Zone Echoes

Zone echoes are done with Periodic Lists. Basically, you define as many different echoes as you want in one periodic list, then let the proc randomly pick which one to display.

Of course, we need a mob to attach the list to. Ideally, make a special sentinel mob, and stick it in a distro room where players can't get to it. Call it something like "the echo machine" so other gods can tell what it is.

There are three special command numbers used for zone echoes:

#1000 - Echo in every room flagged INSIDE in the zone
#1001 - Echo in every OUTSIDE room in the zone
#1002 - Echo in every room in the zone
#1005 - Echo to a specific room only (put vnum of room at start of echo string,
eg. "3001 The wind goes whoosh")

Use one of these as the command number, and define the echo in the arguments field. ANSI color is allowed (and encouraged) in zone echoes. End the echo with "\n", which signifies a line break. Without it, the lines get all crunched together, it's not a pretty sight.

Note: Placing an item with the name "noecho" in a room will suppress all generalized echos sent to the zone, although targetted echos will still be heard. Item #873 has been created as a noshow echo suppressor, and feel free to use it with a high maxload (eg. 999) so as not to mess up anyone else's load.

Examples

Here's a sampling of the Baldur's Gate zone echoes. I only included three of them for brevity's sake, but keep in mind that the number of echoes in a list is unlimited.

MOB: 91401 LIST
FLAG: 0 ;; NONE
CHANCE: 2 ;; 33% Chance, or approx. once/30s
DELAY: 0 ;; No Delay
ACTION: 1001 ;; Zone Echo-Outside
&+cA loud horn blows shrilly from somewhere in the harbor.&N\n
~
DONE
FLAG: 0 ;; NONE
CHANCE: 2 ;; 33% Chance, or approx. once/30s
DELAY: 0 ;; No Delay
ACTION: 1001 ;; Zone Echo-Outside
&+LSomeone raises a &N&+rbloodcurdling&N&+L scream from a nearby building.
&N\n
~
DONE
FLAG: 0 ;; NONE
CHANCE: 2 ;; 33% Chance, or approx. once/30s
DELAY: 0 ;; No Delay
ACTION: 1001 ;; Zone Echo-Outside
The loud shouts of peddlers hawking their wares can be heard coming from &+BThe Wide&N.\n
~
LISTDONE

Once every thirty seconds, one of these echoes will be sent to all the
outside rooms in Baldur's Gate.

Special Commands

#1000 - Echo in every room flagged INSIDE in the zone
#1001 - Echo in every OUTSIDE room in the zone
#1002 - Echo in every room in the zone
#1003 - ROOM Echo
#1004 - Path Initiator
#1005 - Targetted room only

Use the zone echo commands with periodic lists to make zone echoes. (See Section 5). Use the room echo command when you need a mob to do something not defined by one of the existing social commands. The *exact* text you type into the argument for these commands is what will appear. ANSI color is supported in the arguments for these commands. Remember to add a "\n" at the end of the arguments for these commands, which signifies a line break.

The special command to activate a path from within a trigger or periodic action is #1004. Specify the ID# to be activated in the arguments field - only one please!

Common Commands

Below is a list of commonly used commands:

SAY : 17
TELL : 19
WHISPER : 83
CAST : 26
GIVE : 72
LOOK : 15