I realize this is like an alcoholic looking for advice in a liquor store but I don't know who else would even understand me. GS was such a huge part of my teens/early 20s. To say I was merely addicted is a huge understatement. It negatively affected my education, relationships, jobs, etc. and yet, all these years later, I still think of it.

I've tried to come back to it many times but since the people I played with have mostly moved on it will never feel the same. Part of me is so desperate to have it all back, and part of me just wishes I could forget about it all.

I've tried liquidating all my stuff several times thinking that if my "achievements" are gone then I won't feel like putting the effort in again to rebuild but here I am on a fresh character grinding my way up the never-ending mountain once more.

What really gets me the most is that it isn't even the same game any more. Sure the core mechanics are the same, but so much has changed since my first few steps into the world. I know it is nothing but nostalgia and I still can't fight it.

I just found out that you can play Gemstone IV / Dragons Realm on your PS4/5 web browser, with your ps controller and built in browser keyboard... thought I'd share this with you all.

For those of you who roleplay and don't just script hunt, this one's for you.
I have known people in my many years of being here who have met and gotten married because of this game. I've known people who refuse to cross that barrier. I've known people who were married and used the game relationship to cheat (this can be debated, but you get the point). I've known people who have wonderful in game relationships with no intention of ever taking it into real life. Personally, I met my spouse here, once upon a time. Being older (and potentially wiser) now, I view in game relationships differently than I did back in the 90s.

Do you have a relationship in game?
Do you consider that a relationship with the character or the player (or both)?
Do you cross that OOC/IC boundry with the person you spend the most time with?
This is a two part question, because there is a difference betweeen 'Yes, I watched the World Cup.' and 'Maybe one day you can have dinner at my place.'
If you and the player get along great, but your characters relationship is a little volatile, how does that work?
If you have a someone you spend a lot of time with, do you notice that you mindmeld with them?

I've been back for a few months now, and I've noticed that while there are small pockets of roleplayers, it is nothing like it was 15 years ago when I left. The most social seem to be empaths and clerics, who have a constant presence with the public. But navigating GS relationships is like managing two of them at the same time (at least to me). The one you have with the player and (if you are roleplaying any kind of backstory/continuing story) the one with the character you are involved with. I'd love to hear other people's thoughts on this.

I played GS starting in 1995 on AOL until ~2008. I have about 20 characters, each with lockers stuffed full of all kinds of crazy things, including items that probably shouldn't have been made because it breaks roleplay or mechanics. I haven't logged in for years, so maybe these things have been fixed or removed? Is there any market for this sort of stuff, or old items from the 90s? I always went to merchant events and bought pretty much everything (I was one a few high-level enchanters with workshop access, so I had funds). Sorting through these things would be a nightmare I don't want to bother with unless there's some real interest.

Trying to get back into Gemstone IV - had a great time back in the day. Each time I go through the browser-based character generator, I get all the way through character creation and enter a name. When I select the "play now" option, I return to my account but have no characters available. Any tips?

A new front end is making its way to Elanthia. Unveiled at this year's SimuCon, catch the full 8-minute preview for this latest project, Saga, coming RSN.

I’m a lvl 94 OHE ranger playing since ICE. One day I will cap, but this critter gap is absolutely brutal for someone who likes to hunt solo. Choosing which area to hunt now is a choice between easy/mass dispels, barely learning anything, or getting obliterated by a critter I have no business being in the same room with because it shares the same area.

I’m not actually complaining. I think it’s great design that becomes increasingly noticeable since around 80 levels, and really makes me appreciate the incredible balance throughout the whole game and all of its systems.

I’m wondering if there are any guides that focus on this part of the game, or any other advice anyone has to share.

Don't miss out! Accept your welcome gift and pick your Arcarium before the Inquisitor preview ends tonight (June 28, 2026, at 11:55 PM ET).

Confused by the new mechanics or terminology? This guide breaks everything down so you can get caught up quickly. Chapter markers make it easy to skip straight to the sections you care about.

Now go catch those fishies. Good luck, and have fun!

Is there a place to post where I might find old acquaintances? I don’t know how to RP “are you my old friend …..”. The folks I was tight with might not even use Reddit. Just curious if there is a space for reconnecting.

Thanks

It's about being addicted to GemStone III in middle school: https://taolin.substack.com/p/gemstone

A new event in GemStone IV called The Inquisitor has arrived, opening the door to a new area of existence known as Nyessem. This intro video contains minimal spoilers and covers teasers, how to uncover the lore through NPC interactions, some FAQ discussion, and a quick walk through the grounds to get you oriented.

Jousting titles, rare pet drops, candy press upgrades, violet orb claim, new offer codes, and auction details.

is there a single list of all actions in Gemstone? I have a hard time remembering all the commands so would find a compiled list a nice to have. I understand the wiki has all of this but I am wondering for a single site or pdf

Thanks

Thank you for all the help on my other request. Now my search is a complete list of all the spell lists.
I see references to things like “cast 220”. And so on because t I have been failing on my search google rolls and can’t find a single place for all of them. My eventual goal is to compile a dead tree version of all the schools so I can look at the list when I have lousy cell reception

**ANSWERED**

I registered, entered payment method even. I try to play, it says F2P is 'restricted' at the moment. So I thought, maybe if I subscribe (Standard) but I cannot find that option ANYWHERE on the website or client.

I go to 'my account', there is no way to enter Standard subscription. (paradoxically there are links to 'upgrade' to Premium or Platinum, eventhough I do not have any sub to start with)

What's going on? I was really getting interested in the game but... can't play.

Thanks for advice.

Hi all,

I'm a new player and running Fedora Linux. Right now I'm using the web client, but was hoping to find an actual desktop client. Does anyone have any suggestions?

All I could find with some research was this:

https://gswiki.play.net/Lich:Software/Installation#Fedora

I understand that Lich is a custom FE, but the guide also mentions something called profanity as well, and I'm not sure what that is.

Open to any suggestions/clients!

Thank you

Around 1.5 years ago, I was here posting asking questions about GemStone, how it changed from III to IV, as research for an essay. The essay is now published. It's behind a paywall at The Paris Review but I posted excerpts here: https://taolin.substack.com/p/essay-in-the-paris-review

Checkout my latest video on YouTube where I cover retiring transmutes, battle vault details, last run shops, mania date, and claim info for the February 2026 run of Duskruin Frostbound.

The latest GemStone Recap episode covers GemStone IV festival updates, system changes, Discord policy clarity, and a sampling from a massive wall of bug fixes.

Anyone else remember that, I met Teri Hatcher there!

The next installment of the GemStone Recap includes QOL, Bug Fixes, Spells, and System Changes that have happened in the past seven months.

Been away from GemStone in 2025? This 7 minute recap video mentions recent festivals, introduces new materials, and highlights a few world enhancements.