The world of Mystic.
A classic LP-MUD from the early 1990s, resurrected and thriving — over twenty thousand rooms, ten classes, eight races, and three decades of player-written history.
A living world since 1991
Mystic MUD opened its doors in November 1991, making it one of the longest-running multiplayer online games in existence. Over three decades, the world has grown from a small collection of rooms to a vast realm with over 20,000 unique locations to explore.
Generations of players have walked these lands, leaving their mark on the world's history. From epic battles to legendary quests, the stories of Mystic are written by its players.
The realms
The world of Mystic is divided into many distinct regions, each with its own character, challenges, and secrets.
The central kingdoms
The heart of civilization in Mystic, where new adventurers begin their journey. Here you'll find:
- Bustling cities with shops, guilds, and taverns
- Training grounds for new adventurers
- The main temples and places of worship
- Safe roads connecting major settlements
The wilderness
Beyond the safety of the cities lies untamed wilderness:
- Dense forests filled with wildlife and hidden dangers
- Mountain ranges with treacherous paths
- Swamps and marshlands harboring dark creatures
- Plains where bandits and monsters roam
The dungeons
For those seeking greater challenges and rewards:
- Ancient crypts and tombs of forgotten kings
- Abandoned mines filled with creatures
- Magical towers built by mad wizards
- Dragon lairs and monster strongholds
High-level zones
For experienced adventurers, more dangerous regions offer greater challenges and rewards:
- Zones created by Wizards throughout Mystic's 34+ year history
- Unique areas with their own themes and storylines
- Challenging encounters for seasoned players
- Rare equipment and powerful artifacts
Playable races
Choose your heritage wisely. Each race has unique strengths, weaknesses, and special abilities that will shape your journey.
Human
The baseline upon which all other races are measured. Versatile and adaptable, humans excel at any path they choose.
- Stat modifiers
- None.
- Special abilities
- None.
- Class restrictions
- None.
Elf
Slender, agile forest dwellers skilled in bows and swords. Their grace and keen intellect make them natural mages and rangers.
- Stat modifiers
- +4 Dex, +4 Int, −4 Con.
- Special abilities
- Infravision 60'.
- Class restrictions
- None.
Dwarf
Small, rugged creatures from mountainous regions known for mining, crafting, and their love of ale. Hardy and resilient.
- Stat modifiers
- +4 Con, −8 Cha.
- Special abilities
- Infravision 60', magic resistance, poison resistance.
- Class restrictions
- None.
Gnome
Small creatures who prefer rocky, wooded hills. Their innate magical resistance and sturdy constitution serve them well.
- Stat modifiers
- +4 Con, −4 Cha.
- Special abilities
- Infravision 60', magic resistance.
- Class restrictions
- None.
Halfling
Small, cheerful people with large feet who often walk barefoot. Incredibly nimble with natural resistance to magic and toxins.
- Stat modifiers
- +8 Dex, −4 Con.
- Special abilities
- Infravision 60', magic resistance, toxin resistance.
- Class restrictions
- None.
Half-Elf
The union of human and elven bloodlines produces a balanced individual with minor elven traits but none of the extremes.
- Stat modifiers
- None.
- Special abilities
- Infravision 30'.
- Class restrictions
- None.
Half-Orc
Born from orcish raiding parties, half-orcs are physically powerful but face social stigma. Their raw strength is unmatched.
- Stat modifiers
- +4 Str, +4 Con, −8 Int, −8 Cha.
- Special abilities
- Infravision 60'.
- Class restrictions
- None.
Selkie
Aquatic beings with thick fur, equally comfortable in the sea and on land. Their amphibious nature grants unique abilities.
- Stat modifiers
- +4 Dex, +2 Str, +2 Con, −4 Int.
- Special abilities
- Water breathing, infravision, hold immunity.
- Class restrictions
- Cannot be Paladins or Death Knights.
Character classes
Your class defines your combat style, abilities, and role in the world. Each class has its own guild with trainers and special equipment. You start as a Novice; once you reach level 3, you can visit a guild hall to join a class.
Warrior · Fighter
Masters of melee combat and physical prowess. Fighters excel with all manner of weapons and can withstand tremendous punishment.
- Primary stats
- Strength, Dexterity, Constitution.
- Role
- Front-line combatant.
