PC/CD Gamer UK 17/PCGAMER17.bin/text/thor.txt

Text File | 1995-12-21 | 28KB | 653 lines

************************************************

                              Thor's Hammer
                A Shareware Adventure Game
            Copyright 1995 Escape Programming
                An MVP Software Production

            this edition courtesy PC GAMER magazine
                                February 1996

************************************************

FORWARD
-------
As in ages past, the shadow of a great evil falls across our
homeland.  In a trial that marks the passing of an age, a champion
must once again take up the legendary Thor's Hammer to quell the
encroaching darkness.

Soon you will find yourself gripped in an adventure of mythic
proportions.  Indeed, even now a messanger prepares to ride in
search of you.  I only hope that there is time yet to study
carefully the information gathered here and to arm yourself with its
knowledge.  It will surely be of use to you on your quest.

Our situation is grave, young warrior, and it is in desperation that
our village turns to you.  Take with you the wisdom contained in
these pages and the prayers of the dwarven people.

                ----------------------------------

This game is shareware.  You may freely try it.  If you like it or
find it useful, then you must register with MVP Software.  To
"register" a shareware game means to purchase it directly from the
developer.  (Shareware games are evaluation versions only, which
means you have the right to try them, but after trying them you must
either register them with the author or delete them from your
system.  It is unlikely that anyone will check up on you, so
shareware works because of the honesty of users.)  When you register
you will receive Thor's Hammer: Trilogy Edition, which includes all
of the following additional features:

   * The complete trilogy -- all three episodes
   * New graphics
   * New monsters to battle
   * New characters to meet
   * More than nine megs of graphics, music and sound, and program files
   * The complete Thor's Hammer trilogy printed manual, including the
     cool hint book with tips and hints on how to get through those
     tough areas.

Thor's Hammer: Trilogy Edition is just $19.95 plus shipping.  So
order today!  Registered users receive a special offer on other MVP
products.

To order, call 800-968-9684 toll-free 24 hours a day.  Please have
your Master Card or Visa ready when you call.  Or fill out the order
form in this manual and fax it to: 616-245-3204.  Make sure your
credit card number and expiration date are legible.  Or if you
prefer mail the order form and your check to: MVP Software, 1035
Dallas SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507-1407.

For overseas orders or technical support call 616-245-8376.


    How to Register Online and Receive Thor's Hammer Immediately!

MVP is pleased that all MVP shareware products can now be registered
online, with immediate download of the registered version.  This
service is available to anyone in the world who has a Master Card or
Visa and can call from a modem.  To register Thor's Hammer or any
other MVP shareware game online, call InterComm at 1-310-286-0881.
Once you are connected, go to the MVP section.  There you may
download any MVP shareware program free of charge, or you may order
and immediately download any MVP non-shareware title or registered
title.  It's easy and it's fun, so call today.

       MVP is Now on the Internet and the World Wide Web!

You can get all of the latest MVP shareware releases, find out news
of future activities, get cool free stuff, and give feedback to MVP
on the Internet.  To visit our new home page, just set your WWW
browser to this URL:

              http://www.mvpsoft.com

While there, you can see descriptions of all our releases, download
the shareware versions with a click of your mouse button, and check
out full color screen shots for all of our games.  Be sure to leave
feedback telling us how you like our page!

If you prefer using direct ftp to get our files, you can find them
at the following sites:

   ftp.he.net/pub/mvpsoft
   ftp.uml.edu/msdos/games/mvp

These sites also have many mirrors, so just look for a game site
with an MVP directory, and you'll be assured of getting the best
games around!

                      MVP is Now on CompuServe!

You can get all of the latest MVP shareware releases, and discuss
MVP titles directly with the authors on MVP's new section on the
world's largest online information network, CompuServe.  Just type
GO MVPSOFT to get to our section!  If you are not a CompuServe
member you are eligible to receive a FREE trial membership,
including software and online time worth almost $55!  That's right,
you get the CompuServe Information Manager software for DOS or
Windows, which normally costs $29.95.  Plus you get a free first
month of online access, worth $9.95.  And to top it off, you get a
usage credit of $15 of additional online time.

To take advantage of this free trial membership to the largest
online service in the world, call 800-848-8199.  Ask for rep 671.
And then GO MVPSOFT and talk to the MVP team on CompuServe.


         Download All the Latest MVP Shareware Games FREE

If your favorite BBS doesn't have an MVP file section, then you may
be missing some great shareware.  To get all the latest and greatest
MVP shareware releases, call one of the leading boards listed below,
and check out the FREE MVP file area.

