Character Creation in Eternal Chaos III

1. Name: Come up with a name and password first.
2. Race: Choose what race your character comes from.
3. Attributes: Set your character's starting physical statistics and gender.
4. Class: Select your character's field of expertise, and moral alignment.
5. Skills and Spells: Decide on what skills your character will possess.

Character creation in EC3 is very flexible, allowing you to customise your character to a great extent. The more you give your character, though, the harder it becomes to gain levels. You use creation points to build your character, buying things like your race and your skills, and the more creation points you use then the more experience you need to level. Creation points can be lowered in the game by using training sessions. The experience breakdown is as follows:

Creation Points	Experience per Level	Creation Points	Experience per Level
40	1000	90	6000
50	1500	100	8000
60	2000	110	12000
70	3000	120	16000
80	4000	130	24000

The table continues in a similar manner for higher point totals.

[NAME] [RACE] [ATTRIBUTES] [CLASS] [SKILLS]

Name

The first thing you will be asked for, before entering the MUD, is a name. Your name is your unique identifier, so you won't be able to use the same name as anyone else. If you do happen to try a name that is already in use, you will be asked for their password to prevent you using their character. Press [RETURN] to try a different name.

When you've chosen a name that the MUD doesn't recognise, you will be asked for a password and e-mail address, and then will be taken straight into the character creation process...

[NAME] [RACE] [ATTRIBUTES] [CLASS] [SKILLS]

Race

ROM has the following races for player characters:

Race	Description	Cost	STR	INT	WIS	DEX	CON
Human	the standard race	0	13	16	13	13	13
Dwarf	good warriors and priests	8	14	15	14	10	15
Elf	good thieves and mages	5	14	17	13	15	11
Giant	huge, tough warriors	6	19	11	13	11	14
Halfling	quick and tough, good thieves	6	11	11	13	18	13
Troll	strong and tough	6	15	13	10	13	15
Minotaur	hard-hitting warriors	6	18	11	10	14	15
Draconian	keen intellect and very strong	10	11	18	15	10	14

Different races have different starting statistics, and also different stat maximums for magic items and training. The column for cost in the above table refers to the amount of creation points each race costs. Creation points increase the amount of experience it takes to gain a level.

Human

Humans are the most common race in the world, and make up the majority of adventurers. Although they have no special talents like the other races, they are more versatile, being skilled in all four classes. Humans may also train their primary stat higher than any other race, and are able to gain more benefit from magical devices.

Default starting attributes:
Str: 13(13)  Int: 16(16)  Wis: 13(13)  Dex: 13(13)  Con: 13(13)

Dwarf

Dwarves are short, stocky humanoids, known for foul temper and great stamina. Dwarves have high strength and constitution, but poor dexterity. They are not as smart as humans, but are usually wiser due to their long lifespans. Dwarves make excellent fighters and priests, but are very poor mages or thieves.

Dwarves are very resistant to poison and disease, but cannot swim, and so are very vulnerable to drowning. They receive the berserk skill for free (if warriors), and can see in the dark with infravision.

Default starting attributes:
Str: 14(14)  Int: 15(15)  Wis: 14(14)  Dex: 10(10)  Con: 15(15)

Elf

Elves are slightly taller than humans, but have a much lighter build. They lack the strength and stamina of the other races, but are far more agile, both in body and mind. Elves are superb mages and thieves, but have at best fair talent as warriors or priests.

Elves resist charm spells most effectively, due to their magical nature. However, they are burned by the touch of iron, and so are barred from the use of iron or steel in their adventuring careers. Elves are notoriously hard to spot, and so elven warriors and thieves receive the sneak and hiding skills automatically. They may see in the dark with infravision.

Default starting attributes:
Str: 12(12)  Int: 17(17)  Wis: 13(13)  Dex: 15(15)  Con: 11(11)

Giant

Giants are the largest of the races, ranging from 9-12 feet in height. They are stronger than any other race, and almost as durable as the dwarves. They aren't too bright, however, and their huge size makes them more clumsy than the other races. Giants make the best warriors of any race, but are ill-suited for any other profession.

Giants resist heat and cold with nary a mark, due to their huge mass. However, their slow minds make them extremely vulnerable to mental attacks. Giants, due to their size and stamina, receive the fast healing and bash skills for free. (Only giant warriors receive bash).

Default starting attributes:
Str: 19(19)  Int: 11(11)  Wis: 13(13)  Dex: 11(11)  Con: 14(14)

Halfling

Quick and durable little people. Good thieves and sturdy warriors. They are resistant to piercing and slashing, as they are so nimble. But their fragile skulls make them somewhat vulnerable to blunt instruments.

