1,000 Game Manuals/1000gamemanuals.iso/Intellivision/Tower of Doom.txt

Text File | 2001-10-17 | 20KB | 531 lines

TOWER OF DOOM
Instructions

Monsters.  Magic.  Good.  Evil.  Strength.  Cunning.  Traps.  Mazes.

Prepare to face the greatest challenge any mortal has ever known -- the
Tower of Doom.  Explore the winding corridors of the Tower: collect precious
treasure, discover the secrets of magic artifacts, encounter the vilest
creatures ever unleashed.

Surviving the Tower of Doom requires quick reflexes and quicker wits.  You
must learn for yourself how to use many of the items you will find.  You
must decide when to fight a monster, and when to trade treasure for your
life.  You must maintain your strength, increase your stamina, and develop
your diplomatic skills.

Select your adventure.  Select your character.  Then prepare to enter the
Tower of Doom!

For One Player.

Distributed by Intv. Corporation.  Torrance, CA 90505
Copyright Intellivision  All Rights Reserved


STARTING YOUR ADVENTURE
Insert cartridge (make sure power is OFF).  Turn power ON and press RESET.
Title screen will appear.  Press any hand controller KEY or the DISC.

Select your adventure.  In all adventures, you begin at the top of the Tower
of Doom and work your way down through the numerous levels of mazes to
freedom.  Some adventures have more levels and will take longer.  In some,
the mazes and item colors are the same each time; in others, the mazes and
colors are different each time you enter the Tower (item colors are very
important, as will be explained later).  Other features also differentiate
the adventures.

Press the DISC to cycle through the choices.  When the adventure you want
appears on the screen, press any SIDE KEY.

Adventure: Novice
Number of Levels: 6
Mazes: Same each time
Color of Items: Same *
Difficulty Level: Easiest
(Good introduction to the Tower's Secrets...)

Adventure: The Tower
Number of Levels: 8, 12, or 20
Mazes: Same each time
Color of Items: Same *
Difficulty Level: Easy

Adventure: The Catacombs
Number of Levels: 12, 18, or 32
Mazes: Different each time
Color of Items: Different
Difficulty Level: Medium

Adventure: The Fortress
Number of Levels: 6, 12, 18, or 32
Mazes: Different
Color of Items: Different
Difficulty Level: Difficult

Adventure: The Challenge
Number of Levels: 14
Mazes: Different
Color of Items: Same *
Difficulty Level: Difficult
(Each level you descend introduces a new monster.)

Adventure: Wizard Hunt
Number of Levels: 32
Mazes: Different
Color of Items: Different
Difficulty Level: Difficult

Adventure: Grail Quest
Number of Levels: 32
Mazes: Different
Color of Items: Different
Difficulty Level: The Hardest
(You must locate the Grail to succeed!)

* If you assume the character of the Waif or the Barbarian (see next page),
the item colors for these adventures will always be different.


Select your character.  The character you select will determine your
abilities and the contents of your packs as you begin your adventure.

There are ten characters you can assume:
1. Novice
2. Trader
3. Warlock
4. Warrior
5. Barbarian
6. Warlord
7. Archer
8. Waif
9. Knight
10. Friar

Overall, the Warlord, strong and fully equipped, is the easiest character to
begin with.  The Waif, weak and poor, is the hardest.  The other characters
have varying combinations of strengths and weaknesses, as you shall discover!


THE SCREEN
Your screen is divided into several sections.
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The largest section (1) shows your immediate vicinity within a level, along
with nearby weapons, treasures, doors, traps, stairs and monsters!  As you
explore new areas of a level, the walls of the corridors and rooms will
appear.  They remain visible when you return to areas you've explored.  If
you come face to face with a monster, the map is replaced with a view of the
battle.

The upper left corner of the screen (2) shows the level map.  This map shows
the areas of the level you have explored, with your current position
indicated by a white dot.

At the middle of the screen (3) are three rows of symbols in the top row to
find out your status, to select items from your pack, to use items, and to
open doors and to descend stairs.  The second and third rows show the items
you are currently carrying in your pack.

At bottom (4), your Hit Points appear as a series of yellow shields against
a black background.  These indicate how much injury you can sustain before
dying.  You lose Hit Points as you are hurt in battle or by evil magic; you
gain them back over time as you heal.  The black background indicates your
POTENTIAL Hit Points, which will increase as your Stamina and Experience
increase.  Note: a magical spell can occasionally make your current Hit
Points exceed your potential Hit Points!

