Who Runs This Place?

The head administrative staff members of DragonStone are referred to as IMPs (implementers).  Caimen is the Mac Daddy of all the IMPs and IMMs.  He writes all of the code and approves all projects.  DragonStone sprang from his mind in 1996.

Supporting staff are referred to as IMMs (immortals). Imps and Imams are a select trusted few who attend to the day-to-day maintenance, area building, code changes, quests, games and miscellaneous duties.

The staff is willing to help, but players might receive a lightning bolt in the derriere if they make nuisances of themselves. At least one individual has found himself on the receiving end of 500,000 volts after aggravating a certain Immortal.  Feel free to consult them if you get stuck, but please refrain from excessive pestering of the staff :)

 

Character Generation

What name should I choose? Names must be medieval or fantasy in nature. Avoid:

• Outright silly names (ex Cutie, Levy, Giggles)
• Names from fiction (ex Frodo, RobinHood, Chewbacca, Kraven, Wolverine)
• Words that have a direct meaning in English (ex Terror)
• Names that are a combination of existing words (ex DragonSlayer)
• Meaningless and seemingly random jumble of letters (ex Wjcjnrklj, asdfghjkl)
• Names composed of more than one word (ex Strong Arm, Dark_Knight)
• Names containing numbers (ex MaidMarion999)
• Names from modern day (ex BillyJo, Tommy, SuzQ)
• Screen names (ex Iwuzhere, AmHawt) Names containing vulgarity or offensive terms (ex Jerk, Nerd or worse)

DragonStone has a strict name policy; characters with unsuitable names must be recreated. If you are at a loss to find the right name, we offer a name generator at www.dragonstone.org.

I tried creating a character, but it says it's an illegal name!

A staff member probably decided that the name was inappropriate. It is nothing personal; please try again with another name. If you are at a loss to find the right name, we offer a name generator at www.dragonstone.org.

 

How do I get a surname/ last name?

At or after level 10, an individual can request a surname. This last name is visible on who, when looking at that character and when looking in the room in which the character is standing. Surnames are permanent.  You could also ‘test out’ your own last name with the ‘title’ command.

What password should I use for my MUD character?

Choose a password just as you would for any computer account:

• Use an ambiguous word, phrase or anagram. Don't, for instance, use the same name as your character, your own first name, or your girl/boyfriend's name.
• Use different passwords for your character and your ISP account.
• Use different passwords on different games.
• Protect login information against reading by others if you use an auto-login.
• Change your password if you believe that someone has accessed it (using the password command).
• Always retain a hard copy of your password.

NOTE:  Immortals will not divulge forgotten passwords unless they are absolutely sure the character is indeed yours.

 

What race and class should I select?

A character’s CLASS (i.e., warrior, mage) determines its skills/spells.  

A character’s RACE (i.e., elf, troll, Elder) determines its choice of classes.

Your choice of race limits the skills/ spells your character will have at its disposal. 

Choose wisely; race and class are permanent.  First timers might wish to play a human, as they are well-rounded, without advantages or disadvantages.

Each race and class has pros and cons. Click on the RACES and CLASSES section of the website for more detailed information.

 

Should I multi-class?

Advantages and disadvantages exist for being either single- or multi-classed:

The single-classed character

Single-classed characters advance relatively faster than their multi-classed counterparts, since fewer experience points (XP) are required to level.  Alternatively, single-classed characters forgo the benefits of the additional skills and spells offered by a second class.

The multi-classed character

A common question: “Should my first class be a fighter or a spell caster?”

Consider these factors:

• A character's statistics (stats) are determined by its first class alone.

Consequently, fighters tend to have more hit points (HPs) due to their relatively higher constitution.

• Characters tend to excel at the skills of their first class.

Thus, a first class monk does more damage with monk skills.  A warrior/ mage inflicts more damage with warrior skills than with its mage skills.

A multi-classed character requires more XP to level.

  First time multi-classers should consider creating a combination of fighter and spell caster. The first offers strong fighting skills, the latter, protective spells.

 

A few words about spell casters and fighters:

• Different classes learn their skills to different degrees. 
• A lower percentage means that the skill/spell has a higher likelihood of failing and may do less damage.
• Leveling a first class fighter tends to be easier at the lower levels because of the higher hit points, but sacrifices the higher percentage of skills gained (thus, less probability of succeeding with a spell/skill) and lesser effectiveness of the skills/spells of the second class.

 

Statistics and Attributes

I gained a level, what does this mean?

Fighting and killing mobs and questing generates XP.  Accumulating a specific amount of XP automatically advances a character to the next level. This is called “leveling”.  The greater the character’s level, the more power it has.  Hit points, mana/ blood, and move points increase with each level. Leveling also earns practice points that are used to improve or learn spells, skills, or languages.  Leveling may sometimes earn build points.  Build points (builds) are used to raise attributes.

The amount of XP received from a kill depends on:

• The number of characters in your group (if grouped)
• The character’s level versus the level of the mob
• The character’s alignment versus the mob's alignment
• How many of this mob the character has killed lately
• Some random variation.

Single classed characters require less XP to level [formula being 10000 + (current level x 750)], unlike dual classed characters that require 15000 + (current level x 1250). A higher level character requires more XP to level.  Experience is lost by fleeing, recalling from battle, and death.  The amount of XP required to advance is found on the SCORE screen.  It can also be set to appear in the prompt (help prompt).

 

What are Attributes?

Attributes are the individual qualities. Five attributes exist, eachhaving its own effect. The collective whole of a character’s attributes is called its stats.

 

Strength (STR) determines the maximum amount of weight a character can carry and modifies the amount of inflicted damage (dam). It also affects a character’s ability to wield heavy weapons. A low STR increases the chance for injury when attempting to bash doors.

Intelligence (INT) affects the number of practices (pracs) it takes to become adept at a skill; the greater a character’s INT, the fewer practices required. The amount of mana/ blood points gained when leveling and rate of mana/ blood regeneration is also determined by INT.

Wisdom (WIS) affects the amount of practice points gained per level. This is a character’s main source of practice points; consider training WIS as high as possible.

Dexterity (DEX) affects the number of movement points received per level. DEX is a very important skill for thieves as it makes for quick fingers.

Constitution (CON) determines the amount of HP gained when leveling and how quickly HPs are regenerated.

  For example:

------  Attributes  ------

Str:   Perm:  15   Current: 15          

Int:   Perm:  12   Current: 12

Wis:  Perm: 11   Current: 16            

Dex: Perm: 16    Current: 16          

Con: Perm: 12    Current: 15

What are statistics (stats)?

Statistics (stats) are simply the group listing all of the attributes. Stats displays a detailed version of the score command. It has four sections:

• XP related
• Stats
• Kill stats
• Other

Syntax: stat or stats

 

How high can I raise my character’s stats?

Remember, stats are the grouped list of individual attributes.  Attributes are raised individually.  A character’s PRIME ATTRIBUTE is the HIGHEST attribute listed for its primary class.  Thus, the prime attribute for a necromancer would be INT at 22.

