Runestaff

Runestaff is a fantasy text adventure in which the player must recover a powerful magical artifact to prevent an impending invasion. Written using The Quill and released through Electron User magazine, the game won a 1987 competition for user-submitted adventures.

The Runestaff is the most potent source of magical power known, used by the Archwizard of Burkwood to maintain peace with the neighboring land of Esgabroth. When Wrathmorn, Esgabroth’s most evil necromancer, steals the staff, the magical barrier protecting Burkwood collapses. As Burkan, son of King Burkael, the player must recover the staff and return it to prevent Wrathmorn’s advancing army from conquering the land.

Runestaff uses a standard text parser, accepting both two-word and full-sentence inputs (e.g., “GET CROSS” or “GIVE THE CROSS TO THE VAMPIRE”).