DDDD AAAAA RRRRRRRR KK K DD D A A R R KK K DD D A A R R KK K DD D A A R R Kk K DD D A A R R KK K DD D A A R R KK K DD D A A RRRRRRRRRR KKK DD D AAAAAAAAAA RRRRRRRRRR KKK DD D AAAAAAAAAA R R KK K DD D A A R R KK K DD D A A R R KK K DD D A A R R KK K DD D A A R R KK K DD D A A R R KK K DDDD A A R R KK K AAAAA GGGGGGGGGGGG EEEEEEEEEEE SSSSSSSSS A A GG EEEEEEEEEEE S S A A GG EE S A A GG EE S A A GG EE S A A GG EE S A A GG EE S AAAAAAAAAA GG EEEEEEEEEE SSSSSSSS AAAAAAAAAA GG GGGGG EE S A A GG G EE S A A GG G EE S A A GG G EE S A A GG G EE S A A GGGGGGGGGGG EEEEEEEEEEE S S A A GGGGGGGGGGG EEEEEEEEEEE SSSSSSSS ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Table Of Contents ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 What is Dark Ages? 2 Who is writting this? 3 What is the storyline? 4 Key Board Commands 5 Player Stats 6 Spells 7 Weapons 8 Armor 9 Shields 10 Enemies 11 General Tips 12 Frequently asked Questions 13 Walkthrough 14 Thanks and other information ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dark Ages ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dark Ages is a great game. It is a rare type of game on the Internet; it is fun, a good Game, and most of all it is a COMPLETLY FREE RPG (Role-Playing Game). It is programmed in Qbasic, which is somewhat like the Nintendo but with a bit better graphics and a lot better Story line. It is a DOS game, and I believe it is exclusively for IBM, otherwise known as Windows. The creator of the game is a college student called Mike Hoopman and his web page is at http://www.tcnj.edu/~hoopman2/frames.html, but I should tell you that it is now based mostly on the upcoming Dark Ages 2, which looks to be just as good or better than the original (by the way, I also intend to write a Walkthrough for that as well, but first thing's first). I say that you should at least give the game a try. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Writer ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Hello, my name is David Demars and I am currently a Leicester High school student in taxachusettes. I am known by many names, including Transcora, Pokémon Grand Master, MassMurderer, Exar Kun, and the devil in all of you. My web site is at http://members.tripod.com/~Transcora/frames.html and is mostly about Final Fantasy. You may email me at transcora@joymail.com. I would appreciate if you could do anything for me, like email or sign my guestbook but I cannot force you, yet. My Jedi powers far exceed the strength of any known Jedi Masters, and I shall soon destroy your world:>(Just Kidding, OK?) In the meantime however, let's get started. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Story line (as written by Mike Hoopman) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "They're coming again!" You drop your tools and rush back to the farmhouse to get your dagger. Another orc raid. Your whole life has been spent defending your farm and your cattle from orc raids. Orcs have been around since Greyor broke the world into two continents. They seem almost common place, or they did at one time. For almost a year now, these raids have become near fierce battles. Each time the Orcs come in greater numbers and each time they are more daring. At one time, merely the presence of an armed human would send them fleeing, but now they stand and fight to the death. "Hurry up! It looks to be a big group this time!" "I'm on my way!" you shout as you grab your foot-long dagger and rush out the door to confront the raging beasts. "Five of them, just over that hill," you father explains while pointing with his wood ax. "Not too bad, we can handle five." The Orcs rush over the hill and the two of you charge, trying to meet them as far as possible from the farmhouse where your mother and sister are hiding. The impact of your charge sets the Orcs off balance. With a quick swing, your father reduces one of the foul creatures by a head. Your swipe cuts an orc deep in the arm. It screams and staggers away. A moment later and the two of you even the odds. Suddenly, a human scream pierces the air. You turn just in time to see a second raiding party crash through the door of your farmhouse. This was a trap! With utter horror, you see an orc exit with your sister's limp body slung over his shoulder. Your father, terrified, turns and runs toward the house. He never gets there. With his back turned, he is easily taken down by a marauding orc. "Nooo!" you cry while fatally stabbing the orc in facing