Shareware 1 2 the Maxx/sw_1.zip/sw_1/COMMGAME/U7DOCS.ZIP/U7-REF.DOC

Text File | 1992-04-26 | 28KB | 518 lines

                ┌────────────────────────────────────────────┐
                │ Ultima VII - The Black Gate Reference Card │
                └────────────────────────────────────────────┘


Main Menu
~~~~~~~~~
    After the game loads, an introductory sequence automatically begins, but
it may be skipped by pressing [Esc].  Then the main menu appears, listing four
options:

                               View Introduction
                               Start New Game
                               Journey Onward
                               View Credits

    To select one of the options, single-click it with the mouse or use the
arrow keys and press [Enter].  To exit the introduction, character creation,
or credits, press [Esc].

View Introduction
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    The introduction reveals how and why the Avatar has returned to Britannia.
Information presented here is very relevant to your quest.  This scene is the
same one that you see the first time you run the game.

Start New Game
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    The is where character creation takes place.  It must be selected the first
time you play the game.  When you are asked to name you character, type the de-
sired name (up to 14 characters) at the flashing cursor and press [Enter]. Next
you determine the gender of you character.  With the mouse or space bar, select
the gender of your choice and press [Enter]

Journey Onward
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    After you first create a character, this option takes you to the beginning
of the actual game.  In future sessions, this option returns you your last saved
game.

View Credits
~~~~~~~~~~~~
    This option will list all of the many people who worked on Ultima VII.

Introductory Walkthrough
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    This section guides you through the first few minutes of Ultima VII.  It
doesn't reveal any deep secrets, but it does introduce you to all of the basic
actions you may preform in the game.  It assumes you are using a mouse which is
highly recommended by both Iolo, and Lord British.

    The scene opens as you, the Avatar, step out of a red Moongate and into the
Britannian town of Trinsic.  Before you stand your old friend Iolo, and the
stable master, Petre.

Conversations
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    When Iolo address you, read each line of text and then click the left mouse
button ('left-click').  Continue until Iolo has finished speaking, at which
point he automatically joins you party.

    Next, Mayor Finnigan appoaches you.  Again, left-click after each line of
text.  Finnigan asks you to investigate the Trinsic murder. Position your mouse
cursor (represented by a green arrow) over the word 'Yes' and left-click to
answer him.

    Finnigan asks if you've visited the stables. Put the cursor on the word
'No' and left-click.  He suggests that you visit the stables before speaking
to him again, and from this point, you have control of your character.

Moving
~~~~~~
    You (the Avatar) are always in the center of the screen.  The stables are
through the doorway to your north (ie. toward the top of the screen).  Position
the cursor so that it points upward (northward) and right-click.  You step to
the north.  Continue moving the cursor and right-clicking until you enter the
building.

Examining Things
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    When you enter the stables the roof disappears, allowing you to see inside.
A horrible murder has occurred! You can look at each object in the stables by
left-clicking on it.  Place the cursor over the gold key (lying just west of
the body) and left-click. The word 'Key' appears (to identify it, if you could
not tell what it was).

    Perhaps the key will provide a clue.  Move the cursor to the left of the
key and click the right mouse button twice ('double-right-click').  You walk
straight to that location.  Note that moving around it accomplished by right
clicking, and all other actions, like talking and examining things are done by
left-clicking.

Using Things
~~~~~~~~~~~~
    You don't want to be disturbed during this investigation, so move over by
the door and close it.  This is accomplished by moving to the door and placing
the cursor on the door and double-left-clicking.

Taking Things
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    The key may be a clue.  Place the cursor so that the tip of it overlaps the
key.  Click and hold the left mouse button ('left-click-and-hold').  As you con-
tinue holding, move the cursor around.  If the mouse was properly positioned,
the key is attached to the cursor.  Don't let it go!
    To give yourself the key, move the cursor (and the key) over your characters
body on the screen and release the button.  You see the key has vanished.

Examining Yourself and Other Things
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Find out if you have the key by double-left-clicking on your character.  An
image of you character appears (your Inventory Display), with blue lines indic-
ating the locations of equipment and clothing.  The key is in your right hand.

    Put the cursor on the large red check mark and left-click-and-hold.  This
lets you move your inventory window; move it to the upper right corner of the
screen by dragging it in that direction with mouse.  Release the button when
you are satisfied with the new position.

