The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Tdome 2.0

created 03/01/01        last updated 04/03/01

 

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NEW STUFF FOR v2.0:

>added several common questions to Q and A

>remade ‘what the hell is a client’ section

>added many newbie level directions and help files for getting started

>added several ANSI maps of the game

 

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please note: Tdome has a fully functional ‘help’ file for almost all questions. When you first create a character you will be supplied with a set of basic equipment that includes a ‘newbie guide’. READ IT.

 

Section 1: get a client                  -yes! You want one

Section 2: creating a character          -what to do

Section 3: combat speed at a glance      -CS is your friend

Section 4: areas                         -where to go

Section 5: rerolling your new character  -what to shoot for

Section 6: Bonesnatching                 -what the hell is it?

Seciton 7: remorting                     -how does it work?

Section 8: common questions              -how do I …?

 

Section 1: get a client

 A client allows you to connect to and play MUDs on the Internet, and provides you many useful tools, such as aliases, actions, macros, keys, buttons, scripts, maps, etc, to make your MUD life easier and more profitable. 

 

One very user friendly windows client called ‘zMUD’ is available as a Freeware version (v3.62a) which is not supported, and a Shareware version (v4.1 and above) which continues to be regularly updated and improved.  Support is available to registered users of the Shareware version.  The latest version of zMUD can be found at www.zuggsoft.com

 

zMUD was designed based upon ideas from various versions of TINTIN, the popular UNIX MUD client.  The creator has tried to provide compatibility with TINTIN so that users of that client will feel at home. Concepts, functions, and syntax are similar, but may differ.  Of course, the graphical environment of Windows allows functions that were not possible in the text-based UNIX world, giving MUD players even more power.

 

zMUD has been optimized for use on DIKU and LP combat MUDs.  Since I dont play the social MUDs, zMUD may or may not be useful in those cases.  However, in combat MUDs, zMUD excels, providing many mechanisms for outlaws, robots, etc.

 

Section 2: Creating a Character

When you first connect to Tdome, you will be prompted for a name. This will be the name of your player character (PC) in the game. Try to choose a name that isn’t too difficult to spell.. remember, one of these days your survival may depend on how fast another person can type your name to rescue or heal you.

 Next, you will be prompted for a password. This password should NOT be, your phone number, birthday, social security number, your name, or any of these things backwards.

Best passwords will be at least 6 characters, and a few numbers. My favorite way to make a password is, make up a sentence only you would remember or know, then use the first letters of each word in that sentence.

Example: my 3 dogs can make up a better password = m3dcmuabp

Toss in some capital letters and icons too… the more difficult the better.

 Next, choose male or female. This doesn’t seem to have any bearing on character playability, i.e. females can get same strength as male, etc etc.

 Next, choose a class. There are 14 classes currently. Several are very newbie friendly. Several are not. If you want to read about each class , go ahead and select something, get into the game with it, then use the ‘help and help ’ commands to examine each class. You can also use the ‘newbie’ channel to ask for help of other players who are online what they think of each class. New players are strongly detered from playing cyborg or mutant due to the difficult nature of these classes.

 Once you have selected a class, choose a city of origin. Tek angeles is strongly recommended for new players. You will load into this city you choose, although later on you can buy citizenship in any other city.

 Ethnicity is where it can get complex. Each class gets five different stats: strength(str) wisdom(wis) intelligence(int) dexterity(dex) and constitution(con). Each class will roll differently according to their ‘real world’ ability. I.E. a barbarian will be strong, fairly dexterous, but dumb as a stump. An assassin will be highly dexterous and intelligent, but lack in brute strength. When you select an Ethnicity it will further complicate matters. Each ethnicity modifies the stats of a character, some for better, some for worse. Again, go ahead and select one, create the character and ask for help of other players on the newbie channel if unsure which to choose. You will be able to identify your character and reroll its stats at level 4. You cannot do either BEFORE level 4. See ‘rerolling’ section for more info.

