BLOOD & MAGIC (tm) INTERACTIVE DEMO
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º º
º To order the full version of º
º Blood & Magic º
º call Interplay Productions at º
º 1-800-INTERPLAY º
º and mention code "BLE1" º
º º
º (available in the Fall of 1996) º
º º
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BLOOD & MAGIC: (c) 1996 Tachyon Studios. All rights reserved. Blood & Magic
is a trademark of TSR. Interplay is the trademark of Interplay Productions.
Licensed and distributed by Interplay Productions. All other trademarks are
the property of their respective owners.
Developed for Interplay Productions by:
EX-TACHYON STUDIOS
P.O. Box 2838
Oakhurst, Ca. 93644
Uses Smacker Video Technology. Copyright 1994 by Invisible, Inc.
d.b.a. RAD Software.
INSTALLATION
DOS users:
Please run INSTALL.EXE from your installation disk.
Windows 95 users:
Please run INSTW95.EXE from your installation disk.
INTERPLAY CUSTOMER SUPPORT
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º Interplay Technical Support º
º & Customer Service º
º º
º 714-553-6678 º
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Customer Service is available 24 hours a day through our Automated Customer
Service system, with a Customer Service representative available during
normal business hours at (714) 553-6678.
Please try to have your system information available and be near your computer
if at all possible.
Other ways to get Interplay Support:
MacPlay support can be reached at 714-553-3530
in the United States
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
Interplay Productions Interplay Web Page: http://www.interplay.com
attn: Customer Service Macplay Web Page: http://www.macplay.com
16815 Von Karman internet email: support@interplay.com
Irvine, CA 92606 Macplay: macplay@macplay.com
FTP sites: ftp1.interplay.com
fax: (714)252.2820 or ftp.interplay.com
attn: Customer Service Interplay BBS: 714-252-2822
BBS telnet: 199.182.211.86 or
bbs.interplay.com
America Online: keyword INTERPLAY
or email to "IPTECH"
GEnie: type "M805;1"
CompuServe: GO GAMBPUB, under INTERPLAY
Prodigy: email to "PLAY99B"
In Europe In Japan
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
write to: Customer Services Information
Customer Support Write to: Customer Support
Harleyford Manor Interplay Co., Ltd.
Harleyford Hiro-o Plaza, 6F
Henley Road 5-6-6 Hiro-o
Marlow Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150
Buckinghamshire JAPAN
SL7 2DX
England Tel: 03-5421-3815
Fax: 03-5421-3722
phone: +44 (0) 1628 423723
fax : +44 (0) 1628 487752
INTRODUCTION TO THE REALMS
Welcome to the Forgotten Realms, the most successful and appreciated
fantasy world created for game players. From fertile inspiration to
limitless land of fancy, the Realms have grown over the years into the
prize gem of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons multi-verse. Join us now
for a quest into the Forgotten Realms unlike any that has ever been
undertaken.
Blood & Magic takes place in an era of the Realms which has never
before been revealed. It is before the Time of Troubles, in the land
to the east of the Great Sea, where powerful leaders create magical
armies to do battle with their enemies. This arcane practice is made
possible by the Bloodforge, a mysterious artifact which forms living
golems out of raw magic.
You will assume the role of various mages who have mastered the
Bloodforge. Court intrigue, rivalries, revenge and outright invasion
will draw you into conflicts with other masters of the art. Your
campaigns will bring you to winding city streets, remote wilderness
camps, forgotten ruins of yore, and sites conjured straight out of
myth.
So leave your parties in the dungeon and your heroes on the quest, and
prepare yourself for the ultimate challenge... to conquer a realm by
way of Blood & Magic.
MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
-
IBM compatible 486DX-66Mhz computer with 8Mb of RAM.
(12Mb if run inside a Windows 95 DOS box.)
-
Microsoft compatible mouse.
Blood & Magic also supports many keyboard "quick keys".
-
Color monitor, and 256 color VGA graphics system.
-
Double-speed (300Kb/sec. or faster) CD-ROM drive.
