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    Ponies

    @Ponies

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    Latest posts made by Ponies

    • RE: Retaining players/Lower Numbers

      Better and clearer documentation.

      Finding relevant information regarding server rules, setting, and mechanical changes is alot harder then it should be. This is one of the most common issues new players have voiced to me.

      Make it easier to get into the server.

      Finding quests, stores, consumables, where to sell stuff, and in generally "learning" the server is a lot harder then it should be without someone taking you in hand and guiding you through the process. Having all the merchants concentrated around a market where people can easily find them, instead of in half dozen different places would go along way towards helping as an example.

      Shift away from looking down on solo content.

      CoA is a multiplayer game, we all get that. But sometimes there are not enough people online, either allies or in general, to do stuff with. And having solo content can mean the difference between a player logging out and playing another server and/or game, or staying IG long enough for more players to log online. And if it helps them earn gold, potions or xp in the process of staving off boredom all the better.

      Grant more attention to pc plots, and focus on empowering players.

      The threshold for getting dm attention and support for personal plot lines, or for factional plot lines is at times very high. Its understandable that dms will not be as interested or inspired by all player plots, but the players involved will be. And they will do stuff to support and push it forward. A little support goes along way. Focusing too much on dm plots can lead to situations where players log IG for events but otherwise don't really do much otherwise because while the events themselves are enjoyable the plot as a whole does not grab them, save for a few players trying to use it as a way to gain faction promotion and trying desperately to get others to help them.

      On the topic of empowering players, I really think that even in a setting with powerful and established npcs players should feel like they matter. That they are a real driving force. On a basic level its hard to feel that way when most interaction with npcs IG or on the forums is them trolling, mocking, putting down, or otherwise telling you that you are not worth their attention. Its also hard to get players to take initiative if they need to constantly "phone home to mommy" to ask if something is okay before proceeding. I also think npcs are far too eager and quick to shut down player actions and plans only further highlighting that players are subordinates to npcs they server at the whims of.

      Less focus on "earning it" at the expense of fun.

      I understand the principle behind wanting players to earn the perks they obtain, but the threshold is so high that it essentially rules casual and newer players out. Also things like perma death events to accomplish major progress while enjoyable to a portion of the server are toxic to the rest, and tend to lead to lulls of varying lengths after each mass pc death event where alot of server and story momentum has been sucked out from CoA, and takes time to rebuild itself. This only adds to the threshold present in "earning" stuff.

      Is letting fun and cool stuff happen even if they have not been fully "earned" really such a bad thing if it leads to players logging in, and staying IG having fun? Essentially lowering the threshold. Also, the concept of earning something seems to be different depending what dm you talk to. For others its showing high degree of mechanical competance and surviving an event. For others its involving lots of people into a plot. And for others its playing a high energy balls to the walls concept that makes lots of enemies and stirs up conflict, at times for no other reason then the sake of conflict.

      Scale down challenge

      While not a personal issue for me, something that I hear alot in conversations with other players is that CoA is too hard, the death penalty too harsh and stuff like the xp nerf simply not fun. Balancing server so its challenging for a small handful of top players (that will thrive regardless) only serves to make things sadistically hard for others, especially players new to the server and/or the game. There is a middle ground between Hello Kitty Island Adventures, and Dark/demonsouls that should be found.

      Advertise and be active on social media.

      Be active on both GoG, and Reddit NwN forums. Post videos about CoA on youtube. Screen shots of key/cool events on twitter. GoG runs sales of nwn a couple times a year and each time new fresh players either find the game for the first time or return to it. Other servers have swelled by being able to reach these players. There is no reason coa should not be able to do the same.

      posted in General Discussion
      Ponies
      Ponies
    • RE: Two players just left.

      Because sometimes bad things happen to good adventurers (Or bad things to evil adventurers), and there is no carthasis or closure. Whats important to keep in mind is that you are supposed to be playing a character, and when disempowerment happens its not you as a player being targetted but the character you are playing. Its simply part of what CoA is and not everyone is suited for that kind of gameplay.

      posted in General Discussion
      Ponies
      Ponies
    • RE: Happy Birthday Muse

      Happy birthday!

      posted in Off Topic
      Ponies
      Ponies
    • RE: Happy birthday Mellie

      <3 Happy Birthday!

      posted in Off Topic
      Ponies
      Ponies
    • RE: Happy Birthday Olouth and SinisterPlank

      Happy birthday both of you!

      posted in Off Topic
      Ponies
      Ponies
    • RE: Breaking Curses and geas

      Jacaira learns that lesser curses can be broken by many of the priests and mages that walk the realms, but more powerful ones are harder to deal with. For many of the more powerful Geas often the only (and easiest) way to discharge them is by completing the act being compelled.

      For someone truely desperate the librarian speaks of a sacred grove deep in the underdark. He tells her that it has been spoken of by several adventuring parties over the course of the years. It is said to be blessed by Ilmatar, and capable of granting reprieve to any that successfully makes the pilgrimage and finds it.