 The remainder of the character creation process is self explanatory. Note: ansi color can be turned on or off after the character has been created regardless of what you choose upon creating the character by using the ‘color’ command.

 

Section 3: Combat Speed (CS) at a Glance

 Tdome has several very unique features not found on a basic MUD. One of the absolute best is Combat Speed (otherwise known as CS). In ‘stock’ MUDs, your melee fighting will be one to one with anything and anyone. In tdome, you have the ability through better stats and equipment to hit several times before being hit back. Each class has a ‘base’ CS that varies depending on the nature of the class. A curist is a healer and is not originally intended to do combat, thus they hit slower/less often as an infiltrator, who is intended to be fast and stealthy. The higher the cs, the slower a character will hit. The lowest CS a PC (player character) can attain is CS2. CS1 is atainable by NPCs(non-player characters, or mobs, mobiles, monsters.. whatever you want to call them) a -1cs bonus is given to PCs with 18/00 str AND 18 dex. You can also get a one time permanent -1cs for your first remort. (see ‘remorting’ section for more info) Others ways to ‘lower’ your CS, and thus hit more are -cs items and equipment, some drugs will temporarily affect cs, and surgical implants.(see ‘implants’ for more info) Below is a chart showing the base CS for each class. This number represents the CS of a character with one remort, 18str AND 18dex. If the class has -cs spells or skills it will be shown(i.e. swordplay is -cs when a slashing weapon is wielded, knifeplay is -1cs with piercing weapon wielded)

 

Assassin    - CS 3

Barbarian   - CS 6 , CS 5 with swordplay

Curist      - CS 6 , CS 4 with Lev30 ‘holyfist’

Cyborg      - CS 5 , CS 3 with Lev30 turbo

Fanatic     - CS 5 , CS 4 with Lev30 ‘speed’

Hunter      - CS 4

Infiltrator - CS 4 , CS 3 with knifeplay

Knight      - CS 4

Mutant      - CS 6 , CS 5 with ‘arms’ grown

Pirate      - CS 4

Ranger      - CS 5

Samurai     - CS 5 , CS 2 with swordplay and Lev30 ‘ba. rites’

Slinger     - CS 6 , CS 5 with Lev30 ‘shapeshift’

Vagrant     - CS 4 , CS 3 with knifeplay

 

Section 4: areas-where to go

  As a player, you will probably want to go where you can find a challenge, but

not get instantly killed....

  Don’t be afraid to ask questions or get advice. Other players will gladly help you by rewarding you for fulfilling small quests, such as finding an area, leveling a few times on your own, or just being cool! Also, JACKERS are always here to help new players. Remember there is a ‘recall’ command available to players under level 10. You will need to keep a few coins in the bank or on your person to use it. When used, the recall skill will teleport you back to the temple of technology in tek angeles. (handy when you get lost in the forest!)

 

Here are some suggested areas.....

 

Newbies: Acquaint yourself with Master Sin's School. This is in the south part

   of Tek Angeles. To get there, go south over the South Bridge, then go

   west on Skid Row.  Visit the Funhouse located on North Avenue. Why not

   kill a few clowns for fun?

 

Groups of Newbies: try the abandoned castle which is a little north and

   east of the city. Here you will find more equipment and treasure.

   The Danger Game offers non-stop action and is located underneath the

   House of Commerce.

 

Lower Level Characters (3rd - 6th level): Try the forest areas just

   outside of the city... but don't stray too far. There are a lot

   of little pixies and other forest creatures running around just

   northwest of the city.

 

5th - 10th level areas: Try the forests outside the 4 main city gates. The

   bugbears (down south) are known to have good armor and other equipment.

   Also, some people around town might tell you outlandish stories about

   dungeons under Tek Angeles... but they all smell like they came from the

   dump.  A half-man half-ant race is said to inhabit an underground maze

   up the north highway and into the woods a short distance.

 

10th - 15th level areas: Try the shoreline and wooded areas to the far

   west. There are a lot of diverse monsters and little people who have

   some good stuff. Also, you might want to find the troll hills which are

   southeast of town. There is always something interesting going on in

   the Old Angeles Sports Complex.

