• About the HC version
• History
• Command Line Switches
• Long options
• unicorn.cfg
• Character config file
• Loading a Saved Game
• Modes of Play
• Upland Commands
• Dungeon Commands
• Combat Commands
• F-key usage
• Status Indicators
• Macros
• Item Merchants
• Persistant Dungeons
• Gear Manager
• Charged Throwables
• Auto Heal Item Selection
• Auto Eat Item Selection
• Auto Selection
• Ranged Targeting
• Dual Wielding
• Effects of base stats
• Mutable Weapons/Armor
• Legacy Weapons/Armor
• Legendary Gear
• Magic Spells
• Sockets
• Socket Effects
• Item Colors
• Auto-Identify
• Rebirth
• Notes to get you started
• Note about Score Tables

Quest for the Unicorn is a game belonging to the Rogue/Hack genre of games. In Quest you create a character and travel the lands of Halkanar in search of the long lost Unicorns. Quest is a very complex game containing not only the main quest, but many sub-quests. Quest contains over 60 different dungeons, many containing usefull items, or valuable information.

About the HC version

History

In the early 1980s I had acquired a Tandy-1000 computer and shortly afterwards I was given a copy of the game "Rogue." This game quickly ended up my favorite game at that time, at last I had some D&D-like game to play.

In late 1983 to early 1984 I had discovered and read "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant" by Stephen R. Donaldson and was enamoured with the world those books took place in and thought that it would be a great setting for a computer game.

I had also just acquired Turbo Pascal 3.0 and wanted to learn Pascal. At this point all the interests converged and I began working on a game that was patterned after Rogue, but set in the world of "The Land", the place where all the action takes place in the "Thomas Covenant" books.

When I first started designing my new game, which would end up being titled: "The Land", I looked at the things that I did not like about Rogue, and came up with the following things:

• Rogue was limited to a single dungeon
• Rogue was limited to a single class
• Rogue had only basic RPG-type stats
• Rogue was text-based (I had wanted something graphical to make things easier to play, it was years later before I really came to appreciated the text interface of Rogue and many of its followers)

Next I laid out my design goals for my game:

• There would be an upland area containing many towns and dungeons
• There would be a selection of classes
• The interface would be the grid based design of Rogue, but would replace the ascii characters with a graphic tileset
• Stats that would give it more of a D&D like feel
• A journal that would keep track of any messages given to the player
• Larger dungeons. I had decided to use 100x100 in order to fit within the 64k of the TP 3.0 data segment.
• NPCs that would act as vendors for the player to buy from or sell to

I began actually coding the game in mid 1984 and spent a year on the initial project. In mid 1985 version 1.0 was complete and I uploaded it to the local FIDO-Net BBS (Sacramento, CA). Within a week "The Land" had become the number one downloaded file and within 6 months it was spread across the globe, all in the pre-Internet age!

Several years later I had decided to make a new game based upon the codebase of "The Land", this time improving on some of the drawbacks in the original code. First, "The Land" had much of its data hard coded which made creating another game from the same engine really difficult. Second, "The Land" was my project for learning Pascal and contained a lot of bad coding practices. This new game would be completely original in its setting and was patterned after my real-world D&D campaigns that I had designed in the 70s. It was to include many of the towns and dungeons that I had used in my D&D and would take place in the same land, Halkanar.

My main design goals of this new game were:

• Disassociate the data from the engine as much as possible
• Retain as much of the "The Land"'s mechanics as is reasonable
• Increase the size of the world
• Increase the number of dungeons
• Do not require all dungeons in order to complete the main object
• Increase the item inventory
• Increase the beastiary

I began coding the new game, as yet untitled, in early 1989. I took the original codebase from "The Land" and refactored it to remove any data used by the engine to exist entirely in the data files. Afterwards I worked on expanding the capabilities of the engine. After the main game engine had been reworked and layout of the world, including towns and dugneons. The upland world was 12 times larger than the world in "The Land" and contained over 60 dugeons and a dozen towns. Even tho there are a large number of dungeons, only about 5 were necessary to completing the main goal of the game. The rest contained useful items that if gone after would make the end goal easier.

The game was completed in 1990 and uploaded to my local BBS, again pre-Internet days here. "Quest for the Unicorn" underwent several revisions between 1990 and the mid 90s, mainly fixing bugs and adding a host of features as computer hardware became more capable. Sometime in the mid 90s the last version for MSDOS was released, version 2.1.2. A version 4.0 was created when I had upated my Turbo Pascal to a new version, but never publicly released.

In the mid-2000s I decided to port the codebase for "Quest" from Pascal to C, a project that took me nearly 2 years, working on it off and on. Version 5 was the first c version and was distributed only on my website in the late 2000s.