    You can remove the Inventory Display by left-clicking on the red check.

Talking to People
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Perhaps your companion Iolo knows more about the murder.  To speak with
him, double-left-click on him.  His portrait appears, along with his speech.
Responses you may select appear in the center of the screen.  Left click on
'murder' to discuss the murder with him.

    When you are finished talking to Iolo, left-click on 'Bye' to stop.

Further Investigations
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    There are other things you might try while inspecting the stables.  It's a
good idea to examine everything.  Be sure to check out the dead gargoyal at the
north of the stables, as well as the bag lying on the ground. You can see the
bag's contents by double-left-clicking on the bag.  Try removing items from the
bag, such as the torch (left-click-and-hold). Once the torch is on the ground,
you may double-left-click on it to light it, and double-left-click it again to
extinguish the flame. (Note that while the torch is lit, it cannot be put back
into any container)  In general, open the inventory of everyone in the party and
both single- and double-left click on every object.  You may discover all sorts
of handy things.

    When you've finished here, you'll want to leave.  You can walk continuously
by right-clicking-and-holding.  You always walk in the direction the cursor
points.  Also, the further the cursor is from you character, that larger the
green arrow appears on the screen. This is to signify an increase in speed. At
the largest level, your character moves his fastest on the screen, while you
can move the cursor close for small, careful areas.  Luck be with you as you
journey onward!

Commands
~~~~~~~~
    Ultima VII is an entirely mouse-driven game.  All action commands are cont-
rolled by the two mouse buttons.  However, for those who do not have a mouse,
all the commands may also be performed from the keyboard.

Using the Mouse
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    The key point to using the mouse is knowing that the left button is used to
perform actions involving hands, and the right button is used to perform actions
involving the feet.  The mouse will generally appear in one of two forms; a
green straight arrow for normal activity, or a red, jagged arrow for a combat.

             Action           Left Button       Right button
            ┌──────────────┬───────────────┬──────────────────┐
            │Click         │Look           │Take one pace     │
            ├──────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────┤
            │Double-Click  │Use/Talk/Attack│Move to the cursor│
            ├──────────────┼───────────────┼──────────────────┤
            │Click-and-Drag│Move items     │Walk continuously │
            └──────────────┴───────────────┴──────────────────┘

Moving Your Character (Right-Clicking)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    To make yourself walk, simply point the arrow in the direction you with to
travel and right-click-and-hold.  The farther the arrow is from the, the long-
er it gets, and the faster you travel.  To stop moving, release the button.

    When danger is near, your speed is limited in proportion to your dexterity.

    Double-right-clicking on a point on the screen makes you walk to that loc-
ation, providing no obstacles bar the way (ie. a locked door, etc...)

Manipulating Objects (Left-Clicking)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    The left mouse button is used to look, move, use or attack.

Look
~~~~
    To bring up a short description of an object, left-click on it.

Move
~~~~
    Many objects may be moved from one location to another.  To move something
that is portable, left-click-and-hold on the object.  The cursor changes into
hand to indicate that you are holding an object.  Move the cursor over the
desired destination and release the mouse button.

    Releasing the item over a character places the item inside that characters
inventory.  If his Inventory Display is open, dropping in item on a container
withing the display places the item insed that container.

    If a container is not in anyone's inventory, it muse be open (it's display
visible) to drop an item into it.

    If an object is too heavy or too large to fit inside a container, or if you
can't reach it, a mesage saying so appears in red above the object.

Use
~~~
    To use an object, double-left-click on it.  Each type of item functions
uniquely when ysed.  For example, using an unlit lamp will light it; using a
lit lamp will extinguish it.

    Some objects may be used on other objects (ie. a bucket on a well).  Double-
left-clicking on such an item turns the cursor into green crosshairs.  Moving
these to the target item and left-clicking used the first item on the second.

    Double-left-clicking on many usable objects brings up a display that provi-
des more information about that object.  For example, double-left-clicking on
a chest brings up a display that reveals the contents of the chest (if it is
not locked).  The contents may then be removed and manipulated like any other
object in the world.  The bodies of fallen foes are trated like chests for the
purpose of searching.

