Adaptation Traits

2026-05-21T15:37:41Z

Archin:

Adaptation Traits represent fundamental somatic or psychological changes to your character. When selecting these traits, you agree that the world and its inhabitants will respond to your choices, whether to your benefit or detriment. It is highly recommended you that you carefully consider this, as these changes are irreversible.

Staff may reference your Traits when reviewing special requests or story considerations.

In the event of your characters death or retirement, any accumulated points will be refunded and carried over to your next character.

You can review or purchase traits from the Adaptation tab in your Character Codex.

=Purpose=

This is your character's driving force: the belief, instinct, or desire that keeps them moving forward. This trait is assigned during character creation, and you only are able to select one:

{| class="wikitable"
! style="background-color:#272727; text-align:left; color:#AFACA8;" | Trait
! style="background-color:#272727; text-align:center; color:#AFACA8;" | Cost
! style="background-color:#272727; text-align:left; color:#AFACA8;" | Description
|-
| '''Hope''' || ! style="background-color:#272727; text-align:center; color:#AFACA8;" | - || You believe there’s a future beyond the frost, and you’re willing to fight for it. Despite the endless winter, you cling to the idea that things will get better, that one day the sun will rise again—and you’ll be there to see it.
|-
| '''Defiance''' || ! style="background-color:#272727; text-align:center; color:#AFACA8;" | - || Sheer willpower fuels you. You survive because death is not an option. Against the cold, the collapse, and the world itself—you fight on, driven by nothing but the defiant fire burning inside you.
|-
| '''Opportunity''' || ! style="background-color:#272727; text-align:center; color:#AFACA8;" | - || You aim not just to survive, but to thrive. In the collapse of the old world lies the chance to rise, to seize what others have lost. This is your proving ground, and you’ll carve your place in this new, frozen future.
|-
| '''Community''' || ! style="background-color:#272727; text-align:center; color:#AFACA8;" | - || You live for others, bound by the belief that survival is a shared burden. Whether it’s duty to loved ones or the hope that unity will see you through, you survive because you believe in people—and that together, you can weather any storm.
|-
| '''Posterity''' || ! style="background-color:#272727; text-align:center; color:#AFACA8;" | - || You’re driven to leave something behind, a legacy that outlasts the cold. Whether for your name, or the belief in a future you’ll never see, you live to build something that will stand long after you’re gone. You’ll light the way for those who come next, even if it’s just a flicker in the dark.
|}

=Traits=
Advantages you can buy to reflect your character’s unique strengths or background:

{| class="wikitable"
! style="background-color:#272727; text-align:left; color:#AFACA8;" | Trait
! style="background-color:#272727; text-align:center; color:#AFACA8;" | Cost
! style="background-color:#272727; text-align:left; color:#AFACA8;" | Description
|-
| '''Character Trait''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#B22222;" | Cost || Description of Trait
|-
| '''Bluebeard''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#B22222;" | 3 || (If male) Don’t lose sanity when killing or witnessing the killing of women, but lose double the sanity when witnessing or killing men.
|-
| '''Deutschlander''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#B22222;" | 3 || You can understand the German Language, both reading and spoken. To access, use [German, or access via the Ability Menu.
|-
| '''Femme Fatale''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#B22222;" | 3 || (If female) Don’t lose sanity when killing or witnessing the killing of men, but lose double the sanity when witnessing or killing women.
|-
| '''Francophone''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#B22222;" | 3 || You can understand the French Language, both reading and spoken. To access, use command '[French to toggle between speaking French, or access via the Ability Menu.
|-
| '''Observant''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#B22222;" | 6 || You can read lips, allowing for the understanding of whispers from people within your line of sight.
|-
| '''Organized''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#B22222;" | 1 || Your base item count in your inventory is increased by 50.
|-
| '''Masochist''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#B22222;" | 1 || Sanity Restoration is doubled when suffering from two or more injuries.
|-
| '''Skeptic''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#B22222;" | 1 || You are not affected by mysticism effects, both positive and negative influences. Recovery benefits from spiritual locations also have no effect. Somatic benefits of chemistry are doubled. (Cannot purchase if you have the Spiritual Trait)
|-
| '''Spiritual''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#B22222;" | 1|| The beneficial effects of mysticism are doubled, but sanity reduction when performing unethical acts are also doubled when not under certain negativity effects of mysticism. (Cannot purchase if you have Skeptic)
|-
| '''Stoic''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#B22222;" | 1|| You only take half the normal sanity reduction when murdering humans. But the benefits of music are also halved.
|-
| '''Strong Back''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#B22222;" | 2 || Your base carrying capacity is increased by 50.
|-
| '''Iceblood''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#B22222;" | 2 || You get a 10% bonus to Cold Resistance regardless of your clothing or armor, but also are 10% more susceptible to heat damage.
|-
| '''Early Bird''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#B22222;" | 3 || You've always been a morning person. Fatigue regeneration increased while online during in-game Day.
|-
| '''Night Owl''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#B22222;" | 2 || You feel more alert and active during the evening hours. Fatigue regeneration increased while online during in-game Night.
|-
| '''Survivalist''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#B22222;" | 6 || You are a master of survival, and know how to cobble together a solution for any problem. Items crafted using Survival will be of Normal quality.
|-
| '''Canine Companion''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#B22222;" | 7 || You have bonded with a Dog, and you are utterly loyal to eachother. You will start with a customizable dog, which unlocks dog-related abilities as your skill controlling increases.
|-
|}

