Posts Thanked By User

1

General Discussion / The Troll King presents: The Explorer Series

« on: December 11, 2008, 11:36:39 am »

I'm introducing a new series for the rest of this month and the next month (and maybe longer) that highlights the dungeons of Layo, and especially the new content. Primarily, the purpose for the series is to allow for those that have yet been unable or simply won't be able to explore the various dungeons/adventure areas due to time constraints, since many of the dungeon areas require a significant time committment to visit.


This series is.....

.... regular adventuring but with added GM spice/help/porting in and out.
.... an effort to give our casual/family gamers who have a hard time committing five+ hours to adventuring a peek at what's out there to be explored.
.... an effort to help people develop new adventuring groups as well as play with their current one.
.... an effort to help new players become familiar with the world and with older players.
.... an effort to allow for slower and more directed, meaningful exploration, without the feeling that "if we don't rush through these areas, this will take ten hours instead of five."

This series is not.....

.... a set of conventional quests with plots and stories.
.... a way to gather CNR.


The format goes like this:

1) Name the area we'll visit and a starting location. Most locations will require multiple sessions, so often the session will end and start within the dungeon. Therefore, the primary duty of the GM is to port folks in and out for these short sessions.
2) Give level req's (I'll aim for high, mid, and low levels areas).
3) Each session runs for two hours, two and a half max.
4) No XP will be offered, save for maybe 500xp RP bonks. The payoff is the exploration and monster XP.
5) The party closes after it enters the dungeon. The party opens again when it's time to visit a new dungeon.
6) Gathering CNR during the trip is prohibited. However, dropped loot is kept and split by the party as usual. This doesn't mean that we can't go to places that have CNR, but gathering CNR is not the purpose. Exploration and PC interaction is the primary goal here.

The purpose of this thread, other than to explain the new series, is to allow for everyone to make requests on dungeons/areas people wish to explore. So, with that said, request away! You've got slightly less than a week to choose the first place to go.

2

Just for Fun / Corath Babies Invade Hlint

« on: December 05, 2008, 05:39:13 pm »

People of Mistone,

All mothers, nurses and midwives are to be forewarned that the Black Wizards of Corath have tainted the baby formula yet again with foul necromancy.  If you or any of your relatives notice any strange noises, unwarranted hostility or demonic facial expressions in your young ones, it is highly advised that you take them to the nearest temple for exorcism and medical treatment.  Conversely, one might also want to investigate their family tree for any possible demonic relations.  If found to be uncurable, please mail your little tieflings to 128 Haft Lake, Prantz, Care of: Czukay for a 100 true rebate.

PS: take care to add proper padding and breathing holes within the box.  Broken, damaged or otherwise non-mint condition babies will only yeild a 50 true reward.

YouTube - Evil Baby Growls!
YouTube - Monster baby
YouTube - The Evil look
YouTube - Baby laughing devil laugh 2
YouTube - Freaky/Cute Baby Growling Sounds

3

Rumour Has It / Last flash of the duellist

« on: November 16, 2008, 07:20:03 am »

Sad rumors start to spread quickly from Dalanthar to northern parts of Dregar and further, as a pitch black heared man wearing a blue fullplate enters the town carrying lifeless body on his arms. He walks with determined steps through the town as the towns folks around looking at the sad scene, whispering to each other. Strong arms carrying a lifeless body of older, silvery heared man through the city. They can been seen leaving the city, heading north, towards Willows Weep.


//Last Journey of Duellist Pyyran Rahth the Fencer//

4

General Discussion / Happy Veteran's Day!!!

« on: November 11, 2008, 07:58:35 pm »

I have been in meetings all day but I wanted to make this post all day. I wanted to thank all of our members who have served in the armed forces here in layo for their time and duty to our country in the US.

A shout goes out to the wives and husbands of Veterans as well. You do a lot in the back ground for us during our time away from home. We love you and thank you, even if we don't say it enough.

CTR2 Hall USN (1995-1999)

5

General Discussion / Rumors -- Please read

« on: October 27, 2007, 07:00:18 pm »

The following is addressed to the entire Layonara community.  It is not directed at one person or any specific group of people. Please read it and understand it.

