' Wrote:Pirate: "Bah, move along, snub."
Scout: "Well, I'd love to, but see, there's a problem. I'm scouting for a trader back a ways, and so I need to ask you to move, please."
Pirate: "Oh really? Scout this." *pewpew* (Scout dies because the pirate was in a gunboat, of course)
Trader: "Sigh." *docks and logs off*
Pirate: Bah move along snub
Scout: As you wish
*Trader knows to avoid the lane and flies above the plain for that section of lane*
I second that, I got my scouting training from them. We had tons of convoys, I can't remember how often we got succesfuly pirated...
Escorts can do many things. Most basic, warn the trader and then plan a re-route. He can also destroy the target, if he thinks he can make it. Or..and my favourite. Engage the pirate, tease him and draw him away from the lanes. Trader goes through, then cut the bridges as you re-group. :laugh:
' Wrote:So the scout doesn't engage the pirate? Makes sense, thanks, although that seems to cut down on RP (sadness).
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.
' Wrote: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)?
If you think I have a personel vendetta against you, you really need to get up from the PC and go do something other than stare at a computer monitor. That or deflate your ego.
You say there is no interaction between the pirate and the scout, I'd beg to differ. When I scout and I stumble onto a pirate, there is usually an interaction. I, as the scount, however am not there to chit chat with him. I'm there to make sure my charge avoids him. If that means chatting him up to distract him while my charge makes his way around, I do so. If that means continueing on my merry way returning insults I do.
In no way does it cut down on the interaction unless you want it too. Both players involved have the ability to force interaction if they so feel the desire.
As for your question; at OSI our traders pay escorts a percentage of each leg of a route when using OSI escorts. If they use VE or VPS, or a random merc (which we prefer not to do) the terms are agreed on between the two players. An OSI escort makes 10% as a recruit, 15% as a escort/scout, and 20% as a senior escort/scout. We promote based on activity as a scout/escort, role play ability, and some times if their trader gets promoted their scout/escort character does too. For paperworks sake.
When I hire outside services, I tend to pay between 15% and 20% to the scout on each leg. Of course they don't get paid if I don't make it to my destination due to their error. If it is my error they still get paid.
As far as what the scout does to, well we either chat inRP in private comms and/or local/system or ooRP in private comms. If it is your first time working for me or vice versa I talk to you inRP to get to know you and/or your organization.
yknow I always wondered about this, it seems the scout does much more work than the trader - even if NO pirates are met he still has to fly the same route as the trader, AND report on what he sees, whereas if there IS a pirate he has a whole nother load of work - and yet scouts get paid 10-20% of the trader.
Doesnt it seem scouts are getting a bum deal? No wonder there arnt many, this is why high pirate prices are good, as they may raise scout wages, increasing activity, and therefore having more available for the trader.
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' Wrote:yknow I always wondered about this, it seems the scout does much more work than the trader - even if NO pirates are met he still has to fly the same route as the trader, AND report on what he sees, whereas if there IS a pirate he has a whole nother load of work - and yet scouts get paid 10-20% of the trader.
Doesnt it seem scouts are getting a bum deal? No wonder there arnt many, this is why high pirate prices are good, as they may raise scout wages, increasing activity, and therefore having more available for the trader.
The trader can make money on the run without the scout.
The scout cannot make money on the run without the trader.
' Wrote:yknow I always wondered about this, it seems the scout does much more work than the trader - even if NO pirates are met he still has to fly the same route as the trader, AND report on what he sees, whereas if there IS a pirate he has a whole nother load of work - and yet scouts get paid 10-20% of the trader.
Doesnt it seem scouts are getting a bum deal? No wonder there arnt many, this is why high pirate prices are good, as they may raise scout wages, increasing activity, and therefore having more available for the trader.
People who scout for me are under strict orders not to engage any pirates they stumble on. I am not paying them to kill a pirate. I am paying them to provide me with information on my route. If a pirate feels the need to engage my scout, I may pay him extra but I will also ask that he try to flee as soon as possible as waiting on him isn't part of the deal.
Scouts aren't getting a bum deal. 10 to 20 percent is better than 0%.
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