diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index c65c9f5..f8cd01a 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -7,8 +7,11 @@ require (
 	zombiezen.com/go/sqlite v1.4.2
 )
 
+require filippo.io/edwards25519 v1.1.0 // indirect
+
 require (
 	github.com/dustin/go-humanize v1.0.1 // indirect
+	github.com/go-sql-driver/mysql v1.9.3
 	github.com/google/uuid v1.6.0 // indirect
 	github.com/mattn/go-isatty v0.0.20 // indirect
 	github.com/ncruces/go-strftime v0.1.9 // indirect
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index 85eb73c..d72ff7a 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
+filippo.io/edwards25519 v1.1.0 h1:FNf4tywRC1HmFuKW5xopWpigGjJKiJSV0Cqo0cJWDaA=
+filippo.io/edwards25519 v1.1.0/go.mod h1:BxyFTGdWcka3PhytdK4V28tE5sGfRvvvRV7EaN4VDT4=
 github.com/dustin/go-humanize v1.0.1 h1:GzkhY7T5VNhEkwH0PVJgjz+fX1rhBrR7pRT3mDkpeCY=
 github.com/dustin/go-humanize v1.0.1/go.mod h1:Mu1zIs6XwVuF/gI1OepvI0qD18qycQx+mFykh5fBlto=
+github.com/go-sql-driver/mysql v1.9.3 h1:U/N249h2WzJ3Ukj8SowVFjdtZKfu9vlLZxjPXV1aweo=
+github.com/go-sql-driver/mysql v1.9.3/go.mod h1:qn46aNg1333BRMNU69Lq93t8du/dwxI64Gl8i5p1WMU=
 github.com/google/go-cmp v0.6.0 h1:ofyhxvXcZhMsU5ulbFiLKl/XBFqE1GSq7atu8tAmTRI=
 github.com/google/go-cmp v0.6.0/go.mod h1:17dUlkBOakJ0+DkrSSNjCkIjxS6bF9zb3elmeNGIjoY=
 github.com/google/uuid v1.6.0 h1:NIvaJDMOsjHA8n1jAhLSgzrAzy1Hgr+hNrb57e+94F0=
diff --git a/internal/database/database.go b/internal/database/database.go
index 146c9e1..78a7039 100644
--- a/internal/database/database.go
+++ b/internal/database/database.go
@@ -5,21 +5,62 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"sync"
 	
+	_ "github.com/go-sql-driver/mysql"
 	_ "modernc.org/sqlite"
 	"zombiezen.com/go/sqlite/sqlitex"
 )
 
+// DatabaseType represents the type of database backend
+type DatabaseType int
+
+const (
+	SQLite DatabaseType = iota
+	MySQL
+)
+
+// Config holds database configuration
+type Config struct {
+	Type     DatabaseType
+	DSN      string // Data Source Name (connection string)
+	PoolSize int    // Connection pool size
+}
+
 // Database wraps the SQL database connection
 type Database struct {
 	db       *sql.DB
-	pool     *sqlitex.Pool  // For achievements system compatibility
-	dbPath   string         // Store path for pool creation
+	pool     *sqlitex.Pool // For achievements system compatibility (SQLite only)
+	config   Config
 	mutex    sync.RWMutex
 }
 
-// New creates a new database connection
-func New(path string) (*Database, error) {
-	db, err := sql.Open("sqlite", path)
+// New creates a new database connection with the provided configuration
+func New(config Config) (*Database, error) {
+	var driverName string
+	var pool *sqlitex.Pool
+	
+	// Set default pool size
+	if config.PoolSize == 0 {
+		config.PoolSize = 25
+	}
+	
+	switch config.Type {
+	case SQLite:
+		driverName = "sqlite"
+		// Create sqlitex pool for achievements system compatibility
+		var err error
+		pool, err = sqlitex.NewPool(config.DSN, sqlitex.PoolOptions{
+			PoolSize: 5,
+		})
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create sqlite pool: %w", err)
+		}
+	case MySQL:
+		driverName = "mysql"
+	default:
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unsupported database type: %d", config.Type)
+	}
+	
+	db, err := sql.Open(driverName, config.DSN)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to open database: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -30,26 +71,13 @@ func New(path string) (*Database, error) {
 	}
 	
