VI. Basic Commands

When you have created your character and entered the game, you will be approached by a black cat. The black cat can lead you through a short tutorial on interacting with the game. Read what he says and follow the instructions to activate the tutorial.

Interacting With the Game

These are the basic commands you will need to get started in the world of Alyria. Most commands have a lot more functionality than is shown in this brief list - clicking on the command name will display the full scope. Common abbreviations for the commands are specified in parentheses to the right of the command itself.

To see an entire list of available commands at your character level, type 'commands' within the game.

Informational Commands
These commands will tell you more about your character, other characters, and the world around you.
help	Materia Magica has an extensive help database and many questions may be answered by typing HELP <topic>. Help train will give the max statistics for each race, HELP <race name> and HELP <class> will give an overview of each race and class. Help entries are also available in the Reference section of this website.
look (l)	Tells you about the room or area that you are currently in. You can also look at other characters, look at objects, look inside objects, and look in a specific direction to see what's in the adjoining area.
skills	The SKILLS command is used to display your character's list of available proficiencies or spells.
who	The WHO command is used to display a list of players that are currently active and online.
where	This command will report a list of nearby players and their specific locations, based on their proximity to you.
score	This command displays a complete list of information regarding your character, such as attributes, spell comprehension, number of kills, experience points, etc.
affect (aff)	The AFFECT command will display a list of spells or conditions with which you are currently affected, as well as applicable durations.
set	SET lets you turn in-game environment settings ON or OFF. These settings can be used to customize what you see in the game, among other things.
socials	The SOCIALS command displays a list of the several-hundred "actions" or "emotions" that you can use to show how you feel to other players.
commands	Displays a list of commands that are available at your character's current level of experience.
levels	Command that lists how many experience points your character needs in order to advance through the levels in his class.
time	Displays the current Alyrian time, game time, phases of the twin moons Trigael and Marabah, as well as other information. If you do not have a clock or watch in your possession you will see an approximation of the current Alyrian time.
weather	Displays the weather conditions for your current location, if you are outdoors.
gold ($)	Lets you view the amount of gold you have on hand, and in any bank accounts.
description (desc)	This command allows you to change the descriptive text shown when other people see your character in the game. When they view you using the 'LOOK' command, they will see the description you enter.
title	Title sets the phrase that immediately follows your name when people LOOK in the same room as you. You can check your title by typing SCORE.
channels	Materia Magica has several global and semi-global communication methods that you can activate or deactivate based on your current desires. Using the CHANNELS command, you can set the channels that you wish to see displayed in the game.
survey	With the SURVEY command, you will examine the area for familiar landmarks to determine your current location.
scan	Closely examine what lies beyond all exits from a location. You must have the SCAN proficiency to use this command effectively.
notify	Notify is a feature that allows you to track the comings and goings of your friends - when they log in to the game, when they log out, etc.

Movement-Related Commands
These commands will let you move around in the world of Alyria, as well as other movement-related actions. For general information on moving in the world of Alyria, see HELP MOVEMENT.
north (n)	Moves your character north, if an exit exists in that direction.
south (s)	Moves your character south, if an exit exists in that direction.
east (e)	Moves your character east, if an exit exists in that direction.
west (w)	Moves your character west, if an exit exists in that direction.
northwest (nw)	Moves your character northwest, if an exit exists in that direction.
northeast (ne)	Moves your character northeast, if an exit exists in that direction.
southwest (sw)	Moves your character southwest, if an exit exists in that direction.
southeast (se)	Moves your character southeast, if an exit exists in that direction.
up (u)	Moves your character up, if an exit exists in that direction.
down (d)	Moves your character down, if an exit exists in that direction.
enter	Lets your character enter a special exit item, such as a portal.
recall	RECALL lets your character return instantly to your home, or nearest recall point (usually a SAFE location). This command should be used if you ever become lost. Typing RECALL LIST will show you the nearest recall point.
sleep	Lets you sleep on the ground, or on an item, such as a travel cot.
wake	If you are asleep, WAKE will cause you to awaken. You can also use WAKE to wake another sleeping player.
stand	Causes you to stand up if you are resting or sitting. You can also stand on an item, such as a platform or carpet.
sit	Lets you sit on the ground, or on an item, such as a chair.
rest	Lets you rest on the ground, or on an item, such as a chair or bed.
search	Searches the room for hidden items. You may have to search multiple times to find hidden items, depending on how well they are obscured.
hide	Hide in the shadows so that you cannot be detected, or hide an item at your current location.
dig	Dig up ground at a location to look for a buried item or door. You will need a spade to dig, and if the ground is hard enough, a pick-axe as well.
bury	Bury an item in the ground using a spade. If the ground is hard, the job may require a pick-axe as well.

