Skald

help age
AGE
AGE
Age on DSL is for roleplaying purposes only and has no visable game
affect.  Different Races have different life spans so ages vary.  To
increase your age, go to the trainer and type "Practice age".  You can
increase your age but you can NEVER decrease it.  Practicing your age
DOES NOT cost ANY practices.
TABLE OF AGES:
Race      Teen      Young Adult   Adult     Middle Aged   Old
Human     17-19     20-29         30-45     46-60         61-85
Goblin    17-19     20-29         30-45     46-60         61-85
Dwarf     40-60     61-120        121-250   251-350       350+
Elf       40-90     91-175        176-300   301-500       501+
Ogre      30-80     81-110        111-180   181-210       211-250
Minotaur  30-60     61-80         81-115    116-145       146-175
Gnome     35-85     86-110        111-190   191-220       221-240
Dragon    107-300   300-700       700-1.5k  1.5k-3k       3k-5k
Kender    20-29     30-55         56-88     89-131        131-160
Yinn      20-30     31-50         51-70     71-90         91-110

Retraining and reclassing resets age

help axe
EXOTIC WEAPONS WEAPON WEAPONSMASTER AXE DAGGER FLAIL MACE POLEARM SPEAR STAFF SWORD WHIP
Each weapon skill applies to a specific group of armaments, and determines how
well a character fights with a particular weapon.  The weaponsmaster group
provides talent in all weapons (save exotics), from chair legs to halberds.
The weapon skills consist of the following:
weaponsmaster   skill group of all weapons listed below (save exotic weaponry)
axe             the use of axes, ranging from hand to great (but not halberds)
dagger          the use of knives and daggers, and other stabbing weapons
flail           skill in ball-and-chain type weapons
mace            this skill includes clubs and hammers as well as maces
polearm         the use of pole weapons (except spears), including halberds
spear           this skill covers long pointed weapons, but not polearms
staff           the staff skill covers long blunt weapons
sword           the warrior's standby, from rapier to claymore
whip            the use of whips, chains, and bullwhips
exotic          the use of strange magical weapons
The exotic skill cannot be purchased, and is dependent solely upon level.

help dagger
EXOTIC WEAPONS WEAPON WEAPONSMASTER AXE DAGGER FLAIL MACE POLEARM SPEAR STAFF SWORD WHIP
Each weapon skill applies to a specific group of armaments, and determines how
well a character fights with a particular weapon.  The weaponsmaster group
provides talent in all weapons (save exotics), from chair legs to halberds.
The weapon skills consist of the following:
weaponsmaster   skill group of all weapons listed below (save exotic weaponry)
axe             the use of axes, ranging from hand to great (but not halberds)
dagger          the use of knives and daggers, and other stabbing weapons
flail           skill in ball-and-chain type weapons
mace            this skill includes clubs and hammers as well as maces
polearm         the use of pole weapons (except spears), including halberds
spear           this skill covers long pointed weapons, but not polearms
staff           the staff skill covers long blunt weapons
sword           the warrior's standby, from rapier to claymore
whip            the use of whips, chains, and bullwhips
exotic          the use of strange magical weapons
The exotic skill cannot be purchased, and is dependent solely upon level.

help dig
DIG BURY
Syntax: Dig
Syntax: Dig <direction>
Syntax: Bury <object name>
Dig is a skill which allows you to dig up
items that are buried OR dig out exits
which may exist. Please note that a shovel
will GREATLY improve your chances of finding
buried items.
Bury is a command which allows you to bury an
object.  Be careful, You might not be able to
dig up the object later on.

help flail
EXOTIC WEAPONS WEAPON WEAPONSMASTER AXE DAGGER FLAIL MACE POLEARM SPEAR STAFF SWORD WHIP
Each weapon skill applies to a specific group of armaments, and determines how
well a character fights with a particular weapon.  The weaponsmaster group
provides talent in all weapons (save exotics), from chair legs to halberds.
The weapon skills consist of the following:
weaponsmaster   skill group of all weapons listed below (save exotic weaponry)
axe             the use of axes, ranging from hand to great (but not halberds)
dagger          the use of knives and daggers, and other stabbing weapons
flail           skill in ball-and-chain type weapons
mace            this skill includes clubs and hammers as well as maces
polearm         the use of pole weapons (except spears), including halberds
spear           this skill covers long pointed weapons, but not polearms
staff           the staff skill covers long blunt weapons
sword           the warrior's standby, from rapier to claymore
whip            the use of whips, chains, and bullwhips
exotic          the use of strange magical weapons
The exotic skill cannot be purchased, and is dependent solely upon level.

