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Welcome to the '''newbie guide'''. In this document you will find a comprehensive introduction to Achaea. You will not find in depth information on each and every discussed item, but you will find pointers to other sources of information. If you are new to the lands and/or mudding in general we invite you to read on.
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=What are MUDs?=
Welcome to the Achaean '''Newbie Guide'''. Upon this page you will discover a comprehensive introduction to Achaea and its basics. While not every topic is explored in excruciating detail, we will frequently point you to other sources of information if you wish to learn more beyond the basics we explain here. If you are new to the lands and/or MUDs in general, read on!


A MUD (or MUCK, MUSH, MUG, MOO, MMOG, et cetera) is most commonly referred to in the verbose as a Multi-User Dungeon. In a MUD, you can find interaction with many other players in addition to computer-controlled personas, or denizens, as we like to call them - all in text.  
=What is a MUD?=
The acronym MUD (or MUCK, MUSH, MMOG, etc) is most often expanded to the phrase "Multi-User Dungeon". In a MUD, a player interacts with other players alongside non-player characters - NPCs as they are called elsewhere, though we prefer the term [[denizen]]. That's nothing new on its own, but in a MUD, there are no graphics. Everything is represented by text (often coloured). But how can you play a computer game without graphics?


But how can you play a computer game without graphics? One oft-used metaphor compares the experience of a text-based MUD versus a graphical game to that of reading a book versus watching a movie. Sure, there are no pretty pictures, but you'll find that the world we weave with words can be more vivid, more complex, more interactive and immersive, and more compelling than any fancy CGI.
One oft-cited example is the comparison between reading a book versus watching a movie. Sure, there are no pretty pictures, but you might just find that the world woven with words is more vivid, more complex, and more immersive, and more compelling than any fancy CGI. It is much the same with MUDs. We don't need to worry about graphics or high-tech hardware, so we can focus on quality gameplay and a vast, immersive world.


Many of the specifics of this MUD will be delved into enough for you to learn, so we won't go into too many details here.
==First Impressions==
Once you create a character and logged onto Achaea, you will find yourself in a world unlike any other. Achaea takes place in a fantasy environment that combines elements of classical Greece and Rome, medieval Europe, India, and ancient Persia with the elements of a wide variety of player imaginations.


==The Achaea Concept==
It is important to note that as this world is primarily medieval/mythological, you won't find any modern technologies such as computers or television. You will, however, find a host of magical and supernatural tools and abilities to utilise, often in the form of the [[skills]] associated with your [[class]] or unique objects called [[artefacts]].


Once you have created a character and logged on to Achaea, you will find yourself in a world unlike any you are accustomed to. It is important to note that this world's setting is one of medieval ages and, as such, you won't find any modern technologies to role play with. You will, however, find a large host of magical and supernatural circumstances to play with.
Not all players seek to achieve the same things. Two popular ways of [[Newbie_Guide#Gaining_Experience|gaining experience]] are through [[Newbie_Guide#Hunting|hunting]] and [[Newbie_Guide#Questing|questing]]. With enough experience, you can ascend to the [[level]] of Greater Dragon, where you gain the ability to assume the form of a powerful [[dragon]].


Achaea takes place in a fantasy environment that combines elements of classical Greece and Rome, medieval Europe, India, and ancient Persia with the elements of a wide variety of player imaginations.
Some [[quests]] of the lands - many which contain intricate plots and detailed storylines - will earn [[honours|honourable]] and permanent recognition for your efforts. You may also choose to climb the political ladder and become a feared dictator or benevolent ruler of a [[city-state]] or [[:Category:Houses|House]].


In Achaea, there is no one goal that everyone is working to achieve. You can kill monsters and beasts, and a wide range of other creatures and sentients to ascend to the level of Greater Dragon, where you can take on the form of the fierce dragon on your whim. You can toil on quests with intricate plots and storylines to earn permanent recognition for your efforts in that area. You may also choose to excel in politics and become the feared or respected ruler of a city-state or House. You may even make your living as an artist or author in the Fellowship of Scarlatti. You can become a feared warrior or thief, a respected protector and champion, or any number of personas including, but not limited to, the jovial court jester and the skilled magi who manipulates the elements.
There are any number of other paths you might take - master [[bardics|bard]], [[Ivory Mark|Champion]] or [[Quisalis Mark|Assassin]], trend-setting [[:Category:Trade_skills|tradesman]] - and it is up to you to follow that path. Though the actions of others may influence your character, only your decisions will set your true path.
 
The path is open to you, and though the actions of others may influence your character, only your decisions will set your true path.


==Connecting to Achaea==
==Connecting to Achaea==
There are many clients that connect to Achaea. They include browser-based, downloadable, and mobile app versions. The best options to play Achaea include:


There are many methods to connect to Achaea, only a few of which are discussed below.
;The Nexus Client:The official client of Achaea, Nexus runs in a web browser (like Google Chrome) and will work on all internet-ready devices operating systems, including Windows, Macs, and Linux. Mobile users, however, may find it operates with limited functionality. Please read [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/nexus-our-official-client HELP NEXUS] for more information.


===The Nexus Client===
;The Mudlet Client:This is a third-party downloadable client for PCs. You can find this client on the [http://www.mudlet.org MUDLET HOME PAGE]. Once you download it, have it connect to achaea.com and either port 23 or 2003. Both ports work.
<font color="black">
Our NEXUS client is available [http://www.achaea.com/nexus/play.php HERE].


Once the nexus client is loaded, you have the choice between character creation and logging in. We'll cover character creation later, so for now let's assume you are logged in.
;The Mobile Client:This client works for Android devices. You can [https://market.android.com/details?id=com.ironrealms.ireclient DOWNLOAD ANDROID] or read [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea?what=android&x=Help HELP ANDROID] to get started.


There are five status bars on the bottom, left-hand corner of the client. You may note their meanings below.
;VIP Mud:If you're visually-impaired and use a screenreader, then this free MUD client is fully-accessible including scripting capabilities. You can visit the [http://www.gmagames.com/vipmud.shtml VIP Mud website] for more information.
*<font color="aqua">The first is a light blue arrow, which measures your experience.</font>
*<font color="red">The second is a red heart, which measures your health.</font>
*<font color="blue">The third is a blue water drop, which measures your mana.</font>
*<font color="orange">The fourth is a yellow person, which measures your endurance.</font>
*<font color="purple">The fifth is a purple square, which measures your willpower.</font>
On the top, left-hand corner of the client you can find a compass that indicates obvious directions from the room you are standing in. The eight cardinal directions are indicated with arrows. Stairs to the right indicate up or down. Doors below the image indicate in and out exits.


You can click on the appropriate direction to walk rather than typing them in.
;Other Clients:You can visit the [http://www.achaea.com/info/clients Achaea website] to learn about other third-party clients which could either be free or require purchase.


The client opens in a small window that can not be resized. If you wish to make it larger or smaller, you must first click the ''detach'' button in the upper right-hand corner. After doing so, do not close the remaining window, as this will disconnect you from Achaea.
==Character Creation via the Nexus Client==
Character creation in Achaea is easy. Your first step is to click the [http://www.achaea.com/ PLAY NOW] button on the Achaea home page. While you can login with an existing character, the steps for creating a new character are:


For advanced users, you may find alias, macro, and reflex (trigger) functions in the client as well.
===Selecting a Race===
There are a dozen [[:Category:Adventurer_races|races]] from which to choose starting out. Clicking on any name on the intro screen gives a brief overview and lists any racial bonuses.


===Other Methods of Connecting===
The races available to newbies starting out include [[Atavian]], [[Dwarf]], [[Grook]], [[Horkval]], [[Human]], [[Mhun]], [[Rajamala]], [[Satyr]], [[Siren]], [[Troll]], [[Tsol'aa]], and [[Xoran]].


Other methods are preferred by some to connect to Achaea. It can be rather confusing to find one that is above the rest with all of the options available out there, but we do have a short list of favourites we don't mind sharing if it will help you out.
===Selecting a Class===
A [[:Category:classes|class]] distinguishes you from others, offering a set of three [[:Category:Skills|skills]] which allow you to take on any number of identities, including a brave knight, a magical elementalist, or a cunning thief.


When connecting with an external client, connect to www.achaea.com at port 23, or 208.185.247.26 at port 23. You can also connect to Achaea via port 2003, with the same IP address given above.
The 21 classes are available to adventurers are [[Alchemist]], [[Apostate]], [[Bard]], [[Blademaster]], [[Depthswalker]], [[Druid]], [[Infernal]], [[Jester]], [[Magi]], [[Monk]], [[Occultist]], [[Paladin]], [[Pariah]], [[Priest]], [[Psion]], [[Runewarden]], [[Sentinel]], [[Serpent]], [[Shaman]], [[Sylvan]], and [[Unnameable]].


*[http://www.zuggsoft.com zMUD] is arguably the best client on the market.
===Selecting a City===
*[http://rhoneware.com/RoAClient RoAClient] is available at no cost and is fairly light while maintaining the offer of numerous functions.
Click on the [[:Category:City-states|city]] name for a one-sentence summary. NOTE: Your choices may be limited based on the class you picked in the previous step. Forest-based classes may only reside with other nature preservationists in [[Eleusis]], and devotion-users can only join other zealous beacons of righteousness in [[Targossas]]
*[http://www.mushclient.com MUSHclient] offers a number of features and boasts a high speed.
*[http://www.gameaxle.com Portal] is a fully customisable client that works in win95/98.
*[http://tf.tcp.com/~hawkeye/tf/ TinyFugue] is a favourite among UNIX users.
*[http://www.wintin.org WinTin] is out there. This writer knows nothing about it but it came highly recommended.
*[http://www.rapscallion.co.uk/ Rapscallion] for Macintosh users is a free choice for those running the Classic OS.
*[http://www.solidsun.com/cm/ Cantrip] is a good client for Macintosh users running OSX and higher.
*[http://sourceforge.net/projects/g-mud/ Gmud] is a free client that offers simplicity, aliases, triggers, and logging.  Good for use with dial-up connections.
*[http://mudconnect.com/resources/MUD_Resources:MUD_Clients.html The Mud Connector] offers a vast list of MUD clients for you to choose from, with information on each.


==Creating a Character==
==Registration==
It is highly recommended that you '''Register''' your character. This is in addition to the email address you gave when creating your character for the first time.


Character creation in Achaea is not a difficult process.
Registration helps you keep your account safe, manage multiple characters on the same account, or reset your password. While registered characters may still be purged, they are not purged nearly as quickly as otherwise.


If you are logging in from the Nexus client, look to the right-hand side of the client for a button for character creation.
Registration will ask for your:
*real name
*e-mail address
*date of birth
*country of residence
In addition to that, we ask you how you heard about Achaea. This tells us where to keep advertising so we can get more awesome players like you.


If you are logging in from an external client, you will be prompted with a numerical list about whether you want to use an existing character (enter your character's name) or create a new character. Simply type in the number associated with creating a new character and the process will begin.
===Character Information===
This section is where you choose information specific to your character including:
; Name:A good name feels fantasy, but isn't from a book or movie. If your name is overly silly, offensive, or sensitive for some other reason, then after your adventures begin you might receive a notice directing you to read [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea?what=names&x=Help HELP NAMES], which offers more information and instructions for changing your name.
;Gender:You may choose to be male or female. The exceptions to this are that all satyrs are male and all sirens are female. ''The gender you choose now stays with you for the life of your character. It cannot be changed.''
;Password:Never share your password with anyone. Your password should be difficult for others to guess but something you will remember. You can read [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea?what=password&x=Help HELP PASSWORD] for more information.
;Email Address: Registering your character helps give Achaea an idea of the demographics of the player base, and gives players ways to keep their account safe. [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea?what=registration&x=Help HELP REGISTRATION] explains more about these benefits.


Once you have begun this process, you will be prompted to choose your character's name, race, and sex, then voilà: you are an Achaean.
After you complete these sections, click Finish and your first adventure will automatically begin.


===Acceptable Names===
==Achaea Policies==
Before diving in and starting your first adventure, it's worth taking a moment to read the help file (or scroll, as they are often called) [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=POLICYSUMMARY HELP POLICY SUMMARY]. This is a short summary of our Achaean Policies. You can find a full list in the scroll titled [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=15 HELP 15].


When choosing your name, you should keep the following things in mind.
Adventurers who break the rules may be subject to loss of [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=ROLEPOINTS rolepoints] or some other form of [[divine punishment]] up to and including permanent [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=DIVINEPUNISHMENTS shrubbing]. Ignorance of these rules is no excuse for breaking them.


First and most important: '''If Romeo, Juliet, or one of our Immortals asks you to change your name, then change your name.''' We don't like to spend our time arguing with you about why Superduperlovechildofdeath is detrimental to the RP atmosphere that we try to maintain. And no, we don't believe you, Superduperlovechildofdeath, when you say this is your real name that your real parents gave you in real life.
The references are provided by the [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/administrators-and-special-administrators administrators] for your own benefit. The vast majority of Achaean adventurers have no difficulty abiding by these policies.


The best name is not a real word. This name is your own creation. It has vowels in all the appropriate places to keep the consonants apart and can be pronounced out loud without seriously damaging one's tongue. It has no nasty words within it, either.
=Initial Quests=
==Escape from Miba==
After choosing a name and race, you will begin your first adventure called '''Escape from [[Miba]]''', an introductory tour of Achaea's basic mechanics. You find yourself in a dark, dank cell which you share with an old man. He explains you've been captured by [[pygmies]] and offers you a way to escape. You can use the SPEEDUP command up to nine times to increase the pace of your adventure.


Words or names you might hear in real life are okay. Not great, but okay. These can include anything from Michael to Fiddler. These names can be improved upon, but are not forbidden if you can't think of anything better.
At this point you may notice some words are in all caps or underlined. For example:
*You can either click the answer, or type SAY YES / SAY NO to select one of the choices.
Words in caps are often an indication that this may be a command you can type. [[Romeo]] and [[Juliet]] often employ the same technique.


More often than not, boasting a poor name will result in being asked to change it. Several things can make a name poor. Read on for more details.
Before you know it, you will have learned how to check your [[inventory]], unlock doors, and fight [[:Category:Denizens|denizens]], like the [[pygmies|pygmy guard]]. Tips will help you learn about selecting a target and using newbie-friendly attacks known as [[brawling]], an ability in the Survival skill which works for anyone regardless of class or race.
*silly names. Omelette is silly. Bourgeois is too. Frop isn't.
*offensive names of any kind, even dictionary words.
*multiple words (thegreatone, slowhead, lordsmith).
*trade or protected names (Cocacola, Microsoft, Nabisco).
*a name from a book, story, song, or game (Drizzt, Nerevarine, Sephiroth).
*any of these above with their letters reversed (Tzzird, Remohlive).
*any of these above with slight variations (Sefiroth, Froddo, Gollom).
*onomatopoetic words (Kerplop, Buzz, Hiss, Ribbit).
*refer to anything in Achaea (Ashtan, Celani, etc).
*names overly similar to existing Achaean immortal names.


Having a forbidden name can result in the loss of your character if you do not change it. Forbidden names include profanity, racial slurs, stuttering letters(bobbbbbb), keyboard jokes(asdf), and those most likely unpronounceable(klzgt).
This initial adventure is short but packed with opportunities to use [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/commandslist basic commands] to help get you used to navigating the realm. Escaping the pygmies teaches you how to:
*look at your surroundings and see items there,
*find directions to exit a room,
*drink [[Elixir of health|health elixir]] from a vial to recover [[Health_(statistic)|health]],
*follow another person to form a [[hunting]] group,
*put things in your [[packs|pack]],
*receive and activate a [[boar tattoo]],
*give things to another person,
*spend [[lessons]] to increase your [[skills]],
*see your current skills and [[abilities]],  
*and learn the basic fighting skills for your [[class]].


One final thing about names: You may see other adventurers with names that aren't in the good or okay categories, and while unfortunate, that can't be immediately rectified in many cases. These names have slipped through the cracks until they became well known, but it shouldn't prevent you from choosing a name that will improve the overall quality of roleplay you, and those around you, experience. Around the year 490 A.F., a servant to the Divine called the [[Namer]] announced to the realm that he changed the name of a more experienced adventurer proving that just because a bad name gets through doesn't mean it will remain that way.
As you can see, you will have a lot of things to learn, but you can progress through the adventure as quickly or as slowly as is comfortable for you.


===Choosing a Race===
==The Cultists' Conspiracy==
After you escape the dungeon, you will find yourself at "Lakeside highway", just outside the newbie land of [[Minia]]. The next thing you'll want to do is look at your [[tasks]], which assist you in discovering the world around you. These tasks will lead you to confront Beku, a meeting which does not end well. You'll have better luck once you reach Level 10.


The race you choose when you first enter Achaea is what you are considered to be born as. There are ways to change your race later, all of which involve reincarnation, but we aren't at later right now, are we?
[[Hunting]] and [[quests|questing]] in the newbie areas are the best way to gain levels of experience. While you can do the tasks and follow The Cultists' Conspiracy quest line at your own pace, it is best to get your tasks and quests done sooner than later. Once you reach Level 21, ogres will prevent you from entering the newbie lands.


Each race in Achaea has statistics. The most average position any statistic can be is 12. Anything higher than 12 is higher than average, and lower than 12 is lower than average. This is not a bad thing - it all balances out.
If you get stuck, then you can always use the PORTALS command to return to the [[Ring of Portals]]. The scroll titled [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=WHATNOW HELP WHATNOW] and the [http://www.achaea.com/newbie-guides Newbie Quickstart Guide] both contain vast number of tips and pointers as well. You might also try and TELL ROMEO <message> or TELL JULIET <message> to speak with them privately, or use NEWBIE <message> to speak on the public Newbie channel.


Each of these statistics means something.
After you defeat the cultists of [[Great Rock]], one of your helpful companions will congratulate you over the [[Channels|city channel]] of your city. If you have completed the required tasks up to this point, defeating the cultists will unlock your city tasks.
*Strength is related to how much physical damage you can do.
*Dexterity is related to how well you dodge physical attacks.
*Constitution is related to how much health and endurance you have.
*Intelligence is related to how much mana and willpower you have, as well as how much magical damage you can do.


Many races have racial advantages and/or disadvantages. Atavians, for example, can fly, and grooks can regenerate in water. For examples of disadvantages, rajamalans have difficulty waking up and heal slowly from elixirs, and trolls have trouble recovering balance and equilibrium.
==Battlerage and the Black Warren==
When you've completed enough tasks and earned the required amount of experience, you will unlock Task 224, "[[Battlerage]] Basics". As soon as you read [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/battlerage HELP BATTLERAGE] to complete Task 224, you'll receive the following notice:


Another kind of racial advantage or disadvantage is tolerance. Horkvali, for example, are more resistant to blunt damage than most other races but are weak to poison damage, while xorani are resistant to fire but weak to cold damage.
<center><nowiki>*** Congratulations, you've just completed the Battlerage Basics task! ***</nowiki></center>
<center><nowiki>You feel your experience grow as a result of your accomplishment.</nowiki></center>
<center><nowiki>The quest "Finding Rhilas" has been added to your log. QUEST LOG will display your active quests.</nowiki></center>


The races available are [[Dwarf]], [[Human]], [[Mhun]], [[Troll]], [[Tsol'aa]], [[Atavian]], [[Horkval]], [[Grook]], [[Rajamala]], [[Xoran]],[[Siren]] (female only), and [[Satyrs]] (male only).
:'''NOTE:''' Depending on what room you're standing in and how many channels of communication you have access to at this point in your adventures, it could be very easy to miss this message. You can use your QUEST LOG at any time in the game to remind yourself of quests you've started. Some remain in the log even after you complete them.


==The Achaea TOS==
If you are under Level 11, then you still have unlimited PORTALS. Even if you do not have portals remaining, if you are a newbie you can WALK TO RHILAS in the Valley of Lodi. If you GREET RHILAS, then he offers to teach you about battlerage and the "All about Batttlerage" quest is added to your Quest Log.
The [http://www.achaea.com/tos.html Terms of Service,] which everyone must agree to during character creation, can be found [http://www.achaea.com/tos.html here.]


