We've just had a Hostile Seas update. I especially appreciate the HG QoL updates and hope LSS galleon might happen some day.
We've also had a lot of Reaper-related updates. I like fighting player-crewed Burning Blades, and enjoyed the Reaper Fortress when it was popular.
Can we also get a Friendly Seas or Athena-related update?
In particular, can I suggest that Athena expands to include bodyguard protection commendations?
Reapers have commendations to deliver broken flags. But Athena doesn't have any commendations to protect flags from being broken.
Reapers have commendations to steal treasures. But Athena doesn't have any commendations to prevent treasures from being stolen.
So maybe it can be like:
"While sailing as an Athena emissary, protect some GH/OoS/HC/MA emissary allies until they have delivered X treasures." (Progresses when allies sell the treasures.)
- Make it a requirement to be an Athena emissary.
- Make bodyguards higher value, higher visibility targets - marked on maps for everyone. Reapers don't need to reach Grade V to find them. Those seeking protection can find them easily too.
- Reapers get progress in "sink Athena bodyguard" commendations.
To prevent abuse, add a seal (handshake/fist-bump/emote) or some binding mechanism.
- This should prevent the "protected" from cancelling the bodyguard contract just before selling.
- This should also prevent the "bodyguard" from cancelling the bodyguard contract just before losing to a Reaper.
- It will be more secure than the usual alliance, but cannot replace it. It cannot be used by all emissaries.
This might make the high seas a bit more welcoming to new players. Or at least for me, having a bodyguard ally was one of my most positive experiences as a beginner in SoT.
This might encourage experienced players sailing as Athena emissaries to protect/coach/help new players to fight or do events faster.
This might also provide more challenge to Reaper emissaries who are pvp hunting. Fighting 2 or more ships at once will be tougher, but also more rewarding.
The majority of hunted non-hourglass emissaries can't fight well. The most common response to an incoming Reaper V is to run! It is frustrating for both chasers and runners. Chasers want fights immediately. Runners might feel like they don't stand a chance. If the usual runners have a nearby Athena bodyguard ally, then maybe some would gain the confidence to stay and fight (e.g. 2 sloops vs. 1 galleon).
It might not be easy for the Athena emissary to find ships to protect. So maybe add something for Athena emissaries to progress while finding them. Or give them their own flag marker "bodyguard available for hire"? Or a new Athena voyage/event/task? I'm thinking of doing Veil voyages (I haven't completed 100 yet), and switching to focus on the protection commendation if I managed to find a friendly GH/OoS/HC/MA emissary along the way.
Edits: Restructured for clarity.