help Mace
EXOTIC WEAPONS WEAPON WEAPONSMASTER AXE DAGGER FLAIL MACE POLEARM SPEAR STAFF SWORD WHIP
Each weapon skill applies to a specific group of armaments, and determines how
well a character fights with a particular weapon.  The weaponsmaster group
provides talent in all weapons (save exotics), from chair legs to halberds.
The weapon skills consist of the following:
weaponsmaster   skill group of all weapons listed below (save exotic weaponry)
axe             the use of axes, ranging from hand to great (but not halberds)
dagger          the use of knives and daggers, and other stabbing weapons
flail           skill in ball-and-chain type weapons
mace            this skill includes clubs and hammers as well as maces
polearm         the use of pole weapons (except spears), including halberds
spear           this skill covers long pointed weapons, but not polearms
staff           the staff skill covers long blunt weapons
sword           the warrior's standby, from rapier to claymore
whip            the use of whips, chains, and bullwhips
exotic          the use of strange magical weapons
The exotic skill cannot be purchased, and is dependent solely upon level.

help Polearm
EXOTIC WEAPONS WEAPON WEAPONSMASTER AXE DAGGER FLAIL MACE POLEARM SPEAR STAFF SWORD WHIP
Each weapon skill applies to a specific group of armaments, and determines how
well a character fights with a particular weapon.  The weaponsmaster group
provides talent in all weapons (save exotics), from chair legs to halberds.
The weapon skills consist of the following:
weaponsmaster   skill group of all weapons listed below (save exotic weaponry)
axe             the use of axes, ranging from hand to great (but not halberds)
dagger          the use of knives and daggers, and other stabbing weapons
flail           skill in ball-and-chain type weapons
mace            this skill includes clubs and hammers as well as maces
polearm         the use of pole weapons (except spears), including halberds
spear           this skill covers long pointed weapons, but not polearms
staff           the staff skill covers long blunt weapons
sword           the warrior's standby, from rapier to claymore
whip            the use of whips, chains, and bullwhips
exotic          the use of strange magical weapons
The exotic skill cannot be purchased, and is dependent solely upon level.

help recall
RECALL /
RECALL /
Syntax: RECALL
RECALL prays to the Gods for miraculous transportation from where you are
back to the Temple of your home kingdom.  '/' is a synonym for RECALL.
If you RECALL during combat, you will lose experience (more than for fleeing),
and you will have a chance of failing (again, more than for fleeing).  This
chance is based on your recall skill, although a 100% recall does not 
insure success.
RECALL costs half of your movement points.
RECALL doesn't work in certain god-forsaken rooms.  Characters afflicted by a
curse may not recall at all.

help scroll
BRANDISH QUAFF RECITE ZAP WAND STAFF SCROLL POTION
BRANDISH QUAFF RECITE ZAP WAND STAFF SCROLL POTION
Syntax: brandish <target>
Syntax: quaff    <potion>
Syntax: recite   <scroll> <target>
Syntax: zap      <target>
Syntax: zap
BRANDISH brandishes a magical staff.  QUAFF quaffs a magical potion (as opposed
to DRINK, which drinks mundane liquids).  RECITE recites a magical scroll; the
<target> is optional, depending on the nature of the scroll.  ZAP zaps a
magical wand at a target.  If the target is not specified, and you are fighting
someone, then that character is used for a target.
You must HOLD a wand or a staff before using BRANDISH or ZAP.
All of these commands use up their objects.  Potions and scrolls have a single
charge.  Wands and staves have multiple charges.  When a magical object has no
more charges, it will be consumed.
These commands may require an item skill to be successful, see the help entries
on the skills scrolls, staves, and wands for more information.

SCROLL 'SCROLL COMMAND'
SCROLL 'SCROLL COMMAND'
Syntax: scroll
Syntax: scroll <number>
This command changes the number of lines the mud sends you in a page (the 
default is 24 lines).  Change this to a higher number for larger screen
sizes, or to 0 to disabling paging.

