what would you like to see?

[Ithric]

As a pbase, old and new, of returning players what would you like to see more or less of?  For obvious reasons let's limit the use of hard coding and focus on pk/rp ideas.  I'm here to make your experiences more personal for your characters and doing a little behind the scenes magic to force character interactions with one another.  If something is working, or not, please be vocal and/ or message me directly if you want to be anonymous.  We are a pk mud so let's keep in mind that will way heavy on certain outcomes.  Drop a libe, share your thoughts. Let's remember without a pbase what are we?  We want new and old players to thrive a feel they are involved!

[Trick]

I'd like to see a global plot. I think its been quite a while since we had something going on so huge that it involved many players and many IMMs. There are a lot of things happening at the player level and even from player to IMM, but I haven't seen anything too big going down since I came back..

[Atticus]

Im with Trick, Ithric you've been doing one hell of a job with our limited interactions and I tip my hat to you and say thanks for putting your time in to make the game even better.

With the lack of hard coding ideas, I mean it really down to plots- and maybe tasks for certain cabals. Im still waiting for the revamp of the armies- honestly I don't like them. Professions in FL would be cool. I understand to a point it could be considered OP, but make it to where you have to have 2 to 3 people work together to make an item maybe would be dope.

 

Yeah Im down for a global RP plot, but too often its been revolving around certain chars and don't fit the RP of mine most of the time. So it was hard to invest my time in the plot. Thanks again to the hard work of the Imms and the playerbase that makes this game great.

 

a.

[Ithric]

29 minutes ago, Trick said:

I'd like to see a global plot. I think its been quite a while since we had something going on so huge that it involved many players and many IMMs. There are a lot of things happening at the player level and even from player to IMM, but I haven't seen anything too big going down since I came back..

I've been sitting invis for a long while before staff gave me the go ahead to interact.  I spent that time watching you guys and getting a feel for your characters.  I've adapted myself to fit in the middle of your worlds and am pulling some strings here and there to move you in directions that will involve each other.  As far as a "true" global plot likes the shades I can't hard code and for something like that will require Morl, who stays damned busy, but overall I think you'll be pleased with my idea.  Keep in mind what is transpiring may be different from character to character's point of view.  I can attest that about a dozen people have been prodded toward each other and everything that is happening is 100% player evolved.  Lets see where we take it depending on the choices we make!  There's always the option to spend RP points to be involved or create plots which I'm sure morl will abide.  Be patient and pay attention is my advice, some things are cooking in the backdrop.  I'm very approachable if you have any complaints/suggestions so feel free to drop a line!

[Zhurong]

I'd like to see things happen global plot wise, like with Watcher, which RARELY ever happens. I'd also like to see more immortal interaction with ALL the players instead of just select few. I've had numerous Watchers throughout the past and no plots ever happen for them because this whole game setting just seems to revolve around Knight and Nexus. Even other characters and players have had awesome RP and plots in the past that are always shot down because its not what the immortals want, but the whole aspect of this game is for everyone to forge all of their RP together into one story.

[Trick]

Ditto to Zhurong's post. There are certain cabals that are on the back burner as far as RP goes and those are mainly Watcher and Warmaster. While both cabals suffer from inactive IMMs, I feel like Watcher is really the one struggling in that area. Looking at the Watcher cabal and the power that nature should have in the game, it really should be at the forefront of plots and honestly way more involved. I've tried in the past to make Watcher see some action and even presented some plots and ideas that I thought were pretty good, but they didn't gain any traction. This could very well be MY fault, but I feel like there is just very, VERY little response to the nature/watcher RP.

Warmaster is a bit difficult because of the anti-magic thing. The game revolves around magic and the powers that can be attained with it. Most IMMs that are aiming for power utilize some sort of "magic". Whether it be the powers of death, life, purity, time stream, etc.. Warmaster can't draw from any of this and therefore is kinda ignored when it comes to that kinda thing. How many times can you push self-reliance and honor until it becomes stale? But, I suppose you can say the same for any idea of the game.

The game suffers from it being way more fun to be evil or way more fun to be good. Sitting at those extremes is a LOT of fun because of what you can do. Anume and Volgathras are really amazing at what they do for the evil side of things and it draws people more to that side because of it. I haven't really played a Knight since Naruthiron has taken over so I don't have an opinion on that, but I've heard/seen some pretty kickass things.(I should make a Knight..)

 

 

[Volgathras]

To be fair, the poisoning of Drkshtyre was intended to be a global plot, but no one cared (especially Watcher). The Gorgorak also Watcher involved, and consisted of a fight between Grimulfr and Volg that had some fun historic undertones.

