Question 1: How do I transport characters from one level to another?

There are 2 main methods for level transpositions. The first is the ‘portal’ event which sets up a teleport to another location (which can be on another map). If you want to two way portal (e.g. stairs), you’ll need to put another portal event on the other level so the PC can return.

The second method is for allowing the PC to walk of the edge of the map to another one. On the ‘Def’ tab in the editor is the  ‘define exits’ option. For each direction (N,S,E,W) you can select a level destination (-1 being ‘none’). So if you make the north exit equal to ‘3’, then walking of the north side of the map will bring to you map 3. BUT! Before this works, you need to define which squares on the north (or other dir) border (edge of the map) are valid exiting squares. You do this by placing a ‘Map Border Exit’ access tile (i.e. the access tile that looks like a ‘+’ but with arrow heads on the ends) on the valid squares.

Question 2: What does the ‘reset layer’ button do in the cheats menu?

The move layer is a 50x50 grid that coincides with the size of a level (50x50 tiles) and is stored in the PC save game file. It’s used to track things that move – mostly monsters, but also stuff such as pushable objects etc When you reset the move layer, existing (i.e.  not dead or inactivated) monsters return to their starting positions, as do pushable objects. The reset button just ‘clicks’ without any other obvious response, but this is what’s happening.

One reason the ‘reset move layer’ button exists is for testing levels. If you add a new monster to a level (i.e. by placing a Monster event), then load up your saved game on that level, the monster won’t appear. This is because the move layer is set up  when your PC enters a new level. Now, you could reset the move layer by teleporting off that level and returning, but it’s easier to just click the ‘reset move layer’ button. :) Note that monsters which have  already been killed or are inactivated with a flag condition, won’t appear regardless (you’d need to alter the associated flags using the cheat menu to return them to life!).

Question 3: Are there limits to the number of level s I can make?

There is no particular limit to the number of wilderness levels (actually it’s probably ‘0-999’ but that limit is entirely arbitrarily, set my me!).

With normal levels, the limit is 99 (0-98). This limit again is kinda arbitrary but exists because the player mini-maps (where you can see which areas of a map you have or have not explored) need to be recorded in the character save game file. I could easily change that limit if there’s ever a need, though the save file will, obviously, increase in size...

Level 99 exists but is reserved for the ‘instant fortress’ which can be summoned on wilderness maps by using the “instant Fortress” special item.

Question 4:  Why no mini-map available for the purple zone?

The purple zone is there for situations where the player's access to a mini-map of the level would give away spoilage information. For example, if you have a teleport puzzle with a bunch of identical looking rooms, the mini map would give away where you *really* area.

Ordinarily, if you walk off (say) the north side of the map at X=3,Y=0, you'd appear on the next map at X=3, Y=49. I.e. your relative X position does not change. If you want to override this default behaviour, set the 'if goto X= Y=' parameters and the PC will always appear at that specific place, regardless of where (s)he left the previous level.

Question 8: How do I give the PC the bag of holding?

There's a script code (BAG) for that.

As new queries come in, the FAQ will grow larger. Stay posted!

If you have any queries or comments, I would be happy to hear from you. I am particularly interested in specific feedback about the game - what you liked and didn't like. Also, if you spot a bug, let me know! To send me an e-mail click here: e-mail: lafebre@bigpond.com