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Layonara Server / Version 3.50 is coming!« on: March 05, 2015, 05:43:40 pm »Version 3.50 is coming!Could be tonight, most likely tomorrow night. The server is going to be down for a couple hours as I will need to sync the vaults and do the db conversion. The server is going to be moved to a new IP Address. The DNS for xora.layonara.com will work after it propagates around the internet but in the meantime you will need the new IP Address. I will give that out in a followup post. You will need to update the control hak and the tlk, I'm just making sure there aren't any last minute additions to them after some final testing before I make them available. They're small files though the both of them. I will give links to these files in a followup post as well. Very important note for the next update: The linux NWN server is case sensitive when it comes to your Bioware name. You must use the same upper/lowercase characters for your Bioware login that you did when you created your first character on Layonara. You can't login as Orth for example when you created your first character as orth. If you do you'll see no characters in your vault. If you're unsure the exact case sensitivity you used for your first character and you see an empty vault, Dorg or I can let you know the proper case sensitivity. Fixes:
Storage System Fixes and Updates:
Additions:
Performance Improvements:
It feels like we did more, can't wait to get in and play! Thanks to Dorg, rowana and Alatriel for a hand here and there. -orth
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General Discussion / The time has come...« on: November 11, 2012, 10:06:39 pm »
Greetings Layonara Community,
It is with mixed feelings that I announce my retirement from the develoment of NWN-based Layonara after doing this for seven years and some change. This is a move I have planned for some time (and almost did several times), and which has been needed for some time, but I am only just now making it a reality. My development focus is now shifting completely to the MMO effort and Layonara's long-term future. To keep NWN Layonara going in a development sense, I now officially pass the torch to the capable hands of Script Wrecked, who will now be responsible for all future fixes and updates. I know you've all heard this plenty of times, but...this is not a “good-bye” letter. I am still very committed to and invested in Layonara and its long-term future. I still like to play here even (when the stars align properly), GM here and participate in this community. I do not see these things changing. My presence will remain, but my fingerprints will no longer be on the updates. There's not a lot more to say here, so join with me in congratulating Script Wrecked on his new position. The following users thanked this post: osxmallard
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General Discussion / LFG - Looking For Group weekdays« on: October 02, 2012, 04:46:41 pm »
Slogging it alone on a group friendly server is fun for all of 3.2 seconds... yes I've timed it.... and after the hundreths and some odd trip thru the redlights alone... its time to find another way.
I am looking for people who want to do stuff weekdays from Noon CDT to around 3PM CDT = 1PM EDT to 4PM EDT. Then again on some nights after 8 to 9 PM CDT to say Midnight CDT/ My characters who I'd like to use are: KoiganAxechucker Level 8 Barbarian Dwarf - Voraxian Raghnall Level 11 "Sledge" or Acolyte of Dorand Member of Cailomels If he isnt crafting its a good bet he is out getting materials to craft! Dot Level 19 - Rogue(7)/Fighter(12) - Working on becoming a WM (bastard sword) Selfish & Mouthy, but she can back it up too! Works for Saddlebag Pawn (no deity ) I also have and can help with my other characters: Enzo Reynolt Level 31 - Ranger(23)/Cleric(8.) of Folian S'pae Retired "Commander of the Wood" with the Wolfswood Ranger corps "The Green Ranger" and renowned server of pies on trips thru "the deep" Myrddyn Reynolt level 13 - Ranger(12)/WM - Rapier(1) Son of Enzo trying not to live in his fathers shadow. (no deity listed but he pays respects to both Mist and Folian) I havnt listed Andraia (19 Cleric of Kithairien) She may be on the chopping block soon. My play style is probably on the bashy side with RP tossed in as things go along. That being said... I'm glad to help people with quests, getting to CNR, and just slogging it out to get to that next level. If you see me on please drop me a PM if you're interested in doing something. Please understand outside of these time windows my answer will most times be I can't go... because RL will have me being MR Mom... making supper, chauffeuring etc. So dont think I'm not interested when I say I cant... its cause I dont have the time needed! The main thing I don't like to do is travel with someone who isn't a fit with my characters(s) due to deity clashes. I dont like doing the whole "enemy of my enemy" so it must be ok thing. But even this rule I become flexible on when we have such a limited amount of people playing anymore. Aside from that... let's just see where things go! See ya in game! G-452 . The following users thanked this post: osxmallard
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General Discussion / Hey, I hope I'm not completely forgotten...« on: April 04, 2012, 12:32:49 am »
I really miss this community and all of you. I always think about this game, the friends, the people and the time I spent here with all of you. I really wish things had turned out different and I could have stuck around playing on a more regular schedule. I forgive all the issues and differences people may have had with me and my RP style, all though I didn't really have any issues nor did I hold a grudge myself! =)
I hope some of the old names are out there to remember me, so that this doesn't look like some random wacky post, which will go unnoticed. Love, Peace, & Hair Grease! Daralith Del'Mar Some might have known a little wacky Malkor of the Sea as well...=) The following users thanked this post: osxmallard
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Roleplaying / The Misfit Brigade« on: March 18, 2012, 11:33:13 am »
Here's the idea I came up with during my vacation. It's based partly on some perma-death servers from the past, as well as mixafix's suggestion about level range.