Prime stats are as follows:

Class:              Str  Int  Wis  Dex  Con

Mage:           17   22   19   18   18

Cleric:           17   19   22   18   18

Psionisist:      17   19   22   18   18

Druid:           17   19   22   18   18

Thief:           18   18   17   22   19

Shaman:       18   19   22   17   18

Necromancer: 18   22   19   18   18

Ranger:         19   17   16   16   22

Vampire:        19   17   18   22   19

Bard:            16   16   16   22   18

Monk:           19   19   15   16   22

Warrior:         22   15   15   16   19

Paladin:         22   15   16   16   19

Werewolf:     22   17   15   16   19

  Prime stats are the maximum limits to which attributes can be trained. Current stats are calculated as follows:

Your current train level + any race modifications + any additional stats on items up to a maximum of 4.

Thus, if someone trained a stat to 16 with a race mod of -1 for their class and +5 additional on items; their current would be calculated as thus:

16 - 1 + 4 (4 is maximum)

Their current would be 19.

 

Training a PRIME ATTRIBUTE costs only THREE builds, as opposed to all other attributes, which cost FIVE.

NOTE: The first class of a multi-classed character determines its stats.

Ex: For a bard/monk character, the BARD class determines the stats because BARD is the first class. 

 

How do I raise my character’s stats?

Build points (builds) are used to raise not only attributes but also HP, BP, mana and moves.  To train:

1. Find a trainer. (There are several in the game.)
2. Type train <stat/attribute> where <stat/attribute> is the statistic you want to raise.

For example, to train intelligence one would type:  train int

 

 

What are HP, mana, move, and blood points?

HP (Hit Points) refers to a character’s health. When a character is hit, it loses HPs and when it hasn’t any HPs left, it dies.  The number of HPs lost in attacks reflects the difficulty of an opponent.

Mana allows for spell casting.  When mana is depleted, spells can no longer be cast until the mana is restored. 

Movement points (moves) decrease with each step a character takes; when moves are depleted, it will be unable to move until moves are regenerated or restored.

Characters regenerate moves, HP, and mana as in-game time passes. Regeneration happens most quickly during sleep, a little slower while resting or sitting, and slowest while standing.  Regeneration will not occur between log-ins.

Blood points (bps) are the vampiric form of mana.  Vampires do not use mana, relying on blood instead. Blood points are regenerated by drinking blood or by the use of the feed skill. Neither rest nor sleep will recoup lost BP.

How can I see my points without typing ‘score’ all the time?

The easiest way to monitor points is to set up a prompt.  A prompt can be customized to show more information. Read help prompt when online in DragonStone for customization directions.  The basic syntax is as follows:

Syntax: prompt

Syntax: prompt all

PROMPT with out an argument will turn your prompt on or off.

PROMPT ALL will give you the standard "[hits mana moves]" prompt.

Example:  PROMPT ALL sets your prompt to [10hp 100m 100mv]

 

Combat

What is a mob, and what is an NPC or PC?

Mob is short for a “mobile,” which is a monster or creature. 
NPC is a synonym of mobile and stands for Non-Player Character. 

PC is a Player Character, which means it is operated by a player.

So how do I fight things?

Firstly, look at the room and choose the monster you want to fight.

To fight a mob, you need to know its keyword or name such as zombie, fighter.

If you can't figure it out, use the scan command:

Syntax: scan. 

Scan displays the names of all mobs within three rooms (unless there is something to block a scan.)

Found the name of the mob you’d like to kill?  Take it down!

Syntax: kill <keyword> or k <keyword>. 

Example:  kill goblin

Combat is now initiated.

A character will fight until 1) it dies or flees, or 2) the mob dies or flees.

If a character flees, it loses a small portion of XP.  If it dies, it loses a lot of XP.

Some mobs will automatically attack a character entering the room. Auto-attacking mobs are called "aggressive," “aggy” or "agro." There is no way to tell if a mob is aggy until you enter its room (although the names of some mobs serve as strong indicators as to their nature). If you are unsure if a mob is aggy or not, and you think your character might get killed, ask other players or avoid the room.

 

Err; I don't think I can kill this mob...

So you’re in a fight that you will not be able to win, hrm?

Tips to avoid character death:

• Flee: Flee makes a character turn tail and run away. The direction in which a character flees is random and cannot be pre-set.  Fleeing or attempting to flee from a fight costs a small amount of XP which is deducted automatically. 

Syntax:  flee

• Wimpy: Wimpy sets a minimum number of HP below which a character automatically attempts to flee from combat. The default value is 20% of total HPs, although a higher amount is suggested when fighting in difficult, aggressive areas or when experiencing lag.
  
• Similar to flee, wimpying or attempting to wimpy and failing, deducts a small amount of XP, but less than that deducted by death.

Syntax: wimpy

Specific: wimpy 15 (this sets your wimpy at 15%)

NOTE:  The difference between flee and wimpy is that wimpy can be set in advance.  Flee must be typed at the moment you wish your character to flee.

Presetting wimpy 20 ensures that your character attempts to auto-wimpy when it hits 20% of its total HPs.  Wimpy may or may not succeed.  Success or fail, it deducts a small amount of XP.

• Recall: Recall returns a character to its hometown. Recall can be used during/ before/ after combat. In comparison with flee and wimpy, recall removes your character not just from the room but from the area, and costs more XP.

The actual recall command only works in the first 20 levels, after which your character will need to use recall scrolls or learn the spell "word of recall".

• Supplicate recall: For those in temples, using supplicate recall will allow your character to recall to their temple at the cost of one supplication point

NOTE:  Some rooms will not allow a character to recall from them.

 

Is there any way of knowing how hard a mob is without actually attacking it?

 

The consider command (CON) displays your chances of success versus a mob.

Syntax: con <mobname>

Example: con goblin

CON compares the levels and HPs of your character to the target mob, displaying the results. The mob's magical shields and skills do not enter into the comparison.

If a con of the first few mobs in an area rates them as unexpectedly difficult, it would be advised to recall from or leave the area and move to one less challenging.

When I attack one of these mobs, they gang up on me and attack me at once!

Don’t want to fight 10 mobs at once?  See if you can push them out of the room before initiating the fight.  It’s much safer to attack only one opponent at a time.

Syntax: push mob <direction>

Example: push orc east

Your character and the target mob will be left to fight each other to the death undisturbed barring wandering aggies that might drop by and join the party.

NOTE: Some mobs cannot be pushed.

 

 

The big bad monster is dead.  Now what do I do?

1) If your character has been hurt badly, heal its wounds; otherwise, find another mob to fight after looting the corpse (see below).

 

2) Check the monster's corpse for any treasure. Treasure could be coins, potions, and/or equipment.

Syntax:  look corpse

Abbreviated:  l corpse

If the corpse contains something you want, get it!  Loot the corpse!

Syntax: get <item> corpse, where <item> is the thing you want.

Example:  get shield corpse

Use get all corpse to take everything.

Items may be kept, sold to stores, auctioned, dropped and sacrificed, given to other players, or donated to the general public using the donate command.

          Syntax: donate <item>

            Example:  donate sword

NOTE:  autogold and autoloot automatically take all the gold and all the equipment from a corpse. Type HELP AUTO

3) Sacrifice the mob corpse with the sac corpse command.

