M. E. R. I. T.

or Multi-national Establishment for Rewarding Incredible Tasks.

It always bothered me that the Merit vendors in the game have always been decidedly metagame. Their presence is not explained by any lore whatsoever. So how about this;

M.E.R.I.T. is an altruistic organisation formed in 2009 by a group of individuals whose lives had been positively affected by the presence of heroes. They seek to give something back to those who accomplish incredible feats of heroism and who have helped those in need.

Due to overwhelming support from the public and local governments, the organisation grew exponentially. Whilst based in Paragon City, M.E.R.I.T. has spread worldwide and has branches in many countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and even the Rogue Isles.

Of course there can be additional text for the Rogue Isles branch.

Unfortunately the Rogue Isles branch of M.E.R.I.T. has suffered under the influence of Arachnos. Bribes and other shady dealings have lead to M.E.R.I.T. agents rewarding acts of villainy. It would seem that in the Rogue Isles crime does indeed pay.

This is just a rough backstory and could do with some expansion, but I think it serves to provide a plausible lore explanation for Merit vendors in the game.

I expect it can be implemented in much the same way the Difficulty NPCs are, with a series of dialogue options that add to their character.

----- Union's finest underachiever -----
Farewell CITY of HEROES
The First, the Last, the One.
Union: @ominousvoice2059

Never bothered me at all, but I'd sign for this. Sounds like a good write-up for 'em too (has about the right amount of typoes for in-game text too hehe).

Seems kinda unnecessary, much like the vendors themselves. It would be much simpler to just give the responsibility to either contacts and/or trainers instead. After all, contacts are always presented as having access to various goodies, and trainers, being established heroes themselves, have their own channels as well.

An open letter to NCsoft

While I am not fond of the vendors (dear FRAG change their costumes!!) and prescence, that at least is a decent sounding explanation for them.
And better than the acronyms they gave the Fateweavers and Hero Corps reps >_>

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zwillinger GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain_Photon NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.

I agree with this. If they are going to exist in the overworld as physical entities, then they need to have a story. The one presented in the original post is pretty good, in that it gives the vendors some background, but without making that infringe on player concepts at the same time. Since Merit Vendors are practically loot vendors, they can easily be written off as just one more source of loot, but having their existence acknowledged would be a very good thing.

I know the community is sort of split on explaining meta-game aspects, but I'm personally of the opinion that if it's in the overworld, it needs to be explained. At least generally.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcanaville Samuel_Tow is the only poster that makes me want to punch him in the head more often when I'm agreeing with him than when I'm disagreeing with him.

I find all loot-purchasing a bit 4th Wall Breaking and wish they had made the Auction house feel more like I was using my "influence" to get what I want and less like I was using money. So I can get behind any suggestion that presents more in-game justification of game mechanics.

;thumbsup

I really like this.

I like this idea.

Dare I say, this idea has ... merit?

I am /signed to this idea!

I like it.
/thumbsup

See my Guides and Tutorials

Love it, OV.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nethergoat it's NEVER too late to pad your /ignore list!

Eh, not really sold on explaining meta-game stuff. Kind of like the whole XP Bar thing, the hero Corps Reps/Fateweavers belonging to stupidly named groups, the Mediporter, etc.

But at least this seems thought out and isn't "4XP". Plus, maybe the merit vendors will get better colors for their costumes.

And something other than someone mashing Random for costume...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zwillinger GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain_Photon NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.

Ah but Hero Corps got random cossies too. The shark lady in RWZ makes me think of the PvP comic every time.

I also like this idea because I like the little things explained. At least in the Architect, the vendor guy is behind a desk. People randomly standing in the World bugs me (yes, even some of the more civilian contacts - surely they'd be inside a building?!).

And in a slightly more OT way - can we give some of the contacts a rest and let them sit down, please? Bobcat, although she is a Lazy Catgirl, makes more sense as a contact in Praetoria than Cain Royce, standing in the middle of a busy and dangerous zone, wearing a business suit.