==Achaea Policies==
From here you will be tasked to find and open "The Black Warren". This quest brings to life rumours from the pixies and [[:Category:Ratmen|ratmen]] which tell of a sprawling rat warren stretching beneath all three newbie areas. Rat buyers are very busy denizens. If you do not get an answer the first time you ask about the Black Warren and how you can bait the rats within it to reveal entrances, then you might need to wait a minute and ask them again.


These are the Achaea Policies in summary. If you need more information on any of them, please read section 15 of the help files either on the [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=6 website] or while logged in(HELP 15).
The entrances to this rat-infested retreat are disguised as holes or burrows within the natural environment. Once inside the warren, you will fight your way to the lair of [[Pieranotzu]], the Ravenous and return to Rhilas with his corpse. Because he is protected by a great mischief of brown rats, it's best to not go alone.


*[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=369 HELP 15.1 (HELP POLICYSUMMARY)] is a summary of many of the policies, but is not all inclusive.
=Basic Commands=
*[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=496 HELP 15.2 (HELP UNDERAGE)] details the policy that restricts those under the age of 13 from playing Achaea.
The following sections explain basic information on the mechanics of Achaea. The commands are your key to accomplishing everything from killing a [[rats|rat]] (KILL RAT) in a city to completing a complicated series of quest resulting in a special line being added to your [[honours]].
*[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=606 HELP 15.3 (HELP YOUR ADVENTURER)] explains the policies on your character. No sharing your character. No transferring your character. No logging on to two or more characters at once. Plus many more things you need to know.
**[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=425 HELP 15.3.1 (HELP SECONDS)] explains the policies on having more than one character. While allowed, their behaviour must be guarded to prevent aiding one another.
**[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=317 HELP 15.3.2 (HELP MULTIPLAYING)] explains the policy on having more than one character logged on at once. It's not allowed.
**[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=90 HELP 15.3.3 (HELP ADVENTURERSHARING)] explains the policy on transferring or sharing your character. It, too, is forbidden.
*[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=366 HELP 15.4 (HELP PLAYERKILLING)] discusses killing other adventurers. It is allowed, within reason.
**[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=551 HELP 15.4.1 (HELP PKRULES)] delves into the rules on killing other adventurers. You need a reason to attack someone.
**[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=552 HELP 15.4.2 (HELP PKCAUSE)] describes, in depth, what you can attack someone for.
**[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=553 HELP 15.4.3 (HELP PKTERMS)] explains what PK Terms such as Open PK and Free PK mean.
**[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=523 HELP 15.4.4 (HELP THIEVERY)] details the rules on theft and how it relates to PK.
**[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=688 HELP 15.4.5 (HELP SCAMS)] tells you how to avoid falling victim to an illegal scam, such as someone impersonating an administrator.
*[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=237 HELP 15.5 (HELP HONOUR)] informs you of things that can get you in deep trouble with the administrators, even if they may seem like a good idea at the time. You should not, for example, force a disconnection from the game to avoid death.
*[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=344 HELP 15.6 (HELP ROLEPLAYING)] lists the forms of communication on which you '''must''' practice good role play. While roleplaying is optional in Achaea, stepping out of character in front of others can be upsetting to those who come to role play and as such is against our policies.
**[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=769 HELP 15.6.1 (HELP INSANITY)] talks more about stepping out of character when you shouldn't.
*[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=454 HELP 15.7 (HELP SPAMMING)] contains definitions of spam and just how much we dislike it here.
**[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=694 HELP 15.7.1 (HELP ADVERTISING)] discusses the line between spamming and acceptable, in-character advertising.
*[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=490 HELP 15.8 (HELP TRIGGERS)] will tell you exactly how far you are allowed to go with triggers. Complete automation is not an option.
*[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=224 HELP 15.9 (HELP HARASSMENT)] explains that harassment is strictly forbidden, and what can and will happen if you break this policy.
*[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=32 HELP 15.10 (HELP AFK)] details our policy on being Away From Keyboard. It is, quite simply, not permissable, and anything that happens to you while you are AFK is your own responsibility, including administrative punishment.
*[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=267 HELP 15.11 (HELP LANGUAGERULES)] discusses the policies on using obscene or derogatory language. It is not allowed.
*[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=588 HELP 15.12 (HELP ISSUES)] explains what an issue is and how to use it. Issues have to do with customer service and, in some cases, the violation of our usually-adhered-to policies.
*[http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?id=793 HELP 15.13 (HELP ILLUSIONS)] lists the devious types of illusions that are forbidden, and how to avoid falling victim to them.


=The Trial of Rebirth=
==The SHOW Command==
After choosing a name and race for yourself, you will enter '''the Trial of Rebirth''', an introductory tour of Achaea's basic mechanics. You will appear north of New Thera, where an old crone will arrive to guide you to the Tree of Life, [[Yggdrasil]]. Inside this tree is the Flame of Yggdrasil, within which you must be immolated to begin your rebirth.
The most basic of all commands is SHOW. Using this command, you can see things about your character that fall into one of three categories:
*Things available elsewhere in the same form, like your [[bank|bank accounts]], honours, or [[rift]]
*Changed or combined versions of some things available elsewhere, like a list of [[:Category:Organisations|orgs]], [[gold]], or your [[status|stats]]
*Information you won't find anywhere else, such as the amount of [[lessons]] left in a [[:Category:Skills|skill]]


[[Pasiphae]] will be waiting to greet you when you regain consciousness in the land of [[Ceylon]]. Pasiphae will be your guide as you gain your first levels of experience, eventually leading you to obtain a dragon orb. Along the way you will also meet and interact with [[Severian]] and [[Gruul]].
==Communication==
 
Communicating with other adventurers is one of the most important aspects of Achaea. As such, you have many options for communicating and forming communities within the lands. Most of the commands are self-explanatory and include:
Some of the things you will learn in the Trial are:
*The '''SAY''' command allows you to say something to others in your current location. Verbs like SING, WHINE, MUTTER, SNARL, and SCREAM work in place of SAY, allowing you to enhance your words.
*How to check your status and inventory.
*Use the '''[[Tells|TELL]]''' command to communicate with others who are not in the same room with you. Using the CONFIG NAMETELLS ON command allows you to send tells using someone's name without TELL at the start. The TELLS command shows the last 50 tells you received, regardless of when you received them.
*Essential commands (LOOK, WHO, etc.) and basic movement.
*The '''CT''' command announces what you say to other members of your city. You can also do this using the name of your city as a command, i.e. <city> Hello! would result in (City): You say, "Hello!"
*Purchase, use and transfer of items.
*You can '''[[Yell|YELL]]''' something to everyone in your immediate area.
*Basic geography of Sapience.
*When you '''[[Shout|SHOUT]]''', your voice carries across the lands. Shouting for newbies requires travelling to a [[Giant ram's horn]] or using the [[Ram's horn (artefact)|artefact]] of similar name. Except for some powerful adventurers, only the Divine know who is shouting. Spamming, insulting, and gloating are frowned upon via this method of communication.
*How to use and learn your skills.
*The '''[[newbies|NEWBIE]]''' channel exists for you to ask questions and request basic assistance during your time as a newbie. Due to its nature, some topics might be considered [[insanity|insane]] by other adventurers. It is important to note that the newbie channel is not available for idle chatting.
*Basic combat (brawling).
*[[Messages]] are another form of communication between players. Use '''MSG''' as a standalone command to see all the available ways to use this feature.


To obtain the dragon orb, you must utilize your combat skills to defeat a fire guardian. After taking the dragon orb to Pasiphae you will be able to select a [[Class]], be offered the chance to choose a [[City]] for your home, and be able to join a [[House]]. If you are quite new to Achaea, Houses and Cities can offer you a group of people to help you out. A House is a group of like-minded individuals who generally help each other to become stronger via friendship and structure. We highly recommend that you join one of your choice.
The rules for using language in Achaea are simple. Do not inflict overly obscene language on people who you do not ''know'' are willing to hear it, and do not use discriminatory language (racist, homophobic, sexist, etc) AT ALL, in any circumstance. [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/language-rules HELP LANGUAGE RULES] explains more.


As you can see, you will have a lot of things to learn, but you can progress through the Trial as quickly or as slowly as is comfortable for you.
==Getting Around==
===Basic Movement===
You have several options for moving around in Achaea. The most basic is to use the exits listed when you type LOOK or QL. The directions are at the end of the room description. You can GLANCE <direction> or GL <direction> to see what lies beyond an exit. The possible exits are N/NORTH, NE/NORTHEAST, E/EAST, SE/SOUTHEAST, S/SOUTH, SW/SOUTHWEST, W/WEST, NW/NORTHWEST, U/UP, D/DOWN, IN, and OUT.


==After the Trial==
===Landmarks===
After the Trial, you will find yourself at the [[Ring of Portals]]. From here, you can reach many locations of interest across the realms. [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=WHATNOW HELP WHATNOW] has a large amount of very useful tips and pointers, which may be useful as you begin your adventures. Romeo and/or Juliet, our resident Newbie [[Guides]], may be in the Ring of Portals, available to answer any newbie-related question you might have. You can TELL Romeo <message> or TELL Juliet <message> to speak with them privately, or use NEWBIE <message> to speak on the public Newbie channel.
If you are within 100 steps from a one of the places in your list of [[landmarks]] then you can WALK TO <landmark> directly. Landmarks are especially useful if you are lost and unsure of where to go next. In addition to the landmarks in the list, you can also WALK TO the following:
;Members of Your City
:This is anyone on CWHO, which shows who from your city is around right now. QWC is a QuickWho that shows the CWHO is a condensed list, without titles or class affiliation.
;Denizens
:This will let you try to walk to any denizen that isn't owned by another player.
:If there's only one denizen named that in the game, it will try to walk to it if you're in range.
:If there are multiple and you specify a number for the denizen, it will try to walk to that specific denizen.
:If there are multiple and you just say, for instance, WALK TO CULTIST, the results will tend to not be very useful as which cultist you'll walk to will be unpredictable.
;Personal Landmarks
:You may add up to 15 personal landmarks using the command LANDMARK ADD <alias>. The alias can be anything you choose. For example, LANDMARK ADD WARREN to add a way to WALK TO the entrance to the Black Warren.


If you chose not to select a Houe or Class during the Trial, or you are simply not happy with your choices, you may speak with [[Certimene]], the Class and House Administrator. Certimene may be found by taking the northeastern exit from the Ring of Portals, or walking to his office on the Isle of [[Delos]].
===Doors===
Sometimes you may encounter doors which may be open, closed, or locked. The commands for doors include:
*OPEN - To open an unlocked door. OPEN DOOR NORTH (etc).
*CLOSE - CLOSE DOOR DOWN (etc). Doors may lock upon closing in some cases.
*LOCK - Have the proper key, then LOCK DOOR <direction>.
*UNLOCK - Have the proper key, then UNLOCK DOOR <direction>.


=Registration=
For example, to go through a locked door to the north for which you have a key you would UNLOCK DOOR NORTH and OPEN DOOR NORTH before you could go NORTH into the room to the north.
It is important to '''register''' your character soon after the Trial of Rebirth in order to avoid being purged from the system too quickly. While registered characters may still be purged, they are not purged nearly as quickly as otherwise.


Please provide correct information as you register your character. We will not sell or give this information away, but it is necessary to have it on file in case you ever need support for your character. When interacting with support - whether to request a lost password or another reason - you will be asked to provide your registration information in order to compare it the information on file, in order to prevent against impersonation.
===Flying===
[[Flying]] is possible if you are a member of the [[atavian]] race, have some type of flying [[mounts|mount]] or [[pets|pet]], or have some other special item or ability which gives you that power. FLY takes you into the skies, and LAND puts you back on the ground. If you are flying over a garden or forest environment, then you can LAND TREES to land in the treetops. It is possible to DIVE to the ground, which causes plummet head first to the surface of the ground with a sickening crunch.


Nothing particularly personal is requested for registration. You need simply provide your name, e-mail address, date of birth, and country of residence. In addition to that, we ask you how you heard about Achaea, so we know which advertising techniques are paying off.
===Maps===
 
There are two types of [[maps]] in Achaea, layout and illustrated. You can use the MAP command in the game at any time to see what lies around you, and MAP RADIUS 5 to expand it to its largest portion. The scroll titled [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/the-dynamic-achaean-map HELP MAPS] explains more.
=Basic Commands=
The following sections explain some basic information on the mechanics of Achaea. These commands are highly important, and you will likely use them many times over your time in the realms. As a general rule of thumb, commands follow similarly to written English (i.e. to tell Sarapis something, you would TELL SARAPIS SOMETHING).


==Item Manipulation==
==Item Manipulation==
Item manipulation is more than just simple pushing and pulling, though oftentimes you can and should do so. You can also turn, touch, tap, and do any number of emotes toward objects. (A list of emotes can be found within [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=EMOTELIST HELP EMOTELIST]) Often, you may also DROP/PUT an item on the ground or another object, or TAKE/GET an item from the ground or another object. Containers can hold items within themselves, such as backpacks and satchels. For example, to put a journal within your pack - assuming you have both in your possession - simply PUT JOURNAL IN PACK. To remove it, you can GET JOURNAL FROM PACK. You cannot PUT an item on the ground, but you can DROP it there. Contrariwise, you cannot DROP an item into another item, but you can PUT it there.
There are many commands for interacting with items in Achaea, some of which are required to make an escape from the pygmies in your very first adventure. These commands work for both items you can hold in your [[inventory]] or wield in your hands, like a vial or a sword, and permanent fixtures, such as a fountain or a locked chest, which are too heavy to pick up.


Journals, such as the one we just took back out of our pack, can be READ, as can many other objects in the realms, such as books, signs, and plaques. If the object has multiple pages, you can READ <object> PAGE <number> You may be able to WRITE within an object, using the same syntax as READ, if you are the author of the item. (See [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=JOURNALS HELP JOURNALS] for more information)
The item manipulation commands include:
*GET - Gets something from the ground or a container.
*DROP - Drops an item. DROP 50 ASH vs. DROP ASH.
*GIVE - Give an item to another being, like GIVE 5 CHOCOLATE TO DAVID. For gold, always use the amount: GIVE 1000 GOLD TO JANE.
*PUT - Put an item in something. PUT GOLD IN PACK or PUT 5 JOURNAL IN PACK.
*EX, EXAMINE - See what a creature looks like, or how tough it is.
*P, PROBE - Information about something and what's inside it.
*BREAK - Destroys certain fragile items.
*KNOCK - Indicates your presence on one side of a door.
*LIGHT - Firecrackers, Pipes, and LOTS of other things!
*SMELL, TASTE - Food, drinks, elixirs, and sometimes other things.
*READ - Letters, books, signs, posters, plaques, inscriptions, etc.
*WEAR - Wear an item that you hold.
*REMOVE - Remove an item that you are wearing.
*WIELD - Wield an item. WIELD LEFT or WIELD RIGHT for handedness.
*UNWIELD - Cease wielding an item.
*POINT - POINT <thing you are holding> AT <who or what>.


The most common action performed on an object is to PROBE it. Probing details more information on the item than you might notice at a glance, such as its weight, physical description, et cetera. You can also WIELD an object that is in your possession, and THROW it if you are so inclined.
Six basic commands which could be useful almost anywhere depending on the object are: PULL, PUSH, RING, SHAKE, TURN, and TOUCH.


==Communication==
Adventurers who wear [[weapon holders]] or a backstrap to hold their shield, can use the following commands:
There are many ways to communicate with other players in Achaea. Most, if not all, are used widely throughout the realms. A few of the most common are SAYs and TELLs, among others.
*SHEATHE- Sheathe a weapon.
*DRAW - Draw a weapon from its respective holder.
*DRAW STRONG - Draw a weapon from its respective holder with a flashy slash.
*DRAW SALUTE - Draw a weapon from its respective holder in a salute.
*LASH - Lash a shield to a backstrap.


Using SAY, you can speak to everyone in your room. For example:
It is possible to THROW a wielded object. [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/throwing HELP THROWING] explains more about this method for interacting with items.
:Say Boy, says sure are fun!
translates to
:(to you) You say, "Boy, says sure are fun!"
:(to everyone else) Superduperlovechildofdeath says, "Boy, says sure are fun!"
You can also use a single or double quotation mark - ' or " - preceeding any text to SAY it.


Using TELL, you can speak to one specific person in private, whether they are in the room with you or not. This person must be logged into Achaea and be on the same [[plane]] as you are, as well as within telepathic range on that plane (i.e. a tell from Shallam to the icy northern Tundra will probably not work). For example:
==Examining Yourself and Others==
:Tell Sarapis I like to send tells!
There are a few commands dedicated to learning more about yourself. These commands include:
translates to
:(to you) You tell Sarapis, "I like to send tells!"
:(to Sarapis) Superduperlovechildofdeath tells you, "I like to send tells!"


In addition to tells and says, there are dozens of other ways to communicate, including HNT (housenewcomertell), CT (citytell), CLT (clantell), NEWBIE (the newbie channel), [[Shouting|SHOUT]] (heard by nearly everyone in the realms), and YELL (a softer shout to everyone in the general area). There are also a variety of SAY-alikes such as CHANT and SING (see http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=SAY HELP SAY]), and many other unique ways of communicating with others. (See [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=CHANNELS HELP CHANNELS] for more information)
*SCORE/SC - This is the first way to get information about your character. Based on the status of your character, it will show you a plethora of facts. [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/score HELP SCORE] explains them in greater detail.
*QSC - This command shows a quick score which only displays information relative to the status of your well-being.
*HONOURS <person> - This shows information about another adventure or a Divine. [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/honours HELP HONOURS] suggests other ways to use this command.
*LOOK <person> - LOOK <person> to see their physical [[description]].
*DEFENCES or DEF - The [[defences]] command brings up a list of beneficial things currently affecting you. DEFENCES BRIEF shows a less verbose list.
*DIAG ME - This ability allows you to [[diagnose]] your ailments.


If the person you wish to speak with is not in the realms, you can leave them a message for them to read when they return. Simply use MESSAGE <name> <message> (or MSG instead) to send one, and the recipient will be notified of this message upon their next login. To read a message, you can MSG READ # for a specific message, or just use RM to read the next unread message. The message system is very complex, and you can see all the things you can do with them by using MSG on its own. (See [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=MESSAGES HELP MESSAGES] for more details)
==The WHO Lists==
There is a plethora of commands which allow you to see who is in the realm with you at any time. The WHO command shows everyone on the same plane and visible to you. Other ways to use the command include, but are not limited to:


==Getting around==
*WHO - Shows everyone on the same plane and visible to you. If you have ANSI on then:
There are many ways to get around, such as using the Ring of Portals or using a class ability, but the most basic of movement is simply to walk. First, one must know where one is. To look around, simply LOOK. You will see the room's visual description, a list of any objects and denizens within the room, and a list of any other adventurers in the realm. Arguably the most important part of LOOK, however, are the exits listed at the bottom. To view these without the rest of the information, you can simply use EXITS (or just X). A variant of LOOK is QUICKLOOK or QL, which discards the room description for brevity.
:[[Guides]] will show in yellow,
:[[Celani]] names are light blue,
:[[Newbie_Guide#Customer_Service|Admins]] show up as bold white, and
:[[Gods]]' names show up in green.
*BW/QW - An abbreviated version of the WHO list
*QWC - An abbreviated version of the WHO list colour coded by city affiliation.
*QW <match> - Shows only names that match, for example QW TE would show Tecton and Telendrieth but not Titonus or Trey.
*QW <city> - Shows members of a city. Using ROGUE will show cityless adventures.
*WHO HERE - Lists those in your current location
*NWHO - Shows all the newbies below level 30 in the realm right now
*CWHO - A who list showing members of your city, or CW f
*CLASSWHO - Shows members of your class
*HWHO - A who list showing members of your house
*RWHO - Shows members of your race
*CRAFTERWHO - Shows those with [[cooking]], [[jewellery]], [[tailoring]], and [[heraldry]] [[trade skills]]
*PWHO - Lists names visible to you of those in your party channel
*RPWHO - Names of other adventurers looking for roleplay opportunities


To move in a particular direction, type that direction! To go north, type NORTH (or N). To go southeast, type SOUTHEAST (or SE, which is noticeably shorter). There may be other non-standard ways to leave a room, such as ENTERing something, but in such cases it is easiest to simply try it yourself. If you want to see what's coming up next without actually moving, you can GLANCE (or GL) in a direction. Lastly, SURVEY will tell you what general area you're in; the environment upon which you stand; and the plane you are on (often the [[Prime Material Plane]]).
These lists only show adventurers who are online and visible. Some adventurers, although present in the realm, may be hidden from the lists for any number of reasons. [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/who HELP WHO] explains more about the various who lists and commands for using them.


