ideas: lvl 20 to NPC, scaling dungeons, gem hoarding & more

[Ne0mega]

I know these kind of ideas are annoying to developers, as they are all idea and no help offered, but bear with me please.

Idea 1, character's sunset: I just think it would be really cool, if after a character reaches level 20, there would be the option to write a quest where that character is either an actor or even perhaps the boss or main actor. The player then loses the character, and instead sees him/her somewhere in the world of Dasaria as an NPC. Of course developers could tweak or reject the quest. This could be anything from an advanced level 18 quest, or something simple in Cear for a level three. It's not really retirement, but more like, "whatever happened to... ...oh, he now runs, or he opened a smithy.... or is a mercenary at... is said to control a dungeon in... built a wizards tower and... now a disciple at the temple of lochwar... etc, etc...

To compound this idea, perhaps there could also be a DM quest that has to be accomplished first that would require roleplay. Something like perhaps a wizard would first have to recruit and pay people to build the tower, as well as discover a secret, new DM crafting recipe to make his staff that he would drop when defeated as an NPC. Of course once a NPC, the character could no longer be played, except perhaps on special occasions.

Idea 2, better RP shops this first part may be technically unfeasible, but I think it would be nice if merchant paid significantly more for items their shop was associated with. For example, the Tanner would pay twice as much for a suit of leather armor as the Ironbacks, and the cloak and hats gal twice as much for cloaks and hats as Ealden. It may create a bit of micro-managment, but I also think it may create greater opportunity of say, mages running into each other at a shop where mages goods are sold, etc.

I know the second part is technologically feasible, and that would be, restrict what the shops buy more. I'm not sure why ealden is buying all those gems, or potions. He's like the Wal-Mart of Dasaria.


Idea 3, scaling dungeons: this one may be technically unfeasible, but I enjoy soloing as a rogue, because of the challenge and danger it brings. So I was thinking, if possible, it would be cool if a dungeon could count the sum of levels in its dungeon, and then spawn more baddies, and perhaps more dangerous or powerful baddies, accordingly. Recently we rolled 8 deep through Kalem, and I got to say, fun as it was to roll 8 deep, the battles themselves left something to be desired, in my opinion.

Idea 4, gem hoarding I know I am not the only one that gem hoards for some reason, as I saw Ealden had about 15 diamonds and many other rare jewels in his inventory recently.

The most complex of this would be that there would be a set number of gems in Dasaria that rises daily, and that the number not in circulation/returned to the shops would make the price of the gems increase. Probably technically unfeasible.

The second most complex would be special items of great power, either magical or charismatic in nature (not really weapons) and quests that would require large numbers of gems.

The least complex, I think, would be changing gems to be stackable to 99, (not 10), and having their price per gem increase based on the size of the stack. I think a unique gem shop would be required for this, (see ideas 1 & 2 ) so that the merchant could pay beyond 2400 gold for a stack, but man, I love gem hoarding. Also, I love metal hoarding, I love having large amounts of ingots of silver and cold iron and darksteel. (maybe I have a little dwarf blood in me)

Idea 5, faction safe havens and danger zones I'm not real familiar with the faction system, so this may already be in effect, but I think it would be neat if there were areas, based on your faction, where what are usually enemies, could be friendly. For example, if you joined the white hand, then white hand members would actually not attack you, nor would any quests set against them be available to you. The mechanics of this are hazy to me, but I am imagining having white hand quests open to you, that once completed, they go on permanent record, (like some of the earlier quests that stay in your journal), and you automatically have NPC's go hostile towards you... the brutes in Morell maybe. Also wearing white hand leathers, or having their book on you could cause some mini quests where Brutes attack on sight, or demand to search your belongings for contraband, which you can either bluff, bribe, or fight your way out.

idea 6, getting spotted picking locks In Baldurs Gate, if you were spotted picking a lock, the flaming fist would appear and beat you up. If you defeated them, more would appear for murdering a flaming fist member. If technically feasible, I'd love to see a similar mechanic in Dasaria. I was just thinking this as I was picking the trinkets shops locks and doors. although I hid in shadows to do it, I still thought it would be a bit cooler if one could possibly be detected. same with farmer Cobb's house, who I rob all the time, thanks to the key he gave me.

