The writing for the upcoming story content - some thoughts on the latest news article
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metheglyn✭✭✭✭✭I wasn't talking about his first ever job in his youth. I was talking about the first time he gained a position of any influence. Who wanted his advice/counsel, and why? Those types of positions aren't generally given to mysterious mages who just show up one day, so he was probably building connections somewhere, somehow. I'd be interested to know how he got his foot in the advisor door, as it were.
It would certainly be interesting.Besides, Mannimarco doesn't strike me as someone who takes "jobs."
He must have lived off something during the first few months or even years. Also, some jobs might be interesting in terms of establishing connections or getting useful information.
You could say...he wormed his way into the position.
I'll be here all week.
Lol! It's worms all the way down with that guy.shadyjane62 wrote: »I think Syldras ans metheglyn need to get a room.
That's pretty much what this thread is.
I tend to ignore the Witch's Festival, so I don't anticipate any conflict of time/interest for me. I had forgotten there was a Golden Pursuit to go along with the event, but when pursuits are paired with events, they seem fairly low-stress to complete if you're already doing the event. Well, we'll see how it goes! I'm hoping for fun; I accept there might be some irritation.
So - your impression so far?
My first impression of the event: too crowdy. That was to be expected, especially on the first day.
Going through the repeatable quests the first time, and listening to the dialogue and immersing myself in the story was interesting enough, though afterwards it just becomes a skip past the dialogue game--can I hit the enter key before they get so much as a syllable out? Sometimes!
The siege camps are boring to do at this point, because of the crowds and the way everyone is spamming their aoe and the mobs die immediately on spawning. Would they be more engaging if there weren't so many people massed at them? Likely. I do enjoy taking down dolmens on my own or with only a few others, so I would probably enjoy the siege camps under similar situations. Not that I could solo the camps, I think; at least not the end boss, but if there were maybe ten others or so, it'd be doable.
I didn't have the problem with the vitrified souls dropping that seemed to plague others, but collection quests aren't that engaging, so I did that one twice yesterday and was annoyed to see the quest giver wanted me to do it again. I guess you can do each of those repeatable quests six times a day, but no thanks to that. I found it interesting that the guest giver for the vitrified souls is concerned about letting down Midconjurer Mirmal--was more interested in what relationship they have than anything about the quest. I guess Mirmal is kind of a big deal in Solstice circles? It made me realize that we don't really know anything about him.
As for the gathering bits from animals quest: just no. l was iffy on doing it when she gave me the quest, because I really dislike the "slaughter all the animals quests!" that MMOs are so keen on. But, war effort, I thought. I'll give it a go. Then I went to one of the areas deemed suitable for hunting, and it was just a bunch of people running around, killing everything on sight, so I quick-time abandoned that quest and won't be doing it. Good job, war effort: the animals are all extinct. The funny thing to me is one of the reasons she sends us to murder every animal in Tamriel is so the Fellowship can sell the excess to replenish their coffers. If it's money she needs, why can't I just donate to the coffers instead? I'd gladly do that.
The completion meter moves more slowly than I thought it would, but in a way I think that's good. This way everyone has a chance to participate and hopefully that subdues the FOMO devil that always seems to plague people about these events. Since I don't care at all about the competition of "which server gets there first?" I think the slower pace is ideal.
No comment on the various bugs. These things always have bugs when they go live, so it was to be expected. Happens in every MMO I've ever played. They're not game-breaking and they will get fixed.
As to the story quest, I enjoyed that one a lot. Spoiler tag just in case.I think they did a pretty good job with Darian's dialogue--especially the emotional heft of his feelings for Gabrielle. (Seeing how that was written made me wonder if perhaps Prince Azah just isn't the type to express emotion or show grief--which wouldn't be a strange characteristic for someone to have, but since his dialogue was somewhat clunky, his lack of emotion over Merric was very startling.) I thought the way we progressed through the quest--using Darian's mysterious Meridia energy--made as much sense for the world as anything ever does when it comes to Daedric princes and their shenanigans. I also liked the various comments Darian made as we made our way through the various areas. I think they wrote him really well and he seems to have matured over time from the base game quests--a nice little progression I enjoyed. I also like that he was willing to play the dummy so the player character didn't have to.
As to the end of that quest, I was surprised. Not that Mannimarco showed up with a goatee, but that Darian's inner light of Meridia was just yoinked out of him. Since I've already accepted that Mannimarco can do whatever Mannimarco needs to do to when it comes to magic manipulation, I'll allow that he likely knows how to take someone's inner essence away from them. What interests me is where this leaves us/Darian, since the whole point of bringing Darian back was the 'Meridia's champion' thing. I'm guessing that Mannimarco taking Darian's light was part of Meridia's plan all along.
However, I think the pacing of the quest doesn't really fit with the event. Since the quest is about weakening the wall so we can break through, and we do that, and disrupt Mannimarco's 'repair the wall' spell, and Mannimarco tells us 'I don't even need the wall anymore anyway, chumps'...well, after that, it's odd to complete the quest and the event meter for phase one is sitting at 0.1%. If this is the bridge quest, though, I think it'll fit nicely.
Also, I encountered a small bug with this quest. There was a point where I was told to talk to Midconjurer Mirmal up by the lens, but Mirmal was down by the animal-slaughter quest giver, and talking to him there didn't progress the 'optional' part of the quest. I'd go up to the lens and it would seem to advance, but Mirmal wasn't up there to talk to, so I'd go down to where he was, and the quest would regress to 'find Mirmal'. So I ended up just finishing the quest without taking the optional step of talking to Mirmal. Maybe by the time I go through that on another character, it'll be fixed and I'll finally find out what Mirmal has to say.I think the livestream is a strange concept, really. The only ESO streams I watch are the announcements and the ones where they talk about upcoming game news. I never watch a stream of anyone playing the game and I don't have a twitch account, so I don't even pay attention to the twitch drops part of it. I've also seen people mention they have multiple screens running when they play the game (not always ESO live streams, just other things on) but I've never done that.
Who knows, maybe that's the whole "problem": Things getting designed with the expectation that many people don't really pay much attention anyway but do who knows what on the side?
Maybe, but I hope not. From the streams I have watched, I believe they put them together with the idea that people are paying attention--they interact with people in chat, for example.I think plenty of people don't watch all the way through--they just set it up to get the drops and go do something else. At least, that's the idea I've gotten from things people have said. I understand that people might enjoy watching the stream if they can't be in game when the event goes live, but to be in game and watch the stream? *shrug* Not for me, but to each their own.
From what I've heard, many don't watch at all but just leave the stream running on their phone without looking... Does that serve the purpose of a stream? That probably depends.
I guess, if the purpose is just to get 'views' (or whatever metric makes it look popular on twitch).I'm surprised to hear you missed a quest or two the first go round. Could it maybe have been that they were added later? Well, however it turned out, that's a hint to me to be even more exploratory in my exploration. I do remember them saying in the stream that there were some quests kind of out of the way, not in obvious places (or something to that effect).
I seriously did wonder whether they were added later - since me missing a quest would really be unusual, as I do explore zones rather thoroughly - but here was no statement about that, so I don't know. In any way, paying closer attention to the bigger Coldharborized areas that, at first glance, look like there isn't much at all, might be useful.
I consider myself duly notified!That's true. But there's also the reverse, where new light is shed on topics because of a discovery of some sort. Someone will uncover a cache of correspondence between Mannimarco and someone else, someone highly unlikely to have been thought of as being in Mannimarco's confidence (which, really, could be just about anyone: dude's an island).
I wouldn't be averse to that at all. I'm just not sure whether we'll ever see anything like that, sadly.
Probably not. They seem to have decided that Mannimarco's total character is "evil necromancer guy.""Some manner of wealth" doesn't equal "amassed wealth" in my mind, but I was thinking mostly along the lines of inherited wealth. We know nothing about his family, so we don't know if there was anything for him to inherit, but if he had inherited anything, he might have had that set aside somewhere. I imagine his expenses on Artaeum were minimal. I just don't think his youth rules out him having money.
You're right. I really don't know why we never get any lore on that. It's not like Mannimarco's background needs to remain a mystery like what happened to the Dwemer. There's no narrative reason to keep it a secret like this.
The Dwemer disappearance has to be kept a mystery because there's no explanation they can give that would satisfy. If they ever did have an explanation (which I doubt they did, because the whole thing comes across to me as: we don't want dwarves in our game, so let's just say they disappeared mysteriously and leave it at that), they waited too long to give it, and too much speculation has occurred since for any explanation to work.
I sometimes think they don't give any background on Mannimarco because they don't want anyone to relate to him. Even just saying he has/had a family seems like too much information for them to commit to.You'd probably have to set up some kind of watch on the place. The Great Mage portals in and out like it's nothing, and they probably always have his favorite food ready to go so he can pop in, pick it up, and pop back out. You don't expect him to stay in the tavern to eat, do you?
Didn't he say he would do such a thing - no matter how mundane it might seem - in the Summerset prologue?
Probably. I don't recall his exact words. He was kind of annoyed that his lunch plans got interrupted, I think. But portaling to Alinor to pick up his favorite food doesn't necessarily mean staying to eat it. Tamriel take-out, as it were.
Where are they getting all their funds?
You're right, I wouldn't! But at some point I'm going to go over there and find out...oh, but by that time the party will probably be over. I hope.Your homes must be impossible to navigate. How many mages do you suppose get trapped under clutter?
A lot. I'd guess it might make up about 40 percent of all magical-artifact-related injuries or deaths. They say some Telvanni Masters only levitate because they don't know where to step in their homes. My tower looks fine, though. The chaos is limited to the attic. I need to be a little cautious, after all, as a responsible Bosmer-owner.
But how do you keep the Bosmer out of the attic? I mean, he trips over tea-kettles, so either he's clumsy, or you have too many tea-kettles. And since he likes climbing, and an attic is up, well...seems like a tragedy in the making.
I actually think it would sound cooler.shadyjane62 wrote: »I think Syldras ans metheglyn need to get a room.
We do in fact have one. But that's only for conspirational meetings. Can't discuss spells that destroy the boundaries of time and space in public, after all. Tamriel has endured enough world-ending threats. For now.
Shh! You weren't supposed to mention that! And I thought Telvanni understood discretion....Edited by metheglyn on October 14, 2025 3:34PM0 -
Syldras✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭My first impression of the event: too crowdy. That was to be expected, especially on the first day.
Going through the repeatable quests the first time, and listening to the dialogue and immersing myself in the story was interesting enough, though afterwards it just becomes a skip past the dialogue game--can I hit the enter key before they get so much as a syllable out? Sometimes!
The siege camps are boring to do at this point, because of the crowds and the way everyone is spamming their aoe and the mobs die immediately on spawning. Would they be more engaging if there weren't so many people massed at them? Likely. I do enjoy taking down dolmens on my own or with only a few others, so I would probably enjoy the siege camps under similar situations. Not that I could solo the camps, I think; at least not the end boss, but if there were maybe ten others or so, it'd be doable.
I do find the whole thing a bit too repetative (and yes, once one has heard all new dialogue,...). Maybe it would be more interesting if at least the rewards were good, but except for the few golden boxes, it doesn't seem to be much. And even from the golden ones I only got 4 pet parts so far, no styles, no furnishings or plans. I truly don't see any reason to do the quests more than once a day, let alone 6 times each. Of course they count towards the golden pursuits, but considering how long this event will probably take, even doing them once a day will clearly be enough. So there's no motivation to do more.
When it comes to the world events, I have done a few of them at night, so there weren't that many people around. That was quite fun then, actually. Probably mostly because of the novelty effect (despite them being nothing more than dolmens - it's still something new to see for a while, at least, with a few new boss enemies). We'll see how I'm going to feel about them in a week or two... or in a month. Right now I think they won't be able to hold my interest for a longer time.I didn't have the problem with the vitrified souls dropping that seemed to plague others, but collection quests aren't that engaging, so I did that one twice yesterday and was annoyed to see the quest giver wanted me to do it again. I guess you can do each of those repeatable quests six times a day, but no thanks to that. I found it interesting that the guest giver for the vitrified souls is concerned about letting down Midconjurer Mirmal--was more interested in what relationship they have than anything about the quest. I guess Mirmal is kind of a big deal in Solstice circles? It made me realize that we don't really know anything about him.
I had that problem and it was truly annoying. I've only been able to farm them in peace during a time where almost no people were around (even if it's no problem for me to log into ESO for a bit before going to sleep: organizing your time like that isn't really fun - I don't want to think about such aspects when playing an event). But even then, the drop rate was horrible. I don't get why they don't increase it to a non-frustrating level? Getting people to stay logged in for longer is one thing, but at some point people will just lose interest and then don't play that content altogether.
That bit about Mirmal also caught my attention somehow - and yes, we really don't know anything about him. I mean, we don't need to know in detail about every npc that comes up, but for an npc that was a regularly returning character during the current story, they could have given him a bit characterization, at least.As for the gathering bits from animals quest: just no. l was iffy on doing it when she gave me the quest, because I really dislike the "slaughter all the animals quests!" that MMOs are so keen on. But, war effort, I thought. I'll give it a go. Then I went to one of the areas deemed suitable for hunting, and it was just a bunch of people running around, killing everything on sight, so I quick-time abandoned that quest and won't be doing it. Good job, war effort: the animals are all extinct. The funny thing to me is one of the reasons she sends us to murder every animal in Tamriel is so the Fellowship can sell the excess to replenish their coffers. If it's money she needs, why can't I just donate to the coffers instead? I'd gladly do that.
I'm not sure whether I've seen that one yet. I've had one about troll fat (those are a threat to travellers, at least), one about spriggans, and I've already accepted one for tomorrow that is about zombies somehow.The completion meter moves more slowly than I thought it would, but in a way I think that's good. This way everyone has a chance to participate and hopefully that subdues the FOMO devil that always seems to plague people about these events. Since I don't care at all about the competition of "which server gets there first?" I think the slower pace is ideal.
I'm wondering how bored people might be in 3 or 4 weeks. Would many people still be participating? The meter will probably continue moving nonetheless... And at least one doesn't miss much when skipping the quests for a few days...As to the story quest, I enjoyed that one a lot.
I found that one decent as well. Most interesting part of the event so far, for me. Well, not surprising - it has story and lore.I think they did a pretty good job with Darian's dialogue--especially the emotional heft of his feelings for Gabrielle. (Seeing how that was written made me wonder if perhaps Prince Azah just isn't the type to express emotion or show grief--which wouldn't be a strange characteristic for someone to have, but since his dialogue was somewhat clunky, his lack of emotion over Merric was very startling.) I thought the way we progressed through the quest--using Darian's mysterious Meridia energy--made as much sense for the world as anything ever does when it comes to Daedric princes and their shenanigans. I also liked the various comments Darian made as we made our way through the various areas. I think they wrote him really well and he seems to have matured over time from the base game quests--a nice little progression I enjoyed. I also like that he was willing to play the dummy so the player character didn't have to.
I think this was actually well-written and yes, I also liked the dialogue bits while just walking around. Now, if all emotional situations were written like this,...As to the end of that quest, I was surprised. Not that Mannimarco showed up with a goatee, but that Darian's inner light of Meridia was just yoinked out of him. Since I've already accepted that Mannimarco can do whatever Mannimarco needs to do to when it comes to magic manipulation, I'll allow that he likely knows how to take someone's inner essence away from them. What interests me is where this leaves us/Darian, since the whole point of bringing Darian back was the 'Meridia's champion' thing. I'm guessing that Mannimarco taking Darian's light was part of Meridia's plan all along.
I was just as surprised...Mostly, because I didn't expect that what we saw was possible, lore-wise. But then, Mannimarco just does whatever he's supposed to do or a story, I guess... Another thing he has in common with Vanny It's not only a goatee, by the way, he also has a moustache. More precisely, he has the same beard style as Gothren now 
I guess it's the cool thing among ruthless wizards right now.However, I think the pacing of the quest doesn't really fit with the event. Since the quest is about weakening the wall so we can break through, and we do that, and disrupt Mannimarco's 'repair the wall' spell, and Mannimarco tells us 'I don't even need the wall anymore anyway, chumps'...well, after that, it's odd to complete the quest and the event meter for phase one is sitting at 0.1%. If this is the bridge quest, though, I think it'll fit nicely.
I think this is the bridge quest (at least it completes quest 6 in the main questline). And I was surprised that it was already obtainable now - I fully expected it to only pop up in phase 3. Anyway, I think as a bridge quest it works well.
It's still a pity the Fortress will be removed from the world again after the event. It could remain as a public dungeon or so, at least.The Dwemer disappearance has to be kept a mystery because there's no explanation they can give that would satisfy. If they ever did have an explanation (which I doubt they did, because the whole thing comes across to me as: we don't want dwarves in our game, so let's just say they disappeared mysteriously and leave it at that), they waited too long to give it, and too much speculation has occurred since for any explanation to work.
There are a few hints in all of the singleplayer TES games, although I think the background idea might have changed over time. In TES 3 Tribunal, when you venture into the Dwemer city under Mournhold, you do find physical remains of dead Dwemer, after all. Which was eerie, by the way. But it contradicts other accounts that they had vanished without a trace. Which makes me think that the initial idea might have been a different one.I sometimes think they don't give any background on Mannimarco because they don't want anyone to relate to him. Even just saying he has/had a family seems like too much information for them to commit to.
Well, doesn't work, though He's interesting. Maybe he'd even be less interesting if he officially had a totally boring background.Probably. I don't recall his exact words. He was kind of annoyed that his lunch plans got interrupted, I think. But portaling to Alinor to pick up his favorite food doesn't necessarily mean staying to eat it. Tamriel take-out, as it were.
I'd just send my servant.Where are they getting all their funds?
Selling furniture. Probably also carriage building.You're right, I wouldn't! But at some point I'm going to go over there and find out...oh, but by that time the party will probably be over. I hope.
Unfortunately! It's a really nice party right now.But how do you keep the Bosmer out of the attic? I mean, he trips over tea-kettles, so either he's clumsy, or you have too many tea-kettles. And since he likes climbing, and an attic is up, well...seems like a tragedy in the making.
I just keep the hatch locked. The one to the attic, I mean.I actually think it would sound cooler.
That's because weasels are cool. But they're not edgy. Or at least not edgy enough for a necromancer cult in a TES story.Shh! You weren't supposed to mention that! And I thought Telvanni understood discretion....
Maybe it's a ruse. It might or might not be @Syldras | PC | EU
The forceful expression of will gives true honor to the Ancestors.
