The Condensed Modus Operandi Help Files!

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The Condensed Modus Operandi Help Files

This is the combined list of help commands you can reference in the game. I placed them on one page to make it much easier for you to reference off the island.

* Words in blue capital letters are available commands in the game.

Help getting started:

The humid warmth of tropical Morada enfolds you as you step off the ship's gangway. The last part of the journey was not all that comfortable, so the sun on your face and the feel of solid ground underfoot is like balm to your soul.

As with any new port of call, it takes a little while to get used to local customs, and ways of doing things. You remind yourself to take it slowly, and give yourself time to explore your surroundings. After all, you ARE on vacation. There's no rush.

Browse through these HELP files. They contain a ton of useful information that will make acclimation to this new environment easier for you. Or just start exploring and see what there is to be seen! You are on vacation - do it your own way and have fun. If sitting still on the boat has left you itching for SOMETHING to do, you can find the nearest bulletin board for job possibilities, or maybe deliver the package which was thrust into your hands as you stepped off the gangway.

Here are some basic commands that you will use over and over again -

LOOK - This lets you see a description of the area you are in as well as who is in the room with you, and the most obvious directions you can move.

INV - short for INVENTORY. This shows you what you have in your hands as well as what you are wearing.

GET <ITEM> - This will move the desired item into your hand, if it's obtainable. You can GET a map, but it would be hard to GET a tree.

To talk, simply type a quote mark " or an apostrophe ' before the phrase you'd like to say. If you wanted to ask "Where is the nearest restaurant?" you would type 'Where is the nearest restaurant? That's it. You don't even need to add the end quote.

To move type firsts initial of the direction you wish to travel or the direction itself. North or N is the same thing. If you see an OUT, just type OUT.

GIVE <ITEM> TO <PERSON> - this will allow you to offer the specified item to the person you indicate. The receiver will have the opportunity to ACCEPT or DECLINE the item.

JOIN <PERSON> - this allows you to become a part of a group that is being led by the person who you join. When he or she moves, you move as well. To get out of the group, type LEAVE.

HOLD <PERSON> - This will draw the person into a group of which you are the leader. As you move, so will the others in your group. To stop leading, type DISBAND.

LOOK <AT, ON, IN, UNDER, BEHIND> <ITEM> - Doing this will give you a description of whatever it is you are looking at, or show you what may be inside or concealed by the item. This is especially useful when searching for clues, or the map which was shoved in the bottom of your bag.

QUIT - Typing this command will save your character, and exit you from the game. When you return, you'll be able to pick up where you left off.

Help with Talking:

Talking to other people is simple. To speak, just type a quote mark (" or ') followed by what you wish to say. You don't have to close the sentence with a quote as the game will take care of that for you. For example if you wished to say "Hello there." you would type 'Hello there. Speaking in this manner will be heard by everyone who is in the same area as you.

The punctuation you place at the end of what you say will affect how your character says it. A period will cause you to "say" something. A question mark will cause you to "ask" something. And an exclamation point will cause you to "exclaim" something.

YELLing a statement will cause you to be heard not only in your area, but in all open, adjacent areas. The usage for this command is YELL <statement>.

If you wish to say something privately to someone in a crowded area, you can WHISPER to another player. The usage for whispering is WHISPER <name> <statement>.

NPC stands for Non-Player Character. In other words, a character in the game that is run by someone other than a player. Most of them are run by the game, but once in a while you'll come across one who looks and acts just like the rest of you!

NPCs are capable of a wide variety of actions. Some NPCs travel around town and might be found at differing locations at various times. Other NPCs may be stationary and never move from a certain spot.

Mostly known as the citizens of Morada (as opposed to the vacationing tourist, like yourself), NPCs play various roles in the daily happenings around Morada. NPCs may serve as sales clerks or shop owners, police officers, bar maids, librarians, doormen, businessmen, and just about any other kind of person you'd find in daily life.

You will discover many ways to interact with NPCs. They are very sophisticated and intelligent. However, no matter how smart they may be, they are still computer controlled for the most part. NPCs are very literal and can not recognize things like simple spelling errors. There are a few things to remember when trying to interact with NPCs. The following pointers will help make things a little easier:

-- Make sure you have typed TALK <NPC NAME>. This lets the character know you wish to have a "conversation".

-- Sometimes if you have done an action between questions, you need to type TALK <NPC NAME> again as the action has interrupted the process.

-- Make sure of your spelling is correct. The citizens may be bright they still won't get spelling errors.

-- If the NPC doesn't seem to have any information on the topic you asked about try another way of asking the same question. If "What did the suspect look like?" gets you nothing, try something like "Can you describe the woman to me?" Be creative with your questioning.

