Legends of Aria/Shards Online Alpha 3: What area?

[Rick7475]

So, Faerun is big. It would be nice if the 22 or so members here that showed interest in ALFA 3 can discuss a geographical starting point. Lets use this thread to discuss the merits of where we want to begin.

It is important that we get a consensus so that those interested in building can start researching the source material.

The first area should be interesting and diverse enough for all the races and cultures. It should also be big enough to support many factions, guilds, religions, magic, and wealth. The location should probably be on major trade routes or near the seas. A reasonable size for the builders is also important. We want to attract new members to ALFA 3, so I think the area needs to be well known for FR players.

I am hoping that this thread will result in enough clear choices for a poll.

So have at it, where do you want ALFA 3 to start its first area?

[vergin_sacrifice]

Calimshan, specifically Calimport.

According to many of the history things I have read over the years, it is one of the oldest societies of Faerun. I think we should start there.

[FoamBats4All]

There's been some chatter about this in the other thread(s). I hope we can find a place that motivates a lot of builders, rather than having us all splinter off and work on our own thing. A strong first server sounds more appealing than 2+ servers with minimal builder counts.

[Magile]

My vote would be to do something new. We've had:

[*]Baldur's Gate
[*]The Silver Marches
[*]Waterdeep
[*]Skullport
[*]Western Heartlands
[*]Dalelands

All appear in our NWN1/NWN2 versions of ALFA. I would love to expand and go somewhere else for a bit, instead of remaking the same old modules each time. If we wanted to add it at a later date? Sure, it's not an issue. One of the first servers though may be a bit much.

[Arianna]

AMN

start with the city of
Athkatla and move outward from there

[causk]

Amn and Calimsham do have a bit of a peculiar culture if we base things around the 2e sourcebook that might be a bit nonstandard FR/Fantasy fare.
How about Tethyr or Cormyr? More or less standard feudalism,intrigue with non-feudal moneygrubbin neighbours and enough wilderness for into the wilderness adventure.

[Cast_No_Shadow]

I like Amn and Tethyr. Also wouldn't mind more Dalelands as it's been a long time.

Neverwinter/Frozen North might be nice too.

We should keep an eye on areas we covered in nwn1 but that never got tonnes of attention.


Areas that are 100% no we've done it to death would be:
Waterdeep, Silverymoon, Baldurs Gate, maybe Moonsheas

[dergon darkhelm]

The North. - Luskan, Ten Towns, Mirabar, Lurkwood,The Spine of the World. ... Maybe Mithril Hall.



Then connect it to a TLR-ish server around Triboar and Yartar and (if industrious) Neverwinter

[Arianna]

I would not want a starting server where you have to constantly fight the elements to survive [extremes of heat or cold]
Makes it difficult for low levels to endure

[ImStrokerAce]

Luskan does sound pretty damn interesting for any alignment/class/race to start off.

[dergon darkhelm]

I would not want a starting server where you have to constantly fight the elements to survive [extremes of heat or cold]
Makes it difficult for low levels to endure

Sure, but for non-fantastical environments ( like planar, molten lava rifts, etc) we've never played out "normal" extreme weather as causing elemental damage. On the glacier on TSM, at the top of the Cloud Peaks, etc, PCs buy winter cloaks and heavy boots and RP it.

[Rick7475]

Calimport is pretty much Waterdeep south for fans of that city. It has wards, sewers, city watch, docks, etc. If we expand to coastal towns or islands via sea voyages it would be easy to link. But I think one major city is enough. Sailing to a variety of islands would fun. A caravan can take you through the desert north for a price if you don't want to risk walking. It has good potential.

[Arianna]

Sure, but for non-fantastical environments ( like planar, molten lava rifts, etc) we've never played out "normal" extreme weather as causing elemental damage. On the glacier on TSM, at the top of the Cloud Peaks, etc, PCs buy winter cloaks and heavy boots and RP it.

Actually there are several areas on TSM in the peaks where there are triggers that actually cause damage for cold

[Magile]

Sure, but for non-fantastical environments ( like planar, molten lava rifts, etc) we've never played out "normal" extreme weather as causing elemental damage. On the glacier on TSM, at the top of the Cloud Peaks, etc, PCs buy winter cloaks and heavy boots and RP it.

Actually there are several areas on TSM in the peaks where there are triggers that actually cause damage for cold

We had Anauroch in NWN1. You needed to have proper clothing and supplies (water, etc) or take script-based damage every so often that could lead to your death. We've done this stuff before, for sure.

[FoamBats4All]

It's certain that we can do it. I think the argument is that our first server shouldn't be in a place like Anauroch, where it's a constant concern almost everywhere.