"The Underrealm" Discussion

ArchivedUser

<img src="https://puu.sh/vG92b/243c7c9aff.jpg" alt="" />

So the next stretch goal just got announced after our last hit. This looks like the most interesting and mysterious so far imo. What do you guys expect/hope to see from this?

ArchivedUser

perhaps a bonus race?(like Dark elves?)

ArchivedUser

Dark elves would be pretty cool. I wonder how they would fit into the scope of the lore. We'd definitely see elves dominate in quantity.

ArchivedUser

I think it'd be caverns which lead into the "Underrealm", a place of undead / skeletons and what not. Nodes will be dark, haunted and attract only the bravest of NPC's

Just my thoughts

ArchivedUser

[quote quote=16076]<blockquote>
<div class="d4p-bbt-quote-title"><a href="https://www.ashesofcreation.com/forums/topic/the-underrealm-discussion/#post-16075" rel="nofollow">TickledPink wrote:</a></div>
perhaps a bonus race?

</blockquote>
What makes you say that exactly?

[/quote]
was more of a "hope" than anything else..Its a realm. Hard to have a realm without some type of race down there and Dark Elven lore is based under ground.

ArchivedUser

maybe a goblin or rat type race since we already have dwarfs

ArchivedUser

[quote quote=16080]maybe a goblin or rat type race since we already have dwarfs

[/quote]
Or a kobold race!! :D

ArchivedUser

I think some sort of archaeology mechanic would be pretty sick to see. Something other than just mining.

ArchivedUser

It's certainly where one of the Dwarf factions would congregate.

ArchivedUser

There is so much it could be, it is wonderful to think about to be honest. I hope we reach that goal.

ArchivedUser

This game says our cities will rise and fall as we effect the Nodes we inhabit.
Maybe the Underrealm could be the remains of an ancient extinct unknown race that makes anything we do on the surface pale into comparison.
Their ancient underground highways provide faster travel-ways for those brave enough to delve into the dark.
Ancient libraries hold books of long forgotten magic and secrets of making master weapons and who knows what Rogues would find if they look in the right corners.

Of course such ancient ruins would not be without life and the more powerful creatures inhabit the deeper areas away from bothersome adventurers.

ArchivedUser

[quote quote=16085]It’s certainly where one of the Dwarf factions would congregate.[/quote]

My exact thoughts. I could see the Dwarf faction try to build a town underground. Also, depending how goblin-like they look, one of the Orc factions also. Not to mention the potential for a Dark Elf "variant."

I think this would mostly just be extra areas to adventure in and/or build cities and towns.

ArchivedUser

[quote quote=16075]perhaps a bonus race?(like Dark elves?)

[/quote]

ZOMG! Dark Elves would be awseome... Drizzt clones all over the place :)
And they could have perfect night vision as well.

ArchivedUser

Finally someone aiming for Forgotten Realms Underdark concept, I really hope Underrealm will be massive.

ArchivedUser

I imagine the players finding the new node, a cave on the side of the mountain and then expanding inside deeper and deeper underground, to finally create a reign similar to Erebor or Moria with lots of resources and hard to siege, but also with monster coming from inside the mountain. I know that devs mentioned LOTR, this HAS to be on their mind.

ArchivedUser

With a name like Under Realm I wouldn't be surprised if it was a Node that catered to all the thieves, pirates, and murderers this game will most likely have. A place where they don't have to worry about the law and can sell off stolen goods, and i'm definitely getting ahead of myself with this one but if all the other types of nodes(economic, military, etc..) get their own special government then this one could have some sort of king pin getting a cut of all then sells in the Under Realm that pvp/ganking guilds could fight over.

ArchivedUser

<em>In places deep, where dark things sleep,
In hollow halls beneath the fells.</em>

Think about the water temple video they shot. Old Gods, and the corrupt races that followed them come to mind. The Dwarves are not the only ones that delve deep into the earth.

ArchivedUser

Have to wonder if the plan would be that the nodes underground would contribute to the city above ground they fall in the zone of influence of or if there will be a unique underground city that can develop. Probably the former but its still cool to speculate

ArchivedUser

oh wow if there's an underground Metropolis that's where I'm setting up a home. lol

ArchivedUser

Gave me goose bumps and a wicked grin when that popped up.
I am a dungeon delver who loves adventuring through the pits of hell.
Shudders with visions of anticipation.

ArchivedUser

Underrealm Elves might be OK.
I hope the devs are wise enough not to call such elves Dark Elves.
Of course, it's unlikely in AoC that any race will be called Elf/Dwarf etc. Rather, they will be labeled by culture.
Best if they include Underrealm versions of all 4 base races.
And, you know, biologically, we should expect them to be pale-skinned rather than dark-skinned.
I'd say best if the Underrealm races have a range of skin tones - as should the core races. Perhaps the Underrealm cultures distinguish themselves with tattoos that glow in the dark.
Also, none of the races are inherently evil... would be interesting to see what values the devs will give to additional cultures.
The Underrealm won't be any more inherently lawless than any other regions. Every region has the potential to be a haven for thieves, pirates and murderers. Players will determine that. We can expect that some servers will have a murderous underrealm and some will have a carebear Underrealm...and most a mix in-between.

