To reach the finish you must survive. To do so you must learn to find your way around the world in which you have been placed.
(SEE About the Game Area)
You must find food objects in order to keep up your #ENERGY. You have other attributes which affect your performance, and you can collect, use and wear objects.
(SEE About You)
You will find objects on the ground and held by game characters, and must work out what they can do for you.
(SEE About Objects)
You will also encounter characters in the game, some friendly, some hostile, and you will find that some of these objects will help you deal with these characters more effectively.
(SEE About Characters)
All the information you need to know is displayed on (or accessed through) the main game window.
The Upper Panel displays the game map, information about the cell you are in and adjacent squares
(SEE The Upper Panel)
The Lower Panel displays information about your own status and possession of objects.
(SEE The Lower Panel)
A variety of transactions can be carried out on objects - they can be described, picked up, taken, bought, sold, used, worn, removed and dropped.
(SEE Object Transactions)
You can interact with the characters in the game. Not only can you buy and sell objects from and to them, but you can also try to take objects from them or attack them. They may also pre-emptively attempt to attack you, sell an object, or give you an object.
(SEE Character Encounters)
You will almost certainly not complete a game in one go from first attempt. There are, therefore, Menu functions available to save, load and re-start games, and to leave the program
(SEE File Menu Functions)
Some other functions are also available on the Menu Bar
(SEE Other Menu Functions)"
About the Game Area
"The game area is rectangular, comprising cells, and can be anything from 10x10 (100 cells) to 69x69 (4761 cells) in size. The player can navigate around this world, their routes constrained by the layout of roads, passages or whatever terms are used for these routes.
Two different types of scenery can be displayed: either indoors or outdoors. There is no difference in behaviour in either type of scenery, the two scenes are used to help provide landmarks.
'Roads' can either be straights, bends, T-junctions, crossroads or dead-ends. When located on a stretch of road, the game automatically offers the appropriate choices of direction, by displaying movement buttons over-laid on the central square of the map display (where you are located).
(SEE The Upper Panel)
In addition, other features can be over-laid on roads. These are detailed below:
START: There is only one start in the game, denoted by a Green 'S' in a circle.
FINISH: There is only one finish, denoted by a Red 'F' in a circle.
SAFE-HAVENS AND HAZARDS: Some crossroads are marked with an 'H' either in a circle (outdoors) or in a square (indoors). These can be one of two things: either, a SAFE-HAVEN, where no other character can enter, or, an invisible hazard, where something quickly saps at your #ENERGY. The name of the cell or its description may give you a clue which type of cell it is. If you stay there unprotected for more than a short while, you will die. Some objects may give protection against the hazard.
(SEE About Objects)
JUMPS: Some dead-ends have a lightning flash in a circle. This denotes that you may 'jump' from here to another location. The cell description may variously describe the 'jump' as a tunnel, teleport device or magic place. An additional movement button is available on the square (if the current location) to make the jump.
LOCKED GATES: A key in an oval denotes a locked gate (or door, or howsoever described). You cannot enter these cells. You must find the object which is the correct key, or a master key (that opens all gates). From the adjacent square you must then USE the key, and the gate will 'open' by means of the movement button which appears in the direction of the gate.
(SEE About Objects)
SWITCHED GATES: A plan view of a wooden gate/door denotes a switched gate, which may either be open or closed. Each gate has a switch located somewhere on the game map, the switches being on corners showing a graphic of a lever switch. When on the switch cell, the gate switch can be operated
(SEE The Upper Panel).
0NE-WAY ROUTES: A cell with a ramp on one side and a 'cliff-face' on the other side denotes a one-way route. Normally players can only go up the ramp and down the 'cliff', not the other way. Certain objects provide the ability to scale the 'cliff' obstacle.
(SEE About Objects)
DARK CELLS: Some cells can be dark: they are shown as dark blue, and no information is provided to the player about them. Most dark cells have a switch available somewhere on the game map which will illuminate the cell with light. The switches are on corners showing a graphic of a lever switch, identical to those for gates. When on the switch cell, the light switch can be operated.
(SEE The Upper Panel)
Some objects also provide the ability to see in the dark.
