



                             TALES OF MAGIC 3.0

                (three text adventures with a mystic slant)



CONTENTS:
---------

This directory should contain the following four files:

          README.TXT            (this file)
          FOREST.EXE            (Merlin's Magic Forest)
          TROVE.EXE             (Merlin's Golden Trove)
          ALIBABA.EXE           (Son of Ali Baba)

These are three text adventure games in the classic style.  No fancy graphics
or sound effects.  Like a book, these games allow you to use your own
imagination to create worlds of wonder that make graphic adventures pale in
comparison.

Each of these three adventures is a distinct and separate game, each with
it's own complex solution.  They each have a magical theme.





Merlin's Magic Forest             (FOREST.EXE)
----------------------------------------------

You have been magically transported back to ancient England, where the evil
sorceress Morgana has placed Merlin under a magic spell.  You must search the
magic forest for the ingredients which will lift the spell and release Merlin
from his death-like trance.  Danger, magic, and excitement await you when you
enter Merlin's Magic Forest.

Merlin's Golden Trove              (TROVE.EXE)
----------------------------------------------

As your reward for releasing him for Morgana's evil spell, Merlin takes you
to his castle where a hoard of golden treasures awaits you.  But can you find
them all?  Some are well hidden, and some are guarded by trolls, gargoyles,
and other creatures you have only heard about.  It will be a true test to see
if you can discover all of Merlin's Golden Trove.

Son of Ali Baba                   (ALIBABA.EXE)
-----------------------------------------------

This adventure takes you to old Baghdad, as you seek to thwart the evil
magician ROXOR and defeat his army of monsters.  See the giant Roc, the seven
headed serpent, and the living skeleton.  Ride the magic carpet, sail the
ship of Sindbad, and find the hidden cave of your father, Ali Baba. This
adventure will bring back those swashbuckling thrills you have longed for!





SHAREWARE
---------

These games are Shareware, and are copyright (c) 1992 by John Olsen.  If you
play them, register by sending your $20 (US) Shareware fee to:

John Olsen P.O.
Box 181
Newberg
Oregon 97132
USA

By sending your Shareware fee, you are compensating the author for his time,
effort, and creativity.  This will encourage further efforts.  And by sending
in your Shareware fee, you also will become a registered user and receive
maps, hints, and full solutions to all three adventure games.  Specifically
ask for HELP PACKET #2 to make sure you get the proper solutions, hints and
maps for all of these games.





HOW DO I PLAY THIS GAME?
------------------------

The computer will place you in new surroundings, and will describe what you
see.  You can then tell the computer what to do, by typing sentences on the
keyboard.  For example, the computer might tell you:

  You are standing outside an old mansion.  The front door is to the north.
  A mailbox is in front of you.  A sealed letter is at your feet.

  What do you want to do?

You might answer by typing:

  OPEN THE FRONT DOOR      or     PUT THE LETTER IN THE MAILBOX

Notice you are not limited to two words as in some other adventure games.





WHAT AM I TRYING TO DO?
-----------------------

Your goal is different in each adventure.  Usually, you are told the goal at
the beginning of the game.  Perhaps you are trying to awaken a sleeping
princess, or escape from a volcanic desert island, or find an ancient gold
statue.  In some adventures, the goal may not be stated, and you may have to
wander around until you find a clue to your goal.





ARE THERE SHORTCUTS?
--------------------

Yes, to save you time typing, there are some abbreviations for commonly used
commands.  They are:

  N  for  GO NORTH    E  for  GO EAST    U  for  GO UP     I  for  INVENTORY
  S  for  GO SOUTH    W  for  GO WEST    D  for  GO DOWN   L  for  LOCATION

Taking INVENTORY shows you what items you are carrying.  Usually there is a
limit to the number of things you can carry, although wearing some items may
alleviate the problem.  Checking your LOCATION will reprint the description
of where you are and what you can see.





WHAT DO I DO IF I GET STUCK?
----------------------------

Try looking around and examining everything at your current location.  Often
times the descriptions of various objects will give you a clue.  Also, go
back and see where you have been.  Maybe you have overlooked something
obvious.  Many times, using common sense is the best course of action.

And of course maps, hints, and complete solutions are available for all three
adventures.  Send your $20 (US) Shareware fee to the above address and you
will receive them by return mail.  The address and further information is
also found in each game, by typing HELP.





CAN I SAVE MY PLACE?
--------------------

Yes, simply type SAVE GAME to save your place.  This is ideal when you are in
the middle of an adventure and have to leave (or go to bed).  It can also be
used before taking some potentially dangerous move.  That way if you are
killed, you can begin again at that point.

To restore the game to the point where it was saved, type LOAD GAME and you
will be placed back at the same instant that you saved your place.

When asked for a filename, be sure to limit it to eight characters.  Do not
add any extension, the extension .SAV will automatically be appended.





HOW DO I QUIT?
--------------

You can quit in several ways.  Either complete the adventure, accidentally
die along the way, or type QUIT to stop in the middle of the game.  If you
intend to pick up at this point later, be sure to SAVE GAME before you QUIT.





TECHNICAL STUFF
---------------

These games are copyright (c) 1992 by John Olsen. You are free to use, copy
and distribute FOREST, TROVE, and ALIBABA for NON-COMMERCIAL use if:

They are not modified in any way.

No fee is charged for use.

Only a nominal fee not to exceed ($5) for expenses and handling in copying
and distribution.



