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Topics - Abala

#1
The Banda Rossa/Balladeers will now no longer accept sorcerers/wizards/astrologians into their ranks without an application. Existing PCs are "grandfathered in".
#2
Announcements / New item tooltips
February 18, 2024, 07:37:36 PM
There are new item tooltips. This is a very experimental feature. Vote on whether you like it or not here:

https://strawpoll.com/2ayLk2DVeZ4/

We may revert if people dislike them.
#3
Announcements / An end to faction voices
September 15, 2023, 04:30:35 PM
Hey, players!

We've had a lot of time to observe the system, such as it is, and we're going to remove the free voices that faction-promoted PCs get. We believe it's best if all PCs have to work to earn their voice the same way, and believe that "swing blocs" should be earned, not given freely.

This is a change for the health of the server, and shouldn't be dwelt on too much. If you need an IC explanation (hopefully you don't), the factions simply choose not to spend their treasury money on the matter anymore.
#4
Announcements / Snarky OOC Emotes
August 31, 2023, 05:38:38 PM
Please note: At public events and functions, if you do snarky yawn emotes, you will lose one levels' worth of XP.
#5
Announcements / Reminder: Succeeding on EFU
June 22, 2023, 07:45:50 PM
I recently discovered this post from our dearly beloved Howland, and I think many newer players would benefit from reading it!

Quote from: HowlandJust some thoughtful tips for how to enjoy yourself on this server.

Try not to get too worried about anything. As they say, "Don't sweat the small stuff: everything is the small stuff." This is more easily said than done, but it is worth making the effort.

Death is particularly frustrating for many players. There are tangible things that can be done to reduce the amount you will die. Some of these are mechanical (understanding the importance of maintaining full health, traveling well supplied, knowing in which situations to try to increase your AC, whatever), some of this has to do with getting involved in a group that looks out for each other, some of this has to do with builds (it's a great and wonderful challenge to try to play something more fragile, but if you truly can't stand dying, I personally have no problem with coming up with a concept for a PC that is a little sturdier i.e. any character that just happens to use a shield - that isn't to say I encourage min-maxing, it is unnecessary and often counterproductive as having any one extremely low stat in EfU is an absolute liability).

Despite all this, pretty much everyone will die from time to time. With time, these deaths will be less frustrating. But if you are feeling major frustration, my best advice is to get raised/respawn, and just log of. Go do some exercise, watch a funny movie, do anything else other than this silly game, and you will feel better. And when you come back, you'll have a PC waiting for you to continue playing if you choose to do so.

Dying to PvP is particularly complicated, because in most cases you have lost the PC permanently. If the death was inappropriate, contact a DM, but if it was basically appropriate, again I suggest just logging off and leaving it alone for a day or two. You will feel better, I promise, and remember the good times of the PC you had, and be less worried about what may have been an unsatisfactory end.

PvP is an important part of this server. In terms of your OOC attitude towards it, be balanced. Don't fear it OOC'ly, but don't unduly rush towards it either. Likewise with subdual/FD. Sometimes the hero will kill the villain, sometimes the other way around. More often it will be one character killing another, with both characters having a little hero and a little villain in them. A long-term rivalry is a fun for characters to engage in, but I do wish to stress that death and murder and the execution of your enemies is a fun, exciting part of the EfU experience. If you do not enjoy PvP, try to give it a chance. If you do not think you are good at PvP, I promise that anyone can become reasonably good at it.

Have fun with scripted quests. NWN is a video game, and for most people killing monsters while role-playing is fun. Get a group together and go tackle the tougher stuff. Bring new people along. Try to avoid endlessly repeating the same small selection of quests, but make a point to head out and tackle the tough stuff. If you're in a faction or group, get good at questing together, share supplies to ensure everyone survives, and the quests that seem impossible will soon seem easy (although there will probably always be quests that seem hard). Of course, it's worth noting that exclusivity is a recipe for disaster and burn-out.

Try to find a good ending for your character. This may mean escaping from the Underdark, or failing. This may mean dying to PvP. This may mean execution, or dying to defend the city, or something particularly memorable or comical or awesome, but try to keep an eye out for the awesome death your awesome character deserves.

Play interesting characters. Embrace rich, interesting, memorable characterization that inspires emotion in other players/characters (hatred, fear, love, amusement, admiration, whatever).

Play characters with goals. Try to have something your character is working towards, even if the goal is impossible. When you are losing interest in a character, try to creatively come up with new and interesting ways to pursue these goals.

