EFUPW Forums

I often feel as if in EFU there is a lot of rumor and misconceptions floating around. Rumors start, get passed on, and the truth of something gets highly distorted. Consider this thread an opportunity to ask me any question you like, and if at all possible I will try to answer as candidly as I possibly can.

Rules:
Questions must relate to EFU sometimes
I won't spoil anything current, but I don't mind questions relating to past plots or events
No sycophantic questions

Consider this an opportunity for clarification.

You are known for playing the only Blackguard on EFU. This is spoken of as an insurmountably high standard, in which you fought the entire server (and escalating challenges from dungeon masters and players both) for about three months.

While I cannot see myself ever playing that kind of character effectively...

What do you think it would actually take for a player to earn that prestige class? And what kind of role would they have in the current dynamic of our server?

Hopefully I've kept it polite, ignore the question if not...

Once a major plot is decided is it ever up to the player? Ignoring slight changes they may impact on. I take the hbala versus steps situation, where ultimately 'killing' her meant 3k exp.

Was azzam really a thrall? Or was he framed?

The whole zodiac stuff for the stargazers ended up being a complete disaster with the fabled sword disappearing off screen. Did you hope/plan for something more?

The order after the first iteration were a bad joke, do you regret them coming back? Granted their literature was glorious.

Was it ever actually possible to become a ruby?

Was it ever possible to awake the Noor?

Maybe a sensitive one but will you ever allow Johannes back? I'd forgive him

old port was a great city, and I found it really upsetting/disappointing it was never explored more. I mean you really didn't get to go there much, was there a reason for this?

Do you find it amusing how often I find your treasures/plots?

Are there plans to progress the setting within the next 3-6 months?

Is it the case for major power positions you prefer npcs and dm pcs because everyone knows what they can/can't do? I've found being neither I've been boxed in and not really able to make decisions that maybe affect how the dms are planning the plot to go down so don't let me effectively make my own mistakes.

What do you resent most in terms of player performance?

QuoteYou are known for playing the only Blackguard on EFU. This is spoken of as an insurmountably high standard, in which you fought the entire server (and escalating challenges from dungeon masters and players both) for about three months.

While I cannot see myself ever playing that kind of character effectively...

What do you think it would actually take for a player to earn that prestige class? And what kind of role would they have in the current dynamic of our server?

I was not aware I was "known" for such, but... yes. Surprising first question!

I do not at all think it is any kind of insurmountable challenge.

There have been plenty of characters that could have been blackguards, but had different kinds of builds. You can look up blackguard stats yourself, it isn't that exceptional - and it was worse back when you had to get 5 ranks of hide and cleave and so on. The requirements are fairly straight forward though, and I think very much achievable by a good player regardless of DM support.

1) Have a reputation as a feared villain. - This is very much "you know it when you see it," sometimes when a true villain comes along the whole server is talking about them, they are *known*, etc.

2) Be the leader of an evil organization - that is actually active, has members, is known about, etc. Probably here is where I had an unfair advantage in that I started the concept with someone else and in turn we attracted a degree of DM attention that other players picked up on and thus wished to get involved with. It is certainly true that in EFU the best way to run an actual organization is to be online a lot and always have interesting things going on so other people want to get involved.

3) Get the support of an evil outsider. - This part does require a DM, but given the first two shouldn't be too difficult to arrange. Generally the player should pitch an idea in the app. Personally, I think it's cooler if the NPC is more manageable and not super powerful (i.e. no Blackguards of Orcus).

Rinaldo served "the Eye in the Mirror" that was a basically completely vulnerable and nearly powerless Rakshasa or Devil. If the mirror was ever destroyed (as it nearly was) he would die instantly.

For another blackguard aspirant I DM'ed for I had an embalmed embryo of a Bhaal Spawn in a bottle that would have been his patron.

There are certain texts and tomes hinting as to a variety of different kinds of minor evil outsider NPCs that could perhaps play such a role, and again an interesting and fresh idea in an app would go a long way towards having such approved.


In terms of your question regarding a Blackguard during the current dynamic of the server, I think it's more useful to forget "Blackguard" (which after all is just a PRC) and think more of "villain." And I think there are lots of possibilities. The key to playing a good villain is to be memorable, to have an interesting and concrete agenda that you can actually work on implementing every day (i.e. control a district and bring your own ruthless order to an otherwise lawless place; to exert influence over every act of killing; etc). But I think it's more important that players find characters they enjoy and want to stick with rather than aspire towards "being a big villain."
 

QuoteOnce a major plot is decided is it ever up to the player? Ignoring slight changes they may impact on. I take the hbala versus steps situation, where ultimately 'killing' her meant 3k exp.

Here is the honest truth: the story has a life of its own that is beyond the control of a DM or a player. I really think this is true. Usually we sketch out some ideas for a destination, some possibilities, etc. But very often things happen in an unexpected way and certainly there are often opportunities for players to play a big role in things along the way.

Examples:
A lot of the stuff that ended with the EFU:M end plot was not really planned or was heavily changed according to player action (such as, for example, you finding the CROWN. Which we did not really think would happen.)

The Crystal War Plot, which I am well aware ended up being a huge source of angst for the community in general, at least was an ATTEMPT to have something be fully decided by player action. In the end, OOC concerns and also perhaps the fact that both sides were so engaged for victory made things not go so great; but overall I still think the plot was cool.

Of course there are some events that realistically will go according to plan. Usually these are the culminating events. For example, when the Stewards decided to enter H'bala's tower to kill her (having failed to pick up on the various breadcrumbs and hints - which did exist - that actually it was all a giant trap) there was probably no amount of speed potions that could have reversed her victory. Likewise, the final rituals of the Transcendent Conclave/Animation of Etorix were going to happen once everything that needed to happen to set it up took place. But... with both there were opportunities to derail the event BEFORE the event. With the conclave, a certain character had the sealed heart of Null that would have prematurely sent the Conclave crashing to the earth if he opened it before presenting it to Razul - I was fully prepared to respect such a decision. Likewise, with the animation of Etorix, there were many opportunities for my not-so-subtle NPC with his very bright PURPLE jacket to be stopped.

Of course, in the end, I personally am glad that both events happened the way they did. But it better if there's some possibility for things to go in a very different way.

QuoteWas azzam really a thrall? Or was he framed?

He was a thrall but only for a short time.

QuoteThe whole zodiac stuff for the stargazers ended up being a complete disaster with the fabled sword disappearing off screen. Did you hope/plan for something more?

I can't remember the details now. But the Sword of the Zodiac played a cool role IMO for a while at least, and that is fine for me. It was a powerful weapon, and it's fun to have truly EPIC things in EFU sometimes. At this moment I don't remember what happened with it in the end, but at least it was used and had some events related to it.

QuoteThe order after the first iteration were a bad joke, do you regret them coming back? Granted their literature was glorious.

​I personally never had much to do with the Order. But I really liked the role that the Order played in the final events of EFU:M. I think the scene with all the past Order PCs rising from the Lake and marching on H'bala's tower was glorious. Then having the screenshot vision with Barakat confronting the Grand Master was really fun. Honestly, I think that whole series of events was maybe one of EFU's best.

QuoteWas it ever actually possible to become a ruby?

Yes, it wasn't even that hard. We had one kind of... the PRC was set up that you had different ranks, with starting as a spy but then (having proved yourself as a spy) advancing to being a known Ruby with various perks.

QuoteWas it ever possible to awake the Noor?

They were awoken, they marched on H'bala's tower, and they tore it asunder to reveal the horrible Doom Tree within. It was very much a Tolkienesque Ents March on Isengard moment with perhaps a less happy ending.

QuoteMaybe a sensitive one but will you ever allow Johannes back? I'd forgive him

I wish him well in his life but probably he will not come back to EFU. He certainly contributed a lot of positive things to the server and in the end I think that overshadows the damage that he did.

Quoteold port was a great city, and I found it really upsetting/disappointing it was never explored more. I mean you really didn't get to go there much, was there a reason for this?

Some things are best kept slightly mysterious/off screen. Old Port was cool but it was better slightly off screen. I enjoyed running events there and I do agree that it is a shame that the King's Oubliette was never built properly. Fully developing Old Port as a setting would have been a mistake. I liked it a lot as a romantic and mysterious place that PCs sometimes visited for some specific purpose (i.e. on a mission to speak with Ojo, or exploring the Merchant's Quarter, etc....)

QuoteDo you find it amusing how often I find your treasures/plots?

I think just twice?

QuoteAre there plans to progress the setting within the next 3-6 months?

EFU's story is continuously evolving.

QuoteIs it the case for major power positions you prefer npcs and dm pcs because everyone knows what they can/can't do? I've found being neither I've been boxed in and not really able to make decisions that maybe affect how the dms are planning the plot to go down so don't let me effectively make my own mistakes.

I'm not sure I understand this question. Obviously NPCs will usually play the role of a more powerful position. For one thing, NPCs don't have turnover every few weeks. I don't think DM PCs usually fill this role either; maybe occasionally? But it's not part of some kind of plan, it's more that we have some DMs (as you know) who aren't active with DM'ing sometimes decide to play instead - and, having been selected from among the best of players, naturally do well as PCs.

I'm not sure what decisions you're thinking of in your own case so can't comment. Usually I'd say we are happy for players to make their own mistakes...

QuoteWhat do you resent most in terms of player performance?

Sometimes I wish players were more well adjusted and happier on an OOC level. I understand EFU can be frustrating but let's not forget that it's all just meaningless 1s and 0s. Being pleasant to deal with really goes a long way!

What's the best advice you can give to someone who is new and wants to contribute to the server in some meaningful/entertaining way?

What would a crystal adherent victory have looked like?

What would a Ascension and Ibrandul Victory have looked like?

What was the Ordered Mind?

What happened to Brother Wiloud?

Where is the Man in the Mask?

Where is the Black King Barakat?

What happened to Grimfael Corval that led to his death?

What was the mist?

Where did Trenada die?

Will the tomb of Arhenius Aberdenn ever make a reappearance?

Why did Torizeala (sp?) turn against Hagrimm the Artist?  What precisely was Hagrimm's Art?

Can you name all the famous Ymphian Netherese archmages and their crimes?

Why was Prassix incarcerated?

What events led to the Nightrisen?

Why did the Warden team up with Porenius?

How many PC Nightrisers were there?

Will the Steward's faction ever be shelved in favor of a new take on "nature"?

What was the Forgotten Circle's Heart of Life?

What are some faction ideas you've always wanted to implement?

Favorite and least favorite factions?

Was there ever a time you considered ending EFU?

QuoteWhat would a crystal adherent victory have looked like?

The Spellguard would have been forced to retreat into the Machine. Sanctuary would have become an rigidly intolerant state oriented towards feeding the Crystal and destroying Aberrations, protected by enormous Crystalline Golems and other such creatures.

QuoteWhat would a Ascension and Ibrandul Victory have looked like?

Had the Ascension been victorious, I planned some kind of mass pilgrimage event in which PCs would have been guided by an enormous golden hand of Finder to follow the actual path used by Frederick Bresley, leading ultimately to Ymph and his tomb, there to recover his bones. I can't remember exactly what was planned with Ibrandul, I think there was discussion of some kind of redesign of the UD to make it so the tunnels approaching towards Sanctuary were to become a kind of complex labyrinth.

It's worth noting that often our ideas are beyond the grasp of implementation though! "Dark Oozey Venice Lower" had some other things connected which perhaps haven't fully come into fruition.

QuoteWhat was the Ordered Mind?

I suppose a dogma or philosophy of training the mind to be well ordered, stable, and impervious to aberrant or psionic influence. Something like this.

QuoteWhat happened to Brother Wiloud?

I can't remember at this moment.

QuoteWhere is the Man in the Mask?

Good question.

QuoteWhere is the Black King Barakat?

Good question.

QuoteWhat happened to Grimfael Corval that led to his death?

I can't remember.

QuoteWhat was the mist?

The Mist is the Mist is the Mist. But I think Owain's speech was fairly useful in understanding it.
[hide="His speech... REVELATIONS"][Enter King Owain I, in a state of undress, wearing only the great Crown and holding a medium sized carrying sack, delivering

a speech from the balcony of the Last Keep...]


My dear people, my dear friends, my dear villagers of Mistlocke....

Here we are, then, on Hammer 23rd. Here we are on that fateful day.... in which the great horror of the Lichess, H'bala the

Maiden, was released some years past... and has long been prophesied to once more exit her Tower and attack the last bastion

of the living upon Ymph....

... and today, it seems, is the day that I shall address you all, in order to discuss how I shall at last defeat the greatest

villain of the Shrouded Isles and perhaps even the world.

... you should know that I never asked to be given this Crown, nor have I ever truly coveted the strange powers it grants.

Just as with Frederick Bresley before me, it is the by the virtue of modesty and spirit of brotherhood by which the mind will

not break under the great strain of the Crown of the Isles..... and if I possess any virtue, it is one of humility, and it is

this characteristic that has thankfully allowed my own sanity to remain so well preserved under the great burden of this

Crown's many insights.

[The King takes a moment put away the sack and to lovingly caress the severed, bloody head of dear Uncle Gadyw Aberdenn and

kiss it gently on the cheek....]

... I have further benefited from the loving council of dear Uncle Gadyw, and although my councilors have repeatedly advised

me to keep his learned presence upon my Court a secret from my people, as you all know I am a youth of tender age and

consequently benefit greatly from the wisdom of my Uncle's many years of experience. Despite his checkered past, I am sure you

shall all forgive us this... this one indulgence.

But let us instead turn to the question of Ymph's many and great villains....

For the story of our age, I fear, is one of scrabbling under the shadow of those Great figures who came before us so long ago,

when this Island was but one far-flung outpost of that great Empire of Mankind, the Netherese.

For we simple folk of the present age are being ensnared within their plots and schemes, the webbing of their long and bitter

rivalries entangling us all.

"Tezzeret the Prophet" who we knew as Razul. "Hagrimm the Artist" who we knew as the Grandmaster of the Numinous Order.

Lotheri Sanq, the Imperator-Warden. Barakat Djaeranus the Darkener. And of course Shylae who we know as the dread H'bala, her

armies even now preparing for the march upon Mistlocke... and there are many others.

If these names are not familiar to you, they should be, for they are the names of some of those old figures whose grasping

ambition and labyrinthine schemes in their totality have brought us perilously close to the End.

... yet I have promised, as your King, to at last defeat the great villain of Ymph.


This great villain has long haunted our village, long caused countless woe among our people. The motivation of this villain

has not been understood by its victims. Its motivations is not even fully understood even by the surviving two of four great

wyrm-philosophers that have studied it for time immemorial.

This villain feeds upon our petty dramas and pains and passions and loves and joys; it suckles upon the misery of my people

even as it has warded us from evil.

Yes, certainly, I speak of course of the Mist, that great primordial thing that has dwelled upon Ymph since the earliest age.

And I declare to you now that it is this Mist whose tendrils snake through our hearts and mind and inspire us to works of

great good and evil.... all in the pursuit of its insatiable, mystic hunger... for it has feasted upon the drama of the

villain and hero alike, indifferent whether pain or joy!

No longer should you look to the Mist to preserve you even as it inspires those very villains that threaten you with ever

greater acts of depravity!

Arhennius Aberdenn.... Sagely Founder of Mistlocke, Sire of the Caermyn and Aberdenn lines both.... whose horrific dreams of

the End were so puissant as to give birth to the Curse of Old Stones, wished the Last Keep to be a Refuge for the True End. So

it must be.

But for you others, you heroes of the Isles... I declare the End of the Mist in the Shrouded Isles. No longer shall you be

locked in the Mist, toys of an elder thing.

I shall accomplish what none before me has done, and bend it to my will.

As for H'bala, I must warn you that she is on the cusp of her last and greatest strike... there is only one method by which

you shall defeat that which comes. To unlock what you will need, you shall find the last and necessary key-stones in the

precise place as the final destination of all former Champions of the Mist...

I wish you the best of luck in dealing with the Lichess and the others evils of these once-shrouded isles.

Until we meet again.

[waves hands feebly, and the Last Keep is abruptly obscured with thick mist; before disappearing altogether][/hide]

QuoteWhere did Trenada die?

Did he? Interesting.

QuoteWill the tomb of Arhenius Aberdenn ever make a reappearance?

Who knows...

QuoteWhy did Torizeala (sp?) turn against Hagrimm the Artist? What precisely was Hagrimm's Art?

No comment here.

QuoteCan you name all the famous Ymphian Netherese archmages and their crimes?

Not off the top of my head. In some cases the crimes were just being on the wrong end of some dispute with the authorities of Netheril and thus being sent into exile. Generally experimentation in the wrong direction. Perhaps this isn't fully canonical but I guess the EFU version of Netheril was mostly fairly conservative about magical experimentation.

QuoteWhy was Prassix incarcerated?

Interesting question.

QuoteWhat events led to the Nightrisen?

I think this was fairly well revealed in EFU:M/A. Porenius experimentations & Netherese Soldiers/Guards signing on for eternal service.

QuoteWhy did the Warden team up with Porenius?

Interesting question.

QuoteHow many PC Nightrisers were there?

I can't seem to look it up on EFUSL but I suppose more than 12 or so.

QuoteWill the Steward's faction ever be shelved in favor of a new take on "nature"?

Interesting question.

QuoteWhat was the Forgotten Circle's Heart of Life?

I can't remember exactly off the top of my head. It was something. Other DMs dealt more with the Forgotten Circle although I thought it was quite cool.

QuoteWhat are some faction ideas you've always wanted to implement?

There are a lot... but for example, I was tempted to give Arthur Vlach a little PC faction group ("Wearers of Purple"). But then I realized I didn't have the time or inclination to try to make his plot efforts something too diluted by PC allies. For one thing, such groups always have the problem of players quitting their characters, dying prematurely, or getting impatient with the pace of progress. There have also been quite some factions that I wanted to make cool but kind of fell flat for whatever reason - mostly my own tendency to get distracted and not be fully invested with EFU all the time. I've never felt that we've done crime very well with factions in EFU; which has been something of a regret.

QuoteFavorite and least favorite factions?

I have a weakness for nostalgia and reminiescence so I have a fondness for the original four of Tigereyes, Seekers, Spellguard, and Sanctuary Watch. Developing these little groups (with the rest of the original team), having a kind of story and plot related to each of theme, a clear agenda... it was just very nice and I have fond memories of it. Particularly I think setting the original Watch up as being this corrupt organization led by this grotesque and petty burucreat who was secretly involved in a slaving ring with the idea that players would soon figure it out and take the relatively simple steps to reveal his corruption and incompetence. It ended up taking a lot longer than any of us thought, but it was still cool.

I also like some of the temporary factions that get involved in pushing a specific plot. The Followers of Sanq, for example.

No least favorite factions come to mind immediately.

QuoteWas there ever a time you considered ending EFU?

Yes, for example there was a time where it was thought that EFU:M would be the last chapter. I'm glad that didn't happen, I think in the long run EFU is worth it.

Rabbanatha the Pure,
Glaurophynaxia the Fierce,
Abanaxra the Sleeper,
and ????

Whats your Favorite color scheme/uniformed faction?

