[A NOTE ON DOSBOX SETTINGS]
This run was done on the GOG.com official release (i.e., 10,000 cycles), with two lines changed that do not affect gameplay other than in the positive sense. As with Quest for Glory I VGA, this game seems to suffer from random crashes. Once changing the "EMS" and "XMS" DOSBox settings to "false," these crashes went away. These settings were discussed during the Quest for Glory I VGA verification thread and were approved; albeit not for this game yet. Both Quest for Glory I VGA and Quest for Glory III run on the SCI1.1 engine, so I imagine this is the reason.

Also, the video output from "Overlay" to "OpenGL" to allow for FRAPS to make the recording.

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[CREDITS]
Of course, I want to thank SDA for hosting such a great service. It is always my first place to check for speed runs, and the community is always super friendly and helpful. :)

This route was developed almost entirely by Puri as watched on his Twitch stream, however, I found areas MAJOR areas where the game can be sped up significantly. His RNG for the Blue Orchid was perfection (and after about ten serious attempts and studying the Blue Orchid problem myself indepth, I am blown away by the speed in which it came up). Because of other optimizations I have cut significant time off. I will discuss specifics in the scene-by-scene commentary. While this Wizard is not as bad as the Magic-User in Quest for Glory 1, it still has serious RNG issues.

Also, as a minister, I have to give credit to God for giving me a little extra leisure time to practice the series of games I enjoy.

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[KEYBOARD COMMANDS]
Unlike the other games in the series, pressing the TAB key DOES NOT open the inventory. No other keyboard command seems to either. However, I have attempted to optimize the INSERT key function, which switches from whatever icon you are on to the walking icon. Upon pressing INSERT again, you go back to the icon you were previously using. This is demonstrated to its fullest in the marketplace, as I can switch from running to the money bag as necessary to avoid conversation with the merchants.

Also, the arrow keys are used when fastest to move around. This is often a judgement call.

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[SCENE-BY-SCENE COMMENTARY]

[CHARACTER CREATION AND OPENING REMARKS:]

The Wizard is the ONLY class in the game that does not require a specific creation-point allocation to finish without training. As such, I throw the points into Luck. I figure it couldn't hurt when hunting the Blue Orchid and praying to miss all those RNG monsters.

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[EVERYTHING TARNA:]
I start with my icon on the door, and begin character movement as soon as possible, changing my movement type to Run. After this, I adjust the Game Settings sliders so moving to the door is already on auto-pilot. After that, I head down to the marketplace, and to the moneychanger area to watch the Thief. Staying at the left side of the screen will auto-transition back to the screen fastest, and the game thinks you have tried to apprehend the Thief (most points/fastest transition).

In the Rajah's room, right-clicking is the fastest way to make sure you skip all the screens. After that, you can speed up this dialog by not saying anything (just looking at myself over and over). When I exit, I reset my movement to run, head back to the moneychanger. We will not need more cash in this game. Here is our shopping list:

- 2 Waterskins
- 5 Zebra Skins
- 1 Fine Spear
- 1 Fine Robe
- 5 Extra Fruit (Blue Orchid hunting can cause you to starve to death by the endgame if you are unlucky.)

Where you click is important in the marketplace, as I am avoiding getting too close to the merchants and initiating dialog. After this, I am leaving Tarna. No bad RNG to the first destination. Uncommon.

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[GRAPES AND STONE AND WASTING TIME:]
This is the route which makes skipping the Fire Opal faster, as the Wizard can use the Fetch spell. I Fetch the Grapes, and leave the Meerbats to deal with the plants. I will get another gem at the end of the game.

I have some frustrations with going to sleep, and have TWO bad encounters. However, at least I am allowed to sleep through the night after the second one. I am running back and forth on the savannah to waste time, as I will automatically return to the inn for the next scene at dusk.

When you are asked to swear an oath when Rakeesh does, you can say "yes" or "no." The only difference, I believe, is points. So you will not see me aim the mouse here because it does not matter. We travel across the savannah to the Simbani Village.

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[SIMBANI VILLAGE, BLUE ORCHID:]
Attempting to walk away causes the dialog screens to appear faster when you are on the hill, which gets you into the village fastest. Once inside the Laibon's Hut, I use the "eye" clicking skip again to get to the next scene MUCH faster.

In the next scene, you can either click "Say Goodbye" or walk to the door. I find the door faster, and if not faster than fail-safe. I am leaving immediate to save time and begin travelling to start the Blue Orchid search. You have to talk to the glow orb in the tree to make the Blue Orchid spawn, and you do that by asking about "Wood."

Then, it is a matter of searching and time management. After a bad guess during an RNG encounter, I find the Blue Orchid much faster than any other attempted run. Next, Erana's Pool at NIGHT. You have to wait until night to dip the Blue Orchid or else it does not change to the glowing Blue Orchids. Perfect timing, as well, as night occurs pretty much immediately and I do not have to stall outside.

