DarkWind is an ever-changing text-based multi-player game that is free to play. The World of DarkWind has been under development since 1992 and is developed entirely by volunteer staff.

Come join the friendly player base at DarkWind now. Just click connect to the left or telnet to darkwind.org port 3000. We'll see you soon!

Getting Started

When you complete character creation, you will find yourself in the adventurer's guild. The Center of Town (COT) is north, east (or n, e) from there. COT is the 4-way intersection on the map of Darkwind, and all the directions in this guide start from there.

To begin adventuring you will need equipment. Erga's Newbie Shop (4 west, 1 south) will give you free equipment. At level 2 you will have access to the donation room (5n,e). Here you can get equipment donated by higher level players. Please return it when you are done with it so that the next Newbie will have access to it. Remember to wear and wield all. You can do this with one command by typing equip.

Now that you have equipment you will want to gain experience and gold so that you can gain levels. The Adventurers' Guild (w,s) will give you an idea of how much gold and experience is required for your next level. Keep in mind that levels are only the ability to further increase your stats. So in most cases it is generally best to spend experience on stats until you get the message that says you must increase your level before gaining more stats (See help stats). There are occasions where you might decide to skip stats in order to get to the next level more quickly. Keep in mind when you do this that you have not gained the power of the next level.

When you kill something you will want to get the gold and the loot from the corpse. You can get all from corpse. Or you can burn the corpse with a corpse burner (See Chapter 6) and get all. You can sell the loot in the shop (5w,2s,w). When you leave the game you will want to sell or donate all of your equipment. Coins that you have on hand will save with your character but equipment will not. Guilds have storage rooms to store equipment during the current uptime. Equipment cannot be saved through reboots. You can put your extra coins in the bank (5w,3s,e) for safe keeping and so that you have something to start with if you should die.

Death Happens

It is part of the game. Luckily it isn't permanent. If you should happen to die, you can go to the church (5w,n) and pray. When you die you will lose one from each stat, all of the experience you have on hand and one level. Note that this penalty does not exist if you are level 5 or lower. Until then, praying at the church will restore all of your stats and your level. Some guilds have the ability to raise people from the dead. This saves them some of the stat loss, but not the level or the experience on hand. You can get someone to avenge your death. This is a way to get some experience back (help deathavengement). Don't do this if you are level 5 or below, because Dierdre works every time.

It was nearly 1800 years ago that the dark wind appeared and ravaged our cities, countries, towns and villages. From where this evil came and what the cause was, I regret to say is not known to us, for most of the immortals were still children at the time. Some say it was an evil birthed of the foul arts of Alarian, the great Necromancer, and that he was its first victim, but that is just a legend from the mists of time. Whatever the cause, the effects were obvious. Not even the longest of wars could have killed as swiftly and effortlessly as that unliving wind of malice.

The dark wind has come and gone several times during my life, during the life of the city, and during the rebuilding. Not even Mitra, Gaea and Set could fully stop the destruction. But the first occurrence of the wind was the worst by far. We shall start our history at that time, for history of the time before the coming is lost, just as the lives and cities were lost. The clades of Darkwind were thrown into confusion, and the blancmanges, who had been decimated by the wind, were pushed to the brink of extinction by the resulting wars.

The clade wars were bloody affairs. The ogres, orcs and trolls banded together, and with their combined raw strength launched raids and besieged the elves, gnomes and dwarves as they attempted to rebuild. The humans fell victim to massive infighting. The faerie and the halflings managed to escape most of the bloodshed, however they found themselves unable to do much rebuilding of their shattered culture.

The death and barrenness caused by the dark wind caught the eye of three gods: Gaea, the earth mother; Mitra, the goddess of goodness; and Set, the god of chaos. Gaea set about to restore the land, the plants, and the animals. Mitra and Set, however, made themselves known to the inhabitants of Darkwind. Gaea worked so very hard at rebuilding life. Mitra and Set, however, attempted to lead the people to a better life. Co- existence between the factions, the clades, and families was not to be at this time. The religious wars that followed were unfortunate, and only served to dilute the population even more.

No one but the gods know what happened to change things. 24 years after the cleansing by the dark wind, representatives from the different clades met at the bay where Darkwind City now stands. Many say that Gaea herself came to the representatives and entranced them, giving them power from her own body, as well as power from both Set and Mitra. Thus she bestowed upon them immortality; the ability to command flesh, stone, air, water, and spirit, and the determination to create a better life.

With the immortals in place, she forbade Set and Mitra from taking a direct hand in the world, allowing them to only work through the priests and the immortals. The age of immortals had begun. The first act was the creation of a city on the very ground where they were given their power. And the city was called Darkwind, and it was open to one and all.

The clades of Darkwind thrived, and explored the surrounding countryside and the oceans. The immortals created many things, guided by Mitra, Set and Gaea.

Domains

There are numerous domains throughout the land:

  • Ashad
  • Bodachian Fallows
  • Darkwind
  • Dramasa
  • Hyperborea
  • Iglantu
  • Kerei
  • Lerquid
  • Souvrael
  • Virodia
  • Volcano Island

Additionally, there is an underworld and a vibrant sky that connects each of the domains.

In game, you can use the areas command.

Usage: areas <domain>

Returns a list of areas in the domain, with a rough estimate of the level of the player that will be able to handle the area. You should, as always, try the areas yourself to be the final say.

Areas marked with {*} means the npc levels are variable. Variable levels mean they will change in level to match the player level of the first player they encounter. They will not always go lower than the base level of the area. They will also return to their normal level if not fought after a time.

Level Designation

 ┌───────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
 │      Domain       │                         Level Range                          │
 ├───────────────────┤0────25────50────75───100───125───150───175───200───225───250 │
 │          DarkWind │ -----------|                                                 │
 │        Hyperborea │            |-----------------|                               │
 │          Lerquird │            |-----------------|                               │
 │             Kerei │                        |-----------------|                   │
 │           Virodia │                        |-----------------|                   │
 │             Ashad │                              |-----------------|             │
 │        Underworld │                              |-----------------|             │
 │          Souvrael │                                   |------------------|       │
 │           Dramasa │                                   |------------------|       │
 │ Bodachian Fallows │                                          |------------------ │
 │           Iglantu │                                          |------------------ │
 │             Moons │                                                |------------ │
 │    Volcano Island │ ---???---???---???---???---???---???---???---???---???---??? │
 └───────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Darkwind Area Directions

All directions are from the Center of Town (CoT) in DarkWind City.

