Rivers of MUD

Rivers of MUD

Also known as ROM, this was an explosively popular MUD during its heyday and enjoyed a very loyal fanbase during its run. The source code was eventually released to the public.

Prior to it initial public release, the codebase underwent a major revision when the framework was transitioned over to Merc 2.0 (from Merc 1) and the MUD was renamed ROM II on August 31st 1993.

The ROM codebase had a rich feature set due to having been a well developed and popular MUD in its own right (a trait it shared with many of its contemporaries).

Interestingly, ROM fleshed out the background story of the Diku world, making it feel like a continuation or sequel of DikuMUD, introducing the demise behind the Old City of Thalos. This city often acted as an alternative to Midgaard (the starting town of Diku) and the second main hub on many DikuMUDs due to its wide variety of shops, and access to guilds.



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  • Original Developers



  • Russ Taylor

  • Language(s)



  • C

  • Release Year



  • 2006

  • Software License



  • Custom

  • See also


One hundred fifty years ago ... Nomads from the Great Eastern desert brought spices and slaves to the Thalos Market. Dwarven miners, rough and rude, sold precious stones and drank the town dry of firebreathers. Stone golems, created by mages from the Tower of High Sorcery, stood sentry duty in watch towers day and night. It was the morning of the 3rd day of Thunder in the Month of Shadows. The Mayor of Midgaard (the great-grand-uncle of today's Mayor) arrived at Thalos early in the morning to pay tribute at Thalos City Hall. When he entered the Grand Gate, no guards challenged him. He found the streets and market places empty. Spotting a nearby lamia, he asked her about the residents. Was there a festival today? Perhaps a grand religious ceremony in the Temple of Thalos? The lamia didn't behave like a lamia. Instead of answering him in the helpful but stupid lamia manner, she produced a long, slim dagger and stabbed the Mayor. Other lamias, hearing the tumult, quickly arrived and attacked the Mayor as well. The Mayor was killed. Now Thalos is an abandoned city. Wild lamias roam the streets, killing trespassers and sacrificing their bodies at the Temple of Thalos. The golems lost their responsiveness to command and watch eternally from their ruined towers, as they have for fifty thousand nights since the mysterious demolition of Thalos. Midgaard is next.