Communication Commands
These commands enable you to communicate with other characters (both NPC and PCs) around you.
pray	If you are stuck and need help, pray will send a message to any Guides or Immortals who may be online.
tell	Sends a message to a specific character, privately.
reply	Sends a message to the last character to send you a tell.
say	Sends a message to your current room, and everyone within that room.
sayto	Sends a message to your current room, but directs it to a specific character within the room.
whisper	Sends a private message to a character in your current room.
yell	Sends a message to everyone in your area / general vicinity.
shout	Sends a message to everyone in your area / general vicinity. SHOUT has a greater range than YELL.
dream	If you are sleeping, you can use the DREAM channel. Dream sends a message to other sleeping PCs.
clantalk / ct	As a novice you will be automatically enrolled in the Novice Clan, which is a group of novice adventurers (some more novice than others) who can use CLANTALK to communicate and assist each other in learning the game.
auction	Auctioning is a way to sell items to other players globally, regardless of their location in the world. Anyone may bid on any item being auctioned if they have enough money. Auction is available to players level 20 and higher.

General Commands
These are general commands with which every Adventurer should be familiar.
alias	Using the alias command, you may create a synonym for a longer legitimate command, and then use the shortened version instead of the full version.
chat	Materia Magica has a special chat room feature. These rooms allow people who want a break from playing the game, or who just want to chat in a fantasy role-playing setting, a place to do so without fear of evil sorcerers, insane shopkeepers, and the like.
train	Through use of the TRAIN command, you can increase the attributes (strength, intelligence, etc.) or vital statistics (hit points, spell points, stamina) on your character, thus increasing his effectiveness.
practice	The PRACTICE command allows you to train a skill (proficiency or spell) and increase your knowledge of it. It is different from the TRAIN command in that you are not learning about a general attribute or a vital statistic, but about something more specific.
shop	Through your travels in Alyria you will come across many merchants seeking to sell you goods and services, or buy goods from you. You can buy many different types of goods and services from shopkeepers, such as weapons, magical spells, horses, pets, etc. - all using the SHOP command in the presence of a shopkeeper.
quest	The QUEST command allows you to undertake and manage quests. The members of the Council of Seven - the Lords and Ladies of Alyria - will allow you to undertake quests in order to gain special points called 'quest points', as well as other rewards, such as practices, gold, experience, and special items. Quest points can additionally be saved up and used at any quest master to purchase specially-enchanted items.
class	Once a player reaches level 60 in his or her current class, the option to change classes is available. Classes are changed by collecting and providing desired gemstones - black tourmalines - to a local Lord (such as Lord Agrippa). The CLASS command, when used in the presence of a local Lord, allows you to deposit gemstones with them, view your multiclass gemstone account, as well as change classes when you are ready.
shift	Faerie characters - those of the Fey and Sidhe races - have the ability to shift shape due to their magical natures. The SHIFT command allows the faerie to change shapes for a limited amount of time.
quit	This command allows you to exit the game safely and saves your character for later return. While you do not have to use this command to have your items saved, it is recommended as if there are items that will not persist or that you cannot take with you (items that are greatly out of your level range, and some special items) you will be informed. You do not have to be in a special location to quit and save in Materia Magica. If

Combat Commands
These commands are used to start, navigate, and end combat situations.
combat	The COMBAT command allows you to toggle combat settings, such as defenses, combat display modes, etc.
consider	This command gives a rough estimate on what your chances are of defeating a character in combat, based on a limited set of criteria, including hit points, level, and race.
kill / attack	When you wish to attack a creature or person, simply use the ATTACK or KILL command to begin melee combat. If you are in area where combat is permitted, you will begin exchanging blows with your opponent.
flee	Allows you to flee from your current combat situation, if possible.
bash	Bashing a victim is a special combat move that requires one (in most cases) to be wielding a shield of some kind and allows one to smash his or her opponent over the head with it. Bashing requires a great deal of stamina and strength on the part of the user. Minotaurs can bash without holding a shield. You must have the 'bash' proficiency to use the BASH command properly.
feed	Feed is a vicious command that lets the faerie Fey race drink the blood of a designated victim from its neck. You must have the 'feeding' proficiency to use the FEED command properly.
kick	Kicking allows the attacker to cause a karate-chop type of attack to the target. However, a failed kick may throw an unwary fighter off balance, causing him or her to miss the next round of combat. You must have the 'kick' proficiency to use the KICK command properly.
backstab	Backstab is the favored attack of thieves, murderers, and other rogues. It can be used with any small-sized piercing weapon, such as a dagger or stilletto. You must have the 'backstab' proficiency to use the BACKSTAB command properly.
breathe	BREATHE allows those of the Dracon race to use a special breath attack on their victim. Breath attacks include frost, fire, gas (poison), acid, and lightning. Depending on the level of the Dracon, one or more breath attacks will be available.

