Posts Thanked By User

1

General Discussion / IC and OOC

« on: June 21, 2007, 06:31:35 pm »

IC and OOC. There's no blurry line, but a thick black and white difference. A difference every roleplayer is familiar with. Yet as much as there's a difference between IC and OOC, at times, negative emotions from the character can travel into OOC. Whether it'd be a misunderstanding, something not quite clarified, or an argument leaving a few things left untraded etc, sometimes even the best roleplayers can find themselves irritated at another in the real sense.

But we are human, we all make mistakes. It's not about making the mistake, but moreso learning from it and becoming a better roleplaying individual through it.

I've been playing the less getting along side and more conflict seeking individual as Kinai lately, and the responses have left a rather bittersweet conclusion. The roleplay is fine, the reactions in character, yet I've seen nothing exchanged OOC.

Now, I usually do this myself, but there are times I don't, for example, when I notice my real life mood gets a bit sour. I usually refrain from IC and OOC conversations when I'm not at a decent or my best because I've always focused on being a good person to discuss with.

This is a reminder to those who roleplay conflict to keep a VERY clear connection OOC. It's fine to have conflict and the reactions, but you realize that by playing conflict you can just as easily tread on the fun factor of the players.

For both sides, be it the action or reaction, my request is that both parties send the occasional tell inbetween with a smile or a "good roleplay" or anything, and then make sure both have no questions about the outcome and the further actions that will be taken when all is said and done. You don't need to ask the other player's permission about "Hey, can I go to the law about so and so you did?" No...Just tell them hey, this is OOC knowledge, but my character is going to be "action here" to your character, so just a head's up!

You'd be surprised over how much happier some people will be.

2

General Discussion / A post to the community regarding DM encounters

« on: June 21, 2007, 05:02:45 pm »

Hello all,

Please note that this post is the opinion of me alone and does not represent what others on the team. This post is just to clarify something that I have noted while I have been on as GM especially when I have been providing custom encounters to the party. I would like to state that to me being a DM means providing an entertainment for players. This is either by quests or providing dynamic encounters through challenge.

I don’t have an issue of people requesting a Soul Strand. Nor do I have a problem with people thinking that "perhaps this encounter has unfair". That is in your player’s right to make a request or to have thoughts like that. What I have a problem with is when players have the mindset that because they have faced a losing situation or your character has died that the DM is out to punish them. I hear things like "What did we do wrong?" "Oh we must have got someone out there angry".

For me I would normally never use spawns or even overpowered spawns to police a situation or because I am angry at the players. Instead you are going to receive a tell saying that we need to have a little chat. Getting a GMs attention for 20 minutes filled with creatures encounters and mayhem or more at a time is a privilege  and not a punishment.

It is sad to see that the playerbase view the DMs in this way. I want to say that as far as I am concerned, getting a custom (harder) encounter from me is because I want to spice up an experience or because I feel happy of what is happening in regard to RP. You will also find that the encounter will be suited in for your tastes. If you are at the inn, during a player event, you aren't going to see monsters instead perhaps you are going to talk to the bartender or the waitresses or whoever...to make the experience better.

That is also why after each encounter where you are safe I will spawn in just to let you know that I hope everyone had fun *regardless* of the outcome and that is because I did it for your enjoyment. There are however times when we as DMs spawn things to keep things in the Lore of the World. But in those circumstances I will notify you about that too.
 
Much Respect,
  Tanman

3

Just for Fun / A New PrC

« on: June 14, 2007, 08:25:14 pm »

// Drawn from a conversation with a friend.

The Physicker

Drawn from the ranks of Wizards - those so used to the manipulation of magical forces that force, energy and momentum developed a fascination all their own.  Phyisckers tend to dress in white, and are constantly seeking greater power and understanding of the forces in nature and the universe.

Pre-reqs:
Feat: Spell Focus - Evocation
Ability to cast 3rd Level Arcane spells
Class: Wizard

The Physicker does not gain spell levels but continues to gain spells/level as if advancing as a wizard.