In addition to the above information, helpful messages will frequently
appear on the screen (5), moving slowly from left to right.


CONTROLS
The use of your hand controller depends on whether you are exploring, going
through your pack, or engaging in battle.  In general, the controls are:

DISC: MOVE through the maze/RUMMAGE through your pack.

TOP SIDE KEY: USE an item.

BOTTOM RIGHT SIDE KEY: GET IN AND OUT of your pack.

BOTTOM LEFT SIDE KEY: DROP an object from your pack.

These are explained in more detail below.


* EXPLORING *
MOVE ABOUT THE MAZE: Press the DISC in the direction you wish to move.  As
you explore new areas, the corridors of the Tower will appear.

USE THE ITEM IN YOUR HAND: Press either TOP SIDE KEY.  (Your currently held
item is shown in the third position in the top row of symbols.)

TO PICK UP AN ITEM Walk over it.  (If your pack is full, you must drop an
item first.)

TO GET AN ITEM FROM YOUR PACK, DROP AN ITEM, OPEN A DOOR, GO DOWN A
STAIRCASE, OR CHECK YOUR STATUS: You must get into your pack by pressing the
LOWER LEFT or RIGHT SIDE KEY.


* GOING THROUGH YOUR PACK *
SELECT AN ITEM FROM YOUR PACK: Press the DISC to move the HAND SYMBOL
(second from left in the top row of symbols) over the item you want.  Once
you have selected an item, you can USE it, CASH it, HOLD it, or DROP it (see
below).

USE A MAGICAL ARTIFACT or CASH A TREASURE: Press either TOP SIDE KEY to use
the artifact or cash the treasure under the HAND SYMBOL.  Weapons cannot be
used while you are in your pack.

HOLD AN ITEM: When you get out of your pack by pressing the LOWER RIGHT SIDE
KEY, the item under the HAND SYMBOL becomes the currently held item.

DROP AN ITEM: Press the BOTTOM LEFT SIDE KEY to drop the item currently
under the HAND SYMBOL.  (Note: You can't drop an item if you are too close
to a wall or if the corridor is too narrow.)  If you are engaged in battle,
the monster will take the dropped item as a bribe.

OPEN A DOOR (When standing at a door): Press the DISC to move the HAND
SYMBOL over the DOOR SYMBOL (rightmost in the top row of symbols).  Press
either TOP SIDE KEY.

DESCEND A STAIRCASE (When standing over a staircase): Press the DISC to move
the HAND SYMBOL over the Down Arrow (rightmost in the top row of symbols).
Press either TOP SIDE KEY.  You will descend one level in the Tower.  Note:
You can not go back up to previous levels!

CHECK YOUR STATUS: Press the DISC to move the HAND SYMBOL over the Question
Mark, then press either TOP SIDE KEY.  Your Strength, Stamina, Life Force,
Diplomacy, Experience, or Treasure Score will appear on screen.  Press again
to see the next statistic.

TO MOVE THROUGH THE MAZE OR TO RETURN TO BATTLE: Get out of your pack by
pressing the LOWER RIGHT SIDE KEY.  The item under the HAND SYMBOL becomes
the currently held item.


* Engaging in Battle *
When the map on screen is replaced by a view of you and a monster, it
indicates you are about to engage in battle.  ADVANCE FOR ATTACK: Press the
RIGHT SIDE of the DISC.

ATTACK!  Press either TOP SIDE KEY to use your currently held item.  If you
are holding a weapon, your success will depend upon your Strength, Stamina,
choice of weapon, and the monster itself.  Other objects in your pack may
have magical powers you can use against the creature.  If nothing works,
retreat!  (Note: A successful battle will increase your strength, but at the
cost of your Diplomacy.)

BRIBE THE MONSTER: Get into your pack (LOWER LEFT or RIGHT SIDE KEY) and
drop an item (see above).  The monster will consider your offering and let
you live.  (Whether or not it does, it keeps the item -- you've lost it.)
Its decision will depend upon your Diplomacy, the worth of the item, and the
monster itself.  If it accepts the offering, you may continue through the
corridors.  If not, try another bribe, attack, or retreat!  (Note: A
successful offering will increase your Diplomacy!)

RETREAT: Press the LEFT SIDE of the DISC.  Once you successfully retreat,
the map reappears.  Run away before the monster chases you!


* Traps, Gas Clouds, and Fire *
Throughout the Tower, there are Traps and Gas Clouds.  Be careful!  Some
Traps always affect you, others only occasionally.  And you may be able to
time your passage through a Gas Cloud so as to not interact with it, but for
some, interaction is unavoidable.  Different Traps and Clouds have different
properties:

Transporter - Moves you to a new location in the tower level.