Idea 7, gods and gems with this, every god would have a gem represent them. In a one time quest, you would need to bring say some divine number of gems to them, (say Brintha would require 33 diamonds). You would take this to their respective temple, and gain a special feat, or perhaps a divine once a day use spell, or something like that. this is more of my love of gem hoarding, but yeah... This would mean a lifetime devotion to the God, or perhaps loss of the ability if you convert, although I prefer lifetime devotion to sidestep people changing devotion to gods based upon feasibility and power of abilities.


so that's seven ideas. Some too complex or technically not possible, I know, but sound like fun to me.

[Kamen]

Some interesting ideas, but others may not be feasible.

Idea 1, character's sunset: I just think it would be really cool, if after a character reaches level 20, there would be the option to write a quest where that character is either an actor or even perhaps the boss or main actor. The player then loses the character, and instead sees him/her somewhere in the world of Dasaria as an NPC. Of course developers could tweak or reject the quest. This could be anything from an advanced level 18 quest, or something simple in Cear for a level three. It's not really retirement, but more like, "whatever happened to... ...oh, he now runs, or he opened a smithy.... or is a mercenary at... is said to control a dungeon in... built a wizards tower and... now a disciple at the temple of lochwar... etc, etc...

To compound this idea, perhaps there could also be a DM quest that has to be accomplished first that would require roleplay. Something like perhaps a wizard would first have to recruit and pay people to build the tower, as well as discover a secret, new DM crafting recipe to make his staff that he would drop when defeated as an NPC. Of course once a NPC, the character could no longer be played, except perhaps on special occasions.

Keep playing your character at L20. Your character can impact the world and go down in the history books dead or alive. Also, I think it is a matter of server policy for everyone to play their own characters. DM's don't like it when we play NPC's and I don't think they want anything other than us controlling our characters. I don't think L20 should come with any additional incentive that isn't already associated with being L20. Mechanical progression and character progression, regardless of a positive correlation, need not be associated to one another.

Idea 2, better RP shops this first part may be technically unfeasible, but I think it would be nice if merchant paid significantly more for items their shop was associated with. For example, the Tanner would pay twice as much for a suit of leather armor as the Ironbacks, and the cloak and hats gal twice as much for cloaks and hats as Ealden. It may create a bit of micro-managment, but I also think it may create greater opportunity of say, mages running into each other at a shop where mages goods are sold, etc.

I know the second part is technologically feasible, and that would be, restrict what the shops buy more. I'm not sure why ealden is buying all those gems, or potions. He's like the Wal-Mart of Dasaria.

I may be wrong, but I don't think this is accidental. This current configuration allows for players to find unique items that they normally wouldn't in centralized locations. The best shops have been and always will be player run shops. On this note, I fully agree that there needs to be more RP shops. I however disagree on the method of accomplishing it. This should be the responsibility of players. I had actually been discussing recently starting a trade guild faction to attempt to manipulate the game economy through IC stores and character intrigue, for example coercing other shopkeepers into using a standard uniform price, or demanding restitution if they don't go along with the trade union. There are many other ways to go about it, but anything player-run will be much more interesting. If the effort is put into it, I'm sure some sort of guild headquarters could eventually be arranged where people can convene. Regardless, the current climate is more OOC than anything, often people crafting things for, or giving things to their buddies. This kills the potential of anything that resemble an actual economy. Anyhow, just some thoughts...

Idea 3, scaling dungeons: this one may be technically unfeasible, but I enjoy soloing as a rogue, because of the challenge and danger it brings. So I was thinking, if possible, it would be cool if a dungeon could count the sum of levels in its dungeon, and then spawn more baddies, and perhaps more dangerous or powerful baddies, accordingly. Recently we rolled 8 deep through Kalem, and I got to say, fun as it was to roll 8 deep, the battles themselves left something to be desired, in my opinion.

Many of the dungeons and ares already work this way. The builders won't share the exact formula used though. In most cases though, I find enjoyment to drop significantly if the party is too large or too small. Three to four people (five tops) allows everyone a chance to shine in a group with their unique abilities. Megaparties when you are a mage for example is pretty dull when everything dies before you get you magic missile off. If you feel that a particular dungeon is too easy or hard, please submit suggestions on a case-by-case basis with details. I'm sure Wired will be happy to make Kalem more difficult.

Idea 4, gem hoarding I know I am not the only one that gem hoards for some reason, as I saw Ealden had about 15 diamonds and many other rare jewels in his inventory recently.

