Welcome to Desolation!

So, you're new to the MUD, and want to know how to get started.

1. Make sure you've read all the help files on the page, including the IFAQ.
   
   
2. Read The Story, so you can get an understanding of what is going on in the world. Also read about The World, The Guilds, and The People.
   
   
3. Now that you're familiar with the world at large, you'll want to get connected. First go to our Downloads section, and download a MUD client. We recommend GMud, it's a good client, and it's free. Alternatively, you could use Telnet. It comes with Windows, but is not as user friendly or functional as a proper MUD client.
   
   
4. Once you have a client downloaded, it's time to connect. The address is desolation.org, the port is 7878. Enter these when prompted. Once connected you should see something like this:
   
   
   
   
5. You'll be asked for a user name at this point. Try to come up with something unique and in-theme. "DragonMaster" wouldn't really be in theme. Remember, that you can't put a space in your name. After picking a name, you'll be asked for a password. You're on your own, as far as coming up with a password.
   
   
6. Now it's onto character creation. Simply answer the questions: Are you male or female? Use ansi color (recommended yes)? Censor inappropriate language? Use the mapping feature (recommended yes)?
   
   
7. After that, you will be presented with a stat table. Pick whatever you want for stats, we recommend high IQ and STR. After that, select your race, nationality, and starting location. It doesn't matter where you start from, it's just a place to drop you in the game when you get started.
   
   
8. If you've made it this far, congratulations, you're in the game. To see who else is online, type 'who'
   
   
9. Depending on what starting location you chose to start from, you should see something like this:
   
   
   
   
   To see the room again, type 'look'. If you want to see something closer, like the clock, type 'look clock'
   
   
10. As you can see, there is a lot in this room. If you have the mapping feature turned on, then you will see the square of text at the top of every room. That is the map. The map is very helpful in figuring out where you are, once you learn how to use it. Below the map, is the room name, in this case the "Ranger Center Foyer."
    
    
11. Next to the room name is the list of exits from this room. Movement is easy in Desolation, simply type the first letter of the direction you would like to go. 'n' for north, 'e' for east, 'w' for west, 'u' for up, and so forth. Some exits don't work with just one letter, however. Let's say you are outside ground zero on the world map, you would then type 'ground zero' to enter.
    
    
12. Next, you'll probably want to join a guild. While you can stay a civilian, and not join any guild, it is recommended that you do join one. It's easier to get started when you join a guild, and you get free equipment. No guild is necessarily better or worse than the others, it all depends upon your character and personal preference.
    
    
13. To join a guild, you'll want to locate the guild's recruiting officer. For the Desert Rangers, this is the Administrative Officer. For the Badland Originals, it is Joykill. For Association of Irradiated Mercenaries(AIM), it's Andrew Shar. For the Tribals, Parker. If you can't find the recruiting officer for the guild you want to join, ask someone and they'll help you. Once you've found the recruiting officer, 'talk to ___' to join the guild.
    
    
14. Once in the guild, you will be given two things. One of them is a tag item, an item that cannot be dropped, sold, or removed. It shows that you are in that guild. The other thing you are given is a starter kit. You should 'open kit' to see what is inside, and then 'take all' to get everything from the kit. You now have a basic set of clothes, a melee weapon, a gun, ammo, and $80
    
    
15. First, 'wear all' to equip your clothes. Clothes do nothing for your protection, they're just for looks. 'load gun' and 'wield gun' to equip your weapon. Now that you're in a guild, and have a weapon, you'll want to learn some skills.
    
    
16. Skills can be learned in your guild's library, or any town library. The ammount of skill points you start with is equal to your IQ, adding your stat points to your IQ at level up will give you more skill points to spend. In the Rangers, talk to the training robot. The Badlanders talk to Renton. The Tribals talk to Wolf. For AIM, 'use computer' in the Library. Then work your way through the menu, picking the skills you want. We recommend you get: Swim, Climb, Perception, Brawling, and Clip Pistol.
    
    
17. Now that you have equipment, and skills, you should be well adjusted to the way the game works. You're ready to venture out into the world, and start exploring. If you're looking to level up, head to Highpool, or the Ag Center. Remember to 'consider' things before you jump into combat. To attack something, type 'kill _____'
    
    
18. If you die, don't worry about it, you'll respawn in your guild's HQ. Simply find your corpse, and get your stuff back. Your corpse will never decay, and other players can't take your stuff. If you can't get to your corpse by midnight, game time, it will go to your guild's morgue.
    
    
19. To level up, you'll need to report to your guild's reporting officer. For the Rangers, this is Zak. For the Badlanders, Ian. AIM reports to Murray. The Tribals report to Raven. Simply find your officer, and 'talk to him' Each guild also sells a radio, horn for tribals, so that if you are away from your base, you can simply type 'report' to check for a level up. At level up, you get 2 points to distribute to your stats.
    
    
20. One last thing you should know about, before you set out into the world. Desolation encourages Role Playing, so you may want to start building your character, if you're going to Role Play. You may, or may not know what RP is. If not, please check out the Role Playing section, and read all the guides there.
    
    
21. That's it. You're done. All you need to know to get started in Desolation. If you have any other questions, use the gossip channel, by typing 'gossip whatever.' Gossip is a global channel, like a chat room. You can also post to our Message Boards, if you have questions. Have fun, and good luck!