Saulkaros

Created by Jael

Installation

Locales of Saulkaros

Acknowledgements

Important Places

Hosting Saulkaros Main Map

How To Buy Items In Saulkaros

Hosting Town Only Map

New Items

Hosting Teleport Gate Ruins Map

Creatures

Hosting Cemetery Map

Troubleshooting

Hosting Seneca’s Tomb Map

Using Items In This Map In Other Maps


click on the feather to go to the top of the page.

INSTALLING SAULKAROS

Extract everything into the following directory:

Drakan/Multiplayer/Ground/Saulkaros/

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many thanks go out to the following people.
Sageous - For the many suggestions on this map and the help you give other map makers.
Rogue [TC] - For helping me test and coming up with some simple and powerful ideas
Lirah - Being available for map tests and for having too much fun with the teleporter
Division - for providing a stable server to run the map
Y2K - having too much fun with the teleporter
Silver Dragon- Being available for map tests
Sambo Jacks - helpful suggestions and having too much fun with the teleporter
IzMan - for map testing and having too much fun with the teleporter
Fruit - for map testing (didn't have the teleporter yet)
Rowan - for having too much fun with the teleporter
Okissaki - for being impressed with the map
Radz - for providing a stable server to run the map
CannonFodder - helpful suggestions
Mindfire - for your mentioning me to the Guild
Other map makers for their ingenuity
Everyone who got a hold of the map without me knowing and sent me helpful suggestions

and thanks to you for down loading this map
I hope you have as much fun playing the map as I did making it.

HOSTING SAULKAROS
(enable Multiplayer chat and type "debug off" to clear the warning messages)
Saulkaros Main Map The map is huge and has several animations / polygons in action. This causes the level to run really slow. So I recommend playing Saulkaros in Single Player, (Enable developer mode). If you decide to play Saulkaros in multiplayer I strongly recommend hosting the map from the dedicated server option that comes with Drakan.
Town Only Map This is Saulkaros without the locations outside the town. Each player starts with:

2 Jade Crystals, 4 Mountain Crystals, and 4 Commons Crystals.

Players have access to all items provided the players buy access to the weapons. This is the only way to buy items around town. The only way to get more money is by dying. Select your items carefully as players will attempt to guard the shops around town. If you kill any citizen you will limit your access to most the weapons in town.
Teleport Gate Ruins Map This is a typical multiplayer map except a few additional weapons, the stone monks, and the stone head. If you touch the fence around the stone head you will be attacked. If you try taking the teleport wand guarded by the stone monks you will be attacked. If you attack the stone monks walking backwards you will be attacked. The teleport wand allows you to get the dreadnaught behind the force field. Players can use the teleport Wand a limited number of times without healing. NOTE: Don't get stuck using the teleport wand!!
Hosting Cemetery Map The cemetery is a dark place so each player starts out with Light Bearer. Destroying a head stone releases undead and in some cases cause the flying undead to attack. In the center of the cemetery Seneca is imprisoned within the force field. If you free Seneca by destroying the red head stone, (stepping on the floor switch drops one of the force fields but doesn't free Seneca) she will rise into the air and dispatch the flying undead. To deactivate the force field:

(1) step on the floor switches around the map.
(2) destroy the colored head stones or

NOTE: Each player must turn off the force fields individually!
Players who do not turn off the fields will not be able to grab the Dreadnaught.

SPECIAL NOTE: Only the offending player(s) that attack the head stones are attacked by the undead.

This map also uses the Dopple Stick. Players can make 1 clone of themselves simply by readying the Stick. Remember, the clone disappears if the stick is put away!! Remember also that players can't attack with the Dopple stick!! The clones are effective in the dark since all players wear banded mail and it's hard to tell if it's a player or a clone. Players who attack clones take freezing damage.
Seneca's Tomb Map This map tests your ability to use the teleport wand. Each player starts with a wand, sword, and invulnerability. The goal is to deactivate the force field around the dreadnaught. Each player must individually turn off 4 switches located around the map. If only one player deactivates the force field only that player has access to the dreadnaught. Other players may continue to deactivate the force field at any time and then grab the dreadnaught. The key point is that each player must find all 4 switches to turn off the field, regardless of team play. Invulnerability allows players enter Seneca's Tomb. A powerful spell (i.e. kill textures) on the path above the crypt protect Seneca's Tomb from theives. The high walls also hinder teleport travel making entry into the crypt a perilous endeavor.

