Tempus (MUD)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tempus is an online, text-based, computer role playing game with an overarching time travel theme.
High magic and futuristic technology combine in this multifaceted MUD, with past and future time periods, outer and elemental planes, intricate game mechanics, and a uniquely rich environment.
Set apart from other MUDs by dovetailing diverse genres, Tempus weaves high fantasy, cyberpunk, science fiction, and the planes of existence into a cohesive theme, connected through temporal rifts in time.
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[edit] History
In operation since April 1995, Tempus was conceived as an alternate reality in which the distinction between different time frames are being blurred by the activities of powerful time-travellers. With time-travel as its central theme, Tempus, the Latin word for time, was used as its title.
Tempus was originally spawned from a CircleMUD 3.0 beta base code. The MUD still retains much of its Circle look, but the gameplay and feel are decidedly original. A perpetual work in progress, Tempus continues to be improved and expanded upon.
[edit] Universe
Tempus is a massive fantasy world currently divided into four different realms, the Past, the Future, the Outer Plane, and the Inner Plane. Each plane of existence has a variety of stories and themes, connected to other planes through magical portals and rifts in time. Two of the planes exist primarily on the middle continent of a planet named Calidan, at different points along the timeline.
- The Past is one of these time frames, encompassing a combination of medieval, high fantasy, and sword and sorcery genres common to many MUDs, but with its own unique feel.
- The war-torn Future time takes place thousands of years after the Past. Science fiction, soft science fiction, and cyberpunk genres dominate. Survival, greed, new types of communities, and alternative living environments are continual themes in the Future.
- The Outer Planes exist at the far reaches of sapient experience. Deities of all kinds dwell here, exerting their particular influences upon the universe. Theological and mythological themes are dominant.
- The Inner Planes are a dangerous ring of elemental essences, composed of the energy and elements of which all else in the multiverse is derived. It is the collision of the elemental planes which produces the physical universe.
Each plane in this constructed world is comprised of a variety interlocking zones, connected through geography and storylines.
[edit] Gameplay
Keeping with its Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition roots, players create, customize, and occupy a character choosing a combination of race, class, alignment, statistics, and a description that best suits their needs or individual style. This character becomes part of a larger virtual community of clans and guilds, all interacting within the four distinct realms.
Past Classes
- Cleric
- Knight
- Mage
- Ranger
- Thief
- Monk
- Barbarian
- Bard
Future Classes
- Monk
- Mercenary
- Physic
- Cyborg
- Psionicist
Gameplay incorporates a combination of traditional hack and slash with Dungeons & Dragons style role-playing, with an emphasis on exploration, socialization, leveling up, and just plain fun. Limited Player versus player combat is also featured in conjunction with a reputation and bounty hunter system. Breaking from a common MUD trend, Tempus is not role-play intensive, allowing players the freedom to play their characters however they wish.
There are 49 mortal levels. Once a character reaches the equivalent of level 50, he or she may elect to remort, in which they are set back to level 1 and gain an additional class. Players choose what dual-class combination best suits them. Each time a character remorts, he or she moves to the next generation. There are 10 generations, each more difficult than the previous. Throughout this process, players may try a different (or the same) secondary class with each generation.
Connecting to Tempus is done via telnet, java connection, or preferably through a mud client.
[edit] Players & Staff
Players and staff hail from several countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and parts of the European Union. The players and staff are known for and pride themselves on being extremely newbie-friendly.
[edit] Final Word
The multifarious themes, character combinations, gameplay mechanics, gigantic world, and colorful people can make Tempus an extremely addicting environment.
