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            Strategic Simulations, Inc. Official
 Dark Sun Online: Crimson Sands Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
               Last Update: April 22th, 1996
                        Version 1.2



ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

This FAQ attempts to answer questions relating to SSI's new Dark
Sun Online role-playing game. Obviously, it is a work in progress;
should you have a question that isn't addressed in this FAQ,
please send it to < [e-mail] >. While we won't be
able to respond personally to all mail, we will attempt to
incorporate your questions into this document.

We'd also like to take this opportunity to thank all those people
who have already sent us questions. This FAQ would be nowhere near
as complete without your help! Thanks again, (especially for your
patience) and we look forward to seeing you in Dark Sun Online:
Crimson Sands!

    -- Andre Vrignaud, Associate Producer, SSI


LEGAL STUFF THEY MADE US SAY

All information contained herein is Copyright 1996 by Strategic
Simulations, Inc. You are allowed to distribute this FAQ freely,
but not to make changes.

Dark Sun and TSR are trademarks of TSR, Inc.
Total Entertainment Network is a service mark of T E Network, Inc.

All other trademarks are of the respective owners.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.  Introduction
 1.1.  What is Dark Sun Online?
 1.2.  When will Dark Sun Online be released?
 1.3.  What are the system requirements?
 1.4.  What network will Dark Sun Online be available on?
 1.5.  How can I play Dark Sun Online?
2.  General Questions
 2.1.  Character Characteristics/Generation
  2.1.1.  Can I import my characters from other Dark Sun games?
  2.1.2.  Can I play an evil character?
  2.1.3.  How many different characters can I play?
  2.1.4.  What races can I play?
  2.1.5.  What are the classes/level-limits in Dark Sun Online?
 2.2.  Is Dark Sun Online CD-only?
 2.3.  Can I download Dark Sun Online from the Online Service?
 2.4.  How many people can play Dark Sun Online?
 2.5.  Is PvP (Player vs. Player) Combat allowed in DSO?
 2.6.  What happens when you die?
 2.7.  How does losing a level affect multi-classed characters?
 2.8.  Is it possible to lose items due to theft or death?
 2.9.  Is my character still in play while I'm gone?
 2.10.  Are there any safe areas in the game?
  2.10.1.  What about using magic and psionics in "safe areas"?
  2.10.2.  What exactly do you mean by "magic is illegal in Tyr"?
  2.10.3.  Are there any exceptions to these city "safe areas"?
 2.11.  Do thieves have any use in Dark Sun Online?
 2.12. Will Dark Sun Online be expanded in the future?
3.  Engine-Specific Questions
 3.1.  How do I talk to other people?
 3.2.  Are there hotkeys for common game functions?
 3.3.  Can I save or load my game?
 3.4.  Does the game have "following" options?
 3.5.  What commercial game does the game/interface most resemble?
4.  Getting Help or Information
 4.1.  How to get Dark Sun Online.
 4.2.  Where can I get the latest version of this FAQ?
 4.3.  Useful and Cool World Wide Web sites.
5.  Reference
 5.1.  Hotkey List



------------------------------------------------------------------
1.  Introduction
------------------------------------------------------------------

1.1.  What is Dark Sun Online?

Dark Sun Online: Crimson Sands is the latest in the Dark Sun
series of games from Strategic Simulations, Inc. Based on TSR's
Dark Sun world, Dark Sun Online (also known as DSO) allows you to
adventure on the world of Athas. However, instead of playing alone
you'll now be able to explore the barren wastes of this world with
hundreds of other *real* people!

As you play DSO, you'll discover new, never-before seen regions.
You'll finally make it to the Silt Sea and visit the port city of
Altaruk. From there you can take silt ships to visit other areas
and islands. Be warned, however -- there are reasons few return
from the isles.

Closer to home, you'll be able to explore a newly-expanded Tyr
like never before! Non-player characters (NPCs) inhabit the
streets and buildings; they'll help or hinder you depending on
their personalities or agendas. Some will ask you to help them
with quests; others will give you tips and information on how to
survive in this savage world.