As a newbie, if you get lost you can use the PORTALS command to return to the Ring of Portals. As explained earlier in this guide, it is a hub of portals leading to many useful locations across the lands. Whether you are a newbie or not, however, you can also use landmarks. Simply WALK TO <a nearby landmark>, and you will move one room in the direction of that landmark (assuming no other obstruction). [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=LANDMARKS HELP LANDMARKS] lists all of the available landmarks. To discern how far away from a landmark you are, you can use DISTANCE TO <landmark>.
== Shortcuts ==
Sometimes you want to get information or accomplish something in the shortest amount of time. These shortcuts might help.


Lastly, there is a plethora of useful maps one can use. For one, the MAP command is a wonderful tool to view the lay of the land immediately around you, though not all locations may be covered. (See [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=MAP HELP MAP]) As well, the [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=12 HELP 12] index of scrolls lists many, many layout maps of various areas. Though these maps do not follow your every move quite like the MAP does, they can be useful for viewing an area you are not currently in, as well as viewing more of the lay of the land than the MAP permits. Finally, there are illustrated maps linked to from the Achaean [http://www.achaea.com/maps/index.php maps index] page, which are similar in style to the HELP 12 maps, and possibly more pleasing to the eye. Our [[Maps]] page explains more about maps in general.
*! - Repeats the last command you sent
*' or " - Alternative for SAY
*COLOURS - See all possible colours for CONFIG COLOUR, when controlling how different things appear to you.
*RM - Read the next message after the most recent one that you read
*RN - Reads the next news post after the most recent one that you read
*X - Shows obvious exits leading from your current location


==Examining yourself==
=Newbie Areas=
There are a handful of commands to let you view information about yourself, such as the SCORE command. SCORE allows you to view your current score information. Your score contains information such as what experience level you are and how much more experience you need for the next level; what your name, title, and race are (much like HONOURS); how much health, mana, endurance, and willpower you currently have (and their maximums); your clans; and many, many other useful details. For an example, see our page on [[Score]].
New adventurers have exclusive access to three areas reserved for newbie access only: [[Minia]], [[Lodi]], and [[Mount Gheladan]]. After an adventurer reaches Level 21 these lands become off limits, so while in the newbie areas you are never crowded out by more experienced hunters or questing explorers.


Another self-examination command is the STATUS or STAT command. STAT lists information much like SCORE does, though of a different nature: Your [[Status]] tells you the current status or state of your character. Are you are dressed? Drunk perhaps? Tired or hungry, after a long day perhaps? and a few other useful bits. Along the same vein is the STAT STATS command, which lists your adventurer and denizen kill statistics. Examples of both STAT versions can be found at our page on [[Status]].
One of the easiest way to reach the newbie lands is via PORTALS. Once there, you can READ SIGN to see where the portals lead or use Landmarks and WALK TO <area>. Additionally each of the three areas has its own special dragon that will transport you between the newbie lands.
:IN MINIA: Find the dragon Auma (NE from the archway to Minia) and say, "Take me to Lodi please." or "Take me to Gheladan please."
:IN LODI: Find the dragon Poraeus at the entrance to Lodi and say, "Take me to Minia please." or "Take me to Gheladan please."
:IN GHELADAN: Find the dragon Lasuna at the entrance to Gheladan and say, "Take me to Minia please." or "Take me to Lodi please."


You can view your personal description with the LOOK SELF command, or a number of variants such as LOOK ME, LOOK AT ME, LOOK AT SELF, LOOK MYSELF, and LOOK AT MYSELF. This returns the physical description you may have written, as well as your race, clothing, and any Divine favours you might have. You can set your description by using DESCRIBE SELF <description>, but remember that the first few words cannot be removed (i.e. "He is a frog-like Grook and is "). See [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=DESCRIPTION HELP DESCRIPTION] for more information.
==Minia==
The land of Minia lies just off the [[Prelatorian Highway]] near the [[Aureliana]] forest. There are plenty of quests to keep you busy, like curing a sick [[kobolds|kobold]] or returning textbooks to the [[Pixie Schoolteacher]], and things to kill such as [[hellcats]] or [[Beku]], the pygmy chieftain.


In order to assess your defences, simply use the DEFENCES command. This returns a list of each defense currently upon you. These differs from afflictions, which are generally unwanted and detrimental. Defenses may be gained or lost depending on your actions and your particular defences. For example, the defence line for myrrh is "Your mind is racing with enhanced speed", and it is obtained by eating myrrh.
[[Vellis]], the butterfly collector, resides at the ''Ivy-covered archway to Minia'', where he hands out nets to anyone, regardless of age or level, who wishes to catch butterflies. If you linger too long, then you may incur the wrath of this otherwise kindly old man.


==Examining other people==
You can READ SIGN at the ivy-covered archway to Minia for directions to the four primary areas within Minia. These areas include:
Similarly to personal examination commands, there are some useful commands for learning more about those around you. The most prominent is HONOURS, which displays a page of publicly-available information on the target, such as their title, gender, and race, among other things. You can HONOURS SARAPIS, for example, to find out that he is the Logos, a male Immortal, and was born before time was counted. If you check the honours of a mortal adventurer, you will receive a much more detailed page, including which city they are in, what their title, sex, and race are, their birthday and age, most of their current rankings, their marital status, and more. This command can be used on one's self to view what other people see about them, so in that manner it is also a self-examination command. There are two variations on HONOURS - HONOURS F and HONOURS D - which give more details than the vanilla HONOURS page. See our page on [[Honours]] for more information.


Another highly useful command - or rather, command group - WHO and WHO-alike commands tell you who is visible in the realms. It will not tell you those who have used powerful abilities to conceal their identities and presence. For example, WHO gives a full list of every visible adventurer in the realms. Two similar commands are QW and WHO B, which list the information from WHO in different ways. CITYWHO, or CWHO, lists those adventurers in your city. There are also HOUSEWHO or HWHO, O(rder)WHO, N(ewbie)WHO, R(ace)WHO, CL(an)WHO, and others. Another useful WHO-like command is WHO HERE, which lists those adventurers visible in the same room as you.
*'''The Pixie Village'''
 
:Along the northern reaches of Minia, the inhabitants of the [[Pixie Village]] are ruled by the [[Pixie Queen]], a diminutive yet imposing woman whose sworn enemy is the [[Imp Lord]].
=The Newbie Channel=
The Newbie channel is available to adventurers under level 21 - also known as "newbies" - to ask general newbie questions on, and (hopefully!) receive answers on as well. You can speak on the Newbie channel by using the NEWBIE command: NEWBIE <message>. For example, to ask "How do I make gold?" on the Newbie channel, you can type ''NEWBIE How do I make gold?'' Two very special beings often watch the Newbie channel: Romeo and Juliet, the [[Guides]]. The Guides exist only to help young adventurers get their start in the realms, so don't be shy about sending them a TELL, or asking publicly on the Newbie channel.
 
=Newbie Areas=
Among the vast lands of Achaea, there are three areas specially Created for newbies: [[Minia]], [[Lodi]], and [[Mount Gheladan]]. Older adventurers cannot enter these areas, so you will not be crowded out by more experienced hunters or knowledgeable questers. You can reach these lands most easily by using PORTALS to reach the Ring of Portals, then taking one of the three designated exits (READ the SIGN for directions). Another way to reach the newbie lands is to walk there (both normally and the [[Landmarks]] kind). Possibly most usefully, you can ask the guardian dragon of a land to take you to one of the other two free of charge. These guardian dragons are named [[Auma]], [[Poraeus]], and [[Lasuna]], and they guard the respective lands listed above. Simply go up to one and say "Please take me to <newbie land>", and you will be whisked away. This is helpful if you wish to save your remaining uses of the PORTALS command for when you really need them.
 
==Minia==
The land of Minia is a fanciful place located off the [[Prelatorian Highway]] near the [[Aureliana]] forest. Within Minia, a young adventurer might find such beings as [[pixies]], [[kobolds]], [[imps]], [[hellcats]], and [[pygmies]]. There are plenty of quests for a newbie to complete, such as curing the sick kobold and claiming the Imp Lord's bounty on the heads of the pixies. [[Vellis]], the butterfly collector, resides at the ''Ivy-covered archway to Minia'', where he hands out nets to those who wish to catch butterflies. In fact, Vellis hands out nets to anyone, not just newbies, and as such his location is the only one in Minia to be open to all. However, one should not linger long, lest the ogre guards come and take you away.
 
===Points of Interest===
*'''The pixie village'''
:Within the pixie village reside a number of playful pixies, as well as their leader, the [[Pixie Queen]]. These pixies are engaged in a long-time war with the imps of the Ember Tower, ever since the Pixie Queen scorned the Imp Lord for some unknown reason. It seems he did not take it very well, and each leader has bounties on the other species' heads. You can find the pixie village by heading northeast from Vellis.


*'''The Ember Tower'''
*'''The Ember Tower'''
:At the southeastern edge of Minia, the [[Ember Tower]] crawls with mischievous imps at war with the pixies of the pixie village. Under the command of the [[Imp Lord]], an imp by the name of [[Ord]] trains dangerous hellcats for their defense of the tower. The Ember Tower may be found by following the road southeast from Vellis, and following the signs.
:At the southeastern edge of Minia, the [[Ember Tower]] teems with mischievous imps who do the bidding of the Imp Lord, a gnarled who carries a jewelled spear and whose only goal is to make the Pixie Queen suffer. [[Ord]], the hellcat trainer controls fierce felines who guard the tower.


*'''Miba, the pygmy village'''
*'''Miba, the pygmy village'''
:In the northwestern corner of Minia lies the settlement of [[Miba]], the pygmy village. The pygmy people of Miba love the taste of kobolds from the Libra dungeon, and they maintain a collection of kobold slaves. [[Asheara]], the pygmy seamstress, utilizes hellcat pelts in her weavings, so she is in constant need of fresh corpses to harvest. Miba may be found northwards from the Ember Tower.
:A group of pygmies led by the nefarious [[Beku]], the pygmy chieftain, maintain a collection of [[kobolds|kobold]] slaves, putting them at perpetual odds with the dog-faced creatures of the nearby dungeons.


*'''The Libra dungeon'''
*'''The Libra dungeon'''
Line 250: Line 282:


==Lodi==
==Lodi==
The valley of Lodi is located within the [[Putoran Hills]], west off of the [[Raphaelan Highway]]. The valley is home to a village of gnomes and a colony of sentient wildcats, a mining excavation, and others various beings. Like Minia, there are various quests one can complete, such as the bounty Constable [[Beck]] has placed on the wildcat menace, and the bat problem in the mines.
The valley of Lodi lies within the [[Putoran Hills]], west off of the [[Raphaelan Highway]]. You can earn gold and experience by helping various denizens, such as killing wildcats for Constable [[Beck]] or exterminating [[bats]] from the mines.


===Points of Interest===
*'''The village of Gorshire'''
*'''The village of Gorshire'''
:[[Gorshire]], a village of [[gnomes]], is situated in the southern portion of the [[Putoran Hills]], though generally still considered part of the land of Lodi. It is home to a small community of gnomes, enemies of the evolved wildcats in the fields to the north.
:[[Gorshire]] is a quaint village situated in the southern portion of the [[Putoran Hills]] within Lodi. It is home to a community of [[gnomes]], the sworn enemies of the evolved wildcats who prey on livestock to the north.


*'''The lair of the wildcats'''
*'''The lair of the wildcats'''
:Once upon a time, the inhabitants of this cave were simply wildcats. Due to evolution over the years, however, the wildcats have become sentient and sly, lead by their leader, [[Scylina]]. The Wildcat Queen and her kin are in a constant state of hostility with the rest of the valley Lodi, and Scylina herself will pay for the bodies of the gnomes. You may find wildcat lair in the northwestern part of Lodi.
:Deep within the northwestern area of Lodi, [[Scylina]] rules over her fellow [[wildcats]]. The Wildcat Queen and her kin hold such deep hatred for the gnomes that she will pay for their corpses.


*'''The Lodi mines'''
*'''The Lodi mines'''
:Run by the miner foreman, [[Dorven]], this mine is noticeably undermanned. Two absent-minded miners, [[Sleff]] and [[Kortine]], work within the bat-infested caverns, seeking help with their problems. Dorven will pay kindly for bat corpses for proof of a dwindling infestation. You can find the mines in central Lodi, northeast off the main intersection.
:The miner foreman, [[Dorven]], oversees this undermanned mine and is always looking for adventures to help pick up the slack, whether it is eliminating pests from the mines or running shipments to his partner in [[Delos]].


==Mount Gheladan==
==Mount Gheladan==
The most recently discovered of the newbie lands, Mount Gheladan is nestled in the central [[Vashnar Mountains]], to the west of the Dakhota Hills. Upon its slopes live the [[Nilari]] and [[Murinae]], two warring tribes of humanoids who have place bounties on the other's heads. Beneath its surface also lurk the warring [[hornets]] and [[bees]].
The most recently discovered of the newbie lands, Mount Gheladan is nestled in the central [[Vashnar Mountains]], west of the Dakhota Hills. Hostilities between the Nilari and the Murinae on the mountainside or between the bees and hornets living in caverns inside the cliffs both offer plenty of opportunity to collect a bit of gold or experience.


===Points of Interest===
*'''The Nilari village'''
*'''The Nilari village'''
:
:The peaceful, ratlike Nilari could enjoy their thriving village if not for the constant threat of the nefarious Murinae living nearby. [[Ealeo]], the village hunter will reward adventurers who agree to help rid him of the problem. This village is one of two in the newbie areas that offers a chance for [[shops|shopping]].


*'''The Murinae caves'''
*'''The Murinae caves'''
:
:Located in the northwestern corner of the mountain, [[Raktai]], the Murinae Chieftain pays a handsome reward for prey, especially if it is a member of the Nilari.
 
*'''The beehive'''
:[[Bixise]], the Queen Bee is indifferent to most of the activity within her hive atop Mount Gheladan except two-she loves gemstones and hates hornets. Her personal guard, [[Intieme]], is always in need of adventurers to help battle the nearby [[hornets]].


*'''The beehive and hornets' nest'''
*'''The hornets' nest'''
:
:[[Iesta]], Queen of the Hornets, is a regal female with a healthy appreciation of shiny gems. She relies adventurers to assist her guardian, [[Niluint]], with keeping the nest safe from their sworn enemies, the [[honeybees]] who live nearby.


=Gaining Experience=
=Gaining Experience=
Your experience determines your experience level, which in turn determines your health, mana, and other characteristics of your character. With each level you gain, you earn five more lessons to spend, and at certain milestones, you gain bound credits that may be traded in for many different things (including more lessons). (See [[Level]] and [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=LEVELS HELP LEVELS]) One of the easiest ways to gain experience is to hunt denizens (also called "bashing"). Successfully slaying a denizen will earn you experience relative to that denizen's strength and level. Another way to earn experience is to complete various [[quests]].
[[Level|Levels]] are a measure of experience. The more experience you gain, the higher your level. You can see your current level at any time on your SCORE, or by using SHOW LEVEL. Some of the benefits of gaining a level include:
 
==Hunting==
'''Hunting''', or '''bashing''', refers to the slaying of denizens. Every denizen has an experience value, depending on its level and strength, and you can estimate this level by using CONSIDER (i.e. ''CONSIDER IMP''). A full list of denizen strengths may be found in [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=CONSIDER HELP CONSIDER].


There is a very useful guide to hunting in Achaea located on the Achaean Forums, at [http://forums.achaea.com/index.php?showtopic=14196 this topic], which lists locations from newbiehood to level 60+. As a newbie, however, you will likely want to stay within Minia, Lodi, and Mount Gheladan.
:Complimentary [[lessons]] - Every time you gain a level, you receive 5 lessons. If you die and fall below that level, then you lose 5 lessons. If you go below 0 lessons then, you won't be able to use or spend lessons on learning (or other things, such as adding another personal landmark to your list) until your lessons come above 0 again.


==Questing==
:Bound [[credits]] - When you obtain certain levels for the first time, you also gain bound credits. The breakdown is:
There is a multitude of quests throughout the lands of Achaea. As a newbie, you may want to whet your teeth on the newbie quests in the newbie lands, many of which are listed in [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=NEWBIE_QUESTS HELP NEWBIE QUESTS]. Within this scroll, you will find tips and pointers on many (but not all!) of the available quests in the areas. There some quests not detailed that you will need to discover on your own: try greeting denizens around you, and examining the world around you more closely. Outside the newbie lands, quests may not be discussed by mandate of Divine law, and they become increasingly difficult to complete. Sometimes greeting the denizens is not enough; you may need to ask them about specific things or people you have noticed.
:*Level 7 - 5 bound credits
:*Level 10 - 6 bound credits
:*Level 15 - 7 bound credits
:*Level 20 - 8 bound credits
:And so forth, continuing on up every 5 levels to level 95 for 23 bound credits, then jumping by two at level 100 for 25 bound credits.


In addition to these localized quests, honours quests may stretch across large areas of the land. Honours quests are often extremely difficult to solve and are far beyond the scope of this guide. When you complete an honours quest, an appropriate line is added to your HONOURS page (thus the name ''honours quests'') so others may view your impressive deeds.
:New [[Shout|Shouting]] Voice - Your shouting voice becomes stronger as you gain new levels.


=Making gold=
:[[Achaean_Lingo#L|Logosian]] - At Level 80, you no longer need to [[:Category:Restaurants|eat]] or [[sleep]].
Gold sovereigns are the global currency of Achaea. With gold, you can buy most anything essential to life, such as food, clothing, weapons, and other trinkets. Making gold is never as easy as spending it is, however. Some easy methods of making gold are [[ratting]], catching [[butterflies]], [[fishing]], and completing [[quests]] (as explained in detail above).


*'''Ratting''' ''(see also: [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=RATTING HELP RATS])''
:Dragon - Upon reaching level 99, you will gain the ability to change into a [[:Category:Adventurer_races|Dragon]], granting you new powers and extra health.
:The cities of Achaea (excepting Eleusis) are infested with rats. Should you slay these rats you can sell their corpses to any of the [[ratmen]]. As a reward for keeping the city clean you will be rewarded with some gold for each rat you return.


*'''Butterfly catching''' ''(see also: [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=BUTTERFLIES HELP BUTTERFLIES])''
==Hunting==
:Perhaps the most well-known method of making gold is that of butterfly catching. Simply obtain a net from [[Vellis]] in [[Minia]], and start hunting for butterflies. Instead of killing them, however, you must WIELD your NET, and attempt to CATCH the BUTTERFLY. Two locations where butterflies are well known to reside are Minia and the [[Savannah]]. Once you are finished, bring your net back to Vellis and GIVE it to him. He will reward you with gold for each butterfly you have caught. Some butterflies are harder to catch than others, and are worth more gold.
'''Hunting''', or '''bashing''', refers to the slaying of [[:Category:Denizens|denizens]] and [[:Category:Creatures|creatures]]. Every denizen has an experience value, depending on its level and strength. You can estimate this level by using PROBE or CONSIDER (i.e. ''PROBE WILDCAT'' or ''CONSIDER IMP''). A full list of denizen strengths may be found in [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=CONSIDER HELP CONSIDER].


*'''Fishing''' ''(see also: [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=FISHING HELP FISHING])''
As a newbie, you will likely want to stay within Minia, Lodi, and Mount Gheladan. Once you reach Level 21 you can try areas like the [[Actar Valley]], [[Great Rock]], and [[rats]] of all types in the cities (except [[Eleusis]] which has no rats).
:Fishing, while potentially lucrative, requires practice and a great deal of patience. Your skill at fishing depends greatly on your experience in the [[Survival]] skill: the more Survival you know, the more successful you may be at the various fishing actions. It may not seem appealing at first, but as you progress it will become more interesting as you learn to fish properly and efficiently.


