IFReviewed by
Tom Zuchowski on 2006-05-14 09:58
MAIN PGM Version: 4
Extra Commands: PUT, PAY, SAVE
Deleted Commands: None
Special Features: None
Playing Time: 1.5-2 hr.
Reviewer Rating: 5.0
Description: "In the Main Hall, you meet a strange pair of Adventurers, a Dwarf named Dworkin, and Lightfoot, an Elf. They tell you of a quest that they are about to start in the city of Griswald.
"The jewel that serves as the Eye of the statue of the god Barantu has been stolen. Without its magic protection, the ancient city will soon fall under the control of the evil magician Arach. Your friends plan to find the gem, and to try to release Griswald from his grasp. They ask you to help them in their quest.
"Realizing that there is probably gold to be had in this adventure, you accept their invitation."
Comment: This is a moderately ambitious adventure, as early-version Eamons go. It is rather large, with 92 rooms. The map didn't have to be that large, given the content of the quest, combat, and puzzles, but it's done well enough that I didn't get bored while mapping.
There are no secret passages, but there are several unmarked room exits and a couple of bad room connections. But the map is sensible enough that neither of these flaws caused me any difficulty. There are a couple of special effects that are mildly interesting; one concerns a real vampire and the other describes a rather nifty reward scene that occurs if you complete the quest.
I enjoyed this adventure quite enough to give it a higher rating, but didn't do so for several reasons: First, this early version requires that you type in the full verb and object, and I have been spoiled by later versions that don't require that. Next, the special effects and confrontations were very terse and could have used more development. There is no notice if you fail to complete the quest. Last, I don't think that this adventure was completed. While all the necessary pieces are in place to complete the quest, there are a number of tantalizing tidbits that promise interesting play but do nothing. These include a weapon shop and a tavern, and the PAY command.
This adventure was discovered by Jeff Hurlburt of Softkey, who forwarded it to me. We don't know anything about Mr. Osgood. Roger developed a very nice Eamon adventure, given the fact that it was his first and that he was using version 4 tools. It's too bad that he's no longer with us. With the experience he gained and with modern Eamon, he could do some dynamite stuff.
This adventure rates a 4 for difficulty, if you can remember that the PUT command is new.
Used with Matthew Clark's kind permition.
Original review available at Eamon Adventurer's Guild Online website.
