Istaria is different from other games out there. Aside from the normal fantasy races found (human, dwarf, gnome, elf, half-giant) are less-recognized and/or less-played races in other games. These include: dryads, fluttering about on butterfly fairy wings; satyrs, half human, half goat; saris, bipedal cats; sslik, bipedal salamanders; fiends, blue skinned and tailed; and dragons, the winged beasts of legend. Each has it's own benefits and drawbacks.

All of the bipeds are allowed to multiclass to their hearts' content in dozens of adventure and craft schools. The type of adventurer or crafter is limited only by where the player wants to develop the character. Some find the thrill of pure adventure suits them. Others embark on paths of heavy crafting.

Dragons, being the only non-biped race, only have three classes they may obtain, but they are unique in that they grow and fly as they mature through their rites. In few other games are dragons a player-race instead of a quest monster to kill. However, even in Istaria, dragons are formidable with armored scales and raw strength of body and in magic.

Common to all races is the ability to build. The bipeds have five construction classes (carpenter, enchanter, fitter, mason, and weaver) with which to build cities in Istaria. Dragons have the lairshaper class which gives them skill in delving deep below the ground with massive lairs and gigantic halls. Additionally, characters are capable of buying property within Istaria. With this in mind, the players have an effect on the world around them. All races have the ability to build personal storage and crafthalls suited to their needs for materials for crafting, or for processing the resources around the communities in which they live.

The world itself is deemed "seamless". While there are teleporters to be able to go from city to city, one could run or fly conceivably from one end of Istaria to another without the use of teleporters. Instancing does not exist. This allows for more player interaction and better possibilities for group play as having to negotiate which instance is not needed. Also, the world is extremely limited in PVP with only one arena for consented combat, making for a richer interaction amongst characters without worrying about being killed and looted by higher-level characters.

The final difference I wish to speak of is the community. The people of Istaria are warm, inviting, helpful, and friendly. While these traits can be found in other games, it is unusual to see it shine through as well as when a new player asks a question or asks for assistance. It is that spirit which truly sets Istaria apart and makes it more of an online home to it's players.

For more information about Istaria, please check out www.istaria.com