__ __ ___ ___
/\ __ |__|____|__|_ ___________ _____\ \ / /
/ \| \ \ _ _ /| \ ____ \ __ \\ \/ /
/ \ \|\ // \\ /_| |\/___/ // \ \\ /
__ / /\ \ \// \\/ _ | _ _// DW \ \ \
/ \__/__\ \|\ | \ | | | / \ \ \____/ / /\ \_
\___________/| \__|______\| |__|/ \__\_______/ / \__/
/__/ |__| |__| /__/ /__/
Presents:- The Docs Factory?
-*- REALMS From GRAFTGOLD Documentation -*-
-*- Cracked By: Fairlight Docs Typed By: /X\arvin -*-
�
WELCOME
-------
Welcome to Realms. Realms is more than a mere `god simulation' or
`wargame'. Realms is a fully functioning fantasy world awaiting your
interaction. This manual was produced to ensure that you get the very
best out of this premium product. If you find the program or the
documentation unsatisfactory in any way, drop us a line detailing
in full the reasons of your dissatisfaction. We welcome your opions
and your complaints. Send them to Customer Services, Realms, Virgin
Games Software, 338A Ladbroke Grove, London W10 5AH.
"In a moment that lasted forever, a bolt of living energy shot from
the heavens, spanning the great divide of eternity."
As the king's funeral ship sailed to the west, the young heir
reflected on the sad events that had recently overtaken his father's -
and now his - people. `Once again famine, poverty and war thrive in a
world that is now divided. Once again, each realm vies to become the
ultimate power...' he mused.
In a fit of rage, the heir raised his fist to the skies, swearing
vengeance. His mind in turmoil, he appealled to the Nordic gods for
justice. As if in answer to his cry, the growing clouds replied with
a deafening clash of thunder.
Blinded by grief, the heir failed to notice the clouds billow and
gradually change their shape to the form of the great god Wotan.
In a moment that lasted forever, a bolt of living energy shot from
the heavens, spanning the great divide of eternity. All sound was
lost as the divine messenger cut an electric path towards oblivion.
The heir stood in awe as the pure force, silenced by it's speed,
hurtled towards him. A billion volts burned into his wrist and
flowed over and through his body.
Yet he felt no pain - only the unprecedented power of the heavenly
serpent.
For an instant he stood between two worlds, overwhelmed by visions
of ages past and every possible future, the reality superimposed
on the image of the present... Then it faded like a dream leaving
only what was and what shall be.
With a final burst of cosmic force, the symbol of the serpent
materialised and the heir understood. His divine mandate to rule
firmly in his grasp, the high King turned to face his cowering
people...
"There can only be one."
CREDITS
-------
Storyline, Design & Coding
--------------------------
Steve Turner
Visuals
-------
Michael Field
Additional Visuals
------------------
John Lilley
Music & Sound FX
----------------
Jason Page
PC Programming
--------------
David O'Conner & Steve Turner
Amiga & Atari ST Programming
----------------------------
Jason Page, Gary J Foreman & Steve Turner
Executive Producer
------------------
Andrew Wright
Producers
---------
Andy Green & Lyle J Hall II
Assistant Producer
------------------
Alex Martin
Software Manager
----------------
Ian Mathias
Playtester
----------
Johnny "Psycho" Martin
Artwork
-------
Dermot Power
Artwork & Design Managers
-------------------------
Andrew Wright & Nige Webb
Artwork Layout Design FX
Manufacturing Co-ordinator
--------------------------
Rose Dalton
This Manual Copy
----------------
G John Penn & Steve Turner
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
----------------
Amiga
-----
Compatible with: A500, A1000, A2000, B2000, A2500, A3000, A5000.
Runs in 512k RAM (Enhanced features with 1MB RAM)
Atari ST
--------
Compatible with: 520ST, 520STe, 1040ST, 1040STe.
Runs in 512k RAM (Enhanced features with 1MB RAM)
PC
--
Compatible with: All IBM PC Clones
Supports Display Modes: EGA, VGA, TGA, MCGA
Runs in 640k RAM
Opitional Recommendation
------------------------
Compatible colour monitor
Backing Up Realms
-----------------
Try X-Copy!..
LOADING REALMS
--------------
LOADING
-------
Amiga
-----
If your computer is turned on, turn it off. After at least 30 seconds,
turn on your computer. This will remove any virus which may be present
and so minimise the risk of infecting and possibly destroying your
Realms disk.
Insert the Realms PROGRAM disk into the internal disk drive (DF0:).
The program will load and run automatically. When prompted on screen,
remove the Realms Program Disk from the internal drive and insert
the Realms DATA disk. Press a mousebutton, the joystick fire button or
the SPACE BAR to continue.
Atari ST
--------
If your computer is turned on, turn it off. After at least 30 seconds,
turn on your computer. This will remove any virus which may be present
and so minimise the risk of infecting and possibly destroying your
Realms disk.
Insert the Realms PROGRAM disk into the internal disk drive (DF0:).
The program will load and run automatically. When prompted on screen,
remove the Realms Program Disk from the internal drive and insert
the Realms DATA disk. Press a mousebutton, the joystick fire button or
the SPACE BAR to continue.