Allows you to recite scrolls to cast the spell inscribed on them.

help 'Shield Block'
'SHIELD BLOCK'
Shield block is a rather fancy name for the art of parrying with a shield.
Characters with no shield block skill will not be able to defend themselves
well with a shield.  All classes may learn shield block, but only warriors and
clerics are good at it.  Beware, flails ignore shield blocking attempts, and
whips have an easier time getting around them.  Axes may split shields in two.
Shield block now works against charges from other rooms.

help spear
EXOTIC WEAPONS WEAPON WEAPONSMASTER AXE DAGGER FLAIL MACE POLEARM SPEAR STAFF SWORD WHIP
Each weapon skill applies to a specific group of armaments, and determines how
well a character fights with a particular weapon.  The weaponsmaster group
provides talent in all weapons (save exotics), from chair legs to halberds.
The weapon skills consist of the following:
weaponsmaster   skill group of all weapons listed below (save exotic weaponry)
axe             the use of axes, ranging from hand to great (but not halberds)
dagger          the use of knives and daggers, and other stabbing weapons
flail           skill in ball-and-chain type weapons
mace            this skill includes clubs and hammers as well as maces
polearm         the use of pole weapons (except spears), including halberds
spear           this skill covers long pointed weapons, but not polearms
staff           the staff skill covers long blunt weapons
sword           the warrior's standby, from rapier to claymore
whip            the use of whips, chains, and bullwhips
exotic          the use of strange magical weapons
The exotic skill cannot be purchased, and is dependent solely upon level.

Allows you to brandish staffs and invoke the spells contained within.

help swim
swim
SWIM

The swim skill determines your ability to swim underwater or in the ocean. 
Being unable to swim will result in you attempting to breathe water, which
will hurt you.  Everyone can swim, though some have more trouble with it
than others.  This skill is passive, and does not need to be invoked in
order to function.

EXOTIC WEAPONS WEAPON WEAPONSMASTER AXE DAGGER FLAIL MACE POLEARM SPEAR STAFF SWORD WHIP
Each weapon skill applies to a specific group of armaments, and determines how
well a character fights with a particular weapon.  The weaponsmaster group
provides talent in all weapons (save exotics), from chair legs to halberds.
The weapon skills consist of the following:
weaponsmaster   skill group of all weapons listed below (save exotic weaponry)
axe             the use of axes, ranging from hand to great (but not halberds)
dagger          the use of knives and daggers, and other stabbing weapons
flail           skill in ball-and-chain type weapons
mace            this skill includes clubs and hammers as well as maces
polearm         the use of pole weapons (except spears), including halberds
spear           this skill covers long pointed weapons, but not polearms
staff           the staff skill covers long blunt weapons
sword           the warrior's standby, from rapier to claymore
whip            the use of whips, chains, and bullwhips
exotic          the use of strange magical weapons
The exotic skill cannot be purchased, and is dependent solely upon level.

help wand
BRANDISH QUAFF RECITE ZAP WAND STAFF SCROLL POTION
BRANDISH QUAFF RECITE ZAP WAND STAFF SCROLL POTION
Syntax: brandish <target>
Syntax: quaff    <potion>
Syntax: recite   <scroll> <target>
Syntax: zap      <target>
Syntax: zap
BRANDISH brandishes a magical staff.  QUAFF quaffs a magical potion (as opposed
to DRINK, which drinks mundane liquids).  RECITE recites a magical scroll; the
<target> is optional, depending on the nature of the scroll.  ZAP zaps a
magical wand at a target.  If the target is not specified, and you are fighting
someone, then that character is used for a target.
You must HOLD a wand or a staff before using BRANDISH or ZAP.
All of these commands use up their objects.  Potions and scrolls have a single
charge.  Wands and staves have multiple charges.  When a magical object has no
more charges, it will be consumed.
These commands may require an item skill to be successful, see the help entries
on the skills scrolls, staves, and wands for more information.