Sarayn Andrethi, Telvanni mage (Main)
Darvasa Andrethi, his "I'm NOT a Necromancer!" sister
Malacar Sunavarlas, Altmer Ayleid vampire
Soris Rethandus, a Sleeper not yet awake0 -
metheglyn✭✭✭✭✭My first impression of the event: too crowdy. That was to be expected, especially on the first day.
Going through the repeatable quests the first time, and listening to the dialogue and immersing myself in the story was interesting enough, though afterwards it just becomes a skip past the dialogue game--can I hit the enter key before they get so much as a syllable out? Sometimes!
The siege camps are boring to do at this point, because of the crowds and the way everyone is spamming their aoe and the mobs die immediately on spawning. Would they be more engaging if there weren't so many people massed at them? Likely. I do enjoy taking down dolmens on my own or with only a few others, so I would probably enjoy the siege camps under similar situations. Not that I could solo the camps, I think; at least not the end boss, but if there were maybe ten others or so, it'd be doable.
I do find the whole thing a bit too repetative (and yes, once one has heard all new dialogue,...). Maybe it would be more interesting if at least the rewards were good, but except for the few golden boxes, it doesn't seem to be much. And even from the golden ones I only got 4 pet parts so far, no styles, no furnishings or plans. I truly don't see any reason to do the quests more than once a day, let alone 6 times each. Of course they count towards the golden pursuits, but considering how long this event will probably take, even doing them once a day will clearly be enough. So there's no motivation to do more.
When it comes to the world events, I have done a few of them at night, so there weren't that many people around. That was quite fun then, actually. Probably mostly because of the novelty effect (despite them being nothing more than dolmens - it's still something new to see for a while, at least, with a few new boss enemies). We'll see how I'm going to feel about them in a week or two... or in a month. Right now I think they won't be able to hold my interest for a longer time.
Right now my attitude towards the event is that it's entertaining enough for what it is, and I plan to drop in now and then to do some of the quests. I've already done enough to get the first reward from the pursuit, but I'm actually not that interested in the pet or mount, so completing that is not a draw for me. If I ever do find myself in game at a low population time (though, really, for events I've never found one) I might find it more enjoyable.I didn't have the problem with the vitrified souls dropping that seemed to plague others, but collection quests aren't that engaging, so I did that one twice yesterday and was annoyed to see the quest giver wanted me to do it again. I guess you can do each of those repeatable quests six times a day, but no thanks to that. I found it interesting that the guest giver for the vitrified souls is concerned about letting down Midconjurer Mirmal--was more interested in what relationship they have than anything about the quest. I guess Mirmal is kind of a big deal in Solstice circles? It made me realize that we don't really know anything about him.
I had that problem and it was truly annoying. I've only been able to farm them in peace during a time where almost no people were around (even if it's no problem for me to log into ESO for a bit before going to sleep: organizing your time like that isn't really fun - I don't want to think about such aspects when playing an event). But even then, the drop rate was horrible. I don't get why they don't increase it to a non-frustrating level? Getting people to stay logged in for longer is one thing, but at some point people will just lose interest and then don't play that content altogether.
That bit about Mirmal also caught my attention somehow - and yes, we really don't know anything about him. I mean, we don't need to know in detail about every npc that comes up, but for an npc that was a regularly returning character during the current story, they could have given him a bit characterization, at least.
I think drop rates for quest items need to be at 100%, full stop, especially with repeatable quests. Isn't it enough that people can do these quests six times each day? That'll keep them in game long enough. There is no point in frustrating players with this low drop rate nonsense. It's not like we're after rare materials, so there's not even a lore justification for them having a low drop rate. And if vitrified souls are meant to be rather rare, then we're kind of stupid for building our entire wall-busting plan around having a steady supply of them.As for the gathering bits from animals quest: just no. l was iffy on doing it when she gave me the quest, because I really dislike the "slaughter all the animals quests!" that MMOs are so keen on. But, war effort, I thought. I'll give it a go. Then I went to one of the areas deemed suitable for hunting, and it was just a bunch of people running around, killing everything on sight, so I quick-time abandoned that quest and won't be doing it. Good job, war effort: the animals are all extinct. The funny thing to me is one of the reasons she sends us to murder every animal in Tamriel is so the Fellowship can sell the excess to replenish their coffers. If it's money she needs, why can't I just donate to the coffers instead? I'd gladly do that.
I'm not sure whether I've seen that one yet. I've had one about troll fat (those are a threat to travellers, at least), one about spriggans, and I've already accepted one for tomorrow that is about zombies somehow.
If I'd been told to go kill trolls or spriggans or zombies, I would have most likely stuck with it longer, but from what I've read here on the forums, the drop rate for these things is really low, too. So chances are I would have judged it not worth my limited gameplay time and dropped those versions of the quest as well.The completion meter moves more slowly than I thought it would, but in a way I think that's good. This way everyone has a chance to participate and hopefully that subdues the FOMO devil that always seems to plague people about these events. Since I don't care at all about the competition of "which server gets there first?" I think the slower pace is ideal.
I'm wondering how bored people might be in 3 or 4 weeks. Would many people still be participating? The meter will probably continue moving nonetheless... And at least one doesn't miss much when skipping the quests for a few days...
I don't know. People seem to have an endless capacity for this kind of repetitive content. At least if the Auridon and Alik'r dolmens are anything to go by. Well, we'll see.I think they did a pretty good job with Darian's dialogue--especially the emotional heft of his feelings for Gabrielle. (Seeing how that was written made me wonder if perhaps Prince Azah just isn't the type to express emotion or show grief--which wouldn't be a strange characteristic for someone to have, but since his dialogue was somewhat clunky, his lack of emotion over Merric was very startling.) I thought the way we progressed through the quest--using Darian's mysterious Meridia energy--made as much sense for the world as anything ever does when it comes to Daedric princes and their shenanigans. I also liked the various comments Darian made as we made our way through the various areas. I think they wrote him really well and he seems to have matured over time from the base game quests--a nice little progression I enjoyed. I also like that he was willing to play the dummy so the player character didn't have to.
I think this was actually well-written and yes, I also liked the dialogue bits while just walking around. Now, if all emotional situations were written like this,...
Ha, right? But it's nice to see it, and to hope that they'll continue to provide this quality of writing.As to the end of that quest, I was surprised. Not that Mannimarco showed up with a goatee, but that Darian's inner light of Meridia was just yoinked out of him. Since I've already accepted that Mannimarco can do whatever Mannimarco needs to do to when it comes to magic manipulation, I'll allow that he likely knows how to take someone's inner essence away from them. What interests me is where this leaves us/Darian, since the whole point of bringing Darian back was the 'Meridia's champion' thing. I'm guessing that Mannimarco taking Darian's light was part of Meridia's plan all along.
I was just as surprised...Mostly, because I didn't expect that what we saw was possible, lore-wise. But then, Mannimarco just does whatever he's supposed to do or a story, I guess... Another thing he has in common with Vanny It's not only a goatee, by the way, he also has a moustache. More precisely, he has the same beard style as Gothren now I guess it's the cool thing among ruthless wizards right now.
Regarding Mannimarco...I was trying to recall what Wormblood's face looked like in that one part of the quest where he shows up via projection without his mask on. I don't think he had any facial hair, but maybe he did. Either way, looks like Mannimarco touched up his new body to make it more his own. Facial hair growth could also be a sign of time passing. Funny to think there's a prevailing style among ruthless wizards. I figured the goatee was just because all evil geniuses have to have one; I think it's in the evil genius charter. As far as his ability to suck Darian's Meridia light out, I figured he learned that in Mor Naril. Or maybe when he was floating around in Coldharbour in spirit form he picked up a few new tricks by eavesdropping on Molag Bal.However, I think the pacing of the quest doesn't really fit with the event. Since the quest is about weakening the wall so we can break through, and we do that, and disrupt Mannimarco's 'repair the wall' spell, and Mannimarco tells us 'I don't even need the wall anymore anyway, chumps'...well, after that, it's odd to complete the quest and the event meter for phase one is sitting at 0.1%. If this is the bridge quest, though, I think it'll fit nicely.
I think this is the bridge quest (at least it completes quest 6 in the main questline). And I was surprised that it was already obtainable now - I fully expected it to only pop up in phase 3. Anyway, I think as a bridge quest it works well.
It's still a pity the Fortress will be removed from the world again after the event. It could remain as a public dungeon or so, at least.
Having not experienced the Fortress, I can't say whether or not I think it'll be missed by me. If the point of the story is that we wreck whatever purpose it has, keeping it around for public dungeon points might seem odd. Just thinking of story cohesion, and not MMO mechanics. I'm aware plenty of things remain even after we've "cleared them out" or "took care of the issue" or "settled the trouble." I just think it'd be nice if, for once, our big efforts to do something were actually reflected in-game.The Dwemer disappearance has to be kept a mystery because there's no explanation they can give that would satisfy. If they ever did have an explanation (which I doubt they did, because the whole thing comes across to me as: we don't want dwarves in our game, so let's just say they disappeared mysteriously and leave it at that), they waited too long to give it, and too much speculation has occurred since for any explanation to work.
There are a few hints in all of the singleplayer TES games, although I think the background idea might have changed over time. In TES 3 Tribunal, when you venture into the Dwemer city under Mournhold, you do find physical remains of dead Dwemer, after all. Which was eerie, by the way. But it contradicts other accounts that they had vanished without a trace. Which makes me think that the initial idea might have been a different one.
I was just being a bit snarky earlier. While I do think the whole Dwemer disappearance thing got away from them, I'm sure they had some idea why or how it happened when they first came up with it. Still, it does have that vibe to me of a narrative shortcut they didn't give a whole lot of thought to at the time and never expected to become such a thing.I sometimes think they don't give any background on Mannimarco because they don't want anyone to relate to him. Even just saying he has/had a family seems like too much information for them to commit to.
Well, doesn't work, though He's interesting. Maybe he'd even be less interesting if he officially had a totally boring background.
It's the Dwemer disappearance conundrum all over again! Seriously, though, I have enjoyed our discussion about him, and I doubt it would have gone on so long or been so interesting if some of that background was filled in. Not that I think they did right leaving him such a blank.
Of course you would. But I don't think the Great Mage has any servants.
Who buys their furniture? And how? Where does a nefarious cult set up shop? Aren't those carriages just for themselves?
Hmm...pretty sure we have different interpretations of what makes a "nice" party.But how do you keep the Bosmer out of the attic? I mean, he trips over tea-kettles, so either he's clumsy, or you have too many tea-kettles. And since he likes climbing, and an attic is up, well...seems like a tragedy in the making.
I just keep the hatch locked. The one to the attic, I mean.
Is he not skilled at lockpicking, then? Seems like he would be. Bosmer. Right of theft. You know.
Are worms edgy? I mean, they're useful. They literally turn food garbage into good soil. Or are they using 'worm' in the sense of dragon or serpentine creature? Not sure that's very edgy, either.
Um, yes, it is! Or wait...no? Uhh...I should know the answer to that, shouldn't I?
0 -
Syldras✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭Right now my attitude towards the event is that it's entertaining enough for what it is, and I plan to drop in now and then to do some of the quests. I've already done enough to get the first reward from the pursuit, but I'm actually not that interested in the pet or mount, so completing that is not a draw for me. If I ever do find myself in game at a low population time (though, really, for events I've never found one) I might find it more enjoyable.
I'm mostly hoping for new furnishings or furnishing plans (yes, it's the furniture again; it's always the furniture), but since only the golden boxes have a reasonable drop chance anyway, it's not that much to do. No event writs either, this time (although that's most probably due to the length of the event).
One thing I'm wondering about is whether hyping the event so much might not have been counterproductive. I personally never expected it to be spectacular, but I think if might have made many people expect something more unusual than what we got.I think drop rates for quest items need to be at 100%, full stop, especially with repeatable quests. Isn't it enough that people can do these quests six times each day? That'll keep them in game long enough. There is no point in frustrating players with this low drop rate nonsense. It's not like we're after rare materials, so there's not even a lore justification for them having a low drop rate. And if vitrified souls are meant to be rather rare, then we're kind of stupid for building our entire wall-busting plan around having a steady supply of them.
I don't get it either. It's like it had been during the first anniversary event: horrible drop rates, people getting frustrated. I don't think it would be to anyone's disadvantage to show more generosity when it comes to drops. Especially if it's supposed to be some special event or even celebration.If I'd been told to go kill trolls or spriggans or zombies, I would have most likely stuck with it longer, but from what I've read here on the forums, the drop rate for these things is really low, too. So chances are I would have judged it not worth my limited gameplay time and dropped those versions of the quest as well.
It's also artificially limited by only having it drop from certain zones. Not sure why, either, as things like spriggan wood or troll fat should drop from any specimen, location shouldn't matter.I don't know. People seem to have an endless capacity for this kind of repetitive content. At least if the Auridon and Alik'r dolmens are anything to go by. Well, we'll see.
But is it always the same people there?Ha, right? But it's nice to see it, and to hope that they'll continue to provide this quality of writing.
I'd hope it. Extended to the whole story and all characters involved. Less cardboard characters and clichés, more character depth, more background lore; well, we've discussed it.
It's really one thing that makes me wonder; if they go a bit more into detail with a character, they can write good stories. We've seen it with Zerith-var, for example. But so often, it just doesn't happen, for unknown reasons, and we get some weird one-note cliché like Jakarn in High Isle instead.I was trying to recall what Wormblood's face looked like in that one part of the quest where he shows up via projection without his mask on. I don't think he had any facial hair, but maybe he did.
It was hard to see, but......I remember I was thinking his chin looked strangely long. Maybe that was the beard. Didn't think of a moustache, though, but I really didn't have the best view.Either way, looks like Mannimarco touched up his new body to make it more his own.
Do you think so?It's not very relevant, of course, but I did think for a moment that it's strange he has a beard now; since if he had wanted one, why did he never have one before?Facial hair growth could also be a sign of time passing.
I mean, it does take a while. But not that much.Also: How exactly did Vanny shave while in captivity?Funny to think there's a prevailing style among ruthless wizards. I figured the goatee was just because all evil geniuses have to have one; I think it's in the evil genius charter.
I honestly think......the main reason he has a beard now is that it should be obvious to players at first glance, and also if you don't have the best view, that it's a different face than it had been before. Adding a beard was probably the easiest method to draw attention to that.Having not experienced the Fortress, I can't say whether or not I think it'll be missed by me. If the point of the story is that we wreck whatever purpose it has, keeping it around for public dungeon points might seem odd. Just thinking of story cohesion, and not MMO mechanics. I'm aware plenty of things remain even after we've "cleared them out" or "took care of the issue" or "settled the trouble." I just think it'd be nice if, for once, our big efforts to do something were actually reflected in-game.
It's about weakening the Wall. Once more. Yes, of course it doesn't make much sense once the Wall is gone, but if they wanted to keep the dungeon, they could still rewrite a tiny bit of the story and just make it about defeating the final boss there. Because daedra. And evil. Etc.Of course you would. But I don't think the Great Mage has any servants.
Sounds like he isn't that great then, after allWho buys their furniture?
Well, I'd buy it, but since I've joined them, I get it for free. It's excellent craftsmanship!And how? Where does a nefarious cult set up shop? Aren't those carriages just for themselves?
What do you think the Worm Cult Lairs are for? Yes, of course they sell furniture there - you've probably just never asked them! And the biggest store is planned for East Solstice. Opening party will be soon! (Carriages are for furniture transport).Hmm...pretty sure we have different interpretations of what makes a "nice" party.
But we have cake and wine! And guests are welcome, too. I've just collected one. Just waiting for new Argonians to draw the carriage to arrive.
Is he not skilled at lockpicking, then? Seems like he would be. Bosmer. Right of theft. You know.
Even if he could, he's too short to even reach the hatch.Are worms edgy? I mean, they're useful. They literally turn food garbage into good soil. Or are they using 'worm' in the sense of dragon or serpentine creature? Not sure that's very edgy, either.
Not only food garbage, and that's the reason they're supposed to be "edgy" in this case.Um, yes, it is! Or wait...no? Uhh...I should know the answer to that, shouldn't I?
Perhaps.@Syldras | PC | EU
The forceful expression of will gives true honor to the Ancestors.
Sarayn Andrethi, Telvanni mage (Main)
Darvasa Andrethi, his "I'm NOT a Necromancer!" sister
Malacar Sunavarlas, Altmer Ayleid vampire
Soris Rethandus, a Sleeper not yet awake0 -
metheglyn✭✭✭✭✭Right now my attitude towards the event is that it's entertaining enough for what it is, and I plan to drop in now and then to do some of the quests. I've already done enough to get the first reward from the pursuit, but I'm actually not that interested in the pet or mount, so completing that is not a draw for me. If I ever do find myself in game at a low population time (though, really, for events I've never found one) I might find it more enjoyable.
I'm mostly hoping for new furnishings or furnishing plans (yes, it's the furniture again; it's always the furniture), but since only the golden boxes have a reasonable drop chance anyway, it's not that much to do. No event writs either, this time (although that's most probably due to the length of the event).
One thing I'm wondering about is whether hyping the event so much might not have been counterproductive. I personally never expected it to be spectacular, but I think if might have made many people expect something more unusual than what we got.
While there is a case to be that companies often over-hype their products, I think people in general need to learn to manage their expectations and better temper their disappointment. I was hoping the event would be something different, or more interesting, but when it didn't turn out to be, it wasn't that big of a deal.
I do enjoy opening boxes; that's what kept me engaged in events that have boxes. It's a silly thing to like so much, but I do. I haven't gotten anything spectacular from them so far, but now that the Stirk Fellowship motif/style is dropping, I hope I can get those. What I don't want is that Coldharbor Surreal Estate that has a small chance of dropping. I'm hoping my horrible rng stays true with that one.I think drop rates for quest items need to be at 100%, full stop, especially with repeatable quests. Isn't it enough that people can do these quests six times each day? That'll keep them in game long enough. There is no point in frustrating players with this low drop rate nonsense. It's not like we're after rare materials, so there's not even a lore justification for them having a low drop rate. And if vitrified souls are meant to be rather rare, then we're kind of stupid for building our entire wall-busting plan around having a steady supply of them.
I don't get it either. It's like it had been during the first anniversary event: horrible drop rates, people getting frustrated. I don't think it would be to anyone's disadvantage to show more generosity when it comes to drops. Especially if it's supposed to be some special event or even celebration.
