Please Read Shareware Concepts for details on your Licence Agreement.
Overview:
-Shareware Concepts
-Game Scenario
Playing the game
-Commands
-Action Keys
-Game Items
-Hints and Strategies
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Overview: Shareware Concepts
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DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE
Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software
before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue
using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs
differ on details -- some request registration while others
require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With
registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue
using the software to an updated program with printed manual.
Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial
software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few
specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are
accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the
programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good
programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of
distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy
and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a
specific group. For example, some authors require written
permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their
Shareware.
Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software.
You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook,
whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes
fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy.
And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware
has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the
product, you don't pay for it.
DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT
Users of The Sword of Halbon must accept this disclaimer of warranty:
"The Sword of Halbon is supplied as is. The author disclaims all
warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation,
the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose.
The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or conse-
quential, which may result from the use of The Sword of Halbon."
The Sword of Halbon is a "shareware program" and is provided at no
charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your
friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of
another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to
provide personal computer users with quality software without
high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to
continue to develop new products. If you find this program
useful and find that you are using The Sword of Halbon and continue
to use The Sword of Halbon after a reasonable trial period, you must
make a registration payment of $15.00 to CM Stevens. The $15.00
registration fee will license one copy for use on any one
computer at any one time. You must treat this software just like
a book. An example is that this software may be used by any
number of people and may be freely moved from one computer
location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it
being used at one location while it's being used at another.
just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the
same time.
Commercial users of The Sword of Halbon must register and pay for their
copies of The Sword of Halbon within 30 days of first use or their
license is withdrawn.
Anyone distributing The Sword of Halbon for any kind of remuneration must
first contact CM Stevens for authorization.
You are encouraged to pass a copy of The Sword of Halbon along to your
friends for evaluation. Please encourage them to register their
copy if they find that they can use it. All registered users
will receive a copy of the latest version of The Sword of Halbon.
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Overview: Game Scenario
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Situation
The enemy is the dreaded Comtillare. They have risen from the old
empire created by your deceased uncle, King Favinor. Twenty years ago, his
life was taken, and his empire was stolen by his court magician, the evil
Comtill. Over the twenty years, Comtill has assembled the greatest
collection of evil the world has ever known. Now his quest seem to be the
destruction of everything the free world has created, including all life.
Already, every warrior in your father's kingdom has been claimed by the
Comtillare, except you.
Your Mission
Last year, a traitor in your father's service managed to escape
after stealing the family treasure and The Sword of Halbon, which is the
source of almost all of the magic at your disposal. Only a few feeble tricks
can be done by Halbon's court magician, the Lady Aisline. Since the
disappearance of the sword, all attempts to locate it have been met with
negative results. However, recent reports have proven the sword as well as
the treasure to be kept in the Comtillare's dungeon, a maze of twisting
corridors and traps. Before any attempt to destroy the Comtillare can be
initiated, the sword must be recovered. In addition, the treasure must be
retrieved so that mercenaries can be hired to help in the fight.
Implementation
You are to enter the dungeon, find all the treasure and recover the
sword. The Lady Aisline will contact you with reports of the situation at
home. Good luck!
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Playing the game: Commands
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Sound Off / On
This command is disabled in this version of The Sword of Halbon.
If you desire sound capabilities, download The Sword of Halbon V1.0,
or specify "Sound Version" when registering.
Options
This command opens the Options Window so you can set the keyboard
options for this Windows session. Keyboard delay and speed can effect the
playing of the game, and each computer will react differently. Therefore,
you are given the option of selecting the speeds that are best for your
computer. If you are experiencing choppiness while navigating through the
screens, consider increasing the keyboard delay, or lowering the keyboard
speed, or both. Generally, a delay setting of 1 and a speed setting of 16
will produce desired results. Your Win.Ini file will not be updated, so
any changes will not alter future Windows sessions.
Pause
This command minimizes the game, and suspends all actions. To resume
play, double click on the Sword of Halbon icon to maximize the Game, and
click the Pause command a second time.
Exit
This command closes the game.
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Playing the game: Action Keys
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Movement
Movement is controlled by the directional arrow keys. The up arrow moves you up, the left moves you left, and so on. You can use the number pad arrow keys for movement as well, however, diagonal movement is not enabled. While moving through the screens you may hold the arrow key down and enable the keyboard repeat to facilitate rapid movement. When negotiating the Comtillare's traps this method is not advised. In these situations it will be necessary to run (tap QUICKLY!)
Opening Doors
Moving to another room is accomplished by negotiating yourself to
the green arrows and pressing the spacebar.
Picking up objects
The treasure and keys may be picked up by positioning yourself over
them and pressing the control key. The numbers at the bottom - center of the
screen will change to reflect the amount of treasure and keys that you
possess, respectfully.
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Playing the game: Items
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The Son of Halbon-
The little guy in purple represents you, the intrepid adventurer.
Door-
The green arrows represent doors to other areas of the dungeon.
Key-
This icon represents a key that, in your possession, will enable you
to enter areas unaccessible otherwise. Be careful when picking these up,
they may be booby - trapped.
Treasure-
This icon represents the treasure that was stolen from your father's
kingdom. You must recover all of the treasure in order to win the game.
Be careful when picking these up, they may be booby - trapped..
Sword-
This icon represents the Sword of Halbon. If you can find and
recover this object you will win the game.
Magic Orb-
The little flashing ball represents a message that is being sent to
you from Lady Aisline, the court magician. She will be attempting to contact
you during the game to send reports on activities at home. Normally this is
a reliable magic trick, but with the disappearance of the sword, the effects
can be rather UN - reliable. Aisline can not aim the orb effectively, so you
will have to move to it. Be careful, because a side effect of the trick is
a slight transportation. This can work to your advantage sometimes, and at
other times can be disastrous.
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Playing the game: Hints and Strategies
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Hints:
1. Treasure and Keys must be picked up immediately. If you do
not pick them up they may disappear, and you will not be
able to win the game.
2. The first key is located through the door on the right side
of the screen. Pick it up after you claim the treasure
located on the first screen.
Strategies:
1. If you see an area that is unaccessible then it probably
requires a key to open it. When you find a key, go back to
that area and see if anything has changed.
2. Unless you have a good memory, it may be helpful to draw a
map until you know your way around the dungeon.
3. Before picking any item up, plan your escape route. The item
