I have compiled this document of the most asked questions about Aethra in
the hopes it will address any problems you may experience.
Program Questions
Q: How far does the shareware version go?
A: The shareware version is the quest for the "Book of Prophecies" once the
book is found you have probably done all that you can. The rest of the game
involves the 4 Gems of Power and the Demon lord.
Q: Why can't I get into certain places?
A: These are areas only available in the registered version.
Q: The Sound does not work? Music Does not play?
A: You must first answer yes to the sound configurations in the install
program. If the sound is configured ON and does not play then you may need
to free up more memory. The program needs 590K free to play both music
and sound effects.
Q: I get an error code 3 after generating my first 3 characters?
A: The program did not install properly or you did not run the install program.
The install program creates 5 sub directories Save0-Save4 if these directories
do not exist this error will occur.
Q: The program aborts and gives me an error message 203 or 204?
A: You are on the borderline with memory. Free up more memory or disable
the sound and music from the install program.
Q: I have an original Soundblaster card and the game locks up when I attempt
to run it or install it.
A: Apparently my sound library does not detect the old SB properly. The
latest version of the game has been rewritten to not auto detect if sound is
turned off. So if it locks up while trying to configure sound choose no sound
as an option.
Q: The mouse cursor disappears half the time, why?
A: Apparently the latest mouse driver from Logitech has a bug in it. It does
not support Native EGA mode on the second video page. The only thing to
do is try a different mouse driver. The MS mouse driver that comes with
windows works with almost any mouse and functions properly.
Q: The computer locks up when the program plays a sound effect (i.e. door
opening in dungeon).
A: While playing sound in the background my sound library will lock up if the
Hard Drive is accessed. If you are running a disk caching program like
SMARTDRV.EXE the write caching may be turned on. Write caching takes
the control of HD access out of the programs control and it may happen at
any time most likely it seems when the game tries to play a sound effect.
Please disable write caching if you are going to enable the sound effects.
Please see you DOS manual on how to do this.
Q: Why does the dungeon map screen go black after an encounter or other
screen update?
A: If you do not have an active light source the screen will stay black when
the program does a screen refresh. Make sure you have an active lantern or
torch, the little torch icon will be on if you do.
Game Questions:
Q: What is the best way to start so I will survive?
A: Try the pregenerated and equipped party under Save game 4. Here is my
recommended start until you get the hang of it. First character make a Human
Paladin with STR=100 and WIS=100 with CON and AGI as high as you can
get them. Next make a Dwarf Fighter with STR=100 and CON=100 with
AGI and REA as high as you can get them. The last guy make a 1/2 Elf
Ranger with AGI=100 and WIS=100 with CON and STR as high as you can
get them. Immediately go hire a Cleric from the Temple, a mage from the
Mages College, and a thief from the Crafts Guild. Hire as high a level NPC
as will go with you. Go buy a sword for everyone but the mage and thief.
Buy a bow for thief, ranger and paladin. Buy a shield for everyone. Buy
boots for everyone. Buy chain vest for Paladin, Fighter, Ranger and Cleric,
Buy leather vest for thief and a cloak for mage. Buy a lantern This should
be enough initial equipment. Do not worry about paying the NPCs until you
are ready to leave the city. Time passes slowly in the city but days will go by
while traveling outdoors if you leave the roads. Go to the cemetery and
explore the dungeon you will find there. Be sure to look for secret doors.
Q: In the pregenerated game who are the NPCs?
A: Suela, Mahmoud, and Lucina.
Q: Why does time pass so quickly outdoors?
A: The rougher the terrain more time it takes to travel over it. Stick to the
roads for the quickest although not always the shortest journey.
Q: How do I go up in level? Where is the Paladins Guild? Where is the
Ashikari Guild?
A: When you have gained enough experience points you are ready to be
trained. Go to a guild and asked to be trained if you are ready and it is a
guild which will accept you then pay for training and develop your char for
the next level. The Paladins Guild is in the town of Drensea just to the NE of
Stormhaven. It is next to the Warriors Guild. The Ashikari guild is in
Drensea in the NW quadrant. Hint: Guilds specific to character classes will
train you better (ie fighters can train at the Mercenaries guild but will do
better at the warriors guild).
Q: How do I get experience points?
A: By completing quests. Most experience points are gained from the quests
and some from killing monsters.
Q: How does one get rid of a cursed item?
A: The cleric spell Remove curse removes a curse from an item so you can
then get rid of it.
Q: How do I get Hitpoints and Spellpoints back?
A: Hitpoints and spell points are regained while resting at an inn or camping
outdoors. Hitpoints can also be restored at temples, from healing spells, and
potions. The green potion restores spell points.
Q: How do I resurrect a char?
A: Either the cleric spell Faith Resurrection or at a temple.
Q: What happens if you dismiss a core member? As in one of the three? Does
a hireling take his/her place or are you just SOL?
A: You cannot dismiss a core member and are stuck with them for the whole
game.
Q: I have a Sword and Bow but in combat when I try to swing at a monster it
says I do not have a weapon, Why?
A: You must equip with armor, weapons and some magic items before they
are usable. Select the review character option then select items, then equip
items then select the ones you wish to equip with. You are allowed one hand
weapon and one bow. In combat move next to an opponent and select the
swing icon or (W) key to swing a weapon. or the shoot bow (B) option to
shoot at an enemy.
Q: Where is the Aelftrowe Forest?
A: It is the large forest along the southern coast in the middle map grids.
Q: How do I find secret doors? detect traps?
A: The 3 lead party members are the ones who are checked against there
perception/detect traps skill for secret doors and traps. They always get an
automatic check. By using the look option you can choose to look in specific
spots this gives you a bonus versus just walking by. It is wise to have a party
member with high perception and detect traps in one of the front 3 positions.
Game Hints and spoilers.
Q: Where is that $^&* Painting I have looked all over the bandits dungeon?
A: It is hanging on the wall in the lair of the Bandit Leader. His lair is in a
hidden section on the first level of the bandit dungeon.
XXX
XXX
OYX
If each X is a dungeon map square the secret area is the O. Entrance to O is
from Y.
Q: Where is Galoran, I killed the bandit leader in the city isn't this Galoran?
A: No the bandit leader in the city is not Galoran. Galoran is hiding out in the
hills just to the NW of Stormhaven.
Q: Where is Babbage?
A: Babage is located in the Village of Drensea.
Q: Where is the Monastary?
A: It is located on the NE section of the continent, nested in a mountain
range.
Q: What is the GEM of power I found in the Bandits dungeon?
A: It is part of the greater quest when you register so do not sale it.
Q: What is the solution to Kazreens Puzzle?
A: In the dungeon are 4 items you will need. Place the Burning candle on the Red
square, the Bottle of Water on the blue square, Hollow Sphere on the yellow
square and the Rough Stone on the greay bricks. Now step on the Checkered
squares.
If you are one of a growing number of people who got this off of CD mega games (# 70018 ?)
from software solutions. (I am getting a lot of questions on this lately) then you have the following problem. Just copying the files over does not install the game properly. You must run the install program with the file1.lzh, file2.lzh and file3.lzh. If this is not the case you can manually create the proper directory structure.
Make 5 sub dirs. save0, save1, save2, save3, and save4.