    In addition, the displays themselves may be moved in the same manner as
moving an object (left-click-hold-and-drag and then release).  Single-clicking
on the red-check at the left side of the display or pressing [Esc] will close
the display window.

    'Using' a person has several meanings.  Double-clicking on a person while
not in combat mode will initiate a converstation with that person.  However,
doing so while in combat modem indicates that you wish to attack that person.
If you are clicking on a member of your party while in combat mode or while your
own inventroy display is up, the pary member's inventory display is also opened
on the screen.

    'Using' the Avatar will bring up your own characters inventory.  To use a
cart, double-left-click on a chair in the cart.  Once all of the characters are
seated, move the cart as if it we your character.  A boat operates under the
same principal, but you must double-left-click on the sails instead of a chair.
To stop using a cart or boat, double-left-click again on the chair or sails.

Attack
~~~~~~
    While in combat mode, double-left-clicking the cursor on another person who
is NOT in your party, or an object, initiates an attack on that person or
object.  If you are in combat mode, and in any attack mode other than manual
mode (see Combat), you automatically attack any nearby hostile foes.

Using the Keyboard
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Though using a mouse is highly recommended, the keyboard may be used as
a substitute if you have no mouse available.

Walking
~~~~~~~
    The arrow keys may be pressed to walk one step in the desired direction.
Holding down while pressing an arrow key will allow the Avatar to take 3 steps
instead of 1.  If [Num Lock] is on during play, EVERY step will be a triple one.

Manipulating Objects
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Press [Space Bar] to make the hand cursor visible.  Now the arrow keys will
move the cursor instead of the Avatar.  Holding [Shift] will increase the rate
at which the cursor travels.

    Treat [Control] as if it were the left mouse button.  For example, a single
click identifies and object, while a double-click uses it.

    If you are in any attack mode, there is no red cursor to remind you, but
double-clicking still initiates an attack.

Keyboard/Mouse Hotkey Table
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Key   Function                            Mouse Equivalent
┌─────┬───────────────────────────────────┬───────────────────────────────────┐
│  C  │ Combat mode on/off                │ Left click dove/sword in Inv scr  │
├─────┼───────────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────┤
│  I  │ Open Inv display of characters    │ Double-left-click on characters   │
├─────┼───────────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────┤
│  Z  │ Open Stat's display of characters │ Left-click on heart in Inv screen │
├─────┼───────────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────┤
│  S  │ Open the save/load window         │ Left-click on the disk in Inv scr │
├─────┼───────────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────┤
│  A  │ Audio effects on/off              │ Toggles in the save game window   │
├─────┼───────────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────┤
│  V  │ Display version number            │ [none]                            │
├─────┼───────────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────┤
│Alt-X│ Exit Ultima VII and return to Dos │ 'Quit' in the save game window    │
├─────┼───────────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────┤
│  H  │ Swap left-right mouse buttons     │ [none]                            │
├─────┼───────────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────┤
│ Esc │ Close displays, windows, etc...   │ Left-click large red checkmarks   │
└─────┴───────────────────────────────────┴───────────────────────────────────┘

Displays
~~~~~~~~
    In Ultima VII, the entire screen is devoted to displaying the map.  Any
messages or other relevant information will appear OVER the game map, at various
places on the screen.

     During conversations, a portrait of the character you are speaking to app-
ears in the upper left corner of the screen, with all of his/her text to the
right of the portrait.  If any other characters interject, their portraits will
appear in the lower left corner of the screen, with their text just to the right
of their portrait. During conversations, your portrait appears in the center of
the screen, with your word options appearing to the right of your portrait. The
words are the possible questions you can pose to the character you are having
a conversation with.  The list is made up of the Avatar's experience with diff-
erent with characters and knowledge as the game progesses. Selecting a word or
phrase from the options initiates a response from the character you are talking
to.

    Text that identifies an object (ie 'Look' command) will appear directly
above the said object on screen.  Any text that appears above the head of a
character indicates the particualr character has spoken.

Inventory Display
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    When you double-left-click on yourself, your Inventory Display appears.
This is also true of any character in your party, as long as you have first
brought up your own inventory display first, or are in combat mode. All the
items coming off lines from the characters body are items held on the body
itself in different positions. (Shoudler, arms, hands, fingers, legs, etc..)

Dove/Flaming Sword Icon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    At the left of the Inventory Display is a picture of either a dove (non-
combat mode) or a flaming sword (combat mode).  Left-click on this icon to
toggle from one to the other.  During play, the cursor will change back and
forth from a green arrow (non-combat mode) to a red jagged arrow (combat mode).

Heart
~~~~~
    Left-clicking on this icon reveals the Status Display (see Status Display)

