Advent Crypt...holy hells!

[sonuvalich]

This is a slightly tangential idea based off the crypt difficulty. Let me start by saying I like the crypt (again) because this is not an attack on the development of any dungeon or area. However, the population of viable low level characters with which to group is low. Sundren is not a PnP game with a built-in party or an MMO that has a huge membership guaranteed to have some people your level. Basically you either have to luck into people your level, bring your own friends, or convince another player to make an alt with you. This problem becomes less pronounced around level 11-13 when people start doing Argyle; always seems to be someone wanting to do Argyle.

What if, for lower levels like 3-7 or 3-10, players could buy mercenary tokens? A moderately priced single-use item that summons a mediocre fighter NPC to help them out, maybe like "A Blackwood Contract" to keep it canonical? I doubt this would steal any thunder from fighter/paladin/tanky types because player tactics are always better than the AI, but it could help out that level 4 rogue who just can't find anyone to level with. They could be tiered, with increasing prices, to help get new players caught up to the established player base levels. And for those who say it detracts from RP I would counter that it is simply a tool to help you level, so it does not affect your ability to interact with other players at all.

[ManUtd4Ever]

What if, for lower levels like 3-7 or 3-10, players could buy mercenary tokens? A moderately priced single-use item that summons a mediocre fighter NPC to help them out, maybe like "A Blackwood Contract" to keep it canonical? I doubt this would steal any thunder from fighter/paladin/tanky types because player tactics are always better than the AI, but it could help out that level 4 rogue who just can't find anyone to level with. They could be tiered, with increasing prices, to help get new players caught up to the established player base levels. And for those who say it detracts from RP I would counter that it is simply a tool to help you level, so it does not affect your ability to interact with other players at all.

I can see the value in this... Though, instead of a token I would recommend that the "summons" be incorporated into the quest script. For example, you approach the NPC and secure the quest. After securing the quest he asks if you are going to go alone. If you say yes, then he suggests you grab a Blackwood Mercenary (some happen to be standing by). You get the option of paying 200 gp for the "summons." Once you complete the quest the "summons" will leave unless it is already dead.

Otherwise the token would become just another summons spell and Sundren would be spammed with everyone running around as character + 1.

Cheers!

[gbbishop]

Cool idea. Just the warning would suffice. there are plenty of places to go for less of a challenge (hills that is) but less rewarding.