Posts Thanked By User

21

Rumour Has It / In Memorandum: Hedessa Tanario and Benjamin Poetr

« on: June 07, 2010, 01:56:27 pm »

For the Angel's Guild.  Made public at the suggestions of Daniel Benjamin Poetr.

Written by Andrew Reid for and with consultation from Hedessa Tanario.  This was to have been produced at the Angel's celebration.  With Hedessa's passing, it is dedicated to her, and Ben, and the rest of the Angels.


Angel's Guild Members (in order of appearance):

Andrew - Narrator
Alazira -- Self
Layl -- Self
Alatriel -- Self
Kyle -- Self
Ferrit -- Self
Kyle -- Playing Ben
Ben -- Playing Hedessa
Alatriel -- Playing Ferrit
Amgine -- Playing Layl
Layl -- Playing Elohanna
Ferrit -- Playing Jako

Customers (in order of appearance):

Hedessa -- Tailoring Customer
Daniel -- Instrument Customer
Alazira -- Infusing Customer
Elohanna -- Scribing Customer
Tod -- Metals Customer


Narrator: Behind the scenes at the Angel Guild Play...

Alazira: So now what do we do.

Layl: I don't know. He's always late. ALWAYS.

Alatriel: We could dress Kyle up. You humans all look alike anyway.

Alazira: I like it. *looks at Kyle*

Layl: Fine, dress Kyle up. *looks at Kyle*

Alatriel: *looks at Kyle*

Kyle: No. No way. Not going to happen...

Alatriel: Why the hells not?

Kyle: His pants always chafe!

Alatrial: *looks at Kyle, blinking*

Alzira: *looks at Kyle, blinking*

Layl: *looks at Kyle, blinking*

Kyle: *blushes*

Ferrit: Shh! Just put on the clothes or I'll make you play Essa.

Kyle: Yes dear.


Narrator: The scene opens in the new shop. Ben is tidying the counter top.

Kyle: *in Ben's too-tight pants and shirt* Well, here we are, in the new shop, ready for business. *polishes the counter with a crooked grin, glancing at the front door from time to time*

Kyle: Yup. The place looks great. Anytime now. *continues to polish*

Narrator: Time passes...

Kyle: Blast. We need a hook. HEDESSA!

Ben: *sashays out, swaying his hips* Yes, Benji? *twirls a lock of his hair*

Kyle: Can you go out and drum up someone business? You know, use your *finger quotes* people skills? *goes back to polishing the countertop and fussing with the inventory chests*

Ben: *bats his eyes and in a husky voice* Of course, handsome. *sashays outside the shop, then swiftly tacks up a sign that says "FREE BEER INSIDE".* All done!

Kyle: Um...*watches "Essa" sway past with some concern*

Hedessa: *takes a look at the sign* Oh, free beer! *walks inside*

Kyle: *gruffly* Hey, lady. Welcome to the Angels Guild Adventurer Outfitters, how can I help you?

Hedessa: Dwarven Stout, please. In a frosted glass. A BIG frosted glass!

Kyle: This is the Angels Guild, not a bar.

Hedessa: But the sign said --

Kyle: What sign? This isn't a bar!

Hedessa: *patiently* The one outside, with FREE BEER in big block letters?

Kyle: ESSA!

Ben: *high pitched giggle from the back room*

Hedessa: So, no beer?

Kyle: *sighs* No ma'am.

Hedessa: And you do what, here, again?

Kyle: We are the Angels Guild Adventurer Outfitters -- we outfit all your advent...

Hedessa: *waves an impatient hand* Yes, Yes. I could use a new dress then.

Kyle: That we can help you with. FERRIT!

Alatrial: *sneaks up behind Ben, appearing suddenly* Yes?

Kyle: AGH! Don't DO that!

Alatrial: *smiles*

Kyle: The lady wants a new dress.

Alatrial: Of course. This way. *they exit to back room*

Kyle: *moves to take down the beer sign*

Daniel: *walks in* Ah, my good man! A mug of beer and quickly, I'm parched!

Kyle: We're not a bar. This is the Adventure Outfitters --

Daniel: But the sign --

Kyle: *grits his teeth through his crooked grin* We are a crafting guild. Ignore the sign. Please.