Special Abilities:
1st Level - Conservation of Momentum - The Physicker may sacrifice any spell of their level or less that does force damage to create a self-targeted Haste effect, lasting for Spell Level * Physicker Level rounds.

2nd Level - Frictionless Surface - Once per day, the Physicker can create an effect similar to a Grease spell by reducing friction in an area to zero.  Since the area is perfectly frictionless, however, the saving throw to avoid a fall is doubled, and movement is impossible.

3th Level - Faraday's Cage - For one hour/level the caster is completely immune to electrical attacks.  (Once per day).

4nd Level - Heisenberg's Guard - As long as the Physicker is moving, all attacks have a 50% miss chance, as their precise location cannot be determined by their attackers.

5th Level - Summon Shrodinger's Crag Cat - Conjures a strange-looking feline from nowhere.  Stats are identical to that of a Dire Crag Cat.  However, if anyone looks directly at the cat, there is a 50% chance that the cat will die.  This occurs only on the first viewing.  If the cat is not viewed (darkness, blind, etc), it only does half damage on each attack. (Once per day)

6th Level - Relativistic Stasis - Hurls one target into orbit and back at near-light-speed, encased in a protective sphere of energy.  Total travel time for target: 1 round.  Total time elapsed at the site of its departure: Ten minutes/Physicker level.  Target is dazed upon returning (from the trip).  (Once per day, no save).

7th Level - Particle/Wave Duality - Once per day, the Physicker can make a ray-form spell hit EVERY target in range.

8th Level - Summon Maxwell's Demon - Produces a Gate effect, but no apparent summon, save for a nearly-invisible, faintly glowing sphere surrounding a target of the caster's choice.  The temperature inside the sphere increases at a rate of one degree per round until the spell expires or is dispelled (Greater Dispelling, DC 25).  Once per day.  Duration: Ten minutes/Physicker level.

9th Level - Playing with Antimatter - A small portion of the target, animate or not, is converted to an equivalent mass of antimatter.  The resultant explosion deals 30d6 damage to everyone within fifty feet, 10d6 within a hundred.  Animate creatures are allowed a Fortitude save to negate.  Range - 75 feet.  Once per day.

10th Level - Physical Control - Upon awakening each morning, the Physicker can choose a style of damage that will not affect him (ie. Energy/Magic/Bludgeoning).  This is a supernatural ability, and will endure until he next rests.

//////

*grins*  I basically wrote this one for the 4th, 5th, and 8th level abilities.

4

General Discussion / LORE Messaging and Parchment Folder Usage Returns

« on: February 29, 2016, 10:56:23 am »

LORE Messaging should be functional. Please be advised that you only get messages when considered in a Natural, Above Ground setting. In some cases some of the newer areas may not be flagged appropriately, but for the most part they are. Read more about the messaging system if you do not know about it, here: http://forums.layonara.com/layonara-server/101114-send-messages-players-game-through-lore.html The Parchment Folder system is back online as well. Since we upgraded the nwn database to the same encoding as our web sites, this may solve some of the weirdness with the parchment injection, but this is not a certainty. Hopefully the combination of the web and the in game system will help alleviate any bugs. We will not focus much development on the system, hopefully it will satisfy some of the needs. Read more about the parchment folder system if you do not know about it, here: http://forums.layonara.com/layonara-server/101371-parchment-folder-lore-system-usage.html We still need to update the character updater, so newer characters may not show up on LORE until this is done. -o

5

NWN Ideas, Suggestions, Requests / Put the Soul Mother to Rest? Maybe? Perhaps?

« on: June 05, 2007, 09:56:13 pm »

I was thinking (which usually gets me into trouble) since all the characters will eventually be gone, can the Soul Mother take a vacation to allow the players the opportunity to enjoy this last update without the fear of losing their characters.
 
 It is likely most poeple will NOT develope their characters much further, or even make the transition to the new Layo, this will allow them the opportunity to go out into new areas, adventure with people that have been on the back burner due to having 9 or 14 SS' lost, and to have fun whiling exploring instead of fearing every transition due to spawns being inadvertantly set too close to the transition and spawn times (which some are still around from V3).

