since hlint is no longer a starting place

[Falonthas]

we still have the forum for the wild surge

maybe the scamp or the one eyed harpy should take  its place as the surge was great when most people ran through it at least once a day

but now it really doenst make sense you would post something it may take a year for anyone to happen by to read it

[Carillon]

I agree with this in theory, but I'm not sure that either the Scamp's Mug or the One Eyed Harpy is an appropriate choice for the "forum tavern". In my mind, such a tavern should be relatively accessible to all characters, should they want to visit it, so they can RP having seen the notices in it without having to worry about whether they are jeopardizing their character concept.

There has been some discussion on whether certain characters (for example, Paladins of Toran) should be visiting the Scamp's Mug, as this tavern also contains some Shadonite clergy and may double as a Shadonite temple in some people's opinions. A number of PCs would also be hesitant to be caught dead in a disreputable place like Fort Vehl, including the One Eyed Harpy. Likewise, some of the evil characters who can't easily "blend" might have trouble even getting into Port Hempstead.

While I think it's a good idea to have a place close to the starting area where characters could easily see a common message board, I just don't know what that place would be right now. Perhaps other members of the community have suggestions?

[Stephen_Zuckerman]

How 'bout the Stormcrest Shack?

[EdTheKet]

Well, you could still go to the Wild Surge

[Witch Hunter]

the Wild Surge is an old time favorite and heck, every time I'm in Hlint theres a PC there!
 
 leave it as it is (:

[darkstorme]

How 'bout the Stormcrest Shack?

I don't think this is a bad idea - it'd add flavour to the place, more than is already incurred by the Guides.  Plus, it'd draw greater attention to a neat new area.

Also, since it's positioned to be equidistant from Hempstead and Vehl, it's the logical place to post anything you want the majority of the adventuring community to read.

[Acacea]

That sounds good; one of the main purposes of the place is for a spot to pool the community in. I love having split starting locations, as I think it sort of sets a feel as to what kind of places your character would be welcomed in. There is of course always a danger of slicing the community in two though, and the Shack was put in between them hoping to be a collecting zone for both sides nearby.

That's why I like the cities the way they are - they aren't totally unfriendy, but they don't inspire as much hanging around with a drink to chat as much as the crossroads do, nor are nature-oriented types as comfortable there. I wouldn't change them, because if you make the cities too cozy, you actually end up splitting the players into thirds instead of halves... cozy at Vehl, cozy at Hempstead, cozy at the Shack, and all close to the same area... too many!

Having the Shack covering them both, but still having two very different atmospheres in starting locations, seems to manage the delicate balance between "setting mood for characters" and "splitting up all the players." At least, once the place is settled, more known, and the lantern thing works.

And as darkstorme said, it's more likely to be used by the adventuring community as a whole, whereas things meant specifically for a particular city can still be posted by PCs or NPCs in the gossip forum and such.

[Stephen_Zuckerman]

I love it when I have good ideas.

[Talan Va'lash]

There has been some discussion on whether certain characters (for example, Paladins of Toran) should be visiting the Scamp's Mug, as this tavern also contains some Shadonite clergy and may double as a Shadonite temple in some people's opinions.

This indeed has been discussed several times. The official stance is that it's an inn, Paladins can go there without breaking their oaths.

This is true for all the semi-religious-affiliated places in Port Hempstead (The shops and bank in Deliar's "temple" and the craft halls which mention dorand.

It's still a somewhat seedy place and whether paladins should be going there often is  another debate entirely. The point I'm (re)clarifying is that they do not break their oaths to do so.

[Acacea]

Regardless though, you can't pick one area over the other, so you would either need both, or pick the one in the middle and make it the collection zone. The latter seems more efficient, greatly helping with the (mostly) OOC problem of scattered players, while letting the two areas maintain the setting and starting quests etc. As long as no one decides to make druid hangouts and paladin lounges in both cities, kind of killing the motivation to hang out in the middle, I think it would work nicely.

[Talan Va'lash]

As long as no one decides to make druid hangouts and paladin lounges in both cities...

Paladins don't lounge.

They vigilantly recline.