help whip
EXOTIC WEAPONS WEAPON WEAPONSMASTER AXE DAGGER FLAIL MACE POLEARM SPEAR STAFF SWORD WHIP
Each weapon skill applies to a specific group of armaments, and determines how
well a character fights with a particular weapon.  The weaponsmaster group
provides talent in all weapons (save exotics), from chair legs to halberds.
The weapon skills consist of the following:
weaponsmaster   skill group of all weapons listed below (save exotic weaponry)
axe             the use of axes, ranging from hand to great (but not halberds)
dagger          the use of knives and daggers, and other stabbing weapons
flail           skill in ball-and-chain type weapons
mace            this skill includes clubs and hammers as well as maces
polearm         the use of pole weapons (except spears), including halberds
spear           this skill covers long pointed weapons, but not polearms
staff           the staff skill covers long blunt weapons
sword           the warrior's standby, from rapier to claymore
whip            the use of whips, chains, and bullwhips
exotic          the use of strange magical weapons
The exotic skill cannot be purchased, and is dependent solely upon level.

help Riding
RIDING RIDE MOUNT DISMOUNT
Syntax:  ride <mob>
         ride <player>
         dismount
         mount
RIDE is the command used to ride a mob or player (dragon) who are able and
willing to transport you.  DISMOUNT will allow you to stop riding.  When you dismount, you resume a standing position.  You must have the riding skill to 
be able to ride.
MOUNT is a dragon/beastformed shaman only command and toggles between allowing
other players to ride you or not. At the moment there is no way to remove someone
who is riding you.

help dodge
DODGE
In the words of one wise warrior, 'the best way to block a blow is to not
be where it lands'.  The dodge skill honors this tradition, by improving the
character's natural agility to the point where many blows will miss the 
target. The chance of dodging is also affected by the dexterity of the
attacker and the target.  Any class may learn dodging.

The Torch Burns - Singing this simple song will allow those who are 
musically inclined to make a temporary flaming torch out of midair and 
place it in their inventory.

Places a torch in your inventory

help trip
TRIP
Back by popular demand.  Trip is a somewhat dastardly attack, and involves
using any one of a number of methods to bring your opponent down to the ground.
Tripping large monsters is generally not a good idea, and agile ones will
find the attack easy to avoid.  Thieves and warriors may learn trip.

Trip does not work on flying opponents.

This chant increases the hit roll of everyone in 
the skald's group as long as they are also in the same room as the skald.

This song is a chant that gives +hit, which reduced the chance to 'miss' on attacks

help lore
LORE
Lore is a general skill, consisting of knowledge of myths and legends. Use
of the lore skill gives a chance of obtaining information on an object,
concerning its power and uses.  It also may occasionally increase the value
of an object, because more will be known about its worth.  All classes may
learn lore, although thieves are best at it, and warriors find it very hard
to use.
Lore works automatically, each time you look at or examine an object.

help Kick
KICK
Kicking allows the adventurer to receive an extra attack in combat, a powerful
kick. However, a failed kick may throw an unwary fighter off balance.  Fighters
and clerics are the most skilled at kicking, although thieves may also learn
it.

help 'Second Attack'
'SECOND ATTACK'
Training in second attack allows the character a chance at additional
strikes in combat -- although a 100% second attack does NOT guarantee 2
attacks every round.  Any class may learn this skill, although clerics and
mages have a very hard time with it.

Song of War - With this song, the singer's melodious voice will inspire 
those who are close to the singer so they can find their own strength and  
in doing so, will find themselves able to strike harder and more accurately 
than before.

help danger sense
DANGER SENSE
Danger Sense Allows you to sense what your opponent is going to do before
they do it so you can dodge or deflect their blow.  
 
Available to bards and bard reclasses.

Travel Tune - By singing this upbeat and catchy tune, the Skald will 
motivate their group to get their second wind and refresh them in order to 
continue on their journey.

ARMOR
ARMOR
Syntax: cast armor <character>
This spell decreases (improves) the armor class of the target character
by 20 points.

help 'Infravision'
INFRAVISION
INFRAVISION

Syntax: cast infravision <character>

This spell enables the target character to see warm-blooded creatures even
while in the dark, and exits of a room as well.  

See also - ENHANCEMENT

help roundhouse
ROUNDHOUSE
This skill is learned by those who are well acquainted to bar room
brawls.  It is a wild, looping punch designed to stun and daze the opponent.
Due to the wild nature of the swing, it is somewhat unreliable.