=Shopping=
==Questing==
Once you have some gold, you can start spending it! There are a few ways to buy things with your gold. First, you can seek out a [[shop]] and spend your gold there. Shops may be found all across the land, though they are mainly concentrated in the major [[city|cities]] and some villages. They may be owned by denizen (such as the ubiquitous [[Rurin]]), adventurer, or even organization. You can tell if you are in a store by LOOKing: if there is a line stating to use the WARES command, odds are that you are in a shop. Use the aforementioned WARES command to see what is on sale, and for how much. If you want to look more closely at an object, you can PROBE the item listed, though you should use the item's full name (plus number) to avoid conflicting with something you may be holding (or even another item in the shop). To purchase an item, make sure your gold is in your hands, then BUY <item>.
'''Questing''' in Achaea almost always involves some type of denizen. Quests can be as simple as locating an item and delivering it to the proper denizen, or so complex that it takes many real-time days or weeks to puzzle out. You can find quests in just about every area in Achaea.


[[Denizens]] may hawk their private wares, too! In such cases, they may not be located in a dedicated shop; they carry their wares with them. In such a case, you will need to ASK <denizen> WARES to view their wares, if any. To look more closely at a ware, you can simply ASK <denizen> <item> and they will show off that particular item. Finally, once you've chosen something to purchase you can BUY <item> FROM <denizen>.
The quests in Minia, Lodi, and Mount Gheladan are relatively easy to complete. This is to help get you acclimated to the realm while teaching valuable lessons on how things work.


Finally, you can trade directly with a willing adventurer. Such trade is reliant on the simple GIVE [#} <item> TO <adventurer> (where the number is optional), and is based on trust between both parties for the goods to be properly transferred. You can make arrangements for such trade in person, in private, or over the dedicated MARKET channel (see [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=MARKET HELP MARKET]), and of course you can be either the buyer or the seller in such a scenario.
In many cases, starting a quest is as simple as using GREET <denizen> or saying something about quests, like "Do you have any quests for me?" Sometimes you may need to ask denizens about specific things or people you have noticed. This often results in the denizen offering you a quest. When you answer in the affirmative (either spoken or with an emote), the quest will be added to your quest log. [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/questlog HELP QUEST LOG] tells more about this handy feature.


=Customising Your Character=
Some Achaean quests are far more difficult and complex than others. They may involve many steps, travel across great distances, careful timing, very dangerous situations, and so forth. These are sometimes referred to as [[honours]] quests, because those who successfully complete them will receive lasting recognition in the form of an honours line.
As you progress exploring the lands you might want to add more detail to your character. Detail helps you to [[roleplay]] with more consistency and shows others what you are like. Here we try to describe a few of the many ways you can detail your character.


==Your Description==
=Making Gold=
One of the first things you will want to do normally is to describe your character. Your description is what someone who looks at you sees. You can use DESCRIBE ME <[[description]]> to edit your personal description. It will always start with "<name> is a <sex> <race> and is ...". The easiest way is to try a simple example and look at yourself, so try DESCRIBE ME tall. and have a look. Of course a good description is usually somewhat longer than that. Description guidelines are detailed in HELP DESCRIPTION.
Gold sovereigns are the global currency of Achaea and is almost universally accepted as payment for food, clothing, weapons, and other goods and services. The three easiest ways to make gold, regardless of age or experience level, are [[ratting]], catching [[butterflies]], [[fishing]], although [[hunting]] and [[quests|questing]] (as explained in detail above) can generate coin as well.


==Clothing Yourself==
*'''Ratting''' ''(see also: [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=RATTING HELP RATS])''
After you have described yourself and are still only wearing the simple clothes you were given during the introductory tour you might want to find something more interesting to wear. Around the lands there are many shops with different clothing items and there are also tailors that can design custom clothing and jewellery. Shopping for clothing seems to be something that some male and female characters enjoy very much. Your clothing will be listed at the end of your description.
:The cities of Achaea (excepting Eleusis) are infested with rats. Use RATS to toggle your vision to see the movement of these vermin, then kill them and sell their corpses to any of the [[ratmen]] who will reward you with gold. There are five different types of rats, each one worth a predetermined value based on its strength.
::NOTE - Rat corpses in your inventory will fall to the ground when you die or leave the realm, making them fair game for anyone to pick up and sell to a rat buyer.


==Your Warcry/Motto==
*'''Butterfly catching''' ''(see also: [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=BUTTERFLIES HELP BUTTERFLIES])''
Your warcry and motto are simply phrases that you may customize, and then use in a similar way as emotes. If you have a warcry/motto set, you can use WARCRY/MOTTO to say that particular phrase.
:Butterflies are most commonly found in Minia, the [[Savannah]], and the [[Pash Valley]], although they could potentially flit into any location. Once you obtain a net from [[Vellis]] at the ivy-covered archway to Minia or [[Aine]], the Sheriff in [[Eleusis]], WIELD NET and then attempt to CATCH BUTTERFLY. When you are finished return to the archway and GIVE NET TO VELLIS (or AINE), who will review its contents and reward you with gold. Each of the six different species of butterflies able to be caught in a net is worth a different value.
::NOTE - Once you give your net to Vellis or Aine, they won't give you a new one for at least one Achaean [[days|day]], which is about an hour in real time. While there is no limit to the number of butterflies a net holds, leaving the realm, dying, and releasing the butterflies allows them to escape the net. An empty net is worthless to a butterfly collector.


* SET WARCRY <message> - sets your warcry to that message
*'''Fishing''' ''(see also: [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=FISHING HELP FISHING])''
* SET WARCRY CLEAR - clears your warcry completely
:Fishing, while potentially lucrative, requires a great deal of practice and even more patience. Your level of success is directly proportional to your [[skill ranks|rank]] in the [[Survival]] skill; the more survival you know, the better your chances of catching bigger and more valuable fish. Fishing requires you to have a fishing pole, bait, and a source of water that contains fish, like a river or lake. When you tire of fishing or run out of bait, take your catches to a bait shop and SELL BAIT TO <bait shop denizen>.
::NOTE - Like most everything else in Achaea, fish will decay over time so it's better to sell them as soon as possible when you finish fishing rather than waiting to do it later.


* SET MOTTO <message> - sets your motto to that message
==Shopping==
* SET MOTTO CLEAR - clears your motto completely
Shopping is a popular way to spend gold. You'll find a few different ways to shop for goods and services in Achaea.


Note that your warcry/motto will be displayed in your honours. You may have only a motto, or only a warcry. Also, warcries and mottoes are to be kept strictly in-character.
:'''Shops''' exist far and wide, from your home city to faraway islands. A [[shop]] may be owned by an adventurer or a denizen, like [[Rurin]]. If you LOOK and see a line suggesting you use WARES to see what is for sale, odds are that you are in a shop. You can PROBE <thing from the WARES> to see it more closely. With your gold in your [[inventory]], BUY <item> to purchase it.


==Your Background==
:'''Denizens''' sometimes hawk private wares. You can see what they have to sell using ASK <denizen> WARES. With your gold in your inventory, BUY <item> FROM <denizen>.
Backgrounds are a chance for players to write their history before the age of 18 and continue it with chapters as new things happen.


Here are some important things you need to know about backgrounds, in case you ever plan to use them.
:The '''Market channel''' is where adventurers buy and sell goods and services. If an adventurer offers something for sale that you wish to buy, then use TELL <adventurer> to negotiate the purchase. [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/market HELP MARKET] tells more about using this channel.  


COMPOSE BACKGROUND takes you into the Achaean editor, where you can write your background down. Please be VERY careful, as you can never alter this once it is saved. We strongly recommend writing it offline, running it through a spell-checker, proofreading it, proofreading it again, then submitting it when you are completely satisfied.
NOTE: You'll notice that items for sale have a name with a number, for example PACK1234. Use the full name with number, i.e. BUY PACK1234, to make sure you're buying the right thing.


COMPOSE HISTORY takes you into the editor to compose a new chapter of your background. Like backgrounds, they can never be altered once saved.
=Customising Your Character=
As you begin your adventures, you may wish to add a extra details to how others see your character when they LOOK at you. You can add these details using a variety of ways.


COMPOSE HISTORY TITLE <CHAPTER #> <DESIRED TITLE> (perhaps this would read, COMPOSE HISTORY TITLE 7 Chopping the Redwood Tree) assigns a title to a chapter number.
;Personal Description
:This is a '''description''' of your physical features. Use DESCRIBE SELF <description> to give yourself a description and DESCRIBE SELF OFF to use a generic one. Your race, gender, clothing, and anything you wield are automatically shown when someone looks at you. Otherwise it will be placed like this: (S)he is a <your race>. <Everything else.> More tips and guidelines are detailed in [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=DESCRIPTION HELP DESCRIPTION].
:For example, when you LOOK JULIET you will see: She is a mhun and is simultaneously ageless and youthful. Her face is marked with a careworn expression, and radiates warmth and welcome. Her eyes twinkle with the slightest hint of mirth, and a jovial smile comes easily to her lips.
;Clothing
:Your initial '''clothing''' is a bit utilitarian but you can outfit yourself in any number of fashions. You'll find clothing [[shops]] in every city, and perhaps some [[:Category:Villages|Villages]] as well. (For more information on shops for the informed newbie, please see our section on spending your gold above.)
:Some adventurers take up [[tailoring]] or [[jewellery]] by profession. Use CRAFTERWHO T to find tailors and CRAFTERWHO J to find jewellers who can, in addition to their personal designs, make anything from a public list of designs found via the NEWDESIGN LIST T (or J) command. [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/clothing HELP CLOTHING] gives more information about clothing, including how much you can wear and how it could protect you from the [[weather]].
;Motto and Warcry
:A '''motto''' is a personal saying while a '''warcry''' is something you scream just before or in the heat of battle. You can use either a motto or a warcry, but you cannot have both set at the same time. Adventurers see your motto or warcry when they HONOURS <you> or when you use the appropriate command. SET MOTTO/WARCRY <your motto or warcry> to set a new one, or SET MOTTO/WARCRY CLEAR to clear it altogether. For more information on mottos and warcries, please see [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=MOTTO HELP MOTTO] and [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=WARCRY HELP WARCRY].
::Motto Example: If Aeyr types ''SET MOTTO Magic is fun! BE THE MAGIC'' then when he types MOTTO people will see ''Aeyr is filled with proud joy as he declaims, "Magic is fun! BE THE MAGIC!"''
::Warcry Example: If Aeyr types: ''SET WARCRY For the Power of Magic!'' then when he types WARCRY people will see ''Aeyr's eyes fill with battle rage as he screams out, "For the Power of Magic!"''
;Background
:Every character in Achaea has the capability to write a publicly viewable '''background'''. This information should be written in character, as once you write your background it cannot be altered. For example, you could use your background to explain what your life was like as a child or what led you to becoming trapped in a pygmy dungeon. You do not have to write your background right away, so you have plenty of time to think about it. It is a good idea to have someone read over your background to make sure it is free of errors. You can do this by writing it on a [[letters|letter]] or [[journals|journal page]] first. For more information on the background system, including syntax and use, please see [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/background HELP BACKGROUND].


VIEW BACKGROUND <CHARACTER> (perhaps this would read VIEW BACKGROUND SARAPIS) shows you the background of the person you choose, assuming they have allowed you to read it. You can also simply VIEW BACKGROUND, without supplying a name, to read your own.
=Your Class and Skills=
Your [[class]] is a kind of profession that gives you three unique [[skills]]. These skills differentiate your class from the others. Upon starting out, using the SKILLS (or AB) command shows two types of skills: Class Skills and General Skills.


VIEW HISTORY SUMMARY <CHARACTER> shows you the chapter summary of the person in question. Omit the character to view your own.
After you reach Level 10, you will also have access to [[:Category:Miniskills|miniskills]], which are just what the name implies - skills with fewer abilities that take less lessons to transcend. You can read [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/skills HELP SKILLS] to learn more about skills, including ones that are not available until after you complete your newbie adventures.


VIEW HISTORY <CHAPTER> <CHARACTER> (perhaps this would read, VIEW HISTORY 7 SARAPIS) will show you a specific chapter in detail. Omit the character to view your own.
Each skill has a range of [[abilities]] you gain access to by spending [[lessons]] at a [[tutors|tutor]], which is either a denizen or an adventurer who knows more than you do in your target skill. Once you find someone to help, LEARN <#> <skill> FROM <teacher>. Eating [[myrrh]] or [[bisemutum]] help speed the learning process, and increase the maximum number of lessons you can spend at a time from 15 to 20.


SET HISTORY PUBLIC/ALLIES/PRIVATE to control who can view your character background.
SHOW LESSONS LEFT IN <skill> shows how many lessons you need to reach Transcendent, which is the highest of the [[skill ranks]]. As stated above, every time you gain a level, you receive 5 lessons. You might choose to convert [[credits|bound credits]] as another way to get lessons. [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/lessons HELP LESSONS] explains other ways.


=Class and Skills Learning=
;Changing Class
==Myrrh==
If you decide to change [[class]], visit [[Certimene]], the Class and House Administrator in [[Delos]]. You can use [[landmarks]] to reach him directly. Once there, READ SIGN to learn how he can help.
Myrrh was once used to give an additional bonus to the lessons that you learn, and was normally required by Guilds and Houses to be used when learning to reduce the number of lessons needed to reach vital skills.


Now it has been proven that myrrh no longer increases your lessons' effectiveness, although it will reduce the amount of time necessary to complete a learning session.
==Traits==
Traits allow you to further customise your character by selecting a wide range of perks and advantages. You can further immerse yourself into daily Achaean life by choosing traits to enhance your roleplay by doubling up on your [[:Category:Fashion|fashion]] accessories, give you an edge in [[:Category:Combat|Combat]], or help you save money with discounts in [[Rurin|Rurin's]] shops.
*Level 20 - Unlocks your first Major Trait slot.
*Level 30 - Unlocks your second Minor Trait slot.
Additionally, you will find special traits tide to your race. These are granted automatically and do not take up a trait slot.


==Weapon Proficiencies==
==Weapon Proficiencies==
Weapon proficiencies allow you to become a master of a weapon, increasing your potential accuracy and damage when using that particular weapon. Some classes are given a free proficiency if you take them. These classes are:
[[:Category:Weapons|Weapon]] proficiencies allow you to specialise in certain classes of weapons, like longswords or flails, even if your class does not permit you to use them at the cost of 100 lessons. If your class requires a weapon, then you will automatically have the proficiency required to use it upon becoming a member of that class.
 
If you choose to learn a new proficiency, then find the appropriate [[:Category:Proficiency Teachers|proficiency teacher]] and LEARN PROFICIENCY IN <weapon name> FROM <teacher> to begin your training. Then practice with the weapon until you reach mastery.
* Bards      - rapiers
* Druids      - quarterstaves
* Infernals  - longswords
* Jesters    - blackjacks
* Paladins    - longswords
* Priests    - maces
* Runewardens - broadswords
* Sentinels  - handaxes plus either spears or tridents
* Serpents    - whips
* Sylvans    - quarterstaves
 
For everyone else, you must spend 100 lessons on gaining the proficiency and then practise with the weapon until you've mastered it. Simply LEARN PROFICIENCY IN <weapon name> FROM <teacher> when you have 100 lessons available. To aid adventurers in gaining these proficiencies, there are several [[:Category:Proficiency Teachers|proficiency teachers]] in the lands.
 
* Straight, edged swords - Swordmaster [[Colbey]], of Delos
* Rapier and scimitar    - King [[Tu'eras]], of the Tsol'aa
* Polearms              - Captain [[Korlosh]], of Delos
* Maces, flails, etc    - Lieutenant [[Serentesh]], of Delos
* Battleaxes, handaxes  - [[Shale Ironrock]], of Delos
* Spear, javelin        - [[Etarni]] the Hunter, of Tomacula
* Warhammer              - [[Geld]], of Hashan
* Dagger, dirk          - A shady-looking man in Hashan
* Quarterstaff          - [[Seasone]]
* Lance                  - Lady [[Lhadia]], of Matsuhama's temple
* Trident, Whip          - [[Clynalia]], of Delos
 
==Gaining a Class via Certimene==
Certimene, who can be found in Delos, acts as Administrator for all Classes. In order for Certimene to induct you into any class, you must be at least level 5. All you need to do to gain a class through Certimene is ASK CERTIMENE JOIN <classname>. This is the only way you may become a member of any class.
 
==Learning Skills==
 
A skill is a group of abilities. Examples would be [[Survival]] and [[Subterfuge]] (a [[serpent]] [[class]] skill).
 
To train in a skill, you need to either learn from another player who has more training in the skill than you, or from a [[denizen]] tutor.
 
You can learn anywhere for 1 to 15 lessons at a time in this manner, and the more you learn, the more the skill will progress, giving you access to new abilities. Learning one lesson at a time can be very tedious, and it is suggested that you stick with groups of 15.
 
The syntax to train a skill is LEARN # <skill> FROM <tutor>.
 
It is suggested that you use [[myrrh]] when you learn, as it will speed up the process to some extent.
 
When you learn from other players, they will gain a small lesson bonus. While this bonus isn't much, training others regularly over time can help a tutor rise in skill rank.
 
As you train a skill, one way to judge the process is by the skill rank you are currently at. The skill ranks are as follow:
 
#Inept
#Novice
#Apprentice
#Capable
#Adept
#Skilled
#Gifted
#Expert
#Virtuoso
#Fabled
#Mythical
#Transcendent
 
As you advance in levels, you will gain bonus [[credits]] that can be converted to lessons. The process can be seen in [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=credits&x=Help HELP 19.4 (HELP CREDITS)]
 
==Public Teachers==
 
There are numerous [[denizens]] that can help you advance in your skills via training.
 
The first tutors you will most likely come across are [[city]] tutors. City tutors will teach any [[newbie]] that wishes to train from them, but will only teach citizens of their city once the person is above newbie status.
 
City tutors are limited in how much they can teach you. Their knowledge only extends to Skilled in any skill.
 
The different city tutors are as follows:
 
*[[Ashtan]]: [[Epicurus]]
*[[Cyrene]]: [[Indalecio]]
*[[Eleusis]]: [[Aine]]
*[[Hashan]]: [[Damaris]]
*[[Mhaldor]]: [[Maric]]
*[[Shallam]]: [[Averroes]]
 
If you are confused as to where they are, many can be reached from the [[Ring of Portals]]. Otherwise, citizens of any given city will know where their city tutor is. It can't hurt to ask!
 
Once you have advanced to Skilled in any skill, you will be limited, for the most part, to [[:Category:Houses|House]] or [[Divine_Order|order]] tutors. Usually, you must belong to a specific organisation to use their tutor.
 
There are two major exceptions to this rule: [[Tyrandiel]] in the library of [[Thera]] and [[Onorol]] in [[Shastaan]]. They can teach anyone any skill up to Transcendent.


=Houses=
=Houses=
==What are Houses?==
[[:Category:Houses|Houses]] are adventurer-run organisations dedicated to a common purpose. They serve as cornerstones of conflict, discovery, and camaraderie for the realm of Achaea. They can be of immense help by explaining skills, helping complete tasks, and more, especially after you pass Level 30 and no longer have access to the Newbie channel.
 
[[:Category:Houses|Houses]] are a collective of like-minded individuals who work towards the same goals, as well as aiding each other in said goals. They can provide useful support to newbies in the form of explaining skills and what to learn, giving directions to different areas to hunt, and providing goals to work towards. They also often provide training in antitheft. They are also a great way to meet friends and learn more about [[Achaea]].
 
These are only a few of the things houses can provide, but they are the most useful for newbies.