-- When you are ready to end your conversation with the NPC type GOODBYE or BYE. This will let the NPC know that you are finished.

HELP WITH MANNERS.

As with any visit to a foreign country, your stay here on Morada will be much more pleasant and enjoyable if you make an effort to adapt your behavior to the customs of the island. Morada citizens welcome tourists from all countries, as they are dependent on tourism for their livelihood to a large extent. However, simple common courtesy will go a long way towards ensuring a pleasant vacation here.

Treat others as you would like to be treated. For instance, repeated and unwarranted use of the SLAP and KICK commands will not get you very far in any endeavor. Such behavior can also be considered disruptive, subject to appropriate sanctions (which can include lockout from the game). Likewise, ask people if you may join their party before doing so.

If you are lost, need directions or assistance with a particular task, do not yell (use capital letters) or repeatedly transmit your request (scrolling) on the PBR communicators. Simply transmit your request politely, or ask another player in person for assistance. More experienced players are not required to assist you in your exploration of life on Morada, but most will be happy to do so, provided you ask nicely.

While role-playing your character is encouraged, and while crusty, cranky characters can be fun to play, common courtesy is greatly appreciated from your fellow tourists and will help make your stay on Morada a pleasant one.

HELP with POLICY/WARNINGS:

To review the rules of play which we use in Modus, please type POLICY for an overview, or read the Terms and conditions (TAC) which may be found at the main Modus Operandi website at http://modusoperandi.net. From there, sign in and then click on the POLICY icon to the left.

As stated in the TAC, the goal of these policies is to provide an enjoyable experience for the majority of the users. Because Modus Operandi is a multiplayer game, there can sometimes be a conflict between an individual user's idea of entertainment and that of the majority of the players (and the staff). There are many "grey areas" in terms of defining what is considered acceptable or what is abusive behavior. All cases are reviewed through the standards of the TAC first, and then are handled on an individual basis if necessary.

Generally, Simutronics will not become involved in any conflicts which are confined to a small number of players, unless they are of a harassing nature. However, if the situation overlaps to other players, or causes a generally disruptive influence in Modus Operandi, the participants may well be warned or a GM will step in to help resolve the issue, as is required.

Simutronics reserves the right to determine which behavior is considered disruptive to the game.

More HELP with POLICY/WARNINGS:

Warnings are issued to players who have crossed the line on a policy, and may be issued in one of these fashions:

* A standard, formal warning which says what behavior you are being warned for (e.g. Vulgarity, masked vulgarity, sexually explicit language, disruption, harassment, OOC/OOG behavior, etc).

* A personal message from one of the Modus Operandi staff asking you to moderate a specific behavior.

* An on-island "warrant" for behavior which is specifically contrary to the TAC. Warrants for animal cruelty and such are not seen as warnings to your account, but come with in-game penalties regardless.

It is hoped that once ANY warning is given for ANY reason, the player will review the policies and take care not to enter into any warnable behavior in the future. If this does not prove to be the case, a second warning will be given which generates in-game penalties and potentially a loss of access to the game. A third warning automatically brings with it the loss of a player's access to Modus for a duration to be set by the Game Master reviewing the situation.

All warnings are considered cumulative over ALL characters on all associated accounts. The account holder is considered solely responsible for actions taken by those using their account(s).

If you still have questions regarding the policies, after having read the TAC, please send your inquiry to the Product Manager, Siri Macallan, at MO-Siri@play.net.

HELP with Lockers:

If you decide that traveling with pockets stuffed to the brim with notes, watches, PBRs and left-over french fries is not ideal, then it may be time for you to rent a locker. Lockers are available to members of the Portmanteau Club, which is located in the Marina district across from the Port Authority building.

Talk to the woman at the information desk inside of the club. You can become a member of the Portmanteau Club by paying the monthly dues of $200.00. Simply find the information desk, and PAY 200.

Dues must be paid monthly, and the woman will let you know when it is time to pay again. If your dues are not paid, then you won't be able to get access to the items in your locker. IF this occurs, the GMs can not let you into your locker, you will have to wait until you have paid your outstanding dues.

If you are a Balmour Country Club member (premium), then your locker will be located in a special area of the Balmour Country Club, not in the Portmanteau Club.

HELP with commands:

There are literally hundreds of commands for you to use in Modus Operandi, and more are added all the time. We have tried to include a wide variety of actions that you can use to interact with both the game and the other players. In general, if you can think of it, then you can probably do it.

