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'''<big>Getting Started with Astaria</big>'''
Welcome to Astaria, new player! Astaria is a MUD, or '''M'''ulti-'''u'''ser '''D'''omain/'''D'''ungeon.
This guide will operate under the assumption that you are new to MUDs
in general, and Astaria in particular. Astaria is set in a unique,
original high fantasy setting, with a number of different [[races]] to try out.<br>


Welcome to Astaria, a text-based multiplayer game (called a MUD) that's been running since 1994. Think of it as collaborative storytelling where you control a character exploring an original high-fantasy realm. No graphics: just text, imagination, and other players.


'''This guide covers your first 20 minutes and points you toward what's next.'''
----'''<big>Before You Start: What You'll Need, Getting Into the Game</big>'''


'''Option 1: Web Browser (Fastest)'''
=== Getting Started: Your name ===
First things first, you will need a name for your character! In general,
names should be kept reasonably within what could be considered a
fantasy theme. It is probably inadvisable to use your real name, but
feel free to do so if it is not already taken. Also, it's also not
recommended to take a name that is offensive. Astaria does have two
further restrictions on names:
* Your name cannot exceed 12 characters in length (No longer than "Salithirieni"), for example.
<br>
and...<br>
<br>
* Your name cannot have "special characters" in it, including spaces and apostrophes. (e. g. your name cannot be "Drizzt Do'Urden", nor can it be "Fëanor".)
<br>
If you cannot think of a name to use, there are a number of random name generators over the Internet, including the one at [http://www.dragonsmark.com/names.php this website].<br>
<br>


* Visit [http://astariamud.com:5001/ '''astariamud.com:5001'''] and log in. No software to install.
=== Race selection ===
After selecting a name, you are presented with a screen to select your
species. This selection will determine what guilds you are able to join,
so keep that in mind when making your selection. Your dwarven mage
ideal will be cut short when you realize that dwarves do not have the
capacity to cast spells. There are 15 races to choose from, but for the
most part there are two ways to play them:


'''Option 2: Dedicated Client''' For a richer, more immersive experience, download a MUD client:
* High strength races, which usually involve hitting things with your wielded weapon and less use of your spells.
[[File:960x240mudlet_a0.png|link=Https://www.mudlet.org/download/|left|300x300px|thumb]]
<br>
* '''[https://www.mudlet.org/download/ Mudlet]''' (free, Windows/Mac/Linux)
* High spell point races, which usually involve burning your spell points away with whatever combat spells you have.
* '''[https://www.astariamud.com/client/A3client64.exe Astaria Client]''' (free, Windows)
<br>
* Use a Client of your choice (Zmud, Gmud, MUSH Client) telnet '''astaria.net:5000'''
Eventually, the game turns into the latter for everybody, but that is usually against hard-to-kill "treasure server" monsters. Keep in mind all races regain lost health and spell points at differing rates, so your dwarf
spellpoint-burner isn't going to be much fun at low levels without some
means of artificially speeding spell point regeneration.<br>
<br>


* We recommend [https://www.mudlet.org/download/ '''Mudlet'''] which has a custom package for Astaria with maps, backgrounds, and more, but they all work well. If you're just trying it out, connecting through the web is fastest.
=== Heritage selection ===
So you've selected your name and race, and now are presented with a screen to choose your [[heritage]].


----
There are 10 [https://astariamud.com/wiki/Heritage Heritages] you can select from.


'''<big>Character Creation (5 Minutes)</big>'''


'''Pick a Name'''
There are few differences in heritages for the moment:
<br>


* 12 characters or fewer
* Nomads will gain more endurance points than the others, thus they will be able to move through more rooms. This stops being an issue in late-game, though.
* Fantasy-themed (avoid real names and offensiveness)
<br>
* No special characters: no spaces, apostrophes, accents (e.g., no "Drizz't" or "Fëanor")
* Scholars will gain more spell points than the others, thus they will be able to cast more spells. This is probably one of the two still-useful choices.
<br>
* Nobles gain access to the lordship insignia item, sold for 5 tricrown at the Westkeep store in Altheon. Although not freely available to new players, this item modifies the "sell value" of all items you sell to stores by 10%, thus you make 10% more money when selling items you do not need. By the time you can afford this, you are usually big enough to make up for the cost within the next week.
<br>
But beyond this, heritage selection has not had much real difference in
many years, thus it is a matter of roleplay or "decoration" for your
character. After choosing your heritage you are presented with an
optional room where you can choose some basic decorative features for
your character such as hair and eye color.<br>
<br>


* Stuck? Try this: [https://runenym.com/ '''fantasy name generator'''] or this: [https://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/ '''also a fantasy name generator''']
=== Welcome to the game ===
When you leave the decoration room, you are sent to the "map room", and
shown how to use the helpline. As the text states, type 'who helper' to
make sure someone's listening, and type 'helpline <message>' to
talk on that line.


