PlaneShift
Gameplay => General Discussion => Topic started by: Shadow1490 on May 05, 2008, 11:22:54 pm
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Mostly inspired by the monthly market idea I started wondering if it'd be a good or feasible idea to set up a black market :devil:. Y'know for all of the items that were recently...acquired in legally... questionable ways or for assassination or theft services...
Hey this is just an idea and before this becomes a flame war over where it should be. Respond with how you think the idea might work. Or if it would.
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I like the idea. Some things should have to be worked out before, though.
- How will stolen items be marked?
- What will happen if someone is discovered?
- Who will be the 'police'?
Those are just some...
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I like the idea. Some things should have to be worked out before, though.
- How will stolen items be marked?
- What will happen if someone is discovered?
- Who will be the 'police'?
Those are just some...
I know it needs work its just a really rough idea at the moment.
-Anyway. stolen items well... if a person was robbed they might put up a sign about the item. i.e. a notice on one of the message boards for example. I guess this would mainly deal with crafted items as other wise there's no way to identify.
-As for the other two points I know these are real issues. Given that every time there is a rather large breach of the law it pops up on these forums as I'm sure you're aware...
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A black market would be good. I suppose you could buy anything.
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It's an interesting idea. Depends on how you intend to implement it. First, for a black market to exist, there has to be items that can't be obtained legally. Just having stolen versions of the same items available legally won't drive for much of a market value. What kind of objects would you consider to fall in that category? Powerful weapons? Drugs? Information?
Second, who do you want to implement it? Players? NPC's? If players do, then there has to be someway for them to obtain or make the illegal items. If NPC's are the focus of it, then the developers have to control that market with items they make available. Perhaps they could make some very good items show up randomly on a black market vendor that appears now and then in various parts of the city.
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I had it more of a player based idea. Its I think illegal items would probably end up being ,as the game develops, poisons, stolen items I suppose, illegal services i.e. assassinations and theft. Of course the real intent would be to give shadier characters a place to interact without being quite so... mysterious/cloakedandhooded/masked...
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If you have maps and compasses... I think it will be a wonderful idea... :)
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As en entirely player-oriented idea it's possible but for it to have a true black market feel you'll have to keep things secretive and underground.
The Imperial Guard will always be available to play the side of the Law but only if you're interested in being treated like a criminal. If you're just looking for a fight, don't bother then. There are plenty of other guilds that are looking for fights as well
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There is at least one black marketeer npc you might discover doing quests but his merchandise is not really for sale outside of them. Stolen items typically sell for a fraction of their retail value unless they are somewhat singular and stolen to order. A black market for other types of illicit goods or services might be more problematic depending on the particulars. Murder for hire runs into the problem of victim cooperation as do other types of thuggery.
It sounds like a good idea if you go about it carefully.
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Oh great, yet another DE promo thread in the making <_<
Also, I think a "black market" can sell normal items, such as crafted weapons and glyphs. The thing that would be questionable about doing this is the kind of people you are willing to sell to. I've seen many times when an honest crafter will not sell a fine quality weapon to, say, an outlaw. But a black market could make this possible.
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You would have to have a limited access area so goodie goodies could not just wander in and spoil your day. ;)
The problem as it is now is you need illegal or ill-begotten goods, or people who are not allowed to walk into normal markets. All of which are in short supply right now. A good idea, but the time is not quite right for it yet.
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UTM: I disagree, there are probably honest people who would pay less for a stolen fine quality weapon, and not even question where it came from. I would think a black market would carry a more diverse set of product and attract a more diverse consumer base than a normal market. That or it'll only sell expensive crap (and expensive services) and will just attract rich people who can afford any of it. It will be very interesting to see how this can be done.
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You would have to have a limited access area so goodie goodies could not just wander in and spoil your day. ;)
As for this. Well I suppose, given a few people mature enough to rp this way, Most good, meaning archtypical heroic, characters probably wouldn't know the whereabouts of a black market. A good character might wander in but would either have the brains to keep his trap shut about who he was or he'd get beaten up/ killed. Most likley. I'd been thinking maybe choose a few locations then kinda float between them. This way it would potentially avoid devolving into a brawl instead of a black market. Although brawls can be fun too
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Tuxide, shut yer trap! :P
I promote roleplay offering services I can provide with the DE, that is not promoting the guild itself. People asked about it, I answerred. Get over it, seriously. It's getting irritating.
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Can this please not turn into an argument over whether or not this is another DE promo thread in the making. :offtopic: You want to argue with each other fine. Use private messages. I started this and last I check the idea was to help develop an idea. Not argue or insult people...
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As for a place many wouldn't venture into to deal in black market items, i suppose the Temple of Black Flame could be a good choice, limited access, which i doubt any respectable entity in Yliakum would stoop to gaining access to.
As for the items, theft and whatnot, of course it'll have to be RP'ed, though i can think of a few crafters who'd be willing to part with some items for the sake of RP'ing some form of crime. Having the Imperials as the 'good' side is also a nice idea, at least someone stepped up with an offer.
Also, as a black market needs illicit goods, and this is a RP game, we could use IG items, and RP them as narcotics, just think of how everyone RP's Nightmushrooms...make gathering and selling them illegal RP'ly, sell to those who engage in this idea of a black market, RP being 'under the influence' around other players, many will join in if they have the right 'shroom.
As for theft, and being caught, and punishment, as nothing is implemented in game, it would also fall as RP, and thus be dependent on the actual agreement of all parties involved, though, remeber, theft IS a crime, and the selling thereof of stolen items also a crime.
How hard could it be to get a GM involved *if* one is caught, brought to a player *good* court, and sentenced to imprisonment, there is a fine jail in Laanx Dungeons where I used to RP being imprissoned when we could, erm, get in on our own. It's just a teleport away for a GM, and after a per-arranged number of hours/days depending on crime, he'd be freed ( use /die to not bug GM's too much :P)
I think tis a grand idea, that needs work, but mostly just cooperation within the player base.
My two trias...
Nuff said.