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The Lost Lands
Fantasy Adventure Game
SYSOP DOCUMENT
--------------
This document offers general information about The Lost Lands.
The Lost Lands is the most sophisticated single-player fantasy adventure
door program written to date. Unlike other door games, The Lost Lands
creates an ever-expanding universe of fantasy adventure play. The Lost
Lands provides its players with many hours of addictive fantasy gaming.
Disclaimer and Shareware Notice
===============================
This UNREGISTERED copy of The Lost Lands is distributed as shareware.
You are given a 30 day evaluation period. If you plan to continue using
The Lost Lands after the 30 day evaluation period, you must become a
registered user or be in violation of the copyright. Please see the
accompanying documentation file, README.DOC for more information on
the registration process.
You may freely redistribute unmodified copies of these files to other users,
but you must make certain that ALL accompanying support and documentation
files are included and that none of these files are modified in any manner.
This software may not be distributed as a part of, or in conjunction with,
another product without permission of the author.
This software is NOT warranted to be error free. David A. Cooke will not
be liable for any damages or loss of property arising from the use or
inability to use this software.
Use of these programs implies acceptance of these terms.
Minimum System Requirements
===========================
MS-DOS 3.3 or later
512k of RAM
2 MB of hard disk space (minimum)
Features of The Lost Lands
==========================
PERFORMANCE & SUPPORT:
The Lost Lands has been optimized for good performance under
multi-tasking systems such as OS/2 2.x, DesqView or Windows.
The Lost Lands also offers file locking and sharing to facilitate
use of the game in a multi-node environment (See Note Below).
FOSSIL support has also been incorporated into The Lost Lands.
Use of a FOSSIL driver is recommended for better performance at high
speeds.
The Lost Lands will automatically detect whether it is running under
any of the environments listed above and/or if a FOSSIL driver has
been installed.
DOOR SUPPORT:
Support for DOOR.SYS (/D)
Support for DORINFOx.DEF (/x) where x is a number between 1 and 9.
Support for CALLINFO.BBS (/W)
REAL-TIME PLAY:
The Lost Lands is a real-time system. The player will adventure in areas
that are inhabited by constantly acting creatures. All actions are done
in real time, which further gives the player the feeling of "being there."
QUESTS & VARIETY:
In order to add flavor and purpose to the game, the player is able to
undertake quests. Quests provide players with great adventures and
great rewards. A huge variety of items, spells and rooms allow a
player to always encounter something new.
EXPANDABILITY:
As in real Role-Playing Games, there are always more adventures for
the players to set out on. In the Lost Lands, adventuring areas are
expanded by adding ModulePaks. Each ModulePak contains several maps,
new quests, items, spells and monsters.
In addition to the base game, the TLL contains the ModulePak #1
adventure:
ModulePak #1: "The Town of NewMar"
This ModulePak spans 7 maps, containing 3 dungeon maps, 2 town
maps and 2 guild maps. There are a multitude of shops, temples,
guilds, taverns and inns. There are 3 starting quests. Over
200 items, 150 spells and 140 creatures are included.
Installation Guide
==================
To install the Lost Lands, run the file TLLV1.EXE in a directory
of your choice. The file should expand into the following files:
INSTALL.EXE - Installation program
TLL.EXE - The Lost Lands Door Program.
CHARGEN.EXE - The Character Generation Program.
TLLPURGE.EXE - The Lost Lands Map Maintenance Utility Program.
TOPCHARS.EXE - The Top Characters in the Land generation program.
TLLLOCAL.EXE - A utility to run The Lost Lands locally.
DOCS.LZH - Documentation and Help files.
DATA.LZH - Miscellaneous data files
DESC.LZH - Description files
MAPS.LZH - Map files
To install the game, type: INSTALL. Follow the on-screen directions
and the install program will take care of uncompressing all the files
into the TLL game directory and setting up the configuration file.
After this, it is your job to install the entry in your BBS system
to allow the running of TLL.EXE. A file, TLL.BAT will be created by
the INSTALL.EXE program. In order to run the program, you should
configure your BBS to call the TLL.BAT file; Consult your BBS
documentation on how to set up a door program.