What was your favorite quest to spice?

Do you think spice or full blown events are more rewarding for the DM/PCs

What's your favorite evil humanoid (Goblin, Gnoll, Orog etc)

Whats your favorite mercenary group?

What are, in your opinion, the essential elements for telling a good story in a setting like EfU?

Are there any plans to add more huge puzzles like Entsenhung (sp?) to the server?

What direction would the server have gone in if the Seven Steps of Sanq were not completed?

What motivated you to devote so much time and effort to EfU?

Will the Mist play any sort of role in future plots? H'bala? Ymph?

If EfU could be transferred over to a newer, shinier platform, would you consider it?

The illusionary areas in the Machine are a refreshing change to the otherwise dreary UD tilesets. Are there any plans to expand those areas further?

Is Tau immortal?

I vaguely recall hearing about one of the DMs in EfU1 creating a massive permadeath dungeon for players to tackle. I forgot the name of the DM responsible, but are there any plans to bring something like that back to the server?

Years since I've been able to last play on EFU, though I creep on the forums from time to time. My curiosity must be sated so here goes:



How often do you respond to player speculation behind the scenes? Is stuff laid out in stone, or do you go "Hm. People think the Head Librarian is a secret Cyricist... better make it Ma Murik to blow their minds!"

What was the Burning Keep behind Mistlocke?

What was in the locked book in Hercule's curio shop? The area was one of my all-time favorites, and playing on EFU for the first time it really created the sense of there being a puzzle to solve.

If the Steps of Sanq were averted, what would have happened? Would Mistlocke just have gone on fighting H'bala and the Count until the Darkening was completed?

Who was Muskroot, exactly? And where did he go? No word of him since the Agony attacked...

Is Tinker Tom alive?

What was the deal with Gross? Was he a demon worshiping Cannibal? Just a greasy, creepy chef?

I understand the Sojourners were introduced kind of prematurely during a lull of server activity. What was that faction meant to look like?

QuoteWhat's the best advice you can give to someone who is new and wants to contribute to the server in some meaningful/entertaining way?

Find something you truly enjoy and are comfortable with in some particular kind of niche with strong characterization, and inhabit the character for a longer period of time. Become "known" for whatever it is that your character is even if that role is relatively small. This thread (http://www.efupw.com/forums/forum/information/information-for-new-players/64119-advice-thread) has some old advice that might be useful.

QuoteRabbanatha the Pure,
Glaurophynaxia the Fierce,
Abanaxra the Sleeper,
and ????

That's all, really. I think at some point there was a fourth that had died and was going to be used by H'bala as a headless steed, but - as it didn't really happen too much - I can't be bothered to try to find the name, if it even had one.

QuoteWhats your Favorite color scheme/uniformed faction?

I like the Spellguard color scheme. I also liked the Tigereyes and Stygians a lot. I personally prefer bold, distinctive looks.

QuoteWhat was your favorite quest to spice?

Hard to say.

QuoteDo you think spice or full blown events are more rewarding for the DM/PCs

​The biggest advantage of spice is that it takes less time - you have a group ready to go, there isn't waiting around for an hour to set things up and then watch as the party slowly gathers, etc. The disadvantage is that it probably isn't very story-related and is more of a mechanical challenge. Sometimes I get annoyed at watching players just steamroll through a quest with zero RP and perfect optimization, but personally I try to just avoid such groups. In the past sometimes I enjoyed going mega hardcore doom spice on players - but usually it was for players who I'd consider myself pretty friendly with and who I know would enjoy and could handle it.

Genuine dm quests or events are of course more satisfying but just require a LOT more time and effort.

QuoteWhat's your favorite evil humanoid (Goblin, Gnoll, Orog etc)

Difficult question. Probably kobolds...I think it's fun to play kobolds, for example.

QuoteWhats your favorite mercenary group?

The classics - the Tigereyes (a.k.a. the Broken Shields). The Stygian Armada.

I also quite liked the Ill Fellows in EFU:M - this group of sickly, withered, broken, poor mercenaries who briefly arrived in Mistlocke.

 

QuoteWhat are, in your opinion, the essential elements for telling a good story in a setting like EfU?

Drama, tension, surprise. Some kind of conflict that is meaningful. Difficult decisions. Engaged players and DMs. That moment when you go, "this is badass."

QuoteAre there any plans to add more huge puzzles like Entsenhung (sp?) to the server?

Yes.

QuoteWhat direction would the server have gone in if the Seven Steps of Sanq were not completed?

Difficult to say.

QuoteWhat motivated you to devote so much time and effort to EfU?

I liked roleplaying and wanted to play on a server that better suited how I thought things should work. I tried building and, although I was terrible, found it fun. Then suddenly other people wanted to help and other people seemed to enjoy what we made. Then it took a life of its own. I somewhat regret the amount of time I used to spend on EFU, but in the long run things seem to have worked out fairly well.

QuoteWill the Mist play any sort of role in future plots? H'bala? Ymph?

Interesting questions. What do you think?

QuoteIf EfU could be transferred over to a newer, shinier platform, would you consider it?

Yes. If it was truly better for what we like to do.

QuoteThe illusionary areas in the Machine are a refreshing change to the otherwise dreary UD tilesets. Are there any plans to expand those areas further?

Yes.

QuoteIs Tau immortal?

No. But he is badass.

QuoteI vaguely recall hearing about one of the DMs in EfU1 creating a massive permadeath dungeon for players to tackle. I forgot the name of the DM responsible, but are there any plans to bring something like that back to the server?

This was Song of Orpheus who attempted to re-create the classic D&D module Tomb of Doom. Not that long ago I was looking at it and to be honest I think according to current standards of EFU it would not make the same kind of impression as it did at the time - it wasn't really "massive" or even that elaborate according to standards of more recent major EFU DM quests or even some EFU scripted quests. It is true that it was never completed by players though, the final treasure room had some neat and truly powerful treasure that no one ever found. Maybe for fun I'll re-implement it some day and see how players handle it - if I can remember how it's supposed to work. I actually personally lost two characters to it and have fond memories of watching wcsherry's fat Cyricist and wiggyboy's Ordinant having an epic death fight at the end as the only two survivors.

Anyway.

Personally I do love the idea of mega massive dungeons of dooms and I think other DMs do also. I've had and have ideas for such things; but again it is a question of when it will happen. But certainly some day.

QuoteHow often do you respond to player speculation behind the scenes? Is stuff laid out in stone, or do you go "Hm. People think the Head Librarian is a secret Cyricist... better make it Ma Murik to blow their minds!"

Not often. Sometimes we get amused by player speculation when it is either accurate or totally wrong. I can't remember any time that we changed something behind the scenes because of player speculation.

QuoteWhat was the Burning Keep behind Mistlocke?

An enduring mystery, admittedly not fully addressed to anyone's satisfaction.

QuoteWhat was in the locked book in Hercule's curio shop? The area was one of my all-time favorites, and playing on EFU for the first time it really created the sense of there being a puzzle to solve.

Well, think of who Hercule really was and what his real agenda was. Everything flows from that.

QuoteIf the Steps of Sanq were averted, what would have happened? Would Mistlocke just have gone on fighting H'bala and the Count until the Darkening was completed?

I don't know exactly, the story would have gone in the direction that it would have gone.

QuoteWho was Muskroot, exactly? And where did he go? No word of him since the Agony attacked...

Interesting question! Of course, shortly before the fall of Mistlocke, there was the proclamation from Old Port declaring...

Quote- That this masked, secretive and hunched figure known publicly and ridiculously as "Old Muskroot" is believed to be an exiled criminal, diabolist, and molester of children who fled the justice of Old Port for Mistlocke many years past

[/I][/COLOR]

Maybe this is true? Or perhaps....not.

Whoever Muskroot was (is?), it was certainly someone. Of course, many died in the assault on Mistlocke, perhaps he shared such a fate. Or perhaps not.

QuoteIs Tinker Tom alive?

Tinker Tom, that ever cheerful thrall of Ysinode sent to keep an eye on certain events on the surface, has been rewarded for his service and rendered into a nutritious paste to be consumed by a fresh crop of new, shinier thralls. Didn't you notice how careful he was to never remove his hat?

QuoteWhat was the deal with Gross? Was he a demon worshiping Cannibal? Just a greasy, creepy chef?

Closer to the second. Sometimes a man is just a man.

QuoteI understand the Sojourners were introduced kind of prematurely during a lull of server activity. What was that faction meant to look like?

I think I'll avoid commenting here except to say that I would not mind if the faction was just quietly forgotten at this point.
 

Who holds the record for most withered pcs played in EFU:R?

Did anyone ever play a fully withered PC in EFU:M?

Are there plans for any future custom PRCs?

Who is your favorite npc villain in all chapters and overall?

Who's your favorite PC villain in all chapters and by each chapter?

Will Samson ever make a reappearance?

Who was Hercule?

If Temrariel, Etorix-Once-More, and the Appetite got into a three way brawl who would come out on top?

Do DMs ever hold battle tournaments between NPCs?

QuoteWho holds the record for most withered pcs played in EFU:R?

I don't know and don't see the point of trying to find out.

QuoteDid anyone ever play a fully withered PC in EFU:M?

Yes, once fully withered the PC would become undead and then players could app to keep playing it. There were a few... mostly towards the end.

QuoteAre there plans for any future custom PRCs?

Yes.

QuoteWho is your favorite npc villain in all chapters and overall?

The answer would surprise you.

QuoteWho's your favorite PC villain in all chapters and by each chapter?

I don't know.

QuoteWill Samson ever make a reappearance?

I hope so, I like him.

QuoteWho was Hercule?

​He was a were-rat agent of the Shrieking Cabal, a band of anarchist were-rats living in the sewers of Old Port devoted to the overthrow of the Count. He was also known as Mr. Jackets during EFU:A when he was responsible for various acts of skullduggery - such as, for example, hiring PCs to steal all the books from the Archaeological Society library. And bombings.

QuoteIf Temrariel, Etorix-Once-More, and the Appetite got into a three way brawl who would come out on top?

Very interesting question.

QuoteDo DMs ever hold battle tournaments between NPCs?

Definitely.

What's the hardest, least ridiculous app to have approved? Conversely, what's the easiest?

So...was the Three and One a real thing, or just a heresy?

Nobody seems to be asking the real questions.

Did you ever romance a female player out of game and abuse your 'prestigious' DM status to lay out the moves?

What was the hottest cybor you ever witnessed as a DM?

Do you ever feel sadness inside having to ban those cyborers knowing that deep down they likely feel very lonely and misunderstood?

COME ON people, step your game up. Enough of that story-cheesy-smeezy. Ask the controversial shit.

Mort, will you ever return to DMing? :(

Controversial stuff huh? Great way for targets being painted on players backs. Nice knowing you folks.

Have you ever, and what's your opinion of...

Having NPCs attack/notice invisible players when the NPCs themselves do not have See Invis / True Seeing / Blindsight? (i.e DM Sight Metagaming, accidental or deliberate)

Teleported NPCs in an area when Ward Area has been cast by a player?

Set up traps that are undetectable & undisarmable?

Approved PvP in a public "safe" area without confirming the intended target is not AFK?

Manually control NPCs to go around a 'frontline' of players to pick off fragile supporting roles in the back of the group?

Used shadowdancer NPCs to Hide in Plain Sight in a repetitive manner against PCs? Gone right into stealth again when hit by Sparks of Revelation?

-----

Script Curiosity Questions-

Are DMs able to see tells between players on this server?

Can DMs check stat buffs through 'Examine' or do they need to look at the character sheet?

What kind of portalling scripts do you use for the unique DM transitions, are they paired portals using the same tag and script to exclude themselves as the destination, or are they a bit different than that?

Are there any types of scripts that you wouldn't allow to be implemented into a submitted area due to possible server lag?

I heard there was a chess game, is this true? If not, or if its not well done, do you want my copy? :)

Would the above ever be put into a public area?

Thanks for your time.

I'll be a bit rude and answer these technical questions above without waiting for Howland.

QuoteAre DMs able to see tells between players on this server?

Pretty much all actions and events, that includes chat, whispers, shouts and tells, are handled by the server and logged into our server files, so we are definitely able to go through them when needed. We often do if some issues arise or we need to investigate arguments or potential wrong-doings.

QuoteCan DMs check stat buffs through 'Examine' or do they need to look at the character sheet?

DM's can still see stat buffs and all such through Examine like in normal gameplay you are able to. On many RP servers, like ours, it's simply disabled for players. Like in our server party system has been disabled, we are fairly big fans of removing some mechanics to leave more room for imagination, and visible queues like effects or just mundane roleplaying.

QuoteWhat kind of portalling scripts do you use for the unique DM transitions, are they paired portals using the same tag and script to exclude themselves as the destination, or are they a bit different than that?

If I understood correctly, they are just general transition placeables and work as such. Basic nwn feature. You give appropriate tags for two corresponding transitions of A and B.

QuoteAre there any types of scripts that you wouldn't allow to be implemented into a submitted area due to possible server lag?

There are plenty that could be unnecessary, but it depends. Really hard to start listing up scripts or types. A lot of timer or heartbeat related scripts would be taxing for the engine. If actual area was submitted to us, we rarely simply add them as is. Actual area itself, possibly, with some tinkering to adjust it for what it is used for, but script-wise, it would be checked and adjusted to work with our systems. In all honesty, I doubt any readily scripted things would get added without being checked and understood fully.

QuoteI heard there was a chess game, is this true? If not, or if its not well done, do you want my copy? :)

Would the above ever be put into a public area?

Yes, there was and probably still is. Much appreciated but if such was needed we could definitely be able to put it out. I am not sure we'll add actual chess into public areas as such. Though it is always fun tool with some spice and fantasy added to it.

However, and while it may be disagreed on, I don't quite view our game as a sudo-real life social game where you would want to spend time playing chess in game. There's plenty of good options for that online, if you felt like a good game of chess with any of our community members.

Thanks for the input, appreciated.

QuoteWhat's the hardest, least ridiculous app to have approved? Conversely, what's the easiest?

It's really just about whether it's the right concept with the right player. I suppose some of the PRCs and sub races are hard to get approved - the more powerful ones. I suppose something that requires a high degree of trust. I'm not sure exactly, I guess.

QuoteSo...was the Three and One a real thing, or just a heresy?

Who knows? ~Revelations~

QuoteDid you ever romance a female player out of game and abuse your 'prestigious' DM status to lay out the moves?

No but I would not hesitate to do so given the right circumstances. I will be utterly amazed if there is a single moment of my life in in which saying "Yeah I founded EFU" will get me ANYTHING in the real world. I am fairly sure this strange pastime will be a secret brought to my grave.

QuoteWhat was the hottest cybor you ever witnessed as a DM?

​To be perfectly honest I have witnessed almost none. I think people into that realize there are other places for it.

QuoteDo you ever feel sadness inside having to ban those cyborers knowing that deep down they likely feel very lonely and misunderstood?

I can only remember banning one person for it and mostly I was just amused at the circumstances.


​HEY Paha, get your own AMA thread!  

QuoteHaving NPCs attack/notice invisible players when the NPCs themselves do not have See Invis / True Seeing / Blindsight? (i.e DM Sight Metagaming, accidental or deliberate)

When a DM possesses a NPC they only have access to what their detect scores and whether or not they have see invisible. They would need to cast or drink a potion to get see invisible. They can chase after invisible PCs only in the same way that normal PCs can - if they're close enough. So I'm not sure this is an issue.

QuoteTeleported NPCs in an area when Ward Area has been cast by a player?

Has this ever happened? Bear in mind that the way NPCs teleport are presumably different than the standard teleport spell - i.e. Strangelings are fairly obviously using something quite different to hop around.

QuoteSet up traps that are undetectable & undisarmable?

This can only be set up by DMs in the toolset and there is absolutely nothing wrong with setting up traps to be undisarmable - presumably sometimes it is a feature of the building or whatever and can just be removed with a bit of wire. I think undetectable traps are quite rare in EFU, and generally would have some reason for it.

QuoteApproved PvP in a public "safe" area without confirming the intended target is not AFK?

Err, I don't think it's a DM's responsibility to ensure that everyone is not AFK. Anyway, you shouldn't go AFK if you're not prepared to accept the risk that something might happen.

QuoteManually control NPCs to go around a 'frontline' of players to pick off fragile supporting roles in the back of the group?

This seems completely fine to me.

QuoteUsed shadowdancer NPCs to Hide in Plain Sight in a repetitive manner against PCs? Gone right into stealth again when hit by Sparks of Revelation?

Completely fine. Completely fine.

-----

Script Curiosity Questions-

QuoteAre DMs able to see tells between players on this server?

Sure we can pull up the logs if we need to.

QuoteCan DMs check stat buffs through 'Examine' or do they need to look at the character sheet?

Examine works.

QuoteWhat kind of portalling scripts do you use for the unique DM transitions, are they paired portals using the same tag and script to exclude themselves as the destination, or are they a bit different than that?

Paha is not correct, there's EFU specific script here that handles this. You make a portal, you use a dm tool to set a wp for the destination, you use the tool on the portal to set a local variable on the placeable that determines where it points to.

QuoteAre there any types of scripts that you wouldn't allow to be implemented into a submitted area due to possible server lag?

Yes lots.

QuoteI heard there was a chess game, is this true? If not, or if its not well done, do you want my copy? :)

I'm not sure chess would actually be fun to play in NWN. How does your work?

QuoteWould the above ever be put into a public area?

Depends if it was actually fun and plausible somehow.

 [/FONT]
   
 

Is it true, that once a clark kentesque history teacher, upon winning the local state lottery, you transformed into the worlds most interesting man, and  embarked upon a world journey, soaking in all the atmosphere the world and freedom to travel gave you, and the image of you,the one in my head at least,.. in a tavern in Prague, siting at a laptop drinking a fine wine, watching efu is a true and accurate one? Inquiring minds want to know.

No. And see rule 3!

Which chapter has been your favorite plotwise?  Why?

Which has been your favorite to build? Why?

What are the best/most fun playermade factions you remember (pls add a efu:r one too)?

Having played the beta and such in the way back before time as a few of us vets around here, from the DM end how quickly into EFU:1's development did it become apparent that something above and beyond was underway? EFU clearly trapped some lightning in a bottle as one of the more popular NWN servers. In EFU:A things were already well established so didn't get to see much of the first stage of all the crazy.

If you could kill one FR deity from the still living list, which would you choose?
 

Did the DMS draw inspiraitons from other fanasy novels?

For me the Conclave/consort thing was a rip off of the Aes Sedai/Warder bonds in Wheel of Time. Also the Order seemed to be too much like the knights Watch!


Is it true that there was a communist conspiracy amongst the DM team to make the server into a communist utopia including absurd measures to redistribute gold, XP, and DM loot?

Was it possible to prevent H'bala from being released?

Was there any PC that was capable of beating Trenada in a duel?

If the Tigereye mercenary company and the Stygian Armada where to go to war Who would have won?

Was Ixpadia Sabuth the legitimate queen?

Will Ithilkrazt/the cult of the false flame come back?