you. With the opening in front of you, you dash for a small grove of trees about a quarter mile away. The orcs put up a token chase, then turn back to their victory feast. Well hidden in the trees, you sink down and faint from fear and exertion. You place the first shovel-full of dirt over your father's corpse. He now lies next to your mother and sister. You cover his face first, the empty sockets of where his eyes were clawed out being harder to bear than the jagged hole in his torso that used to house his vital organs. What they did to your mother and sister was a thousand times worse. No tears in your eyes, though you feel like you could cry for eternity. All that is there is a cold, dark hatred and a desire for revenge. Greyor's evil magic has ruined your family and your life. There is no reason to remain at the farm. You finish the graves, throw down the shovel, and without a last look, head north in the direction of Meadow. You have a few gold pieces left, hidden by your father under the floorboards. The orcs had not found them. With these you will begin your quest. The birds chirp playfully, yet the wind blows cold, and Meadow is visible in the distance. (Good storyline, huh?) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Basic Keyboard Commands: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "H" - Help menu. This lists all the below commands when in the game. - This is the primary interaction button. Use this to initiate conversation with other people. It also is used for special commands when applicable. "S" - Save game. This key works at any time except in battle to save your progress. "L" - Load game. Loads a game at anytime except in battle. "C" - Cast a spell. This is used to cast a spell while in towns or outside. "Z" - Player statistics. This menu lists your strength, experience, level, gold, and spells learned,and items you are carrying. (Taken from the dark ages manual) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Player Statistics: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Strength - Measures how strong the player is. This affects the number of hit points the player has and how much damage he can do in battle. Dexterity - Measure of quickness and accuracy. Affects the chance of hitting a creature in battle. Wisdom - The more of this the player has, the more magical power he has. Vital when casting spells. Hit Points - The amount of life left in the player. When this reaches zero, the player dies. Increases with strength. Magic Points - The amount of astral power the player has. When this becomes low, the player may not be able to cast certain spells. Increases with Wisdom. (Taken from the dark ages manual) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Spells, Levels, and costs ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Level Name Cost Location 1 Heal 50 Meadow 2 Burn 150 Meadow / Quinine Tower 3 Great Heal 350 Quinine Tower 4 Blindness 500 Aaryak / Laendlich 5 Firebomb 750 Castle Garrison / Rhoeyce 6 Massive Heal 1000 Tristen 7 Acid Rain 1500 Rhoeyce 8 Melt Flesh 2000 Laendlich 9 Full Heal 3000 Tristen / Aaryak 10 Death 3500 Floating City 11 Travel 4000 Floating City ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Weapons, Weapon Power, Weapon Locations ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Weapon Power Cost Location Dagger 1 10 Meadow / Tristen Club 2 25 Meadow / Quinine Tower Mace 3 40 Quinine Tower / Northern Post Spear 5 60 Quinine Tower / Tristen Axe 6 300 Wisp / Northern Post / Amber Shortsword 8 800 Trok / Rhoeyce Great Axe 10 1500 Northern Post / Aaryak Long Sword 12 2500 Castle Garrison / Tristen Halberd 15 3500 Aaryak Magic Axe 17 5000 Castle Garrison / Tristen Magic Sword 20 0000 hidden ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Armor, Cost, Strength, and Location ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Armor Power Cost Location Tunic 1 25 Meadow / Tristen Leather Vest 2 100 Meadow / Quinine Tower Studded Leather 3 250 Quinine Tower Ring Mail 4 450 Wisp / Tristen Scale Mail 5 1000 Wisp / Northern Post Chain Mail 6 2200 Amber / Tristen Partial Plate 7 4000 Castle Garrison Full Plate 8 6000 Castle Garrison / Aaryak Magic Armor 10 9000 Aaryak ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Shield, Shield Strength, Cost, and Location ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Shield Power Cost Location Buckler 1 15 Meadow / Trok Small Shield 2 100 Quinine Tower / Trok Large Shield 3 500 Wisp / Rhoeyce Magic Shield 5 2000 Rhoeyce ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Monsters ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Name HP Attack Levels Experiance Gold Orc 10 2 1-14 10 10 Ferocious Armless 25 5 3-16 25 20 Highway Bandit 40 8 5-18 35 25 Acid Slime 35 14 7-20 40 20 Giant Spider 45 10 9-22 50 40 Wizard 40 16 1-24 100 60 Goblin 65 18 3-26 150 100 Skeleton 90 20 5-28 200 150 Troll 130 25 17-30 250 200 Dark Knight 150 28 19-32 300 280 Demon Spider ??? 