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1992-03-22
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Date : 22 March, 1992 Doc V1.0
+++++++++++ Vaults of Doom Help File ++++++++++
++++++++++ By Dirk Vandenheuvel 1992 ++++++++++
1. What is VoD
Vaults of Doom is a computer role-playing game where up tot 80 players
make their way through dangerous mazes searching for treasure,
evading traps and battling monsters and other players. The game can be
played as a doorgame or it can be played as a local single player game.,
though it is more fun if more players participate.
2. Freeware
Vaults of Doom is Freeware. This means you can copy it as much as you
like as long as you don't change anything to the original program.
The following files should be included in VOD12.lzh (or other
compression format).
- VoD.exe : main executable
- Help.txt : this file
- Install.txt : notes on installing VoD
- Dcreate.exe : vaults creation program
- Various .dat files
If you like the game and would like to change different parameters (like
new races to play, extra traps, different monsters... etc.), you can order
for 20 US$ outside Europe or 10 US$ inside Europe (P&P and disk
included) the VoD edit extensions which include:
- Latest personalized VoD release
- Creature editor
- Treasure editor
- Player editor
- Trap editor
- Player character editor
- Feature editor
- Print utility
3. Aim of the game
The aim of VoD is quite simple... you must lead a character through the
dangerous vaults and search for the treasure chamber. If you find the
treasure chamber and defeat it's evil guardian you win the game and
make it into the Hall of Fame. Other players continue their quest for
treasure and fame. From Beta testing I noticed that a lot of players did
not go for treasure or the treasure vault but turned their attention to other
players. Killing, stealing and cheating became their aim and they also
had a lot of fun. So whether you want to find the treasure chamber or you
want to be the strongest dude in the dungeon, the vaults are ready for
you...
4. Main menu
The main menu looks like this:
********************************************************************
* Q> return to host D> Delete character *
* E> Enter Vaults S> Some statistics *
* C> Create character ?> Who's inside? *
* I> Sysop notes H> How to play VoD *
* L> View log file T> View Hall of Fame *
* R> Read your mail *
********************************************************************
The different options are quite straightforward.
Q> Returns you to the BBS or to DOS depending whether you are playing
a local or a remote version.
E> Enters the Vaults if you have created a character.
C> Creates your character.
I> Textfile with some notes or suggestions by your sysop.
L> View the log file. VoD logs important events so that you can view what
other players are doing and what special events have taken place.
R> If you have mail (from other players or from the VoD mail processor)
a arrow will appear behind this option indicating that you have mail. If
you read your mail VoD will immediately delete it, so remember to read
your mail carefully and thoroughly.
D> Deletes your character.
S> Gives you some statistics like how many players are there in each
dungeon (there are 10 dungeons) and which players are to strongest or
the richest.
?> This option lets you look at all the players in the game, in which
dungeon they are and what their real name is (this way you can contact
them via the normal BBS message system).
H> Should display this file.
T> Some information about the players that have found the treasure
chamber.
5. The game
The gamescreen is split into five smaller window, each with their own
purpose:
5.1 The map window (in upper left corner)
This window displays a small map of your surroundings, the following
codes apply:
Red = Treasures
Blue = Creatures
Purple = Objects
White @ = Your character
Green @ = Other players
[ ] = Teleporter
? ?? ? = Unexplored terrain
$$$$ = Treasure chamber
Below this map symbols appear (Red-White). These symbols indicate if
there is something on the visible map. The number behind the symbols
indicate how many of this "something" there is.
C(reature) = There is a creature somewhere on the map
$ = There is a treasure somewhere on the map
F(eature) = There is a feature somewhere on the map
T(rap) = Yea, there is a trap on the map
These symbols can be handy for avoiding traps or discovering invisible
treasure or creatures.
5.2 The profile window (center top)
This window tells you more about the abilities of your character, his/her
moves left and the amount of gold he/she has.
Attack = The number of times you attack (higher is better).
Defence = The number of times you can parry.
Life = Your maximum number of hit point (hits you can
take). The '+' indicates an extra bonus that you
get when your character has earned a lot of
experience.
