*Reminisce* What Happened to Aurora's?

[Aldren]

Alright, so...one of my favorite parts of FK over the past...12 years that I've played it was Aurora's Realm Catalog. Custom, unique, and mostly mundane items that added a MILLION PERCENT FLAIR for characters looking to have unique items that aren't just "quest reward from that one place/quest". I understand that now, with the random loot table (awesomely crafted and implemented, by the way, and I love it), that there is much less need for the types of items that were created and implemented into Aurora's, as randomly generated items offer a chance to receive better (often magical) weapons. However... I still think that, had we the staffpower and IMMpower to do it, a place like Aurora's Realm catalog would be an excellent addition to the game to offer rewards to players. I do think, however, that if such a thing were implemented again, the notion of glory exchanges for items should be considered, as platinum like a normal vendor is already (relatively) easily obtainable. There should also be limits per character/account for purchases made, to be fair for all players.

Input requested.

[Gwain]

I toyed with creating a system that let you customise colour, sigil and adjectives of weapons and armour in the catalog shop for things like leather, steel and padded, that is a huge project though. The gentelman and lady emporium was over ten pages of code for one item set, so I would suggest a group member for each aspect. The other option would be to allow us to exchange glory to customise weapon colour or description within the confines of the gift marketplace codex. Meaning that if you get a Sturdy steel bright pink lance embossed with a smiling lady, you could spend ten glory to have the code adjust the adjectives to a sturdy steel black lance embossed with a snake.

[Mele]

My statement from this thread still stands - things that are unique are still going out, however not in one organized spot and not to the volume it was with Aurora's.

While Aurora's was a great thing that brought unique items to the game - there was simply very little reasoning or effort to it. Essentially you got free renames with suggestions simply by walking into a shop. While we still do slip goodies out, which are still essentially free renames, they're much more rare and require a little more effort to look and find. You may not notice it, but at times random merchants are carrying little gems now too.

Aurora's will not make a return, but keep your eyes open for those rare gems, and feel free to suggest miscellaneous roleplay items that you might like to see in this thread and they might be included somewhere within reason(IE: A revision or new area Harroghty makes, or a roleplay reward from an event I run - or a goody I leave out on holidays, or just days I randomly appreciate all of you!)!

[Harroghty]

I agree with Mele, but I would like to explain in more detail my end of her answer.

I have put in numerous merchants with style options into the game recently in order to give you more options in coloring your PC's habit. Sure, the fact that they will sell to everyone means that their wares are less esoteric than those put out by Aurora's, but that depends much on someone finding them (and I can assure you that most people have not). Some things that I have put in were from this thread (viewtopic.php?f=77&t=14369&hilit=waterd ... eal+market) and that is the best place for you to post suggestions that will catch my eye as I have cause or opportunity to include more such merchants in the game.

Of course, the eternal caveat: there are no promises that your idea, suggested, will migrate to the game, but you are always welcome to apply to build a new, quest-centered area that might include some of your other ideas.

[Gwain]

Having found a few of these shops Harroghty mentioned above I can say that they wonderful and well made. Thank you for your time and effort.

[Necalli]

I miss Aurora's for the out-of-stock items the Staff used to throw in there more than the unique items. I.E. Onyx gems.

The current state of rarity for some spell components warms Necalli's cockles though. It's a good thing.

[Gwain]

As far as I can tell, Onyx gems and spell components are creeping into more regular shops based on appropriate locations (canon) sources. Which is probably better than the catalog since we can experience other areas and locales.

[Necalli]

Righteous. I quit playing for a few months and there's so many changes it's a new game again. Now I need to re-visit... everything.