In 2010 I decided to take "Quest" back to its roots and patterend it more after the game "Rogue" by replacing the graphic tileset with an ascii graphics interface.

Command Line Switches

Long options

Long option	Equivalent to short option
ArenaCombat	-ac
AutoOpenDoors	-aod
AutoPickupGold	-apg
AutoPickupTorch	-apt
AutoSearchWalls	-asw
AutoTarget	-at
Casual	-c
Color	-clr
DungeonScaling	-eds
Epic	-e
FullPartyCombat	-fcd
Heroic	-h
Monochrome	-m
NoArenaComabe	-nac
NoAutoOpenDoors	-naod
NoAutoPickupgold	-napg
NoAutoPickuptorch	-napt
NoAutoSearchWalls	-nasw
NoAutoTarget	-nat
NoDungeonScaling	-nds
NoFullPartyCombat	-rcd
Normal	-n
ShowStats	-s
DelayHit	-dh
DelayTraps	-dt
DelayRanged	-dr
Depth	-d
MonsterCount	-mc
Width	-w
Height	-h
downgradedepth depth	Permenently change the maximum depth in a saved game
downgradearena	Permenently turn off the arena comabe mode in a saved game.
FKeyGear	Unshifted F keys select gear
FKeyMacros	Unshifted F keys select macros
FKeySpells	Unshifted F keys select spells
FKeyWeapons	Unshifted F keys select weapons
Fn=macro	Assigne Fn macro (Ex. F1=Rs)

note: Switches -d, -c, -h, -e, -mc, and -ac, -nac only have an effect on a new game. These switches will have no effect on a game that is loaded. A loaded game will have the modes set when the character was created.

note: Using -downgradedepth can only make dungeons shallower to a minimum depth of 2. You cannot specify a depth that is greater than what the save file is currently set to.

note: Using -downgradearena allows you to permenently turn off the arena combat mode in a saved game. Once it is turned off you cannot turn it back on.

WARNING! There is a downside to decreasing the dungeon depth, turning off arena combat mode or decreasing the monster spawn rate in that with fewer monsters to fight you will gain levels at a slower rate and also with fewer battles means fewer drops and fewer chances to have that really special piece of gear drop.

unicorn.cfg

Character config file

Loading a Saved Game

Modes of Play

Normal - This is the standard mode. Players qualify for scores as well as rebirth. Monsters are at the normal level. Permadeath is active in this mode.

Heroic - This is meant to give more of a challenge. This mode also qualifies for scoring and rebirth. Monsters are double the strength of those in normal mode. When a score is recorded in the heroic mode the exp field will be shown in red to show that the score was obtained in heroic mode. Like normal, permadeath is active in this mode.

Epic - This is an even tougher game. This mode qualifies for scoring and rebirth. Monsters in this mode are 4 times stronger than those in normal mode. When a score is recorded in the epic mode the exp field will be shown in purple to show that the score was obtained in epic mode. Like normal, permadeath is active in this mode.

Casual - This is meant for a more casual game. In this mode permadeath is not active. If you die you can reload from your last save. As a consequence of playing in this mode no scores will be recorded and you will not qualify for the Ritual of Rebirth.

The mode is set when the character is created. If the -h, -e, or -c command line switch was provided when the program is run for a new character then the mode of the character will be set to the appropriate switch. After the character is created there is no longer a need to provide the mode switch when starting the game, it is automatically recorded in the character data.

Upland Commands

Dungeon Commands

Combat Commands

F-key usage

Mode	Fkey	Shifted	Ctrl	Alt
-----------	------------	------------	------	------------
FKeySpells	Spells	Save Weapons	Macros	Load Weapons
FKeyWeapons	Load Weapons	Save Weapons	Macros	Spells
FKeyGear	Load Gear	Save Gear	Macros	Spells
FKeyMacros	Macros	Save Weapons	Spells	Load Weapons

Status Indicators

L	-	The player has light
S	-	The player is shielded (protection effects from used items)
P	-	The player is poisoned
H	-	The player is hasted
G	-	The player is under the effects of Giant Strength
F	-	The player has resistance to fire
C	-	The player has resistance to cold
Z	-	The player has resistance to electricity
A	-	The player has resistance to arcane
V	-	The player is levitating
M	-	The player has resistance to mind attacks
E	-	The player is ethereal
e	-	The player is ethereal, but the effect is about to run out

Macros

Macros at this time can only be defined within the .cfg files, either the global unicorn.cfg or a character .cfg. Note that like other options, a character .cfg that defines macros will override macros assigned to the same keys defined in unicorn.cfg. This allows you to define macros that can be used globally amongst all your characters, and others that are character specific.

