Another way to ride the Spine

[MadSeer]

Hey,
it's come to my attention that the only way to the Spine of the World is to get through the crossroad controlled by the Cartel. My PC was attacked out of the blue on his way back by the NPCs and faction PC and got his butt kicked. This, in itself, is not a problem. I was in an enemy faction's area and was attacked by faction members. But this hostile faction area is the only way to the Spine of the World, so you don't have much of a choice but to trespass in it. It's like if Mirakus' Post was the only way to get through Sestra (well the danger level is not exactly comparable but you get the idea)

I'm wondering if it could be considered to have an alternative route (maybe just a world map transition that leads somewhere on the Spine) added. It's not like there's only one way around the whole Spine to climb it...

[BedlamX]

I have brought up this same concern a while back. Not only is it the only way to the spine, it's also the only way to the cave with the fire beetles and snake guys. It is still, to my knowledge, the only place where you have to go through a hostile player faction area to get to a non-player faction combat area. Personally, I think the easiest solution would be removing the Cartel from that first area outside Aquor. There are already two, separate areas with Cartel controlling them that do not lead to other non-player faction areas (the mountain and under Aquor). I really don't see why this one crossroads type area should have a hostile player faction in it. It really seems to allow "skirting" of the PVP rules by allowing unannounced, PC conflict during an NPC fight which many have no real need to deal with as they are just passing through to get to the non-player faction areas.

It also never made sense to me that these pirates would be allowed to hold a major trade line from the dwarves in the mountains to Aquor and, through there, the rest of Sundren. You would think the Exigo and other trade entities would have sent in the Blackwoods to keep the crossroad open and protect their shipments. But maybe I'm using too much logical tactics in my assessments of fictional game worlds. I tend to do that a lot :P.

[GRCrush]

The post was just taken back from the Black hand by players in game. I would think if you want to make a push to change the current situation in game. An actual effort in game should and must be made to do so. This being rather then a simple forum request because folks disagree.

[MadSeer]

It's not about seizing control of the crossroad. My character doesn't give a rat's ass about Aquor, because of the Red Wizard presence, and if bandits block the way to the town it's their problem, not his. Everytime I head to the Spine I just RP that my character goes around the town rather than through it. I'd RP that he heads a different way than the crossroad as well, but that would turn out pretty lame in case of PvP, like the instance above.

If there was the option in game, my character would just stay far from Aquor and it's surroundings - hence the request for an alternative route. I'm more in favor of a new world map transition since there's no area building involved.

[Fezzik]

Seizing control of the that area would be a non-starter. It would immediately get turned over to the local enforcement, and there are things in the land of Sundren that do not go reported and may not be general knowledge. Sufficed to say, the Cartel would be back there almost immediately as "peace officers" in all likelyhood.