As a recent post has highlighted, there have been some ugly and hurtful rumors flying around recently. This kind of thing, though different people and different circumstances, seem to happen on a regular basis. Sometimes the target is one person, other times it's a group of people.  There are back-channel whispers, finger-pointing, and accusations flying around.  The GM Team gets reports of this-and-that but rarely does anyone have the evidence or guts to back up the claims. Some rumors fade, but there are always some waiting to take their place.  It's a continuous cycle, and it is getting really, really old.

I urge everyone to hear what I'm saying here and take it to heart.  Rumors are almost without fail caustic and poisonous to the community.  You may interact with electronic representations, seeing only words and artificial avatars, but there are people behind those things.  Real people.  Not all rumors are false, but most rumors are not nearly as true as some would believe them to be. Whatever the case, they're bad...bad for those who spread them, bad for those who are the targets of them, and bad for this community.

Without going into specifics, the most recent batch of rumors ranges from annoying to very serious with implications that stretch beyond this little community of ours.  And so I ask you all...

If you are involved in spreading such rumors, stop. If you have proof, then present it to a Gm.  If not, then stop. You're hurting people and you're hurting this community.

If you are engaged in activities in the game world/forums/IRC channel(s) that are the center of one or more of these rumors and those activities are contrary to what we have established here, stop.

If you are involved in or complicit in sewing the seeds of discord among all or part of the community, stop.

At this point, I am not overly concerned with what the "facts" may be in the case of the most recent events. There will forever be three sides to every story: "Yours, mine and the truth."  Since the last is often difficult to obtain, we're left with the word of one against the word of another.  As I said, it just needs to stop.

I want everyone to realize that these things are harmful, and they affect more people than just those at the muddy end of the stick.

In the thread about Layonara's future, there's a comment in there about the NWN servers and how long they'll stay up.  To quote Leanthar:

The NwN servers will stay up and running until it either a) gets to expensive for me to keep it running, so keep donating as this is important for NwN or b) the world or community becomes to much of a hassle in terms of time, effort, or headaches for the servers to stay online or c) we make it to beta testing of the new product which is still a ways away. Layonara is not going away, nor is it fading away; but much rests on the communities shoulders for how long the NwN servers remain online.

It is petty and dramatic things like rumors that are most likely to bring down the Layonara NWN community.  This kind of thing really drains the GM Team and Leanthar himself. It is frustrating, mentally exhausting and time-consuming. In some cases, it has taken hours of research and checking in on people, logs, actions, reports and so forth just to prove or disprove the allegations...time wasted and time not spent interacting with the community.

I don't want this to sound like a threat, but the fact of the matter is, there have been times, more than most of you realize, where the fate of the NWN servers has been close to a complete shut-down because of petty bickering, factional rumors and divisive words and actions.

It all needs to stop, people. I can't stress that enough.

Now, please...understand what I have written here.  Read it over, again if you need to, and really see what I am saying.  And then just think about it and remember it.

And also, please understand that when we take action as a result of things that go on here, be it a banning, a reprimand or some other kind of administrative action, that we do not do so lightly or on a whim. We are not targeting individuals because we don't like them or because we just feel like it.  The GM Team has, among its many duties, an obligation to protect this community.  It comes along with the job, and whatever people may believe, it is not a particularly enjoyable part of the job to ban someone who is acting contrary to the spirit of this community.

I do not really wish for this to become a discussion.  I don't want current or past rumors brought up here and presented with explanations, accusations or justifications.  I don't want people to post their opinions on the situation, be it the one most immediately at hand or any number of such things that have occurred.  Do not use this thread to confess or confirm.  I do not seek a string of "I agree" posts, nor do I particularly want any "Thanks" either.

I want people to read this and understand it.

I know a lot of people love this community and have developed very real and lasting real-life friendships as a result.  Keep that in mind please in all your future actions. Friendships are not formed of bickering and rumormongering. They're formed of a commonality of purpose and philosophy.  If you find, however, that you cannot continue to be a supportive and positive influence in this community, then consider stepping away from it before you contribute to events that may end up hurting those you call friends.

