diff -ur irpgbot.v3.1.2/.irpg.conf irpgbot.v3.1.2+johm+chschu/.irpg.conf
--- irpgbot.v3.1.2/.irpg.conf	Mon Jun  7 12:28:56 2004
+++ irpgbot.v3.1.2+johm+chschu/.irpg.conf	Wed Jun 16 22:24:12 2004
@@ -66,6 +66,9 @@
 # base time to level up, 600 = 10 minutes
 rpbase 600
 
+# base time for items to level down, 600 = 10 minutes
+rpitembase 50
+
 # time to next level = rpbase * (rpstep ** CURRENT_LEVEL)
 rpstep 1.16
 
@@ -74,6 +77,9 @@
 
 # player database file
 dbfile irpg.db
+
+# item database file
+itemdbfile mapitems.db
 
 # where quests/godsends/calamities are stored
 eventsfile events.txt
diff -ur irpgbot.v3.1.2/bot.v3.1.2.pl irpgbot.v3.1.2+johm+chschu/bot.v3.1.2.pl
--- irpgbot.v3.1.2/bot.v3.1.2.pl	Mon Jun  7 12:28:56 2004
+++ irpgbot.v3.1.2+johm+chschu/bot.v3.1.2.pl	Wed Jun 16 22:24:12 2004
@@ -111,6 +111,7 @@
     text => "",
     type => 1,
     stage => 1); # quest info
+my %mapitems = (); # items lying around
 
 my $rpreport = 0; # constant for reporting top players
 my %prev_online; # user@hosts online on restart, die
@@ -1150,6 +1151,7 @@
     if (rand((12*86400)/$opts{self_clock}) < $onlinegood) { goodness(); }
 
     moveplayers();
+    process_items();
     
     # statements using $rpreport do not bother with scaling by the clock because
     # $rpreport is adjusted by the number of seconds since last rpcheck()
@@ -1277,11 +1279,11 @@
                          "pair of gloves","set of leggings","shield",
                          "pair of boots");
             my $type = $items[rand(@items)];
-            if (int($rps{$opp}{item}{$type}) > int($rps{$u}{item}{$type})) {
+            if (itemlevel($rps{$opp}{item}{$type}) > itemlevel($rps{$u}{item}{$type})) {
                 chanmsg(clog("In the fierce battle, $opp dropped his level ".
-                             int($rps{$opp}{item}{$type})." $type! $u picks ".
+                             itemlevel($rps{$opp}{item}{$type})." $type! $u picks ".
                              "it up, tossing his old level ".
-                             int($rps{$u}{item}{$type})." $type to $opp."));
+                             itemlevel($rps{$u}{item}{$type})." $type to $opp."));
                 my $tempitem = $rps{$u}{item}{$type};
                 $rps{$u}{item}{$type}=$rps{$opp}{item}{$type};
                 $rps{$opp}{item}{$type} = $tempitem;
@@ -1334,6 +1336,122 @@
     }
 }
 
