By "Random", I really meant that the location that sits on the other site of that portal you just discovered is randomly chosen from a list like what was mentioned above (and many others that have yet to be mentioned). Each site has a certain "cast" of actors, and certain things that can (or must) be done to consider the site "completed", though some specifics are left to vary randomly.
By necessity, some areas will need to be suitable for high- or max-level players only, but there is no reason why most random locations couldn't be suitable for a group of mid-level players. Rarely should a site be suitable for a solo player.
All locations that spawn as active locations, meaning there are Kitin present, should have a varying sized group of patrolling Kitin. They would walk around the boundaries of the open space in the middle of the area, and randomly walk up and down any passageways that the room may have. Sometimes it would be possible to hide in a dead-end, and sometimes it wouldn't. The patrols would have a set starting point (portal or dead-end passageway) and a set ending point (portal or dead-end passageway). When they reach the ending point, they disappear unless in combat.
When you find a portal leading to one of these hidden sites, there may be another visible, unhidden, unblocked portal inside. There may also be minor obstacles in the way that need to be cleared. I would prefer the digging, searching, and clearing of obstacles to rely on harvesting abilities, that way it could be suitable for someone who may not have a high combat level, or who may enjoy digging and exploration but not necessarily combat.
Portal mechanics should work the same way here as everywhere else: standing next to the portal protects you in a safe zone.
Randomly, when you leave the portal safe zone, a small obstacle may appear at any time blocking your quick return to the safe zone until it is cleared (by foraging).
The only complication I have right now is a way to "discover" these hidden entrances in the known lands. Should it be left to random dumb luck where they appear? Should there be a way to discover and/or track them, and if so, how?
Inside the hidden sites, it is fairly easy to determine if there is a continuation of the hidden system: prospect a small area at the end of each "dead-end" passageway. If a forage source appears, dig it, and it may clear away rubble leading to another portal.
By necessity, some areas will need to be suitable for high- or max-level players only, but there is no reason why most random locations couldn't be suitable for a group of mid-level players. Rarely should a site be suitable for a solo player.
All locations that spawn as active locations, meaning there are Kitin present, should have a varying sized group of patrolling Kitin. They would walk around the boundaries of the open space in the middle of the area, and randomly walk up and down any passageways that the room may have. Sometimes it would be possible to hide in a dead-end, and sometimes it wouldn't. The patrols would have a set starting point (portal or dead-end passageway) and a set ending point (portal or dead-end passageway). When they reach the ending point, they disappear unless in combat.
When you find a portal leading to one of these hidden sites, there may be another visible, unhidden, unblocked portal inside. There may also be minor obstacles in the way that need to be cleared. I would prefer the digging, searching, and clearing of obstacles to rely on harvesting abilities, that way it could be suitable for someone who may not have a high combat level, or who may enjoy digging and exploration but not necessarily combat.
Portal mechanics should work the same way here as everywhere else: standing next to the portal protects you in a safe zone.
Randomly, when you leave the portal safe zone, a small obstacle may appear at any time blocking your quick return to the safe zone until it is cleared (by foraging).
The only complication I have right now is a way to "discover" these hidden entrances in the known lands. Should it be left to random dumb luck where they appear? Should there be a way to discover and/or track them, and if so, how?
Inside the hidden sites, it is fairly easy to determine if there is a continuation of the hidden system: prospect a small area at the end of each "dead-end" passageway. If a forage source appears, dig it, and it may clear away rubble leading to another portal.