Quest GM applications are now open !!!

[Harlas Ravelkione]

Do you desire to be a part of a fantastic team? Then now is the time to apply. Please reply to this thread if you are interested. You also need to send a sample quest to "Harlas Ravelkione" in a PM. We will offer apprenticeship if it is needed. We don't just throw you to the wolves until you are ready. So if you think you have what it takes then give it a shot.


This round of application acceptance will close on August 18th at 6pm GMT.


Duties:
• Run quests according to your own schedule in RL but still meeting your time requirements for either part time or full time. Though most of the quests will be placed on the community calendar so that players can make plans.
• Write up quests after they are completed with detailed information for tracking.
• Help the community in game or on the forums when it is needed.
• Able to communicate with individual players that may need help understanding the rules or spirit of the server.


Qualifications:
• Able to act responsibly on your own as well as within teams.
• Able to work well on a team.
• Understand the spirit of the server.
• Understand the rules of the server.
• Willing to enforce the spirit and rules of the server when it is necessary.
• Able to perform GM Duties for at least 8-10 hours a month as a part time GM.
• Able to perform GM Duties for at least 12-16 hours a month as a full time GM.
• Able to communicate well in text in an online environment.


Questions to answer in this thread:
• List any DM/GM experience that you have and when the last time you performed this function. This is not a requirement.
• Have you GM’d using NwN? If so please list for what world(s)/module(s) and for how long. This is not a requirement.
• Describe why you want to be a GM in Layonara.
• Describe what Quest GM’ing means to you in Layonara. What do you think will be the outcome if you are chosen to be on the team?
• How long have you been a member of Layonara? You need to have been active in the community for at least four months.
• Do you wish to be a part time or full time Quest GM?


Be sure to submit an example quest to me in a PM (forum name: harlas ravelkione). It needs to describe the start and ending of a quest, side events that a party can do within the quest as well as how you would handle situations within the quest. If done properly it will be at least 300 words but no more than 500 words please.


Read the Public GM Primer:
http://forums.layonara.com/layonara-...a-gm-read.html

[ShiffDrgnhrt]

Questions to answer in this thread:
• List any DM/GM experience that you have and when the last time you performed this function. None
• Have you GM’d using NwN? None
• Describe why you want to be a GM in Layonara.

Well, since I joined almost a year and a half ago, I've fell in love with this place. I'd never found as rich and inviting Role Playing community before, and it did not take long to want to be more then just a player. I've always wanted to be a World Leader, and still strive to earn that, but with the demise of my Name sake that goal is once again far out of reach.

That said, I would like to be a DM here on Layo so I can bring some excitement and adventures to players. I've always loved the random encounters with NPCs or "Monsters that Don't Belong there." I've always found RP to be the most rewarding part of Layonara and would hope to be able to encourage more as a DM and a Player. I'd also like to be able to bring to life some of the parts of Layo that usually are Static (Delia in the Craft Hall, Town Guards, The Circus in Wayfare, the creatures of the forest). I'm hoping I get a chance to add a little bit of my own flare to the world and the RP.

• Describe what Quest GM’ing means to you in Layonara. What do you think will be the outcome if you are chosen to be on the team?

To me, Quest GMs are what add spice and flavor to the Game World. They keep the various plots (Main or Their own) going but also do small things to keep people engaged and to remind them there is more to Layo then meets the eye most days.

If I were chosen to be a DM, I think I would spend most of my DM time with the later at first, and use any RP that might spring from that for the basis of any Full Quests. Although what I hope to be able to do is bring some unexpected fun and adventure to players during the usual monotony of CNR Hunting, XP grinding, Fishing, and Bench Warming

• How long have you been a member of Layonara?

It will be Two Years On Christmas Eve of this year.

• Do you wish to be a part time or full time Quest GM?