 

15th - 20th level: Try the rocky or mountainous areas outside the east gate

   of the city. You will definitely want to be in a good group. There are

   known to be dark mysterious caverns under Mutant's Mound.

 

High level characters: Get in a group and try Jurassic Park, which is as far

   west as you can go (hint: you'll need to cross the ocean). Fiedor's Pass

   was once a stronghold of brave warriors long ago... but has been overrun

   by a great evil. There are also the mines under the Grim Mountains.

   Other than that, go as far away from the city as you can and something

   is sure to come up. (For a good time try ThunderDome to the far south).

   A crashed spaceship is said to lie on the edge of the feidor mountains

   and the southern desert.

 

Real high level groups: Take to the sea! Cross the southern wastes!

 

Shops are places where the adventurer may purchase equipment for his quests,

and where he may sell his treasure if he should manage to survive the perils

with his life and sanity intact. Many shops trade only in a specific type of

merchandise. Thus, a baker may well refuse to buy your armor, even if it is of

high quality!

   To some people, the prospect of obtaining the entire inventory of a shop by

murdering the keeper may appear tempting - but beware: The shopkeepers are

often rugged, capable men; roughened by years of trading and, indeed, surviving

in a world where the only safe prospect is death in the end.

 

Inns are places where the weary traveler may rest while the innkeeper looks

after his equipment and treasure.

 

Specifically, the game will save your equipment while you are logged out.

There is a daily cost for renting, based on your equipment.  Each item has

a per diem charge.  The per diem charge is calculated to the nearest second,

however -- if you rent at the rate of 24 credits per day, and you come back

39 hours later, you will be charged 39 credits.

 

The way insurance and such works in our world, you are charged rent and

insurance fees for the most expensive item you own. The rent charges will

cover the costs of storing and protecting your valuable toys.

 

Most inns, etc. have safety deposit boxes for your stuff. These boxes

will hold a maximum of 250 lbs worth of gear. For double the price, you

will be able to rent up to 350 lbs worth of gear.

 

A CRYOGENIC CENTER will store your items for a one-time charge of four

days rent.

 

Rent files are deleted if you run out of credits to pay the per diem charges

or after 30 days if cryogenically frozen.

 

Offer makes the innkeeper tell you the cost of storing your belongings

for one day.  Rent stores your belongings and exits you from the game.

When you re-enter, you will start where you rented.

 

------------------- Tourist's Guide to Tek Angeles ------------------------

 

 While in town, you can:

    -  Shop at our many stores and boutiques.

    -  See some of the local nightlife in the southern district.

    -  Improve your skills at one of the many guilds and schools.

    -  Rent a room or cryo-chamber.

    -  Try your luck at Master Sins, the Fun House, or The Danger Game.

 

Type: "help tek" for more information.

 

'Salvation Army from Ground Zero: 2s, 2e, n'

'Riffs from Ground Zero: 8w, 2s, w, d'

'Forest of Fear from Ground Zero: 11s, 10w, 3s'

'Quato from Ground Zero: 11s, 10w, 2n, d'

'Newbie Castle from Ground Zero: 8n, 5e, n'

'Fun House from Ground Zero: 3n, w, n'

'Danger Game from Ground Zero: 2n, e, d'

'Master Sin's from Ground Zero: 4s, w, s'

'Bag's Inn from Ground Zero: n, e, u'

 

   Igor's Implements of Destruction  (E. Tool Street)

   Hoby's Armours                    (W. Tool Street)

   The Bakery                        (W. Tool Street)

   Fred's Merchandise                (E. Tool Street)

   The Pure Water Store              (E. Tool Street)

   Auto's Magic Shop                 (W. Tool Street)

   Last Bank                         (E. Tool Street)

   Gumm's Leather Shop               (Waterfront Street)

 

 Should you find our fine shops and restaurants not to your liking, you can

 always take the MetroLiner to another city.  Such travel costs but $2 and

 the Subway station in Tek Angeles is located beneath Ground Zero.

