Dynamic Descriptions — Overview

What are Dynamic Descriptions?

Dynamic Descriptions are descriptions that change depending on who is reading them, when they are read, or the “condition” of the observer — race, class, language, size, and so on. A simple example is a skylight that lets in sunlight by day and moonlight by night. A more personal example is water in a room that reads as knee-deep, waist-deep, or chest-deep depending on the observer’s size.

Why use Dynamic Descriptions?

The main reason for using Dynamic Descriptions is to bring the world to life. This is why Continents also uses mob scripts, special functions, and other interactivity features. A moving, dynamic world is one that feels inhabited and worth returning to.

Where Dynamic Descriptions can appear

• Room long descriptions
• PC descriptions (set by players with the description command)
• Mob long descriptions
• Mob look descriptions
• Object long descriptions
• Extra descriptions — room extras or object extras

This includes descriptions players write for others to see when looking at them, as well as house decorations. All of these work exactly like any other DD, and each must start with #D — see the Controls page for details.

Credits

The DD system was originally coded by Richard Woolcock (KaVir), winner of the “maintainability” award in the year 2000 16 K MUD competition. It was adapted and installed on Continents by Kastagaar and later updated by Cap’n Rudder.

Summary

Dynamic content makes areas more convincing and more engaging by personalising the experience for each observer. Even small changes — sunlight versus moonlight, a mirror that reflects your actual race — meaningfully increase immersion.