Which gangster faction was your favorite? (Gang factions being Dabber derbies, Ledskirs, Dirty Nancies, Sons of Sabuth, Red Smiles,)

What the hell happened to Mr poppers?  

Where is Cudwig the younger?

Why was Ivylsar killed by Chosen?

Was Bhast a Chosen Agent or just a random dude infected with lycanthropy? What was Bhast's agenda.

Whatever happened to Lieutenant Kozamis the LT who was the mastermind of the Sheriff Walters slaver ring?

Who would win in a mage duel Barakat or H'bala?

Who's idea was it to have goblin suicide bombers?

 

QuoteWhich chapter has been your favorite plotwise? Why?

I think the ending of EFU:M was really fun in terms of plots. It was quite intense but it felt very exciting with lots of different things going on.

QuoteWhich has been your favorite to build? Why?

EFU:R has been the most fun for building. We have some haks. A lot of our systems work well so there is less stress about things like bugs related to the quest system, death system, and so on. In general I think EFU:R is the most well "built" chapter by a large margin.

QuoteWhat are the best/most fun playermade factions you remember (pls add a efu:r one too)?

EFU1 had a lot - Uncle Worn's gang, some of the Lower Groups, the Montezzi... many others

EFU:A Aubrey Craddock's Gang - Albert Gull's The Black Hundred - the Laddermen - etc.

The crazy humanists in EFU:M - many others I'm forgetting....

I'm having trouble thinking of good EFU:R candidates.I liked some of the groups based out of lairs, like the wild orc group and some of the necro groups. The Resolute Brethren were cool. WAYFINDERS of course, ha ha.

QuoteHaving played the beta and such in the way back before time as a few of us vets around here, from the DM end how quickly into EFU:1's development did it become apparent that something above and beyond was underway?

I remember the first real event where a LOT of people showed up to make characters and escape from lizardfolk-enforced slavery. And afterwards the first real team dm'ing, with people running all over Upper and Lower and exploring a world I had built, being able to possess random NPCs and interact with people. And also watching my fellow DMs enjoy it also. It was definitely very appealing.

QuoteIf you could kill one FR deity from the still living list, which would you choose?

It's not that I hate the FR gods so much but rather I prefer EFU's metaphysics and cosmology to function in a different manner. Mostly I think god-deaths are most useful when it's part of something else, and that just requires - time.

QuoteDid the DMS draw inspiraitons from other fanasy novels?

For me the Conclave/consort thing was a rip off of the Aes Sedai/Warder bonds in Wheel of Time. Also the Order seemed to be too much like the knights Watch!

Oh yes, we draw inspiration from lots of sources. Although I don't think Wheel of Time is quite accurate for the Conclave. I think the trope of the Wizard/Paired Fighter is fairly universal in fantasy.

​And I'd say the Order came from other sources also, although I'm not sure which ones specifically.

QuoteIs it true that there was a communist conspiracy amongst the DM team to make the server into a communist utopia including absurd measures to redistribute gold, XP, and DM loot?

No.

QuoteWas it possible to prevent H'bala from being released?

Yes, but realistically it probably would have happened eventually. Maybe she isn't released in the first attempt but the second, third... the story has a life of its own and H'bala eventually getting out is not something that could have been delayed forever.

QuoteWas there any PC that was capable of beating Trenada in a duel?

Capable? Sure. An unlucky roll on a mind save, for example, maybe...

Probably you mean if any PC could have physically bested Trenada with sword/weapon. I'm not sure about that but it's possible.

QuoteIf the Tigereye mercenary company and the Stygian Armada where to go to war Who would have won?

Good question. Let's see.

"The Captain" and Trenada himself were probably similarly matched in terms of martial prowess but I'd give the edge to Trenada for having more élan.
The Stygian Armada was, I suppose, more numerous.
The Stygian Armada certainly would have the edge in any kind of naval engagement; but the Tigereyes knew the UD well and operated much better in caves/darkness.
Tigereye Duergar vs. Stygian Infantrymen, too close to say.
The Stygians had an ace up in their sleeve with Shaar'kall.
The Tigereyes had an ace up in their sleeve with a very sneaky Rakshasa-blood Tiefling Wizard.
But in the end I think Samson would have taken a few contemplative puffs of his pipe, persuaded both sides that there was no profit in fighting, smooth things over, and instead they would have a giant party. The Captain would beat Trenada in a drinking contest but Trenada would clean up at the gaming tables.

QuoteWas Ixpadia Sabuth the legitimate queen?

Depends who you ask.

QuoteWill Ithilkrazt/the cult of the false flame come back?

Interesting question.

QuoteWhich gangster faction was your favorite? (Gang factions being Dabber derbies, Ledskirs, Dirty Nancies, Sons of Sabuth, Red Smiles,)

Hard to say. I liked the Ledskirs.

QuoteWhat the hell happened to Mr poppers?

He got killed by the up-and-coming young generation. If you know what I mean.

QuoteWhere is Cudwig the younger?

Good question!

QuoteWhy was Ivylsar killed by Chosen?

Was he?

QuoteWas Bhast a Chosen Agent or just a random dude infected with lycanthropy? What was Bhast's agenda.

Bhast was an aspiring tyrant. But he crossed the wrong people. He was assassinated by PCs and hadn't been infected by lycanthropy for long when he was. Layers upon layers.

QuoteWhatever happened to Lieutenant Kozamis the LT who was the mastermind of the Sheriff Walters slaver ring?

Perhaps he retired to a pleasant little island in the Dark Lake to tend to a garden and play with his grandchildren until he had a heart-attack. Sometimes bad guys have happy endings.

QuoteWho would win in a mage duel Barakat or H'bala?

​I think it would depend on what stage of their development and what other advantages they had. Think of it like this - neither could really destroy the other just from spells alone. They could toss magic all day long but it would just bounce off. A lot would depend upon what servitors or allies they had at hand, which artifacts they had immediate access to, in which territory they were fighting, and so on. At that level of power contests between foes operate on a different level; it's more like a game of chess.

In a sense they did have a mage duel. And, well, we can look what happened and who came out on top and who is currently seething inside of a mushroom.

QuoteWho's idea was it to have goblin suicide bombers?

Arkov scripted suicide bomber vests, I was the one tasteless enough to start sticking them on goblins en masse.

While there are many races to play in efu it's always been about 80%-90%, is that meant to be the case?

In terms of limits how unlimited is efur? For instance are all areas currently accessible without a dm?

Will the island of set ever make a comeback? I forget it's name...

Speaking of which will the number of islands to travel to be expanded?

Do shaggabeasts have a real purpose?

What was the most overpowered piece of loot ever given out?

Do stewards have a place/purpose anymore? They were moved from major to minor faction after all and a lot of dms/players have annimosty towards it.

I heard a story about the reason you got banned from coa and it sounds hilarious. Are you able to confirm the story?

Is ubtao alive?

Where is makumbo?

Could a pc ever become a deity?

Will the scholar ever reappear?

Will the Phoenix ever come back?

What's the deal with the heads everywhere on ymph?

What's the deal with the sarrukh everywhere?

Should beholders and ilithids ever be allies?

Is cathbads axe still in efu?

Will we ever find out more about all the original inhabitants of ymph?

Is Melissa a vampire spy of barakat?

Is ojo still alive?

What's your favourite theme? Ie necromancy, ooze, etc

Is the moander plot still ongoing?

Why are there always fey in every setting?

Is goblin leper island really gone?

QuoteWhile there are many races to play in efu it's always been about 80%-90%, is that meant to be the case?

You mean humans? Yes, this is good.

QuoteIn terms of limits how unlimited is efur? For instance are all areas currently accessible without a dm?

No, not all areas are accessible without a DM of course.

QuoteWill the island of set ever make a comeback? I forget it's name...

Adun'ubis. I'm not sure about this one.

QuoteSpeaking of which will the number of islands to travel to be expanded?

Probably.

QuoteDo shaggabeasts have a real purpose?

They have the same purpose as anything else I implement - for me, they are amusing and help flesh out the world we have made.

I would not be surprised if they play some deeper role in the story at some point, if that's what you're getting at. But we'll see.

QuoteWhat was the most overpowered piece of loot ever given out?

There was a ring that slipped through the cracks that gave immunity to dispel, maybe that - because it wasn't actually intended to be so powerful.

There has also been various epic loot of sorts but usually intended as such. For example, the relics from the Shrine of Torizaela used on the march on H'bala's tower.

The most powerful item ever possessed by a PC.... why, I suppose that would be the Crown of the Isles.

QuoteDo stewards have a place/purpose anymore? They were moved from major to minor faction after all and a lot of dms/players have annimosty towards it.

I think the faction is consistently misunderstood.

But yes, I think they have a purpose.

QuoteI heard a story about the reason you got banned from coa and it sounds hilarious. Are you able to confirm the story?

Whatever story you heard is probably not true but probably better not to discuss here.

QuoteIs ubtao alive?

No. Dendar's first victim I believe.

QuoteWhere is makumbo?

Dead.

QuoteCould a pc ever become a deity?

Yes.

QuoteWill the scholar ever reappear?

No.

QuoteWill the Phoenix ever come back?

You know what they say about Phoenixes....

QuoteWhat's the deal with the heads everywhere on ymph?

Which heads?

QuoteWhat's the deal with the sarrukh everywhere?

They are part of the setting.

QuoteShould beholders and ilithids ever be allies?

'Should'?

You mean can they be? Well, perhaps on an individual level, but generally the races dislike each other.

QuoteIs cathbads axe still in efu?

Yes.

QuoteWill we ever find out more about all the original inhabitants of ymph?

Original inhabitants meaning...?

QuoteIs Melissa a vampire spy of barakat?

I don't know who Melissa is.

QuoteIs ojo still alive?

Interesting question.

QuoteWhat's your favourite theme? Ie necromancy, ooze, etc

I guess whatever is fresher/newer as one can easily get bored with the old classics. Necromancy is great but benefits from a new twist or approach when utilized.

QuoteIs the moander plot still ongoing?

There is still a major area of Rot that probably will have some role to play in the story.

QuoteWhy are there always fey in every setting?

​There are always goblins and zombies and orcs and many other things also.

QuoteIs goblin leper island really gone?

No, it is not gone.

This is a nagging little detail that has bothered me for years now. After the Red Star rose and all the pregnant women in the world suffered either abortions or stillbirths, did children ever start to be born normally again? I mean, it ought to be obvious if they did. But if they didn't and haven't, that would be the end of the world anyway, Sun or no Sun, just not with a bang but with a whimper.

They started to be born normally.

 

Who's supplying the skeletons, stone lizards, ogres and everyone else with tanglefoot bags?

Can we have more slow and steady solo activities?

Is there any way at all to bring back silent deities?

Is there a justification item in the beholders' eye?

Do the DMs run a score board for permakilled PCs?

Can Selune bring back the Order of the Crescent Blade somehow?

Will illithid PCs ever be app-able with a reasonable degree of acceptance?

Does seafood remind you of the Housing Vaults?

Do Unit 731 documentaries remind you of Serena Tower?

Does the river Ganges remind you of Lower?

Which male NPC is the most well-endowed?

Which female NPC would make the best waifu?

What happened to Adelia Tyrell?

What about her hat?

Who added dispel ghosts to seers

QuoteWho's supplying the skeletons, stone lizards, ogres and everyone else with tanglefoot bags?

Stone Lizards is a bug, but maybe they spit something at you. I don't think it's unreasonable for these various other monsters to have access to such a simple supply. Perhaps I will build a quest that has a bunch of industrious goblins making tanglefoot bags in a factory with various representatives of other monsters coming along to buy packages of it. Or maybe a random. Yeah, I think I'll do that some day.

QuoteCan we have more slow and steady solo activities?

For example?

QuoteIs there any way at all to bring back silent deities?

Perhaps.

QuoteIs there a justification item in the beholders' eye?

I don't know what that is.

QuoteDo the DMs run a score board for permakilled PCs?

​No. But sometimes on events that are intended to be super deadly (like, for example, end of chapter escape quests) DMs have a Legolas/Gimli style "counter"....

QuoteCan Selune bring back the Order of the Crescent Blade somehow?

I don't know what that is but I don't usually like canon groups.

QuoteWill illithid PCs ever be app-able with a reasonable degree of acceptance?

No.

QuoteDoes seafood remind you of the Housing Vaults?

No.

QuoteDo Unit 731 documentaries remind you of Serena Tower?

No.

QuoteDoes the river Ganges remind you of Lower?

No.

QuoteWhich male NPC is the most well-endowed?

We have discovered the answer to Damien's fifth question.

QuoteWhich female NPC would make the best waifu?

The answer that comes to mind of course is Dear Isebel, beloved of Zyphaem Faussad.

QuoteWhat happened to Adelia Tyrell?

Haven't you found her yet?

QuoteWhat about her hat?

I think a certain NPC kept it in his collection, last I recall...

QuoteWho added dispel ghosts to seers

A member of the DM team.

Who'd win in a fist fight between you and Ed Greenwod?

How many times, and how fast, did the Tigereye Mercenaries trade passion for glory?

Did they lose their grip on the dreams of the past?
 

Have any large / meta plots ever shifted in a direction that you never really saw coming? If so, was the cause of the change player driven, based on the feel / feedback of it, or something else?

What is one large idea for a plot that the DM team had which never really happened?

Without naming the person, what is the largest donation EFU ever received?

What is your favorite single class to play? Multiclass?

Tower of Mercy is often considered to be the "best" quest, overall, or at least always makes the list. Why do you think that is and, would you ever alter it to fit this chapter?

 

I'm so happy I did not come across this post until it was ripe.  I can't wait for what is coming!

QuoteWho'd win in a fist fight between you and Ed Greenwod?

​I am prepared to find out.

QuoteHow many times, and how fast, did the Tigereye Mercenaries trade passion for glory?

​Certainly they traded honor for gold...

It's the eye of the tiger
It's the thrill of the fight
Rising up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor
Stalks his prey in the night
And he's watching us all with the eye of the tiger[/I]

QuoteDid they lose their grip on the dreams of the past?

​Yes.

QuoteHave any large / meta plots ever shifted in a direction that you never really saw coming? If so, was the cause of the change player driven, based on the feel / feedback of it, or something else?

Yes, certainly. There were various examples in EFU:M. For example, we planned that the volcanic eruption would be used to darken the sky sufficiently that the NIghtrisers could invade Castle Blackhearth and there would be a major battle there. Instead everything changed and the Order marched on H'bala's tower instead.

Or for example one of the steps of Sanq was planned to be a big fight to kill Ojo the Bloodmage, but instead (entirely because of a single PC) things went in a very different direction and the Step was accomplished in a different manner.

Maybe a better example - the War on the Dark Lake, I originally envisioned things going very differently. Either the drow would be victorious and conquer Sapphire Isle and make it a piratical drow port; or instead the Svirfneblin would be victorious and might perhaps start permitting Sanctuary visitors. Instead, because of player actions and decisions... both sides won, and both sides lost and in a manner that was totally unexpected. Actually I think in this example the end result ended up being much less interesting than what was originally planned, so this sort of goes back to a feeling I haves sometimes that "players ruin everything"... but anyway, that's another topic.

QuoteWhat is one large idea for a plot that the DM team had which never really happened?

There is a graveyard of inactive/abandoned plots in one of our forums. But for example, at the end of EFU:M, we were seriously planning having the Darkening on the surface itself. The idea was that there would be a darkening (accomplished in a different manner than Dendar though) and that H'bala/Nightrisers would have this major on-going war that PCs would have to navigate their way through.

QuoteWithout naming the person, what is the largest donation EFU ever received?

It was one year's costs, around a thousand dollars IIRC.

QuoteWhat is your favorite single class to play? Multiclass?

In terms of pure mechanics: Bard probably, or possibly melee sorc/with summons. I like quirky/unusual multi classes that, while not perfectly optimized or even necessarily that strong, have some kind of associated synergy.

QuoteTower of Mercy is often considered to be the "best" quest, overall, or at least always makes the list. Why do you think that is and, would you ever alter it to fit this chapter?

I think players like randomization + optional tougher final boss. The Distant Shore is the quest that I am most proud of building though.

So much of the Tower of Mercy is based off of being specific to Nebezzdos that I would be reluctant to just tweak it and stuff it into EFU:R inappropriately. But certainly similar styles of quests will come in the future.

Do you see EFU as becoming a sort of life lesson for you, and players alike?

Can/do we have scripted places that need stone ore?

Do the charity bowls impact anything?

QuoteDo you see EFU as becoming a sort of life lesson for you, and players alike?

Of course, in various ways.

QuoteCan/do we have scripted places that need stone ore?

Ugh. Nothing I have any interest in personally.

QuoteDo the charity bowls impact anything?

Yes, but inconsistently. When I'm in the mood to build I might check donation bowls and reflect changes if there's a lot of gold in there.

What music do you listen to for EFU inspiration?

Did you have a background in classic Pen and Paper RPG before NWN, if so, tell us a little more. Or more generally, where did you derive your story-weaving creativity from?

Tell about the a scene that made you burst in laughter behind your screen. If you remember, share your most hilarity-ridden moments.

You used to be able to make completely custom summons in efu 1 with trinkets, i.e. Spirit of the goblin god, then summoning themes were introduced, do these custom summons still exist?

At the end of some machine puzzle there is a book which tells you how to create stuff but only if you have about 40 lore, and all of it still requires a dm to develop further. Is that still functioning?

I still don't really understand what happened to the svirf of sanctuary, some become robot things, some became chosen??

Is it true in efu 1 the dms made this gang of hilariously overpowered pcs? Illum had some crazy chainsaw on his gnome

The statues I was referring to earlier were the statue heads. They were everywhere on ymph, was that on purpose?

What was the purpose of those eleven ruins with the super powerful elf spirits? It had a library at the centre

How come no gods were paying attention to barakat? Or ymph in general?

Did nightrisers ever actually die?

What are nightrisers?

The spider tribe of stargazers mentioned something about an entity falling from the stars that I think caused them to go mad, and then also another aberrant entity fell from the stars or something. What exactly were these?

Are there such thing as brownie points for players? To make up for when they die some lame horrible death, gippy loves those kinds of deaths...

There is some devil fountain in a exploitable, does it have a purpose?

There was a frozen village at the top of ymph that required a dm to visit. What was the deal with it?

What was the deal with the mist ogres?

Who is your favorite villain in EFU:R?

If you could change the outcome of one particular plot, which one, and how would you change it?

Do you prefer H'bala or Barakat?

Can Clerics convert people of somewhat different alignment of their deity if the pitch is good enough?

If Widowshriek threw a dart at you, on a scale from 1 to 10 how much do you think it would hurt (10 being most painful)?

QuoteWhat music do you listen to for EFU inspiration?

I don't like to music while IG but I do listen to music while building. Sometimes, for example, I listen to mixes from the multi-talented DM Jayde Moon (//%22https://www.mixcloud.com/dannyyun/%22)...

QuoteDid you have a background in classic Pen and Paper RPG before NWN, if so, tell us a little more. Or more generally, where did you derive your story-weaving creativity from?

