidded well in the center and an insane man beside it. Take the hand-drum from the wall, then wait one turn while the man opens the lid. Then cast shrivel on man. A huge creature called the Chakota rises from the well. With the mask on, it does not devour you: play drum to send it back and close well.

How do I get past the priest?

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cast shrivel on priest
look under mattress

The passage east leads to the Priest’s Chamber. Your very first action there must be cast shrivel on priest. Do not look first. If you want a margin, type cast mend wound in the Well Chamber before you step in. After he turns to dust, look under mattress to take the book.

How do I deliver the book?

Walk out through the alcove, the stairs and the shop, then to Coffey’s townhome.

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knock
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take off mask
ask coffey about africa's dark sects

Take off the mask before you talk to Coffey. After he takes the book, go home to learn the third spell.

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study volume
answer cell

study volume teaches Psychometry, and your phone rings again. Chapter 7 puts it to use. For the rooms of the shop see Aasim Ahlaam’s store.