In a foul lair deep in the bowels of the world, the lord of all darkness sets in motion a sinister plot and waits eagerly for its completion. Persuaded by the hand of evil, armies of followers charge forth to seek what the dark master must possess. Dusk falls with eerie silence as the vile army crawls over the land. In the foothills of the mountains, you finish the last of the day's chores; splitting firewood with the long, smooth strokes of an axe. Without warning, the evil horde swarms from the shadows. You duck their crushing blows like a seasoned warrior and sink the axe into many tough hides. But the marauders are intent on their mission and ransack the house and barn, searching for something unknown. Empty-handed, they set the buildings ablaze and stride off through the woods. Your blood pulses with the thrill of battle, your throat tight with anticipation. Someone must stop this onslaught of evil! But only the hardiest adventurer will survive such a brutal quest, journeying day and night through dense forests, arid desert canyons, musty catacombs, and dank dungeons, climbing high into snowy mountains and icy caverns, and descending deep into molten lava caves in the infernal pit of the world. It's unlikely that even the bravest of heroes could make such a journey alone, but perhaps there are a few skilled fighters and brilliant mages willing to join such a noble cause. So begins your great adventure. Meanwhile, the dark lord waits...