/> NORSE WANDERER BBS MANUAL </

-=[ Getting Started ]=-

New Users: Type NEW at the logon prompt to create an account. Your handle will be stripped of spaces (e.g., "THE NORSEMAN" becomes "THENORSEMAN").

Existing Users: Enter your handle and password to access the system.

-=[ Main Menu Commands ]=-

A - Auto-messages (system notices)
C - Converse with the Captain (pages the sysop)
E - Electronic runes (private messages / inbox)
F - Leave feedback for the Captain (posts to the Feedback board)
G - Great Books / Library (read archived texts)
H - Help (show built-in help text)
I - Board information (system info)
L - Log off / exit the BBS
O - Jump ship (switch message boards you have access to)
P - Post a rune (create a new board message)
S - Scan messages (summary listings)
T - Show time on current session
U - User log (list of sailors / users)
V - Video/display attributes (40/80 cols)
Y - Polls and voting
* - Show usable decks (boards you can access)

Enter a number to read that rune (message) on the current board.

-=[ Keyboard & Interaction ]=-

The web UI is driven by keyboard input to the screen canvas. Click the screen to focus and then type. Supported shortcuts:

Enter - Submit current input

Backspace - Delete last character

-=[ Message Board Commands ]=-

[#] - Read that rune (message) number on the current board
M - Read messages interactively (forward/back/new)
P - Post a rune (create a message; anonymous board allowed)
S - Scan messages (summary listing)
X - Xtended summary (detailed listing with dates/reads)

-=[ Special Features ]=-

VALID - Vote on new sailors to validate and grant them access to the system (community-driven user validation)
SETPASS - Change your password
GAME - Play The Wandering Norseman (persistent game state saved)
F - Leave feedback for the Captain (posts a message to the Feedback board)
E - Electronic runes (private mail / inbox)
C - Converse with the Captain (pages the sysop; not a multi-user chat)

New accounts are not automatically granted full access. The Norse Wanderer uses a community validation system: existing sailors vote on new applicant handles using the VALID command. When the community accepts a new user, access privileges are granted. This keeps the board curated by the community and helps reduce abuse.

-=[ Connection Settings ]=-

The BBS supports multiple baud rates for your comfort:

300 BAUD - Classic slow scroll, ~30 characters per second
1200 BAUD - 4x faster than 300 baud
(FAST) - Modern speed for instant response

You can also toggle between 40 and 80 column display modes.

-=[ The Display System ]=-

The Norse Wanderer BBS features an advanced DISPLAY command written by Bozo De Clown that automatically formats text files for either 40 or 80 column display, regardless of their original format.

-=[ Technical Information ]=-

This BBS is written in ProDOS for the Apple II computer. The system features:

Alphabetically sorted user list for fast E-MAIL lookups
Granular board access control (sysop can assign specific boards to users)
40 characters × 24 rows display in text mode
Green phosphor P1 monitor simulation
Authentic Apple II character rendering

-=[ Tips for New Users ]=-

Read the message boards to get a feel for the community
Check out the Library (command L) for gaming tips and Norse mythology
Be patient with slower baud rates - part of the authentic experience!
Use the SCAN command to quickly browse board messages
Your account must be validated by existing users before full access

-=[ Game Manual — The Wandering Norseman ]=-

The Wandering Norseman is a trading / naval combat game inspired by Taipan. Start it from the BBS prompt with the command GAME. Your game state is saved automatically (and synced to your account when logged in).

Goal

Accumulate wealth. The code declares: first to 1,000,000,000 gold wins.

Port command line

While in port you will see a command line like:

[PortName> A C F G H O S T U L ? (plus E if the travelling casino is present)

Port commands (brief)

A — Attack another player in the same port (in-port combat; fines and consequences apply).
C — Cargo menu (buy/sell goods). Subcommands: B = Buy, S = Sell.
F — Fleet menu (manage ships). Subcommands: B = Buy ships, R = Repair, S = Ship status, T = Trade-in, W = Weapons.
G — Give gold to another player in port.
H or ? — Help / show available commands.
O — Sail to other ports (choose port number 1–20).
S — Status (fleet & cargo summary).
T — Show remaining days.
U — Toggle unattended (fleet defends itself).
L — Leave (exit the game; progress is saved).
E — Enter the Travelling Casino (available at one random port each game).

Cargo types & base prices

The game uses these cargo types (base prices):

hides — 250gp
dried food — 500gp
tools — 1,000gp
textiles — 2,000gp
arms — 3,000gp
slaves — 4,000gp
silk — 6,000gp
metals — 12,000gp
gems — 20,000gp

Port prices are randomized per visit. Buy low, sell high — watch supply (availability) and your fleet hold capacity.

Ships & buyable classes

Available ship types (base cost / hold / combat hp):

Light Galley — 10,000gp / hold 5 / hp 150
Heavy Galley — 18,000gp / hold 15 / hp 250
Great Galley — 35,000gp / hold 25 / hp 400
Light Warship — 10,000gp / hold 2 / hp 200
Medium Warship — 20,000gp / hold 5 / hp 350
Large Warship — 40,000gp / hold 8 / hp 500

Max fleet size is 6 ships. Ships have weapon slots; warships have rams and better combat stats.

Weapons

Weapons take weapon-slot space on ships. Examples (buyable where available): shears, bowmen(15), springal, light catapult, light cannon, heavy cannon. Prices vary by port.

Fleet submenu highlights

B — Buy ships (choose from the ship list).
R — Repair ships (cost = port repair rate × HP repaired).
T — Trade-in a ship toward a new ship (trade value is reduced by damage).
W — Manage weapons (buy/attach to ships).

Sailing & sea encounters

Sailing between ports takes days (randomized). While at sea you may encounter storms, pirates, imperial fleets, monsters (octopus, sirens), or find treasure. Encounters can sink ships or yield loot.

Combat

Combat is multi-round. You choose to Run or Fight. Fight damage is based on ships, weapons and bowmen. If you sink enemies you may plunder gold; attacking imperial fleets repeatedly will put you on the imperial "shit list" with dangerous consequences.

Casino

The travelling casino offers Slots and Blackjack. Slots use symbol reels and exact payout rules from the original; Blackjack supports hit/stand/double and insurance. Casino bets use your game gold.

Saving & persistence

Progress is saved locally and synchronized to the server (when logged in). Exiting with L or logging off saves your state. The game also auto-saves between actions; you can rely on that when quitting.

Winning & tips

Winning condition in code: reach 1,000,000,000 gold.
Buy low / sell high; port prices change when you leave and re-enter a port.
Keep at least one large-cargo-capacity ship to carry goods for trade.
Avoid repeated attacks on Imperial fleets — you will be hunted.
Use the casino sparingly; the house has an edge.

Example: Enter a port, open cargo with C, choose B to buy an item number, then re-visit another port and C → S to sell for profit.

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