Motivation.
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I would like to let you know your character brought a lot to this game.
This. Come back, please =)
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@Eddie:
This has nothing to do with the original post, but since PvP was brought up…
It actually does have something to do with the Original Post because PvP can be a big motivator or a big deal breaker. I admit, if I am playing evil and I capture you, I'm going to do what is IC for my character. If he is a Loviatarran, he is going to torture you. I do understand some people like More gore, more fear, some don't. An easy Tell asking to tone it down a bit is fine and you can ask the people I have tortured that i will comply.
At the same time, it seems like some people don't react to torture or punishment at all. "It's just words on a screen", this can be a big motivator that if people don't react to my torturing, I'm gonna say screw it FD!
It's really a give or take relationship. I am giving your character something to hate mine for. In return, I am expecting you to Roleplay it as a person actually would behave. Not just shrug it off like it was nothing and still have that Hatred.
The problem alot of people have with PvP currently is alot of people are skipping to FD now and ignoring everything in between
I did notice this as well. I mean if you have been conflicting for a while but never actually PvPed and when you do, it ends in FD it's understandable.
I think the biggest issue is just the PvP without roleplay at all. 3 times on my current character have I been attacked with No roleplay whatsoever. It's just been Invis, Buff, and jump them. I can honestly say there has only been 2 instances where there was any real PvP that had any roleplay and that was with Apep and with Kellesk neither of which ended in death or even the thought of death.
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At the same time, it seems like some people don't react to torture or punishment at all. "It's just words on a screen", this can be a big motivator that if people don't react to my torturing, I'm gonna say screw it FD!
This seems to be happening too much lately with characters, you captured them or beat them and 1 minute later they will make a sending how you are nothing ectect, no fear or anything put in them at all - and I feel that kind of kills any story or roleplay you just went through.
As for the topic, I don't play nwn like most of you guys do. When I play Im in my own world, whether I get DM attention or not I just play to enjoy, take out people and do stuff whether theres a Dm or not (Until a point I've done it too much and indefinatly try and get one to get what I was looking for)
Believe it or not I try and avoid pvp as well on my current character unless forced IC. Of course many are after me and I expect FD from anyone with no story at all. An example of how I involved people was:
Look for xxx regeant/for ritual
Summon it at xxx for good peoplesThis involves both good and evil, often with no PvP at all. Those effected by it either enjoyed the event (I hope) and then had the choice to either come after me character or not - so I leave it in those players hands to choose how it effected their characters and if they would want to avoid pvp or come after me.
^–Advise if your playing an evil character. Kinda.
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@The:
@Deadlock:
If people start FDing others without [some form of story], there'll some bans, and the problem will be solved. FD kills should be the result of a long running story or conflict.
Document any examples and PM them to the DMs. This is quite easy to halt.
Question re: this. Irrelevant now, but…
Several people were working towards getting my char tried for being a Lyssan. Had they managed to have this happen, it would have meant execution. Is that sufficient reason to preemptively kill them in self protection? -
Kathrine, take a couple days off and then come back.
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If it gives you any motivation just know that your character has influence on others.
This. Honestly, there is nothing better than this. DM quests, scripted quests, great achievements that change the server. Nothing can compete with interacting with other characters and influencing them. This is what you should play for. What you should always have in mind. Everything else, even the "get things done" comes once you have realised this milestone.
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To me, if I mention your character ICly and OOCly and considering seeking it for aid/counsel then it means you are making an impact. You have become known, you have become a source of aid to be reckoned! Impacts can start small like others above me said, and grow ever so slowly.
Tie yourself to someone you know for a fact to generate plots and push things IG. Learn from them, help them complete their goals and perhaps through that you will not only learn how it is done, but you will also be able to push your own plots and see the fruitation of your own goals.
There is one last thing to remember, but its likely the most important thing. Have fun because its a game. This is the place you should come to relax, to play something completely different and to immerse yourself into another life. The minute it stops being fun, then it starts to become a chore. And chores we have enough of IRL.
On a personal note- I really think Lisa is an amazing character, with great depth and finely RPed emotions and sense of duty. And with her being in a DM Faction you were given a key role and a void in the main stage to fill.
Go to the Faction forums- skimm it with your eyes. The first unresolved matter that you see there that catches your eyes and interest you- Go for it. Simply dedicate yourself to see it resolved. Employ friendships you have earned with characters ICly to help you pursue this and see it done.
Use this experience to learn how to get things done and then employ it on your own agendas.One last thing - The DMs can help and give advices. Hop on the IRC or even send one a PM here. I am sure they will gladly help you picking up the learning curve.
Good luck!
