Session Start: Tue Aug 29 20:57:49 2000
Topic is 'Atriarch House of Commons The Lokai

DarkSoul Hello, I'd like to welcome all of you to this evening's House Of Commons developer chat. Tonight we'll be joined by members of World Fusion, the creators of Atriarch, to discuss and answer questions on the Lokai species, and general Atriarch information. At this time I'd like to give World Fusion a chance to introduce themselves...
WF_Serafina hi
WF_Satyric Howdy, y'all.
WF_Iimzodar waves "I'm a World Buidler"
WF_Joss hey hey
WF_Serafina I'm the President of World Fusion and the Lead Game Designer
WF_Joss I'm Joss, writing and design
WF_Iimzodar err Builder... :)
WF_Satyric I'm Satyric, writing and cultural stuff

DarkSoul At this time I'd like to give Serafina a chance to tell us just a bit about the Lokai before we start taking questions =)
WF_Serafina The Lokai are as most of you know, the Explorers
WF_Serafina I call them the "Indiana Jones" of Atriana
WF_Joss I'm more of a De Soto fan
WF_Joss ummm... nevermind
WF_Serafina sorry for the delay... ok.. we've got things back on course
WF_Satyric Their society's based on exploration, trade, mapping, the exchange of knowledge. That sort of thing.
WF_Serafina Their prized possessions are the rare and unique items the look adventure and acquire
WF_Serafina they are often traders
WF_Serafina common to see them with a travelling circus
WF_Serafina that pretty much somes them up... there is a lot more to them, but I'd rather get to specific questions

DarkSoul Long one first =)
DarkSoul Zepath|SBePreparingQuestions In a recent interview, Serafina responded to a question regarding species abilities with this: "I can say they're really cool! But we'll be releasing that over the next couple of months on IGN." Being aware of the Tyrusin power to manipulate liquid and frozen water, I was somewhat disappointed to find that the Lokai were lacking a similarly grand ability. While you do mention that they are well suited does not detail any 'magio-scientific' powers possessed by the Lokai species. Is this a purposeful emition or are there simply no Tyrusin-like abilities available to Lokai? And, Whether or not you plan on revealing any amazing Lokai talents, could you perhaps shed some light on what kinds of powers we'll be seeing the coming months?
WF_Serafina that's a long questions
WF_Serafina The simple answer is that if the Lokai had powers like the Tyrusin, then they would be Tyrusin.
WF_Serafina Each of the species evolved seperately from one another over a very very long time.
WF_Serafina The powers and abilities, their form, all evolve from the their ability to adapt and survive their homelands
WF_Serafina and also from the cultural emphasis put on their species ages ago
WF_Joss there is no line-item form we go down to flesh out the species... while we strive to create balance, some powers will sound more impressive on paper...
WF_Serafina The Tyrusin is from a cold and difficult terrain. There ability, knowlege and predisposition enabled them to adapt to the skills of ice and warmth
WF_Joss rest assured, the Lokai will play well
WF_Joss :)
WF_Arc Just introducing myself here. I am Arc, Chief Architect of World Fusion and one of the guys building the engine that powers Atriarch.
WF_Serafina grin he's late
WF_Serafina The Lokai have adopted the skills of extreme jumping...
WF_Serafina and have learned to host symbiots to use as their aide
WF_Serafina They have grown accustom to long travel and extreme hardship
WF_Serafina Their focus is on defense and have built up many suck skills.
WF_Serafina evade, defend, avoid
WF_Joss lol
WF_Serafina oops
WF_Joss ummmm...
WF_Serafina they don't suck
WF_Serafina really, I swear
WF_Satyric heh
WF_Serafina such skills
WF_Joss but if we find them imbalanced.... you never know
WF_Joss :)
WF_Satyric That's what testing's for.
WF_Serafina thanks

DarkSoul King_of_Dreams|SB Are the Lokai Lifestaffs just inert walking sticks? Or can they do stuff like other plants?
WF_Satyric Yes on one and no on two.
WF_Satyric They aren't still living.
WF_Satyric You wouldn't want them healing over your glyphs. :)
WF_Satyric Thank you, King_of_Dreams
WF_Serafina on the other hand... you never know what rare or unique staffs you may find :-)
WF_Serafina thanks
WF_Satyric Right, that only applies to the lifestaves.

