"Animated Characters can be defined which have their own personalities and behave in different ways. These characters are defined in a number of different areas:
Descriptions:
A pen picture can be written of the character to give an indication of their nature to the player.
(SEE Character Descriptions)
Qualities:
The character will have various abilities with respect to overcoming features on the game map, and will move as defined.
(SEE Character Qualities)
Attributes:
The character will possess the attributes of Energy, Skill, Willpower and Luck. Furthermore the character will be in nature either a Fighter, Trader or Missionary, this having a fundamental effect on their behaviour.
(SEE Character Attributes)
Initial Status
(SEE Initial Location and Possessions)"
Character Descriptions
"Descriptions are provided at several levels:
Name:
The short name of the character used in listings.
Description on Sight:
A description given to the player when the character is first seen, or on request.
Description on Fight Encounter:
A description of how the character fights, given on a fight encounter.
Description on Death:
The final description of the creature given when they die.
Icon and Sound:
An icon can be selected to show with the description, as can a sound."
Character Qualities
"The qualities of the character can be defined in a series of check boxes. Checking the appropriate box will have the following effects:
WILL GO IN DARK AREA:
The character is 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.
CAN GO IN HAZARD
The character is impervious to the effects of invisible hazards and will enter them - others will not enter these areas.
CAN DO JUMPS
The character can go through jumps - others will treat them as dead ends.
PASS SWITCHED GATES
The character can go through switched gates whether they are open or closed - others can only pass through open gates
PASS LOCKED GATES
The character can go through locked gates - others cannot.
CAN CLIMB OBSTACLES
The character can climb the obstacles presented by One-Way routes.
RANDOMLY WANDERS
The character wanders randomly (within the limitations defined above) during the game.
FOLLOWS PLAYERS
The character will follow the player (within the limitations defined above) once they have been on the same cell.
(NOTE: Characters with both Randomly Wanders and Follows Players checked, will not randomly wander whilst they are following a player. Characters with neither checked do not move at all)
In addition, the amount of money held by the characters can be defined - characters do not hold money objects, but they can hold money as a separate entity. (BUT, when they die, the money is deposited on the ground as an object)"
Character Attributes
"The character possesses the same basic attributes as a player, namely:
ENERGY SKILL
WILLPOWER LUCK
or whatever names are given to these attributes.
These are used to determine in comparison with the player to determine the outcome of encounters between the characters and the player.
CHARACTER's SIGHT
The sight of the character can be defined as either:
BLIND - They will not see a player, and will only respond if the player interacts with them.
NORMAL - They will behave normally.
INFRA-RED - They can see in the dark.
TYPE OF CHARACTER
One of character types can be selected, which will determine the behaviour of the chatracter:
FIGHTER - The default is for it to attack without provocation, if the player has lower skill. If the player attacks it will always fight back. In other circumstances it may respond favourably to a player demand to buy (or exceptionally take) an object, or if the player is selling an object.
TRADER - The default is for it to attempt to sell an object at a profit if the player has lower willpower or at the player's request. In other circumstances it may respond favourably to a player request to take an object, and will re-attack if attacked.
MISSIONARY - The default is for it to attempt to give an object to the player, if they have lower luck or at the player's request. In other circumstances, they will respond favourably to a request to buy, with a low price and will buy at a high price, and if attacked they may attempt to sell and object or exceptionally re-attack if attacked.
All players will defend themselves if the player makes a pre-emptive attack."
Initial Location and Possessions
"The initial location of the character is defined from the main create map window, and their possessions defined in the Edit Object window, but a copy of that information is displayed on this window."