Note To Networked-System SysOps:
If your multi-node system is run in a networked environment (instead of
DesqView, OS/2 2.x or Windows), The Lost Lands may not run without first
modifying both the TLL.BAT and the CONFIG.TLL files. If different nodes
of your system map different drive letters to the same physical drive, you
will encounter a problem. Specific drive letters are referenced in both
TLL.BAT and CONFIG.TLL created by INSTALL. Here's how you can fix it:
1. Modify CONFIG.TLL: Remove all drive references from CONFIG.TLL.
For example, change:
MAPS=C:\TLL\MAPS\ -to- MAPS=\TLL\MAPS\
DESC=C:\TLL\DESC\ -to- DESC=\TLL\DESC\
2. Modify TLL.BAT: Remove all drive references from CONFIG.TLL.
(This fix will work if the TLL directory is on the same drive
as your BBS program.)
For example, a file that looked like:
C:
CD C:\TLL
TLL /DC:\DOORS
C:
CD C:\BBS
Should be changed to:
CD \TLL
TLL /D\DOORS
CD \BBS
Also, if your system is reporting a "sharing violation" when TLL
is run on more than one node, this is due to a problem with the
overlay manager. To correct the problem, you must set the ReadOnly
flag on TLL.EXE. To do this, type:
ATTRIB +R TLL.EXE
Afterwards, if you ever upgrade your version of TLL, you must clear
the ReadOnly flag, or you will not be able to overwrite TLL.EXE. To
clear the flag, type:
ATTRIB -R TLL.EXE
Calling the Batch Files Generated by the Installation Program
=============================================================
For DOOR.SYS and CALLINFO.BBS, you call the TLL.BAT file directly:
C:\>TLL.BAT
For DORINFOx.DEF (such as DORINFO1.DEF), call the batch file with an
extra parameter indicating what x should be. To run TLL using the
DORINFO1.DEF file, you would type:
C:\>TLL.BAT 1
The SysOp Utilites: TLLPURGE.EXE, TOPCHARS.EXE & INSTALL.EXE
============================================================
TLLPURGE.EXE
------------
TLLPURGE is the program that will maintain the installed maps and clear
off excess data that has been stored by TLL. It is suggested you run
this program ONCE A WEEK. It is not necessary or recommended that you
run it every day, as the TLLPURGE program refreshes permanent monsters
and other features that will decrease the "realistic" feel of the game.
You should call TLLPURGE.EXE as a BBS event procedure; Consult your BBS
documentation on how to set up an system event.
TOPCHARS.EXE
------------
TOPCHARS is the program that displays a list of all current players and
the best characters. Although players can see their score in the game
at certain rooms, it is usefull to have a system bulletin on your BBS
which tells the users how everyone else is doing (in case they can't find
the scoreboard in the game). To do this, simply run TOPCHARS.EXE every
night. TOPCHARS produces output in many ways: ASCII, ANSI and WildCat!
To generate a file named BULL1.TXT, you would enter one of the following:
C:\>TOPCHARS BULL1.TXT <- This will generate ANSI format
C:\>TOPCHARS A BULL1.TXT <- This will generate ASCII format
C:\>TOPCHARS @ BULL1.TXT <- This will generate WildCat! format
INSTALL.EXE
-----------
INSTALL.EXE is the program that you use to initially install The Lost
Lands. Originally, this was its only function. Since Version 1.4, the
Install program is copied into the working TLL directory on installation
and may be used by the SysOp to update CONFIG.TLL without editing it
manually (as described below).
The INSTALL.EXE program is able to change every SysOp configurable
option in the CONFIG.TLL. To update your CONFIG.TLL, run the program,
make all necessary changes, and press the Configure button instead of
the Install button. Please Note, if you change the type of DOOR
information file your BBS generates, you must manually change the TLL.BAT
file or reinstall the whole game.
