First, NWN sneaking is broken. It is silly to think someone could "hide" and walk along an open road and through a narrow gate without being seen. That doesn't mean it isn't possible to sneak into towns, just that what we usually think of as sneaking in-game would not work; you can't hide in the open.
I have two comments about this.First, NWN sneaking is broken. It is silly to think someone could "hide" and walk along an open road and through a narrow gate without being seen. That doesn't mean it isn't possible to sneak into towns, just that what we usually think of as sneaking in-game would not work; you can't hide in the open.
This is a opportunity. right now the only place a monster race can go a buy gear is in Hempstead. Time to open a shop else where.
Vehl, you mean? Don't think anyone is arguing monster races being banned. It's not like orcs could just open one up in Leringard. Vehl is the exception to the pretty much global surface standard in regards to pure monster races, and they're hardly well-treated there anyway...
I dont think that sneaking is so much broken as that game mechanics dont allow you to do what would really be happening. When I am in sneaking mode with a character, even though on screen I am simply walking down the middle of the road or through an open space, I always see my character as darting from place to place, shadow to shadow, taking advantage of places to hide that non-sneakers wouldnt think of. But game mechanics dont allow this on screen.
For instance if I was to sneak into Hempstead what I really see as happening is my character waiting for the oppertunity of a delivery wagon or large group entering the city and using that to gain admittance.
It is not that sneaking into Hempstead is impossible.But rather that it is not up to the sneaker to decide whether he is successful or not.Hence the need to actually have a DM present for doing so.
Entering the city through the gate or via pier would be something like going through the airport. People who go there a lot know the drill and have things set up to get through as quickly and smoothly as possible. Since weapons and such are fine in Port Hempstead, that basically only means having your face visible and not looking too suspicious. The size of the group means nothing. If there are thirty people walking together to get in and any of them have hoods up (or are otherwise covered, like a Halfling with a large-brimmed hat looking down), then the guards will say something and act if the hooded people don't respond. And since there are surely more than two guards at such an important gate, some handle that and some watch elsewhere, since they aren't stupid and understand the concept of distractions. If you're bringing a wagon, you should expect it to be inspected, and if you're trying to sneak in on one, you should expect to have to do more than wait for an opportunity. Guards watching from the walls above would see you dart in to jump onto the back after an inspection, for example. You'd need a more elaborate plan, usually.
Ok... so to add on to this, I have a problem when a group of people who are allowed are standing in Hempstead having a conversation and a banned raced character walks up and just stands there and nothing is done about it. I understand that if a GM is not on, then there's not a whole lot we can do about it, but I think it is poor rp, and I've seen way too much of it lately. Just my 2 cents worth...
Just for clarification, which part is poor RP, that the original group says nothing when at least the Lawful ones probably should or that the banned-race character is there despite what should be better detection at the gate preventing it? Or both?
I just wanted to add, sorry for getting on my soapbox about this. I have played too many games where people get away with things simply because they say "well, if a gm wants to do something about it, let them" and I think that is cheesy. GM's can't always be around, they have lives and jobs and everything else too, and I think that players should just play their characters and stop being cheesy. This extends to more than just the laws of port hempstead, but I love roleplaying, and when people start acting cheesy in any way, even if it is simply to think that they can be a jerk and then roll a charisma check and if they roll high people will like them... it doesn't work and it makes things frustrating and difficult for others. You have to back things up with your actions in play. And as far as the laws go... just follow them or expect and ask for the consequences. And yes, this is coming from the person who almost tried to get herself kicked out of the city or arrested herself I don't have a problem with people breaking the laws as long as they're playing with a full deck of cards, and haven't just taken out the Aces so that they feel they are invincible.