____   _____  _     _____  ____   ______ _____  _       _____
(  _ \ (  __ \( \   (  __ \(  _ \ \_   _/(  _  )( (   /|(  _  \
| (_) )| (_ \/| (   | (_ \/| (_) )  ) (  | (_) ||  \ ( || ( \  )
|  _ ( |  _)  | |   |  _)  | _ ./   | |  |  _  || (\\) || |  ) |
| )_) )| (__/\| (_/\| (__/\| )\ \___) (__| ) ( || ) \  || (_/  )
|/ \_/ (_____/(____/(_____/|/  \_/\_____/|/   \||/   )_)(_____/
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
|     Beleriand is a world for roleplaying based on THE SILMARILLION |
| and THE LAYS OF BELERIAND by J.R.R. Tolkien. It was founded in     |
| 1995 by players from Elendor, with the goal of creating a similar  |
| game for the First Age. Ever since then, Beleriand has been the    |
| premier site on the Net dedicated to the First Age. A highly       |
| social environment, with dozens of bulletin boards and chat        |
| channels, Beleriand is nevertheless primarily known for quality    |
| interactive roleplaying.                                           |
|     New players may choose from Men, Dwarves, Orcs, and three      |
|  races of Elves. Werewolves, Great Eagles, Balrogs, and others are |
| available to experienced players. Most players belong to one of    |
| eight different cultures which are based in different areas of     |
| Beleriand.                                                         |
|     The world is entirely laid out into 2800 beautifully described |
| rooms. Great attention to accuracy in recreating the world of      |
| Tolkien's books has been paid in every aspect of the MUSH.         |
| Beleriand features a full-featured combat system based on stats    |
| and training; diverse weather; languages; mail; and lots of other  |
| informational and helpful global and local code.                   |
|     The players and staff of Beleriand are very friendly and know- |
| ledgeable, and always eager to help those who are new to MUSHes    |
| or Tolkien's world or both. Our players come from all hemispheres  |
| and time zones, but mainly North America, Europe, and Australia.   |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
In valleys woven with deceit       and washed with waters bitter-sweet
dark magic lurked in gulf and glen;        but out away beyond the ken
of mortal sight the eagle's eye from dizzy towers that pierced the sky
might grey and gleaming see afar,        as sheen on water under star,
Beleriand, Beleriand,                   the borders of the Elven-land.