So here's where I'm at - before I start the actual writing, I figured I'd get everyone's feedback. Based on what I've seen people are creating so far, I may need to move the level expectations for my area up - originally was going to be 5-10ish?
Concept: Self contained, enclosed area for early leveling and possible gold farming. Based loosely on Vetra Isle from RoK, mixed with Ungoro Crater in WoW. You descend into the Valley from above, and there is a method to exit easily forming a coiling loop?
Considerations:unknown attach point or orientation - plan ahead by working middle out?
need centrally available shop spot - place to sell drops
Monster / Div considerations - "leveling spots" for each type - identify monsters first, design quadrants around them?
Monsters:Old RoK Base Stats for Troll:
HP - 58-95
Gold - 21-26
Gold FarmingNeutral Div - spread out throughout map
Fungi Fighter - Mushroom Man type - physical attacks - ‘patrol’/’guard’ mob
Morel Mage - Mushroom Man type - magic attacks, drop %herb% for sale - somewhat rare - how much should these be worth?
Spawns: Should Fighter also be in each Mage spot?
Leveling:Aerotes (Fire - Bravery and Battle)
Plated Lizard
Dunsel (Night - Sorrow and Nightmares)
Spider
Javn (Earth - Creation and Life)
Bear
Vaendac (Storm - Death and Destruction)
Bat
Orasic (Ice/Water - Silence and Peace)
Koi Fish
Map Designer Layout - Main - path towards descent, Under1 - circular mountain path, Under2 - valley basin
Numbers on map show up/down joins. On mountain path extended lines show where you could fall to valley.
Overlayed version - doesn't take up too much worldspace since it's vertical - floors get darker as you go down (top is bright, bottom dark)
I decided to put the store on the express path out - exit through the gift shop style, so you have a chance to sell before you exit. This also allows PK parties to snag the most gold from people on the way out. How people and PK would enter and scan the area was considered. I wanted each area to have a flow, but not be a simple circuit.