You'll even be able to go on quests with your friends; hopefully
they'll help you survive in those tougher regions. You'll *want*
friends at your side, too; some of the missions you'll be
undertaking will bring you into conflict with other players!

Ahh yes -- conflict . . . always a staple of role-playing games.
Remember all those arguments you had with your friends as to who
had the best character? Well, stop talking about it and find out!
Engage in bloody hand-to-hand combat and beat your foe into
submission. Hurl destructive spells and turn the peon who dared
challenge you into a flaming pyre. The choice is yours!

You'll also take on new roles in Dark Sun Online. Choose to be a
Templar, and you'll work for the good of the Tyrian Council,
undertaking quests and harassing innocent pedestrians with the
best of them! Sound too slimy? Fine -- join the Veiled Alliance
and fight the Templar scourge! No matter what side you choose,
you'll often find that your quest or mission might come into
conflict with the goals of the opposing group -- better be
prepared!

Dark Sun Online has been in development for over two years. The
engine has been completely overhauled for online gaming, and is
now a true 32-bit Windows 95 application. The interface has been
streamlined for multiplayer gaming, including enhancements to
party commands, easy chat commands, and special options to make
multiplayer adventuring the experience you've been looking for.


And for those of you who *really* want more of the same, here's
some of the relevant text from the Dark Sun Online Web Page:

So . . . you're back, eh? Another one of those die-hard gamers
always looking for the next challenge -- the next plateau in
gaming. No game is hard or intense enough for you. You see those
claims of "40 to 60 hours of game play" and scoff. You've picked
your teeth on the shattered remnants of "other" role-playing
games, and now, casting about for the next hot thing, you've come
across this promising web page. Well, you've waited a long time,
but you *have* come to the right place. Because you see, SSI is
proud to announce the newest member of the Dark Sun computer role-
playing game family -- Dark Sun Online: Crimson Sands.

Welcome to a world sucked dry by vampiric defilers, torn and
scarred by power-hungry mages, burnt and seared by a sun gone
slightly nova; a world known simply as Athas. Athas is bad -- real
bad. You've heard of Death Valley? You've heard of the Sahara?
They've got nothing on Athas. You see, Death Valley and the Sahara
end. They stop eventually. They run into jungles or forests or
even oceans. But not Athas. Athas never stops. It has no oceans.
And you're stuck in the middle of it.

You may have played Dark Sun I and II, chewed them up, and spit
out the little pieces. But you couldn't get enough. Maybe you
finished the games in mere hours and wanted more of a challenge.
Perhaps the regions we gave you to explore just whetted your
appetite, but you *still* wanted to stretch your legs some more.
And perhaps even the biggest battles weren't enough for you, and
you went through them like a wood-chipper through sushi. Well,
welcome to Dark Sun Online: Crimson Sands.

Give you a hint -- it's called "Crimson Sands" for a reason. . . .

Dark Sun Online is the biggest Dark Sun game yet. All new regions
guarantee hours and hours of exploration. Forty to sixty hours?
Ha! There's enough here to play for months and months -- and we
doubt you'll find everything we've put in here. You want tough?
Some of these areas are *nasty*; you may want to recruit trusted
companions for assistance, or make allies along the way. Although
there's strength in numbers, watch your back; your strongest ally
may become your most formidable foe.

Ahh yes . . . the more clever of you may have noticed something
intriguing here. You can now join your friends and play together
in the Dark Sun universe! That's right -- instead of dealing with
those piddly little monsters, you can deal with the meanest and
most devious creatures of all -- *real people*. And this ain't no
private party; in Dark Sun Online you'll be in a world inhabited
by hundreds and hundreds of these fiends.

