New Areas You Would Like To See In-Game

[Svenrick]

Greetings, all!

I had considered posting this in Game Suggestions, but I decided against it since this is more for my own, (As well as other builders, I'm not stingy!) use rather than for review by the coders.

Currently I am reading through the Builders materials and I am beginning to prepare to contribute in what ways I can, but I still consider myself quite green to the game. As a result I feel that I do not have an adequate knowledge of what is needed or desired within the game at the moment so I made this thread to ask you good folks:

What new areas would you like to see?

What do you believe these areas would provide for the game?

I'm looking forward to the feedback so that I can get some inspiration and get to work! Cheers!

[Yemin]

I haven't played an evil char for real yet, but my experience of the game so far is that there aren't very many areas for evils to cut loose and murder a bunch of people for fun without loosing out on something like access to a town or city because of the justice code. I could be wrong of course so correct me if so.

Meatha's zone looked like a good one so I was a little sad when he or she cancelled it. The game is also missing zones to attract them to the far east. When I've considered building its always been eastern Faerun areas. Well, that or Thultanthar:
http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Thultanthar

Some Bane activity has been happening recently and in the timeline. This city should've already kind of had a presence. Though I am happy to see shadar-kai on the surface now It would be interesting to have more of a shade influence in game and a center for Shar's power. In the FR universe Shar isn't nearly so secretive currently. their clergy doen't exactly Prosletize or advertise, but they don't seem to deny being sharrans..., Kind of a well known secret no one really talks about. We also need holy weapons that beats Demon Damage reduction and this would be a good opportunity to introduce ancient Netherese artifacts that have been locked away. Things like holy weapons of the Dawn blades of Amaunator that were sealed away in the city somewhere because of Shar's influence.

[dolifer]

In addition to whatever people might post here, viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13837 is a good place to check every now and then for what the MUD itself is looking for, in case you might have missed it. I know it took me a few goes through the forums to find it myself.

Also, I've been very much considering apping for my first build over the last few weeks, too, but I haven't mainly because it's kind of difficult for me to decide where to start, since I don't have access to any adventure modules or other resources, etc. to base an area off of and I'm frankly not creative or confident enough to come up with an entire area concept myself yet . So! If interested, shoot a PM my way and maybe we might work together on something.

[Mele]

Please forgive this wet towel comment - I mean it in a genuine attempt to be helpful, not a killjoy.

Building is a fairly big chore and with nearly all of our experienced builders it seems the things they have found themselves most inspired to build are things that interest them. (Talos, Tempus, Mask and I have all said this in the past of our own exploits!)

While I think asking is fine, I can't help but offer this viewpoint as people may get excited for things that could never come to.

I would definitely suggest finding and finishing a project YOUR heart is in before coming forward for things other peoples' hearts are in! It's a lot of work and you really need to love/want what you're doing!

[Ungtar]

I second Mele's statement. Builders tend to run along in their own "flavor". One builder may specialize in woodland areas, another dungeons, another towns. Because that's what interests them.

If you're just fishing for ideas to try to find out what YOUR particular specialty is going to be, then I would suggest more caves and dungeons. A good dungeon is always fun to put together.

[Larethiel]

Apply to build the things you would wish to see in game, start small to pick up the mechanics and stuff and then see whatever inspires you. The projects most likely to be finished are the ones that keep their builder attracted and hooked onto them. There is much inspiration to be found, races, events, lore, locations, places etc.etc., but not everything interests everyone.

The thing with building is that it is not a fast process. It takes time till areas are applied for, built offline/online, tested, reviewed, checked, brought in game...which makes it difficult to build areas that are a "reaction" to current up-to-date events.

So! If interested, shoot a PM my way and maybe we might work together on something.

Why don't -you- reach out to find a partner in crime? It seems much more likely to be successful since many builders are occupied with projects and might not think of reaching out, what probably does not mean that there is no interest.

[Svenrick]

First off I'd like to thank all of your for your feedback and advice!

@Yemin

I'll be replying to your PM soon and I like the suggestion of an eastern themed area. I am not so knowledgeable about Bane, but with proper research the area you've suggested seems as though it could be rather fun.

@dolifer

Thanks for the link there- I'd checked about to see if there was a similar thread, but I turned up nothing. Likely just faulty search on my part

I work well with others and I clearly see the advantage of us bumping our heads together to create some areas. If any other folks would like to join me to work jointly on a project feel free to chime in or send me a PM!

