Legend of the Sword - playing hints contributed by MeRC This article gives you some idea of what should be done, though not how to do it. There are three main areas of play, and movement between them is restricted - in fact, once you're in the swamp there's no going back, so you must have with you all you need. Area A. Open country (ruined Keep, forest, shacks, lake and river) Area B. Trolls' Caverns Area C. Swamp (where the Keep proper is) A good way to start from the beach is to go East, North, Up, East to the mango crossroads, which can be used as a reference point. A feasible order of exploration is: i. Tower in ruined keep, shack near well, leprechaun, ugly humanoids, evil humanoids, stag, under keep, trolls' caverns, lake shore (capture by humanoids), beach cave, gateway to swamp. ii. You/your party should then be carrying: tinderbox, torch, gold key, wooden disc, gold coin, ring, helmet, horn, rope and hook, bow and quiver, spear, battle axe, sword, shovel. iii. Then the swamp. Kill: hydra (specs), Morag (candle), Mud Beasts. Examine skeleton (holy water), push wagon to Keep. iv. Get into the Keep and find: arrow i, candle-holder, copper key, tin key, arrow ii, diamond, platinum key, large and small rubies, red crystal, steel pin, crucifix, wand, teardrop, special sword, shield. v. To get these, you will need to explore the:- Crypt: kill wraith, get platinum key, get rubies. (bug (?):coffin business not necessary once you have the platinum key as you can get the large ruby without finding the niche) Tower: red crystal Chapel: steel pin, crucifix, wand, raise and kill ogre, open secret passage, put red crystal in niche, assemble wand, hit door with wand. vi. Final: cross lava, pass hazards in tunnel, open wall, distract dragon, rescue Pagan, find and use teardrop, unlock chest, get sword and shield, complete shield, touch sword on metal. The full solution to Legend of the Sword will be given in the next issue of SynTax.