The 4th Age: The Lost Rings
version 0.0.6
This is testing version of TLR game programmed by Z.I.A. Systems.
This version was compiled on 27/8/2000.

What's new in 0.0.6
I was working on wilderness system recently, but it was unable to complete it and long time passed since release of the last version, so the list of changes is quite short and the changes are mostly unimportant.

 -Items placed outside visible area are not drawn until area is newly visited. Also items removed from map remain on screen.
 -Switch for auto-confirmation of options when using items.
 -Drawing hitpoints of each monster.
 -Drawing of "icons" that indicate whether monster is bleeding or poisoned and so on.
 -Switch for drawing specials (leaving sites, hitpoints, icons).
 -Selecting Easy makes game REALLY easy now.
 -Scrollbars added. Behold! scrolling is very easy now!
 -Generating of random dungeons with more than one level in one definition.
 -Faster Line of Sight code.
 -Now you can make shopkeeper really angry when you are stealing his items.
 -Order to attack another friendly unit needs more then 95% loyality.
 -Saving and Loading of configuration 
 -New key shortcuts added (Alt-P for drawing specials, Alt-F for quick following, Alt-B for Beholder View) 
 -New Cheats added. 
 -Switching textured windows on/off
 -Beholder View bug in Map Window fixed
 -Loading spellbook bug fixed
 -Error that sometimes occured when cheating removed

Known bugs:
 There seems to be some problem with following that causes used memory is not released correctly.
 Text bugs
 Mouse movement is doing some problems
 Not all functions are fully implemented
 Following units are not able to follow you in difficult terrain

What's new in 0.0.5
 -New items added. 
 -Units are escaping from fire.
 -Using of items was extended to multiple options (you can choose whether to lock a chest with a key or add it to a chest)
 -You can set fire to wooden structures by using a torch on them.
 -When you drink a potion, you can take only few mouthfuls and leave the rest for worse times. 
 -Experience for kills and high-score table added, including attributes of deceased hero.
 -Poisoning of food, poisoning of weapons (weapons with blades and arrows).
Code was cleared and is more efficient now. I also added some less important features so that   TLR wouldn't look same as previous version. These are:
 -You can easily handle items by using drag & drop in inventory windows. Some shortcuts added too. 
 -You can choose from set of textures in options window using comfortable filewindow.
 -You can draw and choose face of hero from file.
 -Resizable message bar.
 -You can give order to whole group of friendly units now.
 -Buffering of files is now working properly, buffer size option added.
 -Number of bugs during attack of orcish archers decreased.
 -Lightening effect is not using different palette. 
 -Textures can use any available color from TLR palette now. Visual error after drawing a texture in moved window fixed. Textures are relative to [0, 0]
 New TOOLS released
 -PCX2TLR picture converter which you can use to define your own textures and faces.
 -VIEWPIC viewer of TLR picture format.

What's new in 0.0.4
 Code cleared and game is faster now
 Some more bugs fixed
 Generating of random dungeons
 Advanced using system (like when you use flask on well you can choose whether 
  you want do drop it down or fill it with water)
 Darkness affects range of vision. Night-vision attribute
 Hostile unit spotted warning system
 Some graphical tiles changed
 Call Rain spell added
 Fire is destroying wooden structures now
 Rain has effects on fire
 Modified Lightening spell (only on places with no roof, clouds increase effect)
 Smart Pickup command "," (arrows added to arrow pouch etc.)
 Money Pouch - when equipped, you can automatically buy items without offering
  coins or items from your inventory. Works with smart pickup command

What's new in 0.0.3
 More realistic weather effects and appearing
 New Shopping Window
 Skills (haggling, stealing items) - not fully implemented
 Burden Weight and weight penalties
 Building names (not so important) 
 
For further information 
 on The Lost Rings
   www.zia.kgb.cz/4thAge.htm 
  or link from www.skoardy.demon.co.uk/rlnews 
 on Z. I. A. Systems
   www.zia.kgb.cz/eindex.html -English version of Z.I.A. homepage
   www.zia.kgb.cz/frames.htm - Czech language

Please email me in case of some problems or questions.
E-mail: ozicha@atlas.cz.
Address:
 Ondrej Zicha
 Czech Republic
 Juguslavskych partyzanu 34
 Prague 6 
 160 00
