Rediscovery EP: The Cursed Scepter of Ramses

[The Ancient Warrior]

Author's Note: This is one of the episodes of my independent project, Legends: The Rediscovery.  More information on the project can be found by following this link.

Episode 13: The Cursed Scepter of Ramses

The camera maneuvers through a thick, lush rainforest to stop in front of an ancient temple. A giant stone head next to the gate of the temple begins to speak:
"LEGENDS OF THE HIDDEN TEMPLE! With your guide, Kirk Fogg!"

On this final word, Kirk descends into view on a rope. "Thank you, Olmec! Welcome to Legends of the Hidden Temple. The rooms are filled with lost treasures that are protected by mysterious Mayan Temple Guards. Only Olmec knows the legend behind each of the treasures in his temple. Which legend are we gonna hear about today?"

Olmec replies:
"The legend of the Cursed Scepter of Ramses."

"Ooh, the Cursed Scepter of Ramses!" Kirk says in response. "Well one of these six teams will have the chance to retrieve the Scepter. Will it be:
"Adam and Tania of the Red Jaguars—" the camera pans to each team in order—
"Billy and Jessica of the Blue Barracudas,
"David and Lisa of the Green Monkeys,
"Matt and Cassandra of the Orange Iguanas,
"Ben and Rachel of the Purple Parrots,
"Or Kevin and Rebecca of the Silver Snakes?"

"They'll have to pass some tough physical and mental tests," Kirk says, "but in the end, only one team will earn the right to enter Olmec's Temple. First, they must cross the moat, and here's how they'll have to do it today:
"In front of each team a long net has fallen across the Moat. When I say 'go,' one player on each team will climb onto one side of the net, and then their partner's gonna climb on the other side and they'll make their way across together. Careful though, if either one of you falls, you'll both have to start over again.
"When both players get off the net on the other end of the Moat, you'll run over and hit the gong." He slams down on the Red Jaguars' gong to demonstrate. "The first four teams to hit their gongs will go on to the next round, so teams— are you ready?"
The players all cheer and shout in response.
"Olmec, are you ready?" asks Kirk.
"You bet!" Olmec shouts as an answer.
"Okay then teams," Kirk says. "On your mark, get set, GO!"

The teams begin to climb across at more or less the same paces— except for the Blue Barracudas, who are moving slowly to make sure they don't miss a handhold. They're only halfway across the Moat when the Green Monkeys ring their gong.
The girl on the Silver Snakes slips off the net and into the Moat, and just a moment later the Orange Iguanas gong in. The Red Jaguars make it across as the Silver Snakes start to move across their net for the second time. Before they can get anywhere, however, the Purple Parrots hit their gongs and thus steal away the fourth position.
"We've got our four teams!" announces Kirk. "Going on to the Steps of Knowledge are the Purple Parrots— and the Orange Iguanas— and the Green Monkeys— and the Red Jaguars!" The qualifying teams cheer and the players high-five their partners. "Blue Barracudas and Silver Snakes gave it a great effort too. They're not going away empty-handed, we've got a great gift for them, and here's what it is." Billy, Jessica, Kevin and Rebecca will each be receiving a copy of RV on DVD.

[The Ancient Warrior]

The four teams are now at the top of the Steps of Knowledge accompanied by Kirk. "As the quest continues, it's now time for Olmec to tell us about the Cursed Scepter of Ramses.  But pay attention guys, because your knowledge of the legend can bring you one step closer to Olmec's Temple."

Olmec begins to tell the story:
"One of the greatest pharaohs of ancient Egypt was named Ramses.  He was a popular ruler and powerful leader who also extended his kingdom in the north and the south.  He built the Abu Simbel monument and the Ramesseum, and his ninety-seven children also helped with his plans.  legend has it that he only became an impressive leader when his cursed staff went missing.
"Ramses had only been pharaoh for a year when a group of pirates called Sherdens began attacking and robbing ships on the north coast of Egypt.
" 'I'll just take the ships down myself,' he said, rushing out to board one of the Sherden ships.  The pirates attacked Ramses and took his gold scepter, then threw him back onto dry land.  That's when he hatched a new plan.
" 'If I can't win if I go to them, let's make them come to us,' Ramses said to his fleet.  It worked— by waiting for the Sherdens to sail their way, Ramses's ships managed to defeat the pirates.
"Ramses's scepter, on the other hand, still belonged to a Sherden pirate.  Ramses ruled for another 65 years but he never got the scepter back.  The pirate sold it for parts to build another ship, which sank the day it was built.  The merchant who bought the scepter was robbed the day he got it.  The scepter caused a lot of trouble, but eventually it came to rest in the Temple.  Your quest is to retrieve the Cursed Scepter of Ramses and bring it back here."