In Grand Rapids, Michigan -- Ryan's Bar [phone]
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin -- Exec-PC [phone]
In New York, New York -- The Invention Factory [phone]
In Boston, Massachusetts -- Channel 1 [phone]
In Kansas City, Missouri -- Sound Advice [phone]
In Palo Alto, California -- Space BBS [phone]
In Reston, Virginia -- World Data Network [phone]

Or call Intercomm Online at [phone], the new source for
all of MVP's shareware and registered software.

Even better, tell your favorite sysop about the MVP Distribution
Network and how he can be assured of getting all of the latest MVP
shareware hits as soon as they are released.  See the SYSOP.DOC file
for details.


                       Ordering Information

Thor's Hammer: Trilogy Edition is available from the following
authorized distributors:

In the United States:
--------------------
MVP Software
1035 Dallas SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507-1407
phone: [phone]-hour order line only
       [phone] information, technical support, or orders.
fax: [phone]
order price: $19.95 plus $4.00 shipping in the US, $5.00 shipping to
Canada, $6.00 shipping everywhere else.  Michigan residents please
add appropriate sales tax.

In Australia:
------------
Budgetware
9 Albermarle St
Newtown NSW 2042
phone: [phone]          Fax: [phone]
order price: $A30.00 (includes shipping)

In the United Kingdom:
---------------------
Oakley Data Services
3, Oakley Close
Sandbach
Cheshire CW11 9RQ
phone: [phone]         fax: [phone]
email 74774,[e-mail]
order price: L20 (includes shipping and taxes)

In Denmark and all of Scandanavia:
---------------------------------
Pro-Soft
Benloese Skel 4 G
DK 4100 Ringsted
phone: [phone]             Fax: [phone]
order price: 145,00 kr. + VAT 25% + s/h 25,00

In Japan:
--------
P. & A. Company Ltd
302 Bellwins, 1367-23
Nakagami, Akishima
Tokyo 196
phone: [phone]               Fax: [phone]
BBS: 425-46-9143
order price: 3015 yen includes shipping and taxes


Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
---------------------------------
Topware PD-Service GmbH
Quadrat 0 3, 2
68161 Mannheim
phone: [phone]       Fax: [phone]
order price: 33 DM (includes taxes) plus 6 DM shipping

Italy
-----
Systems Comunicazioni srl
via Olanda
6 - 20083 Gaggiano
phone: [phone]            Fax: [phone]
BBS: [phone]
order price: Lire 42.000 IVA inclusa

Spain
-----
Friendware S.L.
C/ Miguel Angel, 6 2-5
28010 Madrid
phone: [phone]            Fax: [phone]
CIS: 100413,1667
order price: 3.000 Pts


                  Thor's Hammer Trilogy Order Form

Name ______________________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________

City _______________________________ State ______ ZIP _____________

Country (if outside USA) __________________________________________

Price of Thor's Hammer Trilogy                               $19.95
Shipping and Handling (US)                                     4.00
Shipping and Handling (Canada)                                 5.00
Shipping and Handling (all other countries)                    6.00
Michigan residents add sales tax                               1.44
                                                              -----
Make check payable to "MVP Software"        Total enclosed:  $
Master Card/Visa information (credit card orders only)

Card number __________________________________________

Expiration date ______________________________________
-------------------------------------------------------------------
VOLUNTARY QUESTIONS:  Please help us determine what features you
====================  would like in future products.

Circle what type of equipment you have:  386  486SX  486DX  Pentium
Circle the speed of your computer(Mhz):  25  33  40  50  66  90  ___
Circle any that apply:   Joystick   Mouse   Modem_______   SVGA card
                                                 (speed)

Sound Capability:   Adlib   Sound Blaster   SB Pro   SB AWE32
    PC speaker only  Other ____________________________________

Where did you get Thor's Hammer?
Friend   CompuServe   AOL   Prodigy   Channel 1   Invention Factory
World Data Network   Ryan's Bar   Exec-PC   Space BBS   Sound Advice

BBS (name): _______________________  phone # _______________________
    address ________________________________________________________

Shareware Distributor (name): ______________________________________

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Send this order form and your check to:

MVP Software, 1035 Dallas S.E., Grand Rapids, MI  49507-1407
Checks must be in US funds and drawn on a US or Canadian bank.

US or Canada 24-hour order line: 800-968-9684.  Fax: [phone].
Tech support, information, or overseas order line: 616-245-8376.


                             GAME PLAY
Play Screen
-----------
Throughout the Thor's Hammer Trilogy, the play screen provides the
player with a means of viewing and manipulating the game world.  It
consists of a view window, game buttons, spell buttons, a status
window, and a compass.

