So I snagged the server setup from this post:
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=5733
and then tried to build a client that would work with it. Got frustrated since there just seems to be so much info spread across the years so it's hard to understand what's up to date and what's not. In any event, I eventually said "aww to hell with it" and modified the AlegaROSE client, which seems to be based on RoseZA, if my meager detective skills are of any value. I modified neoncude/neoncube.ini to prevent it from downloading any updates from Alega, pointing it to a blank file on one of my own webservers.
So, got MySQL up and running, database built using Database/sql_tables/Rose_Blank Database.sql, got an account added by looking at Database/Evolution.sql, and added two characters when the client connected to the server. All was well with the world for a brief moment.
So what I noticed is happening is twofold:
1. No matter what weapon I give my characters or how high their strength is, they only do 3 damage to even a Mini Jelly Bean (6 on critical).
2. Even the very first quest doesn't actually complete (when you talk to the fairy and she tells you to talk to Gray).
I'm going out on a limb and assuming that the first issue may be the database. I've heard things about the AlegaROSE client not doing quests properly, though the very first one always worked, so I am wondering if this too is a database issue. Any insight? Perhaps I should just rebuild the database using Database/Evolution.sql, as it's almost the same size as Database/sql_tables/Rose_Blank_Database.sql.