[Znr4123]

Certainly, This is a basic overview. If you want even more specifics... please feel free to email. Again,

About the OLC, it is command based right now. We have plans to make a graphical creation/edit system... but unfortunately that is not complete yet. Though the intention is to have one complete for builders in the near future. We just think that it's nessarry to build that team first. Editors are a simple matter. For now, I've put a great deal of effor to make the command line editor feature as painless as possible (it's my pet project). It is also a permission based system. So, the greater rank you have (newbie, god, creator, etc..) the more capabilities you have. At the command line you can issue quick change commands such as:

"change mobile 3005 level 10"

That will change the mobiles level with the vnum of 3005. However, the editor is a lot more fun (I gave it an attitude). To get into the editor:

"edit mobile 3005"

Now you'll be editing that specific mobile. To create a mobile (creation puts you in an editing state):

"create mobile [some area]"

Then each mobiles properties are basically commands. In this state, no other character can interact with you, except messaging. You remain in the editor until you decide to exit, or you can "boot" a weaker person off the editor if they are causing trouble or are editing something you need to. You can also issue regular commands... but limited.

"level 10"

That will change the mobiles level to level 10. Just issuing "level", as example, will display the current level. There are other commands like "list" in the editor. So you can "list" out all properties you have permission to see or change:

"list change" or "list show" or "list [some property]"

If you list a property it will show things like available flags, or a range of valid values. The system does check valid ranges automatically as well. Just about everything can be changed on the fly in the game... As an implementer, I can create a player from scratch with the OLC, in just a few minutes, and typically in less time then to edit a text file. I can make "quick changes" to players or edit them even if they are NOT online. Editing a characters text is pretty simple to. Maybe you created a mobile, but realized you misspelled something. You can simply just replace the misspelled word instead of retyping the text. As far as improvements.... All the parts are there to do this... we just have to integrate it... but eventually we want this to work:

"change all mobile strength to 1o if (((level > 5 && level < 25) || str < 5) && name != "thief")"

Now about the trigger system.... This is a little less developed... but still very powerful. Several actions are logged, and can trigger a mobile's behavior. Some trigger examples are movement into and out of a room, bribing them, object interaction triggers, talking to the mobile, issuing a social on or near a mobile, and a special "ability" trigger. For the ability trigger, in theory, a mobile could be found and become part of your party once found. If your character issues an "ability" command, the mobile will do it's thing. Maybe cast "cure critical" on you or maybe give you something (as generic examples). This can be usefull for pets as well.

Now the mud programs are a language all there own, and pretty much anything a player can do, a mob can be programmed to do. Almost all of the old ROM/DIKU special_* routines can be redone as mud programs (although we did have difficulty figuring out how to get the mayor in there cleanly. Not saying it can't be done, just less fun).

Some simple examples, A guard could be programed such that if you attempt to enter a room it's guarding, the mobile will stop you. They could either fight you, or just say "your not allowed in there". You could in theory also program scripted seens. Have two mobiles act out a play for a character who pays them money. The banker, changer, and shops are being piped through the mud programs (though the shops are still not quite finished.... but very close).

Let me know if you have any other questions.