+sub itemlevel {
+    my $level = shift;
+    $level =~ s/\D$//;
+    return $level;
+}
+
+sub itemtag {
+    my $level = shift;
+    $level =~ s/^\d+//;
+    return $level;
+}
+
+sub process_items { # decrease items lying around
+    my $curtime = time();
+
+    for my $xy (keys(%mapitems)) {
+        for my $i (0..$#{$mapitems{$xy}}) {
+            my $level = $mapitems{$xy}[$i]{level};
+            my $ttl = int($opts{rpitembase} * ttl(itemlevel($level)) / 600);
+            if ($mapitems{$xy}[$i]{lasttime} + $ttl <= $curtime ) {
+               $mapitems{$xy}[$i]{lasttime} += $ttl;
+               $mapitems{$xy}[$i]{level} = downgrade_item($level);
+               splice(@{$mapitems{$xy}},$i,1) if ($mapitems{$xy}[$i]{level} == 0);
+               delete($mapitems{$xy}) if (scalar(@{$mapitems{$xy}} == 0));
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+sub drop_item { # drop item on the map
+    my $u = shift;
+    my $type = shift;
+    my $level = shift;
+    my $ulevel = itemlevel($level);
+    my $x = $rps{$u}{x};
+    my $y = $rps{$u}{y};
+
+    push(@{$mapitems{"$x:$y"}},{type=>$type,level=>$level,lasttime=>time()}) if ($ulevel > 0);
+}
+
+sub downgrade_item { # returns the decreased item level
+    my $level = shift;
+    my $ulevel = itemlevel($level);
+    my $tag = itemtag($level);
+    my %minlevel = (''=>0,a=>50,h=>50,b=>75,d=>150,e=>175,f=>250,g=>300);
+    $tag = '' if ($ulevel == $minlevel{$tag});
+    $ulevel-- if ($ulevel > 0);
+    return "$ulevel$tag";
+}
+
+sub exchange_item { # take item and drop the current
+    my $u = shift;
+    my $type = shift;
+    my $level = shift;
+    my $ulevel = itemlevel($level);
+    my $tag = itemtag($level);
+
+    if ($tag eq 'a') {
+        notice("The light of the gods shines down upon you! You have ".
+               "found the level $ulevel Mattt's Omniscience Grand Crown! ".
+               "Your enemies fall before you as you anticipate their ".
+               "every move.",$rps{$u}{nick});
+    }
+    elsif ($tag eq 'b') {
+        notice("The light of the gods shines down upon you! You have ".
+               "found the level $ulevel Res0's Protectorate Plate Mail! ".
+               "Your enemies cower in fear as their attacks have no ".
+               "effect on you.",$rps{$u}{nick});
+    }
+    elsif ($tag eq 'c') {
+        notice("The light of the gods shines down upon you! You have ".
+               "found the level $ulevel Dwyn's Storm Magic Amulet! Your ".
+               "enemies are swept away by an elemental fury before the ".
+               "war has even begun",$rps{$u}{nick});
+    }
+    elsif ($tag eq 'd') {
+        notice("The light of the gods shines down upon you! You have ".
+               "found the level $ulevel Jotun's Fury Colossal Sword! Your ".
+               "enemies' hatred is brought to a quick end as you arc your ".
+               "wrist, dealing the crushing blow.",$rps{$u}{nick});
+    }
+    elsif ($tag eq 'e') {
+        notice("The light of the gods shines down upon you! You have ".
+               "found the level $ulevel Drdink's Cane of Blind Rage! Your ".
+               "enemies are tossed aside as you blindly swing your arm ".
+               "around hitting stuff.",$rps{$u}{nick});
+    }
+    elsif ($tag eq 'f') {
+        notice("The light of the gods shines down upon you! You have ".
+               "found the level $ulevel Mrquick's Magical Boots of ".
+               "Swiftness! Your enemies are left choking on your dust as ".
+               "you run from them very, very quickly.",$rps{$u}{nick});
+    }
+    elsif ($tag eq 'g') {
+        notice("The light of the gods shines down upon you! You have ".
+               "found the level $ulevel Jeff's Cluehammer of Doom! Your ".
+               "enemies are left with a sudden and intense clarity of ".
+               "mind... even as you relieve them of it.",$rps{$u}{nick});
+    }
+    elsif ($tag eq 'h') {
+        notice("The light of the gods shines down upon you! You have ".
+               "found the level $ulevel Juliet's Glorious Ring of ".
+               "Sparkliness! You enemies are blinded by both its glory ".
+               "and their greed as you bring desolation upon them.",
+               $rps{$u}{nick});
+    }
+    else {
+        notice("You found a level $level $type! Your current $type is only ".
+               "level ".itemlevel($rps{$u}{item}{$type}).", so it seems Luck is ".
+               "with you!",$rps{$u}{nick});
+    }
+
+    drop_item($u,$type,$rps{$u}{item}{$type});
+    $rps{$u}{item}{$type} = $level;
+}
+
 sub find_item { # find item for argument player
     my $u = shift;
     my @items = ("ring","amulet","charm","weapon","helm","tunic",
@@ -1348,108 +1466,73 @@
     }
     if ($rps{$u}{level} >= 25 && rand(40) < 1) {
         $ulevel = 50+int(rand(25));
-        if ($ulevel >= $level && $ulevel > int($rps{$u}{item}{helm})) {
-            notice("The light of the gods shines down upon you! You have ".
-                   "found the level $ulevel Mattt's Omniscience Grand Crown! ".
-                   "Your enemies fall before you as you anticipate their ".
-                   "every move.",$rps{$u}{nick});
-            $rps{$u}{item}{helm} = $ulevel."a";
+        if ($ulevel >= $level && $ulevel > itemlevel($rps{$u}{item}{helm})) {
+            exchange_item($u,"helm",$ulevel."a");
             return;
         }
     }
     elsif ($rps{$u}{level} >= 25 && rand(40) < 1) {
         $ulevel = 50+int(rand(25));
