GOBLINS
by Gary S. Breschini
for TRS-80 Model 1 Level 2
published in the Softside Sampler

This program is designed to lead a reasonably good warrior (you) on a
heroic quest to save the prince/princess. There are magic rings, swords,
and wizards to aid you on your journey, but the woods also are full of bad
guys and a few surprises. Your decisions influence the outcome of the
game. You might be lucky enough to rescue the prince/princess, or you
might be eaten by a dragon! Each time the game is played it will be
different because there are so many routines and subroutines that it is
possible to play for hours and even days without seeing all of the
program.

The Program
  As soon as the program has loaded RUN and ENTER, directions will appear
on the screen. Remember, you need at least 15 victories, 75 luck points,
and the enchanted sword in order to be eligible to save the prince/
princess. It helps to avoid curses, which reduce your luck, and to try to
get a magic ring, which adds to your luck. Don't run out of food, since
you may starve to death. Good luck, you are about to enter the magic
forest...
  When you enter the forest, the first thing you will encounter is the
scoreboard. This tells you how well you are doing and tests whether you
have proven yourself a good enough warrior to attempt to rescue the
prince/princess.

    LUCK      10    CURSES    0    GOLD      15    SWORD     NO
    FOOD      35    VICTORIES 0    RING      NO

Immediately under the scoreboard you will encounter your first decision
point. Which way will you go, EAST or WEST? Make your decision and press
the appropriate key. The computer will take over - there is no need to
press ENTER after the number since the program makes extensive use of the
INKEY$ function. Press the number of your choice and see where you end up.
  As you progress on your journey through the forest you will encounter a
number of obstacles - a river, lake, mountain, etc. - which will force you
to make a decision. Each time you make a decision, it influences the
outcome of the game. It pays to learn by your mistakes. Remember where
different decisions lead you, and select the ones with the best odds.
Certain choices at certain points will lead (on the average) to more
favourable areas, while other choices will lead to areas that are
downright nasty. Here are some hints:

    1.  Try to avoid fights unless you have the sword.
    2.  If you do have the sword, look for fights.
    3.  Remember where you have been.

Most of the decision points require that you input a number, but there are
a few places where you must input a Y for yes or an N for no, so read the
question carefully. Occasionally it may appear that the computer skipped
over a decision point and went on without you. If this happens, the
chances are that you hit the key more than once or the keys need
debouncing. Unfrotunately, there is not enough room in 16K for the KBFIX
program and GOBLINS at the same time. Sometimes a routine will reappear
several times in a row. This is due to random chance, and the odds are low
that it will happen, so you should not see it often.
  Eventually you will come to the end of your journey (unless you starve
to death or end up as a dragon's lunch). Either way, the program will
recycle to the beginning and give you another chance.

