current HnH is broken and to much of a mess. it needs to be remade.
This is how to solve mostly everything -
1. Stats are stupid. High levels are stupid. There is no need to have your stats go into thousands. it takes to much time for a permadeath. it crates to great of chaos between player too make it fun. imagine IRL, you simple peasant in 200 BC germany just fishing and BOOOM a 2013 USA MARINE teleports and misiles you while you are fucking fishing. THATS HOW IT FEELS IN H&H. the gap is to great. If you want to defend you hermitage or a small group, it takes ages to get to a decent STR ,UA , MC. the char you been making for months can be ganked in a couple minutes and fuck you.
This is how you solve it- you put a cap on stats. People seem to hate the idea but this would be just for the better. People already hate the curios. it would minimize the need. the current combat mechanics are made so that the skilled one wins, but because of high stats, the higher stat guy wins no matter how skilled is the lower stat guy.
MAKE SKILL MATTER MORE!
2. Just remove the teleportation already. Fix the transportation. ADD the damn horses. No hearthfires. Your body stays in one place no matter if you loged in or off. No need for summoning. everyone can kill you at any time. But of course they leave scents. i would suggest for a few new items: BIG boat, a tent, and fix the caravan. these would be sort of like your claim. if someone steals from them they leave scents.
Short version- Guys have high stats and murder everyone -> THEY hide in their vaults <- they use teleportation to create mechanics that let them hide easily.
(also can we remove name system pls. each person 'names' other folks based on their own knowledge. people would introduce themselves by what they want to be known. would create intrigue. You could ofcourse have a friend list, but the friend list would be linked to you account and not char. do you know how fking annoying it is to die and lose all your mates. fk that. and the skulls would not have any names if you did not name them before)