
Aunts and Butlers is a thoroughly enjoyable work of interactive fiction (err, an "interactive novella for the electric computer") written by Robin Johnson. The game is playable right in your browser window thanks to Robin's Javascript text-adventure engine, Versificator. Aunts and Butlers is a relatively straightforward experience but really shines thanks to a quirky sense of humor. It was also one of the competitors in the 2006 Interactive Fiction Competition, placing 16th out of 42 entries.
There really is no better way to describe the game's setting than to use Robin's own words:
Struggling to cope with a crumbling Empire, troublesome peasants, and recently some ghastly Great War that your chums tell you you slept through, it's been a tricky business lately for the English aristocracy to keep the old wolf from the old door. Especially you, the Honourable Ampersand Fodge. You've already eaten, drunk and gambled your entire family fortune, so unless you want to be in the workhouse by Christmas, you'd better get some lolly rolling in pronto.Cue dear old Aunt Cedilla, your only unmarried elderly relative. For the past few weeks she's been threatening to come round for tea. It may have occurred to her that she's getting on a bit, so if you can squeeze yourself into the old witch's good books, she's more or less bound to leave you a tidy sum. Then maybe you'll find some way of topping her, if you can stop the rozzers from taking notice. Murder's never been your forté, but needs must and all that!
Aunts and Butlers plays like any text-adventure game where you interact with the world by typing commands into the text box. Use the cardinal directions to move (north or N, south or S, etc.) and clever terms such as "get", "talk", "use" and "kiss" to do much more interesting things. Because of its relatively simple plot and small environment, Aunts and Butlers is a good introductory game for anyone new to the world of interactive fiction. And apart from a rather stale maze sequence, the game feels fresh and interesting at every turn. Put on your tailcoat and grab the teacup, Aunt Cedilla is waiting for you in the drawing room. Click.
Thanks to Paul for sending this one in!
For more great interactive fiction, be sure to check out Floatpoint and the works of Andrew Plotkin (Zarf).
Comment Preview








Comments (may contain spoilers)
Password:
Posted by: Con | January 22, 2007 5:53 PM
Stuck at 91%. Anybody know how to
Posted by: slackjob | January 22, 2007 5:53 PM
I've got 22% but I've managed to lose my cousin. Any ideas?
MadWithMuchHeart:
Posted by: Nikki | January 22, 2007 5:54 PM
I'm up to 25%, but still no cousin and no password, can I get another hint on that password?
Posted by: rush
|
January 22, 2007 5:58 PM
i have
Posted by: duckee1234 | January 22, 2007 6:02 PM
I've noticed a lot of people are getting hung in about the same spot: in the house with a bunch of items. Read the spoilers for some hints!
Did you give Aunt Cedilla the tea yet?
After giving Cedilla the tea...
Got the gun, lost the cousin and can't figure out what to do?
And as for the trunk, don't worry about it until much later in the game.
Posted by: John Bardinelli
|
January 22, 2007 6:10 PM
Rush and Nikki:
Posted by: Sinistro | January 22, 2007 6:17 PM
how do I talk to cousin about stuff, what is the comand?
Posted by: rush
|
January 22, 2007 6:20 PM
Frick, I lost cousin Virgule. Stupid Texan. ;)
Posted by: xadrian
|
January 22, 2007 6:21 PM
how do you get the gun? I'm talking to Virgule but nothing's working.
Posted by: Nikki | January 22, 2007 6:22 PM
Man, I'm about to be arrested, what hat?
Posted by: xadrian
|
January 22, 2007 6:29 PM
Slackjob, it seems so obvious once you figure it out but...
Posted by: Kaykee | January 22, 2007 6:30 PM
I still can't get gun!
Posted by: rush
|
January 22, 2007 6:30 PM
xadrian:
So you're about to be arrested, eh?
Posted by: Sinistro | January 22, 2007 6:43 PM
uh oh i was arrested...for future reference, how do you get the gun from the cousin?
Posted by: liz | January 22, 2007 6:53 PM
Okay, I've got 66% but now I'm confused.
Posted by: Nikki | January 22, 2007 7:44 PM
liz:
Posted by: rush | January 22, 2007 8:04 PM
Nikki:
Posted by: rush
|
January 22, 2007 8:11 PM
Drat! I'm utterly bamboozled at 91%!