Here is a sample .cfg file from one of my paladins that shows how to create macros:

FKeyMacros
M1=[1
M2=[2
M3=[3
M4=[4
M5=mf$E
M6=mp$E
M9=ms$E
M10=mc$E

The FKeyMacros line specifies that I want the unshifted F keys to be assigned to the macros instead of spells. Normally macros are executed with <CTRL><Fkey>.

The other lines define my macros. M1 through M4 give me single key access to 4 different weapon sets in my gear manager. M5 gives me single key cast of Find Traps spell, M6 will cast Protection From Evil, M9 will cast Slow Poison, and M10 will cast Cure Light Wounds.

Notice how the macro definition is just simply the keys you would normally press inside the game. The only difference is the $E, when the macro expander sees the $E it actually replaces it with the <Enter> key, and $e will be replaced by the <Esc> key. To specify arrows, just use the number pad number equivalent, for example left arrow would be 4, right arrow would be 6.

Let me also explain about my spell casts. When you use the <m>agic command, you only need to type enough letters to make the spell name unique, the rest of the name will come up automatically. In the case of my paladin, he only knows those particular 4 spells and so only needs to type the first letter of each spell for it to be unique. When my paladin learns Cure Serious Wounds, then my F10 macro will no longer work, since c is no longer capable of identifiying a complete spell. In which case I will have to change my F10 macro, if I want to keep it as Cure Light Wounds, then I would change the macro line to read:

M10=mcure l$E

Macros can be executed in towns, dungeons, or arena combats. They cannot be used upland, as the F keys have special meaning upland if you possess a particular artifact. Macros also cannot be triggerd in subscreens (inventory, character record, etc). However, if you want a macro to do something with your inventory, you can put in your macro the ability to enter inventory and do something. For example, you could create a macro like this:

M8=uj$Ec$E

If you keep an identification item in slot j (Belt Back), then this macro will allow you to identify the item in slot c (Left Shoulder), just by pressint <CTRL> <F8>, or just <F8> if you are using FKeyMacros.

Another good use of macros is if you have a piece of gear that grants you a special action when worn, but you do not want that piece of gear worn all the time. For example, on one of my characters I have a Robe of Eyes, but its protection value is not as good as my main cloak, but I would like to use the power of the Robe of Eyes when entering a new dungeon level. I have this macro defined:

M9=uqT84$E$EiqT84$E$e

This macro equips the cloak that I have in the last slot of my pack, uses it and then swaps it back for my main cloak. Now all I have to do is press <F9> and I have single key access to the power of the Robe of Eyes, while not having to move gear around manually to use it.

So, macros can only be triggered from the main screen, but macros can go into subscreens to do things.

There is also one more place that a macro can be executed, and that is during name entry on new character creation. I have in my unicorn.cfg macros like this:

M10=$Em22444444424444442226268884444444$E

I can hit F10 after entering my new characters name (Before pressing <ENTER>!) and the macro will hit all the remaining keys to build me a male elf paladin with stats appropriate for a paladin. I have such macros for all the base classes. When I want to start a new character all I need to do is enter the name and press the F key for the class that I want to build.

Item Merchants

<8><Up Arrow>	-	Move the selection cursor up, will scroll if there are more items above.
<2><Dn Arrow>	-	Move the selection cursor down, will scroll if there are more items below.
<9><PgUp>	-	Will scroll upwards one page worth of items.
<2><PgDn>	-	Will scroll downwards one page worth of items.
<7><Home>	-	Move to the first page of items.
<1><End>	-	Move to the last page of items.
<I>	-	Pull up the info card for the selected item.
<Enter>	-	Purchase selected item.

The <a> through <r> keys will also instantly move the selection arrows to the row marked by the appropriate key.

Persistant Dungeons

In addition to the persistant maps, dungeon contents (items laying on the floor and living mobs) will remain persistant until the dungeon is reset. So if you left an item and some mobs on level 1, leave the level and come back, you will find level 1 exactly how you left it, the items will still be there and the same mobs will be there. Mobs are now spanwed only when the dungeon is reset, so you can even leave the dungeon, go to town, and come back and the dungeon will be just how you left it, mobs, items, explored territory will all be as you left it.

A dungeon is reset under two condtions, either entering it for the first time or if you visited a different dungeon prior to reentering a dungeon. so you can leave, come back, leave, come back, all you want and the dungeon will stay how you left it so long as you do not enter another dungeon, at which point a reset will occur.

When a dungeon resets all items and mobs currently in the dungeon will be removed and all levels of the dungeon will spawn new random mobs. You will also forget any explored territory in a reset dungeon and must explore it again. Of course if you drew maps of the dungeon floors, you should have no difficulty finding your way around.

