From Wormhole Sci-Fi MUD Homepage

How to build in Wormhole MUD

Introduction

This resource, sometimes referred to as ‘the builder docs’ started life as ‘The Builder’s Handbook’, written by Builder_5 as a generic resource for all DikuMUDs. It was updated by Matrix, and then by Q when the Wormhole Project began. It was then adapted by Angel Kinbane for the Parallax Project, before reaching its current form, compiled by Artoo with contributions from Ecks and Amigone. This document explains the syntax of the five main kinds of file that may be used to create a new zone in the Wormhole MUD (or one of its derivatives), plus starships and scripted quests.

You can use these builder documents for construction in any CircleMUD, although you may find that some of the higher-numbered flags and object types are not available within basic implementations. Wormhole's game engine has been expanded quite a bit! Also, specific races and classes will be different in other MUDs, of course.

Spoiler warning: Knowing how the game works might impair your enjoyment of it, slightly. It reduces the mystery of the game a little, interfering with your suspension of disbelief and causing you to think of it as a mere program instead of an alternative universe. For this reason, you are asked not to use too much game-builder’s jargon when you are in-game. Try not to use the ‘secret language’ of mobs, diode equip, wimpy helpers and so on when you are with people who are trying to roleplay, okay?

For those who still want to risk it, and learn the secrets of MUD area construction, here they are...

Getting started (before you reach for that terraforming machine...)

Worlds (maps and descriptions of places to explore in)

Mobiles (people and monsters; non-player characters)

Objects (weapons, armour, loot, furniture, food, etc.)

Shops (item types traded, opening hours, profit margins, etc.)

Zone (the file that controls what objects and mobiles start where)

Ships (create ships that can fly from world to world)

Scripting (create events for mobs, rooms and zones)

FAQ (specific questions regarding building)

Useful Apps (applications that may be useful during building)

(Got server access? See also: Coding knowledge base)