[iceaxe68]

On the topic of help with missions - it would be nice if the mechanics provided knowledge or help equivalent to what someone would really give you if you were setting out on an important task. That help would probably be different for different people, based on their experience and ability. (Yes, I know, easier said than done, I'm just wishing here.)

I think the map markers on Silan are entirely appropriate. If you were giving a task to someone with limited experience and knowledge, wouldn't you want to give them a map with the location marked on it? And specific warnings about dangers? And hints about things that could be of assistance?

On the other hand, giving that same level of help to someone intimately familiar with the locations and threats would not be necessary.

I think having that sort of info available if you need it is a good thing, since it is sometimes not available in the game right now. Nobody is forced to use it, and nobody gains really significant advantages (in competitive terms) from abusing it.

The ideal situation, given current mechanics, would be for every new homin to have a mentor to turn to for advice when things are confusing. That's not really feasible in every case though, so we have Uni, but that can be hit and miss sometimes - especially with things like rites that not everyone has done. So a wiki format with spoiler warnings serves a good purpose.

I had an experience recently that refreshed my awareness of the steepness of the Ryzom learning curve. I have a good friend who I thought might really enjoy Ryzom. She's a very experienced MMO player, all the way back to MUD days. She's far from unintelligent (she's a university professor) and she's an enthusiastic roleplayer. I had her read some of the Ryzom lore before starting, and I created a new character to accompany her on Silan. The first few melee missions went smoothly... too smoothly, I think. When we got to the hunting of weeny raguses she died repeatedly, expecting to be able to charge in and wipe them like yubos - despite my warnings to the contrary. The sudden leap in difficulty from dead easy click and kill to the need for careful pulling, sneaking, and aggro management skills proved very frustrating for her. Add to that dying and having to learn quickly about respawning, the respawn timer, the ability to choose your respawn location, death penalty, and then just dying again, and suddenly her interest in the game died as well. She never got to the good parts at all. I do still hope to re-introduce her to it, but it hasn't happened yet.

The point being, even with a friend with a good deal of experience standing right there with you, the knowledge challenges can be daunting, especially for someone still learning everything. A little assistance is not a bad thing when the alternative is frustration to the point of unsubscribing.

I do appreciate Acridiel's view, and respect him deeply, but if we limit the game's population to those with the patience for that approach, then I fear all twelve of us will have a grand old time for a few months until the game goes belly up for lack of funds. (again)
((and yes, that's hyperbole, but I hope you get my intent))

With that said, I'm afraid I must admit that I've not completed any rites yet, so I can't help with the wiki. I'm grateful to those who have and are willing to spend their valuable time sharing their knowledge.