View Window
-----------
This area displays the world from the player's point of view.  The
view window can be resized for personal preference by selecting
"options" from the disk menu.

Game Buttons
------------
These buttons provide basic game functions.  They can be activated
by clicking the first mouse button on them or by pressing the
specified keys.

   Disk Menu Button <Esc>
   ----------------------
   This button calls up the disk menu.  This menu enables the player
   to save and load games, change game options (i.e.  view window
   size, sound volume, joystick calibration, etc...), view the
   credits, and exit the game.

   Automap <M>
   -----------
   This button calls up a map of the current area.  The map is
   always oriented so that North is up and displays only the parts
   of the area the player has seen so far.

   Help <?>
   --------
   This button brings up the help screen, displaying the game
   controls.  By pressing the <Esc> button or by clicking the left
   mouse button on the uplifted corner of the page located at the
   bottom-right, the help screen toggles through the controls for
   keyboard, joystick, and mouse.

   Spell Buttons
   -------------
   These buttons allow the player to cast magic spells in the game.
   Each button represents a different spell.  They can be activated
   by clicking the left mouse button on them or by pressing the <F1>
   through <F5> keys.  The player begins the game without spells and
   must learn them during the quest.  At the start of the game, the
   five spell buttons are inactive and dim.  When the player learns
   a spell, its button lights up and becomes active, allowing the
   player to cast the spell.  If the player does not have enough
   magic to cast a given spell, its button remains frozen down and
   the spell cannot be cast.  See the "Magic" section for further
   explanation of the use of magic and the five spells.


Status Window
-------------
The status window occupies the lower portion of the play screen.  It
informs the player of his/her current status.  It displays the
player's health and magic (see "Health and Magic"), the keys the
player is carrying (see "Opening Doors"), the number of throwing
axes the player has (see Combat--Throwing Axes), and the weapon and
armor the player is currently using.

Compass
-------
The compass simply displays the direction that the player is facing.

Movement
--------
The player's movement can be controlled using the keyboard, mouse,
or joystick.  When using the keyboard, holding down the up or down
arrow keys causes the player to walk forward or backward.  Holding
down the <Shift> key makes the player run instead of walk.  Using
the left or right arrow keys turns the player to the left or right.

To control the player's movement with the mouse, the mouse cursor
must be positioned over the view window.  When the mouse cursor
enters the upper portion of the view window, it becomes an arrow
pointing up.  Similarly, when the mouse cursor enters the left,
right, or lower portions of the view window, it becomes an arrow
pointing left, right, or down, respectively.  Holding down the left
mouse button causes the player to move in the direction indicated by
the arrow.

When using the joystick, pushing the stick forward or backward
causes the player to walk forward or backward.  Holding joystick
button1 makes the player run instead of walk.  Pushing the stick
left or right turns the player to the left or right.

When dodging a fireball or stepping around a corner, it is sometimes
advantageous to step sideways and remain facing in the same
direction.  This maneuver is known as "strafing" and can be
accomplished by holding down the <Alt> key or holding joystick
button2.  While strafing, the player will walk to the side instead
of turning.

Health and Magic
----------------
The health bar displayed in the status window is simply a measure
of the player's physical wellbeing.  When the player is in full health,
the health bar is solid white.  As the player is injured, more and more
of the bar becomes gray.  When there is no more white remaining on the
health bar, the player dies and must reload or restart the game.

The magic bar displayed just under the health bar is a measure of
the player's magic energy.  When the magic bar is solid purple, the
player has the maximum amount of magic available.  Each of the five
spells cost a certain amount of magic energy.  As the player uses up
magic, more and more of the magic bar becomes gray.  If the player
does not have enough magic to cast a certain spell, its spell button
is frozen down and cannot be activated.


There are many ways to restore the player's health and magic.  One
such way is by drinking a potion.  White potions restore a portion
of the player's health while purple potions restore a portion of the
player's magic.  Potions can be found either on the ground or inside
chests.  In addition to restoring health or magic, a potion found in
a chest increases the player's maximum health or magic, thereby
increasing the length of the associated bar.  Of course, there are
other ways to restore health and magic.

Combat
------
Throughout the game, the player will be confronted by all manner of
ghastly creatures.  Sometimes, there is no alternative but to stand
and fight.  Pressing the <Ctrl> key, the right mouse button, or
joystick button1 causes the player to swing the weapon displayed in
the status window.  To successfully hit, the player must be facing a
monster and be standing within striking range.  Not every attack
that is within range is successful, however, so the player must be
very careful when attacking.