"Thank you Olmec," Kirk says after Olmec finishes telling the story. "So tell us, where is the Cursed Scepter?"
Olmec replies:
"The Cursed Scepter of Ramses can be found in the Throne Room."

"Teams," Kirk begins, walking down the steps, "you are now standing on the Steps of Knowledge, and in a minute, Olmec will ask you a question.  If you think you know the answer, I want you to stomp down on that ancient marking in front of you.  If you're first, your step will light up, and you'll have three seconds to answer.  If you're right, you're gonna move down to the next level, but if you're wrong or run out of time, I'll give the other teams a chance to answer.  The first two teams to make it to the bottom step will be one step closer to Olmec's Temple.  Olmec, we're now ready for your first question."

Olmec begins:
"What king of ruler was Ramses: A czar, An emperor, or—?"
David rings in: "Pharaoh."
"Correct," replies Olmec.
"Okay Green Monkeys, step down!" says Kirk.  David and Lisa then move down one step. "Next question, Olmec."

Olmec asks:
"Were the pharaohs rulers of—?"
Lisa stomps down first: "Egypt."
"That is correct," Olmec replies, and the Green Monkeys move down another step.
"Just like that, the Green Monkeys are only one step away from Olmec's Temple," says Kirk. "Olmec, next question."

Olmec now asks:
"According to our legend, were the group of pirates attacking the north coast of Egypt: Sherpa, Sherden, or Sherman?"
No one stomps down for a second, but Matt buzzes in first and quietly guesses: "Uh… Sherden…?"
"Say that again…?" asks Kirk.
"Sherden…?" Matt repeats.
"Correct," Olmec answers, and so the Orange Iguanas get to move down one step.

Olmec then asks:
"How long was Ramses pharaoh before the Sherdens attacked: One month, One year, or Two years?"
After a second, David stomps down first: "One year…?"
"That is correct!" Olmec shouts, and the Green Monkeys get to move down to the bottom step.
"We've got our first team going to the Temple Games," says Kirk, "but who's gonna join them: the Red Jaguars, the Orange Iguanas or the Purple Parrots? Next question."

Olmec asks:
"Did Ramses have—?"
Tania rings in: "Uhh… a cursed scepter?"
"That is not one of our three choices," replies Olmec. "The three choices are: 77 children, 87 children, or 97 children."
Rachel rings in: "97 children…?"
"Correct," says Olmec, allowing the Purple Parrots to move down to the second step.
"It's tied up on the second step," Kirk narrates. "Olmec, continue."

Olmec does so by asking:
"What is a pirate story called: A swashbuckler—?"
Cassandra buzzes in: "Swashbuckler…?"
"That is correct," replies Olmec, and the Orange Iguanas get to move down again.
"Orange Iguanas are only one step away from the Temple Games," Kirk explains. "Still time for the other teams to catch up.  Next question."

Olmec now asks:
"Which of these could be found in a pirate's treasure: Dragoons, Buffoons, or Doubloons?"
Adam rings in: "Dragoons…?"
"Incorrect," replies Olmec.  Then Rachel stomps down: "Doubloons…?"
"That is correct," says Olmec, and the Purple Parrots step down again.
"Purple Parrots are one step away from the Temple Games," Kirk narrates. "Red Jaguars can still catch up.  Next question, Olmec."

Olmec asks:
"When Ramses lost the scepter, did he become—?"
Tania gongs in: "Uh… great leader…?"
"Correct," replies Olmec, and so the Red Jaguars go down to the second step.

