visiTOUR Demo Tours: Harvest House Escape Room

Welcome to Harvest House

"The House on the Hill", as it is commonly known by neighbors is surrounded by acres of desolate farmland. This property once employed more than half of the small town surrounding it, giving this home the name "Harvest House". Owned by a husband and wife that were cursed to bear no children, they worked the land themselves with the help of hired hands until a series of catastrophes occurred, causing their farm output to wither and die like the crops themselves. Mysteriously, products were found at market again recently in crates bearing the name "Harvest House". This impossible feat was complicated even more by the high quality state of the product. Deliveries occur in the dead of night and no other farm in the county is using the Harvest House name or crates. On this dark and stormy night, you've been sent by Sheriff Amsterdam to investigate why Harvest House has been able to continue producing and selling their product with no activity or staff. Use the "Next Stop" or "Previous Stop" buttons to navigate and find and research each of the items you are presented. Complete the tasks found within your investigation to solve the mystery. Play audio or video if you choose...

The Twisted Staircase

This is the rickety staircase of Harvest House. Things are in quite a state of disrepair and the home seems empty, giving you free reign of the place as a newly deputized agent of the Sheriff. Amsterdam hasn't given you much to go on, only the local lore: Amsterdam: "I'm gonna tell you a little about that ol' Harvest House. I think it was in the Lindey family, if I recall correctly. The couple that own and ran it referred to themselves as Father and Mother, which was a tragic irony seeing as they were both barren. One evening it's told that Mother was attacked by what neighbors could hear as a wild dog or wolf in the dead of winter, and probably malnourished from the season. Those beasts don't get into this part of the county much nowadays, but back then, when the eating was good, they'd show themselves. Now, Mother lost her left arm in the altercation, seriously crippling her and reducing her ability to work the farm. This left Father to take up the slack. Working his fingers to the bone, crops were grown and harvested, but his work was not enough. Father could only harvest about half of what he grew, while the rest rotted and died. Must have been a generational changing of hands, because when I was young, I remember all sorts of high-quality product coming out of those fields. Then it all dried up, but soon they employed some of the locals to help. Things got better for them, and for us, of course with the good stuff at market, but the locals started to die off, yet the product yield remained. There's no way Father was doing that all by himself and, well, Mother only had one hand to lend. In the winter, it's said you can still hear the howl of the wolves waiting for their turn at the table at Harvest House." The door slams behind you. It's either locked or jammed. Those jammed doors are pretty typical for old houses, so let's go with that for now.

Black Parlor

At this point you're on your own. The Black Parlor looks unused, as does the rest of the house, yet the candles are all lit. Someone must have been here recently, because they also aren't burned down. Strange, though, there's not the smell of burning wax. Over the fireplace is a wedding portrait of Mother, let's give her the last name of Lindey like the Sheriff assumes. So Mother Lindey apparently was a petite lady, and loved to decorate. It's been a while since things were changed or moved, and that musty old-house smell isn't helping things much. There are a few items here, so scroll down and click below to investigate. Play the audio if you want a bit of ambience. You might have to write down some things to share with Sheriff Amsterdam back at his station.

The Doubloons

Item 1 in Black Parlor (Found Clue Object)

Upon the table, a set of gold pirate doubloons. Harvest House is so far from the coast, the owners must have been collectors of either historic items or precious metals. The skulls upon the coins bear little significance that you know of. Could just be inconsequential to your investigation. You could take them if you want, nobody is here to stop you. But on second thought, you might get four things for taking three, an added curse following you whereever these doubloons go. Is that a figure in the background?..

The Hat

Item 2 in Black Parlor (Found Clue Object)

A well-trimmed formal hat for Father (or shall we call him "Mr. Lindey"?). For what reason would he have a fancy hat like this? Trips to market? Fancy parties? Mother might have the answer if she were around. The book below the hat is also interesting. But first, put the hat on, see if it fits. Don't worry about that dust, the whole place is covered in it. Is that the wolves again? A passage of the book reads: "You'll need to read the paper with a different perspective." Okay, whatever.

The Glasses

Item 3 in Black Parlor (Found Clue Object)

What a strange pair of opera glasses. You put them on and the view is far different, of course. Not your prescription, clearly (or "unclearly"). You look around. Almost everything is the same, if not blurry, but words are different. The passage in the book makes no sense, now: "Djaalks jdjoweu poidwc akslej a wwoijiss". That's odd. You take them off to avoid a headache. Might want to make note of them because with their interesting features they seem important.

