2.2 Help about novices and novicehood.

During your first hours in Avalon, you will be considered a novice. In practical terms this means that you cannot access the Bulletin Board, you cannot involve yourself in elections, join a specialist guild or choose a patron. These restrictions have been introduced in order that you think carefully about your character's progression (particularly in terms of a guild) before making a choice. You can spend your five hours in any way that pleases you, the Academy of Mercinae, the College of Parrius or the Institute of Thakria are essential places to learn a basic core of skills. You will have to perform the accolade quests to end your novicehood. Type HELP ACADEMY for information crucial to your young character's development and HELP ACCOLADES for details on graduating from novicehood. The academy leads onto the school (see HELP SCHOOLS) which is the gateway to guild apprenticeship.