Daniel: Ah. Pity.

Kyle: Is there something else I can help you with?

Daniel: A glass of Black Hills Chablis, perhaps?

Kyle: *forces his crooked grin* We're not a bar...

Daniel: Well...do you make guitars?

Kyle: *turns abruptly and bellows* LAYL!

Amgine: *bounces out with a wink* Yes, Ben?

Kyle: The man wants an instrument.

Amgine: Oh, fun! Come on sugar, let's get you strung up...

Daniel: I like the sound of that! *winks at the audience and goes into the back room with Amgine*

Kyle: *moves to take down the sign again*

Alazira: *strides in* A dwarven stout, and make it snappy!

Kyle: *smacks his forehead* We are not a bar. This is the Angels Guild, Adventure -

Alazira: Tower Malt?

Kyle: Not. A. Bar.

Alazira: Silver Buckle Gin, then! *bright smile*

Kyle: We are NOT A BAR. I don't serve alcohol here! No beer! *getting upset*

Alazira: No beer?

Kyle: No beer.

Alazira: I'll just have some Xeenite wine then.

Kyle: BLAST IT! *begins to babble to himself*

Alazira: And a raise dead scroll.

Kyle: *pivots and bellows* ELLY!

Layl: *moves out with gentle grace* Yes, Ben?

Kyle: The lady wants a raise dead scroll.

Layl: *a sunny smile* That will take a little while...would you care for a glass of wine while you wait?

Alazira: *shoots a smug look at "Ben"* Don't mind if I do! *follows "Elly" into the back room*

Kyle: *moves to take down the sign yet again*

Elohanna: *barges in, all hustle* Hey, hello, wow, it's hot out there.

Kyle: Yes it is. *moves toward door*

Elohanna: Hey, hey, my beer?

Kyle: No beer. Adventuring gear. We outfit Adventurers. WE. DO. NOT. SERVE. BEER.

Elohanna: Ohh. How about a wand then? I can stir my beer with it!

Kyle: *bellows* ESSA!

Ben: *sways out* Yes, Benji?

Kyle: *glares at her* A rod for the lady.

Ben: Isn't that your job, sugar? *giggles and takes Elly into the back room*

Kyle: *dives for the door, and trips over Tod*

Tod: Ah, excuse me, I'd like a --

Kyle: WE HAVE NO FREE BEER! NO STOUT, NO ALE, NO BEER! Nothing but adventuring gear! No liquor! No wine! No booze of any kind! WE'RE THE ANGELS GUILD! NOT A BAR! *panting, face red*

Tod: Um. I wanted some armor?

Kyle: *standing, embarassed* Oh, well, then. JAKO!

Ferrit: *comes out silent, and waits*

Tod: Here, it's all on this order. *hands over a piece of paper*

Ferrit: *takes the paper and starts to leave*

Tod: Oh, and a short sword! *hands over a piece of paper*

Kyle: JAKO!

Ferrit: *returns and takes the paper, then turns to leave*

Tod: Oh, oh! And I have some platinum that needs smelting to ingots! *hands over a clearly heavy box*

Kyle: JAKO!

Ferrit: *returns and takes the box, turns, then hesitates*

Tod: Let's see...*pats his vest, then shakes his head*

Ferrit: *hesitates one moment more, then starts to leave*

Tod: Oh! *snaps his fingers and pulls another scrap from a vest pocket* And some good healing potions --

Kyle: JAKO!

Ferrit: *turns around again, fists full of paper and box under his arm, and walks, very slowly and deliberately back to Kyle. Reaches out slowly, takes the paper from his hand in a quick snapping motion, returns his hand slowly, tucks the paper with the others, then waits, drumming his fingers*

Tod: That's all! *bright smile*

Ferrit: *waits, fingers drumming*

Tod: Really. That's all.

Ferrit: *eyes him suspiciously for a moment*

Tod: *another bright smile*

Ferrit: *turns to leave*

Tod: Oh, wait -- what's this? *takes out a piece of paper*

Ferrit: *turns ever so slowly*

Tod: Ah, just an old grocery list. Don't suppose you can help a fellow with apples and cheese, can you? *smiles*

Ferrit: *rolls his eyes, turns on one heel and marches out*

Kyle: We'll get it done. Oh -- would you take down that sign by the door on your way out?