 	// Set connection pool settings
-	db.SetMaxOpenConns(25)
-	db.SetMaxIdleConns(5)
-	
-	// Create sqlitex pool for achievements system
-	pool, err := sqlitex.NewPool(path, sqlitex.PoolOptions{
-		PoolSize: 5,
-	})
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create sqlite pool: %w", err)
-	}
+	db.SetMaxOpenConns(config.PoolSize)
+	db.SetMaxIdleConns(config.PoolSize / 5)
 	
 	d := &Database{
 		db:     db,
 		pool:   pool,
-		dbPath: path,
-	}
-	
-	// Initialize schema
-	if err := d.initSchema(); err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to initialize schema: %w", err)
+		config: config,
 	}
 	
 	return d, nil
@@ -63,257 +91,16 @@ func (d *Database) Close() error {
 	return d.db.Close()
 }
 
+// GetType returns the database type
+func (d *Database) GetType() DatabaseType {
+	return d.config.Type
+}
+
 // GetPool returns the sqlitex pool for achievements system compatibility
 func (d *Database) GetPool() *sqlitex.Pool {
 	return d.pool
 }
 
-// initSchema creates the database schema if it doesn't exist
-func (d *Database) initSchema() error {
-	schemas := []string{
-		// Rules table
-		`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS rules (
-			id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,
-			category TEXT NOT NULL,
-			name TEXT NOT NULL,
-			value TEXT NOT NULL,
-			description TEXT,
-			UNIQUE(category, name)
-		)`,
-		
-		// Accounts table
-		`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS accounts (
-			id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,
-			username TEXT UNIQUE NOT NULL,
-			password TEXT NOT NULL,
-			email TEXT,
-			admin_level INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			created_at DATETIME DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP,
-			last_login DATETIME
-		)`,
-		
-		// Characters table
-		`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS characters (
-			id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,
-			account_id INTEGER NOT NULL,
-			name TEXT UNIQUE NOT NULL,
-			race_id INTEGER NOT NULL,
-			class_id INTEGER NOT NULL,
-			level INTEGER DEFAULT 1,
-			x REAL DEFAULT 0,
-			y REAL DEFAULT 0,
-			z REAL DEFAULT 0,
-			heading REAL DEFAULT 0,
-			zone_id INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			created_at DATETIME DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP,
-			last_played DATETIME,
-			FOREIGN KEY(account_id) REFERENCES accounts(id)
-		)`,
-		
-		// Zones table
-		`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS zones (
-			id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY,
-			name TEXT NOT NULL,
-			file TEXT NOT NULL,
-			description TEXT,
-			motd TEXT,
-			min_level INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			max_level INTEGER DEFAULT 100,
-			min_version INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			xp_modifier REAL DEFAULT 1.0,
-			city_zone INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			weather_allowed INTEGER DEFAULT 1,
-			safe_x REAL DEFAULT 0,
-			safe_y REAL DEFAULT 0,
-			safe_z REAL DEFAULT 0,
-			safe_heading REAL DEFAULT 0
-		)`,
-		
-		// Server statistics table
-		`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS server_stats (
-			stat_id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY,
-			stat_value INTEGER,
-			stat_date INTEGER,
-			save_needed INTEGER DEFAULT 0
-		)`,
-		
-		// Merchant tables
-		`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS merchants (
-			id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY,
-			name TEXT NOT NULL,
-			merchant_type INTEGER DEFAULT 0
-		)`,
-		
-		`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS merchant_items (
-			merchant_id INTEGER NOT NULL,
-			item_id INTEGER NOT NULL,
-			quantity INTEGER DEFAULT -1,
-			price_coins INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			price_status INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			PRIMARY KEY(merchant_id, item_id),
-			FOREIGN KEY(merchant_id) REFERENCES merchants(id)
-		)`,
-		
-		// Achievement tables
-		`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS achievements (
-			achievement_id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY,
-			title TEXT NOT NULL,
-			uncompleted_text TEXT,
-			completed_text TEXT,
-			category TEXT,
-			expansion TEXT,
-			icon INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			point_value INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			qty_req INTEGER DEFAULT 1,
-			hide_achievement INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			unknown3a INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			unknown3b INTEGER DEFAULT 0
-		)`,
-		
-		`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS achievements_requirements (
-			achievement_id INTEGER NOT NULL,
-			name TEXT NOT NULL,
-			qty_req INTEGER DEFAULT 1,
-			PRIMARY KEY(achievement_id, name),
-			FOREIGN KEY(achievement_id) REFERENCES achievements(achievement_id) ON DELETE CASCADE
-		)`,
-		
-		`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS achievements_rewards (
-			achievement_id INTEGER NOT NULL,
-			reward TEXT NOT NULL,
-			PRIMARY KEY(achievement_id, reward),
-			FOREIGN KEY(achievement_id) REFERENCES achievements(achievement_id) ON DELETE CASCADE
-		)`,
-		
-		`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS character_achievements (
-			char_id INTEGER NOT NULL,
