What is StickMUD?

StickMUD is a text-based multi-user dungeon (MUD) fantasy game situated in the medieval times. We are completely free, and you are welcome to play at any time. Just log on using telnet or any other text client of your choice. We are at stickmud.com, port 7680.

New! Google Groups

Google Groups is a handy tool to contact members of this game outside the game, and during game down-time. No more staying in the dark, pondering what is wrong and why you can't log on!

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Background

StickMUD is a traditional LPMUD. MUDs (Multiuser Dungeon) are typically interactive text-based games with a high emphasis on roleplaying. MUDs represent the early wave of Internet gaming and there are numerous variations of the game (MUSH, MOO, LPMUD, Diku,...). While the most popular games on the Internet are flashy 3D spectacles, text based MUDs have a loyal following. Perhaps the attraction is in the feeling of community and chat-like environment. Text-based games also leave a lot for your own imagination!

We are well over 10 years old now, which is quite respectable. There are not that many muds around that have such a history and background.

In June 1991, Frobozz got a permission from Extechop to start running a MUD at the University of Jyvaskyla. Earlier that spring they had run a DikuMUD for a couple of months, but decided to run an LPMUD (Lars Pensjö Multi-User Dungeon), because it was easier to code and maintain, and had a flexible language (LPC) that could be compiled inside the MUD.

Frobozz had no experience in getting the MUD up and running, so he needed help. Fortunately, Graah had been running experimental MUDs in some computers of University of Jyvaskyla (without permission from administration). On June 17th, 1991, StickMUD was opened. At first it was called JYUMUD, because the domain name of University of Jyvaskyla is jyu.fi. Later it was decided - with great imagination - that the name would be StickMUD, because the name of the computer in English was Stick. Of course, saying "stick in the mud" was in mind, too.

You might not see Frobozz, Extechop, or Graah on much anymore, but they are still around running things behind the scenes. Many other older characters are still around, including players, coders and admins. This tightly knit group returns to the game to meet friends, chat, relax and to kill a few monsters and annoying hotshot newbies.

Features

StickMUD is a traditional LPMUD. The game has many of the original features so that you as a MUD gamer can feel at home right away.

A lot has also changed from the early days of the game. Stick offered a 'limitless' playing mode first (as far as we know) amongst the LPMUDs, allowing players to contnue character development beyond level 20. Today, there are no level or stat limits for your character, so you can continue forever - the high levels are just notoriously hard to gain.

One of the most interesting features of Stick is probably the liberal player killing policy. While Stick is not a pure player killing mud, it is an integral part of the game. There are clan wars, guild wars and personal vendettas, even bounty hunting where other players can put a price on your head. There are some characters that specialize in player killing and collect their accolades that way. Some limits and rules are required to keep everyone happy - for example, there are safe areas, dying in player fights is also not penalized harshly, and also excessive killing is not allowed. Active player killers are flagged to be free game anywhere in the mud.

Stick has a number of guilds you can join to select your skills and path in life for your character. We have magic users, and also pure brute force fighter guilds.

To add to the above, you can also select your race, which will give you distinct abilities. Often these abilities are well suited for particular guilds, so your selection here is also important. Stick has a number of races to choose from, some dumb and strong, some smart but weak. Whatever the mix, there is a lot to experiment.

Last, but not least, we have a good number of areas in our world to explore. There are only a few people who know all the areas, and they have stayed with us for a long time.

So, take a look and get hooked. Our players are very loyal and some have stayed with us for 10 years or more. Not all of them are active constantly, but 'we pull them back in' time after time.