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Seasons Past

Seasons Past

Posts: 595 Steel Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
01 Introduction

This thread proposes improvements to the new player experience (NPE).

Summary:

1) Players start on Ashdale and complete a quest. The quest would act as the main tutorial for the game and prequel to A Shadow Over Ashdale . During the quest, players learn basic concepts including controls, skills, quests, and combat.

2) After the Ashdale sequence, players go to Lumbridge to craft a weapon and complete a simple combat lesson. They also learn about interface customisation and the world map. Additional equipment creation and nearby quests would be presented as optional paths.

3) Finally, players travel to Varrock to learn about trade and social features. They learn how to use the Grand Exchange and protect themselves from scamming/exploitation, unlocking the ability to chat and to trade with other players.

Table of Contents

01 Introduction
02 Ashdale
06 Lumbridge
08 Varrock
10 Additional Paths
11 Feedback/discussion

Note on Burthorpe:

The Troll Warzone theme cannot continue to be part of RuneScape’s introduction. Sending players fresh out of the initial tutorial to be weaponised as cannon fodder in a literal warzone as “recruits” profoundly undermines RuneScape’s core message of questioning tradition, drawing one’s own conclusions, and defying the inane mandates of gods, monarchs, military officials, and the powerless swarms of thousands who obediently follow.

By depicting the conflict as an innocent people’s legitimate defence of its borders from incursion by inhuman, illiterate brutes, Burthorpe’s tutorial echoes real-world propaganda in a cynically accurate portrayal of war and state power, if not intentionally.
Spirit of Forinthry ~ Runecrafting: Magic Armour ~ F2P Extensions ~ Dragon Slayer improvements ~ New Player Experience

24-Dec-2023 00:10:18 - Last edited on 12-Jan-2024 14:56:08 by Seasons Past

Seasons Past

Seasons Past

Posts: 595 Steel Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
02 Ashdale

Sunrise Over Ashdale

1) Rise and Shine

The player wakes up in a house on Ashdale and hears someone calling from outside. The player is shown how to move their character and the camera. Once outside, Gudrik introduces himself and answers any questions. He then asks the player to accompany him to the market.

2) Follow My Lead

Follow Gudrik down to the market, where villagers are selling their wares. During the usual morning banter, one of the vendors is notably absent. A villager approaches and asks you to deliver a parcel to the missing vendor’s house.

Knock on the door of the house. There is no answer. You then notice marks around the property, as if an animal has disturbed the area. While investigating, a seagull flies toward you and furiously attacks. The parcel tears open, causing a bottle inside to shatter. Attached to the bottle was a note reading, “Hope this helps. Get well soon. -Magda”.

Return to the market. The villager who gave you the parcel introduces herself as Magda the seer. A man had fallen ill, so his wife Lucy had asked her to prepare medicine to help him recover. Ask her how long he has been unwell. Magda replies that he began feeling under the weather about a week ago. His condition progressively worsened, preventing him from leaving the house for the last three days. When asked about symptoms, Magda says that they began with fatigue and nausea before developing into a fever. Lucy wanted to keep it a secret because she didn’t want to worry the town, as she believes his condition is serious and could spread.

Ask Magda more about Lucy’s husband. Magda tells you that he is a chef by profession. He likes creating his own recipes and especially loves seafood. Ask her if he ate anything unusual when he fell ill. She doesn’t know but thinks that the local fishermen might, referring you to Hendrik at the pond.

(continued below)
Spirit of Forinthry ~ Runecrafting: Magic Armour ~ F2P Extensions ~ Dragon Slayer improvements ~ New Player Experience

24-Dec-2023 00:10:59 - Last edited on 12-Jan-2024 06:38:42 by Seasons Past

Seasons Past

Seasons Past

Posts: 595 Steel Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
03 Ashdale

3) Nobody Likes Crabs

Go to the pond at the top of the island and talk to Hendrik. Ask him about last week’s haul. Hendrik reports that the crew caught a few crabs in addition to the typical catch last week. The crew gave the crabs away, as they were especially feisty. He confirms that they gave one of the crabs to Lucy’s husband.

Report back to Magda. She tells you that it sounds like an especially nasty case of food poisoning, which her tincture should be able to cure. After admitting that the tincture broke, you are asked to find out if any other villagers ate the contaminated crab meat while she makes another potion.

Ask around the island to find out who else may have been poisoned. You learn that a villager took a crab but didn’t eat it; one crab crawled away before it could be cooked and eaten, while another was snatched up by seagulls.

Return to the market. The stalls are disheveled, and everyone’s gone except Gudrik. Ask him what happened. He says overgrown crabs dragged Magda away and scared everyone else off. He hid in a barrel to size up the new adversary without being spotted. He suggests the two of you continue the conversation at the armoury.