6

General Discussion / Goodnight, Tonight...Goodbye

« on: June 04, 2007, 11:06:57 pm »

Normally, it is considered quite tactful, and in most cases respectful to post something like this in a private forum first before making it public.

At this time however, I feel that I need no such restraint and have no desire to show such propriety.  

This can be considered my resignation as a DM, community member, player and contributor to Layonara.  All those who have requested me to act in a DM capacity for a CDQ, or WLDQ must find another DM.  All other projects, will stay on my hard drive and an alternate version should be used if any are even desired at this point.
 
I ask at this time that all contributions I have made to this point, up to and including all writings and stories I have composted related to and resulting from DM quests, Character Development Threads concerning the following:

• Branderback
• Miko Millspaugh
• Xeen
• The Vine
• Ranalea
• Boo
• Prantz
• The Administration
• Broegar
• Caliessa
• Odlithaner (a.k.a. The Mouth of Broegar)
• Oom Kaayrk
• Dregar
• Orc’s Watch
• Fort Rael
• The beginnings of Prantz
• Sunset’s Dawn

be withdrawn from the handbook before it’s publication and not be used in any current or future works published by Layonara Studios or any of it's affiliates.  They are not part of the Layonara Intellectual Property, nor do I wish them to be any longer.

I myself heartily disagree with this migration/subscription, and I do not want a part of it.  I was not asked, nor approached in any way shape or form by any member of the staff regarding this project until I found out about it during a forum crawl on June the 3rd. I was told that I had to give written consent to use my writings as per the copyright notice for Layonara Intellectual Property found in several places throughout the various staff forums.  I did not respond to that post, although my silence was taken as consent, which at the time I was fine with.  Recently, I have been sent a release form to be filled out, signed, and then sent back to the Layonara offices, I have not, and will not do so.  I find it reprehensible and underhanded that I was not told that what I write may or may not be used in a proprietary endevour started in secret by select members of the Layonara team.
 
Yes, the possibility existed for me to have gotten paid for this, that does not placate me, nor should it make it morally right. I did not become a DM, or a writer for the possibility of royalties, fame (infamy), or to have my name on a cover.  I did this for fun, to share, to meet new people.  The prosepect of money and paying customers changes all of this, and makes it unpure to me and I no longer wish to participate.

But why did I give my initial (albeit silent) consent?  I did this thinking that I was writing for this incarnation (meaning, the free to play one) of Layonara, and for the next edition handbook which I did know was going to be published, and for which I would receive royalties for.  I didn’t really like the idea of monetary compensation, but I rationalized that it’s for a book that nearly everybody will, in some way shape or form (My DM quests, random RP with either my PC’s or NPC’s, etc) be able to benefit from.  I planned on framing my first royalty check, and then donating the remaining ones to the server.  Now however, being the person that I am, I heartily dislike being deceived and having the true purposes of my labors unknown to me..  I refuse to be anybody’s mushroom (second definition), I deserve better treatment then this, not as a DM, or community member, or contributor, but as a human being, and therefore, I desire no further part in this moronic mess.

I have watched this community go into a slow decay, longtime players and friends have been leaving at a consistent rate.  Veteran players are constantly overshadowed and left wanting in favor of those who go against what I thought the spirit of this server was (You all know who they are).  My online experience has slowly degraded until it has been a chore to log on as either a player or DM. I’ve watched the player base go from a small close knit group of friends and cliques into a huge group of quest whoring, XP hungry, selfish, inconsiderate, unruly, disrespectful people.  I’ve seen DM’s become scared to run events the way they wish because of the whiny poor attitudes of players.  What was deemed as an RP-Action server, has basically lost the RP and is now left with –Action.  That’s minus Action, like minus world from Super Mario Brothers.