Library of the Dark

The library overlooks the back of the home, and surely if you were to get to that second level of windows you'll see the fields below. We'll assume Father Lindey watched over his workers from this vantage point. The wolves again. It's not even deep winter yet. They must know or think there is food nearby. Looks like things are getting interesting. A skeleton key, newspaper and some kind of mounted wolf's paw on a chain are definitely worth investigating.

The Skeleton Key

Item 1 in Library of the Dark (Found Clue Object)

A key to the house, perhaps? Won't help with a jammed door, but hold onto it just the same. It might also unlock other doors in the house. Hopefully this thing isn't cursed... Flashes of lightning light up the room like daylight.

The Newspaper

Item 2 in Library of the Dark is a Task.

Image of files/visitours/task_media/escape-newspaper.jpg

Propped up against one of the dressers you spot a rolled up and unread newspaper. The paper is old and worn on the edges, but the print ink seems fresh, and between wafts of musty and dried newsprint, you notice that faint smell of printer's ink. Perhaps it is not as old as you might think. You haven't seen writing like this before, and it could be in a different language.

In order to read the newspaper properly, use one of the previously found items. Feel free to visit one of the previous stops if you need to review. Type in below which you would choose, and spelling matters!

The Wolf's Paw

Item 3 in Library of the Dark (Found Clue Object)

This is apparently the wolf's paw that was mounted by Mr. Nelson after the altercation with the Lindeys. It's an incredible trophy, to be sure, and just look at the size of it! The hair is so coarse and the claws huge. This wolf must have been enormous and easily stood 7 to 8 feet tall. This item's a bit too big to stuff in your pocket, plus it does kind of have a weird musky smell that wouldn't go over with the boys back at the pub when you get back. Best to leave it where it is.

Dust and Tarnish

This place is just as dirty and dingy as the rest of the house, but fortunately no rotting food was left about. Whoever's been keeping up with this place sure isn't great with a feather duster, but they're keeping the vermin away. Three more items in this room. Hopefully some of these will prove useful. Don't forget to take notes. You might need them later.

The Spoon

Item 1 in Dust and Tarnish (Found Clue Object)

This is just an ordinary spoon you find on the floor. You're about to cast it away until you notice a bit of soil on the back of the curve. Soil on an eating utensil...

The Chipped Tooth

Item 2 in Dust and Tarnish (Found Clue Object)

Unusually large, this tooth. And the cavernous chip or cavity in the side of it seems troubling. Must have hurt whose or whatever's mouth this came from, or was extracted from.

The Journal

Item 3 in Dust and Tarnish is a Task.

Image of files/visitours/task_media/escape-journal.jpg

Looks like a journal full of hard-to-read scribbles. Perhaps something you've found will clear up this handwriting. When you touch the musty and wrinkled pages, you can almost hear the sound of a pencil writing in real-time on the pages of the journal (play audio).

What could you use to clear up the handwriting in this journal to read? Feel free to revisit previous stops to review your found items. Type your guess in the input field and remember, spelling matters.

Symphony of Decay

The music room, with its two levels, feeds into the second floor and then to the third floor in an interesting way: via the sound tube at the top along the bannister. This sends music played here to the third floor ballroom for parties. Parties? Yes, the Lindeys were very social and had many parties here, which is how they recruited a lot of their farmhands. Neighbors say, however, that farmhands often didn't last long. You hear mysterious piano music playing on its own. Perhaps it's an automated piano roll that's kicked off by itself with spring tension from one of these old pianos. Perhaps it's Mrs. Lindey's spirit of music continuing on, playing like she loved to do long before the accident, where she lost her arm. Unsettling, at any rate, but beautiful. Mahler, you think. One of your favorites.

The Reeds

Item 1 in Symphony of Decay (Found Clue Object)

Just a handful of reeds from the fields. Nothing significant with these. They are arranged, however, in such a lush bundle that surely they'd be good to dust off a few things in the house.

The Sheet Music

Item 2 in Symphony of Decay (Found Clue Object)

Again with the odd writing, but you don't read music in any language so these sheets of staff paper are of no importance to you. You never know when you'll need some paper, though, so you fold up a few of the brittle yellowed sheets and stow them in a pocket.

The Candle

Item 3 in Symphony of Decay is a Task.

Image of files/visitours/task_media/escape-candle.jpg

This ordinary candle seems less than ordinary. Besides the fact that the flame isn't producing any heat, the sound of the burning wick is a little heavy on the drama. Listen to the clip below and see if you can figure out what extra sound the burning candle is making.

Which sound do you hear the candle making?

Choose from these options:

Crashing Waves
Low Hum
Low Male Chant
Crickets

What's Cooking?