It's one of those stupid MMO game mechanics that no one seems able to shake. The whole "You appreciate it more if you have to work real hard to get it!" mentality. No, I don't. This is a game; I don't want to work hard in a game. I've got real life for hard work and difficult tasks and things that take forever to accomplish. I'm willing to put in the effort to go to a place and kill a thing to get an item (basically, play the game) but I'm not willing to grind for anything.If I'd been told to go kill trolls or spriggans or zombies, I would have most likely stuck with it longer, but from what I've read here on the forums, the drop rate for these things is really low, too. So chances are I would have judged it not worth my limited gameplay time and dropped those versions of the quest as well.
It's also artificially limited by only having it drop from certain zones. Not sure why, either, as things like spriggan wood or troll fat should drop from any specimen, location shouldn't matter.
From what I can tell, that's because the quest says something like, "The Dominion opened up their plentiful hunting grounds," or "The Pact has asked people to cull troll populations," (I don't remember exactly what it was)--basically, for story reasons they're limiting it to certain areas. Which, again, is nice from an immersion perspective, but then just make the drop rate 100%. Come on already!
Well, according to the forums and the precious Steam charts, the numbers are at an all time low, so it must be the same people, right? No, I'm sure it's different people on different days taking different characters through the leveling, but the main point is there are always people there, doing the same thing over and over. There's never a point where those dolmens aren't swarmed. So if people are willing to do that repetitive content, those same people are likely willing to do the event repetitive content while it's around.Ha, right? But it's nice to see it, and to hope that they'll continue to provide this quality of writing.
I'd hope it. Extended to the whole story and all characters involved. Less cardboard characters and clichés, more character depth, more background lore; well, we've discussed it.
It's really one thing that makes me wonder; if they go a bit more into detail with a character, they can write good stories. We've seen it with Zerith-var, for example. But so often, it just doesn't happen, for unknown reasons, and we get some weird one-note cliché like Jakarn in High Isle instead.
I do wonder at the disparity of it all. Different writers, different writing styles, different interpretations of the characters and content maybe? I don't know. Maybe the way Jakarn was written in High Isle was thought by the writing team to be consistent with his earlier portrayal.I was trying to recall what Wormblood's face looked like in that one part of the quest where he shows up via projection without his mask on. I don't think he had any facial hair, but maybe he did.
It was hard to see, but......I remember I was thinking his chin looked strangely long. Maybe that was the beard. Didn't think of a moustache, though, but I really didn't have the best view.
Ok, soI did think Mannimarco's face looked different to the one we briefly saw in the projection. I thought the Wormblood projection just looked like standard Altmer npc # 4, or something. Nothing distinctive about it. But, like you say, it was hard to really get a good look, so maybe it was the same model.
I don't know why he wouldn't, being who he is.As to the beard thing, he just didn't know if he'd like the look until it was forced on him by stealing Wormblood's body. Now he's seen how dashing he looks, and he'll never go back! Until Daggerfall and he's a skeleton man, though. And then Oblivion when he's clean-shaven again. But other than that, it's beard for life with him now!
Magic!Funny to think there's a prevailing style among ruthless wizards. I figured the goatee was just because all evil geniuses have to have one; I think it's in the evil genius charter.
I honestly think......the main reason he has a beard now is that it should be obvious to players at first glance, and also if you don't have the best view, that it's a different face than it had been before. Adding a beard was probably the easiest method to draw attention to that.
That's a likely reason. Next time I run that quest, I'll make sure to get a better look at him. Everything happened so fast, I hardly had time to gawk.Having not experienced the Fortress, I can't say whether or not I think it'll be missed by me. If the point of the story is that we wreck whatever purpose it has, keeping it around for public dungeon points might seem odd. Just thinking of story cohesion, and not MMO mechanics. I'm aware plenty of things remain even after we've "cleared them out" or "took care of the issue" or "settled the trouble." I just think it'd be nice if, for once, our big efforts to do something were actually reflected in-game.
It's about weakening the Wall. Once more. Yes, of course it doesn't make much sense once the Wall is gone, but if they wanted to keep the dungeon, they could still rewrite a tiny bit of the story and just make it about defeating the final boss there. Because daedra. And evil. Etc.
Yeah, there are plenty reasons to keep it, I agree. I just don't have much of an opinion on its permanence at this point.
Lol...not everyone counts greatness the same.
So you're saying these bumbling idiot cultists are all skilled furniture craftsmen?And how? Where does a nefarious cult set up shop? Aren't those carriages just for themselves?
What do you think the Worm Cult Lairs are for? Yes, of course they sell furniture there - you've probably just never asked them! And the biggest store is planned for East Solstice. Opening party will be soon! (Carriages are for furniture transport).
Well, it's kind of hard to get around to asking about furniture when, the second a Worm Cult member sees me, she starts trying to suck my soul out my eyeballs.
Just send me some cake and wine by courier, thanks. My schedule is packed too full for parties right now.
You don't have any step-stools handy?Are worms edgy? I mean, they're useful. They literally turn food garbage into good soil. Or are they using 'worm' in the sense of dragon or serpentine creature? Not sure that's very edgy, either.
Not only food garbage, and that's the reason they're supposed to be "edgy" in this case.
Yes, they turn anything into good soil, but I was thinking of my kitchen compost pile when I wrote that. But I'm missing something. How is that edgy?
*mutters and writes notes trying to decipher cryptic response*0 -
Syldras✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭While there is a case to be that companies often over-hype their products, I think people in general need to learn to manage their expectations and better temper their disappointment. I was hoping the event would be something different, or more interesting, but when it didn't turn out to be, it wasn't that big of a deal.
On the one hand some reactions feel a bit extreme to me (then again, I don't think it's mine to judge how emotional or not other people get about a topic), on the other hand I've never liked the typical marketing exaggerations. I prefer clearer and more factual info to make an informed decision about whether something interests me or not. That goes for ESO as well as for any other service or product.
Generally speaking: Maybe it's also a cultural difference (I don't know), but all these messages in ads about how super and awesome and extraordinary a product is... Where I live, no one believes it, and people find certain types of phrasing ridiculous instead of appealing. At best, they'd shrug it off or laugh about it. At worst, they consider in unethical lying, which negatively influences a company's reputation. Explaining earnestly what a product offers is much better received.
So, coming from this culture, I would have prefered some simple description about what the event offers. Like "1 new world event, 1 new world boss, new daily quests..." - you get it. Much better than talking about some mysterious "world-changing event" that could be anything or nothing (And most of all - who'd believe some temporary game event to be world-changing? Even within the fictional world, it's not more world-changing than any new chapter or even just house they add to the map). That said, actually I never cared much for the event and it played no part when I made my decision whether to buy Solstice or not. What I cared for was a new story and zone, and the event was just some thing happening this year, with no bigger relevance to me than the other regular game events.I do enjoy opening boxes; that's what kept me engaged in events that have boxes. It's a silly thing to like so much, but I do. I haven't gotten anything spectacular from them so far, but now that the Stirk Fellowship motif/style is dropping, I hope I can get those. What I don't want is that Coldharbor Surreal Estate that has a small chance of dropping. I'm hoping my horrible rng stays true with that one.
I think it's one big problem of the current event that the purple boxes contain nothing useful. The golden ones drop a few new collectible parts, but if only 3 of 24(?) daily quests drop anything useful, why bother with more than those 3? It's especially jarring with the crafting ones where you might use 39 rubedite ingots or what it was and might get 20 ingots in return - at most (and if you're unlucky, it's not even 20 ingots but 20 of the raw material, so 2 ingots if you refine them). Of course one could do these on a low-level character, but then it's not that useful either (just less of a waste) since the reward boxes only contain materials of the same level, I think. You can't even really consider it a willing sacrifice for the Fellowship, since, I mean, we know that the Wall will come down no matter what.
I do own the Coldharbor plot, by the way. Built a temple on it. Or let's say I'm currently building one. I've got lots of furnishings ready but I still need to arrange everything.It's one of those stupid MMO game mechanics that no one seems able to shake. The whole "You appreciate it more if you have to work real hard to get it!" mentality. No, I don't. This is a game; I don't want to work hard in a game. I've got real life for hard work and difficult tasks and things that take forever to accomplish. I'm willing to put in the effort to go to a place and kill a thing to get an item (basically, play the game) but I'm not willing to grind for anything.
In many cases I don't even care for the reward. Rarely there's something I really want for roleplay or character design reasons (like Sunna'rah), but most items leave me completely indifferent. There are creatures in this game that I don't care for at all, and lots that are okay, and some I find interesting, but it doesn't mean I feel a need to own a mount version of it, or even a dozen of them sparkling and pulsing in different colors.
I think I own about 80 mounts (after 9 years, or 10 in February), and the only ones I ever bought were the standard vvardvark mount, a normal-looking guar, and the standard Dwemer car. From the mounts I got for free, I sometimes use some indrik, the darker fake gryphon (not the other golden one), some black camel and a nix ox (those came with Thieves Guild and Morrowind, I think), ah, yeah, and sometimes a free two-seater horse when I'm travelling with Azandar. Rarely I also use a senche because those seem to work well for climbing cliffs for some reason - but only if I'm exploring strange places; and if I didn't have that mount, I could easily live without it. What's probably noticeable is that these mounts all look like normal creatures of their species. I don't care for the glowy ones, or more precisely I often dislike them because I find them too flashy. If it's supposed to be fancy I'd rather like to see some special saddle or bridle or so, or some more or less "realistic"/normal looking blanket or banner, it really doesn't need to glow in different colors or even explode.No, I'm sure it's different people on different days taking different characters through the leveling, but the main point is there are always people there, doing the same thing over and over. There's never a point where those dolmens aren't swarmed. So if people are willing to do that repetitive content, those same people are likely willing to do the event repetitive content while it's around.
But do they really enjoy it or is it more of a chore to get done just to level the character fastly? Since, from my point of view, the fun aspect should matter in a game, and especially if it's supposed to be some special event.I did think Mannimarco's face looked different to the one we briefly saw in the projection. I thought the Wormblood projection just looked like standard Altmer npc # 4, or something. Nothing distinctive about it. But, like you say, it was hard to really get a good look, so maybe it was the same model.
Of course I took screenshots:
I think that's a new hairstyle in this game? Anyway, I find it funny how he was almost dancing while conducting that ritual. The fact that he somehow looks like Gothren, just as an Altmer, also amuses me
I think it's possible it's the same character model as the one we saw in Part 1, at least the hairstyle and the beard seem to fit. Or let's say what we saw during the projection could be interpreted like that. Does he look really distinctive? I don't know. He looks like a cliché evil Altmer wizard somehow. What happened to his Tiara, though?As to the beard thing, he just didn't know if he'd like the look until it was forced on him by stealing Wormblood's body. Now he's seen how dashing he looks, and he'll never go back! Until Daggerfall and he's a skeleton man, though. And then Oblivion when he's clean-shaven again. But other than that, it's beard for life with him now!
Well, it's more or less a surprise how he resurfaces again, every time he does, it seems - he has the habit of changing his physical features quite often He's no skeleton lich in Daggerfall, by the way. He clearly has a nose there, indicated by a brighter pixel in the middle of his face Also, he still has hands!Magic!
But seriously, I wouldn't find it that bad if a character who has been in captivity for longer would also look accordingly.That's a likely reason. Next time I run that quest, I'll make sure to get a better look at him. Everything happened so fast, I hardly had time to gawk.
You were in a hurry? Well...
So you're saying these bumbling idiot cultists are all skilled furniture craftsmen?
Yes, strangely. Come visit East Solstice and you will see!Well, it's kind of hard to get around to asking about furniture when, the second a Worm Cult member sees me, she starts trying to suck my soul out my eyeballs.
Have you tried looking harmless, amicable and in need of new furniture?Just send me some cake and wine by courier, thanks. My schedule is packed too full for parties right now.
What a pity, we're having so much fun!
You don't have any step-stools handy?
No, I own BosmerYes, they turn anything into good soil, but I was thinking of my kitchen compost pile when I wrote that. But I'm missing something. How is that edgy?
In some earlier sources the symbol of the Worm Cult was said to be some skull with worms crawling out of its eye sockets (also the adornment on the Staff of Worms - I think it's even still like that in ESO). I'm not even sure where this clichéd depiction originally came from, but I think I've come across it quite often in fantasy art of the 80's and early 90's. And I think the average person probably does consider that quite edgy? Can't ask me about such things.@Syldras | PC | EU
The forceful expression of will gives true honor to the Ancestors.
Sarayn Andrethi, Telvanni mage (Main)
Darvasa Andrethi, his "I'm NOT a Necromancer!" sister
Malacar Sunavarlas, Altmer Ayleid vampire
Soris Rethandus, a Sleeper not yet awake0 -
metheglyn✭✭✭✭✭I do enjoy opening boxes; that's what kept me engaged in events that have boxes. It's a silly thing to like so much, but I do. I haven't gotten anything spectacular from them so far, but now that the Stirk Fellowship motif/style is dropping, I hope I can get those. What I don't want is that Coldharbor Surreal Estate that has a small chance of dropping. I'm hoping my horrible rng stays true with that one.
I think it's one big problem of the current event that the purple boxes contain nothing useful. The golden ones drop a few new collectible parts, but if only 3 of 24(?) daily quests drop anything useful, why bother with more than those 3? It's especially jarring with the crafting ones where you might use 39 rubedite ingots or what it was and might get 20 ingots in return - at most (and if you're unlucky, it's not even 20 ingots but 20 of the raw material, so 2 ingots if you refine them). Of course one could do these on a low-level character, but then it's not that useful either (just less of a waste) since the reward boxes only contain materials of the same level, I think. You can't even really consider it a willing sacrifice for the Fellowship, since, I mean, we know that the Wall will come down no matter what.
I do own the Coldharbor plot, by the way. Built a temple on it. Or let's say I'm currently building one. I've got lots of furnishings ready but I still need to arrange everything.
I've gotten some special items in the blue boxes, so to me they're still worth a modicum of effort. Granted, most of what they contain is rather basic, but now and then I'll get something nicer.
I think the Coldharbour Surreal Estate is a nice give-away in essence, but I have no desire to build a house from scratch on a plot of land, so any of the "houses" that are just plots of land are a no-go for me.It's one of those stupid MMO game mechanics that no one seems able to shake. The whole "You appreciate it more if you have to work real hard to get it!" mentality. No, I don't. This is a game; I don't want to work hard in a game. I've got real life for hard work and difficult tasks and things that take forever to accomplish. I'm willing to put in the effort to go to a place and kill a thing to get an item (basically, play the game) but I'm not willing to grind for anything.
In many cases I don't even care for the reward. Rarely there's something I really want for roleplay or character design reasons (like Sunna'rah), but most items leave me completely indifferent. There are creatures in this game that I don't care for at all, and lots that are okay, and some I find interesting, but it doesn't mean I feel a need to own a mount version of it, or even a dozen of them sparkling and pulsing in different colors.
I think I own about 80 mounts (after 9 years, or 10 in February), and the only ones I ever bought were the standard vvardvark mount, a normal-looking guar, and the standard Dwemer car. From the mounts I got for free, I sometimes use some indrik, the darker fake gryphon (not the other golden one), some black camel and a nix ox (those came with Thieves Guild and Morrowind, I think), ah, yeah, and sometimes a free two-seater horse when I'm travelling with Azandar. Rarely I also use a senche because those seem to work well for climbing cliffs for some reason - but only if I'm exploring strange places; and if I didn't have that mount, I could easily live without it. What's probably noticeable is that these mounts all look like normal creatures of their species. I don't care for the glowy ones, or more precisely I often dislike them because I find them too flashy. If it's supposed to be fancy I'd rather like to see some special saddle or bridle or so, or some more or less "realistic"/normal looking blanket or banner, it really doesn't need to glow in different colors or even explode.
I've bought quite a few mounts, and been lucky with crates to get a few. For awhile I wanted every saber/feline mount they released, but then those started getting too flashy for me. For my characters I like the horse and feline mounts, except for one who is a bear guy. Still, I've got a few bears through in-game things (Golden Pursuits, I believe) that I won't use because I don't like the look of them. So most mount rewards aren't going to interest me, but mount rewards are the kind of thing people seem to like a lot; I get why ZOS puts them in pursuits.No, I'm sure it's different people on different days taking different characters through the leveling, but the main point is there are always people there, doing the same thing over and over. There's never a point where those dolmens aren't swarmed. So if people are willing to do that repetitive content, those same people are likely willing to do the event repetitive content while it's around.
But do they really enjoy it or is it more of a chore to get done just to level the character fastly? Since, from my point of view, the fun aspect should matter in a game, and especially if it's supposed to be some special event.
It's not possible for me to say whether they enjoy it or not. My point was only that people do this repetitive content all the time, for whatever reasons (and I'm sure there are several). It would be interesting to see which aspects of the game got the most play if people only did the activities they found genuinely fun. Would the event be deserted? Hard to say. Some people probably do enjoy the repeatable tasks. I don't mind them, to an extent. I'm never going to do all six of every type in one day. I did try it on my second character to run the content, the first day she was there, but after six camp defends and six vitrified souls collections, I only had it in me to do one fetch quest for the other quest giver: grabbing some undead essence. I don't count the crafting as anything that takes effort, because that takes all of two minutes.
I did hope the Writhing Wall event would be something different than what it is, but I'm not disappointed enough to be upset about it. So far it's just a grind. I partake of as much of it as I feel like for the day, then go do something else.I did think Mannimarco's face looked different to the one we briefly saw in the projection. I thought the Wormblood projection just looked like standard Altmer npc # 4, or something. Nothing distinctive about it. But, like you say, it was hard to really get a good look, so maybe it was the same model.
Of course I took screenshots:
I think that's a new hairstyle in this game? Anyway, I find it funny how he was almost dancing while conducting that ritual. The fact that he somehow looks like Gothren, just as an Altmer, also amuses me
I think it's possible it's the same character model as the one we saw in Part 1, at least the hairstyle and the beard seem to fit. Or let's say what we saw during the projection could be interpreted like that. Does he look really distinctive? I don't know. He looks like a cliché evil Altmer wizard somehow. What happened to his Tiara, though?
I ran through the quest on a second character since last I mentioned it, andthis time while he was sucking the Meridia juice out of Darien, I took a good look at him. I really couldn't say if the face matches the one we saw from the unmasked Wormblood projection, but it probably does. There's really no reason they would create two different models for him, after all.
If that's a new hairstyle, I wonder if it'll hit the Crown Store anytime soon. Also, I'm going to have to go have another look at Gothren, because in my mind he doesn't look like that. It's possible I'm confusing him with some other wicked Telvanni.