Syntax: sac corpse

Plural: sac all

If the Gods accept the sacrifice, your character receives either a few copper coins or a point restoration (a few HP, mana/ blood or movement points.)  Sac’ing a corpse destroys everything inside it so be sure to get all from the corpse beforehand.

 

How do I group with other players? Can I group with anyone?

Fighting in a group has advantages:

• Groups fight relatively harder mobs and return more experience.
• Groups kill mobs much faster.
• Groups share XP from kills (members must be in the room when the kill is made.)
• Groups divide coins obtained from corpses (autogold and autosplit must be on.)

Groups are restricted by level: characters must be within 5 levels of each other to join.  To follow, one must be within 20 levels.  Follow and group work together. 

  To join a group, your character must first follow the leader:

 

Syntax:  follow <character's name>

Next, the leader adds your character to the group:

Syntax:  group <name of character> (groups a single character)

OR

Syntax:  group all (groups all the characters that are following)

The gtell command communicates with the group:

Syntax:  gtell <message>

 

Once following and grouped, characters automatically follow the leader’s movements (hidden exits and rooms with certain entering restrictions excepted.)  If anyone in your group is attacked, your character automatically jumps into the fight.

 

Is there any way of keeping track of the mobs that I have killed?

The Kill History (KH) command displays the most recent 30 kills.  If the name of creature is on the list, it is added to the cumulative total; it is not as a separate kill.

Syntax: khistory

These mobs don't seem to reload after I kill them...

Areas reset at regular timed intervals between 3 and 15 minutes depending on:

a) If the area is a newbie area

b) If there are characters in the area.

If you want the mobs to come back, leave the area, and stay out till the area resets.

My character is a monk/werewolf. It can’t use weapons, right?

Wrong.  Monks can use weapons, but receive a damage advantage when using their fists.

 

Skills and Spells

How does my character practice spells or skills?

Spell/ skill levels for new characters are set at 0%.  This means that these things are available to your character but it must be taught how to use each one. Practicing a spell or skill increases the learned percentage for the spell or skill by a fixed amount based on wisdom.  Typing prac displays the percentages to which each skill has been learned.

Syntax: prac

The slist command displays the specific spells and skills available to your character, the new spells/ skills offered at each level and the practice point cost to learn each one.

This number is listed to the right of the name of the spell/skill when displayed in slist.

Syntax:  slist

To list spells specific to an individual class, type slist <class>

Example:  slist cleric

Slist displays resemble this:

Lv          Spells/Skills <practice cost>

3:         magic missile <  1>                  martial arts <  9>

4:         burning hands <  1>               second attack <  2>                 boating <  5>

 

Based on the above, the cost to advance the magic missile spell is 1 practice point to raise magic missile by one increment.  It costs 5 practice points to raise boating.

To practice a spell or skill you must:

1. Find a trainer. (There are several in the game.)

2. Type prac to display available spells/skills.

3.  Type prac <spell/skill name> i.e., prac sleep.

How does my character use its spells and skills?

Upon practicing a skill or spell at least once, your character can attempt to use it. Spells cost mana/ blood points.  Skills cost nothing.

Most spells follow a basic syntax:

Type c <spellname> <target> as such:

C sleep troll

NOTE: <spellname> is the spell name and <target> is the keyword of the target mob.

Enclose the name of two word spells (ex: magic missile) in single quotes (') as such:

c ‘magic missle’ giant   else the spell will not fire.

  For help on the use of a spell or skill, type help <spell/skill> while online to read the help file on it. For example, help magic missile.

[The single exception to this is that of first class bards who, being more poetically inclined, sing their spells. Example: Syntax: sing 'flight'

Characters with bards as their second class cast their spells like everyone else.]

Skills act as commands. An example is the thief skill 'backstab'.

To backstab a mob, you would type bs <target> (you could type backstab instead of bs, but bs is much quicker to type and does the same thing).

(Certain skills/spells may cause characters to become temporarily stunned. Some of the important ones which do this are: disarm, kick, punch, BS, and awe.)

 

Do spells and skills improve with use?

Most do. Some information:

• Practicing a skill/spell increases the percentage to which the skill/spell has been learned to a fixed percentage depending on your character’s current wisdom.
• Skills/spells can be improved by attempting to cast the spell or to use the skill.
  
• As the percentage to which the skill/spell has been learned rises, the chances of a successful cast/ use increases commensurately.
  
• Conversely, some skills (like martial arts or languages) and spells (magical dexterity) do not improve with use and need to be practiced to increase.

• Also, in the case of certain offensive skills/spells, the amount of inflicted damage increases with higher percentage. 
• Some skills are automatic once practiced; they are in effect as soon as they are trained even once. Examples of this include multiple attacks, dual and dodge. 

The percent to which I have learned this skill won't go up!

Several possible explanations exist:

1) You might have reached the maximum skill limit for your class.

No mortal can learn a skill to 100%. The maximum percentages are:

95% Mage, Cleric,

Psionisist                                                                    

90% Necromancer, Ranger, Shaman, Vampire, Druid, Bard, Paladin, Monk

85% Werewolf

80% Warrior, Thief

To display the online help file for this, type: help skill limits

 

2) There may be a limit to which this skill can be learned by a member of the class. 

3) Your character may lack the necessary statistics to use this skill/spell and consequently improve its expertise in it (e.g. thief skill poison weapon).

Death and Dying

Oh no I died! What do I do now? / Help! I just died and I’m stuck in a room without an exit!

Each time your character dies it loses some XP and the spells affecting it are canceled.

• If it dies AT or UNDER level 20, both character and corpse appear in the morgue. 
  
• AFTER level 21, only the character returns to the morgue; you must return to the location where the character died to retrieve the corpse and EQ.

A limited time (30 minutes real time) is allotted to retrieve the corpse before it explodes.  Failure to retrieve the corpse means that you will have to re-equip as when a corpse explodes, it scatters its contents throughout random rooms in that area. Hence, it is very important to remember where your character died. If you can't locate its corpse, you could lose all the EQ permanently.  However, if the corpse does explode, you could simply return to the area and walk around picking up all of the stuff that is most likely laying all over the ground.

Corpse retrieval process and etiquette

To retrieve your character’s corpse, you can:

• Walk back to where your character died and get the everything from the corpse
• Ask for help. If a person decides to help you, he will need to be told exactly what help you require, where your character died and what killed it. Please note that anyone who chooses to help is doing this of his or her own free will, and is not obligated to help you get your corpse at all.
• Ask for help with a corpse summons.  With the use of a rune, some character classes are able to summon a corpse.  There may be a fee for their services.
• Supplicate corpse.  If for some reason no one online is able or willing to help, you can use the supplicate corpse command if your character is in a temple. This enables you to recover your corpse at the cost of supplication points and temple tithe.      Syntax: supplicate corpse
  
• Ask an Immortal.  If no one is on and your corpse is irretrievable, you could ask an Immortal.  Some will help as a LAST resort.  Other will not.  Immortals are NOT required to perform this service.

NOTE: Once a corpse explodes and the EQ is on the ground, it is legal (albeit rude) for anyone to come along, pick up, keep, sac, sell or give away.

Moving around

How do I move about?

Characters can move in any direction for which the room has exits. Exits might be in the form of hallways, doors, stairs, or secret passages.