DarkSoul Thant|ASK The lifestaff records places and creature. How is it used in a murder investigation? How does it record events?
WF_Satyric You record major events in your life on your staff.
WF_Satyric Using symbolic language.
WF_Satyric Using them as evidence in a criminal investigation was an example of how truthfully they're regarded by most Lokai.
WF_Satyric Thanks.
WF_Joss yes... not exactly a game mechanic
WF_Serafina I would like to add to that
WF_Serafina actually...
WF_Serafina we will have a log available to players
WF_Serafina the records their quests
WF_Serafina and the Khanja will be a part of that
WF_Serafina the issue of whether we will have each quest as an actual graphic on the staff or something you have to "look" at.. that will depend on performance
WF_Serafina there is a practical limit to how many different textures, etc a computer can handle
WF_Satyric Right, we don't want to force people to learn a new alphabet, either.
WF_Serafina we'll know better this limit as we open for testing... until then, we hope to make everything visible and graphical.. even quests, but we'll see
WF_Serafina thanks

DarkSoul Krunk_Splein|SB How will players benefit by owning maps? Are they required for any specific purpose?
WF_Serafina yes, maps are required for a specific purpose
WF_Satyric Lots of 'em.
WF_Serafina we get this question a lot... what use are maps if spoiler sites will have the whole world mapped out?
WF_Serafina well, that's simple to answer... Natives (npcs) don't read spoiler sites
WF_Iimzodar ;¬)
WF_Serafina if you want your Followers, armies, or even you own Character while offline to go somewhere.. you'll need a map
WF_Serafina especially if it is a place your character has never been
WF_Serafina imagine having a Lokai scout out a mountain range for you
WF_Serafina now you want one of your workers to go and start preparing a camp for your arrival the next day
WF_Serafina the only way that worker knows how to get there is by use of maps
WF_Serafina same with armies
WF_Serafina thanks Krunk

DarkSoul Phinehas I wanna know if they can curl up into their shells like a pill bug ;)
WF_Serafina smile
WF_Serafina as a matter of fact, the Lokai are quite agile and flexible
WF_Serafina the can in fact contort their bodies into some interesting positions
WF_Serafina they will not completely roll themselves into a ball though
WF_Serafina you'll see more when show the combat
WF_Serafina thanks

DarkSoul Bongo With the Exploration a major factor in their culture will the Lokai culture resemble that of the Gypsies on Earth?
WF_Serafina no, not gypsies
WF_Satyric It will have some similarities, being a partially nomadic society. Lokai tend to help each other, particularly in strange places.
WF_Joss it could... in some aspects
WF_Satyric But unlike the Romany, most Lokai migration and exploration will be voluntary. :)
WF_Serafina The game mechanics will encourage exploration.
WF_Satyric Thanks.
WF_Serafina I'll add to that question
WF_Serafina Since it is a cultural thing for the Lokai to explore, it follows that they would derive a lot of their influence from that
WF_Serafina influence is very important in Atriarch
WF_Serafina it is what determines how many followers you can have, moral, who will do what for you, etc
WF_Serafina the Lokai derive influence from their Notoriety
WF_Serafina notoriety is gained by.. well.. becoming notorious
WF_Serafina through quests
WF_Serafina through acquisition of itmes
WF_Serafina by discovery
WF_Satyric That's one parallel between the Lokai and Gypsy culture -- gaining honor through your reputation and the stories of your exploits.
WF_Satyric Or prestige, rather than honor.
WF_Serafina Lokai players will have the opportunity have quests added to the game for every other player
WF_Serafina it is part of how players will be a part of the culture and story
WF_Serafina that is how the Loshan Kilar works
WF_Serafina it is a record of all the major exploits of past Lokai
WF_Serafina it doesn't stop recording just because the game has begun
WF_Serafina we expect players to participate
WF_Serafina I hope that answers you question
WF_Serafina thank you

DarkSoul Synon|FoA I was wondering if the Lokai shells shape, color, or size had anything to do with their culture or position in society perhaps a fancy shell is chosen for richer families? What is the main purpose for having the shell?
WF_Serafina oh.. and please ignore my typos... I seem to be making a lot of them today
WF_Serafina Our goal with Atriarch is to make as much visible in the game as possible
WF_Serafina The shells can be changed.
WF_Serafina We would very much like for a shell to represent the faction or family or trade that the Lokai player is a part
WF_Serafina However, since the shells can be changed, a player will not be required to wear one that is in line with what they do.
WF_Serafina In order to get "special" shells that are in line with trades or whatnot, then you will have to actually have the skills, etc. to acquire it
WF_Serafina Thanks.