The kitchen is a bit run-down and it doesn't look like much has been prepared here, although there have been rumours from the neighbors' families that they would often bring potluck items for the parties that Mrs. Lindey organized. She herself enjoyed to cook very much, but not a lot has gone on here lately. Let's see if we can find any more clues.

The Cleaver

Item 1 in What's Cooking? (Found Clue Object)

Nice and clean and just what you'd need for a quick CHOP in the kitchen. But is cooking all this cleaver's been used for?

The Egg

Item 2 in What's Cooking? (Found Clue Object)

A mystical crystal egg. It seems to glow on its own, even without any help from ambient light, but outdoor light flashing in from the thunderstorm does give it an extra jolt of excitement. As you run your finger down the smooth surface of the egg, it makes an interesting sound. Similar to that of a crystal glass filled with water and circling the rim, but a bit more than that. It puts you in a bit of a trance. You feel its power, and you don't know why you are drawn to it. Once you come to your senses, you figure you'll leave it due to the fragility of the crystal, and its intimidating mysticism. Play the audio below to hear the song of the crystal egg.

The Apron

Item 3 in What's Cooking? (Found Clue Object)

This dirty old apron sure has a lot of soil on it for being part of the kitchen accessories. Perhaps it's being used out in the field to avoid dirtying up a good pair of trousers. In the apron is a note, written in clear text: I fear that Mother's transforming into something Hellish and attacking the neighbors. They arrive to help injured and expire by the time their volunteer work is over. I do appreciate their efforts. I am tormented by the song of the egg and try to avoid contact with it. It has great power that I connect with both the increased crop yields and the lure of more volunteers to help. But with them dying, how are they to help? I bury them near the crops because no other dirt is as loose, and I'm far too weak to break new ground for them. It's the best I can do.

Man of the House

Father's room is dusty and dingy and it's clear he's been spending most of his time out in the fields rather than tending to the cleanliness of his quarters. Scraps of paper cover his floor, lining the den with scribbles in your native language. No need for those odd glasses here: MOther's HaND... The Wolves Howl and She Follows... The EGG Power... SHE KILLS AT NIGHT... MYSTICS AT WORk... I am not of a sound mind...

The Leaflet

Item 1 in Man of the House (Found Clue Object)

Looks like it's time to break out those glasses again: 12 December: Authorities are looking for any and all farmhands to the old Lindey estate that have all mysteriously disappeared. From the young and strapping to the aged and infirm, those that have lended a hand and not returned home have been presumed dead, so if anyone you know has worked at the Lindey fields and returned, please contact Sheriff Amsterdam, Potting Place Office for questioning. Thank you for your prompt attention to the safety of our community.

The Glove

Item 2 in Man of the House (Found Clue Object)

This glove is Father's size. Worn down to the threads from work and overwork. What makes him toil so hard out in the fields? Surely one old man cannot harvest so much product for market. There's got to be more hands about (pardon the pun).

The Hand

Item 3 in Man of the House (Found Clue Object)

Eek! This is not the "more hands" you expected! This hand appears to be dressed out like a Catholic relic, but you fear it's Mother's missing hand, protected in a glass enclosure. In Father's room, you figure, is a shrine to the way she once was. Has she really changed that much?

The Haunted Ensuite

Mr. Lindey's personal respite from the outside world. All manner of business has been conducted here, and with little regard to maintenance, it seems. There is a very good chance his business is now conduced elsewhere.

The Whisky Bottle

Item 1 in The Haunted Ensuite (Found Clue Object)

Ah, the elixir of the coping haunted man. Drown both your sorrows and your fears in one bottle.

The Shovel

Item 2 in The Haunted Ensuite (Found Clue Object)

Now this is a tool that's been used. Ample fresh and moist dirt coats the tip of the shovel. It's been used lately. And the bathroom's no better for Father keeping his implements in here. Hiding things from Mother, it seems.

The Boots

Item 3 in The Haunted Ensuite (Found Clue Object)

Another example of Father's secrecy. How did he avoid getting all that dirt on the floors when he came in? Probably carried them in here. At least he was considerate enough not to make extra work for Mrs. Lindey seeing as she's down to one hand. On the other hand, he should be keeping secrets from his wife at all, should he?

Mother's Room

Mrs. Lindey's bedroom has that same musky smell of the wolf's paw. Interesting. But the bed is made and she's ensured everything is up to her standard, just in case visitors (like you) show up. You see a few items here in the bedroom that require investigation.

The Victrola

Item 1 in Mother's Room is a Task.

