Best of Mega Games for DOS/MEGA.iso/bones37/bones.doc

Text File | 1991-11-16 | 17KB | 452 lines

DATE  11-16-91        ---- Documentation ----            BONES Version 3.6



                     ßßßß BONES BONES BONES ßßßß

                 - THE GAME OF THE HAUNTED MANSION -



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     Preface : Quick Introduction.

     I)    Using the menu system.

     II)   The menu selections.

     III)  Using the Stairway.

     IV)   Special Room information.

     V)    Scoring.

     VI)   Skeleton Information.

     VII)  Miscellaneous.

     VIII) Magic Items.

     IX)   The New MANSION MAPPER.

     X)    Bones - The "real" story.

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QUICK INTRODUCTION :

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DESCRIPTION :A game of suspense, imagination and conflict involving skeletons,
gold, jewels, hidden stairways, magic rooms, spells, enchanted items, one way
walls, potions, explosives, lasers, uzis and death.

OBJECT OF GAME :Accumulate points to get highest score possible, find magic
items and to TRY TO EXIT the mansion ALIVE.

HOW TO GET OUT ALIVE :There is only one way to get out alive.  Find a
transportal globe and figure out how to use it to get out of the mansion.

GENERAL GAME OPERATION :The game is partially menu driven. Use the cursor keys
to find a choice and the return (enter) key to select it or use the expert
mode.  You want to move down through the levels killing skeletons and
finding special objects until you find the globe and fiqure out how to use
it to get out alive.

ENTERING OBJECTS :You have to input the name of the object your going to
use, take or drop. (see OBJECT).

ESCAPE KEY : The escape key will allow you to abandon from some choices if you
change your mind.

MANSION NUMBER : see miscellaneous

LEVELS :There are FOUR levels to the mansion, you start at mansion level 1.

ROOMS :There are 49 rooms on each level.

HINT :Map to keep track of where the stairways are.


  *******************************************************************
  **                                                               **
  **                (I)   USING THE MENU SYSTEM                    **
  **                                                               **
  *******************************************************************

      BEGINNER :Use the cursor keys to move around the menu and the
      return (enter) key to select you desired entry.  NOTE: The menu
      always returns to the same selection in most cases.

      MONOCHROME USERS :May have to adjust the screen contrast to get
      the use of bright attributes.

      EXPERT :You also can use the Capitalized letter to pick a menu
      entry.  NOTE: You still have to use the enter key after you
      type in an object name.



 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 >>                                                                   >>
 >>                   (II) THE MENU SELECTIONS                        >>
 >>                                                                   >>
 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 (E)  EXIT :

      Allows you to exit a room and enter another room.  This selection
      goes to sub menu to allow you to pick your direction.

      NOTE: a) If under skeleton attack your exit may be blocked.
            b) If trapped in a room your exit will be blocked.
            c) Some skeletons just are to quit to escape from.
            d) You always have a possiblity of escape during combat.
            e) Some skeletons will be able to chase you from room to room.


 (A)  ATTACK :

      Allows you to attack skeletons.  Hand attack will automatically
      be selected unless you have one of the following :

      Bones - Found generously throughout the dungeon (ATTACK BONES).
      Sword - For a sword attack (next strongest attack method).
      Mace  - For attack with a mace (extremely powerful weapon).
      Laser - Shoots a power coherent beam of light. Note that the
           laser runs out of power over a period of time in use.
      Spell - A spell book for casting magic spells.
      UZI   - That famous gangster killer.  (see UZI in misc)

 (O)  OBJECT :

      This selection brings up the following sub menu.

L --> (u) Use Object - Allows you to use an object that is in your
E         POSESSION. The objects name should be entered as a NOUN.
T
T     (t) Take Object - Allows you to take an object from a room.
E         The correct name must be entered or the object will not be
R         recognized. The objects name should also be entered as a NOUN.
          Some items cannot possibly be picked taken.
To
      (d) Drop Object - Allows you to drop an oject in your POSSESSION.
H
I     (g) Take Gold - Allows you to take gold without going to the take
T         object option.

      (j) Take Jewels - Allows you to take jewels without going to the
          take object option.

      (l) Load uzi  - Puts a fresh clip of bullets into your uzi if you
          have both the uzi and the bullets.