I generally have a lot of faith and respect for this community as a whole.  I sincerely hope that is not misplaced.

Regards,
Dorganath

6

General Discussion / I'm Dissapointed In Us.

« on: October 27, 2007, 12:20:24 am »

You know... One of the greatest things I've always loved about Layonara was the community. In fact, it's what's kept me here, and what will continue to keep me here, despite a few bad apples.

But those bad apples are starting to really tick me off.

Ever since Hawklen (Jeff) was banned, there's been something of a coalition of anti-Hawklen players floating around out of sight of most of Layonara. His site, Hawklen.com, was originally mainly just Layo-bashing, and I'm sure he felt justified in it, just as the mods felt justified in banning him from this site. I agreed with the ban, and while I don't agree with the VAST majority of the negative things that people have said about Layo over the years, I DO feel they're entitled to their opinions.

And I DON'T think that, just because someone joins another site, people from this site should harass them.

ESPECIALLY! Not with inflammatory and, perhaps worse, simply untrue allegations.

Rape is not something to [ahem]ing joke around about, folks. Not statutory, not "real." Neither is pedophilia.

It is NOT cool to jump on a player just because he or she has joined another site.

Is is NOT cool to spread rumours, ESPECIALLY! not negative ones, much less aimed at someone or someones who couldn't even say anything about it if you posted in General Discussion.

I don't know names of who's spreading these rumours, because those who told me of them wouldn't give those names to me. And frankly, I don't care if there's any "punishment" that happens.

It's just a childish thing that's happening, and it needs to stop.

And I feel that posting here, where everyone can see, rather than trying to sneak around and ask in the shadows and in Tells, is a more potent way of getting the message that this infantile bull needs to stop.

Grow up. Hawk's banned, he's not coming back, and the personal lives of others are their own.

7

Just for Fun / Hwark: Something Rancid this Way Comes

« on: October 15, 2007, 04:02:33 pm »

I really should know better than to stop at Arbys on the way to work, but it's convenient location and drive thru windows keeps calling me again and again.  This time it was a new item on the menu, the Arby's "sub" sandwiches.  First of all I must protest the naming of this item... it claims to be a sub, but the luxurious 6-12 inches of Subway, Quiznos, Duffyz and Publix have set the new standard.  The "sub" offered by Arby's is at most 5 inches long, AND cut in two.  In essence, it is a pair of 2.5" sandwiches, and as such do not quality for sub-dom.  Their dimensions are more like those Sam's Club ribwiches, cut in half.  However, appearances are the least of the worries.

While the ingredients are reminiscent of what one might put on a sub, like say, lettuce, banana peppers, pickles, lunchmeat, swiss, etc.. they are all uniformly cooked as melts, soggy with melted cheese and sweating veggies.  Now "soggy" has never been a very tempting description of a sandwich... you bite into one side and the darn thing juices all over your hand holding it, making you reach for a napkin at every bite or to ravenously lick at your hand like a starving Klingon at a plate of g'agh.  Red wine vinaigrette was never meant to be contained in a sandwich.

My next big beef with these beefless aberrations is more of a comentary on pop-sub-culture in general.  Toasted...  why the bloody blazes does EVERY single sandwich in America need to be toasted now?  I used to enjoy just going to subway and eating a sub, but then somebody at Quiznos and 7-11 got the great idea that they should offer toasted subs.  Then Subway, Firehouse and all other competition joined in suit.  Not only do they offer toasting on the menu, but now sandwich artists seem to pause every 3 seconds to ask you if you want your sub toasted.  Then, when you have the audacity to say no... they blink a bit, bewildered and ask for second confirmation.  Then there is a 30 second span where they attempt to process the data, disregard your request and just toast it anyway against your express wishes. for example...