IBM PC & Compatibles
--------------------
Turn on your computer. When the `C>' prompt is displayed, insert the
Realms PROGRAM Disk into the disk drive. Type `A:' then press the
`RETURN' key. When the `A>' prompt is given, type `REALMS' and press
the `RETURN' key. The program will load and run automatically. When
prompted on screen, remove the Realms Program Disk from the disk drive
and insert the Realms DATA Disk. Press a mousebutton, the joystick
firebutton or the SPACE BAR to continue.
PC Hard Disk Installation
-------------------------
To install Realms onto a hard disk drive, type `INSTALL' instead of
`REALMS' and press the `RETURN' key at the `A>' prompt. Now follow
the on-screen instructions.
LOADING PROBLEMS
----------------
In the unlikely event that Realms fails to load, turn off your
machine and remove and extraneuos external peripherals such as
printers (leave the monitor or television connected) before
repeating the loading procedure. If Realms still refuses to load then
pop the faulty disk (not the packaging) into a suitablty-sized jiffy
bag or padded envelope, along with your name and address. To aid the
trouble-shooting department, please provide in as much detail as
possible your equipment configuration (not forgetting any RAM
expansion devices). Send the package to: REALMS Replacements, Virgin
Games Ltd, 338 Ladbroke Grove, London W10 5AH. Virgin Games Ltd will
endeavour to replace the faulty disk within 28 days of its receipt.
SUMMARY OF OBJECTIVES
---------------------
RUNNING REALMS
--------------
Realms is a simulation of a mythical land where cities strive for
dominance at any cost. The player controls an empire - a realm -
with the immediate goal of surival and ultimate objective of ruling
the known world and its multi-racial population of elves, dwarves,
orcs, amazons and humans. The means to domination may be fair or
foul. Just make sure that the only realm remaining to rule supreme
is yours...
GAMEPLAY FLOW
-------------
Realms is presented through six types of display from which key
functions are activated. The following diagram shows how the displays
interact..
___________
| |
| Battle |
| Screen |
|___________|
___________ _____|_____ ___________
| | | | | |
| Inside |_| Playfield |_| Army |
| Fortress | | | | Screen |
|___________| |___________| |___________|
_____|_____ _____|_____
| | | |
| Disk | | City |
| Operation | | Screens |
|___________| |___________|
THE EIGHT WORLDS OF REALMS
--------------------------
Realms offers eight wildly different scenarios to play. When Realms
is first loaded, an introductory Scenario is automatically included.
Only two races are present here: Elves and Orcs.
To access the seven, increasingly difficult scenarios, simply make
use of the load facility found on the Disk Operations screen (see
DISK OPERATIONS).
The Three Known Kingdoms
------------------------
There's only one thing Orcs hate more than Dwarves - and that's
Elves. All three races are found in this scenario.
Island Realms
-------------
This introduces the essential use of ships. Amazons, Humans,
Vikings are the races found here.
The Great Divide
----------------
An inland sea divides two continents populated by Barbarians, Orcs,
Dwarves and Elves.
The Isle Of Chaos
-----------------
The Isle Of Choas is a seafaring realm. Dwarves, Barbarians, Orcs
and Elves fight it out in this land.
The Northlands
--------------
Scandinavia is revisited with Amazons, Dwarves, Barbarians and
Vikings.
The Eastern Isles
-----------------
A string of islands inhabited by Vikings, Amazons, Orcs, Elves and
Dwarves.
Realms Of The West
------------------
Mind your back - some cities are a little too close for comfort!
Make the most of the Orcs, Elves, Dwarves, Barbarians and Amazons.
CONTROLS
--------
Mouse
-----
Ensure that a compaible mouse is plugged into it's usual hole, ie,
the Amiga port marked `1 Joystick', the Atari ST port marked `0',
or the PC-compatible's relevant interface.
Joystick
--------
A compatible joystick can be used to mimic the mouse's behaviour.
Note that this means of input is NOT availible for the Amiga and
Atari ST versions or Realms.
MOVE POINTER - Cursor Keys Cluster
FIREBUTTON - Space Bar
PLACE POINTER ON NEXT FUNCTION - Tab
PLACE POINTER ON LAST FUNCTION - SHIFT + Tab
Convenience Keys
----------------
PAUSE ACTION - F1
QUIT CURRENT SCENARIO TO DISK OPERATIONS - F10
QUIT TO DOS - Esc
Activating Functions
--------------------
There are two means of activating Realms, both of them via a pointer.
The Select Pointer
------------------
The Select Pointer is for selecting functions. (Note that the pointer
changes changes shape when certain functions are active - see POINTERS
for further details.
The first method of activating a function is the most `traditional',
and that's the use of icons, or small pictures representing the
functions in question.
The action is performed by touching its respective icon with the
pointer then pressing a mouse button (or a joystick firebutton or the
space bar).
The other method of activating a function is more direct. Simply point
to a character or object on the playfield (see THE PLAYFIELD) and
press a mouse button (or a joystick firebutton or the space bar).
Pointers
--------
1 The Select Pointer. Select Function.
2 The Focus Circle Pointer. View in more detail an area or the map, a
unit and so on.
3 The Target Pointer. Select a target.
1) <- 2) O 3) X
INSIDE THE FORTRESS
-------------------
Develop the overall stratagy and monitor it's progress from here.