      QUICK ENTRY TIP - Most items will be recognized with only three letters.


 (I)  INVESTIGATE :

      Use this menu choice when you want to find out whats in a room.
      You will recieve the following.

      (i)  1) A description of the room.
           2) A vague description of a object.
           3) A vague description of a magic item.

      (ii) 1) There may be multiple items in one room.
           2) There may be no items of interest in one room.


 (C)  COMMUNICATE :   (Get information from skeletons, make friends, etc.)

      Using this option will generate a list of menu choices for trying
      to communicate with the skeletons.

      The follow information applies to the communication module.

      1) It's easier to communicate if the number of skeletons are fewer.
      2) It's easier to communicate if you've already wounded them.
      3) Skeletons may leave after you talk to them, fight or give information.
      4) There's always a small possibility most skeletons will communicate.
      5) Some skeletons will never communicate.
      6) Skeletons may lie to you.

 (S)  STATUS :

      Displays all the pertinent information about the users
      character.

      1)  User Name - The name of the current character.
      2)  Life Force - This is the energy of the character, when it
            reaches zero the character dies.
      3)  Attack force -  The ability to inflict a wound to a skeleton.
      4)  Armor - The amount of defense you have in combined speed,
            agility, experience and actual armor.
      5)  Initiative - The "quickness" of your character.
      6)  User level - The character level.
      7)  Mansion level - Tells which mansion level your on (level one
            is the main floor).
      8)  Experience - You mansion experience number, increases as you
            fight skeletons or solve special problems.
      9)  Gold & Jewels - The quantity of gold and jewels you are carrying.
      10) Inventory - A list of all the special items you have
            in your posession.


 (H) GAME MODS :  (Game Modification)

     Brings up the mini menu of 5 choices.

     (H) Help    - Brings up the bones mini-help menu.
     (O) Color   - Allows modification of game colors.
     (S) Sound   - Turn the sound on or off.
     (C) Credits - Display game credits.
     (Q) Quit    - Quits the game (You will be asked yes or no).

 (R) REST :

     (1) This option allows you to build up your life force by resting.
        (2) The price you pay is that skeletons will be looking for you
            while you rest.
     (3) It is (except for potions) a good way to regain life force.




                             (III)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>                        USING THE STAIRWAY                         >>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


The stairway allows you to go up or down levels.

        The choices for the stairway are:

           Up   = Go up to the next level.
           Down = Go down to the next level.
           Exit = Exit the stairway room and stay on the same level.




                            (IV)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>                    SPECIAL ROOM INFO                              >>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


There's a lot of different rooms with special attributes.

Examples:     Some rooms have strange gases in them.
              Some rooms have weak floors.
              Some rooms have entrances but no exits.

MIST ROOM :Contain a deadly mist that increases damage each round it is
inhaled.  This effect is cumulative so stay out of them.

TRANSFER ROOM :Certain rooms will drop you or raise you to a different
mansion level.  This happens reguardless of what you want and is caused
but some wierd multi-dimensional location alteration.

GREEN GAS ROOM :This room has two possible effects, you'll find out,
                It's quite a hilarious room.




                                 (V)

 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 >>                               SCORING                             >>
 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


   INCREASING THE SCORE :Your score is increased by attacking skeletons,
   finding gold, jewels, magic items, using special items, communicating
   with skeletons, eliminating skeletons.

   DECREASE THE SCORE :You can lose points for drinking bad potions,
   getting gold stolen, getting gased in rooms, running out of air and
   generally messing things up.

   GOLD AND JEWELS :There is more gold, jewels and magic items in the
   higher numbered mansion levels.



                             (VI)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>                        SKELETON INFORMATION                       >>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


   SKELETON INFORMATION :These are the basic facts you should know about
   skeletons.

      1) More skeletons will find you the longer you stay in the
         mansion.
      2) The skeletons are definitely tougher at lower levels.
      3) Weak skeletons may run away at the sight of you.
      4) Each successful skeleton attack takes away some of your life force.
      5) Some skeletons can't be "hit" by weapons, only spells.
      6) Some skeletons can't be hit by spells, only weapons.
      7) Some skeletons like to chase their victims.
      8) Killing a whole group of skeletons is worth more points.
      9) Each type of skeleton has it's own "quirks".

