Nodes

Nodes are a part of the world development of Ashes of Creation and first exist unknown to the player. Like players, the nodes progress and will grow along their own specific path. It is up to the players, how far they'll let a node develop.

# Node Types

There are four different types of nodes:

1. Divine
2. Economic
3. Military
4. Scientific

The type of the node is predetermined. Players cannot influence the type of the node in any way.

However, it's already possible to see the node type at the *Expedition* level of the node.

Depending on the node type, the following NPCs will appear:

1. Priests
2. Traders and merchants
3. Soldiers
4. Scholars

Depending on the NPCs appearing in the *Expedition* level,

you might want to or not want to support leveling the node.

# Node Progression

The progression of the node is influenced solely by the actions players perform in a zone of influence around the node.

Depending on the type and amount of actions performed by the players, the node may level slow or fast.
Actions that will increase the node level:

* Artisan class actions
* PvE combat (slaying monsters)
* Performing node specific tasks

However, there are also actions that might decrease the node level (drastically):

* PvP sieges
* PvE sieges
* PvE events (e.g. a big calamity)

## Node Levels

### Expedition

An *Expedition* is the first level of a node.

It will appear after **a few hours** of player acitvity in the node area.

The first NPCs will appear with this level.

Every following level will add more NPCs, additionally increasing the varity of NPCs to be found.

### Encampment

An *Encampment* is the second level of a node.

The *Expedition* will progress to an *Encampment* after **many hours** of player activity in the node area.

### Village

A *Village* is the third level of a node.

The *Encampment* will progress to a *Village* after **a few days** of player activity in the node area.

A *Village* is the first node level that allows players to use the housing feature.

A *Village* is the first node level that allows the usage of caravans.

### Town

A *Town* is the fourth level of a node.

The *Village* will progress to a *Town* after **many days** of player activity in the node area.

Players who owned a static house since the *Village* level will receive a bigger house.

Additional static houses can be purchased.

### City

A *City* is the fifth level of a node.

The *Town* will progress to a *City* after **a few weeks** of player activity in the node area.

Players who owned a static house since the *Village* level will receive an even bigger house.

Players who owned a static house since the *Town* level will receive a bigger house.

Additional static houses can be purchased.

### Metropolis

A *Metropolis* is the sixth level of a node.

The *City* will progress to a *Metropolis* after **many weeks** of player activity in the node area.

Players who owned a static house since the *Village* level will receive a mansion.

Players who owned a static house since the *Town* level will receive an even bigger house.

Players who owned a static house since the *City* level will receive a bigger house.

Additional static houses can be purchased.

## Constraints

Certain constraints apply to leveling a node:

* Only 5 *Metropolises* can exist at a time.