If one was to create a MUD using Quest and, say, had to go in and do some bug fixing or redecorating, is there a way to save the game state (objects stored in player's rooms, etc.) and -still- work on the quest file without restoring the game to its original state? For example, Bilbo has 3 apples in his possession. The server is shut down, and work is done on the .ASL file. The server is brought back up with the new ASL file. Those 3 apples will be returned to their original placement in the world, no? Am I missing something here?

I understand how to save player's inventories -- but this is another matter entirely.

As long as there is no discrepancy between the save-game (.QSG) file and the ASL file you shouldn't have a problem.

The save-game file isn't dependent on the ASL file, so if you save the game, shut down the server, edit the ASL file, then open the game from the save-game file, the updates in your ASL file will be incorporated.

You'd only get problems if you did something like delete those three apples that Bilbo is holding - they'd be saved in the QSG but wouldn't exist in the ASL.