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[ archived ] adventures & excursions
As of September 2016, the game has shifted gears to take on a more exploratory route in an effort to help rebuild the world which had remained in a post-apocalyptic dying state for over eight hundred years. Has anything survived? Is anything salvageable? Can the world be restored? And what can be learned about the world's mysterious past? Or is that even important?
Perhaps rather than trying to solve a mystery, the more important thing is to determine what bits of land (if any) can be hospitable and used for additional resources to breathe some life back into this place. But who knows who or what lurks down there. Potential allies, dangerous threats—how the world changes will only be determined by those willing to make that change. Everything will be influenced by player suggestion and character action. It's a big, wide open world, ready to be developed—or destroyed.
There are two ways players can have their characters explore: player-run adventures and mod-guided excursions.
❖ Adventures
"Adventures" are expeditions set out by characters and are initiated by players. Adventures are going to be tailored to the characters and what the players wish to find. If you guys just want an action packed filled trip through some rock woods, we can do that. If you'd like to find something more plot relevant or something to advance plot, we can do that. You don't even need to be overly specific. Something as simple as "related to Peromei's history" is enough to give us something for you to work with.
Basically, adventures are for players and characters who like to strike out on their own and do something outside of the usual stuff going on.
» Requesting an Adventure. Players will need to comment to this subthread and fill out the form. Once approved, we'll give a notice and send the details through PM. To request an adventure you only need to give us the following:
and other details but those are the four main things you'll need to figure out first.
» Charting the Adventure. After a request is approved, you will need to make your own log and reply again with the link so we can add it to the chart.
» Revisiting locations. Unless specified, all locations should be able to be revisited either by the same group or another group. Most locations will likely be a one-time deal, but there may be some that could hold new things or may need a check-up. Maybe you think of a new plot twist to work with the location setting. Or maybe you'd like a location related or next to a pre-existing. Regardless, if it's possible, a group can go back for whatever reason.
❖ Excursions
"Excursions" are similar but different in scope compared to Adventures. Whereas an Adventure is mostly player run, Excursions are designed by the mods and ICly is organized by the ESO (Empatheias-Shaarnath-Otherworld Collaborative). Each month we will announce in the monthly Mod Announcement "focused locations" that those interested can go to. Within the excursions, we'll have certain locations, goals, and other things in place. Players will still have leeway to create and add to the setting, but there are some guidelines that they need to follow and tasks to and accomplish (or fail). You can think of "Excursions" as like background events that those interested can participate without having to worry about coming up with their own ideas; like a job to do.
» Excursion Missions. Each Excursion will have at least one or two special missions accompanied with it. Those are the goals that those participating should try to do and are listed on the Task Board. While the majority of these tasks will be on site, there may be some that can be done within Verens or Shaarnath. These "special missions" are completely optional—one can do an Excursion and have their own particular goal or task in mind instead. But if you are taking on a special mission, you will need to include it when signing up as well as indicating how you hope it will go (such as succeeding or failing). You can either have a pre-planned group, join an open one, or start an open group of your own. Once you know how the mission goes or if you already know how it will be, reply again to your comment so we can note how things went.
» Signing-up. To participate in an Excursion, we will have a specific subthread made in this post for those to sign-up. Each subthread will have the basics entailed and, if applicable, a form to fill out. No approvals necessary—once you sign-up it's assumed that the characters will figure out a way to join.
» Logs. After we see that there is some interest for participation, a log will be made within the week. In the log we'll include any other details not already mentioned, but after that players have free rein in terms of what they do.
» Timeline. While Excursions are available for the entire month, once there is interest the there will be a 1 to 2 week period for actual IC activity. This doesn't mean that characters are in the location for that long. They could be there for a couple days, return home, then go out again. But the Excursion itself can only last for a certain period of time before funds run out and everyone is kicked out or risk being stranded. For the record, getting lost or stranded and have a group come out and save them as a follow-up Adventure or Excursion is completely viable.
» Adventures. Those who are doing their own Adventures can actually run in tangent with Excursions if they so choose. While not directly related—such as being in a completely different area or focusing on something else—it's possible for a group to find something related or do something that could affect Excursion groups in some way.
❖ How to Travel
You may be wondering how characters will go about traversing through the surface, especially when the atmosphere is toxic and the world is ready to suck the emotional life out of anyone unprepared. So first, let's talk about the protection and supplies.
» Dunamis and Crystals. Dunamis and complete crystals are going to be the keys in offering the best protection against the dying world's environment. Strong emotion based barriers can be erected to repel the outer influences. However, it's not impervious nor can it last forever, especially dunamis. But it can be assumed that those from Shaarnath will assist any who venture outward, either for free or for pay.
