APPENDIX The following is an example of a complete area file. It is rather small, but it shows all parts of the file combined together. Use this a a reference as you are working on your area file. -Faustus _______________________________________________________________________ #AREA { 5 15} Faustus Dragon Egg Tavern~ #HELPS -0 tavern~ The Dragon Egg Tavern is written as a small example area to accompany the Barren Realms builder's guide. Chances are, this area will never actually be implemented anywhere, so this help file will most likely never been read on the mud. Nevertheless, this shows you what a help file looks like. ~ 0 $~ #MOBILES #501 klaus bartender tall man heavy~ Klaus the bartender~ A tall, heavyset man stands behind the bar, awaiting orders. ~ Klaus stands here with a jolly countenance and a gleam in his eye. He takes a moment to wipe his hands on his dirty apron and then turns to laugh at a joke made by some other patron. As he moves about behind the bar, it is possible to see the powerful muscles that hide beneath his portly body. ~ 1|2|4 4|32 750 S 99 0 0 0d0+0 0d0+0 0 0 0 0 1 #502 cook shabby short~ a shabby cook~ A short cook scurries about the area, busily preparing food. ~ This short man regards you with a gruff grunt as you look at him, then returns his attention to the half-prepared food before him. His dark is pulled back into a tight knot and he wears a thin, greasy apron. Despite the cramped quarters, he moves about with ease. ~ 1|2 0 500 S 11 0 0 0d0+0 0d0+0 0 0 0 0 1 #503 patron hungry stout man~ a hungry patron~ A stout man is here, waiting to be served. ~ Faint grumbling sounds are audible from the stomach of this portly man. He paces back and forth, impatiently looking around for something to eat. He pauses for a moment to wipe some sweat from beneath his thinning brow. ~ 1 0 150 S 5 0 0 0d0+0 0d0+0 0 0 0 0 1 #504 patron quiet young woman~ a quiet patron~ A young woman standing nearby watches everyone around her. ~ This woman gazes about, her face mostly covered by her long, curly hair. She stands rather still and does not draw much attention to herself. Her eyes dart over to the bar for a moment, but her face betrays no sign of emotion. ~ 1 0 150 S 8 0 0 0d0+0 0d0+0 0 0 0 0 2 #505 smell rancid rotten cloud stink~ a rancid smell~ A rotten cloud of yellowish stink permeates the room. ~ The yellowish cloud swirls amorphously through the air, despite the fact that no fresh air blows into the room. When it comes into contact with the water on the floor, the water starts to sizzle and bubble slightly. This cloud moves about almost as if it is seeking out life. ~ 1|2|8|32 8|32 -750 S 15 0 0 0d0+0 0d0+0 0 0 0 0 0 #0 #OBJECTS #501 beef plate slices~ a plate of beef~ A plate covered with slices of beef sits here.~ ~ 19 0 1 25 0 0 0 3 0 0 E beef plate slices~ Several slices of beef, covered in a thick, juicy sauce, lie atop a cracked clay plate. A rich aroma rises from the meat, tantalizing those in the vicinity. ~ #502 key worn scratched~ a worn key~ A scratched and worn key lies here, discarded.~ ~ 18 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 E key worn scratched~ This key is about three inches in length. Several deep scratches run from one end to the other. Despite these marks, the key feels quite solid and sturdy. ~ #503 ale bottle brown liquid~ a bottle of ale~ A dark brown bottle filled with amber liquid sits on the floor.~ ~ 10 1 1 15 28 1 36 2 125 0 E ale bottle brown liquid~ The liquid in this bottle fizzes with rolling effervescence. A rich, heady aroma escapes from within and fills the air. ~ #504 cleaver meat knife large~ a meat cleaver~ A large knife has been stuck into the ground.~ ~ 5 2|64 1|8192 0 0 0 1 5 0 0 E cleaver meat knife large~ The ten-inch long blade of this cleaver has been sharpened to a finely honed edge. It is capable of hewing easily through meat, shaving off paper-thin slices. ~ #505 tunic brown loose pile fabric~ a loose brown tunic~ A pile of brown fabric has fallen in a rumpled heap.~ ~ 9 0 1|8 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 E tunic brown loose pile fabric~ Despite the rough weave of the fabric, this tunic drapes easily about the body, making it rather comfortable. ~ #506 boots muddy pair~ a pair of muddy boots~ A pair of boots coated in mud lies nearby.