[MUD-Dev] History, background and religion

[Kevin Scott London]

On Tue, 11 Apr 2000, Pileborg Joachim - FMT wrote:
> I know that most existing MUDs don't have either a history, background
> or religion. What I'm wondering is how many of you do have a (more or
> less) well thought-out history for your MUD? Are you borrowing stuff from
> our own history? How do you handle names (of people and places) in case
> you dont? Religion and gods? Do the implemtation of it all differ from what
> you first planned it to be, and why?
> 

Well, on Realms of Despair ( SMAUG developers ), we are currently working
on something like that.  We ran into the problem, that when a new area was
built, we would try to put the area in where we thought it would fit, the
world had a history but not a very detailed one, and there were really no
gods (Other than the admins).  So in reworking Realms, we decided to redo
the geography to make the world more cohesive, deities were added a while
back and at first were named after current high level gods.  However we
soon learned that it is better to have a different set of "deities" than
your immortal staff, because people leave, etc... The deities are
implemented in such a way that people can devote to a deity (some deities
prefer different races/classes, etc...) and then through your actions you
gain "favor" either through killing things, helping people, etc... All
depending on who your deity is.  When you build up enough favor your deity
smiles upon you and helps you fight better, more resistant to acid for
example or things like that.  Conversly, if you lose favor your deity
afflicts you so you don't fight as well, you become susceptible to things,
etc...   Also, if you have enough favor you can "use" your favor to summon
the Deity's Avatar for help, recall out of place you normally couldn't,
etc...  This causes you to lose favor since, your deity is helping you
out.  This system works pretty well, especially if entertwined with your
history.  As for our history, we had a short one, but nothing to detailed
and are in the process of writing a "new" history to go along with this
greatly transformed geography.  We are using events that have happened in
our mud (since we have been up for 6 years, there is alot to grab from),
everything from immortals that were banned from the mud for cheating or
what ever and work that into the story.  For example the gods had a great
fight, the very world was transformed into a dark, despairing place.  As
the dust setteled from the fight, ImmX had been defeated, etc..... I think
pulling on events that have happened in your muds history is a great way
to build a history assuming you have been up for a while.  Also I realize
that the above doesn't sound all that good, but I am a coder not a writer
;)  Anyway, I hope that gives you some ideas.

Kevin London




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