This idea was inspired by the OP and follow-up discussion in this thread.
The Shadowlands is supposedly constantly researched by science teams, mostly JAME, but I'd guess the RK factions also send their own teams. How about making those teams actually exist, by way of GMs or (Event)ARKs spawning several temporary NPC camps at random locations in each SL zone for a relatively long period (a few weeks) then removing them and creating a similar camp at some other location?
These camps would consist of a few tents or mobile buildings, some containers, crates and other equipment, a small number of NPC guards that react to mobs approaching the camp but do not leave the camp, only fire at what comes too close, and some other "scientist" type NPCs. NPC levels would be around the maximum mob level of the given zone, or maybe somewhat higher than that (equal to the brink mob level of the zone?), they would respawn shortly when killed, but they wouldn't give any XP or other loot.
Usable camp equipment could include a bank terminal, and maybe even a portable cell scanner which saves the character right there at the camps current location, but for a somewhat high price (although it would be a bit hard to explain story-wise how they can work in SL).
Among the NPCs there could be a supplier who sells some basic stuff like ammo and SL medical gear (in QLs fitting the given zone, the same as found in the gardens), and a head scientist who gives simple template missions (with a maximum amount that can be pulled and active at a given time) which require the player to kill a small number of specific random type mob, or collect some common loot (eg. bring some pieces of coral, a few immortal fungi, etc.) or insignias, for credits + XP reward; something about needing samples of this and that for further study.
As some more flavour, there could also be military camps (only clan/omni of course) where instead of science personnel, some task team would be present, and their leader would give kill missions targeting specific type of sided mobs, and also would offer reward (maybe even tokens?) for handing in any kind of sided weapons of the enemy faction (as a proof of kill).
Sided camps could (should?) be hostile towards players of the opposite faction: guards would attack them on sight (except neutrals), other NPCs would not talk to them (not even to neutrals) and facilities would not be usable by them (also not even by neutrals), while RK neutral and JAME camps would be open for everyone for all purposes.
While this would put some additional work on the GM/ARK team, having to keep track of the currently existing camps and moving them when they've been in their current place long enough (and the devs if any additional coding would be required to be able to do this; I know objects and NPCs can be spawned for events and such as it is, but making them be able to respawn by themselves, restrained to their camps, etc. probably does need new code), it would make the SL environment somewhat less static and more interesting, they would be a reward of the sort for people who like to explore when they stumble upon such a camp, and maybe the missions offered at these camps would slightly motivate some people to do some outdoors hunting.
Reply With Quote
