What are y’all meaning by “meaningful updates?” I see a lot of people saying that and then not explaining it and then being upset about content being added that I would argue is meaningful. And none of this is to say that people shouldn’t want more of whatever they mean by “meaningful content,” but it’s not specific enough that I think the feedback is helpful.
Like, I personally think the H.O.R.S.E. update combined with the future of crafting system updates is meaningful. It adds new collections which can be expanded upon in dailies, reputation systems, and achievements. I personally love both of these for the idea of my Pi Potion idea, like having to hunt down materials to craft potions for Pi in either system, or in using them on a mini-trade quest achievement LoZ style. But I see a lot of people saying that’s not meaningful content. They may be lackluster right now, but with support, they can be good end game content. And with the turn around the team has to follow, it’s understandable to test the waters with something smaller after the receptions of Soul Riding and crafting when they were added.
And then to follow that up, I think the idea is that “meaningful content” automatically means story and new areas. But then the same people aren’t willing to discuss the fact that there’s no reasonable way to get that kind of content out weekly. Like, no matter how they refocus work, that content takes a while. And so you want “meaningful content,” but you aren’t willing to compromise on any point of it, that’s not helpful because then the request is just thrown out for being too demanding. Like, it’s not as obvious as say the “200 SC allowance” idea, but the kind of crunch the team would have to be in to get weekly quests out is insane. There’s a reason why most MMOs release major story updates annually. So either you need to be willing to compromise with other content or you need to be arguing for fewer releases so the team has more time to get closer to regularly released story. Much like I said SSE can’t have it both ways on communicating with their players, players can’t have both ways with major story updates either. I know it’s been a two year gap and SSE has room to improve and has been more regular with updates in the past to prove that they can, but going to all story quest updates is not the solution either and there needs to be more discussion on where players want that middle ground to be, because monthly story is not feasible.
Also, I get that people are taking issue with the amount of new horses & clothes (even though horse releases are the same rate and clothing updates are waaaay slower than they have been in the past), but like. It’s just skins. They don’t take away anything from gameplay, it’s not like this content is locking progress. And SSE does need to make money. We can discuss whether SSE’s prices are competitive or not, but they do still have to put out content that people have to pay for. That is a compromise that players are going to have to deal with because if it goes away, so does SSE.
All of this is to say, it’s not that you can’t have criticisms about this, BUT it’s important that your requests are reasonable and grounded. And if they are bigger, what are you willing to give up and see less of for that to happen? That doesn’t include “Oh, I’m fine giving up more horses or clothing” because SSE needs those to stay in business. Are you ok seeing the character updates being pushed? Housing being pushed again? More daily reputation grinds again to tide players over? Updates to holiday events being pulled back? Moving from weekly updates to something less frequent? Where’s your line for your meaningful content?
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Evil Fripp AU: Part 1
Based off of a post by @rebecawolfforest because idea overload; Avalon confronts Fripp about his suspicious practices
This was it. It was all or nothing. The man had finally made up his mind. He was done being complacent, done being threatened by a creature who barely measured up to his shin. It was time.
However comforting these thoughts seemed, they were as fickle as foolish hopes could be. Avalon wasn’t an idiot; he knew what the small blue squirrel was capable of - manipulation, mind control, torture. It came as no surprise to him that none of his fellow druids had attempted to do the very thing he was about to. Well, except one.
His brother had tried this before. The young man of twenty-three had grown tired of their supposed ‘leader’s’ shady practices and decided to take matters into his own hands. Of course, Avalon agreed his brother was dangerous. He recklessly researched and used unknown magic - dangerous magic. His carelessness however was not what earned him his banishment.....
He asked too many questions.
Avalon shivered in the cold evening breeze, shaking off these intruding thoughts. He wouldn’t make the same mistakes as his idiot older brother. He wouldn’t storm into Fripp’s Chamber, demand answers, and threaten the creature to get them. Instead, he would enter with a level head and calmly lay out his concerns to Fripp. The man was content in knowing he had the resources to fight back if the need surfaced.
Avalon continued his way up the rather steep incline to the entrance of the Secret Stone Circle, keeping an eye out for the beginning of the circular path. He averted his eyes from the small cottage placed at the side of the path. The man swore he could still smell that sweet perfume she always wore.
His feet finally began to follow the swirling path that would manifest the entrance portal. Undeniable nerves began to brew inside him. He knew Fripp wouldn’t appreciate the sudden traitorous behavior. His intent ruled over it all though; he needed to save those girls.
Those girls, those teenage girls, the one’s entrusted with saving an entire island. They needed to be worried about passing a history test, not demon squid monsters and psychotic old men. Avalon was determined not to let these ones fall through the cracks, not let the madness tear their friendship apart....
Not let him tear them apart.
