Frequently Asked Questions (Check here first!) [Last edit: 7/20/06]

[Clackling]

I've decided to start my very own FAQ, for anyone who's ever had any questions about KoL. It will remain locked, but will be continually updated with anything I can think of off the top of my head.

For starters, a great place to look for anything you need is here:
The KoL Wiki

Now for the questions:

1. What is this "Ascension" I've heard so much about?

Ascension is what makes the game eternal. It's the method by which you can beat the game, but still continue playing. After beating the Naughty Sorceress, you will be able to "ascend", meaning you will restart at Level 1, with a new class (if you'd like), and nothing else. All your items and meat are kept in a special storage in Town, which may or may not be accessed depending on your choice of path. You are allowed to take one skill with you for your next run, allowing lots of fun possibilities! The two major choices you face are:
a) Softcore or Hardcore? Softcore means that for the first 600 turns (aka "ronin") you may pull 20 items or 20,000 meat out of storage per day, and after that you may take them all with you. Hardcore means that you may not access any of your old items, and neither may you receive items in the mail, or buy stuff from other players at the mall, etc. You also may not use any softcore skills you have kept thus far. Any skill retained after a Hardcore ascension becomes "Hardcore Permanent", meaning you can use it in later ascensions, no matter which path you choose. Also, you get extra goodies at the end of a Hardcore Ascension
b) Teetotaler, Boozetafarian, or Oxygenarian? Forbidding you booze, food, or both, respectively, gives different rewards for each path. A Hardcore Oxy run (aka "HCO") gives the best rewards, as well as unique items only available that way.

2. What's this "Pickle Factory" I've heard so much about?

The Spectral Pickle Factory has appeared very rarely in the history of the Kingdom. As Mr. Skullhead likes to say, "None may know that hour of its coming and going." That is, the developers choose when it shows up and when it doesn't. There's some great stuff to be found there, but only the toughest players will be able to survive within.

3. How do I get a familiar?

Fabulous question. The best answer I can give you is, explore! Take some time, discover what you can on your own. The Council will guide you to getting your first familiar, but after that it's up to you. I will give you one spoiler for how to find your next familiar, but after that, no more hints. Find a "lucky" way of adventuring in the Spooky Forest (with perhaps, a special clover?), and you'll have a chance of receiving another useful familiar.

3a. So-and-so has a cool familiar! Why can't I find it anywhere?

The most likely reason these days, is that someone has a familiar they purchased in Mr. Store a while back. Mr. Store familiars are available each month, and they change and the start of the following month. They will never repeat, so new ones are always being developed. If you missed out on one, the only way to get it is to find one in the Mall. Be aware, though. They won't be cheap.

4. What's with the Leaflet secret code?

Alright, this is changed since I'm no longer stupidly uninformed. There are multiple codes, and a different one is used each ascension. Yes, it's related to the item on the mantelpiece. No, we're not going to tell you here. A simple Google search will find it for you, or simply a knowledge of older text-based games. Oh, and if you type in the wrong code word, none of the others will work until you reascend.

5. Why does all my food/drink suck? I want some good stuff!

Well, the simple answer is that the majority of the good food/drink in the game can only be made with special skills. Disco Bandits can learn Advanced Cocktailcrafting, Pastamancers can learn Pastamastery, and Saucerors can learn Advanced Saucecrafting. Each of the skills, in conjunction with others, can make much more advanced food and drink in the game. It may take more than one ascension to gather the required skills and items, but anyone will tell you that it is absolutely worth it.

In addition, the level 15 skills of those three classes increase the limits of your cooking/drinking skills by a LOT. You can summon 2 extra noodle/sauce/mixers per day, and you gain access to special Guild areas to cook things better. Plus, you'll be able to make the absolute best drinks and foods in the game. YAY!

6. Why do some people's profiles say "...is the proud bearer of a Mr. Accessory"? How do I get one?

Mr. Accessories are the way KoL is kept running. The staff works solely off of donations, and donations keep coming in, because they'll net you a Mr. A (as they're lovingly known). For every $10 (American) you donate, you will receive a Mr. A. These can be equipped as a useful accessory, or traded in at Mr. Store for familiars, items, or other cool things. Think of it this way. A typical computer game you may buy these days would cost you, let's say, $40. For that much, you'd receive 4 Mr. Accessories to use in any way you see fit, and IN ADDITION, your account will never be deleted! EVER! How great is that? Alright, no, it's not my job to convince you that donating is the way to go. But the truth is, you're playing a game these people have worked hard on. If you play it for longer than, say, a month or two, I'd highly recommend donating, first to show that you respect what Jick and Co. have done, and secondly, cause you get cool stuff.

Oh. And for you crazy Canadians, you can also donate $10 Canadian and receive a Mr. Eh? Not as strong as a Mr. A, but still somewhat useful, I suppose.