How to Write an Area


Home | Mobiles | Objects | Rooms | Resets | Shops and Specials | Printable Version

Welcome to the Area Builders On-Line Resource Page.

These pages are an online resource designed to aid builders for Land of the Lost Unicorn, create new and unique areas. The following are some general guidelines to keep in mind when writing areas.

  1. Have an Original and Unique Theme, appropriate for Lun.
  2. Keep level approriateness in mind when creating mobs and objects, be consistent.
    Don't overpower!
  3. Every description must be unique, changing a few words around doesn't cut it.
  4. Avoid using "you" in descriptions, NEVER tell a player what they feel, react, or do.
  5. Write descriptions in passive sense.
  6. Make Alignment mean something, don't just use -1000 0 1000.
  7. Room descriptions should be no more than 22 lines
  8. Mobile and Objects' short and room descriptions should be one line no wrapping.
    Use Extra descriptions to add more detailed descriptions.
  9. Write all descriptions so they can stand alone, without context of other parts of the area.
  10. Do not use relative directions in room descriptions. (behind, forward, next to...)
    You should not assume a player will be facing or going only one direction.

Place your mouse over any of the variables for more information.
The format of any area file should look like:

#AREA signifies the start of an area file, information contained in this line is added to the area list. Level range should list the average range of levels this area is intended for, within the mortal levels (1-91). This is the name of who wrote the area, character names are used for this. This is the name for your area. The tilde ends all strings.
#MOBILES signifies the start of the mobiles section.
#0 signifies the end of this section.
#OBJECTS signifies the start of the objects section.
#0 signifies the end of this section.
#ROOMS signifies the start of the objects section.
#0 signifies the end of this section.
#RESETS signifies the start of the resets section.
S signifies the end of this section.
#SHOPS signifies the start of the shops section.
S signifies the end of this section.
#SPECIALS signifies the start of the specials section.
S signifies the end of this section.
#$ signifies the end of the area file.
If you find any bugs within these pages,
or have suggestions for additional info
to be included here, email me comments,
or ideas. Email: Rebecca

Home | Mobiles | Objects | Rooms | Resets | Shops and Specials | Printable Version

Mobile's: Act Flags - Affected Flags - Act2 Flags - Extended Affects Flags - Attack Type - Offensive Flags
Positions - Immune Flags - Resistance Flags - Vulnerable Flags - Sex Flags - Form Flags - Parts Flags - Size Flags

Object's: Item Types - Extra Flags - Wear Flags - Item Values - Condition - Affects-Apply-Type
Attack Type - Container Flags - Spell Numbers - Liquid Type - Weapon Type - Weapon Class

Room's: Flags - Sectors - Doors - Locks
Reset: Wear Locations - Doors - Door Set
Shop: Trade Item Types
Specials: Special Flags