A Land Far Away

Being new (or returning from the ancient past to be exact), I was wondering if you all could help me out with some advice. What I want out of ALFA is a regular or semi-regular 'campaign' style of play - I want to experience a story/stories, which I will help shape through my character's roleplay. I'm not so much looking for a place to log in and go kill some monsters to 'lvl up' - in other words, not so interested in static content. I don't think this is where the strength of NWN2 lies - if I wanted that I would go play an MMORPG, as they are much better suited to that. Instead, I want my ALFA experience to closely resemble a good PnP campaign, but set in a persistant world where things happen even when I'm not looking. I hope, and think, that this is still what ALFA is about.

I would like to find an atleast semi-regular group to play with, and a DM willing to take this group under his or her wing and guide them through a plot where we can all effect the outcome. In return, I will contribute with an interesting character roleplayed to the best of my ability and hopefully furthering the story together with my fellow players.

So I suppose my question is: is there hope for me in ALFA? Anyone looking for the same thing? And if so, which server should I start on?

I'm in Europe, by the way, so timezones may be an issue.

you sir would make a great DM.

We did try to chain our DM core down with hamster hair rope but alas they got loose and now have what they call "REAL LIFES". we (the pklayers) are trying to coax them back to their cages through good ropleplay and diverse server attitudes. We once threatened all out warfare over the three leaf four leaf clover dilemna. This alone did not get DM attention but it did get us a reminder of the cVc rules.

I know theres a couple DMs trying to go the style the way you refer but in your timezone not certain.

The good news. DM;s are great when they have the time. Players are stupendous and Roleplayiong without DMage is the current trend. Yes theres some static content that is there for enjoyment and more is being pluged in as we speak. This to aid players getting into groups and having roleplay interactions.

IMO NwN2 servers are in there infancy of what they will be so if you can help along a bit now getting us through the bubble enjoy the roleplaying and appreciate the DMage when it shows your gonna appreciate it alot more.

The above thoughts are mine and mine alone..and do not reflect what you will find in game.


Did I mention the servers are beautiful and awe inspiring, full of factions and players from all timezones.

There is some of that, Furtive...but I hope you spread yourself around a bit as well so all can enjoy your presense on the server. IMO a PW is to create a world in which characters can grow and interact on a monumental scale. If you only want to log in at specific, scheduled time and play with a few select players under the guidance of a dedicated DM, my question would be....why a PW?

You asked (sort of ), so my advice is to get in-game and play. Our playerbase our phenomenal RPers who are a joy just to interact with whether it is on static content, drinking in a pub, or questing with a DM.

The rest will take care of itself, I think.

There is a lawful Helmite group in TSM
There is a good based group in TSM
There is an evil based group in TSM.

All three of the above have at least 3 players, DM attention, and great RP to be had.

Vendrin was running a weekly campaign, which has ended.

Regas is running at least one campaign on Wed nights, possibly based around Silverymoon University, and another on Saturday, possibly for the darker inclined.

The bad news is, I don't know of existing EURO campaigns... but if you'd like to get something rolling, I suspect you would have some friends

The bad news is, I don't know of existing EURO campaigns...

Helmite group definately plays primarily on Euro friendly times ( euro evenings). If that interests you, drop me a line!

Either way though, don't worry. You find plenty to get your RP fix!

AsteroidX wrote:you sir would make a great DM.

DMing would be great fun, but I think I'd have to be a player for a while first? Isn't there some rule about this? Anyway, should probably get my feet atleast a little wet as a player before delving into DMing.

johnlewismcleod wrote:There is some of that, Furtive...but I hope you spread yourself around a bit as well so all can enjoy your presense on the server. IMO a PW is to create a world in which characters can grow and interact on a monumental scale. If you only want to log in at specific, scheduled time and play with a few select players under the guidance of a dedicated DM, my question would be....why a PW?

Because I also want the world to be moving when I'm not there. I don't want to exclusively play a scheduled campaign - I want to participate in a living, breathing world, and certainly interact with others beyond a regular group. It's just that I want to see some story archs developing - not just random 'let's go kill some orcs and then have a drink in the tavern'. I want a chance to affect the world through my character's actions.

The following isn't directed at you, johnlewismcleod, just a general rant - but let me turn this question around and ask: Why do people play NWN if their interest lies in doing static quests over and over again? Have these people never heard of MMORPGs, where the whole game is usually built on doing pre-made quests to advance in level. This has always been a mystery to me. An NWN PW can never compete with an MMO in this regard. An MMO company has like 20 paid professionals working eight hours a day on nothing but churning out quests - an NWN server will have 1 guy (or 2 if they're lucky) occasionally plugging away at scripting quests in his spare time. And don't tell me it has to do with money - $15 a month is a bargain if you play more than three hours a month, which I suspect most do. So why would anyone play on an NWN server if they're just going to treat it as a traditional MMORPG with a DnD ruleset and mediocre graphics?

To me, the attraction of the NWN series has always been that you could play DnD with a few fellow minded people and most importantly with a DM who wanted to tell a story and who could alter the world based on your actions - something not offered by any MMORPG to date. This of course set in a persistent world where your party may cross paths with other parties or individuals, and either ally or come into conflict with them.

/end rant

johnlewismcleod wrote:You asked (sort of ), so my advice is to get in-game and play. Our playerbase our phenomenal RPers who are a joy just to interact with whether it is on static content, drinking in a pub, or questing with a DM.