Yep -- real, live, flesh-and-blood, conniving, backstabbing, (and
occasionally friendly) people. What does that mean to you? Lots.
Now you can test your might against your best friend and find out
for sure who's got the killer character. You can join the ranks of
the Templars and terrorize innocent citizens (including those
aforementioned friends). And if that doesn't sound entertaining
enough, you can join the Veiled Alliance and harass those Templars
right back!

Quests and treasures abound -- myriad non-player characters speak
with you, and often are willing to help you out. Of course, others
are just as happy to lie to you and cheat you out of your worldly
possessions. Sometimes they'll ask you to help them, or visit
strange, far-off lands. Be warned, though -- many of these regions
are rarely visited for a reason. . . .

What's that? Sounds hard? Pshaw! Not for you! However, we realize
that some people don't have as many years of experience as some of
the more advanced gamers out there. So, just because we're nice,
fuzzy-feeling sorts of people, we start new players off in the
city-state of Tyr. Why Tyr? Because it's protected from evil-doing
(at least the physical kind) by the city guard. So don't fear --
you won't get whacked the second you start the game . . . and if
you're smart, and listen to what people tell you, you'll do just
fine.

Dark Sun Online has been in development for over two years. The
engine has been completely overhauled for online gaming, and is
now a true 32-bit Windows 95 application. The interface has been
streamlined for multiplayer gaming, including enhancements to
party commands, easy chat commands, and special options to make
multiplayer adventuring the experience you've been looking for.


1.2.  When will Dark Sun Online be released?

Dark Sun Online: Crimson Sands is first slated for release in the
second quarter of 1996 on the Total Entertainment Network, also
known as TEN.


1.3.  What are the system requirements?

Almost any 486-based Windows machine should be able to run Dark
Sun Online easily. Note that while we recommend the following, you
may be able to get away with a slightly lesser system. However,
it's more likely you'll be able to run the game on such a system
if you have a local bus video card.

Minimum system requirements:
    IBM Compatible (486/66+)
    2X CD-ROM w/redbook cable enabled
    8 Megabytes of RAM
    Mouse
    Windows 95
    9600 Modem

Recommended:
    Local Bus Video Card (VLB/PCI)
    14.4 Modem


1.4.  What network will Dark Sun Online be available on?

Dark Sun Online will be first available on the Total Entertainment
Network (TEN). You'll be able to connect using your own Internet
connection or by calling one of TEN's nationwide access numbers.
More information about TEN is available at < http://www.ten.net >.


1.5  How can I play Dark Sun Online?

You can apply to be a beta tester for DSO by filling out the form
located at < http://www.ten.net/beta/DSOSignUp.html >. If you are
selected, TEN will send you a CD so you can connect and play for
free.

If you don't care to beta test, but want to play DSO as soon as
it's commercial, just sign up for TEN on their Web page at
< http://www.ten.net > and they'll ship you a CD when DSO is live.

Within a few minutes after receiving your kit from TEN, you'll be
off and running in the world of Athas!



------------------------------------------------------------------
2.  General Questions
------------------------------------------------------------------

2.1.  Character Characteristics/Generation

2.1.1.  Can I import my characters from other Dark Sun games?

No. It is far too easy to hack or edit a character file from Dark
Sun I or II. If we allowed character transfer, we'd have people
importing godlike characters into the game. This would totally
destroy the game balance and be unfair to non-cheating players.

On the plus side, the game does have anti-hacking checks in place
which will help protect the game's balance. Note that should
someone be found hacking the game, they will summarily removed and
locked out from DSO.


2.1.2.  Can I play an evil character?

Of course! You can select any alignment from Lawful Good to
Chaotic Evil, although you can only select alignments appropriate
to the class you are playing (i.e., no Chaotic Evil Rangers).
Depending on what you choose, you can then role-play your
character as you wish.

Note that you can not change a character's alignment once you have
started play with him or her.


2.1.3.  How many different characters can I play?

You may create up to four different characters; however, you can
only play *one* of them at a time. This allows you to play a
Fighter during the times you feel overly aggressive and a Thief
when you just feel like slipping through the dark corners of Tyr.

