Lost Realms of Murkasada: Episode II
role playing game for Commodore 64, 2023
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Use [I] [J] [K] [L] to move!
2. THE SCROLLS OF AVALON
“I want the scrolls, not excuses!”
Helfarch could hear King Eaedred screaming at a large
assemblage of knights, even through the large, heavy wooden
door that led to the King’s chamber. The guards eyed Helfarch
carefully before allowing entry. Cautiously, he crossed the
threshold into the chamber...
“Ahh! Helfarch! Come in, come in! I can no longer listen to
these babbling fools who tell me that the scrolls I desire are
unobtainable.” Eaedred was randomly pointing to the knights
that surrounded him. The knights were looking at each other,
terrified for their own lives.
Helfarch moved forward. “My King, stories suggest that the
scrolls are hidden beneath the castle of Lord Owain, beyond
caves of lava and deadly crypts. They are well guarded.”
“Then this sounds like a quest for my most loyal and
courageous subject, Helfarch,” replied the King with an almost
contemptuous tone. The other knights stood staring at
Helfarch, secretly glad he had arrived.
Helfarch nodded. “Very well, my Lord, the scrolls shall be in
your possession within the next few sunrises.” Helfarch bowed
and took his leave...
The low but purposeful clearing of a throat startled Helfarch
as he walked the long passageway back to his quarters. “Who is
there?” demanded Helfarch, ready to draw his dagger.
“It is I, Morgan,” whispered a shadowy figure. The youngest
of the Assembly of Seniors moved into the light offered by the
flame of the wall mounted torch. “I have heard about the
undertaking set you by the King.”
7Helfarch eyed the Assembly Member suspiciously. “So
speedily? I have only just been charged with obtaining the
scrolls.”
Morgan countered, “The King has already consulted the
Assembly as to the content of the scrolls. It was fairly evident as
to who he would ask to retrieve them...”
Helfarch interrupted sharply, “And WHAT exactly do the
scrolls contain that is of such importance to the King?”
Morgan’s brow furrowed. He exhibited clear signs of both
concern and anxiety. “Maps. Maps and information about
places not of this realm... weapons, armors and objects that
were created by... by power, creatures... not of this place...”
Morgan shook his head at the mere thought of King Eaedred
taking ownership of such materials. “Helfarch, please consider
not retrieving the scrolls. The very existence of Allorona could
be at stake. At the very least, recover the scrolls but bring them
before the Assembly of Seniors first.”
Helfarch trusted the Assembly more than the King. He
pondered for a minute. “If I find the Scrolls of Avalon, I shall
consider your request,” he finally replied...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIM... .. .
The game is played over a series of short episodes, with the
objective of each episode revealed in the corresponding
chapter of the accompanying novella.
STATUS... .. .
Throughout the game, the information panel to the right of the
of the main play area is updated based on your interactions in
the game. It displays your current location, your strength, your
wealth, your current weapon and armor and any useful objects you
are holding.
CONTROL... .. .
Your main character (knight) is moved around the screen using
the keyboard. "I" moves your character north, "K" moves south,
"J" moves west and "L" moves east.
Every 20 moves made decreases your strength by 1 unit.
During play, you may be required to press other keys such as
"SPACE" or answer questions by pressing "Y" or "N".
Keep an eye on the message box at the bottom of the game screen
for prompts.
SEARCH... .. .
Moving on top of barrels or treasure chests to search them may
reveal wealth. Searching wells may reveal drinking water to
boost your strength. Searching wooden logs or tree stumps may
reveal grubs to eat to also increase your strength.
COLLECT... .. .
Some items can be collected by walking on to them. For example,
coins or other forms of treasure increase your wealth. Walking
on and collecting food items increases your strength. Objects
such as keys, potions or cloaks can be collected to be used
later in each episode so watch out for them as you explore.
SHOPS... .. .
Walk on to open doorways of buildings to reveal building types,
such as blacksmiths, armorers, healers, taverns, amongst others.
Follow any instructions in the message box to make purchases.
ENEMIES... .. .
Move your character next to enemies to begin combat.
Messages in the message box describe the battle. You give and
take hits until your character or the enemy is killed.
Buy better weapons and armor from shops to improve your chances
during combat.
HAZARDS... .. .
The environment contains hazards such as poisonous mushrooms
and water whirlpools, amongst others, that drain your strength
on contact.
These hazards may occasionally block short cuts. They can be
passed but will drain your strength, so watch your health.
END... .. .
Each episode ends when you either run out of strength and die
or you complete the episode task as described in the novella.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
___ __
____/ \______/ \__________ ____ ___ __ _ _
_/ _____ _______.----. ___ _____ _______ ___.--. _____
! / \/ \ |/ | / \ | \ | \ \/aNdy/
/ O \ O _/ . / / O \| \ \| |\ \. /
/ : \ : \ \ \/ : \ : \ |/ \ \
\____! |__! \___! \____! |____! |___/___/\ \
!_ `-:;-' `-:;-' `-:;-' `-:;-' `-:;-' `-:;-'
\___ ____ _ . . : :: ::: l A b S :.
\_______/ \______/ \______ ______ ____ ___ __ _ _
\____/
original idea - RAY LEJUEZ
code, gfx, music - ANDY VAISEY
testing - JON MINES
- RYLEY JAMES
- ANDREW FISHER
- VINNY MAINOLFI
title bitmap - HEND
disk loader - KRILL
disk dir art - WBOCHAR
tape loader - MARTIN PIPER
tape software - RICHARD BAYLISS
novella - ANDY VAISEY
special thanks - FUZZ
- MOTION
- MAXLIDE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some useful keyboard shortcuts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[PAUSE] - stop/continue game
[F9] - quick load game state
[F12] - quick save game state (still stored after leaving the site)
[F10] - toggle performance meter
[F11] - toggle fullscreen mode
[ScrollLock] - quick switch control ports
[PageDown] - make a screenshot (320x200)