» Arehtei assistance. The Arehtei will also gladly offer some means of protection if asked. Usually it will take the form of a small charm, like a feather from Elios or a scale from Thras. Again, these will only last for a few days and does not protect them from everything.
» Supplies. If part of ESO, then it can be assumed that necessary supplies are given. If striking out on your own, then characters will need to procure money and supplies somehow. That of course can be handwaved. We don't need proof of this.
Now let's talk about the means of travel.
» Airships and other large transportation vehicles. Verens is pulling in their weight by offering airships to help ferry people over large distances. They are also in the works of manufacturing other large machines to cross the land, and eventually ships to deal with the oceans. Of course they're a small city so don't expect a whole fleet or armada anytime soon, but there should be a good number soon. However, travel distance is still limited as the atmosphere is not the safest for the current available airships. But they are good for carrying cargo. ESO can provide these, but it's possible to hire outside the organization.
» Teleporter coordinates. Shaarnath has a few coordinates to unspecified locations around. It's also possible to throw in random coordinates and try one's luck (and hope that the other side works to bring them back). While the teleporter can handle larger groups, it would be more useful for general short recon trips as only so much can go through at once. It also means that the group will be walking, so can only carry so much.
Finally, we'll touch up a bit more on how players can help with the worldbuilding aspect and pretty much design the type of place they'd like to go to.
» Location suggestions. The world is basically a free world ready to be molded and shaped. It's also kind of broken so it'll eventually reshape again. We are completely open to location ideas. Should there be a continent frozen under black ice? An island in the center of a giant whirlpool? Other floating islands? Chain of volcanoes? So long as you keep in mind that the world is on its death throes, anything is free game!
» Design your own island/continent/area. With this cool map generator, you can design your own island or land mass with some details like lakes, trees, hills, mountains, ruin towns. It's basic, but it totally would work for our purposes. Here's an example of some random place. Since there's no real pre-existing map, anything is fair game. You can even add to already existing designed maps.
If you have any questions about this, feel free to ask when requesting your Adventure.
❖ Worldbuilding Suggestions
We are always open for ideas in terms of locations, goals, setting environments, even maps for all of this. So if you have any suggestions for any aspect for worldbuilding, please comment to this subthread!
Perhaps rather than trying to solve a mystery, the more important thing is to determine what bits of land (if any) can be hospitable and used for additional resources to breathe some life back into this place. But who knows who or what lurks down there. Potential allies, dangerous threats—how the world changes will only be determined by those willing to make that change. Everything will be influenced by player suggestion and character action. It's a big, wide open world, ready to be developed—or destroyed.
There are two ways players can have their characters explore: player-run adventures and mod-guided excursions.
❖ Adventures
"Adventures" are expeditions set out by characters and are initiated by players. Adventures are going to be tailored to the characters and what the players wish to find. If you guys just want an action packed filled trip through some rock woods, we can do that. If you'd like to find something more plot relevant or something to advance plot, we can do that. You don't even need to be overly specific. Something as simple as "related to Peromei's history" is enough to give us something for you to work with.
Basically, adventures are for players and characters who like to strike out on their own and do something outside of the usual stuff going on.
» Requesting an Adventure. Players will need to comment to this subthread and fill out the form. Once approved, we'll give a notice and send the details through PM. To request an adventure you only need to give us the following:
- Who is in the party;
- What the group hopes to accomplish;
- Where the group may wish to focus on (you can even make your own map!);
- When the expedition will take place;
and other details but those are the four main things you'll need to figure out first.
» Charting the Adventure. After a request is approved, you will need to make your own log and reply again with the link so we can add it to the chart.
» Revisiting locations. Unless specified, all locations should be able to be revisited either by the same group or another group. Most locations will likely be a one-time deal, but there may be some that could hold new things or may need a check-up. Maybe you think of a new plot twist to work with the location setting. Or maybe you'd like a location related or next to a pre-existing. Regardless, if it's possible, a group can go back for whatever reason.
❖ Excursions
"Excursions" are similar but different in scope compared to Adventures. Whereas an Adventure is mostly player run, Excursions are designed by the mods and ICly is organized by the ESO (Empatheias-Shaarnath-Otherworld Collaborative). Each month we will announce in the monthly Mod Announcement "focused locations" that those interested can go to. Within the excursions, we'll have certain locations, goals, and other things in place. Players will still have leeway to create and add to the setting, but there are some guidelines that they need to follow and tasks to and accomplish (or fail). You can think of "Excursions" as like background events that those interested can participate without having to worry about coming up with their own ideas; like a job to do.
