EverQuest, often shortened to EQ, is a 3D fantasy-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game.
Many of the elements from EverQuest have been drawn from text-based MUD (multi-user dungeon) games, which in turn were inspired by traditional role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons. In EverQuest, players create a character selecting one of 16 "races" in the game, which range from elves, dwarves and ogres of fantasy, to cat-people (Vah Shir), lizard-people (Iksar), and dragon-people (Drakkin). At creation, players select each characters adventuring occupation, a patron deity, and starting city.
Players use their character to explore the fantasy world of Norrath, fight monsters and enemies for treasure and experience points, and master trade skills. As they progress, players advance in level, gaining power, prestige, spells, and abilities through actions such as defeating capable opponents, looting the remains of defeated enemies and completing quests.
EverQuest allows players to interact with other people through role-play, joining player guilds, and dueling other players.