"LEGEND OF FAERGHAIL" (Rainbow Arts)   

                              by Hayley Hummerston


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   This is a fine role-playing game, which comes on 3 discs and retails for
  about $60.  It can be loaded onto your HD (with an excellent dragon icon!).
  Should you wish to move it to a sub-directory, rather than leave it in your
  root directory, you will need to assign all the game's directories
  appropriately.

   The premise of the game is that the normally-peaceful elves have begun to
  war on the people of Thyn (your home town) and the Count asks you to go to
  the neighbouring county of Cyldane for help.  You must gather a band of 6
  adventurers in the local inn (using either preset characters, or your own
  choices), then set off.  You can also import characters from the
  "Phantasie" and "Bards Tale" games, which I have never played.

   The humanoid races, character attributes, spells, professions and many
  monsters will be familiar to players of Dungeons and Dragons.  I personally
  have found the games addictive, considering the variety of player
  characters available, and 8 well-detailed dungeon complexes.  I haven't
  even left the Valley of Faerghail yet!  (Can anyone answer the riddle of
  the Fire Elemental in the Temple of the Dragon Servants?)

   The graphics are good, although there is only limited animation (in some
  combat scenes).  Most encounters are random, with only those creatures
  designed to give information being fixed in position.  In the wilderness
  the encounters can become somewhat routine, but within the dungeon
  complexes they are well set to become more dangerous the deeper you delve.
  Don't worry, the loot becomes better too!

   The game itself is marred by an inconsistent manual (translated from
  German).  So I hope these hints may help players.  I developed a character
  sheet to keep track of my characters as well, and have included this.  If
  anyone wants to discuss the game with me, I can be contacted on (02) 417
  0232.


   1.  Ensure characters have armour, shield and close-combat weapon to hand
  by clicking on the individual items in the character's inventory and
  choosing "Equip". To do otherwise means that your fighter (for example) is
  wandering in the woods carrying h is armour rather than wearing it!

   2.  Accept Siegurd when he asks to join you: not only is he a high-level
  fighter, but he can bring everyone back to life twice!

   3.  To identify an unknown potion, start the selling process: the
  shopkeeper will identify it before haggling.  You can then reject his offer
  without penalty.

   4.  On the "Wilderness Map East", the central town is Thyn. To the south
  is the Temple of the Dragon Serpents (lots of lizardmen).  North is a
  deserted fort with the graves of Findal and friends, and further north is
  the Elven Pyramid, which can only be entered and exited by answering
  questions about Findal's family.  North-west is an abandoned castle: you
  actually go through a gap in the walls to the courtyard, and finally the
  keep itself.

   5.  If you need money desperately, you can always temporarily add new
  characters long enough to strip their pockets.  The "gather gold" option
  collects all the characters' coins to one character.

   6.  Ensure all characters have at least 2 weapons.  Otherwise, if the one
  they are using breaks in combat, they are reduced to punching!

   7.  Languages are learned in a set order by all characters: you cannot
  choose which one to learn from the Board of Trades next.

   8.  Save the game frequently.  Information is usually gained only by
  payment, so you can pay the money, listen to the words of wisdom, and
  return to the last saved game, still keeping your gold.



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