LOCALES OF SAULKAROS
Teleport Pools In the days Saulkaros established the town which the people named after him, the Wizards, Sorcerers, and others used these pools to travel between towns and cities. After the Order of the Flame fell, those who knew how to use the pools were either killed or forced into hiding. Slowly, knowledge of teleport magic was rediscovered and some brave souls venture out using teleport wands. Most of the pools fell into disrepair and since the use of the teleport wands the pools are largely ignored by teleport travelers.
Welcome Lodge of Saulkaros Many years ago, before the Wartok's arrived; the town folk would greet visitors at the Lodge's teleport pool. A mirror provided by a local monk would treat visitors to the sights of Saulkaros. The Wartok Hordes looted and destroyed most of the Lodge. All that remains of the Lodge now is the pool and the mirror provided by a humble monk.
Magic Town Protection The co-founders of Saulkaros used powerful magic to protect the citizens of Saulkaros. Unfortunately, the co-founder's equated commerce and money-making with security and peace for the citizens of Saulkaros. As a result, the death of any citizen of Saulkaros triggers magic cages to protect the town items. Of course this created a whole set of other problems. Citizens leaving Saulkaros would have to have the spell removed and then reinstated when they returned.
Tavern Since the destruction of the Lodge, the citizens meet frequently at the tavern. The orcs do their share of caurosing at the Tavern as well. There is only one extra room at the tavern since Saulkaros is now a remote area. Resourceful travelers sometimes manage to find their way to Saulkaros and may frequent the Tavern asking for a room.
School Since Wartok occupation the citizens convinced the Wartok's that each citizen receives the Magic Town Protection at birth. In reality, the citizens secretly cast the spell on their children soon after birth. Although the Wartok's aren't wise to this scheme, other wizards such as the apprentice Sorlev know of this secret. In a recent attack by Sorlev he kidnapped the children of Saulkaros. Some of the citizens have ventured out on their own to recover their children. Meanwhile the school sits empty.
Statue of Saulkaros Saulkaros fancied himself as a merchant magician. He founded the town of Saulkaros and attempted to make the town a place where magic was shared with all. Instead the citizens focused on the merchant aspect instead of the magic aspect. The statue was built in his honor.
South Gate of Saulkaros Like the Lodge, the towers at the south gate were ravaged by war and theives. A single switch to a force field gaurds the south entrance to Saulkaros.
NOTE: Once the South gate field is deactivated it remains off for the duration of the game.
North Gates of Saulkaros Once belonging to the humans, the gates are now controlled by the Wartoks. Legend has it that the Wizard Saulkaros placed a powerful protection spell on the ground of the gates above the town to prevent Theives and robbers from entering Senca's Crypt. According to legend only the powerful magic of an invulnerability spell can protect those that walk on the ramparts.

IMPORTANT PLACES

Weapon's Shop In an unusual move by the Wartok's the town of Saulkaros was spared from destruction on the condition that weapon's and magic items were constructed for Wartok campaigns. Several generations have passed and although the Wartok's still occupy the town, Wartok interests in Saulkaros has waned. The town folk worry that the Wartok's may again attack Saulkaros. Weapons are again manufactured for human use to prepare for whatever the Wartok's have in mind. All of the weapons are magical in nature and most are available in other towns throughout Drakan. Occasionally, a new weapon is developed or purchased from other merchants.
Items for sale - Thunder hammer; Fire Axe; Lifegiver; Light Bearer; Shard.
Magic Shop This small shop contains some magic oddities difficult to find in other towns.
Items for sale - Speed potion; Greater Invisibility; Scrying Tool; Teleport Wand (Short Range)
Archer Shop The Wartoks invested heavily in ranged weaponry particularly the goblin races. Naturally the citizens of Saulkaros decided that ranged weapons would be dificult to obtain. The goblins also felt that their weapons were superior to human ranged weapons. So the shop is mostly empty since the citizens and Wartok's alike don't visit it. It is no surprise that the items in this shop are expensive.
Items for sale - Streak Bow; Energy Bow; Heavy Bow; Long Bow; Arrows
Market Place Visitors from the nearby town of Vonstolgh once traded at the market place. Since Wartok occupation, the stalls sat empty. Sometimes a passing merchant will set up shop and peddle their items at the market stalls.
Items for sale - Dopple Stick; Frost Axe; Crypt of Defense
Armor Shop In recent years the women outnumber the men in Saulkaros. This trend is clearly evident in the armor shop as all of the armor is tailored to women warriors. Armor is generally cheap since it's easier to make and is often needed when travelling outside of Saulkaros.
Items for sale - Plate Mail; Banded Mail; Chain Mail; Studded Leather