To move: type name of the direction, or abbreviate it by typing the first letter of the direction (e.g. to move north type north or n).  Do not precede the direction with ‘move’.

Example: north

Typing north, or n, moves your character one space to the north.

 

Does this MUD have hidden exits?

Yes. Use the search command (search <direction>) to search for secret rooms. Your character needs to search for and find a hidden exit in order to use it.  Upon leaving that room, or finding another hidden exit in the room, you will need to search once more for the exit previously found.  Room descriptions may or may not contain hints indicating the presence of secret exit.

If your character is about to fight a mob that resides in a room with one exit only which happens to be hidden, it is strongly advised to enter, search for the exit and then start fighting in order to ensure that there is an open exit through which to flee.

 

I found a door and I can't open it.

Doors can be opened and closed like in real life. If they are locked, they can be unlocked with the corresponding key.

• To open a closed door leading east, type open east. 
• To open a locked door first find and retrieve the corresponding key and with the key in your character’s inventory, type unlock east.  
• Thieves could try picking the lock (pick east, assuming the skill is practiced).
• Warriors could attempt to bash the door down (bash east, but once bashed down, the door cannot be closed again until the MUD reboots.) (Keep in mind that not all locks can be picked or doors bashed.) 
• Finally shadows and those having the passdoor spell or one of its derivatives cast on them can move through some closed or locked doors. (A word of caution in the latter case, if initiate combat in a room with only one closed exit, you will be unable to flee through it once engaged in combat.)

 

Help! My corpse is locked in a room, and the key is in my corpse!

Hint: If a room key must be obtained by killing something, or getting it nvolves ANY risk, ALWAYS drop it in a safe place before entering the area.

If your character dies and is unable to unlock the door leading to its corpse, you might run the risk of losing the corpse. Keys last only one session. If you quit while it is still in your inventory or equipment, it will disappear.

Something really weird is happening in this room.

Some rooms possess certain peculiarities. Some of these include:

• Underwater- In these rooms, it is impossible to breathe underwater (unless affected by the "breathe water" spell or wearing special EQ). Characters face death by drowning. Healing potions become diluted and cease to have an effect.

• Damage - Entering these rooms causes continuous but minor loss of hit points.
• No Flee - Rooms from which it is impossible to flee once combat is initiated.
• No Floor - Characters not affected by flight enter the room and fall into the one below, usually causing some damage.
• No Magic - Rooms where magic does not work, this includes spells (both defensive and offensive), potions (including healing), invokes and scrolls.
• No Magical Entry - Rooms into which characters cannot astral or portal.
• No Recall (God-forsaken) - Rooms from which characters cannot recall.
• No Shadow Walk - Rooms into which characters cannot shadow walk.

• No Swim – Bodies of water impossible to swim across: ex: oceans. One intending to cross such a body of water needs to get himself/herself a boat, preferably having practiced the boating skill beforehand.

 

 

Any tips to make movement easier?

Scan displays the names of any PC or NPC in the adjacent rooms.
Scry, when cast, enables your character to type look <direction> revealing the description of that adjoining room, its exits, and the mobs and objects therein.

In addition to walking, some spells offer magical transportation.  Temples offer portals that enable their members to move between towns with ease.

Object Manipulation

How do I use all of these objects?

·         Use (drop <object>) to drop an object onto the ground.*

·         Use (get <object>) to get an object that is lying on the ground.

·         Use (get <object> <container>) to get an object from a container.

·         Use (get <object> corpse) to get an object from a corpse.

·         Take is a synonym for get.

·         Use (give <object> <character>) to give an object to another character or mob.

*NOTE: Once an object is dropped on the ground it is fair and legal for anyone else to pick it up and claim it as their own, even if it was just dropped one second ago and even if dropped by accident.

 

 

Can I get a particular item without going through them one by one?

Most object commands allow the use of #.object format, where # is a number or the word "all".
Example: if you have five daggers and wish to give ONLY the third one away, you would type give 3.dagger <name>.  

To get rid of all five daggers, type "drop all.dagger".

To drop ONLY a certain amount of an item, type 'drop #*item', where # is the amount of that item you want to drop. Example: If you have 7 keys and you only wish to keep one, you would type drop 6*key allowing your character to retain one key and to drop the remaining 6.

How do I give something to a person who is in a different room?

The trans or transport command sends items to others who may be far away. Trans will, if he can hold the weight and has space for it, take it to that character's inventory.
         

Syntax: trans <item> <player>

Likewise, the auction command may be utilized. A character that is unable to hold any more weight (perhaps due to poisoning) would be nevertheless able to receive additional auctioned items. Thus, pills/potions of cure poison may be obtained by asking someone to auction a green when poisoned.

          Syntax: auction [item] [amount] [currency type]

How do I read signs and books?

You read by typing read <keyword>. It is the same as look, but was introduced for RP purposes.

Sometimes descriptions reveal extra text when looked at. Thus, a room description may mention the existence of a book, or a book may mention its chapters. Extra descriptions are not always additional keywords but could offer more detailed descriptions of anything alluded to within the room.

What is the examine command?

Examine (exa) is derivative of the look command. Examining a weapon provides a broad, sometimes unreliable indication of its condition. With other items, EXA only gives the same information as look.

 

Equipment

My character is butt naked!  Where do I get equipment?

Kill mobs and take their EQ and weapons. EQ can also be obtained as a reward for quests. Finally, shops buy and sell equipment. Explore and talk to others to find the right mix of armor and EQ. As a rule of thumb, quest items/ gear tend to be more powerful than normal items.

How do I see what I am wearing and what I am picking up?

          Syntax: equipment (eq) displays worn EQ.
          Syntax: inventory (inv or i) to see what items are being carried.

 

How do I get my character to wear this stuff?
How do I change my EQ, or am I stuck with it forever?

The EQ commands vary upon by type. Commands include:

• Brandish brandishes a magical staff.

• Quaff quaffs a potion (as opposed to Drink, which drinks mundane liquids).
• Recite reads a scroll; the [target] is optional, depending on the nature of the scroll.
• Wear places armor onto your character’s body.
• Wield places a weapon or weapons into your character’s hands.
• Wear all will attempt to hold, wear, or wield one item in each equipment slot.
• Zap fires a wand at a target.  If the target is not specified, and you are fighting something, then that creature automatically becomes the target.  This is not to be confused with the quality entertainment provided by a bug zapper.

Do we have to pay rent?

No. Equipment, gear and weapons are saved rent-free when you log off. Two exceptions exist: items exceeding your character’s level and keys. Higher level EQ in your character’s possession disappears immediately upon exit from the game.  Keys automatically vanish upon exit as well. An option:

Items may be stored in a bank for a fee. An additional storage fee is charged every time you log in and out. If your character lacks the funds, the bank will retain the stored item as payment.        

To store something in the bank: store <item>

          Retrieve:  To retrieve stored items: retrieve <item>

 

Why can't I wear this EQ? I tried putting this thing on and it zapped me and fell off!

Characters may unable to use an item if its level exceeds their, has anti-flags, or is too heavy. Identifying an item will reveal the reason why it is unusable for you.

So how much equipment should I be wearing?