Scales
______________________________________|___________
| __________ |
| Dwarf Realm / ______ \ |
_| ___________________________ / _|_ || _|_ \ |
| || | | || | |
| || | |_____|__|_____| |
| || | |
| || | |
| || | |
_| || | |
| | || | |
| | || | |
| | || | |
| | || | |
| |_||___________________________| |
| | ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ _ _ _ |
The World | | || || || || | = _=__=__=__=_ |
Map | |___||___||___||___||___| |_| |____________| |
|____|____|____|____|____|____|____|________|______|
| | | | | | |________|
Disk | | | | | |
Access | | | | | Treasury
Armies | | | Tax Rate
| | |
Tax Routes | Tax Rate Alteration
|
Focus
The World Map
-------------
The known world is shown in relief form. Any realms in existence are
also shown here but as circular markers.
The largest marker represents the realm's capital city. The cities
comprising the player's realm are yellow and are always shown on this
map, as are the capital citys of other realms. Friendly capital cities
of other realms. Friendly captial cities are shown as blue markers,
while enemy cities are red.
The cities in a realm are displayed on the map by pointing the arrow
at a captial city and pressing either mouse button. The landscape area
last viewed by the player is shown by a white marker.
Disk Operations
---------------
Access the disk operations (See DISK OPERATIONS below)
Armies
------
Displays on the World Map the whereabout's of each realm's armies.
Only the armier of the chosen realm will be shown. Simply select the
captial city of a realm to see the postion of it's armies. (Note that
the chosen realms cities are automactically shown when a capital city
is selected). A second press of the mouse button while pointing to
this icon turns of the display.
Tax Routes
----------
A realm comprises at least one city and has a capital, to which flows
all tax acquired from other cities within the realm. Selecting this
icon will show on the map the tax flow from city to city and ultimately
the capital city for the realm currently selected.
An animated line reveals the flow of taxes.
Taxes from the cities not connected to the capital do not reach it and
cannot be spent. If a tax route is severed, the cities will attempt to
divert the tax, but may not take the best route.
The empire can be streamlined by changing the tax flow routes. With the
tax route indicator active, point to the player's capital city and
press a mouse button. Point to any city within the player's realm and
press a mouse button - the tax route will change to the next availible
route but only if an alternative is availible. No change means that no
alternative route is possible. A city may be completely cut off and so
be incapable of forming any routes at all, in which case the player
should conquer adjacent cities to relink the stranded one.
Focus
-----
The player is not a diety and so lacks omniscience. The player does
however have the gift of far sight - the ability to view anywhere
within the known world. Press a mouse button while the arrow points to
this icon - the arrow will change into a Focus Circle Pointer...
The Focus Circle Pointer
------------------------
O - Move the Focus Circle Pointer to any position on the map and press
a mouse button to view in greater detail the desired area (see THE
PLAYFIELD).
To turn off the Focus Circle Pointer, simply click on the focus icon.
Tax Rate Alteration
-------------------
Increase and decrease the tax rate. The pile of coins to the immediate
right of this icon will grow or shrink by one coin for every alteration.
The scales to the top right of this display will alter too, to show the
predicted tax effect achieved.
Tax Rate
--------
Shows the current rate of tax. The greater the quanity of coins, the
higher the tax rate. Each coin represents ten percent of a city's total
produce.
Treasury
--------
These four piles of coins represent the treasury of the player's realm.
This comprises the balance of all taxes and other money and grain which
have reached the capital city. A single coin represents the pay of one
thousand men for a year on the lowest possible pay, or it could feed
four thousand people for a year, depending on grain prices.
Treasury (Scales)
--------
These show whether the tax accured from the player's realm can support
its armies. The tax is represented by the coins in the left-hand scale.
When the scale holding the soldier is lower than that holding the coins,
the realm's total income is not sizeable enough to support the armies
and money is lost each season. When the scale holding the coins is lower
then the realm's income is large enough to support the armies and so the
treasury will grow. The predicted tax change which determines the status
of these scales is based on the ammount collected in the previous
season. Note that if cities are won or lost or their links are severed
from the tax route then this may not be the amount of tax actually
collected.
THE PLAYFIELD
-------------
Time runs and events occur only when this view is employed. Activity in
the world is halted when any other view is in use.
__________________________________________________
_| ________________ |
| || | |
| || | |
| || | |
___| || | |
| | || | |
| | || | |
| |_||________________| |
| | ___ ___ __ |
| ___| | | | |_ / \______ |
| | | |___| |___| | \__/ | |
| | | ___ ___ | || | |
| | _| | | | | | /__\ | |
| | | | |___| |___| ||____| | |
| | | | ________|___|___________|_______________________ |_
| | | || | | | || |_
| | | ||________|___|___________|_______________________||_| |
| | | |_________|___|___________|________________________| |
| | | | | | |
| | Focus | | | Message
| | | Select Unit Message Scroll
| Exit To Map | Last Used Crystal Ball
| |
World Map View Units
When the arrow is pointed at an object on the map, a brief description
of it is shown in the information panal below. A brief description of
each of these playfield objects and the way they are represented on
the playfield screen appears further down...