Default starting attributes:
Str: 11(11)  Int: 11(11)  Wis: 13(13)  Dex: 18(18)  Con: 13(13)

Troll

Strong and tough, but not very smart. Good warriors. They are resistant to the charms of mages, but also vulnerable to fire and acid. Trolls receive the frighten skill automatically.

Default starting attributes:
Str: 15(15)  Int: 13(13)  Wis: 10(10)  Dex: 13(13)  Con: 15(15)

Minotaur

Strong, but not terribly smart. Minotaurs can gore as well as fight. They are resistant to charm and negative energies, but vulnerable to other magics and holy wrath.

Default starting attributes:
Str: 18(18)  Int: 11(11)  Wis: 10(10)  Dex: 14(14)  Con: 15(15)

Draconian

Draconians are extremely intelligent and fairly strong. Good mages and clerics. They are resistant to magic, charming and piercing. Although they are vulnerable to negative energies and holy wrath.

Default starting attributes:
Str: 11(11)  Int: 18(18)  Wis: 15(15)  Dex: 10(10)  Con: 14(14)

[NAME] [RACE] [ATTRIBUTES] [CLASS] [SKILLS]

Attributes

Your statistics determine your character's overall ability. Every race has their own boundaries as to what they can and cannot do. Young adventurers start out with relatively low statistics, and are able to train them higher as they grow and learn. Some may choose to undergo special training and hone their stats to suit them on a more personal level.

Attributes define the physical make-up of a character. They come in sets. The numbers outside parentheses are your character's natural abilities. The numbers inside parentheses are your character's attributes as adjusted by equipment.

• STRENGTH is the physical strength of your character. STR affects how much damage you inflict and how much you can carry.
• INTELLIGENCE is the raw brain power of your character. INT affects how quickly you learn skills or spells.
• WISDOM is the intelligence your character gains through life experiences. WIS affects how quickly you learn new skills.
• DEXTERITY is the physical agility of your character. DEX affects how well you avoid attacks and how fast you can hit.
• CONSTITUTION is a measure of a person's health taking into account their stamina and durability. CON affects how quickly your character grows tougher.

Eternal Chaos uses a flexible statistic generator to help better customize your character. There are several different ways that you may define your character's abilities, but customizing is most likely the most powerful way to generate your stats if you are an experienced adventurer.

Syntax:	<stat> -[number]	— This will subtract X number of points.
	<stat> +[number]	— This will add X number of points.
	<stat> [number]	— This will set the stat to X points.

You can also do other things with your statistics in this section of character creation.

Syntax:	randomize	— This will randomize your stats.
	default	— This will reset your stats to defaults.
	help	— Show this bit of the helpfile.
	done	— This will return you to character generation.
	all [number]	— Set all stats to X points.

At this point you will also be asked if you want your character to be male or female.

[NAME] [RACE] [ATTRIBUTES] [CLASS] [SKILLS]

Class

Your class should be thought upon as your field of expertise. Different classes allow different abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. There are four classes to choose from: Mage, Warrior, Thief, or Cleric.

Mage

Mages specialize in the casting of spells, offensive ones in particular. Mages have the highest-powered magic of any class, and are the only classes able to use the draconian and enchanting spell groups. They are also very skilled at the use of magical items, though their combat skills are the weakest of any class.

All mages begin with skill in the dagger. Any other weapon skills must be purchased, at a very high rate. The default skill selection for mages is as follows:


Skills:
• lore - the lore of magical items
  
  Spell Groups:
• beguiling - spells that control the mind
• combat - offensive magics, such as fireball and chill touch
• detection - informational magics, such as detect magic and identify
• enhancement - spells that maximize physical potential, such as haste
• illusion - magics for concealing and deceiving
• maladictions - a selection of curses fit for any witch
• protective - defensive magics, ranging from armor to stone skin
• transporation - spells for getting from here to there
• weather - spells for conjuring and mastering the elements

Warrior

Warriors live for combat and the thrill of battle. They are the best fighters of all the classes, but lack the subtle skills of thieves and the magical talents of mages and priests. Warriors are best for those who don't mind taking the direct approach, even when another method might be called for.

