5 replies to this topic

[PureMourning]

Part I – Clan Dynamics

The chief goal of this idea is to introduce a new level of purpose to clans and also to bridge the gap between smaller clans and the powerful clans that predominantly rule the servers. What I introduce is something I call Clan Achievement Points. There will be a variety of tasks that will be introduced that once accomplished by a clan, will in return equate to “CAP” (Clan Achievement Points). These points can be exchanged for obtaining things that will better the clan (i.e., gold, extra goodies for the clan house, and so forth).

Now you may be scratching your head and thinking something along the lines of, “This sounds pretty cool, but how on Earth will this work exactly?”. Well, I’m glad you asked and I have your answer. In order for “CAP” to be obtained, there would also be: Clan Quests.

These quests would be hosted periodically and designed directly to challenge the clan’s overall collaboration, leadership, knowledge and most importantly; teamwork. These quests would not be designed to solely focus on numbers and power (i.e., venturing out and slaying some overly difficult boss that only the top couple of clans could accomplish).

A good example of this and a contribution to my inspiration was Emma’s Halloween quest. I clearly remember rounding up a MD party as soon as the area was opened and at the same time there was only one another large party, which was Pandemonium. There was also a few other adventurers either in small clans or independently taking on the quest.

Here’s the good and the bad of how the events played out (just for example):

Good: Clans worked together to tackle the quest. Cooperation was exhibited and players were eager to figure everything out.

Bad: The smaller clans were unable to have a fair opportunity at the beginning of the quest because any smaller parties who were in the maze trying to find the mini-bosses were instantly PKed on sight by the larger parties comprised of members of the larger clans.

(Yes, I know that the bosses weren’t excessively challenging and after the initial rush of the quest subsided, even the smaller clans and lower players could (and did) group up to get a piece of the pie, so to speak. This is beside the point.)

Now Picture This:

Having moderate quests designed fairly similar to this that appeal directly to clan collaboration and fairness spread out to everyone. Here’s a rough example: The object would be to discover the means of attaining certain items, which would be derived from both mobs and other searching, exchanging the collected items for a key to enter a mini-bosses’ realm to conquer the foe to complete the quest. First clan to reach the end receives the highest number of “CAP” points, then the subsequent clans would receive lesser amount of points respectively.

“There’s a HUGE problem with this!”

Obviously, a potential problem would be just as described in the Halloween quest: the larger clans’ party would just dominate any other competition leaving directly the opposite; no competition. This wouldn’t give the smaller clans a fair and adequate chance.

Wrong-o Buck-o.

Each participating clan would be designated a certain area in which other clans couldn’t infiltrate. For example let’s say we have three competing clans: 1. House of Power and High Level Characters. 2. Adept Noobies with Increasing Knowledge and 3. Conqueror’s of the Sewers!.

Clan 1 would be limited to an area around the Dendeya and the Lost Trail, Clan 2’s operating area would be Resthaven and the Rose Garden Area, and Clan 3’s area would be Airlin and the Large Forest Area.

This way all the puzzles and the challenges would be achieved through each clan’s teamwork and cooperation. And also there wouldn’t be a problem of more powerful clan’s ruining the shot for smaller clans to earn the “CAP” points.

Exchanging Clan Achievement Points:

If this idea was ever implemented this portion would have to be reviewed and decided upon the community’s suggestions, and ultimately what staff decide on. Here are some ideas that popped up to me.

Points could be collected and spent on:
- Reduction of price of a clan’s next room (percentage of discount proportionate to how many rooms the house currently has).
- NPC’s in the clan house.
- Clan Colors (would be *a lot* of points I’d imagine).


I think it would also be cool to see this: After each Clan Quest was completed the results would be posted on the Event Section of the forum and for each post there would be a list of how many points each clan has accumulated thus far. This would give recognition to smaller clans who have kicked butt in the quests.

There’s more to this idea. For instance such things as designated spies and Competing Chairmen and Chairwoman. I’m not going to go into these at this point of time because I think you got the gist of the main idea (or at least I hope so).


Part II – Geographer’s Challenge (Sent Directly from the Running Gods)

If you are one of the few people who have actually sat and read my other articles (so to speak) then you will have remembered me mentioning this a few times. Well here it is.