Although this migration may be deemed as necessary, and I can even barely see where it is desirable, I do not see where it will improve the “quality of life” for those participating in the server.  The problems in the community cannot be fixed by a magic wand of a new system design.  My experiences in mechanical engineering, systems design, programming, and game development, a system (or machine) designed to accommodate everyone cannot, by nature of it’s shear breadth and scope, excel in every area if it even manages to excel in any one area at all.  It is the nature of the people that made this community great, and they are now in a small minority, to cater to them cuts off the larger portion of the players (customers, whatever).  To acquiesce to the majority alienates the minority.  To add compromises sullies your original purpose, to force the majority to act like the minority by rewarding the minority for doing what you perceive is “right”, will be deemed as “unfair”.  All of these things will only narrow the small niche market for this product further.  This doesn’t begin to address the issue of those great players who cannot afford to pay a reoccurring subscription fee at all or the increased stress of a staff that now has to deal with customers instead of players.

As a last caution as you venture bravely into this new world.  Remember, this not an enterprise, it is not the be all end all of your existence.  You get no rewards at the end of the month (unless you’re one of the select few being paid), and nobody will knock at your door to congratulate you for killing that balor prince in 5 rounds, so please, have fun, it is just a game after all.

7

General Discussion / Why Do You Play on Layonara?

« on: May 11, 2007, 01:25:41 am »

[SIZE=16]Maybe you play on Layonara because you love the unknown...[/SIZE][/U][/B]
 
 
 
 [SIZE=16]Or perhaps the adventure draws you in...[/SIZE][/U][/B]
 
 
 
 [SIZE=16]Maybe you're looking for peace and quiet...[/SIZE][/U][/B]
 
 
 
 [SIZE=16]Or perhaps just a pleasant place to call home....[/SIZE][/U][/B]
 
 
 
 [SIZE=16]Or simply a place to meet some friends...[/SIZE][/U][/B]
 
 
 
 [SIZE=16]Perhaps you enjoy the majesty of civilization...[/SIZE][/U][/B]
 
 
 
 [SIZE=16]Or maybe just the majesty the lands offer...[/SIZE][/U][/B]
 
 
 
 [SIZE=16]Maybe you love the thrill of great battles...[/SIZE][/U][/B]
 
 
 
 [SIZE=16]Or just maybe... a glutton for punishment?....[/SIZE][/U][/B]
 
 
 
 
 [SIZE=16]Whatever the case may be... one thing is clear.  Layonara is the world for all imaginations, and it is on us to live those dreams.[/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16][/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16]V3.  Still on the rise....[/SIZE]

8

Roleplaying / Creature interactions

« on: May 05, 2007, 02:31:10 am »

I would like to tell a story that I totally made up. I use it to hopefully make a point  about monster interaction.
 

Our story starts in Middle Earth, inside the Prancing Pony. It’s a beautiful evening Berham the innkeep is doing very good business.  Some of the Fellowship are there…Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli. They are all having a nice drink.
 

All of sudden the door bursts open and a party of Goblin’s, Orcs and a Uruk Hai saunter in. . .with axes and swords at their sides…they look like a ferocious bunch. Every one looks around scared apart from the fellowship. The Uruk hai walks up to the barman and says “Drink!”..Berham at this point is terrified, but the Fellowship group are quite calm and eventually Aragorn is the first to stand and make his way over to the bench where the goblins, Orcs and Uruk Hai are.
 

“Is there a problem?” Aragorn muses at Berham. Berham at this point is wide eyed looking at the Orcs terrified out of his skull. He doesn’t know what to do.
  Aragorn turns to the creatures and as he does so Legolas and Gimli also walk up and stand by his side. Aragorn is the first to speak. “Hiiiiiiiiiiii! Welcome to the Prancing Pony! How was your journey? I am very sure that are doing well!” . He slaps his hand on the shoulder of the Uruk Hai. Gimli is the next to speak.  “Hey up laddy. How are yer doing? Yer look pretty weary to me…it must be the long day of travel from yer abode in Mordor. It would seem….” Legolas interrupts “From those markings and those tracks and your travels it would seem that you have relinquished your evil and chaotic nature from Sauron and Sauraman. Please. Please take a seat.” The whole lot of them take a seat and Aragorn is the first to go up to Berham to buy some drinks. The barkeep is still scared out of his wits but he manages to hand him the beer and ale for all the party.
 