Try to develop IC allies and try to develop IC enemies. Both are important. If you can't think of a single enemy your character has, you are probably not having as much fun as you could be.

Become familiar with IRC, but use it with care. It is a good way to communicate with the DM staff when necessary, and a fine way to get to know the rest of the playerbase to a degree. That said, a lot of stupid crap is spouted on IRC and 90% of it is just worthless. It's a resource, but an imperfect one.

Along that line, be suspicious of anything anyone tells you OOC. OOC rumors about other players, characters, Dms, events, whatever are often terribly biased or flat out wrong. If you really want to know something, go to the source. Don't get suckered into OOC hate-train-rants. Lots of things are imperfect about EfU, but I've never really seen insidious, negative gossip be anything but unnecessarily harmful to everyone involved.

If you have a major problem, or question, don't hesitate to contact the DM staff through e-mail. If you are upset about something that happened, we are not going to think worse of you for wording a polite e-mail addressing the issue. We as a DM team need feedback in order to improve and understand when we make mistakes, and we are also reliant on players to police themselves and bring situations to our attention when there is a problem.

Trust me on this one, the DM team means well and tries very hard to be fair. I am sincere about that.

Be creative and make your own fun, don't be reliant on DMs. We do not have the energy to run EfU like a PnP campaign. You are unlikely to get constant Dm attention, no matter how much you deserve it. The way to prosper is to have fun on the server without the Dms, and -then- have additional fun if they show up. It is worth noting that many of our current Dms who were once successful players were invited to become DMs because they were particularly successful at being awesome on the server without the assistance or aid of DMs.

Become attached to a group (ideally, an inclusive one). Groups are fun. Groups attract more Dm attention than an individual PC will. Groups are good at engaging in long-running conflict with other groups. Groups are good in so many I can't mention them all here.

Don't cheat: you will get caught. Gold transfering, loot transfering, OOC PvP coordination, metagaming, sending IC info through tells, logging off to avoid death, or other deliberate exploitation of stuff is not a good thing to do. These actions do harm the server, and harm the fun of other people who play here. What does it say about your own personal character if you're going to cheat on a video game? It is disrespectful to the DM staff (your hosts) who go to such efforts to provide a good experience for our guests, and it is disrespectful to your fellow players. You will also get caught, eventually. We have a DM who enjoys few things more than scripting new, complicated systems for detecting abuse, and going through logs and banning people. Just please make everyone's life easier and don't cheat on EfU.

Be generous with your EfU time, as I do believe it is an excellent thing and far better than many other hobbies out there. The more you put into the server, the more you will likely get out of it. You will have your dull days, but when EfU is at its best it is very good indeed. That said, remember that it is just one (small) part of your life, and keep it in balance with your other priorities, obligations, and aspects of your life. Enjoy yourself.

EDITED ADDITION

Rocking Out Without Us

For them, my best advice if they want to recapture the awesome is to temper their expectations (you are not going to get the mood you had in alpha where a DM was constantly looking over your shoulder 24 hours a day), and say to hell with the DMs and be awesome without us. If you're really so talented, then prove us wrong and do what you need to do without us. Make your own fun. Create your own stories. Do your own thing, figure out what you enjoy, and do it.

And if there's something out there that really needs a DM, make it so we practically can't say no. If you really want a DM for your fun, make it happen. Like so -

You like to go on long, epic DM quests with tons of puzzles and challenges? Put together an amazing adventuring party chock full of interesting characters and go on SoO's Tomb of Doom quest. He's been waiting for a group of PCs to solve it forever, and the loot is better than any other loot that's been made in the history of EfU.

You like to chill out and BS with NPCs in taverns? Organize a story-telling event a couple days in advance, check with our DM staff of 10+ active Dms, and try to make sure at least one can make it. Challenge Glorblor to tell a story. Be creative and fun, and make the DM want to roleplay with you, not just feel obligated to.

You want to enact sweeping, political changes to Sanctuary? Recruit a couple of PCs, pull together some kind of political party, get them all to appeal to different demographics, take over a majority of the Council. Recruit Pcs in the Watch to your side to convince Azzam not to be too tough on you. Vote and pass whatever you want. Be awesome and creative and dynamic.

You want to be a great hero, a titanic force for good? Identify evil groups (PC and NPC). Recruit PCs to your side. Be smart and inspiring and legitimately good. Spend the effort to figure out how your enemy can be defeated, and do it. Maybe you'll fail, but anything can certainly be done, and the journey is fun either way.