In addition to stunning your opponent, this can also force them into a resting position.

99 Bottles of Beer - A fun and lively tune that summons forth a frosty 
mug of beer for any and all to drink.

Places a bottle of beer in your inventory

Dirge of Detection - When the skald chants this tune, it enables all in 
the skald's group the ability to detect hidden and detect invisible.

help Meditation
MEDITATION
This skill is similar to fast healing, but relies on the concentration and
mantras to increase mana recovery when the character is sleeping or resting.
Thieves and warriors, with their troubled minds and violent attitudes, have
much trouble learning to meditate.

No Eyes - A strong and powerful song that has the ability to blind the 
bard's opponent for which there is no cure for a short duration of time.

* Incurable blind for 3 ticks

help 'Refresh'
REFRESH
REFRESH

Syntax: cast refresh <character>

This spell refreshes the movement points of a character who is out of
movement points.  

See also - ENHANCEMENT

help Parry
PARRY
If at first you fail to dodge, block it.  Parry is useful for deflecting 
attacks, and is successful more often than dodge.  Parry requires a weapon for
full success, the hand-to-hand skill may also be used, but results in reduced
damage instead of no damage.  The best chance of parrying occurs when the
defender is skilled in both his and his opponent's weapon type.

Stone Fountain - When the Skald sings this song, they will summon a 
stone fountain that you may drink from to quench your thirst.

* create a fountain that lasts until copyover

help 'Hand to Hand'
'HAND TO HAND'
Hand to hand combat is a rare skill in the lands of Algoron.  Learning
this style of fighting gives the player a weapon even when disarmed --
bare hands. Trained hand to hand experts are far more effective than many
swordsmen. Clerics and warriors are the best at this skill, although
thieves and mages may also learn it.

The Piercing Winds - Another powerful song that when sung, will summon 
savage winds and slash at all foes within the area.  It can also provoke
people that are hidden within the room into action.

* AoE damage to all in room who are not in your group

help 'Word of Recall'
'WORD OF RECALL'
'WORD OF RECALL'
Syntax: cast 'word of recall'
This spell duplicates the built-in RECALL ability.  It is provided solely for
Merc-based muds which wish to eliminate the built-in ability while still
providing the spell. This spell circumvents the pkill no-recall lag.

help Haggle
HAGGLE HAGGLING
Haggling is an indispensable skill to the trader.  It allows a character to
match wits with a merchant, seeking to get a better price for merchandise,
or to buy at the lowest possible cost.  Unfortunately, most merchants are
already very skilled at haggling, so the untrained adventurer had best 
guard his treasure closely.  Thieves are natural masters at haggling,
although other classes may learn it as well.

help 'Protection Evil'
'PROTECTION GOOD' 'PROTECTION EVIL' 'PROTECTION NEUTRAL'
'PROTECTION GOOD' 'PROTECTION EVIL' 'PROTECTION NEUTRAL'
Syntax: cast 'protection evil'
        cast 'protection good'
          cast 'protection neutral'     
The protection spells reduce damage taken from attackers of the appropriate
ethos, and improve saving throws against all forms of magic. They may not
be cast on others, and one person cannot carry both defenses at the same
time.

help 'Protection Good'
'PROTECTION GOOD' 'PROTECTION EVIL' 'PROTECTION NEUTRAL'
'PROTECTION GOOD' 'PROTECTION EVIL' 'PROTECTION NEUTRAL'
Syntax: cast 'protection evil'
        cast 'protection good'
          cast 'protection neutral'     
The protection spells reduce damage taken from attackers of the appropriate
ethos, and improve saving throws against all forms of magic. They may not
be cast on others, and one person cannot carry both defenses at the same
time.

help 'Protection Neutral'
'PROTECTION GOOD' 'PROTECTION EVIL' 'PROTECTION NEUTRAL'
'PROTECTION GOOD' 'PROTECTION EVIL' 'PROTECTION NEUTRAL'
Syntax: cast 'protection evil'
        cast 'protection good'
          cast 'protection neutral'     
The protection spells reduce damage taken from attackers of the appropriate
ethos, and improve saving throws against all forms of magic. They may not
be cast on others, and one person cannot carry both defenses at the same
time.