Gear Manager

The following new commands have been added with the gear manager and may be used in dungeons, arena combat mode, and upland:

{	-	Save just your main and off hands to a specified gear slot
[	-	Recall just your main and off hands from a specified gear slot
}	-	Save all equipment to a specified gear slot
]	-	Recall all equipment from a specified gear slot

When using any of these commands you will receive a prompt for which gear slot is to be used, 0 through 9.

Charged Throwables

Auto Heal Item Selection

Auto Eat Item Selection

Auto Selection

Ranged Targeting

Dual Wielding

The weapon equipped in the offhand position will only do 50% of its normal damage. While dual wielding weapons your shield will not contribute to your armor rating. Any enchantments or socket effect on your shield will still work.

Effects of base stats

Mutable Weapons/Armor

Legacy Weapons/Armor

Legendary Gear

Magic Spells

Spell name entry has been made as easy to swallow as possible, start type the name of your spell, as soon as the computer can see your character string as a unique spell name, it will come up with the rest of the name for you, if this is the spell you wish to cast, just press <ENTER>, otherwise you can press the backspace to continue entering a name.

The spell "Sticks to Snakes" works only in the combat mode and not in the standard dungeon mode. so dont cast this spell unless you are in the combat mode.

Sockets

To socket a gem or jewel into a socketed item, <U>se the gem or jewel and then select the item in the inventory screen that you want to socket with the gem. An item can have a maximum of 3 sockets, once all the sockets on an item are full, you cannot add any more socketable items.

Socket Effects

Item Colors

Auto-Identify

Rarity	Base Chance	Increase per point of Lore
Common	100.000%
Uncommon	25.000%	5.000%
Rare	2.500%	0.100%
Very Rare	0.250%	0.015%
Ultra Rare	0.025%	0.002%

Rebirth

Why would you want to do rebirth? Simply put you get to start over with all your current inventory! So if you found some powerful gear you can start the game over already possessing that gear. This allows you to complete the game quicker and therefore place higher on the Hall of Legends score table. In addition to this every rebirth adds to your magic find stat making it easier to find that better gear!

During rebirth you will not lose any trophies you have already collected, but any progress towards trophies you have not yet acquired will be reset and you will have to begin your journey towards those trophies again.

Any quest rewards or items will be removed from your inventory during rebirth, so if you have any quest items belonging to object quests, you may want to consider not performing a rebirth until after completing the object quest. There is an exception to this, one of the object quests requires a large number of components, these components are not considered quest objects and will not be removed. It should be fairly obvious which items these are. Objects acquired as the result of an object quest are not considered quest objects and will not be removed by rebirth.

In order to perform the Ritual of Rebirth, visit any druidic temple. If you qualify for the ritual it will appear as one of the options. In order to qualify you must have completed the main goal of the game and not be playing in casual mode.

Notes to get you started

• When generating your character: Your initial stats start at 10 each, you are then given a point fund of 18 to distribute amoung your 6 base stats. use the arrow keys to distribute this point fund, when the number to the right of the arrow is zero, press enter to save you selections.
• Go into the town where you begin (Radon) and talk to the people, they will give you clues as to where to find dungeons, or information about the realm in general.
• Travel in the wilderness takes a lot of time and therefore a lot of food. Be sure you have plenty of food before travelling far in the wilderness.
• Some terrain types in the wilderness take more time to travel through, so it is best to stick to roads when possible.
• If you do run low on food in the wilderness, get off the road and <s>earch, you may just find some food.
• The first, easiest, and closest dungeon can be found directly north of Radon at the base of the mountains.
• in dungeons, use the <s>earch command often, there are many hidden traps and doors throughout the dungeon levels.
• Always make sure to carry your weapon in your MAIN hand.
• If you are getting low on Hit Points, find a good safe place and take a <n>ap, this will gain your Hit Points back at a faster rate
• Seasonal items are based upon the real calendar month and not the in-game month.
• The <Enter> key is used to back out of sub-screens.
• You gain a damage bonus when using weapons your class has an affinity for. The starting weapon skills will indicate which weapon your class uses, when using weapons of this type you will obtain the bonus.
• Keep an eye out for unidentified weapons and armor. Most basic weapons are common and therefore identified when picked up. However you can find mutable and legacy gear as early as level 1. If a vendor is willing to pay you more than what seems normal for an unidentified piece of gear then it is worth identifying it first, it just might be mutable, legacy or a legendary, which are typically more powerful than gear normally found at the same level.
• Legacy gear levels when you do, so it is worth holding on to even if it is not more powerful than what you currently have equipped, in time it will be better. Legacy gear can be easily identified in your inventory by looking for a simple name that is colored yellow. Remember the item must be identified first before the color will be yellow.

Note about Score Tables