Most of the commands follow simple, standard English usage, "PUSH THE BUTTON" or "LOOK AT THE OLD WOMAN." You may omit such words as "a" and "the". "PUSH BUTTON" will work as well as "PUSH THE BUTTON."

If several similar objects are present, such as a blue notice, a green notice, and torn notice, then you should specify which item you mean. "READ THE GREEN NOTICE" will make sure that you indeed read the green notice. Typing "READ NOTICE," however, does not specify which one you are interested in, so you may get incorrect information unless it is the only one present.

The location of items may also be confusing. If you are carrying a bag, and someone has laid a bag on the ground, if you type the command "PUT KIT IN BAG," you may find yourself putting the kit in the wrong bag. In a situation like this it is always best to type "PUT KIT IN MY BAG" so that there is no confusion.

While there is no definitive list of commands, here are some that you will use over and over again:

go, look, leave, disband, join, yell, read, climb, talk, drop, inv, open, remove, swap, wear, smile, action, shake, wink, whisper, unhide, turn , touch, tickle, sigh, shrug, rub, pull, pray, poke, point , laugh , knock, kiss, hug , grin, giggle, blush, blink , bow , chuckle, curtsy, cough, nod, mumble, sit , lie, stand, kneel, wave, growl , sneeze, lick , jump

pick, snicker, snort , chortle, glare, glance, smirk, pout , burp, groan, belch, whine, whimper, push, yawn, gulp, lean, whistle, help, advice, flush, flirt, grimace, clap, search, snap, drink, sniffle, stretch, shudder, wait, cash, lock, unlock, eat, menu, order, grumble, tap, puff, light, fidget, babble, drool , slobber, raise, throw, deposit, wince, duck, beam, bop, bounce, cheer ,cringe, cry , dance, howl , nudge, pace, roll, sob

swear, board , hold, balance, sneer , snarl , leer , scoff , cower , cackle, gaze, sing, smell, blanch, sputter, pay , scowl, hum, gasp, read, register , furrow, climb, recite , change, sell , count , play, bet , sample, get , put, flip , info, give, accept, pass, pet , decline, ponder, activate , deactivate, tune, transmit , type, tear, direction, address, describe, check, skills, topscore, stare, forums , follow, news, cartwheel, scratch, stay, stick , cover, peer, brush, comb ,examine, enter, stock , buy , goodbye, bye users, say, applaud, prattle, chatter , drain, chew, tease, curse , smoke, take, wealth, lay , shut , mutter, place, rap, sip, exit, show , murmur.

The key to mastering commands is to allow them to flow naturally. Experiment with them, and try new actions with commands that you already know do something else. Remember that new commands are continually added to Modus Operandi based on what players try to do.

HELP with Character Information:

To see some basic information about your character, type INFO. This will show you your general appearance, your profession as well as the amount of notoriety you possess. SKILLS will give you a listing of knowledge about which your character knows, and shows the level of information he or she has about each field. Skills will improve as you solve various cases - the more they improve, the more knowledge you can bring to each case.

To see how well you are doing, in relation to others on the island, type TOPSCORE. This shows the ranking of players in regards to their notoriety.

If you decide that you are not happy with an aspect of your character (name, profession, etc.), and you want to start over again, type REROLL CONFIRM. This will put you back in the Character Manager. Once there, select DELETE CHARACTER and you can then create a new character. WARNING!! When you use REROLL CONFIRM you are wiping out everything that you have already gained within the game. You will start from scratch and any possessions you have in your locker or on your person will be lost. You'll be brand new to the island once again.

HELP WITH MANNERS.

As with any visit to a foreign country, your stay here on Morada will be much more pleasant and enjoyable if you make an effort to adapt your behavior to the customs of the island. Morada citizens welcome tourists from all countries, as they are dependent on tourism for their livelihood to a large extent. However, simple common courtesy will go a long way towards ensuring a pleasant vacation here.

Treat others as you would like to be treated. For instance, repeated and unwarranted use of the SLAP and KICK commands will not get you very far in any endeavor. Such behavior can also be considered disruptive, subject to appropriate sanctions (which can include lockout from the game). Likewise, ask people if you may join their party before doing so.

If you are lost, need directions or assistance with a particular task, do not yell (use capital letters) or repeatedly transmit your request (scrolling) on the PBR communicators. Simply transmit your request politely, or ask another player in person for assistance. More experienced players are not required to assist you in your exploration of life on Morada, but most will be happy to do so, provided you ask nicely.

While role-playing your character is encouraged, and while crusty, cranky characters can be fun to play, common courtesy is greatly appreciated from your fellow tourists and will help make your stay on Morada a pleasant one.