@Mele

No offense taken whatsoever at the advice.

In the end I'll be making the decision of what to work on and this thread is to help me find some practical inspiration. I'll be keeping up with the thread and giving my honest opinion of the projects as they relate to me. If other would be builders want to use this as a resource to find their own inspiration I encourage them to do so and post their own commentary on the areas that people suggest.


@Ungtar

It is a valid bit of advice, but I assure you I will not force myself to take on a project. If it doesn't feel as though the area will come naturally to me then I will leave it for another to see if it strikes their fancy instead.

Eventually if the thread grows large enough or has enough support I'll make a list on the first post that gives a general overview of recommended areas that aren't implemented so that it will be easier to use as a resource.


Once again I thank you all for taking the time to post here!

I'm looking forward to seeing what else gets suggested.

[Mele]

Hopefully you find something that speaks to you! It's bang head against wall chore painful work, but it is SO REWARDING. :)

[Maetha]

Meatha's zone looked like a good one so I was a little sad when he or she cancelled it. The game is also missing zones to attract them to the far east. When I've considered building its always been eastern Faerun areas. Well, that or Thultanthar:
http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Thultanthar.

I apologize, Yemin. The only thing lacking is for the area to be put into code, if you would like to talk to Talos and Algon about finishing it, I'm happy to supply the text files for it.

[Yemin]

I recently did some typo work for an associate who had his in a format that looks like it was properly coded so I don't feel too daunted to say when I have the tiem. I'll knuckle down and take the lessons and code it in myself. I had enough knowledge to build in my first mud I played for 6 or so years. It was Diku and said time should be coming up soon around christmas. My present to myself this year is 3 weeks of freedom away from PEOPLE GaH!!! :p

[teepo]

I appreciate the interest in what people would like to see.

Personally, I would like to see a more ECL friendly starting area for the Drow. It doesn't need to be like the Waterdeep introduction area, but it would be nice to see something that can help Drow level a bit better, at least to 10. It doesn't have to make it super easy, but easier than it is, if that makes sense. We all accept the ECL of being Drow and don't plan the trip to be easy.

That's at least something I'd like to see.

Thanks again!

[Larethiel]

Personally, I would like to see a more ECL friendly starting area for the Drow. It doesn't need to be like the Waterdeep introduction area, but it would be nice to see something that can help Drow level a bit better, at least to 10. It doesn't have to make it super easy, but easier than it is, if that makes sense. We all accept the ECL of being Drow and don't plan the trip to be easy.

I think there is such a place in Menzo already, you'll want to ask around ICly to get pointers.

[Terageld]

Meatha's zone looked like a good one so I was a little sad when he or she cancelled it. The game is also missing zones to attract them to the far east. When I've considered building its always been eastern Faerun areas. Well, that or Thultanthar:
http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Thultanthar

*grins mischievously*

Personally, I'd like to see Calimport added. Is there anything happening to the Calimport and Baldur's Gate projects right now?
EDIT: I just read the Calimport thread. It's gonna be so good...

[Gwain]

A western themed area where everyone wears dusters and all the Cowboys are mechanical constructs. Then something goes wrong and we all have to wear fake moustaches to survive.

[Maetha]

A western themed area where everyone wears dusters and all the Cowboys are mechanical constructs. Then something goes wrong and we all have to wear fake moustaches to survive.

If this occurs, I demand the tavern serve spaghetti.

[Harroghty]

we all have to wear fake moustaches to survive.

In the land of fake mustaches, the hirsute man is king.

Seriously though, we used to have a Western themed area. It's Phran now.

[Yemin]

Phran?

[Gwain]

Phran is the wild west, just less west.

[teepo]

I think there is such a place in Menzo already, you'll want to ask around ICly to get pointers.

I'm referring to the actually starting zone being redone in general, but I do appreciate you for trying to help encourage looking around. Thanks!

[Rhangalas]

I'll just say towns and cities are a lot more work and could be more difficult since there are a lot of shopkeeps, quest NPCs, etc...

Personally, I think the Underdark needs more havens or places where you can regain stamina without dreading that any second a mindflayer is going to 'fwoop' out of nowhere and turn your brain to gelatin. This way an experienced traveller could plan routes based on these locations and it would allow for more RP while resting. They could also serve as meeting places, water sources, crystal formations, lichen patches, and places to quit without fearing that you're going to log back in to a cabal of minotaurs or a clew of purple worms.

Other than that, more planar areas.