-------------------------------- How to play Nightshade's STORMS: -------------------------------- COMMANDS AND VOCABULARY: STORMS understands a wide variety of commands. However, it has only a limited vocabulary, totaling approximately seven hundred words, so it can get confused. If you give it a word that it doesn't understand, it will tell you what word it doesn't know. Try entering your command again using a different word in place of the one the game objected to. Your commands should generally be in the format: <(multiple) noun phrase(s)> Some (hypothetical) examples of valid commands: PLACE A RED ROCK IN THE SMALL BOWL READ MY POETRY BOOK SWIM IN THE SWIMMING POOL ATTACK HIM ("HIM" will refer to last noun mentioned, e.g., the burglar) GET THE BOOK (also: TAKE THE BOOK) READ IT ("IT" will refer to last noun mentioned, e.g., the book) GET ALL (will get everything movable at the current location) NORTH PUT THE FOOD ON THE KITCHEN TABLE TAKE OFF THE HAT (also: REMOVE THE HAT) NE (for NORTHEAST) XYZZY (i.e., a "magic" word) TURN THE DOORKNOB Compound commands can be created by connecting single commands (like those above) with "AND", "THEN" or the punctuation symbols "," or ";" to connect two or more separate commands. TURN THE DOORKNOB THEN ENTER THE CAVE CLIMB DOWN THE LADDER THEN SOUTH, WEST AND NORTHWEST If the game understands all of the words in your command, but still seems confused by the command -- then try to say the same thing using fewer words and a simpler sentence. SPECIAL COMMANDS: The game uses a number of special commands. They are: BRIEF COMMAND DESCRIPTION ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCORE Will summarize your progress, so far. I INVENTORY Will display a list of the items you are carrying, and those items you are wearing. BRIEF Will cause location descriptions to be brief. (Starter) VERBOSE Will cause location descriptions to be verbose. L LOOK Will give you a full (verbose) description of your current location. LIST EXITS Will list the obvious (visible) exits from your current location. There may be other ways to exit the location -- but they may not be obvious. SAVE GAME Will save the current game status on disk. RESTORE GAME Will restore a previously saved game from disk. SCRIPT Causes output to go to both the screen and a printer UNSCRIPT Cancels SCRIPT command. R STATUS Gives a report about your current condition. T TIME Tells the current time. Very important in solving the adventure, so you may keep track of how much you have left. BUY Lets you buy certain items in certain stores. Must specify as BUY . V VERSION Lists version number. C CASH Tells you how much money you currently are holding. Q QUIT Quits the game. FUNCTION AND CURSOR KEYS: The function keys have been predefined to stand for several of the most frequently used commands. Similarly, the cursor keys have been predefined to correspond to the appropriate compass directions. Hitting the '?' key will display a diagram of the definitions for all of the function and cursor keys. BUGS AND ERRORS: At Nightshade we try to fix everything that's wrong wih a game before selling it. However, we aren't perfect. If you should happen to find a bug in your game, however small (or large) please write us. Include the version number of the game with your letter. SOLUTION AVAILABLE: If you are stuck somewhere in STORMS, a hint booklet is available for $4.00 from Nightshade Productions. If you'd just like to try to win it yourself but with a map that shows all locations and all obvious objects, you can have it for just $2.00. Send a check or money order for $4.00 or $2.00 to: Order Department Nightshade Productions 10421 Mantle Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73162 NIGHTSHADE'S MAILING LIST If you wish to be on Nightshade's mailing list, please write us. You'll receive Nightshade's newsletter and notice of any future games. A SHORT NOTE This is the Shareware release of Storms. Therefore it has been slightly edited and various changes have been effected from the original program. If you'd like to register your copy of Storms with Nightshade, simply send us $8.95. We'll send you the latest version of Storms, in the complete packaged form including a well constructed instruction booklet, and a map and hint booklet FREE of charge. You'll also be put on our mailing list. STAY TUNED! STORMS II: In the Eye, a unique graphic adventure, coming soon from Nightshade Productions. (Unfortunately, this game will not be released as shareware. If you'd like more information on it, please write. )