The Online Sysop Functions: Time Manipulation & Screen Blanking
===============================================================
Time Manipulation
-----------------
The SysOp may add or subtract 5 minutes to the time of the current
usre by pressing the F3 and F4 keys respectively. A small status window
appears at the bottom of the screen during play, which displays some
information such as Function Keys, User Name and Time Left.
The SysOp may also Kick-Out a player at any time by pressing F10. This
acts exactly as the same as a QUIT command; It saves the character
directly on the map where he or she was when you pressed the F10 key.
Screen Blanking
---------------
Screen Blanking turns the screen ON or OFF. This is most usefull for
systems run under DesqView. Since The Lost Lands writes directly to the
screen, any output from The Lost Lands to the console will "bleed-through"
to other windows. To avoid this, TLL allows the user to block all
console output. To change Screen Blanking ON or OFF during a session of
The Lost Lands, you simply press the F1 key. To change this permanently,
see the section about CONFIG.TLL just below.
Chat Mode
---------
The SysOp may chat with the user by pressing the F5 key. The real-time
action in the game is halted until you press F5 again and hit enter.
Other Sysop Information
=======================
Understanding CONFIG.TLL
========================
The CONFIG.TLL file maintains all system-specific information that The
Lost Lands and its utility programs need. The installation program
will set up the file for you and it should never need maintenence, unless
your system changes. Changes made in CONFIG.TLL are valid for EVERY
session of TLL that runs. Some functions the SysOp may wish to change are:
Screen Blanking
---------------
To change screen blanking from ON to OFF permenantly, you must change the
line in CONFIG.TLL that holds the SCRN variable. Locate the line which
will say either SCRN=1 or SCRN=0. (For information on the purpose of
Screen Blanking, see the section above).
- To enable Screen Blanking (turn the console output OFF), set
the variable to 0 (i.e. SCRN=0).
- To disable Screen Blanking (so you can watch the screen), set
the variable to 1 (i.e. SCRN=1).
DesqView (3+ Nodes) Support
---------------------------
If you run a system using DesqView with 3 or more nodes, The Lost
Lands built in DesqView support can hamper the speed at which
activities are performed. Disabling the internal DesqView support
can remedy this problem will bring game speed near normal. If you
notice large time lags between player actions, try disabling support.
- To disable DesqView Support, set the variable to 1 (i.e. DESQ=1).
- To enable DesqView Support (default), set the variable to 0
(i.e. DESQ=0).
Bugs Reporting
--------------
Bugs Reporting is a feature that allows users to write messages to a
file called BUGS.TLL. These messages are used for reporting bugs to
either the SysOp or the Author. The file BUGS.TLL can be sent to
David Cooke (see below) in order to help fix some bugs that have been
spotted. Since the BUGS.TLL file is able to become arbitrarily large,
BBS's with limited disk space may opt to turn this feature off, not
allowing users to report bugs.
To change Bugs Reporting ON or OFF, you must change the line in
CONFIG.TLL that holds the BUGS variable. Locate the line which will
say BUGS=1 or BUGS=0.
- To enable Bugs Reporting, set the variable to 1 (i.e. BUGS=1).
- To disable Bugs Reporting, set the variable to 0 (i.e. BUGS=0).
Days Inactive
-------------
The TLLPURGE looks in CONFIG.TLL to find out how long it should let users
play who have been inactive. The value may be between 1 and 60 days,
which is the point at which TLLPURGE will delete the users character
record.
To change the value for Days Inactive, you must change the line in
CONFIG.TLL that holds the DAYS variable. Locate the line which says
DAYS=x, where x is a value between 0 and 60. Enter the number of days
inactive you feel qualifies a users character to be deleted.
Idle Players
------------
This feature allows you to set a minimum time that the player may be
away from the keyboard with no keyboard activity. If the player does
not perform any activity within the time set, the board will warn them
and then kick them back to your BBS.
To change the time value for Idle Time, you must change the line in
CONFIG.TLL that holds the IDLE variable. Locate the line which says
IDLE=x, where x is a value above 2 (minutes). Enter the amount of
minutes of non-activity you feel qualifies a player to be kicked back
to the BBS.
