You have shifted into Overdrive, a vast realm of high-medieval fantasy, filled with mythical creatures of all shapes and sizes, enchanted weapons, puzzling, sometimes maddening quests and a population of over 1300 active players.Since its humble beginnings in 1991, OD has evolved into an environment of unparallelled sophistication, where muscle and magic, brawn and brains merge, striving for experience, growth and fun. An early decision to have absolutely no level caps for our players has given us a keenly trained and highly dedicated player population, and it is not uncommon for players to launch successive careers in several classes.
Fighting strategies, training strategies, complex party formation and just plain silliness (OD pioneered year-round snowball fights and the infamous mage 'singalong' spell) are hallmarks of gaming on Overdrive.
Stepping into Overdrive (telnet overdrive.concentric.net 5195), you find yourself standing in the center of the busy Cathedral of Farcaern. People wander in and out of the Cathedral wearing all styles and manner of garments and armor, and after watching and listening for a while, you've probably figured it out. You decide to set out and see the sights for yourself.
If you're new to the LPMud environment, it will take a bit longer to catch what's going on around you. A glance through the "help quickhelp" file will give you a rundown on all the commands that are available to you.
Here's a bit of what you're likely to see: The earth trembles as a couple brawny fellows with massive armor and heavy weapons stomp into the room, clearly professional fighters. The hunting horn held at their side marks them as devotees of the battle-God, Bryllith.
As you enter a clearing, a scholarly, slight individual flashes into momentary existence. She opens up her grimoire, strikes a dramatic pose, and begins chanting. As the woman finishes her spell a buzzing familiar with turquoise and gray spiraled scales and khaki and scarlet paisley bat wings pops into existence and begins to orbit frenetically around the room. Satisfied that the room is well- warded, the woman vanishes to another plane. You have glimpsed one of Printorn's adepts, masters of the Magical arts.
As you pass through a brightly bannered archway, you enter a quieter part of town. Meditative folk in holy clothing (and heavy armor) walk here in the paths of Llardin, Goddess of a tightly-knit guild of priests and priestesses. What a contrast between the sunlit fountain by Llardin's greenhouse and the twisted, ill-cobbled roads of the streets to the north! In these narrow, darkened streets you sense movement around you but rarely see the shadowy members of the secretive thief population.
A few special individuals pass by now and then, offering guidance to those who are or may become members of their chosen profession. These are the guildmasters, elected to the head of of each guild. They are generally helpful types, and you can keep an eye out for them when you have questions.
Until you have gained experience in the ways of the world, you will be a novice, all things and none, with naught but your physical prowess to defend you from your sometimes hostile environment. You will receive some training and must learn to fend for yourself until you can be welcomed into a guild. Other players may help you if they are so inclined - they were all novices once too, and will usually respect a polite and reasonable request.
It is possible that on your journeys you will encounter one of those beings who keep this world in existence. It is more likely that you will hear their voice thundering over the shout lines at random moments, for Overdrivers tend to keep to their own realms, venturing but seldom among their mortal brethren. When they do walk among mortals, they are friendly enough, but their oath prohibits them from interfering in mortal affairs.