Irfidel (Leanon)
Ryzom really is a challenge *if* one decides to accept it. I decided for myself that it is way more fun to discover most of it's secrets by myself. I try to avoid looking at maps (locating NPCs and digging spots), other people's recipes for crafting, "best" recipes for occupations (occupations only exist on mainland), etc.
If you play like that, progress will be much, much(!) slower. But it keeps me interested. Things that others experience as numb grind, take more time and thus actually feel less of a grind to me. Sounds like a paradoxon, but try to think about it.
Also, on one day I can play in a calm mood, maybe just doing roleplay, some easy occupations, or some easy digging.
On others I can try to sneak around to get to those difficult to reach digging spots, or even try to trek alone from one capital to the other. Adrenaline is pumping, even though most of the time you're just standing somewhere, looking around, trying to anticipate every move of the beasts around you. You start to time the migration of harmless animals which always attract some predators and thus are also dangerous to you.
And finally, you can participate in teams going to battle against other players, or fighting huge mobs, or just to practice some fighting skills and/or get to some animal loot for others to craft with.
So day-to-day experience varies a lot. And it's all your choice. Every single day. Love it.
+1 :))
Grinding in silan is pointless because the real game is in the mainland. Once you’ve completed all the missions, collected the starter gear, and feel like you have a good handle on the games mechanics, the next natural step is coming to the mainland. The XP on the mainland is greater, the quality of raw materials and gear is greater, and you have a higher chance of finding teams and joining a guild.
I may not be the best qualified to talk about the lore but, I found the lore complex and quite a good read. The best source of information I found is the Ryzom Wiki website, and the Lore Atys Wiki, which you can access in game; go to your communications tab, then forum, then home or shift+w/for windows users: not sure for mac. You can also visit the temples to learn information about the cults. Plus the RP thread is full of stories written by homins that can reveal a little about what is happening right now. One good example is The Journal of Miarelli Sidera, which I found quite good and entertaining. The first thing you will notice is that the lore is written by homins so most of it is hearsay, which makes it hard to figure out what is true. It requires extensive research or depends on your own conviction and interpretation of what you read. The history of hominity was lost during the great swarming so alot of information was lost and the true origins of Atys, the Karavan, and the Dragon Myth, and the Kami are still a mystery.
I can recount what I’ve read but I cannot guarantee that what I say is true. Plus I cannot guarantee that what I tell you won’t carry my own prejudice and beliefs, no matter how hard I try to be objective there is always the risk that I will influence your own interpretation of the lore. The best advice I can give you is to do your own research. But if you want to discuss in-character what my character believes look me up when you get to the mainland or send me a PM.