What if we had more types of functional random NPCs that could spawn where deckhands might?
This won’t mess with the deckhand system. These guys might replace some deckhand spots, but they can be recruited to your ship under different circumstances
Divers
These guys will tell you about a specific diving spot, and the higher level the diver the deadlier the diving spot. Maybe if you clear enough diving spots from them they might join your crew?
Dark Sea Veterans
These guys look off. They might have skin discoloration, or display the visual insanity effects like headaches or vomiting blood. When you talk to them they might give you some creepy warning but point to a specific island in the dark sea (“West of Ravenna” or “South southwest of harvest island” kind of directions). The island they are talking about will then be locked to not despawn. The higher level the veteran the farther out and more deadly the island. Come back alive and you can get this weirdo on your crew.
Merchants
These guys will sell goods. Maybe they might have a specialty like gems, cannonballs, ammo, reagents, armor, blueprints, etc. The higher merchant level the better the stuff they sell
Mercenaries
These guys are like deckhands, but instead of fame they will fight for money. Their level does the same as deckhand level.
Targeted people
These guys just want to get from point A to B but have a target on their back from some dangerous people. “I desperately need to speak to someone in Frostmill. Think you can get me there in one piece?” “Are you here to kill me? No? Then can you get me to Shell Island and kill whoever’s trying to get me killed?” You can put them on board like castaways but with these targeted people on board, you will attract either assassins or marines depending on your renown. If you succeed, there’s a chance they will offer to join you now that nobody’s gonna kill them.
NOT MAIN SUGGESTION
Procedural order NPCs that you can get mini clues on, and then track down in their city. The fight will happen elsewhere probably
Sounds cool but idk about the Order part, because Argos and Calvus are kinda fuckin dead and the 2nd Baron of Ravenna is most likely in shambles and holding on to a broken Ravenna. Don’t think we have enough content to have Order NPCs in the first place, even though IMO they’re really out of place in this system
The rest are cool though, especially the Dark Sea Veterans
Generic senders (unknown, two initials, Lord/Lady [initial] ,etc) which can be found anytime in the story.
Specific notes based on where you are in the story, ex:
“The General is dead and you’re still in Palo Town? You have a week to get your job done and leave before I get it done for you. And you don’t want that. -Lady C”
Between the Argos and Carina fight
“So you’re telling me that Elius is missing? That’s an acceptable loss as long as the operation in Redwake works. Just get back to the fort ASAP. -Roswell”
Between the Elius and Argos fights. (Roswell is the name of the guy Argos is talking to. I’ve made too many saves to know that)
Yea i guess since we already have the 18 (16 remaining) guys to figure out. I just thought of the idea while writing and might have thought a little too hard
Jokes aside, variety is nice and you offer some nice variety to basic systems that already exist in game (that being deckhands and how charts work, surprisingly enough). On top of that, I think just about everything you propose is reasonably implementable, at least mechanics-wise.
However, I agree with the first comment on the order member thing. Until that group gets more time in the story and setting, it would be a bit out of place for us to just casually foil their plans. Might as well keep them at least somewhat competent at this point in the story, right?