MUSH?

[Alcarion]

Hey all, brand new newbie here!

I wonder if any of you would be interested in a MUSH based on the first chronicles?

I see on the home page here a link for a MUD based on this story. I trust you know the difference between a MUD and a MUSH? In case you are not:

MUD = Multi-user Dungeon. It's an automated, online text game. Think video-console game without the purty graphics.

MUSH = Multi-User-Shared-Hallucination: an online text, virtual world for role-play--not automated. In other words, like an online, persistent table-top RPG.

I've been MUSHing for many years and know how to build/code such games. Storytelling and role-play are the main focus (all code is for purposes of facilitating role-play).

Many well-known/beloved fantasy genres have been translated into MUSHes: Lord of the Rings, Dragonriders of Pern, Amber, etc and et al.

So, I wonder: would any of you be interested in forming such a place and putting it together for role-playing and such? It would take a team of at least 5 people to get it ready for general use. Some decisions that would have to be made:

Setting/timeline: when (i.e., which chronicles do we pick to run the game and what period of time) ?

Structure: set up like a Tolkien Mush with regions/admins etc, or, more like a World of Darkness MUSH with specific admins over various races or, freestyle like a Pern Mush?

Gameplay: freestyle, theatrical role-play like a Tolkien MUSH or coded systems like a World of Darkness MUSH?

Open: to public logins or kept private, invitation only?

I'd be very interested in starting this up and maintaining it; however, I'd need firm commitments from others interested in starting and maintaining it. It would all be simply for fun and for role-playing in the Land--nothing for profit and so on.

We would also need to contact SRD and ask his permission to use his published material in such a manner. Typically, authors have no problem allowing this useage---some with stipulations. For example, Anne McCaffery allows Pern MUSHes so long as they do not use her characters (the MUSH must be set in a time with none of her published characters, etc).

If interested, please reply in this post and we'll get things started.

thanks
Alcarion

[Alcarion]

I just noticed that both links to both MUDs on the home page are broken. This might mean both MUDs are defunct?

Anyway, as I said, a MUSH is not at all the same thing as a MUD though there are some similarities (mainly in UI and 'look')

Alc

[Menolly]

Alcarion, welcome to the Watch.

I will admit most of what you are saying is flying right over my head, as I am not much of a Gamer. However, you may find more like minded people in the Gravin Threndor forum, as that is our RPG forum of the Watch.

I look forward to seeing you there.

[Alcarion]

Thanks for the welcome!

Yes, I am familiar with role-play forums. A MUSH is very similar except the posing and counter posing happen in real-time.

Let me further explain:

The MUSH must be 'built'. Room by Room. Or, if that sounds strange, Area by Area. Each 'area' will correspond to a location in the story. There are no graphics, so each area would be written/described.

So, in effect, we could have the entire Land exist in these areas and our characters could move through the Land and role-play therein. This process is tedious as whole regions would need to be described (in OUR own words, not direct copy of SRD's published text).

Small, special programs similar to MIRC are used to connect to the MUSH. Once on, you define your character (description, backstory and so on). Since this would be a MUSH, you're not going to define stats like in an RPG--unless of course, that's desired).

The areas and characters are persistant. They remain after you log off. Think of Everquest, but in text format and without all the stats---a virtual, persistent world.

So, say we have someone who wants to 'run' the Mithil Stonedown area. He/She and his trusty assistants work like mad and layout that area, complete with houses and so on...linking all the way to KW and the Plains, etc. Each area, building and trail is described. Players who wish to role-play Stonedowners would naturally contact those who 'run' this area, read through some 'help' on it, submit a character for approval, and, once in compliance with the stipulations there, describe their characters, make minor adjustments to their backstories/histories/concept and then move on into Mithil Stonedown. They are now able to role-play with all other Stonedowners (and anyone else who's visiting that area as well).

Simultaneously, all the way in the Revelstone area, another player who logged on has decided he/she wants to RP in Lord's Keep. He/she goes through the same process, but is transported to Revelstone when their character is ready and can then role-play in that area. Etc and so on.

Even Lord Foul's servants/creatures could be role-played in this manner.

Feature Characters: eventually, players who show dedication and excellent role-play skills and meet other criteria could be chosen by those who run various areas to role-play the named characters from the Story:

TC
Elena
Triock
Mhoram
Lord Foul, himself

etc and so on.

