               StarQuest, The Docs....              SQ 3.6



BACKGROUND:

     StarQuest is a multi-player, interactive game for TBBS. Orginally
written by Jeff Johnson.  There can be as many players at anytime
playing as there are lines to this bbs. StarQuest has come along way
since it was first released.  If you have played it before,  you will
notice a great deal of changes since v3.5.



THE OBJECTIVE:

     Your goal in StarQuest is to be the strongest and richest player in
the entire universe.  Unlike some games, to be the 'Top Player' you have
to constantly work at it.  At times, it will get frustrating and this is only
natural.  But then again, at times it will probably be the funnest game you
will have ever played.



HOW TO PLAY:

     To become the 'Top Player' you have to gain points.  This is done by
earning credits, building a strong force, and establishing a good trade
between planets and settlements.  In this game, you are playing
against the computer as well as other players.  You can attack
another player whether he is on-line or off-line.  The same goes for
other players, they can attack you either while you are on-line or
off-line.  All through the universe there are ports and starbases that have
already been set up prior to the start of the game.  You, as the player of
the game, can set up settlements which are almost like ports.  These will be
talked about later.



TRADE AMONG THE UNIVERSE:

     The most reliable and fastest way to gain money and power is to trade at
the ports and settlements.  In a sector where there is a port you may <L>and
at the port.  There you will have a choice of buying and selling technical
equipment, minerals, and food.  Usually, technical equipment brings a higher
price than either of the other two.  At settlements that you do not own, you
can only purchase items.



SETTLEMENTS:

     In a sector where there are no ports, settlements, or starbases you can
create your own settlement.  You may even name it whatever you wish.
However, it costs money to start a settlement.  For the settlement to be
successful, you must put people on it that you can pick up at other
settlements and ports.  You must also build factories and markets.  The more
money you put in it, the better the port will become.  If, however, you do
not leave defensive fighters in the sector to protect the settlement, you
will not be able to take supplies from it and must buy them.  You can buy
defensive fighters at starbases and send them to any sector that you have
a settlement at.



STARBASES:

    Starbases are very essential to the game.  This is where you buy
everything you need to become the best player.  There are many other
things you can do here, if you have enough credits:

   The StarBase Casino - Inside here, this is a list of things you can do
                         and play:
                         1) Purchase a Lottery Ticket - You can either
                            loose or win up to 200,000 credits.
                         2) Play Slot Machines - You can play either .25,
                            .50, .75, or 1.00 machines.
                         3) Gamble at the Craps Table - Most of us have
                            at least once in our lives played craps.  The
                            object is to roll the same number twice without
                            rolling a 7 first.
                         4) Play Kyperthian Crystals - This is a little
                            difficult at first.  The object is to guess
                            whether the next crystal is going to be
                            higher or lower than the current crystal.
                            Keep in mind, however, that is depends on the
                            type of crystal PLUS the number within the
                            crystal.
                         5) Play Black Jack -- Probably the most popular
                            card game on Earth is now available at a
                            Star Base near you! Minimum bet is 50
                            credits, maximum is 5000.


   The StarBase Bank -   You can deposit and withdraw credits here.  Your
                         money in the bank earns interest with the interest
                         varying.

   Deep Space Fighters - These are so that you can attack other players and
                         their defense fighters.

   Defense Fighters -    These are fighters that you send to defend your
                         settlements.

   Stellar Warp Device - This allows you to 'Jump' to another sector at
                         any range.  For example, you can jump from
                         sector 1 to sector 1000 in one turn.  However,
                         this takes a lot of energy to do.  Sometimes it
                         can also be dangerous for the ship.

   Kloaking Device -     If you buy a kloaking device and activate it, you
                         become in visible to the other players.  This is a
                         major drain on your energy, so use it with caution.

   Fleet Repair -        Invest in this after you have suffered damage or
                         if you have depleted your particle beams while
                         fighting another player.

   Cargo Drones -        These are what you carry Technical equipment, food,
                         and minerals in.  As a basic rule, the more drones
                         you have the quicker you gain credits and a higher
                         score.

   Energy -              You have to have energy to do just about everything
                         in StarQuest.  It is best to have a lot of energy so
                         that you do not run out of energy in a sector that
                         is empty.  If this happens you will have to wait
                         until the next day when you build up a little
                         energy.


MAIN COMMANDS:

    These are the commands available at the main screen:

   <?> List the commands
   <A> Attack another player
   <C> Access computer
   <D> Display other ships
   <J> Jump to another sector (only if you possess the stellar warp device)
   <L> Land at a port or settlement
   <N> Auto navigation
   <O> Open hailing channel
   <R> Redraw screen
   <S> Make or invest in a settlement
   <Q> Quit the game
   <T> Team Menu
   <W> Warp to another sector
   <*> Flag-Ship damage report

    Most of these are self-explanatory.  These are some that you might
need help with:

   <A> Attack another player- You must first kill of all the fighters a
                              player has protecting his/her flag-ship
                              (main ship).  You may not attack another
                              player if they are in the StarBase unless
                              they have not played for ten days.  To
                              attack the other player press <A>.  The
                              computer will ask you how many fighters you
                              wish to use.  Type the number and hit enter.
                              After all of their fighters have been
                              destroyed you may then attack the flag-ship.
                              To destroy the flag-ship, the object is to
                              get the 'X' in the middle of the brackets.
                              These are the commands to maneuver your
                              flag-ship:

                                <4> or <L>    - Move ship left
                                <6> or <R>    - Move ship right
                                <8> or <U>    - Move ship up
                                <2> or <D>    - Move ship down
                                <0> or <B>    - Retreat
                                <5> or Space Bar - Fire Particle Beams

                               The reason for the rather curious numbers
                               4, 6, 8, 2 is that correspond to left,
                               right, up and down on the numeric keypad.

   <C> Access computer      - Go to the computer.

   <N> Auto navigation      - It will warp to several sectors with just
                              one command.

   <O> Open hailing channel - This is to send messages to other players
                              that are also playing at the same time.

   <T> Team Menu            - Go to the team menu.



COMPUTER COMMANDS:

    These are the commands after you enter the computer:

   <S> Toggle shields
   <D> Toggle defensive systems
   <K> Toggle kloaking device
   <L> Read your game log
   <M> Report on sector
   <N> Report on port
   <P> Report on players
   <X> Change alias
   <E> Exit computer

    Using the shields, defensive systems, and kloaking device all use
quite a bit of energy, so use when you have plenty of energy.  When you
are off-line it is a good idea to have your defensive systems up.  When
someone goes to attack you, your ship will warp to another sector.



TEAM COMMANDS:

    This is where you do everything dealing with teams.

   <J> Join or change teams
   <L> Locate team members
   <S> Send messages to other team members
   <M> Check for messages
   <T> Transfer funds to member
   <E> Exit team functions

    All of these are self-explanatory.



    If you run across any errors within StarQuest please report them to
your SysOp or call Downtown BBS at (919) 383-4905 and leave a message to
the SysOp with the error message and the number it gives you.

                                            Thank-you,
                                       BBS Consultants, Inc.