All entries are in the form of:

Area Description
  - Level Ranges
  - Directions
  - Notes, if needed

An old farm

  • 1-5
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w, 3:n, 2:e, n

The newbie meadow

  • 1-5
  • 6:n, exit, 8:n, 2:e, n

The forest in Darkwind

  • 1-5
  • 6:w, exit, w, 6:s, sw

The Church of Mitra in Darkwind City

  • 1-5
  • 5:w, 2:n
  • this requires a key

The Property of Ezekiel Milquetoast

  • 1-9 only
  • 6:n, exit, 8:n, 3:w, n

The Haunted Keep

  • 1-10
  • 5:s, exit, 11:s, w

A demon infested forest

  • 1-10
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w, 2:n, e, 3:n, e, n, e, n, 5:e, 2:ne, nw, n

The sewers under Darkwind City

  • 1-15
  • 2:w, s, d, down

The Realm of Ashkenazy

  • 1-25
  • 5:s, exit, s, 4:w

The Four Dragon Temple

  • 1-45
  • 2:w, s, down, e, 2:n, w, 4:n

The Haxton Province

  • 1-50
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w, 2:n, w, s, w, enter

The Faerie Mound

  • 1-50
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w, s, portal, s

The realm of Qazaash

  • 1-90
  • 5:s, exit, 5:s, e
  • use your consider abilities

The Four Dragon Shrine

  • 2+
  • 5:s, exit, 8:s, 3:e, n

Endive's Garden

  • 3-80
  • 6:n, exit, 3:e, n

The pirate ship Albion

  • 3+
  • 5:e, 4:n, climb rope

A valley near the Hermit's house

  • 3-30
  • 6:w, exit 2:w, n

The hillside near the Hermit's house

  • 3-30
  • 6:w, exit, 2:w, 4:n

A valley road

  • 5-10
  • 5:s, exit, 8:s, 15:e, 4:s, 4:e, 2:s

A ditch near the castle

  • 5-15
  • 5:s, exit, 8:s, 15:e, 4:s, 4:e, 3:s, e

The village of Glavia

  • 5-25
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w, 2:n, e, 3:n, e, n, e, n, 5:e, 5:ne

The castle of Glavia

  • 5-30
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w, 2:n, e, 3:n, e, n, e, n, 5:e, 5:ne, 10:n

The Bandit Fortress

  • 5-35
  • 6:w, exit, 3:w, n

DarkWind City Orphanage

  • 8-12
  • 4:n, 3:w, n

A dismal swamp in Glavia

  • 10+
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w, 2:n, e, 3:n, e, n, e, n, 5:e, 5:ne, n, 6:e, 2:se, e, 3:s

The Ant Hive

  • 10+
  • 5:s, exit, 15:s, sw, s, hole

The Azure Forest

  • 10+
  • 6:n, exit, 8:n, 3:w, pool, enter, n

The skeleton caves

  • 10+
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w, 13:n

A clearing near the castle

  • 10-15
  • 5:s, exit, 8:s, 15:e, 4:s, 4:e, 3:s, w

A small elven village

  • 10-25
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w, 6:n, climb, up, n, 3:e, 4:n, 4:e, 2:s, 2:e, n, w

The northwestern mountain range

  • 10-25
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w, 6:n, climb, up, n

A monestary in Glavia

  • 15+
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w, 2:n, e, 3:n, e, n, e, n, 5:e, 5:ne, n, 4:w, 2:n

The Forest of Terror

  • 15+
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w, 6:n, climb, up, n, e, n, n, n, n, 5:e, 3:n, nw, n, 3:w, 3:n, d

A small corner of Hell

  • 15+
  • 6:n, exit, 8:n, 5:, ne, e, enter, door1, kiss ananda

Pirate Town

  • 15+
  • 6:n, exit, 10:n

The town of Stoker

  • 15+
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w , 2:n, e, 3:n, e, n, e, n, w, up

The forest near Stoker

  • 15+
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w , 2:n, e, 3:n, e, n, e, n, w, up ,n, 2:w, nw, 7:w

The tunnel between DarkWind and Hyperborea

  • 15+
  • 6:n, exit, 9:n, nw

The Valley of Winter

  • 15-25
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w, s, portal, 3:s, 2:w, u, 3:w, n

The realm of Hades

  • 15-30
  • 6:n, exit, 8:n, 2:e

A country farm in the Faerie Mound

  • 15-50
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w, s, portal, s, w

The caverns under the Faerie Mound

  • 15-50
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w, s, portal, s, hole

The Abbey of Saint Dominic

  • 20+
  • 5:s, exit, 19:s, 2:e, ne, se, e

The Convent of the Holy Sisterhood of St. Lyra

  • 20+
  • 5:s, exit, 19:s, e, 2:s

The path to the Underworld

  • 20+
  • 6:n, exit, 8:n, 2:e, 4:s

A mercenary camp in Glavia

  • 20+
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w, 2:n, e, 3:n, e, n, e, n, 5:e, 3:ne, e

A mountain in Glavia

  • 20+
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w, 2:n, e, 3:n, e, n, e, n, 5:e, 5:ne, 12:n, w, 6:n, 2:nw, 3:n, 2:w, n

The Orange Hill

  • 20+
  • 6:n, exit, 8:n, 3:w, pool, enter, 2:w, nw, n

The Shrine to Eamonn the Ebullient

  • 20+
  • 6:n , exit, 8:n, 3:w, pool, enter, 2:w

The ancient forest of Syldenith

  • 20+
  • 6:w, exit, 6:w

The forest of the Fianna

  • 20+
  • 5:s, exit, 10:s, e

The forest of the Endrael

  • 20+
  • 6:w, exit, 8:w, nw

The Faerie Queen's Garden

  • 20-50
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w, s, portal, 3:s, e, 3:s, 2:e, pool, w

The settlement of Canith

  • 20-60
  • 5:s, exit, 19:s, sw

The Master's Mansion

  • 20-70
  • 6:n, exit, 5:n, w, knock door
  • level is set per boot cycle

The Gypsy encampment

  • 25+
  • 6:w, exit, 5:w, 3:s, 2:w

The Pirate Cave

  • 25+
  • 6:n, exit, 12:n, 2:e, s, 2:e, climb wall, ne, e, climb into grave

The tunnels near the forest of Syldenith

  • 25+
  • 6:w, exit, 8:w, 3:sw, 3:s
  • this requires a key

The Gamewarden's home

  • 30+
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w, 2:n, e, 3:n, e, n, e, n, 5:e, 5:ne, 5:n, 2:w, enter

The Realm of Araakas

  • 35-50
  • 5:s, exit, 6:s, w

An Orky settlement

  • 50+
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w, 5:n, 4:w

Beneath the roots

  • 50+
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w, 5:n, 2:e, n, e, n, 5:e, 5:ne, n, 6:e, 2:se, e, 2:s, enter space

The ancient city of Sheritym

  • 65-75
  • 6:w, exit, 4:w, 2:n, 6:w, sw, 2:w, n, w, n

Statistics

A player's statistics (or "stats") are measures of advanced a player is in certain aspects of his development. There are currently six stats that you can raise on Darkwind.

Strength

Strength is a measure of how muscular a person is. High strength allows a character to lift heavier objects, and carry more weight while adventuring. All things being equal, strong characters will find their packs less encumbering than weaker ones. Strength is also very important in combat, influencing how much power a character is able to put into each swing. Naturally, a stronger character will be able to do more damage with each swing than a weaker one.

Constitution

Constitution is a measure of physical toughness and stamina. High constitution allows a player to perform strenuous tasks for a longer time. It increases the amount of hit points the player has, and therefore increases the amount of damage that can be taken before needing to rest or heal.

Dexterity

Dexterity encompasses a number of physical attributes including hand-eye coordination, agility, reflexes, balance, precision, and speed of movement. Dexterity affects a character's accuracy with missile weapons (darts, arrows, cats, etc.) and in the ability to swing weapons at moving targets. Dexterity is also important for dodging attacks. Dexterity is particularly important for roguish guilds which rely on quick reflexes and the manipulation of small objects.

Intelligence

Intelligence is similar to what is currently known as intelligence quotient, but also includes mnemonic ability, reasoning, and learning ability outside those measured by any written test. In melee combat, more intelligent characters are able to better use their equipment, and discern their enemies' weaknesses, leading to greater success at hitting their enemies, and also in deflecting incoming blows using their armor. Intelligence is essential for guilds that make heavy use of mental powers to manipulate the world directly, or indirectly through arcane spells.

