Installing Aquatilis Caverna FAQ
By Malkin

This is a FAQ for installing the popular metaroom Aquatilis Caverna, which was a collaboration by the Metacore development team.

What system patches do I need?

If you're running Exodus on Windows, you should install the Creatures Remastered Patch (see http://www.webpetz.com/creatures/remasters.php). If you're running Exodus on a Macintosh, read "Macintosh Creatures Evolution Engine" on the Creatures Wiki for details on how to install objects.

What's a RAR file?

A RAR file is like a ZIP file - it's used to group a bunch of files together and make them smaller for downloading ease. It's similar to how folding clothes neatly in a suitcase makes them smaller than just chucking the clothes in. RAR gives better compression than ZIP which is why it was used for AC and the Pod. You will need to install something to unpack the RAR file, like WinRAR, or 7-zip or The Unarchiver (Mac).

What should I install first?

Firstly, I strongly recommend that you install the Aquatilis Pod - not only is it a preview of what's to come, it includes some files which are missing in the main AC download. Install the pod by placing it in your My Agents and inject it. Play with it for a while and enjoy it. If you do not wish to download the pod first, try putting the c16 file contained in water_weedgrass.zip in your images folder and then go on with the rest of the instructions below. I'm pretty sure that's what's needed from the Pod to play it. If the "AC plants v2" agent still gives you errors, then install the whole Pod.

Okay, so the Pod is nice, but I'd like the full AC!

Download the aquatilisv2.rar, ac_toypatch.zip, AC_Patch_v2.zip, and AC Plant Patch 3.1.zip, and extract them all as you would any other agent or metaroom.

Put agents in your My Agents, pictures in Images, catalogues in Catalogues, etc.

Where are the doors?

There are no doors in AC or the Pod. To get norns into the room, pick them up and scroll into the room using the page up page down keys.

Where are the toys?

In your agents window there should be an agent saying "AC toys v2" - if you have installed the toy patch from the Freewebs site, injecting this agent should put the toys into your AC. If you have not installed the toy patch (patch V1), it will display "The agent file does not have the image contained within it, and it can't be found on your machine. Unable to inject."

Where are the plants?

In your agents window there should be an agent saying "AC plants v2" - if you've installed the Pod or the waterweed c16 file, injecting this will put plants into your AC.

Where are the critters?

In your agents window there should be an agent saying "AC critters v2" - injecting this will put critters into your AC.

Hey! My plants are out of control! And what's with that black box around the bulb plant?

Moe has patched the plants so that they are not so prolific and fixed a sprite error on the bulb plant.

Please note that after you install the plant patch, you will need to manually replant plants from the main AC into the Pod, as the plants do not reinject into the Pod. You may not be able to manually replant the multicoral, as the seeds are too small and quick to catch easily.

Why are the bubbleballs wobbling about erratically on their own?

They're meant to do that.

What breeds go well with AC?

Anything that can breathe in water is good - it may also be a good idea for them to breathe in air too, just in case they somehow end up on land. The German site SeeYou7.Net's breed list has a special list "Schwimmfähige Wesen" of aquatic breeds.

What are some other agents that go well with AC?

A mobile teleporter to connect aquatic rooms (I'd suggest Marcus Kurzbach's Torii), Marcus Kurzbach's underwater eggs agent, Grendel Man's swimmer agent, Grendel Man's shrimp vendor, AquaShee's C2 Crabs (they eat the shrimp carcasses). Also, some kind of a home scent device, as Aquanorns get homesick easily. Moe's Heat Transfer agent and Heater agent would also be useful if your aquatic norns are cold. It is recommended that you do not transfer the C3 Aquarium life to AC, as they have been reported to destroy the ecology. Some source of food, fruit and seed on the island may also be useful in a pinch, even if you don't plan on raising norns on the island.

Who maintains AC?

Sadly, Metacore split up some time ago, and several of the former members have semi-retired from the community. However, Liam has given express permission for anybody else to try their level best to patch AC. This means it is up to you to fix AC yourself, or to document any errors as much as you can so that perhaps future generations can fix it.