HELP with Money:

As the song says, Money can't buy you love... but in Modus Operandi it can buy you just about everything else. There are many expenses that can be accrued during the course of solving a mystery, and personal items that you may simply want to purchase for your character over the course of time. Suffice it to say, money becomes important.

All tourists in Modus Operandi (of which you are one) are considered to be either on vacation or retired from their usual occupation. Because of this, you receive a standard income that can be thought of as vacation pay or a retirement pension. This income is bi-monthly, and is automatically paid into your Bank of Commerce account. You currently receive $250 per payment. This amount of income will go up as you gain greater notoriety.

Type CASH to see how much money you have on you at the moment. If you wish to do some banking, go to the Downtown branch of the Atlantic Bank of Commerce or the nearest Automatic Teller Machine. You can DEPOSIT <AMOUNT>, WITHDRAW <AMOUNT>, or get your BALANCE.

Your standard monthly income will not go far. There are several ways that you can supplement your income. You can stop by the Island Courier Service located in the West End district, as they are always looking for trustworthy people to help them out. Just READ the SIGN when you get there.

If you are looking for something more adventurous, you can try your hand at one of the jobs posted on the bulletin and public notice boards around town. The local police force pays well for help in tracking down escaped felons. Just READ the notices or posters, and see who is at large!

If you are a gambler at heart, you may wish to try your luck at the Pirate's Gold Casino. For some, a tidy bankroll could be just a die roll away!

HELP with PBRs:

PBR Communicators (PBRs, or comms for short) have a few simple commands to make them run. TURN COMM will toggle your PBR on or off, depending on what it was before. ACTIVATE COMM will turn the PBR on, DEACTIVATE COMM will turn the unit off. TURN and ACTIVATE/DEACTIVATE are interchangeable. If you have one of the more advanced units and you wish to change the that you are transmitting on, TUNE COMM TO <# (0-16)>. To change the battery, first REMOVE COMM, then OPEN COMM and REMOVE BATTERY. Once you have disposed of the old battery and have purchased a new one, you can PUT BATTERY IN MY COMM, and CLOSE COMM. When you are all done, WEAR COMM to use it once again.

Each type of battery has a different duration. The demo PBRs that you receive when you arrive on the island has a battery that lasts for approx. 6 hours (real time). When the battery in the demo model runs low, you will need to purchase a new model at Gizmogoria. The regular communication devices purchased at Gizmogoria last indefinitely, and the batteries can be replaced.

HELP with the Moradian Judicial system:

If you commit a crime--loitering, public drunkenness, or high medical and police fines, just to name a few--a warrant will go out for your arrest. You may go to the police department and CONFESS, or one of the law abiding tourists may notice you, accuse you of your crime, and have you arrested. You will be taken to jail until your arraignment before the magistrate.

After the magistrate doles out your punishment (watch carefully for what he says), you may then retrieve your belongings. They will be in a sack with your name on the counter in the evidence storage room in the police station.

If you do not have enough cash to pay your fine, a bail bondsman will bail you out of jail and hold some of your belongings. If that happens, you need to go to the bail bondsman's office in the West End and repay him to retrieve any assets that he held. He will charge you interest for bailing you out of jail. If you have neither the cash nor the equipment to get out of jail, you may be assigned to community service such as peeling potatoes for the Moradian Army.

Accusing fellow tourists is exactly like accusing the other criminals on the island--ACCUSE <first last>. A wanted poster can be found outside of Town Hall, all tourists who are wanted will be listed on this poster.

HELP WITH THEFT:

Unfortunately, as happens in real life, theft occurs on our fair island. The best thing to do is to immediately make a capture (or copy) of the incident by using the following steps and report the occurrence to Modus Feedback.

1) Scroll up to the area of your screen which contains the part you want to copy.

2) Select the information by highlighting it. (Prodigy users will have to look at their log found in C:\Prodigy\PMO).

3) On the Edit menu, click Copy.

4) In the document where you want the information to appear (Email, Feedback, Notepad), click the place where you want to put the information.

5) On the Edit menu, click Paste.

Besides the capture, the information needed by the Game Masters is as follows: Who you are, what was stolen, where it was stolen, how it was stolen, the date/time it was stolen, and the complete name of the thief.

GAME STAFF CAN NOT GUARANTEE THAT ANY ITEMS OR MONEY WILL BE REPLACED OR REFUNDED. The best thing to do is see if you can work the situation out with the person. At times, it is simply a matter of a mistake.

THIEVERY IS NOT A PART OF MODUS OPERANDI, AND WANTON DISREGARD OF OTHER PEOPLE'S PROPERTY WILL COST THIEVES THEIR MODUS PRIVILEGES.