Warriors begin with skill in the sword, and gain a second attack in combat. Other weapon skills may be purchased cheaply, or gained in the default skill package, which includes the following:


Skills:
• weaponsmaster - this group provides knowledge of all weapon types
• shield block - the art of parrying with a shield
• bash - a forceful rush with the body, designed to flatten your foes
• enhanced damage - this skill multiplies your damage in battle
• parry - the art of parrying with weapons
• rescue - allows you to take the blows aimed for a companion
• third attack - allows the skilled warrior to land three blows in one round

Thief

Thieves are a marginal class. They do few things better than any other class, but have the widest range of skills available. Thieves are specialists at thievery and covert actions, being capable of entering areas undetected where more powerful adventurers would fear to tread. They are better fighters than clerics, but lack the wide weapon selection of warriors.

All thieves begin with the dagger combat skill, and are learned in steal as well. Any other weapon skills must be purchased, unless the default selection is chosen. This default skill package includes:


Skills:
• mace - the use of maces and other blunt weapons
• sword - swordplay and fencing
• backstab - the art of hitting your opponent by surprise
• disarm - used to deprive your opponent of his weapon
• dodge - the best way to take a punch is not to be there
• second attack - with training, the skilled thief can hit twice as fast
• trip - a good way to introduce an opponent to the floor
• hide - the art of remaining undetected in a room
• peek - used to look into a person's belongings
• pick lock - a useful skill for breaking and entering
• sneak - with this skill, a thief can walk into a room undetected

Cleric

Clerics are the most defensively orientated of all the classes. Most of their spells focus on healing or defending the faithful, with their few combat spells being far less powerful than those of mages. However, clerics are the best class by far at healing magics, and they possess an impressive area of protective magics, as well as fair combat prowess.

All clerics begin with skill in the mace. Other weapon or shield skills must be purchased, many at a very dear cost. The default skill selection for clerics is as follows:


Skills:
• flail - the proper use of flails
  
  Spell Groups:
• attack - a selection of offensive magics
• creation - the making of physical objects, such as food and water
• curative - spells that cure the sick and feeble of their ailments
• benedictions - powerful magics that grant the blessings of the gods
• detection - informational magics, such as detect magic and identify
• healing - spells for treating wounds, from scratches to death blows
• maladictions - an assortment of curses
• protective - defensive magics, including the powerful sanctuary spell
• transportation - spells for getting from here to there
• weather - spells for conjuring and mastering the elements

At this point you will also be asked what starting alignment you want. The choice is Good, Neutral, or Evil. This may change with game play as your character progresses.

[NAME] [RACE] [ATTRIBUTES] [CLASS] [SKILLS]

Skills and Spells

The ROM skill system allows you to fully customize your new character, making him or her skilled in the skills you choose. But beware, the skills you pick at character creation are the only skills you will ever learn. Skills are paid for with creation points, and the more creation points you have, the harder it is to gain a level. Furthermore, higher-cost skills are harder to practice.

Skill groups are like package deals for characters — sets of skills or spells that are closely related, and hence can be learned as a unit. There is a default skill group for each class, which can be selected for a balanced selection of skills at a somewhat reduced cost.

The following commands are available:

• list - display all groups and skills not yet bought
• learned - show all groups and skills bought
• premise - brief explanation of creation points and skill groups
• add <name> - buy a skill or group
• drop <name> - discard a skill or group
• info <name> - list the skills or spells contained within a group
• help <name> - help on skills and groups, or other help topics
• done - exit the character generation process

The Basic Skills:

Every character starts with two skill groups, one for their class (as described above) and a default set that all characters receive. The default skills are:

• recall - essential escape skill (see help on recall)
• scrolls - reading of scrolls and other magical volumes (see help on recite)
• staves - use of magical staves (see help on brandish)
• wands - use of magical wands (see help on zap)

Magical items require training to use properly. If your character lacks the necessary skill to use an item, he will fail, possibly destroying it.

Weapon Skills:

Each weapon skill applies to a specific group of armaments, and determines how well a character fights with a particular weapon. The weaponsmaster group provides talent in all weapons (save exotics), from chair legs to halberds. If the character has the parry skill as well, he can parry incoming attacks. The chance of parrying is best if the character in question is skilled at both his weapon and his opponent's.

The weapon skills consist of the following:

• weaponsmaster - skill group of all weapons listed below (save exotic weaponry)
• axe - the use of axes, ranging from hand to great (but not halberds)
• dagger - the use of knives and daggers, and other stabbing weapons
• flail - skill in ball-and-chain type weapons
• mace - this skill includes clubs and hammers as well as maces
• polearm - the use of pole weapons (except spears), including halberds
• spear - this skill covers both spears and staves, but not polearms
• sword - the warrior's standby, from rapier to claymore
• whip - the use of whips, chains, and bullwhips
• exotic - the use of strange magical weapons

The exotic skill cannot be purchased, and is dependent solely upon level.

