Class hierarchy for physical objects
-----------------------------------

(PhysicalObject) ---- (Creature) ---- (CivilizedHumanoid) ---- Human
                 \                 \                      \--- Dwarf
                 \                 \                      \--- Elf  --- WoodElf
                 \                 \                                \-- HighElf
                 \                 \
                 \                 \----- (UncivilizedHumandoid) ---- Orc
                 \                 \                             \--- Golbin
                 \                 \
                 \                 \----- (Dragon) ---- GreenDragon
                 \                 \               \--- RedDragon
                 \                 \
                 \                 \----- (Jelly) ----- OchrJelly
                 \                 \              \---- GelatinousCube
                 \                 \              \---- BlackCherry
                 \                 (and so on)
                 \
                 \------ (Item) ----- Scroll 
                                \---- Pack --- ...
                                \---- Gold
                                \---- (Weapon) ---- Sword ---- LongSword
                                \---- (Wand) --- ...
                                \---- (Potion) --- ...
                                \---- (Armor) --- ...
                                \---- (Amulet) --- ...
                                \---- (Ring) --- ...
                                \---- (Food) --- ...
                                \---- (Tool) --- ...

Classes in parenthesis are abstract.  There are two basic categories for 
physical objects in the game.  The first is all things living
(Creatures), while the second is all things non-living (Items).
This class hierarchy is NOT complete.  It is intended that all
concievable objects in the Hero's Tale universe will have some specialized 
class associated with it.  PhysicalObjects are things that can exist
in a dungeon, enter (or be placed in) a dungeon, and exit (or be removed) 
from a dungeon.  The main reason for placing Creatures & Items in the
same hierarchy is to make it possible to carry Creatures just as easily
as items taking into account encumberance.  This makes it possible for
a party of adventurers to carry a wounded cohort out of a dungeon.

Subclasses of Creature are generally abstract classifications of a
type of creature, although this need not be true.  For example, there
may be a creature that is not groupable with any other creature, such
as a Xorn.  In the case of the Xorn, it would probably be a direct
descendent of Creature.

Scrolls are not abstract because they will probably just contain a
spell.  It doesn't make much sense to dinstinguish a scroll with one
spell on it from another scroll with a different spell.

A Pack is a container or bag.  Generally all adventurers carry a Pack
(or backpack) to hold their things.  Other types of packs will
probably exist in the game as well.  This could include belt pouch,
large sack, small sack, crate, chest, etc.

All the other types of Items should be self explanatory.


Class hierarchy for character classes/skills
-------------------------------------------

(Skill) ---- (MajorSkill) ---- Fighter ---- Paladin
        \                 \            \--- Ranger
        \                 \                       
        \                 \--- Wizard ----- Illusionist
        \                 \           \---- Alchemist  
        \                 \           \---- Necromancer  
        \                 \                       
        \                 \--- Priest ----- Druid  
        \                 \                       
        \                 \--- Rogue ----- Thief  
        \                            \---- Assassin  
        \                            \---- Bard  
        \
        \--- (WeaponSkill) ---- LongSwordUse
        \                  \--- BowUse
        \                  \--- DaggerUse
        \
        \--- (MinorSkill) ---- Swimming
                          \--- Appraisal
                          \--- Gaming
                          \--- Shopkeeping
                          \--- ReadingWriting
                          \--- MapMaking

Skills represent special abilities that a Creature (race) or Character
(individual) might possess.  For example, most PlayerCharacters will
possess one of the major adventuring skills; Fighting, Wizardry,
Priesthood, or being a Rogue.  In addition, an individual or race
might possess secondary skills such as swimming, flying, or map
making.  And lastly a race or character might be more proficient with 
using certain kinds of weapons.

Class hierarchy for characters
-----------------------------

(Character) ---- PlayerCharacter
            \--- NonPlayerCharacter 

A Character is an intelligent entity which lives in a world.  Characters
have a race of type Creature.  From the race, a Character knows what
kinds of race-related actions it can take in the form of race specific
skills.  In addition to racial skills, a character might possess special 
skills such as fighting, wizardry, swimming, or shopkeeping.  Characters 
can carry things and move around the world of their own accord.  A Character 
can communicate with other characters.

A PlayerCharacter is a Character which is controlled by a human 
intelligence, while a NonPlayerCharacter is controlled by an artificial 
intelligence.  NonPlayerCharacters might sometimes be considered monsters 
by other Characters.  It's possible that it will be more convenient to
distinguish NPC's from monsters by creating a Monster subclass from
either Character or NonPlayerCharacter.

The ramificatinos that this model would have on AI is that one set of
generic AI would need to be created for all NPC's.  This AI would need
to query the Creature and Character classes to determine what
abilities and tendencies a race or individual has, what a character is
wielding, carrying, etc.