----'''<big>Pick a Race (15 Choices)</big>'''
East of this starting room there is an npc named "Wormy." Go east and
'ask wormy about equipment,' and he will give you a full set of gear to
use. Type 'ready' to equip all your armor and wield your weapons. Go
west, then north, then go east twice (shorthand: w, n, 2e - when you ask
for directions somewhere in game, the response will usually be in this
format). You should be in a room called "Starkeep Grand Hall." This is
the center of Starkeep, the center of the city of Astaria, and the
natural place to center yourself on. Grand Hall is commonly referred to
as "GH."


Each race has different [[Statistics|stats]] (strength, intelligence, etc.), which determines what your character's ''good at'' but doesn't lock you into a single playstyle. All races can join any guild, though some guilds require minimum stats.
A good starting point for the newbie's adventures to read '[[help newuser]]' and then '[[help newbieareas]]'

- try your hand at killing things in the areas listed there. In
'''Don't overthink this.''' Pick based on fantasy. What sounds fun? You can always try another race later.
general, you will always have more experience points than needed to
{| class="wikitable"
level, and be short on money.
|+'''Common beginner picks:'''
This is going to be the case for a long, long time (you can ask Palmir
|'''[[Human]]'''
for his notes), but you can alleviate this process by remembering to
|
'search' the rooms where you killed things to hopefully find something
|balanced stats, good for any guild
to sell. If you're running low on health or spell points, in-game food
|-
can heal you and restore lost spell points, as can some potions. If you
|'''[[Dwarf]]'''
don't have any of these, just go get a cup of coffee, water, or surf the
|
web for a minute or two to allow your character to regenerate. Not all
|strong melee fighters
areas are safe to simply allow you to leave your keyboard, though. Be on
|-
the lookout for things that hurt you seemingly at random. Do remember,
|'''[[Elf]]'''
however, that [[death]] is not final, and at low levels the effects of death are fairly mild (you know, relatively speaking).
|
|natural spell-casters
|-
|'''[[Gnome]]'''
|
|clever, perceptive, natural treasure hunters
|}

=== --> [[Races|Full guide to playable races]] <-- ===
----'''<big>Pick a Heritage (10 Choices)</big>'''

Heritage is your character's background story. Most have minor mechanical differences now (scholars get slightly more spell points, nomads get slightly more endurance). Choose based on which sounds the most interesting or fun: [[urchin]], [[scholar]], [[hunter]], [[acolyte]], etc.

'''This is flavor, not fate.'''

=== --> [[Heritage|Full heritage guide]] <-- ===
----'''<big>Set Your Appearance</big>'''

Hair color, eye color, and other cosmetic details. Purely cosmetic; skip it if you're impatient. These can be set and changed any time.
----'''<big>Welcome to Starspire Academy (The next 10 minutes)</big>'''

{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Starspire Academy''' walks new players through a basic tutorial of the game functions:
|-
|how to move
! rowspan="5" |[[File:Example score sheet.png|220x220px|frameless|center]]Sample Score Sheet
|-
|how interact with npcs
|-
|how to get objects and purchase goods
|-
|how to look at your [[Statistics|score sheet]] and search a room or fight a monster
|-
|'''Players level 4 and under may type 'start' to transport to Starspire Academy'''
|}
----'''<big>Understanding the Combat Loop</big>'''

You'll spend most of your time killing monsters, looting their treasure, and selling what you find. Here's the cycle:

# Find a monster in a newbie area
# consider <monster> to check if it's manageable
# '''kill <monster>''' to start combat or '''<assault> <monster>''' to use your starting ability
# Combat resolves through 2-second rounds
# When the monster dies, <bury corpse> | alternatively <bury corpse evil> or <bury corpse good>
# Carry the loot back to a shop and sell <item>

You'll almost always have more experience points than you need but not enough money. That's normal. '''Search the rooms where you fight.'''
----'''<big>Managing Health (hp), Spell (sp), & Endurance (ep)</big>'''

* '''Health drops?''' '''Drink''' a '''potion''', '''eat food''' from your inventory, or '''rest (rest)''' for a few minutes.
* '''Spell points or endurance ponts low?''' Same solution
* Not all areas are safe to rest in. If you feel unsafe, return to '''Starkeep Grand Hall''' or an inn
* If your character is level 4 or under, remember the ''''start'''<nowiki/>' command transports you to Starspire Academy

----'''<big>[[Death|You Will Die]]. That's Okay.</big>'''

Death isn't permanent. When you die:

* '''Don't panic and log out.''' (Logging out doesn't help; you respawn as a ghost anyway.)
* Type '''pray''' to ask the gods for resurrection or wait for a player logged on as a [[Resurrect|cleric to ressurect]] you
* You'll respawn at the Temple of Astaria (neutral temple, south of Starkeep Grand Hall if you pray)