Follow Gudrik to the armoury and talk to him there. He says you’ll need to prepare for combat and offers to give you a few pointers. The player is prompted to choose a weapon and set up their action bar. You may choose either a bronze 2h sword, chargebow, or staff of air. After learning the basics, Gudrik says that you’ll also need food to survive. He tells you to go back up to the pond and talk to Hendrik. Once you’re ready, he’ll meet you in the church.

(continued below)
Spirit of Forinthry ~ Runecrafting: Magic Armour ~ F2P Extensions ~ Dragon Slayer improvements ~ New Player Experience

24-Dec-2023 00:11:05 - Last edited on 12-Jan-2024 13:11:02 by Seasons Past

Seasons Past

Seasons Past

Posts: 595 Steel Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
04 Ashdale

4) Clawed in the Middle

Go back to the top of the island and talk to Hendrik by the pond. He shows you how to catch some raw minnow, chop down a tree, light a fire, and cook the minnow. Once you are finished, Hendrik says that you’d better hurry and meet up with Gudrik. He senses something on its way, like a storm but somehow different.

Head to the church. On the way, Crassians repeatedly ambush you. Defeat them and continue. Witnesses cowering nearby will reveal more details about what happened at the market.

When you reach the church, you find Gudrik blocked in by a horde of Crassians and their leader. You’ll have to take the brunt of their attacks; however, Gudrik aids you by shooting them with his crossbow from above. Once some of them are defeated, he joins you in combat on the ground.

After the two of you defeat the last Crassian, Gudrik laughs and says he hadn’t felt such excitement since his adventuring days. He then suggests that you split up to find survivors. He’ll organise the town to bring the injured to safety, while you find Magda.

5) Refresh My Memory

Return to the market and inspect the marks near where you met Magda. Follow the marks back to Lucy’s house. Surprisingly, you find Magda standing by the door. She states that you must be there to administer the medicine she brewed. After a short conversation, you discover that her memory has been altered. She claims that she was on her way to deliver medicine when she was viciously attacked by a seagull. As Lucy won’t answer the door, Magda asks you to take the cure inside for her. When pressed, Magda denies the existence of large, monstrous crabs and asks if you’re feeling alright.

(continued below)
Spirit of Forinthry ~ Runecrafting: Magic Armour ~ F2P Extensions ~ Dragon Slayer improvements ~ New Player Experience

24-Dec-2023 00:11:11 - Last edited on 12-Jan-2024 06:29:05 by Seasons Past

Seasons Past

Seasons Past

Posts: 595 Steel Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
05 Ashdale

Knock on the door. Lucy opens it and asks you to come in. Inside, she informs you that she saw the entire saga unfold from the upstairs window. After you and Gudrik took out the Crassians, her husband woke up and his condition rapidly improved. She believes that the Crassians are responsible for the illness and asks you to administer the medicine to Magda instead of her husband. Lucy starts brewing some tea and asks you to let Magda in while she slips the medicine into the latter’s tea.

After taking a few sips, Magda regains most of her memory. She infers that the Crassians considered her a threat due to her knowledge of medicine. She thanks you for freeing her and the community and says she’ll meet you at her place once Lucy has caught her up on the day’s events. She suggests for you to speak with the other townspeople, who have rewards for you.

6) Knowledge Is Its Own Reward

Talk to Gudrik. He says that your assistance came in handy against the Crassians, and he enjoyed the battle. To show his appreciation, he gives you some tips for combat. Depending on your earlier choice, you automatically give back the weapon you borrowed and gain level 5 in either Attack, Ranged, or Magic. Gudrik then says he’s heading to Port Sarim and is sure you’ll meet again.

Talk to Hendrik. He offers you a lesson to help you survive in the natural world. You gain level 5 in Fishing, Woodcutting, Firemaking, and Cooking.

Finally, talk to Magda at her house. She shows you how to activate the Ashdale lodestone, explaining that many places have lodestones to ease travel. As a final word of advice, she suggests you look out for more when exploring new areas. When you’re ready, use the Lodestone Network to teleport to Lumbridge.

Congratulations! Quest Complete!
You have completed Sunrise Over Ashdale.

Rewards:
1 Quest Point
Level 5 in Fishing, Woodcutting, Firemaking, Cooking, and one combat skill
Access to the Lodestone Network
Spirit of Forinthry ~ Runecrafting: Magic Armour ~ F2P Extensions ~ Dragon Slayer improvements ~ New Player Experience

24-Dec-2023 00:11:18 - Last edited on 12-Jan-2024 13:16:43 by Seasons Past

Seasons Past

Seasons Past

Posts: 595 Steel Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
06 Lumbridge

Players receive a warm welcome from the Lumbridge Sage, who shows them how to customise their interface layout. Explorer Jack then teaches players how to use the world map, and a skill tutor guides them through making equipment. The sequence finishes with a combat lesson from Captain Harlan.