Paralysis - Freezes you for several heartbeats.  Keep pushing the DISC,
because you may get paralysed again if you don't get out quickly!

Confusion - Causes you to walk around baffled; the DISC does not respond
properly!  Wears off in a few heartbeats.

Life Eater - Reduces your Life Force.

Poison - Reduces your Stamina.

Fire - Reduces your Hit Points!

You are not always affected by traps, gasses and fires.  Fires, for example,
will injure you only one out of ten times; the transporter, on the other
hand, always moves you to another location (unless you're holding a certain
Key...).


* Monsters *
You will encounter monsters throughout your adventure.  You will have to
battle some; others must be bribed with treasures.  Then there are times
when it's best to run for your life!


FIGHTING
There are two ways to fight monsters: with projectile weapons while
exploring, or with hand-held weapons while engaged in battle.  You will have
to become experienced at both, since some monsters are best killed from a
distance, others from close up.

The results of a battle are determined by your Strength and Stamina, the
strength of the monster, the type of weapon you're using, and any assisting
magic you may have acquired (cloaks that protect, spells that help defend,
etc...).  Be careful to keep track of your Hit Points at the bottom of the
screen, as you may get hit several times before felling a creature.

Successfully defeating a monster by fighting increases your Strength, while
decreasing your Diplomacy.

BRIBING
You can only bribe a monster while engaged in battle.  You may attempt to
bribe the monster even if he has started to attack you.  You must get into
your pack and drop some item.  The monster will take the item, and if he
likes it, will retreat, leaving you in peace.  Wait for him to walk away!
If you walk away from him, he may become angered and attack!

If he does not retreat, he may accept more treasure -- bribes during a
single encounter accumulate, so offering a monster three boots (for example)
may make the monster leave, whereas offering the monster one dagger may do
the same.

It is easier to bribe a monster as your Diplomacy increases.  Having high
Diplomacy is the only way to make some monsters accept anything at all.  The
monster takes -- and keeps -- the item regardless of whether or not he
decides to let you alone.  And there's one monster that will NEVER leave, no
matter how diplomatic you are, no matter how much treasure you give it.

Surviving a battle by bribing a monster increases your Diplomacy.


FLEEING
Fleeing is often the only way to stay alive.  While exploring, it's simple
-- RUN AWAY!!!  During battle, it takes more coordination.  You can always
retreat from a battle by moving your hero left.  Once you back away, you are
returned to the map where, depending on the monster, you may have an instant
or tow to further your escape.  It may take two or three feints to and from
battle before you are in a position on the map to run (if you were backed
into a corner, for example, or were being blocked from a hallway by the
monster).

Fleeing does not affect any of your statistics.


* Magical Artifacts *
You will find many enchanted items in the tower.  What these objects can do
is for you to discover.

Potion Bottle (roundish on the bottom)
Potion Flask (square on the bottom)
Mortar & Pestle
Small Scroll (solid)
Large Scroll (light in the middle)
Book


The magic can have good effects...
Heal your strength...
Make you faster...
Make you invisible...
Freeze or slow monsters...
Teleport you to another room...
Turn off all traps in a tower level...
Increase your potential strength...
Increase all your abilities...
Remove evil spells cast upon you...

Watch out!  The magic can also have bad effects...
Freeze or confuse you...
Make monsters invisible...
Decrease your abilities...

A magical item can only be used once!  Once used, it disappears!

The effects of a magical item may last a few moments, or for an entire
adventure.  It may last until counteracted with other magic, or it may wear
off when you descend a level...

PROTECTION
Using these items protects you in some way, perhaps by enabling you to fend
off blows or to fight with greater strength.

Ring
Cloak

Be careful!  Some rings and cloaks actually curse the fighter!  Such a curse
can only be removed with the magic scrolls that remove evil spells.

OTHER ITEMS
Key
Different colors of Keys allow you to pass unaffected through different
traps in the mazes.  Must be the currently held item to work.

Boot
Worthless, except in bribing particularly stupid monsters.

Food
Keeps your Life Force high.  Messages will tell you when you HAVE to eat
("Life Force low..."  "Life Force critical..").  If you ignore these
messages, your strength will start to diminish -- you're dying of
starvation!  (Note: The Grail and Rosary Necklace increase your Life Force.)