Part Time for starters. I am still attending school and would not be able to devote too much time to DMing right now. I do know I can meet the Time Requirement as aa Part Timer, and might even find myself free to be Full time, depending on work and my studies. But for now a Part timer.

I'll be PMing the Demo Quest as soon as I can. Thanks for the chance to Apply!

[silverblades]

List any DM/GM experience that you have and when the last time you performed this function. This is not a requirement.
Ive been a DM in the past but it was a long time ago (pen and paper, not too much of this nowadays)


? Have you GM'd using NwN? If so please list for what world(s)/module(s) and for how long. This is not a requirement.
A little experience with the DM controls with my son as a player., and my son is better with the toolset then I am.


? Describe why you want to be a GM in Layonara.

Being a GM to me means bringing the world that is here to life. By filling in all that we as players don't see. By using ones creativity with what is here and causing that to come to life and using every DM tool at our disposal to bring that world to life.
I guess that's what I see a DM doing. It doesn't matter how many monsters you fight really, What always kept me as a player coming back for more was how realistic that fight was, or how the DM always seemed to make that adventure come to life with his descriptive words and realistic painted figures. In the old days all we had was a DM hiding behind a few panels of tables and charts doing dice rolls to determine your fate.
Now it's advanced so much more and so believable it's hard not to get your heartbeat really going fast. Well that's what I want to be able to bring to this next generation of Role players, that same feeling I felt wen I rolled that d20 around in my hand and across the table and waited for it to stop. Then listening for the outcome by the DM, only using a far better set of tools to make it more realistic than ever before.



? Describe what Quest GM'ing means to you in Layonara. What do you think will be the outcome if you are chosen to be on the team?

Realizing that you as a GM are here to bring this world and all its entirety to life. By teaching the players to look beyond what is on there screen, and help them realize there is more to this world then the game engine will allow us to do.
In that respect I miss the old times when it went beyond what we saw while we all sat around the living room playing pen and paper DnD. There were no computers and toolbars only a DM (with a wicked grin) a few friends and a set of used dice.
. By going beyond what the game is able to show you and showing to the players what can be seen by RP and imagination.
I am hoping that the outcome of me becoming a DM will allow me to bring a heightened awareness of how much ones character comes to life when you roleplay a character of your imagination to the best of your ablilty through a DM that knows what lies beyond the screen in front of you and places it in your imagination forever a part of your memory. I am looking forward to working with the Layo team and play a bigger part of why I've been here so long, and that part is all the fantastic players and those behind the DM screen who take so much time to make this place come alive.

? How long have you been a member of Layonara? You need to have been active in the community for at least four months.
I joined in October of 04.
I had never played NWN before and it took my breath away the first time it opened up on the neverwinter barracks.
As for Layonara, it has been great to be a part of the community here for so long. I miss the old players that once played, but realize that we all have to make decisions for our futures and sometimes that doesn't include a fantasy RPG.
As for the players who went out disgruntled, I would hope to be better saying that I was wrong, if it were justified.
Sure there are things that bother me but I guess that's why I'm trying to do a part here and make it better for someone else.

? Do you wish to be a part time or full time Quest GM?
I wish to be a Part time GM to give me time in learning the ins and outs of the DM controls.

Awaiting from Harlas on specifics of demo quest as per my PM.
I will expand upon it to meet the addl. Req.

[Drizzlin]

Questions to answer in this thread:
• List any DM/GM experience that you have and when the last time you performed this function. This is not a requirement.

I have functioned on and off as a DM in D&D campaigns for the last 15 years or so. Some of my most memorable games have been dark elf campaigns, but I have also DMed campaigns ranging from Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance and my own made-up-as I go worlds. I have run LARPs locally and as a nation storyteller (Please don't tell my mother this, I wouldn't want her to disown me) for the official White Wolf Fan Club known as the Camarilla back in 1996-2003. A lot of my main duties dealt with write ups for national plots, running some of those plots at the yearly nation games, and handling monthly reports on the workings of players. I also served as a local and domain storyteller for games that held as many as 50 to 75 players at time.

