Treasure hunt Stardark
Everyone knows where Professor Isra Nagas lives. After all, you can see her house on the top of the hill that's visible from almost every corner of the city of Anarad. It also means that it is quite a strenuous walk from the university to the professor's home. Fortunately, you are faster than most couriers. The letter you carry is also too important for regular mail delivery.
You run along the winding road to the top of the hill. Panting, you reach the front door of the house. The building had seemed imposing at the bottom of the slope, but now that you stand in front of the entrance, the house is not nearly as big as you had imagined. Or is it just a trick of the eye? After all, the observatory towers over the building. The largest telescope in the world is hidden behind the sliding doors of the dome. By comparison, every building looks a bit like a doll's house. Your fingers tingle as you look at the observatory. Will you ever be able to see the giant instrument up close?
You don't have time for daydreaming. As soon as you catch your breath, you knock on the front door. A grey little man opens it for you. He moves smoothly, despite his age, and greets you with a smile carried by his lips as well as his wrinkles. 'Good afternoon, you must be one of Madam Isra's students.'
You nod and you tell him your name. 'I have a message for her, from the Marag Observatory. It was sent to the university, but the professor was not present.' You grab an envelope from your shoulder bag and offer it to the man.
"That must be an important message, considering the sender. Come in." The man steps aside with a slight bow.
Come in? You had assumed you would only deliver the envelope. Curious, you step over the threshold and walk into a corridor. A carpet covers the floor, a handful of paintings hang on the wall, but otherwise the house doesn't have much fuss. What it does have, is a good number of doors.
"Would you be so kind as to wait in the guest room?" the man asks. He points to one of the doors. "I will bring you tea and refreshments."
"Oh, please don't bother."
"After you've run all the way up this hill? Offering you a drink is the least I can do. Besides, it's my job." His smile widens. "I am Latif, the chamberlain of Isra and Haider. Come, make yourself comfortable until the professor has finished her work."
You want to tell him that you have very little to contribute. You are merely the postman; the letter you are supposed to hand over is sealed. You have no idea what it says. And you are a first-year student; how can you ever, with your meager knowledge, be of service to a seasoned professor?
Latif, however, has already turned around and walks out of the hallway. You are left behind, surrounded by closed doors. Latif had pointed at the fourth door, but a restless stirring inside you stops you from entering that room. One of those doors should lead you to the observatory. Maybe you can catch a glimpse of the telescope?
Which door do you open?
Door 1: There is nothing special about this door. Its green paint is sleek and the brass doorknob shines brightly.
Door 2: This door is smaller than the others and has a simple wooden handle.
Door 3: At first glance, this door is a copy of the first one. Then you see a keyhole below the doorknob. Door 4: This is the door Latif had pointed at. This must be the guest room.
Door 5: A wooden sign is nailed to this door. It reads, in highly unfriendly letters, DO NOT DISTURB.