I thought that might be what they were doing when the Great Mage showed up with long hair again during the first half of the Solstice main quest, but I guess not. It would be a nice touch to show the effects of prolonged captivity. Beard stubble. Frayed clothes. I guess he can't get much thinner, but hard to believe they're feeding him adequately.
Nice shots! I did do some gawking on my second time through, as I mentioned. I didn't make quite the party of it that you did, however.
I'll get there...eventually.
I don't know how to look like any of those things.
Clearly you're having fun. Your guest? Hard to say. Are they going to let you keep the sarcophagus this time?
Now that's just rude!
0 -
Syldras✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭I've gotten some special items in the blue boxes, so to me they're still worth a modicum of effort. Granted, most of what they contain is rather basic, but now and then I'll get something nicer.
What bothers me most right now is that we won't be able to access East Solstice before mid-November. No matter the writing, this would interest me more than doing the same dailies for 4 weeks. Yes, I know, in phase 2, there will be a few new crafting dailies, but it doesn't exactly make a fascinating difference to me if I'm supposed to craft stew instead of helmets then (or whatever it is). The Fortress in phase 3 will be more interesting, but that's more or less a one-time thing, so nothing that keeps me entertained for days either (let alone that the passages to the other side of the island should be open then).I think the Coldharbour Surreal Estate is a nice give-away in essence, but I have no desire to build a house from scratch on a plot of land, so any of the "houses" that are just plots of land are a no-go for me.
I'd rather seen the new Worm Cult house as a reward. Would have made more sense storywise, too, to imagine we've captured some small fortress from the Cult.It would be interesting to see which aspects of the game got the most play if people only did the activities they found genuinely fun. Would the event be deserted? Hard to say. Some people probably do enjoy the repeatable tasks.
Some probably do, but the percentage of people who find it an annoying chore and only do it for the rewards would be gone. I do think Solstice would look less lively then.
The sad thing for me is that there's an increasing amount of "chore" content. The percentage seems to be more and more skewed if I compare it to earlier years. It's all just event grind, currency grind, endevours, pursuits, grinding stuff for other systems (like antiquity leads - although I do find the antiquity system fun; but I know that there are people who do not, but force themselves to participate because they want certain furnishings or leads for mythics). Sometimes I wonder how much I grind for whatever - compared to doing things in game because I actually find them fun by themselves (which would be something I clearly prefer).I did hope the Writhing Wall event would be something different than what it is, but I'm not disappointed enough to be upset about it. So far it's just a grind. I partake of as much of it as I feel like for the day, then go do something else.
I notice I'm slowly developing a certain annoyment from the fact it doesn't feel like a meaningful event, but just like some "artificial" filler content to keep us busy while waiting for the "real" content to be released. Ironically, this would feel less tedious if they had just given us some normal release date for East Solstice, like they usually did it with the q4 content update in all years before.If that's a new hairstyle, I wonder if it'll hit the Crown Store anytime soon.
Most probably. They monetize everything they can, after all. Although......I've been wondering now whether it might not be new? Might it be the same one the Groundskeeper in the base game had? Although I always assumed that's a female-only hairstyle (a pity the old hairstyles are restricted like that!).Also, I'm going to have to go have another look at Gothren, because in my mind he doesn't look like that. It's possible I'm confusing him with some other wicked Telvanni.
Well...Wormy clearly has an Altmer face shape, of course. But same eyebrows, nose and lips, I think - and the same beard, of course. Although my comment wasn't meant to be the most serious one, so really, I'm not 100% sure either.I thought that might be what they were doing when the Great Mage showed up with long hair again during the first half of the Solstice main quest, but I guess not. It would be a nice touch to show the effects of prolonged captivity. Beard stubble. Frayed clothes. I guess he can't get much thinner, but hard to believe they're feeding him adequately.
Would really depend on how he is kept. If they let him rot in some cell... he might end up even more malnourished. But if he's by Mannimarco's side most of the time, the outcome might be a very different one.
In any way, I think they could make more of character design - as in changing looks and outfits depending on the story plot. In some situations it would add to the atmosphere, but we rarely see that somehow.Nice shots! I did do some gawking on my second time through, as I mentioned. I didn't make quite the party of it that you did, however.
We had a good reason to celebrate, obviouslyI don't know how to look like any of those things.
Just imagine a wild welwa had eaten all your furnishings.Clearly you're having fun. Your guest? Hard to say.
I didn't hear him complaining, at least.Are they going to let you keep the sarcophagus this time?
They told me I can keep it. I've got to wait for another month or so first, though. Not sure, why, but I won't question it.Now that's just rude!
You're interpreting it the rude way! All I wanted to say is that as a responsible Bosmer-owner I don't have any dangerous furnishings like step-stools in my home. At least not where a Bosmer might reach them.@Syldras | PC | EU
The forceful expression of will gives true honor to the Ancestors.
Sarayn Andrethi, Telvanni mage (Main)
Darvasa Andrethi, his "I'm NOT a Necromancer!" sister
Malacar Sunavarlas, Altmer Ayleid vampire
Soris Rethandus, a Sleeper not yet awake0 -
metheglyn✭✭✭✭✭I've gotten some special items in the blue boxes, so to me they're still worth a modicum of effort. Granted, most of what they contain is rather basic, but now and then I'll get something nicer.
What bothers me most right now is that we won't be able to access East Solstice before mid-November. No matter the writing, this would interest me more than doing the same dailies for 4 weeks. Yes, I know, in phase 2, there will be a few new crafting dailies, but it doesn't exactly make a fascinating difference to me if I'm supposed to craft stew instead of helmets then (or whatever it is). The Fortress in phase 3 will be more interesting, but that's more or less a one-time thing, so nothing that keeps me entertained for days either (let alone that the passages to the other side of the island should be open then).
If the event had been more engaging, I think I wouldn't have minded the wait so much. And I'm with you on the idea that adding six more crafting dailies isn't exactly fascinating content. "Our soldiers are hungry! Make some stew!" I mean, sure, but shouldn't they have a camp cook for that?I think the Coldharbour Surreal Estate is a nice give-away in essence, but I have no desire to build a house from scratch on a plot of land, so any of the "houses" that are just plots of land are a no-go for me.
I'd rather seen the new Worm Cult house as a reward. Would have made more sense storywise, too, to imagine we've captured some small fortress from the Cult.
Honestly, they could have done both. People have pointed this out in other threads, but being parsimonious with the rewards is part of the problem with the event.It would be interesting to see which aspects of the game got the most play if people only did the activities they found genuinely fun. Would the event be deserted? Hard to say. Some people probably do enjoy the repeatable tasks.
Some probably do, but the percentage of people who find it an annoying chore and only do it for the rewards would be gone. I do think Solstice would look less lively then.
The sad thing for me is that there's an increasing amount of "chore" content. The percentage seems to be more and more skewed if I compare it to earlier years. It's all just event grind, currency grind, endevours, pursuits, grinding stuff for other systems (like antiquity leads - although I do find the antiquity system fun; but I know that there are people who do not, but force themselves to participate because they want certain furnishings or leads for mythics). Sometimes I wonder how much I grind for whatever - compared to doing things in game because I actually find them fun by themselves (which would be something I clearly prefer).
Sadly, grinds fuel MMOs. It's not possible for them to produce enough unique content (stories, basically) to keep pace with the rate at which players get through it. So they come up with repeatable content. Some of it can be more interesting to players, depending on the system, like the antiquity leads. Others just look like a list of chores. During this event, I've been doing a few writhing wall quests a day, then hopping on a different character and doing some zone quests. Technically, I've done all the zone quests before, too, but going through them with another character is far more fun and interesting to me than collecting vitrified souls for some macguffin device that doesn't even have a consistent build phase in game. (Sometimes the lens is barely there; other times it looks almost ready to fire--never know which look I'll get!)I did hope the Writhing Wall event would be something different than what it is, but I'm not disappointed enough to be upset about it. So far it's just a grind. I partake of as much of it as I feel like for the day, then go do something else.
I notice I'm slowly developing a certain annoyment from the fact it doesn't feel like a meaningful event, but just like some "artificial" filler content to keep us busy while waiting for the "real" content to be released. Ironically, this would feel less tedious if they had just given us some normal release date for East Solstice, like they usually did it with the q4 content update in all years before.
Yes, it does very much have a holding pattern feeling.If that's a new hairstyle, I wonder if it'll hit the Crown Store anytime soon.
Most probably. They monetize everything they can, after all. Although......I've been wondering now whether it might not be new? Might it be the same one the Groundskeeper in the base game had? Although I always assumed that's a female-only hairstyle (a pity the old hairstyles are restricted like that!).
Honestly, I wish all hairstyles and adornments would ditch the gender-locks they have.I thought that might be what they were doing when the Great Mage showed up with long hair again during the first half of the Solstice main quest, but I guess not. It would be a nice touch to show the effects of prolonged captivity. Beard stubble. Frayed clothes. I guess he can't get much thinner, but hard to believe they're feeding him adequately.
Would really depend on how he is kept. If they let him rot in some cell... he might end up even more malnourished. But if he's by Mannimarco's side most of the time, the outcome might be a very different one.
In any way, I think they could make more of character design - as in changing looks and outfits depending on the story plot. In some situations it would add to the atmosphere, but we rarely see that somehow.
I wonder what the in-game timeframe is actually meant to be for how long the Great Mage has been captured. They took him in the prologue, so he was Wormblood's prisoner for some amount of time. Then Mannimarco came back, and he's been Mannimarco's prisoner for some amount of time. I want a timeline!
I agree that character design could be more fluid when it comes to situational things like this. There have been times when you first meet an npc and they're in rags, and then later in the quest line they have better clothes, but they don't do much with physical appearance. If an npc shows up with a dirt-smudged face, or dirt-encrusted hands, they'll have that dirt forever.
That would make me look annoyed and/or angry. Is that a look that would get them to not try to kill me on sight?
Lol! Well, but wouldn't it have been fun if they had given him some voice lines if you took him far away from the quest objective? (I know the mine is part of the quest, but you went to a part that wasn't for the quest).
Sometimes it's best to not ask too many questions, indeed.
Ha, you're right, I did take the worst interpretation of the statement. Hmm...wonder what could have possibly made me think of it that way? 0 -
Syldras✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭If the event had been more engaging, I think I wouldn't have minded the wait so much. And I'm with you on the idea that adding six more crafting dailies isn't exactly fascinating content. "Our soldiers are hungry! Make some stew!" I mean, sure, but shouldn't they have a camp cook for that?
The fact that an increasing number of people has accidentally respawned in East Solstice since the update yesterday (You respawn at the closest wayshrine, and some East Solstice wayshrines are close to the wall, so you probably end up there if you die at a siege camp...), I question this artificial wait even more. From what I heard, the East already seems to be completely implemented and ready. They should just activate the main story quest about crossing the wall now...
They could even keep the event quests for another few weeks for people who like them.
Slightly sad thing: I actually felt curious and amused in ESO earlier - I had teleported to one of my houses (Kelesan'ruhn it was) and there were strange noises and over the course of a few minutes, strange messages showed up in the chat box. I actually thought it might be somehow related to the Halloween event and sneaked through the house looking whether some special npc might have spawned somewhere... Suddenly, I saw a monster trophy floating around, then noticed it's from a housing add-on I have (confirmed through another message that popped up some time later, wishing the add-on users Happy Halloween). This was actually fun! Why can't we get something like that officlally, I wonder?! It wasn't technically complicated at all, just a small thing, but it did contribute a lot to the atmosphere.Honestly, they could have done both. People have pointed this out in other threads, but being parsimonious with the rewards is part of the problem with the event.
I actually do like the new Worm Cult house somehow, but I'll probably never buy it for real money. Maybe, if I have too many ESO+ crowns at some point (not sure if I'll ever reach that point, because whether I'll even keep ESO+ depends very much on whether or how much interesting new story content might there be next year - or not)... But at first, the CWC house would be on my priority list. I still don't have that one, after years.Technically, I've done all the zone quests before, too, but going through them with another character is far more fun and interesting to me than collecting vitrified souls for some macguffin device that doesn't even have a consistent build phase in game. (Sometimes the lens is barely there; other times it looks almost ready to fire--never know which look I'll get!)
It's bugged and the phases seem to change randomly.
What I'm also missing about the whole thing is the lore. Who came up with it and how did they get the idea? Strangely, that story part seems to be completely missing. The last main story quest on Solstice ends with us having the purified gift of death, and that's it. The next thing we hear is that there's the Meridian Lens we need to power with souls. Unless I missed a lorebook or so, but I don't think so.
Well, maybe that lorebook is also missing/bugged, if it exists... Like that document we could possibly read in that new story quest that ends in the Fissure Ruin. Saddest thing is that it had already been reported on PTS, even fixed on PTS (I read it there), but on Live it was bugged again now.Honestly, I wish all hairstyles and adornments would ditch the gender-locks they have.
Same. There are so many longer hairstyles only available for female characters that would look good on everyone.I wonder what the in-game timeframe is actually meant to be for how long the Great Mage has been captured. They took him in the prologue, so he was Wormblood's prisoner for some amount of time. Then Mannimarco came back, and he's been Mannimarco's prisoner for some amount of time. I want a timeline!
I honestly don't get why they are so averse to giving us any hints on time. Or why they did come up with the "everything is happening in one year" thing that had been the official stance for many years. It's not like they can somehow get into trouble with existing lore since ESO is set so early, the next important events on the established timeline take place much later - there can be no timeline conflicts with them.That would make me look annoyed and/or angry. Is that a look that would get them to not try to kill me on sight?
Maybe you should just carry a sign that reads "I need new furniture!"?Lol! Well, but wouldn't it have been fun if they had given him some voice lines if you took him far away from the quest objective? (I know the mine is part of the quest, but you went to a part that wasn't for the quest).
He has some dialogue for that. I noticed when I walked to that Argonian ruin on that small islet in the South-East of West Solstice to gather those stupid souls while I had him with me for the quest. But you really have to walk in a completely wrong direction to get that comment (and then he automatically despawns until you get closer to the quest location again). Within the mine, he didn't complain, even if the sarcophagus location is really off from where you're supposed to go.Sometimes it's best to not ask too many questions, indeed.
Yes, this year this was especially noticeable.Ha, you're right, I did take the worst interpretation of the statement. Hmm...wonder what could have possibly made me think of it that way?
Prejudices against Telvanni
@Syldras | PC | EU
The forceful expression of will gives true honor to the Ancestors.
Sarayn Andrethi, Telvanni mage (Main)
Darvasa Andrethi, his "I'm NOT a Necromancer!" sister
Malacar Sunavarlas, Altmer Ayleid vampire
Soris Rethandus, a Sleeper not yet awake1 -
metheglyn✭✭✭✭✭If the event had been more engaging, I think I wouldn't have minded the wait so much. And I'm with you on the idea that adding six more crafting dailies isn't exactly fascinating content. "Our soldiers are hungry! Make some stew!" I mean, sure, but shouldn't they have a camp cook for that?
The fact that an increasing number of people has accidentally respawned in East Solstice since the update yesterday (You respawn at the closest wayshrine, and some East Solstice wayshrines are close to the wall, so you probably end up there if you die at a siege camp...), I question this artificial wait even more. From what I heard, the East already seems to be completely implemented and ready. They should just activate the main story quest about crossing the wall now...
They could even keep the event quests for another few weeks for people who like them.
I saw the threads about people finding themselves on the other side of the wall from porting, as well as eastern side dailies being in the mix now, and dig sites spawning over there. I don't know if any of this was tested or discovered on PTS, but goodness it sure is a lot of buggy bits.Slightly sad thing: I actually felt curious and amused in ESO earlier - I had teleported to one of my houses (Kelesan'ruhn it was) and there were strange noises and over the course of a few minutes, strange messages showed up in the chat box. I actually thought it might be somehow related to the Halloween event and sneaked through the house looking whether some special npc might have spawned somewhere... Suddenly, I saw a monster trophy floating around, then noticed it's from a housing add-on I have (confirmed through another message that popped up some time later, wishing the add-on users Happy Halloween). This was actually fun! Why can't we get something like that officlally, I wonder?! It wasn't technically complicated at all, just a small thing, but it did contribute a lot to the atmosphere.
That's an interesting surprise from the add-on. Pretty cool! Add-on authors do some pretty creative stuff. It would be nice if we could get some little touches like that officially in-game, but chances are if ZOS did implement something like that, it would play out the same every year, and after the first couple years people just wouldn't find it interesting or fun any more. Because, you know, it takes a very long time for in-game events to get updates or additions once they've been introduced. But I would like it if they did start introducing little things like that--just a fun experience to be had in game, no rewards required.Honestly, they could have done both. People have pointed this out in other threads, but being parsimonious with the rewards is part of the problem with the event.
I actually do like the new Worm Cult house somehow, but I'll probably never buy it for real money. Maybe, if I have too many ESO+ crowns at some point (not sure if I'll ever reach that point, because whether I'll even keep ESO+ depends very much on whether or how much interesting new story content might there be next year - or not)... But at first, the CWC house would be on my priority list. I still don't have that one, after years.
I bought the Alinor Townhouse with crowns, but I think that's the only one, though I can't be positive. Most of my houses are the ones we get from events or tickets, though I did use game gold to buy Lake Amaya Lodge. I like Altmer and Dunmer houses the best, so those tend to be the ones I go for.Technically, I've done all the zone quests before, too, but going through them with another character is far more fun and interesting to me than collecting vitrified souls for some macguffin device that doesn't even have a consistent build phase in game. (Sometimes the lens is barely there; other times it looks almost ready to fire--never know which look I'll get!)
It's bugged and the phases seem to change randomly.
What I'm also missing about the whole thing is the lore. Who came up with it and how did they get the idea? Strangely, that story part seems to be completely missing. The last main story quest on Solstice ends with us having the purified gift of death, and that's it. The next thing we hear is that there's the Meridian Lens we need to power with souls. Unless I missed a lorebook or so, but I don't think so.
Well, maybe that lorebook is also missing/bugged, if it exists... Like that document we could possibly read in that new story quest that ends in the Fissure Ruin. Saddest thing is that it had already been reported on PTS, even fixed on PTS (I read it there), but on Live it was bugged again now.
Yeah, I was pretty bummed when I saw that glowing page during the quest and couldn't interact with it. Eventually I'll take a character through there and it'll be fixed, but until then, it'll be one of the great mysteries of lore. However, doubtful it'll really explain anything I want to know. During the event quest with Skordo, we can ask him about the lens and he says we should ask a mage if we want to know how it works and all that. Fine by me, except...there wasn't anyone to ask. I think Mirmal was the main person behind its creation, and maybe we could have talked to him at the stage where we had the option to "talk to Mirmal," but that was bugged both times I did the quest. So my third character who has done the Solstice main quest and was going to to the event is in stasis, waiting for these bugs to be fixed so I can finally do these quests completely.I wonder what the in-game timeframe is actually meant to be for how long the Great Mage has been captured. They took him in the prologue, so he was Wormblood's prisoner for some amount of time. Then Mannimarco came back, and he's been Mannimarco's prisoner for some amount of time. I want a timeline!