Requiem of Wayfaring - This skald's chant enables the skald's group to 
take minimal or possibly no loss of movement when walking around.

help rescue
FLEE RESCUE
FLEE RESCUE
Syntax: flee
Syntax: rescue   <character>
Once you start a fight, you can't just walk away from it.  If the fight
is not going well, you can attempt to FLEE, or another character can
RESCUE you.  (You can also RECALL, but this is less likely to work,
and costs more experience points, then fleeing).
If you lose your link during a fight, then your character will keep
fighting, and will attempt to RECALL from time to time.  Your chances
of making the recall are reduced, and you will lose much more experience.

RESCUE
A friend in need is a friend indeed.  And when in combat, a warrior with
the rescue skill is just the friend you need.  Rescue allows you to intercede
in combat, protecting weaker characters from bodily harm. Hopefully the
favor will be returned.  Success in rescuing depends on the skill rating, as
well as a comparison of level, dexterity, and speed between the character and
the target. (note: you rescue a friend, not the monster)

Weakness Within - When this song is sung, it can make the singer's 
target weary and tired, weakening their strength in battle.

* Same as weakness

help 'Fireproof'
FIREPROOF
Syntax: cast 'fireproof' <object>
The fireproof spell creates a short-lived protective aura around an object,
to protect it from the harmful effects of acid and flame.  Items protected
by this spell are not harmed by acid, fire, or the heat metal spell.
Although inexpensive to use, the spell's short duration makes it impractical
for protecting large numbers of objects.

help fly
FLY
FLY
Syntax: cast 'fly' <character>
This spell enables the target character to fly.  There are some areas where
passage may not be enabled simply by flying, for example - an underwater
cave might require the use of swimming to get through.  You cannot rest
sleep or ride a mount while flying.  
 
See also 'LAND'

help 'Third Attack'
'THIRD ATTACK'
'THIRD ATTACK'
Training in third attack allows the character a chance at an additional strike
in a combat, and increases the chance of a second attack as well.  Perfect
third attack does NOT assure three attacks per round.  Only warriors and highly
skilled thieves may learn this skill.

Call to Arms - A high pitched tune that when perfectly performed by 
the Skald during battle, can deal physical damage upon its enemies and 
potentially deafen a single target.

Damage your enemies and a chance to deafen them

help 'Giant Strength'
'GIANT STRENGTH'
'GIANT STRENGTH'

Syntax: cast 'giant strength' <character>

The caster can enhance the physical strength of a target, either himself or
another, with this spell, giving the recipient the strength of a mighty
giant.  

See also - ENHANCEMENT

help 'Light Foot'
light foot
Syntax: cast 'light foot'
 
Light foot is a spell of enhancement that allows the caster to reduce the
cost it takes to move through a given room.  Any creature, friend or foe benefits
from this magic if cast.  The spell does not spread to adjacent rooms.

Reveal All - As they are sung, the high pitched notes of this song will 
force any that hear its tune to twitch, causing any that are hidden nearby 
to reveal themselves.

* Similar to faerie fog, but no fail, and -everyone- twitches

help 'blind fighting'
blind fighting
BLIND FIGHTING
Under the tutelage of a master weaponsmaster, the dedicated combatant can
learn how to utilize his weapons so effectively in combat that he is
proficient with them even while blinded.  The blind fighting skill negates
the disadvantages of losing vision in a fight by magic or smoke.  A wide
variety of classes and reclasses may learn this fighting technique.

We Come, We Come - The strong tempo of this song will enrage the 
group and allow them to strike harder and with more accuracy against the 
enemy, however, as their focus is clouded by their aggressive actions in 
battle it leaves their defenses more vulnerable while under this songs 
influence.

Melody of Meditation - The constant chant of this tune allows the 
Skald and their party to continually regain substantial portions of their 
magical strength over time.

This song is a chant

help 'enhanced damage'
'ENHANCED DAMAGE'
Warriors and skilled thieves can become skilled enough in combat that they are
able to inflict more damage than other classes.  Enhanced damage is checked
for with each hit, although with a low skill, the chance of receiving a bonus
is very low indeed.

help 'Pass Door'
'PASS DOOR'
'PASS DOOR'
Syntax: cast 'pass door'
This spell enables the caster to pass through closed doors.

