[Event] Invasion of the Cutthroats

[pr0ger]

on feedback topic,

roleplay side :
I agree about the news. As an old kitin invastion, some special npc and specials guards npc should be around the invasion place, into a small outpost for example, and so we could gather news in-game (and have little missions - recon one "is there any leaders..." etc)

Also, how it could impact the world ? leaving visible traces of their camps, adding entries in the Lore, leaving some npc with the knowledge of the "event"...

technical side :
It feel like the last part was a quantity vs quality battle. The cutthroat are rangers/meleers/nukers, high "level" and many, even spawning again if needed. The homins are meleers/nukers/healers, various "levels", and a fixed number.
The homin side needed to kill a critical amount of cutthroat and then, they easily wins.

What was missing ?
I think it's cutthroat healers. as for the homin side, set a definite amount of cutthroat, already spawned (or in a camp/outpost somewhere). Include a proportional amount of healers, and also some high ranking tough one (sergeants, lieutenants etc) who add spice in battle since they could break into homins troops...
It would add more tactics since a frontal attack would be never-ending : cutt' meleers stopping homins to reach their healers... and vice versa.

[sehracii]

A news NPC wouldn't be any more effective than the serverwide messages currently used to announce events and report updates to their status. I think the fact that those messages are in white text contributes to their getting missed, though.

Perhaps there could be a newsletter players could opt into which would be used to announce events ahead of time?

I think a news NPC would be very effective. But we need a way to know to seek them out.

Idea:
You know that spiffy NPC's running around feature? Was added a few patches back. Well, have them always walking usually. But whenever there is an event coming up, turn on the run. Maybe just in the relevant regions. It will add a sense of urgency and tension in the air, and word will get around fast that something is going to happen and people will seek out the appropriate NPC's for information.

Also:
I know I've seen town guards talking. Randomly. To each other. (only in zorai for some reason) That feature can be played up HUGE for events.
Guard 1 "Hey, I heard some cutthroat spies were spotted in the lakelands"
Guard 2 "Yeah, I did too. I wonder what's going on"

That's it. Have that and some other versions sporadically come from guards and other NPSs (especially the random townsfolk who have no other role) in all the towns, and players will know something is up.


Other then that, I thought the invasion was fun. I'm longing for one with more depth and longer siege-like run time. But I'm happy if they throw this kind at us in the meantime.

[aylwyne]

I think a news NPC would be very effective. But we need a way to know to seek them out.

Idea:
You know that spiffy NPC's running around feature? Was added a few patches back. Well, have them always walking usually. But whenever there is an event coming up, turn on the run. Maybe just in the relevant regions. It will add a sense of urgency and tension in the air, and word will get around fast that something is going to happen and people will seek out the appropriate NPC's for information.

How about having a town crier run around using shout to call out the urgent news. You could then go see the appropriate NPC (welcomer, guard chief, ambassador, etc.) based on the nature of the message the crier is shouting.

I also think they should utilize the network of ambassadors to lend a more realistic feel to the political structure of the races. So for example, if Zora is under attack, the Corporal or Guard Chief in Zora would coordinate and communicate the defense efforts. Other NPCs in the Witherings could point you to these NPCs ("Did you hear about the attack? The guard chief may need your help", etc.)

To get help from other lands, it would seem to make sense that the Zorai would have their ambassadors in these lands be the ones asking for help (you know, those Ambassador NPCs tucked away in the corner of each town that no one ever talks to). So in Yrkanis, for example, the the NPCs could say something like, "I heard there was some unrest in Zora, their ambassador is asking for our help". If you talked to the ambassador, he'd ask you to go to Zora and report in with the Guard Chief.

It may sould like a lot of running around talking to a series of NPCs, but I feel this can add a LOT to the immersion of the events. It makes it feel like the event is truly integrated into the world instead of floating on the surface.

[sehracii]

Definitely!

Invovled the NPC's!

Any way! And we'll be happy

[ajsuk]

How about having a town crier run around using shout to call out the urgent news. You could then go see the appropriate NPC (welcomer, guard chief, ambassador, etc.) based on the nature of the message the crier is shouting.

Good thinking Batman