Todelmer - got self stuck, lost slate

[fogmike]

Managed to do a possible stupid thing, and I think I have now got the game irrecoverably stuck. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, otherwise use this as a warning.

Spoiler-free warning version: On Todelmer (the Age with the big blue planet and the telescopes), there are some cables you have to get past. Once you do, don't undo your work and re-block the passage, as it is possible to get stuck on the other side of them.

Spoiler version:
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Okay, so. I used the broken telescope controls to move the cables out the way, by accident (while tinkering). Didn't realise then that there was an obstruction, as for me the path was clear. I then solved the Age up until the point where you ride the gondola. During this time, I had (while tinkering) re-lowered the cables from the control room. Didn't realise, again, the effect this had. I then used the first pedestal to link back to the far island, got in the gondola, dropped the slate with the relevant symbol on it, and as expected the Bahro appeared/started the wind/gondola went off/I got my coordinates. However this leaves me in the following position.
- I am on the main pillar.
- The cables prevent me from reaching the original pedestal.
- The slate has been taken by the Bahro to that pedestal, thus I have no slate.
- I cannot reach any other pedestals to link from.
- I cannot reach the control room to raise the cables as the path to them is blocked by the cables.
- I cannot use the gondola to go in the other direction, thus my path to this point was one way.

Anyone got any ideas? My last save point was.... when I got the save ability.

[Noitalever]

It has been a while, but if I recall at each gondula station the controls let you bring the gondula to you if you spend enough time on them. It would take a long time to do that though as you would have to do it repeatedly for a while(if you choose this route I would get a program to speed Myst V up a lot). I think there should have been a alternate way to get back to the way station besides the cable route, I would double check unless you are already completely sure.

[fogmike]

Sadly the gondola is already at me, there's just no way to make it then travel with me inside. It's just a dead weight at this end of the track (downwind). Not that I have the slate any more to make the wind even if I was at the right end.

[Noitalever]

I think you may not have much choice when it comes to going to your last save. On the plus side it should go fairly quickly since you already have most of the solutions. One last thing you could try is verifying the integrity of the game cache and/or re-inslalling, that may reset something, but it would be a long shot.

[fogmike]

It's not a bad plan though (since my save is at the beginning, accidentally wiping would do no extra harm). Thanks!

[Noitalever]

You are welcome, wish you luck!