Looking to start a mud eventually. Would love a "mentor"

Hello, world!

I am a budding programmer, thanks in a large part to Nick Gammon and the other dedicated users here. You have all inspired me to learn languages other than LUA, and as such, I have been spending the past month or so collecting a library of programming books.

The SWR mud that I usually play, Legacy of the Sith, has closed. I do not know if it is permanently so. This has lead me to begin to at least move toward a desire I've had for a while. I want to open and create my own mud. I would use the SWR source code, because I adore that system.

The problem is, I truly have no idea where to start. I am still not what I would call fluent in C++ or any other language, but I am learning fast, and would love to at least have a guide to show me where to start, and the like. I have just downloaded Mr. Gammon's Tiny Mud Server and will be studying it and seeing what I can do with it.

I thank you for your help and consideration in this. I am well aware of the scope of this project, and I have the time and drive to learn to do so. My biggest issue is that I have to learn this on my own, as I can't afford to go to school for this.

I use Code::Blocks for my compiler.
I also have Dev-C++


EDIT: I will probably using just Dev-C++ after checking it out and reading reviews. Plus it seems it's used most by users of this forum.

Again, please bear with me. I know this is asking a great deal.

My recommendation would be to download the SmaugFUSS code from their site, install that (ie. compile it) and play with it as a private server. In the source (src) directory are quite a few .c files which show you how the MUD works.

Then try making some simple changes, like how much damage is done during combat.

http://www.smaugmuds.org/index.php?a=page&p=15

Having said that I think that text MUDs are decreasing in popularity. You might want to get involved in graphical games using something like the Unity development system.