C O N Q U E S T O F C A M E L O T ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ KING ARTHUR - The Search For The Grail Typed By THE TWINS -------------- INTRODUCTION -------------- The trick with writing a story or game based upon a popular set of legends is to walk that thin line between tradition and originality. What I've striven to do with this game is to balance history and myth, fact and imagination, entertainment and information. Rather than adhere slavishly (and boringly) to specific stories, I drew upon the essence of the Arthurian legends and other mythologies to create a blend which I think will challenge you and entertain you at the same time. You will certainly encounter ideas that you never found associated with a King Arthur story anywhere else. Before you start, take the time to read through this book. Much of the information is vital to playing the game. You will find tips and hints that will help you get the most enjoyment from your game. I guarantee you'll discover new and unusual pieces of history, not just in this book, but hidden layer within layer throughout the game. A word about copy protection as an experiment, we are not doing any copy protections on these disks. It would be quite difficult to play the game without this book, but there is no foolproof method of preventing someone from pirating a game. Pirating can vary from the person who deliberately sets out to distribute a game to as many people as possible to the player who casually loans his disks to a few friends to copy. But consider this: my husband and I have spend a year of our lives working virtually every day of every week to create this game for you. I have done uncountable hours of research, laboring over every detail, to make this the best game I can produce. Every time someone pirates this game whether to one person or to hundreds, that is money that we the creators will never see. That is money we don't get to pay rent or buy food or get our cars fixed or, perish the thought maybe see a movie once in a while. A pirate who steals this game is not simply depriving a faceless corporation of a few measly bucks. He or she is taking significant earnings away from the creative people who have worked harder than that pirate can imagine for an entire year. That goes for any game and any software that is sold. It's no different than stealing a book from a bookstore or stealing a painting from an art gallery. Pirating is not cute or clever or justified. It's theft, pure and simple. And we, the creative people who pour our hearts and souls into our work, do not appreciate it. As a purchaser you can spread this message to those who think it's okay to pirate, which is the first step in preventing it. And that WILL be appreciated. Thank you, Christy Marx THIS IS HEREBY DONE ! CONQUEST OF CAMELOT ------------------------------- KING ARTHUR: HISTORY VS. MYTH ------------------------------- Archaeological diggings at a hill known as Cadbury in central southern England have revealed the remains of a fortress dating roughly to the 6th century, based on an even older Roman fortress before that. Cadbury is a location many associate with one of the most famous locations of all times - Camelot. There are many indications that there was a powerful war leader in that time by the name Arthur, Artur, Artos, Artorius and other variations. A Welsh history from about 850 A.D., the Historia Britonum, provides the earliest written record of him. The 10th century Annales Cambriae even mentions his date of death as 537 A.D. He was not known as King Arthur, though at one point he seems to have had the title "emperor." During his time, the Roman rule of Britain had ended, leaving behind a chaos that would evolve into the Dark Ages. The historical Arthur was noted as probably having a Roman education which he used to create a swift and effective body of cavalry and would have been the last major figure of power before post-Roman Britain sank into its decline. This made his lustre as a warlord shine all the more in the darkness that followed. Whoever this historical figure may have been, he would be amazed to find himself identified with the Arthurian legends we know today. The mythological story of King Arthur says that he was the son of Uther Pendragon. King of the Britons. Arthur was conceived and born in Tinragel then was taken away and raised in secret by the wizard Merlin. When Arthur reached manhood he proved he was the true king by drawing a sword from a stone. This sword broke in battle and he received another sword, Caliburn (later renamed Excalibur), from the Lady of the Lake. He gathered valiant knights around him and built a round table so they would all sit as equals around it. He built the magnificent stronghold of Camelot. He married Gwenhyver (or Guinevere) and though she loved him, she also loved one of his greatest knights, Sir Launcelot, Launcelot loved her and was forever torn between this love and his loyalty to Arthur. Arthur fought and won many battles, but was finally mortally wounded by his own nephew-son, Mordred. He was not burried, but was carried away by three Fairy Queens on a boat to the mysterious island of Avalon, where he was to be