TomeNET

(3.1) Creating a new character; character modes                                 
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First you may choose your gender. This will not have actual influence on your
strengths or weaknesses.

Next you have to choose your class. Spellcasters like Istari or Shamans are
physically weaker and especially hard to play for beginners.
If you choose a spellcaster, be aware that his casting ability depends on
either his INTelligence or his WISdom, depending on the actual class. For more
information about classes and their pros and cons see (6.5).
Spellcasting involves using 'macros' (see (3.6)) and might be a bit difficult
for beginners.
Classes definitely NOT recommended for beginners are:
Istar (mage), Priest, Shaman, Adventurer.

Then you have to choose your race. Humans are good allrounders, while the other
races are more or less specialized. For example half-trolls are usually quite
dumb but very strong, and hobbits are quite nimble and intelligent but not
very strong. For more information about races see (6.4).
A half-troll warrior might be the best choice for a beginner to try since he
is tough and has less chance of dying instantly in case you make a more
serious mistake. Also you don't have to worry about the spell-casting system
for now.
Note that the availability of various races will depend on the class you chose,
some class-race combinations are not possible.

Now you will see your six basic attributes STRength, INTelligence, WISdom,
DEXterity, CONstitution, CHaRisma.

IMPORTANT NOTE: For fighters (rogues also belong to these) that use weapons,
it is important that you have enough STRength and DEXterity to execute at
least two attacks per round, called bpr (blows per round, see (6.5a)).
Sometimes this requires you to get rid of your initial weapon and buy a very
light weapon, for example one of these:
dagger or main gauche (sword class),
whip (blunt class),
hatched (axe class) or
spear (polearm class).
Sometimes it is even possible to start out with 3 bpr (warriors mostly).

Depending on the server configuration, starting at TomeNET version 4.2.0,
there are 2 alternative stages of character creation that may follow now.

1) The old way - random stats:
You see the short names for the 6 stats written from the left to the right
on the very bottom of the screen, and you're asked to choose a stat order.
You have to determine how important each of the 6 stats is to you by defining
an order. The first attribute you choose will be raised most.
However, know that all your stats are randomly modified slightly, each
character that you create even with same race and class will be a bit
different. Sometimes you are lucky and get really high attributes at the
beginning. And sometimes you get more gold to start with. If you don't like
the resulting stats after you finished character creation, suicide and start
over.

2) The new way since 4.2.0 - chosen stats:
You see your 6 stats written below each other, followed by a base number (10).
Right above them you see your free points (30) that you may distribute on the
stats. Use the numpad (numlock turned on) to navigate and increase or decrease
your stats until you used up all free points. Hit ESC when you're happy with
your choice.

Now you can choose a difficulty level you wish to play on. Options are
n) Normal  g) no Ghost  h) Hard  H) Hellish e) Everlasting
It is recommended that you choose either n) to play a normal character or g)
to play a normal character without a ghost.
You can also choose e), that will give your character an infinite amount of
resurrections, while 'normal' characters often have a limited amount of lives
(depending on the server configuration).

Last you can choose a body modification. It's strongly recommended for
beginners to choose 'normal body' and NOT 'fruit bat'. ;)


Mode: 'Normal'
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A normal character will turn into a ghost if he dies. The ghost can be revived
by either visiting a temple or another living player using a magic scroll of
life when standing adjacent to the ghost. The ghost will return to the world
of living under the cost of a lot of experience but at least the player can
resume playing. If the ghost dies, the character will finally be erased
permanently, watch out!
Depending on the server configuration the number of times a ghost is limited,
standard is 3 lifes.


Mode: 'Everlasting'
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Create an everlasting character for an infinite amount of resurrections.
Everlasting characters can become king/queen, but cannot enter the high-score.
Other character types cannot use items that belong to everlasting
characters. Exception: Word-of-recall scrolls can be exchanged between an
everlasting and a non-everlasting player!
Non-everlasting and everlasting characters can't be in the same party.
If an everlasting King/Queen dies, he won't be destroyed but lose the
King/Queen status. To regain it, he needs to find another player who hasn't
killed Sauron and Morgoth yet and team up with him, because those two won't
(re)spawn for the everlasting player.
Since it was often asked: Non-everlasting and everlasting players can revive
each other without problems.


Mode: 'Unworldly' (no-ghost) and 'Hellish' (no-ghost + hard)
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Unworldly characters are like normal characters, but they have only one life.
Unworldly as well as hellish characters (who are a combination of 'no-ghost'
and 'hard') will be completely annihilated and deleted on death.


Mode: 'Hard' (like 'Normal' but with additional penalties) and 'Hellish':
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Hard characters and hellish characters get certain penalties in gameplay.
These are:
-losing -1 to all stats
-healing is reduced by 25%
-AC is reduced by 50%
-ESP only works within radius of 20 squares
-any speed changes above or below +0 are reduced by 50%
-max number of melee attacks per round is reduced by 1.


Mode: 'PvP'
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This is a special restricted mode that has nothing to do with normal gameplay.
If you're new to the game, it's absolutely not recommended to choose this.
More information about 'PvP' mode is given in (6.13).


Body: 'Fruit bat' (Batty)
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A fruit bat is like a normal character, just not in humanoid shape but in bat
form! Fruit bats cannot wear certain equipment like boots, gloves or weapons.
These restrictions won't change even if they choose a class which can make use
if mimicry and thereby mimic a humanoid form.
However, fruit bats are twice as fast as normal characters at the beginning
(they get a flat +10 speed bonus added) and their melee attacks are somewhat
vampiric, making them leech life on each hit, replenishing their hit points.
Fruit bats are said to make good explorers. If you're new to the game, it's
absolutely not recommended to try and play fruit bat.


Hard / Unworldly characters will receive 25% bonus on their high score.
Hellish (Hard + Unworldly) characters receive 50% bonus on their high score.

Note that race and class will have influence on how much experience you will
need to gain a new character level. For example, High-Elves already know a
lot, so experience is hard to gain for them. In fact they will need 130% more
experience than a human.

Creation of your character is now finished and you are asked to press a key to
start the actual game. Do so and take a minute to read the text that will
appear. It is called news or motd (message of the day) and often contains
important server-specific information or announcements to the players.