I've just completed this game and decided to provide a mini-guide for anyone who may consider playing this some time in the future.

General Info:
- The game uses DOSBox and it played fine for me except for a couple of freezes and one corrupted save that wouldn't load.
- It took me 7 hours to complete without using any hints or tips. You could complete it in much less time, depending on how lucky you are in finding the crystals.


Is it worth playing?:
- Yes: Visually interesting, simple but tactical combat and doesn't outstay its welcome.
- No: Clunky, unintuitive interface can make it a sometimes frustrating experience.


Manual:
- There was no physical manual provided with the original english release of the game.
- The instructions are included in-game, just click on the book in the main game screen and the contents list appears.

Sound:
- The only sounds in the PC version are during the turn-based combat (and a beep when the Silmarils logo appears as the game launches).

Saving:
- You can save at any time except during combat.
- When you click on "save game" it will show the name of the last saved file (or "default" if you have not saved before). To change the name - use the backspace key to clear existing letters and then enter a new name.
- Regular saving is a good idea - I experienced a couple of freezes and one corrupted save that wouldn't load. Also, it prevents you from getting trapped in a frustratingly difficult situation.

Life Points:
- The only way to replace lost life-points is with the five healing potions carried by Prince Jarel.
- These can be periodically refilled at a fountain (which you have to find).

Energy:
- Energy is used by casting spells, movement and combat.
- When a character's energy falls to zero they fall asleep.
- The only way to restore energy is to sleep.
- To make a character sleep - click on their portrait and then click on the face button (which changes to a sleeping face) and then return to the 3D view and wait for time to pass.
- However, clicking on the sleep button for Jarel will instantly restore his energy.

Movement:
You can split the party up to travel around (read the in-game manual for the details), but I found it best to keep everyone together for the following reasons:
- Meeting enemies in a smaller group or as a lone character can often prove fatal.
- Many actions require Jarel to be present and some interactions depend on having a party member of the correct class present.
- Jarel can't travel using the map, he can only travel in the 3D world.

Joining a party:
To join/unjoin a party member to Jarel, click on the character's portrait in the 3D world:
- Blue ring around their portrait = character is joined to Jarel
- No blue ring around their portrait = character is not joined to Jarel
- A character sleeping will automatically unjoin them from Jarel, so you need to remember to re-join everyone after they've slept (it's easy to just forget and then find yourself attcked on the other side of the island and suddenly realise you're on your own).


General info (may contain some mild spoilers):
- The aim of the game is to locate four crystals located on pedestals around the island and return each one to its correct tower.
- If the enemy finds a crystal before you do, they move it to an altar in one of the dungeons.
- You must have Jarel in the party to either retreive a crystal from a pedestal or altar, or to return a crystal to its tower.
- The only safe place to sleep, without danger of being attacked, is in the dungeons.
- Experience is gained by killing enemies and only the character who actually kills the enemy gets experience.
- Stats increase automatically when a character levels up.
- Levelling-up did make the combat progressively easier.
- I found rangers to be virtually useless as they need a clear vertical, horizontal or diagonal line to their target and they can't attack adjacent targets.
- The lack of healing available means it's best to try and avoid taking damage in the first place.
- Inhabitants of houses may offer a hint, a better weapon or a new skill or spell.
- The island in the South-East can be reached via a dungeon or by use of the teleport spell.
- The teleport spell can only be used five times, so use it carefully.

The final battle:
- When you approach the last tower to return the fourth crystal, Morgoth the main enemy will be waiting for you.
- This should result in a final battle, but for me, my party simply passed straight through him and it then showed the crystal being placed on the top of the tower followed by the short end-game sequence.
- If I stood in front of Morgoth and kept spinning in place, the battle did trigger. However, after just a few hits on Morgoth I would get the message "Morgoth has escaped", it would then show the crystal being placed on top of the tower followed by the short end-game sequence. (I don't know if this end to the battle is intended or not)

Well I hope at least something here is useful to someone. Please feel free to add any further information below or to correct me if I've got anything wrong.

Thanks for the guide govna.

Thanks for this. Really appreciated.

I tried to win Crystals of Arborea several times. Earliest time was in the 90's :D

I mostly lost because I ran out of hitpoints sometime. I was not aware you can refill healing potions at the well several times. The always seemed "dry" after first try.
Also mages seemed useless as they could cast important spells like fireballs only a few times. Any tipps on this?

Anyway, seems like it is time for another try...

After playing some more I like to add:

Dungeons seem not to be random. They always have the same layout.

One Crystal always seems to be in the dungeon in the northwest of the island.

In the same dungeon there can be found a parchment. Seems like you have to bring a mage to pick it up?

In the east of the island is another dungeon, where you can find an axe for one of your warriors and a crossbow if you bring a ranger with you.

Wells seems to refill only one time and it takes quite some time.

I faced Morgoth several times but never could beat him. Seems like my party is to weak. Only one level 3, the rest is level 2. On the other hand: If you try to level up I run out of potions and cannot face Morgoth with enough hitpoints.
Any ideas?

For me, the well refilled several times. It always runs dry immediately after refilling potions, but then some time later the well seems to be refreshed. I'm not sure if it's a time-based rule (perhaps a certain amount of game time must pass for the well to refill?) or perhaps some other kind of proxy for time (number of kills, number of steps taken number of crystals found etc.). My gut says it's a certain amount of game time. (Possibly something as simple as once per day?)

Without the well refilling, I don't think I'd have gotten very far. I have a level 12 ranger (!!) while my three warriars are all still level 2-3.

I also found the fights in the caves/dungeons much easier than the fights with the orcs and elves above ground. Some training there might help too.