I also have experience running table top shadow run games, whitewolf games, and even other odd and end games that aren't worth mentioning.

• Have you GM’d using NwN? If so please list for what world(s)/module(s) and for how long. This is not a requirement.

I tested the tools before and even did some assisting on a few quests for another player based world. I took a small break, meaning i wasn't playing 24/7, from Layonara back in 2005 to try and learn the DM tool set in the other world in hopes of one day having the time to come back and app as a DM here in Layonara. My experience is extremely limited, but I work on a high learning curve!

• Describe why you want to be a GM in Layonara.

The world of Layo is my home away from home. This place, the players, and the staff have brought me so many memories and experiences that I will honestly cherish the rest of my life. Every game I play in, every game I think of picking up (from a table top game to a PC game) are held by the standards of Layonara to me, and not one has ever even come close to living up to them.

As a player I do all I can to give back to the world and I always feel I can do more. I always wanted to be a DM here for the purpose of giving back to the world and because as you can see from my short history above, I am a Storyteller at heart. I love to run games, come up with plots and watch players enjoy their time with my imagination as a DM/Storyteller.

I never had the time to commit to being a DM and be a full time student/dad/future doctor, so I didn't do the misjustice of apping as a DM in the past. In April 07 I graduated from the University of Michigan with a dual major in Biochem and Biology and I recently decided to forgo med school at Michigan State this year. I have moved on to other projects and have the time now to commit as a DM if I am chosen.

• Describe what Quest GM’ing means to you in Layonara. What do you think will be the outcome if you are chosen to be on the team?

Quest DMs are a major part of what keeps the blood pumping through the heart of Layonara. They provide the player base with plots to be involved in and their quests are a great source for players to use to gather up and play together in groups. Quests are a great way to bring players, both old and new together, which in return will richen their experiences within the world of Layo. Quest DMs can make or break the player base and because of that it is important that they understand this and never abuse it. This means it isn't some kind of title, it is a responsibility.

While I do not know every detail behind the scene for a Quest DM, I also assume they have responsibilities to the staff as far as reporting their plots, maintaining their required amount of hours and assisting in anyway possible. Quest DMs are also great for unsticking players, helping test bugs, reporting issues, helping enforce the rules of Layonara and most importantly helping me move those stuck crates out of the side of the walls in my house!

If I am chosen as a DM, on a personal level, I believe it will mean that I will have the chance to give to the world and players with my quests, as well as give to them on an administrative level with the work I would do for the staff (Like putting my plots together for future use if needed ect). I also know I will be held to an even higher standard and responsibility that I will live up to proudly.


• How long have you been a member of Layonara? You need to have been active in the community for at least four months.

I started playing on Layo back in 2003 and have been here ever since. School, work, my business and marriage have always done their best to drag me away and keep my playing time down, but as I said above, for the last year I have had the time to play way to much! =)

• Do you wish to be a part time or full time Quest GM?

Full time GM. I will PM a quest to Harlas very soon.

Be sure to submit an example quest to me in a PM (forum name: harlas ravelkione). It needs to describe the start and ending of a quest, side events that a party can do within the quest as well as how you would handle situations within the quest. If done properly it will be at least 300 words but no more than 500 words please.

[LightlyFrosted]

Questions to answer in this thread:

• List any DM/GM experience that you have and when the last time you performed this function. This is not a requirement.
I have, through various game groups and ten years of playing RPG's, DM/GM'ed games of AD&D 2e, D&D 3e and 3.5, Green Ronin's Big Eyes Small Mouth, Kobolds ate my Baby. Whitewolf's Scion, and pick-up games of Vampire the Masquerade, Paranoia (Hello, friend citizen!), Teenagers from Outer Space and various others. I'm currently running a game of Mutants and Masterminds, a d20-based superhero RPG, and am in the planning stages of a Shadowrun 4e game, which I hope to start running this school year.