HELP with Moving and Directions:

Moving around in Modus Operandi is very simple. First, LOOK at the area you are in. You will be able to see any obvious compass directions which lead to another area. To move type the first letter of the direction you wished to travel, or the direction itself. N is the same as North, SE is the same as Southeast, O for out, U for up, D for down, etc.

Read the area description carefully... You may also see doors, stairs, hallways, or other passages. To move up or through something like this, type GO <PASSAGE>. For example, if you see the revolving door leading into the Hotel, then you would type GO DOOR to move through that door.

In some situations, two similar passages may be present, such as a double door and an oak door. You will need to specify which door you wish to go through - GO OAK DOOR - or you may find yourself going through the wrong one.

Although it can seem confusing at first, finding your way around the City of Cape Marassas will soon become easy. The first thing to do is to get a map of the city. Maps are available from a dispenser in the Port Authority building. Just type GET MAP. You can OPEN MY MAP to see a representation of Downtown, or CLOSE MY MAP to see the New Marina district which is south of Downtown. To view the map type LOOK MY MAP.

The easiest way to find a citizen of Cape Marassas, or the address of a shop is to LOOK UP the name in a nearby telephone directory. Several phone booths are located throughout both the New Marina District and Downtown (one is located outside the Port Authority, and another just north of the Palm Frond Pub). GO BOOTH, and once there, type LOOK UP <WHATEVER>. For example, if you needed to find The Silken Thread, you'd type LOOK UP THREAD, or perhaps LOOK UP SHOP. If you don't find an entry the first time, think of other ways to describe the place you are looking for. Many are cross-referenced.

Once you have found the address, look up the street name on your map. As you move from area to area, pay attention to the street/area name at the top of the description. That will help you navigate around town using your map. To see the closest street address near you, simply type ADDRESS. Remember, if the person or business is located in an upper story of a building, you may need to look closer at the description to see where it is. Looking for, and reading signs is usually a good place to start. Most businesses have a marker of some sort outside their premises.

If you find you're still having a difficult time finding a location, you can use DIRECTION to find some of the important sites in and around Downtown.

HELP with Sampling:

Samples can be taken from some clues (not all clues will be sample-able). The command to garner a sample is SAMPLE <ITEM> WITH KIT. Let's say you have found a fingerprint and you wish to make a copy of it to take to the lab. You first make sure you are holding the appropriate kit then you'd type SAMPLE FINGERPRINT WITH KIT. Your skills in various areas will determine how successful you are at obtaining a -good- sample.

Kits can be purchased at Gizmogoria in the Emporium. Be sure to READ the CATALOGUE to see what kit best suits your purposes, as there are several different kinds. The catalogue gives a complete listing of the uses for each type of kit. Kits can be used multiple times, but each use brings about a chance for breakage. If you are skilled enough, your kits should last a good amount of time. Just remember that wear and tear is expected, and nothing lasts forever.

Once you have taken your sample, type INVENTORY. You'll see that you are holding your kit in one hand and a bag, tube or something similar in your other hand. That "bag" contains your sample. Take it to the University of Morada's Hawthorne Research Facility located on the east side of the campus. Once you are in the waiting room, READ the SIGN and go from there.

Once you have deposited your sample for analysis, there will be a certain amount of time before the report is ready for you to pick up. If you want to check on the status of the analysis, go back to the waiting room and PUSH the BELL again. When the lab tech comes to the window, type STATUS. The tech will tell you how long it will be until your report is ready (in Moradian hours). When your sample's analysis is finished, the lab tech will give you an index number that is associated with the sample. Type BUY <#> to get your report from the tech.

Lab analysis and research generally runs between $75 - $300 dollars. It depends on the type of work to be done, and how much the techs like you.

HELP with Shopping:

There are many shops, restaurants, pubs and other commercial establishments located around the city of Cape Marassas. Restaurants range from the sublime to the greasy-spoon, and more establishments of every kind are opening all the time.

Most of the retailers will have a price list, menu board, or chalkboard which shows what merchandise they have for sale and how much it costs. Type READ <ITEM>, or type MENU to see what they have. You will notice that each item is numbered. To purchase an item type ORDER <#>, or BUY <#>.

Merchants usually do not accept credit for orders, so make sure you have cash on hand. Remember to pick up your merchandise before you leave the establishment. Usually the clerk or proprietor will set the item on the counter or display case after you have placed your order.

HELP with Mysteries:

There are many different types of mysterious happening on Morada - missing felons, stalkers, thefts and scams. Brush up on your detecting skills and get your casebook ready!

