A "Newbie's" Q/A Review

So, I have a few new characters running around that I've been using to just goof off with and see how the mud is running overall. However, there appear some problems with the MUD now that are quite likely keeping new players away. Since I of course realize I've been away for many things, these all could be easily explainable, but I wanted to come in with the general eyes of a new player. All of these things I'm about to itemize are intended to be constructive criticism (and I may be off base about some of them, please feel free to point that out. No, seriously).

1. Ok, first, the whole "Mad Max/Apocalypse" feel of the area is pretty cool, I have to say. I get the idea some big RP plot unfolded (I'll scan the forums later) that drastically altered the city. Nothing wrong with that. However, for a n00b to move around, the crater probably shouldn't be desert. It sucks a lot of movement out of players who don't have a lot to begin with.

2. Certain guilds are quite difficult to find now (and I built the original city). I think the cleric guild is marked as an "Abandoned Guild" or something, making it seem like the empty guilds in Tarandue. Again, I get the whole RP plot, but keep in mind, the start up quests ALL revolve around Rheydin.

3. What happened to some of the shops in Rheydin? I can do a "where" on Manhean, but I wasn't able to find him, since it looks like the crater covers a lot of the central area. Since one of the first quests is to buy stuff from a shop, this makes it really tough for newbies to get those things accomplished. Considering the Rheydin map hasn't been updated, it makes it really dicey.

4. Since I wasn't able to locate the supply shop in Rheydin, I went to Val Miran. Not sure why water jugs are for sale only to level 5+? I realize you can get buffalo skins free in the area, but that was a little confusing. I also tried to buy a dinghy and was zapped by it, and a canoe runs about 3,500, which your guildmaster doesn't cover. ;-)

5. The directional sign was removed from the area just above the MUD school. The SIGN used to display directions to each city. I figured it out by trial and error, but this would be really confusing for a true newbie.

That's all I have for right now, but I will append to this as I find more things. I would only say (from some experience) that when we installed Rheydin many years ago, it was intended to be the largest, most centrally located, newbie-friendly city. That reason alone is why it was laid out in an easy-to-navigate grid, and why Viri and I put so many of the newbie quests in that city.

I would suggest (at least) that the maps be updated to reflect the new state of the city. Additionally, it might be nice to update the "find your guild" quests to be the guild in the player's home city (instead of Rheydin), in which case there needs to be adequate merchandise in those cities (for all players) to fulfill the quests, particularly since they are a great source of experience and gold for newbies.

I second that,... been away a while,.. enjoyed Meteor HIT Scenario in Rheydin, regretting i was not around when it hit in.

And was lookin for Manhean quite desperatly.

Crypticant the helpless N00b. Just set the carnifex after him, and I bet he will find the supply shop and guild.

Toughen up, princess!

If you read the scroll given to you when you start those quests, the way is clear.

Not clear enough apparently.

Supply shop in rheydin is near the east commons. Either a bit north or south. I think it's south.

Clerics guild was there 2 weeks ago. But necro guild is now inside the Graveyard, which makes sense.

a crazy three-armed drow opened a rift in time in the middle of rheydin.

I agree about the moves thing btw.

Map for Rheydin coming in soon.

1. HUH?

The Chapel of Sanctuary

You stand within the Chapel of Sanctuary, a small church just above the

Combat Arena. You feel a sense of peace and serenity here, within this one

room, non denominational chapel. A small flight of steps leads upward

toward the square of the city, where you can hear the daily commotion of

citizens going about their daily tasks.

Walk UP to city of RHEYDIN

Walk NORTH to city of VAL MIRAN

Walk SOUTH to city of MIRUVHOR

Walk EAST to town of MARAK

Walk WEST to town of XYMERRIA

[Exits: north east south west up]

A big SIGN stands here atop a post begging you to LOOK at it. (look sign)

Gholynn, a wise priest, stands here communing blessings.

Gholynn the priest says 'Hello there Anumestesty. Type 'service' to see the list of services I offer.'

Gholynn the priest smiles happily.

l sign

You are now heading out of MUD school. Want to continue your learning

after you leave ? The ACADEMY is now inducting new students from ranks 5 to

rank 10. If you want to be part of the biggest school in Thera and learn

everything from basic equipping to battle tactics get yourself to the

academy gates. You will find the academy 2 south of the Temple of

Abstraction. Simply speak to Mohcran there and tell him you wish to join.

He will grant you an academy pass.

(Directions are still valid.)

Vanduel's Sundries

You are in a small dusty shop. Boats, lamps, and various other

items hang from netting nailed to the cieling. A dirty man with

a patch over his eye sits behind the counter waiting for you to

order something. The room smells like old books and fish, and you

feel the need to leave...soon.

[Exits: north up]

Vanduel the shopkeeper is here selling various sundries.

list

[Lv Price Coin Qty] Item

[ 0 3500 GO -- ] a large, light canoe

[ 0 1000 GO -- ] a small dinghy

[ 5 800 GO -- ] a water jug

[ 5 500 GO -- ] a brass oil lamp

buy dinghy

You buy a small dinghy.

(Maybe you were a storm giant, the dinghy is made of wood. But then, strom giants don't need boats...)

You can get a jug and a light for free at any of the major temples.

