***********************************
** DUNGEONS OF THE SKELETON KING **
**-------------------------------**
**  (c) Olivier Boisseau - 2022  **
**      o.boisseau@gmail.com     **
**     www.old-computers.com     **
**      www.museereplay.com      **
**    www.olivierboisseau.com    **
**   www.youtube.com/c/Olipix/   **
** 								 **
**   Thanks to Laurent Piazza    **
**   for the sprites graphics    **
***********************************

Welcome to the Dungeons of Skeleton King !
a D&D turn-based type game for the Kaypro computers.

The game will only work on Kaypro computers with graphic features (post 84)
While making my videos about the Kaypro systems
(https://www.youtube.com/c/Olipix/videos), I noticed that some Kaypros
had graphical possibilities, but almost none games were using them.
So I d1ecided to program my own game to showcase those features.

The game is inspired by a very old and obscure videogame for mainframes: CHASE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvTdUcHCpa8

It's not an action game, but more a Dungeon&Dragons turn-based game.
It is written in M-BASIC under CP/M.


HOW TO RUN THE GAME
-------------------

When you have inserted the game disk, type :

	MBASIC DSK

at the CP/M prompt

After loading, the game should start by asking you a random numbed seed.
Enter a number between -32768 and 32768, and press ENTER key.
This step (mandatory with M-BASIC) makes sure that every game you play 
will be different, as long as you choose a different number each time...


PLOT OF THE GAME
----------------

Since the skeletons' King stole the magic crown from the humans,
the world has gone into madness, sadness and despair. 

You are a bold archer willing to restore the human world to its ancient glory.
To achieve this you must go deep into the skeletons dungeons, reach level 15
and defeat the skeletons' king to regain his crown.


GAMEPLAY
--------

The game is playable entirely via the numeric keypad of the Kaypro.
To move the adventurer, use the following keys :

	[7] = UP LEFT	[8] = UP		[9] = UP RIGHT
	[4] = LEFT		[5] = NO MOVE	[6] = RIGHT
	[1] = DOWN LEFT [2] = DOWN		[3] = DOWN RIGHT
	[0] = TELEPORT
	
In each level you will have to confront several skeletons and ghosts,
find the key and go to the door to exit the level.

You will also find chests scattered around, that can contain several objects
like gold coins, extra lives, showels to build traps, arrows, spells...
or nothing !

When the timer begins to reduce at the bottom right of the screen, you will have
5 seconds to make a decision ! If you do nothing, you pass your turn and the
monsters start to move again.


MONSTERS
--------

Skeletons :		In each level you will encounter many of them. They are attracted
				towards you and always choose the shortest path. You can kill them
				by leading them into traps, shooting them with an arrow, or burning
				them with magic fire balls.
			
Ghosts :		If two skeletons collide, they turn into a ghost. Ghosts cannot be 
				killed by traps, only by arrows and magic fire balls.
			
Skeleton King :	If you reach level 15, you will enter the tomb of the Skeleton King
				in which you will try to defeat him by throwing arrows, magic fire balls
				or laying traps onto him.


OBJECTS
-------

Traps :		In each level several traps will be layed around the level. Lead the skeletons
			into the traps to kill them. Don't fall yourself into one of them or you
			will loose a life.
			
Chests : 	Open the chests scattered around the level to find gold, weapons, tools, spells
			or nothing...
			
Key : 		Get the key in each level to reveal the exit door

Door :		Reach the door to enter next level


RIGHT PANEL
-----------

In the right panel, you will find some information like the level number,
your score (gold coins) and several icons :


Lives :			You start with 5 lives. If your life counter reaches 0, you die.
				You can find extra lives in chests (if you are lucky).
			
Teleportation : This magic spell can send you anywhere in the level
                far from danger, closer or right onto an enemy !
				Use them wisely.
				Press [0] to use teleportation.
					
Showels : 		Use your showels to set a trap to kill skeletons.
	            It is useless though against ghosts.
				Press [.] to use a showel.
				A rotating aim will appear around your adventurer.
				Press [.] again to set the trap in the chosen direction.
				
Arrows :		Use your bow and arrows to kill enemies
	            Very effective against skeletons, ghosts and the king !
				Press [-] to shoot an arrow.
				A rotating aim will appear around your adventurer.
				Press [-] again to shoot in the chosen direction.
				
Fire balls :	This powerful magic spell creates a ring of fire around
	            you and then 10 more fire balls randomly scattered around
				the level.
				Press [,] or [+] to use this spell.
				

KEY SUMMARY
-----------

	[7] = UP LEFT	[8] = UP		[9] = UP RIGHT
	[4] = LEFT		[5] = NO MOVE	[6] = RIGHT
	[1] = DOWN LEFT [2] = DOWN		[3] = DOWN RIGHT
	[0] = TELEPORT
	
	[-] = SHOOT ARROW
	[.] = LAY TRAP
	[,] or [+] = FIRE BALLS SPELL
	

If you play DUNGEONS OF SKELETON KING and enjoy it, please send me a picture
of your Kaypro playing the game, or drop me a note, or send me your hiscore !!

Olivier Boisseau
o.boisseau@gmail.com
