Starting Point - Gloa Plan

Background

See Starting Point Debate. Basically, people want the starting point to be both logical and quick (for new players or second avatars, etc.).

Plan

You start in a singleplayer area right outside the fence around the Cleft. You can't walk anywhere, and most of the background is just flat textures (to make this as small and quick loading as possible). You have two things in your hands. One is a brochure talking about D'ni (in an IC way, as if it was one of those little travel pamphlets). It gives directions (that you have obviously already followed) on how to get a Relto book. It then tells you how to link with the book (making sure you are wearing it first, etc.) like a person would explain linking to someone who never heard of it. Then it tells you that you can go to Relto, and how to get from there to a (multiplayer) neighborhood (where Greeters or other experienced members can help you).

The other thing you have is a Relto book. Inside this is a note from Zandi. In the note, he tells you that you can use the Relto book at any time if you want to get to your friends in D'ni or anything. He encourages you, though, to come to his property and meet him.

If you link through the Relto book, then you'll have a pedestal with a book to the Cleft, and you can go back to there at any time (and people you invite to Relto can go with you to help).

If you put down the book and open the gate (in the fence) instead, then the game loads the Cleft. You meet Zandi and he helps you with the Journey. You can use the Relto book at any time. When you finish the journey, you get the Relto page for the journey pillars.

Some Implications

Everyone gets a Relto. DRC members deal with it, just as they dealt with it in the past, just as Esher dealt with the "bahro abominations".

The tunnels can be developed slower, since they aren't instantly needed for the game. They come in later as a new explorable area. Perhaps to get into them, you need multiple people (like, one person lifts the other over the fence?) and so it just plain can't be accessed in the beginning (so people don't go without Relto Books).