There are a lot of valid points being raised in this thread. Just a few (perhaps less valid) thoughts of my own.
1. I never considered the customization menu as a gold sink, but that does make sense and I can see the value in it. It makes me warm up a bit to the high gold costs on some items now that it's clear there's a server-wide economic reason for it.
2. That said, I don't see a lot of charity between characters in this specific area. I see a lot of mentoring, coaching, helping with combat, giving price breaks to newer characters, giving of gifts at appropriate times and to appropriate people. This makes sense and feels organic. However, I haven't seen a lot of direct patronage with gold outside of Port (where it makes sense). In fact, I thought that was implicitly but actively
discouraged in Barovia by the Team because its widespread adoption would detract from the oppressive horror setting. I don't know that gold-gifting charity is something that can be counted on outside of Port.
3. While I can see the RP sense in creating a location where characters would have to go to change their equipment appearance, I'm not in favor of it. Within reason, it's sensible to think that many characters could carry a spare piece of clothing or two with them. (For instance, my character occasionally removes his tabard in favor a hauberk when he goes to Hazlan.) So there's RP/IC rationale for why characters would be able to customize or change clothes more or less anyplace. As long as it's not being used unreasonably, deliberately disruptively, or exploitatively, the current "everywhere and anywhere" system feels sensible enough.
4. However, if the decision is made to have customization available only at certain places, it would be really nice to see such a place added to the Drain. I don't play an "outcast" character, but it would be a huge help to those that do. It would also dovetail nicely with the underworld flavor. Why
wouldn't the underworld have a place where characters could potentially disguise themselves?
5. I agree with the notion of standardizing costs across classes if that's at all possible without a massive overhaul. It would be a nice touch, but I also recognize it could be a ton of work.
6. I'm in favor of keeping the cost to modify a robe at 0. In addition to being sensible under point 3, above, it's also a major saving grace for characters who lack the money to fully customize their gear. I "recently" acquired an item with a significant cost to modify all its parts, especially the torso. Thanks to the free robe option, I was able to make it look decent by focusing on the arms and legs without shelling out a ton of money. Granted, I have an experienced character, so it was no big deal, but imagine a level 5 getting some cool gear and being prevented from making it look decent due to the money issue. The free robe option gives them a stopgap until they're eventually able to pay for the modifications they want.
7. Thank you to all the devs and designers who have worked to make the models work and who keep the customization system running so robustly.
