Dunno if anyone plays these but I recently started playing a text based mmo, in a style known as a MUD. Quickest way to access this one is to open up a command prompt (start->run->cmd) and type telnet uossmud.sandwich.net 9000 and follow the instructions, or just click this link (I think): telnet://uossmud.sandwich.net:9000
My ingame name is Arcturus, I've just started so if you start soon you won't be far behind. Maybe we can set up a clan there eventually too ;0
The game is based on final fantasy games. Everything is controlled by text commands (kill mushboom, north, n, northeast, ne, get key, search, look, etc).

I used to play MUD a lot when it went from cult to whatever is next above cult. I kind of got into it, but quickly lost interest when all I could land was the fags as friends.

If you want to play MUDs then download GMud or zMUD to use as a client.

You don't want to play with standard telnet, that would really detract from the experience. I definitely couldn't play that like anymore. Most MUDs are designed to be used with a client that has improved functionality.

Also, in my long experience with MUDs, I've come to the conclusion that Harshlands MUD is unmatched.

Everything is incredibly deep and sophisticated, from the world to the skill system to the crafting system to the character creation process to the number of things possible to do to the actual gameplay itself. You can be anything you want and do anything you want, from engaging in battles to being a chandler, from being a town guard to being in underground crime.

It's a low-fantasy medieval setting that is super realistic. You can only have one character at a time, and when your character dies, it is permanent. You must remain in-character at all times (there is an OOC command if you want to exchange MSN names or something to speak with someone outside the game), although the extensive character creation process allows you to determine what is in-character beforehand. It might sound like an RP or something, but all actions are handled by the game itself, so there needs be no willingness on the part of another person to engage them in any way.

As an example, one of my characters was caught poaching animals in the forest on the King's land. I was literally dragged to the prison by force (almost escaped custody on the way, but to no avail), and thrown into a jail cell. Another player was there as well, and after a moderate bit of discussion we realized that we were both going to be publicly executed. We decided to plot our escape, and exchanged messenger addresses to better coordinate our efforts outside the game.

Our plan ended up being that I would hide in the straw bedding, equipping a wooden pole I fashioned from breaking a broom in half. When the guard entered to bring us our meals, he was curious as to where I was, and the other prisoner said he didn't know. When the guard started searching through the straw for me, the other prisoner tackled him from behind and got him into a hold, then I jumped out and started beating the shit out of him. I removed his helmet first to make the blows worse, then removed his sword and equipped that. Right as I was about to finish him off, he managed to break free of the hold and limped for the door. All I had to do was strike him again, or simply close the door before he got to it, or even just block the doorway, and we had him. Instead, I was so surprised by his attempted escape that it caught me off-guard, and the next thing I knew he was locking the door from the other side.

Then me and the other prisoner decided we wouldn't go out without a fight, and he equipped the wooden pole and I equipped the sword and helmet. Then we stood ready, waiting, knowing our deaths were soon upon us. When the door finally did unlock, three men came in, all fully geared with armor and weaponry. They quickly butchered us to the point where we were incapacitated, said a few words about how we were scum as we lay bleeding to death on the floor, and then I watched as they cut off his head right then and there. That was the last thing I saw before my sudden death, which I assume was performed the same way.

The best part was, on a later character I ended up being a thief, and I was caught picking the lock on the church donation box. I managed to hide my lockpick inside my glove before they grabbed me though. After a bit of detainment at the jail, they decided to let me go, and gave me back all my belongings (except my coins, those greedy fucks). I did however get my lockpick back since they never checked my gloves for items Anyways, the cell I was held in happened to be the same one I was in with my previous character, and my severed head was still on the floor.

The server info for Hardhlands is

NAME: Harshlands
HOST: mud.harshlands.net
PORT: 5555 (or 23 and 8080)

Aim for the testicles next time.

Lmao, I know right? If only I could have, I was aiming at his head though.

May get into the Harshlands, if I can. Sounds pretty damn awesome.

Is harshlands actually that fun? It seems very roleplay heavy, do you actually get to do much fighting if you're not a soldier or warrior?

Yes, it is.


If you want to fight especially, you can make a character whom it makes sense to fight. You can join a town guard, or a number of other occupations, criminal or otherwise. You could also make a character that follows one of the evil religions in which human sacrifice is used, then attacking and murdering people would be in character. You could simply make a serial killer that is psychologically disturbed. You could try to lead a rebel force to seize control of a town. You could be a bandit outside the town walls. You could do any number of things, although much of it would be illegal in the Harnic cities (the medieval society most prevalent in the world).

Alternatively, you can make a character for one of the less civilized societies, like a Kath tribe. Then you're free to slaughter anyone that enters your forest, which people have to pass through to get between two of the largest Harnic cities in the game. You could patrol for trespassers, attack caravans, and the like.

I would suggest your first character to be a standard Harnic character though, to learn the ropes at least. Joining the town guard is a good source of room and board, and gives you some extracurriculars. It is possible to fight people in designated areas as well without it being illegal, like sparring pits in some bars and places. Plus, you can always retire your character if you want to make a new one.

Edit: Even in civilized society, it's legal to duel to the death in certain places, so you could always go that route as well

I'd recommend reading the link I provided earlier to their website, it's full of useful information regarding gameplay possibilities.

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Oct 3 2011, 10:43 pm by Azrael.Wrath.

Aardwolf is also fairly good, so far. Comes with its own client, and is easier (for me) to understand than Harshlands setup. Still waiting on validation for Harshlands, as well.