* WEAPONS *
Projectile Weapons
These can only be used BEFORE engaging a monster in battle, while the map is
still displayed.  (Like all other objects, however, they can be offered as a
bribe during a battle.)  Select a projectile weapon as your currently held
backpack item.  Pressing either TOP SIDE KEY causes the weapon to fire in
the last direction you ran.  The weapon will continue until it hits
something (creature, wall, treasure, etc.).  Watch out!  Depending on the
character you have assumed, you may be hurt by the backlash of the powerful
Wand and Holy Handgrenade!  (But a certain Ring can protect you...)

Dart
Bow
Wand
Holy Handgrenade
Hammer
Axe
Spear

These weapons can be used several times, but eventually will be exhausted
and disappear.

Hand-Held Weapons
These can only be used during battle.

Dagger
Mace
Small Sword
Hammer
Axe
Double-Handed Sword
Spear

These weapons can be used as many times as needed.

Note that some weapons can be used hand-held or projectile.


* Treasure *
You will find rare treasures throughout the tower!  You can save treasures
to use as bribes, or you can cash them.  Cashing a treasure adds its value
to your Experience (possibly increasing your potential Hit Points) and to
your Treasure Score.  When you cash a treasure, it disappears.  Bonus:
Whenever you descend a level, the value of the treasures currently in your
pack (not cashed) is added to your Treasure Score.

Two treasures, the Rosary Necklace and the Grail give you maximum Life Force
and have other mysterious properties!  They take effect when you cash them.

Note: Monsters are usually impressed by your Treasures and will take them as
bribes.  Using a Treasure to bribe a monster, however, does not add to your
Experience or Treasure Score, and the item is lost to you!

In order of value...
Candlestick
Bracelet
Coins
Gem Necklace
Amulet
Small Gem
Crown
Large Gem
Rosary Necklace
Grail


* Colors *
The color of an item determines its type, strength, or worth.  In the NOVICE
TOWER, and CHALLENGE adventures, the colors of all items remains the same
every time.  In the more difficult adventures, however, the colors are
different every time you begin.  In order to determine which colors are more
powerful, or what type of spells the colored magic items bring, you must use
them!  In all cases, throughout any single adventure, the colors remain
consistent: a brown potion that increases your speed means that all brown
potions for the remainder of the adventure will increase your speed.

Weapons
The color of a hand-held weapon denotes its strength.  The color of a
projectile weapon denotes its remaining number of uses.  Hand-held items
never lose their strength when used in Battle.  Projectile weapons
eventually become exhausted with use and disappear.

Magical Artifacts
Identical items of the same color will always conjure the same magic spell.

Treasures
The color of a treasure determine its values, which either goes into your
score or determines how useful it is to offer a monster.  The magic
associated with the Rosary Necklace and Grail is also determined by their color.


* Sounds *
Listen carefully!  You can learn useful things with your ears.  Certain
spells are timed to your slow, rhythmic heartbeats.  Different types of
Traps and Gas Clouds have distinctive sounds.  And learning the sounds of
battle tells you when you hit the monster and when he hits you!


* Your Status *
Your Hit Points are always displayed at the bottom of the screen.  Other
information about your status is found by going into your pack, placing the
HAND SYMBOL over the Question Mark, and pressing either TOP SIDE KEY.

Strength
A number from 3 to 18 indicating how hard you can hit monsters during
battle.  Increased by magic and by defeating monsters.

Stamina
A number from 3 to 18 indicating how durable you are (affects your potential
Hit Points).  Increase by magic and by eating food.

Diplomacy
A number from 3 to 18 indicating how successful you will be in bribing
monsters.  Increased by magic and by successfully bribing monsters;
decreased by defeating a monster in fighting.

Life Force
A number from 0 to 255 indicating how long until the next time you have to
eat.  You lose one point for every heartbeat.  Warning messages appear as
you approach 0.  At 0, your Hit Points begin to disappear as you starve to
death.  Increased by magic and by eating food.

Experience
A number from 0 to 650,000 representing your success as an adventurer
(affects your potential Hit Points).  Increased by magic, killing monsters,
and cashing treasures.

Treasure Score
A number from 0 to 650,000 representing the value of treasure you have
cashed (not given up as bribes) and/or successfully carried from one level
to another.


* End of the Adventure *
Your adventure ends when you successfully escape at the bottom of the tower,
or when you die.  (If you have selected the Grail Quest adventure, you must
find the Grail before you can escape the tower.)

To find out how well you did, you can look at your Treasure Score.  But the
real test of how well you did is this: Did you escape... ALIVE?

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