Posted by: Regy Rusty | January 22, 2007 8:42 PM
how do i
Posted by: dixie | January 22, 2007 8:43 PM
I didn't quite get arrested, but I figured I could only poke around Plank's face for so long.
Yeah, and I think I'm too new at text based interactve fiction to understand why this dumb redneck just won't give me his gun. Do I have to trick him?
Posted by: xadrian
|
January 22, 2007 8:56 PM
Help? I'm at 31%- I have:
And I'm stuck.
Posted by: MadWithMuchHeart
|
January 22, 2007 9:03 PM
Regy Rusty:
Posted by: rush
|
January 22, 2007 9:26 PM
dixie:
Posted by: rush
|
January 22, 2007 9:28 PM
MadWithMuchHeart:
Posted by: rush
|
January 22, 2007 9:30 PM
I'm stuck at the nines :/
Posted by: Jetamors | January 22, 2007 9:54 PM
I can't find him, unfortunately, rush- nothing in the station has changed, and I thought I looked everywhere else...
Posted by: MadWithMuchHeart
|
January 22, 2007 10:01 PM
Help! I'm at 94%. I think I have everything but I don't know how to finish. Anyone?
Jetamors, you need the
MadWithMuchHeart, forget about
Posted by: Cathy | January 22, 2007 10:53 PM
MadWithMuchHeart:
Posted by: chelle
|
January 22, 2007 11:17 PM
Because I have been so wonderfully helped by rush, I feel like sharing the good will. Here are some hints for various parts of the game people seem to be finding most tricky/I found most tricky.
Virgule
Trunk
"Inside Trunk" (If you don't know what I mean by that, don't click, eh?)
Commander
I hope those are somewhat helpful... If any more assistance is needed, I'll be glad to perform the role of the butler. Good day.
R.
Posted by: Regy Rusty | January 22, 2007 11:24 PM
Ahah, I feel stupid, I overlooked
*Facepalms*
Posted by: MadWithMuchHeart
|
January 23, 2007 12:50 AM
Have much of 'nines'....but uncertain what to do with
thanks.
Posted by: a68tbird | January 23, 2007 1:10 AM
*sigh* ok, got through all that without needing help, now am stuck at 88%. I'm
Posted by: MadWithMuchHeart
|
January 23, 2007 1:17 AM
Nevermind, I win! Wonderful adventure! Reminds me a tad of Jeeves & Wooster. *goes to play Hamlet now*
Posted by: MadWithMuchHeart
|
January 23, 2007 1:35 AM
Still stuck at 91%
Posted by: slackjob | January 23, 2007 1:44 AM
Help, I'm stuck!
I know
What am I doing wrong?
Posted by: seashell | January 23, 2007 2:22 AM
Seashell- Undo, undo! I hope you saved.
Posted by: Cathy | January 23, 2007 3:52 AM
I'm finally done! I was so hung up on that last little bit.
Posted by: Cathy | January 23, 2007 4:26 AM
slackjob:
Posted by: Sinistro | January 23, 2007 6:56 AM
Fatty
Like the circle
Posted by: Kat | January 23, 2007 7:34 AM
Spoilers for the places I got stuck
Embalmer:
Fatty:
(and one for those asking about the...)
Knight:
Ending:
Posted by: Alvin | January 23, 2007 8:08 AM
Haha, I like how, at 88%,
Good luck!
Posted by: Tayrin | January 23, 2007 8:34 AM
a68tbird
slackjob
seashell
Posted by: Regy Rusty | January 23, 2007 8:57 AM
how do i get the jerkin from the cowboy? he won't stop giggling with miss kitty.
Posted by: Stager | January 23, 2007 2:19 PM
Stager,
Posted by: Sinistro | January 23, 2007 2:32 PM
I'm stuck on the "dressed to the nines" part.
I have the items from the north(both of them), the south, the east, the southeast, and the northeast, and the tailcoat.
What do I do for the west(saloon)(I spat in the spitoon but there is no clothing) and the southwest (the mill) (I have no idea where the poodle is).
Posted by: lopsidation | January 23, 2007 3:07 PM
I'm stuck at the mill. is the
I have 8 of the items now. still looking for the 9th...
Posted by: liz | January 23, 2007 3:26 PM
I'm stuck at 88%!