The more EQ, the better. A fighter has 25 slots whereas a spell caster has 26. Type help slots when in the MUD to display the detailed list of slots.

I put this item on, and now it won't come off!

This means the item is cursed. You need to wear/hold the item and cast or have a cleric or druid cast remove the curse. Scrolls or potions of curse removal work the same. The spell will not succeed unless the item is actually worn or held.

How can I see the stats of an item? How can I find out what an item is?

Identifying (ID) an item displays its statistics and specifics. Cast the spell 'identify' or use scrolls of identify (sold in shops).  The compare command could also be used, but that is fairly unreliable. For armor it only compares the basic armor class and for weapons, the average damage of weapons. Assorted added effects do not enter the calculation.

What does it mean that something modifies a stat by a certain amount?

Some items modify stats. Identifying the item will reveal its affects and show the effects of wearing the equipment. Common affects include hit roll, dam roll, and armor class, saving throw, attributes, stats and spells. Not all affects may be beneficial. 

 

What are Hit Roll, Dam Roll, AC, and Saving Throw?

• Hit roll (HR) is the ability to hit an opponent.  Dam roll (DR) is the damage inflicted upon the opponent when hit.
• Enchanting a weapon may further increase its HR & DR.
• Armor Class (AC) is the level attack resistance and serves as an indication of the armor quality. The lower the AC number, the better. AC will not be displayed for character under level 12; an approximation in words will be seen instead.
• Saving throws act like AC for spells. Some spells hit for less if a saving throw is successful; others fail completely.

This weapon has a better HR and DR, but it seems to be doing less damage?

Aside from HR and DR, other factors determine the amount of damage a weapon inflicts including: its average damage, its enchantments, and its damage type and weight. Furthermore, the weapon may have other affects like additional AC or HPs that cushion the amount of damage wrought by the mob.

Some items have an armor class, while others affect armor class. What's the difference?

The item's AC is its effectiveness to withstand damage. It acts as an indication of the sturdiness of the item, so the higher this AC, the better.

When an item affects the AC, the item will change your character’s AC by the number specified, so the lower the better.

Both the item’s AC and the amount to which an item affects AC are added to the calculations of a character’s AC.

 

What does it mean when it says something affects a spell by -1?

As long as the item is worn (not in inventory, but worn) the character remains affected by that spell. It will not wear off or need to be recast.  Such items tend to be rare.

When I identify this item, it says this it has spell invokes. How do I use them?

If your character is able to use the piece of equipment, i.e. its level is does not exceed that of your character and it has no flags making it unusable, your character should be able to invoke its spell. Items usually have a limited number of invokes meaning they can be used/invoked a specified number of times and once depleted, can not be invoked again.  Some items possess unlimited invokes.

          Syntax: invoke <item> (e.g. invoke hammer)

If the item is worn in the eyes slot, invoke it using stare, and not invoke.

I have a level 10 item but its spell is listed at level 27, can I still use it? What do the two different levels mean?

The item is level 10, meaning a character must be level 10 or higher to hold the wand.   When invoked, the item will cast its spell as a level 27 spell.

How do I use containers?

Containers vary in size, and some can be used as armor. Containers allow your character to carry more items than it normally could store in its inventory.

To place an item into a container:
          Syntax: put <item name> <container name>
            <item name> is the name of the item to put inside the container
          <container name> is the name of the container.
To retrieve an item from a container:

 

          Syntax: get <item name> <container name>.
To look inside a container:
          Syntax: look in <container name>
          or
          l i <container name>

Can I join items?  Can joined items be taken apart?

Some items appear as if they might belong together, for example: a sword hilt and a blade of a sword. To see if the items can be joined:
          Syntax: (join <first item> <second item>)
to separate one item into two joinable items:
          Syntax:  Separate <object>
Once separated; the items can be rejoined and separated once more.

Food and Drink

Where do I find food and water? How do I eat/drink? I am hungry and thirsty. What do I do?

When killed, mobs drop body parts: limbs, hearts, eyes, etc. Eat these. Guts are poisoned, so don't eat them. Food may also be purchased at any city bakery store. Water skins are available at any city general store. Most cities have fountains or pools.
To view the items for sale, levels and prices in a store that you are in:
          Syntax: list.

To eat or drink:
          Syntax: eat <food name> (e.g. eat tart)
            Syntax: type drink <container> (e.g. drink skin)

 

 

If your character does not eat or drink, it will not regenerate HPs, mana, or moves due to starvation/ dehydration. Starvation and dehydration are rarely fatal. 

My waterskin just vanished!

When the liquid in a container is depleted, the container vanishes. Fill the container regularly to retain it:
          Syntax:  fill <container> <water source> (e.g. fill waterskin fountain).
A container may only be refilled with its original liquid, e.g. filling water in a waterskin.

I think I am drunk!  I am drunk!  Drunk I am?

Face the facts.  Consuming alcoholic beverages makes you drunk. Side effects often include disjointed speech and lack of muscular coordination that causes people to wander off into unintended directions.  Fighting under heavy influence may take your character straight into the jaws of death.  Drunkenness wears off in time.  Fear beer goggles.

Pills, Potions, and Magical Equipment

How do I use Potions and Pills?

To use a potion:
          Syntax: quaff <potion name>
            where <potion name> is the name of the potion.
To eat a pill:
          Syntax: eat <pill name>
          where <pill name> is the name of the pill.
By eating a pill or quaffing a potion, your character receives the effects of its spell. Some effects are good; others, bad.

The best advice (as in real life) is not to put anything into your mouth unless you know what it is.

What are red, blue, white, and green potions?

White potions restore mana. Blues have one charge of the heal spell and most reds have two. Green potions and pills have the 'cure poison' spell.

The above section should be removed as there are now more potions in different colors than there were 6 years ago when the original guide was written.

Weapon/Equipment Enhancements

What are the weapon enchantments?

The three principal enchantments are:

·         Chaos Blade: Drains HP from mobs in combat and provides up to 200 HP over     your character’s max HP. Available from level 60+ psis and level 90+ necros.

·         Flame Blade:  Random chance of fireballs. Available from level 62+ clerics.

·         Frost Blade: Random chance of ice blasts. Available from level 82+ clerics.

Poison is not an enchantment.  A poisoned weapon poisons the target; if the target dies from the poison, the character is denied the experience normally awarded for that kill.  Available from level 43+ thieves and level 72+ bards.

In addition to any original enchants, a weapon GENERALLY will take ONE (1) additional enchantment.  A weapon with a magical flag cannot be enchanted, but can be poisoned.

Holy Sword / Mage's Enchant Weapon:  The paladin's and cleric's holy sword spell and the mage's enchant weapon spell enhance a weapon’s HR/DR. However, your character’s alignment must remain the same as the caster’s (at the time of casting) else your character will be zapped by the weapon and drop it when it upon use i.e., if the weapon is enchanted by an evil-aligned character, it will become anti-good thus, a good-aligned character would be unable to use it.

Enhance Armor:  Increases the AC on an item. However, as with mage’s enchant weapon, the weapon would be rendered unusable to those other than the caster's alignment. Consequently if this spell is cast on armor, the armor will fall off if your character’s alignment deviates from that of the original enchanter’s.  Available from clerics, druids, and paladins. 

