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/ XYPHUS SOFT-DOX \
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/ SPELLCASTING AND MAGIC \
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/ WRITTEN BY \
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/ THE PENGUIN \
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/ FOR \
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/ THE SOUTH POLE......[312] 677-7140 \
\ THE OUTPOST.........[312] 441-6957 /
/ TEMPLE OF DOOM......[805] 682-5148 \
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Spellcasting & Magic
The use of magic in Arroya is governed by some fairly strict rules.
To begin with, the source of magic is the Xiphoid Amulets - small,
sword-shaped, violet gemstones that are found in the wilderness of the
Lost Continent. Legend says that these stones are pieces of the Heart
of Xyphus, torn from the breast of the Lord of Demons by the great
wizard Szhaalin thousands of years ago. Legend also says that the
Heart itself still exists and must be found before Xyphus can be
slain.
What is known about the Xiphoid Amulets is that they seem to be the
catalyst for the casting of spells. Once a Spellcaster has purchased
a magic scroll or spell, he or she has that spell memorized and can
use it forever - PROVIDED THEY HOLD IN THEIR HAND A XIPHOID AMULET
WITH WHICH TO FOCUS AND MAGNIFY THE ENERGY THAT BRINGS INTO BEING AN
ACTUAL SPELL. Without the amulet, the spell is nothing more than a
meaningless chant.
Another known fact about the Xiphoid Amulets is that they shatter.
They do so when their power has been consumed. There is no getting
around the fact that the amulets are finite, and that they wear out.
Thus, the Spellcaster that conserves his or her spells usually lives
to raise children and discuss philosophy late into the evening.
One last fact about the amulets: They can and are often used as
weapons. They are small and do very litte damage, but they do affect
normal and enchanted being alike.
The casting of a spell is not an easy task for the Spellcaster.
Regardless of the success or failure of a spell, it requires a great
deal of concentration and energy from the magic user. The amount of
endurance necessary to cast a particular spell is noted on the lists
of spells throughout the game.
The wizards of Arroya commonly use a dozen spells, although rumors
circulate about the existence of scrolls with unknown spells etched on
them in magical writing that fades after a short time. Should a player
encounter one of these scrolls, they must determine its effect and
purpose through experimentation. The well-known spells are:
Attack Spells
Abeja - This spell produces a profusion of livid welts to appear on
the recipient, severe enough to slay small creature and wound humans
gravely. This spell has a high probability of succeeding, although it
will only work on normal living creatures.
Matamosca - This spell delivers a sharp blow to its recipient, causing
about as much damage as the Abeja spell. It has a relatively good
chance of being cast successfully, but will not affect Demons and
certain types of enchanted beings.
Bendicca - This spell only affects shapechangers and lycanthropes. It
causes a great deal of damage on the life force of the dormant shape
of the creature, e.g. if a werewolf in its human shape is the
recipient of a Bendicca spell, its latent wolf shape will suffer the
damage. The spell has a good probability of being cast successfully.
Hela - This spell is a staple of the Demon-fighter's bag of tricks. It
causes an area of intense cold to briefly materialize around its
recipient, causing serious damage. This spell does not always work,
but is successful more often than not.
Tirayama - This spell is only effective against Undead creatures such
as Zombies and Liches. This spell does not always work, but is
relatively successful for the skilled Spellcaster.
Tirayela - This spell is similar to the Hela spell in its effect,
i.e., its damage is rendered by intense cold. However, it is not
effective against Demons or certain enchanted creatures. Furthermore,
it is an extremely difficult spell to cast correctly and often does
not work.
Hindrance Spells
Ciega - This spell works against all normal (not enchanted or Undead)
creatures, and renders them blind for a limited period of time.
Piedra - This spell paralyzes its victims. It works against
shapechangers and lycanthropes only.
Lubrika - This spell slows down Demons by turning the ground beneath
their feet into extremely slippery clay. Unfortunately, the effects
of the spell are rather short-lived.
Cieno - This spell slows down Undead creatures by turning the ground
beneath their feet to a fine, powdery substance. The effects do not
last very long.
Healing Spells
Sana - Sana is a high-powered healing spell that will completely cure
an injured character, even if that character has been poisoned.
Goza - Goza will cure some damage to all members of a party, but is
ineffective where poison is concerned.
Other Spells
[> Thanx to the Archer <]
These spells were not listed in the manual nor can you buy them from a
trading post:
Attack Spells
Sling Of A Sage - This spell seems to cause a small amount of damage
to one creature. It seems to have a high probability of succeeding.
Magic Firebow - Seems to affect all monsters and has a high
probability of succeeding. To my knowledge it has not been tried on
enchanted beings.
Tree - This is the only spell or weapon, for that manner, that will
harm a Treant. It usually destroys them with one try.
Demonda - This spell does an extreme amount of damage to Demons and
will usually kill them.
Astral Fence - This spell will protect all the characters in a party
from being attacked by monsters, but there is no guarantee that it
will be cast correctly.
Star Burst - This is the only known effective weapon or spell that
will cause harm to Glass Gods.
Hindrance Spells
Lycod - This spell seems to paralyze the recipient. It only seems to
work on shapechangers and lycanthropes.
Casting Spells
Unlike a fighter who must be next to an opponent in order to strike a
blow, the Spellcaster may strike from a distance. To cast a spell,
simply type "S" when it is the Spellcaster's turn. You will be shown
a list of spells available to that character, of which one may be
selected. If you decide not to use a spell, press the spacebar to
return to the game.
As a Spellcaster advances in level due to experience point gain, his
or her effective range for casting spells will increase. So will the
probability for successful casting of a spell. Practice makes
perfect, even in magic.
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IF ANYONE FINDS ANY OTHER SPELLS NOT
LISTED HEREIN, CALL THE SOUTH POLE
[312] 677-7140
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FILE #3 WILL BE THE DESCRIPTION OF ALL
THE MOSTERS WITHIN XYPHUS.
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THE PENGUIN/T-MEN
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