Make the Black Market into gameplay

[Peter]

I for one think that the trading of Loftar's Lembas was and remains a very nice element that appeared more or less entirely accidentally. I propose that this be made into a formal gameplay element- that is, allowing any and or everyone access to a rare and valuable consumable. How this can be done that will ensure that the item remains rare and valuable is problematic, but not impossible. Here's my thoughts, and keep in mind that I'm not suggesting this particular implementation, just this as a possibility.

Gems- scattered around the world are gemstones that can be discovered by, in fact, everyone. Stats do not affect the ability to find them. Statistically, you might be likely to find one gem every 168 hours of solid play. If there is a variety of gems, some may be rarer or appear only in some areas. A common stone like quartz may appear anywhere, while a diamond may appear in caves- but this only varies by location, not leveled location

Each gem- there may be different kinds- provide a temporary boon that is on par with the lambas. Perhaps rarer gems will have more powerful effects, while more common gems are more mundane. For instance, rubies could be consumed to gain 100 HHP and SHP for an hour, while rock crystals may merely restore 50 stamina instantly.

Of course, they could be called herbs or runes or auras. The important thing is that they can be used by anyone and found by anyone, rarely. This is different from the current exploration/survival/perception thing because this is specifically designed to link the high-level game and the low-level game by giving low-levelers a chance to find something valuable to high-levelers.

[theTrav]

this is specifically designed to link the high-level game and the low-level game by giving low-levelers a chance to find something valuable to high-levelers.

While I'm not super keen on anything specific of that idea (not against either, just meh) I do like the idea of making high value items available to low level characters.

[legendy]

The idea itself is nice, but your claim that it will link the high-level and low-level gameplay is dubious. Just think: Not only are the high-level players the people who normally have much more time to play the game than others (and thus more time to explore and find the stuff), they are also the only people capable of exploring 8/9th of the world (since only they can survive Mordor) and thus are the only ones capable of accessing most of the areas were this stuff is found.

[Devour]

Use the idea similar to EvE-Online's drug system. Sure, they're useful, but they get you hunted by certain agencies even if you are spotted carrying them.

Maybe allow rangers or whatever to hunt down drug runners?