==Joining a House==
==Joining a House==
After you complete the Cultists' Conspiracy and the necessary tasks, you'll find a new category of requirements. These city tasks will introduce you to various denizens in your city while learning more about it. Joining a house has many benefits including:
*interacting within a community of like-minded adventurers with a wealth of knowledge and resources
*using any [[:Category:House expansions|house expansions]], such as a [[Master Crystal]] or a private [[forge]]
*sharing in the political clout of your house, such as voting in elections or referendums
*holding or aiding a leadership position listed in HOUSE STRUCTURE


When considering what house to join, you should take the time to decide what your character's interests are and what you want him or her to work towards as a goal. There are many houses, so it can take a bit of time to research them all, but it can pay off in the end.
After you complete the city tasks, then you will need to find the denizen in your city who can induct you into a house. HOUSE LIST <city> show the houses stationed in your city while HOUSE LIST <class> shows all the houses that accept a certain class. Here's a quick example using the two houses based in Delos:


To view a list of houses, check HOUSE LIST.
{|
! scope="col" | Short Name
! scope="col" | In Which City
! scope="col" | Long Name
|-
|Merchants
|(no city)
|[[The Grand Merchant Collective]]
|-
|Cij
|(no city)
|The [[Carnivalis Institute of Jestering]]
|}


Each house will be listed similar to the following:
Once you join a house, you can speak on your new House's newcomer channel by using HNT <message> (the HNT stands for House Newcomer Tell). See who from your house is in the realm right now using HOUSEWHO (or HWHO for short).


Short Name      A  In Which City  Long Name                        Patron
If you wish to join one of the two houses in [[Delos]], which are not affiliated with a city, then you must speak with [[Certimene]] in [[Delos]] and ASK CERTIMENE JOIN <short name>.
--------------  -  -------------  --------------------------------- ------------
Sentaari        Y  Shallam        The Sentaari                      Mithraea


;Changing Houses
You can change your house at any time. If you decide to change houses, then it pays to learn more by talking to someone from that house. Use HELP HOUSE <short name> to view their information. There should be a section entitled ''[CURRENTLY IN THE REALM]''. Any names listed there, next to "Able to induct:" can induct you if you speak to them privately. It is worth noting that joining a house in a different city will require you to be a citizen of that city.


The Short Name is used for commands involving the house. The A signifies whether or not they allow auto-induction via [[Certimene]]. In Which City describes which city the house is based in. (Some houses require you be a part of the city they are in.) The Long Name is the official name of the house. The patron is the [[God|Divine]] that has lent His or Her support to the house.
=Cities=
 
Adventurers choose their '''[[cities]]''' when creating a character for the first time. Cities, also called city-states, are large settlements with some degree of control over their surrounding lands. There are six city-states you may join: [[Ashtan]], [[Targossas]], [[Hashan]], [[Cyrene]], [[Mhaldor]], and [[Eleusis]]. Every city has its own socio-political structure, including various ministers (which are the same primary positions across Cities) and aides.
To view the information on a particular house, check HELP HOUSE <house short name>.
 
If you have already chosen your class, you may notice that some houses do not accept certain classes. There is a quick way to check what houses accept your class. Use HOUSE LIST <class name> to do so.
 
Assuming the house allows auto-induction, from here you can simply go to Certimene and ASK CERTIMENE JOIN <house short name>. You are now part of a house! Make sure to say hi on HNT.
 
If the house does not allow auto-induction, you will need to contact someone from the house that can induct you.
 
If you check HELP HOUSE <house short name> you will notice this
 


  [CURRENTLY IN THE REALM]
==Changing Cities==
Newcomer aides:
Sometimes after escaping the pygmy dungeon an adventurer learns the city they chose when creating their character is not what they expected. Before joining a new city consider that cities are free to restrict their citizens in many ways.
Able to induct:


Citizens may also be required to perform city services, serve other citizens in various manners, or join only certain Houses, listed in HOUSE LIST <city>. Be absolutely certain that you discuss these things with leaders of your intended city listed in that city's [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/city help scroll] before you make a commitment to citizenship.


 
Once you have QUIT <city> to leave your old city and are ready to join a new one, read HELP <city> to find the denizen that can make you a citizen or the adventurers currently in the realm who are able to induct new citizens.
You may contact anyone listed under able to induct and ask to be inducted. They will help you from there.
 
=Cities=
==What are Cities?==
 
[[City|Cities]] are organized groups of players that are given a chunk of land, plus a political and economical system. Each '''city''' has its own cultures, laws and policies, and residents that are unique.
 
==Joining a City==


=Healing=
=Healing=
==Healing Health==
Regardless of your class or hobbies, every adventurer should know the basics of physical well-being and [[Combat:Overview#Curing|healing]]. There are several ways to see your basic statistics.
There are two methods of healing your health that everyone, regardless of class, has available to them. There are abilities that allow you to heal yourself, but that is something you should try to learn on your own.
*SCORE shows your stats at any time.
*QUICKSCORE or QSC shows a more condensed version of your score.
*[http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/prompt CONFIG PROMPT] displays these settings every time you enter a command.
*The Nexus Client displays gauges above the command box. If you don't see them, right-click anywhere on the page and choose Gauges, making sure the green check mark appears to the left of the word.
*CURING ON turns on Achaea's server-side [[curing]] system. [[:Category:Combat|Combat]] in Achaea can add an unprecedented level of immersion, which can make it difficult for newcomers to get started. The curing system allows adventures who are Level 10 and higher to take part in combat. The scroll [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/curingsystem HELP CURING SYSTEM] explains more.


Firstly, you can SLEEP off your wounds. This will restore your endurance, exhaustion level, and damage all at the same time. It may take a few minutes, so be patient! You can WAKE up at any time, though it may take you a while to break free of your dreams.
==Health==
There are three common ways to lose [[health]]: hunting denizens and creatures, [[:Category:Combat|combat]] with other adventures, and misadventure, a kind of adventure gone wrong. Misadventure includes things like drowning while [[:Category:Survival|swimming]] or succumbing to injuries from catching on fire during a walk through a burning forest. Failing to restore your health will lead to certain, albeit temporary, [[death]].


Secondly, you can buy health elixirs in most every city. Vials filled by a non-Transcendent concoctionist, or Seasone, will last for 50 sips. Vials filled by Transcendent concoctionists will last for 60 sips. When you have a health elixir, you need only to DRINK HEALTH to be restored a good deal of your health. There is a short time before you may take another drink, and sipping from a vial when off of this balance will result in a wasted sip.
Two popular ways to restore your health include sipping an [[elixir of health]] and [[Sleep|sleeping]], the latter of which also rebuilds [[endurance]].


==Healing Mana==
==Mana==
There are two methods of regaining your mana reserves that are available to everyone, regardless of class.
Certain class skills use more [[mana]] than others. The easiest ways to regain mental strength is to sip an [[elixir of mana]] and [[meditate]], the latter also being a way to regain [[willpower]].


Firstly, you can MEDITATE to regain willpower and mana. This may take a few minutes, and doing anything in the middle of meditation will break your concentration.
==Afflictions==
Sometimes your adventures might lead you to become afflicted with something, like [[blindness]] or [[stupidity]]. Helpful commands offering information about these afflictions include:
*AFFLICTION LIST - See a list of known afflictions
*AFFLICTION SHOW <affliction> - See information about a current affliction
*WHATCURES <affliction> - See what cures a specific affliction, for example:
::WHATCURES STUPIDITY shows: The affliction 'stupidity' is cured by: [[Goldenseal|Eat Goldenseal]] / Eat [[Plumbum|Plumbum]] and [[focusing|Focus Mind]].


Secondly, you can buy mana elixirs in most every city. Vials filled by a non-Transcendent concoctionist, or Seasone, will last for 50 sips. Vials filled by Transcendent concoctionists will last for 60 sips. When you have a mana elixir, you need only to DRINK MANA to be restored a good deal of your mana reserves. There is a short time before you may take another drink, and sipping from a vial when off of this balance will result in a wasted sip.
==Refilling Vials==
When you sip the last of your curative elixir then it's time to refill that [[vials|vial]]. The easiest way to get a refill is from [[Seasone|Seasone, the Industrious]] just outside of [[North of New Thera]]. Her services are some of the most costly in the land, so it is highly suggested that you find another way, such as an adventurer who can refill your vial or a shop with a [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/refill-tuns tun] where you can REFILL <vial|fluid|empty> WITH <tun|fluid>.


==Healing Endurance==
==Death and Resurrection==
There are several abilities that players can learn that will aid in the regeneration of endurance, but the only method available to all players is SLEEPing. To leave your slumber before your endurance and exhaustion level have been fully restored, simply WAKE up.
In the event of your '''[[death]]''', you will find you can still walk around as a soul. This movement may be stopped by [[sigils|eye sigils]] lying upon the ground and the steps you take will not count in increasing your rank in the [[Fellowship of Explorers]].


==Healing Willpower==
There are a few ways in which adventurers can be resurrected from death. They are:
There are many ways to regain your willpower, but only one method is available to everyone, regardless of their class. You can MEDITATE to begin regaining mana and willpower. Doing anything before your meditation is complete will stop the process.
*EMBRACE DEATH to take a brisk walk through the [[Thoth|Halls of Thoth]].
*Use the [[starburst]] [[:Category:Tattoos|tattoo]] which instantly restores your life at half the experience loss but leaves you without [[defences]].
*Immolation, which takes place when another adventurer immolates your corpse in the [[Flame of Yggdrasil]].
*Abilities related to classes such as [[druid]] and [[paladin]] allow adventurers to resurrect their fallen peers.
It should be noted that almost every method of resurrection incurs some amount of experience loss.


==Afflictions==
==Plants==
==Smoking/Pipes==
==Elixirs and Salves==
=Combat Basics=
=Player-Killing Rules=
=Geography & Movement=
=Geography & Movement=
==Newbie Portals==
During your [[Newbie_Guide#Escape_from_Miba|escape from the pygmy dungeon]] you learn the basics of moving from place to place. The world is so much bigger, however, than what you are exposed to during your first couple of adventures.
The Gods have given all players under level 21 special access to the [[Ring of Portals]], where you may enter some of the more important landmarks around Sapience. Before you reach level 11, you will have unlimited uses of the portals. When you reach level 11, you only have 20 more uses of the portals, and at level 21 you may no longer access them at all.


===The Ring of Portals===
==Basic Geography==
* Northeast: Certimene, the Class and House Administrator
The main continent of Achaea is called [[Sapience]], which is home to six major [[:Category:City-states|cities]], bountiful [[forests]], pristine [[:Category:lakes|lakes]], and roads and [[highways]] that cross back and forth across the map linking everything together.  With so much to explore, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Fortunately newbies have the PORTALS command, a kind of [[:Category:Gods|godly]] rescue which delivers you to the [[Ring of Portals]].
* East: Vinci's Tattoo Emporium
* Southeast: The Land of Minia (and Vellis, butterfly man)
* Southwest: The Isle of Delos
* West: Seasone, the Seller of Potions and Elixirs
* Northwest: The Valley of Lodi
* Down: Tyrandiel, the wise


===The Northern Portal Room===
==The MAP Command==
* North: Central Market of Ashtan
The MAP command shows your current location and some neighbouring rooms with hints of how they connect and what might lie in adjacent directions. MAP RADIUS 5 shows the largest portion of the map at any one time. Most of the symbols on the map are self-explanatory, such as "$" for the location of a Bank or "S" to designate Shop. [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/map HELP MAPS] offers a full explanation of the key.
* East: The Garden of Epicurus in Ashtan
* Southeast: Hall of Learning in the Academy of Hashan
* Southwest: Liirup of Hashan
* West: The Bazaar of Hashan
* Northwest: The Ratman of Ashtan


===The Southern Portal Room===
==The Ring of Portals==
* East: The House of Averroes in Shallam
The Ring of Portals is a special location on a remote location called [[Loom Island]], which cannot be accessed by any normal means of [[:Category:Travel|travel]]. All newbies - those adventurers under [[level]] 21 - may access to the Ring with some stipulations.
* South: Indalecio, the Academician of Cyrene
*PORTALS use is unlimited until reaching Level 11.
* Southeast: The base of the Eleusian Gatehouse
*Starting at Level 11, you are allowed 20 more uses of the command.
* Southwest: Jorj, the city caretaker in Cyrene
::NOTE: Going past Level 11 and dropping back below it does not restore unlimited portals.
* West: The Artisan Plaza in Cyrene
*Starting at Level 21, you lose access to the command, even if you did not use up your previous allotment.
* Northwest: Crazy Hakhim in Shallam
::NOTE: Going past Level 21 and dropping back below it does not restore use of portals.
* Northeast: Zanzibaar Street in Shallam
* In: Maric, the Ratman of Mhaldor


==Basic Geography==
Within the Ring of Portals are five separate rooms, each with exits to many of the most useful locations in the realms.
==Landmarks and the WALK TO command==


There are a number of landmarks over sapience that are known to all by the age of 18, and so if you are within 50 rooms of the landmark and not in a subdivision or the wilderness you can move towards it by the use of a simple command.
{| class="houseleaders"
|-
|
|'''The Northern Portal Room''' <br/> Northeast : General Cazin (Targossas) <br/> East : Epicurus (Ashtan) <br/> Southeast : Damaris, the Learned (Hashan) <br/> Southwest : Liirup the Placid (Hashan) <br/> West : Crazy Hakhim (Targossas) <br/> Northwest : The Ratman (Ashtan) <br/>
|-
|'''The Western Portal Room''' <br/> North : Certimene, the Class and House Administrator <br/> South : Seasone, the Seller of Potions and Elixirs <br/> Southwest : Tyrandiel, the Wise <br/> Northwest : Vinci's Tattoo Emporium <br/>
|'''The Ring of Portals''' <br/> North : Portals to Ashtan, Hashan, and Targossas. <br/> South : Portals to Cyrene, Eleusis, and Mhaldor. <br/> East : Portals to newbie adventuring areas. <br/> West : Portals to other useful services.
|'''The Eastern Portal Room''' <br/> North : the Valley of Lodi <br/> Northeast : the Land of Minia <br/> Southeast : Mount Gheladan
|-
|
|'''The Southern Portal Room'''Northeast : Maric, the ratman (Mhaldor) <br/> East : Aine, the Sheriff (Eleusis) <br/> Southeast : Elias, the Gatekeeper (Eleusis) <br/> Southwest : Jorj, the city caretaker (Cyrene) <br/> West : Indalecio, the Academician (Cyrene) <br/> Northwest : Gack, the slaver (Mhaldor)
|}


WALK TO <landmark>
==Landmarks==
- This will move you one room closer to the landmark providing that you are able to walk normally. It takes roughly one second of balance, and so it is impractical to use in combat, although if you are lost it is a great help.
Another way of getting around is using the [[landmarks]] system to WALK TO any landmark in the list that's within 100 steps of your current location. It is also possible to WALK TO <someone> in your city or house. You can use the [[:Category:Survival|distance ability]] DISTANCE TO <landmark> command to see the distance to landmarks and adventurers, but not denizens. You'll find other useful details in [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/landmarks HELP LANDMARKS].


DISTANCE TO <landmark>
==Class Abilities Allowing Travel==
- This will tell you how far away the landmark is from your current location or if it is further than 50 steps away.
In addition to these methods of travel, there are plenty of miscellaneous tools and abilities to help you get around the realm. For example, members of the [[Magi]] class can learn the ability to create sonic portals between locations, and [[Serpent]] class members can splice [[wormholes]] to travel between two otherwise non-adjacent locations.


Current landmarks
==Artefacts for Travelling==
------------------
[[Artefact|Artefacts]] such as the [[Eagle's wings]] and [[Atavian wings]] allow adventurers to travel high above the clouds to a location similar to the Ring of Portals, while the [[wand of portals]] creates portals between its wielder and another adventurer.
*Ashtan        Entering the Main Gate of Ashtan
*Cyrene        The Cyrene Gates
*Eleusis      Base of the Eleusian Gatehouse
*Hashan        Porta Aquila
*Mhaldor      The gates of Mhaldor
*Shallam      Outside the great gates
*Actar        Narrow entrance to a hidden valley
*Azdun        In the courtyard of a ruined castle
*CaerWitrin    Dejourdie Street at the town entrance
*Delos        On the Delosian Bridge
*El'Jazira    Inside the falconer's tent (a hatchery)
*Enverren      A boggy place
*Gheladan      Hills near the southern old road
*GreatRock    Cavern within the Great Rock
*Jaru          The Jaru Crossroads
*Lodi          Narrow entrance to the Valley of Lodi
*Manara        Beneath the Granite hills
*Minia        Ivy-covered archway to Minia
*NoT          North of New Thera
*Petra        Village intersection
*Shastaan      At the Shastaan well
*Tasur'ke      The Tasur road nearing the gates


Note: Explorer ranking IS affected by using the landmarks command exactly as though you were walking normally.
=History and Mythology=
You'll find much of the history of Achaea, from [[Creation]] to the [[Modern Age]], explained on the scroll titled [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/history HELP HISTORY]. A shorter period of history, from Creation to the aftermath of the [[War of Humanity]], exists within the [http://www.achaea.com/info/mythos Histories and Mythos] page.


==Special and Magical Movement==
All adventurers have access to the Public and Announce sections of the [[news]], as well as the worldwide Events board. You may discover lesser known histories, however, within the boards reserved for the Houses, Cities, and other organizations. [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/news HELP NEWS] explains precisely how to take advantage of these newsboards.


=Death=
=Advanced Communication=
==Praying for Salvation==
The methods for [[Newbie_Guide#Communication|commication]] extend beyond the ones previously discussed in this guide. This section both explains a few of them in more detail and lists other methods not mentioned before.
 
If you find yourself no longer among the long of the living, you may PRAY FOR SALVATION. Upon doing so, you will be instantly transported to the halls of Maya, where she will determine if you are to be granted another chance at life or not.


==Other Methods of Resurrection==
==The News==
The '''[[news|news system]]''' is a valuable way for adventurers to communicate with each other. It allows you to write a news post others can read on their own time. Newbies don't need to worry about the news too much at first, but you should certainly learn how to at least read the
news.


Should you find that you do not wish to pray to the Great Mother for salvation, you still have a few options available to you. If someone has your corpse and happens to like you, they may take it to and immolate it in the [[Flame of Yggdrasil]]. Also, if a devotion user comes across your corpse, they may use their devotion to invoke the power of goodness and resurrect you that way. Finally, if you find that your corpse has been lost, or worse, [[decapitate]]d, you may still be brought back to life if you find your way to a grove and have a friendly forestal resurrect you via the powers of the forest.
*Check your News Status using the '''NSTAT'''command.
*From there you can '''READNEWS <section> <post #>''' to read a specific post in a designated news board. The '''READNEXT''' command (or RN) will cycle through all posts going forward from your "last read" markers.
*If you type '''NSTAT CATCHUP''', it will automatically set your "last read" marker for ALL the sections to the very last post in each section. Use NSTAT CATCHUP <section> to set your "last read" marker for one section of the news.
*Writing to the news, however, requires that you go to a news room (You can WALK TO NEWS in any city, and Delos.) Once there you can choose a section, address your post to a specific person, organisation, or everyone, and write out the news you wish to share.
*Reading [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/news HELP NEWS] offers more details and other commands for using the news.


==Experience Loss==
==The Post Office==
Each city has a '''[[post office]]''', often located near the city [[bank]], which is accessible via [[landmarks]]. There is also a general post office located in [[Delos]]. You can use LETTERLIST or LLIST to see [[letters]] in your [[inventory]] and then READ LETTER#####.


When you die, it is inevitable that you will lose a part of your soul, and thus, some of your gained experience. How much you lose is dictated by how you are brought back to life. Levels of experience loss, in descending order, are as follows:
The steps for mailing a letter are:
*Go to the post office and have 100 gold (the price of a generic blank letter) in your inventory.
*REQUEST LETTER to request a blank letter.
*REQUEST < SMALL or LARGE > PARCEL to request a parcel for sending items to others. A small parcel costs 200 gold and holds 10 items, while a large parcel costs 400 gold and holds 20 items. If you do not specify a size, then you will purchase a small parcel by default.
*WRITE LETTER to write out what you want your letter to say.
*MAIL LETTER/PARCEL TO <someone> to have it delivered via the postal system.


*Being immolated in the Flame of Yggdrasil.
Letters decay ten months after their purchase. If the recipient does not enter the realms before that time is up, then the letter will be returned to you, along with any items you may have shipped along with it (provided they did not decay during that time period).
*Praying for salvation.
*Being resurrected by devotion or grove.


=Basic History and Mythology=
The postal system only works to mail letters to other adventurers or the [[Divine]]. A messenger on the [[Delosian Bridge]] stands at the ready, waiting to deliver letters from adventurers to other [[denizens]].


