RA3: Touch of Death Online Player's Guide

Necessary Programs

     RA3: Touch of Death 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 Touch of Death was created. Versions older than 8.82 are incapable of handling some of the more recent hacking discoveries used in this adventure.

Installing the Game

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

1. Within your main FRUA directory, create a new directory and title it ra3.dsn.

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

Using Winzip: Simply click on the file Ra3.zip to open it, then extract it to your ra3.dsn 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: Move the Ra3.zip file to the ra3.dsn directory you just created.  Open a DOS window and go to this directory where Ra3.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 ra3.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, 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 ra3.dsn/Save directory, start the game, add your characters and play. There are a few things to keep in mind however. First, Touch of Death was designed for adventurers from third to fifth 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. 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

    Searching vs. Looking: Searching is never necessary during this adventure. Sure you're welcome to do this, but 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 Har'Akir.  You should talk to everyone in the village at some point.  If you don't pay attention to the clues they give you, then the events that occur as the story progresses will make little sense to you.

    Enchanted Items: Don't expect to find a trove of magical items in Har'Akir.  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 second 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, by the time you finish Touch of Death, you should have at least two very special weapons...

    Area View: I've left Area view on in most places, even on maps in which you could easily get lost. I personally don't like to use Area view unless I'm really stuck, which is how I've intended its use in this game. In other words, it's there to help you, so use it if you need it.  Unfortunately, it was impossible to use Area view in the final series of dungeons, due to the number of secret passages and programming tricks.  But, trust me, you can do it.  There are no mazes or excessively complicated dungeons.

    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: Like Night of the Walking Dead, this adventure is a multi-layered mystery, full of surprises.  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. Just make sure you explore the entire village and talk to everyone you can.  Each day and each night, you should walk the village streets, even for just a few minutes...