Note, however, that your characters are completely separate;
experience points and items gained by one do *not* carry over to
any other one of your characters.


2.1.4.  What races can I play?

You may play either a Dwarf, Elf, Half-Elf, Half-Giant, Halfling,
Human, Mul, or Thri-kreen. More information about these races,
their racial ability adjustments, and their class restrictions can
be found in the Dark Sun Online manual.


2.1.5. What are the classes/level-limits in Dark Sun Online?

The maximum level any character can attain in any one class is
15th. Once you reach 15th level you continue to collect experience
points, but will no longer climb in levels.

Although it is technically possible to continue past this level in
the paper AD&D games, it is not feasible in a computer
environment. Once you get to a level this high, you're already
crushing everything with ease; it is very difficult to keep the
game challenging at this point. Thus we do not support character
levels above 15th.

For more specific information, refer to the following information
(also available in the rule book):


CLASS RESTRICTION AND LEVEL LIMITS

As per the traditional AD&D Game there are restrictions to the
classes available to a character, and the level that character may
advance to. Players and DMs familiar with AD&D game will find that
these restrictions are very different in the Dark Sun campaign
setting however. This is due to the unusual nature of the
demihuman races. Humans are always unrestricted in level
advancement or class selection. This optional rule on exceeding
level limits is used when playing Dark Sun Online: Crimson Sands.


Racial Class and Level Limits Table

CLASS    HUMAN  DWARF  ELF  H-ELF  H-GNT  H-LING  MUL  THRI-KRN
Cleric   U      12     15   15     12     12      10   12
Druid    U      -      -    14     -      12      12   15
Fighter  U      15     14   U      15     12      U    15
Glad.    U      U      10   U      14     12      U    15
Presrvr. U      -      15   12     -      -       -    -
Psion.   U      U      U    U      U      U       U    U
Ranger   U      -      15   14     8      15      -    12
Thief    U      12     12   12     -      15      12   -

U: The character has unlimited advancement potential in the given
class.
Any #: A player character can advance to the maximum possible
level in a given class.
-: A player character cannot belong to the listed class.

NOTE: In Dark Sun Online the maximum level advancement for any
character is 15th level. This is a computer game restriction, not
an AD&D restriction.


EXCEEDING LEVEL LIMITS

Demihuman characters with extremely high ability scores in their
prime requisites can exceed the racial maximum levels. In cases
where multiple prime requisites are used, all requisites must
exceed those listed in the Prime Requisite Bonus Table below.

The additional levels listed in this table are added to the normal
maximum allowed, regardless of what class or race is involved.


Prime Requisite Bonus Table

Ability Score   Additional Levels
14, 15                 +1
16, 17                 +2
18                     +3
19                     +4


2.2.  Is Dark Sun Online CD-only?

Yes. Although you will install the game itself (<50 Megs) to your
hard drive, you'll need the CD-ROM in the drive for the redbook
music. Note that even without the redbook music, the game is just
too large to be distributed on floppies.


2.3.  Can I download Dark Sun Online from the Online Service?

No. See 2.2 for more information, but in short the game is too
large, and you would not get the music tracks.


2.4.  How many people can play Dark Sun Online?

Many, many hundreds, and possibly thousands. A lot depends on
server and engine limitations, which we won't encounter until we
begin major stress testing. More information will be available
later.


2.5.  Is PvP (Player vs. Player) Combat allowed in DSO?

Absolutely. You can attack other players at almost any time for
whatever reason you care to fabricate. However, you are not
allowed to attack people in certain "safe" areas -- these include
large portions of Tyr and Altaruk.

