In light of Howland's offer to resurrect old suggestions, and following up a recent conversation in #efu, I'd like to list a few hostile settlements which can be presumed to already exist somewhere in the Archipelago.
- A small Mist Ogre encampment
- A large Wild Orc settlement
- Several small Flayer Stargazer villages
- At least one group of pirates unaffiliated with Old Port
I understand that this is a huge undertaking, but since you asked, here's the request. I think it's safe to say that most players would be delighted to see these areas developed and brought to life in all their frightening detail. There should be places on the server from which almost no one returns alive, places that represent the maximum level of danger for PCs. They do not have to be these specific locations, but these are already known (or can be assumed) to exist.
The nearly infinite amount of challenge offered by Ysinode and Traensyr are so remote, and Ymph still feels like it's missing something. Gaeseric can't possibly be up on that mountain all alone! If there anything the server needs most, it's a primal foe, a big bad. Ironjaw was awesome, but where was he from? Who took his place? Where do all these disciples of Shargaas come from? Who bottles the Mist? You get the idea.
This suggestion has a lot of merit. Some of my favourite times back in the 'day was wandering the Sand Caverns, being scared shitless.
That said, it is a lot of work and my PC is busted.
I have to agree, even as a player that never got to truly witness the Underdark setting. The Sand Caverns and gates of Traensyr were scary no matter how many times we went through them in our recent trip down there. I've debated a similar thing for some time in IRC and only hope it comes to be true. A tangible enemy force that actually feels like a threat would just be amazing. I know we have Nightrisers but they have never lived up to their reputation since I began playing here and I also feel it's too late for them to do so.
I think this is a great idea. No harm is a super-dangerous area. As long as it is well sign posted.
Mist Ogre encampment would be my favourite.
As has been said though a lot of work for our busy DM team.
Somekind of extra island fort, whether inhabited by pirates or monsters, would be really cool.
Any hostile or semi-hostile encampment would be really cool to have. Maybe both, another where you can actually go if you're the right type of PC and another, where they're just hostile and will eat you.
I'm a slow worker, but it's definitely on my to-do list.
The key thing for me is PlayaCharacters bit about it adding to the "story" of the server...
Why do the Mist Ogres bottle the mist and carry it? How do they do it? Having that demonstrated at their settlement (thinking huge ogre shamen standing next to a massive cauldron??) :)
Then its the best bits of a super dangerous area e.g. just outside Traensyr, as well as adding to the story.
yes Yes YES!! More hostile settlements please!