To start off, I'd like to say I logged onto Erandia out of boredom with MUDs in general
-- which, while each has some unique feature or another, are more or less of cookie-cutter
origin -- not expecting to find a game that, while still in beta, was not only fully
fleshed out, but had a very intriguing storyline and concept.
First, the very nature of 'death' in this MUD is something I have never seen before.
See, you aren't just a human, or an elf, or a dwarf, or any other race you can think
of (and subrace, in this MUD), you are also an Elkandu. Which is to say, you are a
practically immortal being with the potential to attain power much beyond that of
ordinary men and women.
When an Elkandu dies, he is immediately reborn into a new body with or without memory
of his former life (/lives), but the transition isn't perfect (minor skill decreases)
-- all in all, it's mostly a RP event. While an Elkandu of beginning strength can't
control his reincarnation, the race being chosen at random, after a short while, he
gains power of the process; to prevent beginners from having to play a race they don't
want, or lose skills due to death, players with less than 10 hours of play don't really
die, but are whisked away moments before fatality strikes.
Second, the magic system. Hat off, it is the best one I have seen. For example, not
only is magic categorized in simple, practical schools, but the research system
that many MUDs' lore claims is integral to spellcasting is actually integrated into
way you gain your spells.
Now, I'm not talking about some automated process that you find oh-so-often, but is
even-more-so boring. No. In Erandia, spells are defined by a few 'words' which are
basically commands; there is a word that decides the spell's school, another that defines
the effect, another one for power, etc.
A few words are given to you in the beginning, but the rest you must find for yourself.
While fiddling with spellcasting for a while yields you some initial discoveries, to
make the most of it, you must seek in the in-game libraries, look for ancient books in
caves frequented by demons and fell elementals, stumble upon whisks of information
in forgotten planes, or trade information with another player -- and the effect of a
few extra words are -- not quite dramatic, but -- very significant.
Oh, and about the game world. It is split in multiple planets, with different levels of
technology, though most are medieval in culture and outlook. As an Elkandu, you can,
should you wish to, travel from one of these planets to the other, from mishap to
adventure, in your ultimate quest for knowledge, power, or even ascension to a
sublime form of being.
The staff is great: the implementor, Denisius, greeted me the very moment I logged on,
and patiently helped me learn the basics of the game.
But, if I have made you curious, you had best try it for yourself.
