--- deliantra/Deliantra-Client/resources/pod/intro.pod 2006/05/25 01:26:54 1.2 +++ deliantra/Deliantra-Client/resources/pod/intro.pod 2006/07/23 15:14:02 1.10 @@ -1,14 +1,432 @@ -=head1 Pclient - a Crossfire+ and Crossfire game client. +=for image banner.png + +=head1 CFPlus - a Crossfire+ and Crossfire game client. =head2 What's Crossfire+ - Basic Game Concepts -# blurb +In the words of Frank Tore Johansen, the author of the original Crossfire +game: + +"Crossfire is a multi-player graphical arcade and adventure game made for +the X Windows systems environment. It has certain flavours from other +games, especially gauntletand the rogue-like games. Any number of players +can move around in their own window, finding and using items and battling +monsters. They can choose to cooperate or compete in the same world." + +In the years of development that have followed, Crossfire has grown to +encompass hundreds of monsters, thousands of maps to explore, an elaborate +magic system, over 15 character types, a system of skills, and many, many +artifacts and treasures. + +Crossfire+ is freely distributed under the General Public License (GPL) +and the code may be obtained from L. + +=head1 Getting Started + +First of all, don't be daunted by the apparent complexity of Crossfire - +in reality, Crossfire is quite easy to play and character generation is +simple. Later on, when you have some experience playing the game, you may +wish to read the full manual. =head2 User Interface Basics # very short description of all ui elements -=head2 How To Get Started +=head2 Start Playing + +When starting the client you will see a window in the middle of the screen: + +=for image sc_login.png + +There are several settings there: + +=over 4 + +=item B + +In the I entry you can enter the server hostname followed by +a colon with the port. The port is per default 13326 if you just enter +the hostname. + +Below the entry there is a button I. If you click on it you +will get a server list: + +=for image sc_login_srvlist.png + +You can choose from the aviable servers there. +(B At the time of this writing (2006-07-23) only I supports +all features that are offered by CFClient). + +=item B + +Here you have to enter the character name you would like to play +with. +If you are playing for the first time, type any name you like; this will +be your character name for the rest of the life of that character. +As you don't have a character yet you have to create a new +character. It will be explained below at the L. + +=item B + +Next, type in any password. Remember: +you will need to remember the same password again to play that character +again! You can use B (see the buttons on the top of the window) to save your settings, +including name and password, but if it gets lost recovery is difficult, so remember your +password or write it down at a safe place. + +One more note: it's not a good idea to use "real" passwords to your +computer accounts! Doing so may make your system vulnerable to +unscrupulous Crossfire server administrators. + +=back + +Enter the desired I and I and click on I now. + +Next you will see: + +=head2 Character Creation + +=for item sc_char_create.png + +Your next step will be to generate random (primary) stats for your +character (to see the stats, you might have to open the B +using the button at the top of the screen). + +Hover with the mouse cursor over the stats (Str, Dex, Con, Int, Wis, Pow and Cha) +to see what they mean or what they do. + +Or look at L. + +You can let the dices reroll your stats with the I button, you can +I. +You aren't limited to the number of times you can roll your stats - so have fun. +Notice that the stats are always arranged that the B stat has the highest value, the +B stat has the lowest. You may rearrange the order of these values +when you decide that you have rolled some decent stats. Two points: you +can never roll a character with better stats than an average of straight +15's, and you can't roll higher than 18 in a stat. + +Finally click on I stats when you think they are fine. + +The next you will see after accepting the stats will be the race selection: + +=for image sc_char_create_race.png + +On the top right a text is displayed that explains the current selected race. +If you rearrange the windows like this: + +=for image sc_char_create_race2.png + +You will also see the face of the selected race. Click on I and read all +the descriptions until you find the right race for your new character. +Keep in mind that the races also affect the L. + +After you clicked I you will see this: + +(I choosed a Halfling for now) + +=for image sc_new_char.png + +The dragon on the right is another player that is currently logging in or creating his character. + +Now go to the south (you can move your character by with the keypad or the cursor keys). +You will enter a hall similar to this: + +=for image sc_new_char_hall.png + +Step onto the first cell before the teleporter and the description of the character class +will be displayed in the message window: + +=for image sc_new_char_class.png + +While each class has its particular strengths and weaknesses, in summary +its just a fact that some classes are easier to play than others. + +For beginning players, the "simple fighter" characters are the easiest +to play successfully. The B, B, and B are among +good earlier choices. As you gain experience with using Crossfire+ you +may wish to branch out into other "fighter" characters such as the +B or B, or try your hand at playing "spellcaster" characters +like the B, B, B or B. The "exotic" races +(e.g. B, B and B) and the B class +are the hardest classes to master. + +One more note: You will probably find any character class that has a low +natural B (for example, the