Newcomer Orientation
1 Talk to the Lumbridge Sage.
2 Customise your interface layout. (Skipped on mobile)
3 Talk to Explorer Jack to learn about the world.
4 Open the world map.
5 Talk to a tutor to learn about equipment.

Choose one of the following paths:

Way of the Warrior
1 Talk to Dezzick near the furnace in Lumbridge.
2 Get a bronze pickaxe from Bob’s Brilliant Axes.
3 Add a bronze pickaxe to your toolbelt.
4 Mine copper ore in Lumbridge Swamp. (X/2)
5 Mine tin ore in Lumbridge Swamp. (X/2)
6 Smelt bronze bars in a furnace. (X/2)
7 Add a hammer to your toolbelt.
8 Smith a bronze weapon of your choice.
9 Equip your new weapon.


Way of the Ranger
1 Talk to Brynna in the woods near Lumbridge.
2 Pick flax from the garden.^1
3 Spin a bowstring on a spinning wheel.
4 Chop down a tree to get logs.
5 Get a fletching knife from the Lumbridge General Store.
6 Add a knife to your toolbelt.
7 Craft logs into a shortbow (u).
8 String a shortbow.
9 Equip a shortbow.

^1 Added outside the castle


Way of the Wizard
1 Talk to Terrova^2 at his house in Lumbridge.
2 Chop down a tree to get logs.
3 Get a pair of shears from the Lumbridge General Store.
4 Add a pair of shears to your toolbelt.
5 Shear sheep to obtain wool. (X/4)
6 Spin balls of wool on a spinning wheel. (X/4)
7 Weave strips of cloth on a loom. (X/2)^3
8 Get a sewing needle from Dommik’s Crafting Store in Al Kharid.
9 Add a needle to your toolbelt.
10 Craft a wizard wand.
11 Equip a wizard wand.

^2 Would replace Roddeck
^3 Loom added inside Terrova's house
Spirit of Forinthry ~ Runecrafting: Magic Armour ~ F2P Extensions ~ Dragon Slayer improvements ~ New Player Experience

24-Dec-2023 00:11:25 - Last edited on 12-Jan-2024 13:21:50 by Seasons Past

Seasons Past

Seasons Past

Posts: 595 Steel Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
07 Lumbridge

Players test their newly made weapons against a set of training dummies. Captain Harlan guides players through a self-defence lesson, teaching them about action bars, abilities, and adrenaline. As a reward, players receive Defence XP, a tier 5 weapon, and a storm drape^4.

In Your Defence
1 Talk to Captain Harlan.
2 Defeat a training dummy using basic abilities.
3 Defeat a training dummy using basic and threshold abilities.
4 Defeat a training dummy using basic and threshold abilities, delivering the final blow with an ultimate ability.
5 Receive a reward from Captain Harlan.

^4 Bladestorm, arrowstorm, and spellstorm drapes would be combined into one item. A right-click option would toggle between the Melee, Ranged, and Magic versions of the cape.

The following paths would be optional:

Fletching Arrows
1 Chop down a tree.
2 Craft logs into arrow shafts.
3 Buy feathers from a Fishing shop.
4 Feather arrow shafts.
5 Mine and smelt ore into bars.
6 Smith arrowheads.
7 Tip headless arrows.
8 Equip arrows.

Fletching Crossbows
1 Chop down a tree.
2 Fletch a crossbow stock.
3 Mine and smelt ore into bars.
4 Smith crossbow limbs and bolts.
5 Attach crossbow limbs to a stock.
6 Pick flax and spin a crossbow string.
7 String a crossbow.
8 Buy feathers from a Fishing shop.
9 Add feathers to crossbow bolts.
10 Equip a crossbow and bolts.

Lumbridge Quests
Complete any of the following:
* The Blood Pact
* Cook's Assistant
* Imp Catcher
* One Piercing Note
* The Restless Ghost
* Rune Mysteries
* Stolen Hearts
Spirit of Forinthry ~ Runecrafting: Magic Armour ~ F2P Extensions ~ Dragon Slayer improvements ~ New Player Experience

24-Dec-2023 00:11:29 - Last edited on 12-Jan-2024 13:27:01 by Seasons Past

Seasons Past

Seasons Past

Posts: 595 Steel Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
08 Varrock

The player travels to Varrock, learning about trade and ways to interact with other players. This part of the tutorial would have a sinister undertone, as it is meant to prepare players to protect themselves from coercion and manipulation. The following sequence would unlock the ability to chat and to trade with other players.

