Courier missions

[Void]

After playing those for a bit, I think they need some sort of twist.

Currently, they're dull. They're also incredibly easy with some characters, so you end up trading play time for xp in nearly semi-afk manner.

Some thing that, I think, could be improved:
* Removing speed limit
* Being able to carry multiple packages (more than one parcel - higher chance to lose them all)
* BUT with a chance of being ambushed by bandits/monsters targeting couriers specifically.

[Tathkar Eisgrim]

After playing those for a bit, I think they need some sort of twist.

Currently, they're dull. They're also incredibly easy with some characters, so you end up trading play time for xp in nearly semi-afk manner.

Some thing that, I think, could be improved:
* Removing speed limit
* Being able to carry multiple packages (more than one parcel - higher chance to lose them all)
* BUT with a chance of being ambushed by bandits/monsters targeting couriers specifically.

Heh. I got lost doing a Courier mission. On Skal. It was terrifying.

- The speed limit is okay for me. I don't mind this one.
- Being able to carry multiple packages is a good suggestion. I like that, Void.
- Ambushes? Great -- but how do you initiate this in a way that makes the enemies a challenge for your PC without dragging in low-level PC's who might happen by?

I'd also suggest considering:

- Backpack mode is toggled on.
- A line is added to description (akin to pins / membership badges) stating something like, 'PC is burdened with a heavy load. There is a faint trace of warding magic.'

These two would allow PC bandits to consider waylaying the suspected Courier. This would give PC banditry a shot in the arm if they could waylay Couriers. (Devs could potentially expand this idea later into 'Smuggling'.)

[Void]

- Ambushes? Great -- but how do you initiate this in a way that makes the enemies a challenge for your PC without dragging in low-level PC's who might happen by?

I would drag low level PCs in. Couriers don't exist in a bubble. Higher paying missions would mean difficult ambushes.

I'd also suggest considering:

- Backpack mode is toggled on.
- A line is added to description (akin to pins / membership badges) stating something like, 'PC is burdened with a heavy load. There is a faint trace of warding magic.'

These two would allow PC bandits to consider waylaying the suspected Courier. This would give PC banditry a shot in the arm if they could waylay Couriers. (Devs could potentially expand this idea later into 'Smuggling'.)

There's already a line in description. You can't see blue text yourself, but other people's can. "This person is carrying a warded package". So couriers can eb ambushed already, payoff probably won't be great though.

Backpack could be neat, but if it is implemented as a robe, it can mess up character appearance.
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The reason for feedback is that I have multiple characters for whom courier missions carry zero risk. Not "small risk" or "minimal risk", but a flat zero. Nothing can happen to them unless there's a DM intervention.

[Siobh]

The reason for feedback is that I have multiple characters for whom courier missions carry zero risk. Not "small risk" or "minimal risk", but a flat zero. Nothing can happen to them unless there's a DM intervention.

That may be an asset, if anything. It's possible courier missions are on offer for noncombatant or non-optimized characters, or players who like exploration. Certainly as someone playing a non-optimized Sorceress who falls over at the first sign of a stiff breeze, I've appreciated them for giving me gentle but reliable boosts. I wouldn't necessarily be against the introduction of a writ "type" where ambushes are a risk, but there is also a place for courier writs as they currently exist.

Edit: I should clarify--where NPC ambushes are a risk. As I understand, robbing a courier for their package is a valid RP interaction and constitutes the courier writ's current risk.

[Void]

The reason for feedback is that I have multiple characters for whom courier missions carry zero risk. Not "small risk" or "minimal risk", but a flat zero. Nothing can happen to them unless there's a DM intervention.

That may be an asset, if anything. It's possible courier missions are on offer for noncombatant or non-optimized characters, or players who like exploration.

For non-combatants they could use removal of "no running" restrictions.

Additionally for characters in question all routes are zero risk including ones like Cordor<--->Brog.

[Siobh]

For non-combatants they could use removal of "no running" restrictions.

Additionally for characters in question all routes are zero risk including ones like Cordor<--->Brog.

This is banking on whether I read correctly that a courier package can be picked up from a PC corpse, which is why it's appended to your description, but not being able to run, teleport, or take shortcuts is exactly what would make you vulnerable to a hold-up from another PC, or the various NPC enemies that spawn on the roads between destinations. And "give me your goods or I gut you like a fish" would probably meet the server's PVP requirements and be a valid interaction. In that sense it's not literally "zero" risk, just a baseline low amount of risk.

And it's okay to not be excited by that--but there are plenty of combat writs to scratch that itch, no?

[Void]

This is banking on whether I read correctly that a courier package can be picked up from a PC corpse, which is why it's appended to your description,

IT can be picked up, but the reward is really low. It gets converted into gold, pretty much, and robbing courier would yield more.

but not being able to run, teleport, or take shortcuts is exactly what would make you vulnerable to a hold-up from another PC, or the various NPC enemies that spawn on the roads between destinations. And "give me your goods or I gut you like a fish" would probably meet the server's PVP requirements and be a valid interaction. In that sense it's not literally "zero" risk, just a baseline low amount of risk.

In all time here I've not encountered a holdup of a courier, never seen one and never heard of one.
Courier missions were supposed to hold risk, but most of the time there's none.
No-teleport restriction is fine, by the way, it is just walking from point A to point B with absolutely nothing happening is not exactly exciting.

[Void]

I've timed it and full round trip from cordor to brog and then from brog to corodr (2 writs) takes 55 minutes.

That's 55 minutes of literally nothing happening.

Would be nice to do something about it.

[Straxus]

I've timed it and full round trip from cordor to brog and then from brog to corodr (2 writs) takes 55 minutes.

That's 55 minutes of literally nothing happening.

Would be nice to do something about it.

Don't actually tell me, but which way are you going? Because I always find myself fighting through the whole way from Cordor to the further destinations.

What am I doing wrong? LOL

[AstralUniverse]

I dont have much to say about the courier missions except that I never do them unless I've rented a boat and I'm alone and bored in 'dead' hours.

[wulfburk]

its just lame that they dont give any xp from lvl 21 onwards. 2.000 xp would be enough and make it interesting.