GETTING STARTED
From connection to your first steps in the world.
01CONNECT
TUNNELCORE runs on a single persistent server. Choose your interface:
SSH — Full TUI Experience (Recommended)
Full terminal UI with panels for room, chat, inventory, and status. Best experience. No SSH key needed — any username becomes your player handle.
Telnet — Raw Text
ANSI-colored text interface. Simple and works everywhere.
WebSocket — JSON API
Structured JSON events and commands. For custom clients and browser-based tools.
02CHOOSE YOUR ARCHETYPE
Your archetype defines your relationship with the mesh — the neural network that Helixion Dynamics installed in everyone. It determines your chrome ceiling, your attribute weakness, and your starting gear.
Disconnected
“I ripped it out.”
You rejected the mesh. Tore the implants from your skull. Chrome ceiling d4 — you'll never be more than baseline augmented. But your mind is your own.
Starting Assets:
- - Scavenged Blade (d6 melee)
- - Scavenged Pistol (d6 ranged)
- - EMP Stash (d6, 3 charges)
Sovereign
“I broke its leash.”
You kept the implants but rewrote the firmware. Chrome ceiling d8 — enough augmentation to be dangerous, independent enough to think for yourself.
Starting Assets:
- - Recompiled Interface (d8 hack deck)
- - Mono-Wire (d8 melee)
- - Signal Scrambler (d6 stealth)
Integrated
“I learned to use it.”
You embraced the mesh fully. Chrome ceiling d12 — maximum augmentation, maximum power. But you're connected to a system that wants to control you.
Starting Assets:
- - Quickhack Deck (d8 hack deck)
- - Smart Pistol (d8 ranged)
- - Optical Camo (d6, 3 charges)
03BUILD YOUR CHARACTER
After choosing an archetype, you'll assign your dice:
Attributes (4)
Choose one to raise to d8. Your archetype auto-lowers one to d4. The rest stay at d6.
Body, endurance, strength
Intellect, perception, focus
Charisma, persuasion, empathy
Signal sensitivity, Substrate access
Approaches (5)
Choose your strongest (d8) and second strongest (d6). Your archetype auto-assigns a third d6. The rest default to d4.
Brute power
Speed, reflexes
Wit, planning
Stealth, patience
Risk, audacity
Distinctions (3)
Write three short phrases that define your character. When invoked, they add d8 to your pool. When hindered, they add d4 to the opposition. Trauma permanently replaces distinctions — so choose phrases you're willing to lose.
04CHOOSE YOUR ORIGIN
Where you start determines who you meet first and which faction notices you.
The Drainage
“Survival” — Start in the Parish community. Mutual aid, scarce resources, community-driven. All archetypes.
The Rooftops
“Freedom” — Start with the Signal Pirates. High vantage, antenna networks, information freedom. All archetypes.
The Market
“No allies” — Start in the Black Market Warrens. Commerce, neutrality, everything has a price. All archetypes.
Iron Bloom
“Recovery” — Start with the resistance. Extraction clinics, forge workshops. Sovereign & Integrated only.
05YOUR FIRST 10 MINUTES
- 1.look — See your surroundings. Read the room description, note the exits, see who's here.
- 2.inventory — Check your starting gear. You have your chosen asset and some basic supplies.
- 3.talk <npc> — Introduce yourself. NPCs remember first impressions. Be polite or be feared.
- 4.north/south/east/west — Explore nearby rooms. Stick to your starting zone until you understand the danger levels.
- 5.shop — Find a merchant. Buy food and a med-kit if you can afford it. Hunger and injuries are real.
- 6.scan <npc> — Read someone's surface stats before picking a fight. Combat has consequences.