B class) will have a fairly +difficult time at higher levels. Skills, and most importantly, spells, +will be more difficult learn. Plan to spend a lot of loot on grimores, +prayer books and skill scrolls. + +If you found a class that you like step on the teleporter. + +=head2 The first dungeons + +Next you will land in the nexus: + +=for image sc_new_char_nexus.png + +Read the signs by stepping on them and read what they say. +These signs automatically display what they have to say in the message window. +Other signs you have to read by applying them. You apply something by middle-click +it in the floorbox: + +=for image sc_new_char_floorbox_apply.png + +Or you can use the I to apply the topmost thing you see in the floorbox. + +For now go to the north into the newbies house. Read all signs there and follow their +instructions. + +If you see NPC's there, click on them and you will enter the NPC dialouge: + +=for image sc_newbiew_npc_dialog.png + +The buttons on the right are options of what you can say to the NPC. You can also +click on the links in the text to ask the NPC about that. + +Another note about entering commands: + +In crossfire most things are command driven. You can enter commands in 2 ways: + +=over 4 + +=item B + +=for image sc_chatbox.png + +If you plan longer chat sessions you maybe prefer this. + +=item B + +Read the tooltip that occurs when you hover the mouse above the entry. +This completer can speed up commands a lot. + +=back + +Ok, i assume now that you finished the newbies house and you are back in the nexus. +Now walk to the left, to the exit to I, the main town in the world. +It's the main meeting place for most people on the server and it offers newbie +dungeons for the beginners. + +If you walk into the exit you will be teleported to scorn: + +To the west you see the two beginner houses. Step onto the first one: + +=for image sc_scorn_beginners_house.png + +Press spacebar to apply it to enter the house. Like the newbies house +in the nexus read all signs and follow their orders: + +=for image sc_inthe_beginners_house.png + +After you finished that house, enter the second house and finish it. + +After finishing those two houses there are multiple dungeons for newbies. +The best for you to start is the I: + +=for image sc_scorn_newbie_tower.png + +To the north there is the I a well that you can enter. +The first parts of the dungeon there are also very nice. + +=for image sc_scorn_drinking_fountain.png + +Explore Scorn, there are many dungeons in the houses. Be careful when meeting +new monsters, ask questions on the server via the I command and read the +documentation here for further information about some topics. + +=head1 Getting Started (old) + +=head2 How to create a new Character + +When you start up Crossfire, you will be asked for a character name and a +password (you may need to open the B dialog for this using +the button at the top of the screen). If you are playing for the first +time, type any name you like; this will be your character name for the +rest of the life of that character. Next, type in any password. Remember: +you will need to remember the same password again to play that character +again! You can use B to save your settings, including name +and password, but if it gets lost recovery is difficult, so remember your +password or write it down at a safe place. + +One more note: it's not a good idea to use "real" passwords to your +computer accounts! Doing so may make your system vulnerable to +unscrupulous Crossfire server administrators. + +Your next step will be to generate random (primary) stats for your +character (to see the stats, you might have to open the B +using the button at the top of the screen). You aren't limited to the +number of times you can roll your stats - so have fun. Notice that the +stats are always arranged that the B stat has the highest value, the +B stat has the lowest. You may rearrange the order of these values +when you decide that you have rolled some decent stats. Two points: you +can never roll a character with better stats than an average of straight +15's, and you can't roll higher than 18 in a stat. + +When you roll your character, the stats displayed are the stats you will +get as a human (which are unmodified). When satisfied, you can step +through a number of races, each with special bonuses in stats. + +The manual shows how your basic stats will be changed by choosing a +different race. The difference between the natural stat limit and 20 +indicates the bonus/penalty assigned to rolled primary stats. For example, +a troll has a maximum strength which is 5 higher than 20-that means he +will begin with an additional 5 points added to his strength roll. On the +other hand, a troll can never get above 15 in intelligence. This means +that your rolled character will have 5 less in intelligence if you choose +that race. You should also note that any bonus to an ability can't raise +the final number above your racial maximum, and no penalty can give you an +ability score less then one; the lowest it can ever get is one. + +=head3 Selecting a class + +While each class has its particular strengths and weaknesses, in summary +its just a fact that some classes are easier to play than others. + +For beginning players, the "simple fighter" characters are the easiest +to play successfully. The B, B, and B are among +good earlier choices. As you gain experience with using Crossfire+ you +may wish to branch out into other "fighter" characters such as the +B or B, or try your hand at playing "spellcaster" characters +like the B, B, B or B. The "exotic" races +(e.g. B, B and B) and the B class +are the hardest classes to master. + +One more note: You will probably find any character class that has a