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Please post in this thread any module changes that still need happening in relation to the tsunami that just took place.

All right, as we all know  as of the latest patch the frequency of NWN crashing has dramatically, dramatically increased. To the point that "EE'ed" has become a catch-phrase for crashing. I think this is really a shame and we need to get this fixed. I'm far from an expert in this subject but it would be great if we could try to isolate which graphics cards/set-ups seem to be particularly crash-prone and which aren't.

Some players have reported that these tweaks from sharkinajar have been helpful: link

It might be helpful if players would make posts to this thread with details of their set -up and the frequency of their crashing, or any common situations that seems to cause it.

It has been suggested that we start compiling crash reports, so feel free to respond to this thread with a link to the redmine crash report (see below) so we can start to get a decent collection.

And also please continue to report them to Beamdog, checking this post for instructions on how to do it properly.

EFU's true hero, Snoteye, appears to have quietly taken it upon himself to fix the old forums.

Link

Pretty cool![

Great fun today. Thankfully, there is a stream for those who couldn't make it.

Feel free to stick screenshots below!

EFU is currently running on the updated version of NWN: Enhanced Edition, version 1.78. Please ensure your copy of NWN is up to date.

The update appears to have wiped favorites and server history. In order to jump back in, you can always join directly via "nwn.efupw.com"

Enjoy.

[EFU]

Starting early December 2018, EFU will be entering into a period of heightened plot activity. This will be a period in which DMs will be making a concerted effort to push along a number of different plots & storylines, to renew supporting player initiatives, and generally make an effort to make EFU really rock. In addition to being more attentive than normal, we will also be working to be more generous with mundane rewards (more amenable to handing out perks, loot, gold, treasure, XP....). That said, with story-intensity will come along periods of extreme challenge and (at times) seemingly unfair permadeath possibilities.

This DM activity will be dipping a bit during the holidays, picking up again with the New Year, and then...

Starting January 14th, 2019 EFU will be entering into a period of intense plot activity. A number of DMs will be taking some time off from work, and I for one will be chained to my laptop, slavishly attending to the needs of the server. This will culminate in a major, major event on Saturday, January 19th. This event is not one to be missed if at all possible.

Good luck to all.

The gods will not be here to save you.

I'd like to collect  a list of characters who have (in some sense) "won" previous chapters of EFU. By "won" I don't mean that they were a great & successful character, but that they managed to achieve (in a DM sanctioned way) something close to the chapter's title "escaping" goal.

In chapter 1 this is fairly straight-forward as it was a goal to escape from the Underdark - we even kept statues in the starter area.

My list for that is as follows:
Jacob Geigne
Crumb
Mbizi
Forent Kharant
Lona Balaedor
Franco Demarco
Tristan Noyre
Earas Nightstar
Ferius Worn
Alecumberzeil te Esoterotept
Casimir Grand
Sigmund Bellows

There are definitely some missing names though, so let me know if you know what they would be. I'm also interested in a list of those characters who succeeded in escaping during the final dash to the surface at the end of the chapter, although that is somewhat less prestigious to my mind.

For chapter 2  I'm not quite sure what the qualifications would be. I don't think there were very many PCs that made it a point to escape from the Archipelago, but if there were feel free to list any names you might remember here.

For chapter 3 I would like a list of names of characters who  succeeded in either:
1) Getting cured of the Withering (and being told so by a DM)
2) Escaping into the UD at the very end
3) Participated in the final Step of Sanq, the trip to Chult to awaken Dendar

I realize it will be impossible to get all the names listed, but if you happen to know of some feel free to list them!

Two new players reported that, attempting to enter a Dunwarren Illusion of Ymph, they hard crashed.

Presumably an issue with 1.69 castle rural tileset.

Needs investigating....

This is a very old post that I managed to dig up:

Alignment In the EfU setting, the various alignment poles are objectively defined powers. However, this central metaphysical fact is virtually unknown to almost all characters. Instead, every character will have his or her own philosophy and morality as well as definition of terms. "Shades of grey" exists for almost all individual character's reality as much as it does for our own. "Good" can be defined by characters as anything that approximates the truth of being an objectively defined force or simply as something that is desirable (anything from a Baneite actively working to quash "goodly peoples" or an unsophisticated rogue deciding it is "good" to get money from the people he robs).