Wisdom

Wisdom is both a measure of a character's common sense, and also of his general awareness of the world around him. Wisdom is important for all characters since awareness of one's immediate situation is essential for survival. The use of priestly powers is often heavily influenced by wisdom since the character must tap into his awareness of a divine source. Wisdom is especially important in the heat of combat, where the wrong choice can lead to a hasty demise. A wise character can often see a battle unfolding and where an enemy's next strike may land. Wisdom is also important in using armor more effectively to deflect the blows that do land.

Charisma

Charisma is a measure of force of personality. It measures how well a character is able to influence others by word or action. A charismatic character is more likely to be listened to, respected, and trusted by others. If you have a high charisma, the shopkeepers might give you some extra gold just because they like you. Charisma is useful for guilds that require some subtlety in their dealings, or who seek to guide people along a particular path.

Stat Raises

Upon entering DarkWind, players will have 1 in each of the 6 stats. Characters start with 10 stat raises and can allocate them as they see fit. Starting out, you may want to split those raises across different stats, making sure to include some CON, STR, and DEX. You may not raise a stat higher than three times your level (e.g., at level 1, you could have 5 different stats at a base of 3 and 1 stat at a base of 1, or 4 stats at 3, and 2 stats at 2). The base value for a stat can be raised to a maximum of 300.

Each level grants a player 5 additional stat raises. Every 10 levels (e.g., levels 10, 20, 30) players are granted 10 additional stat raises, for a total of 15.

Each of the level ranks mentioned in Leveling grants an additional 10, for a total of 25 stat raises at levels 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250. This is a total of 1555 stat raises for a maximum level player.

Bonuses and Negatives

Different Clades can provide bonuses and penalties to different stats. Additionally, abilities, equipment, and other sources can all affect the total of a stat.

Clades

DarkWind

Darkwinder

The humans that live around Darkwind City are collectively known as Darkwinders. Darkwinders are about average among the civilized clades in terms of physical and mental powers, but are well accepted by most other cultures due to the importance of the city in world affairs. Darkwinders are outgoing and adventurous, always seeking out new experiences. They are also expert traders and negotiators. Being adventurous in nature, Darkwinder souls are more inclined to take on other forms. Thus, they do not suffer from reincarnating into other clades.

Attributes:

  • Slight increased experience gain
  • Bonus to CHR

Thundari

The Thundari are an offshoot of modern human society that settled south of Darkwind City in a settlement known as Canith. Their rugged lifestyle tends towards the development of stronger, healthier bodies than most humans. Canith society values order, and pursuit of the common good. Thundari are generally friendly to strangers and always eager to learn about exotic people and places.

Attributes:

  • Increased experience gain
  • Natural tendency towards good alignment
  • Bonus to CHR, CON, and STR

Celestariel

The Celestariel claim their lineage is tied ito ethereal beings from the moon Markas. This same lineage provides the source of the High Elves of DarkWind. Celestariels possess keen senses. They are generally somewhat fragile and lack the robustness of other clades, but leverage their keen senses and diplomati nature to maintain peace where possible.

Attributes:

  • Slightly enhanced vision
  • Natural tendency towards good alignment
  • Bonus to CHR, DEX, INT, WIS
  • Penalty to CON
  • Resistance to Light damage

Skiftling

Skiftlings are a whimsical and sprightly clade known for their insatiable curiosity and boundless enthusiasm for adventure. They are nimble, agile, and have a unique charm that endears them to others, despite their penchant for mischief and light-hearted pranks. Their society is less structured, emphasizing freedom and personal exploration over rigid norms. Skiftlings are inherently good-natured, often seen as the life of any gathering with their stories of far-off lands and tales of daring escapades. Despite their size, they are surprisingly resilient and quick-witted, making them elusive and hard to catch.

Attributes:

  • Greatly enhanced vision
  • Smaller size
  • +10% STR
  • +25% DEX
  • -30% WIS
  • Innate resistance to psionics
  • Weak against Evil damage

Shel-zaranite

The Shel-zaranites are an ancient offshoot of the Celestariels. They live deep underground. In their secluded city, they worship forgotten gods of evil and chaos. Shel-zaranite are quite agile and mentally superior to most clades, but are often sickly and lack constitution. As a clade native to the underground, they are well adapted to lightless conditions.

Attributes:

  • Greatly enhanced vision
  • Natural tendency towards evil alignment
  • Bonus to DEX, INT, WIS
  • Penalty to CON
  • Vulnerability to Light damage

Uruk

Guilds

The guilds of DarkWind are generally organizations that provide a framework for individuals to come together than practice, train, and improve themselves.

The current guilds include:

Acolyte

Bard

Druid

Druids

In the world of Geshtai, there are many powers, but the oldest of these is Gaea, the incarnation of Nature itself. The sea and stone, the storm and sun, the raw power of fire and lightning and wind, and the animals and plants of Geshtai... all of this is Gaea's domain.

Gaea has no clerics, but she does have followers, and the druids are counted among their number. A group of secretive warrior-priests, they study the mysteries of Gaea and draw upon her power in their efforts to serve Nature. Gaea's power is broad in scope, and each druid may develop different magical abilities -- yet they do not rely solely on their spells, and can fight as fiercely as any cleric.

If you would join their ranks, seek out the circle of stones hidden in the forest west of town.

A unique experience

A Druid's closely intertwined role within nature causes them to uses several traits. As a Druid uses their abilities, their connection strengthens, allowing them to further explore the gifts of nature. Druids interact with the following traits heavily:

  • Herbalism: Some skills can be augmented with the use of herbs collected through the profession skill
  • Masule: The physical prowess known to Gaean followers
  • Eurus: The mindful self-awareness that strengthens the bond between Druid, Gaea, and Nature itself
  • Stewardship: A measure of connection to DarkWind's animal populace; exercised heavily by animal companions and followers

In terms of attributes, a Druid receives:

  • 10 HP per point of CON
  • 3 SP per WIS, 3 SP per CHR, 2 SP per CON, and 1 SP per DEX

Enter your grove

Gaea blesses each Druid with a personalized grove hidden away in the forests near the main guild hall on DarkWind. Upon reaching certain levels of experience and training, a Druid can partition the spirits of their grove. If the request is granted, the grove will be forever altered. Though Gaea's power is near limitless, she does not permit a grove without limits; a Druid must carefully consider their grove's focus. The following beseechments are available:

  • Garden: A Druid will find that they can gather herbs more frequently within their grove, occasionally finding rarer or unexpected herbs
  • Cavern: The Cavern of Spirits strengths a Druid's primal connections, allowing enhanced and permanent transformations
  • Sacred Pool: Allows a Druid to commune with water spirits, allowing them to quickly heal and recover while meditating
  • Archery Glade: Includes an archery range; unlocks specialty arrow abilities and temporary bonuses to stealth and combat
  • Primal Clay: Allows a Druid to sculpt the clay in order to make a replica of another item, once per boot

Skills

These skills are available to all Druids:

SkilldhelpDescription
CalmdcalmUse natural connection to calm a plant or animal
Enlarge AnimaldenlargeBestow a plant or animal with life force to strength and enlarge it
Summon WolfdsummonSummon a wolf companion
Transform: WolfdtransformTemporarily take on the shape of a wolf
Spirit AuradauraRead a target's aura

Paths

Druids gain access to a variety of skills, abilities, and spells when they are bonded to Gaea. Once a Druid has a sufficient amount of training in a Trait, they may choose to walk a specific path. This will grant the Druid access to new skills, or changes to existing skills.