The rest will take care of itself, I think.

I will do just that. Thanks!

Riotnrrd wrote:There is a lawful Helmite group in TSM
There is a good based group in TSM
There is an evil based group in TSM.

All three of the above have at least 3 players, DM attention, and great RP to be had.

Vendrin was running a weekly campaign, which has ended.

Regas is running at least one campaign on Wed nights, possibly based around Silverymoon University, and another on Saturday, possibly for the darker inclined.

The bad news is, I don't know of existing EURO campaigns... but if you'd like to get something rolling, I suspect you would have some friends

Thanks for the information! Things do sound good. So, are there any European DMs currently active or looking to become so? And what about players?

dergon darkhelm wrote:Helmite group definately plays primarily on Euro friendly times ( euro evenings). If that interests you, drop me a line!

Either way though, don't worry. You find plenty to get your RP fix!

Ah, sounds like there's hope then. Thanks!

You should be okay on either server. TSM has more established DMs, naturally. BG's two active DMs are in the US, but we just added on two Euro DMs this past week.

The rule about DMing at the moment is that if you DM on TSM, you can play on BG. BG DMs aren't playing a player character anywhere else in ALFA though. I think you're best off to start playing, and take on DMing later if you cannot resist any longer.

There aren't a lot of static quests to begin with and at least the ones I have found are not repeatable. Even if you wanted to you will not be able to fill up your time by doing statics. ALFA is all about the RP anyway. A big key is finding a group to play with otherwise you will be RPing by your lonesome the majority of the time and for me that gets boring especially when you know no one is even watching.

In NWN1 there was always the possibility of some invisible DM being out there so you would RP alone and hope he/she might be watching. There was this constant sense of performing because you never knew if big brother was watching. It was always exciting when you would occasionally get a little lag since that could mean an invisible DM avatar was entering the area.

In NWN2 however (and guys please correct me if I am wrong about this) you can see all the players and all the DMs that are logged on so you know for sure if there is a chance a DM is watching or if you are totally alone on the server sans DM.

*checks to make sure he is alone, takes off all his clothes and streaks in all his glory from Silvy to Rivermoot*

furtivefigure wrote:

AsteroidX wrote:you sir would make a great DM.

DMing would be great fun, but I think I'd have to be a player for a while first? Isn't there some rule about this? Anyway, should probably get my feet atleast a little wet as a player before delving into DMing.

From what I can tell, that rule has sort of gone into a semi-hibernation. However, as you're an old member, it shouldn't matter.

I've got a regular tuesday group running, but we're in aussie/nz time, so not too easy for you. I believe Vendrin will also be setting up a regular campaign soon, but then, once again, timing isn't to easy as he is american.

K...I could have phrased that with a bit more tact, Furtive...my apologies.

There are players who seem not to want to interact with the general player base and don't want to log in except with DM appointment, but I shouldn't have implied that was what you intended.

I look forward to seeing you IG.

johnlewismcleod wrote:There are players who seem not to want to interact with the general player base and don't want to log in except with DM appointment, but I shouldn't have implied that was what you intended.

Or there are some who only have a few hours of playing time, so try and make sure when they do get some it's with a DM around. Not all of us have the time to sit around on an server waiting for something to happen.

Keep digging that hole, John

You sir should get into PR

johnlewismcleod wrote:
There are players who seem not to want to interact with the general player base and don't want to log in except with DM appointment, but I shouldn't have implied that was what you intended

.

Or there are some who only have a few hours of playing time, so try and make sure when they do get some it's with a DM around. Not all of us have the time to sit around on an server waiting for something to happen.

Keep digging that hole, John

ALFA definitely aims to support "adhoc" play (unscheduled logging on of players and DMs, in which player or DM-initiated sessions may be had with or without scripted quests ("statics"). Usually these "adhoc" sessions serve to:

1. Help the world feel "alive" and persistent
2. Get PCs interacting with each other
3. Set the stage for larger story arcs
4. Get DMs acquainted with PCs for future story hooks

Often these grow into regular semi-scheduled sessions by common convenience, but I would generally say that people who want to play exclusively during campaign sessions only would likely find ALFA's current NWN2 mode of operations less than ideal. Neverwinter Connections has some options for getting in on regular, recurring DM-ed play which are more suited to that mode of operations, in my opinion.

On the other side of things; I certainly don't believe we endorse or encourage any kind of repeated "grinding/farming" of static content in an MMO fashion; indeed, we've established rules, game event-logging, and other measures meant to discourage, and when necessary, punish for "Powergaming". The majority of our membership engages in scripted quests ("static content") occasionally and in an in-character fashion. It is meant to offer material for adventures in the off-times when larger plots are not pressing. It is not meant to power-level through the first 1-3 levels, nor to replace or substitute for normal roleplaying and/or DM'ed interactions.

To sum up, if you have a certain amount of distaste for use/overuse of static scripted content for advancement, and are actively interested in joining/participating in DM'ed sessions, you're right in with the majority of active ALFA players. Hopefully you'll be able to see some DM time (adhoc or otherwise), and not let "Player X who fights spawns/does statics more often than I think is appropriate" keep you from enjoying the gaming experience.

While I continue to see a disconect between wanting to inhabit a living, breathing world and effect changes in that world while eschewing interaction with the majority of the PC's, I admit I'm a newb and occassionally think I know what I'm talking about, when in fact I don't , so...

Drops shovel and backs away from hole slowly