-
Hard drive with at least 35Mb of free space.
-
MS-DOS version 5.0 (or better).
Blood & Magic can also be started from Windows '95.
-
Blood & Magic supports the following sound cards:
Sound Blaster and 100% compatible cards, Sound Blaster Pro, Sound
Blaster 16, Sound Blaster AWE32, Gravis UltraSound, Gravis
UltraSound Max, Ensoniq SoundScape, Roland RAP-10, Roland Sound
Canvas, ESS AudioDrive, Microsoft Sound System, Pro Audio Spectrum
16, Thunderboard, ARIA Chipset, I/O Magic Tempo, MPU-401, NewMedia
.WAVJammer, Reveal FX/32, Sound Galaxy NX Pro 16, and Toptek Golden 16.
GETTING STARTED
To start the game from the DOS prompt, make C:\INTRPLAY\BAM your
current directory (or change to the directory where Blood & Magic is
located), type "BAM", then press . To start the game under
Windows '95, open the INTERPLAY folder, then double-click on the Blood
& Magic icon. You will see a series of cinematic sequences, followed
by the Main Menu. You can bypass any cinematic in the game by
pressing .
MAIN MENU
SINGLE PLAYER
Use this option to play against the computer. In this version, we
have provided two unrelated scenarios. In the full version, you can
either choose a preset story, or create a customized character for a
Random Campaign.
TWO PLAYER
In the full version of the game, this option may be used to begin a
head-to-head game with a live opponent. A two player game may be
played over a network, via modem, or with a direct link connection.
TUTORIAL
The tutorial is designed to teach new users the basics for playing
Blood & Magic.
CREDITS
Meet the sideshow ensemble who squandered their lives in order to
bring you this quality product.
REPLAY INTRO
Use this option to view the Blood & Magic introduction.
LEAVE GAME
This returns you to either DOS or Windows, depending on where you were
when you started the game.
SINGLE PLAYER MENU
NEW SCENARIO
This activates the Realm Map, which shows the region of the Forgotten
Realms where Blood & Magic takes place. Pass your cursor over the
Realm Map to view the available scenarios, then select on the map to
begin a scenario. We have provided two unrelated scenarios in this
version of the game.
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
Making the most of pre-dawn light, your trusted followers prowl the
edge of the battlefield in search of suitable terrain. They release
their heavy burden in a level clearing, and quickly set about their
most urgent task. Your Bloodforge is fixed into the earth before the
first rays of golden light touch the spires of the enemy stronghold.
To calm your nerves, you recite the principles of warfare as
instructed by the Great Mage.
"The Bloodforge is the mother of battle. It is pregnant with magic
which grants life to my army. We of the faith call this power mana,
the food which nourishes our practice.
"Basal Golems are the children of battle. They are formed from the
mana in my Bloodforge, and serve my great purpose without question or
regret. When they are idle, their meditations gather mana to supply
our cause.
"The mystical sites are the temples of battle. My followers erect
them to honor the gods. In exchange for this homage, our Golems may
transcend their meager forms when they visit these sacred shrines.
"I am the master of battle. Through the rights of conflict I shall
achieve great ends. My position is not on the field of battle, but in
that high place where all its glory can be surveyed. My commands are
not issued by writ or by proxy, but with a marble oracle created by
the Great Mage. Such are his teachings of its use..."
THE ORACLE INTERFACE
The oracle interface consists of a Level Map, Action Window, Command
Bar, Message Window, and several gauges and option buttons. The Info
Button can be selected on any subject within the Action Window or on
any interface feature to learn more about it. The Info Button and
Tutorial provide excellent methods for becoming familiar with Blood & Magic.
LEVEL MAP AND ACTION WINDOW
The Level Map shows an overhead representation of the entire
battlefield. As your followers explore this level, more of the map is
revealed. The green box on the Level Map shows where the Action
Window is currently centered. To center the Action Window at a new
location, either select within the Level Map, scroll the window using
your , or scroll the window by moving your mouse cursor to
the very edge of the screen.