The Druid's first path can be chosen when they raise one of the previously mentioned traits to 25. A second path can be pursued once one of those Traits reaches 100.

Path of Nurture

SkilldhelpRequirementsDescription
Verdant SurgedsurgeH(25),E(5)Accelerate the growth of plants in an area, allowing them to be harvested more often
Healing BloomdbloomE(50),H(50)Heal a target slowly over time, with a large burst of healing as the effects end
Nature's TouchdtouchE(25),S(10)Restore a small amount of HP and SP to an ally
RenewaldrenewalE(50)Instantaneous but costly heal
MenddmendE(75)Allows one's wounds to randomly heal during combat
Water of LifedwaterE(150)Bathe a target in the waters of life, healing them over time
Living ArmourdarmourE(175),S(100)Imbue a piece of armour with living, moving thorns
Green ThumbdthumbE(200),H(150)Enhance plant-based skills' potency and reduce their cooldowns
ReincarnatedreincarnateE(300)Use your natual bond to the environment to resurrect yourself with minimal pain
Growth SpiredspireE(500),H(250)Call forth a mushroom that pulses with energy, restoring SP to nearby allies
Blessing of GaeadblessingE(600),S(200)Shower an ally in Gaea's blessing, providing a significant heal and minor buffs
Heartwood ProtectiondheartwoodE(750),H(500)Call upon the ancient trees to shield an ally, reflecting a portion of damage back

Path of Erosion

SkilldhelpRequirementsDescription
Sandblastdblast-Summon a gust filled with gritty sand, eroding armour and reducing visibility
Rusting Touchdrust-Cause metallic objects on a target to rapidly rust, reducing their effectiveness
Decaying Shotdshot-While wielding a bow, launch an arrow that will sunder a target
Liquefy Grounddliquefy-Transform the ground into a quicksand-like state, entangling a target
Breachdbreach-Erode magical shielding or protective wards
Taint Blooddtaint-Poison a target, causing damage over time
Earthbonddearthbond-Remove the metallic components of armour and weapons to make them usable by a Druid
Fogdfog-Cloak an area in a thick fog, restricting vision and causing confusion

Path of Harmony

SkilldhelpRequirementsDescription
Transform: Ravendtransform-Take on the shape of a raven
Intensifydintensify-Improve your natural vision
Guardian Willowdwillow-Summon a protective barrier made of interwoven branches
Centering Chantdcenter-A chant that focuses and centers the mind, quickly regenerating a small amount of SP
Elemental Balancedbalance-Attune with the elements, providing a shield against various elemental damage
Windwalkdwindwalk-Link with spirits of wind and storm to walk on air as if it were solid
Harmonic Quiverdquiver-Imbune a bow with an elemental effect based on the environment
Lunar Alignmentdlalign-Gain a buff based on the current states of Dailos, Markus, and Tekal
Transform: Elementaldtransform-Take on the shape of a raven

Path of Convergence

SkilldhelpRequirementsDescription
Transform: Crinosdtransform-Take on the form of a hybrid creature that falls somewhere between a person and wolf
Sensory Webdweb-Create a network of webs that alert the Druid to movement and activity
Stoneskindstoneskin-Enchant your skin to be as hard as granite
Winddwind-Summon a gust of wind to distract enemies or move smaller objects
Tappingdtapping-Bind a target to the environment, reducing their resists and leaving them exposed
Gravity Pull Arrowdgpull-Launch an arrow that binds a target to the ground, blocking movement
Nature's Relaydrelay-Allow the Druid to travel swiftly back to their grove
Unified Forcedforce-Unleash an umbral strike that scales with Eurus and Masule

Path of Impulse

SkilldhelpRequirementsDescription
Wind's DashddashM(5)Enhance the Druid's speed dramatically for a short duration
LeapdleapM(25),S(50)Leap onto a surprised opponent for an extra attack; easier when transformed
Quickening PulsedpulseM(50)Boost the Druid's reflexes, enhancing dodging for a short duration
Wild StrengthdstrengthM(100),S(50)Borrow the strength of creatures such as the bull, bear, and elephant
RagedrageM(150),E(50)Unleash a howl of inner rage, fearing enemies and potentially paralyzing them
BurstdburstM(200)Launch into a stream of damaging attacks, but at the cost of decreased dodge
Gaean SurgedsurgeM(250),E(350)While enabled, amplifies the power of spells and attacks while increasing their cost
Lightning StrikedstrikeE(500)Call forth a strike of lightning, damaging everyone, including the Druid
Transform: DirewolfdtransformM(700),S(500)Take on the form of a hulking wolf creature of legend
Rapid ShotdrapidM(700),E(150)Fire a rapid succession of arrows with impeccable accuracy, then become lethargic

Fighter

Mage

The Magi

Some casters work to entwine themselves in the forces of nature, while others instead seek power through devotion to a god. The members of the Mage guild instead know that true magic is simply understanding the fundamental system that binds all things: the Dark Wind. These practicioners, or more commonly known as Magi, exploit this connection to accomplish any number of reality bending feats: from summoning crushing walls of force to creating portals between distant locations.

Though outsiders tend to see the Magi as a secretive lot, in truth, the Guild's members are simply busy with their studies.

If you are interested in joining the ranks of the Magi and wielding phenominal power, see Merlin directions of COT. The guild requires some knowledge of the Arcane - some of the tomes in the nearby library might be of use to get you started.

The path of the Magi

The main trait that a Mage relies on is Arcane. As a Mage uses their spells, they will learn more of the Arcane arts. At certain thresholds, the Mage will be able to comprehend new spells inscribed in the guild hall's library. By studying these spells, the Mage can transcribe them into their own spellbook and then cast them.

In terms of attributes, a Mage receives:

  • 9 HP per point of CON
  • 5 SP per INT, 3 SP per WIS, 2 SP per CHR, and 1 SP per CON

Spellbook

Each cover of a Mage's spellbook is made from hardened obsidian plates bound in ash-enchanted leather. Between the plates, the pages are not parchment, but wisps of condensed spell power. Each spell is a masterwork of detailed inscriptions, runes and sigils that bind the ability to the Mage's power.

Runes

The Magi are known to enhance their spells using "runes". These runes are bindings that the Magi community have discovered through countless years of experimentation and study. Hence, the patterns are generally referred to by the Mage that discovered it. These designs can by acquired in the guild hall using experience, though multiple runes of the same type become increasingly more expensive to purchase. Once acquired, the runes can be transferred between spells, though only under the precise environment of the guild hall. Some runes may require acquiring them directly from the Mage or somewhere in the world. These are runes that the Mage guild has confirmed exist and a description of their impact:

  • Ashkenazy: Exaltation
  • Falx: Alacrity
  • Marsellus: Augmentation
  • Mezari: Amity
  • Saloman: Bastion
  • Talek: Boreal

There are others that are rumored to exist, but cannot be confirmed:

  • Arcanarton: Entropy
  • Bodach: Demise
  • Ravidel: Igneous

Spells

An overview of some of the common magical powers available to the Magi

Mana Shard

Summon a fragment of pure, raw magical energy then hurl it towards a target. As an incarnation of one of the most basic principles of magic, the spell is both elegant in its simplicity and effective in its execution. Over time, as the spellcaster's knowledge and prowess grow, so too does the potency of their Mana Shard. Its brilliance intensifies, its speed accelerates, and its impact becomes ever more devastating, proving that even the simplest spells can grow alongside their masters.

