Cool new features brainstorm
Let's brainstorm cool new UO features in this thread. One idea per post. Explain the idea, the mechanics, why it's cool, etc.
A qua lemmúr wíste, an zen anku vol verde wís.
Comments
The idea & mechanics
This box can be looted from very difficult monsters, found as loot of the hardest treasure maps, etc. You take this box to an open spot, it only works where a house could be placed. When you open it, a variety of randomly generated sequential puzzles appear. Imagine: strange talking statues speak with riddles that indicate you need to hit them in specific ways (fire arrow, mind blast, mind blast, etc.). Tiles you need to stand on and keep standing on while you defeat a black reaper. Mouth-o-swallows, which are live boxes that need to be fed specific items, such as 15 wooden tables, 2 capes, and 10 magic weapons within a certain time limit. Perhaps sometimes they need to be crafted (can't just buy the items).
The point is to make it less about fighting and more about thinking and working together. It would have several phases, and if you fail you get the reward of the last completed phase. The difficulty steps could be like those of treasure maps. These could also be sold in the ultima in-game store. Every time a box has been opened and finished, a special plant appears on that spot. This is a cool way of adding history to the lands.
Perhaps something special happens if boxes are opened multiple times on the very same spot. Perhaps the plant hue/title could indicate how often it's been done. It could be that after 7 times, there is a very high chance of randomly entering a very special puzzle phase with special rewards. They could also be themed with the original ultima virtues and have different sets of challenges corresponding to the virtues. The plants spawned would be virtue plants in that case. "A [title corresponding to times run] magic flower of Deceit"
Why it's cool
It requires a very diverse party with possibly even crafters. So it would call for very diverse groups to work together.