Raven's Guide for Newbies

See also: Ungoliant's Notes for Newbie Fighters

A simple guide to getting started in Ferdarchi.

First you must Register your character.

The ideal is that you read every helpfile and every note on Barrot's bulletin board. However, let's be realistic. The following tips may allow you to survive your first few hours in Ferdarchi, or at least prevent you from overly aggravating the locals.

You need to know:

    This is like visiting a foreign country. You don't know where you are, what the customs are, and you probably don't speak the language very well. The locals have better things to do than worry about you. Additionally, there are lots of ways you can get hurt. This is an adventure, prepare to be amazed and bewildered. And frustrated.

This is what you need to do:

    Figure out how to leave Barrot's room. Wander around.

DO:

  • examine everything you see that seems interesting
  • listen to anything you hear people say
  • introduce yourself as a newbie
  • retreat to where you came from if you find yourself in a place that even hints of being dangerous

DON'T:

  • ask questions about simple matters until you have thoroughly read and re-read the help files
  • shout for any reason.
  • pick up or touch anything which might belong to someone without asking first
  • attempt to kill anything before engaging it in conversation - it may be more valuable to you alive than dead!
  • leave the city limits (if you come into a room which looks like: 
    You are in the hills.  There is a swift river to the southeast, and south.
The entrance to a sprawling city.
    type "enter city" and don't go that way again.)

The following are some simple exercises which you can try as you get started:

  1. procure a moneybag and figure out how to get it to stay on your body when you quit
  2. find the post office
  3. find the Healers' Hall
  4. find the Silver Coin Tavern

Death, Death Tells, Ressurrection, Amulets, and Reincarnation

Death is complicated. You must read The Death Helpfile

Etiquette

The essentials of etiquette in Ferdarchi:

Sadly, newbies frequently find themselves in circumstances which may provoke attack. Loitering in the market square often proves unhealthy. Also, be alert for warning signs, such as grumbling, frowning, staring, glaring, or sudden removal of your head. Immediately ceasing whatever it was that initiated this will usually rectify the problem. Otherwise, fleeing is a good option.

These tips will help you to fit in with the locals:

  • When you enter a room with another player, it is proper to bow or curtsey, unless you are immediately continuing through the room.
  • When leaving, a wave will suffice.
  • "brb" signifies that you will "be right back"
  • "afk" signifies that you are "away from the keyboard," which will excuse you from the conversation (if not from being molested).
  • As in real life, use of foul language, especially in the presence of strangers, is frowned upon.
  • When receiving a lesson, if you sense that your skill has improved, the teacher will be grateful if you signify this by saying "skill_name+".

More Advice

I stole this from the EotL website, because I found it amusing. 

Once in, avoid everything that moves.  Only the 
swift thinking and swift moving survive.  Don't
touch anything without checking it out with a 
toss-away char first.  Power is currently held 
by a group of petty, cruel people.  They will do 
what they can to prevent you from succeeding in 
any way they can.  Things change constantly and 
without much notification.  This mud is NOT for 
beginners.  You will have your ego crushed, your 
time destroyed, and if you complain, there are 
many people whose sole job seems to be to ridicule 
you.  This is their job, and they take pride in 
it.  Welcome to Hell.