The Concept The world is rife with uncertainty and unrest. The common folk are struggling for their very survival on a day-to-day basis. With resources scarce, some are offering up the only commodity they have, themselves. Forced into situations outside the norm, some of them discover a tenuous link to the heros of lore. Some succeed in this new life, many more fail and return to more mundane lives. An unknown group, powerful and well-funded, begins to take advantage of the situation. They begin gathering these misfit commoners into a cohesive group, imposing strict, some would say military, order. The result is a small fighting force, right now but a seed but with the potential for powerful growth. What will this growth result in? Who is orchestrating the dance of this force? Good or evil, helpful or power hungry? The Rules
To establish a framework that fosters adventure with an emphasis on RP and character growth, rather than levels. The following users thanked this post: osxmallard
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General Discussion / orth checking in.« on: February 02, 2012, 12:14:20 am »
Hello friends, old and new. It's been a while since I've been able to sit down and take a breath but I promised myself I would take the time to catch up on what I've been up to and some of the things that have to be done on the technical end over the coming month.
To start, I wanted to say that Layonara is with my heart every day. The friends I made and the moments I shared in its fantasy setting will be cherished moments I'll hold through my whole life with no regret. The past year I've been at a distance, occasionally trying to force my way back into the magic that I know makes me feel like only roleplaying can make me feel. It's been there for short whiles but real world priorities get in the way and days away become weeks and then months. I'm not going to try to explain nor am I sure I even know why, it just happens. Life's been pretty good. I've become a bit of a sports nut, I even bought season tickets to the Blue Jays for this summer. Nothing new on the love side of things, though a kiss stolen here and there. Work has had me with a lot less time than I was afforded a few years ago but I remain physically and mentally very healthy. As with playing, my desire for working on the MMO has had to be forced and again other worldly concerns leave me getting side tracked then ultimately not having the fortitude to jump back into the development. I am making progress in a core area though and when I can catch a breath and bare down for the final touches I'll be eager to move on to the areas that others have continued to bear down upon. Over the coming month there's going to be a few headaches from the technical end. One of our servers is old and has to be updated, this means I have to make a decision to either stay with our existing server setups or consider moving all of our servers to a cloud based setup. I've not made that decision yet and it's a pretty complicated one as Dorganath would be able to attest to as we discussed it on IRC. Once I make that decision I will get a better idea of downtime for all our servers, web, irc, nwn etc. I touched on the core area I'm working on with the MMO and that's focused on the web end of things. Using the versatility and module rich Drupal CMS I'm developing both a front end to a new updated community site and a back end to the MMO database structure. This could mean some heavy work needed on LORE and perhaps *cringe* if I'm really feeling adventurous, I would transfer the entire forum to drupal's forum. Alternatively there are modules that allow both vBulletin and Drupal work side by side. I wonder, do any of you have Drupal experience? So I guess that's kind of it for my update. I'll be informing you via the Important World Announcements forum about server downtimes as soon as I can possibly know and with as advanced notice as possible. I apologize in advance if this gets in the way of some scheduled quests. My best, James The following users thanked this post: osxmallard
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Rumour Has It / Lord Raels message« on: December 25, 2011, 05:53:17 pm »
On the anniversary of the Great Fires of Prantz from during the early days of the Sederra Kuhl war Lord Rael has appeared to give a speech during the celebrations.