The familiar soft twinkle of the portal began to grow louder as he made the final turns. Avalon stopped, staring at the pink portal as if it were a ticket to another life. This would certainly change his. With one last deep breath, he entered the magical gateway.
A cold shiver ran up his spine as he was teleported to the large stone circle, his feet finding the hard ground. Gathering his bearings, he took a look around the circle, his eyes scanning feverishly for the little blue creature. Fripp wasn’t there - he must be in his chamber.
Avalon sighed nervously, feeling the sweat grow in his palms. The worst was yet to come. He made his way over to the green portal, the portal that would take him to the creature - and his fate.
Here goes nothing.
After another trip through time and space, Avalon finally saw his target. Fripp was sitting at his desk, propped up on five lavishly decorated pillows. He looked up, a twitch of his nose the only indication that he recognized Avalon’s presence.
“Fripp, I’d like a word.” Avalon started, clearing his throat after speaking. He didn’t want to sound nervous. Show the first sign of weakness and that squirrel would be all over it.
“Hm?” Fripp squeaked, not taking his big brown eyes off of the old book in front of him.
“I’m here to inquire about the girls. Specifically Joana (MC) and furthering her training.” He explained. Avalon mentally punched himself - he was starting too passively.
“What of it? I’ve told you I will train her when I’m ready.” The creature finally looked up, eyes glaring at the man.
“All I’m saying is, the longer we let her go without the proper training, the more we run the risk of an accident. I’m sure you-“
“And are you implying that I allow you to train her? After what happened with the last one?” Fripp spoke, the spite evident in his voice. He loved to bring that up.
“I-No, I’m not. I’m simply advising that we take the measures necessary to ensure the safety of her and the other soul riders.” Avalon spoke through gritted teeth, unpleasant memories flooding his mind.
“I’d suggest you leave the advising to the high druids.” Fripp said condescendingly, waving his paw at the man as to dismiss him. This only fueled Avalon’s anger.
“I didn’t just come here to talk about them Fripp. I’ve come to discuss the rest of your recent doings. From sending young, untrained apprentices to do your bidding- not to mention the fact that you pin those girls against each other, telling Anne she’s excelling wonderfully and bitterly dismissing Alex, it’s wrong!” Avalon exclaimed, his voice louder and more dominating. The blue squirrel looked up at him, closing the book with his magic. He hopped from the tower of pillows to a side pillar, then onto a high bookshelf - just to be above Avalon.
“Perhaps you’ve forgotten who’s in charge here. I have reasoning behind my actions.” He turned his nose up at the man, little arms folded across his chest.
“Damnit Fripp! You really think I’m that blind? I know exactly what you’re up to! The secret meetings, the unaddressed letters with a ‘DC’ written in small black ink in the corner, your shallow response to the accident-“ Avalon was cut off abruptly by sharp pressure at the back of his skull. He heard heavy breathing from behind.
“Are you suggesting you’ve been going through my mail?” Fripp asked, his voice becoming hauntingly short and shallow. This was exactly what he had been afraid of.
A wand to his head, Fripp’s anger boiling over....
Nowhere to run.
“I’d always known it’d come to this with you. From the time I met you as a little boy, you were always curious... far too curious.” Fripp shook his head, pacing back and forth on the top of the bookshelf.
“And to add, Elizabeth’s demise was no accident. He stopped, turning his head toward the man, a small smile creeping on his face, “it was simply a step in the right direction.”
“Damn you! After everything she did for you, you bastard!” Avalon yelled, wet tears born of anger and sorrow stinging his eyes. He dared not move, but how badly he wanted to unleash his rage against the creature. How could he....
“Enough of the games Avalon. You’ve obviously discovered far too much.” Fripp nodded to someone behind Avalon, the wand being pushed even harder into his skull. Pain radiated through his head.
“What are you going to do, kill me? You need me. I’m the best seer you’ve got. I’m the only one who can tell if your poor followers are lying to you.” Avalon spoke, knowing full well his voice was shaking. Not from fear, but from the anger that continued to rage inside him.
“Oh no. That was not my intention at all. Death does not cause the most pain to a man. It summons an end. There can be no pain after the end.” Fripp explained, his eyes calmly moving around the room. It was as if he were discussing what color the drapes were to be changed to.
“The mind, my friend. The mind is the organ the man seeks to protect most. When the private mind comes under attack, the man begins to fold within himself. For there is no privacy nor comfort left for him.” The squirrel continued, his voice maintaining the calm composure. The subject matter made Avalon sick to his stomach.
“Your mind, Avalon. I will take away every last memory you have of her, of that wretched woman.” Fripp said, leaning off of the bookshelf as to be closer to the man’s face.
The man felt began to feel sick.
“I will take away the friendship, the care..... the love you two shared.” He continued, that same eerie smile returning.
Avalon swallowed, his stomach turning more and more with each word. He wouldn’t....
“I’ll take it all.”
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