Objects

This file is a comprehensive guide to building places and things on the MUSH.

Building
The first commandment of building: Thou Shalt Not Bloat the Database.

An over-large db slows down the MUSH, so this is important for everyone. Please use common sense; don't make objects just for show if including them in a desc of yourself or a room would do just as well. The quota system allows everyone to make a few personal objects that help RP, and keeps the database manageable.

However, creative and ICly useful rooms and objects for public use are always welcome; if you have a neat idea for an object or place you'd like to build, contact the head of building staff via @mail with a description and purpose. If it's approved, it won't be taken out of your quota.

See the on-MUSH +help files for places syntax. See also: Places and Objects

Describing Places
Use descriptions creatively. When you create a room, describe what it's for, the objects in it, and what the exits are like. Size and shape are important as well; what size TFs can fit in it, for instance? Try to convey the atmosphere of the place, too.

To describe an object or exit you own, use the following command:

@desc =

To set the description for a room you own, use the following format:

@desc here=%r[space(5)]An exciting room description.%r

This will describe the room as whatever you insert, put blank lines at the beginning and end of the desc, and indent the first line, making the desc easier to read. While %t will also indent, it does not work right for some screens, so please use the [space] instead. To edit the desc for a room without retyping it, type the following: @edit here/desc=OLD,NEW

Anything you type in NEW replaces whatever is in OLD. If OLD=$ then NEW gets appended to the end, if OLD=^ then NEW gets put in at the beginning.

Finishing Exits
Exits should all have their own descriptions just like rooms, though exit descriptions should only be one or two lines. Exits must also have messages in order to let people in the rooms they connect know which way a person using them has gone. To finish an exit, do the following:

We have an exit named 'North ;n;north'. @desc n= @succ n= @osucc n= @odrop n=

(The MUSH will insert the user's name into the osucc and odrop for you.)

Exits, by default, are transparent here. This means that when you 'look north', you will see the desc of the north exit, followed by the desc of the room beyond. If someone should NOT be able to see through the exit (for instance, if the exit is actually a door) do this :

@set =!transparent

See also the on-MUSH help files for: EXITS, TRANSPARENT, CLOUDY, and OPAQUE.

Making a Room
Let's say you're standing in the foyer of a building and want to build the living room, make exits connecting the two rooms, and describe them.

@dig Living Room

(This will make the room and tell you its room number; let's say it's #230.)

@open North ;n;north=#230,South  ;s;south

The semicolons and commas are NOT interchangeable! :) This will open an exit named 'North ' leading to the living room and an exit 'South  ' leading back from the living room. The words separated by the semicolons are the exit aliases. You can go through an exit by typing one of its exit aliases.

There is a shortcut that combines these two commands:

@dig Living Room=North ;n;north,South  ;s;south

Example
Let's say I'm standing in Memorial Spaceport on Cybertron and am creating a room called 'Customs Office' that is to the east of the main room.

@dig Customs Office=East ;e;east,West <W>;w;west @desc e=A large solid door marked 'CUSTOMS'. @set e=!transparent @succ e=You push open the door to the east and enter the Customs Office. @osucc e=enters the Customs Office to the east. @odrop e=comes in from the spaceport to the west.</b>

At this point, you would go into the new room to finish the rest of the commands.

@desc here=%r[space(5)]The Customs Office is open 24 hours a day to check your baggage and make certain that all shipping regulations are obeyed.%r @desc w=A large solid door leads back out to the main spaceport. @set w=!transparent @succ w=You return to the main spaceport. @osucc w=returns to the main spaceport through the door to the west. @odrop w=enters from the Customs Office to the east.</b>

While the description would in actuality be much longer, this is now a finished room.

Edit Example
Customs Room

<i>The Customs Office is open 24 hours adayto check your baggage and make certain that all shipping regulations are obeyed.

Contents: Customs Agent Obvious Exits: West <W> leads to Memorial Spaceport</i>

This room hasn't been formatted and has a typo. Here's how we correct this.

@edit here/desc=^,%r[space(5)] (this inserts the line and indent before the desc) @edit here/desc=$,%r (this adds a line after the desc) @edit here/desc=adayto,a day to (corrects the typo)

Planning Places
The purpose of building is to enhance RP. This and the First Commandment are the most important things to keep in mind. Use common sense. Here are some guidelines for planning out/building places.


 * All exits should have a directional alias that the exit messages should refer to. Why? 1) Easier to move around and follow people, and 2) Easier for your area to be checked/inspected for geographic accuracy. :)
 * IC exit messages shouldn't pose people too much; "@osucc=staggers into the room." is not okay, "@osucc=enters the room." is fine.
 * Private Areas: Only faction leaders and the top five ranking officers in a faction should have private IC rooms. Subgroups may, if they can provide an IC reason for it, have a private base of 1-2 rooms (Subgroup = Stunticons, Dinobots, etc.).
 * Planetary Bodies: Planets/Moons should wrap around if of any extent. If you include the North/South Poles, all the exits from them should be south/north respectively.

Policy
Building and other staff generally have expanded or unlimited quota and @tel capability for one reason: to let them make the MUSH a better place :). However, there are certain responsibilities and etiquette that go along with these capabilities.

Don't abuse your privileges. Please remember that your expanded quota is for building things for the MUSH in general. As far as building an IC private room, you shouldn't unless it's themely (i.e., you're a senior officer or your faction leader gives you one). As far as an OOC room, please don't make more than one, and do not link it to someone else's private room without permission. Don't use your @tel/building abilities when RPing, as it's not fair to others.

Also be sure to read the staff policy item in the staff room for more information on the policy for staff here. Thanks!

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