Tod: Be happy to! *leaves, grabbing the sign as he goes, then walks back in* Hey -- says here free beer? *takes out a mug and slaps it on the counter*

Kyle: *begins to weep*

*curtain close*

Narrator: Just another day of business at the Angels Guild, Adventure Outfitters...

22

General Discussion / Death of a *coughs* Maiden

« on: June 06, 2010, 03:28:52 pm »

*Durgen casually enters the tavern keeping his eye on the corners of the place as he usually does for signs that this may not be safest place to drink.

Picking a dead leaf out of his beard, he takes a seat at a table near the door.  As the not-so-pretty barmaid starts to near his table, he overhears two young, muscled looking fellows talking about a scantly dressed woman who called herself a Xeenite priestess.  After drinking round for round with these two louts, she stated she had her fill with them and was going to look for some real men to party with.  With a long kiss for each of them she sauntered out of the tavern and set a course for The Rolling Hills.

The next morning her body had been found, laying at a very awkward angle.  It appeared she had run into a band of madmen that roam around those parts.

"What was her name again?"
 The second replied, "It was Hedessa.  Man could she drink.  And those legs...."  The fellow just shook his head with a grin before changing to a somber look.

"Huh?" says Durgen.  The barmaid, not so patiently repeats "I said are ya just gonna sit there or do you want something to drink?"

"I be 'avin an ale" he says absently.  Then quickly states  "Naw, oi'll be 'avin one of dem Xeenite wines if ye 'ave somethin loike dat."  The barmaid looks at the dwarf curiously.  "I'll go find out."

After a fashion, the barmaid returns.  "Apparently some woman drank nearly everything we had.  I have this" she says as she sets a glass down "but I think it has turned."

Minutes pass after the barmaid leaves the table, the dwarf sniffs the glass and wrinkles his nose.  
"Well Essa, ye always be a pain in me rear.  Naw ya got me drinkin' dis nasty stuff."

"What kin oi say, ye loiked ta 'ave fun, party ta wee hours in da mornin' with sailors, an use dat whip of yers ta beat both enemy an' social acquaintance, from whot oi 'ere, in ta submission.  And, durn it, ye tended ta git da best of me in our verbal barbs.  Oi guess oi'm jus sorry oi could nah be der when ye died.  Ye must 'ave found fellas dat loiked ta party a bit too rough."

"All oi kin say naw is dat oi got da last word in", he pauses, "but dat do nah really feel loike a victory."  

Durgen raises his glass and to no one in particular says "to Hedessa Tanario, may ye be buried with a smile on yer face an' wine in yer flask."

Finishing the turned wine, the dwarf nearly chokes.  "By da gods, oi kin nah believe dis did nah get ya first."  He throws far too much true on the table and leaves out the front door.

23

General Discussion / You Will Be Missed

« on: March 16, 2010, 08:09:54 pm »

Jonathan Selmek aka Daren Valhaikor aka poohbear383340 died this morning in a fatal car crash.  

He was a great roleplayer and really knew how to throw you a curve. His characters were well known and quite diverse from each other.

You will be sorely missed.

24

General Discussion / Stepping Down from GM'ing

« on: February 27, 2010, 12:45:15 am »

Well folks, it has come that time for me to step down from being a GM. Thanks to L and the team for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of the team.

I have been on this server for over five years now and GM'ed for the last year or so of it between deployments. It was definitely interesting to see how the server operated behind the curtain.

I appreciate all the fun that I had while serving the server. I enjoyed my time helping players, running impromptu quests (my favorite by far), and bringing the world alive by possessing NPCs (especially animals), changing spawns, and keeping players on their toes. There are truly fantastic RP'ers in our community and it is constant. There is almost always someone RPing in some form or fashion all of the time. There are different styles and different levels, thank you for the education from that side of the field.