cured of his wounds and then sleep until the day he was needed again. This barely scratches the surface of a rich and complex body of myths which have combined and grown over the centuries into the Arthurian Cycle. Very ancient Welsh and celtic legends link him to the constellation of Ursa Major (The Big Bear because his name in Welsh, Arth Vawr, meant Heavenly Bear, meaning that he was a god in his earliest form. Numerous other gods and goddesses lost their divinity and became his knights, rival kings and various ladies. An early Welsh Goddess, Gwenhwyiar, resurfaced much later as Arthur's queen, Guinevere. There are scores of Welsh and Celtic legends about larger-than-life heroes who go upon monumental quests, rescue or win their ladies, and search for miraculous treasures. They faced giants, visited magical islands and fought in the underworld. Most of these colorful tales eventually found their way into the Arthurian Cycle in one form or another. In the 2nd century A.D., 5.500 Sarmatians who were defeated by the Romans in a battle on the frozen Danube were sent in exile to northwestern England to serve as border guard against the Scottish Picts in the north. These Sarmatians originally came from southern Russia and were roving, marauding mounted warriors complete with chainmail and heavy lances. More significantly, they brought with them an entire body of tales about a heroic king named Batradz who had a body of loyal knights, a sword in a stone, a miraculous cup, and a magic sword that had to be thrown into an enchanted lake as he lay dying. All of these elements and more seem to have been assimilated into the Arthurian legends. From the 12th century enward, the legends acquired the themes of chivalry and couraly love, devotion to a particular lady which arrived along with the Normans who invaded England and brought with them the troubadour influence of France. During this time, Launcelot appeared significant figures, caught in the tragic love triangle with Arthur. At this late point also the Round Table was added to the stories. And finally, around the same time, the Arthurian legends were Christianized and, later still, the quest for the Grail was attached and gained dominance. The theme of sin causing the downfall of Camelot and the need for the healing grace of the Grail are now completely associated with King Arthur, yet they are very late additions. Century after century, storytellers continue to embellish and embroider this facinating mix of history, mythology and pure fantasy. ------------------------------ THE GRAIL AND THE SACRED CUP ------------------------------ Grail derives from the Medieval Latin word "cratella" meaning "bowl". One of the Medieval writers of the Arthurian saga, the 12th century French Poet, Chretien de Troyes, left behind after his death an unfinished poem about a knight-hero named Perceval. This poem was taken up and used by later writers until it became the story of Parzifal and his encounter with the Holy Grail and the Spear of Longinus (the Roman spear to pierce Christ in the ribs as he hung on the cross). In 1485, the most famous of the Arthurian storytellers, Sir Thomas Malory, wrote Morte d'Arthur (The Death of Arthur) in which the search for the Grail became a permanent part of the legends affixed to the court of Camelot. In these various versions, the only knight who ultimately proved pure enough to see or possess the Grail were Parzifal (Percival), Sir Bors and Galahad. The basic myth says that Joseph of Arimathea was a priest of Jerusalem who spervised the burial of Jesus. He acquired the cup from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper and into it gathered drops of Christ's blood, either while Jesus as on the cross or during his burial, Joseph brought the Grail to Britain where he establish a shrine on Glastonbury Tor. But there is no doubt that the Grail legend itself is firmly based upon the much more ancient myths of the Sacred Cup of the Goddess. In virtually every mythology in every culture, the cup or chalice or cauldron is a symbol of feminine power, the ability to create life and grant fertility. Just as the Grail was reputed to have the power to heal and give endless food and drink, so were there endless older myths of a Sacred Cup or cauldron which gave life or other boons. It appeared in the earliest legends of Egyptian, Babylonian, Indian and Norse mythology where it was linked to a Goddess (or a female trinity as a Triple Goddess) who gave birth to the universe and often there were three cauldrons from which various gods and heroes would drink to gain power or knowledge. To the Celts, it was the Cauldron of Regeneration in which injured or slain warriors could be resurrected. In other tales, it was a bowl that provided endless food and drink that was wrested from the underworld, or the cauldron of a giant. To the Welsh, it was one of the Thirteen Treasures of Britain, the enchanted Cauldron of Inspiration that would not cook the meat of a liar or a coward. To the Sarmatians, it was "Amonga," a magic cup that gave endless rood and drink and also would not boil the meat of a coward. Even the Christian legend of St. John the Evangelist associated him