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Shadow Cloak mistrust among NPCs

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 1:16 pm
by Rias
Shadow Cloak is one of the more overt sorcerous abilities, shrouding the sorcerer in a cloak of nether and masking their identity. While handy for keeping one's identity unknown, it has the double edge potential downside of making the sorcerer look rather like a phantom or spectre or wraith, which isn't a good thing in most civilized areas. Many NPCs now (mechanically) find it difficult to distinguish between Shadow Cloaked individuals and common rampant hostile nethrim, and will react accordingly. Sorcerers are advised to dismiss the Shadow Cloak effect before approaching neutral or friendly NPCs in order to avoid unintentional conflict.

Re: Shadow Cloak mistrust among NPCs

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 1:18 pm
by Dennis
This sounds pretty cool! Will dropping the cloak after being aggroed upon cause the NPC to no longer attack the person? E.G. you walk into town cloaked, get attacked. Flee, drop the cloak. (Independent of town reputation, of course)

Re: Shadow Cloak mistrust among NPCs

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 1:28 pm
by Rias
Correct, hostility will cease when the cloak effect is removed. Some factions may become increasingly bothered with repeat incidents, potentially leading to lasting reputation loss.

Re: Shadow Cloak mistrust among NPCs

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 1:56 pm
by Acarin
How would reputation loss occur of they don't know it's you? Does this mean dropping it in front of them and is there any evaluation of the circumstances? Or would this be automatic?

Re: Shadow Cloak mistrust among NPCs

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 2:01 pm
by Rias
It'd be determined on a case-by-case basis. I suppose dropping it right there while they watch could be automatic, though.

Re: Shadow Cloak mistrust among NPCs

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 2:04 pm
by Acarin
Does this also mean that NPCs we attack while wearing a shadow cloak will not result in overt hostility when we see them normally (as it does now)?

Re: Shadow Cloak mistrust among NPCs

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 2:07 pm
by Rias
No, the code doesn't currently consider that. I don't plan on fixing it until I figure out a decent way to prevent it from being a foolproof consequence-evasion technique.

Re: Shadow Cloak mistrust among NPCs

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 2:12 pm
by Acarin
So basically npcs will attack on sight if we're wearing a cloak because they don't recognize us but if we fight back, we are booted from the town even though they didn't recognize us.

I dont plan on getting into that situation but... it seems inconsistent. And if I approach the town gate and forget about my cloak, I may wish to dirtkick or sweep to escape... basically... the current system means that fighting back in any way will result in reputation loss.This is a neat change but hope it gets improved in the future given that inconsistency.

Re: Shadow Cloak mistrust among NPCs

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 2:23 pm
by Irylia
Guards already do a face-check if you're masked. I would imagine a similar thing could be coded for entering town where they do a warning pre-attack. Or there could be an OOC reminder before entering these kinds of areas with a confirmation to continue your approach.

Re: Shadow Cloak mistrust among NPCs

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 2:31 pm
by Acarin
Either of these would be helpful. I am sure I'm not alone in forgetting it's there...