3+ 300 300 Bronze Golem 200 33 1-34 320 350 Dark Goblin 190 37 23-26 340 450 Iron Golem 250 40 25-38 365 350 Gold Dragon 275 44 27+ 390 600 Lost Soul 300 47 29+ 425 700 Ice Dragon 325 50 31+ 450 750 Platinum Golem 350 55 33+ 500 850 Black Dragon 400 60 35+ 550 1000 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Some General Tips ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Hey, Maybe you don't need all of the Weapon/Shield/Armor/Magic/Enemy charts this second, but trust me, when you are driving yourself insane trying to find where to get The Magic Sword or The Travel spell, they come in handy. Ok, let's get to the tips. 1 SAVE OFTEN!!! I save about once every 5 minutes. If you are having trouble getting past a part, all that you have to do to ensure you will be alive is save often. I have a method that hasn't failed me yet. I get an egg timer and set it to 5 minutes and no problem. I also save after I go to the inn and when I gain a level. 2 A BALANCE IN THE FORCE!!! If you have money and you intend on buying some thing, think for a second. Do you want to be able to kill an enemy, or do you need sufficient defense against harder enemies? Balance your weapons and armor equally to get the maximum effect in your battles. 3 HE WHO FIGHTS AND RUNS AWAY LIVES TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY!!! You must be able to be ready to leave a battle so as to not to kill yourself. Don't be a brave fool, but don't be a scardy cat. Just save and do your best. 4 MAPS MAPS WHO HAS GOT A MAP??? There is only one map that I know of in the world for Dark Ages and it is a world map. I suggest you type it out and use it instead of going on blind luck or your memory, unless your Einstein. 5 YOUR LACK OF FAITH DISTURBS ME!!! I have beaten the game at level 37. I have also beaten the game at level 50. I have beaten the game in a mere 2 and a half hours and I have beaten the game in a lengthy 25 and a half-hours. I know every enemy and every weapon. I am somewhat of a genious in this game. I do not appreciate people who assume I do not know anything. I know about as much as is to be known in this game and I hope that you believe me. I do things my way. You may do it a different way but I do it my way and if you want my help then you are asking for it, I am not giving it away. There is more than one way to play this game and if you like it your way then you are welcome to it, just don't but me about it. You might get the third piece before the second. I don't care, just don't tell me about it, I am writing the easier way. 6 THE TRUTH!!! You do not need this to beat the game. You can just talk to the people, or remember what you were told to finish this game without the Walkthrough. If you feel you need it, then you can look at this, but please only use it for reference when you are in a tough spot, Ok? 7 OUTDATED, HUH? By the time I finish this, this game will not be popular, (not that it was very popular in the first place, but still it will be replaced with DA2) so please bear with me,I am busy with work, school, my webpage, and soon playing Dark Ages 2. 8 IF YOU MUST!!! Cheating on this game is not something that I think you should do, nor do I think it is something that is necessary in this game. However if you must then download the program the Cheat-O-Matic at http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Dungeon/5633/ and never ask me how to use it. Just read the Read me file and do not bug me at all, deal? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Frequently asked Questions ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Q.) Who has the Diamont? A.) Look in the Floating city, one of the books has his name, the book is the existance of diamont. Q.) Where is the Magic Sword? A.) After you beat the goblins and get Gawain, he leaves it to you. It is in a single mountain surrounded by trees on the west side of the world. Q.) How do I get into the Floating City? A.) Get up to level 9 magic. It will then allow you to get there. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Walkthrough, Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, And, Whatever ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Okay, as you know this game is about joining the 3 medallions and killing Greyor. I have then divided this up into 4 parts, 1 for each medallion, and 1 for Greyor. It will be divided as 1a, 1b, 1c and so on until the end. The Beginning 1a So the longest journey begins with the smallest step, you must start. Choose a name and go into the town. Talk to the bartender and learn the storyline. Then talk to Reyd the carpenter. Then to Mert, then to Emma, then to Tyren. You then have to gain up to level 3 and the man in the bar will buy you ale for Tyren. Before you go out however you absolutely need to get weapons and armor. Don't get spells for now. Gain the levels and when you can buy heal. I think you should be at least level 5, but it is your choice. Go to The man and get the key. Give it to Reyd and a bridge will appear. Cross it. 1b Enter the castle and talk to the king. Offer him your help and DO NOT go into the cave at once. First you must get all the spells so far and the best weapons and armor. Then build up your levels to AT LEAST 10. This is the first boss and it will not be easy. When you do get all those, enter. 1c This cave is a huge maze, so it is best to pay attention if you are having problems. DO NOT fight the spiders at first. If you do you will have one hell of a time tying to live. At the beginning follow this course; Down, Left, Up, Left, Down. Then find general Ryldar, he is the guy in the black armor. He will give you a healing potion. Now fight as many of those spider bastards as you want, and gain a few levels. It is easy, and gives you a much better chance of survival. When you are ready, attack the spider. 1d THE BOSS is a spider as you already know. All you have to do is keep attacking him and he will go down. Great heal yourself if your HP drops past 20. When he dies everybody leaves and you get piece one of Greyor's medal. Go back to the king and he will grant you passage. The Second leg of your journey. 2a Now go past the cave. To the left of where the spider was is a tunnel. Go through it and into a new town. Your goal becomes evident, go to amber and find the man who knows how to enter the city of dwarfs. Before you leave, be sure to buy new weapons and armor, and also to save. Look at your map to find out where amber is and get going. 2b I suggest going first to the monastery and building up unto level 12 or 13 if you are not at that level yet. Then go to the Castle Garrison and buy some new equipment.(You probably won't be able to afford it but still it is nice to know where that stuff is.) Now go to Rhoeyoce and buy level 4 magic. Return to the castle and stock up on magic, you will need it soon enough. Now go to amber and talk to the wise man. He tells you to go to Laendlich. 2c Go there. The way there is by ferry, for 50 bucks. You will see a little hut, that is where the ferry is. Enter the town. Talk to the dwarf. He says to go help Bone Breaker. BB is in Northern Post. When you get there you will be in a battle, so I suggest getting to level 15 at least with the best weapons you can get. 2d BUILD UP THIS SECOND. You will be fighting a lot of nasties down there, and being at level 20 makes you life a lot easier. Now that you have the Horn, go to the dwarf caves to the south of Rhoeyoce and enter. Get as far to the left as you can and go up. Follow this path up and then go right and down. Follow that path until you have to go left and up. When you do so you will find the stairs. Go down them and enter the dwarf village. Be sure you are ready to go down before you go, because there is no going back alive. 2e In this cave you will get lost. Even with this you will get lost, so it is best if you are ready to take on the enemies so you do not die. 25 is the bare minimum, about 30 is alot better and you need to stock up so you can get good weapons anyway. When you are ready enter. 2f When you enter you see that this is gonna be one heck of a mother. Oh well, you better get going. Follow to the top right where you will find the stairs down. You will be in a room and you will presented with 3 stairs, then three more, and so on. Here is the right order to go to win. Top, Middle, Top, Right and viola! You beat it. Go back up. 2g Talk to the dwarf leader and get healed. Save and go back up. If you talked to him you would know what you have to do. If I were you I would get caught up on all the magic in the game because travel and full heal come in handy. Also read the book and remember the name in a book about diamant that starts with E. Write it down. Now to the city of Trok and talk to the scientist. He will give you your next destination at Crystal Caves. Get ready, it is gonna be real fun, if you like mazes. If you are sane, you will probably think otherwise. 