Who

Who else is playing right now?

Who displays a list of all characters currently online (visible and invisible) with level, class, race, and titles.
Who2 displays a similar list without titles.
Other options include:

          Syntax: who <level-range> (e.g. who 15 displays all character above level 15)
            (e.g. who 15 20 displays all character at or between levels 15 – 20)
            Syntax:  who <race> displays all character of that race (e.g. who elf)
            Syntax: who <class>
            Syntax: who <class> <level-range>
            Syntax: who immortal displays all visible immortals
            Syntax:  who playername shows you the specified player 

                   

The webwho on the website displays who is currently online without logging into the MUD.

What do these funny letters and colors around people’s names and titles mean?

Who provides a variety of information, often in fairly abbreviated forms. Some of the abbreviations include:

[Baron] Player above level 100 and below 150
[Count/ Countess] Player above level 150 and below 200
<E> Excommunicated Player who has left or been removed from a temple
[Lady/ Lord] Player above level 50 and below 100
[Legend] Player above level 80 and below 150
[Mentor] One of the Mentors. The legend flag will appear green of the legend is also a Mentor.
[PK] Player Killer Player who kills other players.
<O> Outcast Player who has left or been removed from a clan.
<QUESTING> Player is on an autoquest.
<Scribing> Player is writing a note.

Is there a list of the Immortals/Mentors?

Wizlist displays the list of Immortals along with their levels.
Mentors produces a list of Mentors.

Communication

So how do I talk to people?

Channels let your character communicate with others.  Some channels are public and can be heard by all. Thus, as in real life, if you shout, everyone around you would be able to hear what you are shouting. Other channels are private and accessible to only single individuals.  In addition other channels are used exclusively to inform the players.

So which are the public channels?

Channels displays the lines currently accessible to your character. Each has its own purpose, and players are expected to use them appropriately. Immortals can view ALL channels simultaneously.  Immortals can also RESCIND access to any or all channels if abuse deems such actionnecessary.

Public Channels
chat	For IC conversation. '.' is a synonym for CHAT.
clan/ temple	Accessible to members of the same clan/temple
class	For discussion by all members of the same class
Mentor	Channel for mentors only
music	Talk about music, or sing a song
newbie	Accessible to new players (11 and below) and mentors
shout	Sends a message to all awake players in the world.
ooc	For OOC discussions
yell	Yell something to others within the current area

 

When do I use OOC, and when do I chat something?

The OOC channel, or Out-Of-Character channel, is used whenever something is discussed that your "character" would not normally say. Aspects of the game, comments on life outside DragonStone, and cross-character statements ("My alt is a level 84 werewolf.") are made here. In contrast, use chat for things your character would say, for example a character who just died might chat, “I request help securing my corpse.”  Everything else is said on ooc.

Some examples of the types of issues appropriate for chat and OOC are as follows:

IC (In character, use chat)	OOC
Can someone help me retrieve my corpse?	I do not have enough exp or QP to recover my corpse!
You stole my weapon, now you will pay!	Statistics about anything (dam roll, levels, to-next-levels)
My haste spell has worn off, may I get another?	Client (tintin, gmud, etc.) discussions
Praise to the goddess (name)!	Discussions about bugs, crashes, or ideas
Would you like to join me in the hunt for the giant?	Stating that you have an alternate character that can do something

 

I don’t really want to listen to this discussion on this channel!

Channels can be turned off and on. However in doing so, useful conversation might be missed.
          Syntax for turning a channel off:  channels -<channel>
            Syntax to turn it back on: channels +<channel>

Can I block off something that one particular individual is saying instead of blocking the whole channel?

Yes. Ignore will block a number of players for a session. Your ignore list is cleared every time you log out. This is to encourage you to settle your differences instead of merely ignoring them. Immortals cannot be ignored.
          Syntax: ignore <player> (blocks that character)
          Syntax: ignore (lists all the characters on your ignore list)

So which are the private channels?

Four special communication commands exist: say, tell, reply and gtell.         

• Say sends a message to all awake characters in the room.  

Syntax: say <message> where <message> is what you want them to hear.  The single quote (') is a synonym for SAY.

• Tell sends a message to one awake character anywhere in the world.

          Syntax: tell <name> <message>, where <name> is the character you want to talk to, and <message> is what you are trying to say. A character must be visible to receive tells.

• Reply sends a message to the last character who sent a tell; it works even if the character cannot be seen.

Syntax: reply

Please note however, that when exchanging tells with multiple individuals, you might accidentally reply to the wrong person, at times with hilarious or embarrassing results. 

• Group tell (GTELL) sends a message to all of the characters in your group, wherever they are, even if you or they are sleeping or stunned or dying.
  ';' is a synonym for GTELL.

Syntax: gtell

How do I talk using the language of my/ other race?

Each race understands its own tongue as well as Common.
Proficiency in a language is improved by practicing it (practice <language name>).

To speak in another language:  speak <language name>
to resume speaking human/common, type speak Common

Learning another language requires a certain amount of intelligence and practice points. To view the language requirements, use the languages command when in the mud.

What are emotes, and how do I use them?

Emote allows others in the same room to view different actions. For example, if you typed ‘emote smiles big and wide’, everyone in the room sees "<your name> smiles big and wide" where <your name> is your character's name. Emote is especially helpful to express feelings and perform customized actions in RP situations.

The remote command allows a character to emote to someone in another room.
Type remote <target player's name> (action)

 

What are socials?

Socials are basically pre-set emotes.
          Syntax:  social   (lists all the socials available)
          Syntax:  wave (makes your character wave at no one in particular)
          Syntax:  <wave> Thork (makes your character wave at Thork)
Please try out the socials before using them on someone else to avoid possible misunderstandings, embarrassment and confusion.

How do I read/write notes?

When you log into the MUD you are shown what, if any, new notes have been posted since you your last login. Notes are divided under several boards, depending on the nature of their content. Typing ‘messages’ will enable you to see the total number of notes that await you. Help note provides an example on how to write notes. It is rather long, but is reasonably comprehensive. If you feel compelled to add color to your note, please try to ensure that it is legible. Some people have difficulty reading black and dark blue, while others find excessively bright colors painful to the eye.

How long do posted notes last?

To establish ongoing discussions, consider posting in the Forums. These messageboards are found on the website by clicking on Forums.

Getting help during the game

The 'help' command

In-game help is available using the help command.
Syntax:  help <topic>
          where <topic> is the topic you want help for the keywords include all the commands, spells, and skills listed in the game.
Help without any arguments shows a one-page command summary.

Helpfind is also useful. 
Syntax:  helpfind <topic you want to find>)
The keyword must be as specific as possible.
Example: helpfind mud will list all help files that might provide related information, whereas ‘helpfind I want to go to mudschool’ will list nothing.

Mentors

Mentors are players who dedicate some of their time towards helping new players. If you need help or have questions, ask a mentor for help. The newbie channel provides direct access to the mentors who are online. Please note, however, that mentors are not here to fetch equipment or provide spell-ups, although a mentor may do so if he wishes.