Also note that there are certain balances to PvP that should keep
people from taking excessive advantage of it. For one, we do *not*
grant experience points for killing other player characters.
Secondly, keep in mind that it is completely legal for an
oppressed player to join with some friends (or pay more mercenary
types) and gang up on the oppressor. Should make for some
interesting situations. <grin>


2.6.  What happens when you die?

If your character is reduced to zero hitpoints, he or she falls
unconscious. Once awakened, you'll find yourself in the hospital
in Tyr. You'll have a few hitpoints and may have lost some ceramic
pieces or equipment. As a penalty for "dying," you will have also
lost one experience level. If you're curious, you can ask the
hospital medicine man to give you a brief explanation of how you
were returned to Tyr.

Essentially, no character ever dies in Crimson Sands. This allows
you to resume your game with no loss of current quests. Of course,
you will need to have your character healed, and you may have to
wander around the city for a while to collect enough equipment and
ceramic to continue your quests. In some cases, your character may
not have a level high enough to continue a quest previously given.
Such is the penalty of defeat.


2.7.  How does losing a level affect multi-classed characters?

You lose an average amount of experience points to drop you at
least one level in one of your classes. However, you may lose more
levels depending on your class levels. If your class levels are
close to each other, you could theoretically lose more than one
level.

Also note that you lose the abilities of the level/class were at
previously until you regain it. As an example, if you were a 14th
level preserver casting Delayed Blast Fireballs (a 7th level spell)
and dropped a level to 13th, you wouldn't be able to cast 7th level
spells like it until you regained 14th level.


2.8.  Is it possible to lose items due to theft or death?

Yes -- in situations where your items are at risk, *all* of those
items are at risk. This means equipped items, items in your
inventory, and even items in bags, boxes, or other containers.

However, there is one exception to the "all items are at risk"
rule: you will never lose *containers* (such as bags, boxes,
etc.). Note however that *objects* within those containers are
still at risk.


2.9.  Is my character still in play while I'm gone?

No -- your character is removed from the game when you leave. If
you aren't able to come back into the game for a long time (heaven
forbid), your character would surely be slain before you returned.
That, and a month-long sleeping period is uncommon for most races
on Athas.


2.10.  Are there any safe areas in the game?

Yes, but only to a certain extent. In the city of Tyr and the
coastal fortress of Altaruk, if one character assaults another he
or she will be fined severely (and possibly thrown in jail) by the
local guard force. This should deter characters from beating on
each other in these locations, but it does not insure safety. If
you have a low-level character and are attacked, you will most
likely take a little damage before the guards arrive. Of course,
the attacking character will be penalized (and possibly barred
from the game), but you will have to deal with the loss of some
hitpoints. Obviously, it is in your best interest to buy
protective armor as soon as possible.


2.10.1.  What about using magic and psionics in "safe areas"?

Magic and psionics are absolutely forbidden in Tyr. Even equipping
magical armor (which activates the appropriate spell effect) will
cause you to be arrested. These same limitations also apply in
Altaruk -- regardless of the fact that the fortress is run by
preservers. These rules are mainly to keep players in line within
city limits. Elsewhere, anything goes.

Please note that these restrictions also apply to defensive or
healing magic. Again, all magic is forbidden in safe areas.


2.10.2.  What exactly do you mean by "magic is illegal in Tyr"?

As the Templar Council officially frowns upon all use of magic in
Tyr, any spell you cast or psionic power you use will most likely
get you arrested. For that matter, using or equipping any object
which has some sort of magical power will also cause you to be
arrested. Any successful mixing of magical ingredients, and
anything else that causes some sort of magical effect, will *also*
cause your confinement. Selling any magical items in the city
(without a safe "contact") is another good way to get arrested,
though in this case you may not always be caught (the guards can't
watch *everyone* all the time, after all). It is best to avoid
such things at all costs; the penalty is severe.


2.10.3.  Are there any exceptions to these city "safe areas"?

As a matter of fact, yes. If you are at one of the seedy taverns
in Tyr's Shadow Square, fighting and magic are completely legal;
for reasons of self-preservation the city guards will not
intervene in these dives. Also, the Elite Headquarters (a club for
high-level adventurers), the Templar Inner Sanctum, and the Veiled
Alliance Headquarters are all okay to fight in, as the guards are
either unable or not allowed to enter these locations. Naturally,
the Arena also allows intra-city combat.

