Fourth Bryan Productions Proudly Presents:

             ChrHack
       
A program for IBM computers and compatables with VGA graphics
to play NetHack with graphics.

Redefine the symbols of the games like walls, sinks, fountains,
and traps to resemble what they are and not like some text character.

Also define items to look like amulets instead of quotes, rings
instead of equal signs and gold instead of dollar signs.

Change monster icons to resemble nasty things trying to kill
you instead of letters of the alphabet.


ChrHack version 3.1
Written for NetHack 3.1 and Nethack 3.2
Copyright(c) 1991-1996 Mike Marcelais
Another Fourth Bryan Production

Changes since version 3.1:
    No long shareware.
    Exported symbol list to external configuration file.
    Created support for Nethack 3.2 config file.

Changes since version 3.0: [never released]
    Rewrote entire program in C.
    Eliminated the install program and made the editor support both
        Nethack and Angband.

Changes since version 2.2:
    Added command line support for file loading
    Added icon transfer command in ChrEdit

Changes since version 2.1:
    Fixed Runtime Error 006 (definitely)
    Better Parser in install.
    Nethack.add file.  Contains lines to be added to nethack.cnf for
        people that want to do a manual installation.  Nethack.cnf file
        removed because it would overwrite people's existing file.
    Include nh.bat file.
    Included sample font that has monster graphics
    (Font file is the same between version 2.1 and 2.2 -- No convert needed)

Changes since version 2.0:
    Fixed Rogue Level error
    Convert program to upgrade font from 2.0 to 2.1
    Included sample nethack.cnf file

Features: (* indicates new feature since 1.0)
    Define symbols like walls as graphics
   *Define items like weapons as graphics
   *Define monsters like orcs as graphics
   *Redefine the normal text characters to get a fancy font.
    NOT a TSR, does not use any extra memory
    EGA/VGA required.
   *Install program will write batch file and
      update nethack config file automagically.
    Font editor to customize the graphics used
    Sample graphics file included

Upgrade instructions:
   1)  Rename your old font file to `nethack.fnt'.  This is the name
       that `gredit' now uses for the default font file name.  The
       old font files are completely compatable.
   2)  Delete the old `chredit.exe' and `chrset.exe' files.  The new
       programs are called `gredit.exe' and `setfont.com'.
   3)  If you had a custom configuration file for Chrhack, rename it
       from `chredit.cnf' to `gredit.cnf'.
   4)  You're done!

Install:
   1)  Put all of the ChrHack files into your nethack directory.
   2)  Add the contents of `nh31-add.cnf' (for Nethack 3.1) or 
       `nh32-add.cnf' (for Nethack 3.2) to your `nethack.cnf' file.  An
       easy way to do this is:
          type nh32-add.cnf >> nethack.cnf
   3)  Use any text editor and verify that the `OPTIONS:videoconfig' line
       is either deleted or commented out.
   4)  Run nh to play nethack.  This batch file will enable the character
       set and start nethack, passing all arguments through.

       ChrHack will not work if you run in a window under Windows or
       OS/2.  It will work if you play in `full screen mode'.

To edit the characters:
   1)  Run `gredit'. The symbols are put into seven groups:
         a) Items         Things you can pick up.
         b) Text          Font that messages are displayed in.
         c) Symbols I     Things that don't go elsewhere.
         d) Symbols II    Other things that don't go anywhere.
         e) Monsters I    A-Z and all special symbols
         f) Monsters II   a-z
         g) Rouge Symbols Things on the rogue level
   2)  Gredit.cnf allows you to define the colors that the editor uses.
       Help on the config file is found within the file itself.  It is
       very similar to the nethack.cnf file.

To use another data file:
   Simply use the name of the file as an argument to gredit or setfont.
   eg.   gredit  monsters.dat
         setfont monsters.dat
   If a name is not provided, nethack.fnt is used.	


Disclaimer:

Although I think this program has value, you may disagree.  If you do, then
don't use this program.

Although extensive testing has shown that this product will not harm
monitors, hard drives, and computers in general; if it does damage anything
then it is who and not I that is responsible for the damage.

In short, if this program causes you to lose 1 million dollars, then it is 
you who is out the million and not I.

(This is basically the same disclaimer that is written in all software but
I wrote mine in plain english while their's is in legaleze.  :-)


About the Author:

ChrHack is now -FREEWARE-.  This does not mean it is in the public domain.
It means that you can copy and distrubte ChrHack freely under three conditions:

   * You may not charge anything to distribute the game.  This excludes
     small charges which directly cover material costs of distribution.

   * You may not make any changes to the distribution with the exception
     of adding a summary file which describes the archive, and adding
     additional font files.

   * You may not claim this work as your own.

Online services and CD compilers are granted permission to include this
program in their archive.

If you want to contact me, I can be reached by e-mail at
`michmarc@microsoft.com'.  My old address at `mrmarcel@eos.ncsu.edu' still
works, but may be discontinued at any time.  If you want to send me
any contributions for this wonderful program or otherwise contact me, you
can mail me at:

   Mike Marcelais
   4850 156th Avenue, NE, Apt 198
   Redmond, WA  98052-9630

If you want the source code for the programs listed, send me an e-mail
message and the reason you want the source and I'll get back to you.


Credits:

Many thanks to the 'Dev Team' for creating NetHack 3.1 and Nethack 3.2

Thanks to Ben Harrison for helping me integrate ChrHack into Angband an
testing the new interface.

Many thanks to Kris Preacher, Scott Tillman, Alan Olmstead, Scott Starin, and
Adam Majewski for creating the sample font file and testing the program.

Many thanks to Joshua John Buergel for beta testing.
Many thanks to E. Stephen Mack for the monster data file.

Thanks to the Waite Group and David Gerrold for honoring me by publishing
ChrHack in their book `Fatal Distractions'; a book listing the best shareware
games and utilities in existance.

And thanks to those on the net who let me know that ChrHack is still wanted
even after Nethack 3.2 was released.
