Before getting too excited over the title, I have to make a couple of things clear. First, the freelancer system as you've seen it can't work in Silverstag and will not be included. Second, I have begun talks with Taragoth, the Dev for Freelancer, to help build its next incarnation.
This freelancer system would focus on being more of a mercenary within the immediate service of a lord. Imagine a setup where you still have a small retinue of soldiers, your companions, but that you still join a lord's army. There would be no forced attribute or skill progression and you would not be restricted in what you could use in combat. Instead you are more of a companion for that lord and are paid both a weekly salary as well as a bonus for each enemy dispatched in combat under that lord's banner. Instead you would have rank determined by your repute based on deeds you have performed.
Repute would be improved by performing quests the Lord sends you and your companions on such as scouting another lord's army, sneaking into a future siege location to sabotage it , procuring supplies or chasing down deserters. The higher your repute the higher a salary and larger band you can manage. Eventually this could lead to being knighted or even offered vassalage within that faction if you serve a lord well enough and have a good reputation within that kingdom.
Thoughts? Is this somewhere folks would like to see me focusing development once troops are done? I am curious to what others think of this design revamp for freelancer?
Silverstag Wiki: Version 0.27 Development Log
[spoiler="8/21/2015 Screenshots]
[/spoiler]
This freelancer system would focus on being more of a mercenary within the immediate service of a lord. Imagine a setup where you still have a small retinue of soldiers, your companions, but that you still join a lord's army. There would be no forced attribute or skill progression and you would not be restricted in what you could use in combat. Instead you are more of a companion for that lord and are paid both a weekly salary as well as a bonus for each enemy dispatched in combat under that lord's banner. Instead you would have rank determined by your repute based on deeds you have performed.
Repute would be improved by performing quests the Lord sends you and your companions on such as scouting another lord's army, sneaking into a future siege location to sabotage it , procuring supplies or chasing down deserters. The higher your repute the higher a salary and larger band you can manage. Eventually this could lead to being knighted or even offered vassalage within that faction if you serve a lord well enough and have a good reputation within that kingdom.
Thoughts? Is this somewhere folks would like to see me focusing development once troops are done? I am curious to what others think of this design revamp for freelancer?
Silverstag Wiki: Version 0.27 Development Log
As a recap on what I envision:
You will be able to join the party of a lord (and eventually bandit lords) bringing your companions with you. Your companions are effectively your little mercenary squad within the lord's larger host. You will be paid based on your level, your rank within the army, your skill with persuasion, your reputation as a mercenary and finally you'll be compensated for any party skill bonuses you bring.
You will be able to leave the party on unpaid leave (indefinitely) or be sent out on quest-based missions. When you leave the main party your companions will come along with you so these missions are intended for small squads. The frequency and type of missions you are sent on will depend upon your rank within the army. Initially you will receive far less missions because you're a nobody and you'd probably get slaughtered wandering off on your own. While leading your own mission party you will be able to hire troops as you see fit, but they will be lost upon rejoining your owner's host (they get absorbed). The intent is to keep your core group down to just you and your companions.
Your equipment choices will be entirely your own. You will not be given free equipment. You will be able to collect battlefield loot initially and eventually will gain a larger selection of post-combat loot as well (based on rank). This extends to your companions as well.
Your period of service will be based upon a contract. It will have a period of time required so if you take leave that timer will stop. Missions will not stop that timer as you are still acting under the direction of your contract owner. The manner in which you account yourself while under contract will change how you gain rank (not experience) and will alter how you are paid.
Ranks (preliminary):
Note: Each rank you gain still receives the benefits of the previous ranks.
Initial Quest Ideas:
[*] Disclaimer: I need to revisit most of this thread to pick up previous suggestions (I didn't have them on hand when I wrote this.)
[*] Deliver message to another lord.
[*] Sneak into a city this lord intends to siege; to poison their wells, sabotage an improvement or capture a noble/lady.
[*] Represent your contract owner in a tournament (that he couldn't attend).
[*] Gather X recruits and bring them back.
[*] Reduce the bandit population around the contract owner's fiefs.
[*] Purchase some cattle and bring back fresh meat. (You'll be given money to purchase them)
[*] Track down an execute a band of deserters.
You will be able to join the party of a lord (and eventually bandit lords) bringing your companions with you. Your companions are effectively your little mercenary squad within the lord's larger host. You will be paid based on your level, your rank within the army, your skill with persuasion, your reputation as a mercenary and finally you'll be compensated for any party skill bonuses you bring.
You will be able to leave the party on unpaid leave (indefinitely) or be sent out on quest-based missions. When you leave the main party your companions will come along with you so these missions are intended for small squads. The frequency and type of missions you are sent on will depend upon your rank within the army. Initially you will receive far less missions because you're a nobody and you'd probably get slaughtered wandering off on your own. While leading your own mission party you will be able to hire troops as you see fit, but they will be lost upon rejoining your owner's host (they get absorbed). The intent is to keep your core group down to just you and your companions.
Your equipment choices will be entirely your own. You will not be given free equipment. You will be able to collect battlefield loot initially and eventually will gain a larger selection of post-combat loot as well (based on rank). This extends to your companions as well.
Your period of service will be based upon a contract. It will have a period of time required so if you take leave that timer will stop. Missions will not stop that timer as you are still acting under the direction of your contract owner. The manner in which you account yourself while under contract will change how you gain rank (not experience) and will alter how you are paid.
Ranks (preliminary):
| RANK | PAY | LOOT | SPECIAL |
| Initiate | 100% Base | Battlefield Loot | -- |
| Regular | 120% Base | Small choice of post-combat loot. | -- |
| Trained | 140% Base | Medium choice of post-combat loot. | -- |
| Elite | 170% Base | Large choice of post-combat loot. | Offered a knighthood. |
| Hedge Knight | 350% Base | -- | -- |
| Elder Knight | 500% Base | -- | Offered vassalage. |
Initial Quest Ideas:
[*] Disclaimer: I need to revisit most of this thread to pick up previous suggestions (I didn't have them on hand when I wrote this.)
[*] Deliver message to another lord.
[*] Sneak into a city this lord intends to siege; to poison their wells, sabotage an improvement or capture a noble/lady.
[*] Represent your contract owner in a tournament (that he couldn't attend).
[*] Gather X recruits and bring them back.
[*] Reduce the bandit population around the contract owner's fiefs.
[*] Purchase some cattle and bring back fresh meat. (You'll be given money to purchase them)
[*] Track down an execute a band of deserters.
I've hosted a summary design on what I intend to build for folks can see how it will work and give feedback in advance. You can get a copy of it here
[/spoiler]