COMMAND BAR / GIVING COMMANDS
Left-click on any Action Window subject to select it. It will become
the active subject in the Command Bar. If you select one of your own
followers, then command buttons will appear in the Command Bar. Left-
click on one of these command buttons, and then left-click a target in
the Action Window. Your follower will now execute that command with
regard to that target.
Examples:
Left-click your follower, then left-click the Move To button,
then left-click any location within the Action Window. Your
follower attempts to move to that target location.
Left-click your follower, then left-click the Attack button, then
left-click any creature within the Action Window. Your follower
moves to and attempts to attack that target creature.
You can also use commands on targets which appear on the Level Map.
This is useful for targeting a subject which is not currently shown in
the Action Window. As you will learn, some commands will not work in
combination with some targets. In addition, some skills and spells
will not work without mana. If you select a command button, then wish
to exit that mode (cancel the command), simply right-click or press
. This method will cancel most any game mode or menu.
DEFAULT COMMANDS
You can quickly issue default commands to your followers. To do this,
left-click one of your own followers, and then right-click on a target
within the Action Window. Your follower will execute the most logical
action with regard to that target.
REPEAT COMMAND
If you issue a command to one of your followers, and you want to
repeat that same command to others, then hold down the key
while left-clicking on the subsequent followers. They will attempt to
execute the same command with regard to the same target subject.
GROUP COMMANDS
To solect a group of your followers, drag your mouse within the Action
Window while holding down left-click. A targeting frame will be drawn
which you can use to surround your followers. When you release the
left-click, all of your followers who are within the targeting frame
will be joined in a group. You can now issue a single command to
every member of the group.
MESSAGE WINDOW
The oracle will send you messages during the battle pertaining to
important events. These messages are spoken audibly and written in
the Message Window. Select the Go See button to center the Action
Window on the most recent message event.
QUICK KEYS
Blood & Magic supports a number of "quick key" equivalents that you
can use to issue commands and select interface options.
F2 save game (Full Only)
F3 load game (Full Only)
? info cursor
m move to command
a attack command
g guard command
s use skill or spell
t transform follower
r remove follower
i use item
d drop item
e encyclopedia
v victory and defeat conditions
p freeze action
Enter go see message event
Tab cycle to next follower
Esc exit mode / options menu
Ctrl+LeftClick repeat command to follower
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*** TEACHINGS OF THE GREAT MAGE ***
MANA
The fundamental resource in Blood & Magic is spell power, which we
call mana. This resource is used to create followers, to transform
followers, to cast spells, and to activate some items. When Basal
Golems are not moving or fighting, they revert to an obelisk form and
generate mana. To acquire this mana for your own use, select one of
your Basal Golems (that is in obelisk form), and then select the
Transfer option.
THE BLOODFORGE
Your Bloodforge stores your mana supply, which can not exceed 300 at
any one time. Due to its magical nature, your Bloodforge slowly
generates its own mana. When you select your Bloodforge (the swirling
slab) within the Action Window, you are presented with a Basal Golem
option on the Command Bar. If there is no creature on top of the
Bloodforge, then you can use this option to create a Golem. You can
also revert a high level creature back into a Basal Golem by moving it
next to your Bloodforge, then choosing its Transform option.
THE MYSTICAL SITES
At the start of most levels, you will control a small number of
mystical sites. You may transform your Basal Golems into higher level
creatures when they are next to one of your sites. You can also fill
a foundation with Basal Golems, then transform them into a site of
your choice.
ARBOR LODGE
This is the primal sanctum of Chauntea, the goddess of nature.
Use this site to create creatures of the wild.
BARRACKS
This martial hall serves Tempus, the god of war. Use this site
to create veteran combatants.
CRYPT
This is the macabre tomb of Myrkul, god of the dead. This site
provides dreadful minions.
RUNESTONE
This arcane post honors Mystra, the goddess of magic. This site
is used to create beings who possess a strong magical essence.
