I think it's ready to be aired as the mudlist starting page as soon as the buttons find their final form.

The tabs I think don't need to cover classes in an awesome depth, since there are already good class helps on the page, with skill helpfiles and all. What I think is more important, is a step by step walkthrough of the character generation process.

To be more specific, let's go through the character generation process, especially targetted at new mudders (people used to playing muds will in general have a good grasp on what the character generation process is all about). I will go through the generation process bit by bit.

#Connecting to remote host.
#Remote hosts address: 207.44.136.67
#Trying to connect..
Connected to remote host
** SKULL
By what name do you wish to be mourned?


This is the first point of potential confusion. First off, it needs to be explained that the ascii graphics portrayed is just the opening page, and that the game itself is not similar. Second (and more important), it makes no difference between rolling a new character, or logging on an old one. So the user could face these problems:


By what name do you wish to be mourned? Kastellyn
Password: Idontknow

Wrong password.
#Connection lost

By what name do you wish to be mourned? Victoria
You are denied access.
#Connection lost

(Don't worry, the login attempt was me)

and be hopelessly confused, especially in the latter case. So, either the name generation code needs to be clarified to be more self explanatory, or we need to clearly spell out what is expected and what the above mentioned feedbacks mean.

Ok, now that we have crossed the first hurdle, we continue with naming of our character:

By what name do you wish to be mourned? yugwen
Did I get that right, Yugwen?

yes


Would be nice if it said, new character, do you wish to name him yugwen or somesuch.


Here at The Carrion Fields we promote a roleplaying environment. Because of
this atmosphere, we do not allow just any name you may want. The names must
meet a certain criteria and if they do not, they will be denied. The following
questions are good guidelines for determining if you have chosen an appropriate
name.

Is this name an original name as far as you know?

yes
Is this name a combination of two other names (e.g. Maryjane)?

no
Is this name found in any dictionary or a common slang term?

no

By answering as you have to the previous questions you have claimed that your
name is completely legitimate in our fantasy world. If you have lied in the
previous questions and we deem your name unfit you will be denied without
warning. This is your last chance.

Are you sure this name is acceptable?

yes


Please choose a password for Yugwen: password

Please retype password: password


This part is very self explanatory, thumbs up.

Are you new to the realm of CarrionFields or to mudding in general?

yes


Answering yes/no gives no feedback. This is bad. When a user is prompted for input, he needs to know what, if anything is done with the input.


RACE

*** List of races

For more information, type "help <race>".

NOTE: The minotaur population is currently at its max, none can be rolled now.
What is your race?



Here our getting started guide comes very handy. It needs to outline what kind of things race affects, not necessarily specs of different races.
Important things to clarify
- Show as certain race in who list (discerned by other players)
- Alignment (and thus your roleplay, more help in helpfiles)
- Max stats (also should be notes that all characters tend to reach max stats, as opposed to many paper and pencil rpgs)
- Resists/vulns (affects combat, more help in helpfiles)
- Class choice (more help in individual helpfiles)



gnome

What is your sex?

male

CLASS
Here are the classes and their extra cost per level.
For more information, type "help <class>".

Class Description Experience Penalties
-------------------------------------------------------------
Warrior weapons specialist 0 exp extra per level.
Thief standard class 0 exp extra per level.
Ranger forest warrior 200 exp extra per level.
Bard musician 300 exp extra per level.
Assassin thief/martial artist 300 exp extra per level.
Anti-Paladin unholy warrior/mage 300 exp extra per level.

********************************************************
THE ABOVE ARE SUGGESTED FOR PLAYERS NEW TO CF, WHILE
JUST AS POWERFUL, THE LEARNING CURVE IS LOWER THAN THE
FOLLOWING CLASSES. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
********************************************************

Shaman offensive cleric 0 exp extra per level.
Healer defensive cleric 0 exp extra per level.
Druid nature cleric 0 exp extra per level.
Transmuter alteration mage 0 exp extra per level.
Shapeshifter shapeshifter mage 0 exp extra per level.
Necromancer undead-master mage 0 exp extra per level.
Invoker elemental mage 0 exp extra per level.
Conjurer extraplanar mage 0 exp extra per level.
Paladin holy warrior/cleric 400 exp extra per level.

Anyone new to Carrion Fields, especially if you are new to mudding, is
advised not to pick paladins, shamans, healers, or druids. Each class
has its own unique benefits and challenges to surmount.
What is your class?