I honestly don't get why they are so averse to giving us any hints on time. Or why they did come up with the "everything is happening in one year" thing that had been the official stance for many years. It's not like they can somehow get into trouble with existing lore since ESO is set so early, the next important events on the established timeline take place much later - there can be no timeline conflicts with them.
I don't get it, either. Really wish they would loosen their lips on some of these details. What's the worst that could happen? They make a mistake and have to retcon it later on?
I was under the impression the cultists can't read. But as it is, I don't actually need new furniture, and I think I'd always suspect they cursed the furniture they made, so it's all for the best in the end.Lol! Well, but wouldn't it have been fun if they had given him some voice lines if you took him far away from the quest objective? (I know the mine is part of the quest, but you went to a part that wasn't for the quest).
He has some dialogue for that. I noticed when I walked to that Argonian ruin on that small islet in the South-East of West Solstice to gather those stupid souls while I had him with me for the quest. But you really have to walk in a completely wrong direction to get that comment (and then he automatically despawns until you get closer to the quest location again). Within the mine, he didn't complain, even if the sarcophagus location is really off from where you're supposed to go.
Still would have been nice if they'd done more, especially within the quest locations. When you're going through the delve, he does make comments on it. Would have been nice if they did add a line or two for the mine if you took him to the sarcophagus.
I won't say you're wrong, but in my defense I spent enough time in Sadrith Mora to get a pretty good idea of how Telvanni act towards others. So...can you really blame me? 0 -
barney2525✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭So I just read the newest news piece on the ESO website about the writing for the upcoming chapter story content. There's a paragraph I'd find especially interesting to discuss:
Source: https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/68079It’s no secret that the nefarious Worm Cult has returned. The band of necromancers, formerly led by the Worm King Mannimarco, now plagues the island of Solstice.
“I love the Worm Cult because they’re over-the-top bad guys,” says Baker. “As they say, every villain is the hero of their own story, however misguided it might be. However, the Worm Cult is a different kind of villain. They’re irredeemable, power-mad megalomaniacs. You never have to ask yourself if it’s right for you to stop them, because they want bad things for bad reasons. That’s fun!”
“They’re just so serious about their goals and their mission,” says Slavicsek. “And they’re utterly evil. How could we not find a way to bring them back to the forefront for the anniversary story? We’ve even added some new faces to their ranks that I think the players are just going to love to hate.”
So: What do you think?
I thinking - " Worm Cult. Why would you Worship fish bait ? "
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colossalvoids✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭barney2525 wrote: »So I just read the newest news piece on the ESO website about the writing for the upcoming chapter story content. There's a paragraph I'd find especially interesting to discuss:
Source: https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/68079It’s no secret that the nefarious Worm Cult has returned. The band of necromancers, formerly led by the Worm King Mannimarco, now plagues the island of Solstice.
“I love the Worm Cult because they’re over-the-top bad guys,” says Baker. “As they say, every villain is the hero of their own story, however misguided it might be. However, the Worm Cult is a different kind of villain. They’re irredeemable, power-mad megalomaniacs. You never have to ask yourself if it’s right for you to stop them, because they want bad things for bad reasons. That’s fun!”
“They’re just so serious about their goals and their mission,” says Slavicsek. “And they’re utterly evil. How could we not find a way to bring them back to the forefront for the anniversary story? We’ve even added some new faces to their ranks that I think the players are just going to love to hate.”
So: What do you think?
I thinking - " Worm Cult. Why would you Worship fish bait ? "
Master angler would do many weird decisions in his life...1 -
Syldras✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭I saw the threads about people finding themselves on the other side of the wall from porting, as well as eastern side dailies being in the mix now, and dig sites spawning over there. I don't know if any of this was tested or discovered on PTS, but goodness it sure is a lot of buggy bits
Hard to say. I don't think I came across that in the PTS forum, but there was generally not that much activity this time (as for how many people report bugs directly in game and never write a post on the PTS forum - I don't know). Personally, when I joined, East Solstice was already open, and I focussed on questing in the new zone. I didn't check whether there are new daily quests in Sunport, and I didn't test antiquities either since my playtime was rather limited and I just didn't have time for the lead grind, especially with the PTS testing phase being rather short.
I'm also rather sceptical about the percentages of the Wall event, by the way. Yes, I know they can be "adjusted" at any time, and it already happened before - several times. I'm also aware that each server has a different goal to meet. And in the end, it all probably doesn't matter anyway. But when I did look at the percentages a bit more yesterday, I honestly got my doubts whether the different goals for each server were calculated reasonably. If we assume they were set so each server has about the same fair chance corresponding to its population of active players, there shouldn't be huge differences in progress, right? Maybe a few percent due to different activity, but not huge amounts. So how is it possible that, in the same timespan of about a day, one server has only progressed by 4%, but a different one has gained 12%? And since I saw that the siege camp was not empty, but normally populated, on PC-EU, despite there having been only a tiny amount of progress, that must meant that the people on XBOX-EU must have been grinding like crazy?! That doesn't really fit what I heard either, though.
It all feels skewed, like the PC servers having to meet much higher goals - even in relation to the number of accounts - , which then of course explains why they are so far behind. Now, I personally don't grind for this event anyway, and I don't really care for this whole "server race" thing, but if I did, I would find this very demotivating and not fun since it doesn't feel like a fair competition. Also, it probably slows progress down even more, since many people will probably be thinking: Why invest into something you can't win anyway? That there's no transparency about what goal needs to be met also doesn't help.
Generally, I don't see a reason for making this all a competition, and I don't think it's fair to give people different access dates for paid content. Despite playing on PC myself, I always found it unfortunate that releases were always later on console. I'd rather have seen them releasing the new content for everyone at the same date, instead of creating an even more unequal situation.That's an interesting surprise from the add-on. Pretty cool! Add-on authors do some pretty creative stuff. It would be nice if we could get some little touches like that officially in-game, but chances are if ZOS did implement something like that, it would play out the same every year, and after the first couple years people just wouldn't find it interesting or fun any more. Because, you know, it takes a very long time for in-game events to get updates or additions once they've been introduced. But I would like it if they did start introducing little things like that--just a fun experience to be had in game, no rewards required.
Most of all it showed me that in ESO somehow barely anything surprising ever happens, despite the technical means already being in game. The most unexpected things that happen right now may be random encounters, but even there, there's a clear pattern: You see people doing whatever, you need to walk up to them, and either you talk to them to make some decision in dialogue, or you fight against some enemy npc. It's not like something just happens to you and you wonder what it is and want to discover. Of course I do find those random encounters fun, but I just think that even more could be done.I bought the Alinor Townhouse with crowns, but I think that's the only one, though I can't be positive. Most of my houses are the ones we get from events or tickets, though I did use game gold to buy Lake Amaya Lodge. I like Altmer and Dunmer houses the best, so those tend to be the ones I go for.
I'm rarely willing to buy houses for crowns since they are so expensive. I did buy Tel Galen because I intended to make it basically my main roleplay residence (or even the only one), but that were "only" 8000 crowns - now the new houses all costs what? Around 13000 and more, sometimes even over 15000? Well, okay, I also bought Kushalit near Red Mountain, but that was a case where I still had lots of ESO+ crowns left - actually preparing for the CWC house, but then Kushalit was released, and, well... It might take some time until I'm back to 12000 (I just checked, that's the prize), if I ever reach that amount again at all (That's what? 7 months of ESO+?)...Yeah, I was pretty bummed when I saw that glowing page during the quest and couldn't interact with it. Eventually I'll take a character through there and it'll be fixed, but until then, it'll be one of the great mysteries of lore. However, doubtful it'll really explain anything I want to know.
It's this one (I know from PTS):
https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Online:Hezsatari's_Instructions
So not really new info, but it would have been nice to be able to read it somehow, if just for flavor.During the event quest with Skordo, we can ask him about the lens and he says we should ask a mage if we want to know how it works and all that. Fine by me, except...there wasn't anyone to ask. I think Mirmal was the main person behind its creation, and maybe we could have talked to him at the stage where we had the option to "talk to Mirmal," but that was bugged both times I did the quest.
It might have been that missing part, yes - what a pity. Or the Skordo reply was meant to just brush it all off - as in there's no lore about that (just like there's no lore on who came up with the Wall idea and how) and you aren't supposed to ask.I don't get it, either. Really wish they would loosen their lips on some of these details. What's the worst that could happen? They make a mistake and have to retcon it later on?
"Sometimes it's best to not ask too many questions".I was under the impression the cultists can't read.
Well, many indeed can't read, but if you wear a sign curious-looking enough, they might not kill you because they want to know what the sign says - if they kill you, you can't tell them, right? Or at least only through necromantic means, but perhaps that's a waste of magicka if they could just let you live instead?But as it is, I don't actually need new furniture, and I think I'd always suspect they cursed the furniture they made, so it's all for the best in the end.
It's not cursed. It's actually very confortable, especially the beds. And those only drain a bit of life force from the uninitiated, it's barely noticeable!Still would have been nice if they'd done more, especially within the quest locations. When you're going through the delve, he does make comments on it. Would have been nice if they did add a line or two for the mine if you took him to the sarcophagus.
...the sarcophagus that shouldn't be there anymore. Though I hope they won't fix that as it's a fun location, at least.I won't say you're wrong, but in my defense I spent enough time in Sadrith Mora to get a pretty good idea of how Telvanni act towards others. So...can you really blame me?
I grew up in Sadrith Mora and think it's a nice place to live. Also they have nice stores for all kinds of useful things.@Syldras | PC | EU
The forceful expression of will gives true honor to the Ancestors.
Sarayn Andrethi, Telvanni mage (Main)
Darvasa Andrethi, his "I'm NOT a Necromancer!" sister
Malacar Sunavarlas, Altmer Ayleid vampire
Soris Rethandus, a Sleeper not yet awake0 -
Syldras✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭barney2525 wrote: »I thinking - " Worm Cult. Why would you Worship fish bait ? "
Actually they're called the Order of the Black Worm, but that's too long for the current Tiktok demographic - after "Order", their maximum attention span would be reached, and once they've reached the "Worm" part, they couldn't remember anymore how the name started.
Edited by Syldras on October 29, 2025 12:58PM@Syldras | PC | EU
The forceful expression of will gives true honor to the Ancestors.
Sarayn Andrethi, Telvanni mage (Main)
Darvasa Andrethi, his "I'm NOT a Necromancer!" sister
Malacar Sunavarlas, Altmer Ayleid vampire
Soris Rethandus, a Sleeper not yet awake1 -
metheglyn✭✭✭✭✭I saw the threads about people finding themselves on the other side of the wall from porting, as well as eastern side dailies being in the mix now, and dig sites spawning over there. I don't know if any of this was tested or discovered on PTS, but goodness it sure is a lot of buggy bits
I'm also rather sceptical about the percentages of the Wall event, by the way. Yes, I know they can be "adjusted" at any time, and it already happened before - several times. I'm also aware that each server has a different goal to meet. And in the end, it all probably doesn't matter anyway. But when I did look at the percentages a bit more yesterday, I honestly got my doubts whether the different goals for each server were calculated reasonably. If we assume they were set so each server has about the same fair chance corresponding to its population of active players, there shouldn't be huge differences in progress, right? Maybe a few percent due to different activity, but not huge amounts. So how is it possible that, in the same timespan of about a day, one server has only progressed by 4%, but a different one has gained 12%? And since I saw that the siege camp was not empty, but normally populated, on PC-EU, despite there having been only a tiny amount of progress, that must meant that the people on XBOX-EU must have been grinding like crazy?! That doesn't really fit what I heard either, though.
It all feels skewed, like the PC servers having to meet much higher goals - even in relation to the number of accounts - , which then of course explains why they are so far behind. Now, I personally don't grind for this event anyway, and I don't really care for this whole "server race" thing, but if I did, I would find this very demotivating and not fun since it doesn't feel like a fair competition. Also, it probably slows progress down even more, since many people will probably be thinking: Why invest into something you can't win anyway? That there's no transparency about what goal needs to be met also doesn't help.
When they announced the competition aspect of this event, my reaction was, "Meh." I'm not a competitive person and I don't do races. But even if I was, I wouldn't participate in a race where I didn't know the requirements of completing it. How much percentage does each quest count towards the meter? Do the collection quests count more than the crafting quests? Do the seige camps give the largest percentage bump? What are the parameters and stats for all this? Why is the whole thing represented on some mystery bar where it might be adjusted by the man behind the curtain? All these questions for what is meant to be a fun event...well, it's just not for me.
I logged on this morning to do my usual round of crafting/one camp/one souls quests and, out of curiosity, checked the progress bar (I haven't been paying much attention to it over the course of the event) and when I saw we were only at 88% in phase one, my initial thought was: did we go backwards? I doubt we actually did, but it certainly feels like we did. My motivation, already pretty low, dipped even further. Well, I thought, I'm not very invested in this event anyway, so it doesn't really matter. I'll just keep doing my minimal daily effort.
But then I got a new antiquity lead in the siege camp chest. Yay! I love antiquities! Something interesting for me to do, with some lore behind it! I scry it up and...yep...dig site on eastern Solstice. Ok, yes, I know I can abandon and scry again. And again and again until I get the site to land on the western side but I shouldn't have to and, frankly, I just won't.
So I decided I will do three more days of this event, because in three days my tickets will be capped. Maybe I'll come back for phase 2, but otherwise my ESO time will be spent on working on my other characters who don't know what Solstice is and their lives are better for it.
And thus concludes my Wednesday rant.Generally, I don't see a reason for making this all a competition, and I don't think it's fair to give people different access dates for paid content. Despite playing on PC myself, I always found it unfortunate that releases were always later on console. I'd rather have seen them releasing the new content for everyone at the same date, instead of creating an even more unequal situation.
I've never understood why the release dates are different and I think they should have lined them up by now, so everyone gets the content on the same day. I refuse to believe such a feat is impossible.That's an interesting surprise from the add-on. Pretty cool! Add-on authors do some pretty creative stuff. It would be nice if we could get some little touches like that officially in-game, but chances are if ZOS did implement something like that, it would play out the same every year, and after the first couple years people just wouldn't find it interesting or fun any more. Because, you know, it takes a very long time for in-game events to get updates or additions once they've been introduced. But I would like it if they did start introducing little things like that--just a fun experience to be had in game, no rewards required.
Most of all it showed me that in ESO somehow barely anything surprising ever happens, despite the technical means already being in game. The most unexpected things that happen right now may be random encounters, but even there, there's a clear pattern: You see people doing whatever, you need to walk up to them, and either you talk to them to make some decision in dialogue, or you fight against some enemy npc. It's not like something just happens to you and you wonder what it is and want to discover. Of course I do find those random encounters fun, but I just think that even more could be done.
I agree that more can (and should) be done, but in a world with test servers and data miners and such, surprises in an online game are going to be few and far between. Even if you don't go looking for such information, once it's out there it's sometimes hard to avoid.I bought the Alinor Townhouse with crowns, but I think that's the only one, though I can't be positive. Most of my houses are the ones we get from events or tickets, though I did use game gold to buy Lake Amaya Lodge. I like Altmer and Dunmer houses the best, so those tend to be the ones I go for.
I'm rarely willing to buy houses for crowns since they are so expensive. I did buy Tel Galen because I intended to make it basically my main roleplay residence (or even the only one), but that were "only" 8000 crowns - now the new houses all costs what? Around 13000 and more, sometimes even over 15000? Well, okay, I also bought Kushalit near Red Mountain, but that was a case where I still had lots of ESO+ crowns left - actually preparing for the CWC house, but then Kushalit was released, and, well... It might take some time until I'm back to 12000 (I just checked, that's the prize), if I ever reach that amount again at all (That's what? 7 months of ESO+?)...
I could have bought the townhouse for just gold, but at that point I wanted it furnished, and the furnished options are always crowns. (That was before I got into making my own furniture). Most of the houses in the crown store don't even have an option to buy them with game gold, so I tend to not even pay much attention to them. Right now my crowns are piling up because there really just isn't anything to my taste in the crown store lately. Generally I don't care for the "spooky" season offerings anyway, but I've found even the items released in other months just aren't interesting to me.Yeah, I was pretty bummed when I saw that glowing page during the quest and couldn't interact with it. Eventually I'll take a character through there and it'll be fixed, but until then, it'll be one of the great mysteries of lore. However, doubtful it'll really explain anything I want to know.
It's this one (I know from PTS):
https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Online:Hezsatari's_Instructions
So not really new info, but it would have been nice to be able to read it somehow, if just for flavor.
Plus, having a glowing page on the ground that you can't interact with just seems like cruel taunting.During the event quest with Skordo, we can ask him about the lens and he says we should ask a mage if we want to know how it works and all that. Fine by me, except...there wasn't anyone to ask. I think Mirmal was the main person behind its creation, and maybe we could have talked to him at the stage where we had the option to "talk to Mirmal," but that was bugged both times I did the quest.
It might have been that missing part, yes - what a pity. Or the Skordo reply was meant to just brush it all off - as in there's no lore about that (just like there's no lore on who came up with the Wall idea and how) and you aren't supposed to ask.
It might be a brush off, true. I hope not. I'm getting tired of "because the plot needs it" being the "lore" behind things.
Well, when I wrote that I was referring to the Worm Cult's decision to let you have the sarcophagus later, but I stand by my statement that ZOS shouldn't be so tight-lipped about the timeline.I was under the impression the cultists can't read.
Well, many indeed can't read, but if you wear a sign curious-looking enough, they might not kill you because they want to know what the sign says - if they kill you, you can't tell them, right? Or at least only through necromantic means, but perhaps that's a waste of magicka if they could just let you live instead?
Listen, these are the same people who 1.) always need corpses and 2.) have a hard time figuring out where to find corpses. If they think there's a chance to get a corpse, I know they're going to take it, interesting signs notwithstanding.But as it is, I don't actually need new furniture, and I think I'd always suspect they cursed the furniture they made, so it's all for the best in the end.
It's not cursed. It's actually very confortable, especially the beds. And those only drain a bit of life force from the uninitiated, it's barely noticeable!
