The issue
Before Full Release, the only in-game factions were the Grand navy and Assassin syndicate. Joining either gave the player various boons, such as spawning at the faction’s base in the chosen sea or not needing a contract to recieve renown from bounty hunting.
With Full Release came a whopping 6 new factions: Knights Proxy, Brotherhood of Balance, Seekers of Sight, Oathkeepers, The Forsaken and Paramount Bank. However, these factions are seldom joined by players, as they offer little change from the usual gameplay and absolutely nothing new for the player. The only exception is Paramount Bank, acting more similarly to Grand Navy and Assassin Syndicate.
Knights Proxy currently is just a far lamer Grand navy and a reskin of Brotherhood of balance. They don’t have a set base, instead just setting up a lone tent at a random island, its members only gather fame, and there are just 2 ranks to be achieved. The only difference from Brotherhood of balance is that Knights Proxy let players reset their rival, but this can be done by anyone and is hardly any incentive to join.
Rework
Several new things should be added to the faction to make it feel far less barebones. Among those are:
- Helewyse’s Challenge - An entry quest
- Execution - A new ability and mechanic
- Respect - A replacement for infamy which works alongside renown
- Other special interactions
Entry quest
Currently, any player with at least 100,000 fame will be sent a message by the faction, and can join them at any time, as long as they meet the requirement. In the reworked version, however, this is no longer possible. Now, a quest must be completed to join the faction.
Helewyse's Challenge
If the player has at least 100,000 fame, they will still receive a message from Helewyse. The message will state that the organization has heard of the player’s fierce fight for justice, and will invite them to their camp.
Upon speaking with Helewyse, the player will get an explanation of the organization’s goals and be given a quest to gather the skulls of 5 criminals. To gather the skulls, the player must use the Execution ability they will be given access to exclusively during this quest.
After the player has gathered 5 criminal skulls, they can no longer use Execute ability, and they must talk to Helewyse again, who will commend their effort and allow them to join Knights Proxy whenever, as long as the player has fame.
Dialogue
H: Greetings. If I am not mistaken, you are [player name]. I’ve wanted to personally meet you.
H: I’m the founder and leader of the Knights Proxy. Our group consists of all the people disillusioned with the Grand Navy’s idea of justice. To let a villain live is to partake in the crimes they do right after, do you not agree?
P: I agree
H: Then I know I made the right choice to summon you here. We know of your fight against injustice, [player name]. You would make a valuable asset… That is, if you can prove your will is true.
P: What do you want me to do?
H: I want you to hunt down and execute five criminals. They don’t need to be menaces or anything, but I want to see their heads. Return to me after you’re done and you can join us.
While quest is in progress
H: My knights have told me you’ve executed [number] criminals so far. Bring me another [number] heads, and I’ll let you join us.
After quest is completed
H: Excellent, you’ve returned with 5 skull that my knights can assure me you took yourself. You’ve proven your determination, [player name]. I trust you won’t fail me by showing mercy where no mercy can be earned.
H: You can receive your rank whenever. Prove yourself a fierce headhunter, and you will be richly rewarded.
Execution mechanic
“Execution” is the name to a new ability exclusive to members of Knights Proxy, and those doing Helewyse’s quest. It is an ability somwehat similar to “Assassinate” and shares its keybind, but due to the circumstances both can be used in, they shouldn’t clash.
The ability can be used against randomly spawning negative renown NPCs and players in various circumstances, or can be activated willingly.
- By bringing the NPC down to 10% of their maximum health, the “Execute” prompt appears and, upon activation, causes the player to lunge at the enemy, deplete the remaining health and visually remove the enemy’s head.
- If the NPC dies before the player has a chance to execute them, the player can activate the assigned keybind for up to 10 seconds after the enemy’s defeat to still receive their skull.
- If the player defeats a player with bounty, they will automatically get the skull.
- If “Assassinate” ability instantly kills the target, skull is automatically awarded.
A side effect of the ability is that executed NPCs become unable to respawn. For this reason, there are certain limitations to this ability.
- If a criminal NPC was defeated by a player without a rival, and has thus gained rival rating, Knights proxy members can’t execute them. To prevent players without rivals just entirely blocking Knights proxy members, however, there are certain limits to that as well.
- If the player has increased the rival rating of multiple NPCs, only the one with the highest rival rating is blocked from execution. The rest can be executed.
- If there are multiple NPCs with the same rival rating, the one with the lowest level is blocked from execution.
- If the player leaves the server, all the NPCs they have rival rating with can be executed again.
- Minibosses[1] cannot be executed.
- Rivals also cannot be executed, except in a certain case explained later on.
Criminal skulls
Executing a criminal will, by default, reduce the amount of drachma and renown the player gets by 50%, and will give them a criminal skull. Criminal skulls serve as compensation for the penalty in drachma and as a way to earn Respect, a kind of secondary renown for Knights Proxy members which unlocks exclusive titles and functions.
The amount of drachma and respect earned depends on the skulls value, which itself is determined by the bounty of the executed criminal. Every 25,000 bounty will increase the skull’s value by 250 drachma rounded up, so the skull of a level 260 criminal, for instance, will have a value of 2,750 drachma[2].