 

This is a general map of the world....

 

                                ^ ^ ^           ^

                               ^ ^ ^^^^            ^       ^    ^

                                    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

                                   village ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

                                     |        ^^^^^^^^^^^   ^ ^  ^

                                     |                 ^^^^^^^

        ^                            |                  ^ ^  ^        ^

         ^                           |                 ^   ^  ^

        ^ ^                          |                ^^^^^^^

        ^^^^^^                       |                 ^^^^^^^^        Cyboria

  Silicia-------------------------  Tek --------        ^^^               |

                                  Angeles       |      ^^^                |

                                                |        ^                |

                                                ----------------- Casablanca

                   Village      ^       Mines          ^

                              ^ ^ ^           ^         ^

                              ^  ^    ^ ^    ^    ^  ^ ^   

                           ^ Grim Mountains    ^     ^   ^ Lost Wages

                                   

                                    The Wilder Zone

 

NOTE: A more detailed map of the owrld is available for downloading at eon.ehelpguide.com Under ‘what the hell is Tdome?’

 

-The Eastern forest of Tek Angeles

 

 * = smoething interesting           /\     /\/\    /\      \/\          /\/ \

 CC= water                          /\/\//\      /   ^   / /\  /\       /\ /\

 ..= trail                   /\      CCCC //\   /\  /                /\

---= highway                       CCCC     /\         /  /\             

                                 CCC      /\          /\ /\     /\  /\  

                               CC                         / /\        

                              C  [*]                       /\     /\

                farms        CC   :                         \  /\   /\

____       :        .. ...CCCC   :                       [*] \/   /  /\

    |      :.......:    CC:.....:                           /\  /\ /\

    |      :          CC                                /\ /\  /\    /\

 Tek  *    :      CCC                                    /\   /\/ [*]  /\ 

 Angeles   :  CCCC                                         /\/\  /\   /\ /

    |------->=<-----+                                       /\/\ /\   /\  /\

    |   CCCCCC      |                                           /\/\   /\

    |CCC            |                / \*                        | /\  /\

    |               |              /     \                           /\

----                |           Mutant's Mound                       /

                    |                                              Fiedor's

                    +------------------------------------------------à (to Casa Blanca

                    |                                                    and Cyboria)

 

 

Section 5: Rerolling Your New Character  -what to shoot for

   Once you reach level 4, you can Identify your character and determine what your stats are. If these are unsatisfactory, you can reroll using the reroll machine (there is one north, west, down down of ground zero in Tek Angeles). Since the cost per reroll increases with age and level, try to get to level 4 as quickly as you can, and reroll AT level 4(it will cost 100 coins per reroll this way). Below is a table of the stats to try for on each class, These are a rule of thumb, and are NOT the BEST that can be attained. Its like building a hot rod. How fast you can go depends on how much you want to spend. Theoretically ANY stats are possible, just a matter of rerolling enough times (we could be talking 100k or MORE in some cases).note: since con can be baught, I am not including it, but it is be represented by ‘**’ in the table below.

              Str    wis  int  dex

Assassin    - 18/00  14+  14+  18   **

Barbarian   - 18/90+ 10+  10+  17+  **

Curist      - 14/00+ 17+  17+  14+  **

Cyborg      - 16/00+ 12+  12+  16+  **

Fanatic     - 16/00+ 17+  17+  16+  **

Hunter      - 16/00+ 13+  15+  18   **

Infiltrator - 17/00+ 10+  14+  18   **

Knight      - 18/90+ 16+  15+  15+  **

Mutant      - 14/00+ 17+  17+  14+  **

Pirate      - 18/00  10+  14+  17+  **

Ranger      - 18/90+ 14+  14+  18   **

Samurai     - 18/90+ 15+  13+  18   **

Slinger     - 15/00+ 17+  17+  16+  **

Vagrant     - 17/00+ 10+  14+  18   **

 

  After you have rolled stats that you like, you want to buy your con, before you rise another level. Con can be purchased at any age or level, BUT it effects how many hitpoints you will gain each time you level, so do it early on. Con can be purchased north west down east of ground zero. It costs 3500 credits each, plus 100 credits for each year of age over 17. Keep this in mind before you spend all of your new found wealth rolling a character.

