Avatar MUSH

Avatar MUSH is a multiplayer online role-playing game developed by a group of Avatar fans to allow players to engage in text based real time role play with other Avatar fans worldwide. It is set in the time period of Avatar Roku and is free to play. Internet access is required. Dedicated MUSH software is recommended over standard Windows Telnet. It's located at:

TCP/IP address : avatarmush.localecho.net

Port Number : 8001

Development
Avatar MUSH was developed by an all volunteer project team over the course of seven months beginning in January 2010 and opened for Beta testing that July. Repeated server issues however resulted in unreliability of connectivity to the game until final resolution in December 2010. Due to time constraints and differences in vision the project team has changed significantly since inception and has been replaced by several newer members.

Setting
Avatar MUSH takes place during the time of Avatar Roku's leadership. It deviates from the series however in that a group of dissidents, the New Kingdom, are the aggressor in attempting to create a new world order. This arrangement allows for players to be from any of the four nations and work cooperatively to prevent the New Kingdom from assuming complete global domination. So far the majority of the world has since fallen to conquest and diplomatic maneuvering; only the Fire Nation and the Southern Water Tribe remain free. In parallel with the series, players participate in chapter events that progress the storyline with their decisions, successes, and failures determining the outcome of the game.

Subscription Information
Since its inception, Avatar MUSH and all its associated content has been and remains free to play. Costs related to the server are borne by the project team and donations are discouraged.

Gameplay
Avatar MUSH is played from a first person perspective and controlled through use of the keyboard. Because the software used is the precursor to the MMORPG, it is plain text only, featuring no graphical content. Players use command prompts and text to explain their actions to the other players present in the same location. Cooperative social story telling is strongly encouraged; however, an elemental bending combat system exists for resolution of differences between players. Generally most combat occurs during chapter events in which player characters act as the protagonists against threats and challenges generated by the project team. Success or failure in these events is determined by a dice roll modified by each player character's customizable build. Players improve on their build by earning rewards points through participation in chapter events and from votes for exceptional story telling by other players.

Characters
All four nations are initially available in the game, with players able to start as apprentice or novice level benders. Adept level benders are unlockable through sufficient reward points earned or three months of participation. Master level benders can only be attained via reward points garnered through game play. Weapon masters, hand to hand specialists, and secondary elements (ice, lightning, and metal) are also available. All players initially start with the same amount of points to spend on their build in character generation.

Project Team
Avatar MUSH is directed by lead developer Kitai who acts as the primary coder and server owner. He is supported by player conflict resolution manager Nyssa. Both members have been with the game since inception. The team is completed by lead members in quests and role-play, Wiki/VI, and character generation. The team is continuously searching for new volunteers to help improve the game for others.