(It shows pictures of the graphics that make up the land/army symbols
etc.. Believe it or not i can't draw a cavalry unit in ansi, but most
of em are obvious anyways!)
A city. (castle)
A single man represents an army of up to 1,000 men.
A cavalry unit of upto 1,000 men. (Bandy legged guy)
An army camping out in the open. (Pass)
An army sieging a city. (Siege Tower)
An army unit is barracked inside the walls of a city. Such an army
cannot be attacked directly without the city being sieged first,
but it can be selected by the player.
A fleet of troops travelling on water. If there are no sails
showing, then the ship is anchored.
A Port. (Anchor)
Viewing The Landscape
---------------------
There are two means to this end. To move the landscape over short
distances, point to one of the four surrounding edges of the display.
The second method is best used to move greater distances at speed.
Simply point to the desired location then press a mouse button.
The main landscape in the small map. Press and hold down a mouse
button then move the mouse to `pull' the white square around the small
map and continually affect the main landscape display accordingly.
The Land Types
--------------
Six distinctive types of land comprise the Playfield.
Grassland is smooth and green.
Forest is more contoured than the Grassland.
Desert is barren and brown.
Rock is barren and brown.
Cultivated Land is brown with visible plough furrow marks.
Snow is, understandably, white.
World Map
---------
This half-size map of the known world shows only the cities.
(Remember that tax routes and armies are viewed via the main map
inside the castle - see INSIDE THE CASTLE.) The small white
square indicates the area of land shown in isometric form to the
right.
Message Crystal Ball
--------------------
The player's realm and subjects communicate via this crystal ball.
The player will be informed of the outbreak of plague, famine and
so on. These messages are ignored at the player's peril.
When a message is waiting to be read, the crystal ball will
sparkle. To view the message in the scroll at the bottem of the
screen, point to the sparkling crystal ball and press a mouse button.
The landscape view is immediatly positioned to the sender so
immediate action can be taken. Beware messages are queued but may be
lost if left unread for too long.
Messages regarding battles are shown inside the crystal ball as a pair
of swords.
Note that battle related messages take priority over all others. Simply
point to the swords and press a mouse button to go straight to the
battle (see THE BATTLE SCREEN). The player may wish to avoid the battle
with the penalty of not recieing any other messages until the fight is
over.
Message Scroll
--------------
Information displayed here concerns the state of play and items on the
playfield. Point the arrow to an object on the playfield and a
description is given on this scroll. Any messages from units or cities
are displayed in preference. A message read from the ball disappears
from the scroll after approximatly five seconds. Alternatively, point
the arrow to the scroll and press a mouse button to remove a message
from the scroll.
Exit To Map
-----------
Point here and press a mouse button to return to inside the castle.
Select Last Unit Used
---------------------
Point here and press a mouse button to view the last commanded. This
is useful for checking on the progress of one unit or to see if it
has obeyed its orders, especially when its target is situated on
another part of the world.
Focus
-----
The player's far sight extends further. Point here and press a mouse
button to change the arrow into a Focus Circle Pointer. Now touch
any unit or city on the main playfield and press a mouse button to
view it in greater detail.
View Units
----------
Point to either arrow and press a mouse button to view in turn each
lead unit (the one followed by other units). The arrow pointing up
searches in one direction through the units, the arrow pointing down
in the other.
UNIT FUNCTIONS
--------------
A unit can be ordered and thus moved when the pointer is an arrow.
Point to the unit to be moved and press mouse button. The arrow will
change to target pointer.
To show that the unit has been selected it will be highlighted.
Point to the target, be it a map location, city or another unit, and
press a mouse button. The pointer will change back to an arrow to
show that the order has been successfully executed. (The target will
not be selected until the mouse button is pressed, so movement around
the landscape can be achieved as previously detailed. The other
screens are also accessible).
To cancel the operation simply point to the chosen unit and press a
mouse button. Note that when a unit is targetted, all followers also
obey new orders unless they are loyal.
Ships
-----
A man can be targetted on anything but sea. A ship on the other hand
can only be targetted on the sea, beach or a port. If a man is
ordered to move a travelling ship or an impossible target he will try
his best to reach it before giving up and attempting to return home.
Any unit of men can travel by sea if it first enters a port. Ports
are represented by a castle and a anchor. Point to the flag outside
the port and press a mouse button then select a destination in the
same manner. The men will walk to the sea where they are `replaced'
by a ship. The ship will then sail to its destination. Note that
navigation is poor and the ships will follow the coastline. If
ships are required to sail large distances or awkward routes they
may get lost and further guidance will be needed.
When a ship reaches a port it is `replaced' by a unit of men. Note
that you can target these men on the port from which they came, but
any other sea operation requires the possession of and entry to a
port city. Note also, that fleets which meet other fleets on their
journey may fight independently of the player.
Armies
------
Large armies can be built by ordering troops to follow each other.
It's favourable to build up large armies to invade enemy territory,
especially as it's easier to control a few armies instead of dozens
of individual units. The positioning of large armies will be
strategic.
The easiest way to build an army is to target units or cities. All
units in the city will form a single army which can be ordered out
of the city by selecting any flag.
By targeting the leader onto an opposing army the train of troops
will close for battle. When enemy units collide and only a few
units are involed a skirmish results. Casualties are immediatly
calcualted and one side may retreat. If many units are involved in
battle then the battle scene is presented so the player can act as
general and order the individual units (see THE BATTLE SCREEN).
