NOTICE

This service is being presented  on  an "as is"  basis,  with  no guarantees or
warranties express or implied; the user is hereby  informed  that the  operator
does not accept responsibility  for any circumstances  such as may arise due to
usage of this system.

=======================================

For more  information  about this soft-
ware and other fine products, write to:

       - PINNACLE SOFTWARE -
       Box 714, Airport Road
       Swanton Vermont 05488

=======================================

A TRAVELLER'S GUIDE  TO PYROTO MOUNTAIN
By  Tidings-Scrolls Scribe Llebpmac Mit

                --*--

Welcome to beautiful  Pyroto  Mountain! Some people come to admire the  awesome
sight of the  fire-rings  that  protect the  Staging-Schools  on the  mountain-
side.   Some (like me) come looking for work.  But others come for quite a dif-
ferent reason.

These people seek to be students of the secrets of  TSOTL (The  Spirit  Of  The
Land).  And though they realize that an arduous task lies ahead, they make that
super-human effort,  hoping always that they will be the  first  to harness the
incredible magical potency of  TSOTL.

TSOTL, of course, is somewhat amused by these strivings.   But he tolerates the
folly of  humanity,  for reasons of his own.  Perhaps, in his majesty, he seeks
diversion by  observing  the effects of Free Will.  Who can say?  Nevertheless,
he allows this struggle to continue.

If you, too, seek to climb the Mountain and  learn  the  secrets  taught at the
Staging-Schools, you will have to learn to cope with the following things:

(1)  TSOTL's patience
(2)  The Guardians of the Schools
(3)  Manna-point level
(4)  Sorcery level
(5)  OTHER wizards!

Let me explain further ...

TSOTL is  patient,  but he will not put up with the slow-to-learn, or those who
squander their magical energy.

Furthermore, the Guardians will not  accept  you  into their Staging-Schools if
you  can not  answer  their  questions. They wish to ensure that only the  most
intelligent  benefit  from the  ancient teachings of their Schools.

You must also keep track of your Manna-point level.   Manna  is the  source  of
Magickal Energy, granted to the wizards by the grace of TSOTL.   But if you run
out of  Manna,  you will not be able to cast your spells.

The goal of all this is to improve your Sorcery Level.   The higher you go, the
more Manna-points you can control,  and the more spells you can use.

But there are  obstacles  in your path. You will be battling against the  other
wizards,  who are  ALSO  attempting  to reach high  Sorcery Levels.   They will
use their powers and their wiles in any way they can.   You must be both clever
and diplomatic,  as you plan  your rise to power.

Your chief resource is your mind.   You will need to use your  intelligence and
wit to  stay  in the fight.   You can't bribe TSOTL; he has no need for gold.

Of course, you CAN bribe me!  As Scribe of the  Tidings Scrolls,  I'm in a good
position to ask TSOTL to grant you some extra Manna-points.   If you need some,
my rate is 2 pennies per point.   Write to me, care of this system!

I should tell you,  though,  that TSOTL tells me that the  maximum  Manna level
of a wizard is:

      ( Sorcery Level + 1 ) * 50

Bear that in mind,  because I won't refund the difference.

I hope you  enjoy  your stay at  Pyroto Mountain.  May you achieve your goals!


.------ MAP OF  PYROTO MOUNTAIN ------.
| If you have a printer, press  P  to |
| pause this display, and turn it on. |
| Then press a key to restart output. |
| Otherwise,  you can  press spacebar |
| to terminate output,  since the map |
| is the last bit of information.     |
'-------------------------------------'
               GET READY
.......................................

 _/\_                               475
/    \     P                        450
      \     Y     M                 425
       \     R      O               400
        \     O       U             375
The      \_    T        N           350
Pyroto     \_   O         T         325
Pinnacle     \_             A       300
is at Level    \              I     275
Five Hundred    \               N   250
                 \                  225
                  \_                200
Manna Springs 100+  \               175
Tax-Guardians at 30+ \_             150
                       \_           125
PFA Levels    300+       \_         100
COM Levels  100-299        \__       75
BAS Levels   30-99            \___   50
DAT Levels    1-29                \____
Base Portal    0
.......................................
