I'm a recently returned player after many years, and for someone with no background in computers, getting into Lich was a steep learning curve. So, I made this guide for new and returning players to help them access the game. My hope is that you'll send this to your friends who are just getting into the game, or returning after a long break, to ease their transition. More players means more fun for everyone.
(1) Reactivate your account from the website.
(2) Go here and download the Lich installer from the blue box: https://gswiki.play.net/Lich_(software)
While it's installing, several black DOS-like windows will open. Just let them all run until they automatically close. When they're all done, look for the "lich" folder (check your downloads, documents, or desktop folder). There's a file in there just called "lich", which is a .rbw file. That's what you'll use to log into the game each time. Now that you're in the game, let's set up your Lich.
Through this guide, I use bold to denote text you'll type into the game.
(3) Lich has some hidden settings which many scripts use, so let's set those up first. You can find the list by typing ;vars list. You can change them by typing, for example: ;vars set lootsack=cloak. Now your cloak is your default lootsack, where other scripts will dump your spoils. I recommend setting all of them before proceeding to the scripts below.
As for my suggestions of helpful scripts: I've included an example of how to use each one, and ordered them by what's most useful as you're getting started. To download a script, type ;repo download scriptname.
(4) Here they are:
;uberbar - Gives you some compact health, mana, and stamina bars.
Suggestion: ;autostart add uberbar (to make this script start whenever you log in)
;keepalive - Prevents you from being automatically logged out.
Suggestion: ;autostart add keepalive (to make this script start whenever you log in)
;narost - Opens up a minimap. You can click on the squares to travel to them. You can also right-click them for more options. Also tells you the number of the room you're in, which yu need for other scripts.
Suggestion: If you get an error that your maps aren't found, type ;repo download-mapdb
;auto-level - Gets you to level 3.
;bestiary - Lets you look up critters.
Example: ;bestiary level 17-20
;qrs - Look up where critters live. I first search with bestiary, then I use ;qrs to look up what I find.
Example: ;qrs troll
;waggle - This automatically casts all of your defensive spells on yourself. You can also use it to spell up other people.
Example: ;waggle setup
;useherbs - Can't find a healer? This automatically buys the herbs you need and uses them.
;poolparty - Brings all your boxes to be picked in the new player-based system.
;bundleall - Bundles everything in your lootsack.
Example: ;bundleall
;foreach - This one is really powerful. Lets you repeat a task any number of times:
Example: Move all gems from your cloak to your sack -- ;foreach gem in my cloak;move to my sack
Example: Register and mark every item you're wearing, then wear it -- ;foreach in worn;remove item;mark item;register item;wear item
Example: Read all your scrolls -- ;foreach scroll in my pack;read
Example: Look at all the items on a merchant table -- ;foreach on armor table,weapon table,arcane table,misc table;inspect
Example: Deposit all your collectibles -- First use ;go2 collectibles, then ;foreach collectible in inv;get;depo item
;gems2deeds - Appraises all the gems in a container, calculates how to use them for deeds most efficiently, and does so. Only works in Wehnimer's Landing. Early on, I recommend saving all your gems and periodically dumping them here.
Example: ;gems2deeds sack
;gemsort - Sells all your gems under a certain value (default 2000 silvers), moves the ones over that value into another container.
Example: ;gemsort gemsack cloak
;login - Allows you to login other characters from within the game. Setup is easy: (1) ;trust login, (2) ;login set realm prime.
Example: ;login Lochlaine
;armor - Useful tables for how much armor training you need. Note that you may want to look at the MAN (maneuver) column all the way on the left, rather than your class column.
Suggestion: ;armor popup to bring up a pop-up screen of the tables.
;sorter - Sorts the view of your containers. Smart tip from Nugt: If you use Stormfront and go to Options > Highlights > Ignore, and add "In the backpack" or whatever your main container is, it will block the wall of text and only show you the sorted contents.
Suggestion: ;autostart add sorter
Complicated but incredibly helpful scripts (these have UIs to set them up, and they have their own guides on the Wiki):
;sloot - Major looting script (https://gswiki.play.net/Script_Sloot)
;bigshot - Major hunting script (https://gswiki.play.net/Script_Bigshot)
;sbounty - Major bounty script (no guide, but uses bigshot)
;invdb - Inventory management. (http://forum.gsplayers.com/showthrea...-bank-accounts) I use a spreadsheet, but many people like this one, so I included it.
(5) Lastly, a running list of key websites:
Searchable playershops: https://ps.lichproject.org/
You can also purchase a player-shop item from anywhere by using these commands (note these are in-game commands, so no ;):
1. BOOST RUNNER
2. SHOP DIR TOWN
3. SHOP BROWSE TOWN #
4. SHOP PURCHASE ITEM#
If you need more help, you can ask in the Gemstone IV Discord: https://discord.gg/qYnKfpD
Lich also comes with a built-in chat, and the default [help] channel is filled with people happy to get you started.
I hope someone finds this helpful. Please feel free to post if you find any errors or have other comments or suggestions. And welcome, or welcome back!