~ ~ 9 0 1|64 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 E boots muddy pair~ These boots are made with stout, thick soles designed to withstand a great deal of wear. Most of the mud that coats these boots is old and dry, but a few spots are still slick. ~ #507 coatrack coat rack tall~ a coatrack~ A tall coatrack stands in the corner.~ ~ 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 0 0 E coatrack coat rack tall~ A wooden pole, slightly taller than the average human, rests upon a sturdy base. A pair of tan cloaks hang from small hooks atop the rack. ~ #508 stove iron cast black~ a cast iron stove~ A large black stove is placed against a wall.~ ~ 15 0 0 100 1|4 -1 0 200 0 0 E stove iron cast black~ Drops of grease coat the surface of this stove, attesting to its frequent use. The hinges on its door look oiled and well maintained, though. ~ #509 pork roast roasted piece~ a roast pork~ A roasted piece of pork sits here with steam rising from it.~ ~ 26 2|64 1 20 19 74 36 2 250 0 E pork roast roasted piece~ A light glaze glistens on the surface of this juicy meat. It has a rich golden color and smells delicious. ~ #510 toilet old broken cracked~ an old, broken toilet~ A cracked toilet stands in the back corner.~ ~ 15 0 0 150 0 -1 0 1000 0 0 E toilet old broken cracked~ This toilet is badly stained, and there appears to be something growing on one side. Its interior has long since dried out and currently stands empty. ~ #0 #ROOMS #501 On a Muddy City Street~ The dirt roads of the city have become slick with mud following a recent rainstorm. This particular stretch is especially messy, as the mud has been churned up by passing pedestrians and horses. On the western edge of the street, a few wooden steps lead up to a one-story building. A crude, but welcoming sign hangs outside of the door to this building, offering refuge from the muck and dirt of the streets. ~ 0 4 1 D3 A heavy wooden door provides access to a nearby building. ~ door wooden~ 1 -1 502 E sign crude~ The sign hangs from a pair of rusty iron chains that creak softly as the sign sways in the breeze. A set of letters carved into the sign reads "Welcome travelers to the Dragon Egg Tavern." Next to these letters, someone has painted a colorful egg from which protrudes the brightly painted head of a dragon. ~ S #502 The Common Room of the Tavern~ The sounds of glasses clinking together, of forks scraping against plates, and of jovial conversation fill the air. Warm air fills the air of this tavern, creating a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere. To the east, a thick wooden door leads out to the neighboring street. Inside the tavern, there is a bar to the west and a few tables that sit to the north. Underfoot, a few mud streaks mark the wooden floor panels. ~ 0 8 0 D0 A few tables sit in the corner to the north. ~ ~ 0 -1 505 D1 A wooden door, marked by a few scratches, is set into the east wall. ~ door wooden thick~ 1 -1 501 D3 A bar stands against the western wall of the tavern. ~ ~ 0 -1 503 E floor panel panels mud streak streaks~ Much of the mud on the floor has been tracked in from the street. Boot prints, some still slick with wet mud, track from the door and lead both to the north and to the west. ~ S #503 In Front of a Tall Bar~ Several mugs of ale, some dented, others overflowing with froth, sit atop the nearby oak bar. Large barrels sit behind the bar against the back wall of the tavern. A shelf that stands above these barrels holds a small collection of cheap wine bottles. The air in this corner of the tavern holds a mixture of alcohol fumes and roasted meat aromas. A pair of swinging doors to the south leads into a bustling kitchen, the source of these cooking smells. ~ 0 8 0 D0 A few tables have been set up in a corner to the north. ~ ~ 0 -1 506 D1 East of here is the entrance to the tavern. ~ ~ 0 -1 502 D2 The swinging doors sway gently to and fro on their hinges. ~ door doors swinging~ 1 -1 504 E barrel barrels~ The barrels behind the bar are three to four feet in diameter each. Amber drop of ale slowly drip from the poorly closed tap of the largest of these barrels. ~ E shelf wine bottle bottles~ Many of these bottles are covered in a layer of gritty dust. Only two of the bottles appear to have beet touched in the past year. A close look reveals cobwebs clinging to a few bottles. ~ S #504 A Cramped Kitchen~ This room, no more than a scant few square feet, is packed with cooking implements. A cast iron stove takes up much of the space against the southern wall, while the other walls are occupied by tables covered with pots, pans, and dishes. One