Posted by: considerarson | January 23, 2007 3:30 PM
lopsidation-
For the West:
For the Mill:
still not got it?
Posted by: Kaykee | January 23, 2007 3:41 PM
lopsidation:
Posted by: Fenners | January 23, 2007 3:47 PM
I'm stuck at 41%, what do I do after I bring alf and the butler to my house?
Posted by: Kaitlyn | January 23, 2007 3:54 PM
Nevermind, I got it, but now I'm stuck at the dressed to the nines part...
What else do I need?
Posted by: Kaitlyn | January 23, 2007 4:42 PM
Yay! I won! Interesting game, I might try a different one..
Posted by: Kaitlyn | January 23, 2007 4:54 PM
I managed to get myself killed with 25% completion, but I used Undo...
Posted by: Sariko | January 23, 2007 6:22 PM
How do you get the haggis?
Posted by: Phyl | January 23, 2007 8:28 PM
can some one tell me how to get the tie from the typist?!?!?
Posted by: kiki | January 24, 2007 2:55 PM
PHYL -
The haggis is in the rag-and-bones yard, up in the North maze area. I had to go back for it too. The one thing that you need keep in mind:
Posted by: a68tbird | January 24, 2007 4:07 PM
Kiki:
Posted by: Sinistro | January 24, 2007 4:53 PM
thankyou everyone for all of your help, that is the first text adventure game that i have completed and after lots of maps to remind myself where i was going, i have decided that i enjoyed it!!
keep more of these coming :D
Posted by: eMzydoodle | January 24, 2007 8:52 PM
all right, so here is a complete walkthrough...
take teacup
w
up
s
take letter
take iou
n
d
w
take tailcoat
n
fill teacup
s
e
s
wear tailcoat
remove tailcoat
open suitcase
break urn
take ash
put ash into teacup
e
give teacup to cedilla
w
s
s
s
in
s
wait
wait
wait
wait
n
out
n
w
in
look in box
give plank iou
give plank letter
out
e
n
n
e
give cedilla hat
w
s
n
e
w
w
w
ring bell
w
s
s
w
in
n
s
out
e
ne
n
n
n
w
n
n
n
e
s
take haggis
n
w
s
s
s
e
s
s
s
sw
w
in
n
s
out
e
n
n
w
(wait until alf shows up)
tell alf password
d
s
se
n
nw
turn dial
take tie
se
ne
put haggis in circle
press button
look machine
take collar
out
s
ne
ne
take flower
sw
sw
e
e
push embalmer
e
take cufflinks
w
w
w
se
se
take lance
give lance to knight
take handkerchief (note: if you've done something else while at the field, you'll have to wait for the handkerchief to appear).
s
s
take gloves
n
n
sw
sw
open window
go through window
grab stovepipe
fall
ne
ne
w
w
in
spit
out
take jerkin
nw
w
wear tie
wear collar
wear flower
wear cufflinks
wear handkerchief
wear gloves
wear stovepipe
wear jerkin
wear tailcoat
take bone
throw bone through window
take will
out
out
e
n
u
e
e
Posted by: vozome
|
January 25, 2007 8:03 AM
Help with the password please!
Posted by: Monienon | January 25, 2007 7:46 PM
something vozome forgot
Posted by: rush
|
January 25, 2007 10:35 PM
Hats off to this excellent diversion. As an experienced long-time text adventurer, I must admit that there was a spot where I was a little stuck.
The rest was straightforward and quite entertaining enjoyable. I'll likely download the code just to see what easter eggs i didn't find. Be sure to ask anyone you meet about the game's author. :-)
For anyone getting a little stuck, remember that everything in this style of game has a purpose, and when in doubt
Posted by: JZP | January 28, 2007 4:06 PM
is there any other games like this??? because that was excellent.
Posted by: dave mc | January 30, 2007 8:34 AM
I've got my letter torn up and my IOU eaten up by the sergeant. How do I get to the real will?!?!?
Posted by: Naommee | January 31, 2007 4:20 AM
Excellent and challenging game. I wish there was a sequel. I have a question, though. I finished the game, but it says I have only completed 99%! How can I finish 100% of the game?
Posted by: Veggie | February 3, 2007 5:30 PM
Stuck after getting the pigeon from el butler-man.
Posted by: Born2Game | February 5, 2007 4:57 PM
i'm at zero percent....how do i take the suitcase?