Warrior · Paladin
Elite holy warriors dedicated to destroying evil. Paladins combine martial prowess with divine blessings, but must remain lawful good in alignment at all times.
- Primary stats
- Wisdom, Charisma.
- Role
- Holy warrior, undead slayer.
Warrior · Death Knight
Dark medieval warriors loyal to the forces of evil. They wield unholy power alongside their martial skills.
- Primary stats
- Strength, Constitution.
- Role
- Dark warrior.
Warrior · Monk
Masters of hand-to-hand combat and inner discipline. Monks progress through belt ranks as they gain power.
- Belt progression
- White, Red, Yellow, Black (8 degrees).
- Primary stats
- Dexterity, Wisdom.
- Role
- Martial artist, unarmed combat.
Magic · Mage
Masters of arcane magic and spell craft. Mages command devastating offensive magic and utility spells.
- Primary stats
- Intelligence, Dexterity, Constitution.
- Role
- Offensive spellcaster.
Magic · Cleric
Divine spellcasters wielding holy magic. Clerics can heal allies, smite enemies, and pray to their deity for power.
- Special
- Pray at temples for restoration.
- Primary stats
- Wisdom, Strength, Dexterity, Constitution.
- Role
- Healer, support.
Magic · Shaman
Intermediaries between the physical and spiritual realms. Shamans wield nature and spirit magic.
- Primary stats
- Wisdom, Constitution.
- Role
- Spirit magic, healing.
Specialist · Thief
Masters of stealth, theft, and assassination. Thieves excel at subterfuge and striking from the shadows.
- Skills
- Steal, sneak, pick locks, backstab, poison.
- Primary stats
- Strength, Dexterity, Constitution.
- Role
- Stealth, assassination.
Specialist · Ranger
Wilderness trackers and survivalists. Rangers gather healing herbs and excel at outdoor combat.
- Special
- Gather herbs, create healing poultices.
- Primary stats
- Strength, Intelligence, Dexterity, Constitution.
- Role
- Wilderness expert, archer.
Specialist · Bard
Musical performers who weave magic through song. Bards support allies and confound enemies with their melodies.
- Primary stats
- Charisma, Constitution, Dexterity.
- Role
- Support, jack-of-all-trades.
Character statistics
Six core attributes define your character's capabilities:
- Strength (STR)
- Physical power. Affects melee damage, carrying capacity, and ability to wield heavy weapons.
- Dexterity (DEX)
- Agility and reflexes. Affects armor class, attack accuracy, and thief skills.
- Constitution (CON)
- Endurance and health. Affects hit points, stamina, and resistance to physical ailments.
- Intelligence (INT)
- Mental acuity. Affects spell power for mages, skill learning, and puzzle-solving.
- Wisdom (WIS)
- Insight and willpower. Affects spell points, divine magic, and mental resistance.
- Charisma (CHA)
- Force of personality. Affects NPC interactions, bard abilities, and leadership.
Progression
As you adventure through Mystic, your character will grow in power.
Experience and levels
Defeating enemies and completing quests earns experience points. Once you have enough, type advance at your guild's training room (or the Adventurer's guild for novices) to gain a level.
Skills and spells
Skills come from your guild and improve through use — the more you exercise a skill, the better you get at it. Visit your guildmaster (the guildmasters command lists where) to learn new abilities as you level.
Equipment
Better equipment dramatically increases your power. Seek out magical items from dungeons, purchase gear from shops, or trade with other players.
Become a wizard
As a Wizard, you transcend the role of player and become a builder of worlds. Wizards create new areas, design quests, craft monsters, and expand the game for future adventurers. Many of Mystic's 20,000+ rooms were created by players who rose through the ranks and earned the privilege to shape the world.
The path to Wizardhood requires:
- Reaching the maximum player level
- Demonstrating knowledge of the game and its community
- Applying to the administration for consideration
- A willingness to learn LPC (the MUD programming language)
If you dream of creating your own dungeons, designing unique monsters, or crafting storylines for other players to experience, becoming a Wizard is the ultimate goal in Mystic.
Community and history
Mystic's greatest strength is its community. Over 34 years, players have:
- Built lasting friendships that span decades
- Created player-run clans and organizations
- Contributed to the world through building and storytelling
- Established traditions that continue today