The following are the most frequently asked questions that players have about Materia Magica and the web site. These questions will be updated as new ones arise.
Frequently Asked Questions : Page Six
What are the Lasler trials (ghost trial, etc.)?
The Lasler trials are two trials that are situated in the Towne of Lasler,
the first towne you will visit as a new player. They are tests of your
puzzle solving skills. You do not need to complete the trials to leave
Lasler but they can help you understand different commands and show you how
mobs will interact with you, as well as giving you a nice reward. For further
information about the trials visit the elven druid in the forest in Lasler (the towne in which you will begin the game as a new player).
How do I join a clan?
Clans are groups of people that enjoy talking and playing the game together.
When you initially begin the game, you are automatically enrolled in the
NOVICE CLAN (see 'HELP NOVICE') and will continue to be auto-enrolled on
login until you surpass level 45.
The NOVICE CLAN which is a clan for levels 45 and under to help novices
understand the game and ask questions. After you leave there you can speak
to various clan leaders or people about the kind of clan you would like
to join. Many clans will not accept new members until they have reached
level 60 or higher. Type Help CLANS for further information.
What is an Immortal and how can I become one?
Immortals are an administrative class of players whose purpose is to assist the running of Materia Magica. Each Immortal has a different function; some Immortals add on to the game by building or updating areas; some handle player differences; some watch over the mortals on the game and enforce the rules when necessary. A lot is expected of Immortals, and most of the time when they are online they are busy doing five things at once. Therefore, if you must speak with one, keep your request short and to the point - time is invaluable to an Immortal. Most cases can be handled by Guides instead (see below). Do not ask an Immortal for special favors (such as additional experience or equipment); their main responsibility is to the game, and they must maintain the internal game balance. Immortals follow a strict code of rules and procedures which limits what they can do. All Immortals must also sign Ingenii Interactive's Non-Disclosure agreement, so please don't ask Immortals to give you specific information on how something was programmed or built, etc.; they can't tell you.
Becoming an Immortal is by invitation only. There is nothing you do in the game to turn yourself into an Immortal; it only happens through a deliberate act by one of the Administrators. There are set requirements for becoming an Immortal in Materia Magica: You must be at least 18 years of age in the real world, have an active imagination, have excellent grammar skills, and have the ability to get along well with your fellow Immortals and players.
What is a Guide and how can I become one?
Certain players who have the strong desire to help new players adjust
to the unique world of Alyria are designated as GUIDES. This designation
is visible by typing the GUIDE command.
GUIDES have the ability to monitor prays, and join and leave the
Novice Clan.
A Guide can also assist in player-to-player squabbles, and is trusted
to mediate minor disputes.
Guides are also useful to help manage player-to-player trades of in-game
items. If you wish to trade an item with another player, it is always
wisest (and recommended) to engage a guide to act as an escrow between
you and the character with which you are trading. This way, the guide
acts as an independent third party and will hold onto the tradeable
item(s) until both parties are satisfied with the deal.
Becoming a Guide is by invitation only. There is nothing you can do in the game to turn yourself into a Guide; it only happens through a deliberate act by one of the Administrators.
Do you know <who/what/when/where/which/how> to <get/use/do/find>
<hidden-room/hidden-door/key/Mark>?
Please do not pray/ask guides about in-game puzzles such as:
hidden-rooms/doors, keys, Marks, etc.. These are meant to be solved by the
player; that is why hints are provided. Check out the room descriptions and
see if there are any differences. Find little patterns in an area. If all
else fails, there is an item available to help.
I keep getting bounced email messages when I try to send an email to one of the Support section addresses. Why is that, and how do I get it fixed?
This may be due to Ingenii Interactive's spam filter. Please see the main Support section for more information on how to resolve your issue.
What is the Merdraco and where could I find it?
The Merdraco is a large ship that sails from port to port in the land of Alyria. The Merdraco is free transport for all the people of Alyria, however it takes a long time for the Merdraco to sail round all the ports it visits, round about 40 real life minutes, so getting on it requires patience and a little luck. The current ports visited by the Merdraco include Rune, Sigil, Pirate's Cove, Tellerium, and Templeton.
The Merdraco can be identified by a green 4 in the Ocean, and the captain will yell out if it has docked at the town you are currently at. Then you can walk along the dock until you see it and use the "ship board <direction>" command to board the Merdraco. Once it arrives to your chosen destination use the "ship exit <direction>" command to leave the ship. Read 'HELP SHIPS' within the game for more information on sailing commands.
How do I buy a ship, and how do I sail?
Players level 30 and over can buy ships. Ships come in many different types and costs, from Skiffs for players level 30 and over, to Super Dreadnoughts for players level 120 and over. Ships can be bought with gold at shipwrights which can be found on the piers at most port cities, or you can obtain one by contributing to the game. For information on how to sail ships read 'HELP SHIPS' from within the game.
What does the time affect, and what time is it? Also, what is the difference between real time and game time?
Time in Alyria affects many things including shops opening/closing times and shift times for characters. To find out the time you need to get hold of a watch or other clock item. These items can be bought in some shops throughout the world. You may also see them being sold on auction.
Time in Alyria goes four times quicker than in real life. One real life minute is equal to four minutes in Alyria, and one Alyrian day is equal to six real life hours.
What's with these strange characters such as An Ice Golem and A Gambling Viper, running around towns speaking to me?
Characters of the Sidhe and Fey races can use a special skill called "shape shifting" (see 'HELP SHIFT' in the game for more information). This involves the character concentrating and focusing to turn into another NPC/creature in the world of Alyria. This command can only be used at night. If you are not of the Sidhe or Fey races, you can also obtain the ability to shift by contributing to the game.
