Rise of Kunark -Sarnak, models, and zone art questions

[Winter]

<p><span style="color: #ff66cc">I don't mean to be a pest, but I have a few visual questions about Rise of Kunark, if I may:</span></p><p><span style="color: #ff66cc">1. The Sarnak - In EQlive, the Sarnak's didn't seem to vary in appearance. Can you share any information as to the customizatoin of PC Sarnaks? I imagine that horns, scales, and scale color will be customizable, but will there be anything that truly stands out in the sense of customization (akin to the Fae and Arasai wings)? Maybe the beak-like area?</span></p><p><span style="color: #ff66cc">2. Sarnak Models - The intention to streamline player character models was mentioned a few times. The Sarnak obviously have very different bodies - skinny and slightly hunched over with long fingers and long claws. Also, their feet are different in the extreme - even their joins bend differently at the ankle area. They also seem to have some horns growing on their foreams/elbow areas. How is this going to affect plans to optimize models? As it already takes a lot of work to create new armor appearances, etc, how is this going to affect that? Are glove and boot appearances going to be customized for the extreme differences? ((Sorry, I know, a lot of questions)) The artwork on the Rise of Kunark page seems to suggest that they may have different models for boots and gloves altogether as to allow freedom for the hands and feet.</span></p><p><span style="color: #ff66cc">3. The Iksar - As the Iksar were always a big part of Kunark, do you plan on adding more customization for them with RoK? As in, do you plan on making it similar to the Sarnak in options? As of right now, they still seem to be one of the least customizable races. Do you guys plan on increasing customization with any coming expansions?</span></p><p><span style="color: #ff66cc">4. Environments -  The zones introduced in EoF had a substantially better appearance than the zones before it. Can we expect the same of RoK? In EQlive, graphics seemed to improve with each expansion, eventually making it feel a little incongruous to me during play. Of course, later improvements changed that, but I think you understand what I mean. How are you guys handling the increased zone detail? Or are you guys simply updating the engine with time? I'm curious <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></span></p><p><span style="color: #ff66cc">Again, I apologize for being a pain. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> I'm just endlessly fascinated with the world of Norrath, how it is developing and how it is evolving.</span></p><p><span style="color: #ff66cc">Hearts,</span></p><p><span style="color: #ff66cc">Winwin</span></p>

[Josgar]

and, will sarnak use the iksar swim or some other swim? What about racial vision? What about features similar to feather fall? (Underwater breathing for ever would be cool <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />) <yeah this one is probably in the wrong place

[Winter]

<cite>Josgar wrote:</cite><blockquote>and, will sarnak use the iksar swim or some other swim? What about racial vision? What about features similar to feather fall? (Underwater breathing for ever would be cool <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />) <yeah this one is probably in the wrong place </blockquote> <span style="color: #ff66cc">They've already answered that the Sarnak will have a racial quality to set them apart, as the Fae have Feather Fall and Glide. As for vision, etc, I'm sure that will all be revealed in time. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> I'm moreso interested in the development, artwork, and the implications of a drastically different player class model.</span>

[Mirander_1]

Looking at the concept art of the Sarnaks, I'd guess they're going to have a model skeleton like that of perhaps the Frogloks or Ratonga, just stretched out a little. As for customization, well, horns are one obvious place to go.  Look at the wide range of horn styles that the various dragons have.  For color, I actually had an idea in another thread to have it tied with a racial ability.   Have Sarnaks all start out as that rusty brown color they were in EQlive, and at some point they get to choose an elemental breath weapon; after choosing an element, they get a new scale color option based on that element (ice gives white or silver, lightning may have shades of blue, etc.) and a free chance to change color.

[Winter]

<cite>Mirander_1 wrote:</cite><blockquote>Looking at the concept art of the Sarnaks, I'd guess they're going to have a model skeleton like that of perhaps the Frogloks or Ratonga, just stretched out a little. As for customization, well, horns are one obvious place to go.  Look at the wide range of horn styles that the various dragons have.  For color, I actually had an idea in another thread to have it tied with a racial ability.   Have Sarnaks all start out as that rusty brown color they were in EQlive, and at some point they get to choose an elemental breath weapon; after choosing an element, they get a new scale color option based on that element (ice gives white or silver, lightning may have shades of blue, etc.) and a free chance to change color. </blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium; color: #ff66cc; font-family: comic sans ms,sand">Interesting idea. I think it may be a bit too much of an advantage to have a racial ability like that though. They would have to balance it really well - I mean, look at how many people complained about the Fae racial ability. I do think it is a great idea though - I'm curious how something like that would be implemented. (This brings to mind another interesting thought - how will they handle the Sarnak's intense hatred of Iksar if they were to travel to the new starting area??? That's for another area of the forum though.)</p><p><span style="font-size: medium"><span style="color: #ff66cc; font-family: Comic Sans MS">I feel that the beaks, horns, and scales will likely be the big customizable features... but I'm curious how they're going to make them recognizable as individuals. The Iksar, for example, even when completely different colors and scale patterns, still look VERY similar. Of course, that should go without saying for a reptile I suppose... Hmm... The Sarnak have a very striking appearance - but I am curious how it will be varied up for the individuals... One piece of artwork suggests markings on the beak, another suggests decoration of the horns. Whereas Fae individuals are often recognizable from a distance, how do they hope to accomplish something like that with the Sarnak? Or... well, do they intend to have them look very similar to one another? If it fits, it fits, after all.</span></span> </p>