The easiest way to get started on a case is to peruse the bulletin and public notice boards located around the island. LOOK ON BOARD to see what has been posted, and READ the notices, posters or notes that catch your interest. They will usually provide additional instructions on how to proceed. Another way to get started is to listen to the announcements made over the PBR Communicators. The police dispatcher frequently alerts listeners to criminals that are on the lose. Others send out pleas for help in "certain circumstances". Listen carefully and follow their instructions carefully.

Type HELP MYSTERIES PAGE 2 for more HELP with mysteries, or see other associated topics in the HELP index that may provide additional insight to command that can help you solve cases.

More HELP with Mysteries:

Clues for mysteries are not always obvious. SEARCH around the scene of the crime, LOOK ON, IN, UNDER, BEHIND objects in the area to see if there is anything that can help you solve the case. EXAMINE items closely, READ written clues for details that are important, and listen carefully to what the people involved with the case have to say. All these things will help you garner enough evidence to find "who done it."

When searching for a missing person, make sure you have read the poster or notice dealing with that person. This will insure that proper identification is made, and give you additional information that may be vital to solving the case. After you have found your quarry, bring him to the attention of the police by attempting to ACCUSE <PERSON>. Finding them is not easy and you will find that you have to utilize all your detecting skills to track them down.

Just as each case is different so will the rewards be. Some of your "employers" may pay you little money, but spread your name far and wide, gaining you greater notoriety through out the town.

HELP With Weddings:

Weddings on Morada are special and unique events. They allow for individual expression of romance and commitment, giving each the ability to cater to personal beliefs and tastes.

Because these events are of such an intense nature, and due to their increasing popularity, the Bridal Staff is reconstructing how weddings will be handled. This will keep weddings as the very special, very unique experience that we cherish.

Beginning with weddings scheduled on or after 1 Jan. 1998 GM-Catered weddings will be available only to those couples who have reached the 20th level mark. For couples who wish to wed before that time, we have added an extensive line of ready-made items which you may use to plan your own wedding. Additionally, each character will be provided service for ONE GM-Catered wedding every two years. We believe that this will help maintain the excellent service and special details you have come to expect from such a wedding.

Need information about GM weddings, or want an application? Write
Zoe at MoZoeWilder@aol.com.

If you must cancel your wedding for any reason, please inform Zoe!

HELP with the Casino:

The games in the Pirate's Gold Casino follow standard rules, and are very easy to play. For a brief description and additional help with the particulars though, a brochure is available to you. You can find it near the Cashier's cage located just off the Casino entryway.

Chips may be purchased at the Cashier's cage, or from the individual game dealers. Type BUY CHIPS to see the usage. You can also exchange your chips to denominations that you prefer. The command for that is CHANGE <# of chips> <chip color> for <chip color> OR, CHANGE <# of chips> <chip color>. The first usage is for when you desire a specific chip color, the second usage is for when you do not care, and just desire to break up a chip color. To see how many chips you currently have, type COUNT CHIP.

To redeem your chips, go to the Cashier's cage just off of the Casino entryway and type CASH IN. This will redeem all chips which you currently hold. For your banking convenience an Automatic Teller Machine is located just outside the Casino.

Each table or game has specific commands that allow you to play. They are as follows:

For Slots, type PLAY <FIRST WORD OF KIND> SLOT. So if you wanted to use the Ante Up Slot Machine, you would type PLAY ANTE SLOT. Once you are told that you are seated in front of the machine, type BET <COLOR CHIP>. You can bet white, red, or blue chips, one at a time. So if you wished to try your luck with a blue chip, the command would be BET BLUE.

There are three tables for Blackjack. To play, you must SIT at one of the tables. To bet an amount, type BET <# of CHIPS> <COLOR of CHIPS>, or just BET <AMOUNT>. Once the dealer lays out the card, you can LOOK CARDS to see what has been dealt. Your choices for playing the hand are "Stand or "Hold, "Double, "Hit, "Split or "Insurance (when it's offered). Make sure you SPEAK what it is you want to do (using an apostrophe or a quote mark) or the dealer won't understand what it is you wish to do.

The main command for Roulette is BET. Type BET alone to see the usage for the command as well as the possible ways you can bet.

If you want to play Craps you must first JOIN the TABLE. This will indicate to the stickman that you are interested in playing. If the stickman asks you if you would like to be the shooter, you may either ROLL the DICE, or PASS to decline the offer. If you LOOK TABLE it will show you what the previous dice rolls have been, as well as what bets you have placed. If you READ the SIGN behind the table it will give you a listing of the possible bets you can make and the proper usage for doing so.