(SEE About Objects)"
About You
"You are wonderful. You are a very complicated being, and have many qualities which effect the outcome of the game. The major attributes about the player are as follows:
#ENERGY
This is the amount of energy possessed by the player. It decrements by a small amount for each cell moved. It decrements rapidly in hazard areas, and by varying amounts when fighting characters. #ENERGY may be restored by using appropriate objects, eg food restores Stamina.
#SKILL
This is ability of the player to fight successfully. The #SKILL level of the player will mainly depend upon the use of objects which have an effect on this attribute.
#WILLPOWER
This is the ability of the player to bargain for selling and buying. The more #WILLPOWER, the lower the price at which you can obtain objects from other characters, and the higher the price you can sell at.
#LUCK
This attribute has two effects:
The lower your #LUCK, the more likely the chance that another character will take pity on you and give you an object.
An element of #LUCK is consumed to determine the outcome of fights, so the higher your #LUCK the greater the chance of winning fights.
#TORCH-LIFE
This is the amount of life in any object defined to light dark areas (eg a torch). Other objects may be available to replinish this life (eg Batteries, Fuel).
Players also possess the attributes of Sight and hearing. These both start as normal in all games, but can be improved or worsened as follows:
SIGHT
Infra-Red: Player can see in the dark and see invisible objects.
Blind: Player can see nothing.
HEARING
Ultra-sonic: Has acute hearing - can hear characters in adjacent cells.
Deaf: Can hear nothing - no sound effects.
The player can also possess objects which have been picked up, taken, given, or bought. These objects can be used as required: some when used are worn on the player and have a continuous effect whilst worn.
(SEE About Objects)"
About Objects
"Objects are things which can be used in the game such as weapons, food, money, etc. An object may either be located on the ground, with the player, or on a character.
If on the ground they will be evident to the player on the Upper Panel. These may be picked-up.
(SEE The Upper Panel)
If the player holds an object they may use it (which may involve wearing it if the object is so defined), drop it or sell it. If the player is wearing an object it can be dropped.
(SEE The Lower Panel)
If a character holds an object the player is informed through the Upper Panel display when both are on the same square. The player may attempt to buy it or take it; they may or may not comply depending on the nature of the character.
(SEE The Upper Panel)
Objects may have one, many or even no qualities (ie they could be useless red herrings!). These qualities may be combinations of:
OPENS GATES: The object is a key. It is either a key for a specific, or a master key which may opens gates.
INVISIBILITY: Objects might be invisible and can only be seen with infra-red vision.
CLIMBS OBSTACLES: Object may be able to be used to help climb obstacles - ie, go the 'wrong' way through a one-way route.
PROTECTS FROM HAZARD: Some objects protect against invisible hazards (eg gas mask, radiation suit, magic shield)
LIGHTS DARK AREAS: An object may be a torch or similar device. This is a special device in that it is controlled by the Player's #TORCH-LIFE attribute: no #TORCH-LIFE and it will not work.
WORN OBJECTS: Some objects can be worn and their effect endures whilst worn. This effect may either be applied on every move, or its effect is applied when it is put on and stopped when removed.
FIXED OBJECTS: Some objects cannot be moved from their defined cell. The player can 'take it' so that they can use it, but they then become fixed until they drop it.
MONEY: Some objects are money. Money is a special object, in that the player only ever holds one object of money. Any other items of money found along the way are added to their cumulative money amount.
MONETARY VALUE: The basic value of the object in money. Characters may not necessarily buy or sell for this price, but it gives a guide to the value.
NUMBER OF USAGES: Objects have a limited number of usages before they break, are consumed or disappear, from 1 to 1000.
USE ONLY WHEN OTHER OBJECTS ARE HELD: Some objects can only be used if another object is held. For example, the torch batteries cannot be used to recharge the torch unless the torch is held. A tin of food may need a tin opener. A floppy disk needs a computer to work and vice versa.
An object may have a number of effects on the Player's attributes of #ENERGY #SKILL #WILLPOWER #LUCK #TORCHLIFE, Sight and Hearing. Their effect is:
EITHER a consumptive effect on each use, ie, every time the object is used the effect is applied. A typical object of this nature would be a package of food: 1 pack of 3 sandwiches would have a consumptive effect on each of 3 usages.
OR, the effect is reversed after use. Whilst the object is in use the player's attribute(s) is/are effected: when usage ceases the effect is reversed. A typical object would be weapon such as a a sword which only increased skill whilst it was being used.