Olmec then asks:
"Was Ramses pharaoh for: 55 years, 65 years, or 75 years?"
Ben buzzes in: "65 years…?"
"That is correct!" Olmec shouts, and the Purple Parrots can move down to the bottom step.
"We've got our two teams right here!" announces Kirk. "The Green Monkeys and the Purple Parrots! Red Jaguars and Orange Iguanas gave it a great effort too.  They won't be going away empty-handed, here's what we've got for them." Adam, Matt, Cassandra and Tania will each be receiving a prize package from British Knights.

[The Ancient Warrior]

"Now," says Kirk, "the glory goes to the fastest and the strongest, but before we get started, let's get to know our two teams. On the Purple Parrots, we have Rachel, her favorite subject is English and she wants to be a singer, and her partner Ben, his favorite subject is gym and he wants to be a pro basketball player. Let's hear it for the Purple Parrots!" The audience applauds for a few seconds.
"But on the Green Monkeys," Kirk continues, "we have Lisa, her favorite subject is science and she wants to work with the dolphins, and David's favorite subject is history and he wants to join the army. Let's hear it for the Green Monkeys!" The audience applauds again.

"Why don't you girls go get ready for the first Temple Game, guys go get set up for the second," Kirk says, and the players walk off. "Now, in the Temple Games, teams are competing to win Pendants of Life. The winning team will need their Pendants to protect themselves from the dreaded Temple Guards as they make their way through Olmec's Temple. There are three Temple Games, and Olmec… tell us about Temple Game #1."

Olmec begins:
"Ramses built many famous buildings one sand block at a time. Here you must gather the sand blocks for a new tomb. You are now strapped in a rotating lever and, when Kirk gives the signal, you will run around to grab a sand block off of the pedestal. Next, return to drop it in your bin.
"The player with the most sand blocks in her bin after 60 seconds wins."
The camera fades to Kirk. "Let's put 60 seconds on the clock," he says. "On your marks, get set, GO!"
Rachel and Lisa take off and reach for their first sand blocks, but Lisa fails to grab one. She misses a few other times while Rachel rarely ever misses. Soon the ceiling lights flash to indicate that time is up.
"All right!" Kirk says, running over to count the sand blocks in each player's bucket. "Green Monkeys got two, four… five sand blocks, the Purple Parrots got two, four, six… eight sand blocks! Purple Parrots get a half Pendant of Life!" The audience applauds for a moment. "Green Monkeys can catch up in the next Temple Game, it's worth a half Pendant. Olmec, tell us about Temple Game #2."

Olmec continues:
"Ramses's original plan to defeat the Sherdens was to jump onto the ship and attack the pirates head-on. Instead, they took his scepter and threw him back onto dry land. Here you will play the role of the Sherdens. When Kirk gives the signal, row out to the Egyptian island, grab the scepter and pull yourself back to the dock.
"The first player to grab the scepter and return with both feet on the dock— or the one that's further along after 30 seconds— wins."
"Let's put 30 seconds on the clock and I'll say bon voyage," says Kirk. "On your marks, get set, GO!"
David and Ben row out to the Egyptian islands to get to the scepters. Ben gets to the island with 16 seconds left, grabs the scepter and pushes the boat around with his bare hands, but when he tries to push the boat out and hop in he accidentally steps onto the floor. So Ben has to pull the boat back to the island as David grabs his scepter and gets into his boat. Unfortunately David can't turn himself around very quickly, and the clock is ticking down. The players are only a couple feet from the dock when the ceiling lights flash to end the game. Kirk jumps down off the dock and runs around the side to see who made it closer to the dock.
"Well, it looks like Green Monkeys were further along when time's up," Kirk comments, "so Green Monkeys get a half Pendant of Life!" The audience applauds again. "So now it's all tied up, each teams have a half Pendant, but this next Temple Game's worth a full Pendant. Olmec, tell us about Temple Game #3."