Uninitiated into what, exactly? Necromancy? Yeah...going to stick with, "no cursed furniture for me, thanks!"Still would have been nice if they'd done more, especially within the quest locations. When you're going through the delve, he does make comments on it. Would have been nice if they did add a line or two for the mine if you took him to the sarcophagus.
...the sarcophagus that shouldn't be there anymore. Though I hope they won't fix that as it's a fun location, at least.
Where should it be, do you think? They left it in the Colored Rooms. Did they teleport it back out at some point? Stick it in Mor Naril?I won't say you're wrong, but in my defense I spent enough time in Sadrith Mora to get a pretty good idea of how Telvanni act towards others. So...can you really blame me?
I grew up in Sadrith Mora and think it's a nice place to live. Also they have nice stores for all kinds of useful things.
I stand by my initial assessment of Sadrith Mora. 0 -
Syldras✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭When they announced the competition aspect of this event, my reaction was, "Meh." I'm not a competitive person and I don't do races. But even if I was, I wouldn't participate in a race where I didn't know the requirements of completing it. How much percentage does each quest count towards the meter? Do the collection quests count more than the crafting quests? Do the seige camps give the largest percentage bump? What are the parameters and stats for all this? Why is the whole thing represented on some mystery bar where it might be adjusted by the man behind the curtain? All these questions for what is meant to be a fun event...well, it's just not for me.
Exactly that. And I'm sure many people share this opinion. Of course there will always be people who will be happy regardless, but if one thinks about how this whole "competition" is set up for just a few minutes, it's too clear it's too intransparent to not make you sceptical about the whole thing. And that doesn't exactly leads to motivation to participate.
I generally don't know what purpose the whole competition between different servers and locations is supposed to serve. Of course competitions can be friendly in sentiment (although I personally find them useless - "who's better/faster/grindier" is such a boring question to even think about), but in this case I only see it leading to frustration. The whole event seems rather strange too, if the premise is to work together with other players of your server, but then you basically fight each other for drops.I logged on this morning to do my usual round of crafting/one camp/one souls quests and, out of curiosity, checked the progress bar (I haven't been paying much attention to it over the course of the event) and when I saw we were only at 88% in phase one, my initial thought was: did we go backwards? I doubt we actually did, but it certainly feels like we did. My motivation, already pretty low, dipped even further. Well, I thought, I'm not very invested in this event anyway, so it doesn't really matter. I'll just keep doing my minimal daily effort.
I do those 3 Solstice gold boxes for the possible drops and then move on the Halloween stuff, although in that case I also only collect 4 gold boxes that are easy to get (okay, the dolmen one I already get from Solstice, but after that I run a small distance in Deshaan - world boss, delve, open dungeon, all done within a few minutes), because they usually don't have good drops either. The best thing are still those event writs for the house (although they aren't called event writs anymore - at least in the German version, the name has changed to "trade ingots" now - not sure if that's a translation bug somehow or whether it hints at bigger changes for next year).
Event collectible parts for next year have also already shown up since the last update, by the way, in the collection menu. Not sure if you already checked or even want to know in detail, but the first thing looks so flashy?! From the name alone I had expected something more... elegant. Somehow.But then I got a new antiquity lead in the siege camp chest. Yay! I love antiquities! Something interesting for me to do, with some lore behind it! I scry it up and...yep...dig site on eastern Solstice. Ok, yes, I know I can abandon and scry again. And again and again until I get the site to land on the western side but I shouldn't have to and, frankly, I just won't.
And yet they didn't decide to give us access through a gap in the wall, or even just activating one wayshrine on the East for everyone...So I decided I will do three more days of this event, because in three days my tickets will be capped. Maybe I'll come back for phase 2, but otherwise my ESO time will be spent on working on my other characters who don't know what Solstice is and their lives are better for it.
And thus concludes my Wednesday rant.
Phase 2 renews the grind because caltrops. Oh, and Wormwrithe weapon styles. And perhaps new furnishing plans, but maybe those just don't drop because they're bugged. No one really knows.
Then again, I'm already wondering why I even participate when I could just buy the stuff through guild traders after the event. I'm sure that at some point the market will be flooded with them anyway.I've never understood why the release dates are different and I think they should have lined them up by now, so everyone gets the content on the same day. I refuse to believe such a feat is impossible.
Especially with all that "one community" and "esofam" talk.I agree that more can (and should) be done, but in a world with test servers and data miners and such, surprises in an online game are going to be few and far between. Even if you don't go looking for such information, once it's out there it's sometimes hard to avoid.
I still think it would be fun. Hearing of it and actually seeing it in game can be quite different things.I could have bought the townhouse for just gold, but at that point I wanted it furnished, and the furnished options are always crowns. (That was before I got into making my own furniture). Most of the houses in the crown store don't even have an option to buy them with game gold, so I tend to not even pay much attention to them.
What's buyable with gold, I always buy with gold. Actually I own all gold houses by now, except for one (and that I'll probably buy when there's the next event-related discount on houses). Why? Why not. I had so much gold from trading, I might as well sink it into that and then furnish them over time when ever I get some interesting idea. There's always something I can do with them, even if I totally redesign them.
When it comes to crown houses, I might take a look at them if they have a style I really like - but then usually don't buy them anyway, because I'm not willing to pay that amount of real money for a game house. I do wonder sometimes whether they had more sales if the houses were less expensive, because more people might be able to justify (to themselves) to spend 15 or 20$ on a fictional house than 80 or 100.Right now my crowns are piling up because there really just isn't anything to my taste in the crown store lately. Generally I don't care for the "spooky" season offerings anyway, but I've found even the items released in other months just aren't interesting to me.
I think I might generally be too specific in my interests/tastes to spend much money there. There's rarely something that interests me enough to buy it for the given price.It might be a brush off, true. I hope not. I'm getting tired of "because the plot needs it" being the "lore" behind things.
Though sometimes I begin to wonder what's worse: No lore or horribly boring lore?Well, when I wrote that I was referring to the Worm Cult's decision to let you have the sarcophagus later, but I stand by my statement that ZOS shouldn't be so tight-lipped about the timeline.
Most of all I wonder about the reasoning behind it.Listen, these are the same people who 1.) always need corpses and 2.) have a hard time figuring out where to find corpses. If they think there's a chance to get a corpse, I know they're going to take it, interesting signs notwithstanding.
Even if they're necromancers they might sometimes have other things on their mind than corpses, you know?Uninitiated into what, exactly? Necromancy? Yeah...going to stick with, "no cursed furniture for me, thanks!"
It's not cursed, it's a feature! You also wouldn't say a vacuum cleaner was cursed just because it does what it does!Where should it be, do you think? They left it in the Colored Rooms. Did they teleport it back out at some point? Stick it in Mor Naril?
All I know is that in some weeks it will be in my tower's basement.I stand by my initial assessment of Sadrith Mora.
It's a beautiful city. Also smells better than the average human settlement.@Syldras | PC | EU
The forceful expression of will gives true honor to the Ancestors.
Sarayn Andrethi, Telvanni mage (Main)
Darvasa Andrethi, his "I'm NOT a Necromancer!" sister
Malacar Sunavarlas, Altmer Ayleid vampire
Soris Rethandus, a Sleeper not yet awake0 -
metheglyn✭✭✭✭✭When they announced the competition aspect of this event, my reaction was, "Meh." I'm not a competitive person and I don't do races. But even if I was, I wouldn't participate in a race where I didn't know the requirements of completing it. How much percentage does each quest count towards the meter? Do the collection quests count more than the crafting quests? Do the seige camps give the largest percentage bump? What are the parameters and stats for all this? Why is the whole thing represented on some mystery bar where it might be adjusted by the man behind the curtain? All these questions for what is meant to be a fun event...well, it's just not for me.
Exactly that. And I'm sure many people share this opinion. Of course there will always be people who will be happy regardless, but if one thinks about how this whole "competition" is set up for just a few minutes, it's too clear it's too intransparent to not make you sceptical about the whole thing. And that doesn't exactly leads to motivation to participate.
I generally don't know what purpose the whole competition between different servers and locations is supposed to serve. Of course competitions can be friendly in sentiment (although I personally find them useless - "who's better/faster/grindier" is such a boring question to even think about), but in this case I only see it leading to frustration. The whole event seems rather strange too, if the premise is to work together with other players of your server, but then you basically fight each other for drops.
I think the server race was meant to be fun for ZOS to see who finished first. At least, when they announced it, they all seemed to give that general vibe. But I can't be unbiased about it, because it was never going to interest me. Are there players interested in the race? Undoubtedly. Are they the same players who post on the forums? Doesn't seem like it!I logged on this morning to do my usual round of crafting/one camp/one souls quests and, out of curiosity, checked the progress bar (I haven't been paying much attention to it over the course of the event) and when I saw we were only at 88% in phase one, my initial thought was: did we go backwards? I doubt we actually did, but it certainly feels like we did. My motivation, already pretty low, dipped even further. Well, I thought, I'm not very invested in this event anyway, so it doesn't really matter. I'll just keep doing my minimal daily effort.
I do those 3 Solstice gold boxes for the possible drops and then move on the Halloween stuff, although in that case I also only collect 4 gold boxes that are easy to get (okay, the dolmen one I already get from Solstice, but after that I run a small distance in Deshaan - world boss, delve, open dungeon, all done within a few minutes), because they usually don't have good drops either. The best thing are still those event writs for the house (although they aren't called event writs anymore - at least in the German version, the name has changed to "trade ingots" now - not sure if that's a translation bug somehow or whether it hints at bigger changes for next year).
Event collectible parts for next year have also already shown up since the last update, by the way, in the collection menu. Not sure if you already checked or even want to know in detail, but the first thing looks so flashy?! From the name alone I had expected something more... elegant. Somehow.
I'm only participating in the Witches' Festival for the tickets for the house fragments. Usually I sit this one out, so the siege camp chest spawning my two tickets is actually a pretty good deal for me.
I think they are changing up the tickets and fragments next year, so maybe that's what you've seen as far as changes go. I don't generally look ahead for the fragments/morph objects. If the first thing is flashy, that's pretty much in line with the aesthetic lately, so I can't say I'm surprised. Disappointed, though. I get that some people like flashy things, but seems like it's been awhile since we had something for those of us who do not.But then I got a new antiquity lead in the siege camp chest. Yay! I love antiquities! Something interesting for me to do, with some lore behind it! I scry it up and...yep...dig site on eastern Solstice. Ok, yes, I know I can abandon and scry again. And again and again until I get the site to land on the western side but I shouldn't have to and, frankly, I just won't.
And yet they didn't decide to give us access through a gap in the wall, or even just activating one wayshrine on the East for everyone...
They're dedicated to their original vision for this event, I suppose.So I decided I will do three more days of this event, because in three days my tickets will be capped. Maybe I'll come back for phase 2, but otherwise my ESO time will be spent on working on my other characters who don't know what Solstice is and their lives are better for it.
And thus concludes my Wednesday rant.
Phase 2 renews the grind because caltrops. Oh, and Wormwrithe weapon styles. And perhaps new furnishing plans, but maybe those just don't drop because they're bugged. No one really knows.
Then again, I'm already wondering why I even participate when I could just buy the stuff through guild traders after the event. I'm sure that at some point the market will be flooded with them anyway.
I don't care about any of those things, though. Well, the furnishing plans might be interesting (except the ones I've gotten so far aren't really that fantastic) but if it's just more flags and spyglasses and wall barricades, I'm fine with not having them.I could have bought the townhouse for just gold, but at that point I wanted it furnished, and the furnished options are always crowns. (That was before I got into making my own furniture). Most of the houses in the crown store don't even have an option to buy them with game gold, so I tend to not even pay much attention to them.
What's buyable with gold, I always buy with gold. Actually I own all gold houses by now, except for one (and that I'll probably buy when there's the next event-related discount on houses). Why? Why not. I had so much gold from trading, I might as well sink it into that and then furnish them over time when ever I get some interesting idea. There's always something I can do with them, even if I totally redesign them.
When it comes to crown houses, I might take a look at them if they have a style I really like - but then usually don't buy them anyway, because I'm not willing to pay that amount of real money for a game house. I do wonder sometimes whether they had more sales if the houses were less expensive, because more people might be able to justify (to themselves) to spend 15 or 20$ on a fictional house than 80 or 100.
Well, there was a also a time when I had more crowns than gold. I mean, not really, but it was some time before I had enough gold stockpiled to be able to buy the more expensive houses. I do think the house prices in the crown store are too high, though. Every time I see one on the splash/announcement screen that is 15,000+, I think: that's a lot of money. And because it's so much, I usually don't bother looking any further at it.Right now my crowns are piling up because there really just isn't anything to my taste in the crown store lately. Generally I don't care for the "spooky" season offerings anyway, but I've found even the items released in other months just aren't interesting to me.
I think I might generally be too specific in my interests/tastes to spend much money there. There's rarely something that interests me enough to buy it for the given price.
There used to be quite a lot I liked and wanted--costumes, adornments, pets, mounts, that kind of thing. But at this point the new stuff they're producing doesn't interest me and I pretty much have all I want of the old stuff.
I'm going to say no lore is worse.Listen, these are the same people who 1.) always need corpses and 2.) have a hard time figuring out where to find corpses. If they think there's a chance to get a corpse, I know they're going to take it, interesting signs notwithstanding.
Even if they're necromancers they might sometimes have other things on their mind than corpses, you know?
No, I don't know. The Worm Cultists I've encountered are distressingly single-minded. All they want to do right now is feed the reapers, and that means corpses aplenty.
If my vacuum cleaner started draining my essence while I used it, I most certainly would say it was cursed!
Fair enough!
Does it? With all that damp and fungus?0 -
Syldras✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭I think the server race was meant to be fun for ZOS to see who finished first. At least, when they announced it, they all seemed to give that general vibe. But I can't be unbiased about it, because it was never going to interest me. Are there players interested in the race? Undoubtedly. Are they the same players who post on the forums? Doesn't seem like it!
In that decade I've been playing this game (indeed it will be 10 years at the beginning of February) I've never been more bored than now. Sadly. I hope the next year will be better again, I'm just not sure how optimistic I should be.I think they are changing up the tickets and fragments next year, so maybe that's what you've seen as far as changes go.
I heard of that, but why renaming them? And why ingots as the new currency?I don't generally look ahead for the fragments/morph objects. If the first thing is flashy, that's pretty much in line with the aesthetic lately, so I can't say I'm surprised. Disappointed, though. I get that some people like flashy things, but seems like it's been awhile since we had something for those of us who do not.
It's sad because by itself, I'd like the concept. By the name alone, before previewing it, I expected something... well, more subtle.They're dedicated to their original vision for this event, I suppose.
Very much so, it seems. I don't think this might be the best decision, though. All I know is if it was mine to decide, I'd just give access to the other side of the island, and also give something for free as a friendly gesture, after all those expectations that left people disappointed, bugs and whatnot. The East Solstice Worm Cult house, maybe. Although I'd be fine with anything, I guess - it's more the gesture that would count. Something that acknowledges that people expected something else and that the whole event was much too buggy.I don't care about any of those things, though. Well, the furnishing plans might be interesting (except the ones I've gotten so far aren't really that fantastic) but if it's just more flags and spyglasses and wall barricades, I'm fine with not having them.
Replicas of the Meridian Lens and different parts of the lens apparatus were supposed to drop. I'm not sure how often I'd need something like that in housing, but it would be nice to have, I guess. But of course I'm also not really willing to grind if the drop rates are that bad.There used to be quite a lot I liked and wanted--costumes, adornments, pets, mounts, that kind of thing. But at this point the new stuff they're producing doesn't interest me and I pretty much have all I want of the old stuff.
Things getting flashier and therefore not appealing to me anymore is one aspect; but another is really that after a decade I already have so much stuff, I never get to use most of it anyway. The vvardvark mount was something new, but while I like vvardvarks, I don't need 5 different recolors of it.I'm going to say no lore is worse.
What's with lore contradictions?No, I don't know. The Worm Cultists I've encountered are distressingly single-minded. All they want to do right now is feed the reapers, and that means corpses aplenty.
They need to act like that because it's demanded of them. Everything else might confuse people. You know, hints on them actually being people, individuals, with a life and different interests and tastes. Maybe by now they're just as tired as the average player and just want to return homeIf my vacuum cleaner started draining my essence while I used it, I most certainly would say it was cursed!
But that's only because it's an average, boring standard vacuum cleaner and not a wonderful multi purpose Worm Cult cleaning apparatus.Does it? With all that damp and fungus?
Sounds like a forest, does it not? I heard people like forests!@Syldras | PC | EU
The forceful expression of will gives true honor to the Ancestors.
Sarayn Andrethi, Telvanni mage (Main)
Darvasa Andrethi, his "I'm NOT a Necromancer!" sister
Malacar Sunavarlas, Altmer Ayleid vampire
Soris Rethandus, a Sleeper not yet awake0 -
metheglyn✭✭✭✭✭I think the server race was meant to be fun for ZOS to see who finished first. At least, when they announced it, they all seemed to give that general vibe. But I can't be unbiased about it, because it was never going to interest me. Are there players interested in the race? Undoubtedly. Are they the same players who post on the forums? Doesn't seem like it!
In that decade I've been playing this game (indeed it will be 10 years at the beginning of February) I've never been more bored than now. Sadly. I hope the next year will be better again, I'm just not sure how optimistic I should be.
I hope we get something better in future, too, but for now there's still enough of the older content I find interesting and engaging enough to keep me around. I've been playing for about eight years. We'll see how many more I might play for.
Dunno. Maybe it will make sense in context. Maybe it won't. Hopefully when the time comes to implement this change, they make a post explaining it. Or something.They're dedicated to their original vision for this event, I suppose.
Very much so, it seems. I don't think this might be the best decision, though. All I know is if it was mine to decide, I'd just give access to the other side of the island, and also give something for free as a friendly gesture, after all those expectations that left people disappointed, bugs and whatnot. The East Solstice Worm Cult house, maybe. Although I'd be fine with anything, I guess - it's more the gesture that would count. Something that acknowledges that people expected something else and that the whole event was much too buggy.
I keep hoping they'll make an official statement acknowledging the event hasn't gone as well as they'd like--even if it's just to comment on the bugs and silly drop rates. I know the community managers have been fairly active in the consolidated messaging thread, but I'd really like to see some sort of overarching statement on the event as a whole.
Honestly, I did have hopes for this event, because it could have been fun. Oh well.I don't care about any of those things, though. Well, the furnishing plans might be interesting (except the ones I've gotten so far aren't really that fantastic) but if it's just more flags and spyglasses and wall barricades, I'm fine with not having them.