Global plots are fun, and I for one will always continue to push them (in fact, this reminds me of a good two or three that are posted on imm forums to look at), but the primary challenge for imms is to get people involved, and STAY involved. Especially big plots, the players who inject themselves the most - and thus have the most responsibility in a plot - go missing, then the plot has to be readjusted or put on hold. Or you'll try to get people interested but they wont, since it doesn't meld with their own idea of RP they want for their character.

I'm not making excuses, just outlining the challenges. I'll bump those plot ideas so we can consider them along the one this new guy's already posted.

[Zhurong]

I had a very active character in Watcher that was in the Drkshtyre plot and pushed forward for many things, and nothing ever happened. Even Watchers long before that, I've posted and struggled to have things done globally for Watcher and my character and once again, nothing. It is just like I always hear everyone having personal interactions with immortals (hear it all the time) and I see nothing. I was on by myself the other day with 4 immortals visible, not a single interaction. I will say, one immortal sent me 2 tells in a language I couldnt understand and I tried to RP in response just to have that immortal quit on me. Made me feel great....

[Erelei]

49 minutes ago, Zhurong said:

I was on by myself the other day with 4 immortals visible, not a single interaction. I will say, one immortal sent me 2 tells in a language I couldnt understand and I tried to RP in response just to have that immortal quit on me. Made me feel great....

 

We were actually testing something, but you did get an echo afterward, but no RP came of it. As for the 4 immortals visible, and no interaction - that's unfortunate. How many other players were online? Did you do something to gain their attention? Usually if we're visible, we want you to come forward out of the wood work, or we're actually RPing something big (some where down on Aabahran, with other morts... should look around). 

Other times, and unfortunately so, we'll be online for a bit, go visible, and then something happens and we have to jump away. There's a reason why I'm ALMOST ALWAYS invisible, and that's because I'm coding and working on other things pertaining to the game, and I can't keep my attention just on the MUD. I've tried a few times, but ended up literally forgetting I was RP'ing with someone, and went AFK doing something else.

If IMMs are AFK now, they're forced to go Wizi in the same amount of time if you were to void. So this shouldn't happen anymore. As for low level IMMs, all IMMs below 56 should generally be visible most of the time. We had 3 IMMs leave or go MIA in the little hiatus that the whole playerbase went on for awhile there. We have a few new low level IMMs and they should always be visible, now, and more interaction should come from them.

[Ithric]

I've heard these opinions voiced from a few people.  It's difficult for me to watch everyone individuality at all times but I do poke in from time to time.  As I said before, I don't manage global plots but you always have the option to spend rp points on one (send a prayer).

  As far as character development goes there are a few stories going on that players are developing.  The only thing I'm doing is managing where you all twist these plots as I nudge you in each other's direction.  Jump on board rp, see where it takes you, the stories shift from one player in the spot light to the next as your involvement changes. 

  In fairness I roll dice to determine how bad you fail or how good you succeed (much like D&D DMing).  If you want to start something begin your development with notes and journals or rp logs on prayer.  Give me time to consider how I can interact and most importantly be patient.  Keep in mind we can't have 20 ppl running around with plots at the same time as it would just be overwhelmingly confusing.  I'll be rotating ideas and possibly intertwining multiple plots depending on you guys in game.  

Some things will also take time as we like to watch people progress and interact.  When characters quit or absent we have to adjust and figure out a new work around.  Enjoy it while things are "marinating". Don't just sit around kicking rocks waiting for something to happen.  Jump into it and hell, you might change something we were going to do without even noticing.

[Zhurong]

I was the only mort online at the time. I'm not saying you guys are forced to RP with me and I'm not saying that I should get attention all the time. All I was stating is that I know other characters who have just come back (newly created) that have gotten more interaction than my character with over 100 hours. I know we can write journals and notes, which I have done, but I also feel it to be very stale to write 900 journals in a day just to receive RP points. If my characters doesnt have something that has developed in his RP, no journal will be written. Sometimes I think RP points are given out too easily. I like some of the things that can be purchased with RP points but I also have disagreements on what can be bought. I particularly do not like the RP necklaces or the edges. There is already a selection for perks at creation and the necklaces kinda take away from some thief abilities. I do not think any creatable, always kept, item should be no_remove.

My character has a nice RP story behind him and only a select few characters even know of it, I'm thinking 1-2. No one asks. No one cares. Everyone only cares of their own RP and characters hardly mold their RP to conform with others. This game is a forever evolving story and no one wants their chapter changed, however the story cannot go on if the chapters do not connect together.

[Magick]

The RP necklaces are not noremove, only nodrop.  The edges themselves aren't game breaking either and often situational.

