This ISN'T a function. But an explanation of how strings used in the monster code are handled. $ is a reserved character in the strings, which may be used in chats set_join_fight_mess(), or basically anywhere we allowed a monster to say anything. They'll also talk in their own language. The syntax is: $Xstring$ X is one of m,l,a.o m == me l = living object in the room a = an attacker o = any object in the room string is one of: name = ob->query_name() cname = ob->query_cap_name() gender = ob->query_gender_string() poss = ob->query_possessive() (his hers) obj = ob->query_objective() (him her) gtitle = ob->query_gtitle() (fancy one this one) pronoun = ob->query_pronoun() (he she it) race = ob->query_race() "drow, duergar, elf) guild = ob->query_guild_name() (fighter, wizard) group = ob->query_group_name() (Pirate,Silver Fist) clan = ob->query_race_group_name() {R'yleh, Stonereaver) Have fun :)