TEMPLE
This is the sacred shrine of Lathander, god of renewal and
virtue. Use this site to create virtuous followers.
EXPERIENCE AND RESEARCH
Because you are a great leader, you will gain valuable insight with
each achievement on the field of battle. This insight accumulates in
the form of experience. You will gain experience when your followers
cast spells, use items, create and destroy structures, defeat enemies
in battle, and accomplish scenario objectives. Ultimately, you may
use your experience to research new abilities for transforming your
Basal Golems. To do this, select the Research button in the upper
right corner of the oracle interface.
THE REALM MAP
This map shows the region of Faerun (the Forgotten Realms) where Blood
& Magic takes place. It is to the East of the Great Sea, and borders
the land known as Kara-Tur. In this version of the game, you can use
the map to select three unrelated scenarios. In the full version, you
may begin an epic story from the history of the Realms, or launch your
own custom Legendary Campaign.
THE BATTLE ASSESSMENT
Your trusted advisors will keep account of each battle, and present
this information when you are victorious. You will see an accurate
tally of your accomplishments, and you will receive a score for your
efforts based upon public opinion.
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HINTS FOR BEGINNERS
Play the Tutorial, and use the ? Info Cursor and Encyclopedia
frequently during the game.
When you begin a new scenario, leave at least one Basal Golem in
obelisk form in order to steadily generate mana. Remember to
periodically transfer mana from your Basal Golems to your Bloodforge.
If you have sufficient mana and Basal Golems to spare, then send your
Golems to your mystical sites and transform them into higher level
creatures. Be certain to protect these sites from your opponent.
Every creature in Blood & Magic has inherent strengths and weaknesses.
Use your experience to research the abilities which support your
overall strategy, and don't hesitate to create any mystical sites
which you may need for this strategy.
Once you have created a reasonable defense force, steadily explore the
map by moving your followers into the "fogged-out" regions. Have your
followers pick up items before your opponent discovers them.
When you encounter enemy creatures, assess their strengths and
abilities before you engage them in combat. Heal your wounded
followers, and if they are close to death, then either transform them
back into Basal Golems, or remove them in exchange for some mana.
Remember your losing condition for the map! All is lost if your
opponent successfully achieves this objective!
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TROUBLESHOOTING
Q: Why won't the game install on to my hard drive?
A: Make sure that you have sufficient space available on your hard
drive for the installation (at least 35Mb). Check that you are
running the INSTALL program from your CD-ROM drive, and that the demo
CD is in your drive. It is typically safest to choose the default
settings when you install a game like Blood & Magic.
Q: Why won't the game load?
A: Make certain that you are in the correct DOS directory (usually
C:\INTRPLAY\BAM) when you enter the BAM command. As stated under
System Requirements, you need at least 8Mbs of memory to run the game.
A: If you have a SoundBlaster AWE32 card and EMM386 is being loaded in
your AUTOEXEC.BAT file or your Win95 "Blood & Magic.PIF" file,
try removing EMM386 and rebooting. Also be sure that the you are
running the AWEUTIL.EXE that came with your sound software. This
should be located in your C:\SB32 directory.
Q: Do I need to configure EMS or XMS memory?
A: So long as you have at least 400Kb of available DOS memory, and
5Mb of available XMS, then you should run fine. To check both the
total and available memory of your system, enter MEM /C at the C:
prompt.
Q: Will Blood & Magic run under Windows'95?
A: Yes, BAM will run under Windows'95 DOS Box (minimum 12Mb RAM) but may
perform better in DOS mode.
Q: The intro cinematics pause on the 1st frame, requiring a key press to
continue.
A: 1) Verify that your computer have at least 8Mb RAM (12Mb under
Windows 95).
2) Verify that your sound card configuration is both functional and
accurate.
3) Verify that you have at least 5Mb of XMS memory available.
Q: Why doesn't the sound or music play?
A: Make sure that your speakers or headphones are plugged in to your PC
correctly, and that your speakers are switched on and have power.
