Introduction

In these modern tines the use of the word 'virus' to describe a corruption of data on a computer or its storage items has lent itself to a more "acceptable" understanding of the word and all that it really stands for. However, in the world of medicine and science the word's usage is one that can strike fear into the heart of even the bravest scientist - for in this context it is used to describe a disease that has the potential to kill and maim thousands of innocent people. This is one such case and it will be up to you to stop the spread of the dreaded virus.

A strange and very virulent virus is plaguing Earth. People are dying in their thousands and doctors are helpless to assist them. There is no known cure for the virus and it seems nobody is able to produce one. However, a chance discovery by one Professor H. Zoster - an eminent virologist - of a small fungus that could just contain the ingredients to produce the much-needed vaccine may be the answer to an awful lot of prayers.

From notes made when he was but a young lad and on his very first expedition, the professor has uncovered the source of a fungus that might just be able to eradicate the dreaded virus from the face of the Earth. Seemingly the fungus is to be found within the confines of a well and in some far-flung corner of the globe.

Professor H. Zoster is too old and frail to undertake such a perilous journey; it would be more than his fragile old frame could withstand. So it is decided that you are to be the one to undertake the task and to venture out in search of the ancient well and all it contains.

With the fate of the entire world in your hands you have no alternative other than to accept, so you begin your preparations for the journey.

Eventually, with everything you think you will need for the long and arduous journey safely crated up and packed away, you don your hat and set forth. The professor holds out his calloused hand and says "Good luck, you will need it.", then bids you farewell ...

Notes

The usual abbreviations are in plentiful supply, so use the likes of H for HELP, G for GET, I for INVENTORY and QQ for QUIT.

Please note that all compass directions are shortened to one or two letters, as are UP and DOWN.

Some new words have been "coined" especially for this game, so use LIN for Look Inside, or LUND for Look Under or LIND for Look Behind and always remember to stipulate just what it is you are LOOKING BEHIND - e.g. LOOK BEHIND TREE or LOOK UNDER MATTRESS.

Use RAM SAVE and RAM LOAD to store a game position in memory, but always use the standard SAVE and LOAD to store a more permanent record to tape or disk. Memory is only temporary.