I've spent alot of time collating ideas for this very project, although I have 0 coding skills I do have a layout of how I would develop something like this.
From crafting, area control, building and player advancement.
It's more of a group of ideas I've written down for my own MMO (purely medievil, no magic and shit).
(yeah, I know I'm a sad fucker), but it would translate well if coded into a m+b mod.