Posted by sparky on October 15, 1999 at 11:45:18:
http://www.gamespot.com/features/asheron_pre It's one of the many online rpgs that seem to be coming out of the woodworks now, but reading through the preview, I caught glimpse of an idea that I thought I would share with the rest of you (the web page is listed just above, for those of you interested in the preview). The basis is not my own idea, so I thought I'd post the source. However, it could be implemented with great effectiveness on CF. Allegiance. A lower-level character can swear allegiance to a higher-level character. When the lower-level player makes a kill or gains experience, the higher-level character is rewarded in some way (a small percentage of experience or gold or some sort of "leadership" skill). In return, the higher-level character rewards the lower-level one with gold or equipment, or some insight or something. Then, as the lower-level character gets more experienced, he can have his own minions below him, swearing allegiance to him, etc etc. It could be interesting, if for nothing else than a slightly rewarded rp-catalyst. You could even implement this to be effective _only_ for non-caballed characters, and as your "leadership" skill improves, you and all those allied to you begin to gain small extra skills. These are like way toned down quest skills at first (maybe there's a big one when you have half of Thera uninducted to follow you). Something like a random light heal in battle or a half-strength protection from good/evil or a bit of armor with your insignia on it. This would have several effects - first, those of us whose roles don't particularly fall into present cabals (or perhaps the roles equate, but the char has some defining characteristic that keeps him from gaining access) would have something to do. You could form your own shadow cabal, if you wanted...no one would have to know that you were all allied. Then all of a sudden your leader's leadership skill is high enough to gain a new healthy power (autohide? nice). Well you get the point. Uncaballeds would have something to do. Second, it would promote roleplaying. Following some random guy you don't know is like being in a cabal with no immortal restrictions. The "leader" is just there because he wants to be, and you are following him because you want to, not because he's the only option. What he says goes, and as a character, you follow his every command. Third, it puts a new dimension on the world of Thera... Allied forces battling each other, caballed members sticking their noses in each others' business, allieds vs. cabals, etc etc Fourth, it gives the immortals something to do now that conjurers are out, since we all know they are _never_ busy with anything. Oh well, so maybe it would work, maybe it wouldn't. Any thoughts and ideas are welcome, just make sure to follow the format of Rome's previous post (i.e., start with "Uncaballed players are way overpowered..") sparky