ASSASSIN (ST Version 1.50) and all instructions are Copyright 1990,1991 Kevin Macfarland & Wayne Myers ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ASSASSIN Docs PART 1 ( Introduction ) Lightning crackles through the the stormy skies, as screams are heard in the distance. War continues on between nobles, as they send there soldiers and mercenaries to do their bidding, to gain more land and power. The church watches quietly, patiently, waiting to take a chunk of the newly won land. Death covers the land, as another age of darkness approaches. Life is basically wretched for most. Either they are not fulfilled, or not even given enough to survive the mostly being the latter. The standard of life is worthless, many take second jobs as highwaymen stealing from others so that they can survive. Others serve the war efforts, which proves only slightly better since most do not survive from skirmish to skirmish. The few survivors gain living wages. A few elite warriors manage to make it up the perilous ladder, only to lose their hard-won gains to a rival noble. There is a possible hope coming, which is known as magic, but some believe this same life restoring power is part of the problem. A few smart commoners have learned of another calling. There is indeed need of people to eliminate problems such as rival nobles, and power hungry clergy members. Instead of fighting forces of insurmountable odds, they fight for the one cause. These wanted persons being assassins... ASSASSIN is an online role-playing game that takes place in a time similar to the dark ages, where assassins work to make their fortune. ASSASSIN can currently be played on any Atari ST Bulletin Board System (BBS) that offers it. You, as a player fight to gain experience, gold, and the control of your own guild as you try to become the most powerful assassin in the city. As the game progresses you will learn of other missions to complete. This program is SHAREWARE. Therefore, if you enjoy it, compliment your sysop on putting this game in their selection of door programs. If you don't like it, try it a couple more times, it may grow on you. ( *INPUT* Indicates it requires you to do something. ) Quick Startup... ASSASSIN V. 1.50 (UN-REGISTERED) Scrolls and other Information 1. Introduction and quick start 2. Details about Assassin 3. Places to go (and people to see) 4. Quick Start info N> News of the City S> Scores of Assassins X> Exit to BBS Press appropriate key or hit RETURN to Enter ASSASSIN: *INPUT* Hit RETURN to play the game [ Intro Screen ] As you enter the game a man will approach you and ask if you have come to train. *INPUT* Answering YES will allow you to play the game, and go through the creation process. Answering NO will return you to the BBS. *INPUT* If your sysop allows handles in game you will be allowed to enter one now. You will then be enrolled at the training grounds and given five training sessions to spend on the following skills: Light Weapons \ Heavy Weapons > OFFENSE Skills Two Handed Weapons / Blocking \ Slipping > DEFENSE Skills Stealth / Endurance This increases your capability to take punishment All skills except stealth are usually used in combat situations, while stealth is a skill used throughout the game. *REMARK* New players to the game may wish to spend three sessions in ONE weapon skill and put the remaining two sessions in the defensive skills Slip and Block. As you progress through the game, your character will gain more training sessions in which to either hone the original or develop new skills. Now you will enter the actual city. Look around and explore, just be warned: Don't try an assassination until you get yourself a weapon and armour. Now here is where I shall leave you, to your own undoing... (Evil Grin) BRIEF SUMMARY OF MAIN MENU COMMANDS A) ASSASSINATE This command puts your assassin in the position to watch for a promising target, then strike. If you are successful, you will gain experience, skill and money. If not, you maybe lucky to escape with your life!! B) BANK For your finacial needs the bank is here. You can take out a loan, make deposit to your savings account, and check your current balances, as well as a few other interesting things. G) GUILDS Guilds provide a fairly safe place to stay overnight, as well as opportunities to get pay for assassinations. You can even begin recruiting the henchmen you will need layer in the game. Each guild has different fee's, but most usually go by an initiation fee which is paid to join, and a daily fee for the assassins that stay from day to day. All new players are given a complimentary membership to the Master's Tavern. This should be taken advantage of. One advantage is that the job offerings provided give a good source of income rather than randomly asassinating passers by as in option 'A' which provides you with a rather small income. I) INN After a hard day of assassinations and walking around the city, an assassin tends to get tired and worn out. The Inn is here to serve your full needs for protection and privacy. You can either nap to regain some lost endurance or spend the night and be well protected. Inns also provides a messenger service, along with the daily newspaper. L) ALCHEMIST'S LABORATORY The lab is here for those that wish a speedy recovery after a long, grueling battle. They currently are working on potions that will cause your system to heal quickly. If you purchase a potion, you can either drink it there or take it along until you may really need it. Be warned though, not all potions are beneficial. Some can even be harmful. O) OTHER ASSASSINS This will give you a list of all the living assassins that currently make their stay in the city and that you may encounter in the future. P) PUB When you are hungry or thirsty, stop by the pub, it aims to please. You may also wish to indulge in listening to the rumors or by spreading a few of them. For the really adventorous souls, try the All-night drinking challenge, definitely not for lightweights. R) ROB SOMEONE If you need some money or weapons, you may prefer to steal it rather than fight for it or buy it. Your methods are simple: Waylay an opponent, or Pick it from your opponent's holdings. Waylaying usually yields more than picking, but picking is far less dangerous. S) SHOPPES More than likely you will visit here a good few times. There are many places to shop, to satisfy many needs. Window shopping is acceptable however stealing is quite punishable. T) TRAINING GROUNDS Here's where you begin and should visit often during the game. The training grounds offer courses in offensive abd defensive skills by using your accumulated training sessions. W) ALLEY The alley is where you will find other assassins that may wish or are forced to stay overnight. You can challenge anyone that is there, and success usually yields the money they happen to carried with them. Z) STATUS This will give you a list of your assassin's attributes including money, experience, skills, armour, weapons, and items. X) EXIT THE GAME This is a quick way to exit the game instead of going to where you wish to stay the night. This will leave you in the alley until you get back to the game. These entire docs (not just this file but the whole 27k worth) were written and edited by Wayne Myers and Kevin MacFarland. As well I (Wayne Myers) would like to thank Sir Harold, for his generous help in proofreading the docs and offering creative suggestions.