And so it came to pass...

So, after thinking about it for a long while, and tinkering with different mud codes, I've decided upon PennMUSH. I had set one set up for me a while back, but that's fallen on the wayside. This time around I've decided to host it on my computer for a time, until I'm satisfied that it's ready for prime time.

In the meantime, a few of my friends and I will use it to roleplay on, which will give the code a workout and let me find if I've coded in any bugs... er, features. :P

The idea I wish to try out, is a multi-genre mush. Players create one avatar, and then create different characters for each of the games/genres they wish to play in. For example, lets say there are two games, one for Vampire: the Requiem and one for Werewolf: the Forsaken. Players would create characters for each game, which would simply be a sheet containing stats, skills, description, name, etc. There would be a command a player could enter, which (like the MORPH command) apply the character sheet to their avatar. The player then moves their avatar to the appropriate game's area, and off they go. This way a player could be in different games, without needing to make a second avatar (or a third, fourth, etc). If someone were to log on and find that a particular game is missing players for the night, they could switch character sheets and go to a game that does have an adequate player base.

The intent is to build areas for each particular game, much like how the different World of Darkness game lines have their own particular city. Shadowrun, for example, could be based in an area describing Seattle and it's environs. Changeling: the Lost could be based in Miami, and so on and so forth.

While it would start off requiring much interaction with a game master or judge, in the end, many things could and should be automated. Combat, though, is something I don't believe should be automated at all. All the appropriate die-roll commands will be coded, and players who are well versed in the particular game's rules should be able to do most combats on their own. Only when things get complicated, or might have a large impact on the game's world (like killing a mafia don, or taking down a corporation), would a judge be required.

So, that's it... a rough outline of what I'd like to do. Any suggestions or feedback is appreciated.