$10 on him using "brief"

Quests still work just fine. True newbies wouldn't have the same navigation problems. This is only because you are a returning player. You are expecting things to be in a certain place and getting lost. A real newbie would be mapping from scratch.

Vanduel's Sundries

You are in a small dusty shop. Boats, lamps, and various other

items hang from netting nailed to the cieling. A dirty man with

a patch over his eye sits behind the counter waiting for you to

order something. The room smells like old books and fish, and you

feel the need to leave...soon.

[Exits: north up]

Vanduel the shopkeeper is here selling various sundries.

list

[Lv Price Coin Qty] Item

[ 0 3500 GO -- ] a large, light canoe

[ 0 1000 GO -- ] a small dinghy

[ 5 800 GO -- ] a water jug

[ 5 500 GO -- ] a brass oil lamp

buy dinghy

You buy a small dinghy.

(Maybe you were a storm giant, the dinghy is made of wood. But then, strom giants don't need boats...)

You can get a jug and a light for free at any of the major temples.

Quest doesn't require storm-giants to have a boat?

$10 on him using "brief"
'

That's actually part of my F1 that sets my prompt, drops maps, sets brief, scroll 0 and catches up on notes/news/changes.

Quests still work just fine. True newbies wouldn't have the same navigation problems. This is only because you are a returning player. You are expecting things to be in a certain place and getting lost. A real newbie would be mapping from scratch.

Haha. Crypt, only you could not be newb enough.

Seriously though - some valid points. Good to see you back.

I'd like to open this up to see if anybody has more newbie change suggestions, since we are working on updating things for them right at this moment.

1. As far as the dinghy goes, the quest requires a boat, regardless of whether or not the particular class needs it.

2. Yes, that's my mistake, I was using brief. I though the directions were on the sign, so, forget I said that.

Map for Rheydin coming in soon.

1. HUH?

The Chapel of Sanctuary

You stand within the Chapel of Sanctuary, a small church just above the

Combat Arena. You feel a sense of peace and serenity here, within this one

room, non denominational chapel. A small flight of steps leads upward

toward the square of the city, where you can hear the daily commotion of

citizens going about their daily tasks.

Walk UP to city of RHEYDIN

Walk NORTH to city of VAL MIRAN

Walk SOUTH to city of MIRUVHOR

Walk EAST to town of MARAK

Walk WEST to town of XYMERRIA

[Exits: north east south west up]

A big SIGN stands here atop a post begging you to LOOK at it. (look sign)

Gholynn, a wise priest, stands here communing blessings.

Gholynn the priest says 'Hello there Anumestesty. Type 'service' to see the list of services I offer.'

Gholynn the priest smiles happily.

l sign

You are now heading out of MUD school. Want to continue your learning

after you leave ? The ACADEMY is now inducting new students from ranks 5 to

rank 10. If you want to be part of the biggest school in Thera and learn

everything from basic equipping to battle tactics get yourself to the

academy gates. You will find the academy 2 south of the Temple of

Abstraction. Simply speak to Mohcran there and tell him you wish to join.

He will grant you an academy pass.

(Directions are still valid.)

Vanduel's Sundries

You are in a small dusty shop. Boats, lamps, and various other

items hang from netting nailed to the cieling. A dirty man with

a patch over his eye sits behind the counter waiting for you to

order something. The room smells like old books and fish, and you

feel the need to leave...soon.

[Exits: north up]

Vanduel the shopkeeper is here selling various sundries.

list

[Lv Price Coin Qty] Item

[ 0 3500 GO -- ] a large, light canoe

[ 0 1000 GO -- ] a small dinghy

[ 5 800 GO -- ] a water jug

[ 5 500 GO -- ] a brass oil lamp

buy dinghy

You buy a small dinghy.

(Maybe you were a storm giant, the dinghy is made of wood. But then, strom giants don't need boats...)

You can get a jug and a light for free at any of the major temples.

heh, the newbie sign still says thera

Quests still work just fine. True newbies wouldn't have the same navigation problems. This is only because you are a returning player. You are expecting things to be in a certain place and getting lost. A real newbie would be mapping from scratch.

Depends on your definition of newbie. If you mean "someone who has never played a MUD before, EVAR", then you're right, I'm not a newbie. However, most new players to MUDs these days are people who have actually played before, and are at least semi familiar with how MUDs operate. Considering my absence, I would say I fall into that category.

I was attempting to map from scratch, but the point is, it makes it real tough when the maps, which are specifically designed for newbies, are not updated to reflect the current state of the world.

From what I understood, you were looking for a place you thought you remembered where it was, since you have played here before. But since it got moved, you got a bit confused. A true newbie following the map would have some problems, but the adventurer's supply is still east and south of the center area, roughly. I can see your point about the maps.

I agree it would be good to get an updated map for the devastated Rheydin in.

I agree it would be good to get an updated map for the devastated Rheydin in.

Updated newbie maps in general. I'd do it if the askii art actually worked for me. I think it's beyond my scope of reasoning.

Dimitri tells you "hey newb, meet me under the south square, we can be friends and join groups"

You walk down.

Dimitri closes the grate above you.

Dimitri says "time to die!"

Dimitri's trick wounds you!

You are dead!

Dimitri tells you "this mud should be more newbie friendly"