Silvern Castle: The Lost Crystal Orb

Silvern Castle: The Lost Crystal Orb is a fantasy roleplaying game for the Apple II.

The symbol of a king’s right to rule, the Crystal Orb, was entrusted to the arch-wizard Ragon after the last king died.  As was custom, Ragon placed the orb deep below Silvern Castle to await the day some hero might seek it out and be proclaimed king.  But, the evil wizard Drachma stole the orb.  Quickly, a party of adventurers led by Ragon were organized, but the rescue mission failed.

The lone survivor, and elf, report all other adventurers had been slain, and Ragon had disappeared.  The lone elf, shorty before going mad, explained that Drachma’s lab could be found at the bottom of a great maze guarded by legions demons.  In addition, the lab was protected by a strong magical lock requiring a mystical artifact to circumvent. 

The player controls a party of 6 adventurers, chosen from orc, human, dwarf, elf, and gnome races.  Characters can be fighters, clerics, thieves, or mages. The goal is to explore a large 1st person wire-frame maze.  The player must travel continually downwards to eventually procure the Crystal Orb.  A menu-driven down with a store, magic shop, and adventurer’s guild sits atop the dungeon.  Combat is text-based, with player and enemies parties taking turns attacking.