I've never played PnP or even a single game of DnD. It would be interesting to try. The best ideas about EFU (particularly these days) tend to come from a collaborative process and are often generated by cooperative brain-storming sessions. But I've always liked reading and was hyper-imaginative as a child (to the point of creating very elaborate fantasy worlds from a young age).

QuoteTell about the a scene that made you burst in laughter behind your screen. If you remember, share your most hilarity-ridden moments.

This is an excellent question that deserves a good response but I need to think about it some more.

QuoteYou used to be able to make completely custom summons in efu 1 with trinkets, i.e. Spirit of the goblin god, then summoning themes were introduced, do these custom summons still exist?

Sure, DMs can still easily make custom summons if we want to.

QuoteAt the end of some machine puzzle there is a book which tells you how to create stuff but only if you have about 40 lore, and all of it still requires a dm to develop further. Is that still functioning?

I'm not sure exactly what you're referring to but this is getting close to spoiler territory.

QuoteI still don't really understand what happened to the svirf of sanctuary, some become robot things, some became chosen??

This also is maybe getting a bit of a spoiler, since this is kind of a mystery that can be discovered IG. But yes - it is commonly understood (now) that something terrible happened in Dunwarren centuries ago. There was some kind of civil war between one group of svirfneblin totally dedicated towards the construction of the Machine (and who pursued mechanical augmentation) and those who devoted themselves to its destruction (and becoming cultists of the Appetite, eventually being changed into lycanthropes). The descendants of the second group are commonly understood to be the Chosen. The first group seems to be gone; slaughtered by adventurers towards the end of EFU1.

QuoteIs it true in efu 1 the dms made this gang of hilariously overpowered pcs? Illum had some crazy chainsaw on his gnome

​I don't really know how to answer this question. What does "hilariously overpowered" mean?

I remember this gnome, and his chainsaw. He was a normal gnome barbarian with high con but otherwise wasn't so great. I don't think he was part of any group concept. He often died. He rhymed 100% of the time which was great. He had a specially scripted svirfneblin chainsaw that used potions for fuel (this was before baublium). Depending on the gold value of the potion for a length of time the chainsaw would glow/make emotes and had extra damage. I am supremely confident that the PC would not be close to the top 1000 most powerful PCs of EFU history. For your benefit I have just now looked up his stats, here they are, judge for yourself:

QuoteChaotic Evil - Gnome
Barbarian (6)
Current XP [TNL]: 16346 [4654]
Age: 57
Gender: Male
Deity: Urdlen
Gold: 3406

Max Hit Points: 108
Strength: 14
Dexterity: 12
Constitution: 21
Intelligence: 8
Wisdom: 8
Charisma: 8

Fortitude Saving Throw: 10
Reflex Saving Throw: 3
Will Saving Throw: 1
Spell Resistance: 0

The chainsaw item acquired by a different PC in EFU:R was superior. I don't remember the stats on the first one but it was definitely not amazing because you had to consume potions to get the big extra damage and because a low AC gnome barbarian is still very vulnerable.

QuoteThe statues I was referring to earlier were the statue heads. They were everywhere on ymph, was that on purpose?

There are a limited number of placeables in NWN. But certainly Ymph was filled with old crumbled things from the past.

QuoteWhat was the purpose of those eleven ruins with the super powerful elf spirits? It had a library at the centre

These were ilythiiri ruins haunted by ghosts. This is where the ilythiiri elves lived before they were cursed by the Seldarine to become drow and forced to descend into the Underdark where they founded Traensyr. For one thing, it was a connection between the different chapters. It was also where the ilythiiri Way was. There were other purposes also - but basically it was part of the setting with as much purpose as anything else, I'm not sure what's confusing about that!

QuoteHow come no gods were paying attention to barakat? Or ymph in general?

Generally in EFU we prefer our gods/higher powers to not take a direct role in anything. It's one thing I don't like about the FR and one reason we're moving away from the canonical gods. One might also speculate that the MIST obscured much of what transpired in Ymph from the eyes of the gods.

QuoteDid nightrisers ever actually die?

How can they die if they're already dead?

QuoteWhat are nightrisers?

The Undead Guards and Soldiers of Nebezzdos cursed into eternal service? Some unknown element or characteristic of their animation making it so they're vulnerable to sunlight? You played EFU:A/M, I think you know this, if you really want to pursue deeper secrets it can still be done IG.

QuoteThe spider tribe of stargazers mentioned something about an entity falling from the stars that I think caused them to go mad, and then also another aberrant entity fell from the stars or something. What exactly were these?

Interesting questions but you're a bit mixed up.

QuoteAre there such thing as brownie points for players? To make up for when they die some lame horrible death, gippy loves those kinds of deaths...

Yes, but not formalized. If a player accepts a bad situation with good grace I will try to make it so their next concept goes better - an easier approval, or some piece of loot/attention, something. Of course it doesn't always work out.

In general, though, it is true that there are some players who develop an excellent reputation among DMs due to their chilled out nature, consistent performance, and general reliability. What is interesting to me though is that these players are never the ones being accused of being the ones in the "in crowd"/dm-pets... often these guys fly more under the radar, but little do they know that if they were to apply for crazy things they would probably get their concepts approved!

QuoteThere is some devil fountain in a exploitable, does it have a purpose?

Yes.

QuoteThere was a frozen village at the top of ymph that required a dm to visit. What was the deal with it?

Yes.

QuoteWhat was the deal with the mist ogres?

Ogres, affected by the mist, subservient to a certain crazy evil Dragon....

What's the most shameful thing you've done?  Within reason of course

What naughtiest have Faussad and his wife been up to? Will they ever find happiness :(

When a pc pisses you off do you make a copy of their pc to beat the shit out of?

Do dms bet chores on pvp duels etc? Ie if x wins you have to fix vradzn loot

Do you think the old dms will ever come back?

If you could add anything to efu right now what would it be and what would you take away?

QuoteThere was a frozen village at the top of ymph that required a dm to visit. What was the deal with it?

[/I]The Frozen Village was a little side-plot/story invented by Dangerous Dan that involved one of the Netherese Prisoners messing around too much with weather. There was a small plot related to it but not much really happened with it. [/SIZE][/FONT]
 
 
 

QuoteWho is your favorite villain in EFU:R?

[/SIZE][/FONT]
  “Favorite” is difficult. But I quite enjoyed the Mad Marge Miggsley plot early on in the server as a kind of anti-villain. At least when I possessed her, I tried to be mostly pretty fair about the PvP and was genuinely open to her being defeated in pretty much every encounter. And I enjoyed roleplaying her personality and being inventive about her tricks. For example, it was quite amusing to “hijack” a tram with explosives.
 
  He wasn’t particularly complex but I also quite enjoyed the plot related to the raising of Etorix Once More. I suppose I naturally enjoy friendly, gregarious characters who befriend everyone but of course have some quite sinister goal. It was fun to just take Arthur Vlach to the pub to have a drink with people sometimes.
 
  Honorable mention to Thomas Alqvin, one of EFU’s oldest NPCs, whose final true ‘death’ was something that I think was truly well deserved. Poor guy deserves a screen shot with lots of accolades.
 

QuoteIf you could change the outcome of one particular plot, which one, and how would you change it?

[/SIZE][/FONT]
  Will the playerbase explode if I say that on reflection I think it would have been cooler if the Society Crystal had won their war with the Spellguard? It would have been interesting and certainly different; but maybe not - for one thing, the Spellguard victory was not handled as well as it could have been.
 

QuoteDo you prefer H'bala or Barakat?

[/SIZE][/FONT]
  I prefer H’bala. I have a soft spot for her. I think her angle was a fresh take on undeath; I liked her wildness, her craziness, the badass of her escape and her many interesting servitors/schemes/monsters/environment. I have fond memories of the long period where many players sort of ignored her, or didn’t think much about her, but always finding these keystones… never knowing if she would ever be released. And the slow, gradual plots upon plots that finally led to her release. The release event which was very satisfying. The epic scene in which she dueled Razul atop the Transcendent Conclave and sent it broken and damaged, hurtling to the desert.
 
  And then of course the transition shift to EFU:M, and all of a sudden - WITHERING. Her horrible monsters everywhere, her creepy plants, etc. Her excellent servitors: the corrupted Grand Druid, the Agony of the Hunt, and so on. Players discovering lore about her - her past - her agenda - her rivalries - the focus and effort to finally defeat her. The Miracle of the Lake, the March of the Noor, the destruction of the Tower and revelation of the Doom Tree, the final battle in which she was at last staked into a Mushroom. The high fantasy quality of it all was good fun.
 
  Of course I like Barakat also, and he definitely had some moments, but I have to give the nod to H’bala personally.
 
 

QuoteCan Clerics convert people of somewhat different alignment of their deity if the pitch is good enough?

[/SIZE][/FONT]
  Sure they can.
 
 

QuoteIf Widowshriek threw a dart at you, on a scale from 1 to 10 how much do you think it would hurt (10 being most painful)?

[/SIZE][/FONT]
  Please don’t throw a dart at me, Widowshriek, whoever you are.
 
 

QuoteWhat's the most shameful thing you've done? Within reason of course

[/SIZE][/FONT]
  Shameful thing in my life is not relevant to this thread.
 
  Shameful thing in the context of EFU? I remember one of my characters got killed very lamely once in chapter 1 and I REALLY lost my temper and was intensely tempted to switch over to DM client and unleash the wrath of god. In the end I did not but it’s not good to lose your cool. I guess in chapter 1 I was more invested in the game, played nearly as much as I dm’ed, and was generally more engaged/cared more… nowadays I am pretty mellow.
 
  Probably there have been a few other times when I got legitimately angry with players, but thankfully not too often. I’m sure I have made some bad calls as a DM.
 
  I have probably abused my DM powers in minor ways on various occasions but I can't remember doing so in a way that I think is actually shameful.
 
I have made plenty of mistakes, sometimes made bad judgment calls about other people or failed to notice when there was a problem.
 
  I would like to remember something juicy for you but can’t really. Probably another DM will be along to remind me.
 

QuoteWhen a pc pisses you off do you make a copy of their pc to beat the shit out of?

[/SIZE][/FONT]
No, that would be totally pointless and actually require effort. Easier to just complain about the situation with my colleagues in our own ultimate secret backchannel.

It is very rare for me to get annoyed with players/characters though. The only things I can remember annoying me in this way are things like - FD'ing a cool/but weak PC unjustifiably, doing something to make me waste lots of time trying to adjudicate/referee some PvP issue, spoiling server secrets, being ham-fisted about plot developments, allowing OOC snark to enter into IC commentary, failing to respect the magnitude of a particular event, etc....
 
 

QuoteWhat naughtiest have Faussad and his wife been up to? Will they ever find happiness :(

[/SIZE][/FONT]
  Not much for a long time. As for what happens between those two - I have no idea, but maybe some day we’ll find out.
 

QuoteDo dms bet chores on pvp duels etc? Ie if x wins you have to fix vradzn loot

[/SIZE][/FONT]
  Not that I can remember, for one thing we don’t really have “chores” - maybe sometimes we make the newest DM pick do something boring and unpleasant. But soon enough they became another lazy veteran DM like the rest of us.
 
  We do sometimes discuss among ourselves who we think will win in interesting PvP though, yes. Running commentary on the match like sports commentators. KreShar, for example, is notorious among DMs for being “tricky” and often having a bag of tricks to rely upon that he can use to even the odds even when outmatched.
 
  I find PvP less interesting in this chapter though because everyone who still plays at this point a lot is pretty good at PvP.
 

QuoteDo you think the old dms will ever come back?

[/SIZE][/FONT]
 
  Sometimes an old face pops up, but mostly not I think.
 

QuoteIf you could add anything to efu right now what would it be and what would you take away?

[/SIZE][/FONT]
  The bad news is that I won’t answer this question, the good news is that over time and as I find more time to help out with EFU you might see!
 

OK I am about to ask the most important question in EFU.  Are there actually 10 gems on the Bilby Quest??

While I don't want to imagine how many there have been, can you recall any character applications that really stood out to you throughout the chapters?


I know the forums are an annoyance, but would you and the team consider opening up old faction forums for public view just for the sake of nostalgia and entertainment? The Conclave, the Mayor's forum for EFUM, Styigans, or even older things like Tigereyes and such.

I understand that a certain NPC was created by you to represent an ex-girlfriend or something? Can you elaborate, and were there others that you recall making based upon real life people? Based on players?




 

Quote[/SIZE]While I don't want to imagine how many there have been, can you recall any character applications that really stood out to you throughout the chapters?

[/FONT]
 
  We appear to have processed 4,792 applications. Bonescreech applications come to mind: they were always good. AMB applications were always beautifully presented with lots of imagery.

Quote[/SIZE][/FONT]I know the forums are an annoyance, but would you and the team consider opening up old faction forums for public view just for the sake of nostalgia and entertainment? The Conclave, the Mayor's forum for EFUM, Styigans, or even older things like Tigereyes and such.

Maybe.[/SIZE][/FONT]

Quote[/SIZE][/FONT]I understand that a certain NPC was created by you to represent an ex-girlfriend or something? Can you elaborate, and were there others that you recall making based upon real life people? Based on players?

[/SIZE][/FONT]
​Mostly a joke, sometimes I take names from real people but mostly just to amuse myself.

There are some NPCS who are somewhat based off of players but it would be unkind to list them.

Although actually the Appetite is kind of named for myself - kind of an inside joke - probably not what you might think, though!

QuoteOK I am about to ask the most important question in EFU. Are there actually 10 gems on the Bilby Quest??

Does Sir Billby strike you as a liar?

Quote from: Howlando;n681422Although actually the Appetite is kind of named for myself - kind of an inside joke - probably not what you might think, though!

Howland, I am in awe. That is a self-insert so grotesque that you have even Quentin Tarantino beat hollow. O.O
 

I've heard that Fort Mur used to be ruled by a powerful duergar sorcerer.

Is that sorcerer the limbless duergar who now hangs, suspended, as Baron Ormulax's seneschal...?

QuoteI've heard that Fort Mur used to be ruled by a powerful duergar sorcerer.

Is that sorcerer the limbless duergar who now hangs, suspended, as Baron Ormulax's seneschal...?

~ Revelations ~

We always get little dream messages when you rest. Most seem flashbacks to other chapters etc, but are  any ever flashforwards of things to come? Also, they are easy to skipover and not read if your in any kind of rush, should we be breaking out the dreamjournals? Or are they just ambient atmosphere? Like the messages in the Grotto.

Are there currently areas on EFU that players have not explored yet? (That requiers no DM aid)

Are there curently lore on EFU that players have not yet uncovered? (That requiers no DM aid)

What was behind that big mysterious door in the in between ruins? The one with the horned statues.

Does the Puzzler Key actually go to anything? If so, has anyone ever managed to find what it was?

The lift down behind a locked gate in a certain burning cave (I hope you know where I mean. More hints might be spoilers) - Does it go anywhere currently accessible and is unlocking it possible without DM?

Is there any plans to expand on the area the above question mentioned, or the areas it's connected to? Is the placeable in the aforementioned area actually used for anything?

QuoteWe always get little dream messages when you rest. Most seem flashbacks to other chapters etc, but are any ever flashforwards of things to come? Also, they are easy to skipover and not read if your in any kind of rush, should we be breaking out the dreamjournals? Or are they just ambient atmosphere? Like the messages in the Grotto.

Feel free to ignore, but certainly hints and clues have been found in the dreams.

QuoteAre there currently areas on EFU that players have not explored yet? (That requiers no DM aid)

I can't be certain, but I definitely know of some (big) areas that really are unknown to the vast majority of players - maybe 3-4 players have discovered them.

I strongly suspect some of the more obscurely hidden aspects of some things like certain exploreables probably have not been visited by any player, but again I don't know for sure.

QuoteAre there curently lore on EFU that players have not yet uncovered? (That requiers no DM aid)

Hard to answer this question without defining lore.

QuoteWhat was behind that big mysterious door in the in between ruins? The one with the horned statues.

I don't think I know what you mean but any doors in the In Between, even unopened ones, would need to be figured out IG.

QuoteDoes the Puzzler Key actually go to anything? If so, has anyone ever managed to find what it was?

It's a puzzle.

QuoteThe lift down behind a locked gate in a certain burning cave (I hope you know where I mean. More hints might be spoilers) - Does it go anywhere currently accessible and is unlocking it possible without DM?

QuoteIs there any plans to expand on the area the above question mentioned, or the areas it's connected to? Is the placeable in the aforementioned area actually used for anything?

This is a little too contemporary.
 

Is there any significance in the similar appearances&designs of the 'ancient ruins' areas from Ymph and from Dunwarren? Like, I realize it probably wasnt intentional at the time, that's just the best-fit tileset, but would a curious architect be able to draw a short derivation between the corridors of the Sunken Enclave with those of Beyond the Bowels?

QuoteIs there any significance in the similar appearances&designs of the 'ancient ruins' areas from Ymph and from Dunwarren? Like, I realize it probably wasnt intentional at the time, that's just the best-fit tileset, but would a curious architect be able to draw a short derivation between the corridors of the Sunken Enclave with those of Beyond the Bowels?

No, they should be quite different. Actually it's a pet peeve when sometimes players see patterns in similar tileset/placeables between areas that should be very different - it's important to understand that (particularly in the past) NWN was very limited in what we could do with building.

Oh damn, I meant the wardens district or whatever it was called in EFU:A there was a big door in the Wardens district with two horned statues on either side.

QuoteOh damn, I meant the wardens district or whatever it was called in EFU:A there was a big door in the Wardens district with two horned statues on either side.

As I recall it was opened at the end of EFU:A and all the bigwig Nightriser NPCs emerged. Some kind of straight path to the top secret Nightriser Executive Lounge or something.

QuoteWhat's the most shameful thing you've done? Within reason of course

Once I remember I had a very low level character, and he died in some silly manner, and I really wasn't looking forward to leveling back up. So I convinced one of my fellow DMs to run an event involving massive rock worm invasion so I could collect absurd quantities of rock worm meat.

The Rock Worms killed many NPCs... Sanctuary suffered due to my impatience.

Okay that is pretty grim. You'd really farm worm meat to level? Haha.

Okay one last question. Did the fox tribe of stargazers ever really exist?

What about the Former Director llyna Que'tl.  Why did she go silent with no visibility on the server?  Also what were your thoughts on the Pallid Mask from the previous server version? I mean, a zealot undead hunter faction?  How cool is that.  Have you ever thought about bringing it back, if only in a minor role on the server?

QuoteDid the fox tribe of stargazers ever really exist?

​You mean in the lore? Sure... Kepti definitely had a big role to play in the stories of EFU:A/M. But there were never any true Fox Tribe PCs.

QuoteWhat about the Former Director llyna Que'tl. Why did she go silent with no visibility on the server?

I suppose depression, maybe. There may be other reasons of course....

QuoteAlso what were your thoughts on the Pallid Mask from the previous server version? I mean, a zealot undead hunter faction? How cool is that. Have you ever thought about bringing it back, if only in a minor role on the server?

I liked the Pallid Mask, I think they had a cool role to play when they were set up in direct conflict with the Nightriser PCs for a while, but in general factions that are just "we hate x" don't work too well without some other agenda. And anyway, the Scriveners of Doom could easily accommodate an (unauthorized) undead hunter zealot.
 