Olmec narrates:
"After the Sherden pirates threw Ramses back to dry land, he came up with a plan to take them down. Here you must take down the Sherden ships. When Kirk gives the signal, load a cannonball in your slingshot and shoot it at one of the targets. Then your partner will try to knock over one of the ships.
"The first team to sink all four ships— or the team that's knocked over the most after 60 seconds— wins."
The camera segues to Kirk standing in front of the platforms holding the columns. "It's all tied up, half Pendant apiece," says Kirk. "Whoever wins this goes to the Temple. Let's put 60 seconds on the clock. Better get outta the way— don't wanna get hit here. On your mark, get set, GO!"
The boys immediately grab the cannonballs and fire for the far-right targets. David sinks the ship, but Ben's cannonball falls out of the slingshot. The girls both miss, and the boys' second cannonballs both fly far off. Rachel knocks the far-right target down on her second try, then the players miss several more times. With about 20 seconds left, Lisa sinks the far-left ship, and then on the next shot Ben knocked down the center-right one on the Purple Parrots platform. The ceiling lights flash not too much later.
"Well," says Kirk, running over to meet the teams again. "Green Monkeys got two, Purple Parrots got two, it's a tie— they both get the full Pendant, they both have a Pendant and a half— it's a tie, we go to the tiebreaker. Bring out the tiebreaker podium!"

The players run over to the tiebreaker pedestals and stand behind their gongs as directed by Kirk. "Okay, here's the tiebreaker rules. In a minute, Olmec is gonna ask you a question. If you think you know the answer, hit the gong in front of you. You'll have three seconds to answer and I must accept your first response. If you're right, you and your partner will go to the Temple, but if you're wrong or run out of time, your opponents automatically win. Olmec! What is your final question?"

Olmec asks:
"When Ramses jumped on the Sherdens' ship, did the Sherdens take his scepter and: Sail away with him on board, Capture him, or Throw him back onto the shore?
David hits the gong and guesses: "They… threw him back onto land…?"
"That… is… correct," replies Olmec, and the audience bursts into applause.
"The Green Monkeys did it!" Kirk shouts, as David and Lisa quickly hug each other. "The Green Monkeys are goin' to the Temple! Purple Parrots gave it a great effort too. They're not going away empty-handed, here's what we've got for them." Ben and Rachel will be receiving a $100 U.S. Savings Bond provided by Nestle.

[The Ancient Warrior]

"Olmec!" calls Kirk. "The Green Monkeys have won the Temple Games and now have proven themselves worthy and now have earned the right to enter your Temple. But before they go, can you give them any information to help them retrieve the Cursed Scepter of Ramses?"
Olmec begins to give the rundown:
"You could start by climbing through the Ledges and climbing down into the Great Chasm. Crawl through the chasm, then race into the Throne Room, where you can grab the Cursed Scepter of Ramses. Sit on the Throne of the Pretender and you could choose to go up… into the Burial Pit, or into the Junction of the Secret Shafts. If you escape, you may have a chance to enter the Chamber of Four Columns. Knock over all the columns to go upstairs or plow through the wall and into the Quicksand Bog.
"Next, climb the Pharaoh's Secret Passage up into the Room of the Secret Password. Find the tablet with the right password and shout it out to open the door to the Shrine of the Silver Monkey. Assemble the statue and you may be headed toward the Room of the Ancient Warriors. Place yourself in the correct armor, but be careful— one of the suits of armor could be possessed by the spirit of a Temple Guard! If they grab you, you'll have to give up a Pendant of Life! Next, race up to the King's Storeroom, smash the clay pots to find the key, then swing on the rope back across the Great Chasm. Then, pass through the Vault, race down the stairs and back through the Temple Gate. The choices are yours and yours alone." Olmec pauses for a second here. "You won 1½ Pendants in the Temple Games. Who's going first?"
"I am," David replies.
"Very well, David," replies Olmec as Kirk hands out the Pendants of Life. "Good luck to both of you."

"All right then," Kirk says, beginning to explain the rules. "When I say 'go,' you'll race through the gates into the Temple and make your way toward the Scepter. But inside the Temple there are many locked doors and dead ends. But there's three ventilation shafts somewhere in the Temple. If you can find one and it's open, you can jump in and slide down to the Junction of the Secret Shafts. In the Temple there are also Temple Guards assigned to protect three specific rooms. If you enter one of those rooms, a Temple Guard will jump out and grab you, but you can trade your Pendant for an extra life and go on, but if you're caught without a Pendant, you'll be taken out of the Temple— and it'll be Lisa's turn to enter and try her luck. Now, you have a Pendant and a half. Hidden inside the Temple is the other half of your Pendant. If you can find it and you're carrying the other half, you'll get an extra life. If you can reach the Scepter, all the doors of the Temple will instantly unlock, and the Temple Guards will disappear. And you'll have three minutes, and for your efforts you'll both be handsomely rewarded— and here's how!"
• For just making it into the Temple, David and Lisa will each receive a Bollinger-brand trampoline.
• If they can reach the Scepter in 3 minutes, they're both going to get a Regent sports package.
• If they can bring the Cursed Scepter of Ramses out of the Temple before three minutes is up, they'll each win four tickets for a seven-day Caribbean cruise!

