RA1: Feast of Goblyns Online Player's Guide

Necessary Programs

     RA1: Feast of Goblyns is designed for use with SSI's Unlimited Adventures, and cannot be played without this program. To find out more about Unlimited Adventures, you need to view the Helpme.txt file included in the zip file.

    The numerous hacks included with this module require UAShell to function properly. The game will be unplayable without this program. UAShell is a freeware program and can be downloaded from David Knott's website. If you already have UAShell, I recommend updating to the current version, or at least version 9.00, with which Feast of Goblyns was created. Versions older than 8.82 are incapable of handling some of the more recent hacking discoveries which are used in this module.

Installing the Game

    Well, first you must download the file, which can be found at the UA File Archive, or my own website. Then just follow the directions below.

1. Place the ra1.zip file within your main FRUA directory.

2. Extract the zip file to this directory, using the instructions below:

Using Winzip: Simply click on the file ra1.zip to open it, then extract it to your main FRUA directory. Make sure that the option to "Use folder names" is checked in the Extract window. Then Winzip should automatically create the necessary directories and set everything up for you.

Using Pkunzip: Open a DOS window and go to the directory where ra1.zip is now located. Then type "pkunzip -d" to extract the files into the proper directories.

3. Once these steps are completed, start up UAShell and select Designs, then Apply, then ra1.dsn. This will install all of the hacks needed to play the adventure. Then just select Designs, then Run to begin the game!

Character Information

    If you want to use the pre-generated party that is included, you don't need to read any further in this section. Instead, you can read about the included characters on the Characters page. If you wish to transfer your characters into the design from some adventure other than RQ1: Night of the Walking Dead and/or RA3: Touch of Death, please read on...

    Transferring Characters: So you would like your own characters to continue their adventures in Ravenloft? Well, if you must, just copy the character files into the ra1.dsn/Save directory, start the game, add your characters and play. There are a few things to keep in mind however. First, Feast of Goblyns was designed for adventurers from fifth to eighth level, for ideal gameplay and challenge.  The game will still be enjoyable with higher-level characters, but be aware that most of the battles will be very easy. Lower level characters will have a very difficult time with many of the combats.  The other major factor is regarding the large number of  hacked items. Because so many items have been replaced or altered, there will be display problems if you enter the game with equipment. It would be a good idea to drop all items before transferring the characters into the game. For these reasons, I strongly recommend creating new characters or using the pre-generated party that is included.
 

Playing the Game

    Silver Weapons: This is partly due to an oversight on my part, and partly due to limitations of the FRUA engine.  You'll find lots of silver weapons in this game, and they are equivalent to +1 weapons.  There are also lots of wolf-men which are not exactly werewolves, but should be treated as such (meaning they can be hurt by silver weapons, not iron as it says in the monstrous compendium.)

    Goblyns:  These little beasties were created specifically for this adventure and they are very different from the standard goblin. Here is a description from the adventure text of this deadly new monster:
    Goblyns are hideous creatures with slightly bloated heads, pointed ears, and glowing red eyes. They have long, mangy hair which grows only on the back of their heads and necks. About half of their face is taken up with a wide mouth full of needle sharp teeth. Goblyns seldom attack with weapons. Instead, they strike at their victim's throat with their clawed hands. If both of their claws hit, the goblyn is assumed to have gotten a solid hold on the target's neck. On each subsequent round, the victim will be bitten, usually on the face. In addition, they will have difficulty breathing and may suffocate. The goblyns refer to this as feasting, and it is so frightening to observe that all who see someone attacked in this manner must make a horror check.

    Searching vs. Looking: Searching is seldom necessary during this adventure. If you seem to be stuck or are specifically looking for something that you can't seem to find then you should search, but otherwise it's really a waste of time.  A much better alternative, and my suggestion, is to use the Look command. Most of the time you can "Look" at a door to read the sign hanging above it or "Look" at a statue to examine it. The Look command can also trigger an action. For example,  if you find yourself staring at a wall that you suspect might be a secret door, try using Look to activate it.

    Fear Checks: An important part of any Ravenloft adventure, fear checks are a way of role-playing the terror that is experienced during game play.  Although they are not found in standard UA, I was able to implement an approximation of a fear check which you will encounter several times. The effects of fear can be very dangerous, as it can leave your characters paralyzed with terror at the beginning of a battle.

    Gathering Information: You can learn a great deal of information from the people of Kartakass, mostly in the taverns and bars.  The majority of your information will come from specific NPC's which you will encounter along the way.  Chances are, if someone important talks to you for a long time, you should pay attention.

    Enchanted Items: Don't expect to find a trove of magical items in Kartakass.  This is not the fantasy world of the Forgotten Realms; magic is much more rare in Ravenloft.  You will find several items, but remember that this is the third adventure in a series of six, and there is more to come. Your characters will gain bigger and better weapons as they grow in experience.  Still, if you've explored the game thoroughly, then by the time you finish Feast of Goblyns you should be in good shape...

    Area View: I usually try to leave Area View on for most maps, just to help you out if you get lost.  Unfortunately, this game was so large that I was not able to hide secret areas on other maps; therefore, I had to leave Area View off in most places.  Sorry about that, but there aren't really any mazes.  You can do it.

    Saving your Game: Because I like to use event chains, there are places where saving a game, exiting play, and returning later can get you stuck. I've eliminated all the crucial problems, but not some of the minor ones. If you go to a training hall, save, quit, and return later, just press the "Look" command to retrigger the event chain and you'll be fine. If you get stuck, reload your last saved game and "Look" to get back on track.

    The Password: I have locked the editor with a password. I have done this simply because I want to urge you not to look through the art or pick through all the dungeons before you play the entire game at least once, as this will surely spoil many of the surprises found throughout. Once you have completed the adventure, you can unlock the editor with my name, Darius.

    Final Note: Different from Night of the Walking Dead and Touch of Death, this adventure is an epic story, full of plot twists.  If you feel lost, confused and even clueless at times, don't worry. You're supposed to be. But don't give up. All things will be revealed to you soon enough.  There are many, many helpful clues strewn about the game and everything will be explained.  Just make sure you pay attention to what the major NPCs say.  They will direct you towards your next course of action. Also, since this adventure is so large, you might want to take notes; especially if your playing sessions are spread out over time.