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BACKGROUND

Syntax: background <character

This command is used to display background roleplaying information on the

players who inhabit the world. Each player is responsible for submitting

their own background to the immortals via a NOTE prior to exceeding 10th

level. Background information is divided into two parts, public and private.

Public background information can be seen by anybody. Private background

information can only be seen by yourself and the immortals.

BACKSTAB

Syntax: backstab <character

A backstab is a sneak attack used on a target that is unaware of you. It

inflicts substantial amounts of additional damage, but can only be used if you

are armed with a piercing weapon. Because it can only be used on the

unsuspecting, a backstab is not possible on an injured opponent.

BAIL

Syntax: bail <player

This command pays the bail on an outlaw who is currently imprisoned within

the oubliette. You must be in a city watchhouse or equivalent to pay bail,

although if you are an outlaw in the oubliette, you will be permitted to pay

your own. The amount to be paid is equal to 10 times the current bounty on

the outlaw. Once bail has been paid, the city authorities will return the

offender to their home temple.

See also BOUNTY, OUBLIETTE, OUTLAW.

'BALLISTIC ATTACK'

Syntax: cast 'ballistic attack' <character

BALLISTIC ATTACK lets a sorcerer use the powers of his or her mind to throw

small objects, usually a rock or other debris that happens to be in the area,

at the target. The results can be rather amusing to the sorcerer, and

painful to the victim.

BAMF

Syntax: cast bamf <character

This spell acts as a "teleport other", sending the creature upon whom it

is cast to a randomly chosen location. It is only usable by immortals and

mobiles. The victim receives no saving throw.

BANK

A bank is a place in which money and items may be safely stored. You can

transfer money from your person to your account using the DEPOSIT command,

and from your account to your person using the WITHDRAW command. In both

cases you must actually be at the bank. The ACCOUNT command shows you how

much money you currently have in your account, and can be used anywhere.

BARD

The BARD class is a something of a hybrid, combining the wits and guile of

the thief with quasi-magical spellcasting abilities derived through the use

of song. Like thieves, bards are rogues, and generally make their way in

life through charm and talent. A good bard should be glib of tongue, light of

heart, and fleet of foot! Historical examples of this character class include

Alan-a-Dale, Will Scarlet, Amergin, and even Homer.

BASH

Syntax: bash <direction

A powerful warrior can attempt to bypass the intricacies of unlocking and

opening doors by simply BASHING through them. This, of course, tends to make

the doors rather useless, which always amuses warriors. Be aware, however,

that bashing is a fairly aggressive action, and some mobs don't take kindly to

that type of behavior...

'BASH DOOR'

Syntax: bash <direction

A powerful warrior can attempt to bypass the intricacies of unlocking and

opening doors by simply BASHING through them. This, of course, tends to make

the doors rather useless, which always amuses warriors. Be aware, however,

that bashing is a fairly aggressive action, and some mobs don't take kindly to

that type of behavior...

BATTLE

Syntax: battle

The battlefield is a place where players may freely fight one another without

suffering any major disadvantages. Battles are run by the Gods at their

discretion. The BATTLE command is used to actually enter a battle once one

is announced. You will be transported to the preparation room after doing so,

and will have a short interval to prepare yourself and size up your opponents.

Once battle starts you will reappear on one of the many battlefields that

are available - there is no way to know which before this actually happens.

From this point you will fight the other players until only one is left

surviving, and this person will be declared the victor. Information on the

events happening in the battle can be seen on the BATTLE channel.

After winning or dying in a battle, you will reappear at your temple, restored

to full health and vitality through the favour of the Gods.

'BEFRIEND ANIMAL'

Syntax: befriend <character

The BEFRIEND ANIMAL skill allows you to make friends with normal animals

that you might meet upon your travels (e.g. dogs, birds, boars, lions,

and other creatures of a similar nature). It will not work on players or

monsters. You can issue commands to animals that you've befriended using

the ORDER command.

BEHEMOTHS

Guardians come in five sizes; the golem, the automaton, the talus, the

juggernaut, and the behemoth. All five will behave in much the same way once

activated, attacking any clan enemies that enter their room, and shouting

warnings over the clan channel. Clan guardians can only be attacked

themselves by enemies of the clan.