DarkSoul Ruhkmm|SB For the great WF staff: In screenshots, we've seen vast Lokai libraries mentioned, which are now depicted as empty. Will the players (e.g. me =P) works fill those libraries? If so, how will you will filter out all the boring and downright inneffective literary works? Or will the libraries only contain maps?
WF_Serafina yes, our beautiful library picture is empty
WF_Serafina hehe.. I know, this has been pointed out
WF_Joss bah... books
WF_Serafina Since Lokai culture is about personal notoriety, places like libraries, cultural centers, and museums are important
WF_Joss you don't need no fancy pants book larnin for this game
WF_Serafina a library will not necessary have "books" as you know it
WF_Satyric As are oral traditions, but it remains to be seen how much of that the players will be interested in maintaining.
WF_Serafina As you read in the Lokai profile, there will be some libraries of Khanjas
WF_Serafina you can go and find out about the quests of past
WF_Serafina there will of course be useuful information there
WF_Serafina we want players to find information in game if they want instead of having to resort to spoiler sites
WF_Serafina thanks

DarkSoul Phinehas The release talks about them not tiring on long journeys. How will stamina and such work for the Lokai and other species?
WF_Serafina that's a good question
WF_Serafina That is something that we will definitely test
WF_Serafina Our world is very big and travel is important.
WF_Serafina We put a big emphasis on the use of mounts.
WF_Arc Following up on Serafina's answer, I want to emphasize that we don't want players to have to resort to spoilers sites.
WF_Arc It is not that we have a problem with spoiler sites; we love them when we play other games.
WF_Serafina So that when your character tires, you can rest by riding on something else
WF_Arc It is just that some games seem so completely void of in game information that they become a necessity rather than a bonus.
WF_Arc Thanks.
WF_Serafina ok, I forgot the question now
WF_Joss hehe
WF_Satyric Heh.
WF_Serafina images of eqatlas is dancing in my head

DarkSoul Ruhkmm|SB Wait a minute. I had the impression that a character keeps a lifestaff throughout a character's entire life. Is this true?
WF_Satyric You start a new one when you fill up the old one.
WF_Satyric If you do.
WF_Serafina And since everything in Atriarch is physical, it can be stolen, broken, or sold
WF_Satyric So in those libraries, you could read a staff or two about someone who's still alive.
WF_Satyric Though it's a cultural taboo for Lokai to steal or harm them, those are sometimes broken. And they may not be treated with such reverence by other lifeforms.
WF_Arc Correction, "I" love spoiler sites, I cannot speak for the others :)
WF_Joss I'm with arc
WF_Arc Well me and Eng, I can speak for him :)
WF_Joss btw, stratics... can you update the uo info? thx
WF_Serafina lol
WF_Serafina next question

DarkSoul Zepath|SBePreparingQuestions This particular issue has been exciting me for some time. There has been some talk in the past that characters and factions from the fan-base may be included in the game's history or current setting where appropriate. I'm wondering how well founded a rumor this is, since Serafina has made some special mention of it before.
WF_Serafina yes, our writers have been scouring the factions and their websites to include what can be
WF_Satyric That's been mentioned from the beginning.
WF_Serafina There is no way we can include everything. We barely have enough time to read everything although we really try.
WF_Serafina We will pick out things when we can and include them in the official lore and stories.
WF_Serafina thanks Zepath.

DarkSoul Ruhkmm|SB I've heard talking from people that want to be lokai ingame, but are still interested in botany/war/animal handling. Will this abilities still be available for lokai? If so, will they be effective enough to be practical for a lokai to use them?
WF_Satyric We also can't include stuff that obviously comes from either Earth languages or other fiction.
WF_Serafina They Lokai can be in those fields if they want, but it will be harder for them
WF_Satyric Just because another race specializes in one area doesn't mean all the others can't do them at all. :)
WF_Serafina Look at the Lokai, they aren't exactly built for war
WF_Joss doesn't stop them from picking up a railgun and...
WF_Serafina but they can command people
WF_Serafina thanks
WF_Satyric Species, not races.
WF_Joss hehehe
WF_Serafina haha
WF_Serafina next?