By this time the whole lot of the Orcs, Uruk Hai, and Goblins are chatting merrily and the drinks really hit the spot with most of them. Gimli is the first one to speak after all of them have gone through many drinks.  “Hee up Laddy, would you care to go with us to the Lonely Mountain and such. I have heard that there are treasure to be told there especially with the dragon with the name called Smaug. Would yer like to come with us?” The

Uruk Hai in his response snarls a “Yes”.
 

So the whole lot of them stand and pack their belongings making an adventure going to the Lonely Mountains to seek treasure and kill creatures.
 

  If anyone can find any sense in that fictious story please explain it to me.  I am hoping I get a few snickers, but in all seriousness I do see this going on in Layonara. I will have a gander and say that for some people they want to stay friendly IC to everybody because that way everyone will  treat them as a friend OOC and IC.

 
  There is nothing wrong showing hostility towards a monstrous races (in character of course). It helps with the immersion of the world and make for some interesting RolePlay. Please note though…this is no excuse to make personal attacks OOC to somebody. Everything stays IC. Also this also doesn’t mean that things can’t change in terms of the creature’s reputation. But in general, if the creature is not well known, and it looks scary...and monstrous. I think it should be Roleplayed as such.

9

Introduce Yourself / Pen N Popper, metagamer

« on: May 04, 2007, 09:34:19 pm »

When I first joined the server, I was astounded by how much IC info I could find on the forums.  I thought, "This is terrible!  Everyone will metagame!"  It wasn't long, however, before I realized how much I truly appreciated the wealth of information I could find out about others.  You see, I have a problem:  I am a metagamer.

Yes, it's true.  You see I play this game because I like a good story.  I like epic battles, heroes and villains, intrigue and plot.  More often than not I am quite content being a voyeur of the tale rather than its star.  Unfortunately, sometimes the stories get obscured by this layer of obfuscation called NWN.

I strongly believe that more of this would be beneficial in our day-to-day RP as well. All of our PCs have their little stories, histories, flaws, fears, and dreams. Sometimes I feel like we're all in rubber bubbles, in our own little worlds. I can see your PC but his/her story is bouncing around inside out of sight. I try very hard with my PCs to pop your bubbles. Unfortunately, I am a bubble too and we just bounce off each other mostly.

That sums up what metagaming means to me.  I want to know your stories OOCly more than ICly.  Layonara is a place where I can see those stories and enjoy them.

Some choose to use these wonderful stories to abuse and cause angst to others.  Why?  They use the information they learn ingame so that their PCs can dominate another, control them.  Why?  I know why:  They think it is how you win the game.

Layonara is a novel, no a library of novels.  There is no winning alone.  The more novels you can read, even partially, should be your goal.  How many stories do you know?  Only your own?  Do you have one?

I started to write this thread in the General Discussion thread.  I realized, though, that this is who I am not just my opinion.  I am not a bard, but a reader.  Metagaming is good.  Story writers call it foreshadowing.

My PC asked ICly the following:

[SIZE=16] How will you be recalled in legend and lore?  Or will you be remembered at all?[/SIZE][/I]

Well, will you?  When Layonara fades away and we find each other later in life on other forums, what will people remember of you and your PCs?

I have a rock named after my first PC on a PW.  Now that's what I call winning.

10

Just for Fun / Lord Bloodstone on Lichdom

« on: May 04, 2007, 07:27:33 pm »

Was browsing the internet this morning searching for inspiration for my nasty character's CDT entry when I ran across this ...

Illusionary Minds Chat

Funny stuff.