 

Section 4: Bonesnatching -what the hell is it?

 Bonesnatching or ‘jacking’ is a process that transfers the str, dex, con, max hitpoints, max movement and age from one character(the victim) to another character(the client). The victim will condie in the process, i.e. will not be playable anymore. The victim must be under 22 yrs old and the same or a lower level than the client. The client must be 22 yrs old or older, and the same or higher level than the victim. This process can only be completed by purchasing the service of a JACKER. JACKERs will usually charge 200k or more, and may require a small quest before the procedure. See your friendly neighborhood JACKER for more details about this. The client must supply the victim. Since max hitpoints and movement at level 30 varies from one class to another, there can be many levels of benefits gained through a bonesnatch.

 

Seciton 5: remorting-how does it work?

  Remorting is a way to improve your stats permanently. The process requires that you be level 30, and will cost 50k. When you remort, your stats will be permanently improved in a specific order, by 2 points each remort. First con, then str, wis, int, and lastly dex. Note: some classes (bar ran sam and kni) can roll 18/100 str max, but no class will gain anything beyond 18/00 str from remorting. If you want higher than 18/00 str, you must roll it when creating the character, or use +str implants and equipment.) after you have remorted enough to have all 18 stats, the next remort will give you !thirst (which means you will no longer get thristy. Ever.) the next remort will give you !hunger. Remorting after this will supposedly give you even more (not so obvious) benefits. Some of which are more practice sessions at level 1, being untrackable (handy when a NPC or PC is trying to track you), improved skill percentages and (supposedly) more skills you wouldn’t normally get with the class you are playing. I have remorted characters as much as 35 times, and not found any of these skills however. Another benefit of remorting is age reduction. If you are over 26 years old, you will get -5 to your age. This is a great way to keep the cost of your con down to a reasonable amount.(see ‘rerolling’ for mre info) 

 

Section 6: common questions-how do I …?

   Here are some common commands and their uses:

Object Type           Function                           Usage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Staff         Performs a spell on multiple people   HOLD , then

                                                     USE

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Launcher      Bows, crossbows, etc.                 WIELD

                                                     SHOOT

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Armor         Protects you from damage              WEAR

                                                     REMOVE

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Weapon        Does damage while fighting            WIELD

                                                     REMOVE

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Gun           It goes "BANG"                        WIELD

                                                     SHOOT

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Boat          Carry the boat to go on water!        (have it in inventory)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Door          Open the door to walk through it      UNLOCK

                                                     OPEN

                                                     CLOSE

                                                     LOCK

                                                     PICK

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                           

 Scroll        Performs a spell                      REC  

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Wand          Performs a spell                      HOLD , then

                                                     USE

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Potion        Performs a spell on you               QUAFF

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Light         Will keep you out of the dark        HOLD

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Worn          Clothing, etc.                       WEAR

                                                    REMOVE

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Containers                                         OPEN 

    GET  

    PUT  

                                                    CLOSE

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Key           Unlocks a door; have key             UNLOCK

               In inventory to use                  LOCK

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Food          Eat the good food yum!!              EAT

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q-How do I get in on a group for some CARNAGE!!!???

A- Here are some words of wisdom compiled by the editor. Many famous explorers

 were consulted for this work, including such noted figures as Gumm, Bag,

 Holy the Monk, and Verily Flatulent(who was never allowed in town anyway.)

 

Rule 1: Never go out alone.  We all know the world is a dangerous place.

        If you plan on finding adventure, ensure you have a party of hearty

        adventurers with you.  Be sure to include a healer, and someone who

        knows a little magic, or who can shoot straight.

 

Rule 2: Make sure you have several days worth of food and water; bring

several torches or lanterns. Bring several recall scrolls if you are above        level 10. If you are below level 10, have some cash (there is a recall skill for level 10 and under but it costs a little money) Make certain your party has all the tools it needs to survive before starting out.

