Lmst

#Ossuary was designed around the limitations of the 16kb Sinclair #ZXSpectrum. 7kb of that memory was taken up by the screen and system, leaving just 9k for the program. The #msdos version is a straight port of the Speccy version, hence the simplicity. Currently both versions are available from the same Itch project page, but I might separate them in the future, as per Barbarians. https://cyningstan.itch.io/ossuary

The cassette inlay for the ZX Spectrum version of Ossuary. The front features one of the gargoyle faces from the game graphics, inexpertly enlarged. Seriously, on the in-game title screen, it looks more like a teddy bear. The rear of the cassette inlay has a gameplay screenshot.

The Necromancer is the final enemy in #Ossuary. He is the cause of all the chaos you've battled through. Unlike spectres and daemons, he is a living human and is vulnerable to blades, although his spells can blast you to pieces very quickly. He will not chase you like other monsters, he'll wait for you to come to him. If you kill him, then you will keep your gold... and your life! You can download the game from https://cyningstan.itch.io/ossuary #ibmpc #msdos #cga

Keen-eyed viewers might notice that this is a different hero from the earlier posts in this series; it seems that using the wand to fight daemons was a fatal mistake. This new hero has an intelligence of 11, however, so the wand and amulet are the best combination both for daemons, and for the necromancer who is enlarged here in the inset. Note how the inventory is full of potions, many of which will be needed for the final battle with the necromancer.

Daemons are spirits of the underworld, the strongest monster in the game apart from the Necromancer. Blades bounce off them, so defeat them with scrolls or the magic wand. In the final levels, you might want to try avoiding them altogether if possible, to preserve your life-preserving healing potions for the final fight. You can download #Ossuary from https://cyningstan.itch.io/ossuary #ibmpc #msdos #cga

Daemons appear at level 20. Our hero's use of the wand is probably unwise here, because intelligence hasn't increased for a long time. The banish spells in our inventory would be a much better way of dealing with the daemon, who is enlarged in the inset.

Spectres in #Ossuary are spirits through whose ghostly forms normal weapons pass without harm. They can only be destroyed with a wand or a banish spell. Heroes used to fighting with a blade will need to keep a scroll handy, unless they are learned enough to make good use of the wand. You can download the game from https://cyningstan.itch.io/ossuary #ibmpc #msdos #cga

We meet our first spectres on level 15. Our hero's intelligence isn't quite good enough to deal with spectres using the wand without taking too much injury, so we've opted for the banish spell instead. These have an approximate 50% chance of defeating the spectre outright, but there's also a small chance that the scroll will crumble to dust on failure. The spectre is enlarged in the inset.

In centuries past, when the land was often at war, many of the citizens buried in the #Ossuary were brave warriors who had fallen in battle. The necromancer has reanimated their bleached bones, and now they wander the corridors and chambers, mistaking the living for their enemies from days gone by. They still draw strength from their tarnished sword and shield. You can download the game from https://cyningstan.itch.io/ossuary #ibmpc #msdos #cga

On level 10 we start to find skeletons. We also found an amulet on level 8 or 9, which has changed up the combat arithmetic again. The amulet, like the wand, adds a +2 bonus to intelligence, and makes that the stat used for defence. So using the wand and amulet together provides a +4 bonus for both attacking and defending. We did also pick up an iron shield, which adds +4 to defence. So the hero's best options are either using wand/amulet for 12/12 attack/defence, or sword/iron shield for 11/13 attack/defence. We've chosen magic to fight the skeletons, which are enlarged in the inset.

Cadavers are the decomposing bodies of citizens who hoped to enjoy a peaceful burial in the ossuary, but who have been reanimated by the necromancer. Now they are dangerous foes to the hero. They are sometimes carrying possessions they owned in life, which they will drop when killed. You can download #Ossuary from https://cyningstan.itch.io/ossuary #ibmpc #msdos #cga

On level 8, cadavers start to appear. Our hero found a sword back on level 5 or 6, but also levelled up their intelligence to 8. Continuing to wield the wand adds a +2 bonus to intelligence, providing an offensive strength of 8+2=10. But wielding the sword adds a +4 bonus to attack strength, giving an offensive strength of 7+4=11. So it makes sense to switch to the sword to attack the cadaver, who is enlarged in the inset.

Serpents are giant snakes whose scaly hide gives them great defensive ability. A decent blade helps dispatch them quickly. The dagger isn't quite enough, but you will usually find a sword at around the same time as serpents start to appear. You can download #Ossuary from https://cyningstan.itch.io/ossuary #ibmpc #msdos #cga

On level 5 we see our first serpent. Luckily, our hero found a wooden shield back on level 3 or 4, which increases defensive strength. Note that the hero has levelled up, attack strength and intelligence are both equal on 7. This means that they are equally confident with the dagger or the wand, both of which have a +2 bonus on the relevant stat. The serpent is enlarged in the inset.