“Beware of what you give away. Trade carefully.” -Brugsen Bursen

The Grand Exchange, Part I
1 Talk to Brugsen Bursen.
2 Use the Grand Exchange.
3 Watch out.

Players travel to the Grand Exchange and meet Brugsen Bursen. Bursen teaches players about wealth and trade, showing them how to use the coin pouch and Grand Exchange. He then tells them about direct trades. An NPC would initiate a trade screen and give the player an item. A cutscene would then show someone discovering that they had been duped into giving away their personal belongings. The scene ends without clear resolution. Brugsen says that the culprit got away and it’s dangerous to take someone’s word at face value.

“Don’t mention it. I’m not your friend.” -Grand Exchange Tutor

The Grand Exchange, Part II
1 Talk to the Grand Exchange Tutor.
2 Customise your chat settings.
3 Receive a final word of advice.

The Grand Exchange tutor offers advice to help you identify the culprit. He provides examples of the following:
-Healthy and unhealthy interactions
-Causes and effects of unhealthy behaviour
-Signs of an untrustworthy person or message
-Limitations of rules and punishment
-Effective and ineffective ways to protect oneself and others

The tutor then shows players how to adjust chat settings to their liking. Upon thanking him for his help, he responds ambiguously and implies that you shouldn’t trust him.
Spirit of Forinthry ~ Runecrafting: Magic Armour ~ F2P Extensions ~ Dragon Slayer improvements ~ New Player Experience

24-Dec-2023 00:11:38 - Last edited on 12-Jan-2024 11:05:04 by Seasons Past

Seasons Past

Seasons Past

Posts: 595 Steel Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
09 Varrock

Recommended paths:

Clans
1 Talk to the clan tutor^5 at the Grand Exchange.
2 View the clan list.^6 (Optional)

Players talk to an NPC at the Grand Exchange to learn:
-What clans are
-Purposes of clans
-How clans are formed
-How to find and join a clan
-How to leave a clan

^5 The clan tutor would perform all current functions of the Clan Camp south of Falador.
^6 A clan flag would be added at the Grand Exchange like the one in Burthorpe.

Runecrafting
1 Talk to Aubury to learn about Runecrafting.
2 Receive an air talisman from Aubury.
3 Mine some rune essence.
4 Enter the Air Altar and craft air runes.

Self-Urn-provement
1 Talk to Ernie to learn about urns.
2 Mine clay from Gunnarsgrunn south mine. (X/2)
3 Wet clay at a water source. (X/2)
4 Form clay into an unfired urn on a potter’s wheel.
5 Fire an urn.
6 Add runes to an urn.

Varrock Quests
-Complete any of the following:
* Gertrude’s Cat
* Gunnar’s Ground
* Shield of Arrav
Spirit of Forinthry ~ Runecrafting: Magic Armour ~ F2P Extensions ~ Dragon Slayer improvements ~ New Player Experience

24-Dec-2023 00:11:42 - Last edited on 12-Jan-2024 11:34:57 by Seasons Past

Seasons Past

Seasons Past

Posts: 595 Steel Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
10 Additional Paths

Burthorpe
-Way of the Wizard renamed to Slayer’s Apprentice , to emphasise its role as the Slayer tutorial path
* Proposed name is a reference to the folktale, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Crafting Jewellery (see proposed jewellery rework below)
1 Talk to Jack Oval to learn about jewellery.
2 Add a chisel to your toolbelt.
3 Mine blurite ore and an uncut opal in the Burthorpe mine.
4 Cut an opal, or have Jack Oval cut it for you. (Requires Crafting level 5)
5 Smelt a blurite bar.
6 Craft an opal ring. (Jack Oval may assist you.)
7 Talk to Carwen Essencebinder^7 to learn about enchantment spells.
8 Enchant an opal ring, or let Carwen’s assistant enchant it for you. (Requires Magic level 10)
9 Return to Jack Oval.^8

^7 Cosmic runes added to her shop
^8 Players who completed all steps without assistance receive a games necklace (8) as an additional reward. Seasons Past said :
Crafting Guild Refurbished
-Jewellery rework ( post 141 )
* Ring of respawn/metamorphosis made with opal/jade (swapped)

Thanks for reading.
Spirit of Forinthry ~ Runecrafting: Magic Armour ~ F2P Extensions ~ Dragon Slayer improvements ~ New Player Experience

24-Dec-2023 00:11:52 - Last edited on 12-Jan-2024 14:50:56 by Seasons Past

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