In a suprisingly lengthy speech the self titled benevolant leader spoke to a huge crowd in the city's main square. During his speech Lord Rael outlined several key points: 1/ He reaffirmed the alliance and the gratitude his nation has for the continued presence of the Rofireinites and their lawful ways. He affirmed the continuing acceptance of them by the Sulterians. 2/ He thanked the people of his nation for being stalwart and supportive during the long years of trouble during the wars. Both the Dark Elven invasion and the Kuhl-Sederra conflict and including the ongoing battle in Hilm. 3/ He once again extended an invitation to Castle Mask and Lor to rejoin with the greater nation for their better security and to share in the rising abundance that the Raelites are enjoying. 4/ He announced that every man women and child in Rael would soon receive a document that grants them full citizenship within the nation and every year forth they can present their document and receive a refund of 10% of the taxes they paid that year. Failure to produce the document of course means no refund. Holders of the document will have greater benefits within Rael. 5/ As part of the new Rael Citizenship benefit scheme Lord Rael has ordered a census of the people to be held in two months time where every person living in Rael must return to their home town to register themselves and their families. 6/ Finally, he announced that Rael would lend Sedera half a million true in order to help support the rebuilding process. The following users thanked this post: osxmallard
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Rumour Has It / The Velvet Cloak« on: November 20, 2011, 03:00:03 am »[SIZE=13]In the derelict alleys and taverns across Mistone, posters are placed all around disseminating a simple message: We're offering work. May be very dangerous. May be mundane. Very good compensation. Choose your poison: Gloomwoods Castle, Co'rys - Look for Alistair Broken Halls, Trelania - Look for Bram Dragon Isles, Caesin Docks - Look for Velen Bring the flyer with you when you approach our agents. No flyer, no accommodation. The best of luck to you all! The Velvet Cloak Mercantile Company [/SIZE] //This is an RP series aimed for low-level shady character types but I encourage everyone to join the fun. Feel free to RP in-game, investigate, and brainstorm but much of the series will occur on the forums. There will be no quest times, if there is a need to go in-game, whatever it is that's needed will remain in-game for as long as the server is online. The goal here is to provide interesting development and interaction between characters that would not normally go together. I implore you to not automatically look at this as another one of Ni'haer's shady schemes (actually it is), but rather as an opportunity for your characters to grow. Imagine the fun that can be had with this experiment. Good luck to you all! The following users thanked this post: osxmallard
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Layonara Server / World Policy Update -- Sept. 19, 2011« on: September 19, 2011, 10:39:48 pm »
Greetings Layonara Community,
As we have done now and then through the years, we are bringing some changes to Layonara. Some of these are significant. Others are simple clarifications of what already exists. Regardless of the case, from this point forward, a new set of policies and conventions will be in place for all, from the new player on up to the GM team. These changes have come after a good deal of consideration, proposal, discussion and refinement over the course of several months. They take into account those things that we, as a community, do well and those things that we, as a community, could do better. The full details of all these things are too much to list here, but they will either be covered with some detail elsewhere or be evident in the way things are done by the GM team. Don't worry; the changes are all aimed at a more positive experience for everyone. What I will do here is summarize these changes and then offer an agreement between the community-at-large and the GM team. The latter is offered because in order for this all to work, it requires cooperation between everyone, whether one is “just a player” or our most experienced GM. Afterall, we're all working toward the same goal: a rich and enjoyable experience for everyone. [SIZE=18]Summary of Changes:[/SIZE] As mentioned above, the details of all the changes are too numerous to list here, and much of them get into administrative details. To list the major changes in summary:
In order for everything to work well, we all need a reminder that there is a need for cooperation between both players and GMs. Without it, there is nothing but difficulty, and anyone who has been around here long enough has probably witnessed the occasional period of problems and tension. We recognize these will never be truly eradicated, but we can all take steps to minimize them and work more constructively when problems do arise. In that spirit, I offer the following agreement to be held between players and GMs. Players agree to...
In understanding our various differences, let us also remember that each of us is only human. The above agreement is a goal, and regardless of which side we're on, no one expects perfection. We do, however, request that everyone keeps these things in mind when playing here. Most of us here are adults. Let's remember to act like adults. Speak to other players. Work out differences person-to-person, and ask for help if there are problems doing so. [SIZE=18]The “Clean Slate”[/SIZE] Under the GM section of the agreement, the concept of a “clean slate” was mentioned. By way of explaining this, it is necessary to mention the oft-misunderstood “Player Watch List”. Many players may not know if this list, while others may have the wrong idea of it. The Player Watch list is simply that...a list of players to watch. A player may get onto the list in several ways, which can be summarized as bad or questionable behavior. Such behavior can take many forms, whether it is a complaint by another player, minor rule violations or any matter that seems of concern. We use this as a communication tool between the entire GM team, such that we may all know of issues that may require a closer eye on a player in order that they do not cause problems for others through such behavior as we may document. A player will remain on the watch list for a period of six (6) months, after which time, the thread will be moved to an “inactive” archive, assuming no further issues during that time. If necessary, an archived thread may be made active again if there are repeated issues for a given player. These threads help us determine when administrative action or more direct intervention may be necessary, and they serve as long term documentation. It bears stating, unequivocally, that the Player Watch List is not a list of people that the GM team “does not like.” This is actually quite far from the truth. It should also be said that just because someone is on the watch list does not mean the player is in trouble. In order to illustrate a little better what the list is and isn't, here are a few examples of why someone might appear on the list:
To enact the “clean slate”, from this point forward, any and all active Player Watch List threads are now archived permanently. Any past incidents or disciplinary actions, except for permanent bannings of course, are hereby forgiven and completely in the past. If a player who has been the subject of one or more Player Watch List posts in the past has a new incident worthy of the Player Watch List, such incidents will be considered new, and past incidents will not be taken into account. Repeated incidents after this point will, of course, be handled as we have in the past, with each thread serving as a historical record for future reference. This gives everyone who may have come in conflict with server rules in the past or who may have caused difficulties for other players to start fresh and without bias. It is our hope that in this environment, people will seize this opportunity to be better members of the community as a whole and remember that this is not just a single-player game and that our actions affect other players, either directly or indirectly. [SIZE=18]So let's get started![/SIZE] Without further ceremony or description, let's all start moving forward and continue making Layonara the best environment for RP and enjoyment it can be. For good or ill, we've all contributed to what Layonara is today. As we go on, we will continue to shape it. Let's make it good! The following users thanked this post: osxmallard
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Rumour Has It / Eulogy for the Boy Hero in Wayfare« on: September 05, 2011, 07:24:14 pm »
*She dresses in her best dark clothes and attends the very small funeral of a homeless child in Fort Wayfare. The Bone Bats that came through the gate and harassed it's residents are gone but the loss of the one child hurts this Bard the most.
