The population might be rather small compared to most games out there but Ryzom was not meant for a huge playerbase in the first place. Ryzom's community is one of the best you will ever see and it's more than enough to have fun and enjoy the game.
Two really isn't a question but I'll comment anyway. Yeah really race has nothing to with anything except minor qualities such as look, roleplay, what you start out with, and some starting fame. Everybody has the opportunity to do the same thing and it does not limit your game experience.
As Zyeir said there are no bows but an array of guns from a pistol to a launcher. There are bowpistols though which are pretty good weapons to use. These weapons are not available until the mainland though so don't be worried if you can't find them on the starting island.
Ryzom is basically a sandbox. You can do everything or pick and choose what you want. It is not mission run although there are some missions going along with some lore as well as missions for fame. There are also events that often happen going along with the lore as well as player events. Events also occur for the various holidays. PvP is also a popular feature. The primeroots have open GvG PvP in a few areas and there is flagged pvp having to do with races/faction and there is also outpost battles where people fight for varying sides. I could go on and on but I believe those are the main features.
I'm not sure about your opportunities really. I've seen the events team and CSR team recruiting but nothing about the devs. Might be a question for one of our CSRs.
There are 63 skills that you can bring up to 250 so there is plenty to do. Of course some of them branch off from other things but it's still quite a bit. I've been here since 2004 and still have not mastered nearly everything. Way less than half mastered haha.
I hinted on PvP in my quick summary didn't realize there was another question for it :p Sometimes we have fun impromptu or scheduled flagged PvP battles in a city which can last a while and is rather fun. The Outpost battles are known at minimum a day before the actual battle so there is time to get the word out and often there is a great turnout and those are really fun. The prime root PvP isn't used all that much except for the occasional times where people fight for mats at the supernodes which doesn't happen as much in the present.
I don't have much experience with the ring but there are occasionally some good scenarios out there that you can play solo or with a group. In fact, some scenarios are meant to be done with others and are next to impossible solo.
As Zyeir said again the cap is 250 (125 for a free account) but it all depends on how you play and how often you play. Plus it also depends on your access to Experience Catalyzers (Cats) which double your xp and whether or not you elect to use them. There are a lot of factors that determine how long it takes to get a master.
There are four capitols. One in each land there are also other cities which contain different level merchants. The capitols have Q50 and Q100 merchants so you have to visit other cities for higher qualities. Merchants will occasionally have good items but they are not the main source of getting gear. The best stuff is crafted when asked for because if it is not bought withing the time limit or bought back by the seller it will be wasted and disappear. In addition, on the forums there is The Bazaar which players can sell/request something. This isn't used that widely at current but it is actually quite helpful and easy to get gear from.
Two really isn't a question but I'll comment anyway. Yeah really race has nothing to with anything except minor qualities such as look, roleplay, what you start out with, and some starting fame. Everybody has the opportunity to do the same thing and it does not limit your game experience.
As Zyeir said there are no bows but an array of guns from a pistol to a launcher. There are bowpistols though which are pretty good weapons to use. These weapons are not available until the mainland though so don't be worried if you can't find them on the starting island.
Ryzom is basically a sandbox. You can do everything or pick and choose what you want. It is not mission run although there are some missions going along with some lore as well as missions for fame. There are also events that often happen going along with the lore as well as player events. Events also occur for the various holidays. PvP is also a popular feature. The primeroots have open GvG PvP in a few areas and there is flagged pvp having to do with races/faction and there is also outpost battles where people fight for varying sides. I could go on and on but I believe those are the main features.
I'm not sure about your opportunities really. I've seen the events team and CSR team recruiting but nothing about the devs. Might be a question for one of our CSRs.
There are 63 skills that you can bring up to 250 so there is plenty to do. Of course some of them branch off from other things but it's still quite a bit. I've been here since 2004 and still have not mastered nearly everything. Way less than half mastered haha.
I hinted on PvP in my quick summary didn't realize there was another question for it :p Sometimes we have fun impromptu or scheduled flagged PvP battles in a city which can last a while and is rather fun. The Outpost battles are known at minimum a day before the actual battle so there is time to get the word out and often there is a great turnout and those are really fun. The prime root PvP isn't used all that much except for the occasional times where people fight for mats at the supernodes which doesn't happen as much in the present.
I don't have much experience with the ring but there are occasionally some good scenarios out there that you can play solo or with a group. In fact, some scenarios are meant to be done with others and are next to impossible solo.
As Zyeir said again the cap is 250 (125 for a free account) but it all depends on how you play and how often you play. Plus it also depends on your access to Experience Catalyzers (Cats) which double your xp and whether or not you elect to use them. There are a lot of factors that determine how long it takes to get a master.
There are four capitols. One in each land there are also other cities which contain different level merchants. The capitols have Q50 and Q100 merchants so you have to visit other cities for higher qualities. Merchants will occasionally have good items but they are not the main source of getting gear. The best stuff is crafted when asked for because if it is not bought withing the time limit or bought back by the seller it will be wasted and disappear. In addition, on the forums there is The Bazaar which players can sell/request something. This isn't used that widely at current but it is actually quite helpful and easy to get gear from.
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Meagy :)
Spirit of Atys
High Officer of Spiritus Artificis
Never argue with an idiot; they will just drag you down to their level, and beat you with experience.