This effect varies in both value and direction: ie, the value of a player's attribute may either be increased or decreased as a result of using an object.
Finally, the object may have an effect on sight and/or hearing, or no effect.
(SEE About You)"
About Characters
"'Living' and normally mobile characters that are either beneficial or harmful to the player are found in the game. Each animated character has its own personality and behave in a different way. Their behaviour is defined in a number of areas:
MOBILITY
MONEY
'LIFE' ATTRIBUTES
ENCOUNTER BEHAVIOUR
MOBILITY: Their mobility will vary as follows:
DARK AREAS: Some characters are not afraid of the dark and will enter dark areas whether or not the lights are on - other characters will only enter dark areas where the lights are switched on.
INVISIBLE HAZARDS: Some characters are impervious to the effects of invisible hazards and will enter them and survive.
JUMPS: Some characters can go through jumps, others treat them as dead ends.
SWITCHED GATES: Some characters can go through switched gates whether they are open or closed - others can only pass through open gates.
LOCKED GATES: Some characters can go through locked gates.
ONE-WAY OBSTACLES: Some characters can climb the obstacles presented by One-Way routes.
RANDOM WANDERING: Some characters wander randomly during the game.
FOLLOWS PLAYERS: Some characters will follow the player once they have been on the same cell as a player, within other limitations on their movement.
Some characters may not move at all.
MONEY
Characters do not hold money objects but they hold money as a separate entity. (BUT, when they die, the money is deposited on the ground as an object)
LIFE ATTRIBUTES
The character possesses the same life attributes as a player, namely:
#ENERGY #SKILL
#WILLPOWER #LUCK
These are used, in comparison with the player's attributes, to determine the outcome of encounters between characters and the player.
SIGHT: A character's sight is either:
Blind: They will not see a player, and will only respond if the player interacts with them.
OR, Normal: They will behave normally.
OR, Infra-red: They can see in the dark.
ENCOUNTER BEHAVIOUR
Different characters will interact differently with the player in encounters on the same cell:
PLAYER ATTACKS: If the player attacks a character, all will defend themselves. Some will then fight back, but others will offer to sell or give an object away as appeasement.
PLAYER TRADING REQUESTS: Some characters may respond favourably to a player demand to buy (or exceptionally take) an object, or if the player is selling an object.
UNSOLICITED ATTACKS: Some characters may attack without provocation, especially if the player's #SKILL is low.
UNSOLICITED SELLING: Some characters may attempt to sell items unsolicited, especially if the player's #WILLPOWER is low.
UNSOLICITED GIVING: Some characters may attempt to give items unsolicited, especially if the player's #LUCK is low.
A player is notified of the presence of characters in the Upper Panel:
(SEE The Upper Panel)"
The Upper Panel
"The upper panel provides FUNCTIONS to:
Operate Switches.
Read more information about cells.
Functions controlling objects and characters are covered on other help screens.
(SEE Object Transactions)
(SEE Character Encounters)
The upper panel also includes DISPLAYS of:
A limited area of the Game Map.
The objects located nearby.
The characters located nearby.
The objects held by nearby characters.
These displays and functions are described in more detail below.
GAME MAP: In the centre of the Upper Panel is displayed a game map, of an area of 5 by 5 cells. The current cell is always the central cell. Only cells which the player has previously been on, or are immediately adjacent, can be seen. For the present cell and immediately adjacent cells a verbal description is shown in the displays on the right of the panel. A larger game map area can be displayed if desired:
(SEE Other Menu Functions)
For information on the symbols used on the game map:
(SEE About the Game Area)
OBJECTS: On the top left of the panel, any objects located on the ground at the current location are listed. If objects are located on adjacent cells the player is informed in the verbal description on the right of the panel.
CHARACTERS: In the middle left of the panel, any LIVE characters located at the player's current location are listed. If characters are located on adjacent cells the player is informed in the verbal description on the right of the panel; the location of DEAD characters on the current cell is similarly notified.
CHARACTER'S OBJECTS: On the lower left of the panel, objects possessed by the currently selected character (if any) are displayed.
Under the map are located two function buttons:
OPERATE SWITCH: This button is only enabled if the player is located on a cell with a switch (either for a light or gate). Clicking the button will toggle the switch either up or down.
MORE INFO: If the player is on a cell for which a more detailed description is available, clicking the button will provide it."
