IMM_SWITCH
Keywords: IMM_SWITCH, WIZ_SWITCH
=== STAFF MANUAL ===
Usage: switch <target>
Description:
Move your descriptor onto another character so that every
command you type is executed as them. Your original body is
left standing inert in its current room with no connection
attached -- it does not idle out, it does not take commands,
and it is not auto-returned until you issue return (or the
body you are driving is extracted). This is the tool for
puppeting a specific NPC during an event, testing a player's
bug report from inside their skin, or walking a quest mob
through a scripted sequence by hand.
Starting a Switch:
Resolve the target with normal world visibility, then
invoke switch <target>. On success you see "Ok." and the
descriptor is immediately reattached:
m_Character ..... becomes the victim -- input and output
route through them.
m_OrigCharacter . is set to your staff body, so return
and the auto-unswitch-on-extract path can
find it later.
Returning:
Type return at any time to unswitch. Your descriptor is
reattached to your original body and the victim is left
connectionless again. If the body you were driving is
extracted -- killed, purged, or otherwise destroyed -- the
game invokes eturn` for you automatically, so a fatal event
always rolls you back to your staff character.
If someone else has since switched into your original body
while you were out, they are forcibly disconnected when your
return fires.
Restrictions:
- Requires the Game staff permission to issue the
command at all.
- Switching into a player (non-NPC) additionally
requires Admin, Security, or Char privileges.
Without them you see "You don't have the clearance to
use a mortal's body.".
- Switching into another staff member requires Admin.
Attempts return "You don't have the clearance to use
that person's body.".
- You cannot switch if you are already switched
("You're already switched.") -- return first.
- You cannot switch into yourself ("Hee hee... we are
jolly funny today, eh?").
- You cannot switch into a character that already has
a live connection ("You can't do that, the body is
already in use!"). This prevents possessing a logged-in
player out from under them.
Limitations While Switched:
- Staff commands are disabled while you are driving
another body. The interpreter rejects any command
flagged STAFF_CMD until you return, so you cannot use
goto, force, or similar tools mid-switch. Return first.
- Level and rank checks (for example in snoop) use
your original character's level, not the body you are
driving -- you cannot dodge rank-based restrictions by
puppeting a low-level mob.
- users and who show your descriptor as Switched so
that other staff can see you are not on your main body.
Related Helpfiles: WIZ_RETURN
=== END MANUAL ===