CoA has alot of conflict that is for the sake of conflict. I have found many conflicts to be completely arbitrary and made up. I would guess that the vast majority of conflict I have witnessed was simply to make waves and attract DM attention.

I believe in IC Actions = IC Consequences. I also believe that this is occasionally used to justify what might otherwise be unjustifiable. Arabel caters to a wide variety of people, including Carebears (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Care%20Bear) and People who Pwn (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pwn) This represents two totally different playstyles, one which stresses cooperation, and the other which stresses competition, which almost always resolves itself violently on Arabel.

For the Carebear, the disadvantage is obvious. Geared and built to fight in PvE, they are easily massacred by the People Who Pwn, who train, gear, and build for PvP. This breeds resentment and anger, and often very public departures from CoA.

I reference the Battle of Crag where the Red Hart and 20+ Carebear PCs were killed by a handful of People Who Pwn (not to mention stupidly OP gear which still pisses me off more than 1 year later) I was not there, so I can only infer, but the end result was that a large chunk of players, seeing weeks and months of work destroyed, simply left the server, some banded together to form a new server.

http://doodle.com/
Briefly visiting because I wanted to share this awesome. Friend just showed me this and I think it is fantastic for scheduling events.

This is officially the apology thread….Sorry for this derailing post.

But you ARE a terrible DM, KiY, utterly terrible. You PROMISED me that Vorpal Toothpick. YOU PROMISED!

I have been badgering DMs for nigh over 4 weeks now about plot proposals and applications. They have always attempted to give me a moment of their time unless they were busy with work or play. Your point of view is incorrect. DMs do set aside time to help players develop plots and characters, for which I am truely appreciative, though I do not often have an avenue to express it.

Also, I am somewhat acquainted with the people who are setting up that other server, and I strongly believe I act in their best interests by delivering this important message.

Retainers are extensions of the noble house they represent. And that is the key term. They Represent. As retainers, they act as the eyes, ears, mouth and hands of their household, and shape public perception about that which they represent.

An attack on a retainer -is- an attack on the noble house of which livery he wears, and -should- result in a response.

For example. Imagine a man wearing the livery of Prince Richard is assaulted in a village. Prince Richard may take revenge for the offense by burning the village down.

In another example, a man wearing the livery of Prince John is robbed in a forest. Prince John immediately puts out a bounty for the arrest of the bandits to express his displeasure. The longer the bandits remain unpunished, the weaker Prince John is perceived.

That being said, what I think -ought- to happen is not necessarily what will happen in game. A popular and well known retainer will get more support and protection from the noble lord than a trouble-making retainer who has a bad reputation.

Retainers are the soldiers, scouts, spies, negotiators, explorers, advisers, heralds. They do anything and everything so that they're noble lord does not have to do it himself.

Imagine a knight who is elevated to a barony, and decides he does not want to personally oversee his estate. He appoints a steward to maintain the estate. He hires guards for his caravans. He sends a herald to represent him to the local sheriff. He tasks a man to keep watch on a nearby earl whom he does not trust. He sends out foresters to hunt deer and keep out poachers. He knights two of his friends and makes them captains of his small garrison. These are all examples of retainers.

Later on, quite satisfied with the work of some of his followers, he grants them positions within his household which gives them income and responsibility. Others he discharges when he no longer has need of them. Still more he places on permanent retainer as his "men" to call upon if he ever needs them, for which they earn a small fee.

Attacking any of his men would be seen very unkindly by this lord. He may complain to the sheriffs, ride out himself with his knights and household guards and do violence, put up bounties, or sulk. It all depends.

I left a note

WE FORGOT THE DM!!

I disagree. The AC is the most important component, because it allows Finesse fighters to actually stay on the line.

Full Int Bonus: AC
Half Int Bonus: Damage