Introduction And Beginner Tips

[Svenrick]

I didn't see a proper area for this other than general discussion, but I would like to discuss the game here.

My first character is Svenrick and I also player Valeryn.

I'm rather new to FK, but I've played different MUDs on and off for about 10 years now. I'm a student that aspires to work in computer repair and possibly software design.

The community has been fairly receptive and I've taken quite well to the game, but I'm attempting to aide my friend in getting into MUDs as well and we've been rather successful with FK.

I've managed to do well by speaking with other characters ICly, paying close attention to dialogue and room description, and looking at the maps on the website here.

Any tips or tricks for beginners are encouraged and appreciated.

e.g., "Try to train with every interesting NPC you come across like shop keepers. You never know who has something to teach you."

There are many things like this that elude newer players to the game and genre as a whole.

Any extra resources for navigation and quest investigation would also be appreciated.

e.g., I used this map quite a bit to navigate the beginner quests. http://www.forgottenkingdoms.org//maps/waterdeep.php

Thanks for everything you folks have to offer and I'm glad to become a part of the community!

[Raona]

Don't be shy about talking with PCs of any level, though ideally talk with them about bigger things than (just) where to get the horsehair needed for the quest you are working on at that moment.

At least when you are new (though I would advocate this more broadly), don't create a bazillion PCs. Focus your efforts and energies, at least a little, and play a few PCs a lot rather than many PCs just a little each.

Don't make it your first inclination (try hard to solve problems yourself!), but don't throw your hands up and quit (or reincarnate!) because you aren't willing to ask for help. Sometimes you just stumble into the red dragon's lair by accident and there's nobody likely to save your bacon but the game heroes or a deity. You are not beneath them. But if you do ask for such help, be ready to wait for it, and be online (even if that means reading helpfiles while on the fugue plane) so that they can help you. You won't ever log in and find yourself resurrected by someone because you prayed and logged off; you have to be there in the moment.

Your PC will be a lot more powerful if you focus entirely on making that the case...but the game will not be as much fun...at least this one (and similarly RP focused ones) will not be.

[faylen]

Some things I've learned since playing in August, not necessarily in order of importance.

If you're bored, just want to meet people, or need help with things, go to the market square in Waterdeep. Even if no one is there in the moment, hang out for a while and someone is likely to show up! Many characters of all levels and classes will hang out there, and my characters have met the majority of their friends at that very place, so don't be shy!

When you can afford it, getting a horse and saddlebags and later, a cart, is a wonderful way to store extra things. One thing that wasn't obvious to me is that carts get stabled just like horses do.

Don't be afriad to use ask. I know I have a tendency as a new player on muds to not want to bother people, but as someone who can now answer questions over ask, I find it enjoyable to help out when I can. Don't be discouraged if we point you to in character resources, though. For some people, especially ones new to rp, it can be tricky to figure out what is reasonable ooc knowledge and what needs to be learned in character, and that's ok.

Great thread!

[faylen]

I almost forgot! The greet command. Every rp mud handles introductions differently. Greet, the command, is a way to tell the code that a player or group of players should know your name. So best practice would be to somehow give a player your name with rp, then use greet. You might also choose to greet if another character who knows yours uses your name in front of others particularly if in an uncrowded place or if it's an intentional introduction. I've seen newbies walk into the market and greet all without saying a word, which can get a little bit awkward. I've also seen situations where character a introduces character b to character c very directly, but then character b doesn't greet character c which gets just as awkward. For new mudders or those not used to an introduction system it can take some getting used to, but it's a very nice way to keep track of whether or not your character should know someone.

Most of all, have fun!

[Svenrick]

Thank you Raona and Faylen!

This is some pretty solid advice so far and I'll definitely make sure to check out carts (I wouldn't have guessed that you could stable them like horses, haha.)

Raona makes an excellent point in advising that not every character has to be an legendary warrior or a powerful mage. Some people are just regular Joes and that is perfectly find as long as they have a sense of character and personality.

For example I don't plan to make Svenrick much more than a common sellsword (Unless his character development evolves naturally into such a role) and I'm perfectly happy roleplaying him that way.

Faylen also brings up an important "issue" with some MUDs and RPing communities being that some are not quite receptive and no one wants to feel as though they're annoying someone else through their pursuit of knowledge regarding the game. All of the staff and players I've met to date have been wonderful and absolutely willing to help a new player get into that and it is a major blessing.

If you're low level don't hesitate to recall and speak to some of the folks there. Some will be involved in their own RP, but there will most certainly be someone that will aide you. If you or your character is shy you could ask a particularly approachable PC to step aside so that you don't have to speak in front of a crowd although it really isn't that bad and most folks seem to be happy (Even if their characters aren't) to meet a new person.

[Dranso]

My biggest piece of advice to newer players would be to read a forgotten realms book or two if time permits. It's a great way to build yourself a solid foundation for the game rp wise. Also, take a look at the world tab on the forums here. There are lots and lots and lots of great resources to help you build your characters. Depending on the direction you wish your character's rp to head in, joining a faith is a great way to meet new friends, learn about lore and get training buddies. Another piece of advice is to get an AIM account. Many players have an AIM and while some may not want to give it out after only few hours of rp with them, it's a great way to build relationships with other players and organize small events such as doing a quest. Finally, if you ever run into some harsh role play, don't take it personally. Some of the nicest people I know OOCly have the most evil characters in game.

Have fun!