Meridian59/Meridian59 — pull request #177 by M59Gar (2013-06-04 18:36:46+00:00)
Title: Alternate murderer safe zones

Murderers are no longer safe in any normal non-combat zones. Instead,
they've been given a new room flag (room_murderer_haven) that protects
them and allows them to log safely. I've set Roq's shadowy corner as
both non-combat & murderer haven, and the cellar rooms under the Trading
Post on the island as a murderer haven. This means murderers may only
'get safe' at one of these two appropriate locations, or at their owned
guild hall.

I know this is out of left field in terms of what players have commonly
discussed, but I saw this mechanic in another game and it hit me as
absolutely perfect for solving a host of problems in Meridian.

We've got very heavy structural issues when it comes to PKs. There are
dozens of non-combat areas scattered all over the game, which means
murderers can attack someone and get safe immediately from almost
anywhere. This change solves that completely. Now, hunters have a good
idea where the PKs are coming from and going to, because instead of 50+
safe spots, they now only have 2-3. This will fundamentally change PKing
patterns into routes far more likely to be crossed by hunters.

Plus, there is precedent in the game - shopkeepers don't serve
murderers. It's never made sense that murderers were allowed to take
refuge in any shop or inn when society has ostensibly cast them out.

I've already talked to many people about this and I think the reaction
is very positive and surprised, even from many PKs.