Now that this topic has been brought back up.. I have an idea where it "might" work.
As Particle said, the AI is too dumb..
It wouldn't take that much, but you could make smarter AI with doign jsut simple things.. Hell I made AI smarter with admin...
As for INC's idea, all I have to say is familiar anyone? It would be a great addition to have familiars(mages only) but then again, you need to realize.. The leveling/remort system wasn't made to do thigns like this.. That is why it works so well in AD&D.
Now saving bots would be possible.. just add a few lines to the char file when it saves.. And of course you would have to summon it via a spell..
It would be a great addition, but as I said, too many things need to be worked out before it would "fit"