The old system:
1) You request an item from a kindly NPC.
2) If no one kills the NPC (and it would be rude if you did, since you're both good-aligned), the object never returns until the game reboots or crashes.
3) Less scrupulous players log on right after crashes to hoard said equipment.

Coming soon to a reboot near you:
1) You request an item from a kindly NPC.
2) If no one kills the NPC (and it would be rude if you did, since you're both good-aligned), the object will return after a very long (RL hours) delay.
3) The NPC will wear the object in question, to better protect itself. This conveniently advertises the object to good-aligned passers-by.
4) Logging on right after a crash is now not much better than logging on at any random time. People who are playing, instead of camping, win.

valguarnera@carrionfields.com

This is an awesome change!

Now since you have them wear the item when it reappears,
anyway to get them to wear it if someone requests it
not knowing what it does, finds out they don't need it
and give it back? okay okay too much to ask. But I always felt
bad bumming something and giving back knowing the guy won't
wear it and now is less able to defend himself. But hey,
Gotta find out what some of these things do somehow.

:)

Still, best change I have heard in a while.

Now since you have them wear the item when it reappears,
anyway to get them to wear it if someone requests it
not knowing what it does, finds out they don't need it
and give it back?

I think that this new request feature may have accidentally made that possible to do. Previously, the issue was that it wasn't convenient to check whether or not what you handed to the NPC "belonged" to them. With the new code, it should be possible to check for a "queued" requested item and look for a match. I can think of some possible exploits for this, however, and I'll have to look into how practical they are to execute as a PC.

valguarnera@carrionfields.com

Though it might be interesting to have altruistic
characters outfit mobs with gear that makes them
fight better. Like someone deciding to take on leading
the defense of a city and gearing out the mobs.
But I see you'd run into the possibility of
bob playing a goodie and jim his pal playing an evil
bob gears out a whole city of mobs jim comes in and
kills them collecting the gear.
It might make for a surprising attempt at ranking
in say darsylon to fight elves decked out with
mean shinies whoppin up on people ranking hehe.
Better if the mob checks that it is 'his or her'
stuff though.

rewear things now, or not yet ?

I've been watching a mob, that has been returned 2 items that he normally wears (Goodymob), and its been more than 24 hours real time since he's had them, but not worn them.

Wasn't sure if you meant they were supposed to, or they could be made to, and you'd look into it.

-Cassman-

When I was on last night, the MUD had been up since Sunday(*), and this change wouldn't have been in for that reboot. I can't log on from here, but it shouldn't have changed unless there was a reboot since.

(*): All our recent bug chasing is starting to pay off!

valguarnera@carrionfields.com

-Cassman-

This is a long overdue and much needed change. Thanks a bunch.

5) ????
6) PROFIT

This change rocks, good job.