'''The cost''': all unspent experience points. At level 3+, '''you also lose one player level and one guild level.''' It stings but isn't catastrophic. '''Most players die regularly; it's normal.'''
----

'''<big>Useful Commands</big>'''
[[File:Image.png|left|frameless|577x577px|basic commands]]
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''<big>Helpful In-Game Help Files</big>'''
|help
|
|help topics
|-
|help newuser
|
|help commands
|-
|[[help newbieareas]]
|
|help character
|-
|help areas
|
|help color
|}

Latest revision as of 05:18, 14 September 2026

Getting Started with Astaria

Welcome to Astaria, a text-based multiplayer game (called a MUD) that's been running since 1994. Think of it as collaborative storytelling where you control a character exploring an original high-fantasy realm. No graphics: just text, imagination, and other players.

This guide covers your first 20 minutes and points you toward what's next.

Before You Start: What You'll Need, Getting Into the Game

Option 1: Web Browser (Fastest)

Option 2: Dedicated Client For a richer, more immersive experience, download a MUD client:

960x240mudlet a0.png
  • Mudlet (free, Windows/Mac/Linux)
  • Astaria Client (free, Windows)
  • Use a Client of your choice (Zmud, Gmud, MUSH Client) telnet astaria.net:5000
  • We recommend Mudlet which has a custom package for Astaria with maps, backgrounds, and more, but they all work well. If you're just trying it out, connecting through the web is fastest.

Character Creation (5 Minutes)

Pick a Name

  • 12 characters or fewer
  • Fantasy-themed (avoid real names and offensiveness)
  • No special characters: no spaces, apostrophes, accents (e.g., no "Drizz't" or "Fëanor")

Pick a Race (15 Choices)

Each race has different stats (strength, intelligence, etc.), which determines what your character's good at but doesn't lock you into a single playstyle. All races can join any guild, though some guilds require minimum stats.

Don't overthink this. Pick based on fantasy. What sounds fun? You can always try another race later.

Common beginner picks:
Human balanced stats, good for any guild
Dwarf strong melee fighters
Elf natural spell-casters
Gnome clever, perceptive, natural treasure hunters

--> Full guide to playable races <--

Pick a Heritage (10 Choices)

Heritage is your character's background story. Most have minor mechanical differences now (scholars get slightly more spell points, nomads get slightly more endurance). Choose based on which sounds the most interesting or fun: urchin, scholar, hunter, acolyte, etc.

This is flavor, not fate.

--> Full heritage guide <--

Set Your Appearance

Hair color, eye color, and other cosmetic details. Purely cosmetic; skip it if you're impatient. These can be set and changed any time.

Welcome to Starspire Academy (The next 10 minutes)

Starspire Academy walks new players through a basic tutorial of the game functions:
how to move
Example score sheet.png
Sample Score Sheet
how interact with npcs
how to get objects and purchase goods
how to look at your score sheet and search a room or fight a monster
Players level 4 and under may type 'start' to transport to Starspire Academy

Understanding the Combat Loop

You'll spend most of your time killing monsters, looting their treasure, and selling what you find. Here's the cycle:

  1. Find a monster in a newbie area
  2. consider <monster> to check if it's manageable
  3. kill <monster> to start combat or <assault> <monster> to use your starting ability
  4. Combat resolves through 2-second rounds
  5. When the monster dies, <bury corpse> | alternatively <bury corpse evil> or <bury corpse good>
  6. Carry the loot back to a shop and sell <item>

You'll almost always have more experience points than you need but not enough money. That's normal. Search the rooms where you fight.

Managing Health (hp), Spell (sp), & Endurance (ep)

  • Health drops? Drink a potion, eat food from your inventory, or rest (rest) for a few minutes.
  • Spell points or endurance ponts low? Same solution
  • Not all areas are safe to rest in. If you feel unsafe, return to Starkeep Grand Hall or an inn
  • If your character is level 4 or under, remember the 'start' command transports you to Starspire Academy

You Will Die. That's Okay.

Death isn't permanent. When you die:

  • Don't panic and log out. (Logging out doesn't help; you respawn as a ghost anyway.)
  • Type pray to ask the gods for resurrection or wait for a player logged on as a cleric to ressurect you
  • You'll respawn at the Temple of Astaria (neutral temple, south of Starkeep Grand Hall if you pray)

The cost: all unspent experience points. At level 3+, you also lose one player level and one guild level. It stings but isn't catastrophic. Most players die regularly; it's normal.

Useful Commands

basic commands
Helpful In-Game Help Files
help help topics
help newuser help commands
help newbieareas help character
help areas help color
Retrieved from "https://astariamud.com/w/index.php?title=Newbie_guide&oldid=2332"