Image of files/visitours/task_media/escape-victrola.jpg

There's a record on the turntable. Give the handle a crank and listen in. Sounds like Mother figured out how to use this traditional playback device to record a message. Clever girl.

What's Mrs. Lindey trying to say?

Choose from these options:

She's suffering from a type of bacterial infection
She's ready to give all this farming life up and settle into the nearest city
She's afraid that she's becoming some kind of werewolf
She is puzzled why Mr. Lindey keeps digging in the fields when there are no crops
All of the above

The Dressing

Item 2 in Mother's Room (Found Clue Object)

This must be used to dress the wound of Mother's missing arm from the incident. Eventually, she would have to seek real medical attention from a qualified doctor, you'd think, rather than all this home-remedy hullabaloo. Infections can spread, and she'd be wise to get it treated sooner rather than later.

The Hairbrush

Item 3 in Mother's Room (Found Clue Object)

Mrs. Lindey's hairbrush sure seems a bit cluttered up with hair. The blonde strands match those of her hair in her portraits in the Library, but there's something different. On closer inspection, the hairs have a faint whiff of wolf musk. Surely the incident was long enough ago that her hair doesn't still smell like her attacker?

The Ghostly Hideaway

Mrs. Lindey's facilities are much nicer than her husbands. After all, she was always very beautiful and very much put together. But something's rattled her, taken her apart.

The Stakes

Item 1 in The Ghostly Hideaway (Found Clue Object)

Quite a nice bundle of wooden stakes Mrs. Lindey has collected here. Did she get them from the neighbors? Interesting assumptions they might have had out in the rural areas with very little education, eh?

The Mirror

Item 2 in The Ghostly Hideaway (Found Clue Object)

Mrs. Lindey certainly didn't like what she saw here. No doubt frightened by the sound of those wolves again prowling outside. There's nothing for them here, or is there?

The Lipstick

Item 3 in The Ghostly Hideaway (Found Clue Object)

Mrs. Lindey was once a beauty, the Parlor portraits show. She was very particular about her appearance. Missing an arm had to hurt, her vanity specifically.

Party Monsters

The ballroom was incredibly important to the Lindeys. Many of the people that initially came to help with their crops were local friends and neighbors, often rewarded for their hard work with items from the fields and lavish balls put on by Mrs. Lindey. She loved a good party, including preparing food for their friends straight from the farm. Then, the parties grew smaller as more and more of their friends went missing, always overnight, and always while staying over to get ready for another harvest day. The wooden floor now rots away, as all of the Lindey's local hands and help have disappeared. Do you yet have any leads to go on in figuring out this mystery? Play the audio clip to hear a haunting melody from one of Mrs. Lindey's last dance parties.

The Shoe

Item 1 in Party Monsters (Found Clue Object)

The Note

Item 2 in Party Monsters is a Task.

Image of files/visitours/task_media/escape-note.jpg

The handwriting is so bad on this note you don't know whether it's from Mr. or Mrs. Lindey. But the ballroom floor is pulling up around this old musty piece of parchment paper.

What could you use to read this note, as well? Spelling is important

The Broken Bow

Item 3 in Party Monsters (Found Clue Object)

What an awful casualty of the fall of the Harvest House, a single stringed instrument with a broken bow. But this bow has seen and played a lot. Play the sound to hear what the bow most recently played at the last Lindey Ball.

Attic of Salvation

Text

The Poem

Item 1 in Attic of Salvation (Found Clue Object)

It's clear (no pun intended) that Mother Lindey both wasn't in her right mind and wore these special glasses when she wrote her notes around the house. The only way to have deciphered all the odd characters is to see the characters the way she saw them. Perhaps it was her condition that caused this "blindness" or perhaps it was her overall mental state. No matter, the events of Harvest House appears to have given her the inspiration for the following poem you can see by using her glasses: The Bane of the Wolf And the Howl of the Wind With a Skeleton's Touch All weathered and skinned. Deliciously dusty And feathered within. This delicate dance of The concept of sin. Collect all your trinkets, Those offerings when Escape is the outcome Your life greater than.

The Lock

Item 2 in Attic of Salvation is a Task.

Image of files/visitours/task_media/escape-lock.jpg

This lock is the only thing now standing in your way to freedom. Now that you've learned the secret of Harvest House, you can share your findings with Sheriff Amsterdam and ease tensions in the town, knowing that the mystery has been solved and the threat has been neutralized. Like all the other written characters in this forsaken place, you don the glasses to make sure the numbers you see on the lock truly are the numbers that you can work with...

Using all the pieces of the lock combination, enter the sequence that will give you freedom!