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This. Honestly, there is nothing better than this. DM quests, scripted quests, great achievements that change the server. Nothing can compete with interacting with other characters and influencing them. This is what you should play for. What you should always have in mind. Everything else, even the "get things done" comes once you have realised this milestone.
Best way for us to hear about you is through others. You start getting your name out there we are bound to hear about your deeds or misdeeds! Interact with those around you, make them talk about what you're up to and when we're player hopping about the server we can see that there is some awesome character out there rocking the boat.
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Sorry if this is danger of going slightly off topic, but on the aforementioned dilemma of PvP I always thought FDing was cheap ~ Well, at least 95% of FDs are/were.
You can tell a much better story, keep people involved much longer and extend your own fun let alone anyone else’s if you prolong conflict. FDing someone is easy. Challenging yourself to find an alternative that still progresses the narrative is where the fun is at.
I don’t think I killed anyone with Kreswell, sometimes you take a hit because you’re leaving the door wide open for your detractors to come back at you, but honestly the back and forth, the conflict, the challenge, that’s what this game is all about.
Keeping that door open as long as possible is the name of the game, maintaining a realistic, progressive, entertaining and fresh exchange of one-upmanship as long as you can without it becoming stale. Both participants ought to know when something is in danger of becoming stale; it’s at that point that perhaps the price to play has to be upped.
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Too much is made of GOALS and PLANS honestly. If you are a results orientated person you won't do very well on CoA honestly - how many of us can sit there and go ''Yes, I have achieved my application goals'' I don’t think I’ve ever achieved any goal I have put down on an application (and I’ve sent in a lot of applications)
For me the most important thing is the character and how they are played. If you can get that right people will flock to you more so than if you have a goal to find the Golden Cup of Superlove from a lost temple in Sexytown.
I see a lot of boring / terrible characters (in my opinion, which will obviously differ from many others) involved in DM plots / get to high level / think they are the best thing since sliced bread simply through association or being in the right place at the right time It’s best not to look at other people and wonder what they are doing that you aren’t, because half the time a DM won't be helping them due to something they have come up with it will be just because they were on / are on a DM quest plot.
The number of times I got messages saying ‘’X character is plotting to kill Bhast’’ was pretty impressive. I took it with reservation because I knew in the back of my mind I didn’t really have much faith in anyone wanting to make it interesting for me as a player and simply wanting to ‘’get rid of an enemy making life hard for my PC’’. I’ve been playing CoA long enough to know that’s just BUCKS!what happensBUCKS!, regardless of how many threads and discussions pop up suggesting otherwise
You need a thick skin to play CoA
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Here is the problem about the server, If you are not really in the forums (and are a fairly active player) You have no idea what is going on in game without forum post unless you are in the right place at the right time.
You could have the most inspriing character in Coa but if you are on at the wrong times people will ingore you.
Also over time I've notice a huge level division that was not their before, On hidden accounts i basically was told I'm not allowed to even associate with certain players because of our level difference until i reach x level. and that was not just for quests.
Also their has been a huge rise in power builds lately because of some players frustrations and need to try to simple "defeat" a character of high level walking around in rare special items from the past or from dm quests.
Finally without reading posts and relying simply on in game, going to taverns or questing or exploring with people i have yet to find anything in character about in form of a plot hook or a war between The Harts and the Legion.
With the Shavdor plot hook i couldn't take three steps without it being on the news of someone lips, "Shadow magic is a crime against Mystra" "All hail Mother Lyss" "We need to explore more of the Mother warming Embrace" "What are the Candlekeepers or the COG really up to" such things like that was on the lips of everyone in game, but these days i can't find anything about it on lips expect.
"Derp need to power level to quest with or beat up the high levels Derp"
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the not allowed to assicoate with higher levels?, what the heck is that crap?. I know how you feel sometimes, but I strive to let playes in one what ever my character is doing.
I personally woulda went off on that smacktard…
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Finally without reading posts and relying simply on in game, going to taverns or questing or exploring with people i have yet to find anything in character about in form of a plot hook or a war between The Harts and the Legion.
This. No one talks about plots anymore. Its all contained within factions or certain groups. What happened to the server-wide plots that everyone talked about?
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I am one of those who actually loves Lisa and thinks she is very well played, believable and seems like a real person. I really enjoy playing with her, although our play times are a bit off and I've only seen here a dozen times or so. She seems to amass friends pretty easily. It's a pleasure to find someone who is a really well RPed character.
I'd figure out what you find fun, keep playing a well crafted character, and not worry about meeting anyone's expectations really. I'm not sure what your best times were on CoA, but think about how those came about.