The most complex of this would be that there would be a set number of gems in Dasaria that rises daily, and that the number not in circulation/returned to the shops would make the price of the gems increase. Probably technically unfeasible.

The second most complex would be special items of great power, either magical or charismatic in nature (not really weapons) and quests that would require large numbers of gems.

The least complex, I think, would be changing gems to be stackable to 99, (not 10), and having their price per gem increase based on the size of the stack. I think a unique gem shop would be required for this, (see ideas 1 & 2 ) so that the merchant could pay beyond 2400 gold for a stack, but man, I love gem hoarding. Also, I love metal hoarding, I love having large amounts of ingots of silver and cold iron and darksteel. (maybe I have a little dwarf blood in me)

Interesting. I'd like to see some other takes on this. I for one would like to see more uses or recipes for the gems so that all of them have a use for something. This may already be the case but I simply haven't discovered them all yet. If so, I'm sure I will in good time. I think the Das team has done a fantastic job of keeping things balanced so that aren't any completely useless skills. Perhaps there are ways to increase the balance of item usefulness, but in realty (or the suspended disbelief thereof) there will likely be some junk you find that is just junk or something to sell. I would also think that the larger the stack, the less they would be worth or the most the shopkeeper would offer would be less. Interesting though and I'd like to see what becomes of the idea as it develops.

Idea 5, faction safe havens and danger zones I'm not real familiar with the faction system, so this may already be in effect, but I think it would be neat if there were areas, based on your faction, where what are usually enemies, could be friendly. For example, if you joined the white hand, then white hand members would actually not attack you, nor would any quests set against them be available to you. The mechanics of this are hazy to me, but I am imagining having white hand quests open to you, that once completed, they go on permanent record, (like some of the earlier quests that stay in your journal), and you automatically have NPC's go hostile towards you... the brutes in Morell maybe. Also wearing white hand leathers, or having their book on you could cause some mini quests where Brutes attack on sight, or demand to search your belongings for contraband, which you can either bluff, bribe, or fight your way out.

This is already in place for certain factions. I'm not aware of a player-run thieves guild in Morell, so there either isn't one or they're really good.

here are factions you can join in which mechanics such as these are already implemented, but you can always create a new faction, and over time something similar can likely be arranged for them. Anything that involves scripting is more likely to happen if a player in said faction is good at scripting. Same with quests. If you have specific ideas for quests and can use the toolset, please make some quests.

idea 6, getting spotted picking locks In Baldurs Gate, if you were spotted picking a lock, the flaming fist would appear and beat you up. If you defeated them, more would appear for murdering a flaming fist member. If technically feasible, I'd love to see a similar mechanic in Dasaria. I was just thinking this as I was picking the trinkets shops locks and doors. although I hid in shadows to do it, I still thought it would be a bit cooler if one could possibly be detected. same with farmer Cobb's house, who I rob all the time, thanks to the key he gave me.

Good idea. I like anything that increases immersion and realism. I'm not sure how this could be accomplished without a lot of scripting, but if there is an easy way or if anyone has some ideas, this sounds like a lot of fun.

Idea 7, gods and gems with this, every god would have a gem represent them. In a one time quest, you would need to bring say some divine number of gems to them, (say Brintha would require 33 diamonds). You would take this to their respective temple, and gain a special feat, or perhaps a divine once a day use spell, or something like that. this is more of my love of gem hoarding, but yeah... This would mean a lifetime devotion to the God, or perhaps loss of the ability if you convert, although I prefer lifetime devotion to sidestep people changing devotion to gods based upon feasibility and power of abilities.

Again, if you want to write some quests, I'm sure anything that keeps to the flavor of world will be considered for addition to the world.

Some very interesting ideas.

[Bobzim]

Idea 1, character's sunset: I just think it would be really cool, if after a character reaches level 20, there would be the option to write a quest where that character is either an actor or even perhaps the boss or main actor. The player then loses the character, and instead sees him/her somewhere in the world of Dasaria as an NPC. Of course developers could tweak or reject the quest. This could be anything from an advanced level 18 quest, or something simple in Cear for a level three. It's not really retirement, but more like, "whatever happened to... ...oh, he now runs, or he opened a smithy.... or is a mercenary at... is said to control a dungeon in... built a wizards tower and... now a disciple at the temple of lochwar... etc, etc...

