Free Persistent Browser-Based Role-Playing Fantasy Game

Faery Tale Online - a persistent browser-based game (pbbg)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Faery Tale Online?

A: Faery Tale Online is a totally free, Fantasy Persistent Browser-Based Role-Playing Game. This means that if you can read this post you already have the system requirements to play the game. The game world is manipulated using a point-and-click interface for all actions, and uses text for descriptions for all game objects and characters.

Q: What is the setting of the game?

A: Faery Tale Online is based in a high-fantasy world. Players will encounter good and evil magical creatures, enchanted objects and a huge world where players create the story. You will not see any guns, cars or spaceships.

Q: What is the story or mythology of the game?

A: There actually is no traditional back-story in the game, at least none that was written officially by a developer. The story will be created through the actions of the players themselves as they play the game. When characters make important decisions or discoveries, their personal actions will be recorded in a digital story-book on the website for all to see. Hence the game's title.

Q: Is the game ready to play yet?

A: No. It is still in development and will be released for public beta, February of 2009. Check the front page, visit the forums, or sign-up for the newsletter to get development updates and announcements.

Q: How do I start playing?

A: Create an account, and sign into the game. Faery Tale Online uses a ground-breaking family system for all players who sign-up. After a player has flagged his or her character for creation in the portal screen, we will notify them when the character has been born in the game. They will receive an email notifification that indicates they can begin playing. We require that players use only one character at a time, however, if a player were to lose a character he or she can easily create a new one at any time.

Q: How does the family system work exactly?

A: Of all the cool features of Faery Tale Online, the family system tops the list. Two players of the opposite sex in the game world can try to create a baby (don't worry, there's nothing graphic here). If successful, the female player will become pregnant, and eventually deliver a baby. The mother will then assign the newborn a birth name, and a player who has created an account will be placed in the shoes (or booties) of the new child. Upon being born and during the first few weeks (real world), new players will have limited abilities: they will not be able to initiate combat, speak correctly, gather resources, or create/join work projects. It is really up to the other players (hopefully the parents) to help out the little ones for a while.

Q: What is the general game-play like?

A: Faery Tale Online is one part fantasy world simulator, and another part role-playing game. Players can do just about anything he or she can imagine, within the scope of the game, and it is just about as open-ended as any game in existence. A player can gather wood from a forest or ore from a mine and then use the resources to build houses, furniture, weapons, armor, and much more. Monsters and other creatures inhabit the world, which means that players can hunt them or defend their families and villages on their own. Faery Tale Online depends heavily on players' actions and their ability to imagine and role-play. For instance, a player could use their talents at building furniture and make money as a carpenter. A player can slay the neighboring dragon, and because of his newfound respect, become the local mayor. If a player doesn't like living with a large community, he can strike out on his own in the wilderness as an explorer or ranger, discovering caves and ruins and unearthing the treasures they hold. The list goes on and on, and there is truly something for everybody in Faery Tale Online.

Q: Is there player-vs-player combat (PVP)?

A: Yes, it is completely un-restricted. Since Faery Tale Online is attempting to be a simulation of a plausible fantasy world, we let players deal with their own problems. However, realize that no murder will go un-seen and players are free to make up their own laws and rules to deal with trouble-makers. If you live by the sword, you may die by the sword as well.

Q: Am I required to role-play?

A: We ask players to do their best to become a part of the fantasy world that is Faery Tale Online. If you want to chat about your day at Disneyland, or any other out-of-character (ooc) topic, please use our off-topic forum thread. Most players of the game are respectful of keeping the fantasy world separate from the real world. If someone speaks ooc unintentionally we like to gently remind them about it. Remember, Faery Tale Online uses unrestricted PVP, so if a particular character is causing problems other players may, and are encouraged to, take the law into their own hands.

Q: What is The Faery Tale?