Take this with a grain of salt:
_I haven't been told flat out that I couldn't play with others because of level; been on a few trips places that a 4th level player shouldn't be going. I've had a lot of fun runs with the 9+ crowd and had a few people include me at least in the periphery of things.I have got a few tells, "OK, taking a break from questing- going to RP now. I'll make a sending and we can go do X quest later?" from a few people. I really thought, ok, I know that me chatting and asking questions trying to learn what's going on isn't deep RP while we kill these things in some scripted quest; but to find out people lump part of their time as necessary gold and xp building questing time with whatever meatshield you can find and part of your time as all OOC arranged meetups with your RP friends was a little, disheartening.
From my limited experience in a faction, part of this is necessary; you can't run around giving everyone plot hooks and trying to involve every person on the server; sometimes you need people that will actually be around in 3 weeks so wasting time on every flash-in-the-pan concept character is not do-able. On the flip side, I see the same people playing with same people they like playing with almost to the point of exclusivity and few things seem to happen all that organically anymore. It sometimes feels like everything is done via PMs and on the boards and just acted out in game._
And that's why I always like Lisa- she was the same character to whoever was around her. There wasn't a lot of OOC needed to play with her and she was consistent in her actions.
((To be fair, I am one of the worst people at raising or lowering my play to match and even supercede (on the low end, I'm rarely great) the behavior of people around me; if I feel like we're just powerquesting to regain levels for some faction guy- i shut up and do my job and quickly and efficiently kill monsters with no consideration for any RP aspect of what might be going on. I sometimes just say, "meh, guess we're not talking about stuff. Ok, let's get this over with and all show off our builds that are way too OP for this quest we're on."))
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I see the same people playing with same people they like playing with almost to the point of exclusivity and few things seem to happen all that organically anymore. It sometimes feels like everything is done via PMs and on the boards and just acted out in game.
I'm glad I'm not the only person who has noticed this recently.
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@Vrugor:
I see the same people playing with same people they like playing with almost to the point of exclusivity and few things seem to happen all that organically anymore. It sometimes feels like everything is done via PMs and on the boards and just acted out in game.
I'm glad I'm not the only person who has noticed this recently.
I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing, depending on how you do it. Obviously it should be more than just everything done on the board and acting things out on game, but if there is a group of players that someone enjoys playing with, what's wrong with doing so? (As long as you're not avoiding/excluding everyone else).
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@Vrugor:
I see the same people playing with same people they like playing with almost to the point of exclusivity and few things seem to happen all that organically anymore. It sometimes feels like everything is done via PMs and on the boards and just acted out in game.
I'm glad I'm not the only person who has noticed this recently.
(In fear of adding nothing to the discussion and being useless)
+1
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Peaple give great advice on getting stuff done ingame and they are right that is how you go about doing it you can see it ingame all the time "X" is happening and the same players are there everytime not always the same characters but you get the idea and this is what they enjoy doing,Ive always considered yourself to be more focused on the RP than the plot and there is nothing wrong with that but it does mean your going to have to alter your play style abit to as you said "get things done"
You will also have to take part in PvP no exception to this if you want to do somthing somone is going to want to stop you not all pvp is combat of course but in the end you will make enemies that are after your blood.Also nothing wrong with everything happening out of game! please that probably the worest thing that can happen.
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Please note, I didn't say that certain players limiting their circle or taking care of some things out of game is 100% awful. If you're doing a lot, doing secret stuff or quite simply very busy you need minions and allies you can rely on to be there when things go down. Involving everyone is simply not possible, nor necessarily your best use of time, especially if you're in a DM faction. Sitting through 4 hours of talks with a new player to hear, "//this is my alt. I just wanted to see how they'd work,' is not exactly what people with an agenda want to hear. There are reasons some players are drawn to other players, be it style or playtimes or IC interactions.
Playing an excellent character never goes out of style.
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On the subject of PvP I used to play on EFU where FD generally meant an end for your character as you had the option to mutilate your victim's corpse (You had to have a DM present to do this however) basically making it almost impossible that they would be able to return as resurrection is very hard to come by. However, most of the PvP I know of during my time there was handled maturely on both sides and none of the players I knew that had their characters killed by another person had hard feelings about it and if they did the DMs were more than willing to address it. The point of this isn't to say that EFU's playerbase is better in anyway shape or form but I want to know why can't we approach PvP with the same mindset? Any other difference I can see between us and them is superficial when it comes to this topic in my opinion. In terms of finding motivation my advice is the same as others have previously said. If your not having fun playing your character than quit playing them or if you like the character but not sure what to do take a step back and see how you could do things differently to make it fun for you and other people.