 
Getting started with Knight of the Dark Shards...

Idea:

Shards is a role playing game in which you will interact not only with computer
generated monsters, but also with many live human players.  There is more than
one way to win Shards.  The main point of the game is to vanquish the evil 
unknown overlord who has plagued your homeland.  You will find clues in the 
dungeons, leading you to unexplored labrynth, forgotten dwellings, and 
eventually to the overlord's fortress.

Character Creation:

When creating a character you will be given the option of four different
professions: the thief, wizard, ranger, and tinker.  Each has its own
special skills.

Thieves have the option of stealing gold or shards from players and monsters.

Wizards can cast spells of defense, offense, and curing.  They use mana points
which will become restored on journeys.  Mana is directly related to intellect.

Rangers can move from location to location at a much faster pace than the
others.

Tinkers have the ability to mend broken weapons and armor.  A broken piece of
equipment will look as so: e.g.   b7 Sword  or  b2 Chain mail.  The b means
that the equipment is broken, and the number (1-9) is how badly damaged it is.
1 being the least, and 9 the worst.  A damaged weapon will only fetch a
fraction of price a regular used one will.

King:

Visiting the king should be the first thing you do when you start the game.
He will explain your quest, and will also raise your levels when you gain the
required experience.

Weapons and Armor:

You can buy and sell weapons and armor.  When you sell equipment it will only
fetch half the price of its original value.  Although certain weapons'
availability may be limited to one town, any weapon or armor may be sold
anywhere.  Weapons and armor will directly effect your character's strength
and stamina.

The Bank:

The bank is a good way to save your money, and in doing so, protect it from
any danger.  The Royal Treasury is located in King's castle, Cillidellan.

The Jewelers:

The jewelers' shops give you an opportunity to trade in jewels.  You will want
to buy a load of jewels when their price is low, and then sell them elsewhere
when the price is high.  Different towns have different prices for the jewels
that will stay constant though each session.  Jewels are an excellent source
of income.

The Thieves' Guild:

The thieves guild will allow you to buy, sell, and identify items that you
will obtain by killing players, or searching treasure chests in the dungeons.
Items will effect your attributes in various ways.  The guild can explain all
the items to you.

The Blue Boar Inn:

The Blue Boar Inns are a chain of inns located in each town.  Inside the inns
there are many things to do.  You may decide to take a break, and get some
rest in the inn.  You may also gamble with the old veterans, get something to
eat or drink, chat with the patrons, or even tip the bartender.  Eating can
have different effects on your health.  Drinking can produce numerous results
depending on exactly what and how much you drink.  Some of these result may
not be immediately noticeable but they are there none the less.  Tipping the
bartender can be of great help if you become stuck in your quest, and need
clues to continue.  However tips prices tend to be given on an exponential
curve.  The inns also tend to be a good place to go for the latest gossup.

The Arena:

In the arena you will be able to fight anyone currently in town who is alive.
You may also fight monsters of various skill levels.  Depending upon the
version of the game that you are playing, there are at least six levels of
monsters, and most likely more.  You will gain experience from fighting.

Dungeons:

Dungeons not only fights, but also clues to your quest, a chance to find
strange creatures, and lost treasure.  Dungeons contain traps though, and
if you have the ability; you may want to use a spell of protection to guard
against the traps.

Journey Onward:

This feature will allow you to travel to many different towns, dungeons, and
castles.  You will meet many of the games's monsters in your journeys.  
Different routes contain different monsters depending on the type of terrain
that you are traveling on.  For a view of the terrain, and the distance 
between towns, you can type m or map at the journey onward prompt.

Good luck, and enjoy the game!
