What is a Random Event?
A random event is an encounter set up in the chats randomly by one or more members of the Staff. When a character or group of characters stumble upon an event (which can be done by a player on purpose or even on accident), it will trigger which can have a variety of effects. The frequency of events is completely random and events are not to be targeted towards particular players.

How can I find a Random Event?
A Staff member lying in wait for an event can do so in several different manners. First off, he could be hidden in the chat (called ghosted) where no player will be able to see him or interact with him. Stumbling into an event such as this is truly random as you would have to be going to a room to wait for other players and by chance pick one that a ghosted Staff member inhabits. Secondly, he could sit in chat visibly so anyone could see and having his character enter the area – the player would expect something to happen, but the character would still be surprised.

Staff members waiting in this manner may choose to name themselves after an NPC that the event contains, so if you see a mysterious name in the chats, you might be seeing an event-in-waiting. Staff members may also add mystery to the event, appearing as a series of question marks (???); now, while the player knows that there is something there, he doesn’t know what. Could it be friend or foe? Could it be a treasure or a trap? Who knows?

Events may also be dependent on certain conditions. The most common is a number of players. You may see an event in the chats that is noted as needing three characters in order to activate. Other conditions might include a specific personality of character (such as a pacifist) or a specific class type (such as a caster) or even a minimum level requirement. These specific conditions should be noted in the chat name or immediately posted when you enter if you do not fulfill the criteria. Take note that one of the certain conditions for a random event will never be a specific character.

What can I expect during a Random Event?
A random event could last a matter of minutes. You may see “???” in the forest so you RP your character traveling along the path and it turns out that he sees an item on the ground. Such a short session will not grant a character EXP, but you’ll get a free item! On the other hand, a random event could turn out to be a full-fledged session with NPC interaction. You could run into a band of thieves or a horrible monster that will become an epic battle, but you could also find an orphaned child separated from his tribe that just needs a few medical supplies and he’ll be on his way (of course promising to remember your kindness).

You must be careful when walking into random events the further you are away from Elyndrel, as the monsters and the natives will be more powerful the larger the distance grows between you and the safe haven. Low level characters should think twice before going out any further than the forest or the beach to follow a random event. You have been warned!

What can I gain from a Random Event?
A character can gain items for free if they stumble upon or are gifted them and he can also gain EXP if the event includes an RP or Battle Session with NPC interaction. Certain NPCs may have an important significance to an ongoing storyline, so a character might gain a friend (or enemy) that will become important later on. Characters can even manipulate and change the entire course of the story in his interaction by giving advice, aiding or hindering, or even by killing major storyline characters. Also, characters of appropriate level might run across a creature in an event that he could choose to train and take on as a companion.

What do I do if I want to take part in a Random Event?
First of all, check the chats fairly regularly. See if there is a mysterious name in there. Also, if you are online and willing to play but no one else is on, hang out in the chats yourself as you wait. Who knows, maybe you’ll luck into a ghosted Staff. Or maybe a Staff member will get on to start an event in another room and you’ll be the first one there.

Second of all, make friends with other players and stay in contact. If you see that there is an even that requires two characters and you know another player is just one IM away, you are much more likely to be able to reap the benefits before the event passes.

The most important thing to remember is that you should never ever ask a Staff member to set up a random event just because you want to participate in one. That really takes away from the randomness of it. Don’t mistake this for getting in touch with a Staff member to play an NPC for a specific ongoing event or storyline that he is running, which is different and acceptable. But don’t just ask for a Staff member to get on and play a random osperian because you want to hack away at something.