Paladins, blessed (or cursed?) with the supernatural ability to detect evil alignments, will typically understand this as a divine gift from their particular patron deity as a way to see either the mark of past misdeeds or of a fundamental evil nature. Even paladins, though, as fallible mortals in a complex universe will be forced to often make complex choices and decisions, sometimes with there being no right or correct answer.

Separate from alignment, there is also stuff that is considered by most druids and those with a druidic-influenced nature code as "Unnatural." Typically, this is stuff that these characters and NPCs believe simply do not belong in the world, and should be eradicated or prevented whenever possible.

Aberrations - Difficult to define, aberrations are monsters that share common characteristics of being extremely unnatural and grotesque. Canonically they are defined as having, "... a bizarre anatomy, strange abilities, an alien mindset, or any combination of the three." In EfU, it is speculated by some that there is some common influence or origin that ultimates defines aberrations. Aberrations are overwhelmingly, but not exclusively, evil. For example, some aberrant monsters in the Underdark (such as hook horrors) are not necessarily more evil than a ferocious wild beast in the jungles of Ymph. To most, aberrations are just another scary monster. To those influenced by a druidic or nature-based code, they are considered an unnatural blight to be eradicated whenever possible.

Animals are a natural part of the world, and are overwhelmingly neutral. Some cultures such as "Old Ways" Stargazers have a particular affinity or respect for different kinds of animals in Ymph. Most adventurers will understand different kinds of animals as a potential threat, but not necessarily the kind that deserves eradication.

It is very easy to imagine some, though, that actively seek the subjugation and "taming" of the wilderness.

In EfU, "dire" animals are not considered unnatural by druids.

Constructs are typically neutral, with rare kinds being evil - perhaps because of their power source (such as constructs being powered by some kind of terrible necromantic ritual) or material (such as being formed from devil-hides).

Different kinds of mechanized constructs, such as EfU-specific "animatrons," although not truly evil may be considered by those with a nature-based code as being particularly unnatural and something to be destroyed whenever possible. Giant, EfU-specific machine-areas may likewise be considered unnatural and wrong not only by nature-PCs but by those who prefer a sort of primal, non-automated existence.

Dragons are rare in our setting, but do occasionally exert considerable influence. Although dragons run the gamut of alignment, in EfU they will mostly be evil as for story-telling purposes they are better that way.

Elementals are canonically defined as, "...a being composed of one of the four classical elements: air, earth, fire, or water." In EfU, we have expanded this to include other kinds of elementals representing other elements. Elementals are generally neutral. Although considered to be just another scary monster to most, druids do have an affinity towards elementals and do not generally consider them unnatural.

Giants and Humanoids are often evil, but some may well be good or neutral. They are generally considered natural, but may be fought by druids as many of these races have a tendency to be a destructive influence on the wild or breed out of control. Most will consider them a scary monster.

Among even those with an evil disposition, their innate evil is typically of a lesser degree than other kinds of monsters. For example, however cruel and brutal an ogre may be it doesn't really compare to the extreme evil of a powerful devil or undead.

Fey are supernatural creatures with a particular connection to nature. They have a kind of other-worldliness to them, but are considered as an accepted part of the natural world by druids.

Some are greatly feared, whereas others are considered by many as creatures of delight. They are creatures of folklore, myth, and mystery.

Planar are those creatures that originate from the planes. Typically they exemplify their particular alignments. Typically any creature of planar-origin will be considered as unnatural by druids, but may be tolerated temporarily.

Celestials are creatures of great virtue and inner goodness, will deeply respected and revered by those of a goodly disposition. However, there is a degree of peaceful conflict among those of more lawful/neutral/chaotic dispositions.

Fiends are those creatures of a wholly evil disposition, notably devils and demons. Fiends are considered both unnatural and very evil. They are feared and hated by most. They greatly desire the souls of mortals, which are essential as food and as material for the raging Blood War between devils and demons that occupies much of their attention and energy.

Devils ("infernal creatures") are of a lawful disposition, and consequently can be considered more predictable and controllable. They are nevertheless deeply dangerous and association with such creatures (whether as through some manner of infernal pact or conjuration) is an evil act.

Demons ("abyssal creature") are chaotic and unpredictable. Association with them is deeply evil and unnatural. They are more numerous than devils.