Chips are worth the following amounts:

Gold $1000

Pink $500

Black $100

Green $25

Red $10

Blue $5

White $1

HELP with Inventory:

To see what you currently are wearing and carrying, type INVENTORY, or INV for short. If you have placed an item in something on your person, a bag or your trousers pocket, then you will need to type LOOK IN MY <ITEM> to see what is stashed inside.

After playing a while, you may find that you have collected a lot of possessions. It can become cumbersome carrying everything around with you. When this happens, you will want to look into renting locker space (See the Locker HELP topic for more information).

HELP with the Hotel:

While they cannot accommodate guests for a prolonged stay, the Hideaway Hotel off of New West Avenue has graciously made a number of their rooms available for short-term rental, at $150 per stay. READ PRICECARD for complete information. Stop by the registration desk, POINT AT a KEY, and SIGN the guest book - the Hotel staff will take care of the rest.

Help with Merchants:

Merchants are Non-Player Characters (NPCs) who sell customized items not available in the island's stores. These hard working craftsmen dedicate their time and labor to bring something unique to Morada. Each merchant offers a different kind of merchandise from clothing and tattoos to electronic gadgetry and weaponry. The limitations of items available from each merchant are at their own discretion, and you may never purchase an item which carries a trademarked name, or that is a violation of Modus Operandi Policy.

Because of the great demand for merchant items, there is usually a long line to be served. There is no merchant schedule and merchant visits are considered a special event. As such, misbehavior at these events can make everyone unhappy and will be dealt with like any other infraction.

Merchants generally have a waiting list in the room they work in. To add your name to the list, type JOIN LIST. Some merchant lists will be made available to only Premium Subscribers, and not to the general population. Please bring money to the event, as after you sign up on the list, you may not be able to leave the area Remember to read all the signs, lists, etc in the merchant area. If you still have a question, please WHISPER it to another player. Merchanting is hard work, and distracted merchants can become upset when a work in progress is destroyed because of an interruption. If you arrive too late and find the list closed, please understand that merchants only have so much time at their disposal, and they will come again as soon as they are able.

HELP with Levels:

NOTORIETY is the key to gaining levels. You can increase your notoriety points by solving mysteries and hunting bounties. Type NOTORIETY to see what level you are, how many points you have amassed and how many more you need before reaching the next level.

When it is time for you to train, find a phone booth and LOOK UP the word RESOURCE. This will list all the available training sites. Pick the one that suits your profession best. At that site, you will find an outer office - open to the general public, and an inner area - available only to members of the profession who are ready to train. If you try to enter that inner area and you are NOT ready to train, the "supervisor" of that site will bar your passage.

Once in the training area, type RAISE to see the command's usage. You will have a number of Development Points to spend on training - each skill you RAISE will cost a certain amount of DPs to be improved.

To leave the training room, type OUT. You can leave that area in the middle of training with no affect on your character, but if you leave the outer office before all your DPs have been expended you will forfeit any more training for this level. ONLY LEAVE THE TRAINING SITE WHEN YOU ARE COMPLETELY FINISHED TRAINING FOR THIS LEVEL.

HELP WITH COMBAT:

When it comes to combat, you must choose your targets with care. Other players and peaceful citizens are NOT legitimate targets and attempts to assault them will result in appropriate penalties. Violent felons and other n'er-do-wells are the only legitimate targets for any combat maneuvers.

There are several commands to initiate combat against your opponent. These include ATTACK, SHOOT, and THROW. Additional commands are LOAD for weapons, and STANCE which allows you to alter your combat style.

Several things affect how well you can fight and defend yourself. Your choice of weapon, how skilled you are at using it play a large role in your ability to fight, as does the weather, if you are hurt, stunned, drunk, or are encumbered by awkward clothing or too many personal effects. If you are sitting, lying down or kneeling, combat is more difficult, except in the case of shooting, where lying down or kneeling is advantageous. Your STANCE will also determine how well you can combat your targets and how well you can defend yourself.

No tourist will ever die in combat. The medical facilities of the island are superior - but you might incur very large hospital charges for the healing of your wounds. TEND your own wounds, and use the first-aid kits (available at Gizmogoria in the Emporium) to control bleeding.

If you are wounded but ambulatory, you can go to the hospital under your own steam and receive treatment. The hospital is located east of the University of Morada, off of Calle de la Palma.

Additionally, be careful of commands like TOSS. If you TOSS an item, it will place the item on the ground. THROW will also do this, so be careful to remember this and pick the item back up. It is Modus Operandi policy that items left on the ground, even for only a moment, will not be replaced by a Game Master if lost, so be diligent in keeping track of your items!