Of course, I think of Landmark when games start talking about adding underground caves to explore - *ick*
But, really the better experience has been exploring caves in No Man's Sky.

What fascinating to contemplate is the ultimate benefit(s) an Underrealm Node will bring.
In EQNext we would expect an Underrealm Node to increase Shadow Magic and deplete Life Magic.
Does the Underrealm simply have the same 4 core nodes? Or do Underrealm Nodes count as additional types of nodes?

ArchivedUser

[quote quote=16253]Have to wonder if the plan would be that the nodes underground would contribute to the city above ground they fall in the zone of influence of or if there will be a unique underground city that can develop. Probably the former but its still cool to speculate.[/quote]
Underrealm Node Development means those nodes will be develop villages into Metropolises in the Underrealm.
What we don't know is whether those nodes will be the 4 core types or whether they are Underrealm Nodes which add more types of nodes.

ArchivedUser

[quote quote=16077]I think it’d be caverns which lead into the “Underrealm”, a place of undead / skeletons and what not. Nodes will be dark, haunted and attract only the bravest of NPC’s

Just my thoughts

[/quote]

I'm thinking something similar too. I don't think they will add a playable race there (IE Dark Elves), but I can see them creating a new "race" that may live there and be a main enemy you face. If anything, it would probably be dwarves that we would find there.

ArchivedUser

[quote quote=16075]perhaps a bonus race?(like Dark elves?)

[/quote]

I'd love to see heroes of might and magic scale underground (with modern stuff obviously)! =D

ArchivedUser

[quote quote=16072]<img src="https://puu.sh/vG92b/243c7c9aff.jpg" alt="" />

So the next stretch goal just got announced after our last hit. This looks like the most interesting and mysterious so far imo. What do you guys expect/hope to see from this?

[/quote]

My concern here is that all these add in could push out the release date 6months or so.

ArchivedUser

[quote quote=16354]<blockquote>
<div class="d4p-bbt-quote-title"><a href="https://www.ashesofcreation.com/forums/topic/the-underrealm-discussion/#post-16075" rel="nofollow">TickledPink wrote:</a></div>
perhaps a bonus race?(like Dark elves?)

</blockquote>
I’d love to see heroes of might and magic scale underground (with modern stuff obviously)! =D

[/quote]

Ok Dark elves make it worth the pushed out date!

ArchivedUser

[quote quote=16120]This game says our cities will rise and fall as we effect the Nodes we inhabit.
Maybe the Underrealm could be the remains of an ancient extinct unknown race that makes anything we do on the surface pale into comparison.
Their ancient underground highways provide faster travel-ways for those brave enough to delve into the dark.
Ancient libraries hold books of long forgotten magic and secrets of making master weapons and who knows what Rogues would find if they look in the right corners.

Of course such ancient ruins would not be without life and the more powerful creatures inhabit the deeper areas away from bothersome adventurers.

[/quote]


lol I really like your theatrically written backdrop, for how the underrealm's may be.

This expansion, whether sooner (if stretch goal is reached), or later (should the game have a successful launch, and sustain), it further adds to the already proposed dynamic interplay, in a multitude of ways, most of which have already been described in prior posts.

It's been a long time since I've had to balance my optimism, with pragmatism, in regards to a game. Half the fun, is the anticipation, and wondering if we, as players, will be rewarded at the end, or not. Very ambitious goals! Fingers crossed!

ArchivedUser

I would love if players could create a daedalic system of caves for set their home or market or even mining areas searching for precious metal or gems for crafting with the danger might wake something dangerous.
Personally i would love to have the option to terraform a cave in the side of permanent snowy mountain and set it like home ^^

ArchivedUser

I was thinking something whole different.
Perhaps it was a huge cave under the city , where you can mine, but filled with monsters.

And that there is an invasion coming from the underrealm a few times a week.

or perhaps a zombbieeeeee invasion ;)

ArchivedUser

[quote quote=16310]<blockquote>
<div class="d4p-bbt-quote-title"><a href="https://www.ashesofcreation.com/forums/topic/the-underrealm-discussion/#post-16077" rel="nofollow">Authorize wrote:</a></div>
I think it’d be caverns which lead into the “Underrealm”, a place of undead / skeletons and what not. Nodes will be dark, haunted and attract only the bravest of NPC’s

Just my thoughts

</blockquote>
I’m thinking something similar too. I don’t think they will add a playable race there (IE Dark Elves), but I can see them creating a new “race” that may live there and be a main enemy you face. If anything, it would probably be dwarves that we would find there.

[/quote]

Im goign with @seronic here. I dont see a new <em>playable </em>race though perhaps an NPC race. Just new areas to explore.

ArchivedUser

I would love for the Underrealm to feel like a alien environment compared to the surface, it should be more treacherous to explore and you would need use light sources or you can't see in some parts( though some races could have a dark vision of some kind). I wouldn't mind Underrealm themed races added to the roster. Maybe sub-cultures for Elves and Dwarves , a ratlike race( like Skaven from Warhammer), Gnomes perhaps, there are many possibilities. The Underrealm can be a world to itself with it's own struggles of power and perhaps have some contention with the Surface world.