Disk
~~~~
    On the right side of the inventory display is a disk icon.  Left-clicking
on this icon brings up a window that permits you to load/save games, adjust
music/sound or quit to Dos

Numbers (bottom center)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    At the bottom of the inventory display is a number next to another number
(ie. 24/48).  The number of the right side is the maximum 'stone' weight this
character can carry, with the number on the left indicating the amount of
'stone' weight currently being held by the character.  In addition to weight,
you must also volume.  Sometimes you are told that you cannot carry an item
because you hands or your packs are full.  By rearranging you equipment (ie.
putting a weapon in a pack, or buying another), you may be able to carry it.

The Halo & Current Attack Mode (under Halo) are described in the Combat Section

Spell Book
~~~~~~~~~~
    Double-left clicking on the spell book in your Inventory Display brings up
it's display.  To case a spell, double-left-click on that spell's icon.  To
select a spell without casting it, left-click on it's icon.  The buckle in the
book mark moves to that spell.

    There are six spells (Fire Blase, Paralyze, Lightning, Explosion, Death
Bolt and Sword Strike) that may be case in combat by double-left-clicking on
a target as if attacking it.  If the spell book is in your hand and the book
was closed while that spell was selected (the bookmark's buckle was on the
spell), using the mouse to attack causes you to case that specific spell (as
long as you have the spell points (mana) and reagents necessary).  Also, if
you are not in Manual Mode (see combat) and have your spell book ready (in
hand), you cast spells automatically.

Status Display
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    The Status Display lists a character's current attributes, both primary
and secondary, and whether that character is unconscious (z's), poisoned (skull
and crossbones), Charmed (can't make it out!!), Hungry (Fork/knife), Protected
(sheild), cursed (black circle) or paralyzed (stiff body) at the lowest section
of the window.

Primary Attributes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Strength, Dexterity and Intelligence are the primary attributes with valules
ranging from 1 to 30.  The higher an attribute is, the better.  The remaning
attributes are secondary attributes.

     Strength determines serval things, including how much you can carry, how
much (if any) additional damage you can do with a hand to hand weapone, and how
many Hit's you can take before dying.

     Dexterity affects such things as how fast you can move, and how well you
pick locks.  Faster characters can move and attack more often than slower ones.
Dexterity determines your combat skill.

      Intelligence determines several things, including how well you can cast
certain spells.

Secondary Attributes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Combat:  Your base combat skill is derived directly from your dexterity. It
             determines how likely you are to hit in combat with normal weapons.

    Magic:   Your base magic skill is derived directly from your intelligence.
             It determines the maximum number of Mana points you can have.

    Hits:    Derived directly from strength.  They are reduced by damage,
             poison and hunger.  When your hits reach 0, you are unconcious.

    Mana:    Records the current number of mana points you have currently.  The
             less active you are, the quick lost Mana points return.

    Level:   Indicates your current level of experience.  As your level goes up,
             so can any of your Primary Attributes as well as your Hits.

    Exp:     Experience Points, a measure of your accomplishments.  Every time
             you solve a quest or slay a beast, each member of your party
             recieves some amount of experience points.  After acheiving so
             many points, character levels begin to go up.

     Training: These points can only be accured with experience points.  To
               increase intelligence, combat, or magic, your must find a trainer
               who teaches expertise in that specific attribute.  If you pay the
               trainers fee and 'trade in' training points (representing your
               study and practice with the trainer), the attribute you are
               concentrating upon increases.