-			achievement_id INTEGER NOT NULL,
-			completed_date INTEGER,
-			PRIMARY KEY(char_id, achievement_id),
-			FOREIGN KEY(char_id) REFERENCES characters(id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
-			FOREIGN KEY(achievement_id) REFERENCES achievements(achievement_id) ON DELETE CASCADE
-		)`,
-		
-		`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS character_achievements_items (
-			char_id INTEGER NOT NULL,
-			achievement_id INTEGER NOT NULL,
-			items INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			PRIMARY KEY(char_id, achievement_id),
-			FOREIGN KEY(char_id) REFERENCES characters(id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
-			FOREIGN KEY(achievement_id) REFERENCES achievements(achievement_id) ON DELETE CASCADE
-		)`,
-		
-		// Title tables
-		`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS titles (
-			title_id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY,
-			text TEXT NOT NULL,
-			category INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			rarity INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			position INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			description TEXT,
-			is_unique INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			is_hidden INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			color_code TEXT,
-			requirements TEXT,
-			source_type INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			source_id INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			created_date INTEGER,
-			expire_date INTEGER
-		)`,
-		
-		`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS character_titles (
-			char_id INTEGER NOT NULL,
-			title_id INTEGER NOT NULL,
-			source_achievement_id INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			source_quest_id INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			granted_date INTEGER,
-			expire_date INTEGER,
-			PRIMARY KEY(char_id, title_id),
-			FOREIGN KEY(char_id) REFERENCES characters(id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
-			FOREIGN KEY(title_id) REFERENCES titles(title_id) ON DELETE CASCADE
-		)`,
-		
-		`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS character_active_titles (
-			char_id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY,
-			prefix_title_id INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			suffix_title_id INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			FOREIGN KEY(char_id) REFERENCES characters(id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
-			FOREIGN KEY(prefix_title_id) REFERENCES titles(title_id) ON DELETE SET NULL,
-			FOREIGN KEY(suffix_title_id) REFERENCES titles(title_id) ON DELETE SET NULL
-		)`,
-		
-		// NPC tables
-		`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS npcs (
-			id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY,
-			name TEXT NOT NULL,
-			level INTEGER DEFAULT 1,
-			max_level INTEGER DEFAULT 1,
-			race INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			model_type INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			size INTEGER DEFAULT 32,
-			hp INTEGER DEFAULT 100,
-			power INTEGER DEFAULT 100,
-			x REAL DEFAULT 0,
-			y REAL DEFAULT 0,
-			z REAL DEFAULT 0,
-			heading REAL DEFAULT 0,
-			respawn_time INTEGER DEFAULT 300,
-			zone_id INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			aggro_radius REAL DEFAULT 10,
-			ai_strategy INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			loot_table_id INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			merchant_type INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			randomize_appearance INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			show_name INTEGER DEFAULT 1,
-			show_level INTEGER DEFAULT 1,
-			targetable INTEGER DEFAULT 1,
-			show_command_icon INTEGER DEFAULT 1,
-			display_hand_icon INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			faction_id INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			created_date INTEGER,
-			last_modified INTEGER
-		)`,
-		
-		`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS npc_spells (
-			npc_id INTEGER NOT NULL,
-			spell_id INTEGER NOT NULL,
-			tier INTEGER DEFAULT 1,
-			hp_percentage INTEGER DEFAULT 100,
-			priority INTEGER DEFAULT 1,
-			cast_type INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			recast_delay INTEGER DEFAULT 5,
-			PRIMARY KEY(npc_id, spell_id),
-			FOREIGN KEY(npc_id) REFERENCES npcs(id) ON DELETE CASCADE
-		)`,
-		
-		`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS npc_skills (
-			npc_id INTEGER NOT NULL,
-			skill_name TEXT NOT NULL,
-			skill_value INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			max_value INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			PRIMARY KEY(npc_id, skill_name),
-			FOREIGN KEY(npc_id) REFERENCES npcs(id) ON DELETE CASCADE
-		)`,
-		
-		`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS npc_loot (
-			npc_id INTEGER NOT NULL,
-			item_id INTEGER NOT NULL,
-			probability REAL DEFAULT 100.0,
-			min_level INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
-			max_level INTEGER DEFAULT 100,
-			PRIMARY KEY(npc_id, item_id),
-			FOREIGN KEY(npc_id) REFERENCES npcs(id) ON DELETE CASCADE
-		)`,
-	}
-	
-	for _, schema := range schemas {
-		if _, err := d.db.Exec(schema); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("failed to create schema: %w", err)
-		}
-	}
-	
-	return nil
-}
 
