TALKING There’s no particular trick to talking to other PCs who are within sight. Just type in your remark, press e, and they’ll be able to see it. Whether or not they notice or acknowledge what you’re saying is up to them. There are three flags which can change the way your text is viewed. Emote If you type a colon ( : ) and a space before your text, that text appears as an emote. Emote text can be set to a different color than regular speech, and will appear to other players between two asterisks (*Grins*). It is usually used to indicate gestures, expressions or emotions. For example, : Looks disgusted. : Gazes at you with rapt attention. Whisper If you type a semicolon ( ; ) and a space before your text, that text appears as a whisper, and can only be seen by characters immediately adjacent to you. For example, ; I don’t like the looks of that guy. ; Psst. Wanna buy a chicken? Yell If you type an exclamation point ( ! ) and a space before your text, that text appears as a yell, and can be seen by characters even beyond the edge of the screen. For example, ! Leo, where are you? ! STOP! THIEF! Finally, it should be noted that in Ultima Online, as in most text-based net communications, typing in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS is considered to be “shouting.” While typing in all caps is fine in a “yell,” or if you’re trying to address a whole group, it is considered rude in ordinary conversation. You should cultivate the habit of turning your l key off while playing UO. Talking With NPCs Before you can talk to an NPC in the game, you must first get his attention. Therefore, everything you ask an NPC must include his name. You can find out an NPC’s name by clicking once on him. (Shopkeepers and vendors may also be addressed as “Vendor,” “Merchant” or similar job title.) You don’t have to speak in complete sentences to NPCs, but ending each statement you make to them with appropriate punctuation might avoid some possible confusion. You can ask NPCs about their job (watch out for those who might try to duck the question), about the local area, or about any current news or rumors. You can also ask them if they’ve seen or heard of other PCs. Often, NPCs have some specific need; for example, a baker might be low on wheat to make flour. They’ll be happy to inform you of such needs, and will pay well if you can fulfill them. Useful questions to ask NPCs: • Where am I? • What time is it? • Where is (something)? • How are you? • What do you need? • Have you heard any rumors? • What’s the latest news? • What is there to do around here? • Anything interesting going on around here? Shopkeepers respond to BUY, SELL, and questions about their wares. Your current Karma and Fame will affect how the NPC responds to you. Also, some NPCs just have better dispositions than others. Finally, note that NPCs like a certain amount of personal space. If you stand too close to them they’re likely to ask you to back off.