She stands quietly off to the side and lets the preacher say his words, only a couple adults attend, the children are kept away. Tears stroll down her cheek but she controls the sobs that wish to burst forth, and when he is done, she pulls out a harp and begins a soulful tune and sings softly.* [FONT="]Though better minstrels far than I May strike the quivering string; And bards more worthy of the theme Thy praises loud shall sing. Yet I, a wandering Harper new, with heavy heart and soul feeling blue, By harp and voice to honor you, my feeble strains to try.[/B][FONT="] [FONT="]My voice upraised to wild swept chords I sing thy happy times be wild; Thy frowning times, running games, And all that makes thee a playful child. All these I love and all have seen though gone now from my sight, I can but hear the children play, for all the rest is night.[/FONT] [FONT="]But even yet, it you’ll but list, To my old harp's best note, I'll sing to you your heroic deeds, To them my songs devote. Now guided by my faithful ox I stray from door to door, And tell how my hero fought and bled, And tales of old time lore.[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/I] *She bows her head, drops a flower upon the ground and slowly walks away.* The following users thanked this post: osxmallard
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Development Journals and Discussion / Emwonk T'noduoy - Emception« on: August 22, 2011, 10:55:01 am »
Mar 12, 1486
Emwonk paced the floor in the common area near the fireplace in the Silverbuckle Inn. A miniature lightning storm flashed and crackled about his person as he waited anxiously for Sister Bernice to arrive. This would be the day she would begin treating him, and he still had doubts about her nature, and whether she may or may not serve the Wardens in all actuallity. Elohanna sat nearby reassuring him that Sister Bernice would arrive soon and could indeed be trusted. Perhaps he was simply fearful of what might be hidden in the depths of his own mind that had caused him to become as he was now. He needed clarity and control though, this he knew above all the turmoil going on within himself. The woman, Sister Bernice, arrived. As before she was of frigid personality, and detached, refering to Emwonk as "the subject" even in his very pressence. It irritated him that she seemed to think of him as mothing more than ... what? An object? A sick animal needing tending? A puzzle to be worked out and forgotten when finished? It seemed the woman chose her words and actions precisely not only to provoke Emwonk, but Andrew as well, and perhaps even Elohanna. As Andrew helped get things set up in a room upstairs, the woman even asked him to bring -his- favorite red chair from downstairs for herself to sit in. Then there was the blue and white pill with a "D" upon its surface that she'd given Emwonk. He couldn't help but wonder if the "D" wasn't there as a provocation of paranoia from the woman who'd once hunted him and called herself Destiny. Yet he took the pill anyway, as Bernice had claimed it was a sedative to help him reach the relaxed state he'd need to be in for treatment, and he couldn't tell otherwise after his brief inspection. They receeded to the room he'd be treated in, the four of them together. Himself, Andrew, Elohanna, and the stern woman Sister Bernice, whom Emwonk thought lacked any iota of bedside manner. The sedative pill hadn't been enough to effect Emwonk much to her surprise, especially given his diminutive size even in comparison to other Halflings. Perhaps his special qualities interfeared with it in some way? Perhaps it was simply all the roiling emotions and tension he had within himself about all of this so called treatment about to take place. In any case, because the pill hadn't done the trick, Sister Bernice produced a vial of a blue liquid that Emwonk knew to be much more potent to the point that he questioned the safety of it. It didn't help that because of the blue color it reminded him of the "Bad Soup" the Wardens had forced upon him years ago, though that had glown blue and had felt like liquid ice going down. This concoction merely made Emwonk go nearly limp and sink into the bed upon which he lay. He saw a butterfly fluttering it's way around the room on velvet wings as his mind drifted further into numbness. Then he could hear Sister Bernice talking in a near chant-like voice telling him to go back to his childhood. Again and again, and again her voice intoned and seemed to get more distant, yet no less audible. Darkness crept in from all directions until Emwonk lost sight of the room around him, his friends, and even the butterfly. He stood then near a river, or stream. A young Halfling girl came running towards him. He noticed he seemed young again himself. What was this place? Was it a memory? He didn't know, and everything felt so strange. The girl spoke, presumeably to himself. "Dante!," the girl skipped toward himself and then stopped to giggle as Emwonk looked around in confusion at her, and his new surroundings. "Current, unidentified entity...," he greeted her, but something about the words didn't seem right. "Umm... nikki," he added. The girl seemed amused and responded. "Dante!," she laughed, "What the heck are you babbling about! I've been looking all over for you!" Who was this person? He decided to ask her, "Who are you?" "Betti, you dope! You know... your sister. What the heck is wrong with