=Flaws=
Pure disadvantages that grant additional pointbuy when taken, representing your character’s personal hardships or limitations:

{| class="wikitable"
! style="background-color:#272727; text-align:left; color:#AFACA8;" | Flaw
! style="background-color:#272727; text-align:center; color:#AFACA8;" | Cost
! style="background-color:#272727; text-align:left; color:#AFACA8;" | Description
|-
| '''Character Flaw''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#008000;" | Cost || Description of Flaw, overviewing the negative.
|-
| '''Alcoholic''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#008000;" | +1 || Benefits from drinking alcohol are halved.
|-
| '''Cryophobia''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#008000;" | +1 || You fear the cold. You will not regenerate Sanity when cold.
|-
| '''Nearsighted''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#008000;" | +1 || You can't see a thing without your glasses! 5% Hit Chance Decrease when not wearing glasses.
|-
| '''Missing Leg''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#008000;" | +3 || You survived, but your leg didn't make it. You will be able to suffer one less Mortal Injury and survive than you otherwise would.
|-
| '''Missing Hand''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#008000;" | +3 || By cold or by combat, your hand is missing. You will be unable to hold items in your left hand until you can find a prosthetic. You will be able to suffer one less Mortal Injury and survive than you otherwise would.
|-
| '''Missing Eye''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#008000;" | +2 || Somewhere along the way you lost an eye. You will be able to suffer one less Mortal Injury and survive than you otherwise would.
|-
| '''Opium Addict''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#008000;" | +3 || You were a regular in the opium dens before the collapse. Your Depressant Addiction level can not drop below MILD.
|-
| '''Stimulant Addict''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#008000;" | +2 || You struggle to function without stimulants. Your Stimulant Addiction Level can not drop below SLIGHT.
|-
| '''Squeamish''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#008000;" | +1 || The sight of wounds, illness, and bodily frailty turns your stomach, leaving you incapable of pursuing Medical skill or use bandages.
|-
| '''Insectophobia''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#008000;" | +1 || You deal slightly more damage to insects, but their attacks in turn will slightly damage your sanity.
|-
| '''Amusia''' || ! style="text-align:center; color:#008000;" | +1 || Musically tonedeaf, you're incapable of carrying a tune. Character can not raise any Music related skills.
|-
|}

2026-05-18T23:53:38Z

Archin: /* Interface */

This Guide will walk you through the basics. For Ultima Online Veterans, please see our [[UO Veteran Guide]] for server specific differences.

=Interface=

The topbar runs across the top of your screen and gives you quick access to the menus you'll be using often. You can collapse this menu using the gear on the Left.

