ECDQ's and CDQ's

[Chrys Ellis]

I'd like to request that the team take a look at the policy regarding ECDQ's and CDQ's, in terms of who runs them.  Currently, only a handful of GM's can run ECDQ's, and many of them have a very long waiting list due to the fact that they have CDQ's to run.  Combine that with the RL times in which they are available to run them, and our choices are quickly very limited.
  I have two GM's that can work for me based on times I have available, and the earliest either of them can get to me is looking like January/February.  Both have CDQ's on their list of quests to run.
  My first suggestion would be to expand the list of GM's capable of running ECDQ's, but I know that an ECDQ is a big deal, and you want to ensure they live up to their names.  So, perhaps in the future you will have ECDQ'able GM's dedicated solely to running them, and leave the CDQ's to other capable GM's. 
  The wait time is a bit excessive, especially considering there is an XP cap until the ECDQ is run.  For those of us not playing a multitude of characters, this kind of puts a damper on things while our characters are in a holding pattern.  I feel this is something which needs to be looked at, since more and more people will have ECDQ eligible characters as time progresses.

[Leanthar]

We are doing our best on this...sorry.
  We have already opened it up so that any GM that volunteers to run ECDQ's is allowed so long as they understand the process and such.  You see those that are able to it, or want to do it as it stands now.
  I do not want to tell any member on the team that you must do X or Y only, that is not fair to them at all and they do this for the players and because they enjoy it. If we start telling them you can only do X or Y type of quest I guarantee you (past track record of proof) that the burnout and turnover ration will multiply.
  I am open to other ideas though.  We will be posting for new GM's here in a while but that will not help this problem for some time, if at all (over all).

[Chrys Ellis]

Thanks for the response.  I see your point about mandating what types of quests the GM's can run.  I didn't realize the GM's listed as ECDQ'able were decided at least to some degree by the GM's themselves.  If I understand you correctly, other GM's may be able to run an ECDQ, if they feel capable of doing so now or in the future?
  Since the wait for ECDQ's is so long, can the policy regarding the XP cap possibly be adjusted, at least?

[Leanthar]

"...If I understand you correctly, other GM's may be able to run an ECDQ, if they feel capable of doing so now or in the future?..."
  That is correct.
  As to adjusting the XP thing... sorry, we have talked about it a lot and it does hurt the GM Team characters as well.  Look at Kobal--he probably has lost many many many levels due to the rule.  I know it is hard and to a degree it sucks... but it needs to be in place.

[Varnart]

Oh, you're going to ask for new DMs huh... cool, I want to try out! I liked the DMFI intro module, and now I want to put my skills to use!

[EdTheKet]

 

but I know that an ECDQ is a big deal, and you want to ensure they live up to their names.

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  Maybe this example is illustrative of the work that goes into an ECDQ. I will take Rufus' one as example.
  1) Gain understanding of the character by reading the bio, the ECDQ application, development threads, character profiling thread and quest-write ups where the character played a part in (several hours, especially if you don't know the character)
  2) Come up with a fitting task/event for the character which would be deemed epic (hopefully, you get an idea at #1)
  3) Write the initial ECDQ plan including branches in the story, possible ways to fail and succeed, anticipate what routes player can take, prefarably include crucial rolls and their DC (couple of hours). For Rufus, I had catered for 7 different endings, of course only one came to pass.
  4) Discuss ECDQ plan with Leanthar and Pankoki for suitable difficulty level worthy of epicness (1-2 hours)
  5) Finalize ECDQ plan
  6) Run the ECDQ (often multiple sessions, often logging in an hour in advance or more to prepare areas, so about 12-14 hours in total)
  So I think in total, thinking, planning and running Rufus ECDQ cost me around 26 hours, which is all my own time, and I do it because I enjoy it and have the time for it. Not everyone is willing to, or able to, invest so much time to run these kinds of events.
  Thought that might shed some light on why not every GM runs ECDQs even if they would be capable to, it might take too much time.
     

[Cp_Winddancer]

While reading this thread I just wanted to put a feather into EdTheKet's hat.  I was not at Rufus' ECDQ, however I have heard a whole lot about it OOC and wanted to say to Ed Fantastic Job!!  As to all the other GM's out there running ECDQ's, CDQ's, running normal quests, and just all around making Layo a great place to game.  I think I can speak for the entire community,  Thanks a Ton!  Keep up the great work.  We really to appriciate it alot.

[Chrys Ellis]

Thanks for that post, Ed.  It put things into perspective, and considering all that goes into the planning and running of it, I'll be honored to have an ECDQ run for me, when it does come to pass.  Keep up the good work!

[Ar7]

There is also another problem with CDQs and ECDQs in particular, it can become a real headache to arrange a time that can suit everybody. We all have our real lives, different timezones, unexpected problems and so on. When one takes into account that an ECDQ has many episodes, then it is obvious that it can become a long hard task for the GM.

I would like to use this opportunity to thank Ed for a great epic adventure and for his patience, since cancelling happened quite often.