The Lower Panel
"The lower panel provides FUNCTIONS to:
Describe, use, drop or sell objects held
Describe or remove objects worn
(SEE Object Transactions)
The lower panel also provides DISPLAYS of:
The current value of the player's life attributes.
The objects held by the player.
The objects worn by the player.
The displays are described in more detail below.
On the left of the panel are displays of the current status of the player's life attributes. For more information on these:
(SEE About You)
On the right of the panel is displayed information about the state of the player's sight and hearing, for more info also:
(SEE About You)
In the middle are two list boxes: the left one displays objects which are possessed, the right one objects which are worn. For more detail on transactions on these objects:
(SEE Object Transactions)"
Object Transactions
"Objects can be Described, Picked Up, Bought, Taken, Used, Sold, Dropped or Removed (when worn). The appropriate transaction will depend on where the object is located: whether it is on the ground, on a character, possessed by the player or worn. In whichever one of the 4 lists the object is listed, it must first be selected (either by clicking on it or with the cursor keys) before any transaction can be carried out on it.
These transactions are described in more detail below:
DESCRIBE: In each of the 4 object lists there is a 'Describe' button. Pressing it will bring up a more detailed description.
PICK UP: If the object is located on the ground at the current location (top left of upper panel) it can be picked up by pressing this button.
BUY: If the object is located on a character (bottom left of upper panel), the player can press this button to REQUEST the character to sell it. The character may or may not respond with an offer to sell, or respond in a different way. If a deal is agreed the object will be transferred from the character's to the player's object list and money will transfer from player to character.
TAKE: If the object is located on a character (bottom left of upper panel), the player can press this button to REQUEST the character to give it to him. The character may or may not respond with an offer to give, or respond in a different way. If the gift is accepted the object will be transferred from the character's to the player's object list.
USE: If the object is possessed by the player it may be used. In certain circumstances use may be denied:
If it is already in use.
If it is money.
If it needs another object to be used.
When used, a description of it behaviour/effect on use appears and may have various effects on the player's atttributes. If it is an object that is worn, it will be transferred to the list of objects worn. It is on its last usage, an additional message box will inform the player of this, and the item will be removed from the list.
SELL: If an object is possessed by a player, and it is not money, a player may attempt to sell it to the currently selected character. The character may or may not respond favourably with an offer to buy. If a deal is agreed the object will be transferred from the player's to the character's object list and money will transfer from character to player.
DROP: If an object is possessed by a player, they may drop it, the object being removed from the list of player objects and added to the list of items in the current cell.
REMOVE: If an object is worn by the player, clicking this button will transfer the object from the worn list to the possessions list."
Character Encounters
"When a player is on the same square as a character, the player may interact with the character. Interactions associated with the buying, selling and taking/giving of objects has been described elsewhere:
(SEE Object Transactions)
The other type of encounter is an attack, either by the player or the character. If either party attacks, the game automatically evaluates the outcome of a fight where the attacked party always defends themselves. The outcome will be controlled by the relative values of the #SKILL life attribute of the player and character, albeit that a player's #LUCK is also used to contribute to the outcome. The net effect of the encounter will be a reduction in both parties #ENERGY as displayed in the encounter message box.
Repeated attacks may take place, initiated either by the player or the character. The attacking party always has a slight advantage through surprise. The ultimate outcome of continued attacks will be that one of the characters will run out of #ENERGY and will die - if it is you your game is then over. If it is the character, any objects they possess will be dropped on the ground at that point."
File Menu Functions
"Games can be loaded and saved, and the application exited. Under the FILE menu heading, the following can be actioned:
SAVE: Up to nine different versions of the same adventure game can be saved, and given descriptive names.
LOAD: Any of the saved games can be loaded, as well as loading a new game with the player at the start location.
EXIT: The application can be exited, although you are asked if you wish to save first."
Other Menu Functions
"There are three other functions on the menu bar as follows:
SOUND: Game noises can be turned on or off. Turning them off may deny warnings of characters on adjacent cells.
GAME MAP: A map of the part of the game area which you have visited so far can be displayed on selecting this item.
HELP: This information has been retrieved throught the help system! Context sensitive help can be obtained by pressing the F1 key. The program will provide the most apt help window to the area of the window which has the current cursor focus."
