Dragon 32 · Dragon Data Ltd · 1982 · re-created for the web
The land groans under Moorlock, master of the red citadel in the far south-east. You lead ten men, a little food and a little gold. Raise an army, keep it fed, cross the great river, and pull the citadel down.
Move with N S E W or the arrow keys. Every ten marches the army eats: half a ration per man, double in the mountains. At zero food, men starve. Each man carries 100 lbs; if the survivors cannot carry the baggage, you must Dump equipment before marching on.
Bands roam the land. Some ask to join you (Y/N); the rest attack. In battle choose Fight, Run, or offer Terms — a cowed enemy may join your banner. Strength comes from men, arms, armour and the experience of past victories.
Cities (the pale squares) sell supplies — press B to barter; the merchants' stock changes with each visit. Your scouts will sight caves, ruins and towers as you pass: press U to explore them, with a lamp, a shovel, or a grapple respectively. Chests of gold wait inside — and sometimes guardians.
The river can only be crossed by boat — buy one in a city. Moorlock's garrison grows better armed the longer you delay, and it numbers in the hundreds. A siege tower (9,999 gold) nearly doubles your strength at the walls, if you can afford it and carry it.
Pressing M has the scribes redraw the map — and, as on the original tape, the mountains and swamps genuinely shift while everything else stays put. I shows the inventory at any time.