How to Play

Getting Started

Creating an Account

1. Navigate to the Play Now page
2. Enter your desired username and password
3. You’ll be connected to the game server automatically

Creating Your Character

When you first connect, you’ll create your character by choosing:

• Ancestry: Your character’s racial background (Human, Dwarf, Elf, etc.)
• Class: Your character’s profession and skills
• Background: Your character’s history and personality

Each choice affects how you perceive the world and what abilities you have access to.

Basic Commands

Once in the game, you can interact using text commands:

Movement

• north, south, east, west - Move in a direction
• up, down - Move vertically when available
• look - Examine your surroundings

Interaction

• examine <object> - Look closely at something
• take <item> - Pick up an item
• use <item> - Use an item from your inventory
• inventory - Check what you’re carrying

Social

• say <message> - Speak to nearby players
• party <message> - Send a message to your party
• whisper <player> <message> - Private message

Party System

• party invite <player> - Invite someone to your party
• party leave - Leave your current party
• party list - See party members

Combat

Combat in Shadowwind is turn-based with simultaneous resolution:

1. Declaration Phase: All combatants choose their actions
2. Resolution Phase: Actions resolve simultaneously
3. Repeat until combat ends

Combat Commands

• attack <target> - Basic attack
• defend - Take a defensive stance
• use <ability> - Use a special ability
• flee - Attempt to escape

Tips for New Players

1. Pay attention to descriptions - Your character’s unique perceptions can reveal hidden information
2. Party up - The depths are dangerous; allies make survival much easier
3. Communicate - Share what you perceive with your party members
4. Explore carefully - Not every encounter needs to end in combat
5. Learn your character - Each ancestry and class has unique strengths

Alternative Ways to Play

Legacy MUD Client

The original ShadowWind MUD is still available! You can play it in your browser at game.shadowwind.org/legacy, or connect with a traditional telnet/MUD client to game.shadowwind.org port 9999.

Need Help?

If you get stuck or have questions, try:

• Typing help in the game for a command reference
• Asking other players - the community is friendly!