of the tables also holds a few chunks of bread and various slices of meat. The single small window set high into the west wall does little to provide ventilation, but some fresh air does filter in through the swinging doors to the east. ~ 0 8 0 D0 A pair of swinging doors leads to the heart of the tavern. ~ pair doors swinging door~ 1 -1 503 E bread chunk chunks~ This bread is heavy and has quite a thick crust, but it looks fresh and filling. A freshly baked aroma rises from the bread to mingle with the aromas in the room. ~ E meat slice slices~ Warm, juicy drippings seep from the surface of the meat, puddling in a few spots on the table top. The aroma of this deep-brown, well roasted meat is positively mouth-watering. ~ S #505 Inside the Tavern~ Candles that sit atop the tables in this corner cast in dim light upon the surroundings. A few patrons sit around two of the tables, engaged in a deep conversation. The wooden floorboards are strewn with bits of food, and spilled drinks have stained numerous spots. After a moment, the conversation grows louder and more urgent. A large painting hangs upon the northern wall, taking up most of the available space. ~ 0 8 0 D2 To the south lies the entrance of the tavern. ~ ~ 0 -1 502 D3 A dim corner of the tavern sits nearby. ~ ~ 0 -1 506 E patron patrons~ The patrons are made up of a mixture of adventuring types and city dwellers. After a moment, the voices of some of these patrons rise to a shout. The yell is accompanied by the sharp crash of breaking glass. Quickly, though, the atmosphere calms down and returns to normal. ~ E painting~ This rough paint sketch depicts a brightly speckled egg sitting in a straw nest. The egg is cracked open on one side, and the scaly head of an infant dragon pokes tentatively through the opening. ~ S #506 The Back of the Tavern~ A few unoccupied tables have been placed about randomly in this corner of the tavern. The patrons and employees of the tavern seem to shun this area. Periodically one wanders by, but leaves quickly in an uncomfortable silence. The dark wooden floorboards have not been swept in quite some time. One of the tables partially blocks a door in the northern wall with a small paper sign hanging from it. An unpleasant odor seeps in from the direction of this door. ~ 0 8 0 D0 This thick door is partially blocked by one of the tables. ~ door thick~ 1 502 507 D1 Several patrons sit at the tables to the east. ~ ~ 0 -1 505 D2 A bar, offering several drinks, stands nearby. ~ ~ 0 -1 503 E sign paper~ Someone has nailed a piece of paper to the door. In flowing script, it says that "This room has been closed by order of the city." Underneath this writing, a shakier handwritten script reads "See the bartender if you really need to get in. Enter at your own risk." ~ S #507 A Filthy Restroom~ This small, cramped chamber had probably once been used as a restroom, but untold neglect has transformed it into something unspeakable. An inch of brackish, foul-smelling water covers the floor, staining the bottoms of each wall. The remnants of a wooden stall, now smashed and broken, rest against the northern and western walls. An awful odor fills the small room. A door in the southern wall offers a chance to escape from here. ~ 0 1|8|512|8192 0 D2 This door offers the only route out of here. ~ door~ 1 502 506 E water~ An unidentifiable oily substance floats on the surface of the water. Its dull, yellowish color contrasts starkly with the thick brown tint of the rest of the water. ~ S #0 #RESETS * 501 D 0 501 3 1 door resets closed, unlocked * * 502 D 0 502 1 1 door resets closed, unlocked M 0 503 2 502 load hungry patron E 0 505 0 5 hungry patron wears tunic O 0 507 0 502 load coatrack * * 503 M 0 501 1 503 load bartender G 0 501 0 0 beef to bartender's inventory G 0 502 0 0 key to bartender's inventory G 0 503 0 0 ale to bartender's inventory * * 504 M 0 502 1 504 load cook E 0 504 0 16 cook wields cleaver O 0 508 0 504 load stove P 0 509 0 508 put pork in stove * * 505 M 0 503 2 505 load hungry patron E 0 505 0 5 hungry patron wears tunic M 0 504 1 505 load quiet patron E 0 505 0 5 quiet patron wears tunic E 0 506 0 8 quiet patron wears boots * * 506 D 0 506 0 2 door resets closed, locked * * 507 D 2 507 2 2 door resets closed, locked M 0 505 1 507 load smell O 0 510 0 507 load toilet S #SHOPS 501 19 26 10 0 0 110 85 8 23 0 #SPECIALS M 501 spec_janitor bartender M 504 spec_thief quiet patron O 510 speco_recylcer toilet S #$