So, here I think is some repetition, but still doing good. Our newbie guide again has to outline the meaning of picking a class in general, specs for different classes can be found elsewhere on the page/helpfiles.
Important notes:

- Can also be seen in who list
- Affects alignment in some cases
- Roleplay archetypes (not necessary to be cookie-cutter, but still)
- Skillset
- hp/mana gains

Also things of note
- Can not change class (could outline benfits)
- No multi-classing either
- Many classes have sub-classes (warrior, paladin, thief, ranger and invoker to lesser extent)




warrior

STATS
Strength: A combat stat. Affects to a small degree how often you hit,
how hard you hit, how heavy of weapon(s) you may wield, and
how much gear you may carry.
Intelligence: Affects how much mana per level you gain, how effectively
you practice, how much mana you regenerate per tick, and to
a certain extent, how quickly you learn your skills, spells,
or songs with each use.
Wisdom: Determines how many practices you gain per level. Also affects
mana gain per level to a small degree.
Dexterity: Affects how many items you may carry, how hard you are to hit
to a certain degree, and your dodging potential.
Constitution: Affects your health, and how quickly you regenerate it. For more
information on Con, see HELP DEATH.
Charisma: Affects how well you relate with others. Also influences the
the morale of a group you lead.

Now rolling for your stats. Charisma is assigned later.
You don't get many trains, so choose well.
18str 20int 23wis 19dex 16con. Accept these stats?


Individual stats are explained briefly and well, but the stat generation process might still be unclear for a player new to muds.
Things that need clarification:

- Difference between max rollable and max
- All characters roll 2 less than max rollable

18str 20int 23wis 19dex 16con. Accept these stats? yes

Your character has neutral tendencies.

HOMETOWN HOMETOWNS
You can pick one of many cities as your hometown: Hamsah Mu'tazz, Galadon,
Arial City, Seantryn Modan, Balator, and Bryn Shandar are all alignments,
Voralian City, Akan, and Tir-Talath are good and neutral only, Darsylon is
good only, and Arkham, Udgaard and Barovia are evil and neutral
only. Your hometown is where you will recall to (unless it is one of the
smaller cities and you have been fighting too recently) and is where the
pit is to which your corpse will decay.

Everyone starts at the Academy, which is connected to most of the hometowns.
If you wish to change your hometown, visit the registry in Galadon. There is
fee for this service.

Some of these hometowns are race-specific as well.

Directions to reach the Registry in Galadon from the Market Square are:
4north, 2east, 2north, 2west, 1north, 1east, 1south and then you are there.

Where were you born?
Galadon, Hamsah Mu'tazZ, Arkham, Udgaard, Hillcrest
g
What is your ethos?

o

What is your preferred weapon?

sword




Alignment, ethos and hometown might need to be clarified, a simple reference to helpfiles on all occasions will be good.


The Great Portal
You have decided to become a hero of Thera. A legend, as it were. You will
become one of the greats, one of the adventurers. Warrior, shadow, cleric,
musician or mage, you know the world has more to offer you than the average
life you lived before this. You cast away your old life and embrace a new
destiny of greatness. Bags packed and ready for the destiny before you, the
first step is to learn how to do it. You arrive at the Great Academy of
Thera. Every legend, every great mortal of both good and evil made their
start here, and you could be the next one emblazoned on the history books.
A portal swirls beneath your feet, leading into the fabled Academy.


The Academy Prefect is here, welcoming and directing new students.

You have 19 new notes waiting.
The Academy Prefect says 'Welcome to Thera!'
The Academy Prefect says 'If you need help, just say the word. Help, that is.'
The Academy Prefect says 'Why don't you say hello?'
The Academy Prefect pokes you in the ribs.

<100%hp 100%m 100%mv 1800tnl (50.00%)> say hello
You say 'hello'
The Academy Prefect smiles happily.
The Academy Prefect says 'Hello to you too! Glad to have you here. It's my job to welcome you to Thera.'
The Academy Prefect says 'I can provide you with a little help, but most of what you need can be found in our extensive help
system.'
The Academy Prefect says 'I would recommend reading 'help newbie1', 'help newbie2' and 'help newbie channel' at a bare minimu
m...'
The Academy Prefect says '... but all of the help files listed in 'help starters' are also very useful.'


CONGRATULATIONS, YOU HAVE WON YOURSELF A NEW PLAYER

So, the advatages of making the beginners guide a step-by-step guide to getting hooked, over an information source:

- They learn to use the help already available on site and in game
- Getting started becomes real easy.

Next tab on the newbie help should imo concern the first few steps of rolling around Thera, much in the way of your movement help, getting through academy help, etc. This part ends here, but I will continue the adventures of Yugwen (Newguy) tomorrow, and see what obstacles he faces on his path out of the academy.