Escorts/Scouts

[Hielor]

Not sure how actually performing his role cuts down on actually performing his role. Oh! You're one of those people that think talking is what role play is about. Sorry, forgot.

Thanks for coming into my thread here here just to insult me and offer nothing constructive, Daedric. Not sure what I've done to tick you off and put you on some kind of personal vendetta against me...

If you'll actually read the sentence you quoted, I was saying that the scout essentially ignoring the pirate cuts down on RP interaction in whatever form it comes (note that I specifically said "engage.") There is essentially no RP interaction between the pirate and the scout. There is (and should be, because that's the point) zero RP interaction between the pirate and the trader. I never specified that the RP needed to only come in the form of talking; a scout fighting a pirate is also perfectly valid RP that would be avoided if the scout just ignores the pirate and has the trader go around.

Yes, of course ignoring the pirate and having the trader go around is also perfectly valid RP. There's just little-to-no RP interaction with the pirate, talking or otherwise.

To the others, thanks for the suggestions/tips. I'll have to go see if I can find anyone to scout for, now...

Another question: what are fair terms for a scout to be paid under? Before, I was thinking that a "payment per pirate destroyed" would be fair to both, but since it's not the scout's job to destroy pirates, that obviously wouldn't make sense as payment terms. What does make sense, then? Flat rate for a trip? Payment per pirate avoided? Time-based payment (which ensures that the escort at least gets something, but also increases the payment for avoiding pirate encounters)?

The ideal situation here for the trader and the scout is that the trader pays the scout some amount less than he would've had to pay to pirates, and in return receives the pirate-avoidance itself as well as some guaranteed RP (assuming the scout does so). The scout gets some amount of money and (hopefully) gets some RP out of it.

However, what does the trader/scout RP interaction look like? I mean, given that a successful scout should be a lane or two ahead, there won't be much in-game interaction other than talking, and according to Daedric RP isn't about talking. So (other than the primary interaction of keeping the trader informed of upcoming pirates), what does the scout do for RP during the trip in order to make the experience enjoyable for all involved (except, of course, for the poor lonely pirate)?

Thanks again for the replies, all.