Throwing axes provide the player with the means to attack from a
distance - generally a much safer approach.  The player begins the
game without any throwing axes.  They can be found in chests
throughout the game.  Throwing axes can be thrown by pressing the
<Enter> key, by pressing both mouse buttons simultaneously, or by
pressing both joystick buttons simultaneously.  After throwing an
axe, the player must retrieve it by walking over it.  It is possible
to lose a throwing axe by throwing it somewhere where it cannot be
retrieved (such as into a lake).  If this happens, don't fret -
there is bound to be a way to get it back.

Miscellaneous Action
--------------------
There are many other actions that the player must do from time to
time, all of which are accomplished in the same way.  These actions
include opening and closing doors, searching for secret doors,
talking to people, reading signs, climbing ladders, pulling levers,
drinking from pools, opening chests, and learning magic spells.  By
pressing the spacebar on the keyboard or joystick button2, the
appropriate action will be performed on the person or object
directly in front of the player.  These actions can also be
performed using the mouse by moving the mouse cursor to the center
of the view window and clicking the left mouse button.

MONSTERS
--------
Many varieties of fierce beasts will attempt to stop you in your
quest.  The wise adventurer will acquaint himself with all the types of
monsters, in order to best devise strategies for victory.

   Bats
   ----
   The most common of all the creatures encountered is the lowly
   bat.  In small numbers, they provide no more than an annoyance to
   the seasoned warrior.  However, when found in great numbers, they
   have been known to surround and drain the blood from the
   mightiest of adventurers.  Bats are commonly found out in the


   open air, but they prefer to dwell in dark, cramped caves, where
   they are the most difficult to defeat.

   Goblins
   -------
   The blood-curdling shriek of the goblin suprises most creatures,
   and the goblin uses this cry to attempt to frighten away
   stronger creatures that might feed upon it.  Although able
   to fly, the goblin is a fairly weak creature.  The green
   goblin's tongue slap is more annoying that it is damaging,
   although there are rumored to be many types of goblins
   stronger than this commonly found variety.  One breed of
   goblin is even said to be able to breathe fire!

   Orcs
   ----
   Orcs are said to be a cross-breed between men and goblins.  They
   have some of the intelligence of a human, but lack the strength
   and speed of a true warrior.  However, they are better equipped
   than their goblin cousins, wielding short swords and round
   shields.  Occasionally, an orc chieftain will be found,
   distinguishable by the customary blue tunic, as well as his
   greater physical prowess.  Orcs are to be treated with more
   respect than a lowly bat or goblin, yet should not pose a serious
   problem if encountered in small numbers.

   Water Spirit
   ------------
   These mystical creatures defy all attempts at explanation.  Most
   say that they are creation of a powerful wizard who animated
   water itself for his own purposes.  Water spirits rise out of the
   water, casting a ball of water at the unwary adventurer before
   sinking below the surface.  Their missiles do little damage, but
   the spirits themselves are very difficult to kill, as they can
   only be hit when they are out of the water.

   Thief
   -----
   Thieves are the bane of all adventurers.  The common thief wears
   a brown robe and wields a knife.  His stealthy way of attacking
   adventurers from behind make him a worthy adversary.  Rogues,
   wearing blue robes, are slightly faster and cause more damage
   with their swords.  Worst of all are the dreaded assassins.
   These black-robed figures are incredibly agile, and often can
   circle around a normal man several times, stabbing all the while
   with his knife.  Assassins should be avoided at all costs.

   Zombie
   ------
   Many powerful sorcerors are not content to let their servants die
   peacefully.  Instead, they resurrect them from the dead to
   continue to serve as personal guards.  Zombies are very slow and
   notoriously stupid, but can sustain many blows, and their
   superhuman strength causes their punches to do incredible damage.
   Zombies are found deep underground, usually in the presence of a
   powerful wizard.


   Elementals
   ----------
   Elementals are also the product of a sorceror's spell.  In this
   case, the wizard tampered with the very fabric of nature itself
   to create an utterly evil being.  Water elementals are similiar
   to the water spirits but are humanoid from the waist up.  Fire
   elementals are animated pools of lava capable of hurling damaging
   balls of molten rock.  Air elementals are truly fearsome,
   appearing to blast the adventurer where he leasts expects it.
   All of the elementals are difficult, because they can only be
   struck when they appear to attack.

   Giant Worm
   ----------
   This breed of carnivorous worm have been the end to many a hardy
   warrior.  They are usually found in dark, dirt-floored caves,
   where they can rear up in front of the adventurer and attack him
   with their rows of sharp teeth.  After attacking, they sink back
   into the earth and positition themselves for their next attack.
   Giant worms are often found in packs, and are deadly if they
   surround the hero.