11

Layonara Server / Change in Character Development Thread Postings is Coming

« on: May 02, 2007, 12:29:18 pm »

I very nearly closed the servers down this morning, and I mean it was close. The only reason I didnt is because the teams are working so hard on projects that I just couldnt bring myself to harm them or destroy all of their hard work. NwN is old, it is ancient, there is little to no reason to keep the server going except to allow a rare few people to enjoy their time in a world that they like (the few left in the community that still play and still truly like the world). It is only a matter of time before they are closed down, but today just wasnt that day. These servers do nothing but cause me (and a fair few of the individuals on the teams) grief, hardships, frustrations, time away from family and friends, or a whole lot of money. They used to bring a ton of fun and enjoyment but that is no longer the case (for me at least). I now dread waking up and checking the forums because I know the mentality of a few in the community; those that like to rant and rave about how they are so wronged but that they could never do anything wrong. Oh but then when something goes wrong it is our fault (or perhaps more specifically my fault) for some silly or stupid reason; never the fault of their own. Have you wondered why not a whole lot of quests have been run in the plot or why I am not around as much? That is the main reason, at least 70% of the reason. Many on the GM Team cant bring our self to log in for spot quests or impromptu quests very often (myself included) because of all the childish and immature behaviors and attitudes. A few bad apples in the community have nearly burnt every one of us out. Sad isnt it?
 
 Five years ago I started this server off being very wide open to the public with little to no rules other than basic ones. Today look at the line of rules and the restrictions we have had to place on creativity and fun. It shows the state of online gaming and a lack of responsibility and respect in online and offline communities in general. I think it is a very sad thing indeed. It also goes to show why companies out there are moving away from having forums at all for their games, because a few of the very players that claim to love the world that they play in also seem to love to destroy that place. The emotional drama is childish and immature and does not do any community any good, and most certainly not ours.
 
 For various reasons we are going to be changing the way development threads are displayed to the public. We only have two options and I prefer the first but if we are not able to do it we will go with the second option. One of these options will happen over the next few weeks, as we get some time to work on it.
1) We are looking to make it so that a private development thread can be read by a forum member who is a friend (marked as a friend on the forums) of the original poster (thread owner) of a thread.
2) If we are not able to do #1 we will make all development threads private and only the poster and GM Team will be able to read them.
 
 I think it is very sad that we have come to this point but there is no other option. I refuse to continue to waste time, effort, and money watching the community blowup in rants and raves over meta-gaming or outright and blatant (IC) blaming of others in these threads. I put IC in () because a few players try to pull it off as an IC sort of thing when it is clearly not, but they feel we in the community are too stupid to see through that underhanded style of (play). Some players feel that they can point fingers at other players by posting under the pretense of (in character) in their CDTs because they know that certain individuals that meta-game read their threads. And they do it in a low and underhanded way; they are looking to give little jabs here and there and I find that unacceptable, demeaning to themselves as a human being, and just downright low. But I am also done fighting this sort of nonsense. It just drains everybodys will to play in the world, run quests in the world, keep the world servers running at all, or even be anywhere near the community as a whole. To fix the core problem of this sort of (play) that individual must understand that they need to change and then make that effort; there is nothing we can do to help them along.
 
 What is so funny is that some of the worst meta-gamers refuse to even see that they meta-game. It is a mind game that they play with themselves, let alone with all of those around themselves. Some of them know they do it but refuse to try and better themselves. To top it all off some of those same individuals rant and rave when things are meta-gamed back on to them. Its a vicious little cycle of self-denial or not wanting to improve oneself and I am not going to play that childish game any longer.

12

Layonara Server / Port Hempstead, Fort Vehl - Starting Towns and Attitudes

« on: April 03, 2007, 08:58:17 am »

[SIZE=13] I am going to try and set the "standard" for the two starting locations so that we are all on the same page when it comes to RP'ing the cities and the citizens and tolerance levels in each of the cities.
 
 Port Hempstead:
 This town leans towards "good" and by that I mean the commoners, peasants, merchants, and nobles in this city accept what would be considered "normal" in day-to-day life. They would not knowingly accept (or tolerate) creatures (or shape shifted creatures) in their town such as large cats, bear, trolls, and all of those. They would chase these things out of town or quite possibly kill them and/or imprison the humanoid ones. The guards are firm in their conviction carrying out the law set down by the nobles and carried out by the law of keeping the day-to-day life of living "normal". They do not tolerate evil in the city and if one is known to be evil they will be arrested and/or chased out of the city. If one is caught doing an unlawful or evil act they will be sent to prison and will stand trial and face the consequences of their action(s). Keep in mind that there are some evil aligned (by race for instance) heroes that are indeed now known to be good and are treated as such and even treated as heroes in some cases.
 