Who, exactly, was the Mad King that appeared in so many mist visions? I've heard the name Agramant thrown around, but having started in EFUM I'm not sure of the time-frame. Did he rule Old Port before the Count?

And for that matter who were the Argenti and what was their relationship to the Netherese and other human settlers on Ymph? They seemed to have some kind of affection for the Wyrm Watchers and other druidic/nature oriented groups who were pursuing the crown...

Have you ever played Fallen London? Its a web-game that came out in 2009, after EFU started, though the two do remind me of each-other...

 

Did Drexia and Tau ever quest together? If so, what quest(s) did they do and who else were in their party?

Did Ojo really have a flying carpet? Can I get one...?

Was it possible to find all the H'bala's prison keys (the numbered stones) without DM intervention?

Is the "gnolls in mines" quest from v1 the most reworked quest of EfU's history? I remember at least four versions of it existing. Also, who made that quest or were there multiple creators across its lifespan?

Is there any lore contradictions or errors you'd like to correct here?
 

Quote from: SanTelmo;n681912Was it possible to find all the H'bala's prison keys (the numbered stones) without DM intervention?
 

This question, but about the Dunwarren Central Keys

QuoteWho, exactly, was the Mad King that appeared in so many mist visions? I've heard the name Agramant thrown around, but having started in EFUM I'm not sure of the time-frame. Did he rule Old Port before the Count?

King Agramant "The Mad King" possessed the Crown of the Isles and briefly ruled Old Port/Ymph. You met him in one of the mist visions in which he addressed you (the spectator) from so long ago. He constructed - for example - the King's Oubliette. He eventually went totally insane, discarded the Crown, and killed (most?) of his family. Later the four houses of Old Port returned to the rule of Old Port and eventually, centuries later, the Count became the sole ruler of Old Port. But he desperately sought the Crown, knowing that only with the Crown could he truly be the King.

There is some other history there.

QuoteAnd for that matter who were the Argenti and what was their relationship to the Netherese and other human settlers on Ymph? They seemed to have some kind of affection for the Wyrm Watchers and other druidic/nature oriented groups who were pursuing the crown...

The Argenti were originally the Wyrm Watchers, a group of hunters and cartographers who watched the Isle of Ymph on behalf of the rulers of Old Port. They mutinied and deserted after the Four Houses lost Old Port's War of Succession.

Once numerous families, they intermarried until only the name 'Argenti' was common for members of the tribe- they all claim descent from the order's founder, Fabrico Argenti the Cartographer.

QuoteHave you ever played Fallen London? Its a web-game that came out in 2009, after EFU started, though the two do remind me of each-other...

No I have not personally.

QuoteDid Drexia and Tau ever quest together? If so, what quest(s) did they do and who else were in their party?

There was an adventure that they quested on together, yes. The Count's mysterious shrouded wife demanded an enormous jewel that was rumored to be protected by a priest class of strange shamans in a secret volcanic lair along the steamy shores of Chult. The Count made a call for the finest that Old Port had to offer. He sent his personal Vizier Sardistan (The Wizard), Ruby Visaju Semuri (fighter/rogue), and of course Drexia himself (fighter as I recall). The ship was a Stygian Armada vessel and was packed with its elite: including Burkden, Shaar'kaal, and of course Tau. The Coral Cove Umberlee Priest (before he retired to Coral Cove he was an adventuring priest; only in retirement did he make a living Slay Living adventurers) went along also, so they had good weather in the journey. Samson (the Rogue) went along also of course, but he had an agenda of his own. And yet, despite such an accomplished crew, they may have failed in their mission if they had not met the mysterious Ojo the Bloodmage in the Jungles of Chult and managed to enlist his help....

QuoteDid Ojo really have a flying carpet? Can I get one...?

Indeed he did. See above.

Maybe, it's possible I suppose.

QuoteWas it possible to find all the H'bala's prison keys (the numbered stones) without DM intervention?

No but the missing keys would be dropped in random dm events from time to time. Certainly the tower could have been opened earlier I think....

QuoteIs the "gnolls in mines" quest from v1 the most reworked quest of EfU's history? I remember at least four versions of it existing. Also, who made that quest or were there multiple creators across its lifespan?

I made the original. Then I think DeputyCool & Arkov reconfigured it to have Harkuba. Then at some point it got slightly adjusted for EFUR.... I don't remember a fourth version.

I imagine there are quests that have been reconfigured more often.... but I can't think of any off the top of my head.

QuoteIs there any lore contradictions or errors you'd like to correct here?

Regarding?

QuoteThis question, but about the Dunwarren Central Keys

I guess we'll see.

Do you or the other dm's ever blacklist pc's  on apps for poor conduct?

Has there been a major chapter change or ending you had wanted to end differently, but ended completely unexpectedly?

What do you do in the off time when you're not really active? I remember you visiting Brazil and the like not that long ago

Cheers! :)

Thank you for sharing. That is exactly how I had always imagined Drexia and Tau first meeting. Hopefully they shared a celeberation drink after the hard quest.

QuoteI made the original. Then I think DeputyCool & Arkov reconfigured it to have Harkuba. Then at some point it got slightly adjusted for EFUR.... I don't remember a fourth version.

I imagine there are quests that have been reconfigured more often.... but I can't think of any off the top of my head.

IIRC the first configurations were to the original version and mostly to dungeon layout. After that it began growing as a quest with different boss fight, enemies and loot, eventually having the Harkuba part to it too. Anyway, to me this quest has always been an iconic one as I remember it being the most often done quest during our early days when poor adventurers had trouble doing much else.

QuoteIs there any lore contradictions or errors you'd like to correct here?

QuoteRegarding?

This was intended as an open question for anything that might pop to your mind!

QuoteDo you or the other dm's ever blacklist pc's on apps for poor conduct?

Certainly a player's former negative actions (i.e. flaking on a concept, or doing a bad job somehow, or annoying us in some way) will absolutely be taken into account with an app just as their good actions do. It isn't as if there's a formal "blackball" process though. But yes... a player's general reputation with us is more important than the actual application itself, which I think makes good sense!

QuoteHas there been a major chapter change or ending you had wanted to end differently, but ended completely unexpectedly?

There have been unexpected aspects but no massive changes obviously.

QuoteWhat do you do in the off time when you're not really active? I remember you visiting Brazil and the like not that long ago

I prefer to keep my life beyond EFU quite private, but it is true that I am often in strange places around the world.
 

Do you see yourself adapting any EFU content into other mediums? Video games (not NWN), books, campaign guides, board games, etc.

EFU often takes a life of its own. What are the most surprising or unexpected changes you've seen in EFU in the last decade+?

What other games or hobbies do you enjoy?

Sternhund or BigOrcMan?

Perhaps now it can finally be settled.

What's the most bizarre character application you have ever approved and declined?

Quote from: Canzah;n682295Sternhund or BigOrcMan?

Perhaps now it can finally be settled.

I to, wish to know.

A) What would it take to end EfU? Dying player count? Story/plot ending? Donations running out?

B) Is there an 'intended' ending?

C) EfU: R has been around for a bit now. Are there any plans to move on to the next iteration? If so, have you been working on that behind the scenes for last few months and years?

D) Are there any cool things you always hoped someone would find, but never did?

E) Has Entstehung been solved?

F) Has someone found something they weren't meant to because of a bug/accident?

G) Why are kobolds so awesome?

H) Do you have any plans to play a PC again in secret? It'll be hard not to figure out who it is, despite you changing emote styles. We all know each other really well now, unfortunately.

I) Do you know what happened to Bonescreech? He was my favorite person to play with.

J) The animatrons that used to wander around sometimes had a number puzzle where you could speak numbers to them; the dialogue options were something like: 1. 5, 2. 346, 3. 1235 and so on. I've spent many hours within that dialogue tree but I think no combination ever yielded a result. Is it just ambience or is there something to it?

K) What do you like better: someone who risks certain death because it is in character to do so, or someone who refuses a really cool DM quest that you prepared for a long time because of an IC reason?

L) What used to be your favorite quest back in the day? How about now?

M) Do you have difficulty pulling the trigger? What I mean is this: there's this looming threat of Dread but much of the time, EfU-conflict is inner-faction or between factions, or political or criminal. Do you sometimes fear that having the threat erupt in a very tangible way (for example, armies besieging the city and winning) would ruin the political things? Sort of how in Game of Thrones, we always wanted the Others to finally attack, but now that they do, at least speaking for myself, I'd rather have the politics and the scheming back.

N) You keep your life so private that in my imagination it is very fanciful. When you have spoken in the politics chat you always gave the impression of having lived the life of a well-meaning, but sheltered liberal of some social elite. Do you keep things private because you're famous, you're embarrassed or because you simply don't want to mix your online and offline lives because of the danger this poses these days?

O) Do you ignore tells when playing incognito? How do you avoid 'becoming friends'? Some players are chatty and will talk a lot in tells. Do you just not reply to them?

P) Who is your favorite villain and why is it Intryzz?

Q) Do you have a favorite book?

R) Do you have a favorite fantasy book?

S) Are you feeling better about the election result? You were a bit distraught in the politics chat back when the results came in.

T) Of all the places you have been in the world, was there one you liked the best? Visually or culturally?

U) Walk us through your creative process. How did you come up with the setting? Was it something you and other ex-CoA people worked on together? Whose idea was it originally?

V) Are there some master files detailing the "TRUTH" of the setting or are you making things up as you go along? A bit of both?

W) Have you ever pretended to be a new player to see how players react, to see whether the climate is still friendly and welcoming?

X) But no, seriously, that Puzzler's Key doesn't go anywhere, right? We've been looking for years!

Y) There was a weird combination lock in Old Stones. Did anyone ever open it just by fiddling with it long enough? What about other, similar combination locks?

Z) If you had just one small bit of advice for others, what'd it be? EfU-related or in general.

a) I had a few characters solo their way up Slaver's Way, but there wasn't much reward or point for doing so - but it would still be fun if there was something neat.

b) That crystal in the Caustic Caverns. Is there anything more to it that you can do without a DM? Or is it just ambience at this point? One of the major strengths of EfU is that, often, you can't tell.

c) Did anything ever come of the things you can do at the bottom of the Honeycomb? Did anyone ever manage to do the thing needed to learn more there?

d) There was a short-lived plot regarding the Third Eye and psionics. In the faction area, there was a sewer drain with an OOC warning that jumping it will likely be lethal. The area is no longer there, so I never had a chance to find out what would have been there.

e) Are there any "1 in 100" things that ever happened? For example, a player rolling the best result on Bloodmage transformations or anything like that?

f) You said earlier that you could become a God. How about a lich? How about a vampire?


0) Do you think our world is beautiful?

QuoteDo you see yourself adapting any EFU content into other mediums? Video games (not NWN), books, campaign guides, board games, etc.

I'm unsure, I've thought about it. Of course a lot of EFU's content doesn't belong to us - the entire FR, for example.

QuoteEFU often takes a life of its own. What are the most surprising or unexpected changes you've seen in EFU in the last decade+?

Well, it does surprise me somewhat that we are still here and people are still enthusiastic about it. Some of the EFU:M ending plot stuff was surprising in various ways.

QuoteWhat other games or hobbies do you enjoy?

I don't really have the time to play other video games. And I am a bit afraid of the modern games being too engaging and sucking me in. I did play the Witcher 3 intensely for like a week and was very impressed. At least with EFU the time I spend on it doesn't feel like a total waste as it quite creative & and I value the community.

Other leisure activities - reading, meditation, wasting time on the internet, mountain trekking, various forms of fitness,  traveling, socializing with people from different countries.

QuoteSternhund or BigOrcMan?

I have no dog in this fight. ;-)

QuoteWhat's the most bizarre character application you have ever approved and declined?

We have received some pretty strange applications. I remember one vaguely cyborish app that had some seedy backstory involving a love for illithid tentacles or something.

We approved a Bonescreech application that basically had him as a very powerful half-fiend that lived in his own personal pocket plane but was subject to the commands of whichever PC controlled the pocket plane relic (so he was a kind of genie in a bottle).

QuoteA) What would it take to end EfU? Dying player count? Story/plot ending? Donations running out?

Some kind of RL issue perhaps. Or the community/DM team totally losing interest.

QuoteB) Is there an 'intended' ending?

Kind of.

QuoteC) EfU: R has been around for a bit now. Are there any plans to move on to the next iteration? If so, have you been working on that behind the scenes for last few months and years?

We'll see. Certainly there are very interesting things we have planned for the future that we want to have happen and that I can promise will eventually happen.

QuoteD) Are there any cool things you always hoped someone would find, but never did?

Yes, for example there was an extremely elaborate quest in EFU:A involving an intensely complicated Fedex quest-chain that eventually had you going to Goblin Leper Island in the Underdark and then returning to the surface with some medicine for that goblin leper on the surface, and he would reward you with a Heal potion. As far as I know no one ever did it.

QuoteE) Has Entstehung been solved?

Yes. Is it bad to say so? Maybe. But yes.

QuoteF) Has someone found something they weren't meant to because of a bug/accident?

Yes. Like there was the time I had moved the module starting location right in the middle of the secret new area I had built...

QuoteG) Why are kobolds so awesome?

Because they're physically weak but clever/co-operative dog-lizards with style.

QuoteH) Do you have any plans to play a PC again in secret? It'll be hard not to figure out who it is, despite you changing emote styles. We all know each other really well now, unfortunately.

Not anytime soon. I don't think you sleuthed out the last PC I had that played with you, by the way. But maybe you did.

QuoteI) Do you know what happened to Bonescreech? He was my favorite person to play with.

I don't know, but I don't think he liked EFU:R very much. Last I saw of him he was having trouble climbing in the "Exploring in the 'dark..." quest and then AFAIK he never logged in again. I would be happy if he returned.

QuoteJ) The animatrons that used to wander around sometimes had a number puzzle where you could speak numbers to them; the dialogue options were something like: 1. 5, 2. 346, 3. 1235 and so on. I've spent many hours within that dialogue tree but I think no combination ever yielded a result. Is it just ambience or is there something to it?

They were/are working precisely as intended.

QuoteK) What do you like better: someone who risks certain death because it is in character to do so, or someone who refuses a really cool DM quest that you prepared for a long time because of an IC reason?

The first. In general people should stay IC but usually I want people to go on my DM quests if I take the time to set them up.

QuoteL) What used to be your favorite quest back in the day? How about now?

I honestly haven't quested much in EFU:R but some day I would like to have a PC able to go on the Distant Shore quest. Also the complicated Machine quest the name of which I've forgotten.

I used to enjoy Sinister Enclave quite a bit. And Sand Crypt in chapter 1.

QuoteM) Do you have difficulty pulling the trigger? What I mean is this: there's this looming threat of Dread but much of the time, EfU-conflict is inner-faction or between factions, or political or criminal. Do you sometimes fear that having the threat erupt in a very tangible way (for example, armies besieging the city and winning) would ruin the political things? Sort of how in Game of Thrones, we always wanted the Others to finally attack, but now that they do, at least speaking for myself, I'd rather have the politics and the scheming back.

​This is a complex subject, but it is true that to some extent ramping up the stakes in a very big with a major existential evil is a hard thing to do and best avoided until such a time as the story is prepared to go in a new direction. Some things require a lot of follow-through/DM energy to appropriately handle.

QuoteN) You keep your life so private that in my imagination it is very fanciful. When you have spoken in the politics chat you always gave the impression of having lived the life of a well-meaning, but sheltered liberal of some social elite. Do you keep things private because you're famous, you're embarrassed or because you simply don't want to mix your online and offline lives because of the danger this poses these days?

I'm neither famous nor elite nor do I think I am particularly sheltered. I really just prefer to keep EFU and my real life separate, there are many good reasons for this - not specific to danger, but rather social embarrassment or awkwardness.

I don't think you are accurately representing my political views. I wouldn't consider myself a liberal in the contemporary sense of the word; I am probably something closer to a skeptical moderate about most things. It is true that I do value - thoughtfulness, expertise, balance, prudence, humility, and character - when evaluating someone for the role of a major chief executive. To some extent that really ought to be considered... conservative principles though.

QuoteO) Do you ignore tells when playing incognito? How do you avoid 'becoming friends'? Some players are chatty and will talk a lot in tells. Do you just not reply to them?

I don't really remember anyone trying to become friends with me.

QuoteP) Who is your favorite villain and why is it Intryzz?

I like Intryzz, but he's hardly much of a villain. A little bit, I suppose, but mostly Intryzz lives to amuse himself.

There are other contenders.

QuoteQ) Do you have a favorite book?

Not one in specific, but many favorites... I am reading mostly non-fiction these days. I can recommend Yuval Harari for a thoughtful take on human history.

QuoteR) Do you have a favorite fantasy book?

Many I like, not one specific favorite I don't think. I often recommend Jack Vance ("The Dying Earth" saga in particular).

QuoteS) Are you feeling better about the election result? You were a bit distraught in the politics chat back when the results came in.

Yes, I am feeling better certainly. I don't stay melancholic for long, actually these days I am mostly a quite happy person regardless of what is going on in the world. But I am still totally appalled by our current President.


I will answer the other questions later.

QuoteT) Of all the places you have been in the world, was there one you liked the best? Visually or culturally?

I quite like Iceland (nature), Bolivia (nature & adventure), Peru (nature), Colombia (adventure), London (city-life), Portugal (culture, lifestyle), Budapest (city-life), Russia (people), Poland (people & culture), and the USA (everything).

QuoteU) Walk us through your creative process. How did you come up with the setting? Was it something you and other ex-CoA people worked on together? Whose idea was it originally?

I think I used to be more creative when I was younger. Nowadays most things related to EFU are generated co-operatively by the whole team. I often find snippets of inspiration from things I read or encounter elsewhere.

The origin of the EFU setting is fairly simple. Myself and Wolf_Pack were discussing an ideal new setting for a new server. We brainstormed a few ideas. He suggested a slave settlement outside of Menzobaranzan (the drow canonical city). I didn't like the idea of doing much in canon but liked the idea of surfacer ex-slaves in the Underdark and felt that the Underdark would be an interesting and somewhat fresh place to have a setting. I then put together a brief document that sketched out a possible setting - a few basic setting secrets, the concept of three slaver cities (Chabzash, Ysinode, Traensyr), and a rough history of Sanctuary along with its major factions (Seekers, Spellguard, Tigereye, and Watch) and Council. The rather mundane names "Charles & Frederick Bresley" are a sad consequence of this rushed early document. Originally the Council was intended to be more like a Roman Senate with some ludicrously large number of members; thankfully this was changed. Later DMs helped flesh out a lot of different aspects. Arkov was largely responsible for generating a lot of Sanctuary's history. Crosswind developed the Watch and proposed having an early-plot built into it in which players would rapidly learn that the Sheriff was part of a corrupt ring of child-slavers (in the end this plot took more than a year to come to fruition, but never mind). Most early DMs really hated the inclusion of the Tigereyes, but I was stubborn, and then it turned out that a lot of Tigereye players became DMs so nowadays most people remember the Tigereyes fondly.