      The librarian can offer little else, though says that the tribal people of the Aunaroch, now in controlled Shadovar territory are well versed with curses and geases and speaking with one of their elders may yield her more information.

      posted in Library Research
      Ponies
      Ponies
    • RE: Dreaming event

      The time in the first post is 4 am my time. A midnight start is the latest I can do and still be somewhat awake for the event.

      posted in General Discussion
      Ponies
      Ponies
    • RE: Unfair gold from DM Quests

      Locking this. No more ooc rants about ic stuff. On a general level i will point out though that it is perfectly fine, and fair to say that we will divide loot based on merit, risk, and contribution to the mission, instead of giving everyone a "fair" share.

      posted in Off Topic
      Ponies
      Ponies
    • The Arrival North

      **Lord Stallahast Dracohorn: [Talk] May I present Sardryn of House WIntersun. Sorgar of House Illance. Victor of House Eagleguard.

      Lord Stallahast Dracohorn: [Talk] Come north.

      Sardryn Wintersun: [Talk] My Lord of Hardcastle.

      Lord Malcolm Hardcastle: [Talk] [An unreadable expression on his face. Hardcastle watches the Purple Dragon arrival intently]

      Sorgar Illance: [Talk] Malcolm. It is been too long.

      [The Unit of Purple Dragons stand at attention]

      Lord Malcolm Hardcastle: [Talk] [A thin smile] It has. As Warden of the Northern Marches, as appointed by our King, I welcome you.

      Sardryn Wintersun: [Talk] You'll be pleased to know, My Lord. We require no special service. We are here to serve, both yourself and the Crown, and help end this unrest in the North.

      Lord Stallahast Dracohorn: [Talk] They will be billeted in the Citadel, I trust?

      Lord Malcolm Hardcastle: [Talk] [His teeth grit tight, but ignores those behind him, instead staring at Dracohorn] Yes. It will be difficult to garrison them, but I will spear not effort or expense in providing for the Kings Soldiers. [A very slight disappointed edge to his tone?]

      Lord Stallahast Dracohorn: [Talk] The King's army must be housed, my Lord. [he smiles complacently] It is good of you to make the arrangements

      Lord Stallahast Dracohorn: [Talk] [he raises his hands] MY LORDS!

      Lord Stallahast Dracohorn: [Talk] I thank you for your prompt arrival!

      Lord Stallahast Dracohorn: [Talk] Together, with Lord hardcastle, Warden of the North as appointed by the King-

      Lord Stallahast Dracohorn: [Talk] We will RID this land of its unrest, make it WORTHY of the name CORMYR! ONCE MORE!

      Lord Stallahast Dracohorn: [Talk] THE CARAVAN CITY SHALL BECOME THE JEWEL OF THE NORTH AGAIN!

      [Shout] [The army raises its weapons in unison, and breaks out into the Cormyte chant]

      Lord Malcolm Hardcastle: [Talk] [His calm mask slips for just a moment as a look of annoyance flashes over his face as he stares eyes Dracohorn, then fades as he joins the cheer] For King and Country!

      Lord Stallahast Dracohorn: [Talk] [he turns to Hardcastle and claps, smiling at him all the while] For KING and COUNTRY!

      [Cheers arise from several of the commoners]

      Lord Stallahast Dracohorn: [Talk] Move in the blades. They will occupy the buildings Lord Hardcastle has designated.

      Lord Stallahast Dracohorn: [Talk] The two of you may stay with me in Lady Winters' manse, until we take our own from the filth that spawn here.

      Lord Stallahast Dracohorn: [Talk] Then we will begin our work.

      [Though a few mumbles speak of treaty with Loross and worry what the arrival of these PD's could mean]

      Lord Stallahast Dracohorn: [Talk] [he raises his hands] Thank you all!

      Lord Stallahast Dracohorn: [Talk] My Lord of Hardcastle.

      Lord Malcolm Hardcastle: [Talk] Dracohorn, you forget yourself. As Lord Marshal, these men are mind to command. I see now where your retainers get their tenancy to usurp authority that does not belong to them. [He eyes Henri with a look of disgust]

      Lord Stallahast Dracohorn: [Talk] [he bows] Of course, my Lord.

      Lord Stallahast Dracohorn: [Talk] They are under your command. As is your right.

      Lord Stallahast Dracohorn: [Talk] Why would I deny your right as the -King-'s representative over the -King-'s army?

      Lord Stallahast Dracohorn: [Talk] [King is emphasied ever so slighty]

      Lord Malcolm Hardcastle: [Talk] [An irritated ripples washes over his face, but he nods] And -my- men, will be waiting within the Citadel to see that the Kings men are properly housed. Now. [He looks at them] Move in, and welcome to Arabel.**

      posted in Screen Shots
      Ponies
      Ponies
    • RE: White Dove [SAVN]

      They have no idea of missing followers of Ilmatar, but confirm that it is the holy symbol of Ilmater.

      posted in Library Research
      Ponies
      Ponies