=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Class extraction for CircleMUD 3.0b Pl15 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- INTRODUCTION: Aside from colour parsing, this is usually one of the first things I do when I begin to lay out a game. I have always prefered gaming environments that oriented themselves to roleplay and realistic character development. Classes block the ability of the player, at times, to develop a character that is not stereotypical (probably because a class is a stereotype, to a great extent). I like to break down these walls classes are so that players may more freely develop their characters. I'm certain that there are many who disagree with me on this principle. And that's fine. They simply need not install this patch. :) I tossed this together for those admins who'd like to begin with a skill-driven CircleMUD, free of "pesky" classes. A fair bit of warning, though, to those who would make such an attempt: Be prepared to make the changes to the skill-base, and be very wary of balancing issues that might arise in so doing. MODIFICATIONS: Class.c has been entirely removed, with most of it's functional content placed in limits.c, where I felt it was better suited to be, anyhow. The thaco() routine was moved to fight.c, while savings_throw() was moved to magic.c. Modifications were also made to act.informative.c, act.wizard.c, spell_parser.c, magic.c, spells.h, db.c, structs.h and most likely a few that have eluded my recollection right at the moment. INSTALLATION: Simply copy the pl15-noclasses.patch file to your MUD's source directory and apply it as shown below: patch -u < pl15-noclasses.patch After manually patching any rejected chunks (*.rej files), everything should be set. Reconfigure, recompile and run. Simple as that. SUPPORT: [*** Insert standard disclaimer here ***] Backups should be made if this patch is being applied to modified source. Furthermore, I've tested this only against CircleMUD 3.0b pl15. I make no guarantee as to it's compatability with prior or subsequent releases of CircleMUD. If any classes or class-specific material has been added to your game I can be certain this patch will not go in cleanly: backups are critical. In any case, should a problem specific to this patch arise, I shall do what I can do be of assistance. Not to seem rude, but I really haven't the time to give instruction on patching by hand, parse errors and the like or elementary C "stuff", but will gladly make time for any issue uncovered within the patch itself. My email address may be found below. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- -Geoff Davis (azrael@laker.net)