BLACKWYCHE
(c)1985 Ultimate 
Designer: Ashby Computers & Graphics (A. C. G.)
-----------------------------------------------------
   

A SHAPE IN THE MIST 
Out of dark rolling  mists it came, a shadowy outline drifting 
slowly through the silent waters of the night. As it drew closer,
there formed the ghostly shape of a large galleon. 
My eyes beheld a strange luminescence surrounding the vessel, as 
though it was being driven towards me by some powerful supernat-
ural force. 
My heart began to pound with fear as I knew that this could not 
be real. How could this timeless ship have roamed the seas for 
than two centuries? If so, what terrible fate could have befallen 
the crew? 
As I gazed in wonder at this astounding sight, the ship slowly 
came to a halt close my meagre craft, almost inviting me to
investigate its long-since deserted decks. 
I drew my craft closer and climbed aboard as my curiosity began 
to burn with desire to know more of this mysterious ship.
The presence of some evil force became even stronger as I 
wandered down those god forsaken decks and I felt its very 
essence surrounding me like some shadowy veil. 
I began to realise that I was being drawn towards a small doorway 
at the ship's stern. Going through the door I found what
appeared to be the Captain's quarters and an open book with 
these written words in it. 

  THE LOG OF THE SHIP BLACKWYCHE 
  CAPTAIN R'CHARD CAVENDISH 

  THE LEGEND 
  The log told of a perilous journey to mysterious uncharted 
  island and of a mountain formed in the shape of a gigantic 
  human skull. 
  The log also told of the many days the Captain had spent 
  searching the subterranean chambers within the mountain for 
  The Crystal Skull of Souls. 
  I at once recalled an ancient legend telling of such a object 
  and of the terrible evil power embodied within it. 
  As i turned the final page, I noticed the drops of blood dried 
  on the very page of the log itself. 
  They had found the skull. 
  The final entry was dated 6th june 1666 and contained the last 
  words the Captain wrote just before he died: 

  For those who in some future time 
  Read out the words within this rhyme 
  My soul sends out this hearty plea 
  To you who might now set it free. 

  Beneath these decks there is a room 
  Where time has almost sealed my doom 
  Unless with effort long and hard 
  You free me rom this powerful guard. 

  The bell contains a force within 
  To help thou with the task herein 
  But beware the evil forces 
       for they hold my soul alone 
  And unless thou are not careful 
  they will surely have thine own. 

  JOYSTICK CONTROLS 
  Sir Arthur Pendragon can be controlled using your joystick 
  in port 2. 
  Pressing the joystick button will cause the action indicated 
  in the far right of the status line on the the screen to be 
  initiated as follows: 
  USE SWORD  Once found, this allows Sir Arthur to fight with 
             his sword in the direction in which he is facing. 
  JUMP  This allows Sir Arthur to jump straight into the air 
        or in the direction of the joystick. 

  KEYBOARD CONTROLS 
  PAUSE  The game can be paused by pressing the F7 key. 
  RESTART  The game may be restarted by pressing the F1 key. 
  CHANGE ACTION  You can change the action indicated on the far 
  right of the status line by pressing any other key. 
    

-END-