low +natural B (for example, the B class) will have a fairly +difficult time at higher levels. Skills, and most importantly, spells, +will be more difficult learn. Plan to spend a lot of loot on grimores, +prayer books and skill scrolls. + +=head2 Playing the game + +#TODO biggers house, binding keys etc. + +=head1 Hints for Beginning Players + +I'm done with class selection, now there are three ways to go, where +should I go? It is a good idea to take the northern path into the +teleporter leading you to the beginners house. You can learn some basic +skills there before journeying onward. Once you are there, you will get +many things explained to you. Make sure you investigate every place in +that house. + +I'm on the starting map, what do I do now? You should be in a city square +with a few sign posts in the middle. Move over the signs and apply them +B to read what they say. + +For beginners, there are several maps designed for them. Find these areas +and clear them out. All throughout these levels, a player can find signs +and books which they can read by stepping onto them and hitting B to apply the book/sign. These messages will help the player to learn +the system. Probably the first, best area for a beginning player to start +out in is "Beginners." This area is a small house located southwest of +your starting location. + +=head2 Flailing about with spells + +Some items are perishable. If you shoot a fireball into a room full of +scrolls, you will notice them going up in smoke! So be careful not to +destroy valuable items. + +=head2 Tips on surviving + +Crossfire+ is populated with a wealth of different monsters. These monsters +can have varying immunities and attacktypes. In addition, some of them can +be quite a bit smarter than others. It will be important for new players +to learn the abilities of different monsters and learn just how much it +will take to kill them. + +Most monsters in the game are out to mindlessly kill and destroy the +players. Killing monsters will help boost a player's score. When fighting +a large amount of monsters in a single room, attempt to find a narrower +hallway so that you are not being attacked from all sides. Charging into a +room full of Beholders would not be wise, instead, open the door and fight +them one at a time. + +More advice can be found in the Survival Guide +L. + +=head2 Priorities for low-level characters + +The priority for characters below about 5th level is to gain some basic +items. In this regard, better armour and better spells are best. Look for +a quest among the various islands that will allow you to obtain mithril +mail. Whenever you scrape together ~100-200 platinum pieces go shopping +for armour and weapons (or spells). If you are a fighter type, try to have +at least a +2 weapon, +2 helmet, +2 suit of armour, and +2 shield before +you reach 5th level. For wizards, attempt to recover enough treasure to +be able to buy up good attack spells. For priests, first thing to do is +worship a god! Try to get the holy word prayer as soon as possible. Make +sure your current god allows good potential use of this spell. + +For all classes, get access to the detect magic incantation as soon as +possible. This will allow you to sort through the treasure you find while +you're in the dungeon, and will save you time and money at the shops. + +=head2 Diseases + +Diseases are, well, diseases. They can be contageous or not, and can be +contracted in a number of ways, and they vary greatly in their symptoms +and dangerousness. + +Diseases have "levels". If you contract a disease and recover naturally, +you're immune to that disease forever, provided the instance of the +disease is of equal or lower level than your immunity. + +For example, you get a case of the flu cast by yourself at level 15. When +you get over it, you're immune to any flu of level less than 16. When you +become level 16 and cast the flu again, you are I immune. + +Spells such as B or B will remove a disease, but +will not grant immunity. + +When cast as a spell, diseases's severity is level dependent. A 30th level +cold is a I more severe than a level 2 cold. + +Undead are I affected by any disease. + +Any priest player who isn't denied the path of wounding may learn and B B, B, B, B and B spells. + +Any priest with a high enough B and with a religion that is attuned +to wounding may learn to B B, B and +B by praying at his altar. + +The I caused each round varies between 0 and the maximum listed +for a disease. So you can inflict a I case of ebola, which would +I kill a monster, or a severe one capable of killing it. + +# TODO: disease table needs heavy reformatting +anthrax, anthrax, Godpower +arthritis, arthritis, Godpower +disease_cold, cold, Godpower +creeping_frost, creeping frost, Cold +diarrhea, the runs, Physical +ebola, Red Death, Godpower +egg_disease, egg disease, Physical +flaming_fart, flaming farts, Physical +flu, flu, Godpower +immolation, immolation, Fire +incontinence, lack of bladder control, Physical +insanity, insanity, Confusion +leprosy, leprosy, Godpower +bubonic_plague, Black Death, Godpower +pneumonic_plague, pneumonic plague, Godpower +rabies, rabies, Godpower + Confusion +scurvy, scurvy, Physical +smallpox, smallpox, Godpower +tapeworms, tapeworms, Physical +tooth_decay, tooth decay, Physical +typhoid, typhoid, Godpower +warts, warts, Physical + +=head1 Authors + +Parts of this document were originally compiled, edited, and written by +Brian Thomas, Klaus Elsbernd, and John W. Klar. Additional information +compiled by Maciej Kalisiak, Gorlin, Anton Oussik and Gene Alexander. -# TODO: on first login, create character etc. +Adapted for use by I, enhanced and corrected by Pippijn van +Steenhoven, Marc A. Lehmann and Robin Redeker.