Thanks again,
twidget

25

General Discussion / Common Courtesy

« on: September 24, 2009, 08:13:08 am »

A few thoughts after having read this thread
http://forums.layonara.com/leringard-arms-inn-tavern/245722-white-lily-proudly-presents-night-duels.html#post1425582

While there is nothing wrong is asking question in order to better understand any event, then do please bear in mind what is ooc and what is ic. In this case the post was made IC in a IC forum, but out of the 25 posts so far only 2 of them are ic, and frankly most of them are completely unrelated to the event and deals with rules regarding magic dead areas, which should have been taken up in either http://forums.layonara.com/layonara-server-rules/ or http://forums.layonara.com/ask-gamemaster/

Do please remember that there is a player who has taken time to make this, give him/her the same courtesy you would give a dm setting time aside to run a quest, or such events are sure to die out. And really, dont post links to different player events in the same thread, IMO that is extremely rude and belittles the effort the player put into the event. And read the event over before starting to ask questions a competition among fighters and those who think they can stand a fight in range of a melee weapon. Everyone is welcome for this even, may it be to attend as a fighter and prove ones skill with a weapon, or just to watch the combatants fight.[/i]

In this case I cant see how the player could have been more clear to his/hers intent, as already being said not every event is for every character, if the event dont fit you make one that does. All the more fun for us all, but please dont take it out on the person who actually bothered to try and make something fun

26

Ask A Gamemaster / Question about quest..

« on: September 21, 2009, 05:41:02 pm »

Okay.. I have been meaning to ask this for sometimes.  I often do not do quest because I am not sure on how do let the gm know things I want my character to do.  

By that I mean, I will emote something and do a role or if the gm has requested I will wait to be told to roll.  So my question is.... if you emote something or ask a gm a question but you get no response... do you just take that as a no to whatever you did or continue to ask until you get a response?  I really hate bugging GM's on quest, even more so when there is a large party or demanding character/player on it.  So with that I often find it hard to get my characters involved on quest and feel like I'm just along for the ride.

Any ideas or tips from the GM's would be appreciated.

27

General Discussion / Just another player.

« on: August 26, 2009, 11:22:23 am »

Wasn't going to make a public post about this because I didn't think it was really that necessary, but I guess I should make people aware that I have stepped down from the GM team and will no longer be running any quests etc.

I will still be here as a player, as much as I can spare the time for, but sadly it's best I step down as I can't dedicate the time I used to be able to writing/running quests, it has been a lot of fun and a big thanks to the team for letting me a part of it.

Makashi.

28

General Discussion / Happy Birthday!

« on: July 25, 2009, 09:20:45 pm »

[SIZE=32]Happy Birthday Pibemanden. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=24] Hope you are having a great one! [/SIZE][/I][/COLOR]

29

General Discussion / To Harlas and the Main Plot Team

« on: November 22, 2008, 09:11:23 pm »

I've only been on three of these now, but I just wanted to say - it makes the server feel different and I really appreciate your efforts.  When you bring in a plot that has the authority to dictate world events, it really makes everybody's heads turn in the same direction.  And it's neat to have that community-wide direction.

Even if we end up killing each other.  O.o


Haven't felt like this in-game for a while.  Pretty neat stuff.  Thanks.

30

General Discussion / World Announcement! *claps*

« on: October 29, 2008, 03:46:12 pm »

[SIZE=16]May I present to you an announcement that will shake the foundations of countries all over the globe:

"The coolest person ever was born on Friday the 24.th of October! I present to you, my newly born daughter - Tilde!"[/SIZE]


This means that I will not be able to check the forums as often in the upcoming weeks. Nor will I be able to be present in-game a lot. I'll check my inbox as often as time allows it of course, but patience is a virtue.

[SIZE=10](pronounciation of 'Tilde' in English is awkward [/SIZE]

31

Rumour Has It / Goldwin Blacknight - Life of a Hero

« on: October 16, 2008, 01:43:46 pm »

It is with the greatest of sadness that I write this letter to inform all those who knew Goldwin Blacknight, of his passing. He died as he lived protecting the innocent and less fortunate. He died saving the life of a child. There can be no greater sacrifice given, than a life given to save another.
 
 I write to tell you of his courageous spririt, of his giving heart. Of a friend who will be missed and never forgotten. He always offered to help where he could, and protect those he loved with a understanding that his life was lived for more than just the trivial possesions, but to help those who needed him to become better people.
 
 I am one of those who became better for knowing him and I will never forget my treasured friend.
 
