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::[ Nightal 14th : Year 165 : 1387 DR ]::

Tumultuous happenings again enveloped the divide between the council and the Spellguard this dark. Many tell tale of combat upon the entry of the Watchers & Warders' forces entering the House of Governance, emerging with a convincing victory shortly afterwards. A large number of hostage were in tow, a few councilors among them.

Fortunately, it is said the evening resolved with a peaceful conclusion and exchange of captured watchers and supporters of the council. Many higher-level personnel of the Watchers & Warders were confirmed to accept the peace during a series of sendings by the council, the Spellguard broadcasting system, and others, citing a general cessation of hostilities.

Meanwhile, outside the city, some adventurers passing through the Grotto talk of significantly peculiar monstrosities that continue to prowl the darkness. The most common stories include pale elves covered in bone and metal, all carrying axes that cleave their foes in two, or shadowy worms spitting projectiles laced with deadly poison and magic...

Just a reminder of some things I thought were obvious, but I suppose need to be said after the recent incident:

Just because you believe someone else broke PVP rules does not give you permission to break PVP rules yourself.

Keep the DM channel appraised of your intention to attack neutral NPCs and wait for confirmation, regardless of the situation. Failure to do this before attacking, requiring us to quickly adjust, then protesting that an encounter is unfairly tuned - is not acceptable, and an awful experience for both players and DMs.

[Quick PVP Primer]

Some may have noticed some "gray NPCs" with disclaimers regarding PVP. These NPCs are considered ones that can be one where PVP can occur in its vicnity without DM confirmation (though of course you must still alert the DM channel). Provided all NPCs in the vicinity have this disclaimer, you can initiate PVP with confirmation. DM supervision is required to continue PVP should NPCs without the disclaimer enter the vicinity of the PVP event. 

PVP rules in general have not been updated - however, please consider the below a condensed overview of the PVP rules in current times (outside of a comprehensive overview of specific ability and skill caveats) that we expect players to know and abide.

Ultimately the gray NPCs should be considered to have the following going forward:

"Normally Dungeon Master (DM) supervision is needed to enter player versus player (PvP) combat around Non-Player Characters (NPCs), because the NPCs might react to the combat. This NPC has a grey name because you are allowed to ignore it for the purposes of PvP combat. IF THERE ARE NO NPCS NEARBY THAT REQUIRE YOU TO CONTACT A DM, YOU CAN INITIATE PVP WITHOUT DM SUPERVISION."

Quick PVP Primer

"Player Versus Player conflict" (PVP) is defined as intentional hostile action from one player character towards another player character. This includes but is not limited to things such as attempting to pickpocket another player, casting a hostile spell, yanking their pack, and/or throwing rotten fruit at them. If in doubt as to what constitutes PVP or any of the rules, please contact a dungeon master (DM) for clarification. Another player character can be engaged in PVP for any in-character (IC) reason, though bear in mind that your IC actions have IC consequences, and an out-of-character (OOC) inability to follow the rules will have OOC consequences.

PVP modes:

Subdual Mode (activated via "/c subdual subdual"): In subdual mode, when a player character is reduced to zero health points, they will instead be beaten to the ground and stay at one health point, unable to perform actions for a time. If you are subdued in PVP (indicated by a red [Subdued] appearing above your character) then you should stay down/inactive (consider using the "/e fall" command to fall over) until given OOC permission to act IC by the subduing party or a DM. Subdual mode should be the most common mode used in PVP for engaging player characters in conflict and furthering stories.

Blackout Mode (activated via "/c subdual blackout"): In blackout mode, when a player character is reduced to zero health points, they are knocked unconscious and transported to a "blackout" area to represent this. A placable/item is then spawned to represent a corpse which is able to be awoken/moved by the party that knocked the player unconscious (or perhaps other parties). If you are knocked unconscious in PVP (indicated by a red [Unconscious] appearing above your character) then you should stay down (consider using the "/e fall" command to fall over) until given OOC permission to act by the subduing party or a DM. Blackout mode should generally only be used to support an IC need such as kidnapping or moving a subdued player character.

Full Damage Mode (activated via "/c subdual full") In full damage mode, when a player character is reduced to negative ten hit points, they die. This is the same as a death to general dangers, though with the exception that you cannot respawn from a PVP death. It is possible to prevent a player character from being raised or resurrected as well with further action. Full damage mode should be reserved for when you intend to kill a deserving player character in a significant point in their story. This mode should almost always be after repeated conflict or a significant story event, though can be for something else, such as killing a monster or egregious actions as well.

Initiating PVP

It is the responsibility of the initiating party to do the following:

- If intending to damage or use a hostile effect on another player character (the significant majority of effects besides pickpocketing or throwing rotten fruit), it is required to "dislike" a player character and those not allied with you in the vicinity, which sets them as a hostile creature. This is possible using a number of methods, though using the command "/c hostile --help" and "/c setally --help" is recommended to find the most efficient way to do so.
- Send a notice to the DM channel alerting your intention to PVP. This is required regardless of circumstances or how "minor" an action may be. It gives the DM team the best possibility of dropping what they're doing and overseeing the PVP event, ensuring that it can be mediated if necessary. An easy way to do this is to use the command "/c pvp", which will send a message quickly to the DM channel notifying your intention to PVP (however a more in-depth explanation for certain situations is welcome).
- Confirm DM presence if in a NPC populated area. A DM is required to PVP in the vicinity of the majority of NPCs (with some exceptions listed in the section below). A confirmed DM presence is not necessary provided there are no NPCs present, or present in the vicinity of only NPCs you are specifically allowed permission to PVP in the vicinity of (see exceptions). Note that if a PVP event spills into a NPC populated area, it is still the initiator's responsibility to ensure a DM is supervising in order to continue the PVP event.
- If in doubt it is OOCly acceptable to initiate, confer with a DM.

