[c0ncrete]

This one works with current server builds. The previous one was from a long time ago and did not work. I've changed the size scaling to use an existing plugin and removed all debug messages. Rats will now assist as originally intended (I'd never gotten that far before). Comments added so you can more easily see what is going on.

my %instance = ();

sub AI_YellForHelp
{
	# signal will be used as a fixed-length, delimited string
	# [key below]
	# 911  = HALP
	# 0    = delimeter
	# 0-2  = "gender" variation of rat in distress
	# 0    = delimeter
	# ***  = number of rat in distress (end of name)
	my $npc_num	= substr($npc->GetName(), -3);
	my $signal	= scalar 911 . scalar 0
                        . scalar $instance{$npc_num} . scalar 0
                        . scalar $npc_num;

	# tell every rat which variant is requesting help
	quest::signalwith(189453, $signal);
}

sub AI_Assist
{
	my $tar = shift;
	
	# rat to assist
	$rat = $entity_list->GetMob("a_cave_rat$tar");
	
	# troubled rat's enemies
	my @enemies = $rat->GetHateList();

	# copied (slightly altered) most of this from the following post
	# http://www.eqemulator.org/forums/showpost.php?p=200059&postcount=4
	foreach $entry (@enemies)
	{
		my $ent = $entry->GetEnt();
		my $dmg = $entry->GetDamage();
		my $amt = $entry->GetHate();

		next if (!$ent);

		# ATTACK!
		if($npc->CheckAggro($ent)) {
			$npc->SetHate($ent, $tot, $dmg);
		}
		else {
			$npc->AddToHateList($ent, $tot, $dmg, 0, 0, 0);
		}
	}

}

# ========================
# ===== START EVENTS =====
# ========================

sub EVENT_DEATH
{
	# delete instance data
	my $npc_num = substr($npc->GetName(),-3);	
	delete($instance{$npc_num});
}

sub EVENT_SPAWN
{
	# randomly assign a "gender" variation
	# 0 = female
	# 1 = male
	# 2 = adolescent
	my $variant = int(rand(3));
	my $npc_num = substr($npc->GetName(),-3);

	# store variant info
	$instance{$npc_num} = $variant;

	# randomly resize to 75% - 125% of original
	my $SizeVariation = sub {
		$_[0]->GetSize() * ( .01 * plugin::RandomRange($_[1], $_[2]) )
	};
	$npc->ChangeSize( $SizeVariation->($npc, 75, 125) );
	
	# set initial health trigger
	quest::setnexthpevent(50);
}

sub EVENT_ATTACK
{
	# flavor, because why not?
	$client->Message(7, "You have a strange feeling this might not end well...");
}
	
sub EVENT_HP
{
	# 25% chance to request assistance @ 50% health
	if ($hpevent == 50 && int rand 101 > 24)
	{
		quest::emote("lets out a squeak so piercing your hair stands on end!");
		AI_YellForHelp();
	}
}

sub EVENT_SIGNAL
{
	# NOTE: $npc in here is ALWAYS the rat recieving the signal

	my $strSignal = scalar $signal;
	
	# signal sanity check
	if (length $strSignal == 9 && substr($strSignal, 0, 3) == 911)
	{
		# other rat (in distress)
		my $otherType   = int(substr($strSignal, 4, 1));
		my $otherNumber =     substr($strSignal, 6, 3);
		
		# this rat (potential add)
		my $myNumber = substr($npc->GetName(),-3);
		my $myType   = $instance{$myNumber};

		# we are engaged and unable to assist
		if ($npc->IsEngaged()) { return; }
		
		###########################################
		# TO DO: implement a range/LOS check here #
		###########################################
		
		# we got a request for help from variant 0 (female)
		if ($otherType == 0 && $myType == 1)
		{
			# 75% chance for a male to assist
			if (int rand 101 > 74) { AI_Assist($otherNumber); }
		}
		# we got a request for help from variant 1 (male)
		elsif ($otherType == 1 && $myType == 1)
		{
			# 50% chance to for a male to assist
			if (int rand 101 > 49) { AI_Assist($otherNumber); }
		}
		# we got a request for help from variant 2 (adolescent)
		elsif ($otherType == 2)
		{
			if ($myType == 0)
			{
				# 100% chance for a female to assist
				AI_Assist($otherNumber);
			}
			elsif ($myType == 2)
			{
				# 25% chance for an adolescent to assist
				if (int rand 101 > 74) { AI_Assist($otherNumber); }
			}
		}
	}
}

# ======================
# ===== END EVENTS =====
# ======================

# END OF FILE -- ZONE: tutorialb (415) -- ID: 189453 -- a_cave_rat