with rebirth from a boiling cauldron until his festival was expunged from Christian calendars in 1960. That the Grail is really the Sacred Cup of the Goddess is inescapable, even in the name of Joseph of Arimathea. The literal translation of "Arinmathea" means "belonging to the Goddess-mother Mari." THE MESSAGE OF THE ROSE ----------------------------- THE LANGUAGE OF THE FLOWERS ----------------------------- From the earliest days of civilization, flowers have been given special meanings. For example, the rose has a long association with love, sexuality and with many goddesses, the Virgin Mary, and the science of alchemy. Not only the flower itself, but often the color indicated what significance was attached to it. There are many legends of flowers springing up where drops of blood or tears fell to the ground. What follows is a list of flowers and their meanings: Almond blossom.....................................................hope Anemone..................................................withered hopes Aster......................................................afterthought Buttercup.........................................memories of childhood Carnation....................................................heartbreak Columbine.........................................................folly Chrysanthemum yellow......................................slighted love Chrysanthemum white...............................................truth Cornflower.....................................................celibacy Daffodil..........................................................death Forget-me-not.................................................true love Hyacinth............................................sport, game or play Lily, white......................................................purity Lily, yellow..................................................falsehood Orchid........................................................seduction Periwinkle, blue.......................................early friendship Periwinkle, white...................................pleasures of memory Poppy, red..................................................consolation Poppy, scarlet...................................fantastic extravagance Snowdrop............................................hope or consolation Sunflower...................................................haughtiness Tulip, red..........................................declaration of love Tulip, yellow.............................................hopeless love Violet.............................................................lust --------------- SIX GODDESSES --------------- Astarte Astarte was the Goddess of Byblos from which cur word for "bible" originated. She was known as the Star, the Moon the Heavenly Virgin, Queen or the Stars and the Queen of Heaven. Some of her other names were Tanit Ishtar (the star) Astroache (Queen of the Stars) and Attar- Samayin (Morning Star of Heaven) The Israelites burned incense, offered wine and baked cakes in her honor. Her great shrines were at Byblos and Aphaca (known today as Afka). King Solomon built a sanctuary to her in Jerusalem. Her priestesses were famous astrologers. Athene She is best known as the Greek Goddess sacred to the city of Athens. Originally, she was a Libyan goddess imported from North Africa. In the Greek legends she was born from the head of Zeus. She has dozens of attributes which include warrior-goddess and protectress of heroes; patron of architects, sculptors, spinners and weavers; protectress of horses and oxen; and a counsellor-goddess famed for her wisdom. The owl is associated with her. Sulphur is an element identified with her because it was believed that burning brimstone (sulphur) would drive away the evil spirits that caused disease. Athene's major temple was the Parthenon which means "virgin-house." Ceres Was a Roman Goddess with the title "Mother of the Harvest." Her Greek name was Kore the virgin aspect of Demerer. She ruled over all grains and the words "cereal kernel cere corn" comes from her name. Her major early-summer festival was called the Cereaha celebrated on April 19th. Farmers performed rituals for her to safeguard their crops. One of her other titles was "Ceres the lawgiver" and her priestesses were important in founding the Roamn legal system. Her sacred "matronne" (women of rank) ruled Rome from 599-219 B.C. Isis She was the major Great Goddess of Egypt, known also as Hathor. She was considered the mother of every other god created in the primevel time. Two of her titles were "Giver of Life" and "The One Who is all." She gave birth to the sun. The Pharaohs believed she would grant them immortality by resurrecting them after death as she did her husband Osiris. Some Egyptians believed that the yearly flood of the Nile was caused by her teardrop. She was enormously popular with the Romans who called her "the eternal savior of the race of men." Her son was Horus, the Egyptian Divine Child. The word "pastor" comes from "Pastopheri" meaning "servants of Isis." Venus She was the Roman version of Aphrodite. Her sign represents the female gender in both plants and animals. She is associated with love and sexuality. Mirrors