The Oppressed Land
==================

Introduction
------------
The wizened little creature banged its empty tankard down hard on the surface of
the table and rocked backwards in its chair. With a great smile across its shiny
pock-marked face it gazed around it and then said "Ah but that was when the world
was younger and unicorns roamed the forest. These days the beautiful forests are
full of roguish Orcs and wicked Warlocks; it is not safe to wander alone beneath
the green canopy." Then rising from his seat he yelled "Landlord, another tankard
of ale if you please!" before turning to his companions and smiling broadly.

As the creature licked the foam from around his
mouth and laid his tankard to rest on the table,
a few of the more curious amongst them edged
closer to it and peered at this strange little
"story-teller". Sensing their interest, the
creature rubbed his chin and smirked "Like to
hear more would you?"

As one, the onlookers nodded their agreement and
drew even closer still. A small fat man by the
name of Jared waved in the direction of the bar
and whispered "Another tankard of ale for our
visitor, please."

Now in full control of the situation the creature
beckoned for silence and then, rising to its full
height, began its tale ......

It was a tale of dark foreboding castles, terrible tyrants and the gradual destruction
of the land. Of hideous beings and dangerous Warlocks and of one person's quest to
overcome all this and return the land to its rightful state. Tales were told, through
the length and breadth of the land, of a prisoner held captive in a securely locked
cell in the highest reaches of the castle's tower and of the forces that guarded the
prisoner. With every word the assembled crowd drew nearer and nearer, enthralled with
the tale and its intricacies. The creature smiled slyly to itself, for it knew of the
effect it was having and of the enjoyment that man seemed to find in the words and
gestures of the tale of ... Zachra and the Oppressed Land.



Notes
-----
This game will accept most of the standard commands such as EXAMINE, SEARCH,
GET and WEAR as well as some of the more unusual commands such as KNOCK, GIVE,
BUY and CATCH.

This game also accepts EAM SAVE and RAM LOAD; use these to save a current game
to memory. However, always use SAVE or LOAD to save a more permanent record to
tape.



Hints
-----
When you meet the old woman and you wish to take what she already has, just
remember how to ask for them ... Try "Can I have the (object)" and you might
be lucky. Also remember that you may sometimes have to wait for those you need
to meet to actually turn up.