   THIEF SKELETON :He likes to steal things from you.  Preferably magic
   items or at the very least some gold.  If you kill him before he exits
   the room you might be able to get what he just stole back but if he exits
   alive your stuffs gone for good.

   NOTE:  To find what he was carrying simply investigate the room after
   you've iced him.


                            (VII)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>                      MISCELLANEOUS                                >>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


   WALLS :They're a little tricky, often you will find they are some-
   times one way only leaving you trapped in a room.

   SUFFOCATING :There are many ways to get out of this predicament
   including trying to beat you way out with a bones,sword, or mace
   also explosives will work.

   WAYS TO GET KILLED : There are basically three ways to get killed
   by losing your life force, getting terminated by skeletons or
   getting trapped in a room and suffocating to death, not to mention
   a few other unknown perils.

   MANSION NUMBER :Allows you to start the random number generator meaning
   that you can play the same mansion over and over if your want to.



                           (VIII)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>                        MAGICAL ITEMS                              >>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


  SPELLS :Work more efficently when your character level is higher.

      1) You have a limited number of spells with each spell book.
      2) You can only carry one spell book at a time.
      3) Lower levels spells are more powerful.


  EXPLOSIVES :Are used to break out of rooms and will kill a maximum of one
   skeleton.  They also have a tendancy to completely clear the room of
   gold and jewels.

      1) You start with 1 explosive charge.
      2) You can accumlate as many as possible.
      3) Explosives don't work well on skeletons.


  POTIONS :You can carry as many potions as you want. In order to drink
   a potion you have to USE it.  Most potions boost your life force up to
   a higher value BUT BE WARNED that some potions are poisonous as well as
   a select one or two that may be downright lethal.


   GLOBE :The cherished all powerful globe.  It's your ticket out of the
          dungeon so use it wisely.

   WARLOCKS SHIELD :Good protection but the Warlock will certianly want it
                    back.  It increases your armor value while you carry it.

   UZI :Great for killing groups of skeletons.  They use clips that are
        scattered throughout the dungeon.

     (1) There is one Uzi on each level (probably).
     (2) The Uzi has to be loaded with a clip via the object command.
     (3) You can only carry 5 clips at one time.
     (4) Clips have 60 shots each.
     (5) Not all the shots fired will hit a skeleton.
     (6) Your aim gets better as your character level gets higher.

     Uzi submenu :   1/4    Half   3/4    Full

         These numbers refer to the number of shots to be fired.
            1/4 = 15    Half = 30   3/4  = 45  Full = 60


                               (IX)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>                       MANSION MAPPER                              >>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


   This handy little computer will map out your Mansion for you.

   It requires 2 things to operate.

      1) Screen RAM - Used to display the information about your
                      current level.  Found randomly in the Mansion.
                      1K = 1 room of display info.

      2) Main RAM - Used to store the room information. More
                    Plentiful then Screen RAM in the Mansion.
                    Each 1K of Main RAM can map 1 room. Once the
                    current K value is reached the computer simply
                    quits mapping more rooms until more RAM is found.

   The RAM is a WORM type. (Write Once Read Many).


   NVRAM = Not enough video ram to display this room.
   STA   = Theres a stairway here.
   YOU   = Your Location.



                                (X)

********************** BONES - THE REAL STORY  *************************

BONES - The real story

-This program was concieved on the DECSYSTEM 10 at Eastern Montana
College in Billings, Montana using a primative form of Extended
Basic in 1981 with much modification by Arron Barnhart (I think
I spelled his name right).

-Revived many years (1987) later using Desmet C language and ASM88.

-Converted to MS QUICK C 1.0 and MASM 5.0. in August 1988.

-Desmet compiled versions are numbered 1.00 to 1.99
Microsoft compiled versions are number 2.00 and up.

-1989 Converted to QUICK C Version 2.0 and removed Assembly
 Libraries.

-1990 Version 3.0 in a large model.

-1991 Dug back out after a long rest and installed mapper and
      many underlying code changes.

***********************************************************************

                    !!!  HAVE FUN !!!


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COPYRIGHT(c) by Bruce N. Baker 1987-1991 All rights reserved.

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