HOW TO BUY ITEMS IN SAULKAROS

Getting Money Kill the explosive barrels to spawn monsters.
Kill monsters to get money (or crystals)
Buying Stuff 1. Walk up to the item you want to buy.
2. Colored crystals above keyholes show what crystals you need.
Click the "Space Bar" (or whatever you use to manipulate items) while
standing in front of the keyhole to pay. You will see the force field
around the item disappear IF you make the full payment.
3. Pick up the item after all the force fields disappear.
Notes - Some items require that you pay at several keyholes.
- You only Need to pay ONCE at each keyhole.
- It's a good idea to know how much an item cost before you buy it.
- Other players can't pick up or steal the item unless they pay for it as well.
- Once you buy access to an item you can use it as many times as you want ONLY IF:
******You don't kill the Citizens of Saulkaros
******You don't crash out of Drakan and have to rejoin

NEW ITEMS
Help Mirror (Available in Saulkaros Map Only). Does a fly-by of places to visit in Saulkaros. To use this item simply ready it and right mouse click, (or whatever use setting you have set). These are the order of the sights
- Wartok Barrels
- Weapon's Shop
- Magic Shop
- Archer's Shop
- Market Place
- Armor Shop
- Switch off field for the Saulkaros South Gate
- The Ruins
- Cemetery
- Seneca's Tomb

WARNING: ALL players see the fly-by when ANY player on the map uses this item!!
Teleport Wands Teleports you anywhere on the map. To use the teleport wand simply face in the direction you wish to go and ready the wand. There are inherent dangers of teleport travel so you teleport at your own risk. Although you may use the teleport wands as many times as you wish, the teleport wands extract life force from the player for each use. A special teleport wand allows you to travel anywhere without extracting life from the player. This special wand is hidden some place on the map. A suicide drink is provided with this special wand in case the user gets "stuck" in the map corners. If you don't have this drink then keep using the teleport wand until you die. The worse case scenario is being forced to rejoin the map. BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU TELEPORT!!!
Harikiri A suicide drink for the user in case the user gets stuck in a teleport. Push "H" to use it.
Dopple Stick Creates a SINGLE clone of Rynn. The clone simply stands where you spawn it. Any player attacking the clone takes freezing damage. The stick itself does no damage and simply spawns a clone of Rynn if it breaks.
NOTE: The clone only remains in place as long as you have the Dopple Stick ready. If you put the stick away the clone disappears.
Light Bearer A sword that sheds light in the dark. The weapon is very useful in the cemetery.
Dinner Slabs of meat in the meat house. Go here to heal
Fish Snack Fish that heals you. If it's not moving then it's safe to consume.
Streak Gun A rapid-fire bow with the Goblin gun model. The gun makes lots of smoke and the shots give off a magenta hue. When you ready this item other players can spot you quickly
Streak Bow A replica of the Streak Gun with a Bow model and without the tracer smoke.
Plague Bow Unfortunate victim dies of plague unless healing items are nearby.
Shard A mace that throws off ice shards. To throw off shards, switch between Shard and another item. If you cycle your weapons fast enough MANY shards fly out. This weapon may harm or kill user. Do not run while throwing off shards or go swimming with the Shard mace ready. This weapon is useful if the user is frozen since players can still cycle their weapons while frozen.

