Brian: The Novice Barbarian =========================== Introduction ------------ Down through the "mists-of-time", some words have become synonymous with our youth and "Cool" could most certainly be counted amongst their number. In Balrog's youth it was "cool" to sport "D.A." style haircuts or to wear "brothel-creepers". Whilst in Cat's younger days such items as "Loons" and "platform-soles" were seen to be the very epitome of "coolness" - "Far-out, man!" However, to today's more educated youngsters the pinnacle of "cool" can be something as simple as just wearing your cap backwards! Just ask your kids if you want clarification of this, or if you need to discover just what it takes to survive in today's "cool" world. To one such young lad - namely Brian Woodlouse (aged 15) - this was of secondary importance because he had set his sights on much greater things. He strove not to emulate his fashion-setters but to become the one thing he prized most in all this universe ... to be a true Barbarian just like his grandfather!!! However such dreams are not easily attained and to become the target of his deepest innermost desires Brian Woodlouse must first gain himself a "quest" - one that he was capable of completing - one that would gain him the respect of other Barbarians - one that would put his name up there with the other "greats" of these times. So it was, on one damp windy morn, that Brian Woodlouse (aged 15) was to embark upon the journey that would once and for all put the object of his desire within his puny grasp. So it was, on one miserable week-day, that Brian Woodlouse (aged 15) was to set off on his first quest - to seek the "Wand of Flute" which had been stolen from the great one known as "The High Mage". This task was the one that would take him to the far and distant kingdom of "Krud" and the one that would endanger not only his own life but also those of practically every other person he met on the way!!!! Some of whom did no more than to do their best to assist young Brian succeed with his quest. Will the quest be a successful one or will the dreams of a young lad lie scattered and broken amidst the debris of battle ... help Brian complete the quest and reveal it all. Notes ----- This game will accept all the standard commands, such as EXAMINE, REMOVE, SMASH, JUMP and PULL, as well as some more unusual ones such as RETRACT, UNROLL and LENGTHEN; so have no fear about what you type in ... the worst that can happen is that the programme will not recognise it! Don't forget to save your "progress" - if you make any, that is! - to TAPE or DISK in order to give yourself a permanent record of it and if things get too tough you can always try using the commands HINT or HELP - no guarantee they will work though!!!!! Loading ------- LOAD"" (ENTER)