 // Query executes a query that returns rows
 func (d *Database) Query(query string, args ...interface{}) (*sql.Rows, error) {
@@ -369,6 +156,23 @@ func (d *Database) SaveRule(category, name, value, description string) error {
 	return err
 }
 
+// NewSQLite creates a new SQLite database connection
+func NewSQLite(path string) (*Database, error) {
+	return New(Config{
+		Type: SQLite,
+		DSN:  path,
+	})
+}
+
+// NewMySQL creates a new MySQL/MariaDB database connection
+// DSN format: user:password@tcp(host:port)/database
+func NewMySQL(dsn string) (*Database, error) {
+	return New(Config{
+		Type: MySQL,
+		DSN:  dsn,
+	})
+}
+
 // GetZones retrieves all zones from the database
 func (d *Database) GetZones() ([]map[string]interface{}, error) {
 	rows, err := d.Query(`
diff --git a/internal/database/database_test.go b/internal/database/database_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cbfe129
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/database/database_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+package database
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestNewSQLite(t *testing.T) {
+	// Test SQLite connection
+	db, err := NewSQLite("file::memory:?mode=memory&cache=shared")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to create SQLite database: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer db.Close()
+	
+	// Test database type
+	if db.GetType() != SQLite {
+		t.Errorf("Expected SQLite database type, got %v", db.GetType())
+	}
+	
+	// Test basic query
+	result, err := db.Exec("CREATE TABLE test (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY, name TEXT)")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to create test table: %v", err)
+	}
+	
+	affected, err := result.RowsAffected()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to get rows affected: %v", err)
+	}
+	
+	if affected != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("Expected 0 rows affected for CREATE TABLE, got %d", affected)
+	}
+	
+	// Test insert
+	_, err = db.Exec("INSERT INTO test (name) VALUES (?)", "test_value")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to insert test data: %v", err)
+	}
+	
+	// Test query
+	var name string
+	err = db.QueryRow("SELECT name FROM test WHERE id = 1").Scan(&name)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to query test data: %v", err)
+	}
+	
+	if name != "test_value" {
+		t.Errorf("Expected 'test_value', got '%s'", name)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestConfigValidation(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name    string
+		config  Config
+		wantErr bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "valid_sqlite_config",
+			config: Config{
+				Type: SQLite,
+				DSN:  "file::memory:?mode=memory&cache=shared",
+			},
+			wantErr: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "invalid_database_type",
+			config: Config{
+				Type: DatabaseType(99),
+				DSN:  "test",
+			},
+			wantErr: true,
+		},
+	}
+	
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			db, err := New(tt.config)
+			if (err != nil) != tt.wantErr {
+				t.Errorf("New() error = %v, wantErr %v", err, tt.wantErr)
+				return
+			}
+			if db != nil {
+				db.Close()
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDatabaseTypeMethods(t *testing.T) {
+	// Test SQLite
+	db, err := NewSQLite("file::memory:?mode=memory&cache=shared")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to create SQLite database: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer db.Close()