  • Arcane Needed: 1
  • Syntax: mshard <target>
  • Rune augments
    • Ashkenazy: Increased damage significantly
    • Falx: Increased chance to overcome resists
    • Marsellus: Increase attack speed and chance to sunder
    • Mezari: If spell is resisted, restore SP
    • Saloman: Shield self for part of damage done
    • Talek: High chance to chill
    • Arcanarton: Chance to enfeeble
    • Bodach: Increased damage with a chance to instantly kill weaker enemies
    • Ravidel: High chance to burn

Blaze

Blaze is a spell mostly for show. It's a colorful and neat-o way to leave the room. The process requires channeling energy for a few seconds and then releasing that into a controlled burst, launching yourself. Be warned: those in the area where you land might be momentarily stunned or set ablaze.

  • Arcane Needed: 1

  • Syntax: mblaze <direction>

  • Rune augments

    • Ashkenazy: Stunning and burning effects are significantly increased
    • Falx: Decrease channeling time significantly
    • Marsellus: Add a delayed shockwave that produces a sundering effect
    • Mezari: Now works for all party members
    • Saloman: On landing, create a shield against elemental damage.
    • Talek: Replaces fire with freezing energy, potentially slowing or freezing those around the landing area
    • Arcanarton: Destroys the terrain, causing damage over time for an extended duration
    • Bodach: Chance to fear weaker enemies
    • Ravidel: Increase burn chance and damage

Detect

Detect is an intuitive spell often used to sense the presence of magic around you. With a soft chant, the caster sends out a pulse of their own mana, which reacts subtly to the magical resonances around them. This response paints a mental picture of the magical energies at play, allowing the caster to feel the ebb and flow of the Dark Wind in their vicinity.

  • Arcane Needed: 1

  • Syntax: mdetect

  • Rune augments

    • Ashkenazy: Extends the range to nearby rooms as well
    • Falx: Channel time is reduced
    • Marsellus: Greater information about magic affecting creatures around you
    • Mezari: Detect will work across party members
    • Saloman: Detect becomes a buff over time, allowing detection of trap objects
    • Talek: Increase channel time, but more details about magics detected
    • Arcanarton: Detect magical resistances of creatures around you
    • Bodach: Detect becomes a buff over time, allowing detection of alignments
    • Ravidel: Detect becomes a buff over time, revealing heat signatures

Analyze

Analyze delves deeper into the mysteries of magic, peering into the underlying structures of your subject. As your mastery of the Arcane increases, you can pick up on more subtle influences.

  • Arcane Needed: 1

  • Syntax: manalyze <object>

  • Rune augments

    • Ashkenazy:
    • Falx:
    • Marsellus:
    • Mezari:
    • Saloman:
    • Talek:
    • Arcanarton:
    • Bodach:
    • Ravidel:

Illuminate

Illuminate is a fundamental spell that calls forth a soft orb of magical light. With a gentle wave of the hand and a whispered word, summon a sphere that hovers above your palm. It cuts through darkness to provide clear vision in the blackest of nights.

  • Arcane Needed: 1

  • Syntax: milluminate

  • Rune augments

    • Ashkenazy:
    • Falx:
    • Marsellus:
    • Mezari:
    • Saloman:
    • Talek:
    • Arcanarton:
    • Bodach:
    • Ravidel:

Magic Armour

Weave the forces of the Dark Wind around your body, forming an extra layer of protection.

  • Arcane Needed: 50

  • Syntax: marmour

  • Rune augments

    • Ashkenazy: Increase cost and protection
    • Falx: Increase attack speed
    • Marsellus: Chance to restore SP when hit
    • Mezari: Add ability to cast on others
    • Saloman: Change from aura to a shield against a fixed amount of damage
    • Talek: Increase resists to warm weather
    • Arcanarton: Constant SP drain for constant effect
    • Bodach: Chance to damage attacker
    • Ravidel: Increase resists to cold weather

Enhance

  • Arcane Needed: 75
  • Syntax: menhance <target>

Enhance is a buff spell that temporarily augments the physical or magical abilities of the target. A touch binds the target to a glowing aura, visibly reinforcing their strength, agility, or magical aptitude. Whether to bolster allies in combat, amplify the effects of another spell, or boost one's own capabilities, Enhance is a staple in the toolkit of a versatile mage.

  • Rune augments
    • Ashkenazy:
    • Falx:
    • Marsellus:
    • Mezari:
    • Saloman:
    • Talek:
    • Arcanarton:
    • Bodach:
    • Ravidel:

Magic Barrage

Magic Barrage is an offensive spell that conjures a torrent of magical projectiles. Channel magical power for a few seconds, then bring forth a cascade of mana shards, each one gleaming with destructive potential. With a final word and a directional thrust, the caster sends the barrage towards their enemies, unleashing a storm of magical energy. While each individual shard may not be as potent as a singular, focused attack, the sheer number of projectiles creates an overwhelming onslaught that can break through defenses and pummel foes into submission.

  • Arcane Needed: 100

  • Syntax: mbarrage <target>

  • Rune augments

    • Ashkenazy:
    • Falx:
    • Marsellus:
    • Mezari:
    • Saloman:
    • Talek:
    • Arcanarton:
    • Bodach:
    • Ravidel:

Insane

Wrap your target's mind in a layer of magical energy that distorts their reality and drives them insane. High chance to inflict the Confuse status.

  • Arcane Needed: 125

  • Syntax: minsane <target>

  • Rune augments

    • Ashkenazy:
    • Falx:
    • Marsellus:
    • Mezari:
    • Saloman:
    • Talek:
    • Arcanarton:
    • Bodach:
    • Ravidel:

Levitate

Levitate causes the binding forces of the Dark Wind to temporarily reverse around the caster. With an outstretched hand and a word of power, the spell leaps from the Mage's book, surrounding the caster in an imperceivable layer of magic. Whether to ascend to high places, traverse difficult terrain, or simply to move around in style, Levitate provides the mage with a level of freedom and versatility that is hard to match.

  • Arcane Needed: 150

  • Syntax: levitate

  • Rune augments

    • Ashkenazy:
    • Falx:
    • Marsellus:
    • Mezari:
    • Saloman:
    • Talek:
    • Arcanarton:
    • Bodach:
    • Ravidel:

Mana Well

  • Arcane Needed: 250
  • Syntax: mwell

Mana Well is a spell that allows the mage to tap into the deep reservoirs of magical energy permeating the world. The spell draws forth a wellspring of raw mana, though temporarily devoids the area of energy. This shimmering pool of magical energy rejuvenates anyone that consumes it, rapidly replenishing their magical reserves. It is an invaluable spell for long battles, allowing mages to keep their mind sharp and energy full.

  • Rune augments
    • Ashkenazy:
    • Falx:
    • Marsellus:
    • Mezari:
    • Saloman:
    • Talek:
    • Arcanarton:
    • Bodach:
    • Ravidel:

Find

Find is an advanced form of magic that enables the caster to locate specific entities or magical resonances. With the proper focus and incantation, the mage's mind extends beyond the confines of their immediate environment, using the Dark Wind that binds all things to reveal the location they seek. This is particularly useful when searching for magical artifacts, hidden places of power, or even elusive individuals.