you?" The name didn't ring any bells to him, for all intents she was still a stranger, but he answered, "I... don't know?" "Mom was right, maybe you are losing it!," Betti giggled and began floating a small fireball in her hand playfully. "Losing what?," Emwonk replied, his mind still clogged with confusion by the whole of it. "Mom?," he asked, not remembering his mother, and wanting to know more. Bettie looked at him with a hint of exasperation, "Oh brother," she laughed again, "Come on the people will be here soon! From the special school!" He paused to think in the moment about this new information, but still nothing struck him as familiar. "What school?," He asked Betti curiously. "The one for the gifted kids. The ones like us!," she paused only to take a breath and continued, "I'm so excited!" She truly did look exuberant, and bounced on her toes with barely controlled energy. Emwonk thought about it all for another minute while Betti waited on him, perhaps too distracted by the fire she played with to even wonder what took him so long. Nothing was familiar. He felt he had to find out more and decided to start with his location. "I don't know where I am," Emwonk stated plainly to Betti. For a moment Betti regarded him with curiosity, as though wondering if he were sincere, or merely playing a game with her. Finally she pronounced, "What do you mean? We're right here, near the village!" It wasn't good enough, he wanted to know something more specific. A name for the place, he needed to know. He asked, "Which village?" There was a sudden flash of light, and he felt as though he'd been kicked in the head by a mule. He blinked his eyes shut hard reflexively and clutched at his head. When the pain subsided as quickly as it had come he opened his eyes once more to find he was elsewhere. It was dark, and wet. He stood chest deep in water covered with a layer of green scum. Twisted trees grew up out of the mirk in all directions. To one side he could see a patch of relatively dry ground, and on it a large ring of mushrooms. After his tongue rambled off it's initial questionings of "What?," "Where am I now?," and "Betti? Where are you?", he paused a moment and regarded the patch of mushrooms. He began slogging toward them numbly, "Mushrooms..." Just as he reached the edge of the mushroom-ring there was another flash of light and sudden pain in his head. The sharp stabbing of it nearly caused him to crumple this time. "Aah!," he shouted from the pain. Yet he kept his feet under him after all and opened his eyes to yet another new place. He stood on the grilling of a metal walk-way. Below him the distance was obscured by a bed of thick fog. Other walkways, some bent and twisted as though torn apart by some gargantuan beast stretched off into the distance in an almost labyrinthine way. "Hello? Anyone here?," he questioned the twisted metal walkways and the fog all around, "Where am I?" There was only silence, eerie, and devoid of any sound at all aside from the faint echoes of his own voice and perhaps the static sounds of condensation dripping off the metal and falling to somewhere far below. "Helllooo?," he called out again and waited. There was another bright flash, and knife-in-the-head pain, but then when he next opened his eyes he was back in the room upstairs in the Silverbuckle. Andrew sat asleep, Bernice watched and scribbled, bent toward him observantly, and Elohanna smiled down at him as though a burden had been lifted from her mind. Emwonk's own stomach rumbled protest at being left empty overly long in it's opinion. After finishing with rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, Emwonk patted the complaining tummy with one hand while he looked around in continued confusion. The room almost seemed like a dream itself still, and the fog in his mind wasn't clearing as quickly as he'd have liked if he'd been more alert to notice it. Andrew hadn't quite been asleep after all, or the rumble from Emwonk's belly might've woken him, because he asked if Emwonk were hungry. Emwonk merely pointed to his pack laying in the corner and nodded. Once Andrew set the pack onto the bed within his reach he fished out some dried fish and a canteen and began to nibble and sip. Elohanna and Bernice both continued to watch him and Bernice asked whether he was alright. Maybe she wasn't all bad after all, he began to think. She instructed him he could remove the bandage from his arm if he liked, and then asked questions about what he could remember of his dream-state. Emwonk still groggy from the experience explained what he could. Andrew seemed to think the name Dante fit Emwonk well, and seemed pleased. Elohanna was surprised to hear he had a sister, and Sister Bernice was pleased with all the detail he could describe, stating that she thought his progress for this first session was "a success" and even smiled as she offered to help him continue to really dig deeper into his mind. Emwonk himself remained doubtful that any of what he'd just experienced would help him gain control of his mind, but he knew he needed to continue to know for certain. Focus on the goal in mind, he readilly agreed to see this journey onward. The following users thanked this post: osxmallard
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General Discussion / Nostalgia Crawl Tonight?« on: August 13, 2011, 06:57:51 pm »
For all those places we haven't been to in a long while and maybe even forgot?