are objects considered sacred to her. the morning and evening "star" (in reality; a planet) was named after her. Her sacred day was Friday on which her followers would eat fish. Julius Caesar built a marble and gold temple in her honor. In alchemy, her symbol stands for copper. Her main shrine was on Cyprus which was a center for mining copper. She was once also a Lady of Animals and the word "vension means literally "Venus' son." Vesta She was the Roman version of the Greek goddess, Hestia. She was considered the "guardian of the innermost things" - home and hearth. Her name comes from "vas" a Sanscrit word meaning approximately "shinning." She personified earth, and domestic and religious fire. The perpetual sacred fire of her temples was tended by six women known as the Vestal Virgins. Young girls who entered this order took strict vows of chastity for thirty years after which they could marry. The fire of her hearth/altar was considered to be the center of the earth. ---------------------------- THE MYTHOLOGY OF APHRODITE ---------------------------- Aphorodite She is a fundamental Goddess known by scores of names with dozens of attributes. Aphrodite is simply the name by which she came to be known via the Greeks, but she was an ancient deity even then. She was variously considered the goddess of life, ideal or chaste love, sexuality, marriage, childbirth, fate, death, arts, crafts, culture, hunting and the sea. She was truly a queen among goddesses. From 70 A.D., her cult dominated the main temple of Jerusalem. There is a legend that in the 4th century the Empress Helena, mother of Constantine found the true cross (on which Christ was crucified) hidden in a crypt beneath the temple of Aphrodite in Jerusalem. The sacred number of Aphrodite is six. Symbols associated with her and representing fertility are the dove and the apple. Aphrodite And Adonis Adonis was a youth of such extraordinary beauty that he was adored by Aphrodite. When he was but a child, she hid him inside a chest which she left in the care of Persephone, goddess of the underworld. But Persephone disobeyed Aphrodite and opened the chest. Seeing Adonis, she too fell in love with him. When Aphrodite cam to fetch the young man, Persephone refused to release him. The warring goddesses ended their dispute when Zeus decreed tha Adonis would spend half of the year with Aphrodite and half of the year in the underworld with Persephone. But Ares, the god of War, was jealous of Aphrodite and her passion for Adonis. He transformed himself into a boar, waited for the young man to go hunting, and fatally gored him, leaving Aphrodite to bitterly mourn her lost love. Aphrodite And Pygmalion Pygmalion was a sculptur who lived on the island of Cyprus. Aphrodite was displeased with the women of his town, who had refused to accept that she was divine. She cursed them so that they lost all sense of modesty and would give themselves to any man who came along. Because of their behavior, Pygmalion disdained the company of women, but nonetheless he devoutly worshipped Aphrodite. He remained alone, carving his statues. One such statue, carved of ivory, was of a woman so beautiful that he fell deeply in love with her image. But she was only a statue until Aphrodite heard his prayers and pleas. Pygmalion was rewarded for his devotion. The cold ivory turned to warm flesh as his statue came to life and embrached him. Aphrodite And Hippolytus Hippolytus was the son of King Theseus. He was an avid hunter who rode out every day in his chariot. Aphrodite loved him because of his handsome form, but he scorned her love and the love of all women. Furious at being rejected by the handsome prince, Aphrodite caused his stepmother, Phaedra, to fall in love with him, but Hippolytus rejected her as well. Phaedra convinced Theseus that his son had raped her whereupon the King called upon the sea-god, Poseidon, to exact vengeance. While Hippolytus drove his chariot along the shore of the Saronic Gulf. Poseidon sent a fierce bull from the waves to panic the horses. They stampeded and Hippolytus was dragged to his death behind the chariot. ------------------------- HOW TO READ THIS MANUAL ------------------------- Throughout this manual we will use the following ways of representing information: MENU COMMANDS will be CAPITALIZED. Example: SAVE, RESTORE, QUIT, PAUSE GAME. Typed commands will appear as bold type. Example: type: [example game command]. type:"cd\sierra",'type:' should not be typed. [EXAMPLE TEXT] and [Keystrokes] will appear in brackets setting them off from the surrounding text. Example: [NAME OF GAME] [NAME OF DIRECTORY] [Spacebar] [Tab], [PageUp]. The brackets are not keystrokes and should not be typed. Two or more keys that should be pressed at the same time will be separated by a hyphen (-). This hyphen is not a keystroke, and should not be typed. Example:'Press [Ctrl] to view your inventory.' If a space appears between parts of a command it is meant to be typed. Example: 'type: cd\sierra' (the space between cd and \sierra should be typed as part of the command). The term 'diskette' is used to refer to either 3.5 or 5.25 data storage disks. PLEASE NOTE: There is a README file on your