I'm wondering how you saved it so if the computer crashes you keep the username/password and settings...

There's an idea for you Alex (yet another one - you'll never finish this project, what with all your university, then after that actual, full-time work...), having an "auto-save" feature that saves every 5 minutes or 10 minutes. This can be saved to an assigned file (Ie the game save file) and save the host from hitting the save every so often.

On a side note, I got an idea today for a sort of three tiered skill system for an online game. I know it's easier said than done and hard to explain so put on your rpg nerd hats. I was thinking of something along the lines of still needing to aquire experience and such for a level based aspect, where you would get training points after each level and use those to train in skills, but also have an aspect of skill based where, say if you learn illusionist magic but say were to practice creating illusions in say a dark cave, you would grow better at casting the illusion of someone enveloped in darkness.

Maybe magic effect spells aren't a good example, but think of these two tiers like say, a luck spell. You get experience, train in your skills, one of which is a spell knowledge, you get a spell called good luck. After training you are out roaming the city, shore, forest, etc.. and you (say using a command) PRACTICE LUCK. Now, practicing this luck spell gives some descriptor message, and has some hidden dice rolls or whatever, but you gain a certain percentage of mastery/efficiency/whatever in your good luck spell depending on the outcome. That make sense for those two tiers?

Now the third one would come in somewhat like alignment, but would be more based on a per skill basis. So, if you PRACTICE LUCK in the forest, you get a gain to your overall luck skill, and a certain gain in your alignment towards "forestly good luck" which gives your spells outcome a greater chance of say increasing your mobility than increasing your defenses. Does that make sense?

--------------------------------------
ADarkWizard weaves his hands through the air as his eyes lock with yours and focuses on the illusion of a decrepit forest.

Suddenly you find yourself surrounded by enormous petrified trees, the cold night air closing in on you and the sky lit by only a pair of sinister eyes.

A bone chilling wind blows passed you, causing you to nearly lose your balance when suddenly enormous petrified roots erupt from the ground around you, grappling at your body and stiffening preventing any movement.

>run away

You cannot break free.
------------------------------------

Then for a light aligned character with forest aligned binding abilities you could project an image of a serene forest glade that relaxes them so much the find themselves unable to move for the duration.

I was thinking of having a somewhat similar system in my system (I got the idea from a couple of text RPG's and Koudelka) - where you can practice and you get better.
I like the idea of practicing in different areas, I must admit I've never heard of that before but that gives me an idea for a twist to my system... Don't worry, it won't copy yours directly - but will give my game an extra mini game : ) to get all the magic!!