Shattered Kingdoms is a roleplay-enforced MUD that successfully unites
quality roleplay with the tactical considerations of challenging PK. 
Established in 1996, SK is one of the few top MUDs whose gameplay is
completely free--no pay-to-play, no pay-for-perks. Shattered Kingdoms 
is known for high-quality building, its abundance of unique quests, 
and its well-written code, which is regularly improved and expanded. 

Shattered Kingdoms boasts an exclusive tactical formation system.
Players can march in 3x3 formation with other players and NPCs, 
letting warriors take the brunt of physical attacks while mages, 
archers, and pike-equipped fighters join the fray from the relative 
safety of the second and third ranks. Weapon variety, siegecraft, 
mounted combat, dueling, and auto-targeting combine to make Shattered 
Kingdoms' unique, tactics-based combat engine.

Player killing must be roleplay justified, and peaceful characters can
gain experience through quests, roleplay rewards, discovery, mentoring
and spell casting. Characters with consistent roleplay become Paragons
with the ability to reward others. The world of Pyrathia boasts more 
than 180 completely unique areas, each with its own story. New areas
are continually added, while players influence changes to old ones. 

Pyrathia has a wide variety of sentient races, each with unique armor,
culture, strengths, weaknesses and abilities. There are six starting 
kingdoms with player-led tribunals whose actions influence local 
political and economic conditions. Prices of goods and services 
fluctuate with recessions, inflation, supply and demand. 

Religions are important in Pyrathia. Though the gods rarely reveal 
themselves, their powers are seen throughout the realm. Secret cabals
brandish ancient magics granted by powerful relics, adding intrigue 
and motive to the battle ground. Whether your pleasure is roleplay, 
exploration, combat, achievement, or a mixture of all of the above, 
Shattered Kingdoms has the adventure you seek. By which name would you
like to be known?