As I've mentioned elsewhere I've been out of the game for around 2 years so this may be an irrelevant question.Also,my computer is having some issues with the game so I can't check this myself.
Settings questions;
Does it rain in Yliakum?
Where does the rain come from?
Are there seasons?

I assume its some changes in the crystal accounts for seasons,but things like wind or rain doesnt really work in an underground closed world.Can anyone tell me if there's a reason for it,if not I can science up some reasons if they aren't in game

Well,from experience I know its much harder to salvage steel from something then to use basic stocks to make something so rules wise the devs could add a 30 or so higher skill requirement to salvage it.It also opens up a socketing scheme for weapons to be used with gemcraft.I don't know how the devs would feel about this being quite a lot like other games item customisation systems but I'd imagine a process of:
Find a weapon [say a dagger of laanx mind or something] remove the socket item[BladeSmith]--> you recieve 1 Rune of Laanx mind and 1 Silver dagger[1 socket free] now be cause it's still a useful key word and I am an axe user I got to my gemcrafting/axemaking friend [maybe have a dual skill requirement for setting the weapon] who then sets the rune into my 300q socket reinforced battleaxe and I continue on my merry way.
having found the rare weapon but being able to accomodate it to my characters style but the drop is still more meaningful to me as a player because I did more than just pawn it off to someone else for cash.
It also ties together the crafting skills of gemcraft/blacksmithing/whatever craft your using.
Or for an easire route instead of setting the rune/isignia/glyph/whatever instils the magic we can place it in a necklace instead to give the bonus but taking up 2 slots of equipment[weapon AND necklace needed for the same effect] instead of just the 1 [magic weapon]
Sorry for the block of text

IMo the only place firearms fit in is at the BD we'd be pushing it too far to have functional combat weapons for PC's given that PS has had an edge of realism in almsot everything, the only thing good enough to justify the resources and power of a cannon would be an Ulbernaut or whatever monsters lurk beyond the doors.You have to bear in mind that early firearms lost to archers because the accuracy of an arrow and rate of fire in the beginning is too great compared to a musket.
As players does anyone want to use a weapon with  30-40% chance of actually hitting the target at all.So if the numbers fall well you can 3 shot anything if they dont roll well you'll miss him every time while he eats you and your gun.
Given that the azure way has a projectile ability i'm surprised we even got as far as using bows.The "necessity is the mother of all invention" rule is what drives most inventions guns were developed because we had no hard counter to stone walls or armoured cavalry.Wheres when a red mage can fry a plate wearing greatsword wielding Giant before he gets close enough we don't particularly need more ranged combat.Bows,crossbows and thrown weapons fit in for fluff reasons on not having magical ability or perhaps cultural ones.
But if a group tried to invade hydlaa with cannons a few mages later they'd discover it's not going to work that way.This also reminds me of the fact that Yliakum is all one nation with one government,we dont have great war machines or siege weapons like catapualts because we don't invade anything or get invaded,all we have to do is keep the piece and keep the monsters away there's no problem that can happen in the land that 20 knights and 10 mages couldn't wipe out of existence,short of an entire level rebelling against the octarchy

The one time my favourite skill gets some recognition and I'm banned from playing PS[Gah,college internet policy  ]

[To blatantly Hi-jack your Rp,selfishly:
Would you mind stopping in for a beer or two in the Stonehead while your travelling?It can be quite a long journey(and we desperately need the business)]

Anyone who thinks things take too long can join us and help out, or, well, wait.

*To be entered in the book of names*or the Planeshift motto 
I voted 7/10 as I think it's a really awesome idea that we,the players, can have such a dramatic effect on the entire game world.
It's one of the main attractions of Planeshift.
But, as was said the timing was an issue[it was like 2 years IC ]

Glad to Hear more about this,Myself and Elady have been working tirelessly to get the food ready for the Opening,Expect to be loosening your belts soon,gents 

For the race do we have to stick to the roads?

Hapy Birthday Caarrie,Wherever you are