Toughness = This modifies the amount of damage your
character gets from attacks, magic and traps. A
high toughness makes it difficult do receive a
lot of damage in one hit.
Dexterity = A character with a high dex. will be able to attack
first, to flee easier, to avoid traps more
effectively and to steal (!) better.
Moves left = The number of moves you have left today
(moving costs 1 move and stealing costs 2).
Current life = The actual number of hitpoints you have left.
Experience = The more experience you earn for killing
monsters and other players the better your
character gets in everything. This is indicated by
the '+'. This displays the actual % that your
character has improved.
Gold = Your fortune. You will have to spend gold to buy
spells, bribe other players, heal yourself... etc.
+ to damage = The extra damage bonus you get for earning
experience.
5.3 The commands window (upper right corner)
This window displays a selection of commands you can issue inside the
vaults. The appropriate key for each command is displayed in green.
Quit = Obvious no?
Move = You can move with NESW or with the arrow keys
on you numeric keypad (with numlock on).
Search = To search features.
Pick up = To pick up treasures.
Magic = To cast spells.
Heal = To heal yourself (costs gold).
Map = Displays a map of the dungeon (costs gold)
Teleport = If you are on a teleport square you can teleport
yourself to another dungeon or the another place
inside the current dungeon.
Buy spell = To buy magic spells (cost gold).
Set trap = To set a new trap for other players or to modify
an existing trap so that it cannot hurt you any
longer (cost gold).
! Redraw = Only available if VoD is played remotely.
Redraws the screen.
5.4 The message windows
The two bottom windows are the message windows. All information about
combat, spells etc. will be displayed in these two window. From time to
time these windows will display extra commands but these should be
very clear and easy to use.
6. Magic
There are a number of magical spells in Vod, each with their own
possibilities and effects. If you enter the magic menu, you will see a list
of all the spells together with a number indicating how many of each type
you have.
The following list will explain their use.
Boost X = Boost spells increase some of you abilities by
1-3 point. Note that the effects last only for one
day. Boosting to much can be dangerous for
your health.
Polymorph = Changes a monster in a adjacent square into
something else.
Fireball = Sends a fireball into an adjacent square. Every
living being inside that square is hit.
See X = Calls forth a magical map that displays extra
information.
Extra moves = Gives you some extra moves.
Telepathy = Sends a magical message to other players (or to
all players).
Heal = Heals a number of hit points.
7. Tricks and tactics
- Take a look at the logfile from time to time. It can tell you which
monsters are killers and what some of you fellow players are up to.
- Use your boost spells on the beginning of your turn. They last only one
day... so make good use of them.
- Creatures do not heal hitpoint frequently. So you can attack, retreat,
heal and attack again when you encounter a powerful creature. Hit-and-
run tactics can be very effective.
- If you are low on hitpoints, rest for a few days and you will gains some
extra hitpoints.
8. Advanced VoD
VoD is more than you think... strange things can (and will) happen and
unforeseen events will take place. Consult other players for their
experiences so that you will not be surprised when things turn nasty.
9. Thanx to...
I would like to thank the following people for their advice, inspiration and
know-how:
Carl Declerck (for some C advice)
Koen De Waele (play testing and complaining that the game was
to difficult)
David Van Dijck (play testing)
Alex Cleynhens (testing VoD on Cormoran BBS)
Willy Brepoels (testing VoD on Coco's BBS)
Sonja Depret ("some inspiration")
Everybody who play tested VoD
Everybody who made Nethack (for a great game)
10. The future
I'm probably going to add some extra features to future versions of VoD
like a better maze system, a shop, weapons and armor and new traps.
I'm also going to make a single user (maybe later a network version) of
Vaults of Doom for window. The question is: "Will I have the time for all
this?". If you have any comments, bug reports or suggestions you can
contact me on:
Dirk Vandenheuvel
Wildenhoge 20
3020 Winksele
Belgium.
or
Netmail to 2:292/500.21511
or (if you don't live on the other side of the galaxy)
leave a message on Cormoran BBS +32 (0)15/520279