                            Shadow Realms


                The Shadow Realms are comprised of many, many
        different areas and peoples within a single kingdom that
        is more medieval than modern.  Life is difficult, full of
        struggle, and there is more than a touch of magic and
        the supernatural in the daily lives of the citizens.  One
        may, at any time, encounter a powerful mage, a dwarven
        miner, a humble shopkeeper, or a fierce and aggressive
        warrior.  The cities are safe, relatively speaking; they
        harbor few monsters, and most of those are cowardly.
        It's the human inhabitants one has to be wary of; the
        wayfarer you see could be a potential backstabber, a
        thief, a lowly beggar.....or mayhaps a comrade with whom
        you can form an alliance that will profit you both.

        The outer areas of the Shadow Realms are dangerous and
        unpredictable, with terrifying creatures unfamiliar to
        the stay-at-home peasants who think only of hearth and
        home and their next cup of ale.  The countryside itself
        can be treacherous, and you must take care when
        venturing outside the safety of the city gates alone.
        Even your most powerful magic may not be enough to save
        you.

        Kierkswold is the major city of the Shadow Realms,
        boasting the largest population and the largest number
        of businesses.  It is the location of the Temple of the
        Gods, as well as being the home of the MUD school where
        newcomers choose and train in their vocations.  In
        Kierkswold, you will find shops and inns and thoroughfares
        where the daily business of earning one's living goes on.
        This is also where you will specialize in your field of
        expertise, by going to the appropriate guild and placing
        yourself in the hands of your guildmaster. Be prepared to
        pay for the goods and services you want; TANSTAAFL
        applies here.

        There are other cities and towns in the Shadow
        Realms, places you will undoubtedly visit when you are
        able to leave Kierkswold without dying by murder or
        mishap.  Feel free to explore the Shadow Realms
        thoroughly, but keep an eye on your pocketbook, your
        sword in your hand, and a protection spell on your
        tongue.

        Most of the inhabitants of the Shadow Realms lead
        routine, average, productive lives.  They earn their living
        by farming, shopkeeping, or by providing those goods and
        services all people need.  Others, you among them, hear a
        different call.....a call to adventure, to danger, to the
        unknown.  They hunger for the extraordinary in life, not
        content to exist in a safe cocoon of the ordinary.  These
        adventurerers are brave, and bold, and stride eagerly
        into whatever the future holds.  Survival does not come
        easily to them, and therefore life is precious and every
        moment is to be savored to the fullest.

        The would-be adventurer doesn't start off by slaying
        dragons, of course; such foolhardiness would result in a
        quick and toasty demise.  One must learn how to be an
        adventurer, the same as a farrier must learn how to shoe
        horses.  First, our hero wannabe must decide what type
        of adventurer he or she is most suited to be.  You must
        choose whether to be a mage, a cleric, a thief, or a
        warrior.  Your talents now and what you will gain on
        your adventures will be focused on improving that one
        skill class.  You may, later on, decide to become
        proficient in another area, but your primary objective is
        to be the best you can be at the vocation you chose
        first.

        When you first enter Kierkswold as a new player, you
        will find yourself in the Temple of the Gods, at the
        Sacred Fountain. This is a safe area, one you will return
        to often to lick your wounds and tell your tales of
        battle.  At the beginning, though, you are as helpless and
        vulnerable as a mewling kitten; you have no clothes, no
        weapons, no armor, no magic skills. You should make your
        first order of business the finding and completing of MUD
        school; this will give you rudimentary lessons in fighting
        and will provide you with low level equipment.  After
        that, you are on your own.  May the gods smile on you
        and look favorably on your quests.

        HAPPY ADVENTURING!

