Information for Newcomers
— TotalBiscuit, SA Forum Post
1. Quick Command Reference Guide
Filter by category below to inspect essential MUME survival commands, syntax, and descriptions. Click any chapter link to practice the command live in our interactive terminal simulator.
| Command | Syntax / Usage | Description | Try in Terminal |
|---|---|---|---|
look / l | look [object/room] | Examine your surroundings, a room, player, or item. | Ch. 3 ➔ |
examine | examine <item/container> | Inspect containers or items in detail. | Ch. 5 ➔ |
exits | exits | Display all obvious room exit directions. | Ch. 3 ➔ |
n / s / e / w | north / south / east / west | Navigate across Middle-earth rooms and paths. | Ch. 4 ➔ |
where | where | Locate players currently in your zone. | Ch. 7 ➔ |
time | time | Check current Middle-earth time and calendar date. | Ch. 7 ➔ |
inventory / inv | inventory | List items carried in your hands and pack. | Ch. 8 ➔ |
equipment / eq | equipment | Display all currently worn gear, armor, and weapons. | Ch. 8 ➔ |
wield | wield <weapon> | Equip your main weapon into your primary hand. | Ch. 8 ➔ |
wear | wear <item> [location] | Wear armor or attach lanterns/knives to your belt. | Ch. 8 ➔ |
put / get | put item sack / get item sack | Stow or retrieve supplies from containers. | Ch. 5 ➔ |
score / sc | score | Quick check of Hit Points, Mana, and Movement Points. | Ch. 7 ➔ |
stat | stat | Display OB, DB, PB combat bonuses and experience needed. | Ch. 7 ➔ |
info | info | Full character sheet including age, attributes, alignment. | Ch. 7 ➔ |
eat / drink | eat <food> / drink <container> | Satisfy hunger and thirst to maintain rapid recovery. | Ch. 13 ➔ |
change wimpy | change wimpy 15 | Set automatic flee threshold when HP drops. | Ch. 6 ➔ |
consider | consider <target> | Assess target difficulty before attacking. | Ch. 11 ➔ |
hit / kill | hit <target> | Engage an enemy target in combat. | Ch. 11 ➔ |
change mood | cha m <aggressive/wimpy> | Adjust combat stance to boost OB or DB. | Ch. 11 ➔ |
flee | flee | Attempt emergency escape from dangerous combat. | Ch. 12 ➔ |
practice / prac | prac <skill> | Train weapon proficiencies and skills at a guildmaster. | Ch. 14 ➔ |
rest / sleep | rest / sleep | Sit or sleep to accelerate hit point and move recovery. | Ch. 13 ➔ |
wake / stand | wake / stand | Awaken and stand up to prepare for movement or combat. | Ch. 13 ➔ |
say / tell | say <text> / tell <name> <text> | Speak aloud locally or send private direct messages. | Ch. 9 ➔ |
follow / fol | follow <player> | Follow an experienced player or ranger and join their party. | Ch. 9 ➔ |
give | give <item> <person> | Give an item to an NPC or player. | Ch. 10 ➔ |
list / buy | list / buy <item> | Browse merchant wares and buy provisions. | Ch. 10 ➔ |
offer / rent | offer / rent | Check inn room rates and safely save character equipment. | Ch. 15 ➔ |
look / lBasicslook [object/room]Examine your surroundings, a room, player, or item.
examineBasicsexamine <item/container>Inspect containers or items in detail.
exitsBasicsexitsDisplay all obvious room exit directions.
n / s / e / wBasicsnorth / south / east / westNavigate across Middle-earth rooms and paths.
whereBasicswhereLocate players currently in your zone.
timeBasicstimeCheck current Middle-earth time and calendar date.
inventory / invGear & InventoryinventoryList items carried in your hands and pack.
equipment / eqGear & InventoryequipmentDisplay all currently worn gear, armor, and weapons.
wieldGear & Inventorywield <weapon>Equip your main weapon into your primary hand.
wearGear & Inventorywear <item> [location]Wear armor or attach lanterns/knives to your belt.
put / getGear & Inventoryput item sack / get item sackStow or retrieve supplies from containers.
score / scVitals & StatsscoreQuick check of Hit Points, Mana, and Movement Points.