-        if ($ulevel >= $level && $ulevel > int($rps{$u}{item}{ring})) {
-            notice("The light of the gods shines down upon you! You have ".
-                   "found the level $ulevel Juliet's Glorious Ring of ".
-                   "Sparkliness! You enemies are blinded by both its glory ".
-                   "and their greed as you bring desolation upon them.",
-                   $rps{$u}{nick});
-            $rps{$u}{item}{ring} = $ulevel."h";
+        if ($ulevel >= $level && $ulevel > itemlevel($rps{$u}{item}{ring})) {
+            exchange_item($u,"ring",$ulevel."h");
             return;
         }
     }
     elsif ($rps{$u}{level} >= 30 && rand(40) < 1) {
         $ulevel = 75+int(rand(25));
-        if ($ulevel >= $level && $ulevel > int($rps{$u}{item}{tunic})) {
-            notice("The light of the gods shines down upon you! You have ".
-                   "found the level $ulevel Res0's Protectorate Plate Mail! ".
-                   "Your enemies cower in fear as their attacks have no ".
-                   "effect on you.",$rps{$u}{nick});
-            $rps{$u}{item}{tunic} = $ulevel."b";
+        if ($ulevel >= $level && $ulevel > itemlevel($rps{$u}{item}{tunic})) {
+            exchange_item($u,"tunic",$ulevel."b");
             return;
         }
     }
     elsif ($rps{$u}{level} >= 35 && rand(40) < 1) {
         $ulevel = 100+int(rand(25));
-        if ($ulevel >= $level && $ulevel > int($rps{$u}{item}{amulet})) {
-            notice("The light of the gods shines down upon you! You have ".
-                   "found the level $ulevel Dwyn's Storm Magic Amulet! Your ".
-                   "enemies are swept away by an elemental fury before the ".
-                   "war has even begun",$rps{$u}{nick});
-            $rps{$u}{item}{amulet} = $ulevel."c";
+        if ($ulevel >= $level && $ulevel > itemlevel($rps{$u}{item}{amulet})) {
+            exchange_item($u,"amulet",$ulevel."c");
             return;
         }
     }
     elsif ($rps{$u}{level} >= 40 && rand(40) < 1) {
         $ulevel = 150+int(rand(25));
-        if ($ulevel >= $level && $ulevel > int($rps{$u}{item}{weapon})) {
-            notice("The light of the gods shines down upon you! You have ".
-                   "found the level $ulevel Jotun's Fury Colossal Sword! Your ".
-                   "enemies' hatred is brought to a quick end as you arc your ".
-                   "wrist, dealing the crushing blow.",$rps{$u}{nick});
-            $rps{$u}{item}{weapon} = $ulevel."d";
+        if ($ulevel >= $level && $ulevel > itemlevel($rps{$u}{item}{weapon})) {
+            exchange_item($u,"weapon",$ulevel."d");
             return;
         }
     }
     elsif ($rps{$u}{level} >= 45 && rand(40) < 1) {
         $ulevel = 175+int(rand(26));
-        if ($ulevel >= $level && $ulevel > int($rps{$u}{item}{weapon})) {
-            notice("The light of the gods shines down upon you! You have ".
-                   "found the level $ulevel Drdink's Cane of Blind Rage! Your ".
-                   "enemies are tossed aside as you blindly swing your arm ".
-                   "around hitting stuff.",$rps{$u}{nick});
-            $rps{$u}{item}{weapon} = $ulevel."e";
+        if ($ulevel >= $level && $ulevel > itemlevel($rps{$u}{item}{weapon})) {
+            exchange_item($u,"weapon",$ulevel."e");
             return;
         }
     }
     elsif ($rps{$u}{level} >= 48 && rand(40) < 1) {
         $ulevel = 250+int(rand(51));
         if ($ulevel >= $level && $ulevel >
-            int($rps{$u}{item}{"pair of boots"})) {
-            notice("The light of the gods shines down upon you! You have ".
-                   "found the level $ulevel Mrquick's Magical Boots of ".
-                   "Swiftness! Your enemies are left choking on your dust as ".
-                   "you run from them very, very quickly.",$rps{$u}{nick});
-            $rps{$u}{item}{"pair of boots"} = $ulevel."f";
+            itemlevel($rps{$u}{item}{"pair of boots"})) {
+            exchange_item($u,"pair of boots",$ulevel."f");
             return;
         }
     }
     elsif ($rps{$u}{level} >= 52 && rand(40) < 1) {
         $ulevel = 300+int(rand(51));
-        if ($ulevel >= $level && $ulevel > int($rps{$u}{item}{weapon})) {
-            notice("The light of the gods shines down upon you! You have ".
-                   "found the level $ulevel Jeff's Cluehammer of Doom! Your ".
-                   "enemies are left with a sudden and intense clarity of ".
-                   "mind... even as you relieve them of it.",$rps{$u}{nick});
-            $rps{$u}{item}{weapon} = $ulevel."g";
+        if ($ulevel >= $level && $ulevel > itemlevel($rps{$u}{item}{weapon})) {
+            exchange_item($u,"weapon",$ulevel."g");
             return;
         }
     }
-    if ($level > int($rps{$u}{item}{$type})) {
-        notice("You found a level $level $type! Your current $type is only ".
-               "level ".int($rps{$u}{item}{$type}).", so it seems Luck is ".
-               "with you!",$rps{$u}{nick});
-        $rps{$u}{item}{$type} = $level;
+    if ($level > itemlevel($rps{$u}{item}{$type})) {
+        exchange_item($u,$type,$level);
     }
     else {
         notice("You found a level $level $type. Your current $type is level ".
-               int($rps{$u}{item}{$type}).", so it seems Luck is against you. ".
+               itemlevel($rps{$u}{item}{$type}).", so it seems Luck is against you. ".
                "You toss the $type.",$rps{$u}{nick});
+        drop_item($u,$type,$level);
     }
 }
 