  • Arcane Needed: 500

  • Syntax: mfind <target>

  • Rune augments

    • Ashkenazy:
    • Falx:
    • Marsellus:
    • Mezari:
    • Saloman:
    • Talek:
    • Arcanarton:
    • Bodach:
    • Ravidel:

Teleport

With a whisper and a focused intent, the caster channels energy into a swirling rift in space. The portal links two locations, allowing instantaneous traversal of vast distances. After a short period, the energy will disperse.

  • Rune augments
    • Ashkenazy: Increase the portals duration
    • Falx: Reduce the spell's channel time
    • Marsellus: Grant a health regeneration effect on portal exit
    • Mezari: Can specify a party member and create a portal at their location
    • Saloman: Gain a shield on portal exit
    • Talek: Reduce the cost of teleport. Your portals take on a frosty appearance. While in a room with a portal, increase the chance your other spells chill/freeze.
    • Arcanarton: Instant cast, but also instantly dissolves, only teleporting yourself.
    • Bodach: Greatly increase the number of remembered locations
    • Ravidel: Learn the command tport inferni, which creates a portal that gushes fire

Summon Familiar

With an incantation born of heart and soul, the caster calls forth their familiar - a creature bound by magic and loyalty. This being, a manifestation of the caster's spirit and will, aids them in various tasks, from gathering magical energies to assisting in battle. While each summoning might result in a creature similar in essence, the familiar's form and abilities can vary, shaped by the caster's experiences and the runes invoked.

  • Rune augments
    • Ashkenazy: The familiar is stronger, but also drains SP from the caster over time
    • Falx: Increase the speed of your familiar, allowing it to more easily dodge attacks; can use unleash with familiar now
    • Marsellus: Your familiar is imbued with battlemage energy, allowing it to occasionally cast minor spells in sync with your own
    • Mezari: Your bond is strong enough that you can transfer a summoned familiar to another player.
    • Saloman: Your familiar will try to intercept incoming magic damage
    • Talek: The familiar can chill targets with its attacks
    • Arcanarton: Over time, your familar decays; as it does, it releases bursts of entropic energy that can harm and hamper enemies
    • Bodach: While your familar is active, it can siphon the life force of defeated foes, slightly healing you or itself; can use reap with familiar now
    • Ravidel: Your familiar burns with the fiery essence of igneous magic, potentially setting foes ablaze with its attacks

Phase

Phase allows you to partially phase yourself or someone else out to another dimension, making the body somewhat incorporeal. This generally leads to a subject that's unable to be hit by physical means effectively for a period of time. You may also find that phased targets have a harder time interacting with the physical world.

  • Rune augments
    • Ashkenazy: The potency of phase increases, causing the target to become almost entirely incorporeal
    • Falx: Reduces the cost and removes the timer, allowing the caster to phase [on|off] in quick succession
    • Marsellus: Phase can no longer target others. Reduces the physical potency of phase, but the caster's hits become magical
    • Mezari: Your bond with the phased dimension causes it to lash out in retribution to attackers.
    • Saloman: Phasing envelops the target in a protective shield which provides dditional protection against magical attacks while phased
    • Talek: Allows caster to phase [on|off]. Every few seconds while phased, unleash a chilling cloud
    • Arcanarton: Phase can no longer target others. Chance to leech life from attackers. The effect reduces in potency over time
    • Bodach: The shadows of the other dimension cling to the phased target, giving them a ghostly appearance which can instill fear on attackers
    • Ravidel:Allows caster to phase [on|off]. Every few seconds while phased, unleash a roaring inferno

Monk

Traits

Traits represent a character's proficiency in a subjet. As players interact with the world they may learn new Traits. The level of proficiency is represented from a range of 0 to 1000. Generally, using a skill or compeleting a task that requires a certain trait has a chance to increase that trait. Most traits can be trained up to 750 with this method. The remaining training is typically accomplished via quests or specific achievements. A trait can only be trained up to 5 times the character's level.

There are rumors of secret traits that are hidden throughout DarkWind.

Some examples of traits:

  • Arcane: The ability to recall information about magic and focus your will power into spells. Key to the Mage guild.
  • Professions are specific traits related to collecting and crafting

To see your proficiency in each trait you know, you can use the traits command.

Professions

There are a subset of traits that are available to all players immediately and are core to the professions system.

DarkWind currently has eight professions. Seven are split into two main groups - gathering and manufacturing. The gathering professions are herbalism, mining, and skinning. The manufacturing professions are alchemy, leatherworking, smithing, and tailoring. The gathering professions gather resources from the game environment. The manufacturing professions use the resources from the gathering professions, along with reagents dropped from npc kills to manufacture goods. You can buy profession tools from the profession building in town.

Note: not all reagent drops from npcs will show in your reagents list.

  • Herbalism allows you to 'gather herbs' across the world. Their main purpose will be for use in alchemy potions.
  • Mining allows you to 'mine ore' in various terrains around the world. The ores you mine would be used mostly for smithing, with some used in the other manufacturing professions.
  • Skinning allows you to 'skin corpse' and retrieve their hides. The hides would be used mostly for leatherworking.
  • Alchemy is used to create potions. The potions could have various uses, from stat enhancement to healing.
  • Leatherworking allows you to create leather goods. Most of those goods would be in the form of leather armour, but other goods such as bags would be included.
  • Smithing allows you to create armour from the various metals.
  • Tailoring allows you to create clothing and padded armour. Cloth bags, bandages, and poultices would also be included.
  • Fishing is a stand-alone profession that allows you to take a break and relax, fishing up meals you can use later in your adventures.

To see your skills in each profession, you can use the professions command. These are also displayed under traits. To see your reagents, you can use the reagents command.

Note: Most transformed forms do not need the profession tools.

Sigils

Sigils are (generally) passive gameplay enhancements granted by equipment or abilities. They may have 1 or more ranks that provide different effects.

To show the current level of any Sigils affecting you and the corresponding source (equipment or otherwise), use the sigils command.

Here are some Sigils you might encounter on various armor:

Sigils

NameDescription
RuthlessDeal additional combat damage to enemies based on their missing health
Critical StrikeIncrease chance for hits to be critical hits
EvadeIncrease chance to evade hits

Leveling

DarkWind introduces some feaures based on your player level. These thresholds and some of their benefits are described below.

New

Players are considered new until their 6th level, though most guilds will allow membership at level 5.

Champion

To earn the title of Champion, you must attain level 50. Players that have reached this status will have [CHMP] in place of their level on the who list.

Several advantages are given to those who attain hero status. Along with the prestige of being a recognised Champion is the ability to change their title at will with the ltitle command.

Additionally, your account will be granted a multicharacter slot upon your first character reaching Champion.

Hero

The rank of Hero requires level 100.

Upon reaching level 100, the cooldown for using Cinis to teleport is reduced to 25 minutes. Players that have reached this status will have [HERO] in place of their level on the who list.

Legend

The Legend title requires level 150. You will have [LGND] in place of your level on the who list.

The benefit to reaching LEGEND is the ability to turn combatbrief damage on.

Epic

The rank of Epic requires level 200. Players will have [EPIC] in place of their level on the who list.

Players of this rank can remotely buy items on the market without physically being in a market room.

Mythic

The rank of Mythic requires level 250. Players will have [MYTH] in place of their level on the who list.

As the highest player-attainable level, Mythic is a requirement for some late game content, like particular quests or dungeons.

Additionally, Mythic players can seek out a Shrine of Creation. These shrines are key to how the Remort system works.