[[File:TopBar.png|center]]

Here's a broad strokes overview of what each one does:
*Paperdoll: Your character. Shows your equipped items and provides submenus for easy navigation throughout your character's options.
*Inventory: Opens up your characters backpack, holding everything you're carrying. Also accessible directly through your Paperdoll by clicking the backpack icon.
*Journal: A running log of everything said and done around you, both in and out of character.
*World Map: Your minimap. Always displays the current Regions Name, Temperature and Safety levels.
*Codex: Your character sheet. Backstory, attributes, conditions, descriptions, and more all live here.
*Abilities: Populates all abilities available to your character based on their background, skills, and currently equipped weapons.
*Craft: The generic crafting menu, covering Survival recipes as well as anything else you're able to make across your known skills.
*Task: Your "quest log". Seek out NPCs to pick up tasks for skill gain and other rewards.
*Commands: A list of available commands, executable by clicking the button or by typing the command name preceded by [ in the speech input.
*FPS: Displays your current frames per second for performance monitoring.
*Connection: View your connection status for troubleshooting.

=Controls & Interaction=

==Movement==

Hold down the right mouse button and point in any direction to move. 

*Hover your cursor close to your character while holding right-click and you'll walk in that direction.
*Move your cursor further away and your character breaks into a run.
*Running drains Stamina, and certain conditions can affect your movement speed such as [[Illness, Injury & Death|Injuries]] and hobbling.

Alternatively, if you prefer more modern controls, navigate to Options > Experimental and enable WASD Movement.
*Because UO uses a classic isometric view with 8 directions, there are two WASD settings available so you can set your base directions to whichever feels natural, either cardinal or top/down/left/right.

==Item Management & Interaction==
UO is pretty freeform when it comes to managing items and interactions. Most things will respond to a click or a hover, if only to tell you what it is.

*Single-click or hover over anything to see its name, a quick way to get your bearings in an unfamiliar place.
*Double-click most things to use or activate them: tools, food, drink, doors, job items, and crafting stations. Double-clicking a character opens their paperdoll, or a menu if they're a special NPC.
*Hold ALT/span> to highlight interactable and noteworthy items in your immediate area, useful for a fast sweep of a room without clicking through everything.
*Click and drag to move items, reposition things in your backpack, hand something to another player which will open a trade menu, or drop it in the world.

=Communication=

In UO, what you say appears above your character's head in the game world and is simultaneously logged in your Journal, which keeps a running record of everything said and done around you. It's worth keeping an eye on, especially in busy scenes where text moves fast.

To speak, simply start typing and your text will appear in the shaded input area at the bottom of your screen. Hit Enter when you're done and it will appear in the world. NOTE: If you are using WASD movement, you will need to press Enter or click inside the text area first before typing, otherwise your keystrokes will be read as movement inputs.

Speech, emotes, shouts, etc. each display differently in the world, and you can customize the color of each type under Options > Speech to make them easier to read at a glance.

==Roleplay==

Everything your character expresses should be Diegetic, meaning it exists in the world. Spoken words, audible reactions, visible actions. Internal monologue, private thoughts, or anything another character couldn't reasonably hear or see has no place in open speech. Keep it grounded in what's actually happening in the scene.

==Out of Character==

Not everything can be handled in character, and for those times the simplest solution is Party Chat. Invite the players you need to speak with into a party and talk freely without it bleeding into the roleplay around you.

Additionally, wrapping [[ ]] in normal speech is also acceptable for brief moments.

{| class="wikitable" style="width:60%; text-align:center;"
|+ style="text-align: left; background-color: #152423; color: #AFACA8; padding: 20px;"" | Chat Commands At a Glance
|-
! style="background-color:#272727; color:#AFACA8; font-weight:bold;" | Action
! style="background-color:#272727; color:#AFACA8; font-weight:bold;" | Chat Formatting
! style="background-color:#272727; color:#AFACA8; font-weight:bold; text-align:left;" | Range & Function
|-
| Talk || Your Message. || style="text-align:left;" | Nearby players will hear you, provided they're on the same screen as you and within Line of Sight.
|-
| Whisper || <nowiki>\your message</nowiki> ||style="text-align:left;" | Speech will only be heard only by players directly adjacent to you, or those with [[Adaptation Traits| Observant]].
|-
| Shout || <nowiki>;your message</nowiki>|| style="text-align:left;" | Shouting breaks line of sight, meaning your voice carries through walls, doors, and around corners.
|-
| Emote || <nowiki>*your action*</nowiki> || style="text-align:left;" | Observed by nearby players within line of sight to describe what your character is doing. Emotes are just as in-character as speech, and you're encouraged to use them.
|-
| Party || <nowiki>/your message</nowiki>|| style="text-align:left;" | Anyone currently in your Party will see this regardless of where they are. Messages here are considered out of character.
|-
| OOC || <nowiki>[[Your Message]]</nowiki> || style="text-align:left;" | Out of character using normal talk, to only be used use in emergency/sparingly. Example: <nowiki>[[Brb]]</nowiki>
|}