QuoteV) Are there some master files detailing the "TRUTH" of the setting or are you making things up as you go along? A bit of both?

The story absolutely has a life of its own and naturally there is plenty of improvisation relating to all kinds of things. However, there is indeed a set of master files relating to certain core setting secrets and themes. There are the Core B files which are made available to trusted & experienced DMs, and then there are the final, ultimate Core A files which are kept only in the event of my own death or disappearance - during such a circumstances, the encrypted file requires a passcode from three separate DMs - Shadowcharlatan, as the True Master of Lore - Nukecat, as the only other surviving Wave 1 DM, and Snoteye - Lord of the End of Everything, our Jergalite Bureaucrat. The Core A files are otherwise unavailable to all DMs and its contents known only by myself and Arkov, who has taken a vow of total silence (it is rumored that his knowledge of the dreadful truths therein is responsible for his many year absence).

QuoteW) Have you ever pretended to be a new player to see how players react, to see whether the climate is still friendly and welcoming?

I think I did a few times in chapter 1. I believe there was one incident in which a player was particularly helpful, later that player received a mini-event and a piece of custom phat loot.

Nowadays though I would probably think a fresh cd key is just a banned player who's sneaked back into the server. =(

QuoteX) But no, seriously, that Puzzler's Key doesn't go anywhere, right? We've been looking for years!

Apparently not in the right place.

QuoteY) There was a weird combination lock in Old Stones. Did anyone ever open it just by fiddling with it long enough? What about other, similar combination locks?

I think there was one yes, but I can't remember the details...

QuoteZ) If you had just one small bit of advice for others, what'd it be? EfU-related or in general.

​Spend a few minutes a day doing something genuinely constructive with your life beyond either EFU or normal studies/work.

Quotea) I had a few characters solo their way up Slaver's Way, but there wasn't much reward or point for doing so - but it would still be fun if there was something neat.

I'm sorry your statement must be phrased as a question.

Quoteb) That crystal in the Caustic Caverns. Is there anything more to it that you can do without a DM? Or is it just ambience at this point? One of the major strengths of EfU is that, often, you can't tell.

Well, it is something.

Quotec) Did anything ever come of the things you can do at the bottom of the Honeycomb? Did anyone ever manage to do the thing needed to learn more there?

As far as I know there are aspects related to this that have not been fully discovered by anyone - but I'm not 100% on that.

Quoted) There was a short-lived plot regarding the Third Eye and psionics. In the faction area, there was a sewer drain with an OOC warning that jumping it will likely be lethal. The area is no longer there, so I never had a chance to find out what would have been there.

I don't know about this.

Quotee) Are there any "1 in 100" things that ever happened? For example, a player rolling the best result on Bloodmage transformations or anything like that?

Not that I can remember.

Quotef) You said earlier that you could become a God. How about a lich? How about a vampire?

​Definitely a lich, it's a worthy goal that could be pursued IG.

Vampire - not sure - perhaps as part of a plot. I mean Nightriser PCs basically were vampires.

Quote0) Do you think our world is beautiful?

Yes.

Thank you for the many answers. I could easily ask another thirty because I always had a passion for this setting... I wish you well!

Did the Netherese do anything right?

Wouldn't it be easier for the Netherese to execute dangerous criminals than build the megalabyrinth-prison of Alackazabbraddathrax floating o'er the ley crossroads closest to the negative plane, only open whence the dragon Brezzedoszaffar the Epicurist became roused from his supiternal slumber by the Cosmic Conjunction of the Spheres which herald the Death of the Undying Divinity, unlocked by the woeful squeals of a thousand would-be mothers of stillborns clutching their ravaged wombs as Shub-Niggurath supped upon their helpless misery to defecate the Eternal Missing Piece of the Demiurgic Death Engine of Blastoronzzymph contaminating the land with Unlife yet safekeeping the Realm from the Sleepless Slumber of Gradiozzaneph the Original Prisoner of Alackazabbraddathrax who will be defeated by Brezzedoszaffar the Epicurist once the Sun rises from the West for the thousandth year?

god silvermoon dervish, if they just killed the criminals then we wouldnt have efu

If you had thought you could get away with giving clerics spell failure in EFU:A/M due to The Mist that Shrouds even the Eyes of the Gods, would you have done so?

QuoteDid the Netherese do anything right?

Yes.

QuoteWouldn't it be easier for the Netherese to execute dangerous criminals than build the megalabyrinth-prison of Alackazabbraddathrax floating o'er the ley crossroads closest to the negative plane, only open whence the dragon Brezzedoszaffar the Epicurist became roused from his supiternal slumber by the Cosmic Conjunction of the Spheres which herald the Death of the Undying Divinity, unlocked by the woeful squeals of a thousand would-be mothers of stillborns clutching their ravaged wombs as Shub-Niggurath supped upon their helpless misery to defecate the Eternal Missing Piece of the Demiurgic Death Engine of Blastoronzzymph contaminating the land with Unlife yet safekeeping the Realm from the Sleepless Slumber of Gradiozzaneph the Original Prisoner of Alackazabbraddathrax who will be defeated by Brezzedoszaffar the Epicurist once the Sun rises from the West for the thousandth year?

No.

QuoteIf you had thought you could get away with giving clerics spell failure in EFU:A/M due to The Mist that Shrouds even the Eyes of the Gods, would you have done so?

No, because the problem with removing deities is to ensure that whatever replaces them is still cool - I'm not sure Relic Guardians are that great, but there's some potential maybe. It just takes some time and thought to develop.

What would you consider the lowest common denominator of conflict?

QuoteWhat would you consider the lowest common denominator of conflict?

Hm. Could you expand upon this question? Do you mean what is the least substantial reason for conflict between characters?

Who would win in a fight, Tau vs. Cathbadh?

Are there instances of PVP that have resulted in FD that you just really didn't agree with? Any you wanted to retcon just because the character was so good or other reasons?

QuoteWho would win in a fight, Tau vs. Cathbadh?

​It would be a long and bloody fight. I think probably Cathbadh, as he would fight dirty.

QuoteAre there instances of PVP that have resulted in FD that you just really didn't agree with? Any you wanted to retcon just because the character was so good or other reasons?

​Of course... many times! But we have to try to be fair.

Is the current setting of EFU the last change in setting we're likely to experience? (Obviously, things change, I had meant in terms of surface/locale).

How can we help DM retention? I understand that people come and go, but usually, even on other servers - they'll stick around for a little bit and then jetset off again.

When abouts can we expect the new crafting system? Can't wait for a use for herbs and other random bits and bobs.

Any examples of underappreciated areas that you or the DM team have in mind? I feel there are many great places in the server/module, just that getting to them or even seeing them (puzzles/riddles) is the hardest part. This isn't a "woe is me I can't find hidden cool shit", but rather a "are there cool places under our noses that we could be appreciating"?)

If most apps are accepted, are the people who can reliably get them accepted the ones that apply the most?

QuoteIs the current setting of EFU the last change in setting we're likely to experience? (Obviously, things change, I had meant in terms of surface/locale).

Who knows but we occasionally discuss new chapter ideas. For example....

"Escape from Gaeseric: The Passion of Gundahar" - just in case we need to go for a new audience
"Escape from the Nightrisen: The Bone Armies" - Nightrisers in the Underdark could be cool
"Escape from Intryzz: The Games of the Pyrimo" - If Sanctuary falls I think it would be possible to have an entire setting in the Sleeping Pyrimo actually...
"Escape from the Mist: The Deadly Fog Descends" - there's a lot of untapped potential with the Mist I suppose...
"Escape from Omar: The Mean Streets of the Wire" - because I know some of you like the Wire just as much as I do
"Escape from City of Old Port: Survival" - some sort of brain-zombie survival horror set in Old Port, since I know so many people wished we would have had a setting in Old Port...
"Escaped from Sanctuary: Back to the Surface" - We could re-use some old EFU:A content just with surface creepers and stranger lighting
"Escape from Traensyr: The Founding of Sanctuary" - some kind of prequel; maybe having the setting take place during the days of Charles and Frederick Bresley and players would have to try to escape from the various drow houses
"Escape from the Internet: Real Life" - the final chapter I guess

QuoteHow can we help DM retention? I understand that people come and go, but usually, even on other servers - they'll stick around for a little bit and then jetset off again.

If I knew the answer to this the server would be a better place. I suppose just being fun and chill.

QuoteWhen abouts can we expect the new crafting system? Can't wait for a use for herbs and other random bits and bobs.

I would not hold your breath.

QuoteAny examples of underappreciated areas that you or the DM team have in mind? I feel there are many great places in the server/module, just that getting to them or even seeing them (puzzles/riddles) is the hardest part. This isn't a "woe is me I can't find hidden cool shit", but rather a "are there cool places under our noses that we could be appreciating"?)

I wish there were more kobolds using the kobold monster lair. Because it is a great lair.

What was the single most difficult thing you developed for EFU? Either a script, tileset, quest, or perhaps world-building, plot, or faction concept. Anything that comes to mind!

What was the easiest?

What is the one trait found in either a player or a player character (or perhaps both) that immediately makes you take an interest in them?

What is the one trait that makes you uneasy when you see it?

If you could do one thing over, what would it be? How would you improve it?

Currently, what is your favorite aspect of the server?

Least favorite?

In EFU1 there was a "junkyard" location that I think was somewhere in the machine.  In the junkyard there was a small shack guarded by an intellect devourer.  Who's shack was that, and what was it doing there?

I'm someone who probably just doesn't know how to ask the right questions so I'll ask these ones.

When it comes to plot hooks or stories IG that involve specific players, how are they normally created?

Does a DM happen across an interesting person IG, find out what they are about and start creating events for that person if they're interested in where they are headed?

Do players ask the DMs if they can do this and that spontaneously when a DM is available and go from there?

Are story ideas posted as apps for NPC associations or lodged in DM Q&A private discussions?

All of the above?

How pro-active do you prefer the players to be when it comes to enforcing their own tale upon the setting, and any suggestions for people looking to make their own mark but don't know who or how to ask?

QuoteIn EFU1 there was a "junkyard" location that I think was somewhere in the machine. In the junkyard there was a small shack guarded by an intellect devourer. Who's shack was that, and what was it doing there?

I think this was a mostly abandoned contribution from Wolf_Pack a.k.a. GreenerGrass - it was supposed to be something to do with Ghaunadaur, but it never really went anywhere.

Hello fishingpenguin! Been a long time.

What was the deal with the blood golem in the pocket plane accessed by cathbadh's relic? What was its purpose, and was it ever possible to control or destroy it?

One of my greatest efu regrets was being a dumbass and killing Johannes'  awesome PC and ending that miniplot :(

EFU has perhaps been one of the best designed servers for NWN I've ever seen but after the sudden loss of my last character I lost a lot of interest in playing.

This was in March.

Is there any advice at all you might be able to give for someone trying to get back into the game, or the server once again?

A) Was there anything dedicated to the Cartographer that existed on Ymph that wasn't relevant to his hobby/profession but rather him as a person (such as abandoned journals, mist visions, virgin lands where he might've rested/visited/finally passed on)?


B) I don't need to know 'how' this chapter ends, but I do want to know; how soon will the setting leave the Underdark?

What are your expectations of a good player? Should they cater to the enjoyment of other PCs, or would you prefer they look after their own interests and fun first?

What are your expectations of a good DM?

Can we get a new necromancer to take over Thomas' shop? Maybe little withering Molly wants to be like daddy.

Questions on some NPCS.

1 General Drexia

How did Razul get him to abandon the Rubies? Also how did he come to serve the Rubies?

2 Thomas the Necromancer

Thomas got exiled. How come? Why did he establish an inn?


3 The Count and Trenada

I remember Trenada being going from being one of the counts largest supporters to being the Count's foe. What caused this?

4 The Grand Larson Burkden's backstory

Seriously this dude was a badass and I remember him speaking up for some poor man and beating up Caddies's governor in a duel.

5 If the Count had gotten the crown of the Isles, what would have happened?

6 Is it possible for a PC to achieve Lichdom?

With the reveal of NWN:EE by Beamdog, what does the DM team plan on doing? Will it stick with 1.69, or will it attempt to move over to the new game?

I feel that's a very big question for the server's status at the moment, considering that there could be a massive influx of new players. It also affects the current playerbase, as we'd all have to drop 20$ to keep on playing, since the game dev's have stated they will not allow cross-server from 1.69 to EE.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

QuoteWhat was the deal with the blood golem in the pocket plane accessed by cathbadh's relic? What was its purpose, and was it ever possible to control or destroy it?

[/FONT]
It was a plot. Cathbadh was running tournaments and collecting the blood from the combatants to make a Blood Golem to destroy Ysinode because he knew they would be a big problem later on (remember, this was in EFU chapter 1). Sadly his plans were foiled and the Blood Golem was never used against the Illithid (oops). To be fair I'm not sure it would really have worked. The golem couldn't have been easily controlled but it could have been released by players; but that never happened.

QuoteOne of my greatest efu regrets was being a dumbass and killing Johannes' awesome PC and ending that miniplot :(

[/FONT]
Perhaps in so doing you doomed the world?

Quote[/FONT]EFU has perhaps been one of the best designed servers for NWN I've ever seen but after the sudden loss of my last character I lost a lot of interest in playing.

This was in March.

Is there any advice at all you might be able to give for someone trying to get back into the game, or the server once again?

Don't force it. EFU isn't going anywhere and it's fine to just come in and out as you feel the whim. Just pay attention to the server, and when you feel like it dive back in. Perhaps play something extroverted that gives you an excuse to interact with everyone you see. Maybe a friendly, eccentric beggar? Volunteer to carry people's packs? Clean their armor from goblin blood? And then perhaps over time develop a more interesting agenda, find yourself at the fulcrum of important events, and all of a sudden maybe your friendly beggar is deciding the fate of the world.

QuoteA) Was there anything dedicated to the Cartographer that existed on Ymph that wasn't relevant to his hobby/profession but rather him as a person (such as abandoned journals, mist visions, virgin lands where he might've rested/visited/finally passed on)?

Not that I can recall. [/FONT]

QuoteB) I don't need to know 'how' this chapter ends, but I do want to know; how soon will the setting leave the Underdark?

We have never formally announced the end of a chapter. With every transition, there have been a series of subtle IC and OOC indicators that the attentive & alert player might pick up on. Keep your eyes open, for in EFU some fresh doom is always around the corner.

QuoteWhat are your expectations of a good player? Should they cater to the enjoyment of other PCs, or would you prefer they look after their own interests and fun first?

[/FONT]
This is a complex subject, addressed in more depth elsewhere (how to Rock Socks, for example). Generally speaking, I like players who entertain themselves - but of course a good player should also be mindful about the enjoyment of others.

QuoteWhat are your expectations of a good DM?

[/FONT]
A good DM is someone who respects the server, respects EFU, respects the rest of the team, respects the player base, is easy to work with, and finds some useful role to play. This could be anything from scripting/development to behind-the-scenes maintenance to meta-plot development to content building.

QuoteCan we get a new necromancer to take over Thomas' shop? Maybe little withering Molly wants to be like daddy.

Closed permanently I'm afraid, but feel free to roll up a necromancer PC to open your own shop. [/FONT]

Quote[/FONT]1 General Drexia

How did Razul get him to abandon the Rubies? Also how did he come to serve the Rubies?

Drexia was one of the finest warriors to be had in the UD or surface; and naturally gravitated towards an elite organization in which he could readily advance (a possibility unavailable to him in Traensyr). However, the success he achieved among the Rubies paled in comparison to the possibilities available to him in close service to Razul. Razul knew precisely what to say to him to bind him to his service forever more. [/FONT]

Quote2 Thomas the Necromancer[/FONT]

Thomas got exiled. How come? Why did he establish an inn?

[/FONT]
There have been various hints about Thomas' backstory, but as they were rather subtle I am not surprised they haven't been picked up upon. He was actually a member of a small adventuring company in the early days of Sanctuary. He was naturally highly interested in Dunwarren and the powerful emanations of necromantic energy. However, in those early days of Sanctuary there was little room for a powerful mage that would not join the fledgling Spellguard (and necromancy also was quite frowned upon). He was defeated in a mage duel by none other than Melinda Serena Bresley, and offered exile or death. He chose exile, and scrupulously followed the terms of this exile for the century and a half that followed. He did of course retain an intense interest in Dunwarren and thus did not wish to travel too far, thus establishing his "shop" very close to the outskirts. From there he was involved in many interesting adventures and had many interesting apprentices until his story finally finished with his self-sacrifice that was instrumental for the arduous act of animating Etorix-Once-More.

Quote3 The Count and Trenada[/FONT]

I remember Trenada being going from being one of the counts largest supporters to being the Count's foe. What caused this?

I'm not the best to answer this question. But I don't think he was ever truly loyal to the Count. [/FONT]

Quote4 The Grand Larson Burkden's backstory [/FONT]

Seriously this dude was a badass and I remember him speaking up for some poor man and beating up Caddies's governor in a duel.

Yes.[/FONT]

Quote5 If the Count had gotten the crown of the Isles, what would have happened?

It would have been amazing, I'm sure.[/FONT]

Quote6 Is it possible for a PC to achieve Lichdom?

Absolutely.[/FONT]
 
 

QuoteWith the reveal of NWN:EE by Beamdog, what does the DM team plan on doing? Will it stick with 1.69, or will it attempt to move over to the new game?

I feel that's a very big question for the server's status at the moment, considering that there could be a massive influx of new players. It also affects the current playerbase, as we'd all have to drop 20$ to keep on playing, since the game dev's have stated they will not allow cross-server from 1.69 to EE.

Thanks for your thoughts.

I believe we will move to EE.

First off, I’ve missed you guys and gals! Now questions:

1) What is one of the most heart breaking encounters or dialogs you DM’d between PCs?

2) How did it personally feel to have PCs escape from the underdark in the first chapter? And are their statues still in game somewhere?

3) Is there a particular class and/or race you wished people played more in EFU?

4) Has EFU drifted from Forgotten Realms Lore as a non-canon PW that it is essentially no longer part of Forgotten Realms?

5) Are still connected or hear from with the old DMs and Players of old (email, IRC, forums, etc...)?

6) What was your favorite piece of loot created that was a direct result of a players actions in game?

7) What are your top three PC battles (individual duels or group battles) that you DM’d? And why?

8) Since returning to the underdark has there been any desire to bring back old factions?

9) Who was Bobo the clown in real life?

10) What was one regret in each chapter of EFU, excluding the current chapter since it has not ended, that you wish you could alter or change entirely.

Cheers Bro!

I loved EFU back in the day...I used to spend a lot of time here. I'm back to scratch that itch though! I reinstalled yesterday and got everything up and good. My only concern now is time...I don't have the time I used to. Any advice for players with limited time and how they can make a difference and gain a little DM love here and there?


Go easy...I'm rusty lol!


As an aside, thanks for this Howland, I played with and around you before there was an EFU. You've always been a top notch player and DM. This server has brought countless hours of enjoyment for many. To me that's something to be proud of!

I really thought I answered these questions already but perhaps I just dreamed it. Let's get it done before the new year!