CREATURES
Citizens of Saulkaros A quiet group of people. They don't really say much. The town has a market place and several shops.
If a citizen of Saulkaros dies then magic in the town reacts by placing cages around all purchased weapons in town.
So DON'T KILL THE CITIZENS
Wartok Generator Wartok Generators come in the form of "explosive barrels" (the barrels with red orc writing on it). To spawn monsters kill the barrel.
Boulder Killable object that rolls around and has no value although fun to ride.
Orcs The orcs just have a little fun around town and usually leave the people alone. The town folk don't really care for the orcs much. The orcs are killable. Kill orcs to get crystals (i.e. money) to buy stuff in town.
Trolls The trolls are killable and carry more money than the orcs. The trolls don't do any damage. They do push you around a bit though.
Goblins The goblins carry explosives so occasionally you take damage if you kill one of these. They carry about the same treasure as an orc
Stone Monks A mysterious plague killed the monks at a nearby monastery. The monks tinkered with magic and guarded the teleport gate between Saulkaros and Castle Vonstolgh. The monks left behind Stone replicas of themselves to protect the way to Saulkaros.
Stone Head A dormant sentinel that the monks erected with their powerful magic. The sentinel watches over the field switches to Saulkaros. It's rumored that it's magic has faded with the passage of time. No one knows for sure since a mysterious plague struck the monastery.
Undead The dead of Saulkaros awoke in anger to the presence of an evil wizard apprentice named Sorlev. Although Sorlev succeeded in enslaving a number of undead his actions caught the attention of the long dead Dragon Rider, Seneca. Seneca rose from her tomb to confront Sorlev. A battle ensued and Seneca succeeded in banishing Sorlev from the region. Unfortunately Sorlev managed to imprison Seneca in a magic barrier. The undead that Sorlev controlled simply idle around waiting to return to their long sleep. The undead will leave players alone unless the players attempt to desecrate any of the graves
Seneca Undead Dragon Rider who awoke to confront Sorlev's evil intents. She remains in the cemetery trapped by one of Sorlev's spells.
Giant Spider Sorlev attempts to destroy Seneca failed. One of Sorlev's ill fated attempts involved trying to destroy Seneca's body. Her crypt is protected by powerful magic so the Spider will never succeed in its goal. The Wartoks also failed in attempts to remove Seneca's body from the tomb. Ironically, the Spider helps keep unwanted visitors away from the crypt. The spider "hatches" smaller spiders if it needs additional protection.

TROUBLESHOOTING
Things that make Saulkaros run faster
(Some solutions more practical than others)
- Look at the ground while moving around.
- Look away from objects that slow the frame rates
- Limit the number of players on the map.
- Deactivate all the force fields in town by buying stuff.
- Kill all the orcs in the tavern.
- Kill all the flying Undead in the cemetery.
- Except for the colored heasdstones, do not destroy the Headstones!
- Kill all the moving stone monks in the ruins.
- Don't trigger floor traps.
- Don't touch the fence around the Stone Head.
- Kill the Giant Spider in Seneca's Tomb
Drakan still crashes
(If you've done all of the things above and Drakan still crashes then
do all of the things above in addition to the following:)
- Have someone with a Good Network Connection, Powerful Video Card, and Computer Host the map.

- Host the map from the Dedicated Server Option

- Avoid using the teleporter wands frequently.

- Avoid disturbing powerful monsters.
A lot of lightning, fire balls, or ice attacks can crash Drakan.

- Use only ONE Wartok Generator to get money.
When you are done with the generator make sure the last monster out is the boulder.

SOMETIMES OBJECTS THAT OTHER PLAYERS USE OR CREATURES THAT OTHER
PLAYERS SEE AFFECT YOUR STABILITY!

If the problems persist then switch to a smaller Saulkaros map.
Bugs found during map test
- Some players see creatures that other players can't see.
Some of the objects are intended in for Single Player instead of Multiplayer.
Single Player objects appear differently for each player. The force fields are a good example of this phenomena

Mechanisms move for one player but not another
Again most objects are intended for Single Player use. The lift at the south gate in Saulkaros illustrates this example
If player A stands on a lift and activates the lift then player A will notice the lift rising to the top of the gate.
Meanwhile player B watching player A would only see player A standing on the lift at ground level.

- Lightning and Magma explosions crashed everyone except the host.
This is a real bummer because the Lightning effect is really cool. Poison Gas is used in place of the Lightning to
lessen the chance of other players crashing out.

- Prolonged use of the teleport wand in a short amount of time crashed everyone (i.e.20 teleports per 5 seconds).
Unless players get a hold of the "Teleport Wand (Anywhere)" this shouldn't be a huge problem.

First version of health (i.e. Dinner 1) would crash some players out of the game when players attempted to use it.
Problem remedied by switching the health item to a Health Powerup. The disadvantage is that players can't carry
potions for use anywhere in the map.

Using Items In This Map In Other Maps
Feel free to attach the databases in this map to any other map or level you wish to create. If you wish to use the items from this map in other level maps simply copy and include the database files in the other map. Remember that the database files have dependencies on other databases in Drakan so be sure to include all of the appropriate databases. If you include the databases specific to Saulkaros my only request is that you specify the original map of the database [i.e. some Databases from Saulkaros used in this map] some where in your readMe file. If you edit this map I only ask that you give credit for the original map [Created by Jael], then indicate that the map was modified by [name of person(s) modifying this map] some where in your readMe file. If you have questions or comments about the map please e-mail me at kylore@hotmail.com.