'mark' spell for Undermountain...

[shamrock_uk]

I was just thinking about one way (in my opinion anyway) the experience in Undermountain might be improved and was hoping for other people's opinion...

I made it down to the Underground Forest the other night which was great fun and then had to go to bed, as it was early in the morning. Obviously, upon logging back in a day later, I was back in Durnan's inn following a few server resets I should imagine.

Anyway, it got me thinking because it took me the best part of 3 or even 4 hours to battle my way down that low and if I was to venture below again then I know that most of my evening would be spent retracing the same route, possibly slightly quicker, but still preventing me from getting that much further on, plus the same levels in several consecutive nights might start to get a little trying. Obviously it's completely different in a party, but there are those times when the server isn't really that full and a solo venture is on the cards. I know there are secret passages, but as far as I understand they take you to much lower levels.

Now, I understand that the whole point of Undermountain is for you to be locked in Halaster's maze and that placing more portals to different levels would make it far too easy to traverse and therefore not an option that I would support (not to mention it would mean more work for Z) - it just wouldn't be Undermountain if we could just zip about the place.

So that got me thinking about the possibilities of every player being issued with two items. Upon deciding to exit the game, the player could (if they wished) use one item to store their current location. Then after just joining the game, they could use the other item once more to transport back to their last location.

To avoid abuse, they could both me made one-use only items, so that you couldn't keep transporting over and over, and this items would (if anything) make it more authentic because in 'real life', you would of course be in the place where you fell asleep.

So, is this even remotely practical? Would such a thing be possible to enact or do the game mechanics simply not allow for it? Maybe I'm the only person who things this is any kind of a problem? Do others think this is something they would see only over their dead bodies? I look forward to your comments [img]smile.gif[/img]

[T-D-C]

I suppose it would be possible with items such as Relic of the Reaper from the Hotu expansion. however there are PLENTY of portal to the lower levels where you can work your way either down or up.

There are portals from Level 1 to 3, from level 3 to 10.

There could be some others but those are the main two that I use.

I think we could do with another short cut from maybe level 2 to level 8 or something like that.

if they are once only used items that you could buy from durnan that are deleted once used then that would be good.

Great idea Shamrock!

[Mercc]

I have always thought was a good idea but didn't think it was poosible. I know I am tired of going through level 1 just to get where I left off on Level 2. I am sure that getting anywhere to lets say 5 or six would take a while. I am one who explores almost every nook and crannie in a game but seem to miss teleporters or 'shortcuts'. When I start somewhere I would like to pick up where I left off. My two coppers worth.

Mercc

[Mercc]

In fact you could actually have it just save your last location so you can transpoort to it, but not out. This way if you get in a position that you can't get out of, which happened once, I would be fine when the server reset. But if I wanted to continue, I could just do a recall to my last position. But after that I could not transport out. Sort of a stone of recall in reverse.

Mercc

[Larry_OHF]

Know what I want to see? In the book, there was a time when the party transported down to like dozens of levels below by accident, while trying to get out. I wish I could accidently stumble across some old portal that I thought was nothing...but it turn out sending me to like level 59 or some crap like that with no way home. That would be the Undermountain I read about.

[T-D-C]

LOL thats what happened to Cloudy! She stumbled across the teleporter to level 10 and couldn't get back.

EDIT: I would like to see some more teleporters to differnt levels. However these can be only one way trips.

[ 10-12-2004, 12:00 AM: Message edited by: T-D-C ]

[Mercc]

I also did it before the server got in. I was suddenly at level 9 and was like 4th level.

BTW - What book are you talking about?

Mercc

[Cloudbringer]

LOL, yup, got my ranger/aa, Amarylis dropped into level 10 after finding the trap door to the lizard guys by accident. She was being killed repeatedly, so, duh.....I just hopped down that portal, baaaaaaaaaad idea!

I like the idea of having a choice: return to where you last were if you were making progress and want to keep exploring that level OR start back in the Tavern. Obviously, hehe, due to my inquisitive nature, I end up in places my poor girls cannot surrvive alone and sometimes I've had to just leave and use another char because one was being whomped so serverely she couldn't get away on that level. So starting back at the Tavern is a GOOD thing! LOL Especially if I've decided to try a different area and it's time consuming getting out of where I left off.

[Nachtrafe]

I agree. If it is technologically feasible, and wouldn't mean reams of work for Z, I think it would be a great option. With a little extra work, a small area could be created and that is where you start. One of Halaster's (many) clones could be there and offer you the choice of two doors. Door, the Left takes you back to the place you last were when you exited the game, and Door, the Right takes you to the Inn.

So ZMan...is this a possibility?

[Never2die]

I'd have to say no to a recall portal. I think it makes a mockery of Hastlers magics down here. though I suggest a random lvl to start at. eg hastlers has knocked you out and repositioned you along with the ever changing dungons of undermountain.