 Goldwin Blacknight will be sorely missed, walk always in the light Goldwin Blacknight.
 
 With a deep respect and fond friendship,
 ~Elohanna Dawnstar

32

General Discussion / ~~Happy Birthday~~

« on: July 25, 2008, 10:10:23 pm »

Unless I'm looking at the calender wrong...

Its Pibemanden Birthday!!!

[SIZE=24]
[/SIZE]

[SIZE=24] [SIZE=32]Happy Birthday!![/SIZE] [/SIZE][/FONT]

[SIZE=24]Hope you had a good one!![/SIZE]

33

General Discussion / For the love of Chongo's awesome new areas.

« on: June 14, 2008, 05:43:39 pm »

I can't stress enough how beautiful this guy's work is.  Ever since V3 and the subsequent updates, I always do a quick doubletake and take the time to look around amazed at what he's done with the place.  There are tilesets in use now that actually look BETTER and cripser than many of the NWN2 ones, and finally there's a decent amount of depth and height perception in places like Firesteep, which were originally very plateau-ish and "run across the flat plane and climb up to the next level-ish"  Now you actually get a feeling for the massive climb, and a sense of going upward.  A MAJOR feat considering how notoriously 2 dimensional the base bioware engine is in terms of altitude.  And now, after 4-5 years of being told "we will never have bard enemy spawns, they have horrible AI", I encountered one that actually works pretty well!

Major Kudos to him and the rest of the building team involved for the major facelift the place has gotten!  From the Dapplegreen to Firesteep, Dalanthar and the Thunder Peaks, this place just keeps getting better and better.

34

Forum Discussion / Using Layonara RSS with Feedreader

« on: March 26, 2008, 06:24:26 pm »

The forums are equipped with RSS capabilities now for registered users.  It used to be only the forums that were guest viewable were accessible, but I've changed it so you must pass in your login details.  This way you will get notification of new posts in all the forums in which you have access.

Here are some steps for feeding new posts with the popular RSS reader called Feedreader.

[LIST=1]

• Download and install FeedReader.
  
• Press F12 to bring up the Options dialog.
  
• Under Behaviour on the General tab, set When I click a weblink to Open link in default browser.
  (Optionally set any other preferences you like.)
  
• Press OK on the Options dialog.
  
• Press F3 to add a new feed.
  
• At the top of the application window should be a text entry line, copy and paste the following URL into it:

http://forums.layonara.com/external.php?type=RSS2

• Press the Ok button to the right of the text entry field.
  
• You will be prompted for your username and password, which are your forum credentials.

35

General Discussion / Thank you!

« on: March 12, 2008, 08:57:32 am »

I want to take a moment to thank all of the people involved in the last three updates over the past two weeks. There has been many long hours (I would be willing to bet at least a thousand) put in to these updates and it is clear their love for the world and community is what keeps them working on updates. The past six months have been extremlly packed with RL happenings, holidays, family issues, and the list goes on and yet these individuals continue to produce updates for the community.
 
 There can not be enough thanks for them but I just want to make sure everybody understands that their selflessness is what continues to make the world a great gaming place that is enjoyed by many around the world.
 
 In no special order:
Gulnyr, muaddib, Chongo, Eorendil, Darkstorme, Weeblie, Script Wrecked, and Dorganth.
 
 Thank you and good job!!
 
I also want to thank everybody on the GM Team, now and in the past. I firmly believe that a major part of what makes Layonara so special is the GM Team and all of the events they run and all of the difficult work they do behind the scenes (online and off) in order to ensure that Layonara remains a RP server at heart. Your efforts do not go unnoticed and it is your attention to the spirit of the server which is what continues to make Layonara loved by many.
 
 Thanks folks, to each and every one of you!
 
And of course, thank you to the community! What a great RP community.
 
 You rock!

