Overhaul and update the current siege mechanics so it provides an event like for both parties involved, both with fair chances of success.
1: Solid inRP - respecting RULE 1 and 3.1 (As they are at the submission of this post): diplomacy, multiple options, no strongarm/intimidation tactics unless no other options are left. Yes, this means unlawfuls will have to TRY DIPLOMACY FIRST, 2ND and 3RD before submitting to threats. inRP must be based on solid evidence - yes, if the builder made time to build a pob core 2-3 or more, you make time to gather inRP evidence of wrongdoing on their behalf.
2: Siege declaration must be validated by community selected staff - yes I realize this is work for you and you are shorthanded, but you made PoBs a focus for refining and equipment manufacturing this patch. They are vital to the inRP, economy and gameplay of DF-FaF. Validation includes inRP verification - that it respects rules 1 and 3.1 from both the siegers and the sieged, with an emphasis on diplomacy and mutual agreement on both sides - and attacking and defender forces balance (treat it as an event). Yes, I KNOW THIS IS WORK FOR STAFF!
3: Siege duration reduced to 1h / 1 week - simply put some of us can't afford 2 hours for 14 days. Its grueling and stressful.
4: Stop all PoB sieges and organize NPC Siege Events with Balanced sides for testing. Live testing is unethical without players consent, and letting the community go wild is not a good move if you want to keep your PoB owners (see point 2 about PoB importance) and attract new players - lots of new players just want to build now - see Valheim, Minecraft, etc.
5: Siege ammo availability is ok, damage is not. Lawfuls have a lot of access, while unlawful do not. Restricting that further will make it almost impossible to successfully siege a PoB bordering a house system, let alone one in a house system. I need to think and do some calculations , maybe increase power usage, or restrict GB access to siege weps - yes, cry about your factions lack of caps. You're old on the server, you have caps. GBs are hard to kill now. Maybe a dedicated siege vessel with 1 gun only, energy based? I need to think on this, so maybe I provide something useful.
6: Interdict access to 3rd parties at the siege - if someone wants to join a siege, pick a side and make an indie or join the faction. No more "Who knows what faction I want to fly my cap ship there and pew cause I am special!"
Point 4 about organizing events to test new mechanics should be implemented on all future developments that involve Player mechanics - PoBs, Sieges, Ships etc.
Propose to old veteran players, especially builders, if they want to be part of staff - Admins. With limited roles - surveillance, self-teleport, evidence gathering. And if they are ok, gradually to upgrade them to full admins. Why builders: it shows responsibility, dedication and patience. A certain degree of maturity