Much of the history of Achaea, from [[Creation]] to the [[Modern Age]], may be found [http://achaea.com/history.php here]. A shorter span of time, from Creation to the aftermath of the [[War of Humanity]], is recounted in the in-game help scroll HELP MYTHOS.
==The Achaean Forums==
You may find further opportunities to connect with the community of players and administrators at the [http://forums.achaea.com/ Achaea Forums]. Note that the Forums are not in-character, and your character has no knowledge of information you learn there if they have no prior in-character knowledge of it. The administration is very clear about the [http://www.achaea.com/forum-rules forum rules] and frown on adventurers who disrespect them.


=Credits=
==Language Rules==
Regardless of where or how you communicate, the rules for using language in Achaea are simple. Do not inflict overly obscene language on people who you do not ''know'' are willing to hear it, and do not use discriminatory language (racist, homophobic, sexist, etc) AT ALL, in any circumstance. [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/language-rules HELP LANGUAGE RULES] explains more.


=Issues and Customer Service=
=Credits and Crowns=
This section explains about two types of currency more valuable than gold, called [[credits]] and [[Mayan crowns]]. A word of caution: if you obtain credits and Mayan crowns through in-game means (i.e. bought from or traded with another adventurer), then you cannot trade them to your alternate characters as it would constitute [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/mayan-crowns seconds abuse].


=Advanced Communication=
==Credits==
Sometimes, you may find the need to convey something to Sapience in general or to someone who is currently not in the realms.  
Credits are a valuable form of [[:Category:Currency|currency]] used to buy [[:Category:Artefacts|artefacts]], trade with other adventures on the open credit market, or bind to yourself for some other purpose. Adventurers get credits in a wide variety of methods including from other players, work as a [[mentors|mentor]], organisational credit sales, and as prizes in events or [[Fellowship of Scarlatti|art and bardic contests]]. Some adventurers supplement their in-game credits with [http://www.achaea.com/Credits credit purchases] made with real-life currency.


==Shouts==
Unlike credits, which can be used as currency between adventurers, bound credits are just as their name applies - bound to your character and for your use only. Once you have bound credits, you can never transfer, buy, sell, or get a refund for them. Adventurers receive bound credits when they achieve certain levels of experience, trading in artefacts they no longer wish to own, organisational credit sales, or prizes in contests.
Shouts are the cheapest form of mass communication available. To shout, one must first find a Ram's Horn. They're located all over Sapience, usually in places of high altitude such as the Vashnars. Placing exactly 100 gold in the Horn (PUT 100 gold IN HORN) allows you to SHOUT <message> across Sapience for everyone who is not deaf to hear.  


Shouting is generally anonymous unless the shouter identifies themselves, or is a Dragon, or the listener has the ability of Recognition in [[Vision]]. Depending on your level or the level of others, the shouting voice will be different, you may use STAT to see what your own voice will be like.
Many new adventurers used bound credits as a way to get lessons via the CREDITS CONVERT # TO LESSONS. Every adventurer will also receive a bonus of 2.5 lessons per credit on the first 1000 credits converted to bound credits, giving them a potential 2500 lessons. Other methods of obtaining bound credits, i.e. trading in artefacts, do not yield any bonus at all.


It is also noted that your shout is only of a finite length and attempting too lengthy a shout may cause you to momentarily pass out.
More resources about credits includes:
:[http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/credits HELP CREDITS]
:[http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/creditmarket HELP CREDIT MARKET]
:[http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/artefacts HELP ARTEFACTS]


==Messages==
==Mayan Crowns==
Messages are favoured by many adventurers as a free long distance form of one to one communication. Certain places in Sapience are considered 'off plane' or just too far away for people to communicate via tells, hence the use of messages. Achaea's administration or system also sends messages on occasion for a variety of reasons, including items decaying, or bestowing and loss of Divine Favours while you are not in game.  
Adventurers receive Mayan crowns in a myriad of ways which include monthly promotions, trading with other adventures, and [[ship trades]]. Crowns are used to purchase items from the [[Shop of Wonders]]. A shop filled with artefacts commonly found among the upper echelon of Achaean society, all items purchased in the shop are both resetting and non-decay (unless otherwise stated) and may be purchased as gifts for other adventures.


When you receive a message, you will be alerted either with the in game alert:
More resources about credits includes:
:[http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/mayan-crowns HELP MAYAN CROWNS]
:[http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/shopofwonders HELP SHOP OF WONDERS]


'You just received message # from Playername.' if you are in game at the time receiving or '*** You have new messages ***' if you received the messages while not in the game.
=Customer Service=
There are many ways to contact '''Customer Support''' in Achaea depending on what you need at the time. The most frequently used are listed below.


In order to read the message you may use RM or READMSG to read the first unread message, or MSG READ # to read a specific message.  
==Issues==
One way to obtain customer support in Achaea is to file an issue. Issues are, first and foremost, [http://www.achaea.com/irex/helpview/help.php?q=INSANE insane], so avoid discussing them on public [[channels]].


Should you wish to send someone a message simply MSG <person> <your message>.
Think of an issue as a please for help from an administrator who serves as a magistrate, or a judge. Instead of discussing your issue or replying to an issue against you with the other party, give all information to the administrator. Keep in mind that issues are for serious situations.


There is a whole slew of things you can do with the MSG function. Simply entering MSG without a target will reveal all the possible actions to be done with this syntax.
;Examples of Bad Issues
*A wall of ice blocked my path when I tried to WALK TO MINIA.
*Bob killed me.


==Postal System & Letters==
Issues are often addressed in the order received. If you do not hear back about your issue right away, it is likely that the administration is dealing with other issues that were filed before yours.
One way for adventurers to communicate with each other is through Achaea's postal system. Letters may be sent to anyone, no matter where they stand on the continent. To begin correspondence, find a postal office and, with 100 gold in your hands, REQUEST LETTER. You may then WRITE LETTER to enter Achaea's editor, or PUT <item> IN <letter> to deliver a fun gift! When you are finished, MAIL LETTER TO <person>.


Letters will decay in ten months, so if your recipient does not log in to the game during that time period, the letter will never be delivered. As a result, you may not wish to send heaps of gold or expensive armour through the mail unless you know for sure that your recipient will be around to receive it.
Before you file an issue, '''''be sure it's really an issue'''''. Read [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/issues HELP ISSUES] to be sure, so you don't end up wasting the admins' time. If there is a way to resolve the reason for the issue via in character, then that typically works best for all involved.


==Newsboards==
Sometimes, you may need to contact customer support for some reason, though, such as clarification on what ''exactly'' this [[artefact]] does - "Is it chewing [[tabac]] or smoking tabac that the tabac pouch generates?" - or arranging a special wedding with the aid of an administrator. <!-- actual example given by HELP 1.9 --> Such requests should be handled via the '''''ISSUE ME <message>''''' command - yes, that's a literal ''ME''.
There are several ways to communicate with other characters in game, including tells and other organisation channels. In addition, these organisations have newsboards that members may post to and read from.


Every House has a newsboard for both its novices and its full members. Each city has its own newsboard. If you are a member of a clan, you can probably access that clan's newsboard. There are also public news boards, an area for the administration to make announcements, and a poetry section.
Other times, you might be the victim of another person's griefing, which comes in many forms. In such cases, '''''you should thoroughly read [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/icresolution HELP IC RESOLUTION] before filing an issue'''''.


To view what newsboards you have access to, use NSTAT. This will also display the total number of articles on that board, and the highest post number that you have read.
After all this, if you are sure you want to file an issue against this person, then you can use ISSUE <adventurer> <message>. The other adventurer will be notified of this and will be able to respond, aiding the administrators in making a ruling.


To read an article, simply use READNEWS <section> <post number>. To view a group of posts on a newsboard, use NSUMMARY <section> <starting post number>. For instance, NSUMMARY PUBLIC 8000 will display posts 8000-8019, and then you may READNEWS PUBLIC 8014 to view that particular post.
Please see [http://http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/customerservice HELP CUSTOMER SERVICE] for additional important information regarding issues.


Writing news posts requires a bit more work. You must find one of Sapience's many newsrooms, and when inside one, use NEWS. From there, you must type SECTION <section> to enter the board that you wish to post to, and then WRITE. You'll be prompted as to what to do, and then you will enter Achaea's editor. For more help within the editor, use *HELP.
==Bugs, Ideas, and Typos==
There may be times when you want to report an error or typo, or give an idea for something in the game. There is a command for each one of these things, giving you a direct line to the appropriate administrator, as listed here:
;BUG <description of the bug>
:Describe your bug in as much detail as possible listing ''when (in GMT)'', ''where (the room location)'', and ''how'' it happened. What did you do just before it happened? The more detail you give, the better the chance of it being repaired.
:Stick to the facts, and avoid describing your feelings.
:If possible, submit the bug in the room where it took place.
:If you've found a way to generate a wealth of gold or experience with very little effort, then it's probably too good to be true and should be reported with the BUG command.
;TYPO <description of the typo>
:A typo can be anything from a misspelled word to a misused word or phrase.
:Report the typo ''where (the room location)'' you saw it, if possible.
:If the typo is regarding the item or a denizen, please give the THING##### if you can, to help make it faster for the administration to find and correct it.
:Achaea is a textual realm, which means the administration really does care about fixing what might seem like a minor problem.
;IDEA <your idea here>
:Use as many details as possible.
:The administrators frequently implement player-submitted ideas. They'd love to hear yours!
:If your idea is for a specific location or denizen, then try to stand at that place when submitting your idea.


==Forums==
Finally, only report one bug, typo, or idea per use of the commands. [http://www.achaea.com/game/helpview/achaea/bugs HELP BUGS] gives more information to help you report bugs, typos, and ideas via the in-realm commands and stay up-to-date on their status.
The official [http://forums.achaea.com/index.php Achaean Forums] are a place for the players of this game to chat and discuss the world of Achaea. The forums are completely OOC (Out of Character) and so taking sensitive information from the forums and bringing it into the game is frowned upon, and may get you in trouble with the administration.


There are also rules that must be followed when posting on the forums: [http://forums.achaea.com/index.php?act=boardrules Achaea's Forum Rules]
[[Category:Newbies]]
[[Category:Newbies]]

Latest revision as of 22:43, 20 August 2022

Welcome to the Achaean Newbie Guide. Upon this page you will discover a comprehensive introduction to Achaea and its basics. While not every topic is explored in excruciating detail, we will frequently point you to other sources of information if you wish to learn more beyond the basics we explain here. If you are new to the lands and/or MUDs in general, read on!

What is a MUD?

The acronym MUD (or MUCK, MUSH, MMOG, etc) is most often expanded to the phrase "Multi-User Dungeon". In a MUD, a player interacts with other players alongside non-player characters - NPCs as they are called elsewhere, though we prefer the term denizen. That's nothing new on its own, but in a MUD, there are no graphics. Everything is represented by text (often coloured). But how can you play a computer game without graphics?

One oft-cited example is the comparison between reading a book versus watching a movie. Sure, there are no pretty pictures, but you might just find that the world woven with words is more vivid, more complex, and more immersive, and more compelling than any fancy CGI. It is much the same with MUDs. We don't need to worry about graphics or high-tech hardware, so we can focus on quality gameplay and a vast, immersive world.

First Impressions

Once you create a character and logged onto Achaea, you will find yourself in a world unlike any other. Achaea takes place in a fantasy environment that combines elements of classical Greece and Rome, medieval Europe, India, and ancient Persia with the elements of a wide variety of player imaginations.

It is important to note that as this world is primarily medieval/mythological, you won't find any modern technologies such as computers or television. You will, however, find a host of magical and supernatural tools and abilities to utilise, often in the form of the skills associated with your class or unique objects called artefacts.

Not all players seek to achieve the same things. Two popular ways of gaining experience are through hunting and questing. With enough experience, you can ascend to the level of Greater Dragon, where you gain the ability to assume the form of a powerful dragon.

Some quests of the lands - many which contain intricate plots and detailed storylines - will earn honourable and permanent recognition for your efforts. You may also choose to climb the political ladder and become a feared dictator or benevolent ruler of a city-state or House.

There are any number of other paths you might take - master bard, Champion or Assassin, trend-setting tradesman - and it is up to you to follow that path. Though the actions of others may influence your character, only your decisions will set your true path.

Connecting to Achaea

There are many clients that connect to Achaea. They include browser-based, downloadable, and mobile app versions. The best options to play Achaea include:

The Nexus Client
The official client of Achaea, Nexus runs in a web browser (like Google Chrome) and will work on all internet-ready devices operating systems, including Windows, Macs, and Linux. Mobile users, however, may find it operates with limited functionality. Please read HELP NEXUS for more information.
The Mudlet Client
This is a third-party downloadable client for PCs. You can find this client on the MUDLET HOME PAGE. Once you download it, have it connect to achaea.com and either port 23 or 2003. Both ports work.
The Mobile Client
This client works for Android devices. You can DOWNLOAD ANDROID or read HELP ANDROID to get started.
VIP Mud
If you're visually-impaired and use a screenreader, then this free MUD client is fully-accessible including scripting capabilities. You can visit the VIP Mud website for more information.
Other Clients
You can visit the Achaea website to learn about other third-party clients which could either be free or require purchase.

Character Creation via the Nexus Client

Character creation in Achaea is easy. Your first step is to click the PLAY NOW button on the Achaea home page. While you can login with an existing character, the steps for creating a new character are:

Selecting a Race

There are a dozen races from which to choose starting out. Clicking on any name on the intro screen gives a brief overview and lists any racial bonuses.

The races available to newbies starting out include Atavian, Dwarf, Grook, Horkval, Human, Mhun, Rajamala, Satyr, Siren, Troll, Tsol'aa, and Xoran.

Selecting a Class

A class distinguishes you from others, offering a set of three skills which allow you to take on any number of identities, including a brave knight, a magical elementalist, or a cunning thief.

The 21 classes are available to adventurers are Alchemist, Apostate, Bard, Blademaster, Depthswalker, Druid, Infernal, Jester, Magi, Monk, Occultist, Paladin, Pariah, Priest, Psion, Runewarden, Sentinel, Serpent, Shaman, Sylvan, and Unnameable.

Selecting a City

Click on the city name for a one-sentence summary. NOTE: Your choices may be limited based on the class you picked in the previous step. Forest-based classes may only reside with other nature preservationists in Eleusis, and devotion-users can only join other zealous beacons of righteousness in Targossas

Registration

It is highly recommended that you Register your character. This is in addition to the email address you gave when creating your character for the first time.

Registration helps you keep your account safe, manage multiple characters on the same account, or reset your password. While registered characters may still be purged, they are not purged nearly as quickly as otherwise.

Registration will ask for your:

  • real name
  • e-mail address
  • date of birth
  • country of residence

In addition to that, we ask you how you heard about Achaea. This tells us where to keep advertising so we can get more awesome players like you.

Character Information

This section is where you choose information specific to your character including:

Name
A good name feels fantasy, but isn't from a book or movie. If your name is overly silly, offensive, or sensitive for some other reason, then after your adventures begin you might receive a notice directing you to read HELP NAMES, which offers more information and instructions for changing your name.
Gender
You may choose to be male or female. The exceptions to this are that all satyrs are male and all sirens are female. The gender you choose now stays with you for the life of your character. It cannot be changed.
Password
Never share your password with anyone. Your password should be difficult for others to guess but something you will remember. You can read HELP PASSWORD for more information.
Email Address
Registering your character helps give Achaea an idea of the demographics of the player base, and gives players ways to keep their account safe. HELP REGISTRATION explains more about these benefits.

After you complete these sections, click Finish and your first adventure will automatically begin.

Achaea Policies

Before diving in and starting your first adventure, it's worth taking a moment to read the help file (or scroll, as they are often called) HELP POLICY SUMMARY. This is a short summary of our Achaean Policies. You can find a full list in the scroll titled HELP 15.

Adventurers who break the rules may be subject to loss of rolepoints or some other form of divine punishment up to and including permanent shrubbing. Ignorance of these rules is no excuse for breaking them.

The references are provided by the administrators for your own benefit. The vast majority of Achaean adventurers have no difficulty abiding by these policies.

Initial Quests

Escape from Miba

After choosing a name and race, you will begin your first adventure called Escape from Miba, an introductory tour of Achaea's basic mechanics. You find yourself in a dark, dank cell which you share with an old man. He explains you've been captured by pygmies and offers you a way to escape. You can use the SPEEDUP command up to nine times to increase the pace of your adventure.

At this point you may notice some words are in all caps or underlined. For example:

  • You can either click the answer, or type SAY YES / SAY NO to select one of the choices.

Words in caps are often an indication that this may be a command you can type. Romeo and Juliet often employ the same technique.

Before you know it, you will have learned how to check your inventory, unlock doors, and fight denizens, like the pygmy guard. Tips will help you learn about selecting a target and using newbie-friendly attacks known as brawling, an ability in the Survival skill which works for anyone regardless of class or race.

This initial adventure is short but packed with opportunities to use basic commands to help get you used to navigating the realm. Escaping the pygmies teaches you how to:

  • look at your surroundings and see items there,
  • find directions to exit a room,
  • drink health elixir from a vial to recover health,
  • follow another person to form a hunting group,
  • put things in your pack,
  • receive and activate a boar tattoo,
  • give things to another person,
  • spend lessons to increase your skills,
  • see your current skills and abilities,
  • and learn the basic fighting skills for your class.

As you can see, you will have a lot of things to learn, but you can progress through the adventure as quickly or as slowly as is comfortable for you.

The Cultists' Conspiracy

After you escape the dungeon, you will find yourself at "Lakeside highway", just outside the newbie land of Minia. The next thing you'll want to do is look at your tasks, which assist you in discovering the world around you. These tasks will lead you to confront Beku, a meeting which does not end well. You'll have better luck once you reach Level 10.

Hunting and questing in the newbie areas are the best way to gain levels of experience. While you can do the tasks and follow The Cultists' Conspiracy quest line at your own pace, it is best to get your tasks and quests done sooner than later. Once you reach Level 21, ogres will prevent you from entering the newbie lands.

If you get stuck, then you can always use the PORTALS command to return to the Ring of Portals. The scroll titled HELP WHATNOW and the Newbie Quickstart Guide both contain vast number of tips and pointers as well. You might also try and TELL ROMEO <message> or TELL JULIET <message> to speak with them privately, or use NEWBIE <message> to speak on the public Newbie channel.

After you defeat the cultists of Great Rock, one of your helpful companions will congratulate you over the city channel of your city. If you have completed the required tasks up to this point, defeating the cultists will unlock your city tasks.

Battlerage and the Black Warren

When you've completed enough tasks and earned the required amount of experience, you will unlock Task 224, "Battlerage Basics". As soon as you read HELP BATTLERAGE to complete Task 224, you'll receive the following notice:

*** Congratulations, you've just completed the Battlerage Basics task! ***
You feel your experience grow as a result of your accomplishment.
The quest "Finding Rhilas" has been added to your log. QUEST LOG will display your active quests.
NOTE: Depending on what room you're standing in and how many channels of communication you have access to at this point in your adventures, it could be very easy to miss this message. You can use your QUEST LOG at any time in the game to remind yourself of quests you've started. Some remain in the log even after you complete them.

If you are under Level 11, then you still have unlimited PORTALS. Even if you do not have portals remaining, if you are a newbie you can WALK TO RHILAS in the Valley of Lodi. If you GREET RHILAS, then he offers to teach you about battlerage and the "All about Batttlerage" quest is added to your Quest Log.

From here you will be tasked to find and open "The Black Warren". This quest brings to life rumours from the pixies and ratmen which tell of a sprawling rat warren stretching beneath all three newbie areas. Rat buyers are very busy denizens. If you do not get an answer the first time you ask about the Black Warren and how you can bait the rats within it to reveal entrances, then you might need to wait a minute and ask them again.

The entrances to this rat-infested retreat are disguised as holes or burrows within the natural environment. Once inside the warren, you will fight your way to the lair of Pieranotzu, the Ravenous and return to Rhilas with his corpse. Because he is protected by a great mischief of brown rats, it's best to not go alone.

Basic Commands

The following sections explain basic information on the mechanics of Achaea. The commands are your key to accomplishing everything from killing a rat (KILL RAT) in a city to completing a complicated series of quest resulting in a special line being added to your honours.

