The Temple is the fifth chapter of Act 1 in House of Ashes and the sixth overall.
The player controls Rachel and Jason (Theatrical Cut) and Eric and Nick (Curator's Cut) as the couple descends down into a temple while the soldiers are still running from the creatures.
Temple, 1914 HRS, 144 FT.[]
Rachel and Eric rappel down into the temple's main hall, wondering what they have found. Eric notices that they aren't the first here, as there is a camp and laments that this must be what Caelus detected. Rachel can scold him for a mistake or sympathize with him. Either way, Eric can apologize or be confident.
- If Eric is confident, he will say that he will improve Caelus and its algorithm and ask her if she doesn't think she can do it, to which Rachel can respond that he has done so much harm or suggest focusing on finding a way out.
- If Eric apologizes, Rachel may respond that they can all make mistakes or suggest that they focus on finding a way out.
The couple hears clicking sounds in the distance, and Rachel suggests it is subsidence due to aftershocks. Eric offers to start the generator to turn on the lamps and guide the marines to them, but they need to find some gasoline. The couple begins to explore the temple. In the archaeologists' camp and nearby rooms, they can find:
- Dynamites tied to the pillars.
- The dynamite detonator, but it appears to have been sabotaged.
- Cuneiform Tablet.
- Curse of Akkad note.
- The first part of Randolph Hodgson's journal.
- Photo of the expedition members.
- Aline's letter to Randolph Hodgson.
- A picture.
- The hall's entrance which is currently blocked.
- The Vickers gun. They can later inspect the bullets fired from the gun.
- The blocked passageways.
- A duct tape. This will be essential to fix the generator, but it can be collected before or after finding the gasoline.
- A document on creature features.
- Gasoline cans. This will progress the story.
When the couple finally finds the gas cans and they carry them to the generator, Rachel asks Eric about his leg, to which he reminds her that he lost his leg on the highway.
- If the two have a good relationship, Rachel says she still feels guilty, Eric apologizes and says she wasn't to blame for the crash. While they talk, a creature moves from above.
- If the two have a bad relationship, Rachel criticizes Eric and tells him to move on, and he replies that he did move on but reminds her that she caused the crash.
When Eric pours gasoline, it turns out that the fuel tube is worn loose and needs to be fixed. If they previously found the duct tape, they will fix it immediately. Otherwise, they can explore the hall again. As Rachel seals the tube, Eric asks Rachel if it is a good time to talk, and Rachel can be playful or say it isn't a good time. The couple then opens the panel and discovers that the spark plugs are shot. As the couple examines the panel, they discuss their relationship (they need to stick together or the separation helped them) and concludes with the suggestion that it may be over or there is still hope.
Finally, they start the generator and the lights around the temple power on, as well as a tape recorder at the end of the room. Eric says that if there was a way in for those people, then there is a way out for them and Rachel suggests starting to look around.
Sand Caverns, 1922 HRS, 93 FT.[]
Jason and Nick run from the creatures chasing them, firing back at them along the way.
- If Merwin is alive, Jason will be seen carrying him.
The creature jumps on the columns and the guys can shoot it, after which they will continue to run. Running through the tunnel, the guys end up in a cave with stairs and some rubble. Nick says that they must go through the rubble, while Jason says going around it is safer, adding that Merwin (if present) won't make it.
- If the guys decide to chooses to go through it, they will climb the stairs and through the rubble.
- If the guys decide to go around it, Jason and Nick must each complete two Keep Calm segments as the creature stalks them. If Merwin is present, he will be laid against the rubble.
- If one of them fails one of the segments, the creature briefly disappears.
- If Merwin is dead, Jason wonders why the creature isn't attacking and the two of them run away.
- If Merwin is alive, he will suddenly be dragged into a small hole, causing his body to be crushed. As Jason and Nick escape, a pool of blood flows out of the hole.
- If one of them fails one of the segments, the creature briefly disappears.