36

General Discussion / Reminder About Player Etiquette

« on: February 17, 2008, 01:17:07 pm »

[SIZE=16]I have recently run across a couple of examples that warrants reminder about player etiquette. [/SIZE]
 
 [SIZE=16]If you are involved in an impromptu quest, please do not send tells to all your friends having them to report to a location. If the GM wants other people or the rest of the server informed, you will probably see a shout like *anyone that is outside sees a bright light reflecting off the clouds in the direction of Hlint*.[/SIZE]
 
 [SIZE=16]Another example, please do not run past people in a CNR area to gather the CNR before the first party gets to it. The best way to handle it is through RP. Stop and ask the original party if they are on their way out or in. You may be able to join, or just come back later. RP is the key. If you are confronted IC'ly about running in front of people, using a Wizard's Tome of Teleportation usually will send the matter to OOC tells; especially if there is no RP to justify your actions.[/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16] [/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16]Examples listed below are not acceptable:[/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16]- I saw a really huge level gap and cause one can't party with more than seven levels of distance I figured you were just RP-ing.[/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16]- I can't play with a good friend cause they're more than seven above me.[/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16]- The room I went into needs a thief to open. I thought you were a cleric?[/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16]- I don't talk often.[/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16]- People start spamming listen checks as I'm usually disguised so it isn't much fun.[/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16]- Everyone mostly knows I'm (insert evil deity here) from the forum, so if I speak to them then I get frustrated.[/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16] [/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16]There are real life players playing these PCs, please have consideration for everyone.[/SIZE]

37

Roleplaying / Impromptu Quests

« on: January 04, 2008, 11:13:07 am »

when a dm is running a impromptu,it is not the right thing to send out invites in tells to have your friends join.  Large parties can be fun, but 20 people with spells on, makes for a very laggy adventure. Some people also have issues with large parties and crash due to their computers, so please. Everyone likes to be part of the action, but have enough respect of your fellow players, and  let the ones being lucky enough to be in the right place enjoy the quest.

38

General Discussion / Weary of Friendly Fire

« on: July 20, 2007, 11:51:10 pm »

I hope you folks find this constructive.
 
 I'm getting a little weary of the blind pokes from the wings.  And it's towards one thing in particular: That roleplay has depreciated on this server.  I don't care who's saying it or whether they have more or less experience on this server then I do, I'm just a bit weary of that sentiment.
 
 Now, I haven't been here as long as a few of you, but I've been playing NWN since it came out and Layo for the majority of it.  Here's what I've noticed of what goes on in any module:
 
 - There are new players
 - There are old players
 - There are plenty of players in the middle
 - There are young people
 - There are old people
 - There are those suffering from college omniscience
 - There are snotty people
 - There are brown-nosers
 - There are anti-establishment ranters
 - There are quiet people
 - There are nice people
 - There are people that rp more then adventure
 - There are people that adventure more then rp
 - There are people that think adventure can not be rp
 - There are anti-progressionists or those edging towards it
 - There are powermongers or those edging towards it
 - There are people who play 10 hours a day
 - There are people who play 1 hour a week
 - There are people who get along
 - There are people who don't get along
 
 There are people you end up loving, likewise there are those that rub you like rough grain sandpaper.
 
 There are all sorts of personalities and people and varying tenures and maturities that have been on Layonara at any given point in its online existance.  Same goes for every other server.  These roles and this variety has never changed in it's overall percentages from what I've seen, it's always a true mixed bag.
 
 Likewise, there are the all too common sentiments always bouncing around:
 
 - We don't roleplay enough
 - We are too harsh on rules
 - The cliques are unbearable
 - There isn't enough community
 - Things aren't balanced
 - Devs need to be more open
 - Devs need to use more discretion
 - XXX gets preferential treatment
 - XXX shouldn't be where they are
 - XXX dev(s) are out to get me
 - And of course:  Us versus them, in any of it's myriad forms
 - And finally: Times have changed for the worse
 
 If I spent more then 5 minutes hatching this I'm sure I could list a hundred more, all bouncing back and forth against each other in the ongoing pendulums of opinion and emotion.  The same themes passing by, generation after generation of players and devs alike.  It's the last one that usually makes me chuckle, but as of late is growing tiresome on my ears.
 
 "Times have changed for the worse".  I've heard this many times, and it comes in generation-based waves usually.  The thing that always irks me is not so much the ignorance or self-righteous tone it usually takes, but the contradiction it typically puts on their grievance.  Whatever their issue, most often depreciation of roleplay or playerbase, they usually voice this before or during their departure from the server, which is usually just proving themselves quitters who never quite got it.  And here's why.
 