game diskette. It may contain important information and instructions that were not available at the time the documentation and other materials for this game were printed. Failure to review the README file before installing the program may cause unexpected results during installation, leading or playing the game. Installing The Game Note:RENAME your copies of all game disks to remove the words'COPY OF' from the disk name. If the words 'COPY OF' are not removed from the disk names of ALL the copies, the system will continue to ask for the original disk, and will not run the game. ----------------------- MOVING YOUR CHARACTER ----------------------- You may move your character on the screen with the [Arrow] keys, the numeric keypad, the joystick, or the mouse. To halt your character's steps with the keypad, press the number 5, or press the last used direction key again. Do not attempt to move the character by holding down the direction key. This will cause the character to start and stop continuosly, resulting in very slow progress. Using the mouse, position the arrow where you want the character to move, then click the left mouse button (if your mouse has multiple buttons). ------- MENUS ------- When you press [ESC], a menu bar will appear at the top of your screen with several menus that can be opened to show the command choices available to you. -------------------------- KEYS TO USE IN THE MENUS -------------------------- Use the left and right [Arrow] keys to open a menu, and the up and down [Arrow] keys to highlight items within a menu. Press [ENTER] to select a highlighted command. Press [ESC] to return to the game without choosing a command. -------------------- GAME SPEED CONTROL -------------------- At times it may be useful to slow down the speed of the game animation in order to negotiate a tricky section, or observe something more carefully. At other times, you may wish to speed up the game actions. To increase or decrease animation speed, choose FASTER or SLOWER from the Speed Menu, or use the [+] key to increase speed, the [-] key to decrease speed, or the [=] key to return to normal animation speed. -------------------------------- SHORT CUTS FOR COMMON COMMANDS -------------------------------- You can use function and control keys to short cut many common commands. [F1] Help [F2] Toggle sound on/off [F3],[Spacebar] Repeat previous command [F5] Save Game [F7] Restore (saved) Game [F8] Draw, Sheathe Excaliber (toggle FIGHTING mode) [F9] Restart Game (from beginning) [Spacebar] (in fighting mode only)...Swing Excaliber [Shift] (in fighting mode only)...Parry [Tab] Inventory [Ctrl-I] Inventory [Ctrl-O] Open Purse [Ctrl-P] Pause Game [Ctrl-Q] Quit Game [+] Increase Animation Speed [-] Decrease Animation Speed [=] Normal Animation Speed [Ctrl-V] Change Volume [Shift-Click] 'Look' at an object (see below) SHIFT-CLICK Shift-Click is a feature that will allow you to 'look' at a person or object using your mouse. Place the mouse arrow on the desired person or object then hold down the [Shift] key and press the mouse button. You will now receive a descriptive message. PLEASE NOTE: Multi-button mouse users should use the RIGHT mouse button and need not press [Shift]. -------------------- USING YOUR TAB KEY -------------------- While playing Sierra games, your [Tab] key will perform two major functions. You will use it to review the items in your inventory, and also (if you're not using a mouse) to select options from certain menus. The following menus will require the use of the [Tab] key for highlighting menu options: Menu.....................Choose from Restart Game.............Restart, Continue Quit Game................Quit, Don't Quit Save Game................Save, Cancel, Change Directory [Death Message Box]......Restore, Restart, Quit Using the Mouse (optional) Your mouse will be useful to you in moving your character, and in learning about your surroundings. To move your character using the mouse, position the arrow to where you want the character to move, then click the left mouse button. In many scenes, you can find out about a person or object by using the [Shift-Click] feature described in 'Short Cuts For Common Commands'. Also when a message box appears on your screen prompting you to press a function key (such as [F6]), you may point and click on the message box to produce the same results. Retyping Commands If you wish to repeat a command select RETYPE from the ACTION menu or press the [SPACEBAR] or [F3]. Inventory If you wish to see the items you are carrying, select INVENTORY from the Action menu, press [Ctrl-I], or press the [Tab] key. A list of the items you are carrying will be displayed. To look more closely at an item, use your [Arrow] keys to highlight the item and press [ENTER]. A picture of the item, along with a brief description, will appear on your screen. Press [ENTER] or [ESC] to resume play. Pausing Your Game If you wish to pause the game, select PAUSE from the Action menu, or press [Ctrl-P]. Press [ESC] or [ENTER] to resume play. Saving Your Game If you wish to save your game, select SAVE from the File menu, or press [F5]. To allow for errors in judgement and creative exploration, we recommend