Targets
-------
OWN UNIT
The men will form a larger army. From then on, only the leader has
to be targetted. The army will split and units are forced to retreat
by the enemy.
ENEMY UNIT
The men will intercept the enemy, laying siege if they are inside a
city.
SIEGERS
The men will attack the siegers.
CITY
The men will enter their own city, merging with any units already
present. During its stay, the army recoups morale and recuits. If
the city belongs to another realm, the men will ley siege. If the
men were already sieging a city they will storm its walls. This can
prove costly if the city is well defended but it is a quick means
of winning a city.
Selecting a man and selecting a target will cause that man to become
a leader of the troops following him in the chain.
THE ARMY SCREEN
---------------
Unit Description
|
| __________________________________________________
| _| |
| | | ORC HEAVY CAVALRY FROM NAKUZZ | Adjust
|_| | /|\ | | Units
| | 1000 WARRIORS EXPERT WITH MISSLES. A | _ \|/ | Pay
|_| VERY LOYAL UNIT. THEY FEEL UNBEATABLE = |__|
| ___ ___ |
| _________________| | | | |___
| | |___| |___| | |
| | ___ ___ | |
| | _______________| | | | |_ |
| | | |___| |___| | | |
| | | ___ ___ | | |
| _ _ | | _ | | | | | | |
| _=__=__=_ | | _=__=_ |___| |___| | | |
||_________|_________|_|______|______|_____________| | Buy Weapon
| | | | | | |
Treasury | | Equipments | | Buy Armour
| | Price | |
| | | Exit Screen
| Buy Missle |
| Disband Unit
Buy Armour
This screen is shown when an army is formed or selected. The text
accompanying the picture of the warrior type details the unit's size,
capability and morale. Equipment is bought from the stores to the far
right, and the pay and recruitment details are adjusted. It is down
to the player to decide whether or unit is to be highly paid elite or
rough and ready but cheap and disposible. Or somewhere inbetween. Note
that with enemy forces can be viewed but not tampered with.
The different races have different skills with different weapons. Note
that some weapons conflict, for example a bowman is emcumbered by a
shield. When it comes to equipping troops it's not merely a matter of
buying the most equipment. The best armies have specilised units, some
fast and light, others slow but deadly and so on.
Treasury
--------
Reveals the quanity of cash currently availible to the player.
Equipment Price
---------------
The current price of new equipment is bought, the picture of the
warrior is altered accordingly.
Buy Armour
----------
Helmets and body armour are availible. Point here and press a mouse
button to view the possible combinations: helmet, body armour, helmet
and body armour, and no armour. Note that armoured units move slower in
battle but have better defence.
Buy Weapon
----------
Point here and press mouse button to view the availible weapons: short
sword, long sword, axe and warhammer.
Short Sword: Standard light weapon, effective in close combat.
Long Sword: Favourite hand weapon of the elves, heaier hitting power.
Axe: Deadly weapon in the hands of a Dwarf - Has great effect against
armoured opponent.
War Hammer: Favoured by both the Dwarves and Orc races. Cumbersome but
deadly against any armour.
Buy Missle
----------
Point here and press mouse button to view the availible missles:
bows and arrows, javelin and spear.
Bows & Arrows: Ten shots, long range.
Javelin: Two shots, destroy enemy shields, medium range.
Spear: Single shot, destroy enemy shields, low range but cause the most
damage.
Buy Shield
----------
Point here and press mouse button to view the availible shield types:
wicker, wooden and bronze.
Wicker Shield: Light and effective against missles.
Wooden Shield: Heavy, but provides reasonable defensive cover.
Bronze Shield: Heavy, but provides best cover.
Disband Unit
------------
Point here and press a mouse button to disband a unit. (Bear in mind
that the men will join the city's population.) This operation is
cancelled with a second press of a mouse button while pointing here.
Exit Screen
-----------
Point here and press a mouse button to return to the previous screen.
At this point all purchases are made and the price deducted from the
treasury. Note that this screen cannot be left if the treasury cannot
support the purchases. Some items will have tto be discarded.
Adjusts Units Pay
-----------------
Point to either arrow and press a mouse button to raise or lower the
unit's pay from between zero and five coins. The pay is shown in the
palm of the hand between the two arrows. Note that low paid units
have low morale and replacments are not easily recuited. A gem
represents payment from looting cities instead of a wage. The unit
will expect regular looting sessions, so beware.
__________________________________________________
| |
| YOUR CAPITAL OF NAKUZZ |
| THE ORC POPULATION OF 65500 IS INCREASING |
| THEY FEEL ABSOLUTLY UNBEATABLE |
| THEIR LOYALTY IS ABSOLUTE. __ |_
| /\ | |
| / | |
| ___\ |_|
| / | |
| ELIDON | |
| | |
| |\ ___ ___ | |
| _ _ | > BUILD CITY _ | | | || |
| _=_=_=_=_ |/ _=_=_=_ |___| |___|| Big Arrows
|_|_________|__________________|_______|___________|
| | |_______| | | |
| | | | | |
Treasury | | | View |
| | | Option |
Select Current | Exit
Option Option |
|
Option
Cost
There are two means of viewing a city in detail. Either use the gift
of far sight (see THE MAIN DISPLAY) or simply point to a city on the
main landscape and press a mouse button. Remember that a brief
description of the city will be given in the panal at the bottem of
the screen when the arrow points to it.
