27.1. What kinds of NPCs (non-player characters) will I encounter in Telon?
A wide variety of traditional High Fantasy creatures, as well as quite a few original monsters. Please check out the Bestiary section on the Vanguard site which should be frequently updated with new creatures, info, and concept art.
Source: Official FAQ
27.2. Can you tell me about NPC AI?
Certainly, we can and will make better combat AI. The trick is to remember that better doesn't always mean harder.
Our focus will be on making different behaviors such that players need to use different strategies and equipment to overcome different encounters. This is much harder than simply making the AI super smart and a killing machine; we're going to go far it as much as possible given the time we have pre-launch, and then keep going after launch. An example of what we’re trying to achieve: a basilisk and a brigand might be the same level, but they may require different tactics based on their respective strength and cunning.
Source: Official FAQ
Sorry, I won't be able to answer this in any real detail. The reason being that we're still working on some advanced AI ideas and need to see how they pan out.
I think there are two major areas: making NPC citizens of, say, a town go around and do things, maybe even communicate with you, making the world seem much more immersive. I think this is doable, but no promises.
The other is how good the AI is in combat when you're fighting NPCs. That one is more tricky. Certainly, we can and will (and already have) make better combat AI. The trick is to remember that better doesn't always mean harder. Our focus will be on making different behaviors such that players need to use different strategies and equipment to overcome different encounters. This is much harder than simply making the AI super smart and a killing machine, but we're going to go far it as much as possible given the time we have pre-launch, and then keep going after launch. Overall, I think the AI in MMOGs has only scratched the surface -- it needs to go a lot further, and I think quite of bit of that really isn't that hard to code.
Source: Aradune Mithara
27.3. How will NPC pathing work? Will NPCs get stuck at times?
NPCs shouldn’t get stuck. As opposed to using a pathing system based on designers placing pathing nodes, we've implemented an advanced algorithmic system that is both more thorough and accurate.
Source: Official FAQ
27.4. Will you use massively scripted NPC events?
You bet. In fact, the author of the famous Ring War quest, Steve Burke, is one of our Senior Designers. He and the other designers feel that with our next generation tools, we'll be able to take these events to the next level.
Source: Official FAQ
27.5. How will we interact with NPCs?
In all of the traditional ways (talking/hailing, transacting, fighting, as banks, etc.), as well as some new ways.
Source: Official FAQ
27.6. Will there be dragons?
In the world of Telon many ancient beings lie dormant. Dragons are amongst their numbers. Will you see a dragon or god walking about the game after starting a new character? Not likely. Will you slay one before the release of our first expansion? Doubtful, but the challenge will always be there...
Source: Official FAQ
27.7. How much effort would you say has gone into making the game models truly unique and different from other MMOGs?
We put a great deal of effort into unique game models. When Vanguard hits the shelves, we want people to be blown away by the art. To that end, we try and pull from traditional sources, and in many cases add our own sense of style to it. We also have excellent concept artists who are coming up with new stuff along the way.
Source: Official FAQ
27.8. Will there be a faction system? If so, will we be able to see our faction standing?
Yes, there will be a faction system—we are currently planning to allow players to see their faction standing.
Source: Official FAQ
We've thus far revealed very little as to how are faction system will work other than to say we will have one and that it plays a key role in the Diplomacy Sphere (although not only in that sphere). January 2006
Source: Aradune Mithara
27.9. How important a role will faction play?
Faction is tied into quite a few areas of gameplay. As you advance in the game, your actions will decide your faction standing in the world, which will have a direct effect on which quests are open to you down the road.
When faction comes into play, we believe there is a balance: you don’t want a new player accidentally attacking someone and getting their faction messed up because they don’t understand the repercussions of their actions. However, we also don’t want to deny fun to other players, so as mentioned above, we are definitely open to that kind of action later in the game, when players have a better grasp of cause/effect.
Source: Official FAQ
Faction is going to play a big part in crafting. - November 2005
Source: Jansan
27.10. Will there be different religions?
Yes.
Source: Official FAQ
27.11. How will religions affect game play?
We're still working on the details.
Source: Official FAQ
27.12. Can we expect to see religion-specific quests or items?
While you may not see religion-specific quests, you can expect faction-specific quests and items (a faction can relate to or represent a religion, amongst other things).
Source: Official FAQ
27.13. Will you be able to kill gods or their avatars?
We're undecided at this point. There are good arguments both for and against killing gods and other powerful beings
Source: Official FAQ
27.14. Will there be an alignment system?
There will not be a traditional system where you decide the initial alignment of your character. Alignments will more related to what your character does and how he or she interacts with various factions and other entities in-game.
Source: Official FAQ
27.15. Can we be good, evil, or neutral?
You are free to role-play different alignments, but you won't explicitly select an alignment at character creation.
Source: Official FAQ
27.16. Will this affect how we play the game and how the game reacts to us?
Your characters actions and the decisions you make will affect various outcomes, including those of factions, quests, etc.
Source: Official FAQ
27.17.1. How do I attack flying mobs?
If a flying mob is too high and is out of melee range, you need to hit it with a spell or ranged weapon, assuming you are in range of the spell or ranged weapon too. - 28 November 2005
Source: Aradune Mithara
27.18. What kind of attacks will NPCs have?
Monsters will have default attacks, but many/most will also have special attacks (like a scorpion's poison, etc.) that may or may not be counterable.
Source: Aradune Mithara
For example, we already have a cool Kraken model, and it will attack ships and people on ships. And you will be able to fight back too, of course.
Source: Aradune Mithara