Favored Event Styles

[addicted2rpg]

What are your favored DM event styles? There are probably more styles available than the ones I have had listed. Yes, this is a shortcoming of the poll. However, those are three large umbrellas. Try to fit what you want under one

[addicted2rpg]

As of this date, it seems RP has the best overall coverage of liking, with Competitive being at the bottom.

This means we probably won't see very many more events like the Styne Race or any King of the Hill competitions. In fact, the only reason why I'll keep kicking that race around, and will continue to do so, is just to reward explorers. Makzimia made a lot of stuff that players havn't even seen. Admittedly, some of the areas are unpopulated -- its not like you need to spend your day there, but knowing they exist is about as minimal as I'm looking for. So, annoyances like the race will probably perpetuate.

On the bright side, I'm back into making RP quests. Next week's should be ready on schedule. Its called "The Couple's Tale." Probably expect a low violence level to easy encounters. I'll try to reinforce problem solving and puzzling over whats happening, so keep your head on!

[imhaunt]

I like all in moderation but prefer 1 & 2 . I dont get in on very many DM events due to my eratic playing times but most of the ones i have caught have been fun.

[Makzimia]

Some one mentioned this to me today, so, as promised, here it is stickied, and I expect MORE response... it does not mean we can give all you would like, but we will listen at least to what you have to say, and then given time and inclination try to fulfill what we practically can.

Makz.

[Al'verith]

First off, this is not a rant! ;D

I chose option (#2 & #3), because, I have found over time that the most universally enjoyed events are not necessarily ones in which your avatar gets to flex his/her muscles and show off great battle prowess in the face of some daunting evil. Usually, what I have found to work best are quests that have a clear flowing meaning that works in conjunction with the world as a whole. These quests are usually only vaguely defined, and allow for -all- types of alignment to participate, and be able to contribute to a final result. However, they are difficult to run in large complex settings that we have here on the Islands of Fredian, so they tend to forsake large participation for increased attention to detail. Also, many of the best events can only be done with multiple dms on the playing field, with a structured idea sequence worked out beforehand.

Ex #1: A farmer hobbles blindly from the Kings forest border into west styne, bleeding profusely from horrible wounds. His words, when he manages to speak, are a generic call for help from among the local populace. A rogue pc, chaotic evil, notices the dying man and approaches him, along with his two associates. They wait for him to die, perhaps slit his throat, and search for loose change.

This could be handled numerous ways, depending on the level of pc approached, alignment, attitute towards the man etc. Players greatly enjoy when the plot takes an unpredictible turn, or ignoring alignment steriotypes.

Ex #1(again): A farmer hobbles blindly from the Kings forest border into west styne, bleeding profusely from horrible wounds. His words, when he manages to speak, are a generic call for help from among the local populace. A rogue pc, chaotic evil, notices the dying man and approaches him, along with his two associates. They decide to wait for him to die, perhaps slit his throat, and search for loose change. As the rogue approachs the dying man, who has fallen to the grass, coughing up blood, he notices something wrong when the old man does not continue his plea for help. Once the rogue has leaned in enough, the old man removes his guise, and bites into the neck of the rogue with incredible ferocity while his friends stand by, horrified.

So, I believe it isn't so much style or type of quest, but the ability for both players and dm to adapt to have nonuniformity in how the event itself is run.


As a side note, I think the options might be made a bit clearer. So, just a little tweak for clarity

#1. Monster invasion/battle/carnage 0 (0%)
#2. Heavily Role Played story, mission, or quest 2 (20%)
#3. Competitive/Hunt/Race/PvP (winners and losers) 0 (0%)
#1 & #2 2 (20%)
#2 & #3 1 (10%)
#1 & #3 0 (0%)
I like all of the types, each in moderation. 5 (50%)
I am not interested in/abstain from DM events. 0 (0%)

[Hanah]

Hello, I voted, I'm easily pleased and generally enjoy all forms of interaction with DMs:-)

I do have one question though... I am always impressed with Nat's quests and enjoy them immensely, but by and large the people who we interact with on these quests are NPCs that we either know little about or never meet again... example of the first type would be the master bowyer in the nobleman's trial quest, of the second type would be the 'commoner male' who sometimes gives us information. Now from a DMing perspective I totally understand that this is a simple way to manage the information that PCs get and simple is almost always best (fewer things to go wrong and all). However, my question is: is there any possibility that PCs (both well-known and otherwise) could be more involved in the presentation of some of these quests?