Combat
~~~~~~
    In the lower left corner of each character's inventory display is an icon
reprsenting the attack mode for that character when combat is ensued.  The
following modes are available (I did my best here people!) (-the Character)

   Icon     Avatar?   Others?   Attack mode   Description of attack mode
┌─────────┬─────────┬─────────┬─────────────┬───────────────────────────────┐
│ ┌─────┐ │         │         │             │                               │
│ │■ ■ ■│ │         │         │             │                               │
│ │ ? ? │ │   Yes   │   No    │   Manual    │  You direct each combat move. │
│ │    │ │         │         │             │                               │
│ └─────┘ │         │         │             │                               │
├─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────────┼───────────────────────────────┤
│ ┌─────┐ │         │         │             │                               │
│ │  ■  │ │         │         │   Attack    │  This character will attack   │
│ │    │ │   Yes   │   Yes   │   Weakest   │  the weakest opponent.        │
│ │    │ │         │         │             │                               │
│ └─────┘ │         │         │             │                               │
├─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────────┼───────────────────────────────┤
│ ┌─────┐ │         │         │             │                               │
│ │  ▄  │ │         │         │   Attack    │  The character will attack    │
│ │    │ │   Yes   │   Yes   │  Stongest   │  the strongest opponent       │
│ │    │ │         │         │             │                               │
│ └─────┘ │         │         │             │                               │
├─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────────┼───────────────────────────────┤
│ ┌─────┐ │         │         │             │                               │
│ │  ▄  │ │         │         │             │                               │
│ │ ___ │ │   Yes   │   Yes   │   Defend    │   The character will be more  │
│ │    │ │         │         │             │   effective defensivley.      │
│ └─────┘ │         │         │             │                               │
├─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────────┼───────────────────────────────┤
│ ┌─────┐ │         │         │             │                               │
│ │▀ ▄ ▀│ │         │         │   Attack    │   This character will attack  │
│ │    │ │   Yes   │   Yes   │   Nearest   │   the nearest opponent.       │
│ │    │ │         │         │             │                               │
│ └─────┘ │         │         │             │                               │
├─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────────┼───────────────────────────────┤
│ ┌─────┐ │         │         │             │                               │
│ │▄ ▀ ▄│ │         │         │             │                               │
│ │ \/ │ │   No    │   Yes   │   Berserk   │   This character will never   │
│ │    │ │         │         │             │   flee and fight to the death │
│ └─────┘ │         │         │             │                               │
├─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────────┼───────────────────────────────┤
│ ┌─────┐ │         │         │             │                               │
│ │  ■  │ │         │         │             │                               │
│ │    │ │   No    │   Yes   │    Flee     │   This character will always  │
│ │    │ │         │         │             │   flee, regardless of odds.   │
│ └─────┘ │         │         │             │                               │
├─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────────┼───────────────────────────────┤
│ ┌─────┐ │         │         │             │                               │
│ │▀\ /▀│ │         │         │             │                               │
│ │    │ │   No    │   Yes   │   Random    │   This character will attack  │
│ │▄/ \▄│ │         │         │             │   a random oppenent.          │
│ └─────┘ │         │         │             │                               │
├─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────────┼───────────────────────────────┤
│ ┌─────┐ │         │         │             │                               │
│ │  ▄  │ │         │         │             │   This character will protect │
│ │  __ │ │   No    │   Yes   │   Protect   │   the party member currently  │
│ │ /■ │ │         │         │             │   in protect mode.            │
│ └─────┘ │         │         │             │                               │
└─────────┴─────────┴─────────┴─────────────┴───────────────────────────────┘
(There is another in the game not listed here that I have not figured out yet)

    If the Avatar's attack mode is anything but Manual Mode, he selects targets
on his own with no input from the user, based on the above table/rules.  The
player may overide the controls with a double-left-click on the opponent of
choice.  When not in manual mode, the Avatar will not attack fleeing/disabled
opponents.  You must take control of the Avatar to commit such an act.  If a
party member becomes greivously wounded, he will flee (unless he is in Berserk
mode, or is the Avatar).  Normally, fleeing characters will drop some objects
to the ground.  Party members set to flee mode will make an orderly retreat and
not lose any objects.

Protected Mode and Protect Mode
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    You may designate aparty member to be a protected mode character by clicking
on the 'halo' just above the characters attack mode on his inventory display. It
turns to gold, indicating that this party member is to be protected.  Only one
person may be protected in the party at any one time.

    Note that if you not designated any party member to be protected, an injured
party member may turn on his own halo and call out for help.  Any party members
that are in Protect Mode will follow this injured character around and attempt
to protect him.  Effectively, any protecting characters main concern is for the
welfare of the protected individual, and he will fight anyone who attacks the
character until there is no longer a threat.

───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────