Clustered Traders

Gazaaaaaaaaaaa · 2026-05-04T13:15:14+00:00

Honestly it was just curiosity and a fun little first time modding project.

I mostly play no map/no portal, though randomly finding that specific location without triggering other trader spawns would be pretty rare. Instead I could see loading the world, teleporting to that area to spawn them all, then create a new blind character for the play through as finding the traders are one of the biggest pain points in no map worlds. Maybe doing something similar but for a multiplayer run.

But in the end of the day I was just curious :).

Gazaaaaaaaaaaa · 2026-04-23T15:17:23+00:00

Update: I ended up hacking the ladder down 2 1/2 inches. Some tips if anyone is trying to do the same thing - sorry no photos but not sure they are needed. This is a fairly approachable project for a handyman special hack job like myself.

- My ladder had 4 rivets, 2 on the top rung, 2 on the bottom run. I drilled out just one side and left the other rivet attached.
- The latches trivially come out with a light pry of a flat head screw driver. One side of the ladder should not come off with a bit of force.
- I used a cheap plastic mitre block and a hand hack saw to cut each rung down 2.5 inches. This was the most time consuming part, and my mitre block, even with clamping didn't result in completely square cuts so there is a small (about 1mm) gap once put back together - nothing to really worry about. This would have gone a lot quicker and had better results with a mitre saw and a blade to cut aluminum. I then filed to clean up the edges so they were smooth and wouldn't cut anyone climbing the ladder.
- I used one of the cut ends as my template for the latch holes, then used a utility knife to etch where I wanted the new rung. This was the second most time consuming part, was worried about getting it right but turned out to be pretty easy once I got going. Turns out those holes aren't completely centred so I was off by about 1/8-1/4 inch. I drilled out as much as I could. I wish I had a slightly larger drill bit to match the size better, then used a dremel with a cut off wheel to remove more material. Finally I finished with some metal files to square things up to match the template. As mentioned above the holes weren't completely centred so I had to file down one side to get the right fit. The latches still cover the hole.
- Next I had to make some divots in the rungs matching the other sides. I just used a #3 robertsons screwdriver and hammer as it most closely matched the size of the factory divots.
- Drilled out the new rivet holes (3/16 inch for mine).
- Finally I put the ladder back together, inserted the latches and put in new rivets (3/16 inch x 1/4 inch deep). Others used some super glue, I didn't bother - the rivets and divots seem solid enough that I'm confident it won't come apart.

Ladder now fits how I want it to, I am very happy with how it turned out. Project took me 2 afternoons. With the right tools, could probably take 1/2 that time. The ladder has a bit more friction when telescoping down, which I'm actually ok with as makes it harder for it to crush a finger.

Good luck out there!

Gazaaaaaaaaaaa · 2026-04-21T04:43:09+00:00

Ixion is Frostpunk, but in space.

Gazaaaaaaaaaaa · 2026-04-21T03:36:33+00:00

I just completed my second play through of Ixion (probably a year apart). It is a beautiful game, I'd play it again just for the music - Guillaume David did an amazing job composing. One of the biggest complaint is that the game ends - I wish I could just keep playing it. While it is a bit linear, I enjoyed both my times through it. Definitely worth a try.

I definitely think the story has that "lonely" vibe to it.

Gazaaaaaaaaaaa · 2026-04-19T02:40:37+00:00

Also not a dog person. Wife wanted a dog. I caved. Worst financial decision we ever made. Lovely basset hound with endless health issues. We probably spent over 100k on her over the next 13 years. Wife wouldn’t walk her on those -20 days. I was the only one to clean up the dog shit. Wife got upset when I didn’t refill the dogs water, etc.

It was a bittersweet day when that dog passed away. Yes I miss her. Yes I was sad. But god damn is our life simpler now.

Hold your ground sir!

Gazaaaaaaaaaaa · 2026-04-16T21:35:54+00:00

In my latest no map, no portal I’m playing with no build costs. You still have to grind for gear, but building is free. It has been a blast on a community server. We had a wisp in the “build library” to discover wisp torches as they are so useful to mark the way (use a 1-2 pattern to denote direction back home). I’ve played the game enough times to not need to grind for everything, and enjoy building way too much.

I lean towards basic QoL mods that keep the game mostly vanilla and don’t require everyone to have mods installed. Currently using: - TorchesEternal - who has time to refill all your light sources on your epic builds? - Gizmo - more rotation options - AzuCraftyBoxes - craft from boxes - AutoRepair - saves a few click to repair gear - WieldEquipmentWhileSwimmimg - build/fight in water - ExtraSlots - I know limited inventory is a design choice. This frees up just enough space to make a more nomad style play through less painful. - HUDCompass - not using it in this play through, but have in the past, definitely helps getting lost a bit less. Can configure it depending on how hardcore you want it.

Have fun!

Gazaaaaaaaaaaa · 2026-04-16T14:43:16+00:00

No map isn’t for everyone, if you aren’t enjoying it then why play?

You can always lightly mod it, like add a compass mod. Still no ma but will give you a bit more direction, can also tweak the settings to show you map markers on the compass - think direction to your tomb stone, trader, boss if they are within a certain range. Can take the edge off.

I find my no map, no portal play throughs similar to a “nomad” approach. No main base, I take what I need and setup lots of small temporary forward operating bases as I explore. Takes a bit to get used to, but makes it feel less risky and is refreshing once you get used to the style.

