Welcome to The Ring Of Darkness. You are about to enter a strange world of challenges, surprises and satisfying problems.

This is a role playing adventure, so your first task will be to create your character. You will be able to choose your character's name and select from several types and skills. Different characters have very different attributes, and your choice will greatly effect the game. For instance, a warrior is strong, a thief may steal more effectively, and an elf is good at casting spells.

When the adventure commences, you are an insignificant traveller; weak, inexperienced, and alone in a dangerous and unfamiliar land. You know only that you are here to seek your fortune, and that your immediate concern is one of survival.

May luck travel your path.

By the very nature of an adventure game we must keep these notes brief, so as not to give away any secrets. Here are a few pointers:

The Ring Of Darkness is too large for just one program, and has therefore been written in several, both basic and machine code. At times the game will need to transfer between programs, so remember to leave the cassette in the player unless asked otherwise.

Throughout the game you will be prompted to give the computer commands by a question mark. Most commands can be input as single letters, a complete list of which can be found below.

When you first start the game, you will have to set up your own character. Different characters have very different attributes, and will greatly affect the game. For instance, a warrior is very strong, a thief may steal more effectively, and most spell cats by an Elf are unlikely to fail.

Play begins on a high resolution map of the enchanted land. Look for the red Z - that is you. Each movement you make represents one day's travelling, so watch your food. In total there are almost 3,000 travel days on the map.

Each movement you make represents one day's travelling, so be sure you have enough food with you. In total the map contains almost 3,000 travel days. The arrow keys move your character west, south, north and east.

In some cases the movement keys are used to indicate a direction of attack. When in a dungeon they represent the movements left, turn about, forwards and right.

Note: There is no need to press ENTER when using the movement keys.

The majority of the screen area is used to display pictures of your surroundings, and is your 'graphics window'. A small area at the bottom of the screen forms the independently scrolling 'text window' (usually three lines of text). Everything you type will be shown here, as will prompts and messages from the computer.

The prompt "?" on the bottom text line indicates that the computer is waiting for your command. Your response can be any of the commands listed at the back of this booklet, and should be followed by ENTER except when using the movement keys.

Most of the time you will communicate with the computer using single letter commands (such as C for CAST a spell). However, when you wish to enter the name of an oject you must type at least two letters (for example, "DAGGER" or "DA" will suffice to describe a dagger, but just "D" will not).

The game is played in real time, which means the computer will not wait forever for you to make your next entry. If you leave the game for more than 20 seconds the word "PASS" will appear and the computer will make its move.

The game uses both sides of the cassette, which are labelled Start Side and Game Side. Have your own blank cassette ready and label it with the name of your character (which you choose yourself). You are unlikely to complete The Ring Of Darkness in one sitting, so the blank cassette becomes your 'Character Save Cassette'.

Type Q to save your character.

To "get on in the world" it is important to build up your Experience. With each successful endeavour, you will gain more Experience Points. As the game progresses technology and the variety of goods available to you will increase (so where before you could only find an axe you can now get a sword).

Arrow Keys - Move your player and, in some cases, indicate the direction in which you want to attack.

Most other commands and responses must be given as two or more letters.

As the game progresses technology, and the variety of goods available to you, will increase. Keep up to date with your status (status check Z). Your Hit Points (a measure of your mortality) and Food Units (Don't starve yourself!) are most important. It is also important to build up your Experience. If either Food or Hit Points fall to zero, you will die.

We hope you enjoy playing The Ring Of Darkness. If you accidentally halt the game type GOTO 4450 (ENTER).

Keep up to date with your status (status check Z). Your Hit Points (a measure of your mortaility) and Food Units (each movement uses up food, so don't starve yourself) are most important. If either Food or Hit Points fall to zero, you will die.

CLOADM (ENTER)