 Generations come and go.  They attain server lore, they participate in events changing the server.  On a server like Layonara where there is so much player impact, the server shapes itself around them.  Usually it's a particular era of players, people that became their own little adventuring company during those times.  They become the center of roleplay focus, not based so much on their *ability* in roleplay, but by the fact that they are so engrained in things and happenings on the server.  And in these little era's coming and going, there seem to be a few trends.
 
 Many head towards development for the server since they've helped shaped it during their era.  Some get sucked into development so far that they don't re-emerge.  Slowly the adventuring companies of 'old' wither, "this dev doesn't log onto play enough, this guy got bored and left, this guy started playing another game, we can't do anything without the people who don't play as much anymore," etc etc... while there's still a core group struggling to hold on.  Some adapt, some leave.  And I honestly can't forgive the excuses of 'the server has changed for the worse' before departure.  
 
 The correct response has luckily happened for the majority, and can be summed up  as:
 
 What did XXX player do when his favorite RP and adventuring buddies left or moved onto pure development?  He picked up new players, gave them a chance, brought in new generations of server shapers, and continued to have fun.
 
 Generations come and go.  Eras of lore come and go.  It is not an easy thing.  It is not easy to find your favorite individuals moving on.  But get off the high horse, roleplay is not depreciating, the server is not changing for the worse.  The excuse of roleplay caliber is age old inaccuracy.  If you simply let new people in they find their ground, probably at the same pace you did.  
 
 People saying this have just lost their immediate reminders of identity.  There are always going to be the different types of players coming and going;  good, bad, experienced or inexperienced.  There is always going to be the same percentages of those types of players coming in.  These sentiments are a pretty simple matter, you think the community has lost it's sense but it's you that has lost your sense of community.
 
 Community is always going to be changing.  To be a long standing player on any server, you need to accept this.  Community is bigger then just one generation, just look at the progression of Layonara.
 
 Now, in all of this I will make one concession.  A significant chunk of the Bloodstone era generation, the people that shaped a lot of the lore we have grown to know... they are gone.  Some left around or immediately after the fall of Bloodstone, Reventage for example.  Some have just recently not so much left, but have moved into development of the new Layonara, Rhizome or Orth for example.  They log in now and then, but not like it used to be.  And hey, I get it.  It's a downer, those are the people I really miss adventuring with.  And they do hold a lot of the server lore for their eras of gameplay that we currently regard as Layonara history.  Our personal sense of lore has definitely hit a struggling point due to this change.  And yes, it's a downer.
 
 And in this concession I will say that we could in fact use some change, that some of the "let-down" complainers may have some footing, however poor their delivery.  Plot quests need to be reinvigorated, perhaps redelegated to bring forth new and motivated blood.  Generations of players need to be fostered through a server-wide cause.  Once it was Bloodstone, the mainstay of plotlines to maintain that community gathering point.  I will conceed this, that things could be worked on in this sense to bring forth some cause.  There are so so many players just waiting in the wings, waiting to find some cause to get back in there.  For some it's the update.  Fair enough, I can't say I can criticize that heh.   For others it's apparently roleplay, and the simple solution to that folks is to just log in and try it.  But yeah, I'll go with it, we could use some plotline cause, so however misguided this roleplay sentiment may be, I can somewhat see an issue in it all.
 
 But the community is still there.  The caliber is the same as it's always been and there are a lot more individuals waiting in the wings to surprise you with their roleplay.  It's not like the people sticking with NWN after all this time are the click-happy powermongers looking for more.  More graphics, more monsters, more killing!   No, it's the people looking for community.  To any of you calling out the depreciation of roleplay, wake up.  Find your sense of community instead of needing the last generation of players to hold your hand through it.  Honestly, step it up.   Instead of floating on the outskirts proving yourselves not of the caliber you preach... step it up.  Talk to the new player, the younger generation, do what the generation we hold in such high regard did before us and continue to help the Layonara community find new roots.

39

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

40

Roleplaying / Rant rant rant

« on: March 18, 2007, 10:11:22 pm »

This is an official rant thread.  If you are not ranting, then please don't respond.  Also, I am not posting this because I am upset about anything, I am posting this because I have been quietly brainstorming for about a  week now, and it's starting to rain.  My purpose is not to make people feel defensive, it is to encourage character development onto a new level of RP.  

