Update (overdue)
I've decided to simplify the systems. "Happenings" are now called "Episodes".
Day / Night cycle is 15 minutes day, 15 minutes night. Episodes have a 50% chance of happening per in-game 24 hrs (play for an hour IRL, most likely you'll see at least 1 episode). There can also be two episodes running in tandem (CHAOS! :D).
The type of episode that is chosen (when the chance for an episode happening is successful) depends on the status of the town and its inhabitants. I'm classing them as 5 different types:
Inexplicable = players had no chance to prevent this occurring (storms, fires, large armies)
Security: Knight (not enough duties fulfilled = mob attack), Ranger (not enough wildlife culled = more wildlife enemies in wild), Thief (not enough gold stolen = greedy king, taxes increased), Wizard (not enough power for the magic shield = mob attack) -security episodes have a higher chance of happening at night
Stock deprivation = town stockpile has been neglected (not enough medicine = plague, not enough food = famine)
Ecstatic = an NPC has been very well treated (positive events, ie cheaper items, parties, stockpile bonuses)
Tantrum = an NPC has been neglected (not enough quests completed for them, (farmer = food production down, wizard = creates a storm etc etc))
Having it all as one system makes it easier to communicate what the priority is since everything can't be happening at once. Before this change the journal would be telling you to heal your injuries, talk to an NPC, gather supplies AND focus on the episode, now it just gives character updates and what is happening for the episode. Stock will have a higher minimum to decay to during episodes so you don't need to worry about food running out whilst the server population is off stopping a goblin horde.
Sorry for no pics, time is precious.
I know this system will work since players have to stockpile, keep the town safe, be active for their class and keep townsfolk happy. It's designed so they have to neglect something along the way - but if I do it right, episodes will be designed to be fun instead of punitive.
There can be two episodes running in tandem. The roll is random, so if you have a very happy king and a low food stockpile, the roll could be between the episodes "Overzealous King" and "Town Famine", two VERY different outcomes! RNG Jesus be with us. A roll happens 3 times a day and 3 times a night. Episodes can be ended by player activity, the longest an episode can last is 4 episode rolls (20 minutes). The system design is nice because it means I can play a cutscene to everyone at the start, maybe saying that the King summons them, give them a minute to get there. Then the King could send you on a mission. It's a nice framework that all being well, I'll be able to just input parameters and easily make fun group experiences.
I also added a mana system via the energy bar and the wizard staff is finally balanced with all 4 elements working as intended.
I plan to remove aging and simply make it that you choose your age at character creation. Helps encourage RPing, rather than try and force it.
I've also started coding the ability for admins to take control of any NPC and bring them more to life. This along with custom admin commands should give it a Dungeon Master type feeling when an admin is on.