that you frequently save your game in progress, and that you save several different games from different points as you play. You will always want to save your game before encountering potentially dangerous situations. You should also save your game after you have made significant progress. Please note: If you're playing from diskettes, you must have a separate formatted diskette ready before you can save a game. Since each disk can only hold a limited number of games, we recommend that you have more than one disk formatted, in order to assure adequate space for save game storage. If you choose to save games to your hard disk, we suggest that you create one or more save game directories or folders on your hard disk. See your computer's instructions for creating directories or folders. You may name your saved games using standard English phrases. For example, if you are standing on a sandy beach, you might call your game 'standing on sandy beach', or simply 'beach'. Restoring Your Game Select RESTORE from the File menu, or press [F7]. You will be prompted to select the game you wish to restore. (On a single drive system, you will be prompted to insert your save game disk). Highlight the desired game and select RESTORE. If the game you wish to restore is in a different directory, select CHANGE DIRECTORY. Please note: If you do not have a mouse, use the [Tab] key to toggle between RESTORE and CHANGE DIRECTORY. Quitting Your Game To stop playing, select QUIT from the File menu, or press [Ctrl-Q]. Restarting Your Game If you wish to restart your game at any time during play, select RESTART from the file menu, or press the [F9] key. The game will begin again (INSERT GAME SPECIFIC INFORMATION). --------------------------------------- TIPS FOR PLAYING CONQUESTS OF CAMELOT --------------------------------------- In this game it is important to look for visual clues and to gather information. Anyone you meet might have vital clues. Don't hesitate to ask characters about other characters or objects when you talk to them. Keep pen and paper handy and be prepared to make notes along with your maps. ---------------------------------------- COMMUNICATING WITH CONQUEST OF CAMELOT ---------------------------------------- CONQUEST OF CAMELOT understands many common verbs. Here are some you might try: ASK HIRE SEARCH MOUNT BUY EAT CUT SIT THROW CLIMB GET PUSH BREAK USE CLOSE GIVE READ STAND DISMOUNT DRINK OPEN CALL TAKE DRAW LOOK TRADE FIND HELP KNEEL MOVE PAY PRAY KNOCK KILL SELL TALK SMELL STAND WEAR KISS You can generally interact with the game by typing simple commands consisting of as little as a noun and a verb. For instance, the command sit in the chair can be shortened to sit in chair, or even sit. Unless otherwise directed, follow all typed commands with [ENTER]. Many characters in the game will have information of one kind or another for you. To talk with a character, type: talk to [character] for example: talk to man. You may encounter objects you need along the way. To take an object, type: take or get [object]. For example, take the note. You will need to use the objects you acquire as you explore. You can try different things such as typing: use the [object], or give the [object] to [character]. Different approaches to a puzzle may bring about a different outcome. Pay close attention to details. To examine objects, type look at the [object], (for example: look at the table), or press [Ctrl-L], then type the name of the object. To get a general description of the current room or scene, type look around, or use your mouse to choose LOOK from the menu. A message window will appear after you enter each command, and at other times during the game. When you have read the message, press [ENTER] to remove the window and resume play. ---------------- USING YOUR MAP ---------------- When you leave Camelot, you will use a map to travel to other locations important to your quest. Use your cursor keys to click with your quest. Use your cursor keys or click with your mouse to select a location and read the message that accompanies it. A polite message will inform you if travelling to the location you have chosen will not benefit you. If this is the case, press [ENTER] or click again with mouse to remove the message and choose another location on the map. When you have chosen an area that will be helpful to your cause, press [ENTER] to travel to the desired location. You won't be able to move to another location while a message is on the screen. LOOK everywhere. Thoroughly explore your surroundings. Open chests and drawers. Look closely at all objects you encounter for valuable objects and clues. EXPLORE each area of the game very carefully. Search every area of the game. Be careful!! There are many hazards awaiting you! DRAW A MAP as you progress through the game. Make a note of each area you visit, and include information about objects found there and dangerous areas nearby. If you miss an area, you may miss an important clue! GET objects you think you will need. You will come across a number of objects that may be of use to you later. You can see an inventory of items on hand by pressing the [Tab] key at any time. USE the items you have picked up