A: One of the greatest features of Faery Tale Online is the inclusion of The Faery Tale. It is simply a catalog of every major event in the game world, displayed for all to see at any time. Events posted here can range from a birth of a new child, to a murder, or even to a great discovery by a player. Each event is posted with the date and the names of the major players involved in the event. What makes The Faery Tale so amazing, is that it makes sure that the accomplishments of your character will never be lost. If you happen to be murdered by another player, and you did not know why, you will be able to find out the reasons (if any), and the subsequent events. Maybe the murderer stole your equipment, only to be later murdered by your son who sought vengeance.

Q: Is death permanent?

A: Yes. The major goal of Faery Tale Online is to create a living, breathing world where all actions have consequences. In most cases, players do a much better job of role-playing a character when there are steep penalties for their actions. The thing that distinguishes Faery Tale Online from other games with permanent death, however, is the inclusion of The Faery Tale and realistic family systems (see above). The fact that your life story will be recorded means that your legacy will continue on through your children or other player characters who knew you in the game. When you realize that dying is simply part of the ebb and flow of the Faery Tale, you will understand that death can actually be fun.

Q: Can I discuss in-game events outside of the game world?

A: To a degree, yes. If you see it posted on The Faery Tale you can talk about it through forums or other mediums. However, building spoiler web-sites with maps and catalogues is prohibited. Part of the fun of the game is exploring the world for yourself. On a related note, sites that discuss Faery Tale Online tips for role-playing, learning the controls, or any other information that helps players understand the game mechanics (without revealing the content), is appropriate.

Q: How big is the world?

A: The world of Faery Tale Online covers tens of thousands of square miles. The landscape includes nearly every biome imaginable, including massive forests, stinky swamps, vast deserts, dark caverns, and many mountain ranges. The world is full of many, many creatures of every shape and size. The only man-made structures in the world comes from the players themselves, not pre-coded by a developer. If you stumble upon an ancient ruin or a magical weapon, it was built and abandoned by players at a previous time.

Q: How many playable races are there?

A: When the game launches, there will only be humans as a playable race. However, more races have been planned for the future, including intra-racial races (like vampires and werewolves).

Q: What choices do I have when I start a new game?

A: Just as in the real world, when we are born, we don't get to choose our name or our strengths and weaknesses. Each player's name will be chosen by the parents and his or her abilities will be based on inherited skills by the mother and father. However, because many may feel uncomfortable playing the opposite sex, we are allowing players to choose their gender. The name you receive at birth will be the one displayed in The Faery Tale, but if they prefer, they can add an optional "nickname" to be displayed in the historical logs. A player's description can also be changed within the game.

Q: Is there magic? How does that work?

A: Yes. Faery Tale Online is fantasy, and fantasy means players will most definitely see magic. Magic in Faery Tale Online is a little different from other games, in that it is an inherited ability. You cannot study it or learn it simply by reading books or scrolls. Some players will be born with the gift and can use it to help or harm others in many ways. Not all players will have the same magical abilities either, meaning, one player may be able to cast fire-based spells, while another will only be able to cure wounds. In addition, players who desire, can use a great amount of magic to enchant an object with his or her ability. In this way, players can distribute their magic through weapons, armor or other artifacts throughout the world.

Q: How does time work?

A: The game world relies on it's own condensed time system. The time scale has not been fully worked out yet, but events like walking to a nearby village or building a house will take literal time within the game's scale. So, creating a new broad sword, for example could take several real-life hours. It could take much longer for long travel distances or big projects. Projects or travel can be sped up with higher skill, including more people, or having better transportation.

Q: Does Faery Tale Online require a lot of my time to have fun?

A: Not at all! The beauty of the game is that when you log out, your character continues to do whatever it is that you left him or her doing. Many players log in for only a few minutes a day to see if they have finished building something, switch to a new project, and then log out again. If you get attacked while logged out, your character will defend him or herself using whatever they were left with. If you were wearing armor and sitting inside a walled castle when you quit, your defensive ability will be much better. Just don't forget to log in every once and a while to eat!

- Updated: 11-20-08