The unique picture of the city shows its size, which changes accordingly
as the city grows and declines. A small city may comprise more than a
few mud huts. As it grows, walls and larger, more solid buildings will
appear. Eventually the ciy will expand to encompass public buildings,
temples and even palaces.
The text at the top of the screen details the state of the city shown.
Note that the text changes to reflect the option at the bottem of the
screen.
With a city viewed in detail there are many options availible.
Treasury
--------
Reveals the amount of cash currently availible to the player.
Current Option
--------------
Reveals the option currently selected by the player, and is
complemented by the Option Cost display.
View Option
-----------
Point to either of the arrows and press a mouse button to view
availible options. Not all options below will be availible - only
those which can be used are shown, and this is not cost dependent.
The options depend on whose city is being viewed and change
according to the situation.
Select Option
-------------
This arrow head shows the direction of cash flow - either to or
from the treasury. Simply point to this arrow head (the text option
or cost display) and press a mouse button to select the option
displayed. The cost of the option is deducted from the treasury.
If the option costs too much a message to that effect is displayed
in place of the option description. Once an option is brought, it
may not be immediately availible again.
Option Cost
-----------
This varies depending on the nature of the option. Taking over a
city, for example, costs nothing - initially, at least, as thereafter
the player has an extra city to manage.
Exit
----
Point here and press the left-mouse button to return the previous
screen. Alternatively, point anywhere else on the screen and press the
right-mouse button.
Big Arrows
----------
Neighbouring cities are indicated by these silver and gold coloured
arrows either side of the screen, with the name of the cities shown
beneath the arrows. The silver arrows belong to cities that are not
part of the player's realm. The gold arrows are for cities within
the player's realm. This provides a useful shortcut to check on
several cities without returning to the main display. Simply point
to the relevant titled arrow and press a mouse button.
THE BUY OPTION
--------------
GRAIN
The price of a year's worth of seeds for the current population is
shown. Beware of the price fluctuations. Remember: if a population
is increasing, the grain may not last as long as expected.
LAND
Allows growth to continue. Whenever this option is chosen an area of
land is cleared and planted. Eventually a city will reach its maximum
size and there will be no more land. Land automatically falls out of
production and so will have to be recultivated. Cultivated land can be
seen on main display.
HEALTH
The cost of cleaning up the city and caring for the sick is shown.
This option may have to be used several times if a plague has stuck
the city. Note that plague quickly affects crowded cities and spreads
along trade routes.
BUILD CITY
A standard cost is shown for encouraging new citizens to the city.
Wooden Walls: The full cost is shown but they take time to build.
Stone Walls: These are expensive and take longer to complete than
wooden walls but they do provide the best protection against looters.
The erection of stone walls can be begun before wooden ones are
complete.
PAY TRIBUTE
A seiging force may demand a tribute to leave. The size of the tribute
depends on the relationship between their realm and the player's. A
payment will relieve the siege but they may soon be back for more.
RECRUIT ARMY
The text at the top of the screen details the quality of the next
1,000 troops availible. The recruitment cost shown is the basic cost
for basic training and the cheapest equipment. When the option is
chosen the Army Screen is displayed (see THE ARMY SCREEN).
RECRUIT CAVALRY
This is similar to the army option except a horse regiment is formed.
Note that some races make better horsemen than others.
THE TAKE OPTIONS
----------------
CITIZEN LEVY
The amount of tax that can be raised is shown. This is taken directly
from the people and never proves popular, so only use the Citizen Levy
for instant cash in emergencies.
TAKE TRIBUTE
When sieging an enemy city, the player may be offered to end the siege.
Accepting this tribute automatically sends the player's troops home.
SURRENDER OPTIONS
-----------------
If a city surrenders following a siege, the following options are
availible...
LOOT CITY
The city is left untouched but its wealth is taken in a civilised
manner.
RAVAGED CITY
The army is given freedom to pillage the city. This works for the
army's morale but enrages the enemy.
RAZE CITY
The ultimate sanction. The city's people are sold, the buildings
are burned and all wealth is taken. The enemy will take time to recover
and will more often that not desire vengence.
ANNEXE CITY
The best option of all for reducing the enemy's strength and
improving the player's - provided the money and men are availible.
This costly exercise enrages the enemy but the people may be more
appreciative depending on how they have been treated in the past.
BATTLE SCREEN
-------------
Morale
____________|_____________
___________|__________________________|___________
| __ |
| |__| |__ |
| | |__| |
| | | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| / / / / / | Attack Factor
| V | Defence Factor
| | | | | | Missile Quantity
| ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ O O O | Troop Quantity
| | || || || || | |
| |___||___||___||___||___| ELVISH |
|__________________________________________________|
| | |_____| | |_____|
| | | | |
Order | | Fire Troop
Attack | Rotate Missile Type
| Unit
Change
Formation
Full-scale battle take place against a backdrop similar to that used
for the main landscape display. Army units are shown as groups of men
which move realistically over the contours. Before the fighting takes
place, the units from both sides march one at a time onto the field
and take up position. The units are positioned in either a centre of
flank position depending on their strengths. The faster or missile-
bearing troops will take the flanks and the heaviest troops the centre.