Was wandering the desert today and completely forgot about an old area set that's a heck of a lot of fun (if it's still there). It'd be neat meet in center maybe and try and think of those places you never actually think to go. Center - 10 PM EST, Tonight, Levels 5-20ish? The following users thanked this post: osxmallard
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Rumour Has It / A sad note among tense times...« on: February 03, 2011, 07:25:46 pm »
....Samantha Clerin passed away this last week in one of the work rooms on the Temple grounds in Spellgard. Her body was discovered by her granddaughter when she was arriving to delver afternoon tea. The older woman was in the midst of her works when her heart apparently gave out.
... Her age wasn't known precisely but her work in the temple began over seventy years ago and she contributed a great deal to the Lucindite community. ... In accordance to her wishes her body has been dealt with and no funeral has been arranged. It is apparent that she seemed to know her end was coming as a good many arrangements had already been made. ....Rumor in Spellgard is her work room had to be locked down until the appropriate faithful could be found to dismantle the spells left at work at the time. The following users thanked this post: osxmallard
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Layonara Server / Dragon Storm Campaign Finale! -- EVERYONE PLEASE READ« on: January 24, 2011, 11:05:45 am »
Dear Layonara Community,
As you have likely noticed, events pertaining to the Dragon Storm Campaign plot have been picking up as late and seeming to point toward a significant conflict at some point in the near future. This would, in fact, be a correct assessment. In order to help you and us prepare for this, we'd like to advise you of the following planned timeline of events. The plot finale will occur approximately two months from today on or around the weekend of March 19th, 2011. This is subject to change depending on scheduling and other considerations, but that is currently our target. The finale may actually be multiple events, structured to let characters of varying level ranges and interests to have meaningful participation. We haven't worked this out with 100% certainty yet, but this is at least the plan. We'll try to have something firm within a month prior to the event so you can plan accordingly as well. Between now and the finale, you, the community, may use this time to prepare and plan. If there is something you want to try to do or investigate, let us know as soon as possible so that we can plan for them and assist you in your efforts. What you do now will shape the landscape for the finale. Whether that ends up being a good thing or a bad thing is up to you. As a word of advice, we strongly suggest you talk amongst yourselves, hold meetings, review every bit of information about the campaign so far, no matter how old it may be. I know that recent events have made personal security something of a concern for PCs and their friends/families, but if you all need a safe place to meet, there is a room designed just for this in Bydell Castle now (added as of version 3.30). It is adjacent to, but not part of, the Aragenite library/temple there, but it has a separate door and is not consecrated ground, so clergy and paladins need not worry about violating their oaths. Use this time wisely. Ask questions, send letters and make plans. For disclosure and transparency, we have already determined the conditions for success and failure to varying degrees. There are multiple conditions for each and a spectrum of success and failure, so there is no "One Right Way" to pass the campaign. We are not "railroading" anything, but rather we have come to an agreement upon what sorts of things constitute an "ideal" success, partial success and so on. The better prepared you are to face the challenges ahead, the better things will hopefully go. Also, in this case, preparedness is not just a matter of having plenty of weapons, scrolls and potions (though they'll surely help) but also of having some important pieces of information at your disposal. I would also like to give this one piece of advice: All keys needed to unlock the best possible outcome of this Campaign are out there. For the best possible outcome, you'll need more than muscle. Play smart. On that note, good luck! Lastly, I know there's been rumors floating around that the end of this campaign means the end of NWN Layo. I want to set anyone's mind at ease who may be thinking this and state that this is not the plan. For the foreseeable future, NWN Layo will continue under the same conditions it has for the last couple of years. This of course may change as time goes on, but it will not be due to the campaign wrapping up. If there are any questions about this post, please ask below or via PM. The following users thanked this post: osxmallard
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The Silver Buckle / Welcome to the Buckle« on: November 16, 2010, 09:13:08 pm »Drinks, food, gaming, entertainment, and conversation Ask about our rooms for rent - lodging lists are kept private at all times Proprietors, Andrew Reid and Elohanna The following users thanked this post: osxmallard
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Layonara Server / Version 3.30 is online!« on: October 27, 2010, 08:02:36 pm »
[SIZE=32]Version 3.30 is online![/SIZE]
