[Newworlds]

Hello Heptachord.

I would recommend those games already listed and will give you the pros and cons of Ateraan with each of your questions giving you the main benefits up front:

1. Large persistant, dynamic world, with nations and oceans, islands, and cities.

2. Ateraan has two starting locations (harsh and civilized). PK in the civilized area is much more rare and only occurs when you engage in conflict roleplay. If you don't, it is almost non-existant.

3. Houses, Mansions, Castles, and Ships. You can sail the ocean and battle pirates, explore islands, fish, or whale. You can own a house with servants, decor, etc.

4. Large player base. You can be involved in large invasions, events (player and staff run), adventure with large groups (10 or more).

5. Standard and Unique Guilds and Races.

6. Resurrected and Permadeath both dependant on the situation and roleplay.

7. Unique creative Guilds: Merchant/Trader who run some of the economy, Rogues who have no leadership, Warriors who whole purpose is honor (think Klingon), for example.

8. Rich history and background.

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Things you specifically asked for:

* Has to be free to play for me at this time.
Playing is Free.

* RP mandatory or preferred.
Completely Mandatory and Immersive.

* Documentation or demonstrative.
Beyond Documented and Demonstrative. Ateraan has staff and guides to assist the new player in learning the aspects of the game. This is done both In Character and Out of Character for full understanding and immersion into the roleplay and world experience.

* Be welcoming to new players.
Same as above.

* No multiplaying allowed (playing more than one char at the same time.)
Playing a 2nd Character is allowed, but controlled by rules on seconds. Once you are in the world you will understand why some like Multiplaying is allowed, but it is controlled by rules.

* Enough of a population...
Large population. 100+

* Being able to get involved with something or a guild/organization after a reasonable amount of time...
All guild, religion, jobs, economy, politics is player run. You will join a guild based on that, however, the process is well documented and assisted so the speed at which you do so is entirely up to you.

* Equipment saves
Yes.

* Persistent world
Yes and dynamic (things change in the world based on historic and ongoing timelines).

* Ability to have fun by yourself...
Yes. Even a guild dedicated to lone players.

* Housing would be awesome.
Yes. Houses, Mansions, Ships, Clans. As mentioned above.

* PK restricted or not at all.
Retricted to viable roleplay.

* encrypted connection would be nice as sometimes I play in areas common for wifi data to be intercepted (public places). Optional, though.
Up to your terminal and location. However, we have our own Java client that makes it Much easier to play from school or work.

* Being allowed to play more than one character (but only one logged in at any given time).
Yes. Second characters available within the rules.

Some of the Other Games listed look good too, so Good Luck and have fun!