 

 

It's been said before that most of the people on here are egocentric.  It's true and we're all guilty of it, probably because the game reflects real life in this aspect.  We have one character and the world revolves around us as we're the only frame of reference that we'll ever know.  We all are the most important person in our lives and as such we all make choices as to what will benefit us most.  To the best of our ability.  Or not.  Either way, we're all the center of our universes.

But it's also a two way street.  Don't expect me to take any interest in your character if your character doesn't take any interest in mine, or if I have to search for something to be interested in your character about through your description.  If you don't bring it to light, people won't bother.  Most of the time, that wall of text above your character is just that, a wall of text that precedes the "most important bit": what you're wearing.  And even if people skimmed over it, are they likely to notice that hint or three that you're baiting people with?  Nope.  You know how I know?  I had a drow DK with bright pink armor in his description.  You know how many comments I got on it?  Zero.  Not a one.  Granted he wasn't long lived, but even if he was, I doubt that more than one or two would comment on it over time.  I always try to put at least one conversation starter in with my descriptions (some more overt than others) to see if anyone will comment or initiate that way, and aside from the Imm's required reading, few actually do.  So yeah, give as much as take and don't rely on your description to start things for you.

Of course, that would also imply that the character cared.  Again, it's egocentric.

So what would I like to see?  More interaction between players.  The RP's help a lot in this and t difference was noticeable when they were implemented.  While I haven't felt Ithiric's hand guiding me to or from anyone yet, that also doesn't mean I won't.  I think that a subtle hand and minor RP lines is just important as earth shaking global plots.  More so, actually.  We have words for things like that in the world, be them real or imagined.  Serendipity.  Fate.  Karma.  Happenstance.  Coincidence.  Yet, we can't all have, nor would I expect to have our own personal wizi'd RP factories.

I believe that earth shattering global plots such as the shades and the destruction of Rheydin should be rare.  Other global plots should be more common, but the majority I believe should be your standard interactions between characters.  Of course, that saying is true: you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.  They have to want it, want to react to it, and I have no idea how that can be accomplished.

 

Onto some cabals getting more focus than others.  Yes, that's sadly true.  Part of the reason Knight and Nexus get the most attention I believe is active and noticeable members.  There's also the ease of the "good vs evil" plots involved too, but that I feel is a cop out when trying to figure out the why.  

So let's look at the cabals in the past year or more.  There's Sylf and Ilthrias and Urist and Leothyre in Knight.  Some of whom did a better job than others.  On the Nexus side you've got Thulgan (who has been around since nearly the dawn of time) and Tkanzhar.  Getting a plot started and finished between those active cabals is easy as they're active.  And not active in the sense of they've always got a member or two, but active in the sense that they've got the same members that aren't flavors of the month.  Doing the same between Savant and Warmaster is a bit more difficult due to the severe lack of Savants for the longest time.  When Lejarak picked up the mantle for a time, I thought things would get interesting, but then Warmaster dropped off and Savant crumbled to ruin again soon after.  Watcher and Tribunal have similar revolving door policies as far as member retention goes, too.  It's sad.  Though at least Tribunal got some action in with the Corimak plot in no small part due to Zoichan (congrats by the way on the promotion).

Of course, this is what I've witnessed personally.  I have no idea the RP these cabals got outside my own interaction with them.

 

 

I feel like I'm starting to ramble at this point, so I'll cut off the wall of text here.

[Ithric]

     Excellent points Magick!  I've been trying to mash out wall of texts on my phone all weekend at work on here.  Guys, read that post a few times.  Understand what hes saying because it's spot on.  Focus on the RP interaction between characters and ongoing stories.  I promise you will get noticed that way and if you jump in head first you may even take a lead part.  Your immersion into the story all depends on your interaction and flat out dumb luck (As i roll dice to make decisions). 

    Things not going your way? Sitting in your cabal kicking rocks isnt going to help you out.  Life sucks a lot, as we all know, and it will suck in Aabahran too from time to time for your mortals.  Negative rp shouldnt be taken as a "scolding" because it's going to happen from time to time.  We all can't be the: (Insert most awesome of awesomesauces here).  There will be heroes and there will be villains.  I really need you guys to just jump in when you see a common themed note, or walk into a rp session, or whatever is happening. 

    I drop little bits of information to different people.  Individually, they don't really amount to anything of value.  When you start getting bits from other characters it all starts falling together and the story unfolds.  I purposely do this to FORCE interaction between you and promote character to character RP.  If I could give an example it would be this in a nutshell: Several characters were giving general quests with LOTS of options.  As they started interacting and things transpired between the different characters their options changed and became more narrow.  Some of these interactions would have never happened except that someone ended up finding a note on the corpse of a PK that they werent suppose to see.  I didn't even forsee this one and had to change the plot a bit to adjust. 