First of all, I would like to thank Gary Gygax for making D&D in the first place.  Second of all I would like to quote my sister Tai, "An entire generation of roll players has suffered because roll playing was conceived by war gamers and not by cultural anthropologists."  You might be asking yourself what this means.  It means that the system we use to govern our characters personalities is a  stupid and archaic system that was made up by a war gamer.  I swear, the only reason Wizards did not make a better alignment system for D&D 3.0 is "If it aint broke, don't fix it."  It's not a bad system for beginners but it has way way too many limitations.  Good characters should have the flexibility to do things, on occasion, that are malicious, vengeful, greedy, and vindictive.  Evil characters should have certain weaknesses where they behave in a generous manner.  A good example of this is when Raistlin Majere demonstrated love and compassion to a gully dwarf. All you RP elitists talk about something not being realistic to a character's alignment, and you miss the point that alignments are incredibly unrealistic.  No one, and mean no one fits into any one alignment perfectly at all times.  In real life, we call actions and comments that are out side of our normal personalities, "mistakes"  or "moment of weakness" or "I was drunk" or "Christmas spirit"

When I make up a character, I do not chose an alignment and then make up an appropriate personality.  I make up a persona and then pick an alignment that best fits that persona.  When I RP my characters, I never think about alignment.  I always think of my characters personality.  I don't think, what would I do, I think what would my character do.  Some times it comes down to my characters experiances when deciding what they say, and how they would react.  Never once though, since high school, has anyone accused me of not playing my alignment.  Now is it that I don't care about alignment, and I never think about alignment, but my characters RP fits with in his alignment?  Answer, I made the personality first and chose the alignment that fits that personality, and I do stay true to that my  character's personality.  Hmph, we should just throw that old arcait alignment system out the window, and evolve to better roll playing.

My next rant, is Power gaming.  You know, it took me a long time to figure out why power gaming is a bad thing.  It is pretty ¤¤¤¤ natural for us to want to be the best at things.  We want the strongest, fastest, smartest, wisest what ever character in the world.  The hardest to kill, and deals a punch that legendary.  There is a problem with the power build.  It is called game balance.  The more uber your character, the harder it is for a DM to create encounters that are challenging.  Encounters that are too easy are boring, and encounters that are too hard are frustrating.  When all the stats significant to your class are maximized, every feat works perfectly to maximizing damage dealt and minimizing damage received, then you have just set yourself up for a bad time.  Either you are bored, or you are dead.  Never did you stop and think about what is most fun.  You ever notice that most encounters just seem to get harder.  I blame power gamers.  We have players soloing the rift, and what happens, the rift gets made so difficult, only power gamers have business being there.  In the time I have been playing here, I have seen this as a continuous trend.  The more players power game, the harder the DMs make the encounters, the more players feel like they have to power game in order to not get DTs.    The answer to this, is to take feats that do not work best for your character, but take some good RP feats.  Do not get the very best equipment you can possibly have, but allow your character to have some weakness.  Weaknesses and disadvantages generate good RP, and allow DMs to create fun and interesting encounters that challenge parties.  My gut feeling here is that if we the players make conscious efforts to not power game, then the DMs will balance our game world accordingly.

Where power gaming is most painful, is how it effects new players.  In the Amber roll playing game, Erick Wugic writes, "If I put a 200 point character in the hands of a  novice player, and a 100 point character in the hands of an expert player, the 100 point character will kill the 200 point character every time."  Notice that if you power build build your character, you are relying less on your own skill as a player, and more on the brute strength of your character.  By this you not only handicap your skill progression as a player, you handicap your personal enjoyment that you get from playing.

Now, what happens on Layo is that new players start playing.  They do not have enough playing experience to create a power build, and they lack technical skill.  They enter into a game world that is balanced for highly skilled players with well built characters.  Bad time.  We as players need to turn this around.  We need to be patient.  Not rush to get as many kills as possible.  We need to embrace new players, and coach good RP and technical skills.  We need to build characters that are well balanced, and then avoid areas that are too dangerous for a non power built character.  Only then will our changes be recognized and certain areas re balanced to be more fun for everyone.

AeonBlues