TICK TICKS HOURS REPOPULATE
Many of the game actions are based upon interval timers, including combat,
most autonomous monster actions, hp/mana/move regeneration, spell duration,
weather, and area resetting.

Of these timers, the hp/mana/move regeneration timer is popularly called the
'tick'. Ticks on this mud average 30 seconds of real time, but the actual
amount varies randomly from 15 seconds to 45 seconds. One tick is equal to
one game hour, and an in character term for a tick is an hour.

Area resetting, otherwise known as repopulation, happens roughly every 3
area_minutes if no one is in the area; less often (15 area_minutes) if some
one is. Also note that objects lying on the ground will not be regenerated
if anyone is in the area when it resets.