Undead are those creatures that were once living, but now are not. The vast majority of undead are both evil and unnatural. However, there are some incredibly rare exceptions.

The process of creating undead is likewise almost always considered both evil and unnatural, however there are complex methods - beyond the reach of most PCs - where through complicated rituals a spirit might be induced to, on its own, arrive in order to provide protection or wisdom. This process may not necessarily be objectively evil. Summoning spirits through conjuration-based bindings as well as the "Animate Dead" spell are depraved and wholly evil acts.

I was not able to find the other thread I was thinking of describing why some things in the EFU universe are objectively evil. But in essence, if "intent" is all that mattered than the game would (in my view) rapidly break down.

In essence - I think it's great to roleplay shades of grey. I think it's great to roleplay a deluded necromancer who thinks that animating a zombie is a lovely thing to do, or even an 'ends-justifies-the-means' type who believes the unbearable present situation justifies animating an army of dead to take on the aberrant menace.

However, good/evil/law/chaotic need to be forces in our setting - and these things need to be objectively determined.

When conjured they have starting HP of 5, at near death.

What with EFU modernizing in various ways, I was persuaded to establish a low quality Patreon page for those who prefer to make regular monthly donations in order to pay for server expenses.

I want to emphasize that donating really gets you absolutely nothing beyond the satisfaction of helping pay for the costs of a pretty cool project.

In the event that donations ever go beyond monthly expenses, additional funds will be saved and perhaps used for the benefit of some amusing purpose in the distant future.

Anyway, here is the Patreon Page

You may also still send donations to PayPal howlando@gmail.com

Thanks to all!

Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced  Edition will be released soon and we expect to transition within the week. If you are a member of the community and not in a position to easily afford purchasing the game please feel free to reach out to me and I will facilitate the process of someone buying you a copy. If you'd like to volunteer to buy other members of the community copies of the game likewise feel free to reach out to me. I'm happy to handle the process either anonymously or with credit according to people's desires.

There will be some features we'll lose in the transition.

Feats for custom weapons will unfortunately no longer be supported. We expect this be to resolved in a month or two, but in the meantime if you use a custom weapon feat feel free to get a DM to adjust it to something else when we transition.

There will be issues with custom spells - this will be fixed eventually.

We'll no longer be able to hide character levels on the login screen. Please don't metagame this.

It's advised that you grab any items you may have in persistent storage in the next couple of days as it's possible there may be some issues there with the transition.

More instructions for the transition will be provided later.

With gamespy being long defunct, it is of course possible to login in to someone's else GSID account into the character creation screen and look at someone else's character file before logging in - basically letting you metagame the knowledge of their build, their saves, skills, etc.

This is of course totally against the rules.

Well, it turns out that some people have been doing this anyway. Thankfully, most of them were banned already for other offenses. But some have not been.

But if you yourself have ever done this, I'd like you to please let me know within the next 48 hours so we can have a quick chat about not cheating like this ever again. If you choose to not come forward, I will just go ahead and ban associated cd keys/IPs.

What does the player base think about implementing an EFU Discord Channel?

Note: We will always strictly disallow the use of voip while playing. But it does seem that Discord is becoming increasingly popular and may serve our needs well.

But up to you guys.

With Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition on the horizon, we want to ensure that we can provide clarity in our introduction for new players. Considering that, we would like enlist player assistance to refresh our "Information for New Players" forum with a consolidated thread and easy reference for new players.

We are looking for a thread that consolidates information of the essentials without overwhelming someone fresh to the server - basically a quick guide of what you can use to get started without needing a significant time investments digging through the minutiae of the various threads (though hyperlinks as references would be good). Consider those things that you would have found most helpful to know as a new player.

Let us know if you're interested in helping with this. Any questions, please ask.


Some assistance with organizing/pruning Information for New Players forum and improving the way we present OOC information would be really helpful!

[customized, unique, and very special DM loot to whichever player presents the best new OOC Guide for new players]

I will mention here a few things.

One, Wildsurge magazine has done a feature about us (along with some other NWN persistent worlds). It's pretty brief but cool anyways. It amuses me that our featured screenshot is just a big ugly Tram that is just transparently a boat model with stoneskin vfx.