The MUSH would remain constantly available so players could log in and role-play at any time (supposing there were others on in the same area, etc).

Remember, it would all be text: described and written by us in our own words inspired by SRD's awesome prose. It would be persistant and as 'coded' as we'd like it to be. Variou small programs are free online to allow access to the MUSH: simpleMU, MUSHCLIENT, et al---very simple to install and use.

For examples of MUSHes: google Elendor please (or wiki it). This is the primary Lord of the Rings MUSH extant--set in the time of the actual Story. It's been running for eons now heh.

Please post up any questions here so I can explain more clearly. I forget that not everyone has heard of MUSHing heh.

Alc

[Cagliostro]

I thought this was MASH - as in Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House.

I did the online version with all Covenant things. My future is determined.

I will marry Linden Avery, we will travel by zinnwaldite feet (I used Mode of Transportation in lieu of Car), have 1 kid and live in a shack in Revelstone. I will work as a gravelingas.

[Alcarion]

Heh.

I take it from the lack of responses no one is interested in starting up an online MUSH where we can role-play and storytell?

It can also be used as a simple chat room with many different channels and forums, etc.

Alc

[balon!]

Sounds good to me.

I got dibs on Foamfollower!

[emotional leper]

I believe there is already a TCTC Mush.

[Alcarion]

I believe there is already a TCTC Mush.

I've never seen one. Got a link? I've been in MUSHing for many years and never run across one.

Now, MUDs...yeah 2, which appear to be defunct.

Alc

[emotional leper]

I believe there is already a TCTC Mush.

I've never seen one. Got a link? I've been in MUSHing for many years and never run across one.

Now, MUDs...yeah 2, which appear to be defunct.

Alc

Ah. Nevermind then.

[Alcarion]

Any serious interest in doing this MUSH?

I'm willing to open it up for creation, if so.


We'd need to settle on a time for role-play, of course.

I'm thinking between LFB and IEW.

I'll post up a query on the RP forum as well.

Alc

[Ur Dead]

I don't think TC is willing to be hooked up to a dog sled while we yell.

MUSH! MUSH MUSH!

/looks around..
/backs slowly away from thread.

[emotional leper]

I never understood MUSHes.

I could probably write one in a few hours. From what I understand, they're MUDs without... the stuff that makes a MUD fun.

They're like Second Life. But textbased.

[Rocksister]

Sorry over my head here. Not a gamer. Too bad my kids aren't into TC. They are going to college for video game programming and could probably enjoy this if they even know who TC or Donaldson were at all. They play, they don't read. Too bad, I know. Oh, well. Good luck with your mush or whatever. And Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

[Alcarion]

It's simply a role-playing or storytelling medium. That's all.

We'd be able to write and act in the Land. All in text--no graphics.

As I said, there are MUSHes based on Tolkien, Pern, Amber, Vampires, etc.

You guys don't role-play or want to role-play in the Land? I must've gotten the wrong impression from reading these forums...wow.

Alc

[emotional leper]

It's simply a role-playing or storytelling medium. That's all.

We'd be able to write and act in the Land. All in text--no graphics.

As I said, there are MUSHes based on Tolkien, Pern, Amber, Vampires, etc.

You guys don't role-play or want to role-play in the Land? I must've gotten the wrong impression from reading these forums...wow.

Alc

The problem a TC mush would run into is the same problem that you run into in every other RP scenario in a medium like this: Everyone wants to be a certain character, and there aren't enough to go around.

Back when I used to do MMX LARP/IRP, we used to have to trade off weekly on who we would play depending on who showed up.

[Alcarion]

Named characters from the books are not for player choice. They are awarded by those who 'run' the MUSH based on dedication, helpfulness to the MUSH and role-play ability.

Everyone would be obliged to start out their own character in the Land and role-play on that level.

I picture the time of the MUSH somewhere in the 40 yrs between LFB and IEW---probably before Elena becomes High Lord.

Good guys, neutrals and bad guys could be chosen, but not named characters.

Alc

[Cagliostro]

You might be more successful pawning your wares over in Gravin Threndor, the Role Playing part of the forum.


Edit- Oh, nevermind...I see you already have.