 

Rule 3: He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day. (see ‘help wimp’)

 

Rule 4: Be wary of dangerous places-underground caverns, dark forests, high

        mountain peaks etc.  They are not called 'wilderness' for nothing.

-------

Q-when I type ‘kill the mob telepaths to me ‘not to try that again’ or something similar… why?

A-this is a ‘Shopkeeper’ type mob, and to kill it you must use the ‘murder command rather than ‘kill’.

-------

Q-How do the stats effect my character?

A-Str effects things such as how heavy a weapon you can wield, and how much weight you can carry before you begin to get +CS from being too heavy. Str can also effect your combat speed bonus. You need 18 strength AND 18 dex to get this bonus.

 Wis effects how many practice sessions you will gain every time you level. The higher the wisdom, the more you will gain.

 Int effects how many movement you will gain every time you level, and how many practice sessions it takes to learn a new skill or spell to maximum proficiency. The higher the Int, the more moves and fewer practices.

 Dex will effect your combat speed, as well as how good you are at evading hits by an oponent.

 Con effects how many hitpoints you will gain every time you level. Also, since you will lose permanent con every time you die, it determines whether you can still play the character. Con can be baught back (see ‘rerolling’ for more info) but if it is allowed to drop below 4, you will con-die.

-------

Q-Where can I get a list of the equiptment in the game to show me what it all does?

A-several of the players of Tdome have created ‘ID lists’ over the years. My own ID list is the most current and can be downloaded for free at www.geocities.com/mrfonzy

-------

Q-what does AC do versus -armor? Whats the difference?

A-AC is multiplied depending on what position it is worn on. Armor is not. Below is a table with what (I am pretty sure) is the multiplier for each position.

Head       x2

Ear        x0

Neck       x0

On body    x3

About body x0

Arms       x1

Wrist      x0

Hands      x1

Fingers    x0

Held       x1

Waist      x1

Legs       x2

Feet       x1

 

The way it works is, AC gets multiplied by the above numbers to give an amount in ‘-armor’. An example would be

A leather jacket (worn on body) is AC 3, and -5 armor.

Since the ‘on body’ position is x3, multiply AC 3 x3 for 9. Then add 5 armor for a total of -14 armor for this item. The higher the AC, the better the item. Obviously, +armor items are not helping you. Your armor rating basically determines how much LESS damage you will take when being hit by an opponent in combat. This exact figure is not clearly known, but an example would be, -10 armor = 1 less damage taken.

-------

Q-How do implants work? Where can I get them?

A-Implants are items that are found on mobs in the game. They can be permanenty implanted in certain shops in the game for 4x their value (or 2x their value of you are a cyborg). They do not dissapear if you die, and can only be removed by going back to the shop and paying for the removal. Most implants will have great effects such as +strength, +damage, or +hitroll. Needless to say, the better the implant, the harder it will be to get. Some implants can be ‘Identified’ with the slinger spell, but most of them require a cyborg to do an ‘analyze’. If you don’t own a cyborg, ask one to do it for you, or see the ID list.

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Q-How many characters can I play here?

A-You are allowed to log in three characters at any given time on Tdome. You can, however, have several more than three characters. Tdome is laid out to be a ‘multiplayer’ realm, so try to get 2 or 3 characters working in your group as soon as you can. Ask around and think it through before investing time in this group. You will want to have a Tank (the person who will get hit in combat, and needs a lot of armor). A hitter (an assistor to the tank that does a lot of damage) and either a second hitter or a curist (to do more damage quickly, or to heal your tank as it is fighting). The most common group on tdome consists of a barbarian, knight or ranger for a tank (since they can rescue the other group members and get a lot more hitpoints), a hitter (an infiltrator, vagrant or assassin for hitting really fast naturally and being able to pick locks, sneak, etc) and lasty a curist. Curists do not dish out a lot of damage, but they have very powerful spells to assist the rest of the group. Other options are unlimited, and only bound by your ability to use them effectively.