Now I recognise there are problems with this, namely, having the PC around at the right time, interpretation of information, etc. With the exception of folks not being able to be around for their quest roles, I really think any variability and uncertainty generated by getting information through a second-hand source (another character rather than a DM avatar) can potentially add immensely to RP.

Now, that's just my opinion and I may be missing a major-ish flaw with this proposal. I'm not singling out Nat necessarily either, so please don't take it that way:-) So, what do you all think? Should some of the personalities of Fredian be exploited for quest purposes?

Hanah

[Phoenix]

I definatly like the idea of getting PCs involved with the plot. In fact I proposed good/evil events where both were acting against each other, pulling on opposite ends of the same string. So there would be one plot, 2 sides, multiple players. The actions of one team could affect the ability to complete a given task for the other. This would also put PCs more in the plot itself.

[ride]

1 & 3... as far as favorites.... you know me

but I like it all. I think this place is fun as it is, politics at times suck, but where in life is that not *always* true?

[Silentus]

Another possibility off of Hanah's idea - Perhaps one of teh NPCs in a quest or two could be existing NPCs that we all interact with in alimited fasion daily. Perhaps Shard or Wren has some direct problems to be dealt with. Obviously we could be more obscure than these 2 most prominnet NPCs, but you get the idea.

Personally, I voted for the all types in moderation, but unfortuantely I am unable to attend most events because they are held too early for me

[Preedy1978]

Hmm, I've also voted for the mix option, a good balance is always good in my view, so you can leave everything as it is!

Also, I agree with Hanah's comment about using more 'known' NPC's in some DM quests/events. (not one HINT of sarcasm there...shock horror! ;D) I feel that this would add some sort of depth to a situation rather than talking to the generic male commoner or whoever.

Oh...sorry Silentus, but what about us players across the ocean...if the playing times for events get any later, We'll all miss out.

[Silentus]

Ah forget you! What do I care about your needs!

Just kidding, yeah - I know you cant please everyone all the time. I have already resigned myself to missing 95% or more of the events. It's certainly not Nat's or any DMs fault that I cant change my schedule to meet thiers. Im sure that there are people with similar needs on the other end of the specturm too. I was just saying that IF ther was interest, and IF they were willing, that some of us might, like it

[Zhoreb]

I voted 1 & 2, not all mainly because i'm not really into pvp (yet), I do like being competetive however.
Unfortunately I am unable to attend most quests, I live in a different timezone (GMT +1).

About the idea of involving players in quests, I like that. That might just be the way to reach more players to participate in quests.

[MitzaVolchenko]

I have two thoughts on events.
First make sure that there are some events that are level restricted to LOWER levels. Oh sure it seems that the most RP goes on between the higher levels, and to a degree it does, but that is because we are theones that are always online and have made a real push to be involved. I have run LARP games for years and one of the biggest problems is getting new people involved. I specifically write many plotkits that will exclude the power players and vice versa....maybe the NPC won't talk to someone as intimidating as Frost, but sees no threat in Conie, etc.
Second, make sure that there is a DM around for final RP purposes with the NPC's...at least the ones that we don't killl... For instance, after the Farmer's dispute, my character took some actions that would have pissed off others, but those others never got the chance to see them happen because they took place in [Tell] to the DM.
For the most part, I am having a blast on this server. The DM's, yes even evil cartoonic, are responsive and most of the players are very responsible with how they manage their characters and IC/OOC information.

[addicted2rpg]

-Most of my events do not require combat. A low level can be just as successful as a high level.

-NPCs I play are not more or less intimidated depending your level. They are certaintly not more intimidated by Frost than by you.

-The Farmer's dispute went very badly for me. I would classify that, as well as the Balor's Wrath, a complete failure My mistakes are clear to me in each case.

-If you are wondering why your tell wasn't responded to, maybe you should have a look at the screen shots I posted. Sorry, but I couldn't get all of you.

[Preedy1978]

I dont think it went that badly addicted, it was just soooo many people there wanted to voice their opinion that it all got a bit out of hand. (the farmer dispute)

As for the PvP quest, heh, yeah it was a bit of a rumble more than what you had in mind i think.

I think in that regard we as players in that quest were to blame....no imagination whatsoever there....we just plowed straight into the fighting.