Clerk: Toasted or untoasted?
Consumer: Untoasted, please.
Clerk: ....  you mean toasted?
Consumer: NO!  NOT Toasted!
Clerk: *thinks for 30 seconds, then throws it on the toaster*
Consumer: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!
Clerk: *looks hurt* But EVERYBODY wants them toasted!

No, seriously... I do not want my sub toasted!  I will say it again and again... UN-Toasted!  Toasting a sub makes the bread chew on your gums, makes it carcinagenic and in effect... the sandwich eats you.  It is unnecessary, only adds more work than it needs to be and I flat out prefer it untoasted, so for gods sake, dont toast my buns!  

Even worse is when you stand in line and some angry fat woman shrieks like she was just stabbed because she didn't say anything when they asked her if she wanted her sandwich toasted, and she gets an untoasted sandwich.  It's the bloody end of the world that this blimp doesn't get to eat her lunch breakfast style and the whole store needs to suffer her shrieking mating call to the lard as she attempts to belittle the poor sandwich slingers as much as she can without wheezing from the effort.  CHILL, MISS HIPPO!  They will make you another sandwich, you have not paid yet for this one.  Take this as a learning experience, to answer people when they ask you a question instead of disgustingly telling your husband on the cell phone which feminine product he should pick up from the store for you while we are trying to eat.  If you wish to have your wishes come true, then make them audible!

But that is a general beef of all subs...  what makes THIS arbys sub special?  In the famous tradition of all Arbys food, the sauces seem to instantaneously seek ejection from the human digestive tract.  The ranch dressing mixed with juicy veggie sweat and meat grease were just too much, like mixing oil with water with baking soda.  Unlike the Arbys sandwiches with cheese sauce however, these Arby's subs seek a less conventional exit, the very path they entered the body.  After a large Dr. Pepper and but ONE of these sandwiches, my stomach gurgled and expanded like a pidgeon feasting on wedding rice, the pain was horrible.  It was like eating a troll steak and feeling it regenerate in your belly, the tiny little claws scraping against the walls of your inner being.  I sprinted to the bathroom and this time made the most horrible retching noises I could possibly inflict on our customers as the Arbys value meal soared towards the light and past my tonsils.  It is an unnerving feeling when it comes out cold, now I know what a refrigerated water fountain feels like on a warm summer day.  Again I am thwarted by the fast food industry and tricked into consuming the indigestable.  It looks so good on the billboard, tastes so good in the mouth, but feels like swallowing mothballs when it hits the stomach.  It's 1/3 the size of a Subway's footlong and about twice the calories and triple the fat and sodium.  Nutritional value... questionable.  The true victim in all of this was the poor Dr. Pepper.  A choice blend of 23 flavors should not be ejected so unceremoniously.

Beware the Arby's Subs.

8

Leringard Arms Inn and Tavern / Masquerade Party at The Arms

« on: October 13, 2007, 11:36:42 am »

[SIZE=16][SIZE=24][SIZE=18]*Posted around the Inn and Tavern, and other public places throughout Leringard*[/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE]

9

World Leader Development Quests (WLDQ's) / Daralith Del'Mar WLCDQ App

« on: October 12, 2007, 02:01:02 am »

Character: Daralith Del'Mar
Level: 20
Character Born on Date: October 4th, 2004

Original Character Application: http://forums.layonara.com/character-approvals/91423-daralith-delmar.html

Character Development Thread: http://forums.layonara.com/development-journals-discussion/102340-arch-mage-delmars-journal-accountings.html

10

General Discussion / Saying hey - FAST

« on: September 24, 2007, 02:14:01 am »

Aloha. Letting you guys know I'm still living, and still searching for ways to find internet as I occasionally am able to pop in and get info on dates, etc.
 
 I have about 45 seconds left on this kiosk.
 
 Love you all. <3

11

Roleplaying / Dangers of soloing

« on: July 12, 2007, 06:30:13 pm »

I want to make a friendly reminder and open some discussion on the topic of soloing.  What I have observed is that some soloing is ok.  If you solo gathering a common CNR in a place that is not too difficult, then no one seems to care.  On the other hand, when a player solos areas to farm large amount of XP, or rare items and CNRs, then it is not only frowned upon, but it also can have sever negative impacts on other players.