You want to be a great villain, feared and hated? Figure out some kind of goal or theme, bring other PCs to your side, and go for it. There is nothing quite like a big PC villain for focusing the playerbase on the RP that EfU is about, in my opinion.

You want to solve large, DM-based meta plots? Keep your eyes open. Maybe all these old phoenix scales floating around are of some significance? They are out there for the taking.

You want to become the ultimate spy-master, aware of everything that goes on in town? Get good at persuasion, get people to trust you, recruit other spies to your side, etc.

You want to become wealthier than any other character? Become a merchant. Buy low, sell higher. Don't peddle junk, but actually make an effort to stay in stock with merchandise that PCs actually want and need. Pay guards to protect you, make deals, get underlings.

You want to claim territory? Go out, and claim it. Get other PCs to back your words. Be able to actually hold the territory IG. After a while make a post on the module change thread indicating what changes you've made to the area.

You want to become a famous, daring adventurer? Go out, adventure. Form an adventuring alliance. Go on the harder/more rewarding quests. Try new stuff, and take other PCs with you. Get good at it - teach other PCs how to share supplies, fight as a team, handle the challenges that await them. Make it public, prominent, inclusive, creative, and fun.

You like to explore, and like it even more when a DM spices your exploration? Take other PCs out with you. Publicize your efforts. Have a purpose or mission. Maybe you are doing a botanical survey of zurkhwood plants. Maybe you are searching for the mythical Deep Lurkers and its valuable spikes. Maybe you are offering UD safari tours, or searching for lost ruins. Maybe you are just going out on camping trips to tell stories around campfires. Don't just go out and hope for a DM as you wordlessly smash spawns, but make it fun for the other players involved regardless. Don't count on a DM, but often we'll show up.

You want to earn a prestige class? Figure out what the requirements are, and earn them. If you want to be an assassin, find contracts and assassinate people. If you want to be a dwarven defender, actually be an inspiring and powerful champion of the dwarven cause.

You want to establish a temple to your faith? Do more than just preach while questing, develop a flock/following. Run events. Promote the dogma so that it impacts everything that is going on.

You want to escape to the surface? Why that's easy, all you need to do is - nevermind.

I guess what I am saying, is that the server is set up so that you should not need a DM to have fun or prosper or accomplish things. I am also saying, however, that there is a style of playing that will more likely lead to very positive DM attention, if that is what you are really after.

I am enthusiastic about the idea of the playerbase stepping up their game some, and hopefully that leading to it being even more fun to DM.
#6
Ranking officers of the three factions of the Cinquefoil Rose may, if unable to find a DM, initiate PvP in the Krak des Roses (all interior areas) if done as part of legitimate faction enforcement/peacekeeping in the Krak. This rule does not hold for random beatings, shakedowns, or murders. PvP without a DM anywhere outside of the Krak is not allowed.

Players are expected to use their best judgment in such situations and if a NPC would be responsive they are encouraged to wait for a DM.

Rose players should be aware that they begin PvP at their own risk, and that if they lose there may be IC consequences for such. If a Rose PC begins PvP the victim is clear to fight back, to retreat, or perform other actions.

If the victim is victorious, and are standing over a defeated Rose PCs body, they may kill/loot/grab body/gloat briefly but then should swiftly depart the area if Rose NPCs are nearby as we wish to avoid the implausible situation of unpossessed NPCs not responding properly to the predicament of their comrade whenever possible.

This special ruling may be revoked if players can not handle these situations sensibly.
#7
Hello players,

The faction "The Sisters of the Sibylline Vine" is now application-only for even the lowest rank (Acolyte) due to the high level of responsibility in portraying a PC in this faction.

Any current Acolytes may continue! They will still need to apply to become a full-ranking Sister.

Thank you and please keep enjoying EFU v6: Sands of Intrigue.
#8
Announcements / Applications are now open.
March 06, 2023, 05:20:44 PM
Applications are now open.

Understand that many things, like faction promotion, will be "Earn in Game" ...

Proceed at your pleasure.
#9
Announcements / Faction Uniforms
February 24, 2023, 05:01:37 AM
Hello players. As a note, it is now an OOC requirement that you wear the uniform if you are a member of a faction/association without an extremely good IC reason (infiltrating an enemy base, etc). Failure to do so will result in immediate removal from the faction. Yes, this includes "dyeing" a piece of static loot when it is not the appropriate uniform you are supposed to wear.