1) What is one of the most heart breaking encounters or dialogs you DM’d between PCs?
My heart is cold and shriveled. Nothing really comes to mind... I vaguely recall Amadeus Aethersee murdering his girlfriend or something in a particularly tragic manner, I think the dialogue was amusingly melodramatic. But it wasn't actually heart-breaking or anything.


It is sad sometimes when characters I really like die brutally or fail in some way.
2) How did it personally feel to have PCs escape from the underdark in the first chapter? And are their statues still in game somewhere?
Oh man, that was exciting. And great. But one escape quest in particular killed me. I sort of toolset-dm'ed for some obscenely long period of time, I think it ended with everyone being taunted by rays of sunshine from just above before they all just cannibalized each other. It got dark. And then I collapsed into a stupor, and I heard some wings (from pigeons outside I think), and in my frazzled dreams the wings were my guardian angel telling me not to dm so much. So I took a break for a few months.


But in general escape quests were good times! I always wanted to make every experience feel different and for those PCs who achieved it to feel like they really accomplished something amazing. Sadly the statues are no longer available in EFU. Perhaps I should rectify that somehow.
3) Is there a particular class and/or race you wished people played more in EFU?
Not really.
4) Has EFU drifted from Forgotten Realms Lore as a non-canon PW that it is essentially no longer part of Forgotten Realms?
Certainly by quite a lot, although we still borrow heavily in certain key ways.
5) Are still connected or hear from with the old DMs and Players of old (email, IRC, forums, etc...)?
Not as much as I would like, but there are some oldies who hang around now under new names that I'm aware of. It would be nice if the old gang would come around on to IRC more often!


6) What was your favorite piece of loot created that was a direct result of a players actions in game?
I'm sure there are many good candidates. It's fun when old pieces of loot circulate around in a cool way, or when loot items get improved over time.


I guess I'd pick "Runt's Armor" in EFU Chapter 1. He was kind of the first "Scrapper" type PC long before there were Scrappers. He was a halfling, with goggles, who got into the Machine and who made some armor out of metal scrap that he found under my supervision. I was a lot less generous back then though, and I think the armor was practically worthless and mostly just got him killed with massive fire/electrical damage vulnerabilities. And I tormented him by always trying to kill him with a sneaky Chosen named Krabb. Anyway, for nostalgia alone I'll pick Runt's armor, sure.
7) What are your top three PC battles (individual duels or group battles) that you DM’d? And why?
Well, one doesn't really "dm" PvP usually - just watch. But man, there has been so many. From sneaky assassinations in early EFU to some great EFU:A PvP around Ogerribbit and then that epic bridge battle in EFU:M...
Since returning to the underdark has there been any desire to bring back old factions?


Well, we sort of did!
9) Who was Bobo the clown in real life?


Bobo was a creation of Mundigo the Marvelous, built to entertain all the poor little boys and girls of Sanctuary who never had a chance to see the surface. Of course "Clown Land", despite all its marvels, turned out to be not such a nice place to visit. Interesting how the themes of such an old quest have turned out to be so relevant to the themes of EFUR...
10) What was one regret in each chapter of EFU, excluding the current chapter since it has not ended, that you wish you could alter or change entirely.


Probably a lot of things, but I'll change the question and say the things that I regret I never really got to develop or build properly in each chapter.


Chapter 1: Castle Noctuvir and haunted Noctuvir Island - one of the first building projects I began, and I did dm some stuff there from time to time, but it was never implemented to my full satisfaction.


Chapter 2: I wanted to have more awesome island exploration and naval stuff. I wanted PCs to be able to buy ships and sail around to randomized island locales with badass adventures. Also the King's Oubliette.


Chapter 3: The original plan for the Darkening was to have it not come with the chapter end, but instead have a sort of period of mass war on Ymph between Nightrisers and H'balan Undead with lots of crazy stuff happening.


Chapter 4: Lots of building projects not completed to my satisfaction for sure. Oh well...

"Any advice for players with limited time and how they can make a difference and gain a little DM love here and there?"

Come up with a character and stick with it even if you don't play him every day. But a sort of steady 1/week presence will do a lot more for your enjoyment than just rolling up a new PC every time you have time to play EFU. IMO, at least.

Do you have in mind a proper end point for the story of EFU or is it rather fluid? If it were to end for whatever reason, would you be interested in a 'reboot' or would you want to do something much different?

- How is it decided which gods will perish?  I don't mean to say that like trying to predict what will happen next but I remembered early on there was a huge swath of gods that dropped from across the entire spectrum, then radio silence, then entire racial pantheons.

- Lairs are super fun but they all seem to fall into a similar vein of standard monsterization with the exception of the Necromantic lair which has some magical elements. Would it ever be possible to see some awesome Devilish sanctum of evil faustian library? A slaad feeding pit for unpredictable sorcerors and other mad planar pals? Dendar Cultist Lair?  I know EFU is low magic but the monster lairs I've encountered and seem and even on the list all seem very "Primal" if that makes sense.

- With the new PRC adjustments and the ability to modify haks would it be possible to see something like the old Arcaheologist PRC or otherwise resurface?

- Which did you like more, Caermyn or Aberdeen?

- What's your favorite class to play?

Quote from: IIIIIIIII on January 03, 2018, 11:13:49 PM
Do you have in mind a proper end point for the story of EFU or is it rather fluid? If it were to end for whatever reason, would you be interested in a 'reboot' or would you want to do something much different?

Yes.

When the story is truly finished, then it is over.

Quote from: Random_White_Guy on January 03, 2018, 11:16:41 PM
- How is it decided which gods will perish?  I don't mean to say that like trying to predict what will happen next but I remembered early on there was a huge swath of gods that dropped from across the entire spectrum, then radio silence, then entire racial pantheons.

It's generally discussed internally among the DMs; certainly it's true the thrust is to move away from Deity NPCs being active movers and yet do it in an interesting way. Some of the less interesting deities were just devoured off camera, but with a lot of them we tried to bundle it in some kind of cool little plot.

Quote
- Lairs are super fun but they all seem to fall into a similar vein of standard monsterization with the exception of the Necromantic lair which has some magical elements. Would it ever be possible to see some awesome Devilish sanctum of evil faustian library? A slaad feeding pit for unpredictable sorcerors and other mad planar pals? Dendar Cultist Lair?  I know EFU is low magic but the monster lairs I've encountered and seem and even on the list all seem very "Primal" if that makes sense.

I'm not at all opposed to it personally. It just takes a little time to set them up. But I'm not sure I really agree. For example we had -


The Spellguard Faction lair that led to some cool stuff (IMO)
The Dwarf Fortress Lair that has been used from time to time
The Scum Lair

Quote
- With the new PRC adjustments and the ability to modify haks would it be possible to see something like the old Arcaheologist PRC or otherwise resurface?

Possible. I'm not sure there's much enthusiasm about Archaeologist specifically.. but I can imagine some move to develop some new PRCs at some point.

Quote- Which did you like more, Caermyn or Aberdeen?

You know it's interesting but Caermyn/Aberdenn is probably one of the biggest EFU 'things' that I really had almost nothing to do with personally. I had very little to do with their conceptualization, didn't design any of their faction areas/NPCs/uniforms, never touched their system, almost never DM'ed their NPCs (aside from Owain when he got the Crown), etc. So I have a quite neutral perspective on them I suppose...


So I'm sitting here thinking about it, and first I wrote Aberdeen, and then I thought about it some more, and then I wrote Caermyn... and now I'm writing this sentence, and I guess what I'm trying to say is that I can't choose between the two. Which is a cop out, but also an indication that I think they matched each other quite nicely and well. But "Menaster Caermyn" is definitely one of the best names we've had in EFU.

Quote- What's your favorite class to play?

Bard or powerful-melee sorcerers. I like the combination of magic/melee and lots of buttons to push.

<Magister> The old burning dead quest.  Was there a way to get into the middle bit?  Or was that just clever use of the area to make an inaccessible area where you could put your loot template containers.  Can you reveal how to get in there, if there was?  Would you please?

Quote from: prestonhunt on January 08, 2018, 09:31:12 PM
<Magister> The old burning dead quest.  Was there a way to get into the middle bit?  Or was that just clever use of the area to make an inaccessible area where you could put your loot template containers.  Can you reveal how to get in there, if there was?  Would you please?

There was no way to get in there, it existed purely to make players suffer.

Then let me just say that it worked.

Of course it did.

Are there lyrics to any of the EfU custom songs? Do you have your own lyrics for the songs in NWN, EfU, or the ones that Mort added in that old music override?

No lyrics from me, I'm not very musical. I enjoy some of the EFU poetry that has tumbled up though, mostly from ShadowCharlatan....

For example in addition to the classic of "Remember Hammer 24," I always thought this (from Shadowcharlatan) was really neat bit of lyricism:

QuoteA strange note scrawled in a childish hand.

"I could not be left exultantly here for my year alone... the dead have come to taunt me... there, from this wan life does step a vestigial tide... evoking breaths in the dark which turned into voices.

They spoke of some sphere snuffed, faith cold, me dead... they told me I cannot Life at all in a countless, unshined, sleeping, vast bitterness... Though through here enter the nevermen who are cleansed of Life... and once came a Thing who told me 'In sleep there stir jaws.'

But where shall I go if not sleep?

If any came to his tomb where scribes fell beyond they would find black mad thunder... unless they were under fire, eyes open, unremembering...

As I stopped a Want of Hope there, he glared at me and told me to trip in my fears and grow no certitude there, for it will never come.

So I did..."

"We were... some error... His desert glared dread love... ?

Or wild mirth?

We recur down, down, HEAVE through the cold stride... in which mysteries make missteps for years.

But all anguishes could never offer this wonder. The daylight... pest... ruined angels. So lamps try brittle soups of light in, and murmur women and riches at us in shadows as we sleep. A fell message: WORSHIP THUS, WRETCH:

IN CLAMPS AND SHAPES.

FAITH AND CLATTER.

WILD DARKNESS FALLS."

Quote from: Knight Of Pentacles on September 09, 2017, 07:49:51 PM
What happened to Grimfael Corval that led to his death?

I'm not Howland obviously but I do know the answer to this one. He perished during EfU:A rescuing a PC from the nightrisers. I remember being involved, an expedition into the ruins below went sour for the Veilguard (or whatever that faction was called)


It was a complete surprise when he turned up again later despite being very dead but that's another story.

1.  You've said before it's possible to become a god. Is it really? I've always fancied the idea of replacing Torm with a chaotic good "Righteous Fury" over the Loyal Fury so the Triad would have a LG, NG, and CG series of dieties

2. What advice would you give for PCs who want nice and happy things to happen, beyond 'play somewhere else's

3. Do you think there's simply a tendency for villainous PCs and their agendas to be more competent and driven than supposedly heroic PCs?

4. Waffles or Pancakes?

5. I know you've said you dislike how involved FRs cosmogical beings are in creation, but when is Ao or his boss gonna get off their arse and do something about the primordial concept of the void eating everything?

1.

QuoteYou've said before it's possible to become a god. Is it really? I've always fancied the idea of replacing Torm with a chaotic good "Righteous Fury" over the Loyal Fury so the Triad would have a LG, NG, and CG series of dieties

Practically speaking it's unlikely for a PC to truly become a God. I can imagine circumstances where it would happen, but it would be as part of some very elaborate plot and be somewhat reliant on a very serious and awe-inspiring effort on behalf of an outstanding player with a large supporting cast of allied PCs and be done over the course of a very long time.

I think it's a somewhat silly goal, perhaps suited for an insane/megalomaniacal PC, but for the truly ambitious I'd suggest things like...

- Become the next Spellguard Commander
- Destroy Etorix Once More
- Complete (or destroy) the Dunwarren Machine
- Destroy the Elder Brain of Ysinode
- Become Warlord of Dunwarren
- Establish your own palace within Final Sanctuary
- Transcend your human form and become Aberrant Master of the Exile Colective
- Drain the streets of Lower Sanctuary from the ooze, or let it rise and engulf the world

2.

QuoteWhat advice would you give for PCs who want nice and happy things to happen, beyond 'play somewhere else's

That is definitely not the advice I would provide. I really think it's a misconception if you think I or other DMs don't want "PCs who want nice and happy things to happen" to be around. EFU is admittedly dark, but I genuinely think a dark setting allows good-aligned characters to shine all the more brightly.

I think it depends on the goals somewhat. A heroic champion of light will have a hard time of it because all PCs who want to accomplish great things will have a hard time of it. But I think - for example - there's a lot of room for just regular decent folk who try to buck things up despite the pressure. I think carving out a little decency in the darkness can be a great thing to portray and not unduly difficult in EFU.

Quote3. Do you think there's simply a tendency for villainous PCs and their agendas to be more competent and driven than supposedly heroic PCs?

Often this is the case, yes, but not always.

Quote4. Waffles or Pancakes?

Pancakes.

Quote5. I know you've said you dislike how involved FRs cosmogical beings are in creation, but when is Ao or his boss gonna get off their arse and do something about the primordial concept of the void eating everything?

I really wouldn't count on that. I think in large part some of the cosmological disasters that have taken place can be seen as a way to shift towards a setting increasingly devoid of over-powers and one with more ambiguity and... uncertainty.

It's around this era that Dragonborn (not counting the Dragonborn of Bahamut) were introduced to Toril.

Is this a subrace that might be introduced in future, or might already be available?

I don't think so.

Do you cry a bit deep inside when you see people using 2 healing knives while using the herb packs to heal people?

Dual wielding scalpels doesn't quite make sense but I understand the impulse; I've been making a point to set the ones that we have to disallow an off hand weapon which should take care of it.

Quote from: putrid_plum on April 11, 2018, 02:34:34 PM
Do you cry a bit deep inside when you see people using 2 healing knives while using the herb packs to heal people?

I'm pretty sure that's against the rules now and it's even in the item desc!

There are plenty of knives that do not say that.

Hello Howland,

EDIT: I believe I've found the answers to my original questions through trawling through a years worth of missed major events, rumours and gossip and other content. New one added instead!

Quote from: Howlando on September 10, 2017, 07:29:27 AM

QuoteRabbanatha the Pure,Glaurophynaxia the Fierce,Abanaxra the Sleeper,and ?

That's all, really. I think at some point there was a fourth that had died and was going to be used by H'bala as a headless steed, but - as it didn't really happen too much - I can't be bothered to try to find the name, if it even had one.

I thought it was uncovered back in EFU:M (memories are sketchy though) that the fourth mist dragon was from whom the Crown of the Isles was forged? Was that not the case?

Ah yes, found it, the Fourth book of Torizaela:

Quote from: 'The Fourth Book of Torizaela'"The Fourth was the coming of Men. The isle would be forever changed by their coming, not least in name.


Where the elves bade the stone and forest to be as one, the Netherese would suffer nothing that did not bend to their will in the most complete precision. Their history is the longest, and of all histories--the best recorded on this island of Zephulot Ymph.


There was a majesty in their works and so thorough a violation of the island that I fled into my Brother's domain. Even there, we discovered, we were not safe.


Times of crisis came to Netheril, and a Conclave was held in the deep forests. There they blamed the mist for their troubles, and for the terrible visions that plagued their dying empire. 


They found us, and bound him in their spells. He, the mightiest of us. Dear Brother, I am so sorry for what they did to you...


He would speak nothing of it, for so long. I watched--I cannot remember whether it was months, or years. But eventually, they broke him, and took from him our greatest discovery and secret.

.. and they named it the Crown of the Isles.


This failure I attribute to my Weakness."

That is about him, the fourth dragon, no? I have of course assumed some things though: that it is Rabbanatha referring to an unnamed fourth and not one of the three known (the other male possibility being Abanaxra - but then that would mean Abanaxra would have been both her mate and someone she referred to as brother, which might actually be fine I guess but seems inconsistent in terms of how one might refer to their mate, presumably with a different manner of address or term of endearment) and that they carved it from his broken form much as Barakat did with Abanaxra. So, they may not have actually done that - I just read it that way, probably in light of what actually did end up happening to Abanaxra.

Follow up question: What would have happened if a player had put on the Crown of the Isles? (I imagine a variety of possibilities, determined by roll, or being retired into NPC status.)

Has anyone ever used the fabled 'corpse hand'???

How do we change or acquire Custom Titles? Is it something a forum moderator grants or is it something I can adjust myself?

QuoteI thought it was uncovered back in EFU:M (memories are sketchy though) that the fourth mist dragon was from whom the Crown of the Isles was forged? Was that not the case?

You are correct, the Crown of the Isles was carved from a dead Mist Dragon and the Dark Crown used by Barakat that allowed him to awaken Dendar was likewise carved from a dead Mist Dragon (Abanaxra).

QuoteFollow up question: What would have happened if a player had put on the Crown of the Isles? (I imagine a variety of possibilities, determined by roll, or being retired into NPC status.)

We would have taken it seriously and discussed with the team and player how to handle it. Generally speaking, the character would have received powers and abilities vastly beyond the purview of normal mechanical abilities but would almost certainly have swiftly fallen into a state of madness and increasing insanity until death. At least, that is my speculation - many things about EFU are not precisely planned in advance, but are developed spontaneously as the story unravels and so who knows what would have occurred. I will say that I appreciate that players took the Crown seriously and did not rush to just put it on for the sake of careless zany "let's see what happens" but instead stayed true to their characters and gave the whole plot a genuine gravitas that I and other DMs really appreciated.

QuoteHas anyone ever used the fabled 'corpse hand'???

I'm sure it's been used as flavor for many different necromantic rituals.

QuoteHow do we change or acquire Custom Titles? Is it something a forum moderator grants or is it something I can adjust myself?

A motivated DM is required.

Ever going to do those "Scroll of random teleportation" events ever again? I had alot of fun with those on Rose.

QuoteEver going to do those "Scroll of random teleportation" events ever again? I had alot of fun with those on Rose.

For sure.

How is it decided when major events will happen? As in, things such as the Siege of Multakt, The Siege of Traensyr, or the rise of plot creatures such as The Hubris of Man?

For context, i've noticed periods where there's a dearth of DM activity, and then times when there're dozens of major things happening at once. Is it on a time scale or whenever you're available, or..?

QuoteHow is it decided when major events will happen? As in, things such as the Siege of Multakt, The Siege of Traensyr, or the rise of plot creatures such as The Hubris of Man?

For context, i've noticed periods where there's a dearth of DM activity, and then times when there're dozens of major things happening at once. Is it on a time scale or whenever you're available, or..?

The most important factor (obviously) is the availability and interest of DMs.

We also try to maintain some level of plot activity going on in the life of the server as much as possible. Some times are certainly busier than others.

Does Sigil exist in Efu? If so are there any rumors to what's going on there?

There have been various references to the existence of Sigil in the past, but nothing too important. Describing and detailing what is going on in every canonical corner of the FR setting during what is clearly a cosmologically a very tumultous time in general would start to get pretty distracting. In general I would say that the focus of the EFU narrative is narrowing on our particular corner of the UD and that we are eagerly trying to resolve various plots and stories that are already in motion.

So no rumors, and probably best just ignored/forgotten for now.

Is that you, John Wayne? Is this me?