The SHOW Command

The most basic of all commands is SHOW. Using this command, you can see things about your character that fall into one of three categories:

  • Things available elsewhere in the same form, like your bank accounts, honours, or rift
  • Changed or combined versions of some things available elsewhere, like a list of orgs, gold, or your stats
  • Information you won't find anywhere else, such as the amount of lessons left in a skill

Communication

Communicating with other adventurers is one of the most important aspects of Achaea. As such, you have many options for communicating and forming communities within the lands. Most of the commands are self-explanatory and include:

  • The SAY command allows you to say something to others in your current location. Verbs like SING, WHINE, MUTTER, SNARL, and SCREAM work in place of SAY, allowing you to enhance your words.
  • Use the TELL command to communicate with others who are not in the same room with you. Using the CONFIG NAMETELLS ON command allows you to send tells using someone's name without TELL at the start. The TELLS command shows the last 50 tells you received, regardless of when you received them.
  • The CT command announces what you say to other members of your city. You can also do this using the name of your city as a command, i.e. <city> Hello! would result in (City): You say, "Hello!"
  • You can YELL something to everyone in your immediate area.
  • When you SHOUT, your voice carries across the lands. Shouting for newbies requires travelling to a Giant ram's horn or using the artefact of similar name. Except for some powerful adventurers, only the Divine know who is shouting. Spamming, insulting, and gloating are frowned upon via this method of communication.
  • The NEWBIE channel exists for you to ask questions and request basic assistance during your time as a newbie. Due to its nature, some topics might be considered insane by other adventurers. It is important to note that the newbie channel is not available for idle chatting.
  • Messages are another form of communication between players. Use MSG as a standalone command to see all the available ways to use this feature.

The rules for using language in Achaea are simple. Do not inflict overly obscene language on people who you do not know are willing to hear it, and do not use discriminatory language (racist, homophobic, sexist, etc) AT ALL, in any circumstance. HELP LANGUAGE RULES explains more.

Getting Around

Basic Movement

You have several options for moving around in Achaea. The most basic is to use the exits listed when you type LOOK or QL. The directions are at the end of the room description. You can GLANCE <direction> or GL <direction> to see what lies beyond an exit. The possible exits are N/NORTH, NE/NORTHEAST, E/EAST, SE/SOUTHEAST, S/SOUTH, SW/SOUTHWEST, W/WEST, NW/NORTHWEST, U/UP, D/DOWN, IN, and OUT.

Landmarks

If you are within 100 steps from a one of the places in your list of landmarks then you can WALK TO <landmark> directly. Landmarks are especially useful if you are lost and unsure of where to go next. In addition to the landmarks in the list, you can also WALK TO the following:

Members of Your City
This is anyone on CWHO, which shows who from your city is around right now. QWC is a QuickWho that shows the CWHO is a condensed list, without titles or class affiliation.
Denizens
This will let you try to walk to any denizen that isn't owned by another player.
If there's only one denizen named that in the game, it will try to walk to it if you're in range.
If there are multiple and you specify a number for the denizen, it will try to walk to that specific denizen.
If there are multiple and you just say, for instance, WALK TO CULTIST, the results will tend to not be very useful as which cultist you'll walk to will be unpredictable.
Personal Landmarks
You may add up to 15 personal landmarks using the command LANDMARK ADD <alias>. The alias can be anything you choose. For example, LANDMARK ADD WARREN to add a way to WALK TO the entrance to the Black Warren.

Doors

Sometimes you may encounter doors which may be open, closed, or locked. The commands for doors include:

  • OPEN - To open an unlocked door. OPEN DOOR NORTH (etc).
  • CLOSE - CLOSE DOOR DOWN (etc). Doors may lock upon closing in some cases.
  • LOCK - Have the proper key, then LOCK DOOR <direction>.
  • UNLOCK - Have the proper key, then UNLOCK DOOR <direction>.

For example, to go through a locked door to the north for which you have a key you would UNLOCK DOOR NORTH and OPEN DOOR NORTH before you could go NORTH into the room to the north.

Flying

Flying is possible if you are a member of the atavian race, have some type of flying mount or pet, or have some other special item or ability which gives you that power. FLY takes you into the skies, and LAND puts you back on the ground. If you are flying over a garden or forest environment, then you can LAND TREES to land in the treetops. It is possible to DIVE to the ground, which causes plummet head first to the surface of the ground with a sickening crunch.

Maps

There are two types of maps in Achaea, layout and illustrated. You can use the MAP command in the game at any time to see what lies around you, and MAP RADIUS 5 to expand it to its largest portion. The scroll titled HELP MAPS explains more.

Item Manipulation

There are many commands for interacting with items in Achaea, some of which are required to make an escape from the pygmies in your very first adventure. These commands work for both items you can hold in your inventory or wield in your hands, like a vial or a sword, and permanent fixtures, such as a fountain or a locked chest, which are too heavy to pick up.

The item manipulation commands include:

  • GET - Gets something from the ground or a container.
  • DROP - Drops an item. DROP 50 ASH vs. DROP ASH.
  • GIVE - Give an item to another being, like GIVE 5 CHOCOLATE TO DAVID. For gold, always use the amount: GIVE 1000 GOLD TO JANE.
  • PUT - Put an item in something. PUT GOLD IN PACK or PUT 5 JOURNAL IN PACK.
  • EX, EXAMINE - See what a creature looks like, or how tough it is.
  • P, PROBE - Information about something and what's inside it.
  • BREAK - Destroys certain fragile items.
  • KNOCK - Indicates your presence on one side of a door.
  • LIGHT - Firecrackers, Pipes, and LOTS of other things!
  • SMELL, TASTE - Food, drinks, elixirs, and sometimes other things.
  • READ - Letters, books, signs, posters, plaques, inscriptions, etc.
  • WEAR - Wear an item that you hold.
  • REMOVE - Remove an item that you are wearing.
  • WIELD - Wield an item. WIELD LEFT or WIELD RIGHT for handedness.
  • UNWIELD - Cease wielding an item.
  • POINT - POINT <thing you are holding> AT <who or what>.

Six basic commands which could be useful almost anywhere depending on the object are: PULL, PUSH, RING, SHAKE, TURN, and TOUCH.

Adventurers who wear weapon holders or a backstrap to hold their shield, can use the following commands:

  • SHEATHE- Sheathe a weapon.
  • DRAW - Draw a weapon from its respective holder.
  • DRAW STRONG - Draw a weapon from its respective holder with a flashy slash.
  • DRAW SALUTE - Draw a weapon from its respective holder in a salute.
  • LASH - Lash a shield to a backstrap.

It is possible to THROW a wielded object. HELP THROWING explains more about this method for interacting with items.

Examining Yourself and Others

There are a few commands dedicated to learning more about yourself. These commands include:

  • SCORE/SC - This is the first way to get information about your character. Based on the status of your character, it will show you a plethora of facts. HELP SCORE explains them in greater detail.
  • QSC - This command shows a quick score which only displays information relative to the status of your well-being.
  • HONOURS <person> - This shows information about another adventure or a Divine. HELP HONOURS suggests other ways to use this command.
  • LOOK <person> - LOOK <person> to see their physical description.
  • DEFENCES or DEF - The defences command brings up a list of beneficial things currently affecting you. DEFENCES BRIEF shows a less verbose list.
  • DIAG ME - This ability allows you to diagnose your ailments.

The WHO Lists

There is a plethora of commands which allow you to see who is in the realm with you at any time. The WHO command shows everyone on the same plane and visible to you. Other ways to use the command include, but are not limited to:

  • WHO - Shows everyone on the same plane and visible to you. If you have ANSI on then:
Guides will show in yellow,
Celani names are light blue,
Admins show up as bold white, and
Gods' names show up in green.
  • BW/QW - An abbreviated version of the WHO list
  • QWC - An abbreviated version of the WHO list colour coded by city affiliation.
  • QW <match> - Shows only names that match, for example QW TE would show Tecton and Telendrieth but not Titonus or Trey.
  • QW <city> - Shows members of a city. Using ROGUE will show cityless adventures.
  • WHO HERE - Lists those in your current location
  • NWHO - Shows all the newbies below level 30 in the realm right now
  • CWHO - A who list showing members of your city, or CW f
  • CLASSWHO - Shows members of your class
  • HWHO - A who list showing members of your house
  • RWHO - Shows members of your race
  • CRAFTERWHO - Shows those with cooking, jewellery, tailoring, and heraldry trade skills
  • PWHO - Lists names visible to you of those in your party channel
  • RPWHO - Names of other adventurers looking for roleplay opportunities

These lists only show adventurers who are online and visible. Some adventurers, although present in the realm, may be hidden from the lists for any number of reasons. HELP WHO explains more about the various who lists and commands for using them.

Shortcuts

Sometimes you want to get information or accomplish something in the shortest amount of time. These shortcuts might help.

  • ! - Repeats the last command you sent
  • ' or " - Alternative for SAY
  • COLOURS - See all possible colours for CONFIG COLOUR, when controlling how different things appear to you.
  • RM - Read the next message after the most recent one that you read
  • RN - Reads the next news post after the most recent one that you read
  • X - Shows obvious exits leading from your current location

Newbie Areas

New adventurers have exclusive access to three areas reserved for newbie access only: Minia, Lodi, and Mount Gheladan. After an adventurer reaches Level 21 these lands become off limits, so while in the newbie areas you are never crowded out by more experienced hunters or questing explorers.

One of the easiest way to reach the newbie lands is via PORTALS. Once there, you can READ SIGN to see where the portals lead or use Landmarks and WALK TO <area>. Additionally each of the three areas has its own special dragon that will transport you between the newbie lands.

IN MINIA: Find the dragon Auma (NE from the archway to Minia) and say, "Take me to Lodi please." or "Take me to Gheladan please."
IN LODI: Find the dragon Poraeus at the entrance to Lodi and say, "Take me to Minia please." or "Take me to Gheladan please."
IN GHELADAN: Find the dragon Lasuna at the entrance to Gheladan and say, "Take me to Minia please." or "Take me to Lodi please."

Minia

The land of Minia lies just off the Prelatorian Highway near the Aureliana forest. There are plenty of quests to keep you busy, like curing a sick kobold or returning textbooks to the Pixie Schoolteacher, and things to kill such as hellcats or Beku, the pygmy chieftain.

Vellis, the butterfly collector, resides at the Ivy-covered archway to Minia, where he hands out nets to anyone, regardless of age or level, who wishes to catch butterflies. If you linger too long, then you may incur the wrath of this otherwise kindly old man.

You can READ SIGN at the ivy-covered archway to Minia for directions to the four primary areas within Minia. These areas include:

  • The Pixie Village
Along the northern reaches of Minia, the inhabitants of the Pixie Village are ruled by the Pixie Queen, a diminutive yet imposing woman whose sworn enemy is the Imp Lord.
  • The Ember Tower
At the southeastern edge of Minia, the Ember Tower teems with mischievous imps who do the bidding of the Imp Lord, a gnarled who carries a jewelled spear and whose only goal is to make the Pixie Queen suffer. Ord, the hellcat trainer controls fierce felines who guard the tower.
  • Miba, the pygmy village
A group of pygmies led by the nefarious Beku, the pygmy chieftain, maintain a collection of kobold slaves, putting them at perpetual odds with the dog-faced creatures of the nearby dungeons.
  • The Libra dungeon
The Libra dungeon houses a race of dog-like beings called kobolds, who are fairly bitter about the enslavement (and consumption) of their loved ones by the pygmies. The Libra dungeon may be found beneath the trail southeast from Vellis.

Lodi

The valley of Lodi lies within the Putoran Hills, west off of the Raphaelan Highway. You can earn gold and experience by helping various denizens, such as killing wildcats for Constable Beck or exterminating bats from the mines.

  • The village of Gorshire
Gorshire is a quaint village situated in the southern portion of the Putoran Hills within Lodi. It is home to a community of gnomes, the sworn enemies of the evolved wildcats who prey on livestock to the north.
  • The lair of the wildcats
Deep within the northwestern area of Lodi, Scylina rules over her fellow wildcats. The Wildcat Queen and her kin hold such deep hatred for the gnomes that she will pay for their corpses.
  • The Lodi mines
The miner foreman, Dorven, oversees this undermanned mine and is always looking for adventures to help pick up the slack, whether it is eliminating pests from the mines or running shipments to his partner in Delos.

Mount Gheladan

The most recently discovered of the newbie lands, Mount Gheladan is nestled in the central Vashnar Mountains, west of the Dakhota Hills. Hostilities between the Nilari and the Murinae on the mountainside or between the bees and hornets living in caverns inside the cliffs both offer plenty of opportunity to collect a bit of gold or experience.

  • The Nilari village
The peaceful, ratlike Nilari could enjoy their thriving village if not for the constant threat of the nefarious Murinae living nearby. Ealeo, the village hunter will reward adventurers who agree to help rid him of the problem. This village is one of two in the newbie areas that offers a chance for shopping.
  • The Murinae caves
Located in the northwestern corner of the mountain, Raktai, the Murinae Chieftain pays a handsome reward for prey, especially if it is a member of the Nilari.
  • The beehive
Bixise, the Queen Bee is indifferent to most of the activity within her hive atop Mount Gheladan except two-she loves gemstones and hates hornets. Her personal guard, Intieme, is always in need of adventurers to help battle the nearby hornets.
  • The hornets' nest
Iesta, Queen of the Hornets, is a regal female with a healthy appreciation of shiny gems. She relies adventurers to assist her guardian, Niluint, with keeping the nest safe from their sworn enemies, the honeybees who live nearby.

Gaining Experience

Levels are a measure of experience. The more experience you gain, the higher your level. You can see your current level at any time on your SCORE, or by using SHOW LEVEL. Some of the benefits of gaining a level include:

Complimentary lessons - Every time you gain a level, you receive 5 lessons. If you die and fall below that level, then you lose 5 lessons. If you go below 0 lessons then, you won't be able to use or spend lessons on learning (or other things, such as adding another personal landmark to your list) until your lessons come above 0 again.
Bound credits - When you obtain certain levels for the first time, you also gain bound credits. The breakdown is:
  • Level 7 - 5 bound credits
  • Level 10 - 6 bound credits
  • Level 15 - 7 bound credits
  • Level 20 - 8 bound credits
And so forth, continuing on up every 5 levels to level 95 for 23 bound credits, then jumping by two at level 100 for 25 bound credits.
New Shouting Voice - Your shouting voice becomes stronger as you gain new levels.
Logosian - At Level 80, you no longer need to eat or sleep.
Dragon - Upon reaching level 99, you will gain the ability to change into a Dragon, granting you new powers and extra health.

Hunting

Hunting, or bashing, refers to the slaying of denizens and creatures. Every denizen has an experience value, depending on its level and strength. You can estimate this level by using PROBE or CONSIDER (i.e. PROBE WILDCAT or CONSIDER IMP). A full list of denizen strengths may be found in HELP CONSIDER.

As a newbie, you will likely want to stay within Minia, Lodi, and Mount Gheladan. Once you reach Level 21 you can try areas like the Actar Valley, Great Rock, and rats of all types in the cities (except Eleusis which has no rats).

Questing

Questing in Achaea almost always involves some type of denizen. Quests can be as simple as locating an item and delivering it to the proper denizen, or so complex that it takes many real-time days or weeks to puzzle out. You can find quests in just about every area in Achaea.

The quests in Minia, Lodi, and Mount Gheladan are relatively easy to complete. This is to help get you acclimated to the realm while teaching valuable lessons on how things work.

In many cases, starting a quest is as simple as using GREET <denizen> or saying something about quests, like "Do you have any quests for me?" Sometimes you may need to ask denizens about specific things or people you have noticed. This often results in the denizen offering you a quest. When you answer in the affirmative (either spoken or with an emote), the quest will be added to your quest log. HELP QUEST LOG tells more about this handy feature.

Some Achaean quests are far more difficult and complex than others. They may involve many steps, travel across great distances, careful timing, very dangerous situations, and so forth. These are sometimes referred to as honours quests, because those who successfully complete them will receive lasting recognition in the form of an honours line.

Making Gold

Gold sovereigns are the global currency of Achaea and is almost universally accepted as payment for food, clothing, weapons, and other goods and services. The three easiest ways to make gold, regardless of age or experience level, are ratting, catching butterflies, fishing, although hunting and questing (as explained in detail above) can generate coin as well.

The cities of Achaea (excepting Eleusis) are infested with rats. Use RATS to toggle your vision to see the movement of these vermin, then kill them and sell their corpses to any of the ratmen who will reward you with gold. There are five different types of rats, each one worth a predetermined value based on its strength.
NOTE - Rat corpses in your inventory will fall to the ground when you die or leave the realm, making them fair game for anyone to pick up and sell to a rat buyer.
Butterflies are most commonly found in Minia, the Savannah, and the Pash Valley, although they could potentially flit into any location. Once you obtain a net from Vellis at the ivy-covered archway to Minia or Aine, the Sheriff in Eleusis, WIELD NET and then attempt to CATCH BUTTERFLY. When you are finished return to the archway and GIVE NET TO VELLIS (or AINE), who will review its contents and reward you with gold. Each of the six different species of butterflies able to be caught in a net is worth a different value.
NOTE - Once you give your net to Vellis or Aine, they won't give you a new one for at least one Achaean day, which is about an hour in real time. While there is no limit to the number of butterflies a net holds, leaving the realm, dying, and releasing the butterflies allows them to escape the net. An empty net is worthless to a butterfly collector.
Fishing, while potentially lucrative, requires a great deal of practice and even more patience. Your level of success is directly proportional to your rank in the Survival skill; the more survival you know, the better your chances of catching bigger and more valuable fish. Fishing requires you to have a fishing pole, bait, and a source of water that contains fish, like a river or lake. When you tire of fishing or run out of bait, take your catches to a bait shop and SELL BAIT TO <bait shop denizen>.
NOTE - Like most everything else in Achaea, fish will decay over time so it's better to sell them as soon as possible when you finish fishing rather than waiting to do it later.

Shopping

Shopping is a popular way to spend gold. You'll find a few different ways to shop for goods and services in Achaea.

Shops exist far and wide, from your home city to faraway islands. A shop may be owned by an adventurer or a denizen, like Rurin. If you LOOK and see a line suggesting you use WARES to see what is for sale, odds are that you are in a shop. You can PROBE <thing from the WARES> to see it more closely. With your gold in your inventory, BUY <item> to purchase it.
Denizens sometimes hawk private wares. You can see what they have to sell using ASK <denizen> WARES. With your gold in your inventory, BUY <item> FROM <denizen>.
The Market channel is where adventurers buy and sell goods and services. If an adventurer offers something for sale that you wish to buy, then use TELL <adventurer> to negotiate the purchase. HELP MARKET tells more about using this channel.

NOTE: You'll notice that items for sale have a name with a number, for example PACK1234. Use the full name with number, i.e. BUY PACK1234, to make sure you're buying the right thing.

Customising Your Character

As you begin your adventures, you may wish to add a extra details to how others see your character when they LOOK at you. You can add these details using a variety of ways.