 //Do not shape shift in this town unless you wish to pay the penalty, and that penality can and will change over time and due to circumstances. Do not bring in your wildlife pets in to this town. Do not come in to this town if you are evil or have performed evil acts that is documented and/or known, you will pay the price eventually.
 
 Fort Vehl:
 This town leans towards "evil" and by that I mean that the rules are relaxed when it comes to creatures in town, evil humanoids, shape shifting in to animals or even trolls and such. But they do have a limit, they will not tolerate abuse to citizens or defiling (in any way) the city or the nobles or law in charge and in some cases the merchants. Peasants do not rank high on their list but commoners have a slightly better standing. They allow a little more flexiability (within reason) of the evil races and in some cases evil acts within the city walls. The punishment put down by the law and nobles in this town is quite often brutal and in many cases the consequences are death or public spectacle plus a long prison term.
 
 //Evil characters, those that like to drag their pets in to towns, and shapeshifting sorts can travel this town but even the guards and nobles in this town have their patience and their tolerance levels so keep that in mind. If you want to perform your "evil" or shapeshift theatrics this is the town to do it in, but be prepared to face the consequence if it gets out of hand. I.E. use common sense and always remember that the nobility have a city (a large city) to run and they will only allow so much. Please don't whine if you go over the line and the guards come after you. And be aware that the penalties in this town are quite often brutal. In some cases the "good" may be chased out of this town though that is not overly likely, but I can see it happening from time to time so keep that in mind.
 
 Final Comment:
 These are the two starting cities folks. Make sure you are in the proper city when RP'ing. Do not get carried away, there is always a line that should not be crossed, that line is different for each town. The cities are large and the nobility will keep things under control, or at least under control in the way that they feel it should be. If you get crazy or do silly things be prepared to pay the consequences of your actions. Keep in mind that there are 10's of thousands of peasants, commoners, merchants, and nobles in each of the cities and you can not see them due to engine limitations, but they are there and the nobles and the law will protect them against anything and anybody (including "heroes").
[/SIZE]

13

General Discussion / Stormcrest Shack Celebration

« on: April 02, 2007, 08:56:22 pm »

Alright, for anyone that hasn't read it:

http://www.layonara.com/general-discussion/114063-stormcrest-guides-pre-launch-announcement.html

This details the basics of what Stormcrest is.


So!  I'm throwing a party, or Ket is rather (and he'll follow this with an IC post in due time).  And you're all invited of course.

:)Why a party?

Well, the community needs a launch on what this little project means to them.  It's a party, hopefully to keep going on most of the time, which will allow a lot greater mobility between characters regardless of level, social groups, or anything else that we naturally become limited by over time.  It's a party, and all it needs is a solid kickoff.

The Hlint benches were a party, for a simple reason.  They were an acceptable neutral ground where you could waltz up and RP with anyone.  Why was it so comfortable in this sense?  Well precedent mostly.  It's where everyone on the server started, so that inkling of being 'new' and meeting people has always been in us for that little meeting place.

Stormcrest is built around this concept entirely, it's just set up for a bit more fun so that the comfort is now there for anyone to get together for an adventure.  And it works out great in character the way it's been framed out.

So here's what I'm going to do...

The First Party: Tuesday the 10th of April  10pm EST
The Second Party: Wednesday the 11th of April  11am EST

For everyone who shows up: You get a gift from Ket.  And it's not a bag of coal!

Contests!  Contests with prizes!  Good prizes!

Following the festivities, people will break off with guides towards some of the scarier places on Layonara.  Firesteep.  The Rift.  Ancient Ruins.  The Underdark?  Who can say.

I'll get this up on the calender once the flabbergastinevilbuggermachine gives me access.  So far pressing buttons and hitting the monitor hasn't worked.  Time will tell.

RSVP here as well to show your support and get the ball rolling.  You too guides...