==Discord==

Icebound hosts a Discord server for out of character communication with staff and other players, as well as tools to help connect you with events, roleplay opportunities, and community resources. It's the best place to ask questions, get oriented, and stay plugged into what's happening on the shard.

=Crafting=

[[File:GenericCrafting.png|700px|right]] Crafting in Icebound follows standard UO conventions. Double-click the relevant tool to open its crafting menu and see everything you can make with the materials in your inventory. See the [[Skills#Crafting|full list of crafting skills]] for an in-depth look at what each skill covers and tools required.

The exception to this is the [[Survival]] Skill, which every character starts with 25 points in to ensure nobody is soft-locked at the start of the game. Survival crafting requires no tool, but the items it produces are poor quality and won't last long. It's meant as a means to get on your feet and move toward real crafting skills, or as a fallback in an emergency.

You can access it two ways:

*Type command [craft and hit enter
*Click the Craft button on the hotbar at the top of your screen

This opens a generic crafting menu that populates everything you are currently able to craft across all your known skills, a useful at a glance overview. Anything that requires a physical tool will be noted as such.

You can craft anywhere, but for some skills, a workbench will improve your efficiency and output quality. Workbenches and other infrastructure are unlocked as the community upgrades the settlement, and that takes time and collective effort, so not all workbenches may not be available to you at the start of your journey.

=Combat=

Combat in Icebound follows standard UO conventions. Press TAB to toggle between Peace and War mode. You'll know you're in War mode by the indicator on your paperdoll, your character taking a combat stance in the world, and your cursor turning red.

Once in War mode, double-click a target to engage, human or animal, and your character will begin auto-swinging based on your equipped weapon and relevant skill. Keep an eye on your Health and monitor your resources: Stamina, Focus, and Ammunition if applicable. Running dry on any of them mid-fight will cost you.

Combat Abilities are unlocked as your skills develop and are accessible from the Abilities Menu on the topbar. Once acquired you can drag them onto your action bar for quick access. Some abilities require specific skill combinations to unlock, and not all of those combinations are strictly combat skills. Abilities generally consume either Focus or Stamina.

A few things to be aware of before you pick a fight:

*The server has stricter rules than a non-RP shard regarding PvP and Permadeath, it's important you understand the [[Server Rules#PVP & PERMADEATH|Server Rules]] on this topic at all times, because ignorance of this won't save you from their enforcement.
*[[Illness, Injury & Death]] are possible outcomes from losing a fight. How likely this is depends on where you are and what your fighting. You can (mostly) control this risk by monitoring the [[Region Safety]] on your Minimap at any given time.

--------

Return to [[Main Page]]

Archin: /* Communication */

This Guide will walk you through the basics. For Ultima Online Veterans, please see our [[UO Veteran Guide]] for server specific differences.

=Interface=

TKTK

=Controls & Interaction=

==Movement==

Hold down the right mouse button and point in any direction to move. 

*Hover your cursor close to your character while holding right-click and you'll walk in that direction.
*Move your cursor further away and your character breaks into a run.
*Running drains Stamina, and certain conditions can affect your movement speed such as [[Illness, Injury & Death|Injuries]] and hobbling.

Alternatively, if you prefer more modern controls, navigate to Options > Experimental and enable WASD Movement.
*Because UO uses a classic isometric view with 8 directions, there are two WASD settings available so you can set your base directions to whichever feels natural, either cardinal or top/down/left/right.

