I absolutely love the campfire idea! I've had the same thought myself before.
Campfires can only be built in the wilderness, but your chances for success vary depending on wilderness type. Making a campfire in a swamp or snowy wastelands might be tricky, but making one in the desert or a forest would be easy, also make wind and weather a factor. You really have to know your stuff to make a fire on a windy rainy night.
Modest boost to regen? Maybe 1/3rd - 1/2 of the boost an inn gives? Even without the regen boost I'd be happy to see this skill.
Takes some PE, sure, that makes perfect sense. Once again, terrain and weather might affect how much PE it costs you
I REALLY like the idea of having the space with the lit campfire visible on the wilderness map at night. While its lit area echos could be done, something like this:
Code:
You walk north.
Wide Open Plains
You find yourself standing in a wide-open plain. There
^ppp aren't any trees growing here, and you can see for miles. The
p*p air is fresh, as if it's been blown in from the ocean. There is
pbb plenty of vegetation in the form of grass and weeds, but none of
it grows larger than knee high. It's partly cloudy, freezing,
and calm.
Obvious exits: n e s w nw ne sw se
You see the flicker of flames to the northeast(nearby?).
This would tip you to the fire during the daytime when the space is lit by sunshine. At night it would be obvious, as you see a lit space on your map that wouldn't normally be there.
And after its put out you can have tha ashes and area echos for the smell. Perhaps even the option to put the fire out early: empty barrel campfire
Tinderboxes, yes, either required or just to make the task easier. Especially given conditions, going to rub two sticks together in the rain and make a fire? Probably not. But with a tinderbox, maybe.
Random chance of burning yourself while lighting the fire? I like that idea as well, it would be hilarious to see some poor guy catch fire for a little bit, that could work something like a very short lived magma spray.
Definitly have a time limit on how long it lasts, which varies according to skill/terrain/weather, campfires should be good for 1-8 hours. And of course, they are a source of light at night.
Yes, I want campfires. I don't even care if it gets the regen boost.
Do it do it do it, please?