Replicas of the Meridian Lens and different parts of the lens apparatus were supposed to drop. I'm not sure how often I'd need something like that in housing, but it would be nice to have, I guess. But of course I'm also not really willing to grind if the drop rates are that bad.
I should clarify that though I'm not interested in those things, I do think the drop rates and unpredictability of acquiring them are bad for those who do want to collect them. It's just not a good feeling in general when a player does everything they can in game to get an item they want, but bad luck keeps them from having it. More drops would benefit from being curated, I think.There used to be quite a lot I liked and wanted--costumes, adornments, pets, mounts, that kind of thing. But at this point the new stuff they're producing doesn't interest me and I pretty much have all I want of the old stuff.
Things getting flashier and therefore not appealing to me anymore is one aspect; but another is really that after a decade I already have so much stuff, I never get to use most of it anyway. The vvardvark mount was something new, but while I like vvardvarks, I don't need 5 different recolors of it.
Haha, yeah. Even my love of feline mounts has its limits of acquisition.
I'm not sure what you're asking me. If you mean, why and how do lore contradictions make it into the game, I don't have any good answer. Human error? If you mean, is having lore contradictions better or worse than no lore, I'll still go with having no lore being the worst. Boring lore and contradictory lore are at least something we can think about or discuss. Lack of lore is just frustrating.No, I don't know. The Worm Cultists I've encountered are distressingly single-minded. All they want to do right now is feed the reapers, and that means corpses aplenty.
They need to act like that because it's demanded of them. Everything else might confuse people. You know, hints on them actually being people, individuals, with a life and different interests and tastes. Maybe by now they're just as tired as the average player and just want to return home
I just imagined a behind the scenes look at the Worm Cultists getting prepared to pop in on another siege camp with their soul reapers.
Cultist One: "So...we're still doing this? Even though it's not really working?"
Cultist Two: "Yep. Orders are orders."
Cultist One: "I'm having a really hard time remembering why I joined up."
Cultist Two: "Yeah, me too. Just...don't think about it too much. You grab that end of the reaper and I'll get this end. This shift has to end sometime, after all."
I, uh, I think the Worm Cult propaganda has gotten to you just a little too well.
Yes, but it's not the the scenery or the scent of Sadrith Mora that puts me off. It's the mer who live there.
By the way, I was wondering what you thought of the Sadrith Mora quest, playing through it as a Telvanni. My character was just a scrubby outlander with no clue at that time about Telvanni politics and policies, but if your character is a devout/devoted Telvanni, what is your take on the entire quest line?0 -
Syldras✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭I hope we get something better in future, too, but for now there's still enough of the older content I find interesting and engaging enough to keep me around. I've been playing for about eight years. We'll see how many more I might play for.
Oh, I also have no intention to leave yet. I still want to replay Morrowind - CWC - Summerset on one character; and Elsweyr and Greymoor were also entertaining, and it's been a while since I last played those main stories. So there's still things to do for me. The thing I'm asking myself is whether the new content will be of interest for me or not, and whether what I'm going to do in ESO will still justify paying for ESO+ next year. It truly depends on what we'll get.Dunno. Maybe it will make sense in context. Maybe it won't. Hopefully when the time comes to implement this change, they make a post explaining it. Or something.
I wondered whether they might combine it with Zenithar somehow, lorewise, since we've got that festival location near Belkarth. Although trashing the whole Impresaria concept also seems unneccessary if it's just about not needing to morph some base pet into other items anymore in the future. But who knows, maybe they will really relocate everything to Belkarth only. Saving server space, etc.I keep hoping they'll make an official statement acknowledging the event hasn't gone as well as they'd like--even if it's just to comment on the bugs and silly drop rates. I know the community managers have been fairly active in the consolidated messaging thread, but I'd really like to see some sort of overarching statement on the event as a whole.
Same. If and how they react now would also show a tendency how big in general the willingness is to listen to feedback, and not only listen to it, but act upon it.
All I can say is that being able to admit difficulties would leave a more positive impression for me than acting as everything had been a huge success.Honestly, I did have hopes for this event, because it could have been fun. Oh well.
I've come across new bugs again now in phase 2. Slowly I'm starting to wonder whether everything will work according to plan in phase 3, when it comes to the dungeon. It would be a pity if not.I should clarify that though I'm not interested in those things, I do think the drop rates and unpredictability of acquiring them are bad for those who do want to collect them. It's just not a good feeling in general when a player does everything they can in game to get an item they want, but bad luck keeps them from having it. More drops would benefit from being curated, I think.
I've been wondering whether drop rates aren't even worse than usually during events this time. If I look at my list (of course I have a list), I'd still miss 20 caltrop parts, 10 Wormwrithe style pages, 4 Stirk style pages, 6 Stirk furnishing plans (and 2 individual Worm Cult furnishings) - if I wanted to get everything that may drop this time. That's 40 items that only drop from reward boxes. With 3 golden boxes a day, it would take 14 days to complete this - if there weren't any doubles. But I know there are doubles, even more often than new items (don't ask me how many Hajmota parts I already had). It's just not possible to get all these things, with the current drop chances, within the event - even it it takes over 6 weeks (which is bad by itself, with these not exactly exciting tasks). Now, of course I'm aware these things can all be traded and bought at guild stores, but if I had to design an event, I'd balance the rewards in a way that ensures that everyone who participates more or less regularly has the opportunity to get everything. Makes people happy, leaves a good impression, makes them feel their time was valued and participating is worthwhile. Of course online times might be a bit lower because people need to grind less, but I think in the long term a positive reputation and keeping the players content and motivated is just as or even more important.I'm not sure what you're asking me. If you mean, why and how do lore contradictions make it into the game, I don't have any good answer. Human error? If you mean, is having lore contradictions better or worse than no lore, I'll still go with having no lore being the worst. Boring lore and contradictory lore are at least something we can think about or discuss. Lack of lore is just frustrating.
It's true that having nothing to discuss is not exactly optimal, but I'm also not exactly happy with boring or inconsistent lore, as, once published, it will be considered canon. And if a bad foundation is built upon... well. Over time it might skew a whole lore topic. Even worse so in a sanitized, boring, clichéd or otherwise unsatisfying direction. Imagine the next 3 times Sanguine comes up somehow would all be a rather fun and benevolent depiction, nothing dark or cruel or otherwise questionable - in the end this is likely what will remain, erasing the old lore over time. And while I don't even care that much about Sanguine, the same thing could happen with all kinds of lore topics, like Bosmer or Dunmer culture, or the characterization of individual people.I just imagined a behind the scenes look at the Worm Cultists getting prepared to pop in on another siege camp with their soul reapers.
Cultist One: "So...we're still doing this? Even though it's not really working?"
Cultist Two: "Yep. Orders are orders."
Cultist One: "I'm having a really hard time remembering why I joined up."
Cultist Two: "Yeah, me too. Just...don't think about it too much. You grab that end of the reaper and I'll get this end. This shift has to end sometime, after all."
I'm honestly not even sure why they're doing it as they actually don't even have reasons to actively attack West Solstice. They have their plans on the other side of the Wall and their main goal should be keeping the Wall protected so they remain undisturbed over there.I, uh, I think the Worm Cult propaganda has gotten to you just a little too well.
Propaganda?! I own such a wonderful Order of the Black Worm cleaning device! It removes everything, from household dirt like bone meal, grave dust and lich residue to unwanted visitors. It also removes life force from the bodies of commoners and transfers them into more important things, like the plants in my garden.Yes, but it's not the the scenery or the scent of Sadrith Mora that puts me off. It's the mer who live there.
Well, the tavern owner is a bit unfriendly sometimes...By the way, I was wondering what you thought of the Sadrith Mora quest, playing through it as a Telvanni. My character was just a scrubby outlander with no clue at that time about Telvanni politics and policies, but if your character is a devout/devoted Telvanni, what is your take on the entire quest line?
Obviously for a Telvanni character the whole thing needs a lot of headcanon. Let's say it helps that my character is a very curious person, considers basically everything an interesting experiment, and also enjoys causing trouble, especially if it might affect potential rivals.@Syldras | PC | EU
The forceful expression of will gives true honor to the Ancestors.
Sarayn Andrethi, Telvanni mage (Main)
Darvasa Andrethi, his "I'm NOT a Necromancer!" sister
Malacar Sunavarlas, Altmer Ayleid vampire
Soris Rethandus, a Sleeper not yet awake0 -
metheglyn✭✭✭✭✭I hope we get something better in future, too, but for now there's still enough of the older content I find interesting and engaging enough to keep me around. I've been playing for about eight years. We'll see how many more I might play for.
Oh, I also have no intention to leave yet. I still want to replay Morrowind - CWC - Summerset on one character; and Elsweyr and Greymoor were also entertaining, and it's been a while since I last played those main stories. So there's still things to do for me. The thing I'm asking myself is whether the new content will be of interest for me or not, and whether what I'm going to do in ESO will still justify paying for ESO+ next year. It truly depends on what we'll get.
As long as I'm playing the game, I'll have ESO+. Like you, I still have plans and things to do with my characters, none of which requires having the latest content. So maybe I won't get to the new stuff until it gets rolled into plus (if they stick with that). Or maybe I just stop doing new stuff. Like you say, it depends on what we get.Dunno. Maybe it will make sense in context. Maybe it won't. Hopefully when the time comes to implement this change, they make a post explaining it. Or something.
I wondered whether they might combine it with Zenithar somehow, lorewise, since we've got that festival location near Belkarth. Although trashing the whole Impresaria concept also seems unneccessary if it's just about not needing to morph some base pet into other items anymore in the future. But who knows, maybe they will really relocate everything to Belkarth only. Saving server space, etc.
I doubt they'd get rid of the Impresario, but then again, what do I know? I'm not sure what's behind this change, but I think not having to collect fragments for every morph will be a net positive, even though the base item that allows the morphs will cost more tickets initially.I keep hoping they'll make an official statement acknowledging the event hasn't gone as well as they'd like--even if it's just to comment on the bugs and silly drop rates. I know the community managers have been fairly active in the consolidated messaging thread, but I'd really like to see some sort of overarching statement on the event as a whole.
Same. If and how they react now would also show a tendency how big in general the willingness is to listen to feedback, and not only listen to it, but act upon it.
All I can say is that being able to admit difficulties would leave a more positive impression for me than acting as everything had been a huge success.
Same here. And after all that "meet the new leadership" hoopla, and the big talk about listening and communicating, if they do nothing...well, I will be very disappointed and know to never expect anything from them again. (That sounds more dramatic than the sentiment I'm trying to convey, but oh well.)
Yeah, I've seen the reports of bugs. It's really a pity. Though when it comes to the dungeon, I don't mind missing out on that entirely. From everything you described, it sounds like an unfun slog (which would be in keeping with the rest of the event) and with limited play time and other games to grab my attention (in addition to other things to do in life), I just can't see myself putting up with that. I just want to get to the rest of the Solstice story.I should clarify that though I'm not interested in those things, I do think the drop rates and unpredictability of acquiring them are bad for those who do want to collect them. It's just not a good feeling in general when a player does everything they can in game to get an item they want, but bad luck keeps them from having it. More drops would benefit from being curated, I think.
I've been wondering whether drop rates aren't even worse than usually during events this time. If I look at my list (of course I have a list), I'd still miss 20 caltrop parts, 10 Wormwrithe style pages, 4 Stirk style pages, 6 Stirk furnishing plans (and 2 individual Worm Cult furnishings) - if I wanted to get everything that may drop this time. That's 40 items that only drop from reward boxes. With 3 golden boxes a day, it would take 14 days to complete this - if there weren't any doubles. But I know there are doubles, even more often than new items (don't ask me how many Hajmota parts I already had). It's just not possible to get all these things, with the current drop chances, within the event - even it it takes over 6 weeks (which is bad by itself, with these not exactly exciting tasks). Now, of course I'm aware these things can all be traded and bought at guild stores, but if I had to design an event, I'd balance the rewards in a way that ensures that everyone who participates more or less regularly has the opportunity to get everything. Makes people happy, leaves a good impression, makes them feel their time was valued and participating is worthwhile. Of course online times might be a bit lower because people need to grind less, but I think in the long term a positive reputation and keeping the players content and motivated is just as or even more important.
I think part of the problem is that these dailies and reward boxes will stick around after the event, so you'll have a chance to get these rewards from now until forever (if I understood the plan correctly). That means that they can justify the low drop rate and the lack of curation with "you'll never run out of chances to try for it!"
I liked it back when, if you participated regularly in an event, you'd get all the style pages from it. But then people complained that the drop rate was too high, and they couldn't make money selling their pages, and so the drop rates got lowered. Granted, I don't know if that was the actual reason behind the change, but I do know I went from being able to collect not only all the pages for myself, but having some spares to give away, to being lucky to get a full set.
But I'm lucky this time around, since I don't like the look of the Wormwrithe style and won't use it, so it doesn't matter how few I get of it. Caltrops style? Don't care. Hajmota pet? Don't care. (Though of course that one I have, plus extras piling up). Furnishing plans? From what I've seen of them: meh. I'm never going to want to decorate a house Worm Cult style, so it hardly matters to me if I get those. And the other plans all seem to be battlement and fight related, which I also don't have a use for. Not being a collector has its advantages in times like these. I'm aware, though, that if I did like and want these items, I'd be frustrated by their drop rate.I'm not sure what you're asking me. If you mean, why and how do lore contradictions make it into the game, I don't have any good answer. Human error? If you mean, is having lore contradictions better or worse than no lore, I'll still go with having no lore being the worst. Boring lore and contradictory lore are at least something we can think about or discuss. Lack of lore is just frustrating.
It's true that having nothing to discuss is not exactly optimal, but I'm also not exactly happy with boring or inconsistent lore, as, once published, it will be considered canon. And if a bad foundation is built upon... well. Over time it might skew a whole lore topic. Even worse so in a sanitized, boring, clichéd or otherwise unsatisfying direction. Imagine the next 3 times Sanguine comes up somehow would all be a rather fun and benevolent depiction, nothing dark or cruel or otherwise questionable - in the end this is likely what will remain, erasing the old lore over time. And while I don't even care that much about Sanguine, the same thing could happen with all kinds of lore topics, like Bosmer or Dunmer culture, or the characterization of individual people.
While I don't like lore inconsistencies or the sanitizing of it, I have to remember it's not my lore. If the creators decide one day that the Bosmer have given up their cannibalistic ways, they can make it that way. It's their world, their story, their lore. I don't have to like it, much like I don't like how plots sometimes go in books, or TV shows, or movies, but I do have to accept that's the way they want their lore to be.
I want them to have good, interesting lore that sparks discussion and makes me invested in the world. I don't want bad lore or inconsistent lore, or the dumbing down or sanitizing of lore. But no lore at all? Then why would I spend my time in the game? I'm here for the world and the stories, not the combat, not the grinds. I like running around Tamriel (and other places on and off Nirn). If it's just "hey, fantasy world, no lore, have fun," then it's not for me.I just imagined a behind the scenes look at the Worm Cultists getting prepared to pop in on another siege camp with their soul reapers.
Cultist One: "So...we're still doing this? Even though it's not really working?"
Cultist Two: "Yep. Orders are orders."
Cultist One: "I'm having a really hard time remembering why I joined up."
Cultist Two: "Yeah, me too. Just...don't think about it too much. You grab that end of the reaper and I'll get this end. This shift has to end sometime, after all."
I'm honestly not even sure why they're doing it as they actually don't even have reasons to actively attack West Solstice. They have their plans on the other side of the Wall and their main goal should be keeping the Wall protected so they remain undisturbed over there.
I thought they did have plans to conquer Sunport. They wanted the whole island and then, presumably, the world. What I don't understand (and what may be revealed in part two) is why Mannimarcowanted Meridia's light so badly he sucked it out of Darien and then said, "The wall has served its purpose." If the wall has served its purpose, why are they even bothering defending it? It's like that quest came too early or something.Anyway, if the answer is in part two, don't tell me. I wish the narrative as of now made more sense, but I'll go with what we've been given, since it's not the full story yet, and there's still the chance some things will make sense later.I, uh, I think the Worm Cult propaganda has gotten to you just a little too well.
Propaganda?! I own such a wonderful Order of the Black Worm cleaning device! It removes everything, from household dirt like bone meal, grave dust and lich residue to unwanted visitors. It also removes life force from the bodies of commoners and transfers them into more important things, like the plants in my garden.
Yep, you've fallen victim to their propaganda. Well, you wanted to be on their side anyway, so I guess it's not that big of a deal. Probably House Telvanni doesn't care if you're part of the Worm Cult.By the way, I was wondering what you thought of the Sadrith Mora quest, playing through it as a Telvanni. My character was just a scrubby outlander with no clue at that time about Telvanni politics and policies, but if your character is a devout/devoted Telvanni, what is your take on the entire quest line?
Obviously for a Telvanni character the whole thing needs a lot of headcanon. Let's say it helps that my character is a very curious person, considers basically everything an interesting experiment, and also enjoys causing trouble, especially if it might affect potential rivals.
Yeah, I could see that working out. The thing I don't like about that quest, and why I won't do it on any other characters, is the lack of true choice. You're given the chance to refuse to give poison to Gothren's Mouth, but then you deliver poisoned cakes like a dupe (and Gothren is quite right to call you out on your supposed ignorance of the plan) and in the end you really don't have any agency. If your character is a member of House Telvanni who doesn't think Sun-in-Shadow has a place in the ranks, you'd still have to help her. And I know that lack of agency applies to basically all quests in the game, and for the most part I can headcanon my way around it, but this one bothered me more than the others. It's a well-written quest with compelling characters (even if I don't care for most of them much) and fits with the world and lore, but it could be so much better with actual choice and branching quest lines. So, basically, it fits a single-player game better. 0 -
Syldras✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭As long as I'm playing the game, I'll have ESO+. Like you, I still have plans and things to do with my characters, none of which requires having the latest content. So maybe I won't get to the new stuff until it gets rolled into plus (if they stick with that). Or maybe I just stop doing new stuff. Like you say, it depends on what we get.
The biggest question to me is whether we will even get new permanent stuff. Maybe it's mostly events from now on? At worst one-time events? I still think it's such a waste to produce content just to remove it again after a short timespan. Most of all: Would they even invest much in terms of quality if it's not meant to stay anyway?I doubt they'd get rid of the Impresario, but then again, what do I know? I'm not sure what's behind this change, but I think not having to collect fragments for every morph will be a net positive, even though the base item that allows the morphs will cost more tickets initially.
