Chambers of Xenobia

Name: Chambers of Xenobia
Programmer(s): Steven Sacks
Publisher: Avant-Garde Creations
Year: 1981

Description:

The Chambers of Xenobia - Game Overview

Concept: You're a fortune-seeking adventurer in the 15th century who has entered an abandoned dungeon once inhabited by an evil warlock named Xenobia. Your goal is to explore the dangerous chambers, defeat monsters, collect treasures, and escape alive while maximizing your score (out of 190 points possible).

Monsters You'll Face

  • Troglodyte - Cave-dwelling humanoid
  • Minotaur - Bull-headed monster carrying a purse of rubies
  • Ogre - Blue-skinned giant
  • Werewolf - Shapeshifting beast
  • Hobgoblin - Mischievous goblinoid
  • Ghoul - Transparent undead creature
  • Rat - Giant rodent
  • Stirge - Blood-sucking creature
  • Orc - Brutish warrior
  • Mummy - Bandage-wrapped undead
  • Zombie - Shambling corpse
  • Dragon - The ultimate boss in its lair (immune to ordinary weapons!)

Treasures to Collect

  • Huge diamond, emeralds, sapphire
  • Gold bar, gold necklace, gold doubloons
  • Purse of rubies, platinum ring, pile of platinum
  • Onyx statue, antique brass carving

Key Puzzles & Challenges

  1. Door Puzzles - Some doors require keys or special methods to open
  2. The Dragon - Cannot be killed with ordinary weapons; requires the "Dragon Disintegrator" vial
  3. Strength Potion - A bottle with faded label reading "ST.EN.TH" gives temporary strength
  4. Clock Puzzle - Setting an old cuckoo clock to "12" at the right time releases a hidden emerald
  5. Pool Room - Three colored pools (clear, red, brown) with different effects - clear is safe, red is acid, brown is boiling mud
  6. Gate Puzzle - Heavy iron gate requires strength to open
  7. Magic Word - "COWABUNGA" appears on a note and may be needed somewhere
  8. Locked Doors - Some require specific keys found elsewhere

Special Items

  • Sword - Your primary weapon for most monsters
  • Vial of Dragon Disintegrator - Only way to defeat the dragon
  • Key - Found clutched in a skeleton's hand, opens locked doors
  • Strength Potion - Temporary boost for heavy lifting

The game uses a simple two-word command system (VERB NOUN) and includes atmospheric descriptions, combat mechanics with random chance elements, and classic adventure game logic puzzles. Success requires mapping the dungeon, strategic combat, and solving the interconnected puzzles to access all areas and treasures.