Salem

I couldn't find any threads on similar concepts so I thought I would start off.

Teamwork and making friends are a great part of the game. This would be enhanced and encouraged if, when in a party, all players pooled their chance to discover foraged items, increasing their chances of finding nice stuff, or stuff they may have difficulty finding when starting out. This would lessen the beginning curve a little for those settlers capable of making friends. It could also be an essential game mechanic for discovering rare items which may be added to the game in the future.

Maybe even an increase in foraging range could be given as well.

Similar to the way torches work in the darkness when partied characters are nearby, there should be a limit to how far pilgrims can be to experience the boost, perhaps a gradual diminishing of the maximum potential bonus the further from each other they get. This would prevent abuse to a large extent.

That was the major one, I would like to see other party bonuses, but can't think of much off the top of my head right now.

I like the darkness idea, and it might be doable because much of the effects of darkness hasn't been implemented yet. (ie clothing to help negate some of the darkness, buildings and such to actually push it back from a settlement.)