==Item Management & Interaction==
UO is pretty freeform when it comes to managing items and interactions. Most things will respond to a click or a hover, if only to tell you what it is.

*Single-click or hover over anything to see its name, a quick way to get your bearings in an unfamiliar place.
*Double-click most things to use or activate them: tools, food, drink, doors, job items, and crafting stations. Double-clicking a character opens their paperdoll, or a menu if they're a special NPC.
*Hold ALT/span> to highlight interactable and noteworthy items in your immediate area, useful for a fast sweep of a room without clicking through everything.
*Click and drag to move items, reposition things in your backpack, hand something to another player which will open a trade menu, or drop it in the world.

=Communication=

{| class="wikitable" style="width:60%; text-align:center;"
! style="background-color:#272727; color:#AFACA8; font-weight:bold;" | Action
! style="background-color:#272727; color:#AFACA8; font-weight:bold;" | Command
! style="background-color:#272727; color:#AFACA8; font-weight:bold;" | Range
|-
| Talk || Just type and press Enter || Nearby players will hear you, provided they're on the same screen as you and within Line of Sight.
|-
| Whisper || <code>\your message</code> || Speech will only be heard only by players directly adjacent to you, or those with the [[Adaptation Trait]] Observant.
|-
| Shout || <code>;your message</code> || Shouting breaks line of sight, meaning your voice carries through walls, doors, and around corners.
|-
| Emote || <code>*your action*</code> || Observed by nearby players within line of sight to describe what your character is doing. Emotes are just as in-character as speech, and you're encouraged to use them.
|-
| Party || <code>/your message</code> || Anyone currently in your Party. Messages here are considered out of character
|}

=Crafting=
TKTK

=Combat=

TKTK

--------

Return to [[Main Page]]

New Player Guide

2026-05-18T19:15:25Z

Archin: /* Communication */

This Guide will walk you through the basics. For Ultima Online Veterans, please see our [[UO Veteran Guide]] for server specific differences.

=Interface=

TKTK

=Controls & Interaction=

==Movement==

Hold down the right mouse button and point in any direction to move. 

*Hover your cursor close to your character while holding right-click and you'll walk in that direction.
*Move your cursor further away and your character breaks into a run.
*Running drains Stamina, and certain conditions can affect your movement speed such as [[Illness, Injury & Death|Injuries]] and hobbling.

Alternatively, if you prefer more modern controls, navigate to Options > Experimental and enable WASD Movement.
*Because UO uses a classic isometric view with 8 directions, there are two WASD settings available so you can set your base directions to whichever feels natural, either cardinal or top/down/left/right.

==Item Management & Interaction==
UO is pretty freeform when it comes to managing items and interactions. Most things will respond to a click or a hover, if only to tell you what it is.

*Single-click or hover over anything to see its name, a quick way to get your bearings in an unfamiliar place.
*Double-click most things to use or activate them: tools, food, drink, doors, job items, and crafting stations. Double-clicking a character opens their paperdoll, or a menu if they're a special NPC.
*Hold ALT/span> to highlight interactable and noteworthy items in your immediate area, useful for a fast sweep of a room without clicking through everything.
*Click and drag to move items, reposition things in your backpack, hand something to another player which will open a trade menu, or drop it in the world.

=Communication=
TKTK
{| class="wikitable" style="width:60%; text-align:center;"
! style="background-color:#272727; color:#AFACA8; font-weight:bold;" | Action
! style="background-color:#272727; color:#AFACA8; font-weight:bold;" | Command
! style="background-color:#272727; color:#AFACA8; font-weight:bold;" | Range
|-
| Talk || Just type and press Enter || Nearby players
|-
| Whisper || <code>\your message</code> || Adjacent players only
|-
| Shout || <code>;your message</code> || Breaks line of sight, heard through walls and doors
|-
| Emote || <code>*your action*</code> || Nearby players
|-
| Party || <code>/your message</code> || Anyone currently in your Party. Messages here are considered out of character
|}

=Crafting=
TKTK

=Combat=

TKTK

--------

Return to [[Main Page]]