When you finish setting up your sound during the installation routine
(we recommend the AUTODETECT* option), test both sound effects and
music. If everything sounds okay, then select the OK option to save
your settings. If you ever need to reconfigure your sound or music, change to the
directory where Blood & Magic is located, then run the SNDSETUP
program.
* (If you run AUTODETECT more than once, then the program will assume
that its first choice was incorrect, and select a different sound
card. This may result in an incorrect configuration. To remedy this,
either continue to run AUTODETECT until the correct settings return,
or manually configure your sound card)
Q: Will auto-detection of my sound card work in Windows'95?
A: Auto-detection of your sound card may be unreliable under Windows'95. If
you encounter problems using the AUTODETECT function, and you are
unable to configure your sound card settings manually, then we
recommend that you restart your computer in DOS mode and try
AUTODETECT again. To do this, click on START, then choose SHUTDOWN, and then choose RESTART IN MS-DOS
MODE. If the option RESTART IN MS-DOS MODE is not available in your
SHUTDOWN menu, then it is likely that your computer does not have a
full version of DOS installed.
Q: Why doesn't my Mouse function correctly in the game?
A: You must have the correct mouse driver loaded before you run Blood
& Magic. The method for doing this can vary from one mouse to the
next, so you should consult your system documentation. If your mouse
is behaving erratically during the game, then contact the mouse
manufacturer and ask for an updated driver.
Q: Where can I get help beyond this Troubleshooting section?
A: Contact Interplay's product support department at 714-553-6678.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT LAST MINUTE NOTES AND KNOWN BUGS:
* Running under Windows 95 DOS Box with only 8 megs RAM:
If your computer has only 8 megs or less of physical RAM (not virtual memory),
you may experience difficulties running BAM from within a Windows 95 DOS box.
Intro cinematics may pause, requiring a key to be pressed before continuing.
Other problems may also be encountered. In this situation we advise
selecting Restart in DOS Mode, then running BAM.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*** CREDITS ***
CORE DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Vas Nokhoudian
Game Designer
Project Manager
Art Director
Lead Writer
John Hamilton
Lead Programmer
(Game Engine)
Vangelis
Junior Lead Programmer
(Main Game logic)
Kevin Sherrill
Applications Programmer
(Cinematics and Support Screens)
Tramell "T-Ray" Isaac
Character and Environment Animator
Opening Cartoon Designer and Animator
Brian Menze
Inset and Portrait Artist
Map Designer and Artist
Jana Darkoski
Map Designer and Artist
Leigh Kellogg
Map Designer and Artist
Campaign Portrait Artist
BACKGROUND ILLUSTRATORS
Tramell "T-Ray" Isaac
Opening Cartoon
Maurice Morgan
Tartyron Unbound
Matchmaker Mayhem
Nuts and !Bolts
Peter Ledger
Howl of Vengeance
Alex Nino
Harvest of Horrors
Dan McMillan
Matchmaker Mayhem
Brian Menze
Nuts and !Bolts
Computer Artist (all stories)
TIGRE ENGINE PROGRAMMERS
John Crane
Brian Hughes
Kimberly L. Bowdish
Russell Woods
John Hamilton
Chris Iden
Kevin Sherrill
Vangelis
MAC PROGRAMMERS
Kimberly L. Bowdish
John Crane
MAC ARTISTS
Ila Shadday
Eric C. Heitman
Tramell "T-Ray" Isaac
Rob Collier
Brian Menze
Deena Ellis
Cheri Loyd
Ernst Shadday
Jay Esparza
Bryan Ellis
SUPPORT STAFF
Chris Iden
Head Honcho
Marie Iden
Big Cheese
Nancy Grimsley
Story Prologue Writer
Paycheck Fairy
Sonia Graves
Office Wrangler
Shelly Sischo
Office Wrangler
Rachel Ackerman
Assistant Wrangler
Donna Wyatt
Paycheck Fairy
MEDIATECH WEST
Ron Saltmarsh
Lead Music Composer
Sound Effects Composer