As to Altaruk, combat is allowed when the pirates invade (this
happens about four times a day). All attacks are legal, as the
guards are supposedly "fending off the pirate hordes" at that
time.


2.11.  Do thieves have any use in Dark Sun Online?

Of course! You'll be happy to know that there is, in fact, a
thieves' guild hidden within the city. There are also special
thief quests that have been designed for all levels of experience.

One thing to keep in mind -- if your thief character fails a skill
check on a given quest, he or she will most certainly be arrested.
Prepare for this by having a partner hold your character's items
and ceramic when you attempt a mission. (You *do* have a partner,
right?)


2.12.  Will Dark Sun Online be expanded in the future?

The best answer is "probably." It is difficult to answer this
definitely, as there are several issues and questions that must be
resolved first. The best I can do is touch on these issues and
leave it at that.

First off, SSI does have the rights to use TSR's Dark Sun world,
which also includes all of the material released in the past year
or two. Obviously, future expansions would take this material into
account.

Secondly, although it would take work, the tools do exist to
expand the world, and in the long-term it is also *technically*
possible to expand the world.

Finally, the biggest issue is simply whether Dark Sun Online
succeeds as an online game. While I have no doubt that it will, it
certainly wouldn't make much business sense to expand a game that
has all of 10 or 15 people playing in it. Obviously, this is
something we'll see as time progresses.



------------------------------------------------------------------
3.  Engine-Specific Questions
------------------------------------------------------------------

3.1.  How do I talk to other people?

Extremely easily -- you just type. Overlaying the upper quarter of
the screen are two to seven (user-configurable) lines of text.
Whatever you type appears right there. Only people within a
certain range of your character can read the text -- beyond that,
you'll need to send a specific message to them.

Chat Commands:
    TEXT    Sends text to all people nearby
    :TEXT    Sends text to people in party
    NAME:    sends a message that only NAME can read
    NAME1,NAME2:    sends a message to only NAME1 & NAME2
    @ smiles    "YourName smiles." @=your name

    //muzzle NAME    Muzzles (ignores chat from) Name
    //unmuzzle NAME    Unmuzzles Name
    //muzzlelist    Lists names of muzzled people

    Ctrl-PgUp    Moves chat buffer up one line
    Ctrl-PgDn    Moves chat buffer down one line
    Ctrl-Home    Moves to top of chat buffer
    Ctrl-End    Moves to bottom of chat buffer
    Ctrl- left/right    Edits current chat line
    Ctrl- up/down    Scrolls back/forward through command line
            history
    Ctrl-[/]    Displays less/more lines of chat text
            on screen (Min. of 2, Max. of 7)

    //#TEXT    Sets color of text for line to color 0-9
    //#TEXT//    Sets color of text between slashes to
            color 0-9
    //#.    Sets your chat text color to whatever
            color number you wish (0-9)

    Colors: 1 Yellow, 2 Red, 3 Purple, 4 Blue, 5 Green,
    6 White, 7 Color-cycling Purple, 8 Color-cycling Blue,
    9 Color-cycling Green, 0 Clear


KEYBOARD:    SYMBOL/MEANING:
    `    Hitpoints (HP)
    $    Ceramic Pieces (CP)
    \    Experience Points (XP)
    |    Psionic Points (PP)
    @    Your Name --stick figure represents "you"

    Ctrl-1    Sleeping (ZZ)
    Ctrl-2    Veiled Alliance (VA)
    Ctrl-3    Templar Council (TC)
    Ctrl-4    In My Humble Opinion (IMHO)
    Ctrl-5    Laughing Out Loud (LOL)
    Ctrl-6    Away From Keyboard (AFK)
    Ctrl-7    Be Right Back (BRB)
    Ctrl-8    Talk To You Later (TTYL)
    Ctrl-9    Bye (BYE)
    Ctrl-0    Okay (OK)

