WHAT IS A MUD?
A MUD (Multi-User Dungeon) is a text-based multiplayer adventure game. Instead of graphics, the world is described in words. Instead of clicking, you type commands. Instead of a lobby, you share a living world with other players in real time.
MUDs predate graphical MMOs by decades and still have dedicated communities because text offers something graphics never can: your imagination fills in the details. A description of a fog-shrouded harbor at midnight hits differently than a rendered polygon.
Think of it as collaborative storytelling with combat, character progression, and a hundred other players adding to the chaos.
GETTING STARTED
CONNECT TO THE SERVER
Three ways to connect — choose what works best for you:
TELNET
Classic. For purists.
telnet thefamilypirate.com 4000
thefamilypirate.com |
Port: 4000
CREATE YOUR CHARACTER
When you connect, you'll see the welcome screen. Type new to create a new character:
-- Enter your name when prompted -- JackSparrow → Confirm your name, then choose a password
-- Select your class (see Classes page for details) -- 1 → Select class from numbered list
YOU'RE IN PORT ROYAL
New characters start in Port Royal Main Square. You'll see a room description like this:
Obvious exits: North, South, East, West
A weather-beaten sailor leans against the fountain, watching the crowds.
Type look at any time to see your current room again.
ESSENTIAL COMMANDS
Everything in The Ebon Tides is controlled by typing commands. Here are the ones you'll use every session.
MOVEMENT
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
| north / n | Move north |
| south / s | Move south |
| east / e | Move east |
| west / w | Move west |
| up / u | Move up (stairs, ladders) |
| down / d | Move down |
| look / l | Look at your current room |
| look target | Examine something specific (e.g., look sailor) |
| exits | List all available exits |
INTERACTION
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
| say message | Speak to everyone in the room (e.g., say Hello there) |
| tell player msg | Private message another player (e.g., tell Jack Ahoy!) |
| shout message | Shout to the entire zone |
| who | See all players currently online |
| talk npc | Start a conversation with an NPC |
| get item | Pick up an item (e.g., get coin) |
| drop item | Drop an item |
| give item person | Give an item to someone |
| buy item | Buy something from a shop |
| sell item | Sell an item to a shop |
| list | See what a shop sells |
COMBAT
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
| kill target | Attack an enemy (e.g., kill pirate) |
| flee | Run away from combat (random direction) |
| score | See your health, experience, and stats |
| hp | Quick health check |
| consider target | Gauge how tough an enemy is before fighting |
| skills | List your class skills and abilities |
CHARACTER
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
| score | Full character stats and status |
| inventory / inv | See what you're carrying |
| equipment / eq | See what you're wearing/wielding |
| wear item | Put on armor/clothing |
| wield weapon | Ready a weapon |
| remove item | Take something off |
| rest | Rest to recover health faster |
| sleep | Sleep to recover even faster |
| wake | Wake up from sleep/rest |
| save | Save your character (auto-saves too) |
| quit | Log off safely |
TIPS FOR NEW PLAYERS
talk [name] — many have quests or useful information.
consider [enemy] command tells you how tough something is relative to you. A "fearsome" enemy will kill a new character. Don't fight fearsome enemies.
rest. Even faster when you sleep. Don't wander into fights at half health.
sell [item] anything you don't need. Gold buys better equipment.
who to see who's online. Most players in The Ebon Tides are happy to help new sailors. Don't be afraid to say hello.
read [thing].
READY TO SAIL?
Port Royal is waiting. The Main Square fountain is lit by torchlight. Somewhere east of Tortuga, a black-sailed ship turns toward the horizon.
Open Web Clientthefamilypirate.com port 4000