Combat basics

1. Wield a weapon. You get one from your first quest after creating your character. Fists work too, but they rarely get through armor at low levels. Practice the skill for your weapon at a trainer.

2. Start the fight with KILL <target>. Your fight prompt appears.

3. Keep attacking. Nothing happens by itself: type JAB, THRUST or LUNGE (or CAST a spell) again every time your last attack is done. Jab is fast and safe; lunge is slow but hits hard. You can also use combat skills you have learned, such as kick, punch or elbow.

4. Watch your fight prompt:

You: [********* ] Enemy: [**        ]

These bars show your health and your enemy's. Watching them may save your
life.

5. Losing? Type FLEE.

6. After the fight, recover: most characters REST or SLEEP; constructs use REPAIR (see HELP HP).