Bounty Hunters/ Mercenaries

[Fayde]

A possible suggestion, or one that can be altered to fit this world's unique player base:

This is done elsewhere. And is done totally by roleplay in game, and posts in the site's forum. At two roleplay pw's using this method there is almost zero chance of ooc grief before, during, and after.

A "insert name of tavern" section is placed in the forum. There, players (good guys, knights, lawful types, ect) who want to put a bounty on a criminal's head, or a player (bad guys, ticked off jipped partner, jilted lover, ect) wants to hire an assassin, can post who the hit should be on and how much or what items would be offered to pay for the services. Those interested can either post in answer on that same board, or seek out the poster in game to roleplay the deal. In this way, dm's are alerted that there is a hit on someone (maybe avoiding later grief from the victim/criminal) and the tension is set for the victim/crimnal. In some cases, to avoid the hits, a criminal would turn themselves in, or a victim would find allies and possibly a way out that never led to the pc death. The possiblities were endless on what could and did happen.

If you didn't wish to be identified openly as the person hiring an assassin, you could always use an allias that can be responded to via pm's in forum and then continue in game. Or another way would be for mercenaries and assassin's to post their desire for work in the forum for those who would seek them in game rather than reveal their plans openly. Downside there would be dm's not being alerted, which in the roleplay servers wasn't allowed. DM's were always alerted before any hit/pvp/pk happened to avoid grief from the loser. Guess you'd have to decide on how that'd be handled before-hand. IMO, if it's a legit (rp'd) hit, then why wouldn't you want a dm involved in the first place, it'd save you tons of problems later. Die rolls or not, some hold a grudge regardless.

Just a suggestion from two good roleplay servers I still play on and where this seems to work perfectly. On one of the server's I was a victim (my very first pvp btw ;D ) and the other server I played the assassin ( ended up a guild war with three dm's overseeing the massive roleplay/battle was a blast involving 40+ people and all posted cheers afterwards via the forum)

[serpitus]

Another area for the use of mercenaries/bounty hunters would be to run down ecscaped slaves. I know the slaver story line hasn't developed fully yet but it could boost it some.

[addicted2rpg]

Nice ideas Fayde. I think as far as RP goes, that would work on a server like Fredian.

Unfortunately, *looks over shoulder for Makz and continues in a low voice*, the AC's versus AB's and the large amounts of immunities and subrace abilities versus spells has created a condition that may present.......waves..... when people try to follow through on bounties.

There are some players that can only be hit by NPCs now.
According to moderator Torias on the Bioware forums in the builds thread, 76 AB is as good as it gets and that is only during a smite evil attack, which can only be done once per day unless you take extra smiting, in which case you can do it three times.

So you all better start playing Paladins.
And that is why evil always loses. hah!

For more information on Torias' character, see:
nwn.bioware.com/underdark/character_damageadept.html

[Phoenix]

My drow will be able to hit 104 with a 20 on my first attack in 4 levels. That's enough to hit our higher AC builds, and he's not even the highest AB build. The AC vs AB thing was fixed with the truth helm update from what I see.

[addicted2rpg]

I'll spawn you some monsters with 104 AC

[Preedy1978]

Well....I think a board is a good idea. Notifying people about who is "wanted" by the law and what the bounty is. This would then notify everyone that a hit has been placed upon that char, and even the person who is wanted wouldnt really be able to argue about it.

I think DM supervision in this matter would be a preferable thing though.

So I guess I pretty much agree with Fayde's comments there ;D

How does everyone feel about this?

Also, more importantly, could this be executed without major problems?

[Phoenix]

addicted2rpg said:

I'll spawn you some monsters with 104 AC

Some how I don't think that's what I was implying. eek RUN AWAY!

[Silentus]

If it ends up being agreed upon, the characters with bounties on thier heads could be added rith with the crimes forum - we already have watned people there that escaped the law...

[ride]

Silentus said:

If it ends up being agreed upon, the characters with bounties on thier heads could be added rith with the crimes forum - we already have watned people there that escaped the law...

you mean..... t..t...t...there's wanted fugitives on our island?? noooooo

um yeah this is a great idea.... personally I'd rather see some simple "msg board" script go in game (I really dont think alot of ppl read these forums... certainly doesn't seem like it...)
but however we do it, I think it'd be great... I so want ppl trying to "take out" lil V and bring him in for that reward posted by Avi.... lol

I don't really think we'd need all that scripting for the "rewards". Can't there just be a simple sign, say in front of styne castle, that, upon examination lists the wanted fugitives and the prices on thier heads (updated by a DM or something really simple) let the capture and reward be all RP'd out.... personally I would not mind if Joe Blow tried to bring me in... maybe even did... got his reward, then I walk around a corner and Joe Bob does the same thing.... I think it'd be fun...

[Phoenix]

I'm all for bounties, come and get me.

With all things, KISS. I don't thing the forums would be good because there is a large percentage of the population that never comes here.

Of course, nothing is stopping you from personally hiring a bounty hunter. If you have a grudge, or want to see a lawless person brought to justice, hire someone.

[NightWalker]

*snickers as she remembers Mor'Dinn fussing when he spawned into West Styne dead (he didn't know to rest after being raised)* ;D There's a lot of good reasons why people should come to the forum and check it out daily. Some aren't aware of even the most basic stuff that can happen in Fredian.

[anomalylone]

i have givin "new faces" jobs already for collecting stuff for me (crafting) and have payed them well... when i first stared here i was so lost , i find its nice to have some one say, hey i'm a higher player ...but you could help me out so much (not realy say it but you get my point) , and the pay helps them build , this builds trust and good rp. ;D

[Kedra]

I would like to stick with the rules about PvP and add this to really stir it up.


Any assassination needs to have a meeting with the contractor and the assassin- having a DM *Ok* the assassination first so that the assassin doesnt get rich over 2 people killing each other constantly seems like a good idea.

So the contractor and the assassin could set up a meeting that the DM can see and the DM can *tell* the assassin Yea or Nay and then the assassin can accept/Decline the contract knowing that there will be no problems. (Other than the target being upset about being dead)

This way the DMs can be aware of whats up before there has to be a mondo explaination and have the WHOLE story up front.

Also the assassin would need to say something like- contract fullfilled so the target knew what it was all about.

And as per the server rules, rolling a 10 or less no recall of the assassination.

[Silentus]

I think I will be expressing Makz' opinion and that of the DM staff in saying that I wouldnt worry about anything so formal, but the idea is good.

Perhaps sending out a quicky on the DM channel that you are going to be involved in an assasination (or other potentially offensive behavior) before the fact, just as a heads up so they can hover over and watch what happens. We dont want to bog this all down, but it is a good idea to have a little caution at times.

[Norlinor]

In my opinion DMs shouldn’t be involved in such things. DMs should balance, not forbide or allow a character action.

These kind of stuff are players affairs, and should be solved by players, the DM role should be balance to prevail the fair play. I’m not talking about RP fair play, like ambushes or back stabs or the sort, this is where the fun is, I mean fair play concerning level difference, metagaming and abuse of game characteristics, like back stabbing a player when he/she is mining and so loaded of ores that can’t switch the pick with his/her weapon.