TM X Yph us by Skip Waller and Dave Albert What is a Fantasy Role Playing Game? The World of Arroya A Fantasy Role Game is a game in which the player assumes the identity of a character within the fantasy world of the game itself. Such a character is usually formed by assigning random Ten thousand southern suns have passed since the Archmage Szhaalin tore the very heart values to special characteristics such as Strength, Wisdom, Intelligence, Luck, or Charisma. These from the demon lord Xyphus and hid it in the Arroyan continel)t. His life 's work done, the characteristics in tum determine the capability of the character in combat, negotiation, and mighty Szhaalin vanished into the western wilderness, while the grievo.usly wounded de~on encounters with othel beings. lord slunk into caverns beneath the Earth to languish in eternal pain. Legend has it that pieces Once a character (or several characters, depending on the game) has been established , the player of the demon's heart fell to the soil and formed small, sword-shaped amulets of violet crystal is then charged with keeping his or her character(s) alive in the face of overwhelming hazards. As from whence all magic springs, and that somewhere in the very bowels of the Earth itself lies the character progresses in the game, it usually will overcome enemies in combat and find some the actual heart- a gemstone the size of a human head . sort of monetary reward in the form of treasure. Successfully accomplishing either or both of these 'Tis said that when the demon lord bled , tribes of goblins sprang from the droplets of objectives will generally result in increased experience for the character and consequently in ichor- the Cotico, the Malakee, the Maripo, the Sedento, the Mazanti, and the dread Azulus increases in the characteristics that govern the character. Thus, the longer you can keep a with their companion Hellhounds. All of Arroya was forbidden to humankind by the beasts character alive, the more powerful that character will become. and monsters that still dwell there. Poisonous serpents and oversized vermin roam the plains, In the case of computer Fantasy Role Playing Games, there is generally a specific goal for the while all manner of the dead-that-walk are to be found in the hills and forests. All the men that character(s) to accomplish to win the game; and this goal can usually only be reached by carefully have ventured into the lost continent have vanished without a trace, save for occasional nurturing a character until it is of sufficient power to overcome the most assuredly dreadful survivors spouting half-mad ramblings that gave birth to …

Fantasy Role-playing at its best! by Skip Waller and Dave Albert Macintosh version by Bob Hardy ==================================== P·~·LARWARE" from Penguin Software. In c. What is a fctntasy role playing game? A Fantasy Role Playing Game is a game in Fantasy Role Playing Games can be set in any which the player assumes the identity of a fantasy world, although the favored settings are character within the fantasy world of the game usually medieval worlds in which magic is a fact itself. Such a character is usually formed by of life, or outer space where advanced technology assigning random values to special characteristics is commonplace. But in fact, a Fantasy Role such as Strength, Wisdom, Intelligence, Luck, or Playing Game can take place in any setting and Charisma. These characteristics in turn determine any time period, be it based on fact or fiction. The the capability of the character in combat, identifying marks of a Fantasy Role Playing negotiation, and encounters with other beings. Game are the ability to generate characters, and Once a character (or several characters, the ability for those characters to rise in level and depending on the game) has been established, the thus increase in ability. This makes it hard to player is then charged with keeping his or her part with a character that has been carefully built character(s) alive in the face of overwhelming up in prowess over several sessions, and leads to hazards. As the character progresses in the game, a greater degree in caring for your characters it usually will overcome enemies in combat and than in any other type of game. Most of all, it find some sort of monetary reward in the form of makes for a game that is fascinating, frustrating treasure. Successfully accomplishing either or and almost never the same every time you play both of these objectives will generally result in it. Enjoy. increased experience for the character and, consequently, increases its governing character- istics. Thus, the longer you can keep a character alive, the more powerful it will become. In the case of computer Fantasy Role Playing Games, there is generally a specific goal for the character(s) to accomplish to win the game; and this goal can usually only be reached by carefully nuturing a character until it is of sufficient power to overcome the most assuredly dreadful guardians blocking the path to final victory. 2 The world of Arroya Ten thousand southern suns have passed since Some thirty years ago a conqueror was born. the Archmage Szhaalin tore the very heart from Some men say that Das is the descendant of the the demon lord Xyphus and hid it in the Arroyan great wizard Szhaalin, while others…

PLAYING THE GAME APPLE AND COMMODORE VERSIONS The game Xyphus consists of six separate scenarios, each one tougher than the previous one. The average playing time of a scenario ranges from 3-12 hours, depending on the skill of the player. There are three components necessary to play Xyphus: the Master Disk (side 1), the Scenario Disk (side 2) , and the Game Disk. The first two are included in the package, the Game Disk must be created by the player. The game is always playe d on the Game Disk you create. Any number of Game Disks can be created with characters unique to that game. --------------P·-·LARWARE' from Penguin Software , Inc. To begin , boot the Master Disk (Commodore users must at the appropriate time. Be patient, there is a lot of data on boot by typing: LOAD"''',8,1). You will be presented with the Scenario Disk and you will have to swap disks a two choices: number of times. The program will always tell you when to do so. (A) CREATE NEW GAME DISKETTE If you have two disk drives, you will be told to put the (8) CONTINUE EXISTING GAME Scenario Disk in Drive One and a blank disk in Drive Two. Select A. You will then be asked to enter the number of The program will then create your Game Disk. characters (1-4) for this game. Using four characters is Once you have created your Game Disk, you will always recommended the first time through. Less than four makes use it to play Xyphus. Each time you boot up the Maste r for a very difficult game. Disk, choose the (8) CONTINUE EXISTING GAME option Once you have selected the number of characters in and insert your Game Disk when asked to do so. your party, you will be asked: ENTER NAME OF NOTE: During the play of Xyphus there will be pauses CHARACTER 1. after battles and victories to allow you to read displayed Upon naming your first character, you will be asked: is messages. The computer waiting for a keypress. Pressing SELECT RACE: (H)UMAN (D)WARF (E)LF Choose the spacebar will continue the game. carefully for the talents of each race may be needed to complete your mission . CONTROLS Upon choosing the character race, you will be asked: Xyphus can be played .with the keyboard…