Responding to PVP

If PVP is initiated upon your player character, you are allowed to use whatever IC response you deem appropriate, provided the OOC rules are followed. It is not your responsibility to seek out a DM (though you are welcome to attempt to do this if you deem it necessary, use best judgement).

Exceptions

- Some areas are designated to use the spar mode for friendly sparring, which are generally exempt from worrying too much about the rules above. Use best judgement or confer with a DM.

- Some player characters with an authoritative position in certain NPC areas are allowed to initiate PVP without the step of confirming DM presence, provided the other rules are followed. They must bear the consequences of failure without NPC support should they be defeated. They do not have an OOC authority to let other player characters initiate on their own. See respective faction forums for details.

- Intentionally targeting non-monstrous player characters that are obviously very new or low level, while merited in certain situations depending on a number of factors, is not allowed. Again, use best judgement or confer with a DM.

Thanks for playing fair. This may be subject to further updates - if you have questions, let me know.

v4_2098


- Sanctuary has undergone a number of major changes best found in game.

v4_2090

- A new quest has been added for characters level 4-9 in the Machine...

["SURVIVOR":]

The premise of this prelude is as follows:

Yet another of the vestigial holdouts which dot the surface wasteland has survived uneventfully for numerous years. However, the threat of imminent doom lurks ever closer in the form of the Dread forces on the horizon, as scouts report patrols of enthralled drow with greater proximity.

To the ambivalence of the village's inhabitants, one purported day, a robed wizard known as a "Spellguard Agent" appeared in a dazzling array of magic. The mage promised them salvation, of which all accepted, unbeknownst whether they truly believed him or simply because they lacked any other option. However, this salvation came with its own revelation and ultimatum to the people. They were told they first needed to kill all enthralled who numbered among their own.

Characters will be randomly chosen to fall within one of the following two groups:

"SURVIVOR": A simple survivor of the village who makes him the majority of the village, seeking salvation. They can find it by either killing all thralls who number among them after scavenging detection tools (or making assumptions), or finding an alternate route to escape from the doomed village. Scavenging the areas surrounding the village will assist them with these goals.

"IMPLANTEE": One way or another, you woke up with strange sensations in your mind and stranger powers you did not fully comprehend at first. The feeling of an adrenal fluid rushing through your body, or being able to see things you know you shouldn't, came and went until you grasped one of these abilities with middling expertise. You have retained your consciousness, though are unsure if you are to soon serve a dread master or other aberrant power (or unwittingly currently do). Perhaps horrifically, the idea of killing the other survivors has always enticed you once you were "initiated".

For whatever reason and however possible, you've managed to conceal the fact that you had this power to anyone else. That will clearly increase in difficulty substantially with the recent revelation. Though, it has also enlightened you that others are in a similar situation as yourself. You need only find and associate with them. You sense that either killing all of the "uninitiated" and/or finding an alternate route to escape from the doomed village will offer you deliverance.

All players are welcome, just show up. Though, characters should be as follows:

Race: Any available standard race besides goblin and kobold
Class: Any
Alignment: Any
Other:
- An actual will to survive (you won't just pout or quit if you don't get the side you want)
- It is expected you are on full death PVP mode for the entirety of this prelude ("/c subdual full", as always, obey PVP rules)
- Roleplay your stats (definitely acceptable to try to be a powerful character, but you should not be a great liar without bluff, particularly observant with low wisdom, etc.)
- No class perks (though survivors of the prelude will be able to take them)

Those who survive may find themselves with significant benefits and/or plot hooks in the main story depending on what happens.

This is tentatively scheduled for 4:00 PM Pacific Time, Sunday, April 15. If you have questions, get in touch with me.

You're welcome to do as you like or think is appropriate, and we can consider its usage. The main focus here is a very concise, easily updated as needed, introduction and reference. See Howland's other thread for a more in-depth guide.

To clarify, this wouldn't be an EFU Prima strategy guide. This would be a quick "read me first" of the "Information for New Players" forum.


Imagine you were new to EFU and/or NWN and/or EE, and had an hour or two to check out the server; what would be essential to know? Crucial character and/or hak setup or getting involved takes major precedence over understanding applications or factions, though some small FAQ or links to relevant posts would be welcome, etc.

Might do another round of this next weekend.

Hello,

I'd like to try out offering players an opportunity to play monsters for an event, providing additional challenge for others in a quest or invasion and perhaps a fun opportunity for yourself. Essentially, players would improvise acting as generic monsters (in essentially a mini-boss role) with experience and supplies provided beforehand. No application will be required. The ideal player(s) would exhibit the following:

- Currently not playing a long-term character, or at least one with a significant role in the server (situational - I would prefer established PCs existing over monsters)
- Has at least somewhat of a history of a modicum of OOC trustworthiness
- Moderation, realizing they are here to provide some fun for others and not 'win' (though stuff happens)
- Willing to deal with a possibly significant amount of waiting
- Willing to establish a minor character that will probably only be used for one event / will probably die 'unfairly'

Time to be determined depending on interest, contact me with a private message or you can talk to me on IRC about it. After established, details and time can be hashed out further. Thanks!

Activity has undeniably been a bit lackluster lately, but it's nothing new to have the occasional spell of it. I will try to keep an eye out for needs of more DM attention.

happy birthday to """elmo"""

I've brought up invasion relevant stuff lately, though there are some understandable hurdles. I will keep in mind it is welcome to introduce random invasions to kill everyone with.

Doesn't work that way but we definitely have been slow on apps recently, will try to speed it along for folks that have been waiting for far too much time.

Welcome back