    The story is not black and white.  It does not hold ONE path from beginning to end.  You, as a playerbase, control the RP and where it goes.  Interactions with other players and getting a large group of players involved will aid in your plots but consider they will each have an impact you can not control.  Jump in head first and give it a shot!

[Trick]

On February 28, 2016 at 9:37 PM, Ithric said:

6 hours ago, Ithric said:

 

[Trick]

Okay, sweet. So, apparently if you click quote, you can't get rid of the quote no matter what.. So, I'll have to make a new post. 

 

Ithric, you sound like that car salesman that's trying to sell you that used card even though you're trying to get the new one. I've seen RP from players to players and players to IMMs. What I haven't seen is IMM to IMM RP.( Just cuz I haven't seen it, doesn't mean its not there) 

We are asking for a GLOBAL plot. A plot that involves tons of players AND IMMs that has game changing repercussions. You're asking us what we want then just telling us to play the game and that you "nudge" us. I don't think we need a pep talk to keep playing the game, because we're all here. We're looking for large scale RP across all levels of the game and we haven't had it in a long while.

Personally, I'm very lucky that the IMMs tend to gravitate towards my characters and I get rewarded with TONS of RP, special items, areas, sessions, etc. I've been VERY lucky in this area, but then again, that only involved me, the IMM, and 1-2 other people and they were usually done in secret. 

 

As for people not RPing with each other, I'm not sure what game you guys are playing, but I can't log in with out receiving a few tells from people or sending them out myself. The kind of RP I am looking for is RP so huge that you don't even have to be involved to be affected. When is the last time we saw Naruthiron square off against Volgathras in the CC of Val? Or heard a global echo of Volg and Anume lashing out at each other.. I understand you guys are busy, but.. you asked me what I wanted, haha!

[Anume]

Funny.. but yeah Morl and Anume fought in the plains of winter just this morning. Unfortunately only few witnessed the battle, but it was fun none the less.

Nudges the witnesses to write something about it.

[f0xx]

Ooooohhhhhh

[Naruthiron]

I have personally led three plots, including an ongoing one, with mixed results.

It's said that we "nudge" players because... well... we do. We can't force any of you to invest your characters. We can drop hints and give special rewards, but in the end it doesn't always catch. Doesn't mean we give up, it just means it's going to take that much more time for traction to catch.

Also, I fought Zoichan in Winter/Steel not long ago, and my RP since becoming Purity imm has been hunting for Anume. 

It would be lovely, I agree, to have more of these big IMM vs. IMM moments in RP. Unfortunately, real life interferes. Most of us have wildly varying playtimes. Comes with having families and responsibilities, and I am sure that each of you can attest to your own struggles in that department. I'm not trying to make excuses, but of the time where I can devote myself 100% to the game, on the live port, less than a quarter of it sees another idle IMM, and even then it may not fit the situation for us to start duking it out in the world.

....Also Naruthiron would never put innocents in harm's way by purposefully fighting in a city. He may have dropped his shield, but he's still all about protecting those damnable well-off citizens and their vast fortunes of 100-400 gold.

[Volgathras]

It warms my cold, dead heart to have the destruction of Rheydin and the shades mentioned in the same paragraph.

[Naruthiron]

You don't have a heart.

[Archangel]

The hardest part of any global plot is alignment between IMMs and players.  Many times over the years there have been successful global RP plots and many times plots have fizzled and died because players didn't buy in. 

Please, if the opportunity presents itself, set leveling and or whatever you're doing aside (other than cabal responsibilities obviously) and join in however your character's RP permits.

[Mali]

It is no fun at all to listen to you folks complain. Ithric wants to help, not to be chastised for the sins of his father.

 

 

 

[Archangel]

3 hours ago, Mali said:

It is no fun at all to listen to you folks complain. Ithric wants to help, not to be chastised for the sins of his father.

 

 

 

On the other hand, listening to Mali complain is always entertaining...right up until he rips your face off.

[Trick]

4 hours ago, Mali said:

It is no fun at all to listen to you folks complain. Ithric wants to help, not to be chastised for the sins of his father.

 

 

 

He asked us what we wanted and we told him. Its not complaining to address problems that have occurred in the past. Its acknowledging them and learning from them. Problems that occur across all aspects of the playerbase(IMMs and players). A lot of solid points have been brought up that both sides can learn and grow from. Stating them outright is hardly complaining. 

[Mali]

Ok, back to topic, to address the question "if something is not working". I do not believe RP points are working. BAM.