DarkSoul Kaddar Is there a follow option? Can you set your character to follow others during online/offline play? This would allow a nomadic culture to move together.
WF_Joss Arc?
WF_Arc Kaddar, we are planning on doing this.
WF_Serafina yes, there will be an option
WF_Serafina in fact, you will be able to set your character to go somewhere without you needing to direct them the entire way
WF_Arc We would very much like it for players to be able to give destinations and paths for their characters to automaticaly follow.
WF_Satyric Another reason why good maps will be valuable.
WF_Arc Nothing is more tedious in a game than having to "drive" your character to a place you have been many times.
WF_Arc If I want to go to a city, I should be able to set my character on auto-pilot or jump on a creature transport.
WF_Arc We are toying with the ideas of waypoints as well. Obviously the Lokai would have the most natural skill and apptitude in this area.
WF_Arc Thanks.

DarkSoul Phinehas If...oh say...Zep wants to play a Lokai who is leader of a city-state, how will this be possible if he needs to travel a lot for influence?
WF_Serafina good question Phinehas
WF_Satyric He could be someone who settled down a bit after travelling when younger. Or he could gain prestige in other ways.
WF_Serafina If you recall in the Lokai profile.. that's what gets a lot of Lokai in trouble
WF_Serafina not being around to rule
WF_Arc Besides, who says a leader has to stay in one place anyway. Lokai are expected to travel.
WF_Serafina typically, Followers or less notorious Lokai manage the affairs
WF_Serafina it is a tradeoff
WF_Serafina Also, your faction can have other players. You can manage together
WF_Serafina You can set up a government type that is more than just yourself as leader
WF_Serafina thanks.
WF_Arc About the waypoints...
WF_Arc Joss has reminded me that some consider it a form a teleporting, a la Diablo 2.
WF_Arc That is not what I meant. I was thinking in terms of the strategy genre.
WF_Joss NO teleporting
WF_Arc A waypoint being a point that is travelled through as part of a designate path of travel.
WF_Arc Thanks.
WF_Joss shakes his finger at the kids
WF_Satyric Yeah, don't MAKE us turn this planet around and go home. ;)

DarkSoul King_of_Dreams|SB Are rare objects made by a Lokai just as valuable as rare objects found as a Lokai famewise?
WF_Serafina hehe
WF_Iimzodar lol
WF_Serafina King_of_Dreams|SB.. That's a great question
WF_Serafina Player-made items will be the most powerful stuff in the game
WF_Serafina except for some unique or rare items that are "historical" in nature, such as those found in ruins or archeological sites
WF_Serafina what will be limit these items will be the resources needed to make them
WF_Satyric Or living things that have been long abandoned, or since evolved on their own.
WF_Serafina we hope that this will stimulate and robust economy
WF_Serafina we want trademen.. err.. tradespecies to be valuable in the game
WF_Serafina a player should be able to become powerful and have lots of influence by being a craftsmen
WF_Serafina not every player wants to kill everything that walks.. err.. or slithers
WF_Satyric Or by running a caravan for a bunch of craftsmen :)
WF_Serafina tahnks.
WF_Joss tradeskills will be very fun
WF_Joss promise
WF_Serafina thanks even

DarkSoul Soffo if travels pass by an area, will there be a visible way to mark it checked, and or claimed? 'king of the hill' comes to mind with a flag.. but will it be possible to carve trees, dig words into the ground that stay past server resets and such? or scent markings..
WF_Arc You can certainly build something to leave your mark.
WF_Satyric Or name something after yourself on a map.
WF_Arc As far a digging holes and carving trees, their has been much discussion about it.
WF_Serafina there will be a limit to what is allowed in the game
WF_Arc It is too early to say just how dramatically players can alter the environment in that way.
WF_Arc I will say that it will not be easy.
WF_Serafina the limit will come from environmental aspects.. hard terrain, etc.
WF_Arc For a character.
WF_Arc You can always drop breadcrumbs and other things though.
WF_Serafina We wouldn't want to see "k3wL" carved into a mountain side
WF_Arc Of course things just may come along and gobble them up.
WF_Arc Exactly.
WF_Arc Thanks.
WF_Serafina thanks

DarkSoul Bongo When the Lokai spawn, they lose an arm, or two. How can that character live on with everyday tasks? How long til they grow back? An Arm is a huge thing to sacrifice for a youth.
WF_Serafina well, you choose to lose a leg instead
WF_Serafina it isn't limited to arms
WF_Serafina hehe
WF_Iimzodar hah
WF_Satyric snorts.
WF_Serafina How long it takes to grow back will be tested.
WF_Serafina the Lokai will be able to do most of what they need with one hand.
WF_Serafina The Lokai has an emphasis on their legs as opposed to their arms.
WF_Serafina for example, jumping, kicking, running
WF_Satyric It'll still be an inconvenience, though, as it should be.
WF_Serafina I doubt you will see the Lokai duel wielding a lot
WF_Serafina yes, like Satyric said... definitely an inconvenience.
WF_Serafina thanks.