I remember a player that would solo the rift.  He would gather the CNR there and was selling many.  What happened was that the rift was made harder.  Then parties of un-expecting adventures would get wiped out because of these changes.  Some times, a power built character can be so good and defeating spawns, that areas that areas are made too dangerous for balanced parties that once hunted there, and the party level balance goes up.  So what a balanced party of 15th level characters once handled, now the party has to be more like 18+.

What I am asking...  Is that the players who like to solo difficult areas take some time and reflect about how the actions of one individual, can and will impact the enjoyment of everyone else that plays in this game world.

AeonBlues

12

General Discussion / Once in a year..

« on: June 30, 2007, 06:14:58 am »

It happens to everyone of us, year by year and I know I'll get my payback for this, but...

[size=+2]HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kinai|Christine!!![/size]

I hope you have a good one dear

13

General Discussion / Pride

« on: June 23, 2007, 11:47:44 pm »

Probably a somewhat controversial subject, so I'll just keep this simple.

It's around that time.

[SIZE=16]Happy Pride Week!!

[/SIZE][SIZE=16][SIZE=13]

[SIZE=10]Even if you're not celebrating, even if you disagree with the whole notion... No bashing, please. Ciao.[/SIZE]
[/SIZE][/SIZE]

14

General Discussion / Enjoy Everyday

« on: June 22, 2007, 06:32:48 pm »

I write this with a heavy heart.

A good friend of mine died yesterday.  He was 40 years old, had three children 18, 7 and 3.  He was going through security to get on a flight to go and spend a weekend in Las Vegas and dropped dead from a brain anuerism in the security line.

I write this, well, to remind everyone that what you do everyday should be precious.  

Hug your children.  Kiss your wife or husband.  Tell your parents you love them.  Pet a dog.  Look at nature and revel in it's beauty.  Give a beggar a dollar.  Make the world a better place, somehow, even if it's just your small slice of it. And don't let petty   stuff overwhelm you. See the beauty in life, and contribute to it.

It seems to me that we never know when we have nine soul strands lost, and the next one is the last.

Spread Joy, Happiness, and Love,

Nathan

15

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

16

Fixed Bugs / Time Converter MIA

« on: June 15, 2007, 03:41:00 pm »

Layonara Time Converter

Kell's fastidious about dating his journal posts - and without this handy little tool, he has no way of doing so!  (Horrors!)

If someone could repair the broken link, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

17

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.

18

NWN Ideas, Suggestions, Requests / Next generation reward system

« on: June 07, 2007, 12:19:22 pm »

An idea for the next generation.

Some servers have a reward system for various activities.  PCs get tokens that they can save up and use to "buy" things.  Examples are:  Change to PC looks (hair, tatoo), name an item, or trade in for XP.

Personally I would remove the subjectiveness of the rewards and tie them to known quantities.  For example, keeping a char dev thread, or playing for a two hour block of time (awarded once per week).  

There could be subjective things as well:  Being spotted helping a new player, being seen sharing information about a world quest with others.  These are a bit harder to define and rely on GMs seeing and recognizing this stuff.  That's why I prefer the "good citizen" quantifiable rewards.

Some sort of data mining of the logs could lead to interesting information and feedback.  For example, a table with PC name, hours played, xp gained, lines spoken.  Break it down further by PC to see how many hours played in a party vs. solo, which areas were they in (a house, tavern, forest), etc.

With this information, each "customer" could be scheduled for attention.  If it is Bob the Slayer's habit to RP heavily on Sunday nights (solid chunk of time, in a party, lots of emotes, etc.), then he could be flagged for a GM visit then.  Perhaps the rest of his playing time is clearly sporadic and alone during the week.

This may help give the GM team a better understanding of each player's habits so they can maximize their own efficiency in taking note of the PCs.

Basically, I'm suggesting setting up a system to reward behavior that is conducive to the success of the server and community.  With hundreds of PCs, though, looking at trends from collected data may be the only feasible way.

19

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

20

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.