Anodunos dam control puzzle

The Anodunos dam control puzzle in Ultima Underworld II is a multi-step mechanical puzzle, featuring cryptic and incomplete hints within the game. The goal of the puzzle is to rearrange the labyrinth to open a path to a key, and then rearrange it again so that the Avatar can reach the door it unlocks. Only then can the hero pull a lever to free the way to the city of Anodunos.

The dam controls to change the labyrinth consist of a chain that can be up or down, a switch and a lever which can be up or down, and a button that can be pushed (dark) or released (light). The only hint is an incomplete message found on the floor.

Lore

The scroll as it appears in-game.

“

Instructions for dam control Manipulating the controls causes the maze to change. It's a two step process. To get the key make sure the lever, switch and chain are all in the out position. To reach the dam control door, lower the lever and switch, and press the button, walk through the force field which will teleport you to maze. Destroy this note afterwards else we'll both hang... – from in-game scroll (Ultima Underworld II)

Solution

• To reach the key, the chain, lever and switch must be all in the up-position and the button released (light). Chain-up, Switch-Up, Lever-up, Button-light
• Retrieve the key from the labyrinth.
• Return to the controls. Set the switch and lever to the down position, leave the chain untouched, and press the button (dark). Chain-up, Switch-down, Lever-down, Button-dark.
• Proceed to the door, unlock it, and pull the floodgate control chain.