BLACKSCAR MOUNTAIN (c) Terry White 1989 To load the game, insert the disk into drive A. Turn on the computer and double click on the icon labelled disk A. You will then be presented with 3 more icons. Double click on the icon marked BLACK. PRG and the game will automatically load. Full instructions for playing the game have been included on the disk, and can be accessed at any time during play. Typing QUEST will inform you about your objective in the game. Whilst typing COMMANDS will give details about the type of commands that the adventure will accept. Blackscar Mountain is a traditional Atari ST fantasy adventure which has some 87 locations, most of which are illustrated with a picture. Although this adventure has less locations than SHARDS OF TIME, the puzzle/problem content is higher. The magic system that has been incorporated into the adventure mainly revolves around teleportation and the use of magic items. Although some of the occupants of the mountain can cast spells, the problems encountered in the adventure need to be solved by logic and lateral thinking. To make the adventure even more challenging a monetary system has been thoroughly integrated into the adventure. Money can be obtained from monsters who often keep it as treasure. Money can be used to pay tolls and ransoms, and to buy things. A help command has been included in the game. Typing HELP during play will either reply with a general hint, or give you a specific cryptic clue. You may also find it useful to read through the bestiary before commencing the game. (c) Terry White 1989 A BESTIARY OF THE OCCUPANTS OF BLACKSCAR MOUNTAIN All of the following creatures have been sighted near Blackscar mountain within the last 2 decades. The list is not meant to be a definitive guide, and it probably doesn't cover everything. However, it should give you some idea of the type of creatures that you may encounter. DEMONS - Blackscar mountain has always been plagued by demons, the most notorious of which is Skairos. Although Demons are commonly regarded as evil beings, there are some which will have dealings with humans. Like most creatures not of the material plane, demons need a link to maintain them on it. DRAGONS - These gigantic winged reptiles are capable of breathing fire and causing vast amounts of destruction. If you come across one of these then try your best to avoid it. ELVES - Elves are humanoids who are gifted with high dexterity. They make excellent archers and will often hire themselves out as mercenaries. GHOULS - Ghouls are degenerate humans which inhabit old cemetaries. They are quite insane, and derive their nourishment from feasting upon the bodies of the dead. They will also feast upon the living if they are given the chance. GHOSTS - These are the ectoplasmic forms of dead individuals who having died still have an overriding desire to remain on the material plane. Most of these creatures have some form of a link with this world. GOBLINS - Wherever there is trouble there is sure to be goblins. Goblins usually travel around in large bands. They are evil, cowardly creatures which are often bullied by other more evil creatures. HUMANS - In addition to the listed mythical creatures, it is suspected that humans with an evil nature may also dwell inside Blackscar Mountain. These will either be brigands, evil priests or wizards. HOBBITS - Small furry footed humanoids which just happen to be the favourite meal of Ogres. Hobbits are renown for the way in which they relieve people of their possessions. OGRES - Large, cave dwelling humanoids which are constantly in search of food. These creatures are immensely strong and cannot be easily killed in combat. ORCS - Orcs are foul, evil natured humanoid creatures whose only aim in life appears to be to cause as much misery and suffering as possible. TROLLS - Trolls are carnivorous cave dwelling creatures which plague mountainous areas. These vicious creatures are almost impossible to kill by normal means, although they do have one weakness. A troll will never willingly go out into the sunlight, for if it did it would be turned into stone. VAMPIRES - Vampires are undead humans which shelter from the sunlight in their coffins throughout the day. At night they come out and feast upon the blood of the living. WARNING! - BEFORE READING THE NEXT SECTION, PLEASE NOTE THAT IT CONTAINS HINTS ON CERTAIN OF THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED DURING THE ADVENTURE. USEFUL HINTS AND TIPS Travelling in the dark can prove to be lethal. Quite a few of the objects are well hidden, so you will have to look hard to find them. If at first you don't succeed then try again. Make a map and keep examining things. You will have to spend your money wisely, otherwise you may find yourself not being able to get very far. Some exits are hard to spot, so keep examining things. Not all monsters can be killed. Quite a few of the residents of Blackscar mountain are relatively friendly. There are 4 entrances that lead into the mountain. The solution to some problems may require you to lure the monsters away from their lairs. Some of the more useful objects are well disguised. Don't forget to keep looking for the useful messages that were left by previous adventurers. Some of the initial problems have two solutions. SPECIFIC HINTS CAN'T FIND ANY EQUIPMENT - Take a trip to the village store. CAN'T KILL THE TROLLS - Trolls usually only come out after it is dark ! THE VAMPIRE KEEPS KILLING YOU - Oh well, we all have our crosses to bear. CAN'T AFFORD AN ITEM - You will have to obtain some more money from the inhabitants of the mountain. CAN'T LIGHT THE CANDLE - A trip to the village inn might prove most illuminating. KEEP GETTING KILLED BY THE OGRE - You must be going to pot if you can't solve this ! HAVING TROUBLE GETTING PAST THE ELF - You will just have to try a different approach. CAN'T GET PAST THE PORTCULLIS - Don't let this ropey problem tie you in knots. CAN'T KILL THE WIZARD - This problem is not to be sneezed at. CAN'T KILL THE GUARDIAN OF THE LAKE - Put some extra iron in his diet. Anyway I hope that these hints prove to be of use to you, and that you enjoy playing this adventure. FULL SOLUTION TO THE GAME This can be obtained from either of the following sources : ADVENTURE PROBE MAGAZINE, 67 Lloyd Street, Llandudno, Gwynedd, LL30 2BN for a small fee. ONE OF THE ADVENTURE SOLUTIONS DISKS available in the public domain.