Examples and Best Practices

-- Quest Giver: Village Elder
local actor = get_actor()
if not actor or not is_pc(actor) then
    return
end
 
local quest_stage = quest_flag(actor, "goblin_extermination")
 
if quest_stage == 0 then
    -- Quest not started
    say("Greetings, " .. get_name(actor) .. ".")
    wait(1)
    say("Our village is plagued by goblins to the east.")
    wait(2)
    say("Would you be willing to help us?")
    wait(1)
 
    if get_level(actor) >= 10 then
        say("You look capable enough for this task.")
        set_quest_flag(actor, "goblin_extermination", 1)
        reward(actor, "gold", 100) -- Advance payment
        say("Slay 10 goblins and return to me.")
    else
        say("I'm sorry, but you're not experienced enough yet.")
        say("Come back when you're at least level 10.")
    end
 
elseif quest_stage == 1 then
    -- Quest in progress - check if completed
    -- This would normally be set by a death_prog on goblins
    local goblins_killed = quest_flag(actor, "goblins_killed")
 
    if goblins_killed >= 10 then
        say("Excellent work! You've saved our village!")
        reward(actor, "xp", 2000)
        reward(actor, "gold", 500)
        reward(actor, "item", 1008, "15") -- Special sword level 15
        set_quest_flag(actor, "goblin_extermination", -1) -- Complete
        set_quest_flag(actor, "goblins_killed", 0) -- Clean up counter
    else
        say("Have you killed all 10 goblins yet?")
        say("You've killed " .. goblins_killed .. " so far.")
    end
 
elseif quest_stage == -1 then
    -- Quest completed
    say("Thank you again for saving our village!")
    if percent_chance(10) then
        say("Oh, I found this while cleaning up.")
        create_and_give(actor, 1009) -- Rare bonus item
    end
else
    -- Quest failed or other state
    say("Perhaps another time...")
end

-- Healer mob that helps during combat
local mob = get_mob_context()
if not mob or not mob.in_room then
    return
end
 
-- Check for wounded players in room
local wounded_found = false
for i, character in ipairs(mob.in_room.people) do -- Note: This is pseudocode
    -- In actual implementation, you'd need to iterate properly
    if character and is_pc(character) and not is_fighting(character) then
        local hp_pct = get_hp_percent(character)
        if hp_pct < 50 then
            wounded_found = true
            say("Your wounds look severe, " .. get_name(character) .. "!")
            heal(character, 200)
            wait(1)
            say("There, that should help.")
            break
        end
    end
end
 
if not wounded_found then
    -- Look for ongoing combat to assist
    for i, character in ipairs(mob.in_room.people) do -- Note: pseudocode
        if character and is_pc(character) and is_fighting(character) then
            local enemy = get_fighting(character)
            if enemy and is_npc(enemy) then
                say("I'll help you fight!")
                attack(enemy)
                break
            end
        end
    end
end

-- Advanced shopkeeper with dynamic pricing
local actor = get_actor()
if not actor or not is_pc(actor) then
    return
end
 
local actor_level = get_level(actor)
local actor_gold = get_gold(actor)
 
say("Welcome to my shop, " .. get_name(actor) .. "!")
wait(1)
 
-- Offer different items based on level
if actor_level < 10 then
    say("You're new to adventuring. Let me offer you some basic gear.")
 
    if actor_gold >= 100 then
        say("I have a sturdy sword for 100 gold.")
        if has_object_vnum(actor, 1010) then
            say("Oh wait, you already have one!")
        else
            say("Would you like to buy it? Say 'yes' to purchase.")
            -- In a full implementation, you'd wait for response
            wait(2)
            if percent_chance(70) then -- Simulate purchase
                create_and_give(actor, 1010)
                set_char_stat(actor, "gold", actor_gold - 100)
                say("Pleasure doing business with you!")
            end
        end
    else
        say("I'm afraid you don't have enough gold for my weapons.")
        say("Come back when you have at least 100 gold.")
    end
 
elseif actor_level < 30 then
    say("Ah, an experienced adventurer! I have better equipment for you.")
    -- Offer mid-level gear
 
else
    say("A veteran warrior! Let me show you my finest wares.")
    -- Offer high-level gear
end

-- Event coordinator that manages world events
local mob = get_mob_context()
if not mob then
    return
end
 
-- Check time-based events (this would need integration with MUD time)
local current_hour = 12 -- Placeholder - would get from MUD time system
 
if current_hour == 12 then -- Noon event
    echo_area("The noon bell tolls across the land!")
    wait(2)
    echo_area("Shops are now offering midday specials!")
 
elseif current_hour == 0 then -- Midnight event
    echo_area("The witching hour approaches...")
    wait(3)
 
    -- Spawn special midnight creatures
    if percent_chance(30) then
        if is_alive(9999) then -- Check if boss is already spawned
            echo_area("The shadow lord still haunts the night...")
        else
            echo_area("A dark presence manifests!")
            goto_room(9998) -- Go to spawn location
            wait(1)
            -- Would need mob loading function
            echo_at(9998, "The shadow lord materializes from the darkness!")
            echo_area("The shadow lord has appeared! Brave heroes are needed!")
        end
    end
end

local actor = get_actor()
if actor then
    -- Safe to use actor
end

local quest_stage = quest_flag(actor, "dragon_quest")
local player_level = get_level(actor)

if create_and_give(actor, 1001) then
    say("I've given you a magic sword!")
else
    say("I'm sorry, I couldn't create that item.")
end

say("Let me think about this...")
wait(2)
say("Ah yes, I remember now!")

if get_level(actor) >= 20 and not has_object_vnum(actor, 1001) then
    -- Give special item
end

if is_pc(actor) then
    -- Player-specific logic
elseif is_npc(actor) then
    -- NPC-specific logic
end

local progress = quest_flag(actor, "complex_quest_progress")
-- Use different values for different states
-- 0 = not started, 1-10 = various stages, -1 = completed, -2 = failed

-- Remove temporary quest items
if has_object_vnum(actor, 9999) then -- Temporary quest item
    -- Remove it when quest is complete
end