Scrolls/Seats of Power discussion

[insane.tobi]

Since this turned into a rather lengthy discussion in the suggestion thread, here's a new thread to discuss Scrolls and Seats of Power. What has been brought up is the idea to give ways to earn more scrolls of power than the initial up to seven (depending on how many human kingdoms are on the starting map). One suggestion I would like to pick up here was to follow the example of Seven Kingdoms I and make scrolls drop from the ordos in neutral lairs, giving those some significance aside from being bought into a Kwyzan.

This would, however, also require that neutral lairs get slightly beefed up in regards to repair rate and possibly breeding rate. The last patch already did something about auto repair, but those of you who had some experiences with it already might still want to share their experiences so far.
However, since lairs will often be bought by Kwyzans, maybe have new lairs pop up every now and then could be a nice idea as well. Not too many, though, as that would needlessly pad out the game length in case destroying all neutral lairs is a victory condition.

Furthermore, I would suggest that, in order to keep seats of power from sprouting like mushrooms, each scroll should remain unique on the map - if there's a viking scroll of power already in play, no amount of lair robbing should drop another.

Opinions, or your own thoughts on scrolls/seats for new discussions are appreciated.

[David McMurdo]

In my opinion the option to allow for new neutral fryhtan lairs to appear just like independent towns can is essential. Equally essential is an option that allows for new fryhtan kwyzans to emerge just like human kingdoms can. The lack of those two options goes against all reason.

I really like your idea of having only one scroll of power type on the map at any given time. Although the developers would have to remember that if a player starts with random kingdoms enabled and there happens to be two kingdoms of the same nation at the start, they should both have the appropriate scroll of power. I can easily imagine them accidentelly breaking that by telling the game to only allow one scroll of power of each type at a time.

But yeah I like your idea. Now would a fryhtan kwyzan that claimed such a neutral lair obtain the scroll themselves or would it simply disappear from play? I vote for the latter.

[insane.tobi]

I don't think the random kingdom option enables having two kingdoms of the same kind, it's merely everyone starting with a bunch of random generals if memory serves. Never saw two kingdoms of the same nation, that only happens when a new kingdom emerges from a city.

As for neutral lairs being bought... that should of course not get you a scroll, since you do have the option to attack the lair with your own fryhtans as well.

[insane.tobi]

Balancing of Gods was brought up in the suggestion thread, so I suppose that could go here as well. Two deities seem to stand out here: Isis, for the really amazing ability to spawn people from thin air, and Baal-Hammon, for the ridiculous range of earthquakes. One possibility to slightly nerf them without completely changing their skills would be to make their abilities cost more, so Isis would be a one-shot thing per summon. I think my reputation once took a serious hit when I ordered the earth to be quaked, likely due to civilians being in the affected area, but since I'm not so sure about that... how about making all civilian deaths (or at least some of them) that are the result of an earthquake counted as killing, resulting in the usual heavy reputation loss?

I don't think strengthening the attacking gods will sort much out. Right now, they are capable of dealing a reasonable amount of damage to troops and to cause a significant dent in a fort, without being pretty much an assured destruction. Sending them in alone won't achieve much, but in conjunction with some troops, they can be devastating.

Feel free to chime in and bounce some suggestions around, everything goes here (as long as it's in a polite tone, I guess).

[insane.tobi]

I just noticed something that is pretty likely a bug: if targeted directly on a building, Baal-Hammon can create an earthquake despite being below 100 prayer points. I've seen him do it with 19. Since that earthquake is still at full power, he effectively gets 3 earthquakes at full power, enabling him to destroy a large amount of buildings in one go.

I'm quite sure this is not how he is intended, so a fix to have the earthquake respect the power requirements would be greatly appreciated.