The "How to play" link should be both in the sidebar and in the home page that works as some kind of an introductory page. This page should be very easy to find for someone who doesn't know what a MUD is. We had client-specific installation help guide somewhere in the site, but a newbie should be able to get to the how to play part with a one decisive click.

So, put the link to How to Play page in the sidebar along with the other easily spotted links like News, Home and Forums. The links in the sidebar are sort of an eyecatcher and with the how to play link there, people should be able to find their way to the game.