Playing a PC that is in a faction where the majority of the players are on the opposite time zone often makes it difficult to find something to do without bending my character's personality too much.
One thing that is exceedingly annoying is to explore, and find Random Exploration areas that I can't go into. I understand that a 2 player max was enabled to avoid PCs from "farming" these locations. However, when I explore I may only come across one or two of these zones, if any. Seems fairly hard for a PC to farm these easily when there aren't many and there may be a dozen or more PCs exploring/running around as well. This is to say- that I feel statistically I think it'd be quite hard for a PC to really abuse this. Plus- they could always be made harder as to encourage a lone PC to go get help (Which could end up being it's own sort of quest.)
I know the counter argument will be to, "Just get a second person". This is viable, if certain players are logged on and can be found, but it can also be impossible if no one is on, or they aren't around, or you have no way of contacting them aside from using a /tell and lamely informing them to "randomly" meet you at an exact spot.
I also suspect that there will be some resistance based on the fact that this will clearly favor Nature-ey PCs, as they're the ones predominantly out in the Underdark/exploring. Perhaps there could be "Random Areas" in Sanctuary/Lower/Upper/InBetween (Ambushes, Necromancers, Chosen, Undead?) to even this out, though I kind of feel properly played nature PCs who never go into Sanctuary for potions/wands/trade, etc kind of deserve another method to gain supplies or at least have fun.
To summarize; my PC often is a loner, or there are none of his "Co-Stewards" on, I sometimes find random areas that'd be neat to explore, but instead cant. The only way to remedy this is going into Sanctuary, or camping outside it (For what could be a four goblins and a warg in the Random, and he has no idea it didn't require this sort of attention).
Suggestion: Make Random Areas free to one and all, and if there is a fear of "farming", just make them harder to solo.
I'm pretty sure they used to be all openable solo and even the hardest ones still got their loot stolen without the spawns killed. The min 2 requirement was added in response to that.
Have the chests dispel invisibility when accessed, unless a DM is present to oversee/enable.
No. This is a role play server, not wander around and farm randoms server. Two people minimum is still frankly pushing it.
Go to town, get people to join you. If your concept forbids it, then stay true to it and simply ask someone to enter town for you. There are nature PCs who enter town often, and it's possible to find a group leaving town. Sendings are made often enough, merely glance at IRC. Your PC likely has reasons to hang around Sanctuary's environs, just make something up. There is nothing wrong with involving others outside your clique.
I am sure something similar to what you suggested for the Machine is in the works. The Worm Pits, after all, have their own random exploration areas.
I sympathize, I played nature Pcs before, few things were as annoying as being alone with a random filled with possible fat loot and being unable to loot it or discover the hints, clues, and secrets contained within.
I think you'll just have to live with it, Inquisitor!
Go find some anyone else to help? You don't always have to be with your faction buddies. The 2 man limit seems fair, instead people sneaking around will take huge advantage. I personally like the people who explore and not just sneak around hidden.
Also there are random exploration areas in many places not just the Underdark.
I'm already not loving the monopoly nature PCs have on random wilderness exploration areas and random drop bags. Nature PCs on average seem significantly more wealthy and well supplied than their city-dwelling counterparts, which is really silly and I don't want to exacerbate this.
This won't happen in general, although it's worth noting we have the ability to mark a PC for being able to enter into one of these on their own. I would consider doing this for a true loner concept; perhaps a particularly well roleplayed monster that is genuinely hunted by everyone or for some kind of extreme isolationist hermit.
I would not support doing it for a druid that is a member of an active faction with ample opportunities for interaction.
These are definitely generally intended for groups. If you can't find anyone else to enter it with, consider working harder to find PCs to explore with!