ICly enforcing this is simply too much of a hassle for us, and we have better things to do. We will not ask questions if we see you out of uniform.
#10
Announcements / Special Rules Regarding Janissary PCs
February 15, 2023, 01:27:42 AM
Members of the Fourth Legion of the Sultan's Janissaries may, if unable to find a DM, initiate PvP in Ephia's Well (including exterior and interior areas but not those areas belonging to other factions) if done as part of a legitimate arrest. This rule does not hold for random beatings, shakedowns, or murders. PvP without a DM in the Krak des Roses is not allowed, as this area is governed by the Cinquefoil Rose.

Players are expected to use their best judgment in such situations and if a NPC would be responsive they are encouraged to wait for a DM.

Law enforcement players should be aware that they begin PvP at their own risk, and that if they lose there may be IC consequences for such. If a law enforcement PC begins PvP the subject of the arrest is clear to fight back, to retreat, or perform other actions.

If the criminal/target of arrest is victorious, and are standing over a defeated law enforcement PCs body, they may kill/loot/grab body/gloat briefly but then should swiftly depart the area if Law Enforcement NPCs are nearby as we wish to avoid the implausible situation of unpossessed NPCs not responding properly to the predicament of their comrade whenever possible.

This special ruling may be revoked if players can not handle these situations sensibly.
#11
Announcements / Note on Druids
February 14, 2023, 02:14:55 PM
Quote from: DM Halfbrood
Hello. After some discussion with my fellow DMs, we just want to clarify the position of 'Druids', as I think there is some confusion. There is no direct requirement for Druids to be always outside the hub/living a hermit life, etc.

Though that is possible (and we do love to see it), it is also possible for Druids to continue to maintain balance and their dedication to natural order around the Well as well (tending gardens, the waters, etc.) Druids are still averse to the unchecked expansion of civilisation, but this can be portrayed in a variety of ways, political and otherwise, from the Hub (and beyond).

We think that Druids have an important part to play in the storyline of EFU: Sands of Intrigue, and there is room for a variety of concepts.
#12
Announcements / Sunpurse is Closed to New PCs
December 12, 2021, 01:31:34 AM
As of this moment, House Sunpurse is now closed to new PCs.
#13
Announcements / -- EFU: Important Times and Dates --
December 08, 2021, 07:39:11 PM
A repeat performance of "The Cinquefoil Rose" is to be performed at the site of the Old Sunpurse Manor in the Ponds ...

Countdown December 11th 1:00 PM CST

This event will have a major impact upon the setting. There will be an important opportunity to decisively determine in which direction the Peerage goes.
#14
Announcements / A reminder about our standards.
September 01, 2021, 02:37:51 AM
Just some quick reminders about our standards:

- Please remember to roleplay on quests. Quests are not zones where roleplay stops. Roleplay should continue into quest areas. Suboptimal behavior on quests is sometimes a deliberate IC choice and should not result in lectures OOCly, in tells or otherwise. Respond to IC actions ICly.
- "Orcan threat?" is not a valid way to ask other characters to go questing. And yes, this does happen. You should make every effort to frame quest expeditions in an IC manner. Come up with reasons your character might want to go into the Mongrelwoods and hunt orcs and convey those to players. Do not treat quests like experiences that you repeat over and over ICly, even if it that is the reality. Try to make each quest train into a unique and memorable experience!
- Try not to ignore other players; respond to them when they talk to you and engage them when possible. It makes a difference.

Thanks, players! This is not to rain on anyone's parade, just a gentle reminder or a new lesson in the sorts of things we like to see here on EFU. Keep rocking out!
#15
Announcements / ?
December 10, 2020, 09:10:57 PM
#16
Notices and Bulletins / Region Profile: Ephia's Well
December 06, 2020, 02:07:26 AM
Quote
"You come from distant places, do you not, traveller? You must be thirsty. This Well... its waters are pure and clear. As we say in the desert: live and drink."

The following worldview is commonly held by the residents of Ephia's Well, and can be gleaned by any who spend time within its walls.

Overview

Ephia's Well is a small-scale fortress and sometimes-settlement that has long occupied a prominent and central spot on the trade routes between the splendorous cities of the desert, straddling a crossroads of the great Giant's Road. It is said to have been built by the ancient giants thousands of years ago; now their ruinous walls form the innermost quarter of the fortress, surrounding a bountiful oasis that flows outwards from tributaries deep within the earth. The surrounding walls have been built and torn down by conquerors, adventurers, and merchants... again and again and again.