• Have you GM’d using NwN? If so please list for what world(s)/module(s) and for how long. This is not a requirement.
I have not. I am, however, willing to learn.

• Describe why you want to be a GM in Layonara.
Layonara has been a fun and interesting place to visit for me over the last couple of years. I've had a blast roleplaying on a personal level with the other characters that Layo has to offer, and I'd like to take the next step. Cliche as it sounds, I'd like to give back to the community which has offered me a fun time and role play opportunities.

I believe that a GM should help to tell stories that they think should be told, and I have a number that fit that bill. I'd like to surprise people - hopefully in the form of pleasant surprises - with impromptu quests and twists to conventional quests that they didn't see coming. I'd like to help contribute to the stories of Layo by allowing heroic characters the chance to be heroes, and villainous characters the chance to prove how villainous they can be, as well as everything in between.

Despite being a full-time student, I think I have the time and energy to devote to Layonara as a DM while continuing my contributions as a player. I'd like to channel some of the creative energy that I have into positive experiences for my fellow players, and I'd like to join a team of like-minded individuals, many of whom have already done the same for some time now. I enjoy DMing and story-telling, and I'd like to share what ability I have in these things with others.

• Describe what Quest GM’ing means to you in Layonara. What do you think will be the outcome if you are chosen to be on the team?

While Quest GM's have a lot of responsibilities, I would say simply that the name speaks the principle purpose - Quest GM's are responsible for running quests. That said, a 'quest' is not necessarily a full-length plot, nor a path to a buried treasure. To me, a Layonara Quest can be scheduled or impromptu, as elaborate as a several-session murder mystery, or as simple as an impromptu encounter featuring some strange, funny, devilish or mischevious character that interacts with some PC's before going along his or her merry way.

Realistically, the other responsibilities of a GM are important as well. Recording the outcome of quests, helping to keep the rules clear and enforced for the players, rewarding good roleplay, and doing all the things that require GM intervention are crucial parts of being a GM. Character Development Quests, another duty of the Quest GM, can be important steps in a character's progress in meeting their goals.

Speaking on a more personal level, I think that some of the best moments I've had on Layonara have been unexpected, unscheduled 'wow' moments, where something unusual happens, and it kicks off either an interesting discussion or a spirited mini-quest that sends things down a direction I never saw coming. If selected as a Quest GM, I would definitely try and share as many of these moments as possible, ideally allowing all sorts of characters and playing styles to shine. If chosen for the team, I would like to run a number of pick-up encounters, and try to spark or encourage roleplay and unusual situations, just to stir things up a bit.

For the more formal quests I would run, I would like to try to have a mix between straightforward quests, and quests that make people think. I believe that players should come out of quests feeling like their actions were important, that their inventiveness was encouraged, and above all that, whether they succeeded or failed at their objectives, they enjoyed themselves.

• How long have you been a member of Layonara? You need to have been active in the community for at least four months.
Two years this past July.

• Do you wish to be a part time or full time Quest GM?
I would like to be a part-time Quest GM. With school coming up in September, my play time will be somewhat reduced, and I'd like to maintain a strong player-level activity in Layo as well. Since there's no UPPER limit on the amount of time that a Quest GM can spend contributing per month, I'd rather start small and see how I fit the role, rather than jumping in with both feet and finding I can't commit the extra time every month. I suspect I'd still do a fair bit more than the minimum.

Edit: The PM to Harlas is still in composition.

[Dorax Windsmith]

Application attached.

[Harlas Ravelkione]

Only one week left folks! The clock is ticking!!!

[LordCove]

List any DM/GM experience that you have and when the last time you performed this function. This is not a requirement.
None at all.

Have you GMd using NwN? If so please list for what world(s)/module(s) and for how long. This is not a requirement.
None at all.