Personal Description
This is a description of your physical features. Use DESCRIBE SELF <description> to give yourself a description and DESCRIBE SELF OFF to use a generic one. Your race, gender, clothing, and anything you wield are automatically shown when someone looks at you. Otherwise it will be placed like this: (S)he is a <your race>. <Everything else.> More tips and guidelines are detailed in HELP DESCRIPTION.
For example, when you LOOK JULIET you will see: She is a mhun and is simultaneously ageless and youthful. Her face is marked with a careworn expression, and radiates warmth and welcome. Her eyes twinkle with the slightest hint of mirth, and a jovial smile comes easily to her lips.
Clothing
Your initial clothing is a bit utilitarian but you can outfit yourself in any number of fashions. You'll find clothing shops in every city, and perhaps some Villages as well. (For more information on shops for the informed newbie, please see our section on spending your gold above.)
Some adventurers take up tailoring or jewellery by profession. Use CRAFTERWHO T to find tailors and CRAFTERWHO J to find jewellers who can, in addition to their personal designs, make anything from a public list of designs found via the NEWDESIGN LIST T (or J) command. HELP CLOTHING gives more information about clothing, including how much you can wear and how it could protect you from the weather.
Motto and Warcry
A motto is a personal saying while a warcry is something you scream just before or in the heat of battle. You can use either a motto or a warcry, but you cannot have both set at the same time. Adventurers see your motto or warcry when they HONOURS <you> or when you use the appropriate command. SET MOTTO/WARCRY <your motto or warcry> to set a new one, or SET MOTTO/WARCRY CLEAR to clear it altogether. For more information on mottos and warcries, please see HELP MOTTO and HELP WARCRY.
Motto Example: If Aeyr types SET MOTTO Magic is fun! BE THE MAGIC then when he types MOTTO people will see Aeyr is filled with proud joy as he declaims, "Magic is fun! BE THE MAGIC!"
Warcry Example: If Aeyr types: SET WARCRY For the Power of Magic! then when he types WARCRY people will see Aeyr's eyes fill with battle rage as he screams out, "For the Power of Magic!"
Background
Every character in Achaea has the capability to write a publicly viewable background. This information should be written in character, as once you write your background it cannot be altered. For example, you could use your background to explain what your life was like as a child or what led you to becoming trapped in a pygmy dungeon. You do not have to write your background right away, so you have plenty of time to think about it. It is a good idea to have someone read over your background to make sure it is free of errors. You can do this by writing it on a letter or journal page first. For more information on the background system, including syntax and use, please see HELP BACKGROUND.

Your Class and Skills

Your class is a kind of profession that gives you three unique skills. These skills differentiate your class from the others. Upon starting out, using the SKILLS (or AB) command shows two types of skills: Class Skills and General Skills.

After you reach Level 10, you will also have access to miniskills, which are just what the name implies - skills with fewer abilities that take less lessons to transcend. You can read HELP SKILLS to learn more about skills, including ones that are not available until after you complete your newbie adventures.

Each skill has a range of abilities you gain access to by spending lessons at a tutor, which is either a denizen or an adventurer who knows more than you do in your target skill. Once you find someone to help, LEARN <#> <skill> FROM <teacher>. Eating myrrh or bisemutum help speed the learning process, and increase the maximum number of lessons you can spend at a time from 15 to 20.

SHOW LESSONS LEFT IN <skill> shows how many lessons you need to reach Transcendent, which is the highest of the skill ranks. As stated above, every time you gain a level, you receive 5 lessons. You might choose to convert bound credits as another way to get lessons. HELP LESSONS explains other ways.

Changing Class

If you decide to change class, visit Certimene, the Class and House Administrator in Delos. You can use landmarks to reach him directly. Once there, READ SIGN to learn how he can help.

Traits

Traits allow you to further customise your character by selecting a wide range of perks and advantages. You can further immerse yourself into daily Achaean life by choosing traits to enhance your roleplay by doubling up on your fashion accessories, give you an edge in Combat, or help you save money with discounts in Rurin's shops.

  • Level 20 - Unlocks your first Major Trait slot.
  • Level 30 - Unlocks your second Minor Trait slot.

Additionally, you will find special traits tide to your race. These are granted automatically and do not take up a trait slot.

Weapon Proficiencies

Weapon proficiencies allow you to specialise in certain classes of weapons, like longswords or flails, even if your class does not permit you to use them at the cost of 100 lessons. If your class requires a weapon, then you will automatically have the proficiency required to use it upon becoming a member of that class. If you choose to learn a new proficiency, then find the appropriate proficiency teacher and LEARN PROFICIENCY IN <weapon name> FROM <teacher> to begin your training. Then practice with the weapon until you reach mastery.

Houses

Houses are adventurer-run organisations dedicated to a common purpose. They serve as cornerstones of conflict, discovery, and camaraderie for the realm of Achaea. They can be of immense help by explaining skills, helping complete tasks, and more, especially after you pass Level 30 and no longer have access to the Newbie channel.

Joining a House

After you complete the Cultists' Conspiracy and the necessary tasks, you'll find a new category of requirements. These city tasks will introduce you to various denizens in your city while learning more about it. Joining a house has many benefits including:

  • interacting within a community of like-minded adventurers with a wealth of knowledge and resources
  • using any house expansions, such as a Master Crystal or a private forge
  • sharing in the political clout of your house, such as voting in elections or referendums
  • holding or aiding a leadership position listed in HOUSE STRUCTURE

After you complete the city tasks, then you will need to find the denizen in your city who can induct you into a house. HOUSE LIST <city> show the houses stationed in your city while HOUSE LIST <class> shows all the houses that accept a certain class. Here's a quick example using the two houses based in Delos:

Short Name In Which City Long Name
Merchants (no city) The Grand Merchant Collective
Cij (no city) The Carnivalis Institute of Jestering

Once you join a house, you can speak on your new House's newcomer channel by using HNT <message> (the HNT stands for House Newcomer Tell). See who from your house is in the realm right now using HOUSEWHO (or HWHO for short).

If you wish to join one of the two houses in Delos, which are not affiliated with a city, then you must speak with Certimene in Delos and ASK CERTIMENE JOIN <short name>.

Changing Houses

You can change your house at any time. If you decide to change houses, then it pays to learn more by talking to someone from that house. Use HELP HOUSE <short name> to view their information. There should be a section entitled [CURRENTLY IN THE REALM]. Any names listed there, next to "Able to induct:" can induct you if you speak to them privately. It is worth noting that joining a house in a different city will require you to be a citizen of that city.

Cities

Adventurers choose their cities when creating a character for the first time. Cities, also called city-states, are large settlements with some degree of control over their surrounding lands. There are six city-states you may join: Ashtan, Targossas, Hashan, Cyrene, Mhaldor, and Eleusis. Every city has its own socio-political structure, including various ministers (which are the same primary positions across Cities) and aides.

Changing Cities

Sometimes after escaping the pygmy dungeon an adventurer learns the city they chose when creating their character is not what they expected. Before joining a new city consider that cities are free to restrict their citizens in many ways.

Citizens may also be required to perform city services, serve other citizens in various manners, or join only certain Houses, listed in HOUSE LIST <city>. Be absolutely certain that you discuss these things with leaders of your intended city listed in that city's help scroll before you make a commitment to citizenship.

Once you have QUIT <city> to leave your old city and are ready to join a new one, read HELP <city> to find the denizen that can make you a citizen or the adventurers currently in the realm who are able to induct new citizens.

Healing

Regardless of your class or hobbies, every adventurer should know the basics of physical well-being and healing. There are several ways to see your basic statistics.

  • SCORE shows your stats at any time.
  • QUICKSCORE or QSC shows a more condensed version of your score.
  • CONFIG PROMPT displays these settings every time you enter a command.
  • The Nexus Client displays gauges above the command box. If you don't see them, right-click anywhere on the page and choose Gauges, making sure the green check mark appears to the left of the word.
  • CURING ON turns on Achaea's server-side curing system. Combat in Achaea can add an unprecedented level of immersion, which can make it difficult for newcomers to get started. The curing system allows adventures who are Level 10 and higher to take part in combat. The scroll HELP CURING SYSTEM explains more.

Health

There are three common ways to lose health: hunting denizens and creatures, combat with other adventures, and misadventure, a kind of adventure gone wrong. Misadventure includes things like drowning while swimming or succumbing to injuries from catching on fire during a walk through a burning forest. Failing to restore your health will lead to certain, albeit temporary, death.

Two popular ways to restore your health include sipping an elixir of health and sleeping, the latter of which also rebuilds endurance.

Mana

Certain class skills use more mana than others. The easiest ways to regain mental strength is to sip an elixir of mana and meditate, the latter also being a way to regain willpower.

Afflictions

Sometimes your adventures might lead you to become afflicted with something, like blindness or stupidity. Helpful commands offering information about these afflictions include:

  • AFFLICTION LIST - See a list of known afflictions
  • AFFLICTION SHOW <affliction> - See information about a current affliction
  • WHATCURES <affliction> - See what cures a specific affliction, for example:
WHATCURES STUPIDITY shows: The affliction 'stupidity' is cured by: Eat Goldenseal / Eat Plumbum and Focus Mind.

Refilling Vials

When you sip the last of your curative elixir then it's time to refill that vial. The easiest way to get a refill is from Seasone, the Industrious just outside of North of New Thera. Her services are some of the most costly in the land, so it is highly suggested that you find another way, such as an adventurer who can refill your vial or a shop with a tun where you can REFILL <vial|fluid|empty> WITH <tun|fluid>.

Death and Resurrection

In the event of your death, you will find you can still walk around as a soul. This movement may be stopped by eye sigils lying upon the ground and the steps you take will not count in increasing your rank in the Fellowship of Explorers.

There are a few ways in which adventurers can be resurrected from death. They are:

  • EMBRACE DEATH to take a brisk walk through the Halls of Thoth.
  • Use the starburst tattoo which instantly restores your life at half the experience loss but leaves you without defences.
  • Immolation, which takes place when another adventurer immolates your corpse in the Flame of Yggdrasil.
  • Abilities related to classes such as druid and paladin allow adventurers to resurrect their fallen peers.

It should be noted that almost every method of resurrection incurs some amount of experience loss.

Geography & Movement

During your escape from the pygmy dungeon you learn the basics of moving from place to place. The world is so much bigger, however, than what you are exposed to during your first couple of adventures.

Basic Geography

The main continent of Achaea is called Sapience, which is home to six major cities, bountiful forests, pristine lakes, and roads and highways that cross back and forth across the map linking everything together. With so much to explore, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Fortunately newbies have the PORTALS command, a kind of godly rescue which delivers you to the Ring of Portals.

The MAP Command

The MAP command shows your current location and some neighbouring rooms with hints of how they connect and what might lie in adjacent directions. MAP RADIUS 5 shows the largest portion of the map at any one time. Most of the symbols on the map are self-explanatory, such as "$" for the location of a Bank or "S" to designate Shop. HELP MAPS offers a full explanation of the key.

The Ring of Portals

The Ring of Portals is a special location on a remote location called Loom Island, which cannot be accessed by any normal means of travel. All newbies - those adventurers under level 21 - may access to the Ring with some stipulations.

  • PORTALS use is unlimited until reaching Level 11.
  • Starting at Level 11, you are allowed 20 more uses of the command.
NOTE: Going past Level 11 and dropping back below it does not restore unlimited portals.
  • Starting at Level 21, you lose access to the command, even if you did not use up your previous allotment.
NOTE: Going past Level 21 and dropping back below it does not restore use of portals.

Within the Ring of Portals are five separate rooms, each with exits to many of the most useful locations in the realms.

The Northern Portal Room
Northeast : General Cazin (Targossas)
East : Epicurus (Ashtan)
Southeast : Damaris, the Learned (Hashan)
Southwest : Liirup the Placid (Hashan)
West : Crazy Hakhim (Targossas)
Northwest : The Ratman (Ashtan)
The Western Portal Room
North : Certimene, the Class and House Administrator
South : Seasone, the Seller of Potions and Elixirs
Southwest : Tyrandiel, the Wise
Northwest : Vinci's Tattoo Emporium
The Ring of Portals
North : Portals to Ashtan, Hashan, and Targossas.
South : Portals to Cyrene, Eleusis, and Mhaldor.
East : Portals to newbie adventuring areas.
West : Portals to other useful services.
The Eastern Portal Room
North : the Valley of Lodi
Northeast : the Land of Minia
Southeast : Mount Gheladan
The Southern Portal RoomNortheast : Maric, the ratman (Mhaldor)
East : Aine, the Sheriff (Eleusis)
Southeast : Elias, the Gatekeeper (Eleusis)
Southwest : Jorj, the city caretaker (Cyrene)
West : Indalecio, the Academician (Cyrene)
Northwest : Gack, the slaver (Mhaldor)

Landmarks

Another way of getting around is using the landmarks system to WALK TO any landmark in the list that's within 100 steps of your current location. It is also possible to WALK TO <someone> in your city or house. You can use the distance ability DISTANCE TO <landmark> command to see the distance to landmarks and adventurers, but not denizens. You'll find other useful details in HELP LANDMARKS.

Class Abilities Allowing Travel

In addition to these methods of travel, there are plenty of miscellaneous tools and abilities to help you get around the realm. For example, members of the Magi class can learn the ability to create sonic portals between locations, and Serpent class members can splice wormholes to travel between two otherwise non-adjacent locations.

Artefacts for Travelling

Artefacts such as the Eagle's wings and Atavian wings allow adventurers to travel high above the clouds to a location similar to the Ring of Portals, while the wand of portals creates portals between its wielder and another adventurer.

History and Mythology

You'll find much of the history of Achaea, from Creation to the Modern Age, explained on the scroll titled HELP HISTORY. A shorter period of history, from Creation to the aftermath of the War of Humanity, exists within the Histories and Mythos page.

All adventurers have access to the Public and Announce sections of the news, as well as the worldwide Events board. You may discover lesser known histories, however, within the boards reserved for the Houses, Cities, and other organizations. HELP NEWS explains precisely how to take advantage of these newsboards.

Advanced Communication

The methods for commication extend beyond the ones previously discussed in this guide. This section both explains a few of them in more detail and lists other methods not mentioned before.

The News

The news system is a valuable way for adventurers to communicate with each other. It allows you to write a news post others can read on their own time. Newbies don't need to worry about the news too much at first, but you should certainly learn how to at least read the news.

  • Check your News Status using the NSTATcommand.
  • From there you can READNEWS <section> <post #> to read a specific post in a designated news board. The READNEXT command (or RN) will cycle through all posts going forward from your "last read" markers.
  • If you type NSTAT CATCHUP, it will automatically set your "last read" marker for ALL the sections to the very last post in each section. Use NSTAT CATCHUP <section> to set your "last read" marker for one section of the news.
  • Writing to the news, however, requires that you go to a news room (You can WALK TO NEWS in any city, and Delos.) Once there you can choose a section, address your post to a specific person, organisation, or everyone, and write out the news you wish to share.
  • Reading HELP NEWS offers more details and other commands for using the news.

The Post Office

Each city has a post office, often located near the city bank, which is accessible via landmarks. There is also a general post office located in Delos. You can use LETTERLIST or LLIST to see letters in your inventory and then READ LETTER#####.

The steps for mailing a letter are:

  • Go to the post office and have 100 gold (the price of a generic blank letter) in your inventory.
  • REQUEST LETTER to request a blank letter.
  • REQUEST < SMALL or LARGE > PARCEL to request a parcel for sending items to others. A small parcel costs 200 gold and holds 10 items, while a large parcel costs 400 gold and holds 20 items. If you do not specify a size, then you will purchase a small parcel by default.
  • WRITE LETTER to write out what you want your letter to say.
  • MAIL LETTER/PARCEL TO <someone> to have it delivered via the postal system.

Letters decay ten months after their purchase. If the recipient does not enter the realms before that time is up, then the letter will be returned to you, along with any items you may have shipped along with it (provided they did not decay during that time period).

The postal system only works to mail letters to other adventurers or the Divine. A messenger on the Delosian Bridge stands at the ready, waiting to deliver letters from adventurers to other denizens.

The Achaean Forums

You may find further opportunities to connect with the community of players and administrators at the Achaea Forums. Note that the Forums are not in-character, and your character has no knowledge of information you learn there if they have no prior in-character knowledge of it. The administration is very clear about the forum rules and frown on adventurers who disrespect them.

Language Rules

Regardless of where or how you communicate, the rules for using language in Achaea are simple. Do not inflict overly obscene language on people who you do not know are willing to hear it, and do not use discriminatory language (racist, homophobic, sexist, etc) AT ALL, in any circumstance. HELP LANGUAGE RULES explains more.

Credits and Crowns

This section explains about two types of currency more valuable than gold, called credits and Mayan crowns. A word of caution: if you obtain credits and Mayan crowns through in-game means (i.e. bought from or traded with another adventurer), then you cannot trade them to your alternate characters as it would constitute seconds abuse.

Credits

Credits are a valuable form of currency used to buy artefacts, trade with other adventures on the open credit market, or bind to yourself for some other purpose. Adventurers get credits in a wide variety of methods including from other players, work as a mentor, organisational credit sales, and as prizes in events or art and bardic contests. Some adventurers supplement their in-game credits with credit purchases made with real-life currency.

Unlike credits, which can be used as currency between adventurers, bound credits are just as their name applies - bound to your character and for your use only. Once you have bound credits, you can never transfer, buy, sell, or get a refund for them. Adventurers receive bound credits when they achieve certain levels of experience, trading in artefacts they no longer wish to own, organisational credit sales, or prizes in contests.

Many new adventurers used bound credits as a way to get lessons via the CREDITS CONVERT # TO LESSONS. Every adventurer will also receive a bonus of 2.5 lessons per credit on the first 1000 credits converted to bound credits, giving them a potential 2500 lessons. Other methods of obtaining bound credits, i.e. trading in artefacts, do not yield any bonus at all.

More resources about credits includes:

HELP CREDITS
HELP CREDIT MARKET
HELP ARTEFACTS

Mayan Crowns

Adventurers receive Mayan crowns in a myriad of ways which include monthly promotions, trading with other adventures, and ship trades. Crowns are used to purchase items from the Shop of Wonders. A shop filled with artefacts commonly found among the upper echelon of Achaean society, all items purchased in the shop are both resetting and non-decay (unless otherwise stated) and may be purchased as gifts for other adventures.

More resources about credits includes:

HELP MAYAN CROWNS
HELP SHOP OF WONDERS

Customer Service

There are many ways to contact Customer Support in Achaea depending on what you need at the time. The most frequently used are listed below.

Issues

One way to obtain customer support in Achaea is to file an issue. Issues are, first and foremost, insane, so avoid discussing them on public channels.

Think of an issue as a please for help from an administrator who serves as a magistrate, or a judge. Instead of discussing your issue or replying to an issue against you with the other party, give all information to the administrator. Keep in mind that issues are for serious situations.

Examples of Bad Issues
  • A wall of ice blocked my path when I tried to WALK TO MINIA.
  • Bob killed me.

Issues are often addressed in the order received. If you do not hear back about your issue right away, it is likely that the administration is dealing with other issues that were filed before yours.

Before you file an issue, be sure it's really an issue. Read HELP ISSUES to be sure, so you don't end up wasting the admins' time. If there is a way to resolve the reason for the issue via in character, then that typically works best for all involved.

Sometimes, you may need to contact customer support for some reason, though, such as clarification on what exactly this artefact does - "Is it chewing tabac or smoking tabac that the tabac pouch generates?" - or arranging a special wedding with the aid of an administrator. Such requests should be handled via the ISSUE ME <message> command - yes, that's a literal ME.

Other times, you might be the victim of another person's griefing, which comes in many forms. In such cases, you should thoroughly read HELP IC RESOLUTION before filing an issue.

After all this, if you are sure you want to file an issue against this person, then you can use ISSUE <adventurer> <message>. The other adventurer will be notified of this and will be able to respond, aiding the administrators in making a ruling.

Please see HELP CUSTOMER SERVICE for additional important information regarding issues.

Bugs, Ideas, and Typos

There may be times when you want to report an error or typo, or give an idea for something in the game. There is a command for each one of these things, giving you a direct line to the appropriate administrator, as listed here:

BUG <description of the bug>
Describe your bug in as much detail as possible listing when (in GMT), where (the room location), and how it happened. What did you do just before it happened? The more detail you give, the better the chance of it being repaired.
Stick to the facts, and avoid describing your feelings.
If possible, submit the bug in the room where it took place.
If you've found a way to generate a wealth of gold or experience with very little effort, then it's probably too good to be true and should be reported with the BUG command.
TYPO <description of the typo>
A typo can be anything from a misspelled word to a misused word or phrase.
Report the typo where (the room location) you saw it, if possible.
If the typo is regarding the item or a denizen, please give the THING##### if you can, to help make it faster for the administration to find and correct it.
Achaea is a textual realm, which means the administration really does care about fixing what might seem like a minor problem.
IDEA <your idea here>
Use as many details as possible.
The administrators frequently implement player-submitted ideas. They'd love to hear yours!
If your idea is for a specific location or denizen, then try to stand at that place when submitting your idea.

Finally, only report one bug, typo, or idea per use of the commands. HELP BUGS gives more information to help you report bugs, typos, and ideas via the in-realm commands and stay up-to-date on their status.