-sub loaddb { # load the players database
+sub loaddb { # load the players and items database
     backup();
     my $l;
     %rps = ();
@@ -1505,6 +1588,28 @@
     close(RPS);
     debug("loaddb(): loaded ".scalar(keys(%rps))." accounts, ".
           scalar(keys(%prev_online))." previously online.");
+    if (!open(ITEMS,$opts{itemdbfile}) && -e $opts{itemdbfile}) {
+        sts("QUIT :loaddb() failed: $!");
+    }
+    my $cnt = 0;
+    %mapitems = ();
+    while ($l=<ITEMS>) {
+        chomp($l);
+        next if $l =~ /^#/; # skip comments
+        my @i = split("\t",$l);
+        print Dumper(@i) if @i != 5;
+        if (@i != 5) {
+            sts("QUIT: Anomaly in loaddb(); line $. of $opts{itemdbfile} has ".
+                "wrong fields (".scalar(@i).")");
+            debug("Anomaly in loaddb(); line $. of $opts{itemdbfile} has wrong ".
+                "fields (".scalar(@i).")",1);
+        }
+        my $curtime = time();
+        push(@{$mapitems{"$i[0]:$i[1]"}},{type=>$i[2],level=>$i[3],lasttime=>$curtime-$i[4]});
+        $cnt++;
+    }
+    close(ITEMS);
+    debug("loaddb(): loaded $cnt items.");
 }
 
