Shattered Kingdoms

I suggest human as a race to start with, class wise a fighter is a bit more straight forward.

Right now it seems like Zhenshi is booming as far as number of players so that might be a good place to start as well.

Keep in mind, that there are many people that aren't from Taslamar that are in there. Various skills and spells make it difficult to tell if the person your near is a friend or foe. Some people may just get scared, or will leave because they don't want to be killed.

... I'm trying to think what else I could add. It seems like you haven't been able to find anything that will stick. What can I tell you that might help you find something you can play and enjoy... It seems like you may want to try and find a group of people to level with. This will bring up RP opportunities, as well as help you along leveling. The problem: SK, from what I've seen, seems to be more composed of dying veterans, then up-and-comming n00bs. Verterans know the system, and they know how to leveling quickly. The really good ones can level chars in barely any time at all, and they can do it solo.

I think, it just might take a bit more dedication from you to get you along. If you get burned out, take a break from it for a few days or a week. I can't think of anything else that might help you. Sure, it would be nice to eventually see SK as a large mix of n00bs and veterans to solve problems like this, but its not that way now.

sleeper

If you figure out how to mix your dragon genes right you can transform into the ultimate Kaiser Dragon and own everything on the mud.

That is, when Dulrik allows us to turn into dragons, which is an awesome ability that shouldn't be overlooked.

Ultimate Kaiser Dragon Form takes up too much ME, though.
I'd much rather go into Mecha Dragon Knight Form.
Power and looks all in one. Can't lose.

Wow, a Breath of Fire reference. :/ Been a long time since I've heard one of those.

Elf and deep elf you need to do a bit of prework before you start playing you need to know about the conflict a little and about your own race differences, they also can be instant hated by people. Dwarf I would stay away from small size and low cha make levelling quite a grind also their low int make skills take a lot longer to learn. Humans in my mind are always a good char to get your handle on the game. They are as simple or complex as you want to make then. You can give them any kind of personality and it works. As a human I would think that merc or swashie would be the best fighters as a human. If you really like sorcerors though make a sorceror because you are more likely to stick with a class you like to play. My other advice is use the area command and ask people about the places try to get them to help you explore them. There is a lot for keeping you entertained just by finding a new area.

Perhaps I misspoke.
I've played this more than enough to know the basics. I know, generally, how to work things. I just haven't made any headway with said knowledge.

Though I do wonder, sometimes, why people think Small races are such a horrible drawback. Resizing stuff is annoying to be sure, but it's not nearly a horrible thing.

Things might have changed, though. Last time I played was before the "enemies group" and The-Village-That-Shall-Remain-Unnamed was gimped.

But knowing how to do basic things and knowing basic RP does not a Veteran make - Thus the Eternal Newbie tag.

Also, I've tried warrior classes and I just can't keep interested in them for some reason. Even moreso than other classes. No idea why. Might be a lack of super-nifty-keen spells that do little to nothing in a PK/Leveling area.

It sounds like you really need to play a bard. They ooze RP, they're fun, they get access to tons of spells via persuade and they're always in demand by casting classes -- just about the only character a caster would really like to have around all the time.

Race: Elf, human, halfling

Interesting. Feel free to speak more about the wonders of bards should you like - Either on here or in PMs would be fine.

I tried one, but I was a Darkie Sprite. Not the best combination... :3
Though I did get the hilarious mental image of a mini-elf singing so badly that it shatters the eardrums of a room full of villagers.

Especially about "spells via persuade". No idea what you're talking about there.

Bards are, by nature, entertainers. And pseudo-mages. And slightly unsavory fellows, at that. There's all sorts of fun to be had with any combinations of these, on top of your normal RP.

Elves have the best stats to go along with bards. High CHA, high DEX, decent mana pool. Plus, requesting rocks. Just remember: Scrupulous, not principled. You want to preserve a little of that "unsavory"-ness. And, with aura bonuses, that high CHA that you'll need to be effective, levelling isn't too difficult, especially since you'll be sought after for groups and have several reach weapons available to you. Humans will get a nice ending CHA bonus as well, and halflings just rock. That's why I suggest those two races as well, though sprites do alright. I've even seen a successful dwarf bard. Helf/delf are pretty good, too. Helf moreso, because I just can't see delfs doing jigs.

Persuade is an awesome skill. With practice, and high CHA, you can basically charm another character or sentient NPC to perform one action. One of the best uses of this is to persuade spell-casting NPCs to cast little buffs on you -- fly, invis, armor, bless, etc. It has also been suggested as a PK tactic, to confuse enemy formations, but I don't know if I've seen that in action. Of course, a failed persuade ends just like a failed charm.

And Songs of Healing is the most sought-after bard skill ever. I mean, mana regeneration. That is the most useful thing EVER -- enchanting, brewing, scribing, massive ressurections, fletching, and even during levelling, you're taking some of the heat off the healer in the party. (Side note: my master-level elfbard and a GM halfling mercenary were able to survive for a long time in the Wastelands just using songs of healing. Don't underestimate it! Songs of Protection is another exceptionally powerful buff, especially with another bard in tow.) The only thing is, nobody will want to rest when you're tired, because they're all at 100% across the board when you have no ME or PE from singing and dancing.

Also, Lore is useful -- it doesn't give you the same details as identify; you'll never be able to tell how much something has been enchanted or what not, but you'll be able to find the keywords for all sorts of special scripted items, as well as being able to really get a feel for the history of certain items as well.