> Should trade be changed? Personally, I like the suggestion of adding the
> REMOVE TRADE ITEM order. That might pit the traders against each other,
> as they should be. I'm still for allowing city owners to set some sort
> of tax on trnsactions too. Of course, there are other methods of
> discouraging trade. Some of these "newbie" factions might want to go
> into the piracy game. Remember, "real" pirates didn't spend much time
> hunting down ships at sea--it's too damn hard to find a sailing ship
> from another sailing ship, just ask Admiral Rodney. Nope, most pirates
> made their fortunes raiding ports, just like in Disneyland. All that
> trading gold has to be stored somewhere...
> If Mark's naval rules are implemented in some form (which I support)
> then that is also a good option.
>
> Rob
>
I don't see where "newbie" factions can get the base income and skills
to raise a pirate fleet.
And to be perfectly blunt, do you really want to listen to the whining
that will ensue when someone successfully tries this?
In essence, what PLATO originally did to the New Empire could be viewed
as a Pirate raid writ large. Had you hit and run, it could have been
viewed as such. But the "profit" was in controling the castle, not
pillaging and looting. So you stayed and became invaders instead of
raiders. [Bear in mind that I have no idea how much $$ you captured off
of the nobles you defeated, so I could be way off base here].
But instead of reading on the g2 list or in the Times that noble [1234]
on ship [5678] accompanied by nobles [7890] and [1112] executed a pirate
raid [in this case an invasion]; that all good citizens should keep a
weather eye peeled for these dastardly characters; maybe posting a
reward
for their capture or advising to hide your maidens and valuables when
they approach your environs...you know, nice colorful game related talk;
we get players calling other players names, Evil Empire pronouncements,
and [heaven forbid!] proclamations declaring that one side or the other
is the NEW AOO [boy, those AOO guys sure did a _great_ job in g1...not
even in g2 and they effect so much of players' thoughts!].
[some of my English teachers are rolling over in their graves about now]
Basically, anyone taking to the High Seas to have some fun and Hi-jinks
doing some hi-jacks, be forewarned...this is the type of press that
will be generated. Players will link you to PLATO, the Eagle Alliance,
whatever the bugaboo of the day is. They may say you secretly worship
at the Altar of Ronald MacDonald, sacrificing french fries and chicken
McNuggets to aid your arcane arts. [Yes, I cannot stay serious :-) ]
Frankly, I am surprised this sort of thing hasn't happened yet.
As for solutions. I still like the % of every transaction going to the
city fathers...at least cities with garrisons. And I would like to see
the ability to re-establish a city garrison. What's left after support
would go to the city's owner, if any.
My opinion, anyway.
Jim Frediani