Further down in #Ossuary you'll encounter Arachnids, giant spiders that can deliver a fierce bite to a hero who is not protected by a shield. Luckily, you can usually find a shield around the time that the arachnids appear, so the watchful hero won't go unprotected for long. You can download the game from https://cyningstan.itch.io/ossuary #ibmpc #msdos #cga

The arachnids are appearing already on level 3, which is quite early. Our hero hasn't yet levelled up, and still has an intelligence slightly higher than strength, so the wand is still the best weapon to use. An arachnid is shown enlarged in the inset.

Bats in #Ossuary will gradually give way to Vermin. These giant rats are easier to hit than the bats that preceded them, but they also have a nasty bite, so you should despatch them as quickly as possible, and try not to get surrounded. Vermin don't pick up items, but might be found guarding useful or valuable treasures. You can download the game from https://cyningstan.itch.io/ossuary #ibmpc #msdos #cga

On level 2, vermin join the bats to challenge our hero. With an intelligence higher than attack strength, our hero opts to use the wand, which will use intelligence for attacking, giving an overall offensive strength of 7+2=9. Vermin is enlarged in the inset.

Tonite! #Portal (AU) + #ImpetuousRitual (AU) + #Ossuary (US) + #Sanctuarium (ES) + #SpadaIntraesofagea #Death Metal #Black Metal
#Magasin4 #Bruxelles

Over the course of 24 dungeons in #Ossuary, you'll meet various monsters. The first creature you'll encounter is a giant bat. Their flightpath makes them hard to hit, but they are not particularly strong, so they won't be doing that much damage. Once you find a dagger or a wand, you'll be dealing with them easily. Bats occasionally pick up treasures and move them around. You can download the game from https://cyningstan.itch.io/ossuary #ibmpc #msdos #cga

Our hero, starting on level 1, encounters their first bat. The hero can probably take down the bat bare-handed, but it will take quite a few turns, as the damage the hero causes will be minimal. Once a blade or a wand is found, the bats can be dealt with much more quickly. A bat is enlarged in the inset.

🇬🇧 30 tabs with music I still have to listen to in my 'Bandcamp' browser tab group.

Ossuary - 'Abhorrent Worship'

'You find yourself two thousand meters below the earth’s surface surrounded by overwhelming darkness. Cold and wet, the path has collapsed behind you. You have nowhere to go, but still you scream. (...) There’s no way out. You die here. OSSUARY have made this cave for you.'

https://mesacounojo.bandcamp.com/album/abhorrent-worship

#Bandcamp #thingstolistento #Ossuary #deathmetal #MadisonWI #USA

I manage to banish or avoid those daemons and make it to level 24. I find the necromancer quickly, and kill him! I used up most of my potions surviving his onslaught, though. #ossuary #ibmpc #msdos #cga

Level 24 of the ossuary, with the necromancer beaten!

I have two banish scrolls on level 23, but I'm in a tricky spot. I'm being chased from behind, but daemons up ahead are waiting to ambush me. #ossuary #ibmpc #msdos #cga

Level 23 of the ossuary, where daemons close in from all directions.

🎵 D'em bones, d'em bones...🎵

Fascinating visit to the small but interesting St Leonard's Church crypt in Hythe yesterday, one of only two ossuaries in the UK. Stacks and stacks of bones and shelves and shelves of skulls, as well as cabinets showing certain jaws and pelvises and other skeletal parts with interesting injuries, malformations or work related influences.

Fridge magnet was a required purchase.

#skeleton #bones #skull #church #ossuary #history #heritage #culture #alttext

Shelves with neatly arranged skulls. Most are facing forward. Some are slightly angled and one on the bottom shelf is facing left to show a hole.

A stack of thousands of limb bones, about 6ft high stretching all the way down the side of a crypt from front to back. There is the odd skull with the stack. At the back of the crypt there is a triangular window high up with a grid of iron across it.

A close up of a skull wedged within a stack of limb bones. It is centred and faces directly to the camera.

I made it to level 22, finding a banish scroll along the way. But I'm not in a good place here, sandwiched between daemons. I hope I'm lucky and this banish scroll lasts... #ossuary #ibmpc #msdos #cga

Level 22 of the ossuary, on which we are sandwiched between daemons.

On level 21 my last banish scroll crumbles to dust, so I'm reduced to zapping the daemons with my wand and my distinctly average intelligence. Will I survive to level 22? #ossuary #ibmpc #msdos #cga

Level 21 of the ossuary, on which our last banish spell crumbles to dust.

The alphabet I use on the magic spell scrolls in The #ChambersBeneath is shown also on the title screen, and the cover image. I previously used it in the screen decor for #Ossuary (see the scroll at the bottom). Can you guess what it is? #ibmpc #msdos #cga

#Ossuary

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