17.2.12 The Great Hunt
The Great Hunt is a periodic worldwide event that brings the popular pasttime of hunting to a head with an all-out slaughter! This competition lasts for approximately one Achaean month. For every denizen or creature you kill over the span of the Hunt, you receive points. The higher the level, the more points you get! Rats, butterflies, class loyals, mounts, other adventurers, and creatures far below your own level are excluded from your score. Once a Great Hunt has begun, use the GREATHUNT command to keep abreast of your score and that of others. Credit prizes vary and will be announced in-game, with all other pertinent details, via the Announce newsboard. In events where multiple tiers are available, the rankings and final results are based upon your level at that time, regardless of your level when the Hunt started. Skirting the intention of these tiers by repeatedly dying to artificially stay in a bracket or purposefully losing experience to move down a bracket will result in disqualification. Often appearing during the Great Hunt are unique caves - these can be identified by piles of bones outside them, tempting adventurers to explore. Within, many dangerous and unique creatures lurk, offering greater rewards - but also bigger challenges. In addition, there are often 'swarm' type events that coincide with the Great Hunt - typically these will involve the Elemental Planes, the Gnolls of Manara, and the Underworld sending more of their loyal forces to battle, and thus providing a hugely increased number of denizens to kill.