Despite the anti-newby sentiments
in the last part of this thread (I\'m a newby) I think the idea is original and developing rather well.
The basic idea of a natural, peaceful and harmonious place is good. Here are some ideas that might provide some of the content that some have been asking for.
I will be an animal trainer of occupation, an evil (neutral evil) one but all the same. What could work for the Tree-Castle is that it become a haven for animal-trainers, the animals they train and buyers of trained animals.
The special nature of the Tree-Castle and its surrounding domain, maybe dense forest encircled within surrounding cliffs and or mountains with the Castle at the centre of all this, provides the right atmosphere for animal training.
This scenario would give the Castle both a purpose and identity. Players would want to come there to acquire specially trained animals. First they must gain acces to the Tree-Castle which should be no mean feet in itself, i.e. the first quest. Having reached it the player cannot just buy what he/she wants but will also have to convince a trainer that he deserves to own a trained animal into which the trainer had put a lot of loving care and training. Thus the player would have to prove that she can master the animal and is worthy of owning it. I.e. quest no. 2.
Shoul?d a player request a special animal with special skills this can be done but the required quest will be tougher and would for example require him to performe tasks for the trainer or to capture a rare animal, maybe free one from a player that has bought an animal which he is abusing.
Furthermore, the tree-Castle can act as a hospital where animals with special value to a player can be healed and/or recover. This will allow Healers, Pharmacists and Herbalist a place to settle to perform these tasks.
All of this should fit in well with what Hook has invisioned. If one imagines that the trainers, as indeed all inhabitants, of the Tree-Castle are nature loving and either neutral or good it would follow that they will only sell their animals to neutral or good natured players. This adds another dimension as such players will use their animals and their skills against evil players and interests. Therefore, the Tree-Castle and its realm will always be in danger of attack from evil forces.
The Tree-Castle domain will therefore require a standing army to protect it. This will typically consist of players mounted on animals or fighting together with animals to protect their realm. Some of the quests could be to join that army as a temporary member. Players of higher rank within the army could have earned that rank through faithful service and therefore attain a permanent position.
These are just some loose ideas but it might help to provide some of the flesh on the skeleton of a very good idea. Keep it up and let me know what you think of these thoughts.