Sort of like Friam Fole wandering around in Aucklorn

[Mensha Khaine]

Idea 3, scaling dungeons: this one may be technically unfeasible, but I enjoy soloing as a rogue, because of the challenge and danger it brings. So I was thinking, if possible, it would be cool if a dungeon could count the sum of levels in its dungeon, and then spawn more baddies, and perhaps more dangerous or powerful baddies, accordingly. Recently we rolled 8 deep through Kalem, and I got to say, fun as it was to roll 8 deep, the battles themselves left something to be desired, in my opinion.

I find that I run into new quests/areas when I'm already too high for them, so it would be good if the less used quest scale higher, such as good shai hunting or a bunch of quests floating around lendose and the forest.

[Fighter-Wraith]

I really like the fact that players can bring up ideas like this and such great discussion can come about because of it. On the topic of your Character Sunset idea, I agree with Kamen that the best way for you to leave a lasting legacy with your character after level 20 is to play it. If you like the idea of your character retiring from the adventuring scene to become a smithy (as you suggested as a great example) then why not play your character as a retired smithy? I don't particularily like the thought that level 20's are treated with any more royalties than any other character, perhaps except simply because that character has been around a lot more and contributed more to important events in the history.

On that note, while I don't like PC's chasing after perks and boasting rights, I quite like little nods in the world for players that have made a big impact on the world through their roleplay. For example, in the last PW i played on, a players character that was extremely well known, and something of a hero in the world through his actions, finally fell in a serverwide event after about 2 years of play. It was a massive deal and big blow to the faction he was and the province he supported. The player decided to perma-death his character, thinking it a good end for him. On the spot he fell, a tree was planted with a small tablet with his name and a brief message alongside an RP'd funeral of sorts. It added something to the world - new players wondered who he was, old players remembered the good and bad times. It was good that players were becoming part of the world, and the history was always being written. I'm not sure if this happens in Dasaria, but I really like that sort of thing. History is constantly being written, and one day our characters might be mentioned in a history book.

That said, I don't think that should only apply to level 20 characters. Why shouldn't the level 5 rogue that spotted the scouting forces of the enemy and reported it, thus preventing an invasion get a pat on the back just because he wasn't a level 20? As I say, this sort of thing might already be going on in Dasaria, i've not been playing a long enough time, but it'd be nice to ee if it wasnt already there.

[Valduil535]

There are exampes of this FW, like on father marrent's funeral (before you joined das) there was quite a large procession of this, as far as i know there isnt any monuments of players and such but there are mentions of them in history books i.e people rp'ing so much with certain gods that they become lichs, and the AV, when i joined, although they have been busy recently IRL, were very big. They were known as the knights of Cear. I understand what your saying about levels, but a level 20 player is like you said, more experienced, has been on more adventures etc.

For example, which would you be more impressed by, a level 5 rogue spotting a scout party and preventing an invasion, or a higher level character spotting the party and demolishing them, following back and preventing further attacks^_^
As far as ive seen it, it depends on the player, alot fo players i have seen will refrain from heavily rp events and such because they will get demolished in the fight, i refrain from changing my characters personality as he gets higher levels (but some wont take the same risks)

[Mensha Khaine]

You'll find books around the place that are testiments to player characters, generally from Das1 though.

[Ne0mega]

the sunset idea really isn't to award anybody or anything, it's just to make some characters not fade away. In fact, I was more thinking about evil characters becoming dungeon bosses and things like that. It's not really retired, it's just not played anymore. And I think the world might be a tad more interesting, if every character you interacted with was once actually a PC. Even commoners and such, could be characters people got tired of, or guards, and just give them a little unique quote from the player, then make it a NPC wandering the streets of ravenwatch, or behind bars at the gaol, or the boss of a half orc tribe in the Ravenwoods, or a little part of a quest. I mean, reading history, yeah, (I'm a history major ), But Dasaria is kind of history, kind of living history. I mean instead of the historian in the Misty, you could have one of the characters involved in history, themselves sitting at the Buck Inn bar, half tanked and wanting to relive the days of glory if you lend him an ear and buy him a beer.

And while the best way is for actual player control, I think there are probably, at best 100 - 200 active characters/people. An NPC sunsetted character would be a permanent part of the landscape, not a random appearance based upon whether the player wanted to play that day or not.

Honestly, I think if it were tried out, it would soon become one of those things where there was simply before, and after. And maybe it wouldn't need to be a lvl 20, maybe it would just need to be a character/player with a good reputation for RP.