Spell Groups:

For details of the spell groups that you can select according to your class, and the spells associated with each of these groups, take a look at the spells page.

Other Skills:

Backstab
Backstab is the favored attack of thieves, murderers, and other rogues. It can be used with any weapon type, but is most effective with piercing weapons. The damage inflicted by a backstab is determined by the attacker's level, his weapon skill, his backstab skill, and the power of his opponent. Only thieves may learn the backstab.

Bash
The bash skill is a warrior talent, a brute-force attack designed to knock your foe to his knees. Its success depends on many factors, including the bash rating, your weight, and the size of your opponent. Bashing a dragon is not generally a wise idea.

Berserk
Only powerful warriors can master berserking, the ability to enter insane rage in combat. Its effects are not altogether unlike the frenzy spell -- a huge surge of combat prowess, coupled with a disregard for personal safety. Berserking warriors are more resistant to the effects of magic.

Dirt
Considered by some to be a cowardly skill, dirt kicking gives the clever combatant a chance to blind his opponent by casting dirt into his eyes. The blindness does not last long, but can provide an edge in combat. Dexterity helps in hitting or avoiding a dirt kick. Only warriors and thieves may learn this skill.

Disarm
Disarm is a somewhat showy and unreliable skill, designed to relieve your opponent of his weapon. The best possible chance of disarming occurs when you are skilled in both your own and your opponent's weapon. Only talented thieves and warriors may learn this skill.

Dodge
In the words of one wise warrior, 'the best way to block a blow is to not be where it lands'. The dodge skill honors this tradition, by improving the character's natural agility to the point where many blows will miss the target. The chance of dodging is also affected by the dexterity of the attacker and the target. Any class may learn dodging.

Dual Wield
Dual wield is the ability to wield a second weapon instead of using a shield in battle. Though it is quite dependant on your strength as well as the weight of the two weapons you choose to wield. Warriors, clerics and thieves can learn this ability, but warriors learn it faster, while clerics and thieves take some time to learn the discipline needed to effectively use it.

Enhanced Damage
Warriors and skilled thieves can become skilled enough in combat that they are able to inflict more damage than other classes. Enhanced damage is checked for with each hit, although with a low skill, the chance of receiving a bonus is very low indeed.

Envenom
The envenom skill is a cowardly skill practiced only by thieves, designed to win a battle through alchemy and treachery rather than skill or strength. Or, put another way, it's a skill used by the smart to kill the foolish. Food, drink, and weapons may be envenomed, with varying effects. Poisoned food or drink puts a mild poison spell on the consumer, and is unlikely to be more than a minor inconvience (after all, the typical adventurer could drink sewer water with only a trace of the runs). A poisoned weapon, on the other hand, can inflict serious damage on an opponent as the poison burns through his bloodstream. But be careful, blade venom evaporates quickly and is rendered almost powerless by repeated blows in combat.

Fast Healing
The fast healing skill improves wound healing rates, whether walking, resting, or sleeping. It represents knowledge of healing herbs or just general toughness and stamina. Fast healing is checked every tick, and it is possible for it to fail. All classes may learn this skill, but mages find it very difficult to master, due to their bookish lifestyle.

Frighten
Frighten is the ability to frighten away mobs and other characters out of the room, even in the middle of a fight. This can be useful for when those pesky random mobs walk in and start fighting you while you were previously engaged in a fight. Frighten is also an automatic skill gained by trolls, because they are so naturally hideous and find it relatively easy to scare off others. Frighten can be learned by warriors, thieves and mages, but warriors learn it the fastest.

Haggle
Haggling is an indispensable skill to the trader. It allows a character to match wits with a merchant, seeking to get a better price for merchandise, or to buy at the lowest possible cost. Unfortunately, most merchants are already very skilled at haggling, so the untrainined adventurer had best guard his treasure closely. Thieves are natural masters at haggling, although other classes may learn it as well.

Hand to Hand
Hand to hand combat is a rare skill in the lands of Midgaard. Learning this style of fighting gives the player a weapon even when disarmed -- bare hands. Trained hand to hand experts are far more effective than many swordsmen. Clerics and warriors are the best at this skill, although thieves and mages may also learn it.

Hide
Hide and sneak are similar skills, both related to remaining undetected. Hide has a very high chance of success, but only works for as long as the character remains stationary. Only warriors and thieves may learn these skills.

