The purpose of the handbook is to answer questions that a player (mortal or

Immortal) might have concerning the polices of TOS.  We realize that we can

not answer every question in this handbook.  This handbook is to be used in

conjunction with the HELP FILES and WIZHELP.  If you have a question about

the polices ask someone (mortal or immortal) or post your question on one

of the boards(SEE HELP BOARD).  Do not assume if someone else is doing it

that it is permissable.    It is the responsibility of all players to know

the rules.  Lack of knowledge of a particular written rule (one in the help

files, wizhelp, handbook, or posted on a board) will not save a person from

the consequences of their actions.



Section I - ROLE PLAYING

   A role playing environment consists of players who assume the roles

and individual aspects of EACH of his or her characters. These aspects

include speech, personality, and overall behavior; and they should be

based on alignment and/or worldly views and affiliations.

   Although role playing is not enforced, it is greatly encouraged and

often necessary to participate in a quest. Be aware that it is your

own free choice whether or not to role play, but no matter what you

choose, respect should always be shown to the decisions of others regarding

this matter.



Section II - IMMORTALS

   While mortal characters are the heart of TOS those players that

have chosen to become Immortal serve as the backbone of the TOS.  Immortal

characters are divided into several catogories:  Immortals, Ambassadors,

Quest Runners, Legends, Gods, Avatar and Implementors.  Players above level

30 may not interfere with the mortal realm in ANY physical way.  For

example, they cannot do something to give any player an advantage (such as

giving puzzle answers or setting mob stats or player stats), kill mobs,

open or close doors, or any thing that could possibly affect the world in

which mortals play.  Immortals will not give away answers to puzzles on

TOS.  They will give hints or advise mortal players.  As a player you

should not be offended if an Immortal refuses to answer your question on

the basis that it gives away the answer to an area.  Part of the fun of TOS

is the exploring and the solving of puzzles.  So don't expect easy answers.



Section III - LINK

   Breaking link purposely to avoid renting or escape a dangerous

situation in battle is strictliy prohibited. If your link is broken because

of your network, ISP, or a crash, be sure to log in before 90 minutes

passes to avoid auto-renting as it will cost you twice that of normal

renting. Please note that it is totally illegal for an immortal to remain

linkdead. For more information, see HELP LINK.



Section IV - MULTIPLAYING

   Multi-playing is when a player has 2 or more characters logged on at

the same time.  Multi-playing a maximum of 2 characters is allowed

currently due to the small player base.  Grouping is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY

in some areas so multi-playing will be allowed to compensate for that until

enough people are on-line to group. When the player base increases this rule 

may change but for now Multi-playing is allowed.   If a character is link 

dead (link dead or linkless is when a player severs his/her connection to 

that character but does not rent out or quit) they count as being logged on. 

If you have 2 chars on and one link dead (mortal or Immortal) you are 

breaking the rule and will be frozen and possibly site-banned(SEE HELP FROZEN 

OR SITE BANNED).  It is fordidden for a player to have a mortal and Immortal

logged on at the same time.



Note:  A player can create as many charactors as they want but can only

play 2 characters at any one time.



Section V - SELF-CONDUCT/BEHAVIOR

   Profanity over public channels will not be tolerated.  This MUD

is run through the Chadron State College computer system and is therefore

required to meet the requirements of their "ethical use" policy.  You may

be dealt with quite harshly in comparison (frozen, site banned) to what you

would expect.

   Player killing, attacking, and thieving is not allowed.  The game

is coded so that you cannot succeed at it, but if you do it just to be

annoying you WILL be frozen and/or site-banned.  Player killing is only

allowed in the Arena and a God must be on to open it(SEE HELP ARENA).

The first person to enter a room has claim to killing the mobs in that

room.  If you "steal" the kill from the person with claim, they have the

right to choose one piece of your equipment.  Get a GOD or higher to help

you if a problem like this occurs.  Harassment of other players will be

severely punished.  If you affect any player in a negative way (outside of

the Arena), you will lose your character(s) and your site may be banned.



Section VI - CORPSE RETRIEVAL

   During the course of playing on TOS, you will probably die at least

a few times. One of those times, however, you may not be able to retrieve

your corpse. This may be from a dt, or a mob that you cannot reach a second

time around (ie from locked doors).  There are several options for a player

in this situation. The easiest and certainly the cheapest would be to ask

other players for assistance. Many of the characters roaming around on the

mud will be glad to lend a hand. If no one is on or willing to help, you

may pay a GOD or higher a bonus point to retrieve your corpse. If a GOD or

higher cannot be seen or is not on, tell any immortal and they will be able

to assist you.



Section VII - REIMBURSING EQ AND GOLD

   Equipment, gold, or experience lost due to a crash is NOT

reimbursed.  There is no testing on the player port so crashing the mud is

a rare occurence.  A character will be reimbursed if the adminstration

makes a mistake.  EX:  Rebooting the mud after a character died and the

player notified the IMP/AVATAR that they needed more time for corpse

retrieval.  You must inform the IMP/AVATAR before they reboot the mud.



Section VIII - CHANGING YOUR STATS

   Your statistics, or 'STATS,' will affect your success in the

game.  These are strength(STR), intelligence(INT), wisdom(WIS),

dexterity(DEX), constitution(CON) and charisma(CHA).  As a new player, you

can see your STATS by reciting a scroll of identify.  Your STATS will show

in your score after you reach Level 5.  As a general rule, a score of 18 or

higher is best for each one (18/100 for STR).  There will be some

variations according to race; also some STATS are more or less important

depending on your class.  Read the help files for each of the STATS to find

out what's best for you.  There are several ways to improve your STATS.

One way is to use bonus points (see help BONUS).  Some equipment will

affect the scores, too.

   The other way to change your STATS is to 'reroll.'  Characters are

allowed to reroll their STATS after reaching Level 5.  To do this, simply

type reroll.  A character may reroll a maximum of five times.  Nobody

will end up with perfect scores, so don't be discouraged if yours are lower

than you'd like.  Remember you can use equipment and bonus points to

improve them!  If you have used up all of your rerolls and you are still 

feel your stats are not adequate, you may then delete your character and try

again, as long as you have reached level 5.

   Keep in mind that if you remort (See HELP REMORT) to a higher remort 

level your stats will get rerolled; so, you may want to save some rerolls for 

after you remort.  

           

  *Please don't abuse the mud machine by creating characters and deleting 

them because they're not 'perfect.'  If your STATS don't seem high enough, 

simply hang in there until Level 5 and change them.  Players who repeatedly 

create and delete characters before reaching level 5 will be site-banned, 

deleted, and or frozen.