The outcome of the battle depends on tatical elements and not just the
size of the armies. Terrain postion is also a factor - units on high
ground have an advantage.
The battle proper will not begin until the command is issued. This
gives the player time to view the troops on both sides and form a
stratagy. Note that extra units may enter the battle after it has
begun.
A unit is selected by pointing to its flag-bearing leader and pressing
a mouse button. Information about the enemy units is shown to the left
of the screen, while information about the player's units is shown to
the right.
Morale
------
Flags represent the morale of each side and change as the battle
progresses. The lower the flag, the lower the army's morale. Units
will take the initiative of routing or retreating if thier morale is
broken. Routing units may cause other units to route also.
Order Attack
------------
Point here and press a mouse button to order the attack to begin. The
order icon will change to a bugle: Point to this and press a mouse
button to sound the retreat. Note that if the troops' morale is
significantly low they may well take the initiative to retreat before
the fighting begins. The descision to retreat can be reversed by
re-ordering an attack, however the units which have already left the
battlefield will not return.
Fire Missle
-----------
First point to a unit armed with missles then press a mouse button.
Point to this icon and press a mouse button. The icon will highlight.
Now point to the target and press a mouse button. The chosen unit
will unleash a missle attack in the target's direction. Note that is
is possible to kill player's own troops.
Rotate Unit
-----------
First, point at a unit and press a mouse button. Now point to the
required direction of turn and press a mouse button until the unit
faces the correct way.
Change Formation
----------------
First, point at a unit and press a mouse button. Now point here and
press a mouse button to change the formation.
Wedge: The best attack formation.
Phalanx: A good all round formation.
Line: Useful for pluggin gaps to hold the enemy.
Square: The best defensive formation.
ORDERING TROOPS
---------------
Once initiated, the battle takes place in real time. Casualties are
calculated to reflect the combat skills, armour and weapon types,
and races of the troops. The direction the troops face and their
relative heights are also taken into account.
Troops are ordered to move in much the same way as they are on the
main landscape display. Point to the unit leader and press a mouse
button - the arrow will change to a movement pointer. Point this at
the target, be it land or unit, and press a mouse button. The unit
will than move. Note that frienly units pass through each other but
move slower.
DISK OPERATIONS
---------------
Read Disk
---------
Point here and press a mouse button to view a list (or directory) of
all the saved situations on the disk in the computer's internal drive.
Retrieving Saved Situations
---------------------------
Call up the directory of the disk. If the title of the saved situation
is not visible, use the arrows to the left of the display to view the
other titles on the disk. Now point to the desired save situation and
press a mouse button to retrieve it. As soon as the saved situation has
been retrieved, play will automatically begin from scratch.
Write To Disk
-------------
Point here and press a mouse button to view a directory of save slots
(a maximium of five are availible on the Amiga and Atari ST - PC
owners have a near-unlimited number) on the disk in the computer's
internal drive.
Saving Situations
-----------------
So there isn't enough time to finish the campaign in hand? Fear not.
Simply save the situation to disk. Call up the directory of save
slots. If the desired save slot is not visible, use the arrows to the
left of the display to view the other slots on the disk. Now point to
the desired save slot and press a mouse button. When prompted, use the
keyboard to edit the title of the slot. Press `RETURN' key to save the
current state of play to the disk in the computer's internal drive
using the chosen title.
Up Arrow
--------
Point here and press a mouse button to step back one title at a time
to the first saved situation on the disk.
Down Arrow
----------
Point here and press a mouse button to advance one title at a time
to the last situation on the disk.
Exit
----
Point here and press a mouse button to return to the state of play
prior to accessing this screen.
HINTS ON PLAYING REALMS
-----------------------
BEGINNER'S GUIDE
----------------
Once Realms has loaded and play has begun and the Inside Fortress is
presented, select a capital city. Use the mouse to point the arrow to
the red capital city marker then press the left-hand mouse button to
view the alternate realm availible. The chosen realm will turn yellow.
Once a realm has been chosen, press the right-hand mouse button or
select the Focus icon using the left-hand mouse button. `Your Realm
Of (Name)' will appear above the map. Play is ready to begin.
Select the upwards arrow to adjust the taxes - set the coins to around
five high. Select the Focus icon to turn the Select Pointer into a
Focus Circle Pointer. Position this pointer over your capital city
(the largest yellow marker) and press the left-hand mouse button to
view the capital on the playfield. Around the capital city you will
see the units of troops, represented by small flags. Select any flag
to change the Select Pointer to a Target Pointer. Select any enemy
city on the small worldmap in the top left-hand corner. That city will
appear on the playfield. Select it on the playfield to target the troop
unit. Select the Troop icon to return the playfield view to show your
men beginning their march. Select your capital city from the playfield
to enter the City Screen. Ensure that the city has enough food and that
its overall health is good. Take a look at the outer cities too, by
selecting the relevant marker on the small map then selecting the city
on the playfield. Now either recruit troops or build a stone wall if
the city is likely to be attacked and stock up on food if necessary.