The Immortal staff

The Immortal staff runs the MUD. They enforce policies, run quests, fix problems, as well as a myriad of other tasks. If you have a question that another player cannot answer, feel free to ask any Immortal. After you ask, be patient. Most of the time, the staff is quite busy, and it might take a minute or two to get to your problem, but they will answer. Additionally, if you receive an answer from one Immortal that is not to your liking, do not go around from one IMM to another to another asking the same question to try to get a different answer.  If you feel that you have received an INCORRECT or UNFAIR answer, bring your question to an IMPLEMENTER (level 1214+). 

 

Other Players

Most of the players are very friendly. Everyone started at level 1, and so many people probably have had the same questions as you. The best way to ask a question is on the channels and your question will probably be answered.

Banks and Shops

How do banks work?

Depositing money in banks prevents monetary loss when your character dies and there may be an inability to reach the corpse. Also there are thieves who steal money. Some bank commands include DEPOSIT <# of coins> <gold/silver/copper> which deposits a specific number of coins into your account and WITHDRAWS <# of coins> <gold/silver/copper> which will withdraw this number of coins from your account. Typing account within the bank premises will tell you what your current balance is.

Is it possible to store items?

Items may be stored in a bank for a 1,000 gold fee. An additional storage fee is charged every time you log in and out. If your character lacks the funds, the bank will retain the stored item as payment.

          To store something in the bank: store <item>

Retrieve: To retrieve stored items: retrieve <item> there is an extra line here on the website

What is the conversion between gold, silver, and copper coins?

1 gold=10 silver=100 Copper

Shops automatically calculate if your character has enough money to purchase an item.  Money can be converted at the bank:
          Syntax: convert <amount> <currency you’re converting> <currency you’re converting to>. The bank will deduct a conversion fee for each transaction.

How do I buy things?

          Syntax:  List generates a list of items for sale in a shop.
There may be several objects with similar names for sale at the same time.
To get a list of only items of a particular type:
          Syntax: List <object>  
          Syntax:  List bronze will list all bonze items
          Show Items will also list the items you can buy.

Buy allows the use of #.object format, where # is a number or the word "all".  
For example, if List dagger shows that a shopkeeper has five daggers, and you wished to buy the third one, you would type "buy 3.dagger".

To buy more than one item of the same type at once:
          Syntax: buy <object name> <number of items wanted>.
This is especially important when buying items like scrolls and potions.

 

Can I sell things to a shop keeper?

Yes, you can. Shopkeepers specialize in the type of things that they buy and sell. Thus, an armor smith will probably not purchase potions from you. Also shopkeepers prefer to keep only a limited stock of any item. When several items of the same type are sold to the same shopkeeper, the amount of money he is will pay for the item decreases and he would ultimately refuse to buy any more items of that type. The value command displays for how much the shopkeeper will buy the item. 
          Syntax:  value <item>

When selling items back to a shop keeper, the payment is likely to be less than that you had originally spent to purchase it.

How do I sell things to other players?

There are two options for doing the same:

1. One can auction an item to the highest bidder using the auction channel.
   Syntax: auction <item> <amount> <currency type>
   Bid on an item in order to purchase it:
   Syntax: bid <amount> <currency type
   You will not see an invisible item when it is bought from auction unless your character is able to detect invisible, but it will be in the inventory anyway.
2. Item/Service Advertisements board. Using the auction channel limits the range of people who are able to bid on an item to only those
   currently online. Posting a note on the message boards would ensure that all players can read about your item and have a chance to make an offer. However, it is up to you and the buyer to ensure that you are able to complete the transaction.

 

Areas

I am new; where should I fight?

If under level 5, it is advised to stay within the mudschools. Each town has a mudschool containing playing instructions, starting equipment and low level mobs. Aden school will reject newbies at level 6.  Prexion has the largest mudschool.  Einar is very far away and can be difficult for new characters who wish to get to the other towns. 

Your character’s hometown can be changed using the hometown command at level 5 and below, or you are NOT a citizen of any city. At later levels, an immortal can change your city; however, you will need to provide a very good reason for doing so.

Syntax: hometown [city]

To view a list of the current cities available, use the cities command.

Is there a list of areas that I can view?

A list of all available areas can be viewed by typing areas. This displays the area name, its recommended level range and the name of its builder.
To view only the areas of a specific level:
Syntax:  areas <level you want to find> (e.g. Areas 10)
OR
Syntax:  areas <lower level> <higher level> (e.g. areas 5 15, to find areas in the 5-15 level range).

Ok, but where are all these areas? / Are there any maps I can use?

Maps available on the website and by typing help world map within the game.

This area is in my character’s range, but I can’t find many mobs that con to be killable...

The area range displays the lower level/ easiest mobs and the highest/ most difficult mobs. A range spanning a 20 or 30 level range may have some mobs that are relatively more difficult. Also, there may be more mobs within the higher side of the range.

Questing

What are quests?

DragonStone offers four types of quests:

• The first quest (offer teddy bear to the girl) is a static quest.
• The second are the automated ones obtained from the Questmaster.
• The third are the Immortal-run quests.
• Last, but not least, are area quests that have been written into some areas.

So how does the QuestMaster work/ what are autoquests?

The questmaster is a specialized mob that distributes quests to those willing to undertake them. Quest points (QP) can be earned for completion of quests and exchanged for EQ, BP or PRACs. Additional rewards might include XP, PRACS or BPs in addition to QPs. Quest points are saved until used.  Each major town has a questmaster.

The questmaster’s choice of areas is random, but coded so as to be suitable for your character’s level.  Quest mobs and mobs loaded with objects will be loaded within 30 percent of your character’s level. This means you will sometimes get a really easy quest, and sometimes you get an impossible one. It will involve either killing a mob or finding an object. Characters on quests will have a [QUESTING] flag.

Quest objects will have a [quest] flag. Scavenger mobs are not be able to pick up quest objects. Target mobs will have a [TARGET] flag. You must get the object or kill the mob (as the case may be), return to the questmaster and type QUEST COMPLETE.  DO NOT GIVE your quest item to the questmaster.  He will take the object from you. 

You are given a random amount of time to complete a quest, and can range from 10-40 minutes.  After completing a quest, you must wait 4-10 minutes -REAL- time before questing again.  If you d/c or quit in the middle of a quest, you will receive a long wait time. For further information, read help autoquest in the mud.

I don’t remember what my quest target is. Is there any way of I could find out what it was?

To display the name of the quest mob or item and the area:
          Syntax:  quest info
Quest info will not display the name of the mob carrying an item; only the item name.

What are Static Quests?

Typing show quest at certain items, such as quest pillars, will display the quest. It may also reveal what item is required for the completion of the quest. When you have the correct item, offer the item to the quest (by typing offer). If it is the right item, your character will be rewarded. Your character must hold the item or it will not be accepted.

Static quests may only be completed once per character. Score displays the number of completed static quests. Read the rules regarding quests found under Help Rules.

What are area quests, and how do I find out whether an area has one?

Some areas have quests, others don’t. A reward (usually an item or equipment) is awarded upon completion. Look for hints within the area indicating the existence of a quest. Look at descriptions, talk to mobs, follow signs etc.

Rules and Etiquette

What rules of etiquette exist in DragonStone?