This version is a pretty significant update in some ways, and it also requires new HAK files. Please note that I've restructured the “control” HAK file into two files: a “ctrl” HAK and a “res” HAK for size and management reasons. You will need to download both of these files as well as the latest TLK file in order to enter the game. [SIZE=-1]http://nwn.layonara.com/downloads/files/layo_resv3r1.rar (HAK) http://nwn.layonara.com/downloads/files/layo_ctrlv3r10.rar (HAK) http://nwn.layonara.com/downloads/files/layonara_v24.rar (TLK) [/SIZE] (NOTE: the All-in-One HAK has not yet been updated) This update contains some initiatives that we've been working on in one sense or the other for several months, and in some cases nearly a year,, and in particular one far reaching initiative that we hope will improve several long-running ills. I'll mention more on this later, but this one in particular is the result of a collaboration between the GM Team as a whole based on feedback and comments from the community. For expediency, I want to quickly thank the entire GM Team, the Plot Team, the Project Team and the community for their various contributions, and specifically, I want to thank (in no particular order) Script Wrecked, Alatriel, Rowana, Eorendil, Pankoki, Carillon Guardian-452 and mixafix for their more direct contributions and for saving me a load of time. And now, onto the meat: Announcing: Center, Brelin Kingdom, Mistone[INDENT][SIZE=16]Once a town of its own right prior to the Dark Ages, the region of land once known as Center has seen a resurgence in recent years. The resettling began with refugees fleeing the destruction and uncertainty brought by the tsunamis that struck the west coast of Mistone. While initially little more than a tent city, Center started to become a crossroads in its own right. Its location along the strategic road between Fort Wayfare and points south helped it to become more than just a transient safe shelter for the displaced. Enterprising merchants set up their tents and wagons, finding the trade and commerce worthwhile. [/SIZE] [SIZE=16] [/SIZE] [SIZE=16]As has often been the story of other towns, an inn was built to serve not only those who ended up staying for a long term but also those traveling along the road. The merchant presence likewise became a fixture, drawing not only a banking presence but also facilities for skilled tradesmen. Merchants migrated away from Fort Wayfare, though this wasn't long lamented by residents, who on the whole felt some relief at having less traffic (and fewer “undesirables” lingering around their town. In keeping with this sentiment, Fort Wayfare petitioned Spellgard to “do something about that portal” in the middle of town. Spellgard agreed, and a team led by Connor Garvill shifted the portal's exit to Center. With the added traffic through every means, Center began to truly thrive and become a hub of activity of all sorts. [/SIZE] [SIZE=16] [/SIZE] [SIZE=16]While still essentially a transient settlement, as it doesn't qualify as a town yet, Center has grown beyond the simpleness of its rebirth into a place worthy of note.[/SIZE] [/INDENT] To address one of the biggest problems with v3, Layonara once more has a single starting area: Center. Located south of Fort Wayfare and north of Port Hempstead fields, Center and its surrounding areas represent a complete low-level experience for all new characters. Its status as an unincorporated settlement (at best) makes it open to all races, even those banned from cities and towns throughout the civilized world. That is not to say that they're welcomed by all, but there is either tolerance or numbness in those who might be considered residents. Besides the land mass that is Center, the surrounding areas have been remapped somewhat. Existing areas have been changed and new areas have been added. And of course, there are benches. Along with this, there is a new entry area, which should help introduce new players to the Dragon Storm campaign. As with many things, it is better seen than described, so please, stop by and have a look. We're eager to hear your feedback. As well, why not submit a new character and experience it through new eyes. And since it is such a big thing, it's worthy of special note that Carillon and Pankoki worked quite hard and diligently to bring the Team's vision and plans for Center to life. It is no small feat they accomplished. ------------------------------------------------------------------- With all that said, let's get onto the list... [SIZE=16]Center:[/SIZE] The Center project involves 15 new areas created in or around Center, creating a new hub for the server and completely changing the experience of a first level character entering the game world. Some examples of changes relating to the hub that will help the new character:
[/SIZE] [SIZE=16]Other New stuff:[/SIZE]
Go forth and enjoy! The following users thanked this post: osxmallard
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Layonara Server / Forums and IRC - September 24, 2010« on: September 24, 2010, 09:29:26 am »
Dear Layonara Community,
We are aware that there continue to be issues with the forums, and efforts continue to bring them back to the proper level of functionality, including the visibility of posts made prior to last night (US/Canada time zones). It is pretty much a forum-wide problem that affects everyone equally, including those of us with higher-level access. A side effect of the database problem affecting the forums is that the NickServ, ChanServ and aragen services on IRC are also down. All I know about is that the forum database experienced a couple of crashes over the last couple of days, requiring a repair process. Last night, orth indicated to me that the database in question was quite large and he did not know how long it would take to run the repair completely. At this time, I can offer no information as to when these services will be back in full operation or whether any data has been lost and/or corrupted due to the crash. I do not yet know the root cause of these problems either. We are aware that this causes an inconvenience to people and a difficulty in conducting various RP and social functions for Layonara. We're also aware that this has likely suspended things like Character Applications, as the CA team cannot access the threads to comment upon or approve them. So please bear with us as we work to sort this out. As more information becomes available, someone will update everyone. Until that happens, please assume that things are not working properly and assume that we are working toward a fix. The following users thanked this post: osxmallard
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General Discussion / Howdy« on: September 15, 2010, 01:49:12 am »
Everyone well? I've been trollin' the site for a few weeks, and while listening to some old IWD tracks and couldn't help but say hey.
