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Table of Contents
The DOS version
The DOS version (LORDFP.ZIP) is a replacement LORD.EXE for LORD 4.06. It plays like LORD (it is a port of lord.js) and uses LORD 4.06's own files, so an existing LORD 4.06 game, its players and its In-Game Modules carry on. The zip is a complete game: it holds all of LORD 4.06's stock files as well, so nothing else is needed. On Synchronet for Linux it runs under dosemu2 for Synchronet, the same way LORD 4.06 does; it also runs on any real DOS BBS.
A new game
On Synchronet for Linux
- Make the game directory and unzip the zip into it:
mkdir /sbbs/xtrn/lordf cd /sbbs/xtrn/lordf unzip /path/to/LORDFP.ZIP
- Run the setup program under
de:$ de C:\> E: E:\> CD \LORDF E:\LORDF> LORDCFG
The first run writes
LORD.INIwith the default game options. Check them with 1, then set up each BBS node with N:- Drop file type: DOORSYS (matches GAP DOOR.SYS in SCFG)
- Drop file location:
D:\(the node directory) - COM port: leave it to the drop file
This writes NODE1.DAT, NODE2.DAT and so on. Set up as many nodes as your BBS has.
- Still at the DOS prompt, type
START 0to try the game on the local screen. Node 0 is the sysop's local node and needs no setup. - Add the door in SCFG:
^ Setting ^ Value ^
| Start-up Directory | ../xtrn/lordf |
| Command Line | start.bat %# |
| Multiple Concurrent Users | Yes |
| I/O Method | FOSSIL or UART |
| Native Executable/Script | No |
| Use Shell or New Context | Yes |
| BBS Drop File Type | GAP DOOR.SYS |
| Place Drop File In | Node Directory |
- Log in and play. START.BAT loops: when a player enters an IGM, LORD ends with errorlevel 254, START.BAT runs the IGM and then starts LORD again, which puts the player back where they were.
On a DOS BBS
- Unzip everything into an empty directory, e.g.
C:\LORD. - Run
LORDCFG.EXE. Check the game options (1), and set up each BBS node (N): the drop file type, where the BBS writes it, and the COM port. - Type
START 0to play on the local screen. - Have the BBS run
START.BAT <node>from the LORD directory. Edit the top lines ofSTART.BATif the BBS doesn't change to it first.
LORD 4.06's own README.NOW, LORD.DOC and TROUBLE.TXT are included; where they say LORD.DAT or LORDCFG's (S)etup, this LORDCFG uses LORD.INI and N.
Upgrading a LORD 4.06 game
Skip this for a new install. If you already run LORD 4.06 and want to keep its players, LORD FP can replace its programs: it uses LORD 4.06's player file, mail, news, node files and IGM list as they are.
- Back up the LORD directory.
- Rename
LORD.EXEtoLORD406.EXEandLORDCFG.EXEtoLORDC406.EXE. - From the zip, copy only
LORD.EXE,LORDFP.STR,LORDCFG.EXE,LORDTXT.LRD,FLOOKS.TXT,MLOOKS.TXTandGSTART.LRD. Leave out the LORD 4.06 files: your game already has them, perhaps changed (START.BAT,3RDPARTY.DAT,LORD.LDY…). CopyLORDTXT.DATonly if yours is missing. - Run LORDCFG and check the game options and the node setup (N).
Nothing else changes: START.BAT <node> runs the game as before, NODE<n>.DAT says where each node's drop file is, and 3RDPARTY.DAT lists the In-Game Modules. A LORD 4.06 player is picked up from PLAYER.DAT the first time they play. To go back to LORD 4.06, rename LORD406.EXE and LORDC406.EXE back.
The files
| File | What it is |
|---|---|
LORD.EXE | The game (replaces LORD 4.06's LORD.EXE). |
LORDFP.STR | The game's text; must be next to LORD.EXE. |
LORDCFG.EXE | The set-up program (replaces LORD 4.06's LORDCFG.EXE). |
LORDTXT.LRD | Screens and messages (lord.js's). LORD 4.06's own LORDTXT.DAT is used first, so the stock 4.06 screens show; LORDTXT.LRD only for the ones 4.06 doesn't have. |
LORDTXT.DAT | LORD 4.06's stock screens. |
FLOOKS.TXT, MLOOKS.TXT, GSTART.LRD | Descriptions used by the game. |
LORD.INI | Game options (written by LORDCFG; see Game options (lord.ini)). |
LORDSRC.ZIP | The source (Linux and DOS). |
LORD406.EXE (with LORD.OVR) | LORD 4.06's own LORD.EXE, kept to go back to. |
LORDC406.EXE | LORD 4.06's LORDCFG.EXE, for registering LORD 4.06. |
START.BAT, START1-START5, DSTART, *SAY.DAT, LENEMY.DAT, EVENTS.LDY, LORD.LDY, 3RDPARTY.DAT, LORD.DOC, LADY.DOC, LORDSTRC.PAS, REGISTER.DOC, README.NOW, WHATSNEW.TXT … | The rest of LORD 4.06's distribution, unchanged. |
Files the game creates are on Data files.
Good to know
- Registration. LORD 4.06 checks its own registration code, so it is entered with
LORDC406.EXE. Option G in LORDCFG explains how. - Daily maintenance. After LORD's own daily maintenance, the first login of the day runs
MAINT.BATfrom the game directory, if there is one. IGMs put their upkeep there, for example The Pawn Shop'sPSETUP /M. LORD 4.06 does the same. - Memory. The game needs about 600K of conventional memory.
- The port. The COM port comes from the drop file, else
COMPORTinNODE<n>.DAT. A FOSSIL driver is used when one is loaded, otherwise the UART directly. - DOS commands first in the game options adds commands to the top of the IGM batch file (for example
SHARE).