Finally, remember that engaging another player in attacks against them with your weapons can land a hefty fine! Don't attack another player unless you have received special clearance to do so via RP-based groups like the CMPD and so on. Even then, realize you do so at your risk! Finally, remember that if you try to THROW a player with a weapon in hand, you will throw that weapon instead, which counts as an attack! Clear the weapon from the hand, or set your COMBAT THROWWEAPON to disable throwing the weapon, first! Likewise, if you THROW a player with a weapon in hand, remember that it will place that weapon on the ground, so pick it up!

For more information on Combat and the upcoming revised Combat system, visit The Abode of Trevor Rage.

HELP with BOUNTY HUNTS:

Bank robbers, murderers, lost children and runaways are wandering around our island, and the Police Department will pay YOU to find them.

When you hear an announcement from the Police Dispatcher over the PBRs about a missing person listen closely to the name of the person, where the poster is, and where the person was last seen. Read the notice (poster, flyer, etc.) concerning the person at large and make a note regarding the person's appearance and what they were wearing. This information is important. If you mistake someone's identity, then you could be fined for harassment! Go to the place they were last seen and try to track them down. Sometimes the person will have left behind some evidence of their presence in the area - though you may have to SEARCH the area (or in adjacent ones) to pick up on the trail.

When you come upon a person who you may think is the bounty you are looking for type LOOK <NPC> or DESCRIBE <NPC>. Each command will give you different information. That is why knowing their description is vital.

Once you are sure of your bounty, type ACCUSE <FIRST & LAST NAME>. Be sure of who you accuse, for if you are wrong you will be fined. The police don't like coming after the wrong person. For each bounty you bring in you will receive a monetary reward, and notoriety.

In certain areas of the island you will find bounties that are more than unwilling to be captured, and if pushed they'll try to take you down with them. For these people, you may wish to be armed and ready for a fight. The police will reward you more for the capture of these malcontents, but they won't pay your hospital bills! So be wary of what you get yourself into.

HELP with RPing:

RPing (short for Role-Playing) is the ability to assume the "persona" of the character you have created. As Modus is not only a multi-player game but a ROLE-PLAYING game as well, this side of life on the island is as important as hunting down perps or solving cases.

RPing makes life rich on the island... it completes the illusion of being in the tropics surrounded by the humidity, the noise and all the other people who have come to vacation here. But how does one do it? The easiest way is to ask, "What does my character know?" or "How does my character see things?" "What are my character's likes and dislikes?" They know about their past life, the journey on the ship that brought them here... But they wouldn't know about such things as which on-line service the game is being played on - because for them it's not a game, it is their life. This is the difference between being IN CHARACTER (IC) and OUT OF CHARACTER (OOC). When you are playing Modus, try to only say and do what your character would do.

Not only does staying IC fill out the illusion of Morada, but there is a practical side as well. Game Masters frequently give bonuses of notoriety points to those people who stay consistently IC. So not only do you enhance the world around you, but you get rewards that will make your advancement faster for doing so!

HELP with Getting Assistance:

While playing Modus Operandi you may run across a game glitch, or have a technical question you wish answered. In these instances, please type ASSIST REQUEST and a Host or a Game Master (GM) will be with you as soon as one becomes available. When the GM arrives, be sure to ask your question promptly as you may lose your turn if the GM has reason to assume you are away from the keyboard. If you are in a group when the Host or GM arrives (or are the leader of the group) please cease moving promptly, so the session can proceed.

An important point to remember -- Assists are for technical problems ONLY. GMs and Hosts cannot help you find a location, solve a puzzle, take you somewhere, find a friend, give you money or valuables, tell you when a merchant will be on, or in any way help you do something you can do yourself. A good rule of thumb is, ask a GM when all other roads have been taken. Calling a GM is like calling for a police officer, so remember to judge your situation.

For an emergency, such as another player violating Modus Operandi policy, please type REPORT followed by a message. For example, REPORT JOHN PLAYER IS CUSSING IN THE PUB or REPORT JOHN PLAYER IS HARASSING MYSELF AND OTHER PLAYERS AT THE <location> (in cases of harassment, be ready to supply a capture pf the harassing incident to the GM). Remember, as calling for a Host or GM is like calling the police, so using REPORT is like dialing 911. A false report will be dealt with accordingly. If there are no GMs on duty when you use REPORT, please send an Email to MOFeedback@Simutronics.com along with your log showing the incident. Messages to Feedback go directly to GM staff, and we take them seriously. Remember to list your character's name and a return Email in the body of the letter.