Describe why you want to be a GM in Layonara.
It would be fun. The surprise interactions my Char's have had when GMs have decided to drop IG have been some of the most memorable times I've had InGame, not to mention some of the rather, scary, nail biting moments I've witnessed on quests.

I'd like to return the favour.


Describe what Quest GMing means to you in Layonara. What do you think will be the outcome if you are chosen to be on the team?

I think I would vary here if I was chosen.

New players to the server could expect to be picked on ( I mean, selected).
That was primarily what captured me here, a little GM interaction for someone new to the server or simply a new character, to help have their character grow.

A lot of spontaneous interaction could be expected. Whether it be Dalia complaining she's not appreciated too much, to the tribe of Goblins blockading the road to Hlint, to a sneaky halfing trying to pick your pocket in Vehl.

Quests would vary also, aimed at low levels at first... but once a firm grasp of GMing is at hand... I'd like to aim at some Epic Level Quests.
I think this could be done without the need for them to be World Shattering or Affecting.

And of course, my favourite.
World Affecting is one thing.... but Life affecting is another.
Players could expect their characters to be presented situations which may or may not have a lasting impact on their characters life or personality ( only if agreed with by the player of course).


How long have you been a member of Layonara?
Around 2 1/2 years

Do you wish to be a part time or full time Quest GM?
Part Time

// Quest write-up to be sent later today Harlas

[vgn]

Questions to answer in this thread:
• List any DM/GM experience that you have and when the last time you performed this function. This is not a requirement.
About a million years ago when I was young, I was a GM/DM for several D&D and Shadowrun games. I also have more recent GM experience which will be relayed as the answer to the next question.

• Have you GM’d using NwN? If so please list for what world(s)/module(s) and for how long. This is not a requirement.
Yes. I was a GM here at Layonara. I stepped down after I took on way too much “extra” stuff, ran out of time to be a GM, and RL work completely over took me.

• Describe why you want to be a GM in Layonara.
I miss it. I have more time in my life now. I actually have a functioning staff at work and so I have a bit more free time. I’d like to once again run some fun adventures. Besides, all the really cool GM tools came out after I was done.

• Describe what Quest GM’ing means to you in Layonara. What do you think will be the outcome if you are chosen to be on the team?
Ultimately it means breathing more life into the world and helping people overcome the limits of the engine. Anything is possible when a real person is controlling the action and making decisions. The main outcome is the players in this world will get more cool adventures.

• How long have you been a member of Layonara? You need to have been active in the community for at least four months.
I’ve been a member of Layonara since Oct 2004. So almost 4 years.

• Do you wish to be a part time or full time Quest GM?
Part Time. I said I have more time right now, I didn’t say I was unemployed 
I do have a baby due in December and work still plays a heavy part. I do think I can manage to do a couple quest sessions a month and some random stalking and interacting.

Sample Quest sent.

[Carillon]

• List any DM/GM experience that you have and when the last time you performed this function. This is not a requirement.

None.

• Have you GM’d using NwN? If so please list for what world(s)/module(s) and for how long. This is not a requirement.

No formal GM experience, but I do know my way around the default NWN GM client pretty well.

• Describe why you want to be a GM in Layonara.

I'm applying as a GM primarily because I enjoy storytelling, roleplay, watching characters react to unusual situations, and helping others enjoy the world, and I think a GM role would allow me to enjoy all of these things even more. I have greatly enjoyed my time on quests run by other GMs and am anxious to try my hand at a bit of quest storytelling myself, using my own creativity and knowledge of the world to give other players the chance to explore unique situations within the game. I want to contribute to the world by creating fun, enjoyable and family friendly opportunities for its players to explore the figments of their imaginations that we refer to as "PCs".

• Describe what Quest GM’ing means to you in Layonara. What do you think will be the outcome if you are chosen to be on the team?