Two, Beamdog has announced that NWN will be fully released on Steam in two weeks. This is earlier than expected. So we'll probably try to transition EFU to EE fairly soon. This is being actively worked on as we speak. Although for sure we will lose some features, I think it is worth doing. This may bring new players - new players can be both a good thing, and a bad thing. EFU has never been very new-player friendly, and generally new players will only stick around if they meet a veteran who helps show them the server/figure things out. And not just taking them on a tour to the House of Governance, but being actively recruited into a faction, being taken on quests, helped out with things to do on a daily basis, etc. As a small contest, I'm offering a piece of customized, unique, and very special DM loot to whichever player presents the best new OOC Guide for new players - describing briefly how to get set up technically, but also how to get started in the game world and succeed and prosper. I don't mind if there are some minor spoilers (like where some hidden lowbie quests are). Feel free to be creative about it, maybe even write the guide in the style of the old EFUA website with little snippets of IC mixed in with the OOC?

New players also sometimes cause problems - they don't get the culture of the server, might have difficulty behaving appropriately with roleplaying or PvP, and so on. Be patient, help explain things OOC'ly if needed, but don't hesitate to contact a DM if someone is being a problem.

Three, in addition to all the technical issues above we have some cool new stuff planned for EFU in terms of plots & some new content that will be gradually unveiled over the coming months. Stay tuned.

Please post comments, screenshots, constructive criticism, thoughts, suggestions, etc. here....

Final event went very smoothly in my opinion, I was really impressed by all the players involved. Ormulax PCs did a really, really good job in putting up a cool fight/resistance despite being outnumbered  and I really salute them for it.

Big thanks to elmo, Ironside, Halfbrood for top notch DM'ing.

And thanks to our server for not crashing or getting too laggy.

Good job to all.

[Magnatz the Red]

The time has come for a final resolution between the long simmering conflict between Magnatz the Red, blood-giant of the Mound and his hated adversary Baron Ormulax, the beholder master of Fortress Mur.

After months of scheming and preparing their stratagems, things will finally be coming to a head for a final, tumultuous clash sometime this weekend (Saturday or Sunday, subject to scheduling of interested and involved players & DMs).

If you have a character that has at all been involved in this long-term conflict, good. It is time to make a final push towards whichever side you believe should win.... for indeed, it remains totally undecided who shall become the new undisputed monstrous lord of trade upon the Dark Lake.

If you have a character that has not been involved, that's fine! Perhaps it's time to decide what your character would want to see happen, and get involved with pushing for that.

And if you don't have a character at all... well... we have a special offer.

For the duration of this plot only, you may play a monstrous servant of either Baron Ormulax or Magnatz the Red without needing to write any kind of application. You just need to quickly go over the concept with a DM and then we'll set you up.

For Baron Ormulax:
Team #ormulax
- You may play a duergar thrall, leveled up to level 5 for free, and starting with basic supplies and equipment (one only per player)
- Or you may play a kobold thrall, leveled up to level 6 for free, and starting with basic supplies and equipment. But wait, there's more - you also will get a free +2 con, negating the normal kobold penalty.

For Magnatz the Red:
Team #magnatz
- You may play a hobgoblin or gnoll servitor, leveled up to level 5 for free, and starting with basic supplies and equipment (one only per player)
- Or you may play a goblin servitor, leveled up to level 6 for free, and starting with basic supplies and equipment.But wait, there's more - you also will get a free +2 con bonus, making you potentially a very beefy goblin indeed

Additionally....
If you have an idea for a different kind of monster, I am willing to hear your idea.
If you have an old Magnatz Bloodhunter or Ormulax Thrall, you may discuss with a DM the possibility of returning the character for the duration of the plot.

Monstrous PCs....
Will be retired when the plot is finished. If you really do an exceptional job, you can submit an application to continue playing it.

But don't get me wrong....
Normal PCs  are definitely preferred to be the drivers of this plot's grand finale. In addition to the glory of making your permanent mark on the setting of EFU (or perhaps failing gloriously), there is sure to be treasure and honors aplenty for those who are victorious!

Join IRC channels #magnatz or #ormulax if you end up choosing a side.

Myself and other DMs will try to be around as much as possible for the next couple of days to run events and build up to the finale.

Have fun!

There will be a prelude starting within the next hour, feel free to stop by channel #preludetime on IRC if looking for a new character.