Andy Warr
Music Composer
Sound Effects Composer
Shaun Mitchell
Cartoon Colorist Manager
VOICE PERFORMANCE
Mike Forest
Main Game
Howl of Vengeance
Tartyron Unbound
Legendary Campaign
Steve Kramer
Tutorial
Nuts and !Bolts
Harvest of Horrors
Legendary Campaign
Wendee Lee
Matchmaker Mayhem
Legendary Campaign
Melodee M. Spevack
Voice Director
Randy Vandegrift
Sound Technician
Greg Gill
Sound Technician
Michael McConnohie
Voiceworks Liaison
INTERPLAY PRODUCTIONS
Brian Fargo
Head Honcho
Phil Adam
Big Cheese
Bill Church
Producer
Chris Benson
Assistant Producer
Mark O'Green
TSR Foreman
Todd Camasta
Art Consultant
Bill Dugan
MAC Consultant
Craig Owens
Lead Marketer
Genevieve Ostergard
Lead Public Relations
Zeb Cooke
Story Prologue Writer
Patrizia Scharli
Documentation Designer
Julian B. Ridley
International Product Manager
JBI, Los Angeles
International Translation
Gary Burke
Sylvie Nguyen
Additional Translation
INTERPLAY SOUND AND MUSIC
Charles Deenan
Audio Director
Brian Luzietti
Music Director
Craig Duman
Audio Technician
Rick Jackson
Music Composer
FM Translation
Ron Valdez
Music Composer
FM Translation
Greg Allen
Sound Effects Composer
Sergio Bustamante
Voice Processing
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Jeremy S. Barnes
QA Director
Jim Boone
Assistant Director
Coordinators
Darren Monahan
John Werner
Lead Testers
Marvic Ambata
Jason Nordgren
Chad Allison
Doug Avery
Steve Baldoni
Jeremy S. Barnes
Evan Chantland
Marc Duran
Casey Fawcett
Matt Golembiewski
Dave Hendee
Greg Hersch
Ron Hodge
Darrell Jones
Chris Keenan
Erick Lujan
Amy Mitchell
Matt Murakami
Glenn Murray
Phuong Nguyen
David Oh
Stephan Reed
Usana Shadday
Kyle Shubel
Shelby Strategier
Anthony Taylor
Steve Victory
Frank Wesolek
TSR
Jim Ward
Head Honcho
Dave Wise
Forgotten Realms Manager
Julia Martin
Forgotten Realms Consultant
This game is dedicated to the
memory of Peter Ledger
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOFTWARE USE LIMITATIONS AND LIMITED LICENSE
This special Interactive Preview version Blood & Magic (the "Software") is
intended for your personal noncommercial home entertainment use. You may not
decompile, reverse engineer, or disassemble the Software, except as permitted
by law. Interplay Productions and Tachyon Studios retain all rights and title
in the Software including all intellectual and property rights embodied
therein and derivatives thereof. You are granted a revocable, nonassignable
limited license to create derivative works of this Software solely for your
own personal noncommercial home entertainment use and may publicly display
such derivative works to the extent specifically authorized by Interplay in
writing. A copy of this authorization, if any, will be provided on
Interplay's World Wide Web site, and may also be obtained by contacting the
legal department at Interplay at (714) 553-6655. The Software, including,
without limitation, all code, data structures, characters, images, sounds,
text, screens, game play, derivative works, and all other elements of the
Software may not be copied (except as provided below), resold, rented, leased,
distributed (electronically or otherwise), used on a pay-per-play, coin-op or
other for-charge basis, or for any commercial purpose. You may make copies of
the Software for your personal noncommercial home entertainment use and to
give to friends and acquaintances on a no cost noncommercial basis. This
limited right to copy the Software expressly excludes any copying or
distribution of the Software on a commercial basis, including, without
limitation, bundling the product with any other product or service. Any
permission granted herein are provided on a temporary basis and can be
withdrawn by Interplay Productions at any time. All rights not expressly
granted are reserved.