Kai
Kai is the ability to project one's voice at an opponent and stun them for a short period of time in which, if successful, the foe is unable to cast spells or do special maneuvers like kick or trip. It also causes a small amount of damage if it is successful. Kai is only available to thieves and warriors, but thieves learn it quicker.

Kick
Kicking allows the adventurer to receive an extra attack in combat, a powerful kick. However, a failed kick may throw an unwary fighter off balance. Fighters and clerics are the most skilled at kicking, although thieves may also learn it.

Lore
Lore is a general skill, consisting of knowledge of myths and legends. Use of the lore skill gives a chance of obtaining information on an object, concerning its power and uses. It also may occasionally increase the value of an object, because more will be known about its worth. All classes may learn lore, although thieves are best at it, and warriors find it very hard to use.

Meditate
This skill is similar to fast healing, but relies on concentration and a keen intellect to increase mana recovery when the character is sleeping or resting. Thieves and warriors, with their troubled minds and violent attitudes, usually have a difficult time learning to meditate.

Parry
If at first you fail to dodge, block it. Parry is useful for deflecting attacks, and is succesful more often than dodge. Parry requires a weapon for full success, the hand-to-hand skill may also be used, but results in reduced damage instead of no damage. The best chance of parrying occurs when the defender is skilled in both his and his opponent's weapon type.

Peek
The peek skill is useful for seeing what a player or monster is carrying, the better to use the steal command with. More intelligent characters are harder to peek at. All characters may learn peek, but thieves are the most common practicioners. Peek works when you look at a player or monster.

Pick
Lock picking is one of the prime skills of thieves, allowing them to gain access to many secured areas. Lock picking chances are improved by intelligence, and hindered by the difficulty of the lock. Other classes may learn to pick locks, but they will never find it easy.

Radar
Radar allows a character to detect mobs and other characters in the nearby vicinity of 5 rooms, but it doesn't work around corners. It has proven its usefulness when mapping out a new area that you haven't been in before. Radar can be used by all classes, though warriors learn it the fastest, and thieves at a close second.

Rescue
A friend in need is a friend indeed. And when in combat, a warrior with the rescue skill is just the friend you need. Rescue allows you to intercede in combat, protecting weaker characters from bodily harm. Hopefully the favor will be returned. Success in rescuing depends on the skill rating, as well as a comparison of level, dexterity, and speed between the character and the target. (note: you rescue a friend, not the monster)

Second Attack
Training in second attack allows the character a chance at additional strikes in combat -- allow a 100% second attack does NOT guarantee 2 attacks every round. Any class may learn this skill, although clerics and mages have a very hard time with it.

Shield Block
Shield block is a rather fancy name for the art of parrying with a shield. Characters with no shield block skill will not be able to defend themselves well with a shield. All classes may learn shield block, but only warriors and clerics are good at it. Beware, flails ignore shield blocking attempts, and whips have an easier time getting around them. Axes may split shields in two.

Sneak
Hide and sneak are similar skills, both related to remaining undetected. Sneak may be used when moving (including to sneak by monsters), but has a lower chance of success. Only warriors and thieves may learn these skills.

Steal
Theft is the defining skill of the thief, and is only available to that class. It allows items to be stolen from the inventory of monsters and characters, and even from shops! But beware, shop keepers guard their merchandise carefully, and attempting to steal from a character earns you a THIEF flag if you are caught (making you free game for killing).

Third Attack
Training in third attack allows the character a chance at an additional strike in a combat, and increases the chance of a second attack as well. Perfect third attack does NOT assure three attacks per round. Only warriors and highly skilled thieves may learn this skill.

Trip
Back by popular demand. Trip is a somewhat dastardly attack, and involves using any one of a number of methods to bring your opponent down to the ground. Tripping large monsters is generally not a good idea, and agile ones will find the attack easy to avoid. Thieves and warriors may learn trip.

[NAME] [RACE] [ATTRIBUTES] [CLASS] [SKILLS]

...and Play

And now you're done you can start exploring the diverse worlds of Eternal Chaos III. You will start outside of the MUD school which shows you how to navigate the world of text before you, and coaches you in the most useful of the many commands. Of course, you don't need to enter, and you can go off exploring anywhere else you choose. The outfit command will give you a set of basic equipment to start you off with.

Your character will be saved automatically, but only when you reach level 2. This is so that those folks who come in to take a quick look and decide that EC3 isn't for them, don't clog up the MUD with piles of unused characters.