The simple competition of a good ole’ fashioned footrace could possibly be considered one of the oldest sports known to man. Coincidentally, this has also been true to NM. I can remember numerous times in the past people point out or declare to their friends that they can get from point A to point B quicker than the persons addressed. So I thought “Hey, why not spice this up a little bit and add some spice?” Consequently, this little brainchild of mine was born.

It’s pretty short and sweet. Players would compete by navigating their way from point A to point B. And whoever reaches the end is renowned as the fastest sprinter in the realm.

BUT – (Remember those “spices” I mentioned?):

I think it would be cool to add a few little twists to this. Here’s the scenario: Players have to run from Faravar to Jahanna. Actually, I’m just kidding. That wouldn’t be very fair to newer players now would it? Not too mention, nearly impossible. Back on subject!

The course would go as follows:
- Starting Line: Harabec
- Finish Line: Blackthorn

Twists: For an added flavor there could be random teleporting squares between Harabec and Blackthorn! Perhaps some in the Royal Forest, perhaps some in Sewers and even maybe in the Large Forest (after all, there are different paths players could take). These teleporting squares (or “broken links”) would take the player back to the start! Now THAT would be fin to watch.

Also I was thinking about making the course even more extensive which would be comprised of various check-points. This way the event could be turned into a relay race. This would open up the door for more creative juices to flow right out and hell, this could even be tied into a Clan Quest. (Hmm hmmm).


Conclusion/Highlights:

Well I think the idea of Clan Quests and achievement points have a lot more zing than the running event. But hell, the more the merrier. This may be the last Volume of my 3 part essay of summarized ideas because 1.) I want to next start dissecting and breaking these ideas down into greater detail; 2.) posting these ideas under the Suggestions section of the forum because 3.) I don’t believe this section of the forum gets much attention.

So thank-you to those who have read these and I hope I have sprung some creative ideas and thinking onto the NM community.

[Autek]

Sounds cool, only for the CAP quests, how could you determine the clan ratings in terms of a 1/2/3 as you listed. I'd imagine some of the experienced clans would win their areas points, then make a new clan for their intermediate level characters, and one for their newbie characters, just so they could experience all the different quests.

Relay races sound pretty cool too, with say five members from each clan etc. Surely pking would interrupt the fun though. Especially with all the thieves these days, they'd just sit on the route holding a macro.

[Raylen]

This, I would say, is the least inspiring of the three volumes. I like the idea of clan points; however, it would be somewhat tricky (impossible?) to tailor quests to individual clans? To balance quests "properly" I would add an element of skill or knowledge that your character level has no bearing on, e.g. riddles.

Races are good but it's basically down to who can remember and tap macros the best. Relay races are better. You'd probably want to turn off all the ktp monsters though.

[PureMourning]

Thanks for the replies guys. It’s always cool to see at least some form of feedback.

I think I may have formulated some fogginess while explaining particular ideas. Let me try to wash some of the haze away.

The Clan Quests I had in mind would NOT be unique to each clan. The rough example I proposed was supposed to show that only the –environment- would be different for each clan. As far as puzzles, riddles, and overall quest objectives – these would be universal to each clan. The separate areas just serve as “boundaries” so that other clans could not interfere with or meddle with what another clan is doing. (Think of the show Survivor. Sometimes the tribes compete simultaneously but they’re not on the same course, i.e. they each have their own little set-up).

Alternate: Instead of using –actual- areas in-game. Perhaps small Clan Quest areas could be created and then the participating members of each clan would be teleported to their quest area.

Whichever method works better isn’t the main point. The idea was just to keep it fair between clans so that you don’t have a PK fest going on. The quests are designed to promote cooperation and thinking power amongst the clan.

As far as the races go you guys brought up some potential problems, such as PKing and macros, here’s how these would be quickly addressed:

The areas that fall under the race course could be set to “NO-PK”. I couldn’t imagine this being a problem, even for people not participating, because a simple foot race event would not be time consuming. Also, each race would be a different course. People couldn’t pre-arrange their macros at all.

[Xïöx]

^

[Defeat]

Again, still waiting on addition into game!