BESEECH

Syntax: beseech advancement

Syntax: beseech miracle

Syntax: beseech symbol

Syntax: beseech guardian golem

Syntax: beseech guardian automaton

Syntax: beseech guardian talus

Syntax: beseech guardian juggernaut

Syntax: beseech guardian behemoth

The BESEECH command begs the Gods for a favor. You must be in a temple to

use it. You may beseech the Gods for any of the following things:

Advancement. If the Gods favor you, you will raise an experience level.

The Gods think less of those who rely on their favor to advance in life, so

exercising this option costs you 2 favor points. Please note: You must spend

a favor point to advance beyond some levels. This cost, if applicable, is in

addition to the 2 favor point cost for beseeching the level.

A Miracle. If you are in good standing with the Gods, you may beg them for

a divine miracle. If you meet with their approval, you will be cured of all

ills. Each time you beseech a miracle, it costs you 1 favor point.

A Clan Symbol. High-ranking clan members may beseech the Gods for a clan

symbol. Clan symbols are used to take control of areas (see CONSECRATE).

Beseeching the Gods for a clan symbol will cost your clan 100,000 gold pieces.

The amount will be automatically deducted from your clan's bank account.

A Clan Guardian. High-ranking clan members may also beseech the Gods for a

clan guardian. These are magical constructs that will guard the areas your

clan controls. They come in five sizes, which are (from smallest to largest)

the golem, the automaton, the talus, the juggernaut, and the behemoth. A

golem will cost your clan 100,000 gold pieces, an automaton 200,000, a talus

300,000, a juggernaut 500,000, and a behemoth 750,000. After you purchase a

guardian you must lead it to the place it is to guard and activate it (see

ACTIVATE). Once activated, the guardian will attack any enemies it encounters

and will be saved through reboots or system crashes. Once it is slain, though,

it is gone for good.

BID

Syntax: bid <amount

Bids on the item under auction are made using the BID command. Bids must be

at least 10% or 100 gold pieces over the previous bid, whichever is greater.

All money that you spend on an auction comes from your bank account first,

and then the gold you are currently carrying on your person. You cannot spend

or otherwise use gold while you have a bid active. You may not bid on items

that you yourself are selling.

At the completion of an auction the item will be placed in the inventory of

the successful bidder, and the appropriate sum of money will be transferred

from the buyer to the vendor's bank account. A 10% commission applies to all

auction sales. If nobody places a bid on an item put up for auction, it is

gone forever.

BITE 'POISON BITE'

Syntax: bite <character

POISON BITE is a racial ability that allows you to bite other characters in

combat, doing damage and possibly also injecting them with toxic venom.

'BLACK LOTUS'

See POISONS.

'BLACK MARKET'

This skill allows you to purchase illegal and stolen goods from shopkeepers

who will lower themselves to dealing in such things. Your rating in the

skill represents your connections with and knowledge of the underground, and

will result in better prices when you buy or sell from black market dealers.

'BLACK TENTACLES'

Syntax: cast 'black tentacles' <character

This spell will conjure forth a mass of writhing black tentacles that will

immediately attack the designated target. If the target is more evil than

the caster the tentacles will turn on the caster instead.

BLACKENBLADE

See POISONS.

BLANK

Syntax: blank

BLANK toggles the existence of a blank before your prompt.

See CONFIGURE to find out which toggle is on and which is off.

BLESS

Syntax: cast bless <character

This spell improves the to-hit roll and saving throw versus spell of the

target character.

'BLESS ARMOR'

Syntax: cast 'bless armor' <object

This spell sanctifies a piece of armor, increasing its wearer's resistance

to magic. It also causes the item to become aligned with the alignment of the

person casting the spell.

'BLESS WEAPON'

Syntax: cast 'bless weapon' <object

This spell sanctifies a weapon, increasing its hit and damage bonuses. A

weapon may be blessed even if it is magical and/or enchanted to begin with.

The affected weapon will assume the caster's alignment and will allow nobody

else to use it.

BLIND BLINDNESS

Syntax: cast blindness <character

This spell renders the target character blind.

BLOCK

The BLOCK skill enables you to stop trip attacks made against you from

succeeding. It operates automatically once practiced.

BOARD

Syntax: board (To display the note boards and the notes on each)

Syntax: board <number (To switch your current note board)

Syntax: board next (To switch to the next available board)

The BOARD system is used to group the notes posted on the MUD into related

categories. You can display a list of all the boards by typing the command

without any arguments. If you specify a board number, it will become your

current board, and any subsequent note posting or reading will take place on

the board you specified.