» Excursion Missions. Each Excursion will have at least one or two special missions accompanied with it. Those are the goals that those participating should try to do and are listed on the Task Board. While the majority of these tasks will be on site, there may be some that can be done within Verens or Shaarnath. These "special missions" are completely optional—one can do an Excursion and have their own particular goal or task in mind instead. But if you are taking on a special mission, you will need to include it when signing up as well as indicating how you hope it will go (such as succeeding or failing). You can either have a pre-planned group, join an open one, or start an open group of your own. Once you know how the mission goes or if you already know how it will be, reply again to your comment so we can note how things went.
» Signing-up. To participate in an Excursion, we will have a specific subthread made in this post for those to sign-up. Each subthread will have the basics entailed and, if applicable, a form to fill out. No approvals necessary—once you sign-up it's assumed that the characters will figure out a way to join.
» Logs. After we see that there is some interest for participation, a log will be made within the week. In the log we'll include any other details not already mentioned, but after that players have free rein in terms of what they do.
» Timeline. While Excursions are available for the entire month, once there is interest the there will be a 1 to 2 week period for actual IC activity. This doesn't mean that characters are in the location for that long. They could be there for a couple days, return home, then go out again. But the Excursion itself can only last for a certain period of time before funds run out and everyone is kicked out or risk being stranded. For the record, getting lost or stranded and have a group come out and save them as a follow-up Adventure or Excursion is completely viable.
» Adventures. Those who are doing their own Adventures can actually run in tangent with Excursions if they so choose. While not directly related—such as being in a completely different area or focusing on something else—it's possible for a group to find something related or do something that could affect Excursion groups in some way.
❖ How to Travel
You may be wondering how characters will go about traversing through the surface, especially when the atmosphere is toxic and the world is ready to suck the emotional life out of anyone unprepared. So first, let's talk about the protection and supplies.
» Dunamis and Crystals. Dunamis and complete crystals are going to be the keys in offering the best protection against the dying world's environment. Strong emotion based barriers can be erected to repel the outer influences. However, it's not impervious nor can it last forever, especially dunamis. But it can be assumed that those from Shaarnath will assist any who venture outward, either for free or for pay.
» Arehtei assistance. The Arehtei will also gladly offer some means of protection if asked. Usually it will take the form of a small charm, like a feather from Elios or a scale from Thras. Again, these will only last for a few days and does not protect them from everything.
» Supplies. If part of ESO, then it can be assumed that necessary supplies are given. If striking out on your own, then characters will need to procure money and supplies somehow. That of course can be handwaved. We don't need proof of this.
Now let's talk about the means of travel.
» Airships and other large transportation vehicles. Verens is pulling in their weight by offering airships to help ferry people over large distances. They are also in the works of manufacturing other large machines to cross the land, and eventually ships to deal with the oceans. Of course they're a small city so don't expect a whole fleet or armada anytime soon, but there should be a good number soon. However, travel distance is still limited as the atmosphere is not the safest for the current available airships. But they are good for carrying cargo. ESO can provide these, but it's possible to hire outside the organization.
» Teleporter coordinates. Shaarnath has a few coordinates to unspecified locations around. It's also possible to throw in random coordinates and try one's luck (and hope that the other side works to bring them back). While the teleporter can handle larger groups, it would be more useful for general short recon trips as only so much can go through at once. It also means that the group will be walking, so can only carry so much.
Finally, we'll touch up a bit more on how players can help with the worldbuilding aspect and pretty much design the type of place they'd like to go to.
» Location suggestions. The world is basically a free world ready to be molded and shaped. It's also kind of broken so it'll eventually reshape again. We are completely open to location ideas. Should there be a continent frozen under black ice? An island in the center of a giant whirlpool? Other floating islands? Chain of volcanoes? So long as you keep in mind that the world is on its death throes, anything is free game!
» Design your own island/continent/area. With this cool map generator, you can design your own island or land mass with some details like lakes, trees, hills, mountains, ruin towns. It's basic, but it totally would work for our purposes. Here's an example of some random place. Since there's no real pre-existing map, anything is fair game. You can even add to already existing designed maps.
If you have any questions about this, feel free to ask when requesting your Adventure.
