TSM Travel Map - A Guide
Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 11:35 pm
Background: Back in July, we crossed a size threshold on TSM, passing the 2gig mark for the mod. Instability set in to the point that the module became unplayable due to the amount of crashes. We found that if we removed enough areas to reduce the size of the mod, then stability returned, but that was a temporary fix. Timed to coincide with the advent of 1.23, we are happy to present the long-term solution in the form of a Travel Map.
The Travel Map replaces the main highways on 003, from Rivermoot to Silverymoon, High Hold to Quaervarr, and Silverymoon to Auvandell. It currently represents only these highway systems, without the ability to roam freely off the roads beyond the ATs to full-sized areas you will find. However, everything north of Rivermoot and west of Quaervarr, everything north and/or east of Auvandell are still the same full-sized, Rangerific, roamable full-sized wilderness. Additionally, wilderness expansions to the travel map are planned down the road (pun intended).
Functionality: The map fully utilizes party functions. Your party will jump together onto and off of the map. Therefore you must "gather your party together before setting out." Otherwise, you will experience party members who have lingered behind to shop being yanked across the server to join you on the map. Please don't intentionally use it in this fashion!
When you join the map, only the party leader will be visible, and s/he will be visible at 20% of size and speed. The rest of the party will be invisible and set to forcefollow this leader. Do not feel that you are forced to follow a foolish leader to your doom, however! At the top of your screen you will see the familiar DMFI follow icon. Pressing this will immediately take your entire party to the nearest full-sized area to discuss whatever you wish, departy if wished, or do whatever you want in there. When the party leaves, of course, if your PC wishes to remain behind, s/he must be departied or s/he will be yanked onto the map.
As you progress down the road in the guise of your shrunken leader, you will roll for wandering encounters. At any time, you may expect to encounter danger, assistance, or other parties (who may, of course, offer either of the above.) You will be given spot/listen rolls for your encounter type and then ported to an encounter area for monster or NPC encounters. You will be ported to an encounter area for an encounter with another party of PC's, too, if both parties are unstealthed as they walk. If either or both party are stealthed, the parties will be given spot/listen rolls to see the other group, and if successful, a message indicating what you see/hear. The rolls are made based on each party member's skill numbers vs. the WORST skill set of the opposing party, as a whole. You will not be autoported to an encounter area if either party is stealthed, as that assumes that one or both party doesn't care to have an encounter. It is up to the parties to RP and manually step into any nearby full-size area.
One last note: please don't leave the game from the Travel Map. Currently, when you rejoin on the map, you will be invisible. This is removed by stepping into any nearby area, but it is irritating. Leaving from a full-sized area is advised.
I do hope you enjoy the Map. It was fun to build, and the most complex thing I have ever scripted. Therefore, if you find bugs, please report them in this thread and I will attempt to eradicate them. Have fun!
The Travel Map replaces the main highways on 003, from Rivermoot to Silverymoon, High Hold to Quaervarr, and Silverymoon to Auvandell. It currently represents only these highway systems, without the ability to roam freely off the roads beyond the ATs to full-sized areas you will find. However, everything north of Rivermoot and west of Quaervarr, everything north and/or east of Auvandell are still the same full-sized, Rangerific, roamable full-sized wilderness. Additionally, wilderness expansions to the travel map are planned down the road (pun intended).
Functionality: The map fully utilizes party functions. Your party will jump together onto and off of the map. Therefore you must "gather your party together before setting out." Otherwise, you will experience party members who have lingered behind to shop being yanked across the server to join you on the map. Please don't intentionally use it in this fashion!
When you join the map, only the party leader will be visible, and s/he will be visible at 20% of size and speed. The rest of the party will be invisible and set to forcefollow this leader. Do not feel that you are forced to follow a foolish leader to your doom, however! At the top of your screen you will see the familiar DMFI follow icon. Pressing this will immediately take your entire party to the nearest full-sized area to discuss whatever you wish, departy if wished, or do whatever you want in there. When the party leaves, of course, if your PC wishes to remain behind, s/he must be departied or s/he will be yanked onto the map.
As you progress down the road in the guise of your shrunken leader, you will roll for wandering encounters. At any time, you may expect to encounter danger, assistance, or other parties (who may, of course, offer either of the above.) You will be given spot/listen rolls for your encounter type and then ported to an encounter area for monster or NPC encounters. You will be ported to an encounter area for an encounter with another party of PC's, too, if both parties are unstealthed as they walk. If either or both party are stealthed, the parties will be given spot/listen rolls to see the other group, and if successful, a message indicating what you see/hear. The rolls are made based on each party member's skill numbers vs. the WORST skill set of the opposing party, as a whole. You will not be autoported to an encounter area if either party is stealthed, as that assumes that one or both party doesn't care to have an encounter. It is up to the parties to RP and manually step into any nearby full-size area.
One last note: please don't leave the game from the Travel Map. Currently, when you rejoin on the map, you will be invisible. This is removed by stepping into any nearby area, but it is irritating. Leaving from a full-sized area is advised.
I do hope you enjoy the Map. It was fun to build, and the most complex thing I have ever scripted. Therefore, if you find bugs, please report them in this thread and I will attempt to eradicate them. Have fun!