Newbification

On Darkwind, we give players the option to newbify their characters should they choose to do so. This entails 'killing' them down to level 1, reducing all stats down to starting values, and resetting a couple other things the character has learned throughout their life. It's merely a quick way for you to start somewhat over, but not quite from scratch.

You will need to find someone to help you accomplish this dasterdly deed though. If you ask around you can probably find such a person willing to help you 'see the light' a little early.

NOTE: Attempting to newbify yourself by repeatedly killing yourself off is against the spirit of the game and is punishable by the Gods of Darkwind.

Real Life Talk: If you are feeling suicidal, please reach out to someone. Depression lies.

If you are in the USA, Call 1-800-273-8255 If you are in the UK, Call 116 123 If you are in Australia, Call 13 11 14 If you are in the Netherlands/nu hulp nodig? Call 0900-0113

Or send a tell, shout, gossip, etc to anyone online.

Classes

Classes in DarkWind are powerful alterations to characters available through the Remort system. They often include mechanics that warp and change playstyles drastically. With great effort, a character can take on the powers of multiple classes.

The current classes available include:

  • Artificer
  • Dragon
  • Morpher
  • Psionicist

Mechanics

The following are an overview of some mehanics in the world of DarkWind.

  • DarkWind is text-based, meaning that environments, characters, and actions are described in text. Players interact with the game and each other through typed commands.
  • The combat system is "turn-based", with turns lasting about one second.
  • Players can undertake quests or missions, which often involve exploring dungeons, solving puzzles, or completing specific tasks.
  • DarkWind is a social game. Players are encouraged to role-play, though there are no strict requirements to do so.
  • Players can form groups called clans, trade items, and collaborate or compete with each other.

Reboot

The game world typically persists over time, with a game "reboot" happening roughly every 2 weeks. This allows for server maintenance, new global code updates, resets of once-per-boot areas, etc. When the MUD reboots, all equipment stored in guilds, shops, boats, ... will disappear, as will ponies and similar helpers. Boats will not disappear, nor will money on your character or in the bank.

The uptime command shows how long DarkWind has been up since the last reboot and an estimate of the next scheduled reboot. Unfortunately, sometimes unscheduled reboots are necessary for a variety of reasons.

Other Mechanics

Remort System

Upon reaching Mythic status, players can seek out a Shrine of Creation. These shrines allow a character to gain a game changing boon, but resets their level.

Some key mechanics of the Remort system:

  • Character is reset to level 1
  • XP on hand is lost
  • Character retains any gold, ownership (such as boats), and trait progress
  • This process can be repeated upon reaching Mythic again
  • Each Remort will increase the experience cost for leveling by 50% to 100%
  • Shrines will generally grant meta stats that persist through Remort and/or access to Classes

Most shrines are hidden away and require searching to find. The Esper shrine can be found in DarkWind city and resembles the diadem that members of the Psionic Order wear.

Status Effects

The following are common status effects you might encounter while playing. These might be inflicted by monsters or through your own spells and skills.

Blindness

Reduced chance to land or dodge hits.

Distracted

Reduced chance to land or dodge hits. Reduced ability to absorb damage. Prevents most spellcasting.

Paralyzed

Cannot attack. Reduced chance to dodge hits. Prevented from most physical interactions due to loss of body control.

Silenced

Cannot cast spells or use abilities that require vocalization. Reduced communication capabilities.

Impaired Movement

Prevented from leaving the room.

Entangled

Rooted in place, preventing movement of arms and/or legs. When combined, similar to paralyzed.

Deafened

Reduced awareness of surroundings, impairing reaction speed and causing a chance to misinterpret or miss spoken commands and cues.

Poisoned

Suffering periodic damage over time due to toxic exposure.

Burning

Suffering continuous fire damage and reduced healing effectiveness due to severe burns.

Bleeding

Losing health over time due to uncontrolled hemorrhaging. Bursts of damage when moving.

Confused

Randomized actions, resulting in forgetting to attack or other various mishaps.

Terrified

Reduced combat effectiveness, with a chance to flee or freeze in place during each turn.

Chilled

Reduced speed and reaction time due to severe cold.

Sundered

Reduced physical defense due to damaged armor or protective magic.

Diseased

Decreased overall effectiveness due to illness. Reduced healing received.

Exposed

Increased susceptibility to critical hits due to lowered defenses.

Enfeebled

Decreased chance to land critical hits.

Hexed

Reduced magic effectiveness and resistance, with a chance for spells to fail or backfire due to a curse. Generally seen as a percentage of max HP/SP "reserved".

Shielding

Shields are a form of damage mitigation. They act like simple forms of temporary health. A generic shield will block all forms of damage, but there are specific types of shields that will only block that type of incoming damage. Current shields are viewable through hp or ..

Example of a generic shield

[ SHIELD> Generic(200)         ]
  • If you took 50 points of fire damage, the shield would absorb that and be reduced to 150
  • If you then took 100 points of water damage, the shield would absorb that and be reduced to 50
  • If you then took 100 points of lightning damage, the shield would absorb 50 (total of 200 absorbed), then you would receive 50 points of damage

Example of a specific shield

[ SHIELD> Fire(500)            ]
  • If you took 50 points of fire damage, the shield would absorb that and be reduced to 450
  • If you then took 100 points of water damage, the damage would bypass the shield. You would take all 100 points of damage.
  • If you then took 100 points of lightning damage, the damage would bypass the shield. You would take all 100 points of damage.
  • At the end of this, you would have 450 shield against fire damage remaining, and 200 HP damage taken.

Example of multiple specific shields

[ SHIELD> Fire(500)            Water(500)           Earth(500)         ]
  • If you took 50 points of fire damage, the fire shield would absorb that and be reduced to 450
  • If you then took 100 points of water damage, the water shield would absorb that and be reduced to 400
  • If you then took 100 points of lightning damage, the damage would bypass the shield. You would take all 100 points of damage.
  • At the end of this, you would have 450 fire shield, 400 water shield, 500 earth shield, and 100 HP damage taken

Equipment

Weapons

Damage Types

Weapons have a damage type or combination of damage types that they apply. These are:

  • blunt: damage dealt with forceful impacts, ideal for crushing armor and bone
  • cleave: powerful, sweeping strikes
  • pierce: precise, pointed attacks, including bows
  • slash: quick cuts relying on sharp edges movements
  • magical: damage from arcane, elemental, or mystical energies

Extra Weapon Properties

In addition to the type of damage a weapon can do, armaments are also distinguished in their size (small, medium, large, and huge) and other properties. These can include:

  • Polearm: Weapons with long handles and designed for reach or leverage
  • Missile: Projectiles or weapons designed for long-range attacks; typically bows, slingshots, or similar launching devices
  • Martial: Denotes weapons that require specialized training to use effectively, often associated with skilled combatants and warriors
  • Finesse: Weapons that rely more on precision and agility rather than brute force, allowing the user to leverage some of their dexterity for attacks
  • Focus: Used to channel magical energies and essential for spellcasters to enhance their spells

Common Weapons

Here are some common weapons and descriptions of their properties:

WeaponSizeDamageExtra Properties
HatchetSmallCleave
AxeMediumCleave
BattleaxeMediumCleaveMartial
GreataxeLargeCleaveMartial
GiantaxeHugeCleaveMartial
Short HalberdLargeCleave And PiercePolearm, Martial
BardicheHugeCleavePolearm, Martial
HalberdHugeCleave And PiercePolearm, Martial
ShortbowMediumPierceRanged, Finesse
LongbowLargePierceRanged, Finesse
CrossbowMediumPierceRanged
Large CrossbowLargePierceRanged
GreatbowHugePierceRanged, Finesse
Huge CrossbowHugePierceRanged
BlowgunSmallPierceRanged
SlingSmallBluntRanged
WandSmallMagicalRanged, Focus
SpellbookMediumMagicalRanged, Focus
FangSmallPierce
DirkSmallPierceMartial, Finesse
KrisSmallPierceFinesse, Focus
PickaxeMediumPierce
Morning StarMediumPierceMartial
RapierMediumPierceMartial, Finesse
Short SpearMediumPiercePolearm
Large PickaxeLargePierce
SpearLargePiercePolearm
JavelinLargePiercePolearm, Martial, Finesse
TridentLargePiercePolearm, Martial
PikeHugePierce And SlashPolearm, Martial
LanceHugePiercePolearm, Martial
ClubSmallBlunt
KnucklesSmallBluntFinesse
HammerMediumBlunt
FlailMediumBluntMartial
Large ClubLargeBlunt
Heavy MaceLargeBlunt And Pierce
WarhammerLargeBluntMartial
MaulHugeBluntMartial
ShortstaffMediumBluntPolearm, Focus
StaffLargeBluntPolearm, Focus
CudgelLargeBluntPolearm
QuarterstaffLargeBluntPolearm, Martial
GreatstaffHugeBluntPolearm, Focus
ShovelLargeBlunt And SlashPolearm
SickleSmallSlash
ClawsSmallSlashFinesse
BroadswordMediumSlashMartial
ScimitarMediumSlashMartial, Finesse
WhipMediumSlashFinesse
Large ClawsLargeSlashFinesse
Bastard SwordLargeSlashMartial
GreatswordHugeSlashMartial
GlaiveLargeSlashPolearm, Martial
ScytheHugeSlashPolearm
NaginataHugeSlashPolearm, Martial
DaggerSmallPierce And SlashFinesse
KnifeSmallPierce And Slash
ShortswordMediumPierce And SlashMartial
SaiMediumPierce And SlashMartial, Finesse
LongswordLargePierce And SlashMartial
FaunchardLargePierce And SlashPolearm, Martial

Rules

The following are not allowed on DarkWind. Failure to observe these rules will result in punishment. Lack of knowledge of these rules is not an excuse for not following them.

There are rules that apply to players and wizards. Everyone will know what is illegal for all to do. Players are expected not to ask wizards to break wizard rules, and wizards are expected not to break rules that bind players.

Players

Players must obey requests from wizards. If a player feels that a request is out of line, the player should notify a higher level wizard AFTER complying with the request.

Players may not abuse (or use once it's been determined as a bug) any bug. Failing to report a known bug is illegal. If something is "too good to be true", it probably is. Always report it. If found to be intended, then great!

Personal attacks, racial and ethnic slurs, sexual harassment, and other forms of attack will not be tolerated. Threatening other players or wizards with violence will not be tolerated. If someone is ignoring you, do not try to get around it; they're ignoring you for a reason, respect that. The Golden Rule applies here.

No bulletin board (including the PK board and private clan boards) may be used to flame, ridicule or otherwise denigrate other players or wizards. Using them to accuse others of cheating/bug-abuse, or threatening, is also prohited.

PK issues may only be discussed on the PK board, clan boards, and guild boards (where appropriate to the guild).

Any DarkWind forums are considered an extension of the bulletin boards on the MUD.

Having multiple (second, third, etc.) non-registered main characters will not be tolerated. DarkWind does allow for the registration of secondary characters. This is provided as a perk for leveling. See multichars for more info.

Botting is not allowed. This is defined as reating client or server-side scripts that will perform an unlimited number of actions without requiring a live person to be sitting at the keyboard. Use of robots will result in removal of the character. See triggers for information regarding their usage and further clarification. The DarkWind-provided script command is excluded from this rule. However, using a client to string together multiple script commands is still illegal as is using a trigger to activate the script. Do not use anything that keeps your character from idling, e.g., triggers, events, scripts. Automating killing without a live person at the keyboard is also illegal.

"Kill stealing" is not allowed. If someone is actively killing a mob, the mob is 'theirs' as is the equipment/money in the room. If the player leaves the room, it's fair game, though common courtesy would suggest you leave the mob alone. This does also apply to transformed players who are fighting in a room. The items and gold on the ground they are in are not open, just because they can't pick them up. If the player is IDLE, then the items/mobs are fair game.

Wizards

Wizards may not provide access to their character to any other person.

Wizards may not erase or otherwise edit other wizards' files. The same applies to system files. Access to these files is generally protected, but it's conceivable that some things may be overlooked. If the wizard discovers that they have greater access than they should, it should be reported to an IMP+.

Wizards may not copy another wizard's work without prior consent.

Wizards may not interfere with players in any way. This includes: healing players; providing additional stats, XP, money, levels, alignment, etc. through patching; giving players objects. This is not a comprehensive list by any means. In general: if the character isn't your test character, don't mess with them. The occasional boon or similar global blessing given by an IMP+ is not considered interference.

Wizards may not abuse wizard powers.

Wizards may not disobey higher-up wizards.

Multichars

The only acceptable form of multicharacters are ones created by the game.

  • You may only have ONE of your characters logged in at a time.
  • In addition to your main character, you may register additional characters.
  • You gain a multichar slot once your main character reaches champion level.
  • Login to your multi through your main account; this means you will only need to remember one username/password combination.
  • You can purchase additional multichar slots.
  • The multirep command gives an overview of your multichars.
  • You can copy your main character's alias list with the multicopy command.
  • All of your multis can access funds from your bank account wih the transfer function built in at the bank.
  • Your mulits can access items from your storage room at the bank with the store, retrieve, list functions.

Triggers

A trigger is defined as using a client or some other program to scan the incoming text from a terminal session and issue a particular command when the text matches a particular user-defined string.

The use of triggers (both directed and automated) is legal provided that at no time is your character left unattended and that they do not activate upon merely walking into a room.

  • Example: Boddy, Dinky, Koffy are in a party. Boddy is the leader and says heal me. Dinky could then have a trigger set up to heal boddy.
  • Example: The use of an assist trigger in a party setting is allowed, provided your character is attended at all times.
  • Example: The use of a burn corpse trigger is allowed, provided it activates ONLY upon your kill. This includes all forms of corpse skills. Eating them, burning them, turning them into scorching piles of ash, etc. If you didn't kill it, don't trigger it.
  • Example: The use of a kill <mob> trigger is allowed, provided it does not attack a mob as soon as you walk into a room, or as soon as a mob spawns. If it does, that is considered botting.

Any trigger (automated or directed) which allows your character to move is illegal. Movement by use of the in-game scripting ability is allowed, however, this does NOT exclude using a script to kill. Please do NOT script kill an entire area. This is considered botting.

This does NOT mean you can trigger the usage of the in-game scripting. Do not trigger (or otherwise) automate movement.

Any trigger (automated or directed) which keeps your character logged into the game, and active, without attendance is prohibited. Do not trigger (or otherwise) automate killing.

Any trigger that is an open variable which allows another player to control your character without you being at your computer is prohibited.

Just don't do it. Sit at the keyboard, have a good time. If you get up, turn everything off. This will make DarkWind enjoyable for everyone.