Skull Quest ][, The Vortex (C) 1994 Ed T. Toton ]I[, All Rights Reserved. OVERVIEW: Skull Quest ][, The Vortex was designed for use on computers with VGA support, and of high performance speeds. The minimum recommended processor would be a 386-33DX or a 486-25. The game includes a speed test and will inform you if your computer runs too slowly. The minimum computer required is a 286. Skull Quest ][ is more difficult than SQ1, since more things are hidden or in out-of-the-way places. Additionally, more illusionary walls and floors have been used (and remember, they can not be detected by throwing bones at them, since the bones bounce off as if the wall were real). On top of that, no one ever gives you a "recharge". However, the ending graphics are worth the added effort to get there. CONTROLS: This game uses the keyboard only! And because of the way it uses the keys, and computer lacking a standard numeric keypad may experience difficulties. You may use both the cursor keys AND the numeric keys to control your skeleton (ex- 7,8,9,up,pgup,home all jump). Additional Keys: R - Restore a saved game. S - Save your game. F - Fly (you need a certain item first) Q - Quit D - Die [ENTER] - High jump [SPACE] - Fire STORYLINE: Over two centuries ago you were one of the many followers of Lord Trentarus. He was a fair and just leader, although slightly morbid. To insure his continuing reign, and continued victory over enemies, he ordered his best mages to create a powerful magical device for him. He also ordered that it be a sarcophagus so that he may be buried in it, and thus be one with it through eternity. Hence the Cyan Sarcophagus was created. It was made out of pure wizidrium, the most magically potent element known to mankind. Lord Trentarus also ordered his followers to construct a large crypt, and bury him and the sarcophagus in it upon his death. The order didn't stop there, as all of his followers were to seal themselves in with him. Finally the day came when Lord Trentarus was laid to rest, and everyone entered the crypt. You were the one charged with the unenviable task of sealing the doors to the crypt, and to guard them against grave robbers. Two centuries have passed, and then a new threat emerged. But it didn't come through the doors, it came from the central tomb, from the sarcophagus itself! A creature, known only as the null-beast, attempted to tap the power of the sarcophagus to open a gateway through which it could enter our world. However, you thwarted the beasts attempt by neutralizing the sarcophagus with another peice of wizidrium. Not much time has passed, and now a new threat has emerged. The entire crypt is being shaken to peices by ground-ripping earthquakes, and the Null-Beast is back! Can you stop it in time? --------------------------------------------------------------------------- This Program, Manual, and Data Files, are all protected by U.S. Copyright Law (title 17 United States Code). Unauthorized reproduction, distribution and/or sales may result in imprisonment of up to one year and fine up to $10,000 (17 USC 506). Copyright infringers may also be subject to civil liability. If you mess with us, we'll delete you! The author of this program makes no warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, as to the fitness, functionality, effectiveness, or safety of this software and accompanying documentation. Under no circumstances shall the author and developer be liable for any damages incurred during or as a result of the use of, or misuse of, or inability to use, this software and documentation. All risk is assumed by the user, and we hereby disclaim any implied warranties of fitness or performance of this software. Use at your own risk. The developer and author reserves the right to make revisions and changes to the software and documentation without warning at any time. Any and all changes and revisions will be made without obligation to inform any person or persons of said changes. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- REGISTRATION: A registration fee of $8 is required for use of this program. If you play the game through to the end, or blow your character up for fun more than five times, or acquire knowledge of how to use the cheat mode, you are required to pay. Send it to: Ed T. Toton III 7101 Talisman Lane Columbia, MD 21045 Upon registering you will be informed of how to "cheat" in the game. The latest version of this and my other games are available for download on my BBS: The Sorcerer's Quarters BBS (410)-290-3752, 300 to 14400 baud. We accept cash, checks (ones that are paper, not rubber, if you catch my meaning), or money orders. Remember- Buying one of my games is more cost effective than buying one of today's commercial game packages. A really good commercial game will last you 20 hours of play or so, and cost you $50. That comes out to a value of about $2.50 an hour. Most games don't last even that, many will last only 5 or 10, and cost $40 or more. If one of my games lasts you two hours, it's the same ($2.50 an hour). But if you play it for more than two hours, say 4 or 5, or even more, than you are paying significantly less per hour. The same holds for any other program I create, as my pricing is quite modest and reasonable. I've always been apalled by some of the arrogance used in the pricing of shareware by certain individuals, and I feel you should be able to obtain software at reasonable prices as compared to the quality. I also absolutely abhor those nasty tactics used in various programs of crippling the software or requiring access codes to use the extended features and so forth. You want softaware that WORKS and I try to give exactly that. If you bought it from a shareware disk vendor, that in itself does NOT mean you own your copy of the program, it is still theft if you continue to use it without paying for it. You are entitled to "try before you buy" only, not to use and abuse. Please don't steal, pay for what you use. And WHY should you register it? 1. To support my continuing efforts to bring you some level of functional programs. If I get no cash, you get no improvements in these programs, and I won't be encouraged to make new and better software! 2. To get that warm glow for knowing that you supported the author of at least one of the many shareware programs you probably use. 3. To find out if there is a newer version. All you need to do is ask! But letters with money take priority! 4. You could be sick and demented and thus register everything you get your hands on. (not everything is worth registering!) 5. Because it's the honest thing to do! Don't think "Nahh, someone else will pay, one registration of $8 won't make much of a difference." It DOES matter. At the time of this writing, I make about $40 to $60 a YEAR off of this shareware stuff, and I've released dozens of programs that have spread across the USA and into Canada and Europe. THAT's how few people are honest. FINAL NOTE: If you have any questions, concerns, suggestions, criticisms, donations, remarks, praise or opinions, please write! I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!! (the address is listed above). Ed T. Toton III "Necromancer" -1994