DarkSoul Reaperman You mentioned naming something on a map after yourself.. When you name something, is it named for that map, all of your maps, or everyone's map that has that feature?
WF_Serafina Atriarch's world is changeable. Therefore maps will change.
WF_Serafina Maps will become outdated.
WF_Serafina Satyric... did you want to comment?
WF_Serafina I think that question was directed at your question.
WF_Serafina err.. statement
WF_Satyric I know what we want to do, but don't want to promise anything. :)
WF_Joss agrees
WF_Serafina LOL! I threatened everyone's lives before the HoC... "Say whatever you want, just don't promise any more features"... lol
WF_Serafina There is a lot of cool stuff we could add to Atriarch and some of which will get added, some of which will have to wait for a later release
WF_Satyric As much as Lokai talk about their travels, if someone wants to name a newly-discovered river after themselves and has some prestige, then I can see that catching on and becoming the generally-known name for that river. Whether we'll have the time/resources to make the maps reflect that phenomenon remains to be seen.
WF_Serafina thanks.

DarkSoul Osweld could you explain the relation between the Lokai and the symbiote that lives under its shell? can they survive with out each other? does the symbiote require attention? ect...
WF_Serafina The Lokai can in fact live without the symbiote, but the symbiote cannot live without the Lokai.
WF_Serafina The symbiote can detach for a certain length of time before it must return
WF_Serafina it is not a long distance thing... more for short durations and distances.
WF_Serafina It is one of the things that evolved as the Lokai found it necessary to evade danger.
WF_Serafina thanks.

DarkSoul Soffo since lokai seem to be more on the "wimpy side" (aka MMORPG dev's, freaky scientists, "smart people") will they have special abilities to master to be able to stand up in actual combat? say a very powerfull jump attack, or DFA (death from above) or more powerfull kicks and charge with shell and more running speed..
WF_Serafina The Lokai will be able to defend themselves against other species.
WF_Serafina However, it would not be smart for them to say.. uh.. try to head butt an Eshlar
WF_Joss they'll be nice 'n evasive
WF_Satyric ...and yeah, those are some pretty muscular legs.
WF_Serafina or duel with a Tyrusin.
WF_Joss like mmorpg developers
WF_Satyric Heh
WF_Serafina Lokai vs. Lokai is ok, but with other species, their emphasis is on powerful leg movements and evasion.
WF_Serafina lol
WF_Satyric And diplomacy.
WF_Satyric Remember, they're really big on trade and trade relations.
WF_Satyric Usually they're too useful to kill. :)
WF_Serafina oh.. and btw, they aren't wimpy
WF_Iimzodar Also Combat is only a part of the game
WF_Serafina They are not as physically strong, but they are not wimpy.
WF_Serafina big difference
WF_Serafina of course as everyone already knows here, the Unarra are the best.
WF_Satyric Like all our species, they're fairly large critters.
WF_Serafina other than the Unarra, they are all pretty much wimpy.
WF_Iimzodar lol
WF_Satyric cough Cavolon cough
WF_Joss bah
WF_Arc uh, about that palace you wanted built...
WF_Satyric Heheh.

WF_Serafina well, I think that is all we have time for questions right now.
WF_Serafina we'll stick around after and answer some more in an open forum
WF_Serafina unmoderated I mean
WF_Serafina thanks so much for coming
WF_Satyric Thanks, everyone!
WF_Arc Bye for now.

DarkSoul I'd like to thank everyone for comming this evening... Please feel free to join #atriarch for general talk =)
WF_Joss thank you
WF_Joss keep posting
WF_Serafina yes, we are reading them daily

DarkSoul Also, if you have more questions to get answered you might want to check out the Developer Boards on at.stratics.com -- They actually get read! hehe =)

DarkSoul sets mode: -m

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