The Dogboy

In the poem "KING" by MARC PEIRSON, the subject of the poem is a monstrous and

despotic glutton. Somebody who has more regard for the disgusting and excessive

eating habits he enjoys so much than he has for the race of half-human goblins

he rules over. Such is KING - an altogether despicable creature, more despised

than loved and one whose very name strikes terror into the souls of the weak.

On the eve of an important festival, his wilful daughter elopes with a young

singer, taking with her a box containing the city's greatest treasure. Unknown

to her and her troubadour, the "treasure" is in fact a very powerful weapon which

is capable of destroying the entire city ... if not the entire kingdom. However,

she is safe enough as long as the box stays CLOSED, but if she should OPEN it then

the world as she knows it could come to an end.

In this game our hero is King's "dogboy" - a mute boy who can understand the ways

and language of the animals and the birds. These animals quickly learn what the

princess has done and are anxious to escape before she is foolish enough to open

the box.

The poor old "dogboy" on the other hand has his job to attend to - somebody has to

see to the safety of the dogs. However, it is also his "destiny" to descend into

the "Caves of Illusion" beneath Cuckoo Hill, because it is here that he will to able

to solve the mysteries of the netherworld. It is here that he will to able to discover

the means to rescue his fellow goblins and it is here that he will attain his heart's

desire.

SPECIAL COMMANDS

I or INVENTORY gives a list of everything the "dogboy" is carrying.

L redescribes the current location.

TEXT changes the game to a TEXT-ONLY adventure.

GRAPHICS changes it back to a "picture-based" adventure.

SAVE saves a game position to TAPE

STORE saves a game position to MEMORY

LOAD restores a game position from TAPE

RESTORE restores a game position from MEMORY

It is also possible to "chain" your commands by means of the word "AND" ... such as

GET THE SWORD AND DROP THE SPEAR. Use the word "IT" to refer to the last noun used.

For example ... GET THE SWORD AND EXAMINE IT. You may also use the word "EVERYTHING"

in the following manner ... DROP EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE SHIELD.