Some genuine plot questions


1 How did the Count manage to get the support of House Jultar/Other Drow houses?


2 What was the deal with the half-drow in gobsquat and why where those goblins so obsessed with being civilized?


3 What caused the Tigereye mercenaries to mutiny and kill eachother?


4 Have DMS ever considered implemented more player housing/offices that individual PCS could rent?


5 What is the story of Colonel Spittlefire and does he live?


6 Apparantly the nine hundred brothers lead by a certain Gnomish Urdlenite general where a mercenary company in the Underdark. What did they do in the Underdark?


7 If the council hadn't voted that one seeker councilors bid to remove Shep's long list of powers could a coup have been prevented? I feel somewhat responsible for my vote during the last council sessions of chapter 1.   


8 Where Ivylsar and Frederick Bresley lovers? Since he apparantly had no wife and Grulpo's poem does imply that Ivylsyr misses his lover.


9 Why did Ysionde invade Sanctuary in chapter 1?


10 Did Thrask Morv ever come close to betraying Razul and could he have pulled it off?


11 If a PC ever became a Ruby what kind of bonuses would they have gotten?

2 Questions-

1. What is the most satisfying event in efu you have witnessed that came about due to player action/inaction?

2. Same question- but the most gut wrenching event.

What is your favorite beer?

What would you like to see more of right now?

QuoteIs that you, John Wayne? Is this me?

Great film. Greetings OMGBear, you old fossil.

Quote1 How did the Count manage to get the support of House Jultar/Other Drow houses?

The relationship between the rulers of Old Port & and the Drow Houses of Jhael'nyir and then Jultar predated the Count. Old Port's principle source of wealth was as being such an important trading port between Traensyr and the surface world. The drow's primary concern was that the trade (particularly a ready supply of slaves brought in by pirates and slavers from elsewhere) continue uninterrupted. So long as the Count did nothing to affect this the drow would not overthrow him. I'm sure there was all manner of intrigue that went on over the years, but the Count and his Rubies were canny players of the game.

Quote2 What was the deal with the half-drow in gobsquat and why where those goblins so obsessed with being civilized?

Baelara (I think that was her name) was exiled from Traensyr/Old Port, unwelcome in either place. She found her way to Ymph and came upon a tribe of goblins who had come to worship the cargo that had drifted onto the Ymphian beaches in the style of RL cargo cults (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cargo_cult). The goblin tribe had adopted this almost cult-like, religious enthusiasm for "civilization" (which they didn't really understand) and she used this to manipulate them to let her establish her modestly profitable tavern in Ymph before the activation of the mythallar and settlement of Nebezzdos. Before the start of EFUA she had a fairly quiet life, protected by the goblins and selling rooms & ale to the occasional visiting hunters and explorers. Then of course EFUA happened and the whole region changed dramatically.

Quote3 What caused the Tigereye mercenaries to mutiny and kill eachother?

A degree of discontent was built into the faction's design from the start. A lot of the members were not happy at all with hiding out in Sanctuary, nor were they pleased with the circumstances of how they ended up there (formally called the 'Broken Shield Mercenary Company' they were induced to betray a contract, which led them to needing to hide from angry former employers and live in Sanctuary). There was one half-drow NPC, in particular, who wanted to take advantage of the discontent to eventually topple the Captain and take over. I believe he enlisted some PC help and one weekend - while I was away skiing - other DMs ran with and had a general mutiny. Personally I think it may have been a little premature, as I quite liked the faction, but it was cool how everything worked out in the end.

Quote4 Have DMS ever considered implemented more player housing/offices that individual PCS could rent?

Sure. I think there will be more stuff like this in the future, but it's difficult to get right. Unfortunately sometimes when we implement this stuff it just ends up being used by generic adventurers for storing junk items or contributes to characters moving away from inns & hubs... so, it must be done carefully.

Quote5 What is the story of Colonel Spittlefire and does he live?

Colonel Spitfire was an early humorous antagonist NPC that sort of stuck around for a while. I think GreenerGrass invented him specifically. I think the idea is that he would be a reoccurring goblin master-mind who would continuously be launching hare-brained shames against Sanctuary that would always fail. The NPC also satirized the view of some DMs that occasionally people would try to insert "tactics" into NWN gameplay in a way that just felt forced.

Quote6 Apparantly the nine hundred brothers lead by a certain Gnomish Urdlenite general where a mercenary company in the Underdark. What did they do in the Underdark?

All right I can't remember who they were and don't remember a gnomish urdlenite general. I do know that at one point I wrote an IG text with a list of a bunch of random mercenary company names and the Nine Hundred Brothers was one of them. The intent was mostly to give some hints as to the Broken Shield/Tigereye Mercenary Company backstory.  Later I think a lot of the mercenary companies ended up being used in amusing ways, including in the War on the Dark Lake - but I don't remember all the details.

Quote7 If the council hadn't voted that one seeker councilors bid to remove Shep's long list of powers could a coup have been prevented? I feel somewhat responsible for my vote during the last council sessions of chapter 1.   

I can't remember this period well enough to really say.

Quote8 Where Ivylsar and Frederick Bresley lovers? Since he apparantly had no wife and Grulpo's poem does imply that Ivylsyr misses his lover.

They were not. Neither were gay. Ivlysar was just elvish and easy to make fun of by a goblin, Frederick's passion was just the Way. I suppose they did have a strong admiration and regard for each other but not as lovers.

Quote9 Why did Ysionde invade Sanctuary in chapter 1?

It was hardly a real invasion but they were interested in testing an enthralled version of a dragon (Etorix) as a potential super-weapon. There is a long tradition of Sanctuary being an excellent testing ground for new projects of the Illithid....

Quote10 Did Thrask Morv ever come close to betraying Razul and could he have pulled it off?

Well Razul was the one who betrayed Thrask Morv, no? Thrask Morv did not fully understand the ritual that he was helping to complete, and he died in screaming agony in order to bring it to pass. Thrask Morv, although a formidable man and powerful Thayvian wizard, was somewhat outclassed by Razul and it's difficult to imagine circumstances where he'd have gotten the better of him.

Quote11 If a PC ever became a Ruby what kind of bonuses would they have gotten?

It was designed to be a PRC that was overlaid on top of whatever their existing build was, with additional perks being granted according to what they managed to accomplish IG on behalf of the Count.

These were the bonuses:

QuoteRank 1
Duty of the Infiltrator
Must successfully infiltrate an organization opposed to the Count and provide valuable intelligence and/or action.
Bonus:
Skill focus: Bluff, Stealthy, Skill focus: Disable Trap

Rank 2
Duty of the Assassin
Must assassinate or otherwise remove some enemy of the Count as targeted by a superior
Bonus:
Skill focus: Set Trap, Use Poison, Improved Sneak Attack 1d6 (basically just a way to throw an additional 1d6 sneak on top of whatever sneak the PC may already have....)

Rank 3
Duty of the Guard
Must perform valuable guarding service in the interests of the Count
Alertness, Skill focus: Intimidate, Iron Will

Rank 4
Duty of the Duelist
Must participate in and win a duel on behalf of the Count.
Skill focus: Taunt, Skill Focus: Parry, Dodge, Skill Focus: Discipline

Rank 5
Duty of the Protector
Must protect the Count from some grievous harm.
Improved Poison Saving Throws, Great Fortitude, Defensive Roll

Rank 6
Duty of the Advisor
Must be accepted into the Count's inner circle of trusted advisors.
Skill focus: Persuade, +2 Wisdom, Slippery Mind

Rank 7
Master Ruby
Must perform a deed of sufficient importance to the Count to be declared a Master Ruby.
Toughness, Gift of the Bloodmage (scripting required - polymorph into boy, girl, dog, rat, raven, gull 3/day), Gift of the Vizier (Shadow evade), Gift of the Count (powerful custom item), Sap

QuoteWhat is your favorite beer?

I like a nice sour Czech pilsner served in a rural lodge after climbing a mountain.

Of the mass-market beers, I'll go for a Stella or Pilsner Urquell.

QuoteWhat would you like to see more of right now?

Really I just want players to find characters and concepts that are interesting in some way that they enjoy and will stick with. I'm looking to ramp up some plots relating to Sanctuary and its inhabitants in the near-future.

I have recently learned you ski, are you a Cross Country or a downhill kinda guy?

Quote from: Black_TopHat on December 07, 2018, 03:20:00 AM
I have recently learned you ski, are you a Cross Country or a downhill kinda guy?

And what do you think of snowboarders?

QuoteI have recently learned you ski, are you a Cross Country or a downhill kinda guy?

Alpine.

QuoteAnd what do you think of snowboarders?

What is the difference between snowboarders and yogurt?
Yogurt has culture.

Actually I don't mind snowboarding, I am just too busy/cheap to learn something new so I will stick with skiing.

A bit of reminiscing and upcoming major events got me wondering about possible divergences in EFU:R's timeline. I'm not sure how much you're able to share, but I thought it'd be fun to ask anyway.

How different do you think the setting would be right now...

If Sanctuary had allied with the Drow in the Canal War?
What If Sanctuary had kept its alliance with the Svirfneblin?
Or If the plot to capture Kingsley by the Dread had been discovered in time?
How about if the Crystal War had gone the other way?
If the Ascension or the Ibrandulites had won the race for Shaundakuul's arm?
If the rebellion that brought the young bresley back to Sanctuary had been lost?

Was there a way to bully Thervion away for Councillors? I had an inkling ppl were supposed to free Bresley from her.

Do you have any plans to make a series of stand-alone adventure mod packs allowing players to experience much-celebrated but unwitnessed events in EfU's history, such  as Sanctuary's early days or the adventures of the Count's fearsome gang of misfits?

QuoteIf Sanctuary had allied with the Drow in the Canal War?

If Sanctuary had fully allied with the drow:

The svirfneblin would have lost, Sapphire Isle would have been conquered, it would have been christened as "Dead Gnome Port," and there would have been a pirate's den island place PCs could go visit (an alternative to Loblobliiiblop). Probably the drow pirates wouldn't have long been allied with Sanctuary though.

QuoteWhat If Sanctuary had kept its alliance with the Svirfneblin?

Sanctuary had an opportunity to drastically improve relations with the Sapphire Isle svirfneblin. Had they been helped to win in the War of the Dark Lake, Sapphire Isle would have become a place that PCs could go and visit. It's unlikely that Sapphire Isle would have remained a committed ally of Sanctuary but it would have been at least a somewhat friendly power on the Dark Lake.

QuoteOr If the plot to capture Kingsley by the Dread had been discovered in time?

I had nothing to do with dm'ing this personally so can't comment.

QuoteHow about if the Crystal War had gone the other way?

I think SC quoted our internal plot document about this elsewhere in the thread. In essence, Sanctuary would have become a very different place - fervently pro-crystal, militaristic, patrolled by strange crystal guardians and on a permanent war-footing with the Dread. The Spellguard would have remained, but forced to seal their Tower and perhaps operate as exiles reclusively out of the Machine.

Final Sanctuary would not have been made.

QuoteIf the Ascension or the Ibrandulites had won the race for Shaundakuul's arm?

If the Ascension had won I had plans for a major pilgrimage event, possibly to the bones of Frederick Bresley in Ymph.

If the Ibrandulites had won we weren't fully certain but had some plans about making the Underdark a far more maze-like and randomized/shifting labyrinth of caverns with Ibrandulite prayers being essential to safely navigate through.

QuoteIf the rebellion that brought the young bresley back to Sanctuary had been lost?

Can't really comment on this personally.

QuoteWas there a way to bully Thervion away for Councillors? I had an inkling ppl were supposed to free Bresley from her.

No comment.

QuoteDo you have any plans to make a series of stand-alone adventure mod packs allowing players to experience much-celebrated but unwitnessed events in EfU's history, such  as Sanctuary's early days or the adventures of the Count's fearsome gang of misfits?

That would be cool but sounds like a lot of work for little gain. If I'm going to build in NWN I prefer to do it for the live server.

Have you ever switched your DM avatar to a monstrous beholder when scolding someone IG?

What ultimately happened to Charles Bresley?

Who were the parents of William Bresley?

What happened to the children of Yorrick Bresley, or did he not conceive any?

Why was Stephanos Simms selected as a sacrificial lamb? Was it because he defended the innocence of Ivlysar?

QuoteHave you ever switched your DM avatar to a monstrous beholder when scolding someone IG?

Not yet!

QuoteWhat ultimately happened to Charles Bresley?

Who were the parents of William Bresley?

What happened to the children of Yorrick Bresley, or did he not conceive any?

Why was Stephanos Simms selected as a sacrificial lamb? Was it because he defended the innocence of Ivlysar?

I think it's a bit premature to discuss such questions at this time.

What was it with Varlam Nikitovich being a living clerk in the HoG for all of EfU:R? I'm absolutely certain he suicided by poison publically in EfU1.

QuoteWhat was it with Varlam Nikitovich being a living clerk in the HoG for all of EfU:R? I'm absolutely certain he suicided by poison publically in EfU1.

As much as I would like to say it was some kind of complex scheme involving a thrall from Intryzz, Netherese Seers Scheming to control the End, the grasping intrigue of a pickled Tube Woman..... really, it was just purely an OOC oversight, I had forgotten he had died. I liked the PC and just wanted to have a little homage to a really nice old HOG clerk PC and have him as a NPC hanging around.

What happened to Cudwig the Younger?  Could that ever had been found out IG? If so did it require mojor DM aid?

Quote from: Howlando on January 21, 2019, 12:45:40 PM

QuoteWhat was it with Varlam Nikitovich being a living clerk in the HoG for all of EfU:R? I'm absolutely certain he suicided by poison publically in EfU1.

As much as I would like to say it was some kind of complex scheme involving a thrall from Intryzz, Netherese Seers Scheming to control the End, the grasping intrigue of a pickled Tube Woman..... really, it was just purely an OOC oversight, I had forgotten he had died. I liked the PC and just wanted to have a little homage to a really nice old HOG clerk PC and have him as a NPC hanging around.

I think I like this answer best of any of the possible ones anyway, <3 for the old clerks.

Can you tell what kind of plans were there for if Ascensionists or Ibrandulites won the Cult War instead?

What was the background story to El Gutotha. Why were there so many undead there? Was there ever a cool story to this, or was it just a flavor thing to make it such a cool induction for the Stygian Armada?

Have you ever had to  ban players and if so, any ridiculous stories to come from it?

If The Reverse Vampire existed in EfU's settings and mechanics, what would be its ability score and level adjustment?

EDIT: On the Itchy and Scratchy CD ROM: Is there a way out of the dungeon without using the wizard key?

Quote from: Howlando on December 16, 2018, 05:49:55 AM

QuoteWhat ultimately happened to Charles Bresley?

Who were the parents of William Bresley?

What happened to the children of Yorrick Bresley, or did he not conceive any?

Why was Stephanos Simms selected as a sacrificial lamb? Was it because he defended the innocence of Ivlysar?

I think it's a bit premature to discuss such questions at this time.

I have an unresolved question, which was one if not the main pursuit of my EFU:R character over the years. What was the Mourning of the Elves really about? Was it anything like what I proposed, a means of something equivalent to reaching nirvana? Or was it some horrible twist of this idea as befits EFU? Any information on how it was something PCs could pursue and what kind of outcomes were possible is also of interest.

What happened to Matterheim?
Who were the man in the mask?

Also: In efu 1 there was a drow merchant at fort mur, who sold a key.. What did the key open?

When Mavell Smogson had Razul killed through the riot in Mistlocke, which led to his own death in the hands of the Mayor Zoe, did that break or spoil any core plot or premeditated story intended, for Razul being the prophet and all? That always bugged me.

Hello. I didn't play much during V3 and maybe clocked... 6 hours altogether in V4, so if this was touched on publicly, please bare with me.

1. What happened to Gaeseric the Unyielding after he was poisoned and stolen away during the Old Port Army incursion and plot?

2. What happened to Von Matterheim after the end of V2? I wasn't aware and I don't recall seeing or hearing of him after that.

3. Since it doesn't seem relevant anymore - there was a large puzzle room underneath the cyborg svirfneblin town in V1 with four distinct puzzles as I recall. Do you recall what happened at the end of it? We were not able to complete it before V1 wrapped up.

4. What was the deal with Mr. Poppers and the orphans? Was it just a spy network/pickpocket ring? Seemed creepier than that to me.

5. I'm sure this was touched on in V4, but for my own edification, what was Intryzz up to and how did he fare?

That's all I could think of for now.

Quotehave an unresolved question, which was one if not the main pursuit of my EFU:R character over the years. What was the Mourning of the Elves really about? Was it anything like what I proposed, a means of something equivalent to reaching nirvana? Or was it some horrible twist of this idea as befits EFU? Any information on how it was something PCs could pursue and what kind of outcomes were possible is also of interest.

Other DMs had more to do with the conceptualization of Mourning than I did, but yes something equivalent to nirvana is my understanding.

QuoteWhat happened to Gaeseric the Unyielding after he was poisoned and stolen away during the Old Port Army incursion and plot?

I was not actually around for the Old Port incursion plot so I'm not sure what exactly at that stage.
I believe we did keep track of him.

In EFU:R he was involved with rescuing people on the surface and bringing them into the depths (basically the "nature start" starting NPC).

Quote2. What happened to Von Matterheim after the end of V2? I wasn't aware and I don't recall seeing or hearing of him after that.

He did make it into v3 and (I think?) a bit of V4, but he was always a bit off camera - lots of naps and quality time with his nurses.

Quote3. Since it doesn't seem relevant anymore - there was a large puzzle room underneath the cyborg svirfneblin town in V1 with four distinct puzzles as I recall. Do you recall what happened at the end of it? We were not able to complete it before V1 wrapped up.

I believe you are thinking of Entestung? It was solved by many people in v4 and led to the Dunwarren Plan Room. Here there was various content and also a scripted quest that allowed PCs to IC'ly learn how to potentially develop the most advanced forms of svirfneblin technology. This was, as an example, instrumental for allowing PCs to construct the gastrosuits of the famous "Appetite Nine" that destroyed the Appetite. And many other things.

Quote4. What was the deal with Mr. Poppers and the orphans? Was it just a spy network/pickpocket ring? Seemed creepier than that to me.

While not exactly wholesome it actually wasn't that creepy. Mr. Poppers was I suppose heavily inspired by the Dickensian archetype of the grown up pick-pocket who looks after/bullies/exploits other pick-pockets. In v1 he had a protege of "Mickey the Cigar Smoking Kid" who actually made it into chapters 2/3/4 and slowly grew up until he was present in the Dunwarren Engine Room at the moment of ignition.

Quote5. I'm sure this was touched on in V4, but for my own edification, what was Intryzz up to and how did he fare?

Intryzz was an interesting character. He never quite got along with the other illthid in Ysinode and was exiled by an old rival (Phandiates) early on. This rivalry was resolved in v1 but he still had a very complicated relationship with Ysinode. In v4 he joined the Exile Collective (rebellion of illithid who wanted to overthrow the Elder Brains) and was involved in all manner of intrigue throughout the course of the chapter, often behind the scenes. This ultimately culminated in achieving his fondest goal - eating parts of the Elder Brain itself, an event which took place shortly before ignition and which a number of PCs were witness to.