    Alt-1    Smiley Face
    Alt-2    Angry Face
    Alt-3    Weaponry
    Alt-4    Armor
    Alt-5    Treasure
    Alt-6    Magic/Lightning
    Alt-7    Key
    Alt-8    Mug
    Alt-9    White Flag
    Alt-0    Skull/Death


3.2.  Are there hotkeys for common game functions?

Yes. For the sake of completeness, the entire hotkey list is
printed below in the Reference Section (5.1). Some will be
duplicates of listings in other portions of this FAQ, but you'll
always be able to refer to 5.1 for the complete list.


3.3.  Can I save my game?

Yes, although you may only save at specific points. Saving is done
automatically when you leave the game. In order to log out safely
you will need to have your character stay in an inn, or at the
very least, sleep next to a campfire or in a poor bed somewhere.
Don't worry -- the game will warn you if you are about to log out
in an unsafe area. However, you should also note that it *is*
possible to simply log out at any time, but you run the risk of
being attacked or robbed, and possibly losing some items or
ceramic.

Generally, it's always a good idea to log out in the safest place
you possibly can. Be prepared to lose the occasional item or
ceramic pieces as it is impossible to avoid thievery in all cases
(unless, of course, you're filthy rich and sleep in the finest
inns regularly).

As a habit, we suggest you keep in mind where the last safe place
to log out safely was at. Before you adventure into an unexplored
area, try to make sure you have plenty of time to explore and get
back before you must leave the game. There are some areas where
you may not see daylight or safety for quite a while.


3.4.  Does the game have "following" options?

Yes. In Dark Sun Online you'll be able to create parties of up to
four people. When you "join" someone (by looking at someone and
selecting "join"), you are automatically added to that person's
party. When that person moves, your character follows him or her.

Keep in mind that you can also follow someone while not actually
being in the party. In this case, you would manually follow the
person as they moved through the game.


3.5.  What commercial game does the game/interface most resemble?

Dark Sun Online very closely resembles both Dark Sun I and II. The
view is top-down/overhead, *not* first-person. Your character is
visible at all times, and you can graphically see other people as
they maneuver through the world. Objects, buildings, and anything
else you can think of are all art pieces in the engine.

The interface is also extremely similar to the original Dark Sun
games. Obviously, we have added chat and party functions. We've
added a money button to give ceramic to people. Several toggles
have been added to allow/disallow followers and accepting objects.
Finally, some hot keys were added to give quick access to all
these new functions.



------------------------------------------------------------------
4.  Getting Help or Information
------------------------------------------------------------------

4.1.  How to get Dark Sun Online.

Dark Sun Online will be available from the online service. You'll
simply have to request a copy, which will then be mailed to you.


4.2.  Where can I get the latest version of this FAQ?

The latest version of this FAQ is always available on our web site
at < http://www.ssionline.com >. It will also occasionally be
posted to the comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.rpg newsgroup.

You can also find an HTML version of the FAQ (or download it) at
< http://www.ten.net/DSO/DSOFAQ.html >.


4.3.  Useful and Cool World Wide Web sites.

SSI's web site can be found at < http://www.ssionline.com >. Here
you'll find the latest on all SSI games, including screen shots,
demos, patches, and release schedules.

TEN's web site can be found at < http://www.ten.net >. Check it
out to see the future of online multiplayer gaming on the net! (If
you're really lucky, they'll even let you sign up for their beta
program.)