Game Speed
----------
The game speed parameter gauges how quickly the real-time events are
processed. The default time between standard events is about four
seconds. It has been noted that on some slower machines or on networked
systems, this delay effectively allows the monsters to move a little
faster than players (by giving players less reaction time). This
parameter can also be modified for the sole reason of making the game a
little easier to play.
To change the time value for the Game Speed, you must change the line in
CONFIG.TLL that holds the PACE variable. Locate the line which says
PACE=x, where x is a value between 4 and 8 (seconds). Enter the amount
of seconds between the standard system event that you feels gives the
players enough time to react to the game.
Tameness
--------
The Tameness parameter is a setting to tell The Lost Lands whether or
not it should allow a chance for players to "cheat" death. This feature
allows players (up to level 10) to have a chance of just being knocked
unconscious. Unconscious characters only lose gold and/or items, not
levels or experience!
This feature detracts from the "realism" of the game, but if you have
many inexperienced players, this makes the game much easier. If you are
running a "tournament," it is suggested this feature be set to 0.
The Tameness level can be set between 0 and 10. A setting of 0 means
players will have no chance of just being 'knocked out' and will truly
die every time they are killed. A setting of 10 is the easiest setting,
allowing players of up to level 10 a chance of being 'knocked out.'
The default setting is 3, which only allows players level 1-3 to
be 'knocked out.'
To change the Tameness setting, you must change the line in CONFIG.TLL
that holds the UNCO variable. Locate the line which will say UNCO=x
(where x is a number between 0 and 10).
- To allow unconsciousness, set the variable to a number between
1 and 10. (e.g. UNCO=3).
- To disable unconsciousness, set the variable to 0 (i.e. UNCO=0).
The Bulletin File
=================
The file BULLETIN.TLL, in the directory with TLL.EXE, will be displayed
each time The Lost Lands is started. You may customize this bulletin
any way you wish. It can contain important information to your players
at the time of log-in.
Registration
============
The Lost Lands is not a free game. You are given a trial period
of 30 days. By the end of the trial period, you should either
register the product or delete it in its entirety.
The unregistered product of The Lost Lands has many restrictions that
hamper play. These restrictions are built into the software. By
registering this product, these restrictions are lifted. Therefore,
the registered version of The Lost Lands contains several other
"enhancements" over the unregistered game. They include:
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT:
In the unregistered product, no character may PROGRESS PAST 3RD LEVEL
(or gain more than 6001 experience points). This is certainly the most
important restriction applied to the unregistered version of the product.
GUILDS:
Each class guild is stocked with a Guild Master and guards. Through a
trial by combat, players may become the leaders of the Guild.
The guild masters are omitted in the unregistered version.
SPELL CASTERS:
Enemy monsters spell-casting ability is disabled in the unregistered
version of TLL. The registered version includes spell casting creatures
and treasures such as spell books, scrolls, etc.
BANKS:
In the unregistered version, the banking system is closed. The banking
commands are fully implemented in the registered version.
VERSION UPGRADES:
We feel that by supporting this product, you should get the best in
Fantasy Adventure Games. Because of this, we are distributing minor
version upgrades free of charge. These may be obtained through Alterd
Egos BBS (see below) with a password that must be entered on the form.
An order form is supplied in REGISTER.DOC. If you need further
information, you may contact David A. Cooke through any of the
following channels:
David A. Cooke The Lost Lands Support Board:
DAC Enterprises Alterd Egos BBS
CompuServe: 73140,3503 Node 1: (703) 352-3865
Internet: dcooke@mason1.gmu.edu Node 2: (703) 691-9095
Alterd Egos: DAVE COOKE SysOp : Ken Gates
THE LOST LANDS MESSAGE CONFERENCE:
If you would like to carry The Lost Lands message conference,
call Alterd Egos BBS and leave a message to Ken Gates about
becoming part of -=VA Net=-. The Lost Lands conference contains
information regarding new releases, future development plans and
general player-to-player chatter.