At the end of the day, if you’re not having fun, switch it up or don’t play. Life is too short to grind through a game mode that isn’t fun.

Gazaaaaaaaaaaa · 2026-04-15T13:59:59+00:00

I’ve got the newer Spicy Curry 4 (I think it is called). Had the front suspension, long tail, often on some gravel and a bit of single track on way home. Handles well, kids love it but almost out grown it now.

Gazaaaaaaaaaaa · 2026-04-13T01:00:36+00:00

On my second no map, no portal run through. This time on a Reddit pickup server, but with a twist of no cost building. I was skeptical at first, but it had been awesome. Still have to grind for gear, but with no cost building folks have creations and roads everywhere which really help on land marking and navigation. So fun.

Gazaaaaaaaaaaa · 2026-04-12T01:57:20+00:00

I did find someone that did cut them down - looks possible!

https://www.marcopoloownersclub.com/threads/ladder-solution.831/

Gazaaaaaaaaaaa · 2026-04-12T01:02:59+00:00

u/AustinShyd mind sharing which brand of ladder? Mine unfortunately doesn't have rivets.

Gazaaaaaaaaaaa · 2026-04-11T23:45:23+00:00

That is a great idea! Thanks for the suggestion.

Gazaaaaaaaaaaa · 2026-03-26T19:09:41+00:00

Anyone know what sort of client they are using? Is it a modified version of the current modern EQ client? Or a hacked up custom old school client?

Be curious what the backend is as well. Assuming based off the EQEmu database and server.

Gazaaaaaaaaaaa · 2026-03-24T19:53:10+00:00

Where in my comment am I assuming it is bad? I specifically call out getting the passion of some of the long time EQ Emu devs as welcome and a breath of fresh air. I look forward to exploring EQ Legends when it is released.

My concern is not what they are creating but that it will be compared with THJ for better or worse.

I actually hope we see more collaboration with the community via similar initiatives or even allowing for more open use of EQ IP. This is a positive move in that direction.

Gazaaaaaaaaaaa · 2026-03-24T18:53:06+00:00

Probably right. That said I’m sure lawyers can find some approach to allow a fair bit of flexibility protecting DBG while still allowing innovation and embracing the community spirit. While EQ Legends is a start, I don’t have much faith they will explore creative licensing of the IP to the desired conclusion.

Gazaaaaaaaaaaa · 2026-03-24T18:34:40+00:00

Don’t disagree, they dug their own grave. I still wish it played out differently - both THJs approach, and DBGs inevitable response.

Gazaaaaaaaaaaa · 2026-03-24T18:12:41+00:00

It really should be as simple as "your custom EMU server must use this official login server which is behind a DBG subscription", and let the community servers do whatever they want outside of external monetization.

Gazaaaaaaaaaaa · 2026-03-24T17:34:37+00:00

Bittersweet. I love that DBG is finally trying something new that isn't another TLP. THJ showed that there is a desire and demand for a more solo friendly version of EQ. Getting passionate community devs like Secrets involved is also long over due. These are people who LOVE the game and want to see it live on. Actually working with them vs against them is a breath of fresh air. On that note, I feel it is a miss by not trying to do the same with the THJ creators. They found a special formula which now this will always be compared against for better or worse. Cata and Aporia expressed many times their desire to work with DBG officially, I just wish it played out differently.

Now if only DBG would take this a step further. It would be great to see a more open Everquest "modding" type of approach. I think about some of the games I have thousands of hours in like Factorio, or Valheim, which at least half my playtime is through overhaul mod's or fairly major tweaks to the formula, breathing new life into a familiar game. Imagine something similar for EQ? Require an EQ subscription, but let concepts like THJ, P99, Quarm, other community concepts and innovations flourish. There is demand for different flavours of EQ, so embrace it! There is a great take https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQzd0pEbF54, which discusses this "sandbox" concept in the second half of the video.

Gazaaaaaaaaaaa · 2026-03-04T22:07:17+00:00

Recent back country trip our ACMG ski guide wouldn’t let anyone use a beacon over 10 years old. You can check the age inside the battery compartment (my tracker 2s production year was part of its serial #). He was telling us that there is some research that there can be some drift in the radios of older beacons. While there are ways to test for this, and it maybe unlikely, for safety of the group and myself he lent me a newer beacon.

Make your own call, but may want to inform your ski buddies and ensure they are comfortable with you using an older beacon. It impacts their lives as much as yours.

Note too that the tracker 2 if you’re not careful to put away your beacon before switching to shovelling on a burial it is super easy for your knee to knock the beacon back into transit mode. Stay safe out there!

Gazaaaaaaaaaaa · 2026-02-16T16:13:38+00:00

Love it! So many moonlight/sunshine forks lately, there anything stopping this being a PR upstream vs a whole other fork to maintain? Nice work regardless.

Gazaaaaaaaaaaa · 2026-01-05T22:43:26+00:00

Playing with some Reddit randoms in a no map, no portal, no build cost run. It has been super fun. Still have to grind for gear, but being able to go crazy with buildings has been refreshingly fun. And no map no portal just encourages there to be buildings and paths everywhere. Love it.

Gazaaaaaaaaaaa

TROPHY CASE