❖ Worldbuilding Suggestions
We are always open for ideas in terms of locations, goals, setting environments, even maps for all of this. So if you have any suggestions for any aspect for worldbuilding, please comment to this subthread!
no subject
- About this location not having as much growth as other Arehtei locations: Is the situation outside Euda Mountain and in most of Daimonia's domain barren, or does it have some dead plant life or even new life here and there? The document mentions that there's mauve crystals and just that, so I am just double-checking as, as far as I know, there's been little mention of new life or even leftover dead life in the other locations (other than where Elios took people and Aiada's jungle), and so the flowers and fruits sound like a great deal more life than in most areas!
- What is the general atmosphere like? Heavy, but without any particular emotion to it? Light-ish apathy? As I'm assuming that 'messing around' inside the camps is in regards to trying to grow something or make anything come out of the land will make the mist of apathy/anger puff up instead?
- Being near to the water or even putting one's hand into the water, would there be a feeling of the panic/despair/fear present before touching the swords? With actually touching them causing the reaction.
- While I'm assuming the letters are automatically translated, does the language have any similarities to what's in either Verens, Shaarnath, or Theasthai? And do the names of the Arehtei ever come up on them, or any words that would stand out as a name of some sort?
- For the apathy poppies (and perhaps the mist as well)-- if one were to attempt to focus towards either sympathy or a more encouraging state of emotion (a determined, ready, type emotion too, as it would take a little feeling around to understand that it's apathy and not just idleness) while close to that radius, would it cause a noticeable reaction, whether dangerous or not? By this time, Red has been going with groups to an area of land where introducing the emotion opposite to what's in the atmosphere has caused small and positive changes, so he miiiight try this on a patch, just to test it. ..unless the apathy just gets stronger then ahaha better not.
Edit: Oh oh, forgot one more question. The distance from Euda Mountain! Would using the hot air balloons be recommended?
no subject
- Something like... an eerily still day, you could say? It feels like something should be happening or is happening, but it's not visible. And 'messing around' would be that, yes, or making a lot of ruckus in the camps (i.e. knocking stuff over, moving it around a lot).
- Putting one's hand in would have it present, yes! From the outside, they just look like swords in water, no matter how close you get to the surface; it's all touch-based.
- They are automatically translated, good guess! But they're more similar to Theasthai, albeit not exactly the same; as for Arehtei names or names in general, nothing would superbly stand-out, but there would be mentions of flying balloons and a strange creature that seems to go between something in the sky and the mountain not that far off. Even without names, it's easy to infer they're referring to hot air balloons, Daimonia, and Euda Mountain.
- It would! Sympathy will get a negative feedback via the poppies screaming, and determined/ready-type would just get stronger apathy. ...I'm sorry this particular plant is like this. For the mist in the camps, it would take a mixture of reassuring/calming emotions and sympathy for it to disappear—the air will feel much better as a reaction there too, afterwards.
- Oh god, good catch/question. They definitely would be! If the group mentions they're going out for an adventure-type deal, they'd be free of charge, too; Theasthai's citizens are somewhat curious about what's much further outside, but they'd prefer that other people go out and make the discoveries and just tell them about it, since they're not readily equipped to deal with exploring on their own. ...Whatever "free of charge" is with regards to bartering.
I hope I managed to get everything! If there's anything else, don't hesitate to ask, or ask for double clarification. I'm still in that part of sick where parsing things out is difficult, so if I wasn't super clear/didn't answer something, that's why. I'm so sorry.
no subject
There's only one thing right now I'm hoping for a clarification on, and that's the shrine. What does it look like? Does it appear it once had a roof or still does? A walk in shrine? Or was it simpler in design in that, where it possibly had something sitting somewhere like a statue, small fencing in brick/wood around it, but it's been caved in or sunk in with the sea water surrounding where it sits?
(For more of an idea of what I mean by the latter, something like this: http://static.asiawebdirect.com/m/bangkok/portals/bangkok-com/homepage/shrines/erawan-shrine/allParagraphs/012/image1/erawan-bangkok-1.jpg ...you can note any particular style of design if you want that may be noticeable, but it's not necessary!)
no subject
Half of it'll be broken/underwater from either rising tide or, well, being caved in. Have fun with that part, it isn't as important.
And thank you for the well-wishes!
no subject
"Following a lead given by Daimonia, a group go southwest of her borders and into unaligned territory, where small plants are found growing, some producing a mist of apathy. They find two different encampments with signs of recent use to a few of the tents, as well as letters of correspondence between the two camps and a map of the area. They follow one of the locations on this map to where a broken outdoor shrine is found by a coastline, with crystals of variety alignments in their shallow waters, and darkened swords in the deeper waters."
A couple of the crystals are taken and is a sword or two, and a copy is made of the map and letters, but the originals left.
Link!