The most recent incarnation of these attempts at state-building is a small colony-town tucked within the resurgent Sultanate of Baz'eel. It is governed by an assembly of Legates elected from among the Voiced population (those true citizens of the Well who have paid for their right of citizenship) who reign on behalf of the Sultan. Many of these Legates are drawn from the three most prominent political Leagues of Ephia's Well. The League of Purple, staunch traditionalists, the League of Gold, who value coin over blood, and the League of White, who position themselves as voice for the poor and needy. The Well's laws are nascent, largely inherited from Baz'eel, but dutifully enforced and mostly adhered to. Those who reject these laws find solace in the Well's linked network of cramped gutters and camps.

On the outskirts of this political battleground, three prominent groups are situated within Ephia's Well - the Astronomers of Q'tolip,  who ward Ephia's Well from natural disasters and lead its archaeological efforts, the Sultan's Janissaries, who maintain the Well's place in a growing empire and participate in its defense, and the Knights of the Cinquefoil Rose, who act as guarantors of the refugee culture and operate the Well's largest drinking establishment.

Teeming with refugees from ruined settlements, the Well has a linked destiny with the much larger city of Baz'eel, hosting the outflow of those that have been denied entry to the City of Splendors. Its minarets are visible in the Well's skyline, an ever-present reminder of the opulence that awaits those deemed worthy by the administrators of the settlement. The fourth legion of Baz'eel's standing army is stationed in the Well. They enforce the will of the Assembly and work to advance the interests of the nearby capital.

The population of Ephia's Well is small, perhaps no more than a few thousand people, but more refugees arrive every day. For work, many are craftsmen, relying on a steady stream of raw materials brought in by scavengers and caravaneers from the surrounding wastes - with frequent distributions of aid in "stabilization packages" from wealthy donors in Baz'eel.

Social Characteristics

Secretive - "The result of their discussion? I can't tell you that. Not for any price. They are listening, and they would have my head..."
Constructive - "Our walls, they crumble. Our people, they starve. We must build. We must build a jewel in the desert, a rival to all who behold it..."
Lawful - "The edict was clear; the cigars are illegal now. I suppose we will have to close the store. I don't know what I'll tell my father..."

Social Norms

Desperate - We have lost everything. Our past and our present, both taken from us in an instant. All that now remains is our future, and that grows uncertain with each passing day. We must dig in the sand, and pull out the treasures we find.  If that is not enough, we shall go to our masters, and grovel. We are not too proud to beg.
Hierarchical - All men have a place in society, and that must be recognized. The lesser is not the greater; the greater worked and labored and earned his place here. What have you done? You must bow your head when better men pass.
Meritocratic - But after he has passed, you must prepare to surpass him. Perform great feats in the name of the Citadel; build great monuments on her behalf; earn your place here. When once you have, perhaps it shall be he who bows his head.
#17
Announcements / The Crossroads
April 04, 2020, 01:23:25 AM
The Crossroads are an exciting new addition to the City of Rings. They connect all sorts of planar realms and various locations throughout the city.

The following needs to be kept in mind:
1) The area itself is currently Free PvP, and no DMs are required. Please prepare accordingly.
1) Carrying others blacked out through the portals is not permitted.

Please enjoy this new feature responsibly.
#18
Announcements / Unique Opportunities
March 19, 2020, 08:38:20 AM
Exciting times have come to the City of Rings. Players looking to get in on the Ticker Square "Blade Boom" are encouraged to do so.

+ I am willing and available to run preludes for new mercenary company concepts as long as you have at least three people.

+ PCs looking to join one of the current mercenary companies (visible in Ticker Square) can feel free to message me for a possession.

+ PCs looking to engage with one of the NPC mercenary companies (visible in Ticker Square) or any other major actor in Ticker Square can feel free to message me for a possession.

+ Guildmember and Rumor Mill PCs can feel free to message me for assistance with pushing their agendas, minor module changes, etc.

More events will follow in the coming weeks and the plot has the potential to chart the course of Ticker Square, so please don't hesitate to ask. Thanks!
#19
Announcements / Prelude
March 10, 2020, 03:23:22 AM
I am interested in running a prelude for a small and dedicated group of ringrunners for people without PCs. You will receive the following:

+ a custom uniform
+ a background as an established mercenary company in Ticker Square
+ a few hooks to get you started
+ the occasional DM event
+ level 6

I suggest timezones capable of playing 8 PM CST+. Message me on Discord if interested, looking to run this on 3/14/2020 at 8:00 PM CST.
#20
Announcements / I become a DM
February 09, 2019, 02:48:21 AM
Hello, I am unaccountably a DM now! Bear with me as I get settled in.

Feel free to hit me with requests, plots, whatever once I get properly settled. I'll catch you guys in game.