------------------------------------------------------------------
5.  Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------

5.1.  Dark Sun Online Hotkey List

Hotkeys:
    Alt-A    Toggles animations on/off
    Alt-C    Brings up Cast Spells/Use Psionics screen
    Alt-E    Brings up Current Spell/Effects screen
    Alt-F    Toggles Followers Allowed/not allowed;
            disengages followers if attached
    Alt-G    Sets Character to Guard (in combat)
    Alt-H    Centers screen on character
    Alt-I    Brings up View Inventory screen
    Alt-N    Targets next opponent if in combat
    Alt-O    Toggles Accepting Items on/off
    Alt-P    Preferences Menu; targets previous
            opponent in combat
    Alt-Q    Ends character's turn (in combat)
    Alt-U    Brings up Cast Spells/Use Psionics screen
    Alt-V    Brings up View Character screen
    Alt-W    Sets character to Wait (in combat)
    Alt-X    Quits Dark Sun Online

    Tab    Brings up Game Menu
    Esc    Exits all menus; quits game if no menus
            on screen


KEYBOARD:    SYMBOL/MEANING:
    `    Hitpoints (HP)
    $    Ceramic Pieces (CP)
    \    Experience Points (XP)
    |    Psionic Points (PP)
    @    Your Name --stick figure represents "you"

    Ctrl-1    Sleeping (ZZ)
    Ctrl-2    Veiled Alliance (VA)
    Ctrl-3    Templar Council (TC)
    Ctrl-4    In My Humble Opinion (IMHO)
    Ctrl-5    Laughing Out Loud (LOL)
    Ctrl-6    Away From Keyboard (AFK)
    Ctrl-7    Be Right Back (BRB)
    Ctrl-8    Talk To You Later (TTYL)
    Ctrl-9    Bye (BYE)
    Ctrl-0    Okay (OK)

    Alt-1    Smiley Face
    Alt-2    Angry Face
    Alt-3    Weaponry
    Alt-4    Armor
    Alt-5    Treasure
    Alt-6    Magic/Lightning
    Alt-7    Key
    Alt-8    Mug
    Alt-9    White Flag
    Alt-0    Skull/Death


Function Keys:
    F1    Brings up DSO Help screen/Sysop call
    F2    Lists all players in region
    F3    Lists all players in Dark Sun Online
    F4    Toggles music on/off
    F5    Toggles sound effects on/off
    F6    Toggles animations on/off
    F7    Toggles chat area between 0, 2, or 7 line
            display
    F8    Quits Dark Sun Online
    F9    Changes color of chat text; Shift-F9
            cycles backwards
    F10    Toggles computer-controlled combat on/off


Chat Commands:
    TEXT    Sends text to all people nearby
    :TEXT    Sends text to people in party
    NAME:    sends a message that only NAME can read
    NAME1,NAME2:    sends a message to only NAME1 & NAME2
    @ smiles    "YourName smiles." @=your name

    //muzzle NAME    Muzzles (ignores chat from) NAME
    //unmuzzle NAME    Unmuzzles NAME
    //muzzlelist    Lists names of muzzled people

    Ctrl-PgUp    Moves chat buffer up one line
    Ctrl-PgDn    Moves chat buffer down one line
    Ctrl-Home    Moves to top of chat buffer
    Ctrl-End    Moves to bottom of chat buffer
    Ctrl- left/right    Edits current chat line
    Ctrl- up/down    Scrolls back/forward through command line
            history
    Ctrl-[/]    Displays less/more lines of chat text on
            screen (Min. of 2, Max. of 7)

    //#TEXT    Sets color of text for line to color 0-9
    //#TEXT//    Sets color of text between slashes to
            color 0-9
    //#.    Sets your chat text color to whatever
            color number you wish (0-9)

    Colors: 1 Yellow, 2 Red, 3 Purple, 4 Blue, 5 Green,
    6 White, 7 Color-cycling Purple, 8 Color-cycling Blue,
    9 Color-cycling Green, 0 Clear


Sound Control Keys:
    //sound#    Sends sound to people in range (0-9)
    //s#    Sends sound to people in range (0-9)

    Sound Effect List:
        1. "You! Stop!"    6. Laughter
        2. "Come back here!"    7. Baby crying
        3. "Move along there!"    8. Male scream
        4. "Out of the way!"    9. Female scream
        5. "Hey, sewer scum!"    0. "Die!"