Realmz is not free, it's shareware. If you play Realmz and like it, please fill out the registration form in chapter 3 of this manual and send it in with your registration fee. In return we will send you a registration code so you can personalize your copy of Realmz and gain some additional benefits.
You may pass along copies of this version of Realmz as long as you pass along only complete unregistered copies, with all files in an unaltered state. You may not charge for Reamlz for any reason. You may post it to BBS's, Internet ftp sites and On-Line services, but may not charge for it in any way other than normal charges associated with connection time. You may not distribute Realmz on any form of media such as floopy disk or CD Rom without permission from Fantasoft to do so. If you would like to request permission to do so you can contact us at: Fantasoft1@aol.com
If you want a copy of the most recent version mailed to you on disks fill out the order form in chapter 4 of this manual.
The benefits of having a registered copy are these:
1) The about box will not appear every time you play Realmz.
2) You will be able to create characters starting as high as the 12th level in ability.
3) You will not be restricted on the maximum levels allowed to begin an adventure.
4) You will be able to play a large portion of scenarios that are released in the future before you decide if you like it or not.
5) Your characters will be saved as they gain levels, otherwise they may only rise to level 3.
6) Your support will help ensure the continued development of Realmz and new scenarios.
Once you have registered your copy of Realmz then your copy will no longer be shareware, so please don't distribute it.
As time goes by new scenarios will become available. If you have registered your copy of Realmz then you will be able to play a large portion of these scenarios. All we ask is that you pay a small fee for each additional scenario you play before you can finish it. These fees will range from $5 - $20 depending on the size and complexity of the scenario. The exact method of distribution for these scenarios as it stands now is by the shareware method. i.e. We will distribute them to the major pay services and ftp sites on the Internet.
We also plan on releasing a character editor as a separate application in the near future. This editor will allow you to create characters that reflect the abilites of characters you have with other gaming systems, but would like to play in Realmz.
[ Realmz represents three years of intensive effort, and is a quality work. Please do not alter, hack or clone this program except for YOUR OWN private use! Shareware programs as elegant as this one come along only 'once in a blue moon'! Please do not undermine the shareware concept by keeping this program and not paying for it. I encourage you to support Mr. Phillips' efforts by registering your copy, and by sending your comments and messages of encouragement to him! Let a sense of integrity and honesty be your guide in this matter. Sincerely, L.E.F., Manual Editor ]
Your characters from version 1.2** or later will be able to adventure onward with all the items and skills they have acquired in The City of Bywater.
** Due to the extreme complexity of this game there is no way to anticipate every possible problem ahead of time so I reserve the right to make whatever changes to the game and its playability at any time. I have put in a lot of effort to make sure that I could add new features with minimal changes to the interface or file formats, but eventually a major overhaul may be required. If that happens, I will try to include ways of converting old characters to the new format but I can't guarantee anything.
If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, bug reports, etc., please send them c/o Correspondence to the same address as above or E-Mail us at:
America Online: Fantasoft1
Compuserve: 74163,45
Internet: Fantasoft1@aol.com
If you need a reply to a question by U.S. Mail, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope to facilitate a quick reply with a minimum of effort on our part.
Bug reports and manual suggestions: ALWAYS include the version of Realmz you have. A lot of things change and without the version number it is pretty tough to verify the problem. Please try to be as specific as possible. A comment such as, "It crashes all the time," is too vague, and will not be of any real value in correcting the problem. Try and describe were you were and what you were doing.
I would like to thank the following people in helping to make Realmz possible:
My wonderful wife, Erin Phillips, who patiently (and sometimes not so patiently) supported me by putting up with numerous weekends and evenings over the last 3 1/2 years while I worked an almost full-time second non-paying job, attempting to create this dream and make it a reality.
Pete "Mr. Vegas" Hagen: Fantasoft LLC.
Sean "Iron Ball" Sayres: Fantasoft LLC.
Glenn Andreas: The cool font and some nifty pictures were derived from his game "Theldrow". Not to mention that Theldrow was a big motivator for me to start Realmz. Look for the future release of his latest creation "Chimera".
Lance Linimon for lending a hand in the sound department. Lance has been involved in music and sound since he began playing piano at the age of three. Not long after, he began tinkering around with tape recorders, sound effects records and Moog synthesizers. He has since made music a lifetime hobby and a possible career. Lance has composed a great deal of music, including songs recorded by bands in which he's played an integral role as keyboardist or guitarist, a string quartet which has performed across his home state, music for a play and numerous other works. Several bands repeatedly use him as their producer and engineer on demos and local releases. He is currently preparing to work on solo material in his home studio. His influences include Dead Can Dance (which vaguely inspired Realmz's intro music), Cocteau Twins, Mission of Burma, Supercollider, Wire and Red House Painters, among many others. He can be reached at E-mail address: Linimon@delphi.com.
Lane Foulk for being the first registered owner of Realmz, and for volunteering to edit the Realmz manual. Lane is a 9th grade math and computer teacher, 15-year veteran RPGer, church deacon. Introduced to the Apple // computer in about 1979, the combination had him hooked. Beginning with Akalabeth, Wizardry, Bard's Tale and games of similar ilk, Lane walked the dangerously thin line between keeping a job and wife, raising two beautiful children, and trying to support the fantasy gaming habit while maintaining some semblance of sanity. Some would argue as to whether he's succeeded or not... In any event, Lane graduated to the Macintosh, playtested the beta version of Realmz, and made a few helpful suggestions, correcting Tim's near-perfect spelling and punctuation! >;-) Lane can be reached as 'Troubador' on AOL, or on the Internet at: lfoulk@lps.esu18.k12.ne.us.
The beta testers: Randy Lee, Don Henson, Neil Shapiro and Brett Pawlowski.
Also some of the others who chimed in with special insights or graphics: Chris Johnson, Terry Schussler, John H. Chrostowski, A. Wesley Reese, Andrew Dyer, Gerry Inks, Adam Neuman and Louis I. Dagen and Andy Hunter.
All Fantasy RPG'ers everywhere: For bothering to read this far. (I don't think I would have.)
