Board Thread:Suggestions forum/@comment-30079501-20170131011941

I'd like to propose the possibility of capturing NPCs, enslaving them, and then doing whatever you want with 'em. Warning: Prepare yourselves for a totally weird, slightly cruel, and overall off-the-wall idea. :P

Capturing NPCs
Capturing NPCs would be done with a lead, similar to how animals can be put on leads currently. However, due to their higher levels of intelligence (:P), capturing NPCs would be significantly more difficult.

Instead of simply right-clicking on the NPC, one would have to hold down the right-click with a lead on the NPC. While you are doing that, the NPC will try to attack you. If they knock you far enough away, you lose the lead (which becomes a drop), and now have an angry NPC chasing you. Furthermore, any other nearby NPCs of the same faction will also attack you. Given the nature of such an act, you would also lose alignment with that faction. Ofc, if you are trying to capture an enemy NPC, he's probably already trying to attack you, which would likely be even more difficult.

Once you finish "tying up" the NPC, he/she will stop resisting, although nearby allied NPCs will continue to attack. At that point, the NPC will follow you, much like an animal. They will also FT with you.

Enslaved NPCs
Even after the NPC is captured/enslaved, one must still make sure that it won't escape. You should either put its lead on a fence post, or else leave it in an enclosed area. Otherwise, it will attempt to flee when your back is turned.

Talking to the NPC brings up a special "Enslaved NPC" GUI. It would be similar to that of hired units, but there would be different options. Here are some different ideas for what those options could be:

Talk: Enslaved NPCs should have a different speechbank. They would say various rebellious, desparate, or despairing things, depending on their faction.

Search: A one-time option, doing this will give you whatever items the NPC is holding. These items would be random, chosen from the same list as the drops for that NPC.

Command: Much like hired farmhands, enslaved units could be forced to work for you. There could be a similar option with captured warriors for fighting, but the logistics of that probably wouldn't cut it.

Trade: (For item trading NPCs only) This would allow you to attempt to trade with an enslaved NPC, regardless of alignment. Either they will give in to your demands, and offer their trading options, or they will decide death is preferable to negotiating with you, and refuse to trade.

Anything Else?: There are probably some other options I'm not thinking of. If you have another suggestion for what you can do with captured NPCs, feel free to suggest it, and I can add it in. :)

Why this should be added
I believe this feature would allow for a number of appealing gameplay options.


 * It would be excellent for roleplay. As a Gondorian, you can capture and bring back a filthy orc of Mordor, or a sun-baked Near Haradrim. You could then interrogate, search, or execute the NPC (or whatever else you want!).


 * It presents a practical, (semi) realistic method of bringing NPCs to other biomes. Currently, aside from hiring units and spawning, there is no practical method for bringing NPCs to other biomes. This would solve that issue.


 * It's fun. If you're playing evil, why wouldn't you want to enslave people? >:)

Conclusion
I hope y'all find something useful and/or enjoyable in this suggestion. I apologize in advance for any problems or deficiencies. My biggest concern is that some of this would be tedious/difficult (if not downright impossible) to code. However, if most of this could be done, I believe it would be an excellent gameplay mechanic.

As mentioned earlier, if you have any suggestions about this idea, feel free to propose them, I can always add them in. If you have comments/questions/concerns, I'll answer them as best I can.

Thanks for reading! :D 