I think GMs wear a lot of hats, so to speak: the Administrator, to a degree the Enforcer, on occasion ... but the quest GM role falls firmly into the category of the Storyteller. Quest GMing is an opportunity to use one's creativity to dream up a situation, a problem, a challenge or a villain and actually see that idea brought to life in the game. It is an opportunity to help players connect with one another, to let them work as a team to achieve a mutual goal (or sometimes against one another, if their goals are at odds!), to introduce them to new aspects of the world, and to give the people behind the computers a fun thing to do with the hour or two they've stolen for "Layo Time" that day.

If I am selected as a Quest GM, I believe the outcome will be the opportunity to support RP through the running of quests, either my own or by helping fellow team members with their ideas. I believe I will be bettering the world by facilitating and driving character development.

• How long have you been a member of Layonara? You need to have been active in the community for at least four months.

I've been a member of the community since December 2006, so a little over a year and a half.

• Do you wish to be a part time or full time Quest GM?

At this time I am applying as a part time Quest GM.

[Tobias]

List any DM/GM experience that you have and when the last time you performed this function.

I have been a DM with my DnD group for 10+ years covering 2nd edition all the way to 4th edition. My last time I have DM'd has been over fourth months ago while I have been spending time learning fourth edition rules.

Have you GM d using NwN? If so please list for what world(s)/module(s) and for how long.

I have GM d using the NWN DM Client here at Layonara (v1). My time there was short, maybe just only two months, due to just becoming a father and helping a friend build his own server/world.

Describe why you want to be a GM in Layonara.

I want to be a GM in Layonara to offer great RP oppurtunites and adventure to the communtiy. I also want to tell a living story that characters are apart of and thinking on my feet and offering excting and challenging adventures to those that are on my quest. I definitely want to have fun and have players have fun and keep them entertained. As well to offering adventuring and fun to the community I also want to help boost RP and raise morale of those new to NWN and/or DnD.

Describe what Quest GM ing means to you in Layonara. What do you think will be the outcome if you are chosen to be on the team?

Quest GM ing to me is being a storyteller in a living story that doesn't have a set ending and the characters/players are there to help flesh out the story and give them and ending that they deserve, good or bad. Still I know there is more to GM'ng then quest. there is coaching refereeing, policing the world. helping players that are stuck or those that may have ingame issues.

The outcome if I was to be chosen as to be apart of the GM team I hope would be that I carry my weight and offer what so many GM's before me have offered to the team and community but, at the same time bring something different. I am always willing to help out those that are in need of it. I would think big start small in my quest and as my confience grows branch out to bigger and more challenging quest. I hope as well to lighten the developmental quest load of GM's by opening up a eastern time slot for those players that are on central and eastern times, but flexible enough to do quest for the west coasters.

How long have you been a member of Layonara? You need to have been active in the community for at least four months.

I have been a member of layonara for four years and eight months. (old timer)

Do you wish to be a part time or full time Quest GM?

I wish to be a part time GM.


Sample Quest sent to Harlas.

[Harlas Ravelkione]

ONE MORE DAY !!!

[Acacea]

• List any DM/GM experience that you have and when the last time you performed this function. This is not a requirement.

I don't have any PnP experience period, as player or DM.

• Have you GM’d using NwN? If so please list for what world(s)/module(s) and for how long. This is not a requirement.

Not much, but I am familiar with most of Layo's DM tools. Mostly I just use the DM client for module testing, but have ran a couple small scenarios in another module just for fun. Not really worth mentioning, though. There's that cobwebbed DMFI module, too. Other than that... eh. Not really.

• Describe why you want to be a GM in Layonara.

That seems like kind of a loaded question in my case. There are a lot of reasons I could ramble about for awhile (and the corresponding reasons not to) but I can probably break it down into 4-5 points. There are a lot of reasons for anyone in general to be a DM, but personally, my reasons for finally applying -

1. Putting my money where my mouth is, as disproportionate as they are to each other.
2. Information transitions and distribution.
3. Aiding