to solve problems in the game, or to help you to make progress and discover more clues. BE CAREFUL, and remain alert at all times disaster may strike in the most unlikely of places. ----------------- USING EXCALIBUR ----------------- When battle is imminent, you can use the [F8] ey to draw Excalibur. Remember that once you have drawn your sword you are committed to battle. Your only options at this point are to fight, press the [F8] key to sheathe Excalibur, or restore to a previously saved game. NOTE: When in Fighting Mode, typed input will not be accepted until you hit the [F8] to sheathe Excalibur. --------------- USING A SPEAR --------------- If you should find yourself armed with a spear instead of your sword, hit the [SPACEBAR] to use your spear at the right moment. ---------- TO JOUST ---------- Your lance is controlled by your numeric keypad, and your shield by the S, E, F, & D keys. See the illustration below for jousting instructions. SHIELD LANCE S=LEFT, E=UP 2=DOWN, 4=LEFT, F=RIGHT, 5=CENTER, 6=RIGHT, D=DOWN 8=UP --------------- FIGHTING MODE --------------- In Fighting Mode (Excalibur is drawn), you will use the [Spacebar] to swing your sword. The [Shift] key should be used to parry or block with your shield. Use your [Arrow] keys or your mouse to move Arthur. These rules apply generally throughout the game with the exception of using a spear, jousting, and the Saracen Battle. ---------------- SARACEN BATTLE ---------------- In your battle to the death with the Saracen, you face an opponent who is well-armed skilled and cunning. Hitting keys at random will only wear you down more quickly. Fight as though this were a real battle. Observe what patterns your foe uses and learn to anticipate him. Defending yourself with your shield is as important as striking with your sword, Think, observe, and use strategy. -------------- HOW TO FIGHT -------------- Your sword attacks and your shield parries (block the Saracen's attack). You use all 9 keys on your numeric keypad and the letter "r" on your letter keyboard. NOTE: Once this battle has begun, you are committed to battle and your only option is to fight to the death. [F8] (to sheathe sword) will not work during this battle, nor will your cursor keys. You must remain in Fighting Mode until you have won or lost. --------------------- ATTACKS AND PARRIES --------------------- You have a total of 5 ATTACKS and 3 PARRIES available. The HIGH ATTACK or PARRY is for the head and neck area. The MIDDLE ATTACK or PARRY is for the middle body. The LOW ATTACK or PARRY is for the groin and thigh area. You can also take one step backwards (RETREAT). ------------- GREAT BLOWS ------------- You also have a GREAT BLOW HIGH and a GREAT BLOW LOW. These 2 attacks are more powerful than a regular HIGH or LOW ATTACK, but they also take more of your strength and will wear you down more quickly. WARNING! It takes lonnger to prepare and land a GREAT BLOW and will leave upon to a quick attack from your foe. Use a GREAT BLOW with extreme caution and be on guard for a GREAT BLOW from the Saracen against you. Once you have begun a GREAT BLOW you cannot stop it. ---------- POSITION ---------- Do not get backed into a corner. If your stamina seems low and the Saracen is close to giving you no place to retreat, press "r" on the keyboard to swing around him and reverse positions. --------- STAMINA --------- Your stamina is how long your strength can carry you through battle. Your stamina level at the beginning of the battle can vary from high to low. Your actions here and in earlier parts of the game will determine your stamina level when you begin to fight and during the fight. When you fight, each attack you make and each blow landed upon you will reduce your stamina. Using a GREAT BLOW ATTACK will draw most heavily of all upon your strength. Using lots and lots of attacks without strategy will drain your strength quickly. Reversing position lowers your stamina a little each time. -------- WOUNDS -------- Both you and the Saracen are wearing armor, so even though it looks like some of your blows have hit or that you have been hit, some have been turned aside by the armor and done no damage. These are "glancing blows" and do not count as injury. When you are hit and have taken an injury, you will see a flash on that part of your body. If you land a blow and injure the Saracen. You will see a flash on the part of his body that you have hit. The flash tells you that an injury has been done. This also means that this is where you or your enemy now has a weakness. You must protect your wounded areas while trying to strike again at your foe's wounded areas. FIGHTER FACING RIGHT =======> +---+ +---+ +---+ <9>...........HIGH ATTACK | 7 | | 8 | | 9 | <8>...........HIGH PARRY +---+ +---+ +---+ <7>...........GREAT BLOW HIGH +---+ +---+ +---+ <6>...........MIDDEL ATTACK | 4 | | 5 | | 6 | <5>...........MIDDEL PARRY +---+ +---+ +---+ <4>...........RETREAT +---+ +---+ +---+ <3>...........LOW ATTACK | 1 | | 2 | | 3 | <2>...........LOW PARRY +---+ +---+ +---+ <1>...........GREAT BLOW LOW <======= FIGHTER FACING LEFT +---+ +---+ +---+ <9>...........GREAT BLOW HIGH | 7 | | 8 | | 9 | <8>...........HIGH PARRY +---+ +---+ +---+ <7>...........HIGH ATTACK +---+ +---+ +---+ <6>...........RETREAT | 4 | | 5 | | 6 | <5>...........MIDDEL PARRY +---+ +---+ +---+ <4>...........MIDDEL ATTACK +---+ +---+ +---+ <3>...........GREAT BLOW LOW | 1 | | 2 | | 3 | <2>...........LOW PARRY +---+ +---+ +---+ <1>...........LOW ATTACK ------------------------ SARACEN COMBAT GRAPHIC ------------------------ The illustrations above show the two directions from which you can fight during the battle, and how the ATTACKS, PARRIES and RETREAT work on your numeric keypad. As you can see, the PARRIES do not change when you switch from left to right or right to left, but your ATTACK, GREAT BLOWS and RETREAT keys reverse position when you change direction. ------------------------- BEGINNERS WALK-THROUGH ------------------------- Sit patiently through the introduction to the game at least once and pay attention to clues in both text and pictures. As the game begins, you are on a floor plan of Camelot. Use your cursor keys or mouse to explore and discover which rooms may be entered. You will use this map to enter a room or to travel from one room or to another. A message window will appear afte yu enter each command. When you have read the message, press [ENTER] to remove the window and resum play. Find Merlin's Room. Press [ENTER] once to remove the message and [ENTER] once to remove the message and [ENTER] again to go there, or click once on that room with your mouse. Type look at the room Type look at the objects Type look at the wizard Type ask about Gawaine Type ask about Galahad Type ask about Launcelot Type where is the Queen? Type talk to Merlin Leave Merlin's Room and find the Queen's Bower. Press [ENTER] to go there. Type look at the bower Type talk to the Queen Press F3 a few times to continue talking to Queen until she seems to have nothing more to say. Walk over to Gwenhyver. Type type kiss Gwenhyver Go ahead, kiss her a few more times. Type ask about Launcelot Type look at the rose Walk over to the rose. Type pick the rose Type ask about the message of the rose Press the [TAB] key to view your inventory. You'll see that you now have the rose in your possession. Press the [TAB] or [ESC] key to exit the inventory. Type look at the rose (when in the inventory) Press the [TAB] or [ESC] key to stop looking at the rose. You'll get a better look at the rose now that you have it. Leave the Queen's Bower and try Merlin's Room again. Type ask about thr Grail Type look at the map Go over to the map in the back, lefthand corner of Merlin's room. Type read the map A close-up of the map will appear. While in Merlin's Room, this map will give you information. When you leave Camelot, you will use this map to travel to other locations. Use your cursor keys or click with your mouse to select a location and read the message that comes up for it. Use [ENTER] or click again with mouse to remove the message. You won't be able to research another location while a message is on the screen. Look for clues within the messages. You might even want to make notes. Press F6 to Exit. Walk over to Merlin's desk on the right side of the room. Type look at the desk Type look at the scroll Type translate the scroll Type take the scroll Walk over to Merlin's alchemy table on the left side of the room. Type take the beaker Being the cautious type, you decide to save your game here. Type take the flask Don't panic. Merlin will listen to any reasonable apology. If you really get stuck, you can restore to the game you saved just before getting into trouble. Once you get out of this mess, continue to explore Camelot and don't hesitate to question anyone you meet. Remember, you are a King with a desperate mission. Godspeed! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Docs (codes) to SIERRA'S Conquest Of Camelot I Greets to Barimor and Viper of the Firm, and to Candyman of The Humble Guys....docs typed up by Rom Chip. 4/5/90 !! heres what page 7 of the manual has...for the doc-check! The message of the Rose: Love is my shield Almond blossom-Hope The language of the flowers. Anemone-withered hopes From the earliest days of civil- Aster-afterthought ization, flowers have been given Buttercup-memories of childhood special meanings. For example, the carnation-heartbreak rose has a long association with columbine-folly love,sexuality and with many godd- chrysanthemum,yellow-slighted love esses, the virgin mary, and the sci- chrysanthemum,white-truth ence of alchemy. Not only the flower cornflower-celibacy itself, but often the color indica- daffodil-death ted what significance was attached forget-me-not:true love to it. There are many legends of hyacinth-sport,game or play flowers springing up where drops of lily,white-purity blood or tears fell to the ground. lily,yellow-falsehood What follows is a list of flowers orchid-seduction and their meanings. periwinkle,blue-early friendship periwinkle,white-pleasures of memory poppy,red-consolation poppy,scarlet-fantastic ex- travagance snowdrop-hope or consolation sunflower-haughtiness tulip,red-declaration of love tulip,yellow-hopeless love violet-lust Now, hopefully this should be about all the conquest of camelot game will ask of you to type in...codes i guess?