Re: below the root

[rubywand@aol.com (RUBYWAND)]

In article <3249D1F0.5C01@ix.netcom.com>, JB <jbcole@ix.netcom.com>
writes:

>
>Does anyone have a copy of the docs for the game Below the Root?
>
>


Below the Root Mini-Manual


Movement

  I        R
J K or D F  keys or Joystick
 M       C

Walk- press key or move joystick

Jump- standing still, press key 2 times quickly
   or hold stick button and move stick.
   While moving, press key
   or press stick button
  (Jumping from letters is not allowed underground.)

Run- You automatically start to run after a Jump.

Stop- press opposite-direction key or move stick

Climb- press key or move stick when on ladder or vine

Crawl- press Down key (M or C), then press  a Left or Right key
   or push stick back, then move L or R

Stand Up- when Crawling, press Up key when
   or push stick forward

Fall- Walk off the end of a ramp or tree limb

Glide- with a Shuba, do a Fall and use keys
   or stick to go L or R

Enter/Exit a Doorway- position yourself over door and press
   Up key or stick button


Exploration in Green-Sky

    The original game includes a fold-out map. It shows
seven tree 'villages' (side view). Each village is called a "grund".
Each grund has several huts, shops, etc..

    I have not played BTR-- not yet, anyway; it looks like fun--
so, it is hard to say how important the map is. It shows
simple outline drawings (like a coloring book) of six grunds on
a 32 wide x 16 high grid. The grunds, left-to-right, are ...

SKY  GARDEN  BROAD  GRAND  SILK  STAR  TEMPLE
 5           4            4             5          3       4           7

Numbers= width in 'squares' devoted to a grund on the map.
There is no tree pic for TEMPLE-- the space
above the "TEMPLE GRUNDS" label is just empty squares--
probably, you are supposed to fill these in.

     You can make a pretty good BTR map. It should be about
24" x 12" with space below the grid to mark off and label each
grund. For each of the first six grunds, draw a light tree outline
(trunk and some large branches) beginning with the 5th square
from the bottom and ending about 4 squares from the top. The
tree outline should be limited in width to the number of squares
shown (above) for the grund.


Other Info

     Your quest is to save Green-Sky. You can be one of five
characters. Your choice decides the mix of Strength/Stamina,
etc., and "Spirit" abilities. (In more familiar terms, 
"Spirit Skills"= Spells; "Spirit Limit" = max 'Spell Points'.)
Characters can improve upon starting attributes (e.g. increase
Spirit Limit) during the adventure. The firve chars are ...

Neric- male, impulsive strong, 
   highest Strength/Stamina, low Spirit Limit
Genaa- female, beautiful charasmatic, highest S/S, zero SL
Pomma- female, revered delicate child, moderate S/S and SL
Charn- male, agile sturdy child, higher S/S, low SL
Herd- male, sturdy rational, highest S/S, low SL


     Each Spirit Skill has a minimum SL requirement. Each
'Skill also uses up units of Sprit Energy when 'cast'. The
Spirit Skills (with SL requirement and SE cost) are ...

Pense (sense) Emotions- from any distance (5/1)
Pense Messages- mental speech, speaking distance (10/1)
Heal- restore Food and Rest (15/5)
Grunspreke- influence tree growth (20/2)
Kiniport- move objects or body with mind
   Objects (25/5)
   Body (30/10)

Spirit Skills and other actions you can perform are listed
beneath a pic showing your current location. For instance,
you can Speak, Take (position yourself over item, if Take-
able it will be added to your Inventory), Buy, ..., and Use:

Use Trencher Beak- face bramble, USE the Beak to clear
away one layer. (If you get caught in bramble patch without
a beak, you will have to RENEW your character.)

Use Vine Rope- face direction you want to throw rope. USE
the rope; the rope will appear on the screen if, there is
something for it to catch on. CRAWL across the rope.

Use Honeylamp- according to the manual, it will be
obvious when to use this item. It does not last long
once lit.


     Some other items you will discover include ...

Fruit & Nuts- food
Lapan- rabbit-like animal
Nid- hammock; nid-place = home
Nekom- society of evil Erdlings
Pan Bread- main food
Salite- society of evil Kindars
Shuba- garment for gliding
Tokens- $$$
Wissenberries- not legal but may be helpful


Starting

     Before booting the game, FORMAT a diskette. The
diskette will be used to save your position.

Boot Side 1 and follow screen prompts. At some point you
will press K to use Keyboard or J for Joystick. ...


Rubywand