Posted by: mitsko | February 6, 2007 4:33 PM
Nevermind, found out what to do with pigeon and wierd dude. But... what about the
Posted by: Born2Game | February 7, 2007 10:17 AM
YAY! I beat it!
Thanks for the help, guys!
Posted by: Born2Game | February 7, 2007 10:50 AM
woops...dropped letter in my house too early....alf stole it! can't finish the game?
Posted by: unknown | March 24, 2007 1:24 PM
don't have letter anymore either...do I have to go back to the yard and search for it?
Posted by: same prob | April 7, 2007 6:44 PM
im stuck on 0% haha, what do you have to write?
Posted by: laura | April 10, 2007 3:29 PM
WOW that was challenging and really fun!
I'm going to play Hamlet now
Posted by: CaT | April 10, 2007 10:33 PM
Im stuck right at the start... i have the teacup, how do i get her inside...? take her suitcase... whatever... im stuck with the aunt
Posted by: Joanne Scott | May 2, 2007 11:49 PM
Hi there, I'm at 78% and need help.
Where do you find the collar and...does it matter if you didn't put the haggis in the circle?
Have 8 out of the 9 9's. Also, where do you get the will from?
Thanks, could use some help...!!!
Posted by: Katy | May 4, 2007 2:06 PM
Ok, I did not put the haggis in the circle, Fatty ate it, now how can I get the collar?
Thanks, appreciate any help.
Posted by: katy | May 4, 2007 2:16 PM
I won the game! It took quite a lot of figuring out, but I got it.
Posted by: Jamie | May 22, 2007 3:02 PM
Lovely! I do miss good ol' text adventure games, they're becoming so rare these days. This one is very witty, and not too difficult, and not much chance of getting stuck at unwinnable states (as far as I can see). Very nice.
Posted by: Cypress | May 24, 2007 4:24 PM
ok im stuck at zero % what do you do with that bottle!!!
Posted by: Anonymous | June 4, 2007 9:48 PM
How do you kill Aunt Cedilla?
and please give me the straight forward answer:
What is the password? i'm so STRESSED about it
Posted by: GIRLSFROMDABLOCK | July 2, 2007 10:19 PM
how come I can't take the
it just says Sorry you can't get that! i started over, i tried to catch it, pick it up, etc?
Posted by: pj | July 16, 2007 7:22 AM
where do you get the bone?
Posted by: Gameman | August 11, 2007 12:54 PM
im stuck on zero 0\0
Posted by: sierra | August 23, 2007 8:04 AM
Posted by: k24601 | August 23, 2007 10:48 AM
Somewhat enjoyable game. This game would've been more enjoyable if it wasn't confusing with random unnecessary elements and seemingly racist in parts. (How come the only Blacks that show up in the game are slaves or are described as wearing straw skirts?) Maybe I'm reading too much into those few parts but you've got to wonder why Johnson bothered....I think it was a little funny that the goal of this game was to kill an obnoxious relative just so you can become rich but I'm sure some people wouldn't agree.
Posted by: k24601 | August 23, 2007 11:19 AM
Has anybody else noticed (about the dog)
Posted by: MacyGracy | September 16, 2007 10:12 AM
where is the bone because i'm in the tavern and i can't get it! please help me!
Posted by: PLEASE ANSWER QUICKLY! | October 5, 2007 2:08 AM
WALKTHROUGH! Took me forever to do this! Hope you all apreciate this.
Start:
Aunt at the door:
Making tea:
Giving tea:
Meeting cousion Virgule:
After meeting:
Police (love letter)
Ugly hat:
Murder:
Escape bell:
Saving butler:
The North:
Taking Alf:
Opening the trunk:
ALL SERVENTS HALL CLOTHES:
Aunt's flat:
Poodle:
Switching wills:
ENDING:
A pinstriped solicitor unfolds himself from the armchair as you enter.
"Mr. Fodge," says the solicitor. "I represent the estate of Miss Cedilla Fodge. We have located her will, and it would seem she has bequeathed her entire fortune to yourself. The money will be in your bank account tomorrow morning. Good day."
He prances out. The butler shimmers in, with a bottle of champagne on a silver salver.
"Congratulations, sir," he says. "You appear to have won. Refreshment?"
*** You are rich ***
You completed 100% of this adventure.