 sub moveplayers {
@@ -1641,6 +1746,20 @@
                 }
             }
         }
+        # pick up items lying around
+        for my $u (keys(%rps)) {
+            next unless $rps{$u}{online};
+            my $x = $rps{$u}{x};
+            my $y = $rps{$u}{y};
+            next unless exists($mapitems{"$x:$y"});
+            for $i (0..$#{$mapitems{"$x:$y"}}) {
+                my $item = $mapitems{"$x:$y"}[$i];
+                if (itemlevel($item->{level}) > itemlevel($rps{$u}{item}{$item->{type}})) {
+                    exchange_item($u,$item->{type},$item->{level});
+                    splice(@{$mapitems{"$x:$y"}},$i,1);
+                }
+            }
+        }
     }
 }
 
@@ -1728,7 +1847,7 @@
         return $sum+1;
     }
     if (!exists($rps{$user})) { return -1; }
-    $sum += int($rps{$user}{item}{$_}) for keys(%{$rps{$user}{item}});
+    $sum += itemlevel($rps{$user}{item}{$_}) for keys(%{$rps{$user}{item}});
     if ($battle) {
         return $rps{$user}{alignment} eq 'e' ? int($sum*.9) :
                $rps{$user}{alignment} eq 'g' ? int($sum*1.1) :
@@ -1800,7 +1919,7 @@
         }
         my $suffix="";
         if ($rps{$player}{item}{$type} =~ /(\D)$/) { $suffix=$1; }
-        $rps{$player}{item}{$type} = int(int($rps{$player}{item}{$type}) * .9);
+        $rps{$player}{item}{$type} = int(itemlevel($rps{$player}{item}{$type}) * .9);
         $rps{$player}{item}{$type}.=$suffix;
     }
     else {
@@ -1857,7 +1976,7 @@
         }
         my $suffix="";
         if ($rps{$player}{item}{$type} =~ /(\D)$/) { $suffix=$1; }
-        $rps{$player}{item}{$type} = int(int($rps{$player}{item}{$type}) * 1.1);
+        $rps{$player}{item}{$type} = int(itemlevel($rps{$player}{item}{$type}) * 1.1);
         $rps{$player}{item}{$type}.=$suffix;
     }
     else {
@@ -1966,9 +2085,11 @@
     if (! -d ".dbbackup/") { mkdir(".dbbackup",0700); }
     if ($^O ne "MSWin32") {
         system("cp $opts{dbfile} .dbbackup/$opts{dbfile}".time());
+        system("cp $opts{itemdbfile} .dbbackup/$opts{itemdbfile}".time());
     }
     else {
         system("copy $opts{dbfile} .dbbackup\\$opts{dbfile}".time());
+        system("copy $opts{itemdbfile} .dbbackup\\$opts{itemdbfile}".time());
     }
 }
 
@@ -2115,10 +2236,10 @@
                          "pair of gloves","set of leggings","shield",
                          "pair of boots");
             my $type = $items[rand(@items)];
-            if (int($rps{$opp}{item}{$type}) > int($rps{$u}{item}{$type})) {
+            if (itemlevel($rps{$opp}{item}{$type}) > itemlevel($rps{$u}{item}{$type})) {
                 chanmsg("In the fierce battle, $opp dropped his level ".
-                        int($rps{$opp}{item}{$type})." $type! $u picks it up, ".
-                        "tossing his old level ".int($rps{$u}{item}{$type}).
+                        itemlevel($rps{$opp}{item}{$type})." $type! $u picks it up, ".
+                        "tossing his old level ".itemlevel($rps{$u}{item}{$type}).
                         " $type to $opp.");
                 my $tempitem = $rps{$u}{item}{$type};
                 $rps{$u}{item}{$type}=$rps{$opp}{item}{$type};
@@ -2206,14 +2327,14 @@
                      "pair of gloves","set of leggings","shield",
                      "pair of boots");
         my $type = $items[rand(@items)];
-        if (int($rps{$target}{item}{$type}) > int($rps{$me}{item}{$type})) {
+        if (itemlevel($rps{$target}{item}{$type}) > itemlevel($rps{$me}{item}{$type})) {
             my $tempitem = $rps{$me}{item}{$type};
             $rps{$me}{item}{$type} = $rps{$target}{item}{$type};
             $rps{$target}{item}{$type} = $tempitem;
             chanmsg(clog("$me stole $target\'s level ".
-                         int($rps{$me}{item}{$type})." $type while they were ".
+                         itemlevel($rps{$me}{item}{$type})." $type while they were ".
                          "sleeping! $me leaves his old level ".
-                         int($rps{$target}{item}{$type})." $type behind, ".
+                         itemlevel($rps{$target}{item}{$type})." $type behind, ".
                          "which $target then takes."));
         }
         else {
@@ -2318,6 +2439,27 @@
         }
     }
     close(RPS);
+    open(ITEMS,">$opts{itemdbfile}") or do {
+        chanmsg("ERROR: Cannot write $opts{itemdbfile}: $!");
+        return 0;
+    };
+    print ITEMS join("\t","# x pos",
+                        "y pos",
+                        "type",
+                        "level",
+                        "age")."\n";
+    my $curtime = time();
+    for my $xy (keys(%mapitems)) {
+        for my $i (0..$#{$mapitems{$xy}}) {
+            my @coords = split(/:/,$xy);
+            print ITEMS join("\t",$coords[0],
+                                  $coords[1],
+                                  $mapitems{$xy}[$i]{type},
+                                  $mapitems{$xy}[$i]{level},
+                                  $curtime-$mapitems{$xy}[$i]{lasttime})."\n";
+        }
+    }
+    close(ITEMS);
 }
 
 sub readconfig {