Respect others and treat them as you wish to be treated. Harassment of any sorts, including any vulgar or sexually suggestive comments/ actions will not be tolerated. We wish you to have fun here and enjoy yourself. Most rules are written with that intention. Anything not covered specifically by the rules, will be covered by immortal interpretation of the rules.

Can I play more than one character at a time?

A limit of one character per player is allowed online simultaneously (although you could create as many as you want). This is considered multiplaying, which is not allowed. If you are caught, you can fully expect to be punished heavily. Disconnecting and failing to quit before logging in your other character would also be considered multiplaying.

Is it ok to give equipment, money, etc., to another one of my characters?

Do NOT exchange equipment or money with one of your alternate characters. This includes but is not limited to: donating it, leaving it on the floor to pick up, selling it to a shop and rebuying it with an alt, and/ or giving it to someone to hold it for you. Anyone helping in this will be also punished.

What is spam?

Spamming, derived from a famous Monty Python sketch, is the flooding of appropriate media with information (such as repeated very long say commands). Unintentional spamming, such as what happens when you walk away from your computer screen for a few minutes, then return to find several screenfuls of text waiting to scroll by, is just a source of irritation. Intentional spamming, such as when you repeat very long commands many times at someone, is usually frowned on, and can get you in trouble.

So what are the rules?

Make sure you read Help rules. Cheating, rule breaking or harassment will not be tolerated in any form. These rules are for your benefit and by breaking them you are only spoiling the enjoyment for others and yourself. Likewise, breaking them will result in punishment. This could be whatever the immortals deem fit, ranging from loss of exp. or levels to deletion and banning. An Immortals word on any matter is final. You have to read and agree to the rules as part of logging in to DragonStone.

What is favour/disfavour? How do I know if my character is favored?

Favour is a reward for such things as good RP whereas disfavour acts as a warning to the character for rule breaking or other infractions. Favour/ disfavour adjusts the character’s exp gain and damage done by a certain percentage based on the level of the favour/disfavour given. It also increases/decreases stat gains (hp per level, etc.) Favour/disfavour lasts for a period of 12 hours of playing time. You can see if a person is favored or disfavored by looking at him, and it is displayed in that person’s score.

What should I not do in terms of player interaction?

DragonStone supports role playing, and as such recognizes the right of players to role-play an evil or chaotic orientation. However, remember it is a fantasy world. People who treat others badly create bad reputations and may receive the NO FUN Stamp of Disapproval. Real people with real feelings exist behind the characters on your screen.

Customizing Your Character

How do I set my title?

Upon creation a character receives a default title derivative of race and class, for example: Thork the Shadow Thief. One can replace that title with something else or get rid of it altogether using the title command:
          Syntax:  title <whatever you want your new title to be>
The game retains this title throughout level advancements.  Choose an appropriate title.

How do I write a character description?

To write a description:
          Syntax: description (places you into the description editor.)
Use the same commands as you would while writing notes (type .h on a new line in the buffer to get the list of commands available to you). Descriptions should be well formatted and not excessively long.

How do I customize my afk message?

A pre-set message can be set to say that you are Away From the Keyboard (AFK). Syntax: afkmes <whatever you want it to say>
Thus typing afkmes is AFK mixing up a cup of coffee would display the following to all tells when you are AFK: ‘Thork is AFK mixing up a cup of coffee’.

Can I rename/ restring my character’s equipment?

Yes.  A rename costs several thousand gold. When in an artifactor’s shop:
          Syntax:  rename <object name>
You will be prompted to add new keyword/s, a short description (how it looks in inv or equipped) and long description (how it looks when on the ground or looked at).
Renamed items must be in accordance with the mud’s theme. Foul, sexually explicit or offensive items will be seized.

How do I add color to my title/prompt?

To add color in your prompt and in your title, add a color code before the text you wish to color. These codes will be interpreted by the game to display the corresponding color. All the color codes start with & sign.
For example, &rred would show up as red.
To display the color codes, type help color.

How do I set an alias?

Aliases allow you to simplify lengthy commands.
Syntax:  alias <whatever shortcut abbreviation> <whatever you want mud to do> For example, typing <alias fb cast fireball> creates an alias for casting fireball. Now you only need to type fb <target mob> to cast the spell, instead of typing the whole sentence.

The alias only works if the letters form the first letters on a new line, and do not trigger the spell if they are in the middle of a sentence. If particular letters already serve as abbreviations for another command or social, they cannot be set as the abbreviation for the alias. The mud will not accept an order to perform more than one action through a single alias (use your mud client to do that, if it supports that option). Typing alias by itself will give you a list of alias you have currently set.

So what else can I change?

The config (help config) and auto commands (help auto) display additional setting options. It is advisable to configure your settings to configure autosplit (automatically split coins with group members) on at all times. Configuring autoloot (automatically loot corpses) and autosac (automatically sacrifice corpses) on may be helpful when you know that the mobs your character is killing contain no valuable equipment.

Brief enables you to view shortened descriptions of rooms, limiting the display to the room name, the exits and the names of any mobs or objects therein. This is NOT recommended since in so doing you lose the sense of how the area was intended to be viewed, increase your chances of getting lost, and forfeit any information that may be contained within these descriptions.

Troubleshooting

I try connecting to the mud, get the message connected to DragonStone but nothing happens. What does this mean?

DragonStone, like any other software program, occasionally stops running. Sometimes this is due to the software (crashing), and other times it is due to the network or the machine the game is running on. The only advice is to wait an hour or so, or try again.

I type stuff, but nothing happens on my screen.

This happens when the network or the host machine is "lagged" which means the machine is running slow because of all the data it has to process, or the network is so busy it takes awhile to transfer the information back and forth. You could wait until it clears, or quit and play later. (Late night is usually the time with the least lag.)

I think I found a bug/typo. What do I do?

If you encounter a problem, be it in a room description, mob or item, help file, something a mob does or says or a spell up or spell down message- please use the typo command to inform the Immortals.
Go to the room where you encountered the problem and type:
          Syntax:  typo <whatever is the problem>
Include sufficient information to enable the staff to isolate the problem.

I have a new idea!

E-mail your suggestion to ideas@dragonstone.org.
You could also use the ideas command by typing idea <what your idea is>

I need to contact a particular immortal about something.

Many of the immortals in DragonStone can be contacted individually by e-mail. To find the addresses of the immortals type help email when within the game.

I died and before I could recover my corpse, the mud crashed/rebooted. Will I get reimbursed?

Sometimes the corpse might load after a reboot. However, if you are able to prove that you have lost it as a result of an error on the part of the mud, you WILL receive some form of reimbursement. If, on the other hand, if you lost your corpse as a result of something that went wrong on your end—either you personally or your isp, we are not responsible and shall therefore not be in a position to reimburse you. It is a risk you take when you play an online game.

Some Technical Questions

What is a client program?

Telnet is a rather ugly way to connect to most MUDs, since it doesn't do any fancy text wrapping, and if someone says something while you're typing out a line, it will make a mess out of your line, making it hard to see what you're typing and hard to keep track of what's going on in the mud. A client program is simply another program you use instead of telnet to connect to a mud. Clients also provide useful things such as macros and the ability to gag or highlight certain mud output.

Where is the server located? What is the system time?

The server is located in Canada. The game time is Eastern Time.