The latest dev pics had some lanterns and torches in the wilderness.
(https://www.pantheonrotf.com/forums/topic/1896/pantheon-update-may-2015)
There is also some fires at some ruins some times back.
I don't think that fire is appropriate to have out in the wilderness.
Who lights them?
Who tends to them?
Who makes sure the fire doesn't spread?
Ive been irritated about this for years! Hundreds of games does this! It's so lazy! It takes away immersion so fast! If there is no peoples to take care of the fires, there shouldn't be fires there in the first place!
At least explain lore wise how the lanterns/torches, camp fires can be there and how they refuel them selves every night.
And if "magic" did it, please explain how. Just saying magic did it without explanation is just lazy!
So please Pantheon devs don't add fire based light sources around just because its convenient! Anchor them in lore first!
Its a minor issue, but I think its important enough to be talked about! :)
What do you guys think?
It is more a tool for developers to light up an area that would otherwise be very dark and what better way than by using torches? They are more durable and sustainable than you may think mate plus they give great atmosphere and immersion when done properly.
Here is two quick searches I found but there are many more that also explain how well torches and lanterns are for lighting up outside area's that date back all the way to the Roman era, they would of course not be great in bad weather (wind, rain etc.) but even submerging a well made torch in water would not extinguish it, so they would be a great way to light up a path or an area like how they are used in that screenshot, especially if they were lit and maintained by whatever is further down that pathway, check it out at your own risk ;)
http://www.historyoflighting.net/lighting-history/history-of-torches/
"The moment human race began to control fire, some 400.000 years ago, represents one of the turning points in the human history. Controlling fire meant we have means to cook food and eat healthier, to have heat in the winter and, of course, lightning at night. One of the most early and most primitive ways of illumination was a torch.
Torch is a rod-like piece of wood with the rag wrapped around one end, which is dipped in some flammable fluid and lit. If that fluid is mixture of sulfur and lime that torch will not extinguish if put into water. Ancient Romans invented and used that kind of torch. Torches were often put into sconces to serve as fixed lightning in crypts and castles. Except for lightning indoors, they were used in processions and parades. Torch was used as a symbol of hope, life (and, if turned upside down, of death and mourning) and enlightenment."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torch
"Torch construction has varied through history depending the torch's purpose. Torches were usually constructed of a wooden stave with one end wrapped in a material which was soaked in a flammable substance. In ancient Rome some torches were made of sulfur mixed with lime. This meant that the fire would not diminish after being plunged into water. Modern procession torches are made from coarse hessian rolled into a tube and soaked in wax. There is usually a wooden handle and a cardboard collar to deflect any wax droplets. They are an easy, safe and relatively cheap way to hold a flame aloft in a parade, or to provide illumination in any after-dark celebration.
Modern torches suitable for juggling are made of a wooden and metal or metal only stave with one end wrapped in a Kevlar wick. This wick is soaked in a flammable liquid, usually paraffin (kerosene)."
Torches/fires fall under the suspension of belief category for me. I realize there has to be some developer tricks in order to create a mood/ambient lighting of the environment. I would rather a better mood be created with shadows, etc. that invoke fear etc. while traveling than have 100% realism.
A few ideas to satisfy both parties though would be:
1. If it's a path, perhaps just have a few roaming guards that can be seen with a torch in hand that would be relighting the torches along the path.
2. For wilderness campfires, a few footprints etc. near an abandoned campfire could explain it away that the occupants recently left.
I guess they could actually have an NPC in each zone like a guard that goes around the city or travels down the path and lights the torches and lanterns. How cool would that be?
lol just noticed Raiden said the same thing. Great minds and all!
Not a bad point; lighting these days is an expected game mechanic/feature. No reason not to populate dungeons with realistic light sources, and require they be maintained. Quite a bit could be done with this;
Crafting reagents related to light sources
Magical spells that support or replace typical sources
Enemies that avoid or hang around light
Enemies that are alerted by light
Races that function better in darkness
etc.