"The Caribbean! Let's get 'em there!" Kirk says, excited. "Get your mouthpieces in. Let's put three minutes on the clock. Lower the gate, Olmec!"
Olmec lets out a low moan as he lowers the gate.
"On your mark, get set, GO!"

David runs through the Temple Gate and slides down into the Ledges. After a little time trying to squeeze through, he takes the upper crawl tube into the Great Chasm. (2:39) He tries the door into the Throne Room, but that doesn't open, so he climbs up the wall and opens the door into the Burial Pit with 2:17 remaining. However, before he can open the sarcophagus out jumps a TEMPLE GUARD!
David hands the Temple Guard his Pendant, then peels away the pieces of the sarcophagus lid. Unfortunately, the door leading downward into the Throne Room is sealed, so instead of climbing down through the sarcophagus he'll have to use the key inside it on another door. But the door into the Room of the Ancient Warriors from there remains locked, so he'll have to climb up into the King's Storeroom where he meets another TEMPLE GUARD!
"Go, Lisa, GO!" Kirk shouts, sending Lisa into the Temple as soon as the Temple Guard appears in the King's Storeroom with 1:42 left. "It's gonna take some guts to get through this 'emple," he comments as Lisa makes her way through the Ledges. "Does she have it?" Lisa scales the wall in the Great Chasm, enters the Burial Pit, then climbs up the ladder into the King's Storeroom with just over a minute on the clock. She finds the key in the second pot she smashes, and it fits into the second pedestal she tries, so she can go into the Room of the Ancient Warriors with 49 seconds left. Lisa places herself in the camera-right suit of armor first— and first try's the charm! She gets to go into the Shrine of the Silver Monkey.
36 seconds left when Lisa enters the Shrine of the Silver Monkey. She grabs the head and base of the monkey in one sweep, but then realizes she has to go back to grab the middle piece. After the statue is in place she looks around to see which doors have unlocked, then she climbs down into the Chamber of Four Columns with a short 13 seconds remaining. She pushes over all four columns, then runs through the rock wall into the Quicksand Bog— but we're out of time!
"Oh, they were only two rooms away!" Kirk shouts. "I thought they would've gotten the Scepter, they were such a strong team all day. But we gotta get outta here. Join us next time for another great legend of the Hidden Temple! Buh-bye!"

[The Ancient Warrior]

Episode Summary
Episode 13: The Cursed Scepter of Ramses

Name of Artifact: The Cursed Scepter of Ramses
Season: 1
Layout: 3
Result: Failed acquisition
Team: Green Monkeys
Pendants Won: 1 ½
Location of Artifact: The Throne Room



The Green Monkeys were a strong team through the elimination rounds, but the Temple Run was a rather lackluster one, in which a decent player was paired up with a not-so-good one. Unfortunately, they sent the better one in first. David started off the run and tried taking the shortest path he could, as shown by trying to use the Burial Pit key on the door into the Room of the Ancient Warriors. His biggest problem was climbing out of the Great Chasm, but otherwise he moved along at a decent pace. However, he met his second Temple Guard only four rooms into the Temple a little less than halfway into the run.

Lisa seemed to have poor stamina; although she began at a decent pace, she slowed down quickly. Later, in the Shrine of the Silver Monkey, she missed the middle piece of the statue when she first grabbed the parts, costing her a little time (trying to put the head in over the base cost her a little more). Although she took the passage down into the Chamber of Four Columns, she never would've seen it if she didn't look around clueless after putting the monkey together. Time ran out a second after she took an anti-climactic turn into the Quicksand Bog.

Trivia and Records:
Lisa's final turn marks the only time that a mistaken left turn into the furthermost column is made and left uncorrected before time runs out, as well as the only time such a turn is made on the bottom floor rather than the top floor.

[The Silver Monkey]

Would that be the same Lisa as in the Keys to the Alhambra?