The enemy won't wait long to attack your outlying cities, so take a
look at the opposition via the worldmap. If you can't find the cities,
return to the Fortress Screen by selecting the exit icon. Now select
the Troops icon and select the red enemy capital to reveal the
position of its troops. The fate of the realm is in your hands...
Decide which cities are likely to be attacked and either install
troops or build brick walls and stock up on food. The enemy always
pick off cities next to them.
Once your house is in order, pick off the outlying enemy cities to
weaken the realm's strength.
Continually check the worldmap to see what the enemy is playing at.
Form reasonably-sized armies of about six units - smaller armies are
easily destroyed, while larger armies are more difficult to move
and deplete other areas.
Battles should be forced on your terms. Try to outnumber the enemy
and stay away from their large forces.
Every now and then, nurse growing cities to generate cash and men.
Try to keep your empire compact. Don't spread yourself too thin.
And try not to attack more than a single enemy at once.
FIGHTING BATTLES
----------------
Close-quarters combat formed the bulk of ancient battles, which is
why they were more often than not bloody affairs. To the casual
observer, it would seem that little if any stategy was involved.
Many factors determined the outcome of battle. Each unit type has
its own advantages and disadvantages which determine the best
strategy.
Armies were split into units of men. Each unit was split into ranks.
A unit could only fight well to its front, with each rank supporting
the one in front, the unit's attention had to be in one direction.
Early strategies involved manoeuvres to outflank an enemy and attack
from the sides or peferably the rear.
Heavy infantry equipped with helmet armour and bodyshield was a
formidable fighting force machine. Disciplined units could be locked
in combat with similar forces without suffering many casualties until
one side broke formation or was outmanoeuvred. Their role was to hold
the centre of the line of battle in defence or in attack to grind
away at the enemy unyil their resolve broke. A heavy infantryman could
always beat a lightly armed infantryman if the units were locked in
combat.
The light infantryman's advantage was speed. He was able to deliver
missle attacks then retreated unmolested, giving the light infantryman
an advantage if combat could not be forced. Light infantrymen were
also cheaper to train and equip and so were far more disposible.
Horsemen had the advantage of speed, although before the spur was
invented that were at a disadvantage against similarly equipped
infantrymen. It was difficult for such horsemen to maintain a tight
formation as they had to control horses as well as fight. If an
infantry unit could withstand the initial shock of impact, it could
almost always outfight a cavalry unit. A heavy cavalry unit with its
weaponry and speed could beat a lightly armed infantry unit.
The horsemen's main role was to turn the lighter flanks of an army
before using their speed to get behind the heavier units where they
could demolish them.
Light horsemen armed with bows have defeated the best diciplined
infantry units by staying out of reach and continually raining
arrows on them. The mounted archer was at a disadvantage from
grounded bowmen, but he was near-untouchable by heavy infantrymen.
Before the battle try to equip some units with missles and the others
with heavy armour and shields. Horsemen are useful as they are fast.
Multi-racial armies are the best provided their appropriate skills
are taken into consideration.
Avoid full frontal assaults at all costs!
Use missle attacks to soften up enemy units.
Draw the enemy out and break their formations.
Get behind the enemy or outflank them if at all possible.
Use arrows early on in a battle. There's precious little time to
order units when the enemy attacks.
Avoid the more powerful enemy units. Smash the weaker ones and the
whole army may route.
SOME OBSERVATIONS
-----------------
Remember that the known world only changes during the main display.
Realms grow and decline and armies move from city to city.
Beware: the player's own armies and cities may revolt and take other
ciies with them.
The larger a realm, the greater the internal problems. Large realms
do not quickly become dominant.
Bad harvests can effect any realm. Plague or disease can spread
from city to city via the trade routes.
A healthy city with pleanty of food will grow.
Food depends on the quality and quantity of land and farmers. The
more people recruited, the more land there is to farm.
A city's loyaltyincreases every year if it's population is pleased.
The citizens' loyalty falls rapidly if the city is looted or suffers
another disaster. A discontent city may become independent or even
join another realm.
Aiding other realms by improving their cities' health or buying grain
doesn't guarentee their friendliness. A realm will always put ambition
before friendship.
ADVANCED STRATAGIES: Stratagies for a multi realm enviroment.
-------------------
Dont hang around in the realtime playfield. Get to the easy conquests
before the enemy.
Decide who to fight and who to help.
Avoid fighting two realms. Leave them to fight each other.
Consolidate your forces in a core of connecting cities before
building them up and braching out.
GRAFTGOLD - AND THE CREATION OF REALMS
The Company
-----------
Graftgold was formed in 1983 by designers and programmers Steve Turner
and Andrew Braybrook, with the intent of "bringing professionalism into
a market which was at the time very young and unprofessional."
During its prolific growth period, the company has managed to remain
as tight and efficient as when it was founded, and has to its name a
string of award-winning successes with both original product and
conversion work.
Realms represents the culmination of over eight years of work based
on a concept Steve Turner first envisaged in 1986. Only now has
technology proved viable enough a platform on which to realise Steve's
dream.
For Graftgold's next project, the team is looking at four or five
diverse ideas, ranging from arcade to sports to stratagy.
..!THE END!..
..!If You Enjoy This Game Please Consider Buying The Original!..