Location Command Guide
The /location (or /loc) command allows you to find a specific point in a zone - for example the entrance to a dungeon, or a place where your friend is fighting some monsters. Even more importantly, the /loc command can be used to find a corpse (if you type /loc just before you die). It is very useful to learn how it works so that when someone gives you a 'loc' you will know where to find them.
Explanation of the /loc numbers
When you type /loc you are given 1 set of numbers, 3 very distinct ones that, when used properly, can cut travel time down severely.
Here is an example of some numbers you may receive, and an explanation of what they mean.
NOTE : all zones have the location (0,0,0), as this is the home point and a great reference point.
Example :
/loc
You are at -2034.32, 374.92, 130.27
What they mean :
* The first number you receive is -2034.32. This is your North/South position. If the number is positive, You are in the northern area of the zone, if it's negative, you are in the southern area. Here you are 2034 units due south of the home point.
* The second number you receive is 374.92. This is your West/East position. If the number is positive, You are in the western area of the zone, if it's negative, you are in the eastern area. Here you are 375 units west of the home point.
* The third number you receive is 130.27. This is your altitude. A positive number means you are on higher ground than the home point, a negative you are below the home point. Here you find yourself 134 units above it, so you are likely on a plateau/hill. NOTE : the 3rd number is of little use unless you travel in multi-leveled zones, which are more than likely dungeons. Once and awhile you will find caves or such where this comes in handy. I'm just stating that this location is not used much due to the lack of need
An overview of a zone and what /loc means to it
Here is a general setup of all zones. It shows you what a zone map from overhead would look like, with points plotted.
NOTE : due to the near uselessness of the decimal points and numbers given in the hundreths of a unit, we won't be concerned with them and will only be working with integers (ie : 203 instead of 203.34)
Ok, now you can see how the zones can be broken up into 4 different areas, marked with a 1, 2, 3, & 4 on the map. Notice the numbers in the corner of each of these. They will give you an idea of where you are in a zone.
Also, i advise you to have a notepad handy and mark distinct /loc's for different zones, like the druid ring in West Commons, or the undead pillar in North Karana.
Applying the small amount of knowledge it takes to use the /location & Sense Heading commands
Here are some examples of how to apply what you think you may know, and hopefully do.
1 : Broda tells you to come meet him at the orc camp, it's great exp and decent loot. You get in zone and ask Broda where he is. This is a new zone to you, and you have no idea of any landmarks (ie : pillars, ruins, druid ring). So he tells you he is at -1224 x 200. You just zoned in and are standing at 305 x 400.
You see have to travel about 1500 units south and 200 units east to find this place. Now all you need to do is go south, checking /loc at different intervals, stopping when you've reached -1200, then pivot east and run a short 200 units to see Broda has a nice warm group for you to party with.
2 : Odsward and you are exploring Kunark. As you and Odsward are looking around, you get seperated. Suddenly Odsward's health bar begins to drop and you see he dies. You ask him what happened and he says he got jumped while not paying attention, and is wondering if you could find his body for him. Being a smart one on the tank side, he hit /loc (which he has hotkeyed) when he knew he was going under.
Odsward gives you the loc of -1800 x - 3800. You are currently by the zone to Emerald Jungle at 4000 x 1500. You see you must travel south 5800 units, and east 5300. You get out sense heading and while heading south looking for his body, you encounter a wall at -200 x 1500. This is where you think "doh!", but remember you need to pass this wall, so you turn east, while looking for ways you can further pursue the southern point, when you come to an arch at -1600 x -2000. You notice that hey, the arch is to the east, so you pass under it and head for direct east, checking for -3800. When you get there, you notice you are only 200 units north of Osward's body, But as you look south you see a small set of ruined buildings. You cautiously enter the broken houses, only to see more archways, but you notice you are 100 units closer to your destination. So you continue south and look around the corner to see... Osward's body.
In the 2 examples above you are given 2 very different situations where /loc is of great aid. The first example shows you the easiest and most direct way without fear of getting lost. The second shows you what can happen when you are not out in a clearing and have objects in your path. Both are very to the point yet I believe give enough detail and overview to warrant both cases. The only thing I want to stress when showing people these methods is to BE VERY CAREFUL. One of the safest ways of travelling is along the zone walls, but even then in certain zones you must be wary of guards or other NPC's that wish to do you harm. The very same goes for EVERY part of a zone.
Some things to remember about /loc and sense heading
* Sense Heading only gives you 8 different directions, as /loc can take you to many. Just remember that even tho your SH says your headed north, you may also be oriented a small bit west or east. This is of small concern but still noteworthy.
* BE CAREFUL when checking out areas unknown to you.
* If you know you are going to die and are in a wide open area or an unknown one, try & hit /loc before you drop as this will give you a destination/landmark.
* Remember that as in that 2nd example, walls will always be there, and you may have to maneuver around them. Be prepared.
* Keep a notepad handy that you can mark down different locations in for different zones. If you see a big pile of statues in the middle of nowhere, it may be a noteworthy landmark at another time.
Thanks to the original compiler of this guide
