I have yet to find the perfect mud that everyone loves and agrees how it should be designed and played, but Cthulhumud is the one that no matter how my opinions vary with it's day to day functions I go back and play. There are the skills and spells and concepts you can blatantly see and there are the ones you have to think about to figure out their use, and yes they all have a use. If you like solving puzzles and riddles their quests and deeds are a challenge and always rewarding once you do manage to figure out where each hint was leading you. If you just like walking in and smashing ugly beasts they are there. The newer areas have been overlooked by a vast majority of players but they are out there and they are drool worthy. If you are an ask questions, listen, learn and retain person you will do exceedingly well. If you are looking for roleplay, for that you are depending on players other than yourself and that you have to weed through, the human interaction element. For a solid year of playing, I had never read the first Lovecraft work and after a while I did finally pick up a book or two and I have to say it's areas are a tribute to a great deal of his works. But again, it's based on an individuals perception and placement of another mans writing so it should be expected there had to be some leeway from a writers creativity to a MUD. As far as players helping players, a little appreciation goes a long way. If you remember that you will have a blast.