User manual GAMES PC THE LORD OF THE RINGS-THE BATTLE FOR MIDDLE-EARTH

[. . . ] The resurgence of Alchemal studies started just after the Mustard Age, when Lynda of Werbane assumed the Alchemy seat on the Royal Mystics following the mysterious death of her brother Veknor. Unsatisfied with the confusing pronouncements regarding Veknor's demise, Lynda re-opened the research laboratory that had been forgotten for so many years, and vowed to discover the cause of Veknor's strange illness. Although her research was highly unorganised, and did not in fact uncover any new facts regarding Veknor's troubles, the re-establishment of an Alchemal research facility would indeed bear fruit in coming generations. 2 In modern times it is well known that all the great Alchemists have been women. Lynda was the first in a long line of famous Alchemal practitioners including Doris of Werthbane, Cecelia the Wild, the extremely popular Winifred, and most recently, Zanthia. 3 How to Play Installation It is always advisable to make back-up copies of your master program diskettes to increase the life of the masters and guard against accidents. [. . . ] The main character in this game is named Zanthia. You can control the activities and even the fate of Zanthia by clicking her around the scenes in the game. Click on the left side of the screen and Zanthia will walk in that direction. Click to the right and Zanthia will walk to the right. In many cases, Zanthia will walk to the exact spot where you clicked. In other cases, Zanthia may not be able to walk as far as you wish. 6 In those cases, Zanthia will walk as far as she possibly can. You can often re-direct Zanthia even as she is walking if you change your mind. 7 Leaving the Scene You can walk Zanthia out of the scene in which she currently appears by clicking on the edge of the scene in the direction you would like her to go. She will walk to the edge, and then appear in the adjoining scene as it is displayed. Notice that the shape of the pointer will change when it is positioned on a scene edge or doorway through which Zanthia may pass. This is an indication to the player that clicking there will exit Zanthia from the current scene, and send her into the adjoining scene. Although Zanthia can usually walk up, down, left, or right, she may find herself in areas where her movements are restricted. You, as the player cannot view any other areas of The Hand Of Fate unless you move Zanthia into those areas. Access to certain areas may not be allowed to Zanthia unless specific game puzzle conditions are satisfied. For example, Zanthia may need to find some gold to pay Breuth the ferryman before she can cross the lake and reach Morningmist Valley. The bottom section of the game screen has four parts. On the left side there is a yellow gem labelled `OPTIONS'. Clicking on this icon will pause game play and activate the appearance of a menu that shows the choices available to you. Further instructions about your options concerning saving games, adjusting game 11 controls, and quitting or resuming play are available by selecting and clicking on the desired option. The middle of the lower section shows two rows of slots which may be used to hold items. There are actually four rows of slots available, and the wheel on the right side of the slots can be clicked on to cycle between the four rows. These slots can be termed Zanthia's Item Inventory. The right side of the lower screen section has an area reserved for display of Zanthia's Spellbook and Cauldron. [. . . ] Selecting to save a game will activate a name box into which you can type a name for the game you are saving. As a matter of practice, it is advisable to save the game frequently as you progress. It is particularly advisable to save your game before you explore situations that may be hazardous to Zanthia. Within the options menus you will also find a screen which will allow you to erase any of your saved games. [. . . ]