+	
+	if db.GetType() != SQLite {
+		t.Errorf("Expected SQLite type, got %v", db.GetType())
+	}
+	
+	// Verify GetPool works for SQLite
+	pool := db.GetPool()
+	if pool == nil {
+		t.Error("Expected non-nil pool for SQLite database")
+	}
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/internal/world/README.md b/internal/world/README.md
index d334e9c..320c92d 100644
--- a/internal/world/README.md
+++ b/internal/world/README.md
@@ -108,13 +108,39 @@ JSON-based configuration with CLI overrides:
     "listen_port": 9000,
     "max_clients": 1000,
     "web_port": 8080,
-    "database_path": "world.db",
+    "database_type": "sqlite",
+    "database_path": "eq2.db",
+    "database_host": "localhost",
+    "database_port": 3306,
+    "database_name": "eq2emu",
+    "database_user": "eq2",
+    "database_pass": "password",
     "server_name": "EQ2Go World Server",
     "xp_rate": 1.0,
     "ts_xp_rate": 1.0
 }
 ```
 
+For MySQL/MariaDB configuration:
+```json
+{
+    "database_type": "mysql",
+    "database_host": "localhost",
+    "database_port": 3306,
+    "database_name": "eq2emu",
+    "database_user": "eq2",
+    "database_pass": "password"
+}
+```
+
+For SQLite configuration (default):
+```json
+{
+    "database_type": "sqlite",
+    "database_path": "eq2.db"
+}
+```
+
 ## Usage
 
 ### Basic Startup
diff --git a/internal/world/world.go b/internal/world/world.go
index ecb5ebb..1af7a2a 100644
--- a/internal/world/world.go
+++ b/internal/world/world.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package world
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
+	"strings"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
@@ -78,7 +79,13 @@ type WorldConfig struct {
 	WebKeyPassword  string `json:"web_key_password"`
 	
 	// Database settings
-	DatabasePath    string `json:"database_path"`
+	DatabaseType    string `json:"database_type"`    // "sqlite" or "mysql"
+	DatabasePath    string `json:"database_path"`    // For SQLite: file path
+	DatabaseHost    string `json:"database_host"`    // For MySQL: hostname
+	DatabasePort    int    `json:"database_port"`    // For MySQL: port
+	DatabaseName    string `json:"database_name"`    // For MySQL: database name
+	DatabaseUser    string `json:"database_user"`    // For MySQL: username
+	DatabasePass    string `json:"database_pass"`    // For MySQL: password
 	
 	// Server settings
 	ServerName      string `json:"server_name"`
@@ -138,7 +145,25 @@ type ServerStatistics struct {
 // NewWorld creates a new world server instance
 func NewWorld(config *WorldConfig) (*World, error) {
 	// Initialize database
-	db, err := database.New(config.DatabasePath)
+	var db *database.Database
+	var err error
+	
+	switch strings.ToLower(config.DatabaseType) {
+	case "mysql", "mariadb":
+		dsn := fmt.Sprintf("%s:%s@tcp(%s:%d)/%s?parseTime=true&charset=utf8mb4&collation=utf8mb4_unicode_ci",
+			config.DatabaseUser, config.DatabasePass, config.DatabaseHost, config.DatabasePort, config.DatabaseName)
+		db, err = database.NewMySQL(dsn)
+	case "sqlite", "":
+		// Default to SQLite if not specified
+		dbPath := config.DatabasePath
+		if dbPath == "" {
+			dbPath = "eq2.db"
+		}
+		db, err = database.NewSQLite(dbPath)
+	default:
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unsupported database type: %s", config.DatabaseType)
+	}
+	
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to initialize database: %w", err)
 	}