Ok I have been running the MUD server for a bit now and if I am going to keep it up I need to create a theme for the game to make it fun.  While thinking of a starting place for players it came to me that I could use my hometown.  I could map the streets out in the game, use businesses as areas to explore (think of beating up a cop, or buying heals from a pharmacist, or going to Radio Shack and smacking the clerk around).  Other creators in the game could create their hometowns and in the default area of the MUD there is a Stargate to transport between areas which could be converted to a bus station where you have to buy a ticket to go to another town.  Players with a lot of money could buy a car at some point to make it free (or almost so) to go between towns.  

I realize that there is a lot more that needs to be added to make it a reality but what do you think so far??  Anyone out there interested enough to help me with it??

MUDs were basically the first of the MMORPGs.  The whole point is to level and socialize and have fun.  And as far as the coding goes you can create rooms and items in game using the creation system.  Simply type "Create NPC" will create a generic NPC.  Then you use the "Modify NPC blah" to customize it.  After every command the file is rewritten and saved.  When you are done you can add it to a room and then kill it.  Pretty basic as far as a multiplayer D&D type game goes.  but with the right people and areas it is usually as addictive as Silkroad or Guild Wars or WoW.