Respect gained from skulls is equal to 10% of the skull’s value.
Knights Proxy Courrier
To get a reward out of your skulls, the player must talk to a Knights Proxy Courrier, a special NPC which spawns in special, pre-set locations on major islands[3][4], similar, for instance, to Assassin sponsors or lord Leo’s base in Tiberia. Upon talking to one, a shop-like UI opens up with all the skulls you own. You can then choose which skulls you want to turn in, and will receive drachma and respect for them.
Players not in the Knights Proxy also get a use from it, however. By talking to the Courrier, the player can request the execution of their rival for the standard price. This allows the players to reset their rivals without the hassle of sailing towards Helewyse’s camp, and also allows players with bounty to do the same without having to sail across the map to even find it.
Verdant Falcon
Description - A large falcon with green feathers favored by Helewyse and used by Knights Proxy. They are surprisingly strong and fast, able to swiftly deliver a multitude of skulls to Helewyse’s camp from wherever.
Verdant Falcon is another way of selling skulls available exclusively to players with the Chevalier rank or higher. It is a tool that can be used whenever and visually looks like a large, green falcon resting on the player’s arm. It functions identically to the Knights Proxy Courrier but can be used anywhere, albeit with a 10 minute cooldown, and allows the player to more easily sell their skulls.
Respect
Respect, as mentioned before, is a sort of special renown available exclusively to Knights Proxy members. It is gained and lost through a variety of ways, all of which include combat, and allows the player to earn titles which grant them special benefits.
Respect Gain
Respect is gained via three main methods:
- Selling skulls
Already explained, by executing criminals, Knights Proxy members can sell their skulls via Knights Proxy courriers or Verdant Falcon tool, earning respect and drachma in return. - Rival Execution
Explained later on in the suggestion, by participating in a Rival Execution, the player is guaranteed to earn a large amount of respect. - Defeating Leaderboard players
Upon defeating a player with negative renown who is on either the Bounty leaderboard or the Assassin Syndicate leaderboard, Knights Proxy members will instantly gain a good sum of Respect, depending on the player’s rank.- Top 100 (Tyrant / Assassin Lord) - 1,200 respect[5]
- Top 50 (Demon / Assassin Maestro) - 2,400 respect
- Top 28 (Most Wanted / Assassin Architect) - 4,500 respect
- Top 14 (Warlord of the Sea / Assassin Cardinal) - 9,000 respect
- Top 4 (Emperor of the Sea / Assassin Overseer) - 15,000 respect
Respect Loss
Knights Proxy members are also vulnerable to Respect Loss. This mainly happens through defeat in combat, but may also happen if a criminal isn’t executed.
Respect can be lost in four ways:
- Sparing criminals
If the player does not execute a criminal who can be executed, they will lose half the respect they’d gain by selling their skull. The first time this happens, the player will receive a message from Helewyse, reminding the player of the faction’s mission and expressing disappointment in the player. - Being defeated by a criminal
If the player is defeated by a criminal, they will lose respect equal to respect they’d gain by selling their skull, regardless if the criminal can be executed. - Freeing criminals and preventing executions
If the player frees a criminal who is in Grand Navy’s custody, they will lose both the standard amount of fame as well as the full amount of respect they’d gain from selling their skull, regardless if the criminal can be executed. If a leaderboard player is freed, half the respect which would be gained from defeating them is also lost, and the player can’t gain any respect if they defeat them while still in combat from releasing them.
If the player prevents an execution, they will lost both the standard amount of fame as well as double the amount of respect they’d gain from selling their skull, regardless if the criminal can be executed. If a leaderboard player’s execution is prevented, the full amount of respect which would be gained from defeating them is also lost, and the player can’t gain any respect if they defeat them while still in combat from stopping execution. - Being defeated by a leaderboard player (Leaderboard ranks only)
If the player on the Respect leaderboard is defeated by a player on the Bounty or Assassin Syndicate leaderboard, they will lose half the respect they’d earn by defeating them.
If the player no longer qualifies for their current rank, they will lose it alongside all associated perks. When this happens, they will receive a message from Helewyse explaining why they lost their rank.
If this happens when the player is a squire, meaning they lose all their Respect, they will automatically be kicked out of the Knights Proxy with a message from Helewyse:
Greetings, [player name], I regret to inform you that the Knights Proxy have decided to expel you from their ranks due to your repeated shortcomings in dealing with the criminal threat. We don’t believe you are presently capable of fulfilling our organizations’s mission, and believe you may compromise it instead. We will seek you out when we consider you worthy of joining our ranks.
Player will be set on a cooldown of 6 in-game hours before they receive another message from the Knights Proxy, provided they meet the 100k fame requirement.
Titles
Players in Knights Proxy have access to an exclusive title system, and like in some other factions, each title carries certain benefits. To unlock a title, the player must reach the required amount of respect, and if their respect falls below the required amount, they lose their title. Higher titles also carry renown requirements. Every player starts with 500 respect.
There are two titles which can be earned exclusively via a leaderboard. 40 players with highest Knights Proxy Respect in the game will receive a special title as well as exclusive, though minor benefits.