   Wraith
   ------
   Wraiths are evil, soulless monsters that wander the land,
   possessing only yellow eyes, a huge mouth, and and even bigger
   appetite.  They must consume the souls of living beings to stay
   animated, lacking souls of their own.  Wraiths like to inhabit
   dark, maze-like dungeons where they can remain concealed until
   they attack, often with devestating results.  Only the bravest
   warriors care to battle a wraith in it's own lair.

   Nezgul
   ------
   Often an especially evil wizard will promise his soul to a demon
   in exchange for increased powers and extended life.  When such a
   wizard dies, his remains turn into one of the most dreaded of all
   creatures: a nezgul.  These monsters summon powerful missiles out
   of thin air to blast the adventurer before he can get close.
   Most warriors would do well to avoid the fearsome nezgul at all
   costs.

   Wizard
   ------
   Wizards are the controllers of most of the evil monsters in the
   land.  They are usually quite weak and frail, yet cast deadly
   fireball spells at the hero.  Often wizards will surround
   themselves with lesser monsters to help weaken or delay the
   adventurer.

   Guardian
   --------
   Guardians are an ancient race of giants which turned to the side
   of evil many centuries ago.  They are the leaders of the armies
   of evil, second only to the Great Demon himself.  Though slow and
   cumbersome, they are almost impossible to damage, and do
   tremendous amounts of damage.  It is rumored that the leader of


   the the guardians is in possession of Thor's Hammer, and guards
   it with his life.

ITEMS
-----
Many objects can be found throughout the land.  Barrels, chests,
bags, and pools can be found everywhere, ouside and deep within the
earth.  Barrels and bags contain items such as food or clothing
which are useless to the adventurer.  Chests, however, can contain
such important items as potions, armor, or throwing axes.  Potions
are covered in the section entitled Health and Magic.  Keys are used
to open locked doors.  When a key is picked up, it will appear in
the status window.  There are five types of keys, and each type of
key opens a certain type of door.  The color of the key must match
the color of the lock on the door to open it.

WEAPONS AND ARMOR
-----------------
The adventurer will gain many types of hand-to-hand weapons on his
quest.  All hand-to-hand weapons are found lying on the ground.  The
weapon with which the hero starts is a simple hand axe.  Whenever
the hero gains a new hand weapon, it replaces the old in the status
window as the hero drops his old weapon in favor of the new.  The
ultimate hand-to-hand weapon that the hero can gain is Thor's
Hammer.  This mighty weapon calls down a mighty bolt of lightning
with every swing, and can kill many monsters in a single blow.

The adventurer will also come across throwing axes, which he will
find extremely useful in his quest.  Throwing axes are always found
in chests.  A throwing axe must be picked up before it can be thrown
again.  The number of throwing axes currently possessed is shown in
the status window.  Magical pendants can also be found which
increase the power of the adventurer's throwing axes.  These
pendants are found on pedestals throughout the land.  Whenever a
pendant is found, it is displayed in the status window along the
bottom of the playscreen.

There are three types of armor that the adventurer can find in this
land as well.  Armor is always found within chests.  The type of
armor currently worn is shown in the status window.  When a new type
of armor is picked up, it automatically replaces the old armor.

SPELLS
------
   Fireball
   --------
   The fireball spell is one of the easiest types of magic to learn,
   yet one of the most useful.  This spell creates a dazzling ball
   of flame which flies at your opponents.  The fireball spell also
   uses the least amount of magic out of all of the spells.

   Heal Casting
   ------------
   This spell instantly heals some of your injuries, restoring a
   small part of your health.  This spell is particularly useful
   when far away from health potions or civilization.


   Air Blast
   ---------
   Air blast is similiar to the fireball spell, but summons a
   damaging whirlwind instead of a ball of flame.  Air blast costs
   more magic to cast, yet does substantially more damage than the
   fireball spell.

   Time Stop
   ---------
   This miraculous spell distorts the very fabric of space and time
   itself.  The progression of time is stopped everywhere except for
   a small field around the caster, enabling him to move when all
   others are frozen.  This spell is temporary, and uses a
   substantial amount of magic to cast.

   Kablooie
   --------
   The kablooie spell is the most devastating spell of all.  A
   violent earthquake erupts when this spell is cast, destroying
   nearly everything in an area around the caster.  Only the
   strongest monsters can survive a blast from this fearsome spell.

----
Thor's Hammer
PC GAMER
February 1996