Phew, finally got some free time again.
Hey, an I gotta reply!
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Hmmm, alright then. Though I would like to point out I'm also issuing these suggestions toward modders as well, some people might want a little steam-punk, E.T. or other FUN for their stumpys. Also what's a "tech Cap" doesn't sound very nice. >8D
Yeah, but mostly it's horrible agonizing types of poison. There's a lot of tings that could be beneficial if used in moderation, just no promises your dwarves won't abuse such substances. (I swear I didn't burn that blade weed on purpose!)
Danger? Who said anything about danger?! I've just been talking about different ways of advancing the game that would allow the players to have more FUN!
![Grin ;D](http://97.107.128.126/smf/Smileys/aaron/grin.gif)
I'm mainly just trying to drain my brain a bit, too much info about what could make the game a better experience for me or others like me. Originally, I wanted to make the changes myself, then I wanted to make my own game with the features, now I simply wish to see all the ideas that keep exploding in my brain to come to some fruition. Tired of hearing "It can't be done" or "It'll take years" and the like... I realized the likelihood of creating something all on my own, but maybe I can at least turn heads in the direction I'm looking. If I can't ride the wave I might as well be a part of it, ya know.
Anyway, I did kinda leave people hanging with the cryptic follow up, so I should probably disclose what they represent. So let's continue where we left off;
Beneficial/Problematic syndromes
Now I'm sure a number of us are familiar with the nastier syndromes like desert scorpion venom or the clouds of flesh corroding Necrosis, but what about the other side of the coin. Poisons can typically be used to make antivenom for said poison, but is that the extent? Shouldn't, as apothecaries have been using poisons for Millennia to do far more then make cures. This could be a gateway to really begin the magic industry, potions of stat.Increase/temporary insight(Skill Gain) or even offensive use. Throwing that vial of GCS venom mixed with a chemical that oxidizes quickly could prove a battle changing advantage.
As useful as it would be, their needs to be more effects. You can make a rainbow with 5 colors, but it'll look artificial, bland and rigid. It's the hues, saturation and shade that make vibrant displays of color that dance across the sky. If rainbows can get away with variation, why not poisons? Make a venom that eases/forces dwarves to relax or lulls them to sleep, maybe a powder that makes your dwarves lazy or pheromones that have your dwarves disrobing and wandering toward blindly. Some effects could just be as simple as giving your dwarves "Bad dreams" or Nightmares, these could also double as effects from a particularly bad experience.
One of your older dwarves from the beginning of the siege could have an episode due to the troll that killed his friends, becoming temporarily insane while he tries to get a grip back on reality. Another example would simply reading your dwarf "Has been waking up in a cold sweat" as to suggest something else might be on your dwarves mind when he's sleeping. (Would probably be common in dwarves getting on in their 'teenage' years") XD Now that's fine and dandy for having the DF norm of FUN but what about something actually fun. Like the other side of that coin? Or the Edge of it. When you think of something always try to think of 3 different directions you could apply it otherwise, things get boring a lot slower that way. Using my prior example reading your dwarf "Has been waking up vibrant and refreshed" could mean something is benefiting his health.
Why stop at poisons? Some effects could be extended to auras, like a song being sung by a siren.(Say that last part 10x fast) XP Or maybe have effects included in 'cone' attacks. (I dun want any Marlboro though! Bad Breath is something I deal with enough IRL) Some method of attaching abilities would be greatly beneficial later, that way regardless as to you attaching the aura to a creature or item or if that item was made FROM something of the creatures as to why it has the effect. (Endless possibilities!)
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Ancient Sealed Beings
Similar to Forgotten Beasts but with a little less randomization here and more variation there. Some could be pre-set while others more generalized but one of their best features would be no ALL of them are KOS. This could be very good or very bad, depending on what you got, where and when. I'll give a couple examples;
Kinda bad
Your digging really deep in the earth, it's before the cavers so you think it's still safe to dig around some. Cracking open a wall reveals a much larger strange section, thinking you found caverns you go to investigate and find a large oubliette; a squashed ellipsoid with a raised center, often containing the ATB. In this particular instance, you see a giant glowing slooth-like creature (You fill in the rest) that loves to sleep and drink booze. Fortunately, he doesn't seem to interested in ripping your dwarves to pieces and seems to keep to himself. Nothing seems wrong at first, but after a while you start a lot of your other dwarves sleeping more and goofing off. The more your dwarves are around the creature, he lazier they get. This could be problematic to down right destructive depending on the base.
Solution- use his love of booze to get him moving out, make piles with booze leading all the was outside. Once outside and with no way to reenter , he'll probably wonder to the maps edge and disappear.
Kinda good
Same as the first except instead we find another being like say... a slug girl, who's slime heals wounds, or a multi-armed goddess who's scent quells anger. A fire deity who gives extra energy to those around him making them get hungry less often, could even be an envoy of purity who cleans the ground as he walks, wounds of those around him and reduces the rot rate of things that eventually do. The list could go on.
Another aspect that separates them from FBs, they are mostly that resemble humanoids in some way. True her hair might move funny. (Did it just hiss at me?) or she might have something weird going on below the belt. (I don't care if she has 8 legs or tentacles, as long as she keeps them to herself.) Also could have an instance of not needing a hand. (Multi armed) In any case, should provide lots of FUN for the one unearthing them.
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OK, I need to take a break again. Falling asleep while typing isn't good.
I'll try to get back asap to talk about the next section, one I've been looking forward to discussing.
Might be a bit about this one I forgot to mention, might come back and fix later.
Till next we meet.