Song of Healing - The soft melody of this song allows the Skald to mend 
all their groupmates wounds and helps them to prepare for battle once more.

help teleport
TELEPORT
TELEPORT
Syntax: cast <teleport>
This spell takes you from your current location to a random location somewhere
in the world.

help Haste
HASTE
HASTE

Syntax: cast 'haste' <target>

The haste spell increases the speed and agility of the recipient, allowing
an extra attack (or even a backstab) in combat, and improving evasive
abilities in combat.  

However, it produces a great strain on the system, such that recuperative
abilities are halved.  Haste is capable of negating the slow spell.  

See also - ENHANCEMENT SLOW

Song of Peace - A very powerful and useful song, this allows bards 
to cease all combat in a room regardless of who is fighting who.

help 'dual wield'
dual wield
DUAL WIELD
syntax: hold <primary weapon>
        secondary <secondary weapon>
Under the tutelage of a weapons expert, a combatant may learn how to wield a
weapon in each hand during combat to increase the overall amount of attacks
each round of attack.  Obviously, with a weapon in each hand, there is no
possibility of holding a shield.  Since most people favor one hand more than
the other, the combatant typically finds that he can hold a heavy weapon
with his proficient hand and a lighter weapon with the other.  Rangers,
however, have the single ability to dual wield weapons of the same weight.
Note:  If the primary weapon is somehow removed, the secondary weapon
automatically switches to the the primary hand.
 
To dual wield, one must type second <weapon>. The only restriction is
that the secondary weapon must weigh less than the primary weapon. However,
there are some known classes out there that might be able to wield two
weapons of the same weight as well as be able to dual wield two handed
weapons.

Lullaby - A soft and gentle melody that enables the singer to put 
someone temporarily in a deep sleep.

The Marriage Song - This unique bard song enables the bard to create
a wedding band for the target, with the name of the target on the ring.

help Summon
SUMMON
SUMMON
Syntax: cast summon <character>
This spell summons a character from anywhere else in the world into your room.
Characters who are fighting may not be summoned.

help 'Dispel Magic'
'DISPEL MAGIC' CANCELLATION
'DISPEL MAGIC' CANCELLATION
Syntax: cast 'dispel magic' <character>
        cast 'cancellation' <character>
Both of these spells remove magical effects from the target.  Dispel magic
has a reduced chance of working, and is considering an attack spell.
Cancellation can only be used on allies, but is much more effective and does
not provoke attack.  Unfortunately, the spells do not discriminate between
harmful and benign spells.
The chance of dispelling is based on the level of the spell. Permanent spells
(such as mobile sanctuary) are much harder to remove.  Not all spells may
be dispelled, notable examples are poison and plague.

Nightmare - A melancholy tune with unnerving undertones, this song 
can strike fear into the hearts of their foe, causing them to run away.

This is the skalds version of spook

help 'Proximity Dispel'
proximity dispel
Syntax: cast 'proximity dispel'
 
Proximity dispel is a protection spell used to attempt to remove magics that
are cast on an area instead of a person.

Release Me - An interesting bard song that can distract the target 
enough so that as they listen to the tune, they may actually drop their 
weapon upon the ground.

help Gate
GATE
GATE
syntax:  cast gate <target>
The gate spell is a powerful transportation magic that opens up a portal 
between your character and another person or creature somewhere else in the
world.  This portal will transport you and any pet you might have, but not
other members of your group.  Monsters receive a save against gate, and
monster or players more than 3 levels higher than you can not be gated to at 
all.  God rooms, private rooms, and no recall rooms cannot be gated to, and
no recall rooms cannot be gated out of.  Finally, any god or hero is also 
immune to gate, as well as any player who has no summon set.  Clan members 
may not be gated to except by their fellow Clan members. Gate is not powerful
enough to cross the vast oceans to another continent.

Shield of Words - A beautiful song that adds an additioanl armor 
barrier around the bard's entire group, making them more difficult to hit 
in combat and increasing their damage resistance.

Jubilee of Regeneration - This jovial chant allows the physical 
regeneration of everyone in the skald's group and within the same room,
however, there is a slight delay upon chanting this tune before it comes 
into affect for the singer and group.

