EFU has Slaves. It's in the setting, it's in the lore, it's in the law book, but it isn't amongst the PCs. Somewhat self-serving at the moment I suppose but playing a Slaver is an obscenely risky path to walk in EFU with little to no reward short of direct DM intervention.
Can a system of some kind be made for such? Ways to maybe "Black out mode" NPCs so they can be captured and sold?
I know there's issues with Henchmen that limit the system but I can easily see something like a House Stenton NPC on the Dominion that buys "Captured" NPCs.
It's just one of those things that's very cool for flavor, and stirs a lot of enemies and conflict, but really there's not a lot of tangible gain. Just selling off PCs to NPCs effectively ends them and that can be pretty bad form for PvP results.
Maybe the cool 1/day, 24-hour Summonables that would allow you to have a Humanoid "Summon" named slave of some sort?
PCs could buy or sell them, NPCs could sell them, they could be given as DM rewards to Patricians or illegal slavers by NPCs or PCs, etc.
Stronger slaves sell for more?
Rare monster slaves sell for more?
Naturally a slaver shouldn't be running around with like 50 slave items or what have you, but one or two I think could make it definitely worth while (If possible to script).
It just seems like the way so much of the server views Slavery it's either a death sentence, a shunning, and no real way to either have slaves or capture them without hoping a PC is cool with Rping a slave.
Adding to it, there could be a anti-slaver npc that will reward you for freeing slaves (Taking the summon item from the person) Though it hardly makes sense that to free a slave you'd have to beat down the master and take "Slave Summoner" item.
I think adding summons is a terrible idea. Maybe some form of a magical slave collar that gave the owner more control would be better. However these collar's require that the owner be a patrician.
Slave death collars are the answer, one button press kill, no saving throw or range.
Or a serious disability applied and can only be removed with a dm present.
A serious disability makes the average pc slave pretty useless and probably not nearly as entertaining to play. Where as something like a death collar with a control rod to match instills fear and control without reducing the slaves usefulness.
Even the most powerful warriors or magi could be at the mercy of anybody who happened upon their control rod until such a time as the holder releases them or they become the holder of the rod.
Good theme and points, but having 1/day summon "slaves"? Silly. There are different, better ways to handle it, specifically through the Henchman system.
Keep tossing out ideas, because as I said, I don't think anyone will disagree with the idea of having more visible methods of "enslavement".
The slave collar idea has a lot of merit, I think! Obviously it is a big addition that would need to have a fair bit of work before being ready to put in game, but I think Naga's idea of the death collar (which I'm 99% sure has been mentioned before) is one of the better methods of PC slavery I've seen discussed on the boards here.
It gives the masters real power over their PC slaves, and incentive for the master/servant roleplay on both sides. While being a pretty big responsibility and boon to those owning slaves, I am of the mind that most if not all EFUers would adapt to it and rock out given time to play with the system.
Some further attachment could be added, similar to the link between caliphars and their consorts where the collars detonate if the master is slain! Just an idea, but I think this is something that could potentially add lots more flavor to our setting.
That is my two cents on the matter!
For PC slaves, the collar sounds cool, there is even the option to get yourself or your allies to steal the control rod. For NPCs a summon that you can only dismiss through a conversation, and if it dies then it's gone for good, sounds like a cool idea too.
What about "hiring" slaves like you "hire" the NPC henchmen from the campaign? You can do so if you purchase them, you get an item that lets you "take them" from the slave pen for free after reset. If the slave dies, you loose the item.
If the slave NPC could be made to stay in certian places or something like that, it could be a nice "eyecandy" to represent your PC being a slaver.
Slave collars to me are something I think is kinda useless. Most PCs who end up as slaves in my experience are at least somewhat open to the idea, because in most cases you can just beat them to death and folks won't care too much. A collar that does it quicker doesn't matter too much I don't think.
They either bolt instantly after made slave or stick around so long as the RP is entertaining, there's not a lot of middle ground. The naturally safest thing to say is when it happens with a PC just ask "Do you want to be sold to an NPC for a proper end, or would you like to RP a slave?"
Though I guess if a level 5 has a level 10 slave there's always that issue of "Fuck you, I'm snapping your neck".
That's how all of EFU works though really, in a lot of ways.
That collar would solve the -fuck you, I'm snapping your neck- thing though..kinda..
Set up slave pens where PCs from the start area can spawn into. A Partician or Noble then can go to this start area (slave pen viewing area), and speak with an NPC whose script is to take money and then release slave PC to the custody of the Partician or Noble complete with a set of Slave Ownership documents. Also when a character spawns into the Slave pen have a city wide sending go out stating there are new slaves for purchase.
Its basically what I setup for the Hanged Goblin to get into with Pander. Installing slave pens below so players could purchase gladitors to fight and die for their enjoyment, or long term slave PCs that were lucky enough to survive the fights.
You forget rwg that slaves pc's inherently run away or screw over their master since theres nothing to stop them doing so in any system present. With death collars powerful criminal pc's can be enslaved by pc's rather than being executed. It would feel like true enslavement rather than just agreeing to be someones bitch.
In the Underdark, the drow use slave rings which cannot be taken off only by the master and the slave cannot harm and must do what thier master says, more like compelled to do it or please them.
http://www.escapefromunderdark.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43918&highlight=slave+collar&page=3
There.
The idea I had is that in order to make it interesting for both players, to give a PC reasons to not rebel, but not to totally block rebellion. Make it work like the Conclave bond so that the slave PC loses a bunch of XP and gets damaged/stunned if their master dies, so as to complicate escapes. Make the slave item not kill, but apply a no-save Stun or Fear to the wearer for a good amount of time if triggered. A punishment, but not one where a PC with nothing to lose can just call your bluff. Being able to escape but knowing at any time your PC could be disabled in hostile territory is more interesting than Boom, dead and more likely to be used as it won't cost the other PC their minion.
The issue with the compelling or fearing though, even the "Death collar" is that it instantly changes the PC. There's no growth or challenge to Subdue + Put on slave collar.
It's like converting a PC to a deity, but instead of a deity it's to you!
I can say for a fact that not all slave PCs run from their masters. While perhaps how our "system" works could stand a breath of fresh air, I think there are other factors to account.
In order to have a slave, a player must want to play a slave. If they have a collar strapped to their neck and are grossly limited in their actions then the player will quickly lose interest. Hence leading to either quitting the PC or running off/death.
To have a player enjoy playing a slave, I think it is the responsibility (in some ways) of the slaver/Patrician to provide that enjoyment. You need to keep them gainfully employed and busy. Give them tasks that can be accomplished and put them in the know. Something along the lines of Roman House Slaves who handled all the true business, communication and functions of the house while the master was eating grapes and drinking wine. (Historians PM me with your complaints)
In my own fond experience from the player side, I had a PC who had a slave and had a great "Master/Servant" relationship. Both myself and the other player (if he wants to chime in) enjoyed it immensely and there wasn't any need for outside factors.
I_O is going to have some stern words with you in EFUDM, Germain.