I dip the Blue Orchids, of course. I am also here to fill two waterskins. One is for a Dispel Potion, the other is to give so I can get another ingredient for a Dispel Potions.

The tree itself is interesting on my machine (perhaps the GOG.com package). When I enter the second screen (the part where I am actually scaling the side of the tree) you will notice I do not move right away. Actually, you will notice NOTHING moves (even the waterfall). The more you click, the longer this lag lasts, so I make sure to only click when I see the waterfall move. It happens again once I have the Magic Fruit.

Also, if you just click at the bottom of the screen from the doorway, you run right back inside the top room, which is an obvious problem. Moving slightly down the stairs fixes this routing AI issue. Back to Tarna (after a few more RNG encounters)!

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[REVISITING TARNA:]
I am here for the Dispel Potion, but there is a proper way to acquire it to maximize time efficiency. You want to enter the city at sunset, so you can talk to the hippy about the Dispel Potion, give him the ingredients, and then sleep and purchase them the next morning. If you arrive too late at night, it counts as the same morning even if you sleep until the next day, requiring a trip out to the savannah to waste time. Had a misclick when talking to the Hippy that probably cost a second or two, also.

I also use this time to get the Wizard's Staff.

That is why I hang outside until sunset. After purchasing THREE Dispel Potions, I head back to the Simbani Village, changing to Run during an RNG encounter on the way.

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[BUYING A BRIDE:]
You can only use the Dispel Potion and open the gate when the unnamed guard is there. If Yesufu or Uhura are there, they will not let you do anything, even if she is your bride already.

By going as fast as you can and min/maxing time in other areas, it is inevitable that you are going to run into this short storytime cutscene. It seems as though it is avoidable, but it is not if you are on pace. Again, it takes longer to avoid it than to right-click through it (and there will be less "you're tired" dialogs because you get an extra sleep). The only class that can avoid is pretty consistently is the Fighter.

Once the bride is free, we are headed to the jungle.

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[JUNGLE, NON-PEACE-CONFERENCE, MONKEY VILLAGE:]
The Wizard has to encounter the Leopard Woman three different times, each as an RNG encounter. This was taxing, obviously, but goes fairly well. You learn the Lightning Ball spell in the second encounter. I position myself next to the Jungle Village to make the trip last about two seconds at the last encounter.

You have to tell her about the drum and she will lead you to her village. Once there, you watch some magic, and fight a magic duel. The order is always the same to win:

1. Wizard's Staff
2. Reversal
3. Calm
4. Force Bolt
5. Juggling Lights
6. Lightning Ball
7. Levitate
8. Dispel Potion

After this, you get the Spear, give back the drum, go to the supposed peace conference, and then head back to the Jungle. I have PERFECT RNG luck on the first screen and great luck on the second screen.

Once you are on the third screen, you automatically enter a dialog with the monkey you freed, which kicks to another automatic travelling scene that ends at the Monkey Village. Levitating up is the only option for the Wizard who does not have climbing skill. This is followed by talking to Manu about the Lost City, and then asking him to take you four times. With higher communication skill, I believe you only have to ask him once, but there is no good way to make that happen in this short of a run.

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[WATERFALL AND LOST CITY:]
The waterfall screen for the Wizard is awkward, but is handled pretty well in this run. You have to get two vines, tell Manu about the rope, then tell him about Magic/Levitate/Cooperation to get across. After telling him just about Magic or Cooperation, I have found the Magic button blanked out preventing spells. Doing two seems to unlock it, though there could be something else to it...

This last encounter is not RNG, but scripted... and I got the worst possible spawn. I did not know where the monster was until it was too late. A few seconds lost here. A quick escape, and then it is time for the endgame.

You have to "Say Goodbye" to Manu to reach the next screen at the Lost City. The Fetch spell is by far much faster to get the gem to open the door for the Wizard rather than the Meerbat cutscene. I am inside and in the last areas.

Once inside, cast Calm, then Open, and finally open the door with the hand. Pretty simple.

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[ENDGAME:]
You cannot win the fight against your doppleganger. Fastest thing you can do is spam the attack key until you are almost out of health, at which point the Thief from the beginning of the game comes and saves you. You do have to be a little careful, because you can die if you are too fast.

The next area is the last. You can stall the game by casting the Wizard's Staff first, so I begin with Reversal, then Calm, and THEN cast the Staff. Once I hit him with a Flame Dart, he Fetches the Staff himself. Casting Trigger detonates it.

The last thing that needs to get done is casting Force Bolt on the altar. Once that is cast, the game is won.

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[AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT]

Better RNG all around. Better Blue Orchid RNG, better random encounter RNG, better Jungle Wife RNG... The Wizard is thh MOST RNG heavy of the three classes.