I Searched for this but couldn't find a thread mentioning it.
First of all, its my understanding that items have a 5000 tick despawn timer, does the server software or ANY of the mods( I gave up trying to research this possibility) intentionally effect despawn times? Is this a config option i have never heard of?
I have had problems with half an inventory or more of items despawning within mere SECONDS, ex. my friend is right next to me and dies, i get only about half his inventory, the rest is just gone. In this example I was wearing a meteorite chest but it is not limited to the meteorite armor effect.
Next related question, zombies, and other mobs that have the ability to pick up items, are supposed to drop them correct? Because This idea I have that a zombie picked it up and died with it and lost it forever is the only other possibility I can think of. Oh, there is no fire and/or lava involved. This problem has been experienced with just a SINGLE skeleton archer(I know that kinda defeats the zombie idea but im really confused here).
I have a sever set up to be just local for a friend and I, we have been playing minecraft together for over a year now and have never had this problem. We both LOVE this mod pack, it has made minecraft fun to explore again, but this despawning items problem is ruining the experience for us.