2h Well, I love to say I told you so. Well, try not to go nuts going down there. When you get out of the first part of the cave there, it is pretty easy business. Just get out to the stairs and go up them and you will see a man standing there. Talk to him and tell him his name, I hope you wrote it down. If you didn't, well, I don't blame you, I'm lazy as well. It is Einsiedler. Tell him and if you can travel outta there. 2i Go to Trok and get the scientist to make it for you. Stock up on weapons again and go for the dwarfs again. You will then achieve the second piece of the medallion. Yay. Now get out. Halfway done, you seem to be coming along quite well. 3a Use the Travel spell to go to Landliech and go into the cave. You see there is a block of ice there. Great. Go to Tristen and talk to the mage there. He will tell you to beg for his readmitance into the Floating City. 3b If you are at a good level(35+) and with all the spells and good armor and weapons, then use travel. If not then walk and build up levels. When you get there beg the chancellor to let him back. Then you will then return to Tristen where the mage will go to the floating city. 3c In the city find Mizrak (the Mage) and talk to him. He will tell you what to do. You have to find where there is some Ironwood. Do you remember where a senle old man who was near trees and called you Grey Beard was? Yup Castle Garrison. Go there and get it. 3d Now go back to the floating city and find something nice, you still arenb't finished. Now you have got to find out a place that has sulfer. Go to the Miner's Guild in Aaryak. Talk to the guy and learn your fate. Oh well, just do the same old. You must save Gawain. If you are at 35 you will be golden, as long as you have some good weapons and armor. Then go to the Goblins. 3e As you enter you will realize this isn't gonna be a walk in the park. Oh well, you had better just get going on it. First talk to the guard. He will make a deal that is Gawain for food. Go to the cook and talk to him. Now you have to find the necklace. Find a Goblin to the right and under Gawain and he will tell you he lost it in a gambling bet. Find thrasher, near the cook, and he will sell it for you for 100$. Buy it and get the food. Return to the guard and get the key. Free Gawain. 3f Get sulfer from the man at the miner's guild. Also read the note. Go to the east of Trok and press space. You get the Magic sword. Yay. Now go to Mizrak and give him the sulfur. 3g Mizrak gives you the firewand. Now you must find a priest. Go to the temple. At the left will be the priest that will hook you up. Get ready, you will be leaving for the cave next. 3h Enter the cave and walk through the ice. Take the up path and go in. Go to the bottom left and enter the stairs. Go to the left and get in those stairs. Go into the next stairs and so on until you reach the medallion. Warp outta there. Very well, but your biggest battle still lies ahead 4a Well, what is the city that everyone says has someone who can fix any type of jewelry? Wisp. Go there and get the medallion fixed. 4b The end is the beginning is the end. You should be on at least 40 but 50 is more preferable. Then go to the rift cave 4c When you enter, go to the left then down. Follow the spiraling form until you find the stairs. Go there and place the pieces. SAVE FIRST SAVE NOW BECAUSE THIS WILL BE THE LAST CHANCE YOU GET. 4d Kill the dragons. There is no real strategy, just do it. Win and read the storyline. Yay. Congradulations, you can read a walkthrough, you must be cool and good. THANKS Mike Hoopmann(and the rest of the Dark Ages Staff)-For making such a great game. My family-For always being there whether I wanted you there or not. Matt Norman-For the junk food and the coca-cola. Shawn Whitney-For all of the algebra homework, I don't know what I would do without it (probably fail). Jerry-For being such a cool kitty (and biting the #$^% outta me when I was trying to work). Cocoa-For being my first cool cat(He died of cat leukemia, :<). Poor man's Stew-Just for the music(my brother's band)