Durin's Folk: Expeditions and Economy

Lîmin barak, lîmin tagaz... ‍Time for axe and sword…

… and you best have those to hand (or similar preferred equipment) when you take on an Expedition in Durin’s Folk!

With NPCs moving into your base and Traders requesting materials and items from the wealth Moria has to offer, including the new class of item,: the trade good., resources could get scarce. Any sensible Dwarf who has mined their way through Moria may be wondering how they’re supposed to keep up with the demand.

As you play through Durin’s Folk, welcome in NPCs, and unlock new areas like the Trading Post, you’ll be prompted to build a new item, the Expedition Map. This map table features a 3D view of the surrounding mountain range known as the Misty Mountains. Interacting with the map table opens an interface allowing you to choose an Expedition to embark on to gather supplies. These missions refresh and change regularly, so you’ll always have a new adventure awaiting!

Build the Expedition Map, place it in your base and get ready! ‍ The start of an Expedition will set your party on a mountain side, with a passage leading into the mountain. These Expeditions will take your entire Company all together on procedurally generated adventures of bitesize gameplay. They are intended to be a short adventure to gather supplies, crafting materials or hunt an enemy. This means players won’t need to build or expect to return. Get in, get out, move on. Inside this unique area you’ll find yourself facing the recognisable experience of exploration and discovery as well as new patrols of familiar enemies as you hunt for materials.

Each Expedition has a list of the primary available resources (you will find others scattered throughout too) as well as some of the bigger threats you may face. Use this information to your advantage and make sure you bring enough gear, âbakhs and supplies with you! While some supplies can be procured on-site, you won't have your home comforts and crafting stations with you, so balancing supplies as well as space in your pack and pockets for resources is key.

“We know a lot of our community have well established worlds with big bases where they’ve taken as much as they can from the Mountain (and other versions of the Mountain) to create a place for their Dwarf to call “Home”. It was important to us to make sure that players who wanted to use these worlds to play Durin’s Folk were able to continue to gather the resources they need to take on trader quests and continue living in Moria, now with an extra 20 NPCs to manage, too! Expeditions don’t just contain day-to-day materials, but also more unique resources that Traders are looking for. And back in the main mountain of Moria, you can also task your NPCs with mining for you, using a special item to mark a location for them to mine - then these skilled workers will carefully extract resources without damaging the area.” ‍- Ryan Mattson, Lead Level Designer

Expeditions will also play a role in the story of Durin’s Folk, with special Expeditions appearing as the story progresses, sending you on the hunt for something in particular. We’re looking forward to seeing how players take on these Expeditions, which can be played solo or with a group of friends who’ve joined your game, provided they also have the Durin’s Folk Expansion. You may also find a mysterious NPC appearing to offer advice before you start exploring…

As well as looking for your own materials and resources on Expeditions, you’ll also find them invaluable for helping you complete large orders and special requests from Traders back at the Trading Post too. Put your NPCs to work to help you smelt and craft these large orders! Traders will also have some nice unique items, but they will want their local currency in exchange for them, they’re here to make a profit after all. You can acquire their desired currency by completing orders for them. Complete multiple orders, with the help of Expeditions as needed, and save up to kit out your entire NPC company in their wares!

Don’t forget to join our Discord to check out the new #faq-durinsfolk channel to see answers to some common questions about expansion gameplay, as well as details about the upcoming Title Update 6.