14

General Discussion / Zelda1, Some Clarity, Layonara Balance

« on: April 01, 2007, 05:35:57 am »

Okay this is a combination of quite a few things so bear with me here.  For some reason I decided to keep them all together though it's kind of three posts in one.

Many of you were left wondering just what the heck was going with regards to this thread:

http://www.layonara.com/general-discussion/114789-messenger-bad-news.html

I've been in communication with Zelda1 and she had a few things to say and a few confessions at the same time and has asked me to relay them.  First off, in regards to the mentioned thread, she insists she has no idea where that came from and was no part of it.  So we're still a bit up in the air on just where that all came from.

But Zelda1 does want to clear the air on some things anyway and has asked me to relay them.  She originally came to Layonara and was instructed to pretend she wasn't as young as she is. She, like many of us have had at times, got a little too caught up with her character, but also the persona she had taken up and decided to take a break. She returned again but due to some more conflicts left once more.  She returned in V3 and the new forums under a new username to set the record straight on her age and who she was but that never came to fruition before this event with the alleged coma took place.

She is upset and sorry for the grief she may have caused for this mistaken identity, she didn't realize how caught up one could get.  I have asked that she focus on her studies and keep in touch, but she will not be playing.  I believe also she has a few friends to contact to set the record straight.

Layonara is going to leave this episode to those who are very closely involved and step away from it.



Now onto a few of my thoughts...

I thought about some things and while my initial anger probably was a fuel for the harsh tone I had in my post that closed that thread, I think in retrospect I should have handled it better.  Obviously there were some people who would be feeling great emotion if they have been going through this thinking it's the full truth and for me to "slam" the door with terms such as "sick joke" might not have been the best.  I think a more calm "Something is not adding up here and I fear some people are not hearing the truth as the evidence of this story's fabrication piles up" might have been a bit more sensitive.  So to those who I may have offended in that regard, I'm sorry.

I also want everyone to know that we have a protective nature here as well and are looking out for the best interests of the community and we'll use all the information that is available to us to protect Layonara and it's community.  

Some of you may not know but when you connect to the forum you leave a trace of your internet connection. This sort of information is viewable to the Administrators of the forum who can be viewed on the User Groups Page.  

When you're in game you also leave this information and Dorganath, OneST8, Leanthar, Nibor21 and myself have access to that information via the database and Pankoki and EdTheKet through server logs.

One person asked me about Forum PMs. OneST8 and myself have access to this information only via the database though, there's no "Read this person's Private Messages" or anything like that.  It's on a database, it has to be stored somewhere... But that's the risk you take when you submit most information over the internet.  That is why you should always make sure your network admin gets cookies.  With that said, we're not going to read your PMs.  Unless a law enforcement agency asks us for them or we have an extremely strong suspicion that you may be guilty of something illegal or very detrimental to the Layonara community.

All poll voting is private but the information is stored on a database so once again OneST8 and I have access to that information.

No one can see tells in game.

No one can see private IRC communications.

I want everyone to understand that even though to some it may not seem so evident recently, we do really care for the players here.  Our number one goal is for you to have fun and enjoy yourself.  We want you also to meet new and interesting people in a family friendly environment where the magic of our fantasy world can help us feel young and creative and for us to be able to take out some of the real world woes on monsters.  Emotions can flow in every single direction when a group such as our playerbase joins up.  Many relationships have evolved from Layonara; great friendships, confidantes, mentors, coworkers and even love.  

Alas these emotions bring along other ones though.  There is indeed a Balance to the Layonara community too (oh no here comes the Plen!), and things go on tilt. Scores of differing opinions rise, rumours flow, relationships end, people fade, deception behind the computer, envy, frustration pile up then to add to that, there has been a lot of change recently to Layonara.  Very balance upsetting!  I've talked to a few people who are concerned about this and I find a rather large irony in the fact that these people approached me much like I think characters would approach Plen. I as a person can do for the community what Plen has tried to for the game.  Because like the cycle of Layonara's Nature, there is the one with the Layonara community and I intend to help keep that balance in whatever capacity I can

-orth(y)