Getting Started
It is assumed that if you are reading this that your application to Avlis has already been approved and you have received the passwords to the Avlis servers. So what do you do now?
1. Make sure your NWN game is Avlis compatible.
As of this writing Avlis uses not only the original NWN game but also the Shadows of Undrentide (SoU) expansion pack and the Hordes of the Underdark (HotU) expansion pack as well. All three of these pieces of software will be necessary to play on Avlis.
Also, as of this writing the version 1.65 patch of the game is necessary. If you do not have the version 1.65 patch installed, you can download an update when you attempt to play NWN in multiplayer mode.
2. Download the necessary hakpaks.
Avlis uses custom content such as original items and creatures as well as special files that allow one to explore tree cities, drylands, and hillocks. None of this content is in NWN – the game must be supplemented with special files called .hak files that are placed in the directory NeverwinterNights/NWN/haks. As of this writing, the easiest way to jump into Avlis is to go to our webpage (www.avlis.org), then click on the Downloads link. Then click on the Hakpaks link. There you should see a link called Universal and CoPaP Install. Click on that link to download an executable file. If you double-click on the executable it will install the main .hak files to the proper directory for you. Now you will be able to play on the Elysia and Mikona servers, which are geared to player characters (PCs) of all levels.
3. Register as a member of the forums.
The Avlis forums at www.avlis.org offer a wealth of information as well as the chance to meet and game with other players. You can gain a lot of useful information in the forums that will further enhance your Avlis experience.
4. Connect to Avlis.
To connect to Avlis, start NWN and press Play, followed by Multiplayer and then Join Internet Game. After that type in Direct Connect and enter the following address, depending on which server you wish to join. As of this writing there are six servers:
- Mikona: avlis.blackdagger.net:5121
- The Wilderness: avlis.blackdagger.net:5122
- Elysia: avlis.blackdagger.net:5123
- Le'Or: avlis.blackdagger.net:5124
- Deglos: avlis.blackdagger.net:5125
- Ferrell: avlis.blackdagger.net:5126
You will be asked for a password. You should have received the passwords to all of the servers in your application acceptance e-mail. Be advised that the passwords are case-sensitive (type in the password just as it is written, capital letters and all).
It is highly recommended that you start on either Mikona or Elysia. After you have gained some experience and learned a bit about the world of Avlis then trips to the other servers will be more survivable. Also, Mikona and the other four servers need additional hakpaks to be played, all of which can be found as self-installed executable files on the Avlis webpage listed above.
If you have trouble connecting directly by typing in one of the above addresses, then replace avlis.blackdagger.net with the numerical IP address, 67.81.238.140.
4. Make a character.
You can make as many characters as you want on Avlis. You might play the same character all the time, you might begin with one character, decide to retire him and start another, or you may rotate between a multitude of characters as suits your fancy. Before making a character it is recommended that you read Gruush's guide to roleplaying in multiplayer NWN as well as "The Nine Major Races" section of this guide.
5. Log on and play!
6. Have your questions answered.
You may come up with some questions when trying to log in to Avlis, or when something happens in Avlis that you do not understand. Worry not! The answers may be found in Avlis' Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) homepage, located at www.avlis.org.
One question will be answered here. "Why hasn't my application been processed yet? It's been over two days." On average applications are processed within 24-48 hours. However, we get many applications, and there are times when it may be a week before one's application is accepted. The Avlis team is made of volunteers who give their time to make Avlis as good as it can be. But even they have real lives – when real life interferes, applications may take longer than usual to go through. Also, often many e-mail program's spam filters will block the acceptance message, so that may explain why you have not received a reply after 48 hours.