This song is a chant

help Cancellation
'DISPEL MAGIC' CANCELLATION
'DISPEL MAGIC' CANCELLATION
Syntax: cast 'dispel magic' <character>
        cast 'cancellation' <character>
Both of these spells remove magical effects from the target.  Dispel magic
has a reduced chance of working, and is considering an attack spell.
Cancellation can only be used on allies, but is much more effective and does
not provoke attack.  Unfortunately, the spells do not discriminate between
harmful and benign spells.
The chance of dispelling is based on the level of the spell. Permanent spells
(such as mobile sanctuary) are much harder to remove.  Not all spells may
be dispelled, notable examples are poison and plague.

help 'Shield'

SHIELD 'STONE SKIN'
SHIELD 'STONE SKIN'
Syntax: cast shield
Syntax: cast 'stone skin'
These spells protect the caster by decreasing (improving) the caster's armor
class.  SHIELD provides 20 points off armor.  STONE SKIN provides 40 points off
armor.

Song of Charm - An enchanting tune that can be sung to allow the bard 
to potentially place their target temporarily under his or her control.

War Howl - The tune resembles a howl as signified by its name, allowing
the skald to physically injure a single target as well as have a chance 
to also stun them.

The Rooster's Crow - The tune of this song resembles that of the
rooster's crow marking the sunrise, enabling the bard to wake up anyone in
sleep spell.

* Wake all sleeping in room, including sleep/strangle

help waypoint
waypoint
Syntax: cast 'waypoint'
        cast 'waypoint' recall
 
Waypoint is a spell of transportation that allows the caster to mark a room
and gate back to it for a period of time.  The waypoint weakens with each and
can be dispeled by other magics.  Only one waypoint may ever exist for a caster
at any one time.
 
A waypoint in rare circumstances may drift from it's original point of origin.

help 'Stone Skin'
SHIELD 'STONE SKIN'
SHIELD 'STONE SKIN'
Syntax: cast shield
Syntax: cast 'stone skin'
These spells protect the caster by decreasing (improving) the caster's armor
class.  SHIELD provides 20 points off armor.  STONE SKIN provides 40 points off
armor.

Yelp of Aggression - This skald's chant enables the skald to increase the
group's physical damage capabilities upon it's enemies.

This song is a chant

help song
A harsh calling tune that summons forth the bard's only 
charmed being, a spirit that will follow the bard and assist in battle.  
Unlike others classes that have the ability to can call upon charmed beings 
to assist them, this song can be sung in the thick of combat.

Create a charmed spirit to protect you during battle

help 'Sanctuary'
SANCTUARY
SANCTUARY
Syntax: cast sanctuary  <character>
The SANCTUARY spell reduces the damage taken by the character from any attack
by one half.

Warble of Arrest - When the Skald calls this song upon their lips to 
sing, the warble can allow the Skald the ability to halt a person's 
movement.

* Behaves similarly to jest

help 'Portal'
Syntax: cast 'portal' <target>
The portal spell is similar to gate, but creates a lasting one-way portal to
the target creature, instead of transporting the caster.  Portals are
entered using 'enter' command, as in 'enter portal'.  Portals cannot be made
to certain destinations, nor used to escape from gate-proof rooms.  Portal
requires a special source of power to be used, unfortunately the secret of
this material component has been lost...  Portals can traverse the boundries
of the continents.  Use look in <portal> to see destination.

Green Leaf - A song of haphazard wimsy that distracts the mind of the 
target and able to cause amusing effects such as blurred vision and
hallucinations as well as the inability to pick up or wear items.

Have you ever wanted to make your enemies insane? Well, try some green leaf.

Rousal of Resistance - A lively tempoed chant that increases the groups 
ability to resist various harmful spells that may be cast upon them.

This song is a chant

help 'Nexus'
'NEXUS'
NEXUS
Syntax: cast 'nexus' <target>
This spell is virtually identical to portal (see 'help portal'), with the
only difference being that while portal creates a one-way gate, a nexus 
spell makes a two-sided gate.  It also lasts longer than the lower-powered
portal spell.  Both spells require an additional power source, the secret
of which has been lost... This spell can traverse the boundries of continents.