Squire - Respect > 0
Squires are the lowest rank of the Knights Proxy, consisting of trusted recruits who recently joined Knights Proxy.
Benefits:
- Access to buying 100k fame items in the Knights Proxy shop[6]
- Permanent access to Execute ability while in the faction
Knight - Respect > 2,500
Knights are second lowest rank of the Knights Proxy, consisting of recruits who have been in the Knights Proxy for long enough to prove their loyalty.
Benefits:
- All Squire benefits
- Access to buying 200k fame items in the Knights Proxy shop
Chevalier - Respect > 6,500, Fame > 300,000
Chevaliers are the lower rank of veteran members of the Knights Proxy. They have proven themselves several times in the fight against the wicked and are relied on to handle dangerous targets.
Benefits:
- All Knight benefits
- Access to Rival Execution mechanic
Captain - Respect > 20,000, Fame > 500,000
Captains are the higher rank of veteran members of Knights Proxy. They have proven themselves not only as extremely loyal, but as highly strategic as well, and are therefore trusted with units of Squires.
Benefits:
- All Chevalier benefits
- Knights Proxy Squires crew[7] gives additional 200 durability and 150 ram strength, as well as +5 speed
- Access to Verdant Falcon tool
- Enables for the creation of Knights Proxy Orders, in-faction clans similar to Grand Navy’s Divisions and Assassin Syndicate’s Circles
Headhunter - Respect > 35,000, Fame > 750,000
Headhunters are the third highest rank of Knights Proxy. They are feared for their proven ruthless approach and utter lack of remorse when it comes to hunting down and executing criminals. Their status allows them slight misconduct, which is overlooked by Helewyse due to their proven loyalty.
Benefits:
- All Captain benefits
- Criminal NPCs no longer fight you on sight[8]
- Can avoid executing 1 executable criminal every in-game day without consequences.
Justiciar - Fame > 750,000, Top 40 Respect
Justiciars are the second highest rank of the Knights Proxy, serving directly under the Executioners. They mostly operate independently, chasing down and slaying any and all criminals without exception, but should a truly dangerous villain emerge, they are often summoned together to fight and neutralize them.
Benefits:
- All Headhunter benefits
- Selling skulls gives 10% more drachma
Executioner - Fame > 750,000, Top 8 Respect
Executioners are the highest attainable rank of the Knights Proxy, second only to Helewyse. All of them are individuals of extraordinary power, often disgruntled high-ranking deserters and veterans from organizations such as the Grand Navy who practice their own form of justice in the Knights Proxy. They are both revered and feared by the common folk, as rumors compare them to the Assassin Cardinals and Architects, diverging only in their targets.
Benefits:
- All Justiciar benefits
- Execution renown penalty is halved.
Rival Execution
An expansion on the existing feature of Knights Proxy, Rival Execution acts as a way to make the players’ rival reset more interactable to those with the Chevalier rank and gives them additional opportunities to gain respect and drachma.
When a player requests an execution of their rival, their rival will be spawned by force, even if another is already spawned. All players in the server with a Chevalier rank or higher will receive a message in their inbox stating that a player has requested their rival to be executed, giving the name of the rival and their location. These players will also have the target specially marked in their bounty board UI, with the poster having a red tint and red marks.
If the rival is out of combat after the 20 minutes are up, they will be automatically executed. However, if they enter combat with any player, the execution is held off until either are defeated. During these 20 minutes, the rival is no longer immune to the execution ability. However, the player doesn’t need to use the ability on the rival to collect their skull, as the rival will automatically be executed on defeat and their skulls given to the player, alongside the rewards.
For completing an execution, the player is rewarded with:
- 4,500 drachma
- 450 respect
- Criminal’s skull[9]
If multiple Knights Proxy members took part in the fight, the drachma and respect is split evenly among everyone who damaged the rival for at least 10% of their health, with the reward pool increasing by 10% for every player that participated.
The skull is rewarded to the player who did the most damage. If one or more players dealt at least 80% of the top player, then the skull goes to the player in that group who landed a hit before the others.
Legendary ship bosses, enemy tower bosses, The Crone, Laelus etc. ↩︎
I am aware it sounds like a lot of money compared to actual bounty hunting. The solution, however, isn’t decreasing this amount of money, but increasing money gained from bounty hunting. It is currently absolutely dysmal, earning 500 drachma at most, a mere fraction of the average fleet cycle, for an activity that takes way more effort. Alternatively, NERF FLEETS. ↩︎
Ravenna, Sameria, Palo Town etc. ↩︎
Too many special NPCs nowadays occupy deckhand spawns. It just makes their placement look lazy and sloppy, like the dev team didn’t want to even think about putting in effort for them, and also makes searching for them, and for deckhands with desired stats, way more annoying. ↩︎
Numbers may be tweaked ↩︎
Regardless of whether the player actually has the require amount of renown ↩︎
Renamed from Knights Proxy Knights ↩︎
Excluding minibosses and your rival ↩︎
Base reward has no effect on the skull’s value, giving an additional amount of drachma and respect upon being turned in ↩︎