The butler rates you as an esteemed personage.
________________________________________________________
I do not understand why there have been so many - complications - with this game. Its really very simple. Take items, and flip with random commands. You can just make them up. Kiss, climb, hug, fight, spit, dance, yell, ect. There are alot, using just basic verbs. Tips: Saying, "place" or "leave" something op something wont work (place pinapple on dog/leave letter). This is one of the best and one of the easiest textual games i have ever played. I must admit though, the cowboy thing was a bit hard. I think that was only because i didn't know what a spittoon was. Wish everyone luck with this game!
Posted by: Ainegue
|
November 2, 2007 9:22 PM
Where do you find the haggis?
Posted by: FlyWithMe | November 13, 2007 12:52 PM
The haggis is at Alf's place.
Posted by: Ainegue
|
December 28, 2007 4:40 PM
Loved the game. Just a quick comment on the racially-oriented question above: I was worried by some of the descriptions myself at first. However, I noticed that one of the rushing servants was supposed to be Sherlock Holmes' landlady Mrs. Hudson; could some of the others be literary inside jokes as well?
Posted by: qatder | January 10, 2008 11:38 PM
Racist? FFS!
To think that somebody is worried about describing Alf as a dirty Northerner or a slave as "half naked" or whatever just shows that the style of humor is going right over their head! It's all about the toffs view of life!
Anyway, yes, many of the scrambling servants are literary in-jokes.
I laughed out loud when the first 'servant' I saw was Manuel!
We also have :
Igor, with the, um, pickled cauliflower
Marvin, the sad metal person with a bucket
Alfred!
Mrs. Hudson (Sherlock Holmes' housekeeper)
Man Friday (portrayed as a black savage because, um, his character IS a black savage, sheesh!)
Kryten (I think, with the square head)
Jeeves (I think "A valet in a bowler hat, carrying a pair of Etonian-coloured spats and a match")
Columbia (maybe, that's the only "attractive housekeeper in a gold tailcoat" I've ever seen)
Not sure about:
"A bent, wiry manservant carrying a frying-pan"
"A skinny office-boy in shirtsleeves, carrying a stapler"
"A thin, stooped, middle-aged housekeeper, carrying a teapot and an enormous plate of sandwiches" (makes me think of the mad hatters tea party but maybe not)
"Some sort of hunched anthropomorphic duck, carrying a ketchup bottle" (WTF?)
"A short, elf-like creature"
"A fat butler, swigging surreptitiously from a bottle of cooking-sherry"
... Some of those may just be generic or invented, but probably just over my head.
... I kept looking for Bob Cratchett, but haven't seen him yet.
As to the game in general - yes, the cowboy was the most unintuitive part - and Why I had to come looking for a spoiler :( . I also missed the key item hidden in the starship description. The rest was absolutely fantastically paced however!
Posted by: Dan | January 14, 2008 10:17 PM
ah! - Short, elflike creature
I think i'm going to figure out some more tomorrow or maybe sometime later.
Lastly, i'd like to say i'm sorry (after re-reading what I wrote) for what I wrote at the end of my walkthrough. O: Musta been in a bad mood.
Posted by: Ainegue
|
January 22, 2008 10:29 PM
I am in the Servent's Hall and did not pick up the haggis when first collecting Alf. I tried to go back to the North but there is only death when I follow the same path. Or, I must have taken a wrong turn. Can anyone help me get the haggis?
Posted by: beano | March 6, 2008 8:55 AM
Very amusing, good writing. It's sort of like those "Choose Your Own Adventure" books except more intelligent. I enjoyed it.
Posted by: The Wolf's Shadow
|
March 26, 2008 9:05 PM
The butler shimmers in, with a bottle of champagne on a silver salver.
"Congratulations, sir," he says. "You appear to have won. Refreshment?"
Huzzah!
Posted by: The Wolf's Shadow
|
March 26, 2008 9:58 PM
I finally completed it with your help thnx guy!
Posted by: Shay | April 13, 2008 5:36 PM
A bent, wiry manservant carrying a frying-pan
Undoubtedly "Alberto Malich the Mage" - Death's manservant from Terry Pratchett's Discworld series.
Posted by: I Say, Porter! | April 16, 2008 9:56 AM
Sancho Panza's there too (from Don Quixote).
Posted by: Ryan | April 22, 2008 9:51 PM