Getting Started - Eldritch Echoes

Current limitations

The current version is an early release focused on introducing core mechanics rather than content variety. The main limitations are:

The world size	Fairly small — the Downtown district with around 60 locations.
Mob variety	Few mob types, barely going beyond variations of rats.
In-game money	No sustainable source of income. Money comes only from quests, which are one-time and do not repeat.
Equipment and shops	Tier 1 items are available in shops but are still subject to rebalancing. Without a recurring income, shopping is of limited use. Some equipment can be obtained by completing quests.
Magic	The magic system is implemented — spells, magical damage, and resistance are all in place — but no magical items are available in the game yet.
Mobile	The game is not mobile-friendly — use a laptop or desktop instead. While adapting the layout to a small screen is feasible, delivering a full gaming experience on mobile is difficult given the broad range of commands the game requires.

Hotkeys and actions bound to them are shown on the in-game action panel.

The table below is a complete reference; the same key can be bound to different actions depending on your current context.

Key	Exploration	Combat	Dialogue
↑	North	—	—
↓	South	—	—
→	East	—	—
←	West	—	—
PgUp	Up	—	—
PgDn	Down	—	—
A	—	Aggressive	Accept
B	—	Balanced	—
C	—	Character	Continue
D	—	Defensive	Decline
I	Inventory	—	—
J	Journal	—	—
L	Look	—	Leave
M	Map	—	—
R	—	Retreat	—
S	Search	—	Service
T	Trade / Stash *	Tactical	—
?	Help	—	—

*) T opens the Trade window in a shop location, and the Stash window in your hotel room.

These keys control the client interface rather than issuing game commands.

Key	Effect
`Ctrl`	Move focus to the command panel. Useful before typing a command that starts with a hotkey letter — without focus, that letter would trigger the hotkey instead. Once the panel is focused, pressing `Ctrl` again opens the command history popup.
`[` / `]`	Step backward and forward through previously typed commands. Only typed commands are tracked — hotkey actions are not.
`Esc`	Close any open popup, or remove focus from the command panel if it is currently focused.

When you start typing a command that does not begin with a hotkey letter, focus switches to the command panel automatically.

`NORTH` / `SOUTH` / `EAST` / `WEST`	Move in the given direction.
`UP` / `DOWN`	Move between floors or levels within a location.
`MAP`	Open your journal to view the map of locations you have explored so far.

`LOOK`	Describe the current location — exits, people, creatures, and items on the ground.
`EXAMINE <target>`	Study a specific entity, item, or object in detail. Works on NPCs, mobs, items, and static objects alike.
`SEARCH`	Thoroughly search the area for hidden items or clues. Success depends on your Intellect.
`SEARCH <object>`	Search a specific object in the location, such as a desk or cabinet.
`TALK <npc>`	Strike up a conversation with an NPC. This is how you receive quests, advance investigations, and access services.

`INVENTORY`	List everything you are carrying and all currently equipped gear.
`GET`	Pick up all visible items in your current location.
`GET <item>`	Pick up a specific item by name.
`DROP <item>`	Leave an item on the ground at your current location.
`DESTROY <item>`	Permanently destroy an item from your backpack. Cannot be undone.
`EQUIP <item>`	Put on a piece of armor or an accessory, or ready a weapon in your primary hand.
`EQUIP <item> LEFT` / `RIGHT`	Equip a one-handed weapon or ring to a specific hand slot.
`UNEQUIP`	Remove all equipped gear at once.
`UNEQUIP <item>`	Remove a specific item or clear a named slot.
`SWAP`	Swap your primary and secondary weapons between hands.
`USE <item>`	Use a consumable item from your backpack, such as a healing potion. Some items can be used on a target: `USE <item> <target>`.
`READ <item>`	Read a book or scroll. Books teach spells permanently; scrolls are consumed on use.

Your stash is accessible only from your hotel room.

`STASH`	Open the stash dialog to move items between your backpack and stash.
`STASH LIST`	List all items currently stored in your stash.
`STASH PUT <item>`	Move an item from your backpack into your stash.
`STASH GET <item>`	Retrieve an item from your stash into your backpack.

`TRADE`	Open the shop window showing all items available for purchase.
`BUY <item>`	Purchase an item from the shop.
`SELL <item>`	Sell an item from your backpack to the shop.
`VALUE <item>`	Ask the shopkeeper what they would pay for an item before you commit to selling it.

`SPELLS`	List all spells you have learned, with descriptions.
`CAST <spell>`	Cast a known spell. Offensive spells initiate or contribute to combat. Costs sanity.

`ATTACK`	Engage a random mob in the current location.
`ATTACK <target>`	Engage a specific mob by name.
`DUEL`	Challenge a random player in the location to a duel.
`DUEL <player>`	Challenge a specific player by name.
`BALANCED`	Choose the Balanced stance for this turn. No modifier. Available in PvE only.
`AGGRESSIVE`	Choose the Aggressive stance. Increased damage, reduced defense. On a successful hit, grants Momentum next turn.
`DEFENSIVE`	Choose the Defensive stance. Increased defense, reduced damage output.
`TACTICAL`	Choose the Tactical stance. Increased attack rating, reduced damage. High chance to Disorient or Expose the opponent next turn.
`RETREAT`	Attempt to disengage from combat. Success depends on your retreat rating vs. the opponent's pursuit. Harder in PvP.

`CHARACTER`	View your attributes, derived stats, current effects, and experience progress.
`CHARACTER UPGRADE <attribute>`	Spend a pending attribute point to increase one of your five base attributes.
`JOURNAL`	Review active quests with their current objectives and progress counters.
`JOURNAL COMPLETE`	List all quests you have finished or declined, sorted by completion date.
`REST`	Settle in place to gradually regenerate Health and Sanity over time.
`SLEEP <object>`	Sleep on a bed or cot to fully restore all vitals. Requires a suitable resting place.

`WHO`	List the investigators currently connected to the world.
`HELP`	Display the in-game command reference.