Shattered Kingdoms

Being small and simplistic is never a downfall of a newbie zone.

I feel like you have to ride the line between something being intuitive and friendly (rather than confusing) and something being interesting and engrossing (rather than lifeless and functional)

Exile newb school, despite its very small size and extreme simplicity, does do a good job adding in that flavor of authenticity despite that. However I think it could stand to be slightly larger. That would be the only improvement to it I'd suggest.

Still, like I said in my first post, I think it's the best place for newbs to start right now.

It's been quite a while since I started in Tas, so if there's been another tweaking of the area in the past 18+ months, I withdraw my comment. The last time I started in Taslamar there was a map available and the map is probably what confused me more than anything. I could never exactly figure out how it was really laid out, so honestly I just left the area and went to train in Nerina. I don't deny the problem could be user error.

I think the tweaks that could be made to bring Teron back up to snuff would be relatively easy.

Taslamar did change. What's left is easy to navigate, which is good. It gives hints about what to do when you get out, which is great. Its failures are lack of character and poor XP rate. I'm amazed it was rated as highly as it was.

Teron isn't that bad, but I dislike the whole atmosphere. Gladatorial combat fits the Empire so much better. I'd rather see Teron's newbie area set up as an interactive zoo. You have freedom to kill as well as look - and so do the animals. What could be fairer, or more in keeping with Teron's traditions?

The imperials have that whole Roman thing, but they already have a coliseum too. It's just higher level.

As for a "Killing Zoo"... I think you should keep your fanatasies to yourself, dude.

Kidding I think the gladiator thing is fine though.

What could be more in keeping with Teron's traditions than implementing one of longest-existing structures in the city's history? Teron has had an arena for over a decade IRL. Teron also has a history of bloody lawlessness, excessive violence, slavery, and a general tradition of survival-of-the-fittest.

On the contrary, a newbie zoo sounds kinda like implementing a petting zoo. That sounds more like regression to the days of "beastie booties" in old-time Nerina.