statVitals & StatsstatDisplay OB, DB, PB combat bonuses and experience needed.
infoVitals & StatsinfoFull character sheet including age, attributes, alignment.
eat / drinkVitals & Statseat <food> / drink <container>Satisfy hunger and thirst to maintain rapid recovery.
change wimpyVitals & Statschange wimpy 15Set automatic flee threshold when HP drops.
considerCombat & Tacticsconsider <target>Assess target difficulty before attacking.
hit / killCombat & Tacticshit <target>Engage an enemy target in combat.
change moodCombat & Tacticscha m <aggressive/wimpy>Adjust combat stance to boost OB or DB.
fleeCombat & TacticsfleeAttempt emergency escape from dangerous combat.
practice / pracGuild & Restprac <skill>Train weapon proficiencies and skills at a guildmaster.
rest / sleepGuild & Restrest / sleepSit or sleep to accelerate hit point and move recovery.
wake / standGuild & Restwake / standAwaken and stand up to prepare for movement or combat.
say / tellSocial & Rentsay <text> / tell <name> <text>Speak aloud locally or send private direct messages.
follow / folSocial & Rentfollow <player>Follow an experienced player or ranger and join their party.
giveSocial & Rentgive <item> <person>Give an item to an NPC or player.
list / buySocial & Rentlist / buy <item>Browse merchant wares and buy provisions.
offer / rentSocial & Rentoffer / rentCheck inn room rates and safely save character equipment.
2. Interactive Tutorial Chapters
Jump directly into any walkthrough chapter below following Fuor the Man from his first hour in Black Hill Village to his first steps into the wild.
What is MUME?
A quick description of what a MUD is, and what MUME is, before you begin.
Start Chapter 1 →Creating your account and first character
See how MUME accounts work, then wake the practice hero Fuor. Nothing here is saved - you make your own account and character (including name and race) when you play for real.
Rooms and Exits
Build the habit of reading a room and checking the ways out before you move.
Movement & Doors
Practise moving between rooms with compass directions, and opening a closed door.
Examining items
Inspect an object in detail, then take an item from it and put it back.
Setting up for combat
Configure an automatic flee threshold when your hit points reduce to a certain level, and reduce the amount of on-screen text.
Checking Vitals & Stats
Inspect your hit points, mana points (mana is used for casting spells - you'll need to practise magic later should you want to cast spells), movement points, combat parameters and full character attributes.
Equipment & Weapons
Inspect carried items, equip body armor, wield primary weapons, and fasten shields.
NPCs and Player Interaction
Converse with people in the room and interact directly with tell and follow.
Shopping & Trading
Browse a shop, buy provisions for your travels, and give items to players or NPCs.
Combat
Assess enemy strength with CONSIDER and adjust combat stances with CHANGE MOOD.
Fleeing from fights
Master emergency tactical retreats to disengage from dangerous combat.
Recovery & Rest
Sit or sleep to recover faster, and eat and drink to stay healthy.
Guilds & Practicing Skills
Visit character guilds and spend practice points to learn weapon skills and spells.
Renting: Saving Your Character and their Equipment
Rent a room at an inn to store your gear and save your character.
Off to Middle-earth
You are ready to play for real - time to log into the web client and begin your adventure.
3. Recommended Guides & Documentation
Explore the official in-game documentation and guides to deepen your understanding:
- Beginner Essentials: Introduction to MUME (help newcomer) | Basic Commands (help basic)
- Frequent Questions: Frequently Asked Questions (help faq)
- Advanced Features: Advanced Commands (help advanced) | Unique Features
- Rules of Middle-earth: MUME Code of Conduct & Rules
4. Video Tutorials & Sample Sessions
Prefer visual or log-based learning? Watch our complete YouTube walkthrough series or inspect an annotated session log:
- Read a complete sample MUME session log
- Watch the community video tutorials below (ensure annotations are enabled):
5. Finding Help In-Game
Never hesitate to ask for assistance. MUME has dedicated Rangers whose purpose is to mentor new players:
- Type
who rangerin-game to see active Rangers online. - Use
tell <ranger_name> hello, I am new!to send them a private message. - Use
follow <ranger_name>to travel alongside them safely in their party. - Join the community on Discord to ask questions and meet fellow adventurers.