Nick carries Merwin (if present) as he and Jason continue through the tunnels, still being chased. Nick puts Merwin on the ground as Jason is suddenly tackled by the creature. He can complete a QTE to stab the creature with his knife, and then Nick can complete a QTE to shoot at the creature.
- If Merwin is alive, they went through the rubble, and the guys failed the QTEs, he will start shooting at the creature, which, after noticing him, will decapitate him.
Either way, the group keeps running.
Temple, 1924 HRS, 144 FT.[]
With the generator powered and the lights are back on, Rachel and Eric can continue exploring the temple until they interact with the tape recorder. Eric points out that the tape is tangled, but Rachel begins to fix it. As she does so, Eric points to her wedding ring (saying it doesn't care what it means to her or when she stopped wearing it) and shows that he wears his ring as a necklace. Eric can say that he wants her back or that it might be too late for them, and Rachel can finally say that she is seeing someone else or Eric will figure it out on his own when Rachel refuses to kiss him.
Their dialogue is interrupted by an unexpectedly started tape recorder. Randolph says that his team has awoken something "ancient and wicked" as screams and gunfire can be heard in the background. He then says that for centuries humanity has lived without knowing the horror that dwells under them. He then says he will seal this place for eternity and apologizes to his wife before there is a screech and a gunshot and the tape ends.
The couple hears movements from above and sees a dark figure at the hole from where they came down. This figure turns out to be Dar, who rappels down on a rope and starts shooting at the couple, forcing them to escape from the temple.
Sand Caverns, 1929 HRS, 151 FT.[]
Nick and Jason (dragging Merwin if he is alive) continue to run from the creature. As Jason expresses confusion as to what is happening, he suddenly hears Rachel on the radio reporting that she is taking fire and asking for help.
- If all QTEs are completed or only one is failed, Jason answers, but does not get a response.
- If all QTEs are failed, Jason insists they keep moving as the creatures are close.
The soldiers move on.
- If Merwin is alive, the guys will start dragging him again, but he will break free and demand that they leave him behind so he can face the creature himself. Jason tells Merwin that the enemies are not Iraqis, but Merwin is dismissive of him and insists that Jason and Nick escape without him. Jason ultimately needs to make the decision to leave him behind or refuse to do so. In Curator's Cut, Nick can either agree with Merwin or ask him to shut up.
- If Jason and Nick agree to leave Merwin behind or say nothing, they run away and the creature charges at Merwin, who shoots at it. Merwin then screams and goes silent.
- If they refuses to leave Merwin behind, he says that they will die with him, as Jason and Nick continue dragging him away.
- If Merwin is already dead up to this point, after listening to Rachel's call, they will immediately run. This will make this segment a cutscene without gameplay.
Collectibles[]
Secrets[]
- Dynamite - On the ground in the archaeologists' camp. The camera must be moved around to unlock it.
- Aline's Letter - On a table in the camp.
- Creature Features - In a side room to the right at the top of the temple stairs.
- Cuneiform Tablet - On a crate in the camp behind the tent.
- Curse of Akkad - On a crate in the camp before the stairs on the left.
- Expedition Members - In the large tent in the camp.
- Randolph's Journal - Part 1 - In the large tent in the camp.
Pictures[]
- Ultraviolet - In a side room to the right at the top of the temple stairs.
Deaths[]
Determinant[]
- If Jason and Nick go around the rubble and fail either Keep Calm segment, Merwin will be dragged into a small hole, crushing him.
- If Jason and Nick go through the rubble and fail a QTE after travelling through, Merwin will be decapitated.
- If the group agrees to leave Merwin behind, he will be mauled by a creature.
[]
| Prologue | |
|---|---|
| Act 1 | |
| Act 2 | After the Fall • Slayer • The Truce • Bloodbath • The Signal • The Assault • The Horror • Enemy of My Enemy • The Well |
| Act 3 | |
| Epilogue | |