The following users thanked this post: osxmallard
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General Discussion / Ideas« on: September 01, 2010, 09:14:42 am »
Was just reading akata's post and Dorg's responses ... to be truthful, got me a little disheartened. One of Layo's longest serving players (and world leaders) obviously not happy about some things ... anyways, you can read that thread.
I really want to write a long, well-written post with lots of good ideas and an accurate, sensible summary of some of the thoughts that are in my head ... that said, I don't know where you guys get the time! I was going to jump on tonight and had a peek at the server status .. again, only 2-3 characters on across both servers. I ended up watching TV and playing Bejewelled on Facebook. Unfortunately, that is becoming the preferred option more and more often - and it seems like not only for me? Why? I have my thoughts on the matter ... forgive me they aren't couched in loquacious (*nods to darkstorme*) paragraphs. Hopefully the gist is clear. 1. More scheduled quests please! I know GMs are doing it on a volunteer basis, I get it, I do. I did it for a couple of years and know sometimes you really can't be bothered or RL is busy or you'd rather jump on as a player ... but 2-3 a month is achievable, no? How can you incentivize the running of more quests for GMs? Give them XP for their chosen character for their time spent running quests? I certainly wouldn't begrudge a GM earning the same XP for one of their characters at the same rate my character does attending the quest they spend their time running. I don't know ... maybe others have got some ideas to encourage GMs to run quests? 2. Please change existing areas every now and again. Just a tweak, that's all I need. Does it take that long to shift a spawn two inches over? Add another goblin archer around the corner there, some warhounds with the hobgoblins there, a trap in the minotaur caves, a vampire in with the mummies, a treasure chest here, a carrion crawler there, whatever ... I contemplated making (another) new character the other day and had the thought if I have to run them through the same 100 areas that I have done literally hundreds of times previously with other characters I will seriously do myself in. I'd do it myself, honestly I would but ... *hugs his Mac* 3. Less rules, more fun! I have played here for over 4 years and I don't know the rules anymore. If people wanna make a goblin to join in on Lonn's gobbie night, go ahead! The will system and inter-character transfer of assets and house remodels and restricted classes and 4 CDQs to move from A to B and 2 CDQs to change from Y to Z ... I dunno, maybe it's just me but i'd rather play with 20 people, half of whom play as NG when their approved alignment is LG than play with one person who plays their alignment by the letter of the law. If someone is ridiculous with relaxed rules, kick em out ... but do the excesses and abuses of the past have to erect these impossible barriers for entry for new players? 4. More positions for characters! Ongoing responsibilities! Ability to change the world! I know this has been gone over numerous times elsewhere ... don't think there is an easy answer and I understand the lore books are to be released at some point and lore needed to be crystallized at some point and for various dramas lore has had to be re-written but it is a little demoralizing. I think Acacea has written about it elsewhere, all the challenges of the world are these new things that for whatever reason weren't a danger to everyone last week? WLDQs especially. I don't want to go into the ins and outs of all the WLDQs of the last few years but prior to Blood's fall the WLDQs run seemed to affect existing plots and people ... now it seems as if each WLDQ tackles a newly introduced foe so as to not affect existing lore? Fenrir's mithril-eating Balamti? Never heard of them prior to his WL. Daniella's unhappy God. Was it a concept that was created for her WLDQ? Alandric's child of chaos? Never read about him in lore. If other WLs agree, maybe this topic is better taken into the WL forum for dissection? 5. Re-attachment of DTs. Again, it's been spoken about to death elsewhere ... but again I keep coming back to how many of those players/characters now gone due to their character perming would have remained versus those people who remained because of the existing DT system? I'd put money down that the former is more numerous than the latter. Ark is on 9 tokens, if/when he loses No 10, there (most probably) goes yet another player. Please read this as written from the perspective of a player who wants to get excited about Layo again. Do they read as criticisms? I don't mean them to be. Read them as from a player who wants to look at the server status of a night and jump on and go for a run with a dozen others on west or a different dozen on central. Dorg, I don't need a response from you individually addressing these points, it's cool. The following users thanked this post: osxmallard
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Rumour Has It / Darkies in a Forest Cave« on: May 18, 2010, 10:13:58 am »
*Griff Silversand makes a report to authorities in Lor*
Oi tell ye we were comin outa some fire opal cave in de forest near Corax Lake, when we got jumped by some dark elves. De messed wit de wrong folks ye see, cause we was not no ordinary group; Dis was a Voraxian Warparty Oi was in. We were lickn our chops when we spotted em, Meh, Zig, Unther, Gunder n dis carrot top Dot. Slayed em all like rabid dogs we did. Oi make dis report cause Oi member ear'n bout some darkies held up in Prantz loike. Not sure if its related er not, but if de be de same darkies dat the Grey's had over in Prantz, well...let's jus say its not an issue no more. By Vorax their evil has been put to rest n Lor folk can rest a bit easier now me tinks. The following users thanked this post: osxmallard
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