I agree with that, but I don't really get why they renamed the currency for that (or is it just bugged, some translation mistake?). An event voucher is an event voucher, no matter how many one needs to buy something or how those parts may or may not combine.Same here. And after all that "meet the new leadership" hoopla, and the big talk about listening and communicating, if they do nothing...well, I will be very disappointed and know to never expect anything from them again. (That sounds more dramatic than the sentiment I'm trying to convey, but oh well.)
They've been strangely silent the past few days. Well, the event still has 80/90% to go... That's probaby about 10 to 12 days. Which, by chance, corresponds with the date where update 48 drops for the last system. Somehow I don't think they'll change anything, no matter how bored people are by now. Probably we'll really have to wait until the event is over regularly... The question that remains is whether we'll hear anything about if afterwards.Yeah, I've seen the reports of bugs. It's really a pity. Though when it comes to the dungeon, I don't mind missing out on that entirely. From everything you described, it sounds like an unfun slog (which would be in keeping with the rest of the event) and with limited play time and other games to grab my attention (in addition to other things to do in life), I just can't see myself putting up with that. I just want to get to the rest of the Solstice story.
Oh, who knows. I mean, of course it's always a question of personal taste, but whether it will be unfun and annoying...? Seriously no one can tell. We just had no opportunity to test on PTS how the content will play with, let's say, several dozens of people around. We were never a decently sized group. Maybe during the event, the masses of players will be overpowered, bosses will die within seconds, so the whole thing will be nothing more than running through that thing until having reached the final location? Which would also be a pity, of course - not really to experience the mechanism because the bosses die too fast anyway. Well, I'm actually a bit curious how it will turn out. Though of course this uncertainty how it will even play isn't the best basis for a successful event.I think part of the problem is that these dailies and reward boxes will stick around after the event, so you'll have a chance to get these rewards from now until forever (if I understood the plan correctly). That means that they can justify the low drop rate and the lack of curation with "you'll never run out of chances to try for it!"
I liked it back when, if you participated regularly in an event, you'd get all the style pages from it. But then people complained that the drop rate was too high, and they couldn't make money selling their pages, and so the drop rates got lowered. Granted, I don't know if that was the actual reason behind the change, but I do know I went from being able to collect not only all the pages for myself, but having some spares to give away, to being lucky to get a full set.
Actually the drop rates became strangely decent this evening. Made me wonder whether they already changed something. I got 3 new furnishing plans (1 from phase 1, 2 from phase 2), at least. Caltrops, I'm at 9 of 25 now. Though I'll probably never use those.But I'm lucky this time around, since I don't like the look of the Wormwrithe style and won't use it, so it doesn't matter how few I get of it. Caltrops style? Don't care. Hajmota pet? Don't care. (Though of course that one I have, plus extras piling up). Furnishing plans? From what I've seen of them: meh. I'm never going to want to decorate a house Worm Cult style, so it hardly matters to me if I get those. And the other plans all seem to be battlement and fight related, which I also don't have a use for. Not being a collector has its advantages in times like these. I'm aware, though, that if I did like and want these items, I'd be frustrated by their drop rate
I'm personally mostly interested in the furnishings. The Stirk Fellowship I couldn't care for any less, but watch towers and walls could be useful in case I ever build some kind of fortification somewhere, and those from the current event look neutral. Many Worm Cult furnishings like the papers or the phial also look rather neutral.
I do like the Wormwrithe style somehow, especially the shield looks cute because it reminds me of a halved geode, but unfortunately, I also don't really have a character to whom it would fit. But that's usually the problem with event styles for me. I'm probably a horrible customer in that regard, because I care for lore-accuracy when it comes to my characters' outfits, so I'm rather specific and don't really have a use for most things. Although of course it's good they offer a big variety of styles, since there are people who play druids, or Breton knights, or whatever.While I don't like lore inconsistencies or the sanitizing of it, I have to remember it's not my lore. If the creators decide one day that the Bosmer have given up their cannibalistic ways, they can make it that way. It's their world, their story, their lore. I don't have to like it, much like I don't like how plots sometimes go in books, or TV shows, or movies, but I do have to accept that's the way they want their lore to be.
Of course it's all theirs to decide, but still I'm sad if there's such a huge amount of established lore, a basis built within over 30 years, and then some very unfortunate changes or retcons could be made that just don't feel plausible.I want them to have good, interesting lore that sparks discussion and makes me invested in the world. I don't want bad lore or inconsistent lore, or the dumbing down or sanitizing of lore. But no lore at all? Then why would I spend my time in the game? I'm here for the world and the stories, not the combat, not the grinds. I like running around Tamriel (and other places on and off Nirn). If it's just "hey, fantasy world, no lore, have fun," then it's not for me.
I didn't speak of not having lore in this game at all, but about rather keeping silent on some specific facts or events instead of spelling them out in an unplausible or very boring way.
Although I do fear by now that we could get very little lore in future; we already saw so many locations not getting any background lore in West Solstice. And now during the event we didn't get background lore on the Meridian Lens either. Or why that world boss suddenly showed up in phase 2. Which also seems rather strange and would need an explanation, expecially why and how it showed up West from the camp at the shore when the Worm Cult is on the other side.I thought they did have plans to conquer Sunport. They wanted the whole island and then, presumably, the world. What I don't understand (and what may be revealed in part two) is why Mannimarco...
Let's say some aspects also don't make sense to me despite knowing more from PTS.
I came across some of the old news articles from before Part 1 of the story was released again yesterday, by the way... Basically from when this year's story was freshly announced. Let's say it's rather interesting to read these in retrospective...
In a way I also started to wonder whether all that talk about how much we'd hate the Worm Cult and how much we'd love to fight them was supposed to invoke certain sentiments in the playerbase that the game itself just doesn't induce? A bit like ads telling a potential customer how much they'd love the product or how useful they'd find it - instead of relying on the product being able to evoke these feelings in the customer by itself. Guiding and pre-defining sentiments, basically. Telling the reader how they're supposed to feel. Does this work with people? I don't know.
I am amused of course by the fact that I've never seen so many people saying they want to join the Worm Cult before as I see right now (and may it only be out of spite for the event being horribly boring). If they truly wanted to make us hate the Cult, this year seems to have been very counterproductiveYep, you've fallen victim to their propaganda. Well, you wanted to be on their side anyway, so I guess it's not that big of a deal. Probably House Telvanni doesn't care if you're part of the Worm Cult.
Everybody needs a little hobby. For some it is joining cults, other worship daedra, some try necromancy... And some do it all at once. Who knows, maybe it will even become a trend... Next year on the Telvanni Isles: Protect the environment - recycle your dead servants!Yeah, I could see that working out. The thing I don't like about that quest, and why I won't do it on any other characters, is the lack of true choice. You're given the chance to refuse to give poison to Gothren's Mouth, but then you deliver poisoned cakes like a dupe (and Gothren is quite right to call you out on your supposed ignorance of the plan) and in the end you really don't have any agency. If your character is a member of House Telvanni who doesn't think Sun-in-Shadow has a place in the ranks, you'd still have to help her. And I know that lack of agency applies to basically all quests in the game, and for the most part I can headcanon my way around it, but this one bothered me more than the others. It's a well-written quest with compelling characters (even if I don't care for most of them much) and fits with the world and lore, but it could be so much better with actual choice and branching quest lines. So, basically, it fits a single-player game better.
Yes, I also didn't enjoy the lack of choice we had there, but it was interesting and mostly well-written and fit the lore, at least.
I still think it's a pity we can't actually choose to join a Great House in ESO. They could have made it an optional choice at the end of a quest line.
@Syldras | PC | EU
The forceful expression of will gives true honor to the Ancestors.
Sarayn Andrethi, Telvanni mage (Main)
Darvasa Andrethi, his "I'm NOT a Necromancer!" sister
Malacar Sunavarlas, Altmer Ayleid vampire
Soris Rethandus, a Sleeper not yet awake0 -
metheglyn✭✭✭✭✭As long as I'm playing the game, I'll have ESO+. Like you, I still have plans and things to do with my characters, none of which requires having the latest content. So maybe I won't get to the new stuff until it gets rolled into plus (if they stick with that). Or maybe I just stop doing new stuff. Like you say, it depends on what we get.
The biggest question to me is whether we will even get new permanent stuff. Maybe it's mostly events from now on? At worst one-time events? I still think it's such a waste to produce content just to remove it again after a short timespan. Most of all: Would they even invest much in terms of quality if it's not meant to stay anyway?
To the last question, I think probably not. If they're creating disposable content, there's no need for it to be well-developed. I have no idea what ESO will look like after this "transition" year. If they use seasons like other games use them (and which they said they weren't going to do) to present us with limited-time content, I won't be buying them. If they turn the game into an endless cycle of events, I won't be participating. I'll kick around in old content for as long as it amuses me, though.I doubt they'd get rid of the Impresario, but then again, what do I know? I'm not sure what's behind this change, but I think not having to collect fragments for every morph will be a net positive, even though the base item that allows the morphs will cost more tickets initially.
I agree with that, but I don't really get why they renamed the currency for that (or is it just bugged, some translation mistake?). An event voucher is an event voucher, no matter how many one needs to buy something or how those parts may or may not combine.
Couldn't say why they changed the name. Maybe they aren't going to be "tickets" any longer. Or maybe whatever you saw wasn't the final name, since it sounds like the changes aren't finalized yet. I really don't know.Same here. And after all that "meet the new leadership" hoopla, and the big talk about listening and communicating, if they do nothing...well, I will be very disappointed and know to never expect anything from them again. (That sounds more dramatic than the sentiment I'm trying to convey, but oh well.)
They've been strangely silent the past few days. Well, the event still has 80/90% to go... That's probaby about 10 to 12 days. Which, by chance, corresponds with the date where update 48 drops for the last system. Somehow I don't think they'll change anything, no matter how bored people are by now. Probably we'll really have to wait until the event is over regularly... The question that remains is whether we'll hear anything about if afterwards.
In the stream for the event, they said that servers that finish phase two before update 48 is out will have a timer or something letting them know how long they have until phase three, so they were prepared for consoles to finish the first two phases before the update was ready for them. Whether or not they wrangled the progress bar to make PC take that long to finish phase two is a different question. I agree they aren't going to change anything. They have the event locked in, and that's that.Yeah, I've seen the reports of bugs. It's really a pity. Though when it comes to the dungeon, I don't mind missing out on that entirely. From everything you described, it sounds like an unfun slog (which would be in keeping with the rest of the event) and with limited play time and other games to grab my attention (in addition to other things to do in life), I just can't see myself putting up with that. I just want to get to the rest of the Solstice story.
Oh, who knows. I mean, of course it's always a question of personal taste, but whether it will be unfun and annoying...? Seriously no one can tell. We just had no opportunity to test on PTS how the content will play with, let's say, several dozens of people around. We were never a decently sized group. Maybe during the event, the masses of players will be overpowered, bosses will die within seconds, so the whole thing will be nothing more than running through that thing until having reached the final location? Which would also be a pity, of course - not really to experience the mechanism because the bosses die too fast anyway. Well, I'm actually a bit curious how it will turn out. Though of course this uncertainty how it will even play isn't the best basis for a successful event.
Well, at this point I'm probably just going to take a break from the game until this event is over and the other half of Solstice is unlocked. A super crowded dungeon with hordes of players and their beams will just give me a headache and might even make my game crash. (Happened once at one of the camps). I'm fine with missing this time limited dungeon and title.
The way things are going, I was thinking I might have to apply my Sims policy to ESO. Basically, it goes like this: never buy any content when first released; wait long enough for it to go on sale and for bugs to be fixed (usually six months in the case of the Sims).But I'm lucky this time around, since I don't like the look of the Wormwrithe style and won't use it, so it doesn't matter how few I get of it. Caltrops style? Don't care. Hajmota pet? Don't care. (Though of course that one I have, plus extras piling up). Furnishing plans? From what I've seen of them: meh. I'm never going to want to decorate a house Worm Cult style, so it hardly matters to me if I get those. And the other plans all seem to be battlement and fight related, which I also don't have a use for. Not being a collector has its advantages in times like these. I'm aware, though, that if I did like and want these items, I'd be frustrated by their drop rate
I'm personally mostly interested in the furnishings. The Stirk Fellowship I couldn't care for any less, but watch towers and walls could be useful in case I ever build some kind of fortification somewhere, and those from the current event look neutral. Many Worm Cult furnishings like the papers or the phial also look rather neutral.
I do like the Wormwrithe style somehow, especially the shield looks cute because it reminds me of a halved geode, but unfortunately, I also don't really have a character to whom it would fit. But that's usually the problem with event styles for me. I'm probably a horrible customer in that regard, because I care for lore-accuracy when it comes to my characters' outfits, so I'm rather specific and don't really have a use for most things. Although of course it's good they offer a big variety of styles, since there are people who play druids, or Breton knights, or whatever.
I do like the Stirk Fellowship outfit style, and so far I've gotten enough of that to suit my needs. I don't think the Wormwrithe style looks bad, or anything; it's just not for me, and none of my characters would use it. Same with the latest Witches Festival outfit style. It's especially good I don't care about that one, because I think I got all of one of those pages--granted I was only doing the bare minimum of participation, but still seems like I should have gotten more than one style page.While I don't like lore inconsistencies or the sanitizing of it, I have to remember it's not my lore. If the creators decide one day that the Bosmer have given up their cannibalistic ways, they can make it that way. It's their world, their story, their lore. I don't have to like it, much like I don't like how plots sometimes go in books, or TV shows, or movies, but I do have to accept that's the way they want their lore to be.
Of course it's all theirs to decide, but still I'm sad if there's such a huge amount of established lore, a basis built within over 30 years, and then some very unfortunate changes or retcons could be made that just don't feel plausible.
Yeah, it sucks when they take lore you like/enjoy and change it. One of the reasons I quit WoW after playing it for so long was I didn't like the way they took the story. In fact, I thought it was utterly lame. If ESO continues along this vein of weak and nonsensical lore, I will leave this game behind, too. And since ES6 is probably never going to see the light of day, that could very well be it for me and the Elder Scrolls franchise.I want them to have good, interesting lore that sparks discussion and makes me invested in the world. I don't want bad lore or inconsistent lore, or the dumbing down or sanitizing of lore. But no lore at all? Then why would I spend my time in the game? I'm here for the world and the stories, not the combat, not the grinds. I like running around Tamriel (and other places on and off Nirn). If it's just "hey, fantasy world, no lore, have fun," then it's not for me.
I didn't speak of not having lore in this game at all, but about rather keeping silent on some specific facts or events instead of spelling them out in an unplausible or very boring way.
Although I do fear by now that we could get very little lore in future; we already saw so many locations not getting any background lore in West Solstice. And now during the event we didn't get background lore on the Meridian Lens either. Or why that world boss suddenly showed up in phase 2. Which also seems rather strange and would need an explanation, expecially why and how it showed up West from the camp at the shore when the Worm Cult is on the other side.
Yeah, I really thought there might be some mention of the world boss, maybe even a one-time quest. Instead I just wandered over and killed it with a group because I knew it was there.I thought they did have plans to conquer Sunport. They wanted the whole island and then, presumably, the world. What I don't understand (and what may be revealed in part two) is why Mannimarco...
Let's say some aspects also don't make sense to me despite knowing more from PTS.
I came across some of the old news articles from before Part 1 of the story was released again yesterday, by the way... Basically from when this year's story was freshly announced. Let's say it's rather interesting to read these in retrospective...
In a way I also started to wonder whether all that talk about how much we'd hate the Worm Cult and how much we'd love to fight them was supposed to invoke certain sentiments in the playerbase that the game itself just doesn't induce? A bit like ads telling a potential customer how much they'd love the product or how useful they'd find it - instead of relying on the product being able to evoke these feelings in the customer by itself. Guiding and pre-defining sentiments, basically. Telling the reader how they're supposed to feel. Does this work with people? I don't know.
I am amused of course by the fact that I've never seen so many people saying they want to join the Worm Cult before as I see right now (and may it only be out of spite for the event being horribly boring). If they truly wanted to make us hate the Cult, this year seems to have been very counterproductive
I mean, I don't like the Worm Cult. I wasn't thrilled about them being back because I already dealt with them years ago. I'll beat them back again, because that's what I do with the Worm Cult, but it's not because I'm fired up to destroy them.
Though I do get a chuckle every time I see someone say they'd rather join the Worm Cult than do this event.
And I would say that, generally, telling people how they're supposed to feel does not go over well. I think to hype the upcoming content, ZOS chose to present it so simply: "they're evil and everyone hates evil." But it's odd, because this is the same game that lets players be Dark Brotherhood members, for example, or vampires and werewolves. When Greymoor came out, they didn't try to tell us we'd love to kill vampires, because vampires are evil. (Or did they? I can't recall the hype for that expansion--I took a break when it came out). I know they've written the Worm Cult as irredeemable (and that's fine if that's how they want to present the cult) but to expect every player to feel the same way about them is a misfire.Yep, you've fallen victim to their propaganda. Well, you wanted to be on their side anyway, so I guess it's not that big of a deal. Probably House Telvanni doesn't care if you're part of the Worm Cult.
Everybody needs a little hobby. For some it is joining cults, other worship daedra, some try necromancy... And some do it all at once. Who knows, maybe it will even become a trend... Next year on the Telvanni Isles: Protect the environment - recycle your dead servants!
A sort of altruistic necromancy?Yeah, I could see that working out. The thing I don't like about that quest, and why I won't do it on any other characters, is the lack of true choice. You're given the chance to refuse to give poison to Gothren's Mouth, but then you deliver poisoned cakes like a dupe (and Gothren is quite right to call you out on your supposed ignorance of the plan) and in the end you really don't have any agency. If your character is a member of House Telvanni who doesn't think Sun-in-Shadow has a place in the ranks, you'd still have to help her. And I know that lack of agency applies to basically all quests in the game, and for the most part I can headcanon my way around it, but this one bothered me more than the others. It's a well-written quest with compelling characters (even if I don't care for most of them much) and fits with the world and lore, but it could be so much better with actual choice and branching quest lines. So, basically, it fits a single-player game better.
Yes, I also didn't enjoy the lack of choice we had there, but it was interesting and mostly well-written and fit the lore, at least.
I still think it's a pity we can't actually choose to join a Great House in ESO. They could have made it an optional choice at the end of a quest line.
The first time I went through ESO's Morrowind, I thought we would be able to. A missed opportunity, but at least that chapter was pretty well done overall, so not being able to join a Great House didn't stick out so much.Edited by metheglyn on November 3, 2025 2:41PM0