Item Commands
These commands are used to interact with items in the game. For more information on item attributes, see HELP ITEM ATTRIBUTES.
inventory (inv)	The INVENTORY command lists the items you are currently carrying. It does not show the items that you are wearing on your body - for that you need to use the EQUIPMENT command.
equipment (eq)	This command lists the items in your inventory that you are currently wearing, and their locations on your body. You will also see a list of body locations and the Armor Resistance (AR) values for each.
wear / equip / hold	EQUIP lets you wear an item or wield as a weapon.
remove / unequip	UNEQUIP lets you remove an item (in most cases) that you have previously EQUIPped.
examine	EXAMINE is a synonym for LOOK. It lets you inspect an item's visible attributes. If you have the LORE proficiency, it will reveal even more information about the item.
get / take	GET allows you to pick an object up from the ground or from inside a container, such as a chest or a bag.
put	PUT transfers an item from your inventory to a container.
drop	DROP drops an object that you are carrying, including gold coins, on the ground.
open	OPEN allows you to open a door or container.
close	CLOSE allows you to close an open door or container.
eat	EAT allows you to ingest an item of food, a potion, or a pill. You may need to EAT multiple times (eating a few loaves of bread, for example) in order to fill yourself up.
drink	DRINK allows you to drink from a container of liquid or ingest a magical potion.
use	USE lets you make use of an item such as a magical wand, orb, or scroll.
sacrifice (sac)	SACRIFICE lets you destroy an item in honor of the Power(s) that your character serves. Using this command usually results in a gold reward.
steal	STEAL attempts to pilfer money or items from an unsuspecting target. This command requires the 'stealing' proficiency in order to use properly.
give	GIVE allows you to hand an item or gold to an NPC or PC.
lock	LOCK allows you to lock a door or container (if you have its key).
unlock	UNLOCK allows you to unlock a locked door or container (if you have its key).
fill	FILL allows you to fill an empty container or lamp with a liquid, such as water or oil.
empty	EMPTY allows you to empty a container filled with a liquid, so that you may refill the container with something else.
light	LIGHT ignites a light source (such as a torch or lantern). Light sources, unless magical, can only remain lit for a certain period of time before burning out. If the light source can be refilled - such as in the case of most lanterns - you can replenish the light source with lamp oil (available at most General Stores) by using the FILL command.
extinguish	EXTINGUISH puts out a burning light source (such as a torch). Lit items usually have limited amounts of time they can be used, so it is a good idea to extinguish lights when you do not need them.
push	Allows you to PUSH an item, such as a button. Not all items can be PUSHed.
pull	PULL allows you to PULL an item, such as a lever. Not all items can be PULLed.
turn	TURN allows you to TURN an item, such as a dial or knob. Not all items can be TURNed.

Magic-Related Commands
These commands are used by classes with magical abilities. Most spellcasting classes will make use of scrolls and spellbooks in order to gather the magical knowledge needed. Some have the abilities through other methods, such as Druids who can invoke and evoke energies.
memorize	MEMORIZE is used by wizards, rangers, and other spellcasters to commit a spell to memory so that it can be casted later. Spells remain in memory for a limited time, after which they must be re-memorized. Spells must be in spellbooks, and the spellbook with the spell in it must be held by the spellcaster, in order to be MEMORIZEd.
cast	CAST allows you to cast a spell on a target, such as a creature or item.
invoke	INVOKE works very much like CAST, and is used by Druids to invoke elemental powers to protect them during battle and empower other miscellaneous magical effects. INVOKE requires individual Druid-only element-based spells in order to use.
evoke	EVOKE works very much like CAST, and is used by Druids to invoke elemental powers to summon elemental powers